cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Barbiturates for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Background Benzodiazepine-resistant cases of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are common, and therefore alternate treatments are needed. Objective Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of published reports on the use of barbiturates for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Methods We performed a systematic literature search of PUBMED for relevant citations that described the use of barbiturates either alone or in conjunction with other pharmacological agents to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Results A total of 15 citations were identified; 2 citations looked at barbiturates alone; 1 found barbiturates effective in an emergency department setting at treating seizures and preventing return visits. A second showed that barbiturates caused a relatively low rate of respiratory depression. Further, 5 citations compared barbiturates with benzodiazepines; 1 suggested that they were better at treating severe withdrawal, and another showed they were more effective at preventing seizures; 4 citations found they were as effective as benzodiazepines, but 1 found a higher rate of respiratory depression. Also, 3 citations compared a combination of barbiturates and benzodiazepines to benzodiazepines alone; 1 showed decreased ventilation, another showed fewer intensive care unit admissions, and a third showed better symptom control; 3 citations described detailed reports of barbiturate protocols. Lastly, 2 citations compared barbiturates with other agents and found them equivalent. Conclusion Barbiturates provide effective treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. In particular, they show promise for use in the emergency department and for severe withdrawal in the intensive care unit. Respiratory depression does not appear to be exceedingly common. Additional studies are needed to clarify the role of barbiturates in alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Changes in growth and diet of smallmouth bass following invasion of Lake Erie by the round goby

Abstract Upon invading the Great Lakes, the round goby ( Neogobius melanostomus ) was rapidly incorporated in the diet of native predators. The smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ) is an abundant nearshore predator and readily consumes round goby; however, the effects of round goby on growth of smallmouth bass have not been examined for a wide range of smallmouth bass ages. We compared smallmouth bass diets from New York waters of Lake Erie before and after the invasion of round goby and analyzed 19 years (pre-round goby = 1993–1998; post-round goby = 2001–2013) of length-at-age data (ages 2–10) to investigate the effects of round goby on growth of smallmouth bass. Analysis of variance was used to test hypotheses about the effects of sex, age, and round goby presence on length-at-age of smallmouth bass, and von Bertalanffy models were used to identify changes in growth patterns. Crayfish (Decapoda spp.) were the most common prey of smallmouth bass prior to invasion of round goby (observed in 53.5% of diets). Round goby became the dominant prey of smallmouth bass after its invasion (observed in 73.3% of diets), and crayfish were only observed in 5.8% of diets in the post-round goby time period. Length-at-age increased following invasion of round goby and the greatest increases in length (11–15%) were observed for ages 2–4. The von Bertalanffy growth coefficient, K, increased for both male and female smallmouth bass. Results from this study demonstrate how aquatic invaders can rapidly change population characteristics of native predators.
Rational Design of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of an Epoxide Hydrolase Virulence Factor from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The virulence factor cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) inhibitory factor (Cif) is secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is the founding member of a distinct class of epoxide hydrolases (EHs) that triggers the catalysis-dependent degradation of the CFTR. We describe here the development of a series of potent and selective Cif inhibitors by structure-based drug design. Initial screening revealed 1a (KB2115), a thyroid hormone analog, as a lead compound with low micromolar potency. Structural requirements for potency were systematically probed, and interactions between Cif and 1a were characterized by X-ray crystallography. On the basis of these data, new compounds were designed to yield additional hydrogen bonding with residues of the Cif active site. From this effort, three compounds were identified that are 10-fold more potent toward Cif than our first-generation inhibitors and have no detectable thyroid hormone-like activity. These inhibitors will be useful tools to study the pa...
Dietary adipic acid reduces ammonia emission from swine excreta

Adipic acid is only partially catabolized when it is fed to animals, and a portion of it is excreted in urine. The excreted portion may lower urinary pH and, as a result, ammonia emission. The present study tested this hypothesis. In Exp. 1, nursery pigs (n = 14) were fed (for a period of 7 d) either a standard nursery diet or the same diet supplemented with 1% adipic acid to assess effects on urinary pH (collected on d 5 or 6) and in vitro ammonia emission from the collected urine samples that were mixed with control feces. In Exp. 2, grower pigs housed 10 each in one of two chambers were fed a control diet or the same diet supplemented with 1% adipic acid. Ventilated air was quantified and analyzed for ammonia using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine the effects of feeding 1% adipic acid on ammonia emission. The results from Exp. 1 showed that adipic acid strongly reduced urinary pH (from 7.7 to 5.5, P < 0.05). In vitro ammonia emission from these urine samples was significantly reduced at all the time points evaluated (1, 3, 18, and 46 h with reductions of 94, 93, 70, and 39%, respectively, P < 0.05). Experiment 2 showed that adipic acid supplementation reduced ammonia emission by 25% (P < 0.05), which corresponded to the predicted reduction in ammonia emission based on the reduction in manure pH observed. In conclusion, feeding adipic acid lowers urinary pH and reduces ammonia emission. The reduction in ammonia emission, though, does not correspond to the reduction in urinary pH but corresponds to the reduction in fecal pH as a result of mixing the urine and feces, in which feces act as a strong buffer.
Quantitative variation in elephant dentitions implications for the delimitation of fossil species

