cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Acute Vascular Rejection in Cardiac Allografts

Since the introduction of endomyocardial biopsy for routine rejection surveillance, the diagnosis of acute rejection has been based primarily on the presence and extent of lymphocytic infiltration.1,2 Acute cardiac allograft rejection has been considered primarily a T cell phenomenon mediated by the cellular arm of the immune system. In recent years, however, several centers have reported patients with hemodynamic compromise and cardiac allograft dysfunction who have minimal evidence of lymphocytic infiltration on biopsy.3–5 There is increasing evidence that these cases illustrate a distinct form of rejection mediated primarily by the humoral immune system in which the allograft vasculature is the primary target of injury.4,6–10 The idea of an antibody mediated vascular rejection is supported by the kidney transplant literature where the role of humoral immunity in acute allograft rejection has been recognized for almost 30 years,11–18 and where antibody mediated vascular injury in the absence of interstitial infiltrates has been well described.19,20
Cholelithiasis: current treatment options.

Up to 20 percent of the U.S. population may have cholelithiasis, but most of these persons remain asymptomatic. If symptoms or complications develop, several potential management strategies may be used. Open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy are definitive surgical treatments. Nondefinitive methods, such as lithotripsy, indirect dissolution, direct dissolution, sphincterotomy and drainage, have lower success rates but may be indicated in specific cases. Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a relatively new technique, its morbidity and mortality rates are comparable to those of open cholecystectomy, and it tends to be less expensive than other surgical methods. For these reasons, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is rapidly becoming the surgical method of choice in the treatment of cholelithiasis.
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF MODERN LANDFILLS: CULTURAL-MATERIAL CONTENTS OVER TIME

The Garbage Project has excavated fourteen sanitary landfills across North America and analyzed 8.8 metric tons of refuse deposited between 1949 and 1991. While the ultimate goal of this continuing endeavor is to collect archaeological data on contemporary discards using a methodology that will link our society to the past, this initial report relates Garbage Project data to three issues of current public concern. This first applied archaeology of landfills has identified: (1) the contents of specific landfills and possible refinements for “national” estimates of U.S. landfill contents; (2) the impact on landfill contents of one of the longest- running curbside recycling programs in North America; and (3) a link between moisture level and rate of refuse decomposition.
Secure Information Forwarding through Fragmentation in Delay-Tolerant Networks

In application environments like international military coalitions or multi-party relief work in a disaster zone, passing secure messages using Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) is challenging because existing public-private key cryptographic approaches may not be always accessible across different groups due to the unavailability of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). In addition, connectivity may be intermittent so finding the reliable route is also difficult. Thus, instead of sending the complete message in a single packet, fragmenting the messages and sending them via multiple nodes can help achieve better security and reliability when multiple groups are involved. Therefore, encrypting messages before fragmentation and then sending both the data fragments and the key fragments (needed for decryption) provide much higher security. Keys are also fragmented as sending the key in a single packet can hamper security if it is forwarded to some corrupted nodes who may try to tamper or drop it. Hence, in this paper, we develop a scheme to provide improved security by generating multiple key-shares and data fragments and disseminating them via some intermediate nodes. In this fragmentation process, we also create a few redundant blocks to guarantee higher data arrival rate at the destination when message drop rate is higher like in the DTN environment. Our performance evaluation when compared to the most closely related scheme like Multiparty Encryption shows the improvement on minimizing the number of compromised messages as well as reduced bandwidth consumption in the network.
MR and ultrasound of the hands and wrists in rheumatoid arthritis. Part II. Added clinical value

Advanced imaging has become just as vital for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients as it is for cancer patients. Part 1 of this review discussed synovitis, tenosynovitis, erosions, and osteitis-key imaging findings that occur in patients with RA. Part 2 will now show how these features, in combination with clinical and serologic data, can assist clinical decision-making at various stages of a patient's disease course. Specifically, assessing current disease activity and prognosticating future aggressiveness inform treatment decisions at initial presentation, during medical treatment, and at clinical remission. In addition to summarizing the current literature on advanced imaging in RA, clinical examples from different stages throughout the disease course will illustrate practical approaches for applying these research results. Last, this review will describe potential future roles of imaging in RA patients.
Cerebral Blood Perfusion Predicts Response to Sertraline versus Placebo for Major Depressive Disorder in the EMBARC Trial

