cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Video recording laboratory experiments for open laboratory environments

In a 400-level CIMT (computer-integrated manufacturing technology) class entitled Manufacturing Applications of Sensor Technology, a series of laboratory assignments has been developed to teach PLC (programmable logic controller)-based and PC-based data acquisition, as well as how sensors play a vital role in CIM environments. Student feedback suggested that laboratory assignments would require less time and the students would learn the material better if they could be given a 'live' demonstration of the assignment before they started working on it. This was not feasible due to time constraints. The solution was to video-tape the demonstration using a standard camcorder and enable the students to watch the demonstration (at their own convenience) using a television and a video cassette recorder (VCR) which resided in the laboratory. It was generally found that the video tapes gave the students more insight into the assignments and decreased the amount of time it took the students to complete the assignments. >
Sacred Space and the Mediating Roles of Architecture

The creation, roles, and experience of meaningful places in contemporary urban environments can be effectively informed through understandings of pertinent aspects of sacred architecture. To do so, this paper will discuss the mediating roles traditionally performed by sacred architecture and, in particular, its traditional role as an in-between place believed by its creators to establish connections to the understandings they sought or the gods they worshipped. Enduring themes of sacred places will be presented in the context of their communicative capacity and ritual uses, as a means to offer interpretations appropriate to today. The case study of the recently completed Oakland (CA) Cathedral will serve to illustrate contemporary positions and iterations. The conclusion suggests that the sacred place was (and still is), an intermediate zone created in the belief that it had the ability to engage, elucidate and transform, and that a re-introduction and repositioning of the mediating roles performed by the built environment can inform the creation of engaging and meaningful places today.
Conversion of paper sludge to ethanol. I: Impact of feeding frequency and mixing energy characterization

In this paper, conversion of paper sludge to ethanol was investigated with the objective of optimization of the overall operation costs. Experimental work was undertaken to optimize cellulase loading, and to determine mixing energy requirements. It was found that decreasing feeding frequency (feed additions per residence time) allows the cellulase loading to be decreased at least two fold with no decrease in cellulose conversion but also entails mixing a slurry of higher solids content and lower conversion at the beginning of the operating cycle. The viscosity of paper sludge slurries was found to increase exponentially with decreasing conversion and increasing solid content. In particular, the viscosity (V) was described well by equation V = e(kX−X 0 )(− 0 )+ (V viscosity (cp), X conversion, S solid content (g/L), k, X 0, S 0, C are empirical parameters). Added costs associated with operating at low feeding frequencies (including higher mixing energy and higher capital costs for the motor and for sludge hold tasks) were found to be small compared to the economic benefits resulting from reduced cellulase loading.
Exploring the Role of Outside Organizations in Free / Open Source Software Projects

Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) projects have a reputation for being grass-roots efforts driven by individual contributors volunteering their time and effort. While this may be true for a majority of smaller projects, it is not always the case for large projects. As projects grow in size, importance and complexity, many come to depend on corporations, universities, NGO’s and governments, for support and contributions, either financially or through seconded staff. As outside organizations get involved in projects, how does this affect their governance, transparency and direction? To study this question we gathered bug reports and commit logs for GCC and the Linux Kernel. We found that outside organizations contribute a majority of code but rarely participate in bug triaging. Therefore their code does not necessarily address the needs of others and may distort governance and direction. We conclude that projects should examine their dependence on outside organizations.
Mutating a Highly Conserved Residue in Diverse Cytochrome P450s Facilitates Diastereoselective Olefin Cyclopropanation.

Cytochrome P450s and other heme-containing proteins have recently been shown to have promiscuous activity for the cyclopropanation of olefins using diazoacetate reagents. Despite the progress made thus far, engineering selective catalysts for all possible stereoisomers for the cyclopropanation reaction remains a considerable challenge. Previous investigations of a model P450 (P450BM3 ) revealed that mutation of a conserved active site threonine (Thr268) to alanine transformed the enzyme into a highly active and selective cyclopropanation catalyst. By incorporating this mutation into a diverse panel of P450 scaffolds, we were able to quickly identify enantioselective catalysts for all possible diastereomers in the model reaction of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate. Some alanine variants exhibited selectivities that were markedly different from the wild-type enzyme, with a few possessing moderate to high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivities up to 97 % for synthetically challenging cis-cyclopropane diastereomers.
In Need of a Fix: Reforming Criminal Law in Light of a Contemporary Understanding of Drug Addiction

This Comment challenges the assumption that actions associated with drug addiction can be easily classified as either voluntary or involuntary. As an alternative to this black-and-white distinction, this Comment advances the concept of a semi-voluntary act category to describe more accurately a drug addict’s choice to use drugs. When limited appropriately to drug addicts rather than all drug users, this category provides an avenue for a partial affirmative defense that would result in a verdict of not guilty but responsible. This verdict would more fairly treat drug addicts who commit crimes while intoxicated by reducing the stigma of a finding of guilt and by demanding that the defendant take responsibility for their drug addiction and seek effective treatment.
Parametric cooling of a degenerate Fermi gas in an optical trap

