cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lacidipine Remodels Protein Folding and Ca2+ Homeostasis in Gaucher's Disease Fibroblasts: A Mechanism to Rescue Mutant Glucocerebrosidase

Summary The hallmark of Gaucher's disease cellular pathogenesis is the lysosomal accumulation of glucosylceramide, which is caused by misfolding of mutated glucocerebrosidase (GC) and loss of lysosomal GC activity, and leads to depletion of [Ca 2+ ] ER . We demonstrate that modulation of Ca 2+ homeostasis and enhancement of the cellular folding capacity synergize to rescue the folding of mutated GC variants. Lacidipine, an L-type Ca 2+ channel blocker that also inhibits [Ca 2+ ] ER efflux, enhances folding, trafficking, and activity of degradation-prone GC variants. Lacidipine remodels mutated GC proteostasis by simultaneously activating a series of distinct molecular mechanisms, namely modulation of Ca 2+ homeostasis, upregulation of the ER chaperone BiP, and moderate induction of the unfolded protein response. However, unlike previously reported proteostasis regulators, lacidipine treatment is not cytotoxic but prevents apoptosis induction typically associated with sustained activation of the unfolded protein response.
United states droughts of late 1980's as seen by NOAA polar orbiting satellites

Recently NOAA/NESDIS designed a new AVHRR-based Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) that can be used for drought detecting and tracking. This index provides a numerical estimate of weather impact on vegetation and also measures vegetation conditions. Several large-area experiments showed that the VCI had excellent ability to detect drought and to measure time of its onset, intensity, duration, and impact on vegetation. This paper describes droughts of the late 1980s in the United States identified from NOAA polar orbiting satellites. >
Phase-sensitive sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy on water/vapor interfaces

We present a phase-sensitive SFVS technique that captures both the magnitude and the phase of an interfacial vibrational spectrum and apply it to study water/vapor interfaces allowing unambiguous decomposition of OH stretch peaks.
Determination of selenomethionine in yeast using CNBr derivatization and species specific isotope dilution GC ICP-MS and GC-MS

A comparison of several published and in-house methods for quantitation of selenomethionine (SeMet) in yeast was undertaken using species specific isotope dilution (ID) with a 74Se enriched SeMet. An in-house method was based on digestion of samples by refluxing for 16 h with 4 M methanesulfonic acid, derivatization of SeMet with cyanogen bromide and extraction into chloroform for determination by GC ICP-MS. Concentrations of 3434 ± 19 and 3419 ± 15 μg g−1 (one standard deviation, n = 6) with relative standard deviations of 0.55% and 0.42% for SeMet were obtained in yeast based on measurement of 78Se/74Se and 82Se/74Se ratios, respectively, in agreement with a value of 3417 ± 27 μg g−1 (one standard deviation, n = 6) obtained using ID GC-MS detection based on the ratio of 106/100 of SeCN+ ion. The SeMet accounts for 67% of the total Se in the sample. A method detection limit (three standard deviations) of 0.9 μg g−1 was estimated for SeMet based on a 0.25 g subsample. Significantly lower concentrations of 2220 ± 7 and 2215 ± 9 μg g−1 (one standard deviation, n = 4) with RSDs of 0.30 and 0.41% were obtained by ID GC ICP-MS using 78Se/74Se and 82Se/74Se ratios, respectively, following digestion with 2% SnCl2 in 0.1 M HCl and reaction with CNBr to form volatile CH3SeCN. Similar SeMet concentrations of 3415 ± 200 and 3447 ± 198 μg g−1 (one standard deviation, n = 6) and significantly degraded precisions of 5.86 and 5.74%, respectively, were obtained in yeast using 78Se/74Se and 82Se/74Se ratios, respectively, following digestion with 4 M methanesulfonic acid and derivatization with methyl chloroformate.
Dyspnoea after AZD6140: safety first?

Husted et al. 1 published dose-finding Phase 2 randomized study comparing novel oral reversible platelet P2Y12 antagonist, AZD6140, with conventional clopidogrel on top of low-dose aspirin. The authors should be acknowledged for the thoughtful design, detailed analysis, well-balanced opinions, and perfect timing for such work to appear. Indeed, the era of expanding antiplatelet regimens and indications may require new agents as the substitutes or additions to the available strategies. However, the alarming frequency of dyspnoea reported …
PL4 Periodontologist's viewpoint inclusive of soft tissues around implants