Abstract Background Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been associated with brain-related changes. However, biomarkers have yet to be defined that could “accurately” identify antidepressant-responsive patterns and reduce the trial-and-error process in treatment selection. Cerebral blood perfusion, as measured by Arterial Spin Labelling (ASL), has been used to understand resting-state brain function, detect abnormalities in MDD, and could serve as a marker for treatment selection. As part of a larger trial to identify predictors of treatment outcome, the current investigation aimed to identify perfusion predictors of treatment response in MDD. Methods For this secondary analysis, participants include 231 individuals with MDD from the EMBARC study, a randomised, placebo-controlled trial investigating clinical, behavioural, and biological predictors of antidepressant response. Participants received sertraline (n = 114) or placebo (n = 117) and response was monitored for 8 weeks. Pre-treatment neuroimaging was completed, including ASL. A whole-brain, voxel-wise linear mixed-effects model was conducted to identify brain regions in which perfusion levels differentially predict (moderate) treatment response. Clinical effectiveness of perfusion moderators was investigated by composite moderator analysis and remission rates. Composite moderator analysis combined the effect of individual perfusion moderators and identified which contribute to sertraline or placebo as the “preferred” treatment. Remission rates were calculated for participants “accurately” treated based on the composite moderator (lucky) versus “inaccurately” treated (unlucky). Findings Perfusion levels in multiple brain regions differentially predicted improvement with sertraline over placebo. Of these regions, perfusion in the putamen and anterior insula, inferior temporal gyrus, fusiform, parahippocampus, inferior parietal lobule, and orbital frontal gyrus contributed to sertraline response. Remission rates increased from 37% for all those who received sertraline to 53% for those who were lucky to have received it and sertraline was their perfusion-preferred treatment. Interpretation This large study showed that perfusion patterns in brain regions involved with reward, salience, affective, and default mode processing moderate treatment response favouring sertraline over placebo. Accurately matching patients with defined perfusion patterns could significantly increase remission rates. Funding National Institute of Mental Health, the Hersh Foundation, and the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, Peter O'Donnell Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Trial Registration. Establishing Moderators and Biosignatures of Antidepressant Response for Clinical Care for Depression (EMARC) Registration Number: NCT01407094 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01407094 ).
The Embodiment of Aerial Practice: Body, Mind, Emotion.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the embodied qualities of aerial practice among 13 US undergraduate students (Mage = 20.46 years old). Drawing on the philosophy of embodiment, ...
Does Contingency Work in Human Service Agencies Compromise Practice and Practice Ethics?: An Exploratory Study

The use of contingency workers has increased in the human service sector though the consequences of this labour arrangement have not been examined. This article reports findings from an exploratory...
Addressing inequities in the global burden of maternal undernutrition: the role of targeting.

### Summary box The burden of maternal undernutrition is well defined, but global momentum and political will to address it is lacking. Maternal nutrition has long been neglected largely due to gender-based inequities in resource allocation. The first 1000 days, especially the period from conception through birth (approximately the first 280 days), is a critical window for future growth, development and resilience in the face of possible adversity or disease. Despite this biological imperative, the bulk of resources allocated to maternal and child health have been directed towards the child1—with little attention to a woman’s nutritional status prior to or during pregnancy. A recent estimate noted that 20.5 million babies are born ‘low birth weight’ (LBW <2500 g) every year; 48% of these are born in South Asia and 24% in sub-Saharan Africa.2 Babies born small at birth have an increased risk of mortality, morbidity and suboptimal growth and cognitive development throughout childhood, thus perpetuating the intergenerational cycle of growth failure. Progress towards reducing LBW was somewhat rapid from 2000 to 2009, but it stalled in the past decade to only …
Chapter 9 – Tuberose Sclerosis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various aspects of tuberose sclerosis (TS). TS or Tuberose Sclerosis complex (TSC) is a congenital hamartosis affecting many organ systems in the body, including the nervous system. Approximately one-third to one-half of TS cases are familial, exhibiting an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Somatic TSC2 mutations have been identified in TSC-associated tumors, supporting the hypothesis that TSC2 functions as a tumor suppressor gene. The TSC2 gene encodes a 5.5-kb transcript that is expressed in various tissues, namely the brain, kidney, and fibroblasts. It is found that on long-term follow-up, 70% of children with TS and seizures go on to develop complex partial or secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The prenatal diagnosis or diagnosis of TS in asymptomatic individuals can only be attempted in families large enough to independently demonstrate linkage to one of two loci on chromosome 9 or 16. It is suggested that both parents of a child who has TS should be examined for evidence of the disease including a complete physical examination, examination under Wood's lamp, dilated eye examination, MRI scan of the head, and renal ultrasound.
Effect of tranexamic acid administration time on blood product use in urban trauma patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of time to tranexamic acid administration on blood product usage in trauma patients and to assess the potential benefit of initiating a protocol for field administration by ground ambulance personnel. METHODS Adult patients with traumatic injuries who received 1 g of tranexamic acid during the period January 2014 through June 2016 were retrospectively identified via review of automated dispensing cabinet and electronic medical record data and cross-referencing with the New Mexico Trauma Registry. Exclusion criteria included tranexamic acid use for nontrauma indications, previous admission for trauma during the study period, and a lack of pertinent information regarding the time, type, or severity of trauma in available records. The primary outcome was blood product use (aggregate of units of platelets, packed red blood cells [pRBCs], and fresh frozen plasma [FFP]) in the first 24 hours of hospital admission. RESULTS The analysis included 107 patient cases, with a median transport time of 20 minutes (range, 7-103 minutes); 73% of reported transport times were less than 30 minutes. All patients received a loading dose of tranexamic acid in the hospital, with the exception of 2 patients who received tranexamic acid in the field. Administration of a tranexamic acid loading dose was documented within 3 hours for 90.7% of patients, with a mean time to administration of 91.9 minutes. A mean (SD) total of 14.8 (16.0) units of blood products (range, 0-91 units) were administered, consisting of a mean (SD) of 8.0 (8.4) units of pRBCs (range, 0-48 units), 5.6 (7.5) units of FFP (range, 0-38 units), and 1.2 (1.7) units of platelets (range, 0-7 units). Time to tranexamic acid administration did not affect blood product usage in the first 24 hours of admission after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSION Earlier administration of tranexamic acid was not associated with a decrease in use of blood products. This finding, paired with the relatively short ground transport times typical for our institution, makes it unlikely that field administration of tranexamic acid would benefit the evaluated patient population.
Why is Si2H2 Not Linear? An Intrinsic Quasi-Atomic Bonding Analysis.