We demonstrate a technique for cooling a degenerate Fermi gas in a crossed-beam optical dipole trap, where high-energy atoms can be selectively removed from the trap by modulating the stiffness of the trapping potential with anharmonic trapping frequencies. We measure the dependence of the cooling effect on the frequency and amplitude of the parametric modulations. It is found that the large anharmonicity along the axial trapping potential allows one to generate a degenerate Fermi gas with anisotropic energy distribution, in which the cloud energy in the axial direction can be reduced to the ground state value.
Estimates of solid waste disposal rates and reduction targets for landfill gas emissions

Landfill disposal of solid waste is one of the largest sources of methane emissions. Analysis of gas collection systems at more than 850 US landfill sites suggests that emissions have been underestimated by as much as 140 million tonnes per year.
Pt/Au and W/Pt/Au Schottky Contacts to Bulk n-ZnO.

UV-ozone cleaning prior to metal deposition of either e-beam Pt contacts or sputtered W contacts on n-type single-crystal ZnO is found to significantly improve their rectifying characteristics. Pt contacts deposited directly on the as-received ZnO surface are Ohmic but show rectifying behavior with ozone cleaning. The Schottky barrier height of these Pt contacts was 0.70 eV, with ideality factor of 1.5 and a saturation current density of 6.2 × 10 −6 A·cm −2 . In contrast, the as-deposited W contacts are Ohmic, independent of the use of ozone cleaning. Post-deposition annealing at 700 °C produces rectifying behavior with Schottky barrier heights of 0.45 eV for control samples and 0.49 eV for those cleaned with ozone exposure. The improvement in rectifying properties of both the Pt contacts is related to removal of surface carbon contamination from the ZnO.
Justice and Legitimacy: Rawls, Schmitt and the Normativity of Law:

This article argues that the later work of John Rawls offers the best hope for establishing a justifiable and sustainable concept of liberalism. The context for this concern is the work of Carl Schmitt, whose attack on liberal legal practices exposes a deep weakness in most liberal approaches to the concept of law. The divide between positivism and normative legal approaches (expressed in the debates among H.L.A. Hart, Ronald Dworkin, and Hans Kelsen) seems to wither in the face of Schmittian critique, leaving only a depoliticized husk of legal practice. Rawls offers a different approach, a justificatory regime capable of engaging the problem of the sovereign exception while preserving the force of liberal normativity.
Protein kinase C in the developing rat liver, heart and brain

Ontogenic changes of protein kinase C in the rat liver, heart and cerebrum were examined from 17-day gestation until adult. Cerebral protein kinase C activity was 19 times less at 17-day fetal as compared to 15-day postnatum or older rats. The enzyme activity in the heart was generally higher in the neonatal period than the adult, but was not correlated with the previously reported alpha 1-adrenergic and cholinergic receptor ontogeny. Likewise in the liver, the enzyme activity was not correlated with previously reported alpha 1-adrenergic and vasopressin receptor ontogeny. No correlation between protein kinase C and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activities was found among these tissues. The enzyme distribution expressed by a cytosol/particulate ratio of 0.72, 2.41 and 0.64 in the liver, heart and brain, respectively, in 20-day fetus was similar to adult values. We conclude that there is a discrete ontogenic pattern of protein kinase C in each organ and it does not seem to be correlated with the ontogenic pattern of hormone receptors which relate to phosphatidylinositol breakdown. The precise role of protein kinase C in relationship to growth and differentiation needs to be further investigated.
A Novel Approach to Predictive Graphs Using Big Data

In enterprise models, relationships between data entities can be expressed by graphically connecting edges and vertices based on the application domain. Such graphs are optimal for understanding and processing simpler relationship-based models. When relationships get huge and complex in terms of large real-world problems such as friend or follower networks in social media or numerous client-corporate relationships for large multinational corporations, then converting and processing these graphs in near real-time is not trivial. This is because the number of relationships (edges) can grow super-exponentially in the number of vertices. We propose a novel method to create and update scalable relationship-data graphs for visualization and for prediction. Given a Big Table (BT) of related data expressed as structured (or semi-structured) data-tuples with associated business keys, the table can be quite easily transformed into a relationship data graph using current Big Data (BD) technologies. Predictive business models (e.g., from machine learning) can then be applied to the graph by our methods given here, utilizing a combination of data-parallel and graph-parallel computations. Applying a new data update to an existing data point in the graph such as a vertex (or edge), it is possible to predict the corresponding change in the model output variable on any vertex (or edge) in the graph. By combining predictive analytics models with data updates at either graph vertices or edges, we can utilize our method to propagate data updates in near real-time to the predictive graph.
Nanoprobing EBAC technique to reveal the failure root cause of gate oxide reliability issues of an IC process