Integuments play a key role for the integrity of the bodily tissues. Both teeth and oral implants pierce the gingiva or alveolar mucosa with an interface acting as a relative seal. The epithelia adhering by means a basal membrane to either the implant or a tooth are not keratinized. They both contain laminin-5 with a similar structural relationship. The cytokeratins are strikingly similar in both instances. Il-1 beta and TGF-beta 1, when overexpressed jeopardize the soft tissue healing and lead to fibrosis. Subepithelial bullous diseases may thus be a relative contra-indication. Although soft tissue innervation has been described, Merkel cells seem to be absent around artificial abutments. The subepithelial vascular supply with its characteristic loops is also found in both instances. Furthermore the stroma and the outflow crevicular fluid are strikingly similar from a quantitative and compositional viewpoint. When a biofilm accumulates on a tooth or an implant, the surrounding soft tissues demonstrate an inflammatory reaction, which cannot be distinguished from eachother. This will interact with the healing of blistering diseases as observed with the natural dentition. The non-plaque related pathologies of peri-implant gingival and alveolar mucosa are hardly documented but some case reports reveal a similar reaction. For example gingival cyclosporin also induces hyperplasia around implants. Few reports provide histological insights on the mucosal pathologies such as lichen planus or pemphigoid. This part of oral pathology merits more attention. At the clinical level periodontologists can meanwhile extrapolate their expertise to the peri-implant soft tissues.
Managing manufacturing performance

Summary form only given. Participative and performance management, employee involvement, educational upgrades, and organizational redesign are several strategies being employed by Harris Semiconductor to address the 'humanware' side of the equation. Manufacturing technology, with emphasis on tools such as statistics, just-in-time, and computer-aided manufacturing, is equally applied on the 'hardware' side. Several of the activities being employed to manage manufacturing performance are discussed, and the impact they are having on the workforce and the quality of the work at Harris Semiconductor is reported. >
Why does metabolic rate scale with body size

A long-standing problem has been the origin of quarter-power allometric scaling laws that relate many characteristics of organisms to their body mass1,2 — specifically, whole-organism metabolic rate, B = aMb, where M is body mass, a is a taxon-dependent normalization, and b ≈ 3/4 for animals and plants. Darveau et al.3 propose a multiple-cause model for mammalian metabolic rate as the “sum of multiple contributors”, Bi, which they assume to scale as Bi = , and obtain b ≈ 0.78 for the basal and 0.86 for the maximally active rate, $${\mathop V\limits^{\bullet}}{}_{{\rm O}_2}^{\max}$$ . We argue, however, that this scaling equation is based on technical, theoretical and conceptual errors, including misrepresentations of our published results4,5.
COMPENSATION AND THE STABILITY OF RESTORED GRASSLAND COMMUNITIES

The relationship between community diversity and the stability of summed community biomass has been an area of great theoretical and empirical interest in basic ecology. In general, it has been found that the complementary/compensatory dynamics among species that comprise a community can stabilize aggregate measures of community biomass. Although the potential importance of diversity-stability relationships to restoration ecology has been recognized, to date there has been no quantification of the role these relationships play in increasing the persistence of restored communities in the face of altered disturbance regimes, climatic variability, and over the course of succession. In a large-scale experimental restoration of a California grassland community, aggregated abundance of restored grasses was more stable than were the individual species in response to disturbance, drought, and succession. Compensatory dynamics among the restored grass flora increased aggregate stability in response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Successful restorations must persist in the face of altered management and disturbance regimes, climactic variability, and over the course of succession. Incorporation of diversity-stability relationships into restoration plans will likely increase restoration success. This case study further demonstrates the relevance of community ecology theory to restoration ecology.
Seasonal Evolution and Variability Associated with the West African Monsoon System

Abstract In this study, the seasonal variations in surface rainfall and associated large-scale processes in the tropical eastern Atlantic and West African region are investigated. The 6-yr (1998–2003) high-quality Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) rainfall, sea surface temperature (SST), water vapor, and cloud liquid water observations are applied along with the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis wind components and a 4-yr (2000–2003) Quick Scatterometer (Quik SCAT) satellite-observed surface wind product. Major mean rainfall over West Africa tends to be concentrated in two regions and is observed in two different seasons, manifesting an abrupt shift of the mean rainfall zone during June–July: (i) near the Gulf of Guinea (about 5°N), intense convection and rainfall are seen during April–June and roughly follow the seasonality of SST in the tropical eastern Atlantic, and (ii) along the latitudes of about 10°N over the interior of the West African continent, a second intense rain belt begins to develop in July a...
Comparative assessment of social engagement, cognitive function and their relationship in rural- and urban-dwelling elderly Nigerians

The social engagement and cognitive function of a sample of elderly people (≥50 years) living in rural and urban areas of Delta State, Nigeria were investigated. Structured questionnaire with Likert scales were used to measure social engagement (social participation, leisure, religion and contacts) while assessment of cognitive function was by self-rated memory and the short portable mental status scale. Social engagement levels were above average (median, 38.0-58.0; max. points=84), but declined with age and varied with other socio-demographic characteristics. Cognitive function followed a similar trend (median, 6.5-14.0; max. points=15). Urban-dwelling elders were better in social engagement (median, 58.0 vs 51.5; P 0.05). Although social engagement was related to cognitive function in both group of elders, the strength varied with socio-demographic background (rs=0.28-0.45, P < 0.05) where significant associations occurred. There was no marked difference between the rural and urban respondents in the overall association strength in spite of differences in social engagement. The interplay of other factors was therefore, indicated. These findings indicate that with improved social and health facilities, rural areas can be promoted as a good setting for life after work.
Role of bubble growth dynamics on microscale heat transfer events in microchannel flow boiling process

