cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NMDA agonists for autism spectrum disorders: progress and possibilities

Transgenic mice with NMDA-receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction display impaired sociability (i.e., diminished preference for exploring conspecifics), supporting a critical role for the NMDAR in regulation of sociability. The endogenous tone of NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission is altered in the Balb/c mouse model of autism spectrum disorders; thus, the effects of targeting the NMDAR in Balb/c mice on sociability, cognition and stereotypic behavior were explored. Positive effects of this pharmacotherapeutic strategy were observed in Balb/c and other relevant mouse strains displaying impaired sociability. Furthermore, in a preliminary translational clinical trial, D-cycloserine, a partial glycineB site agonist, improved sociability and diminished stereotypies in a sample of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders. The data encourage pharmacotherapeutic targeting of the NMDAR.
Mechanism of Notch and Sox2 in Kras driven lung adenocarcinoma in type II cells

sequencing space/sample, and d) frequency of polymerase error at the nucleotide site bearing the mutation. In targeted NGS, synthetic competitive IS control for stochastic sampling at input of both target into library preparation and of target library product into sequencer, enable reduced sequencing space requirement, and control for qualitative errors generated during library preparation and sequencing. These controls enable accurate clinical diagnostic reporting of confidence limits and limit of detection for copy number measurement, and reduce sequencing space required for analysis.
Exploring Cache Size and Core Count Tradeoffs in Systems with Reduced Memory Access Latency

One of the main challenges for computer architects is how to hide the high average memory access latency from the processor. In this context, Hybrid Memory Cubes (HMCs) can provide substantial energy and bandwidth improvements compared to traditional memory organizations. However, it is not clear how this reduced average memory access latency will impact the LLC. For applications with high cache miss ratios, the latency to search for the data inside the cache memory will impact negatively on the performance. The importance of this overhead depends on the memory access latency. In this paper, we present an evaluation of the L3 cache importance on a high performance processor using HMC also exploring chip area tradeoffs between the cache size and number of processor cores. We show that the high bandwidth provided by HMC memories can eliminate the need for L3 caches, removing hardware and making room for more processing power. Our evaluations show that performance increased 37% and the EDP improved 12% while maintaining the same original chip area in a wide range of parallel applications, when compared to DDR3 memories.
Abstract 1294: Suppression of uPA in chemo-sensitization and p53 regulation in pancreatic cancer cells

Despite new knowledge of the molecular profile of pancreatic cancer and its precursor lesions, survival rates have changed very little over the last 40 years. The ability to predict which patients would benefit most from surgical intervention and/or chemotherapy would be a great clinical asset. Researchers have demonstrated that uPA is frequently present in a higher concentration in the serum of pancreaticobiliary cancer patients. It is known that uPA is involved in ECM degradation and has been correlated with malignant transformation of cancer cells. Emerging data have suggested that the capability of a tumor to grow and propagate is dependent on a small subset of cells within a tumor called cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer initiating cells. Under in vitro cell culture conditions, these cells possess sphere-forming ability, which is known to be one of the properties of CSCs. Interestingly, the significance of this sphere formation ability still remains unclear. Recent studies have demonstrated that these sphere-forming cells acquired chemoresistance to cisplatin. In the present study, as observed by FACS analysis, we show that a sub-population of MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells possess cancer stem cell properties. RNAi-mediated suppression of uPA in these cells retarded their tumor forming ability in a nude mouse model. We also observed that uPA-suppressed MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells, after supplementation with uPA protein regained their cancer stem cell phenotype and showed increased expression of Lhx-2. To determine whether these sub-population cells possess any chemoresistance, we treated these cells with varying concentrations of gemcitabine (0-1000 nM) and observed that these cells were resistant to gemcitabine even at the 1000 nM concentration. Further suppression of uPA using siRNA in these cells sensitized these cells to gemcitabine. In addition, to determine whether uPA has any transcriptional role, we examined whether uPA interacted with any known transcription factors we used a TF-protein array. We observed that uPA interacted with Hoxa-5 very strongly. To further determine whether the interaction of uPA with Hoxa-5 invokes any regulatory response, we used a p53 promoter known to possess Hoxa-5 binding regions to drive a Luciferace gene, both with and without the presence of uPA. We observed that uPA retarded p53 promoter activity. Finally, nude mice implanted with MIA PaCa-2 cancer stem cells were susceptible to gemcitabine treatment after uPA downregulation. Taken together, these results indicate that targeting uPA can sensitize chemoresistant pancreatic cells to gemcitabine. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1294. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1294
Does history of substance use disorder predict acute traumatic brain injury rehabilitation outcomes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE The study explored whether premorbid substance use disorder (SUD) predicts acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes. METHODS 143 participants with moderate (34.2%) and severe (65.8%) TBI were enrolled at two Level 1 trauma center inpatient brain injury rehabilitation units. Acute outcomes were measured with the Disability Rating Scale (DRS), the FIMTM; self and informant ratings of the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS); self and family rating of the Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale (FrSBe), and the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale-Revised (NRS-R). RESULTS Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that SUD history significantly predicted trajectories of PCRS clinician ratings, PCRS self-family and PCRS self-clinician discrepancy scores, and more negative FrSBE family ratings. These findings indicate comparatively greater post-injury executive functions (EF) impairments, particularly self-awareness (SA) of injury-related deficits, for those with SUD history. No significant SUD*time interaction effect was found for FIM or NRS-R scores. CONCLUSIONS SUD history and TBI are associated with impaired SA and EF but their co-occurrence is not a consistent predictor of acute post-injury functional outcomes. Pre-morbid patient characteristics and rater expectations and biases may moderate associations between SA and recovery after TBI.
High-frequency ventilation with an uncuffed endobronchial tube. A new technique for one-lung anesthesia.