Reliability tests, such as High-Temperature Operating Life (HTOL), Hot Carrier Injection (HCI), Time Dependent Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB), etc., is required for the lifetime prediction of an integrated circuit (IC) product. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis is required to provide insights to the defect mechanisms, induced in the scaled gate oxide, by the above reliability tests. In this paper, application of high resolution Nano-probing Electron Beam Absorbance Current (EBAC) to isolate the defective locations for TEM analysis was investigated. We have successfully demonstrated that TEM analysis after Nano-probing EBAC fault isolation is an effective technique to reveal the failure root cause of gate oxide breakdown after reliability stresses.
Funding from the Head or the Heart: An Examination of Entrepreneurial Crowdfunded Lending

The vast majority of entrepreneurial ventures around the world are quite small. However, when aggregated, these small ventures have a significant economic impact. One way in which these ventures dr...
Palladium-Catalyzed Fluorination of Cyclic Vinyl Triflates: Effect of TESCF3 as an Additive.

A method for the palladium-catalyzed fluorination of cyclic vinyl triflates has been developed. As with several previous palladium-catalyzed fluorination reactions using fluoride salts, controlling the regioselectivity presented a challenge in developing a practical synthetic procedure. The addition of triethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane (TESCF3) was found to effectively address this problem and resulted in drastically improved regioselectivities in this palladium-catalyzed fluorination reaction. This discovery, along with the use of a new biarylphosphine ligand, allowed for the development of an efficient and highly regioselective protocol for the fluorination of vinyl triflates. This method is compatible with a range of sensitive functional groups and provides access to five-, six-, and seven-membered cyclic vinyl fluorides.
Electronic Health Record's Effects on the Outpatient Office Visit and Clinical Education.

Background Providers have the important cognitive task of attending to the patient while using the electronic health record (EHR) during an office visit. Prior literature has demonstrated that the EHR has had various effects on the office visit. This study focused on providers who were medical and nurse practitioner student preceptors, to determine their perception of the EHR on multiple distinct aspects of the office visit and clinical education. Methods Utilizing survey research, provider’s EHR utilization and perceptions were collected and summarized using descriptive statistics. The relationship between the time spent using the EHR and the distinct aspects of the visit was tested using Chi-square tests of association. Results Provider/preceptors (n = 83) reported a negative effect of EHR on the patient–provider connection, but a positive effect on the review of medications/medical records, communication between providers, review of results with patients and review of follow-up to testing results with patients. We observed no correlation between the provider’s time spent using the EHR and their perception of its effectiveness. Those who responded that the EHR negatively affected their ability to teach (34%) were significantly more likely to also report that the EHR negatively affected their ability to communicate with the patient while taking a history (p = 0.04). Conclusions Providers reported a positive perceived effect of the EHR on distinct aspects of the office visit, yet they also reported a negative perceived effect of EHR on patient–provider connection. Impacts on the perceived ability of some providers to teach students were also demonstrated.
Influence of Lithostatic Stress on Earthquake Stress Drops in North America

Abstract We estimate stress drops for earthquakes in and near the continental United States using the method of spectral ratios. The ratio of acceleration spectra between collocated earthquakes recorded at a given station removes the effects of path and recording site and yields source parameters including corner frequency for, and the ratio of seismic moment between, the two earthquakes. We determine stress drop from these parameters for 1121 earthquakes greater than M ∼3 in 60 earthquake clusters. We find that the average Brune stress drop for the few eastern United States (EUS) tectonic mainshocks studied (2.6–36 MPa) is about three times greater than that of tectonic mainshocks in the western United States (WUS, 1.0–7.9 MPa) and five times greater than mainshocks potentially induced by wastewater injection in the central United States (CUS, 0.6–5.6 MPa). EUS events tend to be deeper thrusting events, whereas WUS events tend to be shallower but have a wide range of focal mechanisms. CUS events tend to be shallow with strike‐slip to normal‐faulting mechanisms. With the possible exception of CUS aftershocks, we find that differences in stress drop among all events can be taken into account, within one standard deviation of significance, by differences in the shear failure stress as outlined by Mohr–Coulomb theory. The shear failure stress is a function of vertical stress (or depth), the fault style (normal, strike slip, or reverse), and coefficient of friction (estimated here to be, on average, 0.64). After accounting for faulting style and depth dependence, we find that the average Brune stress drop is about 3% of the failure stress. These results suggest that high‐frequency shaking hazard (>∼1 Hz) from shallow induced events and aftershocks is reduced to some extent by lower stress drop. However, the shallow hypocenters will increase hazard within several kilometers of the source. Electronic Supplement: Earthquake catalog.
Is changing footstrike pattern beneficial to runners

