cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ligamentous Injury: Sacroiliac Joint and Iliolumbar Pain

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain and iliolumbar pain are common yet underestimated causes of chronic low back pain (LBP). There are many ways in which SIJ and iliolumbar pain can present, making the diagnosis challenging. SIJ pain is usually localized to the buttocks but can also be referred to the upper or lower lumbar region, groin, abdomen, lower limb, or the foot [1, 2]. Iliolumbar pain typically presents as localized unilateral or bilateral lower lumbar pain that may radiate along the iliac crest to the groin [3, 4]. Due to the myriad of presenting symptoms, no single physical examination or historical feature can reliably elucidate SIJ or iliolumbar pain often necessitating multiple provocative physical exam maneuvers or diagnostic nerve blocks to confirm diagnosis [5]. Many therapeutic approaches focus on interventional options, but conservative management with physical therapy and NSAIDS may provide a viable option with fewer risks in the early course of treatment [5]. Referral for diagnostic or therapeutic interventions should be considered after conservative management has failed or for refractory pain.
Mutation Vulnerability Characterizes Human Cancer Genes

Recent studies by Tomasetti et al. revealed that the risk disparity among different types of cancer is mainly determined by inherent patterns in DNA replication errors rather than environmental factors. In this study we reveal that inherent patterns of DNA mutations plays a similar role in cancer at the molecular level. Cancer results from stochastic DNA mutations, yet non-random patterns of cancer mutations emerge when we look across hundreds of cancer genomes. Over 500 cancer genes have been identified to date as the hot spot genes of cancer mutations. It is generally believed that these gene are mutated more frequently because they reside in functionally important pathways and are hence selected during the somatic evolution process of tumor progression. This theory however does not explain why many genes in the same pathways of cancer genes are not mutated in cancer. In this study, we challenge this view by showing that the inherent patterns of spontaneous mutations of human genes not only distinguish cancer causing genes and non-cancer genes but also shapes the mutation profile of cancer genes at the sub-gene level.
Bidding on Configurations in Internet Ad Auctions

In Internet advertising, a configuration of ads is determined by the seller, and advertisers buy spaces in the configuration. In this paper, motivated by sponsored search ads, we propose an auction where advertisers directly bid and determine the eventual configuration.
Toxicological Antagonism among Welding Fume Metals: Inactivation of Soluble Cr(VI) by Iron.

Epidemiological studies in chromate production have established hexavalent chromium as a potent lung carcinogen. Inhalation of chromium(VI) most often occurs in mixtures with other metals as among stainless steel welders, which is the largest occupational group with Cr(VI) exposure. Surprisingly, carcinogenicity of Cr(VI)-containing welding fumes is moderate and not consistently higher than that of Cr-free welding. Here, we investigated interactions between chromate and three other metal ions [Fe(III), Mn(II), Ni(II)] that are typically released from stainless steel welding particles. In human lung epithelial cells with physiological levels of ascorbate and glutathione, Cr(VI) was by far the most cytotoxic metal in single exposures. Coexposure with Fe(III) suppressed cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Cr(VI), which resulted from a severe inhibition of Cr uptake by cells and required extracellular ascorbate/glutathione. Chemically, detoxification of Cr(VI) occurred via its rapid extracellular reduction by Fe...
The association of sleep with metabolic pathways and metabolites: evidence from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)—sodium feeding study

Sleep is increasingly being viewed as an issue of public health concern, yet few epidemiologic studies have explored associations between sleep habits and metabolomic profile. To assess the association between sleep and blood metabolites. We examined the association between sleep and 891 fasting plasma metabolites in a subgroup of 106 participants from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)—Sodium feeding trial (1997–1999). We produced two sleep variables to analyze, sleep midpoint (median time between bedtime and waketime) and sleep duration, as well as bedtime and wake time. Metabolites were measured using liquid and gas chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry. We assessed associations between sleep variables and log transformed metabolites using linear mixed-effects models. We combined the resulting p-values using Fisher’s method to calculate associations between sleep and 38 metabolic pathways. Sixteen pathways were associated (p < 0.05) with midpoint. Only the γ-glutamyl amino acid metabolism pathway reached Bonferroni-corrected threshold (0.0013). Eighty-three metabolites were associated with midpoint (FDR < 0.20). Similar associations were found for wake time. Neither bed time nor duration were strongly associated. The top metabolites (pathways given in brackets) associated with sleep were erythrulose (advanced glycation end-product) (positive association) and several γ-glutamyl pathway metabolites, including CMPF (fatty acid, dicarboxylate), isovalerate (valine, leucine and isoleucine and fatty acid metabolism) and HWESASXX (polypeptide) (inverse association). Within our study, several metabolites that have previously been linked to inflammation and oxidative stress (processes involved in diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer) were found to be associated with sleep.
Evidence for radial-energy scaling of nonequilibrium neutron yield in damped 139La+40Ar reactions.

