cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrient loading and meteorological conditions explain interannual variability of hypoxia in Chesapeake Bay

We use geostatistical universal kriging and conditional realizations to provide the first quantitative estimates, with robust estimates of uncertainties, of the seasonal and interannual variability in hypoxic volume in Chesapeake Bay, covering early April to late October for 1985 to 2010, and explore factors controlling that variability. Results show that the time when the hypoxic volume reaches its maximum has moved from late to early July over the examined period, but that there is no trend in the seasonal-maximum hypoxic volume itself. No significant trend was found in the timing of onset of hypoxia, but the end of the hypoxic period has moved from October to September. Including nutrient loading from the Rappahannock River in addition to the Susquehanna and Potomac Rivers is found to be beneficial for explaining the interannual variability of hypoxia. Overall, January to May total nitrogen loads from these three rivers, April to August southwesterly and northeasterly winds, and April and May precipitation explain > 85% of the seasonally averaged interannual variability in hypoxic volumes. Southwesterly winds affect hypoxia by increasing vertical stratification, while precipitation likely acts as a surrogate for nonpoint sources of nitrogen downstream from monitoring stations. The relative contribution of nutrient loading to the overall interannual variability suggests that 28–35% reductions in monitored nutrient loads may not be sufficient to achieve a corresponding reduction in hypoxic conditions as had been suggested in previous studies, at least in the short term.
A new fault information model for fault-tolerant adaptive and minimal routing in 3-D meshes

In this paper we rewrite Wang's Minimal-Connected-Component (MCC) model in 2D meshes without using global information so that not only the existence of a minimal path can be ensured at the source, but also such a path can be formed by routing decisions at intermediate nodes along the path. We extend this MCC model and the corresponding routing in 2D meshes to 3D meshes. It is based on our early work on fault tolerant adaptive and minimal routing and the boundary information model in 3D meshes. We study fault tolerant adaptive and minimal routing from the source and the destination and consider the positions of the source and destination when the new faulty components are constructed. Specifically, all faulty nodes will be contained in some disjoint faulty components and a healthy node will be included in a faulty component only if using it in the routing will definitely cause a non-minimal routing path. A sufficient and necessary condition is proposed for the existence of the minimal routing path in the presence of our faulty components. Based on such a condition, the corresponding routing will guarantee a minimal path whenever it exists.
The Trustee Savings Banks, 1817–1861*

The economic historian is well aware of the philanthropic origins of savings banks. Both in Western Europe and the United States they were initially established by public spirited individuals as a depository for the funds of small savers. It is not so widely appreciated that such banks were encouraged officially as a part of social policy in England during the nineteenth century. In an age in which self-help and individual thrift were conceived as the only solutions for lower-class poverty and distress, a means of spreading such virtues was sure not to go unnoticed. Brought forward in those critical years at the end of the Napoleonic wars, “here was the first constructive and practical proposal for counteracting the growing pauperization of the community, restoring independence to the masses, stopping the growth of the poor rate, and giving the ordinary man and woman some interest in the financial stability of the country.”
The Acquisition of Quiche (Mayan)

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2741972?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents.
FOLD-EM

Motivation: Owing to the size and complexity of large multi-component biological assemblies, the most tractable approach to determining their atomic structure is often to fit high-resolution radiographic or nuclear magnetic resonance structures of isolated components into lower resolution electron density maps of the larger assembly obtained using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This hybrid approach to structure determination requires that an atomic resolution structure of each component, or a suitable homolog, is available. If neither is available, then the amount of structural information regarding that component is limited by the resolution of the cryo-EM map. However, even if a suitable homolog cannot be identified using sequence analysis, a search for structural homologs should still be performed because structural homology often persists throughout evolution even when sequence homology is undetectable, As macromolecules can often be described as a collection of independently folded domains, one way of searching for structural homologs would be to systematically fit representative domain structures from a protein domain database into the medium/low resolution cryo-EM map and return the best fits. Taken together, the best fitting non-overlapping structures would constitute a ‘mosaic’ backbone model of the assembly that could aid map interpretation and illuminate biological function. Result: Using the computational principles of the Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), we have developed FOLD-EM—a computational tool that can identify folded macromolecular domains in medium to low resolution (4–15 A) electron density maps and return a model of the constituent polypeptides in a fully automated fashion. As a by-product, FOLD-EM can also do flexible multi-domain fitting that may provide insight into conformational changes that occur in macromolecular assemblies. Availability and implementation: FOLD-EM is available at: http://cs.stanford.edu/~mitul/foldEM/, as a free open source software to the structural biology scientific community. Contact:mitul@cs.stanford.edu or mcmorais@utmb.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Thermal Stresses in Plates