The molecular energy of Si2H2 geometric structures increases in the order dibridged < trans-bent < linear, in contrast to acetylene, C2H2, for which the linear structure is the global minimum. In t...
An evaluation of social networks within federally funded research projects

United States federal agencies fund research to promote discovery and innovation. Most agencies require collaboration because teams promote productivity to a greater degree than singular researchers. However, the functionality and productivity of collaboration is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the collaborative structure of a federally funded entomology research team to determine the characteristics of the network structure and its impact on research collaboration using social network analysis (SNA) methodology. An online survey and interviews were used to collect data. The theories of social network, strong and weak ties, and scientific collaboration were employed to determine the degree of collaboration among team members. We found a low density pattern of collaboration that was associated with: (a) a centralized pattern, (b) the presence of sub-teams functioning like sub-networks, and (c) the presence of less interactive members. Our results confirm that the SNA approach was useful for evaluating network collaboration with innovative indicators to assess the dynamics of scientific collaboration. The study was limited by non-response. Future research should focus on collecting SNA data longitudinally of the whole network to determine how networking structure and benefits evolves over time, and how strong and weak ties impact scientific discovery.
GLUER: integrative analysis of single-cell omics and imaging data by deep neural network

Single-cell omics assays have become essential tools for identifying and characterizing cell types and states of complex tissues. While each single-modality assay reveals distinctive features about the sequenced cells, true multi-omics assays are still in early stage of development. This notion signifies the importance of computationally integrating single-cell omics data that are conducted on various samples across various modalities. In addition, the advent of multiplexed molecular imaging assays has given rise to a need for computational methods for integrative analysis of single-cell imaging and omics data. Here, we present GLUER (inteGrative anaLysis of mUlti-omics at single-cEll Resolution), a flexible tool for integration of single-cell multi-omics data and imaging data. Using multiple true multi-omics data sets as the ground truth, we demonstrate that GLUER achieved significant improvement over existing methods in terms of the accuracy of matching cells across different data modalities resulting in ameliorating downstream analyses such as clustering and trajectory inference. We further demonstrate the broad utility of GLUER for integrating single-cell transcriptomics data with imaging-based spatial proteomics and transcriptomics data. Finally, we extend GLUER to leverage true cell-pair labels when available in true multi-omics data, and show that this approach improves co-embedding and clustering results. With the rapid accumulation of single-cell multi-omics and imaging data, integrated data holds the promise of furthering our understanding of the role of heterogeneity in development and disease.
Abstract PS18-14: Elucidating the biology of high-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) through genomics and immunohistochemical profiling of the tumor microenvironment: The DEFENSE study