Emission patterns of neutrons from damped {sup 139}La+{sup 40}Ar reactions at {ital E}{sub lab}=400 and 600 MeV, mostly consistent with sequential evaporation from accelerated fragments, reveal the existence of a high-energy component at all kinetic energy losses. The average multiplicity associated with this nonequilibrium component is found to scale with the radial kinetic energy at contact, with a threshold of {ital E}{sub rad}{approx}2 MeV/nucleon. Boltzmann-master-equation and Fermi-jet models disagree with the data, the latter model requiring enhanced high-momentum components.
HIGH BODY MASS INDEX IS A SIGNIFICANT BARRIER TO GENDER-CONFIRMATION SURGERY FOR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER-NONBINARY INDIVIDUALS.

ABSTRACT Objective: Transgender and gender-nonbinary individuals (TGNB) are disproportionately impacted by obesity. In addition to the associated health impact, obesity represents a significant barrier to accessing gender-confirmation surgery (GCS). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity among TGNB surgical candidates at an urban academic medical center and evaluate the efficacy of self-monitored weight management. Methods: The study was conducted at the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at Mount Sinai in New York City. Data abstraction from a quality improvement database was completed for patients with a documented body mass index (BMI) and a GCS consult from October 2015 through February 2019. A total of 1,457 TGNB patients with a documented BMI and a GCS consult in the historical period of review were included in analysis. Data were abstracted to determine the prevalence of obesity among GCS candidates and evaluate the current default pre-operative self-monitored weight management protocol. Results: Of 1,457 TGNB patients, 382 (26%) were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) at initial surgical consult. In addition, 369 (27%) were obese at a subsequent follow-up, suggesting no statistically significant change in the rate of obesity among evaluated TGNB despite self-monitored weight management (P = .5272). Conclusion: Obesity is a significant barrier to gender affirming surgery for transgender individuals. Self-monitored weight management is an unsuccessful strategy for improvement even among individuals who would be predicted to be motivated. Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index; CTMS = Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery (at Mount Sinai); GCS = gender confirmation surgery; TGNB = transgender and gender-nonbinary
Adaptive Fuzzy DSC Design of Strict-Feedback Fractional-Order Nonlinear Systems

This paper proposes an adaptive fuzzy backstepping dynamic surface control (DSC) method for a class of single-input-single-output (SISO) strict-feedback fractional-order nonlinear systems with uncertain nonlinearities. Fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are employed for approximating the unknown nonlinear functions. A novel nonlinear fractional-order filter with an auxiliary function is designed to avoid the issue of explosion of complexity inherent in the backstepping procedure. Meanwhile, the stability of the closed-loop system is proved by use of the fractional-order Lyapunov function stability criterion. Finally, a Chua’s circuit simulation example is given to validate the effectiveness of our proposed control strategy.
Estrogenicity of the medicinal botanicals red clover, milk thistle and saw palmetto

3663 In recent years, use of complementary and alternative medicine has increased by both healthy and cancer patients. Our previous work showed that many commonly used botanicals demonstrate estrogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined three botanical extracts that have been reported to inhibit growth of human prostate carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. These extracts are: red clover (Trifolium pretense, RC), used for menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement, cancer prevention, and for digestive and respiratory diseases; milk thistle (Silybum marianum, MT), used as a liver tonic during chemotherapy and for liver disorders and injury; and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens or Sabal serrulata, SP): used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary symptoms. We tested extracts of RC, MT and SP for estrogenicity in vitro using two competitive estrogen receptor (ER) binding assays, with female rat liver as source of ERα and rat prostate for ERβ. Extracts were also tested in the presence and absence of a physiological level of estradiol (E2, 1nM) in ER-positive breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, predominantly ERα; T47D, predominantly ERβ) and ER-negative (BT-20), and in vivo using ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. In both receptor assays, dose-dependent inhibition of E2 binding was noted with RC and SP. MT competed with E2 at the lowest doses but enhanced binding at highest doses in both assays. In cell proliferation assays, RC caused growth in MCF-7 cells above E2 control levels, whereas in T47D cells, RC had a strong proliferative effect alone and a dramatic additive effect in the presence of E2. In MCF-7, SP was modestly proliferative at the weakest doses yet below E2-stimulated levels, and showed an additive effect with E2. In contrast, in T47D, SP produced a biphasic response, and when combined with E2, a strong additive effect. MT had a proliferative effect in MCF-7 equivalent to E2 stimulation, with an additive effect when combined with E2. In T47D, MT produced modest proliferation, and in the presence of E2, an additive effect beyond E2 stimulation. When fed to OVX female rats at a dose equivalent to 30% of the recommended human dose for 30 days, RC and MT did not increase uterine weight, and SP significantly decreased uterine weight. Serum LH levels were not reduced significantly by RC or MT, but reduced somewhat by SP. Serum E2 levels were not altered but for a slight increase with SP. Hepatic estrogen 2-hydroxylase activity was significantly reduced only by MT. In conclusion, these botanicals demonstrate some degree of estrogenicity. They interact with both ERα and ERβ, and in the presence of a physiological E2 level, may amplify ER-mediated cellular events. Both cell lines demonstrate proliferation in the presence of these extracts, with T47D showing a greater response. While these botanicals may have clinical applications, they should be avoided or used cautiously by patients with hormone-responsive diseases.
A Generalized Ghost Detection and Segmentation Method for Double-Joint Photographic Experts Group Compression.

