cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential cellular response of anabaena variabilis to iron

Abstract Anabaena variabilis is a photosynthetic, oxygenic bacterium which grows in multicellular filaments. We have observed two types of differential cell activities which occur in this organism with respect to iron nutrition. In iron limited cultures, a change in cellular organization is observed by light and electron microscopy. The change, characteristic of iron starvation is a breakdown of internal membranous cell structure and a thickened, electron dense outer boundary. With prolonged iron deprivation, cell lysis is observed and all cellular structure becomes disorganized. A second response to iron was noted in stationary phase cultures where a few cells in the filaments showed no cell disorganization. Autoradiography revealed that uptake of 55Fe was not uniform but only by a few cells in each filament.
Don't Drink the Water: Recognizing the Fears Associated with International Extension Work

In order to serve all segments of the global population, it is increasingly important for Extension agents to work with diverse clientele. Participating in an international extension experience is an ideal way for an individual to develop a cultural identity by offering assistance beyond their borders. Many opportunities for international extension experiences exist, but most extension agents do not participate. In order to attract extension agents to international extension experiences, organizers need to recognize the fears associated with this type of travel and work to alleviate these concerns. The main purpose of this study was to identify the fear-related barriers keeping extension agents from participating in international extension experiences. A census survey of University of Florida extension agents measured fear-related barriers associated with international extension experiences. The study revealed significant relationships existed between selected locations and the level of fear-related barriers perceived. The less appealing locations substantially correlated to a higher level of fear-related barriers. To deal with these fear-related barriers, increased education surrounding the realities of these experiences is necessary. In addition, administrators must emphasize the importance of participating in international experiences through recognition tied directly to the efforts of those working internationally. Not only do fears need to be dispelled, but extension agents must see how international extension experiences enhance their role domestically to increase participation.
Impact of a community based intervension for prehypertension care of the family

Objective: To study and analyze the effect of the family care for prehypertension with community nursing intervention. Method: Selecting a total of 40 patients with diastolic blood pressure in 80 ~ 90mmHg,systolic blood pressure in 120 ~ 130 mmHg from Jan. 2012 to June,2012 within the community. All patients were voluntarily participated in the study,informed consent signed,in prehypertension patients regularly organize management training courses,a good diet and exercise guidance plan system,strengthen the communication with patients and their families,timely information of the patient's diet,exercise,conducted according to various health problems for patients and families encountered in life,patients' biochemical changes,bad life style statistics before and after the intervention and awareness on hypertension related knowledge. Results: 40 cases of the enrolled patients and 54 family members were followed up successfully. The results showed that,the community nursing intervention in patients with systolic and diastolic blood pressure lowering,exercise frequency and exercise time effectively improved after the intervention,patients with bad life style also improved,patients and family members for the hypertension awareness was significantly better than before the nursing intervention,the difference between the two groups was statistically significan( P 0. 05). Conclusion: The effect of the family care for prehypertension with community nursing intervention was significant,worthy of promotion and further use in the community. At the same time,in order to strengthen the effectiveness of education,community nursing staff must strengthen learning,enhance the professional skills and the sense of responsibility,master the skill of communication to work more efficiently.
Prevalence of HIV,HCV Infection and Syphilis Among Drug Users at Methadone Maintenance Clinics in Anshun

Objective To survey the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection and syphilis among the drug users at the methadone maintenance clinic in Anshun,and provide scientific evidence for the development of appropriate prevention and control measures.Methods A total of 143 blood samples were taken from these drug users to detect antibodies to HIV,HCV and Treponema pallidum(TP).Result The positive rates of HIV,HCV and TP infections among the 143 drug users were 20.3%(29/143),86.7%(124/143) and 20.3%(29/143)respectively.The double positive rates of HIV+HCV and TP+HCV were 0.7%(1/143),8.4%(12/143)respectively.Conclusion The infection rates of HIV,HCV and TP were high among the drug users at the methadone maintenance clinics in Anshun.It is necessary to strengthen the targeted prevention and control measures and conduct constant HIV,HCV and syphilis surveillance among the drug users.
An Intrabody Drug (rAAV6-INT41) Reduces the Binding of N-Terminal Huntingtin Fragment(s) to DNA to Basal Levels in PC12 Cells and Delays Cognitive Loss in the R6/2 Animal Model

Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal progressive disease linked to expansion of glutamine repeats in the huntingtin protein and characterized by the progressive loss of cognitive and motor function. We show that expression of a mutant human huntingtin exon-1-GFP fusion construct results in nonspecific gene dysregulation that is significantly reduced by 50% due to coexpression of INT41, an intrabody specific for the proline-rich region of the huntingtin protein. Using stable PC12 cell lines expressing either inducible human mutant huntingtin (mHtt, Q73) or normal huntingtin (nHtt, Q23), we investigated the effect of rAAV6-INT41, an adeno-associated virus vector with the INT41 coding sequence, on the subcellular distribution of Htt. Compartmental fractionation 8 days after induction of Htt showed a 6-fold increased association of a dominate N-terminal mHtt fragment with DNA compared to N-terminal nHtt. Transduction with rAAV6-INT41 reduced DNA binding of N-terminal mHtt 6.5-fold in the nucleus and reduced nuclear translocation of the detected fragments. Subsequently, when rAAV6-INT41 is delivered to the striatum in the R6/2 mouse model, treated female mice exhibited executive function statistically indistinguishable from wild type, accompanied by reductions in Htt aggregates in the striatum, suggesting that rAAV6-INT41 is promising as a gene therapy for Huntington's disease.
Sleep disturbances in adolescents with ADHD: A systematic review and framework for future research.

Background Biological mechanisms underlying symptom and prognostic heterogeneity in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are unclear. Sleep impacts neurocognition and daytime functioning and is disrupted in ADHD, yet little is known about sleep in ADHD during adolescence, a period characterized by alterations in sleep, brain structure, and environmental demands as well as diverging ADHD trajectories.
KickStarter: Fast and Accurate Computations on Streaming Graphs via Trimmed Approximations

Continuous processing of a streaming graph maintains an approximate result of the iterative computation on a recent version of the graph. Upon a user query, the accurate result on the current graph can be quickly computed by feeding the approximate results to the iterative computation --- a form of incremental computation that corrects the (small amount of) error in the approximate result. Despite the effectiveness of this approach in processing growing graphs, it is generally not applicable when edge deletions are present --- existing approximations can lead to either incorrect results (e.g., monotonic computations terminate at an incorrect minima/maxima) or poor performance (e.g., with approximations, convergence takes longer than performing the computation from scratch).This paper presents KickStarter, a runtime technique that can trim the approximate values for a subset of vertices impacted by the deleted edges. The trimmed approximation is both safe and profitable, enabling the computation to produce correct results and converge quickly. KickStarter works for a class of monotonic graph algorithms and can be readily incorporated in any existing streaming graph system. Our experiments with four streaming algorithms on five large graphs demonstrate that trimming not only produces correct results but also accelerates these algorithms by 8.5--23.7x.
Physician perspectives on decision-making for treatment of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in children and most commonly treated by surgery with adenotonsillectomy. We aimed to learn physician perspectives of social and communication factors that influence decision making for treatment of pediatric SDB. Purposive sampling identified 10 physician key informants across disciplines and practice settings, who participated in semistructured interviews regarding SDB care experiences and communication with parents. Interviews were analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis. Physicians provided a variety of perspectives on decision making for treatment that fell into 3 overarching themes: approach to surgery and alternatives, communication and decision making with families, and sociocultural factors/barriers to care. Perspectives were moderately heterogeneous, suggesting that individual social and relational elements may significantly influence how physicians refer patients and recommend treatment, and how parents choose surgery for this prevalent condition. These findings will inform development of culturally competent communication strategies and support tools to enhance shared decision making for physicians treating children with SDB.
Evaluation of the sensitivity of asphalt concrete modulus to binder oxidation with a multiple length scale study

Abstract It is well known that the properties of asphalt concrete mixture are affected by the oxidation of asphalt cement. However, the precise relationship between these two length scales remains largely uncharacterized. In the present study, a multiple length scale evaluation approach is applied to study and quantify the sensitivity of the mechanical properties of asphalt concrete mixture to asphalt cement oxidation. The study involves temperature and frequency sweep experiments on unaged and aged asphalt cement (to establish baseline properties), asphalt mastic (to consider physico-chemical aspects), and Fine Aggregate Matrix (FAM – to consider air voids and aggregate interaction effects). The multiscale approach separates effects of aggregate-binder physico-chemical interactions from those caused by air voids and physical aggregate interactions. Also, all asphalt cements were pre-aged to specific aging levels before preparing respective aged mastics or FAM samples. The methodology adopted for assessment of sensitivity was based on the theory of crossover modulus and second order rate kinetics of asphalt binder oxidation. The results from the analysis indicate that the mechanical properties of mastics are more sensitive to binder oxidation than FAM. Also, mechanical properties of mastics and FAM materials prepared with softer binders are more sensitive to oxidation than those with higher modulus asphalt cements. Finally, it is found that if a laboratory aging procedure is found to match the rheological properties of in-service level of asphalt oxidation at a given level of accuracy, then the expected accuracy in matching the resulting modulus of an asphalt mixture tested after being subjected to that laboratory process will be 1.5–3.6 times higher.
The Common Core's Promises and Pitfalls from the Perspectives of Policy Entrepreneurs and Ground-Level Actors.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative (Common Core) was spearheaded by policy entrepreneurs, unveiled nationally in 2010, and initially received strong support from leaders in state and federal government, philanthropic foundations, the business sector, and teacher unions. However, the reform came into the crosshairs of an ideologically wide set of politicians and interest groups. What is less well understood about the controversy are the responses the reform encountered within states, particularly from ground-level actors, such as parents, local educators, school boards, and community members, as well as their elected representatives. This study uses two data sets to examine how the promises and pitfalls that the reform’s policy entrepreneurs anticipated in 2011 were received by ground-level actors in 10 states between late-2013 and early-2014. The findings suggest ground-level responses to the anticipated promises and pitfalls both spurred and resonated with interest groups to disrupt the reform’s support among state-level leaders. The findings also suggest that political and implementation lessons may be gained from further study of the adoption and implementation of the Common Core in California. Whether the Common Core in California or other states may improve achievement or equity is considered in light of third-wave reforms.
Origin of the heavy elements in binary neutron-star mergers from a gravitational-wave event

