cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in Prostate Cancer in the United States

In the United States, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non–skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. The American Cancer Society estimates that 241 740 American men will be diagnosed with the disease and 28 170 men will die of it in 2012. Prostate cancer demographics have changed dramatically over the past 30 years. The prostate cancer age-adjusted incidence rate increased through the 1980s and peaked in the early to mid-1990s. The incidence rate has declined since. American mortality rates rose through the 1980s and peaked in 1991. Today, the American incidence rates are below 1975 levels. Both the incidence rate and the 5-year survival rates are heavily influenced by the introduction of serum prostate-specific antigen test and the widespread use of it in cancer screening. The effect of screening on prostate cancer mortality is less certain. Screening has caused a dramatic increase in the number and proportion of men diagnosed with localized disease. Outcomes studies among men treated with radical prostatectomy show that greater than 30% serum prostate-specific antigen relapse rates are common. This suggests that many men who are diagnosed with “localized early stage disease” actually have “apparently localized early stage disease,” which is really low-volume metastatic disease.
FSH Regulates mRNA Translation in Mouse Oocytes and Promotes Developmental Competence

A major challenge in assisted reproductive technology is to develop conditions for in vitro oocyte maturation yielding high-quality eggs. Efforts are underway to assess whether known hormonal and local factors play a role in oocyte developmental competence and to identify the molecular mechanism involved. Here we have tested the hypothesis that FSH improves oocyte developmental competence by regulating the translational program in the oocyte. Accumulation of oocyte proteins (targeting protein for the Xenopus kinesin xklp2 and IL-7) associated with improved oocyte quality is increased when cumulus-oocyte complexes are incubated with FSH. This increase is due to enhanced translation of the corresponding mRNAs, as indicated by microinjection of constructs in which the 3' untranslated region of the Tpx2 or Il7 transcripts is fused to the luciferase reporter. A transient activation of the phosphatidyl-inositol 3-phosphate/AKT cascade in the oocyte preceded the increase in translation. When the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is down-regulated in follicular cells, the FSH-induced rate of maternal mRNA translation and AKT activation were lost, demonstrating that the effects of FSH are indirect and require EGF receptor signaling in the somatic compartment. Using Pten(fl/fl):Zp3cre oocytes in which the AKT is constitutively activated, translation of reporters was increased and was no longer sensitive to FSH stimulation. More importantly, the oocytes lacking the phosphate and tensin homolog gene showed increased developmental competence, even when cultured in the absence of FSH or growth factors. Thus, we demonstrate that FSH intersects with the follicular EGF network to activate the phosphatidyl-inositol 3-phosphate/AKT cascade in the oocyte to control translation and developmental competence. These findings provide a molecular rationale for the use of FSH to improve egg quality.
Critical points of failure in the therapy of cancer of the cervix

Summary 1. Of 250 patients with recurrences of all types of cervical cancer only 5 were salvaged. 2. Survival curves show it to be of value to treat patients with central pelvic recurrence and possibly some with deep pelvic recurrence both with respect to increased survival time and also to cure. 3. Patients with rectal and bladder involvement had a slightly increased survival time with treatment but no cures were obtained. 4. It is pointless (with present methods of therapy) to treat patients with distant spread or peripheral pelvic spread. 5. The significance of metastases in special sites is analyzed and the failure of clinical methods to locate recurrences accurately is emphasized. 6. The most common site of recurrence is in the deep pelvic tissues, i.e., the parametria and uterosacral ligaments. It is evident that methods of primary treatment should be reexamined with respect to their effectiveness in treating these areas.
INHIBITION BY ACTINOMYCIN D OF BONE RESORPTION INDUCED BY PARATHYROID HORMONE OR VITAMIN A.