For nearly two decades, the microchannel flow boiling heat transfer process has been the subject of numerous studies. A plethora of experimental studies have been conducted to decipher the underlying physics of the process, and different hypotheses have been presented to describe its microscopic details. Despite these efforts, the underlying assumptions of the existing hypothesis have remained largely unexamined. Here, using data at the microscopic level provided by a unique measurement approach, we deconstruct the boiling heat transfer process into a set of basic mechanisms and explain their role in the overall surface heat transfer. We then show how this knowledge allows to relate the bubble growth and flow dynamics to the surface heat flux.
Design of flexible multi-mode fiber endoscope

Multi-mode fiber (MMF) endoscopes are extremely thin and have higher spatial resolution than conventional endoscopes; however, all current MMF endoscope designs require either that the MMF remain rigid during insertion and imaging or that the orientation of the MMF be known. This limits their possible medical applications. We describe an MMF endoscope design that allows the MMF to be arbitrarily bent as it is maneuvered to the target site prior to imaging. This is achieved by the addition of a partial reflector to the distal end of the MMF, which allows measurement of the mode coupling in the MMF using the reflected light arriving at the proximal end of the MMF. This measurement can be performed while the distal end of the endoscope is not directly accessible, as when the endoscope is being maneuvered. We simulate imaging through such a flexible MMF endoscope, where the MMF is step-index with 1588 spatial modes, and obtain an image even after the mode coupling matrix of the MMF is altered randomly, corresponding to an unknown bending of the MMF.
Epigenetics of X Chromosome Inactivation

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the key regulatory events in X chromosome inactivation (XCI). A cascade of events that allows the silencing of one of the two X chromosomes during female mammalian embryogenesis characterizes XCI. It is believed that Xist coating is the initial event in XCI; the gradual progress of other epigenetic components is crucial for allowing stability and flexibility of the inactivated state to occur. The transition from a transcriptional active to a silent chromosome requires the engagement of cellular relocalization as well as distinguished chromatin code. The complexity and the multiple components involved in XCI continue to invite many researchers to discover more. It is discovered that one of the X chromosomes is comprised of facultative heterochromatin. The milestone work of Lyon put forward her hypothesis that the “Barr body” is an inactive X chromosome (Xi) that appears in mammalian cells with more than one X chromosome. The inactivation allows dosage compensation in females as compared to males who carry only one X chromosome. XCI is a developmentally-regulated process that involves sequential acquisition of silencing markers on the X chromosome to be inactivated.
Mountain Reflections: Reverence for the Consciousness of Nature

Our relationship with the environment is primarily developed through our physical senses; however, this lived experience is made possible by the phenomenon of consciousness. Through a transcendental phenomenological approach to our interactions with nature, we can discover ourselves as consciousness enlivened by the natural world. Ecopsychology, similarly, explores the ways in which we are intimately connected to this living Earth and reaffirms the importance of an ecological awareness. The focus of this writing is on the relationship between the consciousness of the individual and the expressions of consciousness in nature. Through the lens of ecopsychology and phenomenology, I reflect on my experiences while climbing a mountain in the heart of Alaska and the moments where my relationship to nature deepened.
Obama’s Big Failure – His Vague Cautious Trade Policy

This article examines the trade policies of the Obama Administration; I argue that Obama can do more to support economic internationalism, which is likely to get more support then the Bush Administration FTAs.
Mutual Complementarity in the Dupont System and the Value of Marginal Improvements

In the well-known DuPont system of financial analysis, return on equity is decomposed into margins, turnover, and leverage. This paper shows that these three conceptual measures are mutually complementary and that their effects are superadditive: an increase in one?s magnitude increases the marginal effect on ROE of increases in the other two. Consequently, managerial attention aimed at improving ROE will have maximal effect if directed towards the lowest of these three complementary drivers, shoring up the firm?s weaknesses rather than extending its strengths. Both calculus-based derivations and numerical illustrations show the ROE advantages of balancing these three profitability drivers to exploit the superadditivity of marginal improvements. A small improvement in one lagging component can offset disproportionately large decreases in two leading components without loss of ROE. Finally, we examine empirical implications of the theory?s predictions about the effects on future profitability of certain common managerial initiatives aimed at increasing one or more DuPont components and some challenges in formulating tests of complementarity based on accounting data.
Iterative Outlier Removal: A Method for Identifying Outliers in Laboratory Recalibration Studies

