cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EDTA enhances high-throughput two-dimensional bioprinting by inhibiting salt scaling and cell aggregation at the nozzle surface.

Tissue-engineering strategies may be employed in the development of in vitro breast tissue models for use in testing regimens of drug therapies and vaccines. The physical and chemical interactions that occur among cells and extracellular matrix components can also be elucidated with these models to gain an understanding of the progression of transformed epithelial cells into tumours and the ultimate metastases of tumour cells. The modified inkjet printer may be a useful tool for creating three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models, because it offers an inexpensive and high-throughput solution to microfabrication, and because the printer can be easily manipulated to produce varying tissue attributes. We hypothesized, however, that when ink is replaced with a biologically based fluid (i.e. a ‘bio-ink’), specifically a serum-free cell culture medium, printer nozzle failure can result from salt scale build-up as fluid evaporates on the printhead surface. In this study, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) was used as a culture medium additive to prevent salt scaling and cell aggregation during the bioprinting process. The results showed that EDTA, at a concentration typically found in commercially available trypsin solutions (0.53 mM), prevented nozzle failure when a serum-free culture medium was printed from a nozzle at 1000 drops/s. Furthermore, increasing concentrations of EDTA appeared to mildly decrease aggregation of 4T07 cells. Cell viability studies were performed to demonstrate that addition of EDTA did not result in significant cell death. In conclusion, it is recommended that EDTA be incorporated into bio-ink solutions containing salts that could lead to nozzle failure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Discovery of Toll-Mediated Innate Immunity in Drosophila Impacted Our Understanding of TLR Signaling (and Vice Versa)

I was delighted when The Journal of Immunology invited me to write a Pillars of Immunology article on one of my favorite papers, the 1996 publication titled, “The Dorsoventral Regulatory Gene Cassette spatzle/Toll/cactus Controls the Potent Antifungal Response in Drosophila Adults” by Bruno
Evolution of the genetic switch in temperate bacteriophage. I. Basic theory.

Abstract While the molecular mechanisms underlying lysogeny and induction in bacteriophage have been intensely studied, relatively little has been done to relate these findings to their presumed selective functions. To explore the ecological basis for these traits, I have used a resource-based model for competition between bacteriophage with different probabilities of lysogeny and different spontaneous induction rates. In any given habitat the fitness of a phage will depend on the inputs of sensitive cells and nutrient resources. In equable environments (modeled here using chemostats with constant inputs of nutrients and sensitive cells), bacteriophage with low probabilities of lysogeny and low induction rates can always invade when rare and will generally be good competitors. In variable environments (chemostats with seasonal inputs), bacteriophage with higher probabilities of lysogeny and higher induction rates are favored. In both equable and variable environments, the ability of a phage to invade when rare will depend on the properties of the resident phage, and it is possible for phages with divergent parameter values to coexist. The modeling suggests that bacteriophage that have evolved moderately low induction and lysogeny rates will be able to “hedge their bets” against environmental change without sacrificing the ability to compete well in a constant environment. Implications of this theory for understanding the molecular basis of gene regulation in temperate bacteriophage and other viruses are discussed.
Giving Social Support to Others, Socioeconomic Status, and Changes in Self-Esteem in Late Life

Objective. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to see if providing emotional support to others bolsters the selfesteem of older adults over time; and (2) to assess whether the salubrious effects of helping others are more likely to be enjoyed by high socioeconomic status (SES) elders. Methods. Interviews were conducted with a nationally representative sample of older adults at three points in time: 1992‐1993, 1996‐1997, 1998‐1999. Complete data are available for 511 elderly people. During each round of interviews, respondents were asked how often they provided emotional support to their social network members. Information on the self-esteem of older support providers was also gathered at each point in time. Results. Initially, the findings revealed that helping others tends to bolster the self-esteem of all study participants regardless of their SES standing. However, these benefits began to taper off for lower SES elders during the course of the study. By the third wave of interviews, the salutary effects of helping others were evident only among older adults in upper SES levels. Discussion. The results highlight the dynamic nature of the helping process and underscore the importance of taking SES into account when studying the effects of assisting others in late life.
Hydroclimatology of flash flooding in Atlanta

[1] The objective of this study is to characterize the climatology of extreme rainfall and flash flooding in Atlanta, Georgia using high-resolution land surface, rainfall, and discharge datasets. We examine nine urban watersheds in the Atlanta area that range in size from 3.7 to 225 km2 and exhibit a range of urban development and land-use characteristics. We develop a high-resolution 15 min, 1 km2 radar rainfall data set for the 2002–2010 period using the Hydro-NEXRAD system with volume scan reflectivity observations from the Atlanta WSR-88D radar and rainfall observations from a dense network of 72 U.S. Geological Survey rain gauges. Bias-corrected radar rainfall fields accurately capture the spatial and temporal structure of heavy rainfall. There is enhancement of heavy rainfall within and east of the urban core, and a rainfall minimum north and northwest of the city. There has been an increase in variability of annual flood peaks in Atlanta since the 1960s associated with urban impacts on runoff production. Flood response is dependent on a combination of basin size, drainage network structure, spatial distribution of land use, and basin storage in urban soils and storm water detention ponds. Future studies of urban rainfall modification in Atlanta and elsewhere should consider the influence of regional topography and other geographic features on the storm environment.
Hierarchical, Multi-scale decomposition of species-environment relationships

