cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Yield from Routine Prostatic Needle Biopsy in Patients more than 50 Years Old Referred for Urologic Evaluation: A Preliminary Report

AbstractApproximately 10 per cent of the patients undergoing simple prostatectomy for presumed benign disease have clinically unsuspected prostatic carcinoma. In these patients curative treatments, such as radical prostatectomy and some forms of radiation therapy, often are compromised by the simple prostatectomy. To determine whether routine prostatic needle biopsy would be practical to identify patients with occult carcinoma a prospective study has been initiated of routine needle biopsy in patients more than 50 years old referred for urologic evaluation. To date 71 consecutive patients have been biopsied, 21 of whom underwent subsequent simple prostatectomy after negative needle biopsy. Carcinoma was found in none of 24 men not having prostatic induration, 4 of 36 (11 per cent) with minimal induration and 5 of 11 (45 per cent) with marked induration. The results indicate that the vast majority of the patients with prostatic carcinomas has some degree of palpable induration and that a high index of susp...
A Fly in the Ointment

In 1776, economics became a discipline and studies of the advantages of the corporate structure became its primary subject of analysis. Ever since Adam Smith’s An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, economics has rejoiced in and been hindered by what we now refer to as the neoclassical model.
A Toll receptor-FoxO pathway represses Pavarotti/MKLP1 to promote microtubule dynamics in motoneurons

FoxO proteins are evolutionarily conserved regulators of neuronal structure and function, yet the neuron-specific pathways within which they act are poorly understood. To elucidate neuronal FoxO function in Drosophila melanogaster, we first screened for FoxO's upstream regulators and downstream effectors. On the upstream side, we present genetic and molecular pathway analyses indicating that the Toll-6 receptor, the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain adaptor dSARM, and FoxO function in a linear pathway. On the downstream side, we find that Toll-6-FoxO signaling represses the mitotic kinesin Pavarotti/MKLP1 (Pav-KLP), which itself attenuates microtubule (MT) dynamics. We next probed in vivo functions for this novel pathway and found that it is essential for axon transport and structural plasticity in motoneurons. We demonstrate that elevated expression of Pav-KLP underlies transport and plasticity phenotypes in pathway mutants, indicating that Toll-6-FoxO signaling promotes MT dynamics by limiting Pav-KLP expression. In addition to uncovering a novel molecular pathway, our work reveals an unexpected function for dynamic MTs in enabling rapid activity-dependent structural plasticity.
Ultrasonic Characterization of Fatigue Damage in Metal Matrix Composites

Structural parts made from metal matrix composites are expected to sustain high levels of mechanical and thermal loadings. In most cases these loadings have a cyclic nature. They lead to the development of fatigue damage. It is important to have nondestructive testing tools which would allow one to detect and quantify the damage in these materials at early stages of its development and predict the remaining fatigue life.
Gender-Dependent Up-Regulation of the VWF-Cleaving metalloprotease ADAMTS-13 in Mice with Obesity and Hypercholesterolemia.

The development of atherothrombosis is associated with hypercholesterolemia and systemic inflammation. Recent studies have shown that adipose tissue may directly promote inflammation. Since one of the hallmark events of atherosclerosis is the deposition of von Willebrand factor (VWF) on vascular endothelial cells, the release and proteolysis of ultra-large (UL) and hyperreactive VWF may play an important role in the development of thrombotic diseases. We therefore investigated how the synthesis of ADAMTS-13, the newly characterized metalloprotease that cleaves the hyperreactive ULVWF to smaller and less active form, may be regulated in mice with obesity and hypercholesterolemia. Wild-type C57BL/6 and Apo E −/− C57Bl/6 mice (18 in each group with equal gender distribution) were fed with regular Chow or western-type high fat diet for 6 months and then analyzed for ADAMTS-13 mRNA in the liver (by quantitative PCR), the primary site of ADAMTS-13 synthesis, and ADAMTS-13 activity under flow condition. We found that ADAMTS-13 mRNA was more than doubled for wild-type mice on high fat diet than those on regular diet (4.14±0.46 vs. 1.72±0.57 units, respectively, p < 0.01). The increase was 47.9% for Apo E−/− mice on high fat diet compared to mice on regular diet (2.61±0.31 vs. 3.86±0.72 units, respectively, p = 0.05). When the data were stratified for gender difference, the increase was primarily observed in male mice. For male mice, ADAMTS-13 mRNA on high fat diet was more than four and two folds of those on regular diet for wild-type and Apo E−/− mice, respectively. , For female mice, however, the increase was less than 40% and only detected in wild-type mice fed with high fat diet. Consistent with this observation, ADAMTS-13 activity in general was lower in female (61±12%) than males (81±10%, p < 0.05). For both wild-type and Apo E−/− mice, we detected no difference in ADAMTS-13 activity in males, but a significantly lower activity in the female Apo E−/− mice on high fat diet (19.6±10.5% vs. 49.1±9.2% for high fat and regular diets, respectively, p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the synthesis of ADAMTS-13 is up-regulated in obese mice (wild-type on high fat diet) and mice with hypercholesterolemia (Apo E−/− mice on high fat diet). The increase may serve as a protective measure to encounter the likely increase in ULVWF release due to systemic inflammation and endothelial cell stimulation seen in these mice. Interestingly, male mice showed a much stronger up-regulation than females. The low rate of ADAMTS-13 synthesis may contribute to the lower ADAMTS-13 activity found in female mice, suggesting that the machinery of ULVWF proteolysis in female mice may be less responsive to obesity/hypercholesterolemia and systemic inflammation.
Intramolecular Formation of Zwitterionic Intermediates in 1,3-Diaza-Claisen Rearrangements