Modelling the electromagnetic emission of kilonovae enables the mass, velocity and composition (with some heavy elements) of the ejecta from a neutron-star merger to be derived from the observations. Merging neutron stars are potential sources of gravitational waves and have long been predicted to produce jets of material as part of a low-luminosity transient known as a 'kilonova'. There is growing evidence that neutron-star mergers also give rise to short, hard gamma-ray bursts. A group of papers in this issue report observations of a transient associated with the gravitational-wave event GW170817—a signature of two neutron stars merging and a gamma-ray flash—that was detected in August 2017. The observed gamma-ray, X-ray, optical and infrared radiation signatures support the predictions of an outflow of matter from double neutron-star mergers and present a clear origin for gamma-ray bursts. Previous predictions differ over whether the jet material would combine to form light or heavy elements. These papers now show that the early part of the outflow was associated with lighter elements whereas the later observations can be explained by heavier elements, the origins of which have been uncertain. However, one paper (by Stephen Smartt and colleagues) argues that only light elements are needed for the entire event. Additionally, Eleonora Troja and colleagues report X-ray observations and radio emissions that suggest that the 'kilonova' jet was observed off-axis, which could explain why gamma-ray-burst detections are seen as dim. The cosmic origin of elements heavier than iron has long been uncertain. Theoretical modelling1,2,3,4,5,6,7 shows that the matter that is expelled in the violent merger of two neutron stars can assemble into heavy elements such as gold and platinum in a process known as rapid neutron capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis. The radioactive decay of isotopes of the heavy elements is predicted8,9,10,11,12 to power a distinctive thermal glow (a ‘kilonova’). The discovery of an electromagnetic counterpart to the gravitational-wave source13 GW170817 represents the first opportunity to detect and scrutinize a sample of freshly synthesized r-process elements14,15,16,17,18. Here we report models that predict the electromagnetic emission of kilonovae in detail and enable the mass, velocity and composition of ejecta to be derived from observations. We compare the models to the optical and infrared radiation associated with the GW170817 event to argue that the observed source is a kilonova. We infer the presence of two distinct components of ejecta, one composed primarily of light (atomic mass number less than 140) and one of heavy (atomic mass number greater than 140) r-process elements. The ejected mass and a merger rate inferred from GW170817 imply that such mergers are a dominant mode of r-process production in the Universe.
Cyber Physical System (CPS)-Based Industry 4.0: A Survey

Cyber Physical System (CPS) has provided an outstanding foundation to build advanced industrial systems and applications by integrating innovative functionalities through Internet of Things (IoT) and Web of Things (WoB) to enable connection of the operations of the physical reality with computing and communication infrastructures. A wide range of industrial CPS-based applications have been developed and deployed in Industry 4.0. In order to understand the development of CPS in Industry 4.0, this paper reviews the current research of CPS, key enabling technologies, major CPS applications in industries, and identifies research trends and challenges. A main contribution of this review paper is that it summarizes the current state-of-the-art CPS in Industry 4.0 from Web of Science (WoS) database (including 595 articles) and proposes a potential framework of CPS systematically.
Commuting and Sleep: Results From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sueño Ancillary Study.

Introduction Commute time is associated with reduced sleep time, but previous studies have relied on self-reported sleep assessment. The present study investigated the relationships between commute time for employment and objective sleep patterns among non-shift working U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods From 2010 to 2013, Hispanic/Latino employed, non-shift–working adults (n=760, aged 18–64 years) from the Sueno study, ancillary to the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, reported their total daily commute time to and from work, completed questionnaires on sleep and other health behaviors, and wore wrist actigraphs to record sleep duration, continuity, and variability for 1 week. Survey linear regression models of the actigraphic and self-reported sleep measures regressed on categorized commute time (short: 1–44 minutes; moderate: 45–89 minutes; long: ≥90 minutes) were built adjusting for relevant covariates. For associations that suggested a linear relationship, continuous commute time was modeled as the exposure. Moderation effects by age, sex, income, and depressive symptoms also were explored. Results Commute time was linearly related to sleep duration on work days such that each additional hour of commute time conferred 15 minutes of sleep loss (p=0.01). Compared with short commutes, individuals with moderate commutes had greater sleep duration variability (p=0.04) and lower interdaily stability (p=0.046, a measure of sleep/wake schedule regularity). No significant associations were detected for self-reported sleep measures. Conclusions Commute time is significantly associated with actigraphy-measured sleep duration and regularity among Hispanic/Latino adults. Interventions to shorten commute times should be evaluated to help improve sleep habits in this minority population.
Stream of Consciousness