Consider any elastic body with a constant coefficient of thermal expansion, α, in the units of in/in/°F, or equivalent, at a uniform temperature wherein the body is assumed to be free of thermal stresses and strains. If the body is free to deform, and the temperature is raised slowly to a temperature of T degrees from the stress free temperature, the thermal strains produced at any material point can be written as $$ {\varepsilon_{{ij}}}_{{th}} = \alpha \Delta T\left( {{x_i}} \right){\delta_{{ij}}} $$ (5.1) where x 1 are the coordinate directions, and δ ij is the Kronecker delta (δ ij = 1 for i = j, δ ij = 0 for i ≠ j). It should be noted that thermal strains are purely dilatational (i = j); thermal shear strains do not exist.
Effects of Temperature on Behavior of Trimerotropis pallidipennis (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

Abstract We observed activity and behavior of Trimerotropis pallidipennis in the field and constructed time-activity budgets during June–July 2003. Grasshoppers began to walk once site temperatures (shaded air temperature 1 cm above soil surface) reached 18.6°C, foraging began once temperatures reached 24.2–31.7°C, and courtship began once temperatures reached 30.3–36.4°C. Mating and oviposition occurred when temperatures reached 30–40°C. Quiescence occurred most often at the lowest and highest site temperature categories (20–25, 25–30, and 45–50°C), and the highest frequency of foraging occurred most often at temperatures of 35–40°C. We observed no clear diurnal patterns for walking in grasshoppers, and found no significant difference between frequency of activities in morning and evening, within the same temperature ranges. Males rested, courted, and groomed significantly more frequently than females, and females foraged significantly more than males. Activity patterns, especially quiescence and foragin...
Assessing Small Mammal Abundance with Track-Tube Indices and Mark–Recapture Population Estimates

We compared track-tube sampling with mark–recapture livetrapping and evaluated a track-tube index, defined as the number of track tubes with identifiable small mammal tracks during a 4-night period, as a predictor of small mammal abundance estimates in North Dakota grasslands. Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were the most commonly recorded species by both methods, but were underrepresented in track-tube sampling, whereas 13-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) and Franklin’s ground squirrels (S. franklinii) were overrepresented in track-tube sampling. Estimates of average species richness were lower from track tubes than from livetrapping. Regression models revealed that the track-tube index was at best a moderately good predictor of small mammal population estimates because both the form (linear versus curvilinear) and slope of the relationship varied between years. In addition, 95% prediction intervals indicated low precision when predicting population estimates from new track-tube index observations. Track tubes required less time and expense than mark–recapture and eliminated handling of small mammals. Using track tubes along with mark–recapture in a double sampling for regression framework would have potential value when attempting to estimate abundance of small mammals over large areas.
Race Does Not Predict Discharge Functional Status in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Renal Impairment after Systemic tPA (P7.142)

Objective: Evaluate the influence of race on discharge functional status after systemic tPA Background: African Americans (AA) have a higher incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than whites. Recent studies have demonstrated increased mortality and poor discharge functional status in acute ischemic stroke patients with CKD after systemic tPA. We sought to determine if CKD in AA patients treated with systemic tPA was associated with worse discharge functional status at our institution. Design/Methods: Consecutive patients who received intravenous thrombolysis at our academic stroke center in the Southeastern US were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics, stroke severity, lab values, and discharge mRS (poor outcome > 2) were recorded. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD). CKD was defined as estimated GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Statistical significance was determined by Fisher’s test and linear regression model. Results: We identified 236 patients with reported GFR who received tPA at our institution (mean age 65+17 years, 46[percnt] women, pre-treatment median NIHSS 5; IQR 8) and CKD was documented in 90/236 (38[percnt]) of all tPA-treated patients. AA patients comprised 36[percnt] (86/236) of the study population with 37 (43[percnt]) diagnosed with CKD, p=0.23 AA vs rest. AA patients did not have worse discharge functional status compared to non-AA stroke patients (NS). However, patients with CKD were less likely to have a good outcome at discharge, p = 0.011 CKD vs. non-CKD. On multivariate analysis adjusted for known outcome predictors, CKD (p=0.047), age (p=0.053), and NIHSS (p<0.001) were independent predictors of poor discharge functional status. Conclusions: Our data are consistent with previous studies that renal impairment is a predictor of poor discharge outcome. Although limited by relatively small numbers, our analysis did not demonstrate AA race predicted poor discharge functional status. Disclosure: Dr. Sands has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kumar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shiue has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bavarsad Shahripour has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alexandrov has received personal compensation for activities with Genentech, Inc.
Simulating continuous-time Hamiltonian dynamics by way of a discrete-time quantum walk

Abstract Much effort has been made to connect the continuous-time and discrete-time quantum walks. We present a method for making that connection for a general graph Hamiltonian on a bigraph. Furthermore, such a scheme may be adapted for simulating discretized quantum models on a quantum computer. A coin operator is found for the discrete-time quantum walk which exhibits the same dynamics as the continuous-time evolution. Given the spectral decomposition of the graph Hamiltonian and certain restrictions, the discrete-time evolution is solved for explicitly and understood at or near important values of the parameters. Finally, this scheme is connected to past results for the 1D chain.
Dissociation of renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure and natriuresis of atrial natriuretic factor