We present an adaptation of existing variance partitioning methods todecompose species-environment relationships in hierarchically-structured,multi-scaled data sets. The approach translates a hierarchical, multi-scaleconceptual model into a statistical decomposition of variance. It uses a seriesof partial canonical ordinations to divide the explained variance inspecies-environment relationships into its independent and confoundedcomponents, facilitating tests of the relative importance of factors atdifferent organizational levels in driving system behavior. We discuss themethod in the context of an empirical example based on forest bird communityresponses to multiple habitat scales in the Oregon Coast Range, USA. Theexamplepresents a two-tiered decomposition of the variation in the bird community thatis explainable by a series of habitat factors nested within three spatialscales(plot, patch, and landscape). This method is particularly suited for theproblems of hierarchically structured landscape data. The explicit multi-scaleapproach is a major step forward from conducting separate analyses at differentscale levels, as it allows comprehensive analysis of the interaction of factorsacross scales and facilitates ecological interpretation in theoretical terms.
Frequency-modulated cavity-dumped Nd-doped fiber laser

A cw-pumped Nd-doped single-mode double-clad fiber laser coiled around a resonant piezoelectric ceramic ring and coupled to an empty external cavity with strong feedback is described. Intensity laser pulses with durations in the 1–2-μs range are observed as the pump power or the ring drive voltage is increased, yielding peak powers as much as 25 times greater than average powers. The effect is attributed to strong phase modulation of the fiber laser by the piezoelectric ring, which induces FM laser oscillation. The external cavity acts as a frequency-dependent reflector, thus effectively cavity dumping the fiber laser as the oscillation frequency is swept through the narrow transparent windows of the external cavity.
Insights from spatially mapped gene expression in the mouse brain

The growing number of publicly available databases of murine gene expression arising from genomic-scale transcriptome/proteome profiling projects allows open access to information about genes potentially involved in diseases and disorders of the brain. The use of various methodologies by myriad projects provides complementary types of information, ranging from easily quantifiable microarray data for gross brain regions, to transcript tag analysis and proteomic characterization. One mode of gene expression analysis that has recently been widely adopted is the utilization of colorimetric in situ hybridization. This approach is adaptable for high throughput production, and provides a reproducible, scaleable platform for large datasets. The Allen Brain Atlas in particular has utilized this technology to produce a genomic-scale anatomical digital atlas of gene expression in the adult male mouse brain. The availability of global datasets with cellular level spatial resolution, which can be easily parsed due to accessible informatics-derived image analysis tools, can provide both high level and detailed insights into gene regulation. This article reviews various gene expression profiling projects in the mouse brain, how these data sets are increasingly used to complement other studies and applications of these datasets to further understanding of neurological disease.
Restrictions on Ownership, Exchange, and Production

Most private property, free-market countries practice one or another form of restriction on private property rights and contractual freedom. This chapter discusses the effects of those that are most frequent: price controls, rationing, market entry restraints, and restrictions on open markets for labor.
Two-sided Online Bipartite Matching and Vertex Cover: Beating the Greedy Algorithm

We consider the generalizations of two classical problems, online bipartite matching and ski rental, in the field of online algorithms, and establish a novel connection between them.
Theoretical insights into a CO dimerization mechanism in CO2 electroreduction

In this work, we present DFT simulations that demonstrate the ability of Cu to catalyze CO dimerization in CO2 and CO electroreduction. We describe a previously unreported CO dimer configuration that is uniquely stabilized by a charged water layer on both Cu(111) and Cu(100). Without this charged water layer at the metal surface, the formation of the CO dimer is prohibitively endergonic. Our calculations also demonstrate that dimerization should have a lower activation barrier on Cu(100) than Cu(111), which, along with a more exergonic adsorption energy and a corresponding higher coverage of *CO, is consistent with experimental observations that Cu(100) has a high activity for C–C coupling at low overpotentials. We also demonstrate that this effect is present with cations other than H+, a finding that is consistent with the experimentally observed pH independence of C2 formation on Cu.
Different Plasmon Sensing Behavior of Silver and Gold Nanorods

Silver nanorods (AgNRs) of ∼20 nm diameter and different lengths, which were increased up to ∼100 nm by increasing the reduction time, were prepared by a seedless synthetic approach. A linear relationship between the AgNRs aspect ratios and the LSPR peak position was observed experimentally and confirmed theoretically. The Raman signal enhancement by silver nanorods is more efficient than by gold nanorods (AuNRs) because the plasmon field intensity of AgNRs is stronger than that of AuNRs, as shown by the discrete dipole approximation calculation. The Rayleigh scattering by AuNRs is stronger than that by the AgNRs. Therefore, AuNRs are recommended for optical plasmon imaging, while AgNRs are more efficient in plasmon sensing.
Effects of conjugated bile acids on in vivo cholesterol metabolism in the mouse.