BACKGROUND: Extreme values that arise for any reason, including those through nonlaboratory measurement procedure-related processes (inadequate mixing, evaporation, mislabeling), lead to outliers and inflate errors in recalibration studies. We present an approach termed iterative outlier removal (IOR) for identifying such outliers. METHODS: We previously identified substantial laboratory drift in uric acid measurements in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study over time. Serum uric acid was originally measured in 1990–1992 on a Coulter DACOS instrument using an uricase-based measurement procedure. To recalibrate previous measured concentrations to a newer enzymatic colorimetric measurement procedure, uric acid was remeasured in 200 participants from stored plasma in 2011–2013 on a Beckman Olympus 480 autoanalyzer. To conduct IOR, we excluded data points >3 SDs from the mean difference. We continued this process using the resulting data until no outliers remained. RESULTS: IOR detected more outliers and yielded greater precision in simulation. The original mean difference (SD) in uric acid was 1.25 (0.62) mg/dL. After 4 iterations, 9 outliers were excluded, and the mean difference (SD) was 1.23 (0.45) mg/dL. Conducting only one round of outlier removal (standard approach) would have excluded 4 outliers [mean difference (SD) = 1.22 (0.51) mg/dL]. Applying the recalibration (derived from Deming regression) from each approach to the original measurements, the prevalence of hyperuricemia (>7 mg/dL) was 28.5% before IOR and 8.5% after IOR. CONCLUSIONS: IOR is a useful method for removal of extreme outliers irrelevant to recalibrating laboratory measurements, and identifies more extraneous outliers than the standard approach.
Echocardiography of coarctation of the aorta, aortic arch hypoplasia, and arch interruption: strategies for evaluation of the aortic arch.

Aim Echocardiography is the modality of choice for the diagnosis and serial follow-up of aortic arch pathology. In this article, we review the types of obstruction of the aortic arch, various classification schemes of coarctation of the aorta and interrupted aortic arch, methodology for optimal echocardiographic imaging of the aortic arch, and key echocardiographic measurements for accurate diagnosis of obstruction and hypoplasia of the aortic arch. Finally, we will discuss the limitations of echocardiography in optimal imaging of the aortic arch and the use of other non-invasive imaging modalities such as CT or MRI to provide additional information in these cases. Background Coarctation of the aorta is the more common lesion of the two, with an estimated incidence of four in every 10,000 live births in the United States of America. Interrupted aortic arch is rarer, with an incidence of 19 per one million live births. 1 There is a spectrum of pathology of obstruction of the aortic arch, ranging from coarctation of the aorta with and without hypoplasia of the arch to interrupted aortic arch. Both these lesions are frequently encountered in congenital cardiology practice, and will be discussed in the remainder of this article. Obstruction of the aortic arch in the setting of hypoplastic left heart structures or atresia of the aortic valve is beyond the scope of this review and will not be discussed further.
Impacts of sea-level rise on sediment microbial community structure and function in two New England salt marshes, USA.

There is growing evidence for a tight linkage between the structure and function of microbial communities and for the importance of this relationship in ecosystem responses to disturbances such as sea-level rise (SLR). While the role of plants in determining the capacity of salt marshes to keep pace with SLR through sediment accretion has received considerable attention, the role of microbes in offsetting these gains via decomposition is less understood. We conducted a controlled experiment to determine the structural and functional responses of microbes to SLR, using soil from the low intertidal zone of two New England salt marshes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, USA. We used terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (t-RFLPs) generated from microbial 16S rDNA to evaluate community composition and diversity and focused on changes in respiration with SLR, measured as total respired carbon normalized by percent organic matter, as a surrogate for decomposition rate. We observed a 24% reduction in microbial respiration with a simulated rise in sea level of 40 cm. This functional change was accompanied by a structural shift in microbial community composition among samples from New Hampshire but not Massachusetts, assessed via principal coordinate analysis of t-RFLP data. We also found greater microbial diversity within our New Hampshire samples, suggesting that low diversity may constrain community compositional shifts. Our results suggest that decreased microbial respiration could alleviate the negative effects of SLR on salt marsh surface elevation, at least in the short term, and that the diversity of the soil microbial community may positively influence functional responses such as respiration.
At-Risk for Diabetes: Coping with the News

This study assessed 37 children's and 38 adults', as well as their family members' (39 mothers and 26 spouses), coping responses to the news that they (or a loved one) were islet-cell antibody positive (ICA+) and at risk for type 1 diabetes. The Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC) was administered ∼4 months after ICA+ notification and at follow-up ∼10 months later. Participants' state anxiety was measured a few days after ICA+ notification and again ∼4 months later, at the time of the initial WCC administration. Children's coping strategies differed from those of adults, and mothers' coping strategies differed from spouses'. Initial state anxiety in response to ICA+ notification was related to how participants subsequently coped with the news. Coping, in turn, was related to maintenance of state anxiety over time.
Isotope identification with swept-wavelength Raman signatures

Swept-wavelength Raman signatures have been measured for isotopic variants of polyethylene and acetic acid. Wavenumber shifts, peak amplitude variation, and wavelength dependent amplitudes have been identified as isotope identification mechanisms.
Operationalizing low-cost three-dimensional printing in planning for complex congenital cardiac interventions