Dental measurements are commonly used in the diagnosis of fossil elephant species, yet elephant teeth develop slowly, within a highly dynamic context that enhances opportunities for physical deformation (or its subtler manifestation, quantitative phenotypic variation). This paper examines intraspecific variation in elephant teeth and compares it with variability in other mammals (83 species in 7 orders). I conclude that (1) male elephants tend to have slightly larger cheek teeth than females, though the difference is not marked; (2) of the full complement of six cheek teeth per jaw quadrant, no single tooth consistently varies less than the others (so on this basis, for taxonomic decisions no tooth is preferable to the customarily used M3 = tooth VI); (3) single- population samples vary less than more inclusive, geographically heterogeneous samples of elephant teeth; (4) although differential wear and eruption are important sources of variation in dental measurements, complete elephant teeth are consistently more variable in length and width than the cheek teeth of other mammals; (5) variability in dental dimensions of recognized fossil species of elephants is in general not grossly inconsistent with variability noted in modern elephants, but there are some exceptions. With the information and guidelines presented here, consideration of variability, and assessment of the statistical power permitted by available samples, can enhance confidence and precision in the delimitation of species and provide a firmer basis for macroevo- lutionary inferences.
Traditional Payment Models in Radiology: Historical Context for Ongoing Reform

The passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) replaces the sustainable growth rate with a payment system based on quality and alternative payment model participation. The general structure of payment under MACRA is included in the statute, but the rules and regulations defining its implementation are yet to be formalized. It is imperative that the radiology profession inform policymakers on their role in health care under MACRA. This will require a detailed understanding of prior legislative and nonlegislative actions that helped shape MACRA. To that end, the authors provide a detailed historical context for payment reform, focusing on the payment quality initiatives and alternative payment model demonstrations that helped provide the foundation of future MACRA-driven payment reform.
Wilhelm Röntgen Intended to Study Cathode Rays but Ended Up Discovering X-Rays: Listen Carefully When Mother Nature Whispers in Your Ear—She May Be Leading You to a Nobel Prize

Wilhelm Rontgen was a physics professor of only local reputation in 1895 when he decided to expand his research interests to include “cathode rays,” a subject that had been investigated for 20 years but still seemed to promise new discoveries. After noting the fluorescence of a sensitive screen with which he had been intending to study the cathode rays, even when the apparatus was covered with light-excluding black cardboard, Rontgen began a series of epoch-making experiments. Something coming from the cathode-ray tube was able to penetrate cardboard, books, and even thin metal sheets. In only a few short weeks, Rontgen sorted through the possible known radiations: light, infrared, and ultraviolet radiations, and correctly concluded that the X-rays he discovered were a novel type of electromagnetic wave.
The History and Evolution of Surgery on the Vestibular Labyrinth

The history of surgery on the vestibular labyrinth is rich but sparsely documented in the literature. The story begins over a century ago with the labyrinthectomy in an era that consisted exclusively of ablative surgery for infection or vertigo. Improved understanding of vestibular physiology and pathology produced an era of selective ablation and hearing preservation that includes semicircular canal occlusion for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. An era of restoration began with a discovery of superior semicircular canal dehiscence and its repair. The final era of vestibular replacement is upon us as the possibility of successful prosthetic vestibular implantation becomes reality.
Single leaflet reconstruction of pulmonic valve with decellurized bovine pericardium

A patient presented with a complex mass seen extending from the lumen of the aorta to the lumen of the pulmonary artery. Papillary fibroelastoma was identified at resection, however the left pulmonary valve leaflet required resection to fully remove the mass. The leaflet was reconstructed using the bovine pericardial extracellular matrix. Valve function and flow characteristics were excellent following repair.
Budgetary decision making in the twentieth century: theories and evidence

Three rival internal change theories of budgeting have characterized the twentieth century. Internal change theories consider the importance of change made inside governments; exogenous factors do not have a significant bearing on outcomes in these approaches. The century started out with the rational/scientific, then moved to incrementalism by mid to latecentury. The century ended with the garbage can model. This paper tests the descriptive power of each of these models on budget outcome data. The methods used in this study were time series modeling of monthly U.S. national government budget outcomes from 1968 to 1999. The results provide support for both incrementalism and rational/scientific budgeting. There was no support found in this study for the anarchical tendencies associated with the garbage can theory of budgeting. These results suggest that the garbage can model may not deserve its reputation as the dominant budgeting paradigm at the close of the twentieth century.
Subnational Sabotage or National Paramountcy? Examining the Dynamics of Subnational Acceptance of International Agreements