The objective of these experiments was to test the hypothesis that renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) plays an important role in the natriuretic effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in anesthetized Wistar rats. Three groups of male Wistar rats were used in this study. Two groups were infused with different doses of ANF, and the third group was a time control. In all groups, one kidney was acutely decapsulated, and the contralateral kidney was used as control. Renal decapsulation was used to control RIHP. In one group, 3 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 of synthetic ANF were infused intravenously (iv) and produced a plasma level of ANF (PANF) of 810 +/- 186.5 pg/ml. This pharmacological dose of ANF produced a significant increase in RIHP of the control kidney from 9.5 +/- 0.8 to 11.1 +/- 1.3 mmHg (P less than 0.05) but not in the decapsulated kidney [from 7.1 +/- 0.6 to 8.1 +/- 0.9 mmHg, not significant (NS)]. However, the changes in fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and urine flow rate (V) as a result of ANF infusion were similar in both kidneys. In the decapsulated kidney, FENa and V increased by 1.53 +/- 0.41% and 26.21 +/- 5.98 microliters/min, respectively, from control to ANF infusion periods. In the control kidney, FENa and V increased by 1.60 +/- 0.28% and 31.61 +/- 5.87 microliters/min, respectively, from control to ANF infusion periods. In the second group, 1 microgram.kg-1.h-1 iv of synthetic ANF was infused and produced 165.2 +/- 29.3 pg/ml of PANF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Study on rabies virus carried by home bred dog in Taizhou

Objective:To detect rabies virus in brain of home bred dog collected from Taizhou City,Zhejiang Province.Methods:153 and 144 canine brain samples were collected from home bred dogs in several counties(or districts).The time of collecting samples was concerned about the epidemic status that no rabies and vice versa.The methods used to detect the rabies virus in brain samples were immunofluorescence assay(IFA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results:2 positive results were detected.The mean rates of dog carrying rabies virus was 0.67%(2/297) when human rabies was in epidemic status,and was 1.4%(2/144) when there was no human rabies case reported.Conclusion:Health-like dogs can carry rabies virus.Dogs might be the main vectors for the rabies circulating in human being.
Vaccination of high-risk patients for influenza. A comparison of telephone and mail reminder methods.

During the 1984-1985 influenza season two study groups were used to compare telephone and letter reminder methods with a control group that received no reminder to determine which was the most effective strategy to increase influenza vaccination rates among the high-risk patient population of a university-based family practice. Seven hundred eighty-seven high-risk patients were randomly assigned to one of the three study groups: a mailed-reminder group, a telephone-reminder group, and a control group. Vaccination rates for both reminder methods were significantly higher than for the control group (P less than .02), and if successfully contacted, the telephone-reminder group had a significantly better vaccination rate than the mailed-reminder group (P less than .05). If successful telephone contact can be made, this reminder method is more effective than a letter reminder to increase influenza vaccination rates among high-risk patients.
Comparison of Protein N-Homocysteinylation in Rat Plasma under Elevated Homocysteine Using a Specific Chemical Labeling Method.

Elevated blood concentrations of homocysteine have been well established as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and neuropsychiatric diseases, yet the etiologic relationship of homocysteine to these disorders remains poorly understood. Protein N-homocysteinylation has been hypothesized as a contributing factor; however, it has not been examined globally owing to the lack of suitable detection methods. We recently developed a selective chemical method to label N-homocysteinylated proteins with a biotin-aldehyde tag followed by Western blotting analysis, which was further optimized in this study. We then investigated the variation of protein N-homocysteinylation in plasma from rats on a vitamin B12 deficient diet. Elevated “total homocysteine” concentrations were determined in rats with a vitamin B12 deficient diet. Correspondingly, overall levels of plasma protein N-homocysteinylation displayed an increased trend, and furthermore, more pronounced and statistically significant changes (e.g., 1.8-fold, p-value: 0.03) were observed for some individual protein bands. Our results suggest that, as expected, a general metabolic correlation exists between “total homocysteine” and N-homocysteinylation, although other factors are involved in homocysteine/homocysteine thiolactone metabolism, such as the transsulfuration of homocysteine by cystathionine β-synthase or the hydrolysis of homocysteine thiolactone by paraoxonase 1 (PON1), may play more significant or direct roles in determining the level of N-homocysteinylation.
Peter Schmidt: Econometrician and consummate professional

ABSTRACTPeter Schmidt has been one of its best-known and most respected econometricians in the profession for four decades. He has brought his talents to many scholarly outlets and societies, and has played a foundational and constructive role in the development of the field of econometrics. Peter Schmidt has also served and led the development of Econometric Reviews since its inception in 1982. His judgment has always been fair, informed, clear, decisive, and constructive. Respect for ideas and scholarship of others, young and old, is second nature to him. This is the best of traits, and Peter serves as an uncommon example to us all. The seventeen articles that make up this Econometric Reviews Special Issue in Honor of Peter Schmidt represent the work of fifty of the very best econometricians in our profession. They honor Professor Schmidt's lifelong accomplishments by providing fundamental research work that reflects many of the broad research themes that have distinguished his long and productive caree...
Comparison of SeaWinds Backscatter Imaging Algorithms