SummaryFree and conjugated bile acids had qualitatively similar effects on mouse liver cholesterol levels and in vivo cholesterol-x-C14 synthesis rates. The effects of free bile acids on cholesterol metabolism are not due to the exhaustion of amino acids used in formation of glycine and taurine conjugates.
Resistance of Rattus tanezumi to warfarin in Nantong

Objective To understand the resistance of Rattus tanezumi to warfarin in urban area of Nantong.Methods PT was tested by instrumental method,then no-choice feeding experiments conducted with 0. 05% warfarin were carried out in lab. Results The average PT of 22 R. tanezumi was 0. 94. The average oral intake of active ingredient of warfarin was 148. 9 mg /kg within 9 days and 16 treated rats were died in the period. Among other alive 6treated rats,the oral intake of active ingredient warfarin was beyond warfarin-resistant standard( 143 mg /kg),and the warfarin-resistant rate in experimental R. tanezumi was 27. 3%. Conclusion The population of R. tanezumi in Natong city might have developed resistance to the first generation anticoagulant rodenticide warfarin.
Research on pasty fuel-rich propellant formulation

Pasty fuel-rich propellant used for double-range ramjet motor was investigated.The results show that measured heat value of the propellant can reach 28.7 MJ/kg with PEPA/EG as binder and amorphous boron powder as fuel additive.The addition content of surface-treated amorphous boron powder in the propellant may exceed 40%.Pasty fuel-rich propellant becomes dilute with shear,and its flow exponent and consistency coefficient decrease with the increase of temperature.The combustion limit at low pressure is 0.2～0.3 MPa,burning rate r0.5 MPa is more than 12 mm/s,and the pressure exponent is about 0.43.
Modulation of neutrophil oxidative responses to soluble stimuli by platelet-activating factor.

The role of platelet activating factor (PAF) as a regulator of human neutrophil superoxide (O2-) generation in response to soluble and particulate stimuli was examined. At concentrations greater than 10(-7) mol/L, PAF alone induced a brief burst of O2- production. When cells were exposed to PAF and either the chemotactic peptide n-formyl- methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP 10(-7) mol/L) or the tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA 10 ng/mL), a marked synergistic augmentation of O2- release was noted when compared to control cells stimulated with FMLP or PMA alone. Mean percentage of enhancement by 10(-5) mol/L of PAF was 297% +/- 35% (n = 9) of control responses to FMLP and 185% +/- 16% (n = 3) of control responses to PMA. Consistent enhancement occurred with PAF concentrations of as low as 10(-9) mol/L. Enhancement could be demonstrated when neutrophils were exposed to PAF either at the same time as, or up to 60 minutes prior to, the second stimulus, and was neither reversed by removal of PAF from the medium prior to addition of FMLP or PMA nor dependent on the presence of extracellular divalent cations. Continuous recordings revealed that the enhancement was due to an increased maximal rate of O2- production. In contrast, PAF concentrations up to 10(-5) mol/L had only a minimal effect on the response to neutrophils to opsonized zymosan. Analysis of the enhancing properties of lipids structurally related to PAF revealed that the critical moiety was the saturated fatty acid at position 1. These results indicate the presence of a PAF-mediated positive feedback loop whereby the oxidative burst induced by some soluble stimuli is augmented. Modulation of neutrophil O2- production by PAF may serve to amplify neutrophil oxidative responses at sites of inflammation.
Basal Ganglia MRS and Apgar Scores Correlation

Brain metabolite levels were measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and included N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), and lactate and the ratios NAA to Cho and Cr (NAA-Cho-Cr), NAA-Cr, NAA-Cho, and Cho-Cr.
Rhythm generation, coordination, and initiation in the vocal pathways of male African clawed frogs

Central pattern generators (CPGs) are considered to underlie vocalizations in many vertebrate species, but the detailed mechanisms underlying their functions remain unclear. We addressed this quest...
Tregs, Helios and tumor immunity: the sun has not yet risen.