Federal states, such as Canada and the United States, face unique problems in implementing international agreements because they require the acceptance by subnational governments of these treaties even when the negotiations (i) do not involve them and (ii) may be impeding the rights of those subnational governments. Ever since the "watertight compartments" decision of Lord Atkin in the 1937 Labour Standards case, provincial autonomy within its sphere of influence has been a primary foci of Canadian jurisprudence. The primacy of provincial legislatures in the respective realms means that international obligations cannot be forced on them without their consent. On the other hand, both the interstate commerce clause of the US Constitution and the federal power to make treaties has been interpreted broadly to prohibit state interference in US government-signed international treaties. Even non-federal states such as the People's Republic of China have had to deal with this problem given the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau and the SARs' ability to sign international agreements without PRC involvement. This issue even affects sovereign states such as Jamaica when they are part of a common market superstructure, such as the proposed Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM). This paper examines, using examples drawn from Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, and the Caribbean, the influence subnational governments (and sovereign governments that are part of a common market) have on the viability of international agreements and uses game theory to suggest ways to balance the need to avoid subnational sabotage of such agreements without invoking a national paramountcy argument that could destroy a country's federal structure and create irreparable harm to the rights of subnational governments.
Equivalent isotropic response as a surrogate for incident field strength

The strength of an electromagnetic plane wave incident in the free field can be characterized in terms of power output by an idealized isotropic antenna probe. We refer to the parameter as equivalent isotropic incident power (EIIP), though it lacks an accepted name. This parameter has begun to enter use in various industry standards, technical reports, and peer-reviewed papers. To our knowledge, however, it has not been defined or studied in detail by prior work. We start to address this gap here with a proposed a definition, physical interpretation, and comparison to field strength.
Cigarette Constituent Health Communications for Smokers: Impact of Chemical, Imagery, and Source.

Introduction Communication campaigns are incorporating tobacco constituent messaging to reach smokers, yet there is a dearth of research on how such messages should be constructed or will be received by smokers. Methods In a 2 × 2 × 2 experiment, we manipulated three cigarette constituent message components: (1) the toxic constituent of tobacco (arsenic vs. lead) with a corresponding health effect, (2) the presence or absence of an evocative image, and (3) the source of the message (FDA vs. no source). We recruited smokers (N = 1669, 55.4% women) via an online platform and randomized them to one of the eight message conditions. Participants viewed the message and rated its believability and perceived effectiveness, the credibility of the message source, and action expectancies (ie, likelihood of seeking additional information and help with quitting as a result of seeing the message). Results We found significant main effects of image, constituent, and source on outcomes. The use of arsenic as the constituent, the presence of an evocative image, and the FDA as the source increased the believability, source credibility, and perceived effectiveness of the tobacco constituent health message. Conclusions Multiple elements of a constituent message, including type of constituent, imagery, and message source, impact their reception among smokers. Specifically, communication campaigns targeting smokers that utilize arsenic as the tobacco constituent, visual imagery, and the FDA logo may be particularly effective in changing key outcomes that are associated with subsequent attitude and behavioral changes. Implications This article describes how components of communication campaigns about cigarette constituents are perceived. Multiple elements of a tobacco constituent message, including type of constituent, image, and message source may influence the reception of messages among current smokers. Communication campaigns targeting smokers that utilize arsenic as the tobacco constituent, visual imagery, and the FDA logo may be particularly effective in changing key outcomes among smokers. The effects of such campaigns should be examined, as well as the mechanisms through which such campaigns affect change.
Lore, or the Implicated Witness: Rachel Seiffert’s Postmemory Work

Rachel Seiffert’s story “Lore” registers a shift in narrative perspective from the victim to the perpetrator found in recent memory work. Baackmann argues that instead of validating reassuring binaries that prop up an illusionary but clear-cut moral regime, this text confronts unstable degrees of implication. Moreover, she shows how Seiffert utilizes the perpetrator perspective to address the question of implication in histories of violence that extend to the reader. Since the juvenile protagonist is both seemingly innocent and defined along the contours of the “implicated subject,” the reader is fundamentally challenged to rethink the possibility of “innocent” subject positions. By examining inadvertent, yet persistent implications in legacies of historical violence, “Lore” addresses fallacies of ubiquitous but reductive imaginations of historical agency, as well as sentimentalized notions of the “innocent child.”
Spinal Cord Stimulation: Thoracic and Lumbar—Trial