This paper compares the performance and tradeoffs of various backscatter imaging algorithms for the SeaWinds scatterometer when multiple passes over a target are available. Reconstruction methods are compared with conventional gridding algorithms. In particular, the performance and tradeoffs in conventional “drop in the bucket” (DIB) gridding at the intrinsic sensor resolution are compared to high-spatial-resolution imaging algorithms such as fine-resolution DIB and the scatterometer image reconstruction (SIR) that generate enhanced-resolution backscatter images. Various options for each algorithm are explored, including considering both linear and dB computation. The effects of sampling density and reconstruction quality versus time are explored. Both simulated and actual data results are considered. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of high-resolution reconstruction using SIR as well as its limitations and the limitations of DIB and fine-resolution DIB.
P-218 Orangeline

Background We will be launching a new non-clinical telephone helpline formally in September 2016. The Big Lottery (BIG) agreed to fund this exciting new project for three years and this innovative and much needed service will be branded as ‘Orangeline’. Aim We are mindful that there are some people with life limiting illnesses, and their friends and carers, who are living in an isolated world with little communication outside of their immediate circle, some are totally alone. Orangeline will give people a link into Saint Francis Hospice for support and friendship and the opportunity to be signposted to our services such as occupational therapy, complementary therapy and our bereavement services. Method Our Orangeline service will be centrally based within the day therapy unit and will be managed by two members of staff and a team of volunteers within our Quality and Care Directorate. Orangeline will operate later into the evening and weekends, these are times when people living or not coping well alone are at their most vulnerable, how lovely will it be to have a friendly caring voice on the end of the telephone, or even better to come into see us for lunch on a Sunday and meet new friends. We have so many great ideas and would welcome the opportunity of sharing the success of this new project at the Hospice UK conference in November. Results Our aim for this service will be the catalyst for reaching out to people already known to us and many more out in the community who aren’t. We believe it will be the start of something BIG. As the project rolls out we will concentrate resources on evaluating outcomes, and assessing the benefits to people’s health, wellbeing and recovery.
Real-time monitoring of laser powder bed fusion process using high-speed X-ray imaging and diffraction

We employ the high-speed synchrotron hard X-ray imaging and diffraction techniques to monitor the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process of Ti-6Al-4V in situ and in real time. We demonstrate that many scientifically and technologically significant phenomena in LPBF, including melt pool dynamics, powder ejection, rapid solidification, and phase transformation, can be probed with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. In particular, the keyhole pore formation is experimentally revealed with high spatial and temporal resolutions. The solidification rate is quantitatively measured, and the slowly decrease in solidification rate during the relatively steady state could be a manifestation of the recalescence phenomenon. The high-speed diffraction enables a reasonable estimation of the cooling rate and phase transformation rate, and the diffusionless transformation from β to α ’ phase is evident. The data present here will facilitate the understanding of dynamics and kinetics in metal LPBF process, and the experiment platform established will undoubtedly become a new paradigm for future research and development of metal additive manufacturing.
Algebraic Geometry and Finite Frames

Interesting families of finite frames often admit characterizations in terms of algebraic constraints, and thus it is not entirely surprising that powerful results in finite frame theory can be obtained by utilizing tools from algebraic geometry. In this chapter, our goal is to demonstrate the power of these techniques. First, we demonstrate that algebro-geometric ideas can be used to explicitly construct local coordinate systems that reflect intuitive degrees of freedom within spaces of finite unit norm tight frames (and more general spaces), and that optimal frames can be characterized by useful algebraic conditions. In particular, we construct locally well-defined real-analytic coordinate systems on spaces of finite unit norm tight frames, and we demonstrate that many types of optimal Parseval frames are dense and that further optimality can be discovered through embeddings that naturally arise in algebraic geometry.
Photofrin® photodynamic therapy with intratumor photosensitizer injection provides similar tumor response while reducing systemic skin photosensitivity: Pilot murine study.