Abstract Objectives This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of commercially available 3-D printing technology for anatomical modeling. Background Additive manufacturing has been widely talked about in the context of personalized medical care and interventional and surgical planning for the past decade. Early studies have shown reduction in procedure time and optimization of device deployment by improving anticipation of potential obstacles by bench testing reconstructed models. However, commercially printed 3-D models are costly, ranging between $ 1,500–$ 3500 per model. Our goal is to produce heart models of acceptable quality for as low as $ 1–$ 20 and to demonstrate their utility in planning and carrying out complex congenital heart interventions. Methods Low-and mid-tier fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers able to utilize flexible filament along with a sophisticated modeling software were used in our practice to create congenital heart models for bench testing. For cases that required softer and more stretchable material than the available flexible filaments offered, molding and casting with dissolvable filament and silicone was carried out. Results 15 models were constructed and 13 were bench tested (8 commercial models), preliminary data gathered by questionnaires completed by treating physicians before and after obtaining the 3D models show equal improvement in pre-procedure planning and increased confidence about the procedure with both model types. Conclusions The use of commercially available reasonably priced 3–D printing technology is feasible for printing complex congenital heart disease models in a cost-effective manner. These models were not deemed to be inferior to commercially printed models that are up to 100 times more expensive.
Partnerships Between Ambrosia Beetles and Fungi: Lineage-Specific Promiscuity Among Vectors of the Laurel Wilt Pathogen, Raffaelea lauricola

Nutritional mutualisms that ambrosia beetles have with fungi are poorly understood. Although these interactions were initially thought to be specific associations with a primary symbiont, there is increasing evidence that some of these fungi are associated with, and move among, multiple beetle partners. We examined culturable fungi recovered from mycangia of ambrosia beetles associated with trees of Persea humilis (silk bay, one site) and P. americana (avocado, six commercial orchards) that were affected by laurel wilt, an invasive disease caused by a symbiont, Raffaelea lauricola, of an Asian ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. Fungi were isolated from 20 adult females of X. glabratus from silk bay and 70 each of Xyleborus affinis, Xyleborus bispinatus, Xyleborus volvulus, Xyleborinus saxesenii, and Xylosandrus crassiusculus from avocado. With partial sequences of ribosomal (LSU and SSU) and nuclear (β-tubulin) genes, one to several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of fungi were identified in assayed individuals. Distinct populations of fungi were recovered from each of the examined beetle species. Raffaelea lauricola was present in all beetles except X. saxesenii and X. crassiusculus, and Raffaelea spp. predominated in Xyleborus spp. Raffaelea arxii, R. subalba, and R. subfusca were present in more than a single species of Xyleborus, and R. arxii was the most abundant symbiont in both X. affinis and X. volvulus. Raffaelea aguacate was detected for the first time in an ambrosia beetle (X. bispinatus). Yeasts (Ascomycota, Saccharomycotina) were found consistently in the mycangia of the examined beetles, and distinct, putatively co-adapted populations of these fungi were associated with each beetle species. Greater understandings are needed for how mycangia in ambrosia beetles interact with fungi, including yeasts which play currently underresearched roles in these insects.
Fluoride varnish application, a quality improvement project implemented in a rural pediatric practice.

Objectives The United States has a public health crisis of dental caries in children's primary teeth. Fifty-five percent of children have dental caries by age 8. The majority of these children are nonwhite and poor. Caries could be decreased by 40% if fluoride varnish (FV) application started with tooth eruption. Design and sample A four-month FV application QI project was implemented in a rural pediatric practice. The staff was trained by the Vermont Department of Health using the From the First Tooth protocol. Children aged 9, 18, 24, and 30 months. Measures Pre- and postproject questionnaires were completed. A caries risk tool assessed a child's risk and access to dental care. Completed FV applications were recorded and staff interviewed weekly. Intervention FV application was offered at well child checks (WCCs). Results Fifty-six percent of sample patients received FV at their WCCs. Qualitative themes included the following: reasons subjects did/did not receive FV, ease of FV application, increased oral hygiene education, visit flow, application time, older children's FV need, and billing issues. Conclusion This economical, FV application program can be readily implemented by nurse practitioners and nurses in pediatric practices where children have inadequate dental care.
Surveillance of the Upper Tract After Conservative Treatment

Surveillance is essential following endoscopic treatment for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. However unlike lower tract disease, surveillance cannot be performed in an outpatient basis. It is therefore critical to have a multidisciplinary approach to ensure follow-up. Conservative treatment which involves multiple invasive procedures can be cumbersome, for the patient and constant physician–patient dialogue must be maintained. We will outline the optimal approach in explaining to a patient and their families, what surveillance entails. Our surveillance protocol involves flexible cystoscopy, CT or MR urogram, and upper endoscopy in first 3 months. This is followed by repeat ureteroscopy, cytologies, cystoscopies, and imaging in 3–6 month intervals.
Bioinformatics and Whole-Genome Technologies