Some researchers, running instructors, and coaches have suggested that the "optimal" footstrike pattern to improve performance and reduce running injuries is to land using a mid- or forefoot strike. Thus, it has been recommended that runners who use a rearfoot strike would benefit by changing their footstrike although there is little scientific evidence for suggesting such a change. The rearfoot strike is clearly more prevalent. The major reasons often given for changing to a mid- or forefoot strike are (1) it is more economical; (2) there is a reduction in the impact peak and loading rate of the vertical component of the ground reaction force; and (3) there is a reduction in the risk of a running-related injuries. In this paper, we critique these 3 suggestions and provide alternate explanations that may provide contradictory evidence for altering one's footstrike pattern. We have concluded, based on examining the research literature, that changing to a mid- or forefoot strike does not improve running economy, does not eliminate an impact at the foot-ground contact, and does not reduce the risk of running-related injuries.
Optimization of mitochondrial isolation techniques for intraspinal transplantation procedures

Background Proper mitochondrial function is essential to maintain normal cellular bioenergetics and ionic homeostasis. In instances of severe tissue damage, such as traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, mitochondria become damaged and unregulated leading to cell death. The relatively unexplored field of mitochondrial transplantation following neurotrauma is based on the theory that replacing damaged mitochondria with exogenous respiratory-competent mitochondria can restore overall tissue bioenergetics.
The effects of repeated wet-dry cycles as a component of bone weathering

Abstract Subaerial weathering is a taphonomic process that affects many archaeological and paleontological bone assemblages and is characterized by surface bleaching, loss of organic component, and progressive cracking and splintering of the bones. Although the mechanisms of such changes are not well understood, previous research has indicated that multiple processes contribute to weathering, including ultraviolet exposure, mineral leaching, mineral recrystallization, thermal expansion/contraction, freezing/thawing, and wetting/drying. In order to examine specifically how wetting/drying cycles can contribute to weathering, a laboratory sample (n = 100) of ribs, phalanges, vertebrae, and distal tibiae from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were subjected to 150 cycles of complete wetting and drying. The bone surfaces developed the characteristic surface cracking of subaerial weathering, with weathering stage 1 (WS 1) reached by 50 cycles on three bones. By 150 cycles, 27 bones had reached WS 1, with all but 15 bones exhibiting some kind of new cracking damage. One bone reached WS 2 by 125 cycles, with additional bones exhibiting beginning surface delamination. Wet-dry cycles in some environments are a potentially important component of the overall osseous subaerial weathering process and can on their own weather bone.
Development of Being As Teacher in the 21st Century of Thai Teaching Profession Experience Training

The objectives of this study are to study the Development Model of Being as Teacher in the 21st Century and to study Upgrade Guidelines Level of Experience Training of Teaching Profession in Thai’s educational program. Thus, the study was studied by documentation, in-depth interview from Education Faculty’s Dean, Head of Subject Department and responsible lecturers for the Teaching Profession’ experience training, Deputy Director of School and Teaching Profession associated teachers from the secondary education in the total of 50 persons, and there were 21people being as main information providers. The study found that the 21st Century Development of Being as Teacher Model is consisted of 3 main components, they are: 1) The 21st century’s students’ skills before entering into Teaching Profession Experience Training. 2) Recognition of the 21st Century Characteristics Expectation of Being as Teacher. And, 3) The Results of Progression Report of the 21st Century Development of Being as Teacher during experience training of being as teacher. However, there are 3 guidelines to upgrade the levels of Teaching Profession experience training and they are consisted of: 1) Specification of Training Issues. 2) Specification of Expected Results from the training. 3) Specification of Training Achievement Evaluation Procedures or the existing experience levels of being as teacher.
LEFT HEART CATHETERIZATION DURING HEMODYNAMIC RAMP STUDY PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF PATIENTS SUPPORTED WITH A LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE

Data on hemodynamic optimization are sparse and the current techniques used for optimization may be suboptimal for identifying certain pathologies of patients supported on continuous flow ventricular assist devices (cfLVAD). A novel technique for left heart catheterization (LHC) in cfLVAD patients
Congenital cervical kyphosis in an infant with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Ehler-Danlos syndome (EDS) refers to a group of heritable connective tissue disorders; rare manifestations of which are cervical kyphosis and clinical myelopathy. Surgical treatment is described for the deformity in the thoracolumbar spine in adolescents but not for infantile cervical spine. Internal fixation for deformity correction in the infantile cervical spine is challenging due to the diminutive size of the bony anatomy and the lack of spinal instrumentation specifically designed for young children. We describe the first case of successful surgical treatment in an infant with a high cervical kyphotic deformity in EDS. A 15-month-old female with EDS presented with several months of regression in gross motor skills in all four extremities. Imaging demonstrated 45° of kyphosis from the C2–4 levels with spinal cord compression. Corrective surgery consisted of a C3 corpectomy and C2–4 anterior fusion with allograft block and anterior fixation with dual 2 × 2 hole craniofacial miniplates, supplemented by C2–4 posterior fusion using four craniofacial miniplates fixated to the lamina. Radiographs at 20 months post-surgery demonstrated solid fusion both anteriorly and posteriorly with maintenance of correction. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may present in the pediatric population with congenital kyphosis from cervical deformity in addition to the more commonly seen thoracolumbar deformities.
2Self-organised Growth of Silicon Nanocrystals in Nanocrystalline Si/SiO Superlattices