Objectives The goal of this study was to compare tumor response to Photofrin® photodynamic therapy using intravenous and intratumoral injection of photosensitizer. Systemic skin photosensitivity and photosensitizer distribution were also compared between the two delivery methods. Methods SCCVII tumors were initiated in the hind legs of female C3H mice and grown to a volume of ∼1,000 mm3 . Photofrin® was delivered intravenously via the tail vein at a concentration of 2 mg/kg or intratumorally at concentrations ranging from 0.5-2 mg/kg. A 630 nm laser illumination was delivered via interstitial diffuser placement at a fluence rate of 400 mW/cm and fluence of 100 J/cm. Mice were maintained under normal room lighting for 24 hours after treatment, at which point photographs were captured for assessment of skin photosensitivity. Animals were then sacrificed, and their tumors were excised, sectioned, imaged, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). H&E slides were imaged to assess necrosis post-PDT, and skin photographs were evaluated by two blinded reviewers for quantification of skin photosensitivity. Whole-body fluorescence imaging was performed before and after photodynamic therapy. Results Tumor necrosis was not significantly different based on treatment group (P = 0.33), while skin photosensitivity was significantly reduced in animals that received Photofrin® intratumorally (P = 0.0005). Fluorescence imaging revealed similar photosensitizer fluorescence in excised tumors for intratumor and intravenous injection of Photofrin® (P = 0.48), although fluorescence decreased significantly with decreasing intratumor injection concentration (P= 0.01). Conclusions This pilot study shows that intratumoral administration of Photofrin® has the potential to produce similar tumor outcomes, while reducing systemic skin photosensitivity. Further studies are warranted to characterize and optimize intratumor delivery. Lasers Surg. 50:476-482, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuropsychological Assessment of Motor Skills

In this Chapter we hope to provide the reader with a greater appreciation for the many different cognitive abilities that support motor performance, even on tasks that superficially appear very simple. This, in turn, has important implications for how the clinician interprets patterns of spared and impaired motor skills. The premise that motor skills are supported by many different cognitive abilities is consistent with the neuroanatomy of the motor system which is composed of a large number of cortical and subcortical areas (Alexander, DeLong, & Strick, 1986; Allen & Tsukahara, 1974; Strick, 1988) that interact to control different movements. Movements such as catching a ball, writing, or dancing clearly differ in their cognitive requirements. It should not be surprising, therefore, that a wide variety of primary and association areas in the cerebral cortex as well as subcortical structures are involved in planning, selecting, initiating, executing, and self-monitoring these movements. The strong interrelationships between subcortical and cortical areas is beautifully illustrated by the various basal ganglia-cortical circuits identified by neuroanatomists in animals (Alexander et al., 1986). These structural interrelationships suggest that different neural systems cooperate in the planning and execution of movements, which is substantiated by human research showing that there are similarities in cognitive deficits in patients with damage to specific basal gangliacortical circuits (Cummings, 1993). Equally important is the fact that patterns of spared and impaired cognitive motor functions differ among individuals with basal ganglia disease, cerebellar damage, or damage to the cerebral cortex (Haaland & Harrington, 1990; Keele and Ivry, 1990).
Intolerance to Oral Intake, Refractory Nausea, and Vomiting

Obesity is not only an epidemic in the United States, but it has been observed beyond the western hemisphere as a pandemic phenomenon around the world. Obesity has become one of the leading healthcare problems today that carries potential socioeconomic burden to the society as a whole. Many medical and surgical therapies have become available to the public with great success. Among all of the available therapies, weight loss surgery has become the gold standard treatment because of its durability and reproducible weight loss with resolution of comorbidities. Therefore, bariatric operations have become one of the fastest-growing operations performed. As with all surgeries that are performed today, bariatric procedures, although safe and effective, are not free from potential complications.
Visual Aurality in Russian Modernist Experiments: Explorations in Synesthesia and Auditory Imagination

Russian modernist experiments in sensory communication include the interplay of sound and light in Alexander Scriabin’s symphonic mysteries as well as colored sounds in Wassily Kandinsky’s stage compositions. Inspired by various philosophical principles and creative methodologies, these artists explored the dialogue between the aural and the visual and its potential to influence the creative process and impact audience perception. This article seeks to assess the role of music and sound in synesthetic experiments of Scriabin and Kandinsky and place their theory and practice within the larger philosophical, artistic, and scientific contexts of their period and beyond.
BeginToReason: Understanding the Purpose of Code

Computer science (CS) students often evaluate the behavior of the code they write by running it on specific inputs, studying the outputs, and then inductively reasoning to a more general understanding of the code. This is a good starting point in the student's career, but successful graduates must be able to reason deductively about the code they create and encounter. They must be able to reason about the code on all inputs, without running the code. This paper describes an online system named "BeginToReason" that is designed to introduce symbolic reasoning, and the results of its use. Eighty students across six lab sections completed a written assessment while working with the BeginToReason System. The objective was to observe student understanding of the purpose of presented code both before and after completing a lesson using the BeginToReason System. Keywords: Symbolic reasoning, reasoning tool, online system, verification engine
IL-27 Protects from Autoimmunity by Suppressing IL-17 Production and Promoting Treg Suppressor Functions