The last half of the 20th century saw dramatic improvements in cancer treatment, including curative treatments for pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia, Wilms tumor, osteosarcoma, testicular cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and other neoplasms. Mortality for breast cancer has been reduced as a result of improvements in chemoprevention, early detection, and therapy. For many other solid tumors, however, progress has been more limited.
Bond characterization of UHPC overlays for concrete bridge decks: Laboratory and field testing

Abstract This paper aims to characterize the bond behavior and performance of UHPC-class materials as overlays on bridge deck concrete substrates. The study includes laboratory testing, field testing, and microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The laboratory portion examines the direct tension bond strength between UHPC and substrate concrete with different substrate surface preparations; namely, hydrodemolition and scarification. The field testing examines the tensile bond strength of the first UHPC bridge deck overlay in the United States. Lastly, microstructural analysis is used to investigate consolidation of the overlays, the substrate surface condition, and the hydration products and porosity at the interface between the overlay and substrate. The paper discusses correlation between bond strength and consolidation, mechanical interlock, chemical bond, and substrate surface condition and preparation.
250. Antimicrobial Management in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: The AMMO study

Background The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in critically ill adults is increasing with no guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis. Patients on ECMO are at a high risk for infections, 6.1% of neonates and 20.5% of adults. An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Infectious Disease Task Force statement concludes that no additional antibiotic coverage is needed for patients on ECMO. Since patients on ECMO are severely ill, providers tend to prescribe empiric antibiotics. To guide rational antibiotic therapy we introduce an ECMO antimicrobial protocol on July 1, 2014 and report its impact.
Influence of substrates and inhibitors on the structure of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2.

The hydrolysis of last resort carbapenem antibiotics by Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2 (KPC-2) presents a significant danger to global health. Combined with horizontal gene transfer, the eme...
Laparoscopic Surgical Access in Morbidly Obese Women Undergoing Endometrial Cancer Surgery: Repurposing the Left Upper Quadrant Approach

Abstract Objective The study purpose was to report the outcomes of patients undergoing endometrial cancer surgical staging with laparoscopic abdominal access entry using a left upper quadrant (LUQ) access technique. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from 1 January 2013 to 1 January 2018. The setting was an academic, single institution gynecologic oncology service with a high volume of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The patient cohort included obese (defined as BMI > 30 kg/m2) or morbidly obese (BMI > 40 kg/m2) women undergoing MIS for endometrial cancer staging. All patients underwent laparoscopic abdominal access via a 5-mm or 10-mm optical trocar system using a LUQ technique. Results In total, 317 patients were included with a median age of 54 years (range, 24–79) and median BMI 42.5 kg/m2 (range, 32–70); 60 % morbidly obese. Successful LUQ access was achieved in 98.1 %. Of those with a failed LUQ approach, two had undergone previous LUQ surgery and 4 had ≥1 previous midline vertical incisions. There was one LUQ trocar-related visceral injury (0.3 %) and no vascular injuries during the study period. Conclusion A LUQ abdominal technique is a safe and reliable method of laparoscopic access in morbidly obese women undergoing MIS for endometrial cancer staging. This may be the preferred method of laparoscopic access for women with a panniculus or central adiposity, given the caudal displacement of the umbilicus and poor correlation with intraperitoneal anatomic landmarks in this setting.
Gout Management in Chronic Kidney Disease: Pearls and Pitfalls

Gout is more prevalent than ever and is associated with multiple chronic comorbidities, including Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). While goals of treatment are the same as in those without renal impairment, co-morbid CKD poses a challenge in treatment selection and requires a solid understanding of potential drug-drug interaction and drug-related toxicity. In acute gout complicated by CKD, NSAIDs should be avoided, and colchicine used with caution. Systemic corticosteroids are effective but may be replaced by anakinra, in particular in inpatients with additional comorbidities that may make corticosteroids less desirable. Allopurinol remains the first line urate lowering therapy (ULT), starting at a low dose followed by careful goal driven up-titration. Febuxostat is a reasonable alternative, though second line in light of recent cardiovascular data. Uricosuric drugs are generally less effective, while pegloticase is reserved for refractory cases of polyarticular tophaceous disease. Gout treatment must be guided by renal function but in spite of renal disease can be successfully managed.
A Case Study on Visual-Inertial Odometry using Supervised, Semi-Supervised and Unsupervised Learning Methods

This paper presents a pilot study comparing three different learning-based visual-inertial odometry (VIO) approaches: supervised, semi-supervised, and unsupervised. Localization and navigation have been the ancient bur important topic in both research area and industry. Many well-developed algorithms have been established regarding this research task using a single sensor or multiple sensors. VIO, that uses images and inertial measurements to estimate the motion, is considered as one of the key technologies to virtual reality and argument reality. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, people have started to explore new methods for VIO instead of traditional feature-based methods. The advantages of using learning-based method can be found in eliminating the calibration and enhance the robustness and accuracy. However, most of the popular learning-based VIO systems require ground truth during training. The lack of training dataset limits the power of neural networks. In this study, we proposed both semi-supervised and unsupervised methods and compared the performances between the supervised model and them. The neural networks were trained and tested on two well-known datasets: KITTI Dataset and EuRoC MAV Dataset.
Counterterrorism Roadblocks: Constitutional Under the Fourth Amendment?