Publisher Summary Silicon nanocrystals (nc-Si) can be produced by methods such as selective-size precipitation, spark erosion, ion implantation, anodic etching, and chemical vapor deposition. The self-organized growth of silicon nanocrystals in nanocrystalline Si/Si02 super lattices results in Si nanocrystals nearly mono-dispersed in size with a distinct shape and preferred crystallographic orientation. A comprehensive structural, optical, and electrical characterization of this system indicates flat and atomically abrupt Si/Si02 interfaces and a low defect density. The sharp nc-Si/Si02 interfaces and the low density of defects have allowed tunneling spectroscopy to be applied to these structures. Efficient (> 0.1%) infrared light emission is observed at room temperature, although phonon-assisted recombination is still required. These structures exhibit high thermal stability. These results show that nc- Si/Si02 structures have a considerable potential for nanoelectronic and optoelectronic device applications.
Changes in components of energy regulation in mouse cortex with increases in wakefulness.

Study Objectives: Increases in ATP production machinery have been described in brain after 3 h of sleep deprivation. Whether this is sustained with longer durations of extended wakefulness is unknown. We hypothesized that energy depletion could be a mechanism leading to difficulty maintaining wakefulness and assessed changes in components of the electron transport chain. Design: Protein levels of key subunits of complexes IV and V of the electron transport chain (COXI, COXIV, ATP5B) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in isolated mitochondria by Westerns in mouse cerebral cortex after 3 and 12 h of sleep deprivation were compared to that in control mice. Activity of complex IV enzyme and relevant transcription factors-Nrf1, Nrf2 (Gabp), and phosphorylation ofAMP-dependent kinase (AMPK)-were also assessed. Participants: 8-10 week old C57BL/6J male mice (n = 91). Interventions: 3, 6, and 12 h of sleep deprivation. Measurements and Results: After both 3 and 12 h of sleep deprivation, complex IV proteins and enzyme activity were significantly increased. The complex V catalytic subunit was significantly increased after 12 h of sleep deprivation only. Increased levels of UCP2 protein after 12 h of sleep deprivation suggests that there might be alterations in the ATP/AMP ratio as wakefulness is extended. That phosphorylation ofAMPK is increased after 6 h of sleep deprivation supports this assertion. The increase in Nrf1 and Nrf2 (Gabp) mRNA after 6 h of sleep deprivation provides a mechanism by which there is up-regulation of key proteins. Conclusions: There are complex dynamic changes in brain energy regulation with extended wakefulness. Keywords: Sleep deprivation, sleep, mitochondria, oxidative phosphorylation, uncoupling protein 2, nuclear respiratory factor Citation: Nikonova EV; Naidoo N; Zhang L; Romer M; Cater JR; Scharf MT; Galante RJ; Pack Al. Changes in components of energy regulation in mouse cortex with increases in wakefulness.
Actifed® (Burroughs Wellcome)

Actifed is an antihistamine and decongestant. Its actions are due to those of its constituents. Triprolidine HCl is a potent antihistamine. Pseudoephedrine is a naturally occurring dextrostereoisomer of ephedrine and is classified as a sympathomimetic amine. The action of pseudoephedrine is apparently more specific on the blood vessels of the nasal and respiratory tract mucous membranes and less specific for the blood vessels of the systemic circulation. Actifed tablets and syrup appear to provide symptomatic relief by the rapid and sustained decongestant effect of pseudoephedrine together with the antihistaminic action of triprolidine.
A Blast from the Past: Are the Robo-Signing Issues that Plagued the Mortgage Crisis Set to Engulf the Student Loan Industry?

Homeownership and a college education have long been considered part of the American Dream. In order to achieve homeownership, many Americans took out risky loans and sub-prime mortgages in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, when housing prices plummeted, many homeowners were forced into foreclosure proceedings after they fell behind on their mortgage payments and could not resell their property to cover the full amount of their debt. In response to a record number of foreclosure proceedings and the overwhelming amount of paperwork associated with it, creditors began a predatory practice referred to as robo-signing, which is the process of certifying the accuracy of documents without any personal knowledge of the facts contained within the documents. The robo-signing practice deprived homeowners of their due process rights and, in some cases, cost people their homes. In response, the federal government imposed significant fines on robo-signers and state courts reacted by enacting new court rules to end the practice. While the new court rules and federal fines have curbed robo-signing in the realm of foreclosure proceedings, the predatory practice could still threaten the American Dream. Over the last decade student loan debt has ballooned, as student loans have become an increasingly important financing source for secondary education. Exacerbating the problem, increased student debt has also been met with stagnant incomes for college graduates and increased unemployment rates. As such, many student loan debtors are beginning to default on their loans. The default rates on student loans are projected to be significantly higher than any default rates seen in the mortgage industry, raising concerns as to whether robo-signing practices might reemerge. If so, the predatory practice could substantially damage the student debt industry, and significantly burden student loan debtors. This topic is incredibly important to attorneys given the fact that the average law school graduate faces an average student loan deb of $98,500. Ultimately, courts are in a position to pre-empt this issue by instituting the same rules adopted to curb robo-signing practices in the mortgage industry, essentially ending the predatory practice before it has an opportunity to return.
Evaluation and Validation of clinical 4.23 T sodium MRI in animals and human: Application of oblique multi-slice spin-echo pulse sequence