Conventional one-lung intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (OL-IPPV) has been a valuable technique during anesthesia for intrathoracic operations. OL-IPPV has been associated with a high incidence of hypoxemia, as a result of the associated intrapulmonary shunt of 21% to 65% of cardiac output. The administration of OL-IPPV requires the use of a large cuffed endobronchial double-lumen tube. These tubes can be difficult to position properly and have been associated with malfunction, trauma, and tracheobronchial rupture. In an effort to avoid the problems associated with conventional OL-IPPV, we have developed a new technique of modified one-lung high-frequency ventilation (MOL-HFV). MOL-HFV is based on the administration of high-frequency ventilation (HFV) through a small uncuffed endobronchial tube. MOL-HFV was studied in 26 patients during a variety of intrathoracic surgical procedures, and it was compared to one-lung high-frequency ventilation (OL-HFV) and OL-IPPV in each patient. After the chest was opened, each patient received a sequence of OL-IPPV, OL-HFV, and MOL-HFV. Arterial Po2 was measured and intrapulmonary shunting was calculated after 30 minutes of each type of ventilation. This study showed that arterial Po2 was significantly higher during MOL-HFV (mean 379 mm Hg) than during OL-HFV (mean 235 mm HG) or OL-IPPV (mean 141 mm Hg). This was the result of a significantly lower intrapulmonary shunt during MOL-HFV (19%). We conclude that MOL-HFV through a small uncuffed endobronchial tube provides better oxygenation, optimal surgical access, and avoids the problems associated with the use of double-lumen tubes.
Alcohol and Advertising: The Unexamined Relationship

The ingestion of alcohol is among the moderating variables that may affect the effectiveness of television commercials. The effects of alcoholic beverages have been the focus of numerous investigations. The findings have important implications as they suggest that the ingestion of alcohol affects learning and retention. Consequently, further study is warranted. However, research has been hampered by the fact that the behaviors exhibited in the laboratory are different from those that occur in in vivo settings. These issues are addressed and a procedure for overcoming them is proposed.
Electronic cigarettes in the media

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are an increasingly popular source of nicotine and an increasingly popular topic in the media. Concerns about potential hazards associated with e-cigarette use ...
SU‐G‐201‐06: Directional Low‐Dose Rate Brachytherapy: Determination of the TG‐43 Dose‐Rate Constant Analog for a New Pd‐103 Source

Purpose: The aim of this work is to determine the TG-43 dose-rate constant analog for a new directional low-dose rate brachytherapy source based on experimental methods and comparison to Monte Carlo simulations. The CivaSheet™ is a new commercially available planar source array comprised of a variable number of discrete directional source elements called “CivaDots”. Given the directional nature and non-conventional design of the source, modifications to the AAPM TG-43 protocol for dosimetry are required. As a result, various parameters of the TG-43 dosimetric formalism have to be adapted to accommodate this source. This work focuses on the dose-rate constant analog determination for a CivaDot. Methods: Dose to water measurements of the CivaDot were performed in a polymethyl methacrylate phantom (20×20×12 cm3) using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and Gafchromic EBT3 film. The source was placed in the center of the phantom, and nine TLD micro-cubes were irradiated along its central axis at a distance of 1 cm. For the film measurements, the TLDs were substituted by a (3×3) cm2 EBT3 film. Primary air-kerma strength measurements of the source were performed using a variable-aperture free-air chamber. Finally, the source was modeled using the Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code 6. Results: Dose-rate constant analog observed for a total of eight CivaDots using TLDs and five CivaDots using EBT3 film was within ±7.0% and ±2.9% of the Monte Carlo predicted value respectively. The average difference observed was −4.8% and −0.1% with a standard deviation of 1.7% and 2.1% for the TLD and the film measurements respectively, which are both within the comparison uncertainty. Conclusion: A preliminary investigation to determine the doserate constant analog for a CivaDot was conducted successfully with good agreement between experimental and Monte Carlo based methods. This work will aid in the eventual realization of a clinically-viable dosimetric framework for the CivaSheet. This work was partially supported by NCI contract (HHSN261201200052C) through CivaTech Oncology Inc.
Supersizing pyrrole-modified porphyrins by reversal of the ‘breaking and mending’ strategy