Background: The versatility of digital photographs and vast usage of image processing tools have made the image manipulation accessible and ubiquitous. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop digital image forensics tools, specifically for joint photographic experts group (JPEG) format which is the most prevailing format for storing digital photographs. Existing double JPEG methods needs improvement to reduce their sensitivity to the random grid shifts which is highly common in manipulation scenario. Also, a fully automatic pipeline, in terms of segmentation followed by the classifier is still required. Methods: First, a low-pass filter (with some modifications) is used to distinguish between high-textured and low-textured areas. Then, using the inconsistency values between the quality-factors, a grayscale image, called the ghost image, is constituted. To automate the whole method, a novel segmentation method is also proposed, which extracts the ghost borders. In the last step of the proposed method, using Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistic, the distance between two separated areas (ghost area and the rest of the image) is calculated and compared with a predefined threshold to confirm the presence of forgery/authenticity. Results: In this study, a simple yet efficient algorithm to detect double-JPEG compression is proposed. This method reveals the sub-visual differences in the quality factor in the different parts of the image. Afterward, forgery borders are extracted and are used to assess authenticity score. In our experiments, the average specificity of our segmentation method exceeds 92% and the average precision is 75%. Conclusion: The final binary results for classification are compared with six state-of-the-art methods. According to several performance metrics, our method outperforms the previously proposed ones.
The Relationship and Psychosocial Impact of Arousal Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy.

Abstract Introduction Arousal incontinence (AI) is a lesser known complication of radical prostatectomy (RP), and few data are available on its impact on self-esteem and sexual relationships. Aim The goal of this study was to assess the impact of AI on patient self-esteem, confidence, and sexual relationships. Methods This was a retrospective study. The validated Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, as well as questions regarding AI, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), climacturia, International Prostate Symptom Score, and the International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain, were sent to men who had undergone an RP within the past 24 months at a single institution. The data were de-identified and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Outcomes The outcomes of this study include prevalence of AI, SEAR domain scores, patient and partner bother, management strategies employed by the patients, and the presence of concurrent climacturia or SUI. Results Fifty-three percent of men experienced post-operative AI; of these, 41% were currently experiencing AI, and 12% reported having prior AI that had resolved. Bother of any severity was reported by 87% of men, and perceived partner bother was reported by 64% of men. Forty-one percent of men with current AI avoided sexual activity due to the presence of AI, and 14% of men with prior AI still avoided intercourse. There was no difference in total SEAR score or in the subdomains of self-esteem, sexual relationship, or confidence between men with current AI compared to those with no AI. Clinical Implications AI leads to patient bother and avoidance of sexual situations. Strengths & Limitations This is the largest study specifically evaluating AI and the only study assessing its impact on self-esteem, sexual relationships, and self-confidence. Limitations include lack of a validated AI questionnaire, poor survey response rate, being a single-center study, and the potential for recall bias. Conclusion Although AI is a common occurrence post-RP and is associated with patient bother in the majority of men, it does not impact overall self-esteem, confidence, or sexual relationships compared to post-RP men who have not experienced AI. Salter CA, Bach PV, Katz D, et al. The Relationship and Psychosocial Impact of Arousal Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy. J Sex Med 2020;17:94–98.
Regulation of stem cell function and neuronal differentiation by HERV-K via mTOR pathway

Stem cells are capable of unlimited proliferation but can be induced to form brain cells. Factors that specifically regulate human development are poorly understood. We found that human stem cells expressed high levels of the envelope protein of an endogenized human-specific retrovirus (HERV-K, HML-2) from loci in chromosomes 12 and 19. The envelope protein was expressed on the cell membrane of the stem cells and was critical in maintaining the stemness via interactions with CD98HC, leading to triggering of human-specific signaling pathways involving mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT1)-mediated epigenetic changes. Down-regulation or epigenetic silencing of HML-2 env resulted in dissociation of the stem cell colonies and enhanced differentiation along neuronal pathways. Thus HML-2 regulation is critical for human embryonic and neurodevelopment, while it's dysregulation may play a role in tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration.
A survey of moral distress and end of life care in mechanical circulatory support nurses.