In the wake of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, this Article considers the constitutionality of a counterterrorism roadblock “set up to thwart an imminent terrorist attack.” It explores the unique line of cases permitting suspicionless, warrantless seizures of vehicles and their occupants at highway checkpoints (i.e. roadblocks) whose “primary purpose” is something other than “detect[ing] evidence of ordinary criminal wrongdoing.” Under this line of cases, the requirement, under the Fourth Amendment, that police officers develop probable cause — or, in limited situations, individualized suspicion — prior to effecting a seizure, is abandoned, so long as the seizure is “reasonable.” This reasoning, contained in the 2000 case City of Indianapolis v. Edmond, is distinct from, though related to, the so-called “special needs” doctrine. While writing for the Court in Edmond, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor suggested in dictum that “the Fourth Amendment would almost certainly permit an appropriately tailored roadblock set up to thwart an imminent terrorist attack or to catch a dangerous criminal who is likely to flee by way of a particular route.” O’Connor’s dictum is the closest the Supreme Court has come to deciding the constitutionality of counterterrorism roadblocks. Since its appearance more than a decade ago, several circuit courts and two Supreme Court Justices have noted it favorably. This Article contends that a ruling upholding an “appropriately tailored” counterterrorism roadblock would fit neatly within the already established line of roadblock cases, which — along with related exceptions to Fourth Amendment requirements, in other contexts, under the special needs doctrine — has already done the work of expanding the power of police and other government officials to conduct suspicionless searches and seizures in service of public safety and at the expense of individual liberties.
Photoneutron Cross Sections of Pr 141 and I 127 from Threshold to 33 MeV

The photoneutron cross sections for ${\mathrm{I}}^{127}$ and ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{141}$ have been measured with about 170- and 320-keV photon energy resolution, using monoenergetic photons obtained from annihilation in flight of positrons. The ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, n$), ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2n$), and ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, 3n$) cross sections were determined experimentally by a neutron-counting technique; hence, the nuclear photon-absorption cross sections were obtained without calculated multiplicity corrections. The photon-absorption cross section obtained for ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{141}$ is a single-peaked, giant dipole resonance, well described by a Lorentz-shaped curve with a maximum of 320 mb at 15.2 MeV and a width of 4.5 MeV. The ${\mathrm{I}}^{127}$ giant resonance is broadened slightly by its vibrational deformation. Although a single Lorentz curve is in fair agreement with the data, better agreement is obtained by the sum of two Lorentz curves, when adjusted to fit the data with the restrictions implied by the hydrodynamic model. The parameters of the two curves are: resonance energies, 15.2 and 15.8 MeV; peak cross sections, 180 and 50 mb; and widths, 4.1 and 8 MeV. The integrated nuclear photon-absorption cross sections of ${\mathrm{I}}^{127}$ and ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{141}$, obtained from the areas under the Lorentz curves which fit the data, are 1.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 and 2.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 MeV b, respectively. These integrated cross sections are in good agreement with the dipole sum rule uncorrected for exchange effects, which predicts 1.9 and 2.1 MeV b. The ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{141}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, 3n)$ threshold, which was measured to be 28\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 MeV, determines the mass of ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{138}$.
Replicating Advanced Detection using Low Ping Frequency Probe Vehicle Trajectory Data to Optimize Signal Progression

Probe vehicle trajectory data has the potential to transform the current practice of traffic signal optimization. Current scalable trajectory data is limited in both the penetration rate and the pi...
All resistance alleles are not equal: the high fitness cost of super-kdr in the absence of insecticide.

BACKGROUND Mutations in the voltage-sensitive sodium channel are an important mechanism of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. In Musca domestica, common resistance alleles are kdr, super-kdr and kdr-his. The levels of resistance that these alleles confer is known, but the fitness of these alleles relative to each other and to susceptible alleles is unknown. We used crosses from congenic strains of M. domestica to establish populations with known allele frequencies and then examined the changes in allele and genotype frequencies over 25 generations under laboratory conditions. RESULTS There was a significant fitness cost for the super-kdr allele, which decreased from the starting frequency of 0.25 to 0.05 after 25 generations. The fitness of the kdr, kdr-his and susceptible alleles were similar. The greatest change in genotype frequency was seen for the super-kdr/super-kdr genotype, which was no longer detected after 25 generations. CONCLUSION The fitness cost associated with the super-kdr allele is consistent with previous reports and appears to be a factor in helping to restrain high levels of resistance in field populations (the super-kdr allele confers higher levels of resistance than kdr or kdr-his). It is known that the relative costs of different alleles are environmentally dependent, but our results also demonstrate that the relative fitness of given alleles depends on which alleles are present in a given population, as previous pairwise comparisons of allele fitness do not exactly match (except for super-kdr) the results obtained using this four allele study. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Lower Eyelid Retraction: Middle/Posterior Lamellar Correction Using Autologous Grafts