Isothioureas tethered to bridged-bicyclic tertiary allylic amines can be converted to carbodiimides through reaction with Hg(II) salts. Intramolecular cyclization of the tethered tertiary allylic amines to the carbodiimides afford zwitterionic intermediates that undergo 1,3-diaza-Claisen rearrangements, affording highly substituted tricyclic guanidines.
Comparison of remote sensing algorithms for retrieval of suspended particulate matter concentration from reflectance in coastal waters

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is a key environmental indicator for rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters, which can be calculated from remote sensing reflectance obtained by an airborne or satellite imager. Here, algorithms from prior studies are applied to a dataset of in-situ at surface hyperspectral remote sensing reflectance, collected in three geographic regions representing different water types. These data show the optically inherent exponential nature of the relationship between reflectance and sediment concentration. However, linear models are also shown to provide a reasonable estimate of sediment concentration when utilized with care in similar conditions to those under which the algorithms were developed, particularly at lower SPM values (0 to 20 mg/L). Fifteen published SPM algorithms are tested, returning strong correlations of R2>0.7, and in most cases, R2>0.8. Very low SPM values show weaker correlation with algorithm calculated SPM that is not wavelength dependent. None of the tested algorithms performs well for high SPM values (>30 mg/L), with most algorithms underestimating SPM. A shift toward a smaller number of simple exponential or linear models relating satellite remote sensing reflectance to suspended sediment concentration with regional consideration will greatly aid larger spatiotemporal studies of suspended sediment trends.
Residential distance to major roadways and semen quality, sperm DNA integrity, chromosomal disomy, and serum reproductive hormones among men attending a fertility clinic.

Abstract Objective We examined associations of residential distance to major roadways, as a proxy for traffic-related air pollution exposures, with sperm characteristics and male reproductive hormones. Design The cohort included 797 men recruited from Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center between 2000 and 2015 to participate in fertility research studies. Materials and methods Men reported their residential addresses at enrollment and provided 1–6 semen samples and a blood sample during follow-up. We estimated the Euclidean distance to major roadways (e.g. interstates and highways: limited access highways, multi–lane highways (not limited access), other numbered routes, and major roads) using information from the Massachusetts Department of Geographic Information Systems. Semen parameters (1238 semen samples), sperm DNA integrity (389 semen samples), chromosomal disomy (101 semen samples), and serum reproductive hormones (405 serum samples) were assessed following standard procedures. Results Men in this cohort were primarily Caucasian (86%), not current smokers (92%), with a college or higher education (88%), and had an average age of 36 years and BMI of 27.7 kg/m2. The median (interquartile range) residential distance to a major roadway was 111 (37, 248) meters. Residential proximity to major roadways was not associated with semen parameters, sperm DNA integrity, chromosomal disomy, or serum reproductive hormone concentrations. The adjusted percent change (95% CI) in semen quality parameters associated with a 500 m increase in residential distance to a major roadway was –1.0% (–6.3, 4.5) for semen volume, 4.3% (–5.8, 15.7) for sperm concentration, 3.1% (–7.2, 14.5) for sperm count, 1.1% (–1.2, 3.4) for % total motile sperm, and 0.1% (–0.3, 0.5) for % morphologically normal sperm. Results were consistent when we modeled the semen parameters dichotomized according to WHO 2010 reference values. Conclusion Residential distance to major roadways, as a proxy for traffic-related air pollution exposure, was not related to sperm characteristics or serum reproductive hormones among men attending a fertility clinic in Massachusetts.
Prostate Artery Embolization

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is exceedingly common in men over 50 years of age. It can range from asymptomatic to severely symptomatic with obstruction and recurrent urinary tract infections. For men with symptomatic BPH who do not respond to medical therapy, prostate artery embolization is a minimally invasive treatment option. Selective arterial embolization of the arteries supplying the prostate effectively reduces both the volume of the prostate and the associated symptoms. Additionally, prostate artery embolization can be used to treat hematuria of prostatic origin.
Neomycin Reduces the Intestinal Production of Ammonia from Glutamine