Abstract Background Patients receiving left ventricular assisted device (LVAD) require the expertise of specialty trained nurses referred to as VAD coordinators. The long-term use of these devices has created morally distressing situations for VAD coordinators. Objective This pilot study sought to explore the association between ventricular assistance device (VAD) coordinators’ unique roles and responsibilities and moral distress. Methods An online survey was distributed to VAD coordinators through a listserv. The non-probability sample consisted of 36 nurses across the United States. Results Bivariate analyses identified a number of areas of difference in respondent's levels of moral distress based on specific responsibilities associated with their role as a VAD coordinator. Conclusion These findings indicate team communication, competence, and location of VAD discontinuation may be important factors related to VAD coordinators' distress. Future research is needed with larger sample sizes and continued exploration of the impact of specialized training and curricula content.
Sparse Spectral-Element Methods for the Helically Reduced Einstein Equations

We describe ongoing work towards construction—via multidomain, modal, spectral methods—of helically symmetric spacetimes representing binary neutron stars. Adopting “particle” models, we focus here on solution of the helically reduced Einstein equations. These models allow us to remove the complication of a stellar fluid. However, the choice of inner boundary conditions for these models is also a stubborn issue. We examine this issue and its effect on the “harmonic gauge”.
Measurement of rectal tumor height from the anal verge on MRI: a comparison of internal versus external anal sphincter.

To determine the most accurate measurement technique to assess rectal tumor height on MRI using two different anatomic landmarks for the anal verge. Accurate measurements and standardized reporting of MRI for rectal cancer staging is essential. It is not known whether measurements starting from the internal anal sphincter (IAS) or external anal sphincter (EAS) more closely correlate with tumor height from the anal verge on endoscopy. This retrospective study included baseline staging MRI examinations for 85 patients after exclusions. Two radiologists blinded to endoscopic results measured the distance of rectal tumors from the internal anal sphincter and external anal sphincter on sagittal T2 images. The reference standard was endoscopic measurement of tumor height; descriptive statistics were performed. For reader 1, the mean difference in measurement of tumor height between MRI and endoscopy was − 0.45 cm (SD ± 1.76 cm, range − 6.0 to 3.9 cm) for the IAS and 0.51 cm (SD ± 1.75 cm range − 4.7 to 4.8 cm) for the EAS. For reader 2, the mean difference in measurement of tumor height between MRI and endoscopy was − 0.57 (STD ± 1.81, range − 5.9 to 4.8 cm) for the IAS and 0.52 cm (STD ± 1.85, range − 4.3 to 5.6 cm) for the EAS. Interobserver ICC was excellent between reader 1 and reader 2 for measurements from both the IAS (0.955 95% CI 0.931–0.97) and EAS (0.952, 95% CI 0.928, 0.969). Measurement of tumor height on MRI was highly reproducible between readers; beginning measurements from the EAS tends to slightly overestimate tumor height on average and from the IAS tends to slightly underestimate tumor height on average.
Addressing the ignored complication: chronic opioid use after surgery.

We are all familiar with the dictum ‘primum non nocere’—first, do no harm. The Latin word ‘nocere’ is commonly interpreted as ‘harm’, but it shares a root with ‘pain’—think ‘nociceptor’ as an example. But what happens when the treatment of pain becomes the source of the harm? Only recently, we have recognised that prescribing excess opioids to previously naive patients who undergo surgery and subsequently become chronic users is a ‘never event’ that we must strive to avoid.1–3 I first learnt about this problem several years ago, not from a research report but rather from my son’s soccer coach. He told me about his experience after a lumbar discectomy. After a straightforward outpatient procedure, he was sent home with a prescription for 30 tablets of oxycodone. For the first few days, he experienced expected discomfort and took oxycodone, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. After that, the pain improved, and he discontinued oxycodone after using about 10 tablets. That night, he experienced the worse sensation he ever had, including restlessness, chills and diffuse body aches. He took an oxycodone and nearly immediately felt better. The following morning, he was insightful enough to realise what was happening: he was experiencing opioid withdrawal. In our discussion about this experience, we reflected on how rapidly the brain adapts to opioids and how quickly withdrawal can occur. We also considered what would happen to a patient who did not have this insight the following morning and who continued to take the prescribed opioids in order to avoid the symptoms of withdrawal. Some patients must think: ‘The doctor gave me thirty …
Formal robotic training diminishes the learning curve for robotic pancreatoduodenectomy: Implications for new programs in complex robotic surgery.

Introduction The learning curve associated with robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) is a hurdle for new programs to achieve optimal results. Since early analysis, robotic training has recently expanded, and the RPD approach has been refined. The purpose of this study is to examine RPD outcomes for surgeons who implemented a new program after receiving formal RPD training to determine if such training reduces the learning curve. Methods Outcomes for consecutive patients undergoing RPD at a single tertiary institution were compared to optimal RPD benchmarks from a previously reported learning curve analysis. Two surgical oncologists with formal RPD training performed all operations with one surgeon as bedside assistant and the other at the console. Results Forty consecutive RPD operations were evaluated. Mean operative time was 354 ± 54 min, and blood loss was 300 ml. Length of stay was 7 days. Three patients (7.5%) underwent conversion to open. Pancreatic fistula affected five patients (12.5%). Operative time was stable over the study and lower than the reported benchmark. These RPD operative outcomes were similar to reported surgeon outcomes after the learning curve. Conclusion This study suggests formal robotic training facilitates safe and efficient adoption of RPD for new programs, reducing or eliminating the learning curve.
User categories: ensuring library access for all institutional users