While the ‘breaking and mending of porphyrin strategy’ proved versatile in the generation of a range of pyrrole-modified porphyrins containing 4-, 5-, and 6-membered heterocycles, it failed to access systems incorporating larger rings. A reversal of the strategy – first mending, then breaking – now allowed the formation of a pyrrole-modified porphyrin containing an 8-membered 1,3,6-triazocine-2,4,8-trione heterocycle.
Jupiter rising: a decade of clos topologies and centralized control in Google's datacenter network

We present our approach for overcoming the cost, operational complexity, and limited scale endemic to datacenter networks a decade ago. Three themes unify the five generations of datacenter networks detailed in this paper. First, multi-stage Clos topologies built from commodity switch silicon can support cost-effective deployment of building-scale networks. Second, much of the general, but complex, decentralized network routing and management protocols supporting arbitrary deployment scenarios were overkill for single-operator, pre-planned datacenter networks. We built a centralized control mechanism based on a global configuration pushed to all datacenter switches. Third, modular hardware design coupled with simple, robust software allowed our design to also support inter-cluster and wide-area networks. Our datacenter networks run at dozens of sites across the planet, scaling in capacity by 100x over 10 years to more than 1 Pbps of bisection bandwidth. A more detailed version of this paper is available at Ref.
The epigenome in Alzheimer’s disease: current state and approaches for a new path to gene discovery and understanding disease mechanism

The advent of new technologies and analytic approaches is beginning to provide an unprecedented look at features of the human genome that affect RNA expression. These “epigenomic” features are found in a number of different forms: they include DNA methylation, covalent modifications of histone proteins and non-coding RNAs. Some of these features have now been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we focus on recent studies that have identified robust observations relating to DNA methylation and chromatin in human brain tissue; these findings will ground the next generation of studies and provide a model for the design of such studies. Stemming from observations that compounds with histone deacetylase activity may be beneficial in AD, epigenome-wide studies in cortical samples from large numbers of human subjects have now shown that AD-associated epigenomic changes are reproducible, are not driven by genetic risk factors, and are widespread at specific locations in the genome. A fundamental question of whether such changes are causal remains to be demonstrated, but it is already clear that well-powered investigations of the human epigenome in the target organ of a neurodegenerative disease are feasible, are implicating new areas of the genome in the disease, and will be an important tool for future studies. We are now at an inflection point: as genome-wide association studies of genetic variants come to an end, a new generation of studies exploring the epigenome will provide an important new layer of information with which to enrich our understanding of AD pathogenesis and to possibly guide development of new therapeutic targets.
Nutrition support for the burn patient

Nutrition support represents a critical component in the care of the acutely burned patient. Management of nutritional demands mandates attention to the unique hypermetabolic state that results from major burn injury; this pathophysiology results in loss of lean body mass, increased fat accretion and protein wasting, and impaired wound healing. Historically, failure to address these problems in victims of major burn injury often resulted in a fatal degree of inanition and death from infection and heart failure within a few weeks of injury [1, 2]. Current understanding and appreciation of burn hypermetabolism is still imperfect, but methods exist to support the patient throughout the critical period of muscle wasting and metabolic demand while healing occurs. Thus, the goal of nutrition support in the burn patient is to ameliorate- and hopefully optimize- the deranged metabolism resulting from burn injury and permit successful closure of the burn wound and resolution of the hypermetabolic state.
Are Seizures Really a Problem After the Use of Antifibrinolytics

Antifibrinolytic therapy is important in hemostatic control during modern paediatric cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. There continues to be controversy regarding the available agents, e(epsilon)-aminocaproic acid and TXA, to utilize; whether there is a clearly superior choice. This discussion highlights the pharmacology differences between e(epsilon)-aminocaproic acid and TXA and reviews the data comparing the two drugs in paediatric cardiac surgical patients.
Abstract 991: Role of autophagy as potential molecular mechanism in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity

Autophagy is basic catabolic cellular process which is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis during nutrient starved and stress conditions. Even though autophagy is altered in various cardiovascular diseases including cardiomyopathy and heart failure, its precise role in heart conditions remains ambiguous. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody approved for treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Trastuzumab treatment has been shown to induce considerable cardiotoxicity. Molecular mechanism for trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity remains largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of autophagy as potential molecular mechanism in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity. We treated human primary cardiomyocytes with trastuzumab at different time points, and then examined the expression of prominent autophagic markers such as LC3A/B, Beclin 1 and Bcl-2 by western blotting. Results divulged that expression levels of LC3A/B were markedly decreased in cardiomyocytes after 24 and 48 h of trastuzumab treatment. Beclin 1 protein levels also significantly decreased, although Bcl-2 expression was increased. These results indicate that downregulation of Beclin 1 and upregulation of Bcl-2 after trastuzumab treatment could potentially impede the formation of autophagosomes resulting in inhibition of autophagy. Collectively, these data indicate that autophagy plays a beneficial role in normal cardiac tissues by preventing the accumulation of abnormal proteins or damaged organelles. However, trastuzumab treatment may inhibit the autophagy, resulting in cardiomyopathy. Citation Format: Nishant Mohan, Yi Shen, Wen Jin Wu. Role of autophagy as potential molecular mechanism in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 991. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-991
A new species of springtails from Mexico, Dicranorchesella occulta sp. n. and a redescription of D. boneti (Collembola; Entomobryidae)