IL-27 has been implicated in the regulation of several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, a better mechanistic understanding of how IL-27 regulates individual autoimmune diseases is needed. Autoimmune gastritis involves chronic inflammation and tissue damage caused by self-reactive T cells and autoantibodies. Serious consequences of autoimmune gastritis include pernicious anemia and a significant increase in the risk of developing gastric cancer. We used a TCR transgenic mouse model (TxA23) in which mice develop autoimmune gastritis due to CD4 + T cells that express a transgenic TCR specific for a peptide expressed by parietal cells in the gastric mucosa. Disease in this model mimics many aspects of human disease including the development of autoantibodies and precancerous lesions. We recently discovered a critical role for IL-27 in regulating autoimmune gastritis. IL-27 deficient mice have more severe inflammation and tissue damage, and develop precancerous lesions much faster compared to control mice. Further analyses revealed that IL-27 expression suppressed IL-17A secretion by immune cells in vivo . In vitro we observed that IL-27 acts directly on autoreactive CD4 + T cells and reduced IL-17A secretion . Finally, IL-27 expression increased inhibitory receptors (LAG3, CD39, CD73, GITR, CD25) on CD4 + FoxP3 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) and supported their ability to suppress autoreactive CD4 + T cells in vitro . These data elucidate an important role for IL-27 in protecting from autoimmune gastritis by suppressing IL-17A secretion and promoting suppressor functions of Tregs.
Urethral Pressure Measurement as a Tool for the Urodynamic Diagnosis of Detrusor Sphincter Dyssynergia.

PURPOSE To describe a technique for urodynamic diagnosis of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) using urethral pressure measurements and examine potential associations between urethral pressure and bladder physiology among patients with DSD. METHODS Multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injured (SCI) patients with known DSD diagnosed on videourodynamics (via electromyography or voiding cystourethrography) were retrospectively identified. Data from SCI and MS patients with detrusor overactivity (DO) without DSD were abstracted as control group. Urodynamics tracings were reviewed and urethral pressure DSD was defined based on comparison of DSD and control groups. RESULTS Seventy-two patients with DSD were identified. Sixty-two (86%) had >20 cm H2O urethral pressure amplitude during detrusor contraction. By comparison, 5 of 23 (22%) of control group had amplitude of >20 cm H2O during episode of DO. Mean duration of urethral pressure DSD episode was 66 seconds (range, 10-500 seconds) and mean urethral pressure amplitude was 73 cm H2O (range, 1-256 cm H2O). Longer (>30 seconds) DSD episodes were significantly associated with male sex (81% vs. 50%, P=0.013) and higher bladder capacity (389 mL vs. 219 mL, P=0.0004). Urethral pressure amplitude measurements during DSD were not associated with significant urodynamic variables or neurologic pathology. CONCLUSION Urethral pressure amplitude of >20 cm H2O during detrusor contraction occurred in 86% of patients with known DSD. Longer DSD episodes were associated with larger bladder capacity. Further studies exploring the relationship between urethral pressure measurements and bladder physiology could phenotype DSD as a measurable variable rather than a categorical observation.
Accessible. Point-of-Care Screening Solution to Detect Urinary Tract Infections in Developing Countries

Pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa exhibit a particularly high incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) which can lead to severe kidney damage and infant mortality. In order to overcome the access barrier to healthcare experienced in these developing countries, a low-cost test strip for UTI screening is being developed through a small-scale hand stamping process. By minimizing the number of testing parameters to three, these test strips become accessible to community health workers (CHWs) who have limited education and training. These individuals act as liaisons between the formal health care system and rural communities that are geographically dispersed and culturally distinct. Furthermore, CHWs will be the primary mode for test strip distribution, representing the last mile delivery channels for the product. Filter paper adhered to PVC strips is utilized as the principal substrate for chemical deposition onto the test strips in which three common biomarkers of UTIs are detectable in urine: leukocytes, nitrites, and elevated pH. The leukocyte and nitrite assays are both produced through a single step diazonium coupling with an aromatic amine, while pH can be detected with bromophenol red. Each assay exhibits a rapid, visible color change in the presence of infection markers with a defined intensity gradient that can be experimentally verified. Furthermore, to prevent dispersion across all three stamped regions, a hydrophobic barrier in the form of thin PVC strips has been introduced to maintain color change integrity. Beyond the detection of UTIs, this affordable and effective urinalysis technology can be expanded to screen for a myriad of treatable diseases to improve the accessibility of healthcare in developing nations, particularly in rural communities.
Density functional theory study of the effect of Vanadium doping on electronic and optical properties of NiO

The effect of Vanadium (V) doping on electronic and optical properties of NiO is discussed. Electronic and optical properties of a 32-atom supercell of VxNi1−xO (x = 0.0625) obtained from first-pri...
Abstract 2174: A solution for simultaneous DNA & RNA extraction from single tissue without lysate splitting