Objective: Application of high-field 4.23 T MRI clinical imager was demonstrated for sodium-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data acquisition. Primary hypothesis: Sodium [Na] in brain is MR visible. Secondary hypothesis was, if, application of multislice spin echo (MSSE) pulse sequence at selected scan parameters can sufficiently visualize the total sodium signal as indicator of sub-clinical activity. Material and Methods: MSSE pulse sequence technique was used to simulate sodium images of human brain. For validation purpose, inversion recovery pulse sequence was validated by optimization of scan inversion time (TI). Phantom of sodium and rat brain were imaged. Sodium images were validated and compared with proton MRI images. Results: MSSE pulse technique enabled to visualize the sodium signal at optimized scan parameters. Specifically, MSSE pulse technique enabled the identification of different sodium rich areas due to their subphysiological activity in the brain, comparable with proton MRI images. Reconstruction images of brain further enhanced the power to classify the brain tissue. Intracellular sodium images of agarose-saline solution filled-tube phantom were generated by use of inversion recovery pulse sequence. Conclusion: Using MSSE pulse sequence at 4.23 T, in vivo sodium images can be generated within acceptable scan time for routine clinical brain examination for achieving better sub-physiological information as obtained from proton MRI.
Extended duration of dilator use beyond 1 year may reduce vaginal stenosis after intravaginal high-dose-rate brachytherapy

Vaginal dilators (VD) are recommended following vaginal or pelvic radiotherapy for patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) to prevent vaginal stenosis (VS). The time course of VS is not fully understood and the optimal duration of VD use is unknown. We reviewed 243 stage IA–II EC patients who received adjuvant brachytherapy (BT) at an academic tertiary referral center. Patients were instructed to use their VD three times per week for at least 1-year duration. The primary outcome was development of grade ≥ 1 VS using CTCAEv4 criteria during the follow-up period. The log-rank test and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to evaluate the effect of VD use (noncompliance vs. standard compliance [up to 1 year] vs. extended compliance [over 1 year]) on VS. The median follow-up was 15.2 months over the 5-year study period. At 15 months, the incidence of VS was 38.8% for noncompliant patients, 33.5% for those with standard compliance, and 21.4% for those with extended compliance (median time to grade ≥ 1 VS was 17.5 months, 26.7 months, and not yet reached for these groups, respectively). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, extended compliance remained a significant predictor of reduced VS risk when compared to both noncompliance (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.18–0.80, p = 0.012) and standard compliance (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20–0.89, p = 0.023). The risk of VS persists beyond 1 year after BT. Extended VD compliance beyond 1 year may mitigate this risk.
Concentrations of Purine Metabolites Are Elevated in Fluids from Adults and Infants and in Livers from Mice Fed Diets Depleted of Bovine Milk Exosomes and their RNA Cargos

Background Humans and mice absorb bovine milk exosomes and their RNA cargos. Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine whether milk exosome- and RNA-depleted (ERD) and exosome- and RNA-sufficient (ERS) diets alter the concentrations of purine metabolites in mouse livers, and to determine whether diets depleted of bovine milk alter the plasma concentration and urine excretion of purine metabolites in adults and infants, respectively. Methods C57BL/6 mice were fed ERD (providing 2% of the microRNA cargos compared with ERS) and ERS diets starting at age 3 wk; livers were collected at age 7 wk. Plasma and 24-h urine samples were collected from healthy adults who consumed (DCs) or avoided (DAs) dairy products. Spot urine samples were collected from healthy infants fed human milk (HM), milk formula (MF), or soy formula (SF) at age 3 mo. Purine metabolites were analyzed in liver, plasma, and urine; mRNAs and microRNAs were analyzed in the livers of female mice. Results We found that 9 hepatic purine metabolites in ERD-fed mice were 1.76 ± 0.43 times the concentrations in ERS-fed mice (P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations and urine excretion of purine metabolites in DAs was ≤1.62 ± 0.45 times the concentrations in DCs (P < 0.05). The excretion of 13 purine metabolites in urine from SF infants was ≤175 ± 39 times the excretion in HM and MF infants (P < 0.05). mRNA expression of 5'-nucleotidase, cytosolic IIIB, and adenosine deaminase in mice fed ERD was 0.64 ± 0.52 and 0.60 ± 0.28 times the expression in mice fed ERS, respectively. Conclusion Diets depleted of bovine-milk exosomes and RNA cargos caused increases in hepatic purine metabolites in mice, and in plasma and urine from human adults and infants, compared with exosome-sufficient controls. These findings are important, because purines play a role in intermediary metabolism and cell signaling.
Quantum spin transfer torque induced nonclassical magnetization dynamics and electron-magnetization entanglement