The new Mexican species Dicranorchesella occulla is described and a supplementary description of the type species D. boneti is presented. The validity of scale morphology and dental spination as taxonomic characters in this genus is discussed. The manubrial organ of males, previously known to occur only in the genus Orchesella , was found in Dicranorchesella boneti .
Racial Justice as Transitional Justice

In the United States today, there remain many unresolved issues related to race, in particular issues that are legacies of past injustices toward African Americans. This article argues that, in add...
Optical Coherence Tomography in Susac's Syndrome (P02.105)

OBJECTIVE: To report the findings of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in a cohort of patients with Susac9s syndrome. BACKGROUND: Susac9s syndrome is an autoimmune endotheliopathy with predilection for brain, retina and cochlea. It should be differentiated from central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). As Susac9s syndrome can have devastating neurological consequences, early diagnosis and treatment is essential to avoid a poor outcome. OCT is a noninvasive test which has recently been elaborated in the diagnosis of CNS demyelinating disease, but it has not been studied in Susac9s syndrome so far. DESIGN/METHODS: Three patients with confirmed diagnosis of Susac9s syndrome underwent Spectral Domain OCT using Heidelberg Spectralis © OCT, to determine retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness. The patients were in different stages of Susac9s syndrome: acute, chronic- optimally treated, and chronic- untreated. The OCT results were analyzed using normative database which was provided by Heidelberg Spectralis © . RESULTS: The OCT demonstrated decreased RNFL thickness and loss of foveal contour in all of our patients, the degree of which correlated with the stage and severity of the disease. RNFL abnormalities were patchy and more severe in the nasal quadrant, contrasting with typically temporal quadrant abnormalities described in MS . CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate for the first time in this pilot study the OCT changes in different stages of Susac9s syndrome. OCT may prove to be a useful diagnostic tool in Susac9s syndrome, and help differentiate it from MS. Furthermore, OCT may be a non-invasive alternative to fluorescein angiography in longitudinal follow up of these patients. Disclosure: Dr. Bernard has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec and Bayer. Dr. Bernard has received research support from Biogen Idec. Dr. Romero has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis, Questcor, and Teva Neuroscience as a consultant. Dr. Agrawal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jager has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Inc., Alcon, and OD-OS. Dr. Jager holds stock and/or stock options in OD-OS and Ophthotech. Dr. Rezania has received personal compensation for activities with Depomed Inc and Walgreens as a speaker.
Gamete Surface Components and Their Role in Fertilization

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of gamete surface components in fertilization. The passage of the spermatozoon to the egg surface involves important and in some cases essential preliminaries in fertilization. At the morphological level, these preliminaries include the sperm acrosomal reaction, penetration of any extracellular egg membranes, and, finally, the attachment of the sperm to the egg plasma membrane. Fertilization mechanisms have been studied more extensively in the sea urchin than in any other metazoan. Sea urchin sperms rapidly agglutinate in the supernatant seawater from egg suspensions. Fertilizin from eggs and antifertilizin from sperm constitute a specific egg–sperm interacting system of wide, if not universal, occurrence. Removal of these surface substances reduces the fertilizing capacity of the gametes. It is likely that a fertilizing–antifertilizin interaction initiates the acrosomal reaction, contributes substantially to the specificity of fertilization, and operates in attachment of the gametes.
Variable rescue of microtubule and physiological phenotypes in mdx muscle expressing different miniaturized dystrophins

Delivery of miniaturized dystrophin genes via adeno-associated viral vectors is one leading approach in development to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Here we directly compared the functionality of five mini- and micro-dystrophins via skeletal muscle-specific transgenic expression in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. We evaluated their ability to rescue defects in the microtubule network, passive stiffness and contractility of skeletal muscle. Transgenic mdx mice expressing the short dystrophin isoform Dp116 served as a negative control. All mini- and micro-dystrophins restored elevated detyrosinated α-tubulin and microtubule density of mdx muscle to values not different from C57BL/10, however, only mini-dystrophins restored the transverse component of the microtubule lattice back to C57BL/10. Passive stiffness values in mdx muscles expressing mini- or micro-dystrophins were not different from C57BL/10. While all mini- and micro-dystrophins conferred significant protection from eccentric contraction-induced force loss in vivo and ex vivo compared to mdx, removal of repeats two and three resulted in less protection from force drop caused by eccentric contraction ex vivo. Our data reveal subtle yet significant differences in the relative functionalities for different therapeutic constructs of miniaturized dystrophin in terms of protection from ex vivo eccentric contraction-induced force loss and restoration of an organized microtubule lattice.
Substrate effect on electrical conductance at a nanoasperity-graphene contact