Stream of Consciousness A 65-year-old man presented with a 3-week history of progressive fatigue and a 3-day history of forgetfulness, confusion, and inability to complete his usual tasks or to find certain words.
The treatment of acute bronchitis with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole

Sixty-seven previously healthy patients with acute bronchitis were randomized and treated with either a fixed dose of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole or placebo for seven days. All outcomes examined showed a trend favoring the use of antibiotic, with statistically significant differences for cough, night cough, mean temperature, and use of antihistamines or decongestants. Night cough occurred on 84 percent of nights in the control group vs 56 percent in the antibiotic group (P = .003). Cough occurred on 99 percent of days for patients in the control group vs 93 percent of days for patients in the antibiotic group (P = .05). Mean temperature over the seven nights was 37.3 degrees C in the control group vs 36.9 degrees C in the antibiotic group (P = .004). The use of antihistamines and decongestants was reduced from 32 percent of days in the control group to 6 percent of days in the antibiotic group (P = .005). Patients in the antibiotic group worked 73 percent of days vs 55 percent of days for patients in the control group, which was significant when patients were stratified by the appearance of their sputum on Gram stain (P = .006). Smoking history was not found to help predict the response to antibiotic therapy.
Outpatient total elbow arthroplasty: 90-day outcomes.

Background Interest in outpatient arthroplasty has grown in response to increasing emphasis on the efficient delivery of safe, high-quality medical care. This study evaluated 90-day episode-of-care complications after outpatient total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). Materials and methods We retrospectively evaluated 28 patients discharged the same day after primary TEA for 90-day episode-of-care complications, reoperations, and readmissions. Postoperative complications and elbow range of motion measurements were recorded and evaluated at the latest follow-up. All patients were contacted and given a satisfaction survey to assess their outpatient experience. Univariate logistic regression was performed for each risk factor to evaluate the risk for major and minor complications. Statistical significance was set as P Results Final follow-up data were available for 28 patients at an average of 14 months. Major complications within 90 days of surgery occurred in 7.1% of patients, ulnar nerve paresthesias occurred in 42.8% of patients, and minor wound problems occurred in 39.2% of patients. Five reoperations occurred after the 90-day postoperative period. All ulnar paresthesias and minor wound complications had resolved by the latest follow-up. Univariate regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between smoking and minor wound complications (P = .038). The satisfaction survey had an 85.7% response rate, with 91.7% of patients stating they were happy they went home the same day, and 95.8% feeling more confident and in control of their lives. Conclusions The risk profile of carefully selected patients undergoing same-day discharge after TEA is acceptable when combined with close follow-up.
Critical experiments to determine if early nutritional influences on epigenetic mechanisms cause metabolic imprinting in humans

Metabolic imprinting occurs when nutritional influences during critical periods of development cause specific metabolic adaptations that persist to adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms, which regulate the broad diversity of tissue-specific gene expression, are established during development and largely maintained throughout adulthood. Hence, to the extent that nutrition during development affects the establishment of epigenetic gene regulatory mechanisms, metabolic imprinting could occur via this mechanism. This article surveys the growing body of evidence that aberrant epigenetic gene regulation plays an important role in human disease, and recent data from animal models showing that subtle environmental influences during specific ontogenic periods can cause stable alterations in mammalian epigenotype. Experimental approaches are suggested to focus future studies of prenatal and early postnatal nutritional influences on developmental epigenetics in humans.
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES OF OPTIMAL SMOOTHING, WITH APPLICATION TO THE NUMERICAL DIFFERENTIATION OF NOISY DATA AND SMOOTHING OF LOG SPECTRAL DENSITY ESTIMATES

Difficulties in estimating derivatives from measured function values are well known. The data can be smoothed and then derivatives of the smoothing function can be used as estimates of the derivatives. The key problem is to determine the correct degree of smoothing. Accuracy of derivative estimates can be very poor if the data is undersmoothed or oversmoothed. The method of generalized cross-validation in conjunction with smoothing splines has been shown, both theoretically and in Monte Carlo studies with synthetic data, to be an appropriate, accurate technique for estimating the optimum degree of smoothing from the data. Monte Carlo results and efficient numerical algorithms for estimating derivatives are described. This work appears in P. Craven and G. Wahba, Smoothing noisy data with spline functions, estimating the correct degree of smoothing by the method of generalized cross-validation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Statistics TR #445, October 1977.
51-OR: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HLA RESTRICTED MINOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS AND GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE IN PATIENTS FOLLOWING MATCHED UNRELATED PERIPHERAL BLOOD STEM CELL ALLOGRAFTS