Introduction: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is a premalignant lesion representing a spectrum of biology and risk. While many patients with DCIS undergo surgical resection with no survival benefit given the indolent nature of their disease, others do possess biologically aggressive DCIS that has the potential to evolve into invasive cancer if left untreated. Yet even among those patients with biologically aggressive DCIS, their risk of dying from metastatic breast cancer is only 3.3% compared to 30-40% among patients with biologically aggressive invasive cancer.1 The DEFENSE study, supported with funding from the NCI Molecular Characterization of Screen-Detected Lesions (MCL) consortium, was designed to identify molecular, immunological, and stromal-related factors that allow DCIS to develop high-risk features without ever becoming invasive breast cancer. Methods: The overall objective of the DEFENSE study is to compare 100 patients with invasive high-risk breast cancer enrolled on the I-SPY2 trial matched based upon age and tumor molecular profile (Mammaprint) to 100 patients with high-risk DCIS, defined as having at least two of the following characteristics: large (>5cm), high-grade, hormone receptor-negative status and/or HER2-positive status. Tumors obtained from each of these patients are divided into 22 sequential sections with regions of pathologic interest identified prior to undergoing whole exome DNA sequencing, SMART-3SEQ RNA sequencing, multiplex immunofluoresence (mIF) for immune cell infiltrates, and stromal profiling by IHC. Each profiling modality is performed by a different institution included in the MCL consortium (UCSF, UCD, UCSD, Stanford, and UVM). In order to evaluate the logistic and financial feasibility of our multi-institution protocol prior to expanding to our proposed full-scale study, we are conducting a pilot study of 11 high-risk DCIS specimens. Results: The 11 pilot specimens have been successfully sent and received by each institution. HE 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS18-14.
Beyond Decriminalization: Ending the War on Drugs Requires Recasting Police Discretion through the Lens of a Public Health Ethic.

Earp, Lewis, and Hart (2021) argue the pursuit of racial justice requires a summary end to the war on drugs. In surveying the racially disparate harms of an enforcement-oriented, punitive, and ulti...
The Same, Yet Different: Understanding the Perceived Acceptability of Redface and Blackface:

In recent years, several high-profile individuals were sanctioned (e.g., fired) when photos of them dressed in blackface surfaced. Yet, every weekend during sports seasons, fans dress in redface to...
Coupled dipole plasmonics of nanoantennas in discontinuous, complex dielectric environments

Abstract Two-dimensional metamaterials support both plasmonic and coupled lattice (Fano) resonant modes that together could enhance optoelectronics. Descriptions for plasmon excitation in Fano resonant lattices in non-vacuum environments typically use idealized, homogeneous matrices due to computational expense and limitations of common approaches. This work described both localized and coupled resonance activity of two-dimensional, square lattices of gold (Au) nanospheres (NS) in discontinuous, complex dielectric media using compact synthesis of discrete and coupled dipole approximations. This multi-scale approach supported attribution of experimentally observed spectral resonance energy and bandwidth to interactions between metal and dielectric substrate(s) supporting the lattices. Effective polarizabilities of single AuNS, either in vacuo or supported by glass and/or indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates, were obtained with discrete dipole approximation (DDA). This showed plasmon energy transport varied with type of substrate: glass increased scattering, while ITO increased absorption and energy confinement. Far-field lattice interactions between AuNS with/without substrates were computed by coupled dipole approximation (CDA) using effective polarizabilities. This showed glass enhanced diffractive features (e.g., coupled lattice resonance), while ITO supported plasmon modes. This compact, multiscale approach to describe metasurfaces in complex environments could accelerate their development and application.
Language Policy and State in Morocco: The Status of Berber

Moroccan society has had a long tradition of multilingualism. It is socially and linguistically diverse, and its cultural makeup is one of the richest in North African countries. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East has made Morocco open to a variety of linguistic influences. Morocco has been invaded by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greek, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Spanish, and French. All these civilizations have deeply influenced Moroccan language policy and cultural diversity. The cultural and linguistic context of Morocco is characterized by the significant use of Arabic, as well as the presence of Berber, French, Spanish, and English. Berbers are the indigenous populations of Morocco and have existed in North Africa since time immemorial. Despite its complexity, the language policy of Morocco reveals an overarching monolingualism, with the hegemony of Classical Arabic as the only official language of the country. Recently, however, language education policy in Morocco has attempted to accommodate multilingualism. The linguistic situation of Berber has taken a new twist as it has been incorporated into the realm of Moroccan schools. The new Moroccan constitution also represents a historical turn in that it has acknowledged Berber as an official language, a move that has raised several questions with regard to the real motivation behind it. Berber implementation policy was based on an entirely top-down bureaucratic model of language policy. Moroccan policymakers and the state seem to be aware of how other dramas are playing out in Morocco and around the world as theories of multiculturalism and effects of globalization are influencing their decisions. However, this language policy encounters many hurdles, from the improvisation to lack of qualified teachers. This article is an attempt to understand the intricate diversity and plurality of Moroccan language situation and the role of the state in Berber language policy. It also examines the invisible politics behind implementing it.
Composite Spatio-Temporal Co-occurrence Pattern Mining