Institutions of higher education in the United States are continuously diversifying their course offerings, devising new degree programs, and experimenting with nontraditional, collaborative, and d...
Lactation at Work: Expressed Milk, Expressing Beliefs, and the Expressive Value of Law

In recent decades, as women entered the US workforce in increasing numbers, they faced the conundrum of how to maintain breastfeeding and hold down full-time jobs. In 2010, the Lactation at Work Law (an amendment to the US Fair Labor Standards Act) mandated accommodations for lactating women. This book examines the federal law and its state-level equivalent in Indiana, drawing on two waves of interviews with human resource personnel, supervising managers, and lactating workers. In many ways, this simple law - requiring break time and privacy for pumping - is a success story. Through advocacy by allies, education of managers, and employee initiative, many organizations created compliant accommodations. This book shows legal scholars how a successful civil rights law creates effective change; helps labor activists and management personnel understand how to approach new accommodations; and enables workers to understand the possibilities for amelioration of workplace problems through internal negotiations and legal reforms.
Disaster Information Dissemination During Emergency Event: An Experiment in OGC Disaster Resilience Pilot

Flood is one of the major natural hazards in the world, especially during extreme weather conditions. This research proposes two approaches to help decision-makers and the general public make better decisions during such events. The decision-maker could utilize the maps generated by the CSISS sentinel toolbox and CSISS DVDI index to get a better idea of the damage during the event. The flood map was generated using Sentinel 1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) which provides 10m spatial resolution. The DVDI was developed with MODIS Surface Reflectance and could help people get a rough idea of the event damage.
Nonlinear adaptive nonsmooth dynamic surface control of electro-hydraulic systems

This paper discusses the development of an adaptive nonsmooth dynamic surface control (ANDSC) scheme to improve the motion control of SISO electro-hydraulic (EH) systems. A nonlinear EH model is developed for a typical system driven by single-rod actuators. ANDSC takes into account the parameter variations due to change in load inertia, bulk modulus, etc. and improves system robustness to uncertain nonlinearities representing the external disturbances and unmodeled friction forces. The discontinuous projection based adaptation ensures good overall performance. The controller guarantees arbitrarily small bounded tracking error in the presence of model uncertainties. The performance of the proposed approach is analyzed through realistic numerical simulations.
Overview of the Purification of Recombinant Proteins Produced in Escherichia coli

The updated version of this unit presents an overview of recombinant protein purification with special emphasis on proteins expressed in E. coli. The first section deals with information pertinent to protein purification that can be derived from translation of the cDNA sequence. This is followed by a discussion of common problems associated with bacterial protein expression. A flow chart summarizes approaches for establishing solubility and localization of bacterially produced proteins. Purification strategies for both soluble and insoluble proteins are also reviewed. A section on glycoproteins produced in bacteria in the nonglycosylated state is included to emphasize that, although they may not be useful for in vivo studies, such proteins are well suited for structural studies. Finally, protein handling, scale and aims of purification, and specialized equipment needed for recombinant protein purification and characterization are discussed. The methodologies and approaches described here are essentially suitable for laboratory-scale operations.
1991 IAPSO Meeting

The International Association for the Physical Science of the Ocean (IAPSO) component of the International Union for Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) meeting is held every 4 years and is the preeminent international meeting for physical oceanography. IAPSO met most recently on August 12–24, 1991, in Vienna, Austria, and was another considerable success. With a meeting so broad that covers all aspects of physical oceanography as well as some aspects of marine meteorology and chemical oceanography, it is hard to identify a single unifying theme. This diversity, of course, is part of the strength of the meeting. Trying to describe the highlights of the IAPSO meeting is a task analogous to try ing to describe compactly the Ocean Sciences section of an AGU Fall Meeting. The y T format is similar, in terms of how the ses sions are broken down, but typically a given IAPSO session will run 2–3 days and sometimes will allow for longer, more thorough talks than an AGU Annual Meeting session. Furthermore, the sessions and attendance have considerably more international flavor that provides a much broader range of geographical focus and allows for the development of valuable international contacts. In the following paragraphs, I will try to describe a few aspects of the meeting and highlight some of the many high-quality scientific sessions.
The Proinflammatory Effect of Prostaglandin E2 in Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Mediated through the IL-23→IL-17 Axis