Neuromodulation is defined by the International Neuromodulation Society as the “therapeutic interaction with the central, peripheral, or autonomic nervous system for therapeutic effect by means of targeted electrical stimulation or pharmacological delivery from implanted devices,” all with the aim of cost-effective, clinically relative treatment of refractory neuropathic pain [1–6]. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is the most established member of this family and has been in practice for nearly 50 years [7]. Beginning with the gate control theory proposed by Melzack and Wall in 1965 [8], the development and use of spinal cord stimulation has grown exponentially. The theory suggested that the stimulation of large non-nociceptive myelinated fibers of the peripheral nerves (A-β fibers) inhibited the activity of small nociceptive projections (A-δ and C) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. While the original gate theory seems to partially explain the effect of electrical stimulation on the dorsal column, complete understanding of the mechanism of action has not yet been elucidated. Proposed theories are mostly based upon the mechanism of pain which is targeted, such as stimulation-induced suppression of central excitability and release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, gamma-amino butyric acid and substance P in neuropathic pain or inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction in ischemic associated pain [9]. With the most recent advancements including high-frequency stimulation, burst stimulation, and precise dorsal root ganglion stimulation, spinal cord stimulation is a rapidly growing modality for pain management. Trial implantation of leads allows for patient response to be evaluated prior to permanent implantation. Additional advantages of percutaneous trials include: cost-effectiveness [10] when performed outside of the operating room in office-based procedures rooms [11], and determination of energy requirements for the individual patient, which assists in making the choice of battery type. Few treatment modalities in medicine offer the ability to trial the efficacy of intervention in a reversible and minimally invasive fashion prior to permanent implantation.
A histone reader becomes the readout

Chromatin signaling events are critical for the dynamic regulation of the genome. Although much has been learned about histone modification in these events, the modification of nonhistone chromatin regulators and cross-talk between these pathways is less well understood. Here, Appikonda et al. demonstrate that the transcription co-factor and oncoprotein TRIM24 (tripartite motif–containing protein 24) is SUMOylated upon association with a specific histone modification signature, which regulates the transcription of genes involved in cell adhesion. These data extend our understanding of signaling cascades in the nucleus and offer new insights for cancer drug development.
Arabidopsis thaliana : The Premier Model Plant

Mendelian genetics combined with modern gene manipulation technologies drive new discoveries and crop improvement. Basic research generates the knowledge base for applied science and often relies on the use of genetic ‘model organisms’ that enable rapid discovery of gene function in areas of biology that span from biochemistry to plant adaptation to extreme environments. Arabidopsis thaliana has been globally adopted as the premier model plant for biological research. This article summarizes some of the attributes of Arabidopsis and human activities that elevated this humble weed to its prominent status in the research community. A few selected examples are provided to illustrate how discoveries made using Arabidopsis can have an impact on crop production and agriculture.
ABSORPTION AND UTILIZATION OF AMMONIUM NITROGEN BY PLANTS

Plants that are supplied a portion of their N as NH 4 , as is likely in highly productive soils, differ in several ways from plants supplied NO 3 only. The difference of principal interest is the large increase (to 50%) in growth rate from controlled NH 4 supply, the potential of which is largely unknown since no procedures are available for evaluating the NH 4 . nutritional status of plants. Ammonium status, unlike that of the mineral elements and NO 3 , cannot be evaluated directly but must be estimated from its effects on plant physiological processes. One of these, the carboxylate/amide ratio of root tissues, gives a measure of the level of NH 4 being assimilated by the plant, while measurable levels of uncomplexed NH 4 in the root signify the onset of NH 4 toxicity. Maximum growth rates are associated with high rates of NH 4 assimilation and low levels of free NH 4 .
The Impact of Lehmann’s Work in Applied Probability

Lehmann’s works in applied probability crossed a broad spectrum of topics, and many of his papers had substantial impact. We comment on two such examples below. The first [19] provided a valuable beginning for the study and application of notions of positive and negative dependence. The second [20] also touched on issues of probability theory and the nature of random variables—in particular, on the distributional aspects of the reciprocal of a random variable. The contributions each represented are a study in contrasts, however: the former was a substantial work from which many wide-ranging contributions developed, while the second was a shorter, later-appearing piece whose impact(s) are still evolving.
Regulated Membrane Trafficking and Proteolysis of GPCRs