Aim The goal of the study was to evaluate a correlation of an HLA restricted minor histocompatibility antigen (mHAg) with the development of graft versus host disease (GVHD). The objective was to assess whether testing for mHAgs should be done on a prospective basis, to guide donor selection and reduce the high incidence of GVHD in post-transplant allografts when treating hematologic malignancies. Methods A cohort of 45 patient/unrelated donor pairs, 10/10 HLA match, in the NCI protocol 07-C-0195 were typed for 18 mHAgs using an SSP-PCR typing kit (Minor Histocompatibility Antigen Typing Kit; Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA). GVHD data was obtained from the clinical protocol database. Patients were determined not evaluable if they relapsed or had residual disease requiring a donor lymphocyte infusion or additional chemotherapy. Due to clinical status, one patient could not be evaluated for acute or chronic GVHD. In addition, 4 patients could not be evaluated for chronic GVHD. Therefore, 44 out of 45 patients were evaluated for acute GVHD and 40 out of 45 patients for chronic GVHD. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test. Results Patients with mHAg mismatches were analyzed for both acute and chronic GVHD. Preliminary analysis demonstrates that out of the 45 patient/donor pairs, 30 pairs had mHAgs mismatched in the GVHD direction. 19 of the 30 patients (63%) with mismatches developed acute GVHD (P = 0.062) and 15 of the 30 patients (50%) with mismatches developed chronic GVHD (P = 0.061). Nine of these patients developed both acute and chronic GVHD. Conclusions Data suggests some correlation regarding mHAg mismatches and the development of GVHD. Further study and a larger cohort may allow a gauge for the efficacy of testing for the mHAgs on a prospective basis. Testing on a prospective basis could give clinicians more knowledge to select donors with a favorable mHAg constellation to reduce the risk of their transplant patients developing GVHD.
Fungal pathogens for arthropod pest control in orchard systems: mycoinsecticidal approach for pear psylla control

This paper reviews the research on entomopathogenic fungi in orchard systems and presents research on a mycoinsecticidal approach to an important pest of pear, the pear psylla. The review identifies the host-pathogen relationships that have been examined to date, the microbial formulation and application strategies that have been used, and the results that were obtained. The mycoinsecticides used in the pear psylla research were based on conidia of Beauveria bassiana (ARSEF #2860) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (ARSEF #2658). These were formulated into sprayable solutions containing water, 0.1% or 0.5% Ultrafine Sunspray oil (paraffinic oil) in water, or 0.1% acrylic polymer (StressguardTM) in water. Final spray solutions that contained 6 × 106 conidiospores/ml were applied to psylla nymph infested trees at a rate of 5.39 × 1013 conidiospores/ha during the 1993--1995 seasons. In addition, two commercial formulations of B. bassiana, GHA from Mycotech and Naturalis L from Fermone Corp., were mixed in water at the same conidiospore application rates as the other fungal isolates. Single applications of the ARSEF fungal strain/formulation combinations produced psylla nymphal mortalities that ranged from 18.2--37.1%, but the results varied with formulation. Conidia formulated with acrylic polymers in water caused significantly higher mortalities several days earlier than either the water or water and oil combination in 1993. However, no significant differences among pathogen/formulation combinations occurred in 1994 or 1995. The performance of Naturalis L was comparable to the ARSEF fungal strain/formulation combinations with peak nymphal mortalities of 34.1%, while GHA produced a significantly lower peak mortality of only 10.8%. However, because of the low conidiospore concentrations in the Naturalis L formulation, final spray solutions contained nearly 25% of the oil-like carrier. Thus, psylla mortalities may not have been entirely attributed to mycosis. Based on the results from the ARSEF fungal formulations, a mycoinsecticidal approach to pear psylla management could be a useful component in an integrated pest management program for pear.
A hard way to the nucleus.

As a member of the Retrovirus family, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a causative agent of AIDS, replicates by integrating its genome into the host cell’s nuclear DNA. However, in contrast to most retroviruses that depend on mitotic dissolution of the nuclear envelope to gain access to the host cell’s genome, the HIV pre-integration complex can enter the nucleus of the target cell during the interphase. Such capacity greatly enhances HIV replication and allows the virus to productively infect terminally differentiated nonproliferating cells, such as macrophages. Infection of macrophages is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of diseases caused by HIV-1 and other lentiviruses. The mechanisms responsible for this unusual feature of HIV have enticed researchers since the early 90s, when the first characterization of the HIV-1 pre-integration complex was reported. Several viral factors, including matrix protein, integrase, viral protein R, and central DNA flap, have been proposed as regulators of HIV-1 nuclear import, only to be later shown as nonessential for this process. As a result, after more than a decade of intense research, there is still no consensus on which HIV-1 and cellular proteins control this critical step in HIV-1 replication. In this review, we will discuss recent advances and suggest possible solutions to the controversial issue of HIV-1 nuclear import.
Complications in de quervain surgery; the importance of multi-disciplinaryteam approach before and after surgery