Spatio-temporal co-occurrence patterns (STCOPs) represent subsets of features that are located together in space and time. Mining such patterns is important for many spatio-temporal application domains. However, a co-occurrence analysis across multiple spatio-temporal datasets is computationally expensive when the dimension of the time series and number of locations in the spaces are large. In this paper, we first defined STCOPs and the STCOPs mining problem. We proposed a monotonic composite measure, which is the composition of the spatial prevalence and temporal prevalence measures. A novel and computationally efficient algorithm, Costcop +, is presented by applying the composite measure. We proved that the proposed algorithm is correct and complete in finding STCOPs. Using a real dataset, the experiments illustrate that the algorithm is efficient.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Pretreated Newspaper Having High Lignin Content for Bioethanol Production

Recovered papers are suitable biomass sources for conversion into sugars that can be used in bioethanol production. However, paper materials with a high lignin content have been found to be recalcitrant to enzymatic hydrolysis. To address this issue, several biomass pretreatment methods were employed to evaluate their efficiency on the conversion of newspaper with high lignin content to sugar. Autohydrolysis, a hot water treatment, was identified to adversely affect sugar conversion, presumably as a result of pore collapse under high-temperature pretreatment. Flexo ink, used in newspaper printing, had no effect on the enzymatic hydrolysis, with or without autohydrolysis. The ink was still detachable after autohydrolysis, as measured by hyperwashing. Compared to untreated newspaper, separate treatments of either mechanical refining or a non-ionic surfactant (sorbitan polyoxyethylene monooleate) improved the sugar conversion by 10% at enzyme dosages of 2 and 8 FPU/g substrate. The combination of both refining and surfactant resulted in the highest sugar conversions, i.e., 46.3%, 56.7%, and 64.1% at 2, 4, and 8 FPU/g enzyme dosages, respectively. Oxidative pretreatment (oxygen, 100 °C) marginally increased the sugar conversion, whereas alkaline and green liquor (NaCO3 and Na2S) pretreatments (at 160 °C) had either no effect or decreased the sugar conversion. Based on the results of the pretreatments, higher pretreatment temperatures of newsprint negatively impacted subsequent enzyme hydrolysis.
License tracing in free, open, and proprietary software

The freedom to view a program's source code is preserved by licensing this program with a free source license. Free and open software licenses often contain clauses that cause them to be incompatible with other software licenses. Thus, if a program is created from sources licensed under a variety of software licenses, it is important to identify the entire set of licenses applicable to this program, so that this set of licenses may be examined for conflicts. This paper describes a software tool that examines a program and the sources from which this program was built and produces the full set of software licenses applicable to this program. The tool also flags missing and potentially conflicting licenses. The intent of this tool is to promote an awareness of the sources from which a program is built and the software licenses applicable to this program. This tool is not warranted in any way. In particular, it cannot make determinations as to the legality of any combination of software licenses for any program.
Cost optimization of combined building heating/cooling equipment via mixed-integer linear programming

In this paper, we propose a mixed-integer linear program to economically optimize equipment usage in a central heating/cooling plant subject to time-of-use and demand charges for utilities. The optimization makes both discrete on/off and continuous load decisions for equipment while determining utilization of thermal energy storage systems. This formulation allows simultaneous optimization of heating and cooling subsystems, which interact directly when heatrecovery chillers are present. Nonlinear equipment models are approximated as piecewise-linear to balance modeling accuracy with the computational constraints imposed by online implementation and to ensure global optimality for the computed solutions. The chief benefits of this formulation are its ability to tightly control on/off switching of equipment, its consideration of cost contributions from auxiliary equipment such as pumps, and its applicability to large systems with multiple heating and cooling units in which a combinatorial problem must be solved to pick the optimal mix of equipment. These features result in improved performance over heuristic scheduling rules or other formulations that do not consider discrete decision variables. We show optimization results for a system with four conventional chillers, two heat-recovery chillers, and one hot water boiler. With a timestep of 1 h and a horizon of 48 h, the optimization problem can be solved to optimality within 5 minutes, indicating suitability for online implementation.
Standardizing human model queries

Abstract : One of the goals of the Society of Automotive Engineers Human Modeling Subcommittee has been to link models of human processes with anthropometric (human body) models. This requires conveying actions such as climb, lift or operate, and it requires a method to convey the state of the virtual world. This paper describes a possible standard protocol to query figure models for information such as the human's posture, clothing worn or an object's location. This protocol was derived from user requirements and specifications of several commercial figure models. This paper is intended to provide a starting point for further discussions about such a standard.
Putting Students on the Hot Seat to Stimulate Interest in Biology in Non-Science Majors