Although Crohn's disease has been traditionally considered to be Th1-mediated, the newly identified Th17 cells emerged recently as crucial participants. Th1/Th17 differentiation is controlled primarily by the IL-12 family of cytokines secreted by activated dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. IL-23 and IL-12/IL-27 have opposite effects, supporting the Th17 and Th1 phenotypes, respectively. We found that PGE(2), a major lipid mediator released in inflammatory conditions, shifts the IL-12/IL-23 balance in DCs in favor of IL-23, and propose that high levels of PGE(2) exacerbate the inflammatory process in inflammatory bowel disease through the IL-23-->IL-17 axis. We assessed the effects of PGE(2) on IL-12, IL-27, and IL-23 and found that PGE(2) promotes IL-23, inhibits IL-12 and IL-27 expression and release from stimulated DCs, and subsequently induces IL-17 production in activated T cells. The effects of PGE(2) are mediated through the EP2/EP4 receptors on DCs. In vivo, we assessed the effects of PGE analogs in an experimental model for inflammatory bowel disease and found that the exacerbation of clinical symptoms and histopathology correlated with an increase in IL-23 and IL-17, a decrease in IL-12p35 expression in colon and mesenteric lymph nodes, and a substantial increase in the number of infiltrating neutrophils and of CD4(+)IL-17(+) T cells in the colonic tissue. These studies suggest that high levels of PGE(2) exacerbate the inflammatory process through the preferential expression and release of DC-derived IL-23 and the subsequent support of the autoreactive/inflammatory Th17 phenotype.
3D Euler analysis of ducted propfan flowfields

A numerical method is presented for predicting the steady inviscid flow through a ducted propfan based on a time-marching solution of the three-dimensional Euler equations. A four-stage multiple-block Runge-Kutta finite volume numerical technique, utilizing implicit residual smoothing and a blended second and fourth difference dissipation, is applied to predict the transonic flowfield about both single-rotation and counter-rotations ducted rotors. Counter-rotation predictions are based on an average-passage system of equations approach. Calculations are performed for both a single sheared H-type grid system and a multiple-block grid system incorporating a C-type grid about the cowl. Numerical results are compared with experimental data for two cases: a low speed ducted propeller and a 1.15 pressure ratio fan stage.
Anomalous topography on the continental shelf around Hudson Canyon

Recent seismic-reflection data show that the topography on the Continental Shelf around Hudson Canyon is composed of a series of depressions having variable spacings (< 100 m to 2 km), depths (1–10 m), outlines, and bottom configurations that give the sea floor an anomalous “jagged” appearance in profile. The acoustic and sedimentary characteristics, the proximity to relict shores, and the areal distribution indicate that this rough topography is an erosional surface formed on Upper Pleistocene silty sands about 13,000 to 15,000 years ago by processes related to Hudson Canyon. The pronounced southward extension of the surface, in particular, may reflect a former increase in the longshore-current erosion capacity caused by the loss of sediments over the canyon. Modern erosion or nondeposition of sediments has prevented the ubiquitous sand sheet on the Middle Atlantic shelf from covering the surface. The “anomalous” topography may, in fact, be characteristic of areas near other submarine canyons that interrupt or have interrupted the longshore drift of sediments.
Myostatin Is Upregulated Following Stress in an Erk-Dependent Manner and Negatively Regulates Cardiomyocyte Growth in Culture and in a Mouse Model

Myostatin is well established as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, but its role in the heart is controversial. Our goal in this study was to characterize myostatin regulation following cardiomyocyte stress and to examine the role of myostatin in the regulation of cardiomyocyte size. Neonatal cardiomyocytes were cultured and stressed with phenylephrine. Adenovirus was used to overexpress myostatin or dominant negative myostatin in culture. Adeno-associated virus was used to overexpress myostatin or dominant negative myostatin in mice. Myostatin is upregulated following cardiomyocyte stress in an Erk-dependent manner that is associated with increased nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of MEF-2. Myostatin overexpression leads to decreased and myostatin inhibition to increased cardiac growth both in vitro and in vivo due to modulation of Akt and NFAT3 pathways. Myostatin is a negative regulator of cardiac growth, and further studies are warranted to investigate the role of myostatin in the healthy and failing heart.
Capacity of rat tissues to form heptulose phosphates in thiamine deficiency

Abstract 1. 1. The heptulose phosphate formed from nucleoside and from sugar phosphates (glucose 6-phosphate, mannose 6-phosphate, glucose 1-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and ribose 5-phosphate) by normal and thiamine-deficient rat tissues was measured under standard conditions. 2. 2. The thiamine-deficient rat exhibited a loss of activity of the enzymes synthesizing heptulose phosphate, particularly in brain, heart, kidney, spleen, lung and hemolysate. 3. 3. Addition of thiamine hydrochloride and thiamine pyrophosphate in vitro did not change the activity of tissue preparations from thiamine-deficient animals. 4. 4. In the presence of triose phosphate, supernatant preparations of thiamine-deficient hemolysate, kidney, liver and lung underwent as much as a three-fold increase in activity (substrates: glucose 6-phosphate, mannose 6-phosphate). The optimum concentration of triose phosphate was 2.5·10−4.
Deliberating across differences: Planning futures in cross-cultural spaces