The standard spin transfer torque (STT)---where spin-polarized current drives the dynamics of magnetization viewed as a classical vector---requires noncollinearity between electron spins carried by the current and magnetization of a ferromagnetic layer. However, recent experiments [A. Zholud et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 257201 (2017)] observing magnetization dynamics in spin valves at cryogenic temperatures, even when electron spin is collinear to magnetization, point at overlooked quantum effects in STT that can lead to highly nonclassical magnetization states. Using quantum many-body treatment, where an electron injected as a spin-polarized wave packet interacts with local spins comprising the anisotropic quantum Heisenberg ferromagnetic chain, we define quantum STT as any time evolution of local spins due to an initial many-body quantum state not being an eigenstate of an electron+local-spins composite system. For time evolution caused by injected spin-$\ensuremath{\downarrow}$ electron scattering off local $\ensuremath{\uparrow}$-spins, entanglement between electron and local spin subsystems takes place leading to decoherence and, therefore, shrinking of the total magnetization but without rotation from its initial orientation, which is compatible with the experiments. Furthermore, the same processes---entanglement and thereby induced true decoherence---are present even in the standard noncollinear geometry, intertwined with the usual magnetization rotation. This is because STT in a quantum many-body picture is always caused by an electron spin-$\ensuremath{\downarrow}$ factor state, and the only difference between collinear and noncollinear geometries is in the relative size of the contribution of the initial separable state containing such a factor to the superposition of separable many-body quantum states generated by time evolution.
Extinction, scattering and absorption of electromagnetic waves in the coupled-dipole approximation

Abstract In this article, we consider the theoretical underpinning of the coupled-dipole approximation as it is used in the multiple scattering theory. Specific topics include the definitions of the bare and renormalized polarizabilities, radiative and non-radiative corrections, coupled-dipole equations in the vicinity of a substrate, and rigorous derivation of the energy relations, particularly, in the case when the particle polarizabilities can be tensorial. It is shown how the Purcell factors can be related to the renormalized polarizabilities. As an application, several extinction-related paradoxes are considered by using the coupled-dipole approximation as the underlying physical model.
Long-term seizure freedom following intracranial sEEG monitoring: Therapeutic benefit of a diagnostic technique.

Abstract Patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy often require surgery. It is very rare that patients with TRE can have sustained seizure freedom spontaneously, without undergoing further resection or neuro-modulation after invasive monitoring with sEEG. Of the 78 TRE cases monitored over last 5 years, we identified three patients who became seizure-free following sEEG monitoring without undergoing further resection or neuro-modulation. Seizure-freedom after sEEG is possible even without further intervention. In cases where seizures after the completion of the invasive monitoring are not observed, a longer observation period following electrode explantation prior to planned neuro-modulation or resection is warranted. This could be due to the disruption of the cortical–subcortical epileptogenic network due to focal area of tissue damage along and around the electrode tract.
Potential health effects of dietary nitrate supplementation in aging and chronic degenerative disease.

Abstract In the United States, latest projections indicate the number of adults 65 years of age and older is expected to double by 2050. Given that increased oxidative stress is a hallmark of aging, it is understandable that waning nitric oxide and chronic degenerative disease arise in tandem. To this end, translational evidence-based strategies are needed to mitigate the impending toll on personal and public health. Dietary nitrate supplementation, particularly in the form of beetroot juice, is an active area of inquiry that has gained considerable attention in recent years. Compelling evidence has revealed beetroot juice can elicit potent physiological responses that may offer associated health benefits for multiple clinical disorders including hypertension, dementia, and sarcopenia. Even in the absence of overt disease, age-related impairments in cardiovascular and skeletal muscle function may uniquely benefit from beetroot juice supplementation as evidence has shown blood pressure lowering effects and improved muscle function/contractility – presumably from increased nitric oxide bioavailability. This, in turn, presents a practical opportunity for susceptible populations to support ease of movement and exercise tolerance, both of which may promote free-living physical activity. A theoretical rationale details the potential health effects of dietary nitrate supplementation, wherein a working framework hypothesizes beetroot juice consumption prior to structured exercise training may offer synergistic benefits to aid healthy aging and independent-living among older adults.
Chapter 81 – Posterior Circulation: Large Artery Occlusive Disease and Embolism