The Hot Seat is a discussion-based activity that requires students enrolled in a biology course for non-majors to pose a question to the class that is related to the current lecture topic and facilitate a brief class discussion. This paper describes the Hot Seat, how it is assessed, and how it has influenced students’ attitudes toward the course and biology in general. The Hot Seat has been successful in increasing students’ understanding of biology, their appreciation of its relevance to their lives, and in-class participation.
Characterizing ATP Permeation through mVDAC1 using Markov State Models (MSMs)

Voltage-dependant anion channels (VDAC) are transmembrane proteins found in high abundance in the outer mitochondrial membrane of all eukaryotes. VDAC mediates the transfer of metabolites such as ATP, ADP, and NADH between the cytoplasm and the intermembrane space. The open state is selective for anions, while the closed state is cation selective. The determination of the high resolution X-ray crystal structure of VDAC from mouse (mVDAC1) (Ujwal et al. PNAS 2008) has made it possible to study the molecular workings of this channel in unprecedented detail. Previously, we used continuum electrostatic calculations to show that mVDAC1 is anion selective suggesting that the X-ray crystal structure represents the open state of the channel (Choudhary et al. JMB 2010). However, the hallmark of the open state is high ATP flux (∼1-2 million ATP molecules per second), and therefore, we set out to determine the conduction state of the channel with regard to ATP. To do so, we are using a series of fully atomistic, unbiased molecular dynamics simulations to construct a Markov State Model (MSM) of the permeation process using a modified version of the MSMBuilder2 software suite (Beauchamp et al. JCTC 2011). The permeation of ATP through the channel is represented by transitions between a series of discrete, well-populated conformational states. Analysis of the converged MSM using transition state theory, allows us to extract the dominant permeation pathways and compute mean first passage time (MFPT) for transition through the channel.
Subsequent Fertility Among Teen Mothers: Longitudinal Analyses of Recent National Data

A sample of high school age mothers was followed from 1988-94 in order to examine factors associated with having a second teen birth or a closely spaced second birth. The study incorporates a life-course perspective. Factors associated with postponing a subsequent birth include characteristics measured prior to the first birth at the time of the first birth and after the first birth. Analyses suggest that a combination of young teen mothers staying in school living at home with their parents and (among older teen mothers) being engaged in educational or work activities might help reduce the risk of a second untimely birth. Those teenage mothers who were able to complete their high school diploma or even their graduate education degree were less likely to have a second teen birth. (authors)
Segmentation of blurry object by learning from examples

Object with blurry boundary is a very common problem across image modalities and applications in medical field. Examples include skin lesion segmentation, tumor delineation in mammogram, tongue tracing in MR images, etc. To address blurry boundary problem, region-based active contour methods have been developed which utilize global image feature to address the problem of fuzzy edge. Image feature, such as texture, intensity histograms, or structure tensors, have also been studied for region-based models. On the other hand, trained domain experts have been much more effective in performing such tasks than computer algorithms that are based on a set of carefully selected, sophisticated image features. In this paper, we present a novel method that employs a learning strategy to guide active contour algorithm for delineating blurry objects in the imagery. Our method consists of two steps. First, using gold-standard examples, we derive statistical descriptions of the object boundary. Second, in the segmentation process, the statistical description is reinforced to achieve desired delineation. Experiments were conducted using both synthetic images and the skin lesion images. Our synthetic images were created with 2D Gaussian function, which closely resembles objects with blurry boundary. The robustness of our method with respect to the initialization is evaluated. Using different initial curves, similar results were achieved consistently. In experiments with skin lesion images, the outcome matches the contour in reference image, which are prepared by human experts. In summary, our experiments using both synthetic images and skin lesion images demonstrated great segmentation accuracy and robustness.
A comparison of online and offline strategies for program adaptation

Multithreaded programs executing on modern high-end computing systems have many potential avenues to adapt their execution to improve performance, energy consumption, or both. Program adaptation occurs anytime multiple execution modes are available to the application and one is selected based on information collected during program execution. As a result, some degree of online or offline analysis is required to come to a decision of how best to adapt and there are a variety of tradeoffs to consider when deciding which form of analysis to use, as the overheads they carry with them can vary widely in degree as well as type, as can their effectiveness.In this paper, we attempt to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the pros and cons of specific types of online and offline forms of information collection and analysis for use in dynamic program adaptation in the context of high performance computing. We focus on providing recommendations of which strategy to employ for users with specific requirements. To justify our recommendations we use data collected from two offline and three online analysis strategies used with a specific power-performance adaptation technique, concurrency throttling. We provide a two-level analysis, comparing online and offline strategies and then comparing strategies within each category. Our results show clear trends in the appropriateness of particular strategies depending on the length of application execution - more specifically the number of iterations in the program - as well as different expected use characteristics ranging from one execution to many, with fixed versus variable program inputs across executions.
A Mad that Wears Two Hats: Mad1’s Control of Nuclear Trafficking