The mechanism by which neomycin treatment reduces circulating ammonia concentrations was studied in normal and portacaval shunted rats. Rats were given neomycin for 3 days and then fasted for 24 hours to eliminate feces. Neomycin decreased arteriovenous differences of ammonia across the intestine even when the intestines were empty. Neomycin treatment lowered the activity of glutaminase in the intestinal mucosa and the rate of ammonia production from glutamine by isolated intestinal segments. The intestines from portacaval shunted rats had higher glutaminase activity (by 57%), and produced ammonia from glutamine at a greater rate (by 31%), than intestines from controls. Neomycin treatment lowered glutaminase activity and ammonia production in shunted rats, but glutaminase activity still remained higher than in controls (by 23%). The data indicate that the mechanism by which neomycin lowers plasma ammonia is owing, at least in part, to a direct effect on the intestines. Specifically, neomycin causes a reduction in mucosal glutaminase activity and thereby decreases the ability of the mucosa to consume glutamine and produce ammonia.
Engaging every student in large laptop-enhanced courses

This paper proposes that with the right hardware and software tools, it is possible to: (1) engage students during lecture with short in-class exercises to help them to learn course material immediately, (2) provide students with feedback on how they are doing on a particular topic, (3) conduct frequent (even daily) assessment of each student in order to identify students who are not catching on, and (4) to conduct short programming exercises in lecture or lab, exercises that are easy to evaluate and can give valuable clues as to who can program and who cannot. We show how we use a web-based tool called MessageGrid in a laptop-enhanced computer science class to implement student activities that both engage the students and reap the benefits of peer-instruction and peer-collaboration. The exercises we describe and the pedagogical techniques we employ can be used in CS1, CS2, CS4, and other computer science classes.
Are Satellite-Gauge Rainfall Products Better than Satellite-Only Products for Nile Hydrology?

The objective of this study is to compare the performances of two rainfall products (with resolutions of 3-h, 0.25°×0.25°) developed by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) method: TMPA 3B42RT (a real-time version that does not include any rain gauge data) and TMPA 3B42 (a research version that combines TMPA 3B42RT with global rain gauge data). These products are separately used as input into the SWAT hydrological model to simulate daily streamflow for two adjoining watersheds (Koga with drainage area of 299 km2, and Gilgel Abay with a drainage area of 1,656 km2) in the Ethiopian part of the Nile basin, and the simulations are then compared to observed streamflow. Results turn the conventional notion on its head: the satellite-only TMPA 3B42RT products are found to be much better than the satellite-gauge TMPA 3B42 products in terms of their ability in reproducing daily streamflow. Nile hydrologist are advised to use TMPA 3B42RT over TMPA 3B42. Algorithm developers are advised to take a deeper look into their bias adjustment techniques especially in mountainous topography and rain gauge sparse regions.
Using both qualitative and quantitative data in parameter identification for systems biology models

In systems biology, qualitative data are often generated, but rarely used to parameterize models. We demonstrate an approach in which qualitative and quantitative data can be combined for parameter identification. In this approach, qualitative data are converted into inequality constraints imposed on the outputs of the model. These inequalities are used along with quantitative data points to construct a single scalar objective function that accounts for both datasets. To illustrate the approach, we estimate parameters for a simple model describing Raf activation. We then apply the technique to a more elaborate model characterizing cell cycle regulation in yeast. We incorporate both quantitative time courses (561 data points) and qualitative phenotypes of 119 mutant yeast strains (1647 inequalities) to perform automated identification of 153 model parameters. We quantify parameter uncertainty using a profile likelihood approach. Our results indicate the value of combining qualitative and quantitative data to parameterize systems biology models.
Neuroinflammatory Nexus of Pediatric Epilepsy.

A rapidly growing body of evidence supports the premise that neuroinflammation plays an important role in initiating and sustaining seizures in a range of pediatric epilepsies. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that neuroinflammation is both an outcome and a contributor to seizures. In this manner, seizures that arise from an initial insult (e.g., infection, trauma, and genetic mutation) contribute to an inflammatory response that subsequently promotes recurrent seizures. This cyclic relationship between seizures and neuroinflammation has been described as a “vicious cycle.” Studies of human tissue resected for surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy have reported activated inflammatory and immune signaling pathways, while animal models have been used to demonstrate that key inflammatory mediators lead to increased seizure susceptibility. Further characterization of the molecular mechanisms involved in this cycle may ultimately enable the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of epilepsy. In this brief review, we focus on key inflammatory mediators that have become prominent in recent literature of epilepsy, including newly characterized microRNAs and their potential role in neuroinflammatory signaling.
Terrain ruggedness and limits of political repression: Evidence from China’s Great Leap Forward and Famine (1959-61)