Extraction of intact and high quality gDNA or RNA is one of the most common procedures in molecular biology labs. With the advance of NGS, scientists can analyze both genomic and transcriptomic information from the same sample. Techniques that offer the ability to isolate both DNA and RNA from a single biological sample are crucial for this application. There is still great need for improved protocols in this area especially for precious and low-yield samples. Currently, most researchers use TRIzol® to isolate RNA and DNA from the same tube by extracting DNA from the organic phase and RNA from the aqueous phase. Although this method can extract high-quality RNA, the DNA yield is often low. With many biological samples in short supply, it is crucial to maximize yields. We report here using Beckman Coulter reagents, a protocol to isolate both DNA and RNA from the same fresh/frozen sample. The method utilizes size selection to separate DNA and RNA. We tested this method on 4 different frozen mouse tissues and report consistent extraction performance across all 4 tissue types. There are two advantages for this method: (1) There is no need to split a lysate for separate preparation of DNA/RNA; thus, researchers will not lose any portion of DNA or RNA. (2) Due to the different size distributions between DNA and RNA, this method offers quick and efficient extraction. Citation Format: Han Wei. A solution for simultaneous DNA & RNA extraction from single tissue without lysate splitting [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2174.
Impact of low self-control, parental involvement, and peer relationships on changes of bullying perpetration over time: A latent growth curve model of a sample of South Korean adolescents

Abstract This study examines how intra-individual differences in bullying change over time and how inter-individual differences in bullying perpetration are explained by factors associated with self-control, parental involvement, and delinquent peer associations. A sample of 2844 youth were extracted from the Korean Youth Panel Survey, which is a longitudinal survey where individuals were assessed each year between ages 11 and 15 years. Results from latent growth curve models suggest that: (1) the rates of bullying tend to decrease over time, (2) adolescents with lower levels of parental involvement have a greater odds of bullying perpetration, and (3) adolescents with low self-control are at a higher risk for bullying perpetration. Additionally, adolescents with an increased rate of delinquent peer associations demonstrated an increasing rate of change in bullying perpetration. Results from the models assessed here suggest that peer relationships have a profound effect on bullying perpetration.
Patterns of Recurrence and Mechanisms of Failure after Open Ventral Hernia Repair with Mesh

Recurrence after ventral hernia repair (VHR) remains a significant complication. We sought to identify the technical aspects of VHR associated with recurrence. Patients who underwent open midline VHR between 2006 and 2013 (n = 261) were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with recurrence (Group 1, n = 48) were compared with those without recurrence (Group 2, n = 213). Smoking, diabetes, and body mass index were not different between groups. More patients in Group 1 underwent clean-contaminated, contaminated, or dirty procedures (43.8 vs 27.7%; P = 0.021). Group 1 had a higher incidence of surgical site occurrence (52.1 vs 32.9%; P = 0.020) and surgical site infection (43.8 vs 15.5%; P < 0.001). Recurrences were due to central mesh failure (CMF) (39.6%), midline recurrence after biologic or bioabsorbable mesh repair (18.8%), superior midline (16.7%), lateral (16.7%), and after mesh explantation (12.5%). Most CMF (78.9%) occurred with light-weight polypropylene (LWPP). Recurrence was higher if the midline fascia was unable to be closed. Recurrence with midweight polypropylene (MWPP) was lower than biologic (P < 0.001), bioabsorbable (P = 0.006), and light-weight polypropylene (P = 0.046) mesh. Fixation, component separation technique, and mesh position were not different between groups. Wound complications are associated with subsequent recurrence, whereas midweight polypropylene is associated with a lower overall risk of recurrence and, specifically, CMF.
Need for cognition and academic motivation as predictors of students’ achievement

According to the self-determination theory, behind the variety of motivation, there are just three (un)satisfied needs - for relatedness, competence and autonomy. There are also good theoretical and empirical reasons to assume that intrinsic motivation is, to a large extent, based on the need for cognition. In order to test incremental validity and mediating effects of intrinsic motivation and the need for cognition on academic achievement, many analyses of data from a previous investigation are performed. The data are generated applying the Scale of Academic Motivation for Students (SAM-SI) and the shortened Scale of the Need for Cognition (NFCS-S). The sample comprises 364 students of both gender (59% females), aged from 18 to 35 (M=20.05; SD=1.52). The predictors in hierarchical multiple regression analyses were some sociodemographic characteristics, the need for cognition and academic motivation, and the criteria, satisfaction with academic achievement and aspiration. Three complete structural models are tested through structural equation modelling. As significant predictors of achievement and aspiration, intrinsic motivation, amotivation and the need for cognition have been singled out. The results also indicate a significant mediating effect of intrinsic motivation via the need for cognition on academic achievement which contradicts the basic tenet of self-determination theory.
Direct Interaction between Calmodulin and the Grb7 RA-PH Domain.