In a recent issue of Molecular Cell, Cairo et al. (2013) report that the spindle checkpoint protein Mad1 shuttles between unattached kinetochores and nuclear pores. Mobile Mad1 inhibits the import receptor Kap121p, thus indirectly changing spindle dynamics. This adds nuclear transport control to the mitotic roles of Mad1.
Scale Coarseness as a Methodological Artifact Correcting Correlation Coefficients Attenuated From Using Coarse Scales

Scale coarseness is a pervasive yet ignored methodological artifact that attenuates observed correlation coefficients in relation to population coefficients. The authors describe how to disattenuat...
Post-column reaction detection system for the determination of organophosphorus compounds by liquid chromatography

The development and application of a post-column reaction detection system for organophosphorus compounds based upon their photodegradation to ortho-phosphate followed by the formation of reduced heteropolymolybdate is reported. Photodegradation occurs in a fused-silica tube coiled about a 450-W xenon lamp in the presence of ammonium peroxydisulfate. Photodegradation yields were practically quantitative for the organophosphates, -phosphonates, and -phosphorodithioates tested. Factors affecting the rate of the chromogenic reaction were optimized so that its contribution to the total band-broadening was negligible. The effect of interfering organic modifiers in the mobile phase was studied using the acetate ion as a model. Separations were developed using no organic solvents in the mobile phases. The determination of dialkylphosphates in urine and organophosphorus pesticides in tomatoes illustrate the potential of the methodology.
A Plan for Teaching Listening Comprehension: Adaptation of an Instructional Reading Model

ABSTRACT Many studies in foreign language learning over the past several years have explored the processes involved in listening and reading as well as the benefits of receptive skill development. Empirical investigations continue to identify the positive effects of extensive practice in listening and reading early in language study. The purpose of this article is to present a strategy for teaching listening comprehension by adapting several aspects of an effective reading model. The paper explores the processes underlying listening and reading as well as pedagogical implications of current research in the receptive skills. Specific guidelines for integrating listening skills are presented.
Carbonate Petrology of Green River Formation (Eocene), Uinta Basin, Utah: ABSTRACT

The Green River Formation contains a diverse suite of lacustrine carbonate rocks comparable to that of carbonate formations of marine origin. Fossils (calcareous algae, ostracodes, gastropods, pelecypods), coated grains, microcrystalline carbonate aggregates, sparry carbonate, microcrystalline carbonate, and terrigenous grains are the main rock-forming components of the lacustrine carbonates. The most abundant allo-chemical constituents are polygenetic microcrystalline carbonate aggregates (intraclasts, pelletoids) and fragmental algal "plates." Coated grains (ooliths, pisoliths, circumcrusts) are less common and probably are biochemical (algal?) precipitates. Microcrystalline carbonate is the most abundant orthochemical constituent, but neomorphic and pore-filling sparry calcite are present. Dolomicrite is ubiquitous and probably formed as a replacement product of calcium carbonate before lithification. Terrigenous constituents are present in nearly all carbonate rocks; they constitute as much as 50% of some carbonates. The similarity of lacustrine and marine carbonate rocks indicates that the 2 types can not be differentiated solely on the basis of petrographic relations. Sedimentary structures, stratification, color, and lithologic associations and variations within the Green River Formation indicate that the carbonates were deposited in a wide range of lacustrine environments. Recognized depositional environments include mudflat, lagoonal, shoal, reef, and offshore. Preliminary ^dgr 18O and ^dgr 13C analyses of carbonate rocks from the Green River Formation indicate a biogenic fractionation for the microcrystalline carbonate of ooliths, pisoliths, and certain microcrystalline carbonate aggregates, and an early diagenetic replacement origin for dolomicrite. End_of_Article - Last_Page 812------------
Selective control of the estrous cycle of the dog through suppression of estrus and reduction of the length of anestrus.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of testosterone in suppressing estrus in the bitch, and of cabergoline in shortening the length of the subsequent anestrous period. In Experiment 1, 12 diestrual Beagle bitches were randomly divided into two groups when plasma progesterone (P4) concentration was
Effect of maternal mental illness on pregnancy outcomes

Many pregnant women experience psychiatric disorders in their childbearing years. Emerging research shows mental illness not only affects the mother’s well-being but may also have significant effects on fetal outcomes. This review details what is known about the prevalence of mental illness during pregnancy as well as how such disorders may influence pregnancy outcomes. Maternal depression during pregnancy is an independent risk factor for low fetal birthweight and premature delivery, but other illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders and psychotic illness, may also predict adverse birth outcomes. Possible behavioral, genetic and neuroendocrine mechanisms for these relationships are presented. Principles of treatment for psychiatric disorders during pregnancy are also discussed, with an emphasis on the role of the obstetrical provider.
A critical review of digital storyline-enhanced learning