Multiple mechanisms contribute to the physiological regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) present in the plasma membrane, the main site where ligand-induced signaling events are initiated. Early studies delineated the existence of distinct functional processes of receptor regulation in natively expressing cells and tissues (1,2). More recent studies have led to an explosion of new information regarding cellular and molecular mechanisms of receptor regulation.
Molecular epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis virus.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus causes an encephalitic disease in humans that is characterized by a wide range of symptoms from a nonspecific febrile illness to convulsions, seizure, and death (Solomon et al. 2000). Approximately 30% of patients presenting at hospital with JE will succumb to the disease and about 50% of those who survive will have severe neurological sequelae (Solomon et al. 2000). The JE virus is carried by mosquitoes, primarily Culex species, and is endemic from tropical to temperate regions of Asia and Australasia. JE virus is generally considered to circulate in an endemic cycle in southern regions of Asia whereas the virus tends to have a more epidemic epidemiological pattern in northern Asia with outbreaks occurring during the summer months (Vaughn and Hoke 1992). The virus infects a number of animal hosts, most importantly pigs, which act as amplifying hosts and are found in high numbers throughout rural Asia. The first isolate of JE virus, and the prototype strain, was isolated in 1935 in Tokyo from a human brain and is designated the Nakayama strain. Since that time, a large number of JE virus isolates have been identified from a wide range of geographical locales throughout Asia, Indonesia, and most recently, northern Australia. Many of these viruses have been analyzed serologically and/or genetically to examine the distribution of the virus strains over both temporal and geographical boundaries. To date, the complete genome of 20 strains of JE virus have been sequenced including the first isolate from Australia (Williams et al. 2000).
Education and Cognition in Middle Age and Later Life: The Mediating Role of Physical and Cognitive Activity.

Objectives Although educational attainment is related to cognitive function in later life, little is known about the mechanisms involved. This study assessed the independent mediating effects of two behavioral variables, physical and cognitive activity, on the association between educational attainment and cognitive function and change. Methods Data were derived from the three waves of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Predictors (educational attainment) were from the 1995 baseline, mediators (physical and cognitive activities) were from the 2004 wave, and outcomes (cognitive function) were from the 2004 and 2013 waves. Conditional process modeling was applied using PROCESS in SPSS. Results There were both direct and indirect effects of educational attainment on level and change of executive function (EF) and episodic memory (EM). Physical activity and cognitive activity were both significant mediators for cognitive level. For mediators of change, however, cognitive activity was significant for EF and physical activity was significant for EM. Discussion Physical and cognitive activity are discussed as possible factors for protecting against cognitive decline in later life. The findings have implications for advancing supportive policies and practices related to maximizing the benefits of education and physical and cognitive activities for cognition in middle age and later life.
Characterization of interlaminar fracture modes I, II, and I-II of carbon/epoxy composites including in-service related bonding quality conditions

Abstract The effects of hot/wet environmental conditions for intervals of one and two years of exposure on fracture modes I, II, and I-II of biaxial carbon/epoxy composites were characterized. Tests were carried out on double cantilever beam, end-notched flexure, four-point end-notched flexure, and mixed mode bending specimens. For the purposes of this study, it was recognized that water absorption was governed by the Fickian mechanism. The effective crack method was used to analyze mode II and mode I-II with a high shear mode participation ratio. Hygrothermal effects degraded initiation toughness in all fracture modes, and extensive fiber bridging along with multiple damage modes within the mid-layers in specimens exposed to heat and humidity altered crack propagation behavior. Mixed mode fracture test results revealed a weak interaction between modes I and II for most parts of GI/GII, but the interaction was strongest when the fracture behavior changed from a pure mode to a mixed mode condition.
CSF Fistulae as a Complication Due to Insufficient Correction of Altered CSF Dynamics

Hydrocephalus is a complex phenomenon and incomplete knowledge about CSF dynamics often complicates our understanding and management of symptoms in children with altered fluid mechanisms. Patients with low-pressure symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed, and complications occur in children with CSF fistulae that interfere with proper management of the hydrocephalic condition.
E-114 Predictors of poor outcome after successful mechanical thrombectomy of anterior circulation large vessel occlusions within 6 hours of symptom onset

Introduction Successful recanalization is a significant predictor of a good clinical outcome after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). However, some patients have a poor clinical outcome even with complete revascularization. Objective We aimed to study the clinical, imaging, and procedural factors that predict a poor clinical outcome (90-day modified Rankin Scale ≥ 3) in patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) who undergo successful MT within 6 hours of symptom onset. Patients and methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent MT within 6 hours of symptom onset for an anterior circulation LVO at our institution between May 2016 to June 2018. Poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale equal or more to three at 90 days. Results A total of 56 patients met criteria for inclusion in this study. A poor outcome occurred in 31 (55.4%) patients. On univariate analysis, compared to patients with good clinical outcomes, patients with poor outcomes had higher mean NIHSS scores on presentation (23.3 vs. 13.8, P Conclusion Baseline NIHSS score, ICA occlusion, and DCM are independent predictors of a poor outcome after MT for anterior circulation LVO performed within 6 hours of symptoms onset. All values are presented as the number of patients (n) and percentage (%) unless indicated otherwise. Boldface type indicates statistical significance. Disclosures M. Mohammaden: None. C. Stapleton: None. D. Brunozzi: None. G. Atwal: None. A. Alaraj: 1; C; NIH. 2; C; Cerenovus.
Making the invisible hyper-visible: Knowledge production and the gendered power nexus in critical urban studies