Abstract Chairman Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward development plan strongly affected food security in rural China at the time, given that many of the associated policies exploited rural labor and extracted resources. A few months after the plan’s initial implementation in August 1958, food shortages were reported; by the spring of 1961, more than 30 million citizens had died of starvation and famine-related illnesses. However, as the national plan was rolled out and then upheld over three years, on-the-ground implementation was nonuniform. Using georeferenced terrain ruggedness data which captures small-scale topological irregularities and information on provincial leadership attitudes towards Mao’s plan, I provide evidence on forces underlying the famine’s intensity and distribution. The analysis is based on a differential effect, in which a fear-based incentive structure characterizing the plan’s implementation is implicitly embedded. The baseline results indicate that rugged terrain protected more than 4.6 million rural Chinese from dying in the famine. By identifying an additional benefit of ruggedness to health and well-being in some rural communities, I show that not only does a causal relationship exist at a local level between Great Leap policies and famine mortality, but also that the lethality of the policies varied per state power at the time.
Machine learning-based modeling and operation for ALD of SiO2 thin-films using data from a multiscale CFD simulation

Abstract Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a widely utilized deposition technology in the semiconductor industry due to its superior ability to generate highly conformal films and to deposit materials into high aspect-ratio geometric structures. However, ALD experiments remain expensive and time-consuming, and the existing first-principles based models have not yet been able to provide solutions to key process outputs that are computationally efficient, which is necessary for on-line optimization and real-time control. In this work, a multiscale data-driven model is proposed and developed to capture the macroscopic process domain dynamics with a linear parameter varying model, and to characterize the microscopic domain film growth dynamics with a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) model. The multiscale data-driven model predicts the transient deposition rate from the following four key process operating parameters that can be manipulated, measured or estimated by process engineers: precursor feed flow rate, operating pressure, surface heating, and transient film coverage. Our results demonstrate that the multiscale data-driven model can efficiently characterize the transient input-output relationship for the SiO2 thermal ALD process using bis(tertiary-butylamino)silane (BTBAS) as the Si precursor. The multiscale data-driven model successfully reduces the computational time from 0.6 to 1.2 h for each time step, which is required for the first-principles based multiscale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, to less than 0.1 s, making its real-time usage feasible. The developed data-driven modeling methodology can be further generalized and used for other thermal ALD or similar deposition systems, which will greatly enhance the feasibility of industrial manufacturing processes.
Metasurface-generated complex 3-dimensional optical fields for interference lithography

Fast, large-scale, and robust 3-dimensional (3D) fabrication techniques for patterning a variety of structures with submicrometer resolution are important in many areas of science and technology such as photonics, electronics, and mechanics with a wide range of applications from tissue engineering to nanoarchitected materials. From several promising 3D manufacturing techniques for realizing different classes of structures suitable for various applications, interference lithography with diffractive masks stands out for its potential to fabricate complex structures at fast speeds. However, the interference lithography masks demonstrated generally suffer from limitations in terms of the patterns that can be generated. To overcome some of these limitations, here we propose the metasurface-mask–assisted 3D nanofabrication which provides great freedom in patterning various periodic structures. To showcase the versatility of this platform, we design metasurface masks that generate exotic periodic lattices like gyroid, rotated cubic, and diamond structures. As a proof of concept, we experimentally demonstrate a diffractive element that can generate the diamond lattice.
Exploring the soundscape of small freshwater lakes

Abstract Monitoring freshwater ecosystems using passive acoustics is a largely unexplored approach, despite having the potential to yield information about the biological, geological and anthropogenic activity of a lake or river system. The state of Minnesota, located in the upper Midwest of the USA and nicknamed ‘land of 10,000 lakes’, provides an interesting case study for soundscape research, because lakes offer ecological, recreational and economic value throughout the area. The underwater soundscape was monitored at fifteen small lakes
Detection of human fecal pollution in environmental waters using human mitochondrial DNA and correlation with general and human-associated fecal genetic markers

Human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic markers are abundant in sewage and highly human-specific, suggesting a great potential for the environmental application as human fecal pollution indicators. Limited data are available on the occurrence and co-occurrence of human mtDNA with fecal bacterial markers in surface waters, and how the abundance of these markers is influenced by rain events. A 1-year sampling study was conducted in a suburban watershed impacted by human sewage contamination to evaluate the performance of a human mtDNA-based marker along with the bacterial genetic markers for human-associated Bacteroidales (BacHum and HF183) and Escherichia coli. Additionally, the human mtDNA-based assay was correlated with rain events and other markers. The mtDNA marker was detected in 92% of samples (n = 140) with a mean concentration of 2.96 log10 copies/100 ml throughout the study period. Human mtDNA was detected with greater abundance than human-associated Bacteroidales that could be attributed to differences in the decay of these markers in the environment. The abundance of all markers was positively correlated with rain events, and human mtDNA abundance was significantly correlated with various bacterial markers. In general, these results should support future risk assessment for impacted watersheds, particularly those affected by human fecal pollution, by evaluating the performance of these markers during rain events.
Desensitization induces hyporesponsiveness and cell-surface phenotype changes on wild-type and humanized mouse mast cells