Lower eyelid retraction is a challenging complication associated with blepharoplasty. Understanding the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for development will minimize complications and to design a customized approach for repair when it does occur. As the majority of cases of lower eyelid retraction result after aesthetic lower blepharoplasty, this chapter focuses primarily on the correction of lower eyelid retraction using autologous posterior lamellar spacer grafts. The choice of a posterior lamellar spacer graft is complex and should be tailored to each patient.
Effect of Vancomycin Soaking on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Biomechanics.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of soaking of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts in vancomycin solution on graft biomechanical properties at the time of implantation. Methods The central third of patellar tendons was harvested from mature bovine knees and prepared as a tendon-only graft or a bone-tendon-bone (BTB) graft. Tendons were wrapped in gauze soaked in vancomycin solution (VS) (5 mg/mL) or normal saline (NS) and left to stand for 30 minutes at room temperature, simulating graft exposure times in the operating room during ACL reconstruction. Tensile testing was carried out on a materials testing system with (1) low-magnitude loading (60 N at 3 mm/s) with repeated testing of tendon-only grafts; and (2) high-magnitude loading (600 N at 10 mm/min) of BTB grafts. For tendon-only grafts, specimens were first wrapped in NS-soaked gauze and underwent testing, with repeated testing performed after wrapping in gauze soaked in VS or buffered VS (pH 7.0). For BTB grafts, specimens were randomly assigned to treatment with VS or NS. Results For tendon-only grafts, there was no difference in Young’s modulus (YM) after soaking with VS soaking (baseline, 12.69 MPa; treatment, 16.07 ± 4.44 MPa; P = .99) or buffered VS (baseline, 12.45 ± 4.55 MPa; treatment, 15.56 ± 2.83 MPa; P = .99). For BTB grafts, there were no differences in elongation strain (VS, 46.8% ± 7.0%; NS, 31.5% ± 13.5%, P = .19) or YM (VS, 158.4 ± 15.8 MPa; NS, 158.5 ± 23.3 MPa, P = .99). Conclusions According to controlled biomechanical tests, vancomycin soaking of patellar tendon grafts does not adversely affect time-zero material properties. Clinical Relevance This study suggests that vancomycin wrapping has no immediate adverse effects on the biomechanical properties of ACL grafts. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate the widespread use of vancomycin soaking of tendon grafts for infection prophylaxis during ACL reconstruction.
Mechanically reliable ceramics: Needs and opportunities to understand and control fracture

Abstract The approaches used to obtain mechanically reliable ceramics are first reviewed, with the focus on their brittle failure because this is the major problem. After outlining needs to improve these reliability approaches, more basic issues of (1) crack formation, detection, characterization and propagation; and (2) development of more reliable materials by developing tougher or new materials are addressed. While the focus is on bulk ceramics, some specific discussion of ceramic coatings is also presented. Needs and opportunities noted for understanding of cracks range from many of the specifics of their occurrence and behavior on both a continuum and especially microstructural scale to very fundamental issues such as fracture on an atomic scale and particle and electromagnetic emission during fracture. Similarly needs and opportunities for understanding to obtain more reliable materials range from specifics of a variety of toughening mechanisms to the development of material property estimation techniques so that unique new materials, e.g. high temperature, analogs of jade, can be more effectively sought.
Elder Mistreatment Identification Instruments

Elder mistreatment has followed a typical life course as a social problem from naming the problem, to research now to considerable activitiy in identification. This article compares elder mistreatment identification instruments among 15 states which use uniform tools in adult protective services settings. The goal is to distinguish differences in starting points in the areas of the definition, the victim/s, precipitator/s, evaluator/s, and instrument design to find common ground for information-sharing and improvements in the identification process. The results show both similarities and differneces to reconcile differences while preserving them, it is recommended that common ground focus on what rather than who, which, when, why and how - problem-centeredness rather than parties.
Cervical Softening , Effacement, and Dilatation: A Complex Biochemical Cascade

The rearrangement of the extracellular matrix of the uterine cervix during pregnancy and parturition occurs by the progression of a complex, finely regulated biochemical cascade. In the past decade, major advances in our understanding of these molecular and biochemical changes have been made, yet the complete metabolic cascade is not understood. In this paper, current information regarding these metabolic pathways is reviewed and areas for further research are discussed.Term labor and preterm labor are etiologically heterogenous. The triggering mechanisms of the biochemical rearrangement of collagen, proteoglycans, and elastic fibers are likely different, however, depending on the presenting clinical situation. While the pathways of extracellular matrix rearrangement may be similar, studies focusing on term labor do not provide complete information regarding preterm labor. Animal models and in vitro studies are extremely useful, but do not in themselves explain the entire story of cervical softening, dila...
Americans consume less added sugars and solid fats and consume more whole grains and oils: changes from 2003-04 to 2009-10 (369.2)

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) provide recommendations on how much to eat from nutritious food groups such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean protein foods, dairy, and oils ...