This paper employs the concept of “invisible colleges” to explore the processes through which spaces of critical urban theory are imbricated within a gendered power nexus. It assesses the degree of...
The Polemical Origin of Luke 6.5D: Dating Codex Bezae’s Sabbath-Worker Agraphon

In the late fourth- or early fifth-century bilingual Codex Bezae (D), Lk. 6.5 includes the following agraphon in Greek and Latin: ‘On the same day, when [Jesus] saw someone working on the Sabbath, ...
Osteoarthritis and Aging: Young Adults with Osteoarthritis

Despite perceptions that osteoarthritis only affects older adults, many people develop osteoarthritis before 65 years of age and live decades with pain and disability. It is critical to understand why some adults develop osteoarthritis early in life and the consequences of aging with osteoarthritis. Over half of people diagnosed with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis are under 65 years of age. Key risk factors are joint injury, certain occupations (e.g., tactical athletes), obesity, and aberrant hip shape. Young adults with osteoarthritis report significant mental health concerns and challenges engaging in the workforce. Primary/secondary prevention strategies need more attention. For young adults with osteoarthritis, education and self-management strategies, particularly as part of a coordinated care strategy, may be ideal. Many people live decades with osteoarthritis and need proactive treatment strategies to delay the need for joint replacement. We urgently need to further study young adults with osteoarthritis.
OKLAHOMA’S BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) BREEDING RANGE EXPANDS NORTH TO WASHINGTON COUNTY

A Black Vulture nest with two eggs was discovered in Washington County, Oklahoma in April 2015, and is the northernmost known nest in Oklahoma. Staggered initiation of incubation, a difference in egg size, or a discrepancy in food allocation may have contributed to size and developmental rate differences between the chicks. Population trend data suggest an ongoing increase in Black Vulture numbers, and an increase in observations at and beyond the currently published northwestern edge of the breeding range suggest that a range expansion may also be underway.
The association of hypertension, hypertension duration, and control with incident heart failure in black and white adults.

Associations between hypertension and some cardiovascular diseases are stronger in black vs white adults. We examined associations of hypertension, hypertension duration, and control with incident heart failure (HF) in black and white REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study participants (n = 25 770) who were followed for incident HF hospitalization (n = 947) from enrollment in 2003-2007 through 2015. Hypertension was defined, using updated US guidelines, as systolic or diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥130/80 mm Hg or antihypertensive medication use. Duration was assessed at baseline, and control was defined as treated BP < 130/80 mm Hg. Compared with no hypertension, hypertension was associated with higher risk of incident HF (HRwhites 1.90 [95% CI 1.49, 2.41], HRblacks 2.36 [95% CI 1.53, 3.65]), HF with preserved ejection fraction (HRwhites 2.01 [95% CI 1.34, 3.01], HRblacks 2.70 [95% CI 1.25, 2.53]), and HF with reduced/mid-range ejection fraction (HRwhites 1.69 [95% CI 1.23, 2.33], HRblacks 2.29 [95% CI 1.26, 4.15]). Hypertension duration <10 years and ≥10 years were associated with higher risk for incident HF compared with no hypertension. Although risk of incident HF was highest among participants with uncontrolled BP, even controlled BP vs no hypertension was associated with increased risk of HF (HRwhites 1.93 [95% CI 1.44, 2.58], HRblacks 2.01 [95% CI 1.22, 3.29]). Interactions with race were not statistically significant. The risk of HF associated with hypertension, even with shorter duration or controlled BP, suggests that both prevention and therapeutic management of hypertension are important in reducing HF risk.
Dextrose-Containing Carrier Solution for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: Increased Intraoperative Hyperglycemia and Postoperative Complications