Background Rapid drug desensitization (DST) protocols have been developed based on clinical evidence, but in vitro studies are lacking. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the early stages of DST will allow improvements in patients’ treatment. The aim of this study is to demonstrate and characterize the induction of hyporesponsiveness in murine mast cells by desensitization. Methods We assessed the effect of rapid desensitization on murine bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMC). Experiments with three diferent types of murine BMMC were done: wild-type, LILRB4-/-, and transgenic expressing the human receptor FceRI. Wild-type and LILRB4-/- BMMC were sensitized with anti-DNP IgE and stimulated with DNP, while transgenic BMMC were sensitized with concentrated human serum of allergic subjects and stimulated with the respective allergen. BMMC were stimulated through desensitization or single activation, with optimal or suboptimal doses of antigen. Comparisions were made according to the percentage of b-Hexosaminidase (b-Hex) release by BMMC and the expression of LAMP-1 on the surface of these cells. Furthermore, expression of FceRI, PDL1 and LILRB4 on the surface of BMMC were also assessed. Results
New tensions dim hopes for salvaging Iran nuclear deal

Since U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal 2 years ago, other signatories have tried to salvage the agreement, in hopes of constraining Iran9s ability to resurrect a nuclear weapons program. But a series of disputes has continued to fray the agreement. This week, questions about Iran9s past clandestine atomic research program took center stage during a meeting of the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency. And recent moves by the Trump administration have threatened to derail the conversion of Iranian nuclear facilities to reduce the risk that they could contribute to a weapons program.
Gaps in Training: Misunderstandings of Airway Management in Medical Students and Internal Medicine Residents.

Objectives(1) Evaluate baseline airway knowledge of medical students (MSs) and internal medicine (IM) residents. (2) Improve MS and IM resident understanding of airway anatomy, general tracheostomy...
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of transition-state analogs as inhibitors of the bacterial quorum sensing autoinducer synthase CepI.

Abstract Quorum sensing is a bacterial signaling system that involves the synthesis, secretion and detection of signal molecules called autoinducers. The main autoinducer in Gram-negative bacteria are acylated homoserine lactones, produced by the LuxI family of autoinducer synthases and detected by the LuxR family of autoinducer receptors. Quorum sensing allows for changes in gene expression and bacterial behaviors in a coordinated, cell density dependent manner. Quorum sensing controls the expression of virulence factors in some human pathogens, making quorum sensing an antibacterial drug target. Here we describe the design and synthesis of transition-state analogs of the autoinducer synthase enzymatic reaction and the evaluation of these compounds as inhibitors of the synthase CepI. One such compound potently inhibits CepI and constitutes a new type of inhibitor against this underdeveloped antibacterial target.
Far Infrared Photo-Response of Silicon Inversion Layers

The photo response induced by far infrared radiation interacting with electrons in silicon inversion layers at 4.2°K can be associated with at least five distinct processes. Of these, four can be attributed directly to the physics of the quasi-two dimensional electron system. The response can be either photoresistive or photo-conductive, each type characterized by a distinct response time, magnitude and temperature dependence as well as a resonant or broad band response with respect to photon energy. It is now accepted that as the electron density is increased, initially an electron localization occurs as evidenced by a thermally activated conductivity. In high mobility samples at electron densities greater than ∼ 5×10” electrons/cm2 the conductivity becomes metallic in nature. The observed responses manifest both of these conditions as well as the quantization induced by the electric field perpendicular to the surface.
Reliability of 3 Urine Specific Gravity Meters for Measuring Brix and Urine Solutions at Different Temperatures

CONTEXT The measurement of urine specific gravity should be performed at room temperature (20 °C) but sample temperature is not always taken in consideration. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the effect of sample temperature on the measurement accuracy of a digital (DIG) and optical (MAN) refractometer and a hydrometer (HYD). DESIGN Quantitative comparison between measurement outcomes for a reference solution (sucrose, degrees Brix) and fresh collected urine samples. SAMPLES Experiment 1 used a 24 Brix (°Bx) samples and experiment 2 used 33 fresh urine samples. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Urine specific gravity (USG). RESULTS Experiment 1 showed DIG and MAN did not differ from reference, but HYD reported lower or inconsistent values compared to Bx, while highly correlating with Bx solutions (r: > 0.89). The overall diagnostic ability of elevated USG (≥ 1.020; ≥ 1.025; ≥ 1.030) was high for all tools (AUC > 0.92). Misclassification of samples increased from 0 to 2 at 1.020 to 1 to 3 samples at cutoff 1.025 and 1.030 USG. Bland-Altman analysis showed DIG 5 °C underreports slightly without reporting bias (r: -0.344, P = 0.13); all other plots for DIG, MAN, and HYD showed considerably larger underreporting at higher concentrations (r ranging from -0.21 to -0.97 with P > .02) at all temperatures. The outcomes of experiment 2 using DIG 20°C as standard, showed only negligible differences between DIG and MAN at all temperatures, but larger differences using HYD. CONCLUSIONS All tools showed reporting bias when compared to °Bx solutions which can impact classification of low and high urine concentration at higher USG cutoff values, especially at a sample temperature of 37 °C.
The role of hippocampus and amygdala morphology in memory bias of learned fear in youth with chronic pain