Abstract Power imbalances and cultural differences between community members can raise challenges for deliberative democrats who want to design equal and open dialogic processes. This article examines how one organization accounted for power and responded to cultural difference in its design of a deliberative planning process. My research indicates that a deliberative planning process can address power imbalances and cultural differences through several techniques. The hand-selection and strategic recruitment of participants ensures broad community representation within the process. The incorporation of storytelling, an emphasis on emphatic listening and the creation of a safe deliberative space, helps mitigate inequality and foster reciprocity. Power imbalances between participants can also be downplayed by focusing deliberations on broader planning and policy frameworks, as opposed to highly specified policy decisions. These techniques may best be implemented by focusing on dialogue instead of deliberation. Finally, this article reveals the importance of considering cultural difference, beyond its relation to power imbalance, to develop cross-cultural deliberative processes.
The effect of snowcover on an American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say.) (Acari, Ixodidae) population under a harsh winter environment

Snowcover provides a humid soil level microenviroriment which protects overwintering Dermacentor variabilis ticks against desiccation and the resulting mortality in the desert-like condition of frozen bare ground. The most sensitive stage of the life cycle in Massachusetts is the overwinter survival of nymphs for the summer adult cohort. Zusammenfassung Wirkung einer Schneebedeckung auf die Uberwinterungspopulation der Amerikanischen Hundezecke, Dermacentor variabilis (Say.) (Acari, Ixodidae) unter harten Winterbedingungen Eine Schneedecke sorgt fur ein feuchtes Bodenmikroklima und schutzt die uberwinternden D. variabilis-Zecken gegen Austrocknung und die daraus hervorgehende Mortalitat, die sie in einem gefrorenen unbedeckten Boden unter wustenahnlichen Bedingungen erleiden wurde. Das empfindlichste Stadium im Lebenszyklus der Zecke in Massachusetts ist die uberwinternde Nymphe.
Do Benign Thyroid Nodules Have Malignant Potential? An Evidence-Based Review

Background Benign thyroid tumors account for most nodular thyroid disease. Determination of whether a thyroid nodule is benign or malignant is a major clinical dilemma and underlies the decision to proceed to surgery in many patients. Although the accuracy of thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has reduced the need for surgery over the years, questions regarding how to follow FNA-designated benign nodules remain unresolved. This is true at least in part because of uncertainty over whether some benign nodules harbor malignant potential.
The effect on homozygosity of selective differences between sites of transposable elements

The behavior of the frequency spectrum of sites of transposable elements for the model proposed by Langley, Brookfield, and Kaplan ((1983) Genetics 104) is studied when some of the sites have weak additive selection against the host. In particular, it is shown that under certain conditions, the expected homozygosity at equilibrium will always be larger when there is variation in selection between sites than when such variation is absent.
Molecular dynamics evidence for vapor-liquid nucleation

Abstract A dilute, two-dimensional hard core square well system is studied in the gas-liquid phase transition region. The observed distribution of physical clusters shows a characteristic minimum corresponding to the occurence of nuclei. This is a direct confirmation of the basic assumption of the nucleation theory — the existence of the critical clusters.
Dissociation of the DNA replicase system of bovine lymphocyte nuclei

Abstract Exposure of S-phase nuclei or subnuclear preparations from phytohemag-glutinin-stimulated bovine lymphocytes to 0.02 M ATP caused an immediate and almost total loss of their ability to replicate DNA in vitro. Other ribonucleoside and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates caused a similar inhibition of DNA replication. Levels of ATP which inhibit replication cause the release of DNA polymerases α and β and small pieces of DNA from these nuclei. This release occurs both at 4 and 37° C. The data support the conclusion that high levels of ATP or other nucleoside triphosphates inhibit DNA replication in nuclei by dissolution of the DNA replication complex. The limited success in reconstitution of the DNA replicase complexes is discussed.
A Prestress Measurement Circuit for Piezoceramic Stack Transducers

Recently, new multifunctional fasteners called `smart fasteners' have been proposed for structural health monitoring applications. These devices can be fabricated by modifying the design of ordinary fasteners such that they have a piezoceramic stack transducer embedded in their body. Like ordinary fasteners, smart fasteners can be installed simply by tightening the fastener with sufficient torque to create a tensile load in the fastener, which in turn applies prestress to the piezoceramic transducer. However, in order to achieve repeatable actuation and sensing performances, consistent prestress should be applied to each embedded piezoceramic transducer to ensure minimal device-by-device variation. In this research, a simple electronic circuit was developed for the measurement of the prestress in the piezoceramic stack transducer. For this purpose, mathematical models for the piezoceramic stack transducer and the measurement circuit were derived and the relationship between the applied stress and the circuit output voltage was established. This relationship was experimentally verified with various measurement data. Finally, the measurement circuit was calibrated with a load cell so that the output voltage can be used for a correct prestress reading. Compared to a gauged torque wrench, the proposed circuit offers a more accurate and cost effective way to measure prestress of piezoelectric stack transducers.
Control of untethered magnetically actuated tools using a rotating permanent magnet in any position