Abstract The use of graphene for applications such as micro- and nano-scale electronic devices often involves incorporating the two-dimensional material onto various substrates. However, the effects of the substrate's mechanical properties on electrical contact conductance are not fully understood. Here, we explore these effects by measuring the conductance between a nanoscale probe and a single layer of graphene with three different levels of substrate support: no substrate, i.e. free-standing graphene, an elastic substrate, and a rigid substrate. These three systems are studied using conductive atomic force microscopy experiments complemented by molecular dynamics simulations using the electrochemical dynamics with implicit degrees of freedom method. In both experiments and simulations, at a given normal force, current increases as: rigid substrate
Long-Term Outcomes After Carotid Endarterectomy: The Experience of an Average-Volume Surgeon.

Background Long-term outcome data for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are lacking. As most of the published literature on CEA outcomes has been from high-volume providers, we wanted to investigate the outcomes of an average-volume cerebrovascular neurosurgeon. Methods We reviewed a single neurosurgeon's experience with CEA focusing on long-term outcomes. Most procedures (99.0%) were performed with primary closure of the arteriotomy. Results We studied 192 CEAs performed between 1998 and 2017, 77% for symptomatic disease. Two patients (1%) experienced immediate postoperative stroke. During an average follow-up of 53 months (range, 0–205 months), 2 more patients (1%) experienced ipsilateral carotid circulation stroke, and 5 patients (2.6%) experienced ipsilateral transient ischemic attacks. Five patients (2.6%) experienced contralateral transient ischemic attacks, and 6 (3.1%) experienced contralateral stroke. There were also 3 cases of (1.6%) hemorrhagic stroke and 6 cases (3.1%) of vertebrobasilar circulation stroke. The rate of ipsilateral stroke-free survival was 98.4% at 5 years post-CEA, 97.9% at 10 years post-CEA, and 97.9% at 15 years post-CEA. The rate of ipsilateral restenosis-free survival was 97.9% at 5 years post-CEA, 96.8% at 10 years post-CEA, and 96.8% at 15 years post-CEA. Six patients (3.1%) experienced restenosis >70% during follow-up. Two of these patients underwent carotid artery stenting. Almost all patients (>95%) were maintained on an antiplatelet medication and statin. Conclusions In the hands of an average-volume cerebrovascular neurosurgeon, CEA can provide durable protection from recurrent stroke in the ipsilateral carotid distribution that extends beyond 15 years. Thus, this procedure should be considered the gold standard against which other revascularization modalities should be evaluated.
On mixing in continuous-time quantum walks on some circulant graphs

Classical random walks on well-behaved graphs are rapidly mixing towards the uniform distribution. Moore and Russell showed that the continuous-time quantum walk on the hypercube is instantaneously uniform mixing. We show that the continuous-time quantum walks on other well-behaved graphs do not exhibit this uniform mixing. We prove that the only graphs amongst balanced complete multipartite graphs that have the instantaneous exactly uniform mixing property are the complete graphs on two, three and four vertices, and the cycle graph on four vertices. Our proof exploits the circulant structure of these graphs. Furthermore, we conjecture that most complete cycles and Cayley graphs of the symmetric group lack this mixing property as well.
Novel mutation in COL1A1 associated with Osteogenesis imperfecta not compatible with life

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a skeletal dyscrasia characterized by decreased bone strength and associated fractures. Over 95% of autosomal dominant forms of this disease are associated with defects in the genes for collagen COL1A1 and COL1A2.1 The lethal type II disease has been identified antenatally by symmetrically shortened long bones and micromelia. Many reports have indicated that a femur length to abdominal circumference ratio (FL:AC) of less than 0.16 is predictive of lethality associated with OI.2,3 We report a case that presented at 20 weeks’ gestation with shortening of the lower limbs, specifically a lagging femur length and FL:AC of < 0.16. On subsequent ultrasound examinations, progressive shortening of the femur as well as shortening of the long bones of the upper extremities was documented. The thorax appeared normal until 31 weeks. The FL:AC remained below 0.16 throughout pregnancy. Workup in the neonatal period identified a novel mutation in COL1A1. The neonate was able to breathe spontaneously at birth requiring minimal respiratory support for the initial 2 weeks and lived for 26 days.
Interactions of Radiation with Atoms and Molecules