SummaryActinomycind inhibits cell proliferation in control cultures of embryonic bone and prevents the stimulation of bone resorption by parathyroid hormone (pth) or vit. a. with a dose of 0.004 μg/ml of actinomycin d, pth effects are only partially inhibited and this inhibition can be overcome by increasing the dose of pth. these findings suggest that these agents act competitively.
Overcoming the Inherent Alkylation Selectivity of 2,3-trans-3,4-cis-Trisubstituted Cyclopentanones

Some ketones, especially 2,3-trans-3,4-cis-trisubstituted cyclopentanones, have strong inherent preferences to react through their less-substituted enolates, with neither kinetic nor thermodynamic conditions being able to selectively functionalize their more-substituted enolate isomers. Herein we report a synthetic strategy to overcome this limitation and selectively access the more-substituted alkylation products of these ketones. The strategy’s key feature is to utilize a MeOCH2O group to temporarily block the more-reactive α position and to direct the ketone to react through its inherently less-reactive enolate isomer. The products formed by this strategy are useful synthetic intermediates on the path to multiple families of natural products.
Response of the Human Lens to a Sudden, Startling Stimulus

SummaryAppropriate sudden stimuli, such as an electric shock on the hand or a loud noise, causes the human lens to become momentarily more hypermetropic. Since this effect is always accompanied by dilation of the pupil and may be accompanied by change in skin resistance, increase in heart rate, and decrease in foot volume, it, too, is thought to be a result of sympathetic stimulation.
Aggregation by alatae of Toxoptera citricida (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The behavior of alate Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy) colonizing newly expanding citrus terminals ( Citrus aurantium L.) was examined in greenhouse cages. Alates consistently preferred particular trees, and particular terminals, across experimental trials in which the same trees were repeatedly exposed to different groups of alates. Certain cage positions tended to recruit more alates than others, an effect attributed to positive phototaxis by the alatae. The data displayed a clumped distribution with coefficients of dispersion among trees ranging from 2.4–4.1. Frequencies deviated significantly from the Poisson distribution, with significantly more terminals than expected with ‘zero’ alates and ‘5 or more’ alates. In choice experiments, alates preferred to settle on trees infested with conspecific aphids than on uninfested trees and expressed a preference for joining alate-founded colonies over apterous-founded colonies. The adaptive significance of this behavior is discussed in the context of the aphid’s biology and ecology.
Dimethyl fumarate selectively reduces memory T cells in multiple sclerosis patients

Background:Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) alters the phenotype of circulating immune cells and causes lymphopenia in a subpopulation of treated multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.Objective:To phenotypically characterize circulating leukocytes in DMF-treated MS patients.Methods:Cross-sectional observational comparisons of peripheral blood from DMF-treated MS patients (n = 17 lymphopenic and n = 24 non-lymphopenic), untreated MS patients (n = 17) and healthy controls (n = 23); immunophenotyped using flow cytometry. Longitudinal samples were analyzed for 13 DMF-treated patients.Results:Lymphopenic DMF-treated patients had significantly fewer circulating CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, CD56dim natural killer (NK) cells, CD19+ B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells when compared to controls. CXCR3+ and CCR6+ expression was disproportionately reduced among CD4+ T cells, while the proportion of T-regulatory (T-reg) cells was unchanged. DMF did not affect circulating CD56hi NKcells, monocytes or myeloid dendritic cells. Whether ...
Chemical changes in rat leg muscle by phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance

Phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectra at 145 MHz were obtained with a surface coil from the gastrocnemius-plantaris muscles of anesthetized rats. Phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) contents and intracellular pH were measured before, during, and after periods of contractile activity induced by twitch or tetanic stimulation of the sciatic nerve. Reduced levels of PCr, increased levels of Pi, and intracellular acidification were achieved in a graded fashion with increased rates of twitch stimulation from 2 to 10 Hz without detectable changes in the ATP content. In all cases, the decrease in PCr was matched by a stoichiometric increase in Pi content. The time constant of resynthesis of PCr averaged 30 s, was five times faster than the restoration of intracellular pH to control levels, and was independent of the degree of intracellular acidosis at the beginning of recovery.
Mapping changing distributions of dominant species in oil-contaminated salt marshes of Louisiana using imaging spectroscopy