T regulatory cells (Tregs) suppress immune activation and play a critical role in the maintenance of self-tolerance. However, Tregs are enriched in the tumor microenvironment, suppress immune activation and effectively inhibit anti-tumor responses (1). Thus, depletion or blockade of Tregs has been explored as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. As Tregs were originally defined as CD4+CD25+ T cells, the first attempts to deplete Tregs targeted CD25, the IL2R α-chain. While the results of some mouse studies, with or without vaccination, indicated successful prevention or eradication of tumors, results of human studies have been mixed (1-4). Thus, other approaches to target Tregs are being explored as potential cancer immunotherapies. Tregs differentially express a number of surface receptors and these have been implicated in Treg suppressor function that could serve as targets for immunotherapy (CTLA-4, GITR, OX40, CCR4, FR4 and TIGIT). However, all of these molecules are also up-regulated on activated T cells and it is unclear, in most cases, if antibody therapy depletes Tregs, reverses Treg-mediated suppression, enhances anti-tumor T effector (Teff) cells, or a combination of all three. In fact, the anti-tumor effects of both anti-CTLA-4 mAb and anti-OX40 mAb require their Fc portion to mediate ADCC depletion of Tregs (5-8).
Radiation pressure on a diffractive sailcraft

Advanced diffractive metamaterial films may afford advantages over passive reflective surfaces for a variety space missions that use solar or laser in-space propulsion. Three cases are compared: sun-facing diffractive sails, Littrow diffraction configurations, and conventional reflective sails. A simple Earth-to-Mars orbit transfer at a constant attitude with respect to the sunline finds no penalty for transparent diffractive sails. Advantages of the latter approach include actively controlled metasails, reuse of photons, and mission-specific optimization schemes.
What Transpires During Formal Mentoring? A Multisource Study

The use of formal mentoring programs continues to grow (Allen, Eby, & Lentz, 2006), yet relatively little research has been completed on their effectiveness and what transpires during the receipt o...
Screening for synergistic activity of antimicrobial combinations against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae using inkjet printer-based technology.

Background Synergistic combination antimicrobial therapy may provide new options for treatment of MDR infections. However, comprehensive in vitro synergy data are limited and facile methods to perform synergy testing in a clinically actionable time frame are unavailable. Objectives To systematically investigate a broad range of antibiotic combinations for evidence of synergistic activity against a collection of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates. Methods We made use of an automated method for chequerboard array synergy testing based on inkjet printer technology in the HP D300 digital dispenser to test 56 pairwise antimicrobial combinations of meropenem, aztreonam, cefepime, colistin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, chloramphenicol, fosfomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, minocycline and rifampicin, as well as the double carbapenem combination of meropenem and ertapenem. Results In a screening procedure, we tested these combinations against four CRE strains and identified nine antibiotic combinations that showed potential clinically relevant synergy. In confirmatory testing using 10 CRE strains, six combinations demonstrated clinically relevant synergy with both antimicrobials at the minimum fractional inhibitory concentration (FICI-MIN) in the susceptible or intermediate range in at least one trial. These included two novel combinations: minocycline plus colistin and minocycline plus meropenem. In 80% of strains at least one combination demonstrated clinically relevant synergy, but the combinations that demonstrated synergy varied from strain to strain. Conclusions This work establishes the foundation for future systematic, broad-range investigations into antibiotic synergy for CRE, emphasizes the need for individualized synergy testing and demonstrates the utility of inkjet printer-based technology for the performance of automated antimicrobial synergy assays.
A JSON-based self-advising system

The process of planning a student's academic career is an essential component to ensuring an expedited completion of a college degree. Consequently the academic advising process plays a significant role in a student's academic life. The system introduced in this paper enables students to prepare properly for an advising appointment, giving them the possibility of maximizing its effectiveness. This stand-alone system is based on JSON to create a reusable and flexible one-stop solution to course planning. A preliminary study with IT students shows promising results.
Optical Interconnection Based Symbolic Manipulations

Using arrays of optical bistable devices addressed and read out by arrays of holograms, we can make an optical symbolic computer which can learn languages, play games, invent stories, etc.
Direct manipulation querying of database systems

Database systems are tremendously powerful and useful, as evidenced by their popularity in modern business. Unfortunately, for non-expert users, to use a database is still a daunting task due to its poor usability. This PhD dissertation examines stages in the information seeking process and proposes techniques to help users interact with the database through direct manipulation, which has been proven a natural interaction paradigm. For the first stage of information seeking, query formulation, we proposed a spreadsheet algebra upon which a direct manipulation interface for database querying can be built. We developed a spreadsheet algebra that is powerful (capable of expressing at least all single-block SQL queries) and can be intuitively implemented in a spreadsheet. In addition, we proposed assisted querying by browsing, where we help users query the database through browsing. For the second stage, result review, instead of asking users to review possibly many results in a flat table, we proposed a hierarchical navigation scheme that allows users to browse the results through representatives with easy drill-down and filtering capabilities. We proposed an efficient tree-based method for generating the representatives. For the query refinement stage, we proposed and implemented a provenance-based automatic refinement framework. Users label a set of output tuples and our framework produces a ranked list of changes that best improve the query. This dissertation significantly lowers the barrier for non-expert users and reduces the effort for expert users to use a database.
Development of a Saw Bones Model for training pedicle screw placement in scoliosis.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a Sawbones Scoliosis Model could be used as a simulator to train residents in placing pedicle screws—a complex procedure with a steep learning curve. Surgical simulation, a common tool teaching residents complex procedures in a safe environment, was staged using a Sawbones Scoliosis Model. Ten junior and ten senior residents out of 25 total possible residents (80%) were instructed how to place pedicle screws using the free-hand technique. They were then asked to place them unilaterally from T4 to L4 and were assessed on completion time, accuracy placement accuracy, and overall competency using an objective rating scale. Senior residents had an average time to completion of 38.9 ± 4.7 min vs. junior’s 50.1 ± 11.7 min, and a pedicle screw accuracy of 43.6 ± 6.4% vs. junior’s 44.4 ± 17.4%. Overall competency scores were similar for both groups; however, senior residents scored higher in the time and motion subdomain. Senior residents had a faster completion time and were more efficient, suggesting greater experience in spine surgery. The low rate of screw accuracy in both groups validates that simulation is a safe way for trainees to learn complex tasks.
Physiology and Pathophysiology of Chronic Pain