Grb7 is a signalling adapter protein that engages activated receptor tyrosine kinases at cellular membranes to effect downstream pathways of cell migration, proliferation and survival. Grb7’s cellular location was shown to be regulated by the small calcium binding protein calmodulin (CaM). While evidence for a Grb7/CaM interaction is compelling, a direct interaction between CaM and purified Grb7 has not been demonstrated and quantitated. In this study we sought to determine this, and prepared pure full-length Grb7, as well as its RA-PH and SH2 subdomains, and tested for CaM binding using surface plasmon resonance. We report a direct interaction between full-length Grb7 and CaM that occurs in a calcium dependent manner. While no binding was observed to the SH2 domain alone, we observed a high micromolar affinity interaction between the Grb7 RA-PH domain and CaM, suggesting that the Grb7/CaM interaction is mediated through this region of Grb7. Together, our data support the model of a CaM interaction with Grb7 via its RA-PH domain.
Gross tumor size using the AJCC 8th ed. T staging criteria does not provide prognostic stratification for neoadjuvant treated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract The 8th edition AJCC T stage criteria for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are now size based. These criteria provide better prognostic stratification in patients without neoadjuvant therapy. Our aim was to determine if gross tumor size is prognostically significant using the 8th ed. staging criteria for neoadjuvant treated PDAC. The study included 289 patients who underwent resection for PDAC following neoadjuvant therapy. By AJCC 7th ed., there were 12 (4.2%) ypT0, 32 (11.1%) ypT1, 64 (22.1%) ypT2, and 181 (62.6%) ypT3 patients. By AJCC 8th ed., there were 12 (4.2%) ypT0, 74 (25.6%) ypT1 (6 ypT1a, 1 ypT1b, 67 ypT1c), 161 (55.7%) ypT2, and 42 (14.5%) ypT3 patients. 182 patients had negative lymph nodes and 107 had positive lymph nodes. 77 patients were ypN1 and 30 were ypN2 by 8th ed. criteria. 7th ed. T stage significantly correlated with OS (p = 0.048), while 8th ed. T stage did not correlate with OS (p = 0.13). In ypN0 patients, neither the 7th ed. or 8th ed. T stages significantly correlated with patient OS (p = 0.065 and 0.26, respectively). Higher 7th ed. T stage correlated with lymph node status (p ≤ 0.001) more strongly than 8th ed. T stage (p = 0.04). 7th ed. and 8th ed. N stage correlated with OS (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0002, respectively). By 8th ed. AJCC staging criteria, gross tumor size does not provide good prognostic stratification in neoadjuvant therapy PDAC. Mapped grossing techniques combining gross and microscopic examination to determine tumor size may provide more accurate staging of neoadjuvant treated tumors.
Delivering Telerehabilitation to COVID-19 Inpatients:A Retrospective Chart Review Suggests It Is a Viable Option.

BackgroundGuidelines for physical therapy management of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 recommend limiting physical therapists’ contact with patients when possible. Telehealth has been viewed a...
Cigarette smoke exposure and inflammatory signaling increase the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 in the respiratory tract

Abstract The factors mediating fatal SARS-CoV-2 infections are poorly understood. Here, we show that cigarette smoke causes a dose-dependent upregulation of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, in rodent and human lungs. Using single-cell sequencing data, we demonstrate that ACE2 is expressed in a subset of secretory cells in the respiratory tract. Chronic smoke exposure triggers the expansion of this cell population and a concomitant increase in ACE2 expression. In contrast, quitting smoking decreases the abundance of these secretory cells and reduces ACE2 levels. Finally, we demonstrate that ACE2 expression is responsive to inflammatory signaling and can be upregulated by viral infections or interferon treatment. Taken together, these results may partially explain why smokers are particularly susceptible to severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. Furthermore, our work identifies ACE2 as an interferon-stimulated gene in lung cells, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infections could create positive-feedback loops that increase ACE2 levels and facilitate viral dissemination.
Immunohistochemical location of Na+, K+-ATPase α1 subunit in the human inner ear.

Abstract Na+, K+-ATPase (Na,K-ATPase) is an ubiquitous enzyme in the inner ear and a key factor in the maintenance of the osmotic gradient of the endolymph. This study uses Na,K-ATPase α1 subunit immunoreactivity (IR) to identify cellular structures in the normal and disease human cochlea. Formalin-fixed celloidin-embedded (FFCE) human temporal bone sections were immunoreacted with mouse monoclonal antibodies against Na,K-ATPase α1 subunit. Na,K-ATPase α1 IR was examined in the cochlea of 30 patients: four with normal hearing, 5 with Meniere's disease, and 21 with other inner ear diseases: 11 male, 19 female; ages 42 to 96 years-old (yo), average age of 77 yo. Na,K-ATPase α1 IR area was quantified using the ImageJ software program. Na,K-ATPase α1 IR was located in the stria vascularis, and in type I, II and IV fibrocytes of the spiral ligament in the cochlea from patients with normal hearing. Na,K-ATPase α1 IR was seen in Deiters's cells and inner phalangeal cells of the organ of Corti. Na,K-ATPase α1 IR was present in satellite cells that surround the neurons of the spiral ganglia. In the inner ear of pathological specimens, Na,K-ATPase IR area was decreased (compared to the normal) in the stria vascularis, supporting cells in the organ of Corti and satellite cells of the spiral ganglia. These results show that Na,K-ATPase α1 IR is a good marker to identify cellular structures of the human inner ear and may be used to study cellular changes in the cochlea associated with aging and disease. The ubiquitous localization of Na,K-ATPase α1 in the human cochlea is consistent with the Na,K-ATPase role in ionic homeostasis and osmolarity, similar to that seen in animal models.