Complications in de quervain surgery the importance of multi disciplinaryteam approach before and after surgery
Superconducting Current Leads Under Pulsed Current Conditions

Cryogenic superconducting devices such as a Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage device can require current leads that must operate under conditions where the current is delivered in pulses. The focus of this paper was to observe the electrical and thermal behavior of conduction-cooled superconducting current leads in hopes to develop a better understanding of normal zone propagation when pulsed currents are applied for future design purposes. Leads made of copper tubing soldered in parallel to 2-G HTS tape were made to allow the normal zone propagation to be observed. The leads were evacuated and connected to a power source at one end and the cold finger of a cryocooler at the other end. The test fixture allowed for the temperature and voltage distribution measurements to be made. Pulsed dc current was supplied to allow the observation of lead response as a function of current level for different ramp cycles. A transient 1-D numerical model was also developed to calculate the current lead temperature in space and time. The lead dimensions used in the model match those used in the experiment. Results of the experiment validate the numerical model and are used to develop a better understanding of the thermal and electrical properties of superconducting current leads under pulsed conditions.
Bilateral internal thoracic artery versus radial artery multi-arterial bypass grafting: a report from the STS database†.

OBJECTIVES Multi-arterial bypass grafting with bilateral internal thoracic (BITA-MABG) or radial (RA-MABG) arteries improves long-term survival, but its increased complexity raises perioperative safety concerns. We compared perioperative outcomes of RA-MABG and BITA-MABG using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (STS-ACSD). METHODS We analysed the 2004-2015 BITA-MABG and RA-MABG experience in STS-ACSD. Primary end points were operative mortality (OM) and deep sternal wound infections (DSWI). Risk-adjusted odds ratios [AOR (95% confidence interval)] were derived via multivariable logistic regression. Sensitivity analyses were done in patient sub-cohorts and based on institutional BITA-utilization rates ( 40%). RESULTS Eighty-five thousand nine hundred five RA-MABG (82.5% men; 61 years) and 61 336 BITA-MABG (85.1% men; 59 years) patients were analysed; 41.6% of BITA-MABG and 27.3% of RA-MABG cases came from institutions with low MABG utilization rates ( 20% of all cases for OM and ≥40% for DSWI. CONCLUSIONS This analysis of the STS-ACSD showed that RA-MABG is a generally safer form of multi-arterial coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. However, this advantage is mitigated at institutions with substantial BITA experience.
Review of Brazil and climate change beyond the Amazon

Brazil and climate change beyond the Amazon, by Eduardo Viola and Matias Franchini. Routledge, 2018.
Should Future Variability Modeling Languages Express Constraints in OCL

Since the mid-2000s, Propositional Logic (PL) has been the de facto language to express constraints in Feature Models (FMs) of Software Product Line (SPLs). PL was adequate because product configurations were formed by binary decisions including or not including features in a product. Inspired by both prior research and practical systems (eg., SPLs that use KConfig), future FMs must go beyond PL and admit numerical (and maybe even text) variables and their constraints.The Object Constraint Language (OCL) is a general-purpose declarative constraint language for Model Driven Engineering (MDE), which admits virtually any kind of variable and constraint in metamodels. We should expect future FMs to be examples of MDE metamodels. This raises a basic question: Should OCL be used to express constraints of future variability modeling language(s)?In this talk, I outline the pros and cons for doing so.
Complexity Theory and L2 Motivation

Hiver and Papi explore the contribution of applying complexity theory (CDST) to theoretical and empirical work on L2 motivation. Through a review of relevant conceptual tools and principles of complexity, the chapter first examines the ways in which a foundation in CDST has informed theory and practice in L2 motivation. These principles are illustrated through examples of recent and ongoing research from a dynamic and situated perspective. Extending this discussion to methodological considerations, the chapter details the utility of CDST as an aid to designing L2 motivation research that prioritizes adaptive and developmental processes. Rounding off the chapter is a proposal for guiding principles for future L2 motivation research designed to correspond with the conceptual tools and principles introduced at the outset of the chapter.
Reinforcement Learning via Fenchel-Rockafellar Duality.