Abstract Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. The experience of pain serves as one of the most important protective mechanisms of the body. Consistent with its important role, the physiology of pain spans the entire nervous system, from peripheral nociceptors to central thalamocortical loops. In this chapter we describe the physiology and pathophysiology of pain. After a brief summary of treatment strategies, featured in detail elsewhere in this chapter, we examine the flow and modulation of pain signals from the periphery to the center. Pain transmission is a complex process involving many levels of endogenous modulation. However, at each level the process can become pathologic and lead to development of chronic pain. These pathological processes and strategies for treatment are also discussed.
A Rare Presentation of Multiple Myeloma Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis (P6.115)

Objective: Present a rare case of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis secondary to multiple myeloma Background: A 79 year-old left-handed woman with history of breast cancer status post chemotherapy and radiation in 2002 on raloxifene, IgA/kappa multiple myeloma diagnosed in 2014 receiving treatment, diabetes type 2, hypertension, pseudogout, and major depressive disorder presented with progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness and anesthesia for two years, with acute worsening four weeks prior to presentation with associated urinary retention. Neurologic examination revealed diminished sensation to vibration, temperature, and light touch in the lower extremities. Deep tendon reflexes were trace at the patellae and absent at the ankle. Strength was 4+/5 in her upper extremities, hip flexion and dorsiflexion. The neurological examination was otherwise unremarkable. Design/Methods: NA Results: Initial differentials included CIDP, GBS, peripheral neuropathy secondary to prior radiation/chemotherapy, and ongoing metastatic disease. MRI spine showed enhancement through S1–S3 concerning for metastatic disease with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. MRI brain revealed contrast-enhancing lesions in the bilateral cerebellum, right sylvian fissure, right frontal sulcus, and anterior pons further concerning for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. CSF cytological analysis was performed with concern for breast cancer recurrence, as carcinomatosis from multiple myeloma would be uncommon. Final cytology revealed atypical plasma cells consistent with myeloma. This was concluded to be a rare presentation of metastatic CNS spread of multiple myeloma, which was the most likely etiology of the patient’s symptoms. She was started on intrathecal and intraosseous chemotherapy. Conclusions: Leptomeningeal involvement of multiple myeloma is very rare. The spread of myeloma is hypothesized to be hematogenous. To our knowledge, this is the seventh reported case of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis secondary to myeloma. To consider all sources of metastasis when presented with a patient with a history of previous or active cancer(s) is important. Further, it is prudent to carefully follow up imaging and cytology results, so as to not delay treatment. Disclosure: Dr. Yogendran has nothing to disclose. Dr. Etter has nothing to disclose. Dr. Buchsbaum has nothing to disclose.
Normal Aging and the Concept of Dementia

This chapter will begin by stating the proposition that there is no substantial decline in intellectual function with advancing age except in the case of those elderly individuals who acquire diseases of the central nervous system. Thus, many elderly people may experience deterioration of intellectual functioning from a previously higher level, but not simply because they are elderly. The more fundamental reason is that, as one grows older, the probability of acquiring a disease of the central nervous system increases. The contrary view, also stated in an extreme form, is that following a peak period during early adulthood, intellectual abilities enter into a slow decline. This view was made popular through Wechsler’s (1944) well-known curve of variations of intelligence scores and vital capacity with age. Thus, age may explain nothing or it may explain everything.
Volume-Kidney Interaction in Chronic Heart Failure - Impact of Subclinical Volume Expansion and Chronic Kidney Disease on Clinical Outcomes