Storyline is one of the major motivators that lead people to play video games. However, little empirical evidence exists on the instructional effectiveness of integrating a storyline into digital learning materials. This systematic literature review presents current empirical findings on the effects of a storyline game design element for human learning and performance that were analyzed using a multidimensional approach for classifying storyline outcomes and impacts. Specifically, it addresses two key questions: (a) What types of storyline were empirically examined? and (b) What are the unique affordances of digital storyline-enhanced learning? Only eleven studies that assessed the relative effectiveness of digital story-based interventions as compared to a non-story-based method were found. These findings present mixed results for storyline-related instructional effectiveness and suggest directions for future investigations and also practical guidance for designing effective story-based digital learning environments.
Repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure inhibits HIV replication in primary human macrophages.

Abstract Repetitive exposure of macrophages to microbial antigen is known to tolerize them to further stimulation and to inhibit proinflammatory cytokine release. Using transgenic (Tg) mice that incorporate the entire HIV-1 genome we have previously shown that toll like receptor (TLR)-2, -4, and -9 ligands induced tolerance as assessed by decreased proinflammatory cytokine secretion and nuclear factor-kappa β activation. Yet, despite cytokine modulation, HIV-1 p24 production was enhanced in tolerized cells in vitro and in vivo . Since mice are not natural hosts for HIV infection, in the following report we examined whether TLR2 and TLR4 ligands induced tolerance in human monocytic cell lines stably expressing the HIV-long terminal repeat (LTR) luciferase construct (THP-LTR-Luc) as well as in primary macrophages that had been infected with HIV BAL in vitro . In THP-LTR-luc, TLR2 and TLR4 tolerization suppressed tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α release and HIV-LTR transactivation. In HIV BAL infected macrophages, repeated LPS exposure inhibited HIV replication as assessed by decreased genetic expression and protein production of HIV-1 p24, although TNF-α release was not inhibited. These observations may have important clinical implications in understanding the role of macrophages as HIV reservoirs at anatomical sites where there is repeated exposure to microbial antigens.
Abstract 3842: Methylseleninic acid, a novel potent and selective mutant-p53-rescue drug, reactivates mutant p53 by thiol modification

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene constitute the most frequent genetic alteration known in human cancers. The vast majority (∼80%) of the mutations is missense mutations, and the DNA-binding domain is the most frequently mutable region of p53. p53 mutation leads to checkpoint defects, genomic instability, and propagation of cells with genetic damage. Developing therapeutic agents that could directly bind to the mutant p53 and reconstitute p53 function has been intensively pursued and proven to be feasible. However, the challenge remains to develop a drug that specifically reactivates mutant p53 without activating the pro-apoptotic function of wild-type p53 in normal tissues. In the present study, we show that a small-molecule drug, methylseleninic acid (CH3SeO2H, MSA), can selectively reactivate mutant p53 to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. MSA can be used at a concentration at least one order of magnitude lower than that of other mutant-p53-rescue agents to achieve the same p53-reactivating and growth-inhibitory effects. MSA reduces redox-active free thiols in mutant p53 without the requirement of other proteins, potentially through forming adducts with thiols in mutant p53. The modification restores wild-type conformation to mutant p53, leading to increased DNA binding and transactivation as well as expression of growth-suppressive and pro-apoptotic target genes in both cultured cancer cells and an orthotopic tumor model. Although MSA also redox modifies recombinant wild-type p53, the modification does not lead to the induction of growth-suppressive or pro-apoptotic target genes in normal fibroblasts. Instead, the expression of p53-regulated DNA-repair genes is significantly induced in normal fibroblasts, suggesting that MSA may selectively modify p53 for DNA repair or apoptosis depending on the level of endogenous or exogenous DNA damage. Our findings, therefore, demonstrate the effectiveness and selectivity of MSA as a novel potent mutant-p53-rescue drug. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3842. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3842
Update on the immunology of UV and visible radiation therapy: phototherapy, photochemotherapy and photodynamic therapy

Over the last few years, one of the major highlights in phototherapy is demonstrating the effects of UV-induced immunosuppression, which have led to greater understanding of the mechanisms and principles of photoimmunology and its therapeutic relevance. Various types of phototherapy have been used in the treatment of different dermatologic conditions. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the immunology of narrowband UVB phototherapy, high-dose UVA1 therapy, photochemotherapy, which includes psoralen plus UVA and extracorporeal photopheresis, and photodynamic therapy.