We review basic concepts of convex duality, focusing on the very general and supremely useful Fenchel-Rockafellar duality. We summarize how this duality may be applied to a variety of reinforcement learning (RL) settings, including policy evaluation or optimization, online or offline learning, and discounted or undiscounted rewards. The derivations yield a number of intriguing results, including the ability to perform policy evaluation and on-policy policy gradient with behavior-agnostic offline data and methods to learn a policy via max-likelihood optimization. Although many of these results have appeared previously in various forms, we provide a unified treatment and perspective on these results, which we hope will enable researchers to better use and apply the tools of convex duality to make further progress in RL.
From Infancy to Fancy: A Glimpse into the Evolutionary Journey of Podocytes in Culture

Podocytes are critical components of the filtration barrier and responsible for maintaining healthy kidney function. An assault on podocytes is generally associated with progression of chronic glomerular diseases. Therefore, podocyte pathophysiology is a favorite research subject for nephrologists. Despite this, podocyte research has lagged because of the unavailability of techniques for culturing such specialized cells ex vivo in quantities that are adequate for mechanistic studies. In recent years, this problem was circumvented by the efforts of researchers, who successfully developed several in vitro podocyte cell culture model systems that paved the way for incredible discoveries in the field of nephrology. This review sets us on a journey that provides a comprehensive insight into the groundbreaking breakthroughs and novel technologic advances made in the field of podocyte cell culture so far, beginning from its inception, evolution, and progression. In this study, we also describe in detail the pros and cons of different models that are being used to culture podocytes. Our extensive and exhaustive deliberation on the status of podocyte cell culture will facilitate researchers to choose wisely an appropriate model for their own research to avoid potential pitfalls in the future.
Electroceutically induced subthalamic high-frequency oscillations and evoked compound activity may explain the mechanism of therapeutic stimulation in Parkinson's disease.

Despite having remarkable utility in treating movement disorders, the lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms of high-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a main challenge in choosing personalized stimulation parameters. Here we investigate the modulations in local field potentials induced by electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) at therapeutic and non-therapeutic frequencies in Parkinson’s disease patients undergoing DBS surgery. We find that therapeutic high-frequency stimulation (130–180 Hz) induces high-frequency oscillations (~300 Hz, HFO) similar to those observed with pharmacological treatment. Along with HFOs, we also observed evoked compound activity (ECA) after each stimulation pulse. While ECA was observed in both therapeutic and non-therapeutic (20 Hz) stimulation, the HFOs were induced only with therapeutic frequencies, and the associated ECA were significantly more resonant. The relative degree of enhancement in the HFO power was related to the interaction of stimulation pulse with the phase of ECA. We propose that high-frequency STN-DBS tunes the neural oscillations to their healthy/treated state, similar to pharmacological treatment, and the stimulation frequency to maximize these oscillations can be inferred from the phase of ECA waveforms of individual subjects. The induced HFOs can, therefore, be utilized as a marker of successful re-calibration of the dysfunctional circuit generating PD symptoms. Ozturk et al investigate the modulations in local field potentials induced by electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) at therapeutic and nontherapeutic frequencies in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients undergoing DBS surgery. They find evidence to suggest that high-frequency STN-DBS tunes the neural oscillations to their healthy/treated state, similar to pharmacological treatment and thus could serve to recalibrate the dysfunctional circuitry generating PD symptoms.
Maternal Midpregnancy Leptin and Adiponectin Levels as Predictors of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Prenatal Cohort Study.

CONTEXT Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of conditions characterized by impaired social function and repetitive behaviors. Their etiology is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE This work aims to examine the associations of maternal second-trimester and cord blood leptin and adiponectin levels with ASDs in offspring. METHODS We used data from 1164 mother-child pairs enrolled in Project Viva, a prospective prebirth cohort. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the associations of leptin and adiponectin levels in maternal second-trimester blood and cord blood obtained at birth with ASDs. Additionally, we examined the association of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) as an exposure. Main outcome measures included doctor-diagnosed ASDs reported by mothers using questionnaires in midchildhood and early adolescence. RESULTS The cumulative incidence of ASDs was 3.4%. Maternal prepregnancy BMI (per 5 points) was positively associated with ASDs in a logistic regression model adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity, education, smoking status and child sex (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06-1.79). Higher second-trimester adiponectin was associated with lower odds of ASD in offspring (unadjusted OR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30-0.78; and OR 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.91 after adjusting for maternal race/ethnicity, education, child sex, OR 0.55; 95% CI, 0.33-0.93 after adjusting for BMI, gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, and smoking status). Maternal leptin and cord blood leptin and adiponectin levels were not associated with ASDs. CONCLUSION Prepregnancy BMI and adiponectin during pregnancy may be useful as a tool to monitor the risk of autism. Increasing adiponectin levels prenatally may play a role in the prevention of ASDs.
Feeding value improvement of corn-ethanol co-product and soybean hull by fungal fermentation: Fiber degradation and digestibility improvement