Exaggerated recall of pain may pose a risk for pain persistence and elevated pain-related distress. In adults with chronic pain, such discrepancy (or memory bias) has been correlated to hippocampal morphology. However, this has not been examined in youth with chronic pain nor applied to the recall of fear and negative affect, and to amygdala morphology, considering its involvement in threat processing. This study therefore aims to examine whether hippocampal and amygdala shape is related to a biased recall of threat-safety learning in youth with chronic pain. T1-weighted MR images of 85 youth were analyzed (age M=15.6±0.9), of which 54 had chronic pain. The Screaming Lady paradigm was used for threat conditioning. Follow-up memory interviews assessed recalled fear and unpleasantness of conditioned stimuli (threat/CS+, safe/CS-). A discrepancy score was calculated between actual and recalled fear/negative affect (n=60, including n=37 patients). Permutation-based statistics focused on group differences in hippocampus and amygdala morphology using vertex-based shape analysis, as well as on correlations with discrepancy scores (voxel-based thresholding, corrected for multiple comparisons). We found an overall negative memory bias only for unpleasantness of the CS+. On an individual level, 20% had a negatively-biased recall for unpleasantness of the CS+, and 35% for fear of the CS+. Analyses showed no group differences in hippocampal or amygdala shape displacement. Nevertheless, there was a negative correlation between memory bias in fear for the CS+ and right amygdala shape displacement, indicating that a more negative fear-related memory bias is associated with thinning of this region. No other correlations were observed. Our findings revealed that a recall bias for learned fear is related to amygdala morphology in youth. Youth with chronic pain, however, did not differ in amygdala morphology compared to controls. NIH R01HD083270 to LE Simons.
Probabilistic Force Estimation and Event Localization (PFEEL) algorithm

Abstract Localization of human activity using floor vibrations has gained attention in recent years. In human health technologies, floor vibrations have been recently used to estimate gait parameters to predict a patients’ health status. Various methodologies such as using the characteristics of wave traveling (algorithms based on time of arrival) or the properties of structures (Force Estimation and Event Localization, FEEL, algorithm) have been investigated to localize the impact, fall, or step events. This paper presents a probabilistic approach that builds upon the FEEL algorithm to offer the advantage of eliminating the need for a robust experimental setup. The proposed Probabilistic Force Estimation and Event Localization (PFEEL) algorithm provides a probabilistic measure to an event’s force estimation and localization using random variables associated with the floor’s dynamics. The algorithm can also guide calibration by identifying calibration points that provide the maximum information. This reduces the number of calibration points needed, which has practical benefits during the implementation. In this manuscript, we presented the design, development, and validation of the algorithm.
Point-of-Sale Health Communication Campaigns for Cigarillos and Waterpipe Tobacco: Effects and Lessons Learned from Two Cluster Randomized Trials.

Many adolescents and young adults hold erroneous beliefs that cigarillos and waterpipe tobacco (WT) are safer than cigarettes, contributing to use. Communication campaigns can correct misperception...
Recent Advances in the Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Mycobacterium Species

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute a class of organic compounds containing two or more fused benzene rings in linear, angular, and cluster arrangements. The environmental fate of these ubiquitous contaminants is of concern because of the mutagenicity, ecotoxicity, and carcinogenic potential of high-molar-mass PAHs. A variety of bacterial species have been isolated that have the ability to degrade PAHs with two rings (naphthalene) and three rings (anthracene and phenanthrene). Most of the research on the degradative biochemical pathways, the genes involved in PAH metabolism, and genetic regulation has been on Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Burkholderia, and Comamonas strains. Recent reports have shown that various Mycobacterium, Nocardia, and Rhodococcus species have the ability to degrade PAHs containing more than three rings (such as pyrene, fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene). Mycobacterium sp. PYR-1 (reclassified as Mycobacterium vanbaalenii strain PYR-1), which was originally isolated from oil-contaminated estuarine and marine sediments, is capable of mineralizing PAHs, such as naphthalene, pyrene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene. Biodegradation pathways have been elucidated which suggest that Mycobacterium sp. PYR-1 metabolizes PAHs through similar and unique catabolic pathways compared to that reported for Gram-negative bacteria. Mycobacterium sp. PYR-1 enhanced the degradation of four different aromatic ring classes of PAHs when inoculated into microcosms containing sediment and water from estuarine and freshwater environments. Molecular techniques to detect the Mycobacterium indicated that it survived and performed well in mixed-sediment microbial populations. Analysis of protein expression in Mycobacterium sp. PYR-1 using 2-dimensional Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis enabled detection of several major proteins whose activity was increased after induction by PAHs. The cloning and sequence analysis of some of the genes encoding PAH degradation have been conducted. These studies demonstrate the bioremediation potential of Mycobacterium species to degrade PAHs in aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Breast-Conserving Surgery in Bilateral Breast Cancer