Objectives Assess the impact of volume-kidney interactions on outcomes in clinically “euvolemic” chronic heart failure (HF) patients with co-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Background Cardio-renal interactions are complex and bi-directional and may in part be mediated by the extent of intravascular volume overload. The impact of subclinical volume expansion on outcomes in HF patients with CKD has not been previously examined. Methods Plasma volume (PV) was prospectively measured in 110 stable HF patients with varying degrees of CKD using a standardized radiolabeled albumin indicator-dilution technique. To examine the interactive roles of volume expansion and CKD the cohort was dichotomized by median PV and then further stratified by cohort median creatinine (sCr), eGFR, and BUN and analyzed for outcomes of HF-related mortality or 1st hospitalization using Kaplan-Meier method. Results Subclinical volume overload was demonstrated in 76% of the cohort. Over 1.5 years, sCr and BUN above and eGFR below (Fig.) cohort median values identified highest risk for the composite end-point but only in severe PV expansion (≥ median expansion of +26%) (p=0.02). In normal to moderate PV expansion ( Conclusions In clinically stable chronic HF patients with co-existing CKD, subclinical PV expansion is common, and importantly the extent of PV expansion impacts outcomes including early HF mortality. However, better kidney function mitigates the deleterious effects of severe PV expansion, while mild-moderate expansion balances the risks of worse renal function. Thus, volume-kidney interactions are complex with volume status modulating the impact of CKD on outcomes in chronic HF. Figures. Risk Stratification by Median eGFR in Chronic Heart Failure Patients with A. Severe Plasma Volume Expansion (PV ≥ Median of +26% Above Normal Volume) B. Mild-Moderate Plasma Volume Expansion (PV
Cellulose nanofibril/silver nanoparticle composite as an active food packaging system and its toxicity to human colon cells.

Abstract Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are nano-sized fillers widely used for enhancing the active functions of food packaging materials. However, nanomaterials may pose unexpected toxic effects on humans. Thus, the objective of this work was to develop a novel CNF/AgNP composite and investigate its properties and cytotoxicity. The CNF/AgNP composite was prepared via a reduction method using NaBH4. The AgNPs embedded in the composite showed an average size of 10.72 ± 4.96 nm and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peak at 397 nm. AgNPs were distributed individually in the composite after synthesis, but aggregated during film preparation. The formation of AgNPs disrupted hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl groups of cellulose, weakening the hydrogen-bond intensity, as shown by FTIR. Silver ions were efficiently released from the composite film in the first 24 h. The CNF/AgNP composite exhibited inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. The composite (50–1000 μg/mL) did not significantly reduce the viability of Caco-2 and FHC colon cells, although the uptake of AgNPs through an endosomal mechanism was observed. These results suggest that the as-prepared CNF/AgNP composite could potentially be used as an antimicrobial material in active food packaging systems.
The Hijra Clap in Neoliberal Hands: Performing Trans Rights in Pakistan

#ChangeTheClap, a 2017 social media campaign aimed at combatting stigma towards Pakistan’s marginalized transgender communities, draws upon the distinctive hijra clap, even as it erases the embodie...
Peptides Mimicking the Reactive Center Loop (RCL) as Potential Inhibitors of Serpin-3 in Manduca sexta

Insects employ innate immune responses to eliminate or kill invading pathogens and parasites. Manduca sexta, the tobacco hornworm, is widely used as a model insect for investigating innate immunity...
Restoration of Limited View-Angle Image with a Line-by-Line Kalman Filter

Image reconstruction using limited data is a necessity in a variety of applications. These applications include CT and NMR imaging in medical and industrial applications, and synthesis imaging in radio astronomy. In X-ray CT, the incompleteness of the data can be interpreted as a lack of sampling in the spatial Fourier domain. We will show that the distortion in a limited view-angle x-ray CT imaging can be formulated as a linear distortion. An estimation procedure to restore the distorted image will be presented. Finally, we will present the results of this estimation process to X-ray CT.
How Fair Can We Go: Detecting the Boundaries of Fairness Optimization in Information Retrieval

The presence of bias in today's IR systems has raised concerns on the social responsibilities of IR. Fairness has become an increasingly important factor when building systems for information searching and content recommendations. Fairness in IR is often considered as an optimization problem where the system aims to optimize the utility, subject to a set of fairness constraints, or optimize fairness while guaranteeing a lower bound on the utility, or jointly optimize for both utility and fairness to achieve an overall satisfaction. While various optimization algorithms have been proposed along with theoretical analysis, in real world applications, the performance of different optimization algorithms often heavily depend on the data. Therefore, it is consequential to ask what is the solution space characterized by the data, what effect does introducing fairness bring to the system, and can we identify this solution space to help us trade-off different optimization policies and guide us to pick suitable algorithms and/or make adjustments on data? In this work, we propose a framework that offers a novel perspective into the optimization with fairness constraints problems. Our framework can effectively and efficiently estimate the solution space and answer such questions. It also has the advantage of simplicity, explainability, and reliability. Specifically, we derive theoretical expressions to identify the fairness and relevance bounds for data of different distributions, and apply them to both synthetic and real world datasets. We present a series of use cases to demonstrate how our framework is applied to facilitate various analyses and decision making.
G303(P) Successful treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculous meningitis in a child with HIV treatment failure