Abstract Fungal pre-treatment and fermentation could improve nutritional value of wet corn distillers’ grains and solubles (WDGS), soybean hull (SH), and their blend in swine and poultry diets, which can potentially increase revenues for corn-ethanol and soybean processing industries while reducing feed cost in swine and poultry production systems. This study evaluated the effectiveness of pre-treatment of SH, WDGS, and their mixture by Trichoderma reesei and fermentation by Aspergillus oryzae to improve the nutritional profile and digestibility of these ingredients. T. reesei produced cellulase and xylanase, resulting in structural carbohydrates reduction by 69.2% while concentrating amino acids from 6.8% to 11% in SH. Fermentation with A. oryzae degraded phytate by over 50% and improved in vitro digestibility of amino acids in WDGS and its mixture with SH. Fermenting T. reesei pre-treated SH by A. oryzae showed higher in vitro dry matter digestibility than non-fermented substrate. Moreover, the proportion of key amino acids (arginine, threonine, methionine, and lysine) in both T. reesei and A. oryzae fermented substrates were significantly improved. The results demonstrated the feasibility of combining T. reesei and A. oryzae in improving feeding value of WDGS and SH for potential use as feed ingredients for monogastric animals.
A “Windowless” X-Ray Fluorescence Tube and a High-Resolution Diffractometer

A system is described whereby X-ray fluorescence analysis of elements below atomic number 19 (potassium) is undertaken with a “windowless” demountable X-ray tube. Comparison is made with 100-µ- and 30-µ-thick beryllium windows. Deflection plates are required before or behind the sample to eliminate scattered electrons. A high-resolution X-ray diffractometer is also described by making use of a fine focal line on the target. Burn-through due to localized heating on the target is eliminated by using a thermocouple arrangement.
Intracellular oxygen microelectrodes.

In this presentation the work of many associates of mine will be discussed, most notably Dr. Pankajam Nair. I will say little about the construction of the micro O2 electrode since the method is essentially the same as has been published (7). Rather, I will first briefly discuss tests of its reliability and new calibration techniques; then some of our recent findings.
Chemotactic Factor Inactivation by the Myeloperoxidase-Hydrogen Peroxide-Halide System: AN INFLAMMATORY CONTROL MECHANISM

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes may modulate the acute inflammatory response by the secretion of enzymes capable of inactivating mediators of inflammation. The ability of the myeloperoxidase-H(2)O(2)-halide system of the neutrophil to inactivate chemoattractants was examined using both a radioassay and a morphologic assay of chemotaxis. Incubation of either a complement-derived agent, C5a, or a synthetic formyl-methionyl peptide chemoattractant with the myeloperoxidase system for 15 min at 37 degrees C resulted in essentially complete loss of chemotactic activity. Inactivation was dependent on enzymatically active myeloperoxidase, H(2)O(2) or a peroxide-generating enzyme system, and a halide cofactor. It was blocked by agents which inhibit peroxidase (azide) or degrade H(2)O(2) (catalase). Inactivation of chemoattractants was time-dependent, reaching maximal levels within 1-5 min, and temperature-dependent with no significant inactivation occurring at 0 degrees C. H(2)O(2) alone had no significant inactivating ability at concentrations as high as 10 mM, whereas in the presence of myeloperoxidase and a halide, 0.1 muM H(2)O(2) showed significant activity and 10 muM H(2)O(2) caused complete inactivation. On a molar basis, the order of effectiveness of the halide cofactors was Br(-) > I(-) > Cl(-), although only chloride was fully active at physiologic concentrations. Neutrophils stimulated by phagocytosis or by membraneperturbing agents secrete enzymatic constituents, including myeloperoxidase, and metabolic products such as H(2)O(2). Thus, it is suggested that the myeloperoxidase system acting at an extracellular site serves as an inflammatory control mechanism by virtue of its ability to inactivate neutrophil chemoattractants.
DNA Alkylating Therapy Induces Tumor Regression through an HMGB1-Mediated Activation of Innate Immunity

Dysregulation of apoptosis is associated with the development of human cancer and resistance to anticancer therapy. We have previously shown in tumor xenografts that DNA alkylating agents induce sporadic cell necrosis and regression of apoptosis-deficient tumors. Sporadic tumor cell necrosis is associated with extracellular release of cellular content such as the high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein and subsequent recruitment of innate immune cells into the tumor tissue. It remained unclear whether HMGB1 and the activation of innate immunity played a role in tumor response to chemotherapy. In this study, we show that whereas DNA alkylating therapy leads to a complete tumor regression in an athymic mouse tumor xenograft model, it fails to do so in tumors deficient in HMGB1. The HMGB1-deficient tumors have an impaired ability to recruit innate immune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, and NK cells into the treated tumor tissue. Cytokine array analysis reveals that whereas DNA alkylating treatment leads to suppression of protumor cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13, loss of HMGB1 leads to elevated levels of these cytokines upon treatment. Suppression of innate immunity and HMGB1 using depleting Abs leads to a failure in tumor regression. Taken together, these results indicate that HMGB1 plays an essential role in activation of innate immunity and tumor clearance in response to DNA alkylating agents.