Intraoperative hyperglycemia is associated with infectious complications in general surgery patients. This study aimed to determine if the use of lactated Ringer’s (LR) carrier solution during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) would lower the incidence of intraoperative hyperglycemia and improve postoperative outcomes when compared with a standard 1.5% dextrose peritoneal dialysate carrier solution. This is a retrospective cohort study of 134 patients who underwent HIPEC at the University of Colorado. Perioperative glucose levels and outcomes were compared between patients who were perfused with 1.5% dextrose peritoneal dialysate carrier solution (n = 68) versus LR carrier solution (n = 66). The study population consisted of patients undergoing HIPEC for appendiceal (50%), colorectal (34%), mesothelioma (8%), and ovarian cancer (5%). Intraoperative severe hyperglycemia (glucose ≥ 180 mg/dL) was significantly more common among patients perfused with a dextrose-containing carrier solution versus those perfused with LR (88% vs. 21%; p < 0.001). Patients in the dextrose cohort had significantly more severe complications (39% vs. 12%; p = 0.034), infectious complications (35% vs. 15%; p = 0.011), and organ space infections (18% vs. 5%: p = 0.026) than the LR cohort. On multivariable analysis, dextrose-containing carrier solution was significantly associated with an increased risk of postoperative infectious complications (HR 5.16; p = 0.006). Intraoperative hyperglycemia is common when dextrose-containing carrier solution is used during HIPEC, and severe intraoperative hyperglycemia is strongly associated with an increased risk for infectious of complications following HIPEC. LR carrier solution should be routinely used to reduce intraoperative hyperglycemia and its associated risks.
Population Genomics of Wildlife Cancer

Studies of cancer in wildlife species present unique challenges, but research is beginning to uncover causes of cancer and its impact on wildlife populations. Causes of cancer in wildlife include environmental carcinogens, viruses and other pathogens, hereditary factors, and direct transmission of tumor cells. Here, we review progress and potential for population genomics to address issues such as genetic variation for susceptibility, comparative genomics of tumor suppressor genes, and evolutionary response to cancers. We also address the implications of cancer, and the potential of population genomics research, to inform conservation and management of wildlife populations. As an illustrative case study, we focus on the unique case of a transmissible cancer, devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), which has had a dramatic impact on demography and life history of Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Recent population genomics research has revealed genetic variation underlying DFTD-related phenotypes and signatures of rapid evolution at candidate loci associated with cancer and immune function. The DFTD-devil system illustrates how genomics tools can be applied to an epizootic cancer in a wildlife population, providing insights into basic cancer biology as well as lessons for potential conservation strategies.
Characterization of $\mathcal{B} (\infty)$ using marginally large tableaux and rigged configurations in the $A_n$ case via integer sequences

Rigged configurations are combinatorial objects prominent in the study of solvable lattice models. Marginally large tableaux are semi-standard Young tableaux of special form that give a realization of the crystals ${\cal B}(\infty)$. We introduce cascading sequences to characterize marginally large tableaux. Then we use cascading sequences and a non-explicit crystal isomorphism between marginally large tableaux and rigged configurations to give a characterization of the latter set, and to give an explicit bijection between the two sets.
Reactions to targeted tobacco control messaging: Transgender and gender diverse young adult perspectives

Abstract Introduction Tobacco interventions specifically created for transgender and gender diverse young adults appear almost non-existent. The Food and Drug Administration’s This Free Life is the first large scale campaign specifically designed to address the smoking disparities of sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults. The purpose of this study was to gauge the reactions and receptivity to This Free Life from a gender diverse young adult sample using interviews conducted in spring and summer 2018. Methods Participants were 25 young adults recruited in Austin, Texas (M age = 23.2, 64.0 % non-Hispanic White, 70 % assigned female at birth) for semi-structured one-on-one interviews as part of a larger project focusing on the reasons and settings for tobacco use. Data in the current study pertain to attitudes and reactions to online video content from This Free Life. Results Positive reactions to video content related to visible queer representation and depictions of gender non-conformity in videos that were positive and affirming in tone. Negative reactions related to what was perceived as sexist stereotypes perpetuated in videos, and an over-reliance on cisgender gay bar culture. Some participants felt that messaging discouraging social/occasional smoking did not take into account their own important reasons for smoking. Conclusions Transgender and gender diverse young adults have been overlooked in many efforts to address SGM smoking disparities. Targeted efforts such as This Free Life have the potential to help curb the disproportionate tobacco burden of gender diverse young adults by including diverse gender representation in affirming messages that emphasize freedom and autonomy.
High Throughput Fitness Profiling Reveals Loss Of GacS-GacA Regulation Improves Indigoidine Production In Pseudomonas putida

Abstract Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is an emerging industrial microbe amenable for use with renewable carbon streams including aromatics such as para-coumarate (pCA). We examined this microbe under common stirred-tank bioreactor parameters with quantitative fitness assays using a pooled transposon library containing nearly all (4,778) non-essential genes. Assessing differential fitness values by monitoring changes in mutant strain abundance over time identified 31 genes with improved fitness in multiple bioreactor-relevant parameters. Twenty-one genes from this subset were reconstructed, including GacA, a signaling protein, TtgB, an ABC transporter, and PP_0063, a lipid A acyltransferase. Twelve deletion strains with roles in varying cellular functions were evaluated for conversion of pCA, to a heterologous bioproduct, indigoidine. Several mutants, such as the ΔgacA strain improved both fitness in a bioreactor and showed an 8-fold improvement in indigoidine production (4.5 g/L, 0.29 g/g pCA, 23% MTY) from pCA as the carbon source.
Procedural-Relational Power Analysis: A Model for Deconstructing and Intervening in Everyday Games