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a deadly disease more common in children than adults. The management of multidrug-resistant tuberculous meningitis (MDR TBM) in children is particularly problematic with limited published data about successful outcomes, especially in resource limited settings. This case discusses the successful treatment of a child with MDR TBM in rural South Africa using terizidone and linezolid. An 8 year old child presented to a district hospital in July 2018 with lethargy, hallucinations and seizures. She had completed treatment for pulmonary TB in 2017 and been on antiretroviral therapy since 2015 with a persistently high HIV viral load. On examination, she was severely underweight and her left eye was depressed and abducted with a unilateral ptosis and dilated pupil. Chest radiography demonstrated military TB and sputum analysis detected mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to rifampicin. An abdominal ultrasound demonstrated para-aortic lymph nodes, hepatomegaly and multiple hypoechoic splenic lesions. She was referred to a tertiary hospital for a computed tomography scan which showed dural venous sinus thrombosis, right frontal lobe infarct and leptomeningeal enhancement. A diagnosis of disseminated MDR TB with probable TBM was made, as well as HIV treatment failure. She was started on second-line antiretroviral drugs and initiated on a MDR TB drug regimen which included terizidone and linezolid. The child completed two months of intensive therapy. Treatment was tolerated well and side effects including anaemia, visual disturbance (linezolid) and psychiatric symptoms (terizidone) were not observed. The child gained weight and signs of left oculomotor palsy significantly improved with no serious neurological sequelae seen as yet. The child was discharged to complete the remaining course of treatment as an outpatient. This case illustrates that MDR TBM can be successfully treated even in children with disseminated disease and advanced immunosuppression. Despite concerns regarding side-effects and cost, linezolid and terizidone appear to be well tolerated in children and further research is needed to better understand safety and effectiveness in paediatric MDR TBM. Therapy must be carefully supervised to prevent acquired resistance to these potentially attractive options in children.
High Core Count Single-Mode Multicore Fibers for Dense Space Division Multiplexing

Multicore fibers possess the potential to develop dense-space-division multiplexing systems. Several dense-space-division multiplexing system transmission experiments concerning multicore fibers have been demonstrated. Multicore fibers, including recent results by our group, are reviewed in this study.
Receptor- and non-receptor-mediated uptake and degradation of insulin by hepatocytes

Native insulin inhibits the binding and degradation of (125)I-labelled insulin in parallel. Half-maximal inhibition of degradation occurs with 10nm-insulin, a hormone concentration sufficient to saturate the insulin receptor. The proportion of bound hormone that is degraded increases as the insulin concentration is increased, suggesting that low-affinity uptake is functionally related to degradation. Since only a small fraction (approx. 10%) of the overall degradation occurs at the plasma membrane, or in the extracellular medium, translocation of bound hormone into the cell is the predominant mechanism mediating the degradation of insulin. In the presence of 0.6nm-insulin, a concentration at which most cell-associated hormone is receptor-bound, chloroquine increases the amount of (125)I-labelled insulin retained by hepatocytes. However, chloroquine increases the retention of degradation products of insulin in incubations containing sufficient hormone (6nm) to saturate the receptor and permit occupancy of low-affinity sites. Glucagon does not compete for the interaction of (125)I-labelled insulin (1nm) with the insulin receptor. In contrast, 20mum-glucagon inhibits 75% of the uptake of insulin (0.1mum) by low-affinity sites. A fraction of the cell-bound radioactivity is not intact insulin throughout a 90min association reaction at 37 degrees C. During dissociation, fragments of (125)I-labelled insulin are released to the medium more rapidly than is intact hormone. The production and transient retention of degradation products of the hormone complicates the characterization of the insulin receptor by equilibrium or kinetic methods of assay. It is proposed that insulin degradation occurs by receptor- and non-receptor-mediated pathways. The latter may be related to the action of glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase, with which both insulin and glucagon interact.
3D-GLCM CNN: A 3-Dimensional Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix-Based CNN Model for Polyp Classification via CT Colonography

Accurately classifying colorectal polyps, or differentiating malignant from benign ones, has a significant clinical impact on early detection and identifying optimal treatment of colorectal cancer. Convolution neural network (CNN) has shown great potential in recognizing different objects (e.g. human faces) from multiple slice (or color) images, a task similar to the polyp differentiation, given a large learning database. This study explores the potential of CNN learning from multiple slice (or feature) images to differentiate malignant from benign polyps from a relatively small database with pathological ground truth, including 32 malignant and 31 benign polyps represented by volumetric computed tomographic (CT) images. The feature image in this investigation is the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM). For each volumetric polyp, there are 13 GLCMs, computed from each of the 13 directions through the polyp volume. For comparison purpose, the CNN learning is also applied to the multi-slice CT images of the volumetric polyps. The comparison study is further extended to include Random Forest (RF) classification of the Haralick texture features (derived from the GLCMs). From the relatively small database, this study achieved scores of 0.91/0.93 (two-fold/leave-one-out evaluations) AUC (area under curve of the receiver operating characteristics) by using the CNN on the GLCMs, while the RF reached 0.84/0.86 AUC on the Haralick features and the CNN rendered 0.79/0.80 AUC on the multiple-slice CT images. The presented CNN learning from the GLCMs can relieve the challenge associated with relatively small database, improve the classification performance over the CNN on the raw CT images and the RF on the Haralick features, and have the potential to perform the clinical task of differentiating malignant from benign polyps with pathological ground truth.
Breast cancer in the elderly: An area for improvement.