This series of four lectures presents in a fundamental and comprehensive way the interaction of radiation with atomic and molecular systems. The first lecture deals with the quantum theory of molecular systems; the adiabatic approximation is introduced and its implications for the use of the symmetry properties of the system are treated. The second lecture deals with the theory of the radiative field; it starts with the consideration of the classical radiative field and then treats the quantum theory of such a field. The third lecture deals with the interaction of a radiative field and a charged particle and considers the various radiative processes that such an interaction can produce. The fourth lecture treats the more general problem of the interaction between radiation and atomic and molecular systems; the Franck-Condon principle in its various formulations (classical, semiclassical and quantum mechanical) is introduced.
Evoked and Induced Gamma-Frequency Oscillations in Autism

Recent studies by our group have characterized the neuropathology of autism as that of a minicolumnopathy. Postmortem studies using computerized image analysis of pyramidal cell arrays have found that the brains of autistic individuals have smaller minicolumns with most of the decrease stemming from a reduction in its peripheral neuropil space, with little, if any reduction, in their core space. This finding has been reproduced using different techniques (e.g., GLI) and independent populations (Casanova et al. 2002a, b, c, 2006a, b). It is now known that minicolumnar width reduction in autism spans supragranular, granular, and infragranular layers (Casanova et al. 2010). The most parsimonious explanation for the findings is the possible abnormality of an anatomical element in common to all layers. The peripheral neuropil space of minicolumns provides, among other things, for inhibitory elements distributed throughout all of its laminae. This is the so-called shower curtain of inhibition of the minicolumn described by Szentagothai and Arbib (1975). Our findings therefore suggest a deficit within the inhibitory elements that surround the cell minicolumn (Casanova et al. 2006a).
Effect of chemical clarification of oral fluids on the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus IgG

Routine collection and testing of oral fluid (OF) samples facilitates porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) surveillance in commercial swine herds in a cost-effective, welfare-friendly fashion. However, OFs often contain environmental contaminants that may affect liquid handling and test performance. Traditional processing methods (e.g., filtration or centrifugation) are not compatible with high-throughput testing because of the burden of additional processing costs and time. OF "clarification" using chemical flocculants is an alternative approach not widely explored. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of chitosan-based clarification treatment on a commercial PRRSV OF ELISA. Serum and individual OFs were collected from vaccinated pigs ( n = 17) at -7 to 42 d post-vaccination and subdivided into 4 aliquots. Each aliquot was clarified (treatment A, B, C), with the 4th aliquot serving as untreated control. All samples were tested by PRRSV OF ELISA immediately after treatment and then were held at 4°C to be re-tested at 2, 4, 6, and 14 d post-treatment. Quantitative and qualitative treatment effects were evaluated. A Kruskal-Wallis test found no significant difference in ELISA S/P responses among treatments by days post-treatment. No difference was detected in the proportion of positive PRRSV antibody samples among treatments (Cochran Q, p > 0.05). Treatment of swine OFs using chitosan-based formulations did not affect the performance of a commercial PRRSV OF ELISA. Chitosan (or other flocculants) could improve OF characteristics and could be adapted for use in the field or in high-throughput laboratories.
Context-dependent hyperarticulation of the Korean three-way laryngeal stop contrast in clear speech

We investigate whether and how speakers’ adaptation to feedback is reflected in hyperarticulation by comparing the productions of Korean aspirated, lenis, and fortis stops in plain versus clear speech. Ten Seoul Korean speakers were asked to read a stop-initial nonword and repeat the nonword after receiving misrecognition feedback that contained a contrasting stop. f0 and VOT were examined as main cues to the Korean stop distinction. Results showed that VOT was lengthened for aspirated and lenis stops in clear compared to plain speech. This difference in VOT was attributable to speakers’ modification in response to different types of feedback. VOT for aspirated stops was lengthened after both fortis and lenis feedback whereas VOT for lenis stops was lengthened only after fortis feedback. f0 did not show a difference between plain and clear speech. However, f0 enhancement for lenis and fortis stops depended on the type of feedback. f0 for lenis stops was lowered after aspirated feedback and raised after fortis feedback. Fortis stops’ f0 was lowered after aspirated and raised after lenis feedback. Overall, speakers can make local modifications in VOT and f0 in response to specific feedback, suggesting precise control in their effort to distinguish sounds and maintain intelligibility.
Long-term drift of Si-MOS quantum dots with intentional donor implants

Charge noise can be detrimental to the operation of quantum dot (QD) based semiconductor qubits. We study the low-frequency charge noise by charge offset drift measurements for Si-MOS devices with intentionally implanted donors near the QDs. We show that the MOS system exhibits non-equilibrium drift characteristics, in the form of transients and discrete jumps, that are not dependent on the properties of the donor implants. The equilibrium charge noise indicates a 1/f noise dependence, and a noise strength as low as $$1\,\mu {\rm{eV}}/\sqrt{{\rm{Hz}}}$$ , comparable to that reported in more model GaAs and Si/SiGe systems (which have also not been implanted). We demonstrate that implanted qubits, therefore, can be fabricated without detrimental effects on long-term drift or 1/f noise for devices with less than 50 implanted donors near the qubit.
The Geopolitics of Travel Blogging