The intervention in and reinterpretation of everyday games offers a method for experimenting with several criteria that are crucial to contemporary writing instruction. This chapter describes a rubric called the “Procedural-Relational Power Analysis” that can assist students in the development of their systems analysis and critical inquiry skills as well as the ability to identify and describe perspectives not their own. Using this hands-on framework, students engage complex rhetorical concepts, reinforce observation and inquiry skills, and experiment with fundamental critical theory. An illustrative case study offers a detailed description of how the students in a first-year composition course used the rubric to thoughtfully consider, intervene with, and reinterpret Tic-Tac-Toe. New versions of this everyday game that were created by student groups were then discussed to identify structures of power and the values those structures prioritize.
Who’s in charge here? A bibliometric analysis of upper echelons research

Abstract Upper Echelons Theory (UET) has become a dominant paradigm within organization sciences. However, despite scholarly desire to situate this literature within a cohesive framework, UET has instead branched off into a variety of niche literature streams. Qualitative reviews have struggled to ascertain the boundaries of UET, due to its lack of conceptual clarity. Consequently, it is unclear whether UET is a coherent literature faithful to its seminal authors, or one that is growing in ways that are untenable. We seek to better understand the UET literature stream by applying a bibliometric study to quantitatively survey the extant literature. We examine recent upward and downward trends and highlight what we believe are the most promising areas for future UET scholarship. Ultimately, we find that UET continues to grow expeditiously but is progressively becoming more theoretically insular and that methods are progressively becoming less proximal to firm leaders.
Simultaneous loss of N5-(carboxyethyl)ornithine synthase, nisin production, and sucrose-fermenting ability by Lactococcus lactis K1.

Abstract A spontaneous derivative of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis K1 (formerly Streptococcus lactis K1) lacking N5-(carboxyethyl)ornithine synthase (EC 1.5.1.24) was isolated. This mutant had also lost the abilities to ferment sucrose and to produce the antibiotic nisin. Hybridization studies indicate that these linked traits are encoded on the chromosome of L. lactis K1 and that they may be located on a conjugative transposon.
Scaling probabilistic timing verification of hardware using abstractions in design source code

Sources of randomness such as physical process variations and input pattern variations make hardware timing a statistical measure. It is desirable to verify statistical timing properties at the higher levels of design such as the Register Transfer Level (RTL). The RTL design can be modeled as a Discrete Time Markov Chain (DTMC) and probabilistic model checking then applied to verify that the DTMC satisfies a desired timing specification. However, we find that such an approach does not scale beyond 1010 states. In this paper, we introduce an abstraction methodology to scale this approach to large designs. Instead of considering the entire space of data values that can be assigned to the design input variables, we perform a value-based interval abstraction by considering only those intervals of input values that are relevant to a given timing property. We employ symbolic execution on the RTL source code to automatically derive such intervals for the design inputs, with respect to a given timing property. We use these intervals to construct smaller abstract DTMCs and thereby make the corresponding probabilistic model checking problems more tractable. We show that our abstraction is sound since we do not remove any probabilistic behavior that is relevant to the property of interest. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique using multiple designs used in communication systems such as FFT, filters and several modules of a real world H.264 decoder. We use our technique to successfully verify timing of an H.264 module, for which the concrete model contains more that 1080 states, by constructing an abstract model with approximately only 1010 states.
Modeling time aspects of information systems

For capturing various time aspects of an application within a conceptual model of information systems so-called Timed THM-Nets are proposed. THM-Nets integrate modeling concepts from semantic data models with modeling concepts from predicate/transition nets and provide a uniform framework for specifying static and dynamic aspects of an application. By introducing the notion of time into THM-Nets various time aspects may be modeled. Two of these time aspects are discussed and formally defined: the occurrence time of events and the handling of historical information.
Material decomposition with dual energy CT

Among all dual-energy CT (DECT) methods, fast kVp-switching is advantageous in terms of system cost and imaging performance. However, this data acquisition technique leads to a one-view mismatch between high and low voltage projections, and a kind of interpolation is usually required for consistency. In the paper, we propose an image based material decomposition method, which combines data and reconstructed images. We treat the data as a line integral plus a non-linear beam hardening term, and perform reconstruction and correction iteratively. Numerical results show an excellent quality of basis components.
Comment on “Human White Blood Cells Synthesize Morphine: CYP2D6 Modulation”

Stefano et al. ([1][1]) observed that human polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells contained and biosynthesized morphine endogenously. We confirm here, by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry ([2][2], [3][3]), the presence of morphine in human PMN cells (10.4 ± 1.6 pg/million cells) but furthermore