e16565 Background: Treatment (TX) of breast cancer (BC) in elderly (E) patients (pt) can be problematic due to the increased co-morbidities (CM), multiple medications, and cognitive dysfunction rel...
Art in the Digital Age: Posthumanism, A.I. and the body

The concept of the body is being explored within art in new ways regarding its digital presentation and non-traditional topics regarding sentience and humanity. Two examples of this are the concepts of online presence and digital personhood. Both of these concepts, which I explore through an art historical perspective, involve considering what makes human experiences, how these experiences can be manipulated, and what the boundaries of the mind and the body are. In this paper I use the works Excellences and Perfections (2014) by Amalia Ulman and Hyperlinks or It Didn’t Happen (2014) by Cecile B. Evans to discuss the body in the digital age as a representation of posthumanism. I also place my concepts of post humanism within the existing scholarship to consider the ways in which artificial intelligence and non-traditional human forms can be considered as living.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Behavioral Weight Loss and Stepped Care for Binge-Eating Disorder: 12-Month Follow-up

Objective This study aimed to examine longer-term effects of behavioral weight loss (BWL) and Stepped Care for binge-eating disorder and obesity through 12-month follow-up after completing treatments. Methods A total of 191 patients with binge-eating disorder/obesity were randomized to 6 months of BWL (n = 39) or Stepped Care (n = 152). Within Stepped Care, patients began BWL (1 month), treatment responders continued BWL, nonresponders switched to cognitive behavioral therapy, and all were randomized (double-blind) to weight-loss medication or placebo (5 months). Patients were independently assessed throughout/after treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Results Intent-to-treat analyses of remission rates revealed that BWL and Stepped Care did not differ significantly at posttreatment (74.4% vs. 66.5%), 6-month follow-up (38.2% vs. 33.3%), or 12-month follow-up (44.7% vs. 41.0%). Mixed models of binge-eating frequency indicated significant reductions through posttreatment but no significant changes or differences between BWL and Stepped Care during follow-up. Mixed models revealed significant weight loss with no differences between BWL and Stepped Care (5.1% vs. 5.8%) at posttreatment and significant time effects (larger percent weight loss at 6-month than at 12-month follow-up) with no differences between BWL and Stepped Care (-5.1% vs. -5.2% and -3.4% vs. -5.0%, respectively). Conclusions Binge-eating improvements and weight loss produced by BWL and adaptive Stepped Care did not differ significantly 12 months after completing treatments.
Improving Quality of Life Among Latina Intimate Partner Violence Survivors Through Economic Empowerment

This study examined the relationship between (1) quality of life and forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) (i.e., psychological abuse, physical violence, sexual violence, and types of economic abuse), and (2) quality of life and economic empowerment among Latina IPV survivors. The authors used data from the Moving Ahead financial literacy program evaluation (n = 200). Nested random-effects models were conducted. Findings indicated that psychological abuse and economic control were significantly and negatively associated with quality of life. Economic empowerment (i.e., financial knowledge, economic self-efficacy, and economic self-sufficiency) was significantly and positively related to Latinas' quality of life. Financial strain was inversely associated with Latina's quality of life. These findings highlight the importance of identifying strategies for increasing the overall well-being of Latina IPV survivors. Economic empowerment interventions can be an effective mechanism for improving their quality of life. As such, domestic violence organizations should include economic empowerment as part of the services offered to survivors.
Intracranial Pressure Evaluation

This chapter presents the approach to optic nerve sheath diameter measurement via ocular ultrasound, and its correlation with intracranial pressure. The technique for accurately obtaining this measurement will be outlined. The utility of optic nerve sheath diameter measurement in the prehospital setting will be discussed.
How close do we feel to virtual product to make a purchase decision? Impact of perceived proximity to virtual product and temporal purchase intention

Abstract This study, utilizing construal level theory, aims to understand the underlying effect of perceived proximity to a virtual product on perceived purchase intention in the near future through perceived measurement feedback and perceived generality. This research examines a lab experiment to test six hypotheses. Results indicate that perceived proximity to virtual products enhances perceived measurement feedback and, thereby, perceived generality. In addition, perceived generality fully mediates the effect of perceived measurement feedback on perceived purchase intention in the near future when consumers interact with non-augmented reality applications. In contrast, perceived measurement feedback directly influences perceived purchase intention in the near future in AR applications. Furthermore, the absence of product in consumers’ consideration set dilutes the effect of perceived generality on perceived purchase intention in the near future when consumers interact with non-augmented reality application. This study suggests several managerial implications for AR developers and online retail managers.