Travel blogs are an under-utilized data repository of everyday geopolitical musings. These public, longform, generally reflexive texts allow researchers to better understand how travellers narrate ...
Assessment of flow–ecology relationships for environmental flow standards: a synthesis focused on the southeast USA

Environmental flow standards are a management tool that can help to protect the ecosystem services sustained by rivers. Although environmental flow requirements can be assessed using a variety of m...
An Invitation to System-wide Algorithmic Fairness

We propose a framework for analyzing and evaluating system-wide algorithmic fairness. The core idea is to use simulation techniques in order to extend the scope of current fairness assessments by incorporating context and feedback to a phenomenon of interest. By doing so, we expect to better understand the interaction among the social behavior giving rise to discrimination, automated decision making tools, and fairness-inspired statistical constraints. In particular, we invite the community to use agent based models as an explanatory tool for causal mechanisms of population level properties. We also propose embedding these into a reinforcement learning algorithm to find optimal actions for meaningful change. As an incentive for taking a system-wide approach , we show through a simple model of predictive policing and trials that if we limit our attention to one portion of the system, we may determine some blatantly unfair practices as fair, and be blind to overall unfairness.
The Paradox of Patient Consent: A Feminist Account of Illness and Healthcare.

Through autoethnographic analysis, I present my personal illness story as a case study in patient consent. In doing so, I explore the complexities that emerge at the intersection of gender and heal...
Impact of cold stress on birth and weaning weight in a composite beef cattle breed

Abstract Beef cattle are often exposed to extreme environmental conditions with varying temperatures, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of cold stress on growth-related traits and to assess its variation between sire families in a composite beef cattle breed in eastern Montana. Weather data were collected from an airport close to the research station. Comprehensive climate index (CCI), a measure of cold load, was used to classify cold stress into mild (CCI
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROSCOPY OF CIRCUMNUCLEAR STAR CLUSTERS IN M83

We analyze archival HST/STIS/FUV-MAMA imaging and spectroscopy of 13 compact star clusters within the circumnuclear starburst region of M83, the closest such example. We compare the observed spectra with semi-empirical models, which are based on an empirical library of Galactic O and B stars observed with IUE, and with theoretical models, which are based on a new theoretical UV library of hot massive stars computed with WM-Basic. The models were generated with Starburst99 for metallicities of Z = 0.020 and Z = 0.040, and for stellar initial mass functions (IMFs) with upper mass limits of 10, 30, 50, and 100 M{sub sun}. We estimate the ages and masses of the clusters from the best-fit model spectra and find that the ages derived from the semi-empirical and theoretical models agree within a factor of 1.2 on average. A comparison of the spectroscopic age estimates with values derived from HST/WFC3/UVIS multi-band photometry shows a similar level of agreement for all but one cluster. The clusters have a range of ages from about 3 to 20 Myr and do not appear to have an age gradient along M83's starburst. Clusters with strong P-Cygni profiles have masses of a fewx10{sup 4} M{sub sun}, seemmore » to have formed stars more massive than 30 M{sub sun}, and are consistent with a Kroupa IMF from 0.1to100 M{sub sun}. Field regions in the starburst lack P-Cygni profiles and are dominated by B stars.« less
Gangrene, revascularization, and limb function improved with E-selectin/adeno-associated virus gene therapy.

Objective Novel therapeutic angiogenic concepts for critical limb ischemia are still needed for limb salvage. E-selectin, a cell-adhesion molecule, is vital for recruitment of the stem/progenitor cells necessary for neovascularization in ischemic tissues. We hypothesized that priming ischemic limb tissue with E-selectin/adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy, in a murine hindlimb ischemia and gangrene model, would increase therapeutic angiogenesis and improve gangrene. Methods FVB/NJ mice were given intramuscular hindlimb injections of either E-selectin/AAV or LacZ/AAV and then underwent induction of gangrene via femoral artery ligation and concomitant systemic injections of the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor L-NAME (L-NG-Nitro arginine methyl ester; 40 mg/kg). Gangrene was evaluated via the Faber hindlimb appearance score. The rate of ischemic limb reperfusion and ischemic tissue angiogenesis were evaluated using laser Doppler perfusion imaging and DiI perfusion with confocal laser scanning microscopy of the ischemic footpads, respectively. The treadmill exhaustion test was performed on postoperative day (POD) 8 to determine hindlimb functionality. Results The E-selectin/AAV-treated mice (n = 10) had decreased Faber ischemia scores compared with those of the LacZ/AAV-treated mice (n = 7) at both PODs 7 and 14 (P < .05 and P < .01, respectively), improved laser Doppler perfusion imaging reperfusion indexes by POD 14 (P < .01), and greater gangrene footpad capillary density (P < .001). E-selectin/AAV-treated mice also had improved exercise tolerance (P < .05) and lower relative muscular atrophy (P < .01). Conclusion We surmised that E-selectin/AAV gene therapy would significantly promote hindlimb angiogenesis, reperfusion, and limb functionality in mice with hindlimb ischemia and gangrene. Our findings highlight the reported novel gene therapy approach to critical limb ischemia as a potential therapeutic option for future clinical studies.
Price dispersion across U.S. cities: The role of Walmart