It has been shown that when a magnetic dipole, such as a permanent magnet, is rotated around a fixed axis such that the dipole is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the magnetic field vector at every point in space also rotates around a fixed axis. In this paper, we reformulate this phenomenon using linear algebraic techniques, which enables us to find the necessary dipole rotation axis to make the magnetic field at any desired point in space rotate about any desired axis. To date, untethered magnetically actuated tools (e.g., capsule endoscopes, rolling spheres, and helical-propeller microswimmers) controlled with a single rotating permanent magnet have been constrained to operate in positions where the rotating field behavior is simple and easy to visualize. We experimentally demonstrate that the results of this paper can be used to control a variety of untethered, rotating magnetic devices in any position even while the rotating permanent magnet follows trajectories independent of the devices themselves. This method constitutes a substantial step toward making a great deal of prior laboratory research regarding rotating magnetic microrobots and capsule endoscopes clinically feasible.
Expressed protein ligation, a novel method for studying protein-protein interactions in transcription

Expressed protein ligation is a novel protein semi-synthesis method that permits the in vitro ligation of a chemically synthesized C-terminal segment of a protein to a recombinant N-terminal segment fused through its C terminus to an intein protein splicing element. In principle, the practical convenience of this method, combined with the expanded opportunities in protein engineering that it provides, makes it well suited for probing the molecular basis of complex processes such as transcription. Here we describe the successful application of expressed protein ligation to the approximately 600 amino acid sigma70 subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. The resulting semi-synthetic sigma70 constructs are shown to be fully functional and have been used to map the binding region of the bacteriophage T4 anti-sigma protein, AsiA, to within amino acids 567-600 of sigma70. The success of these semi-synthesis studies sets the stage for the future generation of semi-synthetic sigma70 molecules in which unnatural amino acids and biophysical probes are site-specifically incorporated in the RNA polymerase complex.
Applications of high-field (W-band) EPR to M-M bonded units (M = Cr, Mo): The first confirmed oxidation of a Cr24+ paddlewheel complex to a stable isostructural Cr25+ product

The EPR spectra of {Cr2[(PhN)2CN(CH2)4]4}PF6 and [Mo2(TiPB)4]PF6 (TiPB = anion of 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoic acid) at W-band are shown to have g values significantly lower than 2.00 and exhibit parallel and perpendicular components (not resolved at X-band). Therefore the unpaired electrons of the M25+ units must reside on metal-based (not ligand-based) orbitals. Thus, the chromium compound must be considered as the first confirmed oxidation product of a Cr24+ paddlewheel complex comparable to the Mo25+ compounds.
A Heat Budget Analysis of the Polar Troposphere in and around Alaska during the Abnormal Winter of 1988/89

Abstract In this study, we carried out a quantitative heat budget analysis of the polar troposphere in and around Alaska for the winter of 1988/89. The winter was characterized by drastic temperature variations. The surface minimum temperatures in the interior of Alaska were lower than −40°C during two weeks in late January. This cold period was followed by extremely warm weather during February, especially in northern Alaska. The results of the heat budget analysis for the three-month average (December to February) show that the heat energy of the continental air mass in and around Alaska is maintained by a balance of warm advection, adiabatic warming, and radiative cooling. The analysis of the long-term variation during this period shows that the severe cold in late January was caused by an anomalous reduction in warm advection of sensible heat. The abnormally warm weather in February was caused by enhanced warm advection associated with a blocking formation over the North Pacific. We find that strong a...
A Geriatric Peace? The Future of U.S. Power in a World of Aging Populations

In the coming decades, the most powerful states in the international system will face a challenge unlike any experienced in the history of great power politics: significant aging of their populations. Global aging will be a potent force for the continuation of U.S. economic and military dominance. Aging populations are likely to produce a slowdown in states' economic growth at the same time that governments will face substantial pressure to pay for massive new expenditures for elderly care. This economic dilemma will create such an austere fiscal environment that the other great powers will lack the resources necessary to overtake the United States' huge power lead. Moreover, although the U.S. population is growing older, it is doing so to a lesser extent and less quickly than all of the other major actors in the system. Consequently, the economic and fiscal costs created by social aging—as well as their derivative effects on military spending—will be significantly lower for the United States than for pot...
Northeast Asia in a Multinodal World

In a globalized world characterized by direct interactions among states of different capacities, regional relationships must be considered in terms of their broader global context. States cannot change their location; therefore, engagement with neighbors has a particular importance in terms of present relations, historical memories, and future prospects. States are more anxious in a multinodal world because of increased regional and global exposure. However, it would be imprudent for them to act aggressively or to self-isolate because such behavior limits the potential for future beneficial exchange. In a multinodal world, partnerships are more rational than alliances. In East Asia, relationships will be asymmetric as in the past, but they should also be based on sovereign equality and global inclusiveness.