Bilateral breast cancer (BBC) may present as synchronous (SBC) or metachronous breast cancer (MBC). Optimal surgical management of BBC patients is not well-defined. In this study, we report on histopathology, treatment, and outcomes in BBC patients. Upon Institutional Review Board approval, we identified BBC patients diagnosed and treated for invasive breast cancer between 1999 and 2007. Retrospective chart review for demographics, histopathology, treatment, and outcomes was performed, and factors associated with BCS choice were collected. Contraindication to BCS was defined as any of the following one-breast findings: multicentric disease, tumor considered too large for BCS, and a patient without a nominal breast size for acceptable cosmetic results. McNemar’s test for matched pairs (binary variables) or the paired t test (continuous variables) were used to examine if a pathologic characteristic differed within a cancer pair. Kaplan–Meier methods estimated overall survival (OS). A total of 203 BBC patients (119 SBC, 84 MBC) comprised our study group. Histopathologic characteristics of the first and second cancers diagnosed in both the SBC and MBC patients were very similar in histologic type and molecular profiles. Overall, 57 % of MBC patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) at initial diagnosis versus 34 % of patients with SBC. BCS contraindications were similar in both groups: 16 (34 %) MBC patients and 28 (36 %) SBC patients. Kaplan–Meier OS estimates at 5 and 10 years were 86 and 78 % for MBC, and 87 and 77 % for SBC patients, respectively. OS was excellent for both the MBC and SBC groups. Contraindications to BCS did not differ between groups. However, patients with SBC were less likely to undergo BCS compared with patients with MBC at the time of initial diagnosis.
The effect of CEO tenure on CEO compensation: Evidence from inside CEOs vs outside CEOs

Purpose – The paper aims to study the effect of tenure on the structure of CEO compensation. The relation between CEO compensation and CEO tenure provides a good testing bed for many effects: the managerial power effect, the portfolio consideration effect, the learning effect, and the career concern effect.Design/methodology/approach – Tobit regressions were run of the percentage of equity‐based compensation on CEO tenure and the effect of tenure compared between inside CEOs and outside CEOs.Findings – It was found that the percentage of equity‐based compensation increases during the early years of tenure for outside CEOs, and decreases during the later years of tenure for inside CEOs. Before they are tenured, outside CEOs have significantly higher and faster growing percentage of equity‐based compensation than inside CEOs. Furthermore, the portfolio consideration effect and the learning effect are the major effects in explaining the effect of tenure on the compensation structure.Practical implications – ...
Passages to Adulthood: Linking Demographic Change and Human Development

This article explores how demographic change has altered the terrain of early adult life. It considers some new and possible hallmarks of this period of life; some of the psychological capacities and social skills that may serve young people well in a variety of contexts; and the role of families and welfare states as sources of developmental exploration or drift, resilience or risk. The article points to the early adult years as a critical juncture for understanding the accumulation of advantage and disadvantage over the life course, and it shows how a stronger partnership between demography and human development offers promising new avenues for generating innovative theories and research on the transition to adulthood.
Optimality of production structure in Šumava region

Agriculture production structure is at present quite rarely discussed problem although its significance relatively increases mainly in mountain and subhill areas. The need of optimal production structure definition is reflected in transformation process as well as in formulation of agriculture policy. Solved region is because of its the boarder position, mountain area and higher level of nature protection typical marginal region. Very important factor of such model solution of this area is the different approach for several parts of whole region with respect to production intensity. For each part of this area separate model solution has been prepared. All models content different solution conditions reflecting the special character of solved area. Main outputs of this study are optimal solution for each intensity variants including both, profit maximization and erosion risk minimization approach. The result is reflecting strong focus on beef cattle as most important production. In more intensive areas the best type of farm seems to be field production concentrated on cereals. The whole model is completed with a parameterization model of milk prices for providing of detailed description of links and relations influence the milk production which could be possible the main type of production in such areas.
Beyond Balancing? China’s Quest For Security and Power in East Asia

Observing the evolution of China's interaction with its international environment, Zhang Baijia argued that the advent of the Xinhai Revolution marked the beginning of China's participation in the modern interstate system. Becoming a more “normal” player after seven decades of foreign aggressions and encroachments, China could hardly have been more aware of the realist rule that, in an anarchic international environment, security can never be taken for granted. The lesson regarding the price of weakness had lasting consequences for China, and, by the end of the century, China had become, in Thomas Christensen's words, “the high church of realpolitik in the post-Cold War world.”
Transcytosis of Retinol-Binding Protein across Renal Proximal Tubule Cells after Megalin (gp 330)-Mediated Endocytosis

Plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP) combined with vitamin A (retinol) is partially filtered through the glomerulus and then absorbed by proximal tubule cells, leading to recycling of retinol to the circulation. Recently, it was shown that reabsorption of RBP-retinol complexes by proximal tubule cells is mediated by megalin (gp 330), an apical endocytic receptor. It was proposed that RBP is transported by megalin to lysosomes, where it is degraded, thus liberating retinol, which then combines with newly synthesized RBP to be secreted into the bloodstream. This study shows that passage of RBP through immortalized rat renal proximal tubule (IRPT) cells occurs by transcytosis after megalin-mediated endocytosis, which provides an alternative pathway for recycling of retinol. IRPT cells cultured as polarized monolayers with tight junctions were used on permeable filters in the upper chamber of dual-chambered devices, with megalin expression exclusively on the upper surface. After addition of RBP to the upper chamber and incubation at 37 degrees C, intact RBP was found in fluids that were collected from the lower chamber. In contrast, control substances (mannitol, lysozyme, albumin, and glutathione-S-transferase) were not appreciably transported across IRPT cells, indicating that passage of RBP was by transcytosis and not by paracellular leakage. Confocal microscopy analysis of IRPT cells after addition of RBP to the upper chamber revealed RBP-containing granules at the apical membrane, subapically, and also at basolateral membranes. When RBP was added to IRPT cells together with megalin competitors, the amount of transcytosed RBP was markedly reduced. We also found that some RBP was internalized and degraded by IRPT cells, but this process was not appreciably affected by megalin competitors, indicating that RBP endocytosed by megalin was not transported to lysosomes and degraded but rather transcytosed across IRPT cells.
Effects of initial tolerance on acquired tolerance to alcohol in two selectively bred rat strains

The extent to which initial sensitivity to alcohol influences acquired tolerance was investigated in two selectively bred rat lines. These two lines have been selectively bred for differences in initial sensitivity to alcohol. The most affected (MA) line shows about a 90% reduction in motor activity following a 1.5 g/kg dose of alcohol compared with only a 40% reduction in least affected (LA) animals. In an initial investigation using stabilimeter activity, MA animals demonstrated increased tolerance following regular alcohol exposure, while LA animals showed little change from their initial levels of tolerance. In a second study following a similar intubation procedure, tolerance was assessed by sleeping time. Both MA and LA rats evidenced increased tolerance to alcohol, although MA animals did not approach the levels of tolerance shown by LA animals. In both studies the amount of initial tolerance was correlated with the degree of acquired tolerance. The potential for using these animals in the study of the underlying mechanisms of tolerance is discussed.
Optimization of mesh locality for transparent vertex caching

Methods for vertex caching to decrease geometry bandwidth and to reduce bus traffic between a graphics subsystem and memory include a strip-growing technique and a local optimization technique. The strip-growing technique determines an ordering of the faces in memory for the purpose of maximizing the use of the cache. This technique minimizes the number of vertices that are retrieved from a vertex buffer, and maximizes the number of needed vertices that are obtained from a vertex cache. The local optimization technique improves the results of the strip-growing technique by exploring a set of perturbations to the face ordering. The order is perturbed semi-randomly to determine if the perturbation improves the caching behavior. Types of perturbations include reflection and insertion. Thus, data is preprocessed to optimize the use of the cache stored data so that when the data is rendered at a future time, the rendering speed is improved.
Chemical bonding from superposition of one-center charge densities

The trial wave function $$\varphi = \left( {\text{2}} \right)^{ - 1/2} \left( {a^2 + b^2 } \right)^{1/2} $$ gives the classical electron density, ϱ. Contrary to the common belief, this electron density gives a very substantial covalent bonding for H 2 + and H2. The stabilization energy comes from a favorable kinetic energy. This in turn arises because (δϱ/δz) has opposite signs for electron densities centered on each atom in the critical bonding region between the nuclei.
The prosegment–subtilisin BPN′ complex: crystal structure of a specific ‘foldase’

Abstract Background: The folding of the bacterial protease subtilisin BPN′ (SBT) is dependent on its 77-residue prosegment, which is then autocatalytically removed to give the mature enzyme. Mature subtilisin represents a class of proteins that lacks an efficient folding pathway. Refolding of mature SBT is extremely slow unless catalyzed by the independently expressed prosegment, leading to a bimolecular complex. Results We report the crystal structure at 2.0 a resolution of the prosegment–SBT complex and consider its implications for prosubtilisin BPN′ maturation and folding catalysis. The prosegment forms a compact domain that binds SBT through an extensive interface involving the enzyme's two parallel surface helices (residues 104–116 and 133–144), supplying negatively charged caps to the N termini of these helices. The prosegment C terminus binds in the enzyme active site in a product-like manner, with Tyr77 in the P1 binding pocket. Conclusion The structure of the complex supports a unimolecular mechanism for prosubtilisin cleavage, involving a 25 a rearrangement of the SBT N terminus in a late folding step. A mechanism of folding catalysis in which the two helices and their connecting β strand form a prosegment-stabilized folding nucleus is proposed. While this putative nucleus is stabilized by prosegment binding, the N-terminal and C-terminal subdomains of SBT could fold by propagation.