The portion of the brain fed by the vertebral and basilar arteries and their subsequent branches constitute the “posterior circulation” and include the brain stem, cerebellum, parts of the diencephalon and thalamus, the medial temporal lobes, and the occipital lobes. The remainder of the brain, the “anterior circulation,” is fed by the carotid arteries. This chapter reviews the major branches of the posterior circulation and the clinical findings in cases of ischemia in the territory of these arteries. Ischemia in the posterior circulation is essentially due to the same spectrum of disorders seen in the anterior circulation, such as large artery occlusive disease from atherosclerosis and embolism from the heart or from proximal arterial sources.
Evidence for a nuclease in Saccharomycescerevisiae that affects the cell-free translation of natural messenger RNA

Abstract A postpolysomal extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , treated with micrococcal nuclease to remove endogenous mRNAs, translates exogenous natural and synthetic mRNA templates actively and accurately at 20°C. When the temperature of incubation is 30°C or higher, protein synthesis with yeast poly(A)+ mRNA is markedly reduced, but synthesis of polyphenyl-alanine with poly (U) is only slightly affected. The protein synthesizing activity of the extract is decreased 50% in 30 minutes at 37°C, while the ability of yeast mRNA to template for protein synthesis is decreased 50% in 5 to 7 minutes when it is incubated with the postpolysomal fraction at 37°C. The release of radioactivity from isotopically-labeled yeast mRNA, into the acid-soluble form, is also much greater at 37°C than at 20°C. Thus, at the elevated temperatures, the loss of mRNA templating activity and RNA hydrolysis occur more rapidly than the loss of activity of the translational apparatus. The evidence suggests that the failure of the extract to catalyze translation at 30°C or higher, as compared to 20°C, is due to a temperature-stimulated nuclease that degrades mRNA.
Role of TRP Channels in Shaping the Gut Microbiome.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family proteins are sensors for pain, which sense a variety of thermal and noxious chemicals. Sensory neurons innervating the gut abundantly express TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels and are in close proximity of gut microbes. Emerging evidence indicates a bi-directional gut–brain cross-talk in several entero-neuronal pathologies; however, the direct evidence of TRP channels interacting with gut microbial populations is lacking. Herein, we examine whether and how the knockout (KO) of TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels individually or combined TRPA1/V1 double-knockout (dKO) impacts the gut microbiome in mice. We detect distinct microbiome clusters among the three KO mouse models versus wild-type (WT) mice. All three TRP-KO models have reduced microbial diversity, harbor higher abundance of Bacteroidetes, and a reduced proportion of Firmicutes. Specifically distinct arrays in the KO models are determined mainly by S24-7, Bacteroidaceae, Clostridiales, Prevotellaceae, Helicobacteriaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Ruminococcaceae. A1KO mice have lower Prevotella, Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides, Helicobacter and higher Rikenellaceae and Tenericutes; V1KO mice demonstrate higher Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcus, Desulfovibrio and Mucispirillum; and A1V1dKO mice exhibit higher Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides and S24-7 and lower Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, Oscillospira, Lactobacillus and Sutterella abundance. Furthermore, the abundance of taxa involved in biosynthesis of lipids and primary and secondary bile acids is higher while that of fatty acid biosynthesis-associated taxa is lower in all KO groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating distinct gut microbiome signatures in TRPA1, V1 and dKO models and should facilitate prospective studies exploring novel diagnostic/ therapeutic modalities regarding the pathophysiology of TRP channel proteins.
Abstract 2347: Incidence and mortality rate of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in the United States, 2000-2016

Introduction: Liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer is highly deadly. Incidence and mortality rates of Liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer have increased significantly from 2000-2016 in the United States. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence and mortality rates of this cancer according to sex and race. Methods: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 data to calculate age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates from 2000-2016. Annual Percent Change (APC) was obtained for incidence and mortality rates by sex and race. Results: Between 2000 and 2016, the incidence rate increased significantly for both male and female from 8.9 to 13.0 and 3.3 to 4.7 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Additionally, the highest incidence rates have been reported among Hispanic, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic Asian or pacific Islander with 13.5, 14.6 and 11.6 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Overall mortality rate has increased specifically among male from 5.1 to 10.9 per 100,000 persons during the same period. Hispanic, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander still have the highest mortality rate compared to other race/ethnicity with 11.3, 12.9 and 9.4 per 100,000 persons), respectively. From 2015 to 2016, incidence and mortality rates have decreased among all races and gender. Conclusions: Hispanic, non-Hispanic American-Indian/Alaska native and non-Hispanic Asian or pacific Islander are at greater risk of developing and dying from this cancer. Additionally, males are more likely to acquire and die from this cancer. Prevention programs should focus on these populations in order to reduce the burden of this cancer. Further studies are necessary to examine the alarming increase in overall incidence and mortality rates of this cancer. Citation Format: Michael Rutalira Koko, Glodi Mutamba. Incidence and mortality rate of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in the United States, 2000-2016 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2347.