Abstract This study examines the effect of Walmart on price dispersion across US cities. Although US retail architecture has been changed over the past two decades by the expansion of big-box chain-stores such as Walmart, the impact of such market consolidation on price dispersion is not examined rigorously. Using opening/conversion dates of Walmart and good-specific quarterly retail prices for 101 US cities over 25 years, we examine the role of Walmart on price dispersion across US cities. Our analysis shows that price dispersion in a city-pair increases when Walmart enters one of the cities in the pair. When Walmart enters the other city of the city-pair, price dispersion falls from that increased level but the fall is not enough to bring the price dispersion back to the level where there is no Walmart in the city-pair. This finding implies that Walmart drives down prices in ‘early’ cities more than in ‘late’ cities and that prevalence of big-box stores may be one of the reasons for price dispersion across cities.
Evidence for Occupational Therapy Interventions Supporting Work and Social Participation for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.

IMPORTANCE Evidence supports interventions for work and social participation for adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE To systematically collect and evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to improve or maintain the performance of and participation in education, work, volunteering, leisure, and social participation among adults with MS. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, OTseeker, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews searches for articles published from January 2011 to December 2018. Study Selection and Data Collection: Two independent reviewers analyzed articles using Cochrane methodology. Articles were assessed in terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria, quality, and risk of bias. FINDINGS Although the review was developed to address education, work, volunteering, leisure, and social participation, only work and social participation outcomes were found in the literature. Six hundred eighteen articles were reviewed, and 4 articles met the inclusion criteria. One Level 1b study and 1 Level 3b study provided moderate strength of evidence with moderate risk of bias for an online work intervention to improve self-esteem and better understand career goals. One Level 3b study provided low strength of evidence for interdisciplinary rehabilitation to address work. Finally, 1 Level 1b study with a yoga group intervention provided moderate strength of evidence with low risk of bias to improve social participation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This review highlights the lack of evidence related to various types of participation for adults with MS. The evidence focused on work and social participation was limited. What This Article Adds: This review highlights the need for interventions within the scope of occupational therapy for increased participation for adults with MS.
Constrictive Pericarditis Presenting as Isolated Ascites.

Abstract Constrictive pericarditis is a rare cause of right-sided heart failure secondary to a stiff, non-compliant pericardium. Clinical presentation can vary considerably and requires a high suspicion for diagnosis. A 31-year-old male presented to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal distension. An abdominal ultrasound revealed large volume ascites; thus, it was initially suspected he had underlying cirrhosis. However, an echocardiogram revealed a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. It's important for clinicians to consider constrictive pericarditis in a patient presenting with unexplained right-sided heart failure.
Superior neuronal outgrowth guidance and rate enhancement using silicon nitride self-rolled-up membranes

An outstanding challenge for humanity is to continue to understand how our brain works and invent technology to restore neural circuit functionalities. Many neural interfaces used for neuron cell cultures are flat, open, rigid, and opaque, posing challenges to reflecting the native microenvironment of the brain and precise engagement with neurons. Here we present a novel neural interface consisting of silicon nitride microtube arrays formed by a new nanotechnology platform that simply relies on strain-induced self-rolled-up membrane (S-RUM) mechanism [1]. We have found that these microtubes provide robust physical confinement and unprecedented guidance effect towards outgrowth of primary cortical neurons [2]. What is more surprising is that a dramatic increase (20x) of the growth rate inside the microtube compared to regions outside the microtubes has been observed [2]. The outgrowth of hippocampal neurons is also explored using identical platforms with the intent of integrating both networks on the same chip. The unique characteristics of these S-RUM microtubes that enabled the cell guidance and acceleration will be discussed in detail: (1) True 3D geometrical confinement: the perfect cylindrical geometry of the S-RUM microtubes with tunable diameters and ultra-thin walls, the same type of small and confined spaces neurons grow in vivo, provides conformal 3D adhesion tailored to different kinds of cells. (2) Electrostatic adhesion: the deposited SiN x thin films are found to have a high density of trapped positive charges that naturally attract the axon towards the microtube opening. The ability of the microtube array to control the speed and direction of axonal extension provides a key element in arranging patterned neural networks that have both short and long range connections. (3) Optically transparent: having the ability to see through both the tube and the underlying substrate enabled direct observation of how cells transition from the flat regions to different parts of the tube.