Abstract The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill was the largest coastal spill in U.S. history. Monitoring subsequent change in marsh plant community distributions is critical to assess ecosystem impacts and to establish future coastal management priorities. Strategically deployed airborne imaging spectrometers, like the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), offer the spectral and spatial resolution needed to differentiate plant species. However, obtaining satisfactory and consistent classification accuracies over time is a major challenge, particularly in dynamic intertidal landscapes. Here, we develop and evaluate an image classification system for a time series of AVIRIS data for mapping dominant species in a heavily oiled salt marsh ecosystem. Using field-referenced image endmembers and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA), we classified 21 AVIRIS images acquired during the fall of 2010, 2011 and 2012. Classification results were evaluated using ground surveys that were conducted contemporaneously to AVIRIS collection dates. We analyzed changes in dominant species cover from 2010 to 2012 for oiled and non-oiled shorelines. CDA discriminated dominant species with a high level of accuracy (overall accuracy = 82%, kappa = 0.78) and consistency over three imaging dates (overall 2010 = 82%, overall 2011 = 82%, overall 2012 = 88%). Marshes dominated by Spartina alterniflora were the most spatially abundant in shoreline zones (≤ 28 m from shore) for all three dates (2010 = 79%, 2011 = 61%, 2012 = 63%), followed by Juncus roemerianus (2010 = 11%, 2011 = 19%, 2012 = 17%) and Distichlis spicata (2010 = 4%, 2011 = 10%, 2012 = 7%). Marshes that were heavily contaminated with oil exhibited variable responses from 2010 to 2012. Marsh vegetation classes converted to a subtidal, open water class along oiled and non-oiled shorelines that were similarly situated in the landscape. However, marsh loss along oil-contaminated shorelines doubled that of non-oiled shorelines. Only S. alterniflora dominated marshes were extensively degraded, losing 15% (354,604 m 2 ) cover in oiled shoreline zones, suggesting that S. alterniflora marshes may be more vulnerable to shoreline erosion following hydrocarbon stress, due to their landscape position.
002.6 A low-cost mobile naat platform for chlamydia trachomatis

We report the development of a low-cost mobile nucleic acid analysis platform (mobiLab) utilising a smartphone-enabled microfluidic device for streamlined analysis of biological samples. Using magnetic particles as a mobile solid phase for nucleic acid capture and transport, fluidic processing is simplified to particle translocation on a robust and scalable cartridge. Process integration facilitated by Bluetooth-enabled microcontrollers enables full control of the instrument by the user with a smartphone application. Each cartridge costs less than $2 using off-the-shelf reagents and materials, an order of magnitude cheaper than $9.98/test for a GeneXpert cartridge. The instrument utilises a microcontroller which controls the rotary bead manipulator, thermal incubation and Bluetooth-based communication with the smartphone application. Each assay consumes approximately 10% of the battery capacity, allowing up to 10 assays to be performed consecutively without access to a power outlet. We designed a single-stream loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to operate in tandem with the mobiLab platform. We tested the single-stream assay using plasmid targets and were able to capture and amplify 10 3 copies of gene targets. Absence of cross-reactivity with human genomic DNA or other vaginal flora was verified. The platform was validated by testing Chlamydia trachomatis infection from patient-collected vaginal swab samples. Volunteers enrolled in an internet-based Chlamydia screening program, where two sets of swabs were self-collected and mailed back to our lab. One set of swabs was analysed using the gold standard Gen-Probe AC2 CT assay. The second set of swabs was tested using the mobiLab platform. The two results were in agreement for 20 out of 20 samples at a time threshold of 30 min, demonstrating that the droplet assay performance is comparable to the gold standard for the samples tested. To our knowledge, this abstract presents the first smartphone-based NAAT platform that integrates sample preparation, amplification and data processing. Disclosure of interest statement None to disclose.
China and certification: A questionable future

The future of forest certification in China is a tenuous one. With the country embarking on a historic program of afforestation and reforestation, the progress of sustainable forestry is of a critical turning point. This article investigates the challenges and assesses the likelihood of forestry cerfification in China. Using Russia and Indonesia as case studies, it also looks at the possibilities of creating an international Chain of Custody in China. Finally, the skepticism of the Chinese business community is discussed.
Ibudilast for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by inflammatory demyelination and progressive axonal loss. Clinically, this is manifest as relapsing and remitting neurological symptoms and progressive accumulation of disability. Ibudilast is a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor which works by blocking the cleavage of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). It has been found to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in animal studies and in-vitro studies; it is currently being studied in progressive MS.Areas covered: This article reviews various studies looking at ibudilast as a potential therapy for MS. It summarizes prior and current clinical trials of ibudilast in MS as well as its pharmacology.Expert opinion: Although ibudilast has not been found to decrease the focal inflammatory activity in relapsing MS, it was shown to have an effect on preserving brain volume and disability progression. Ibudilast may have ...
The Contribution of Vehicle Safety Standards to Traffic Safety

According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s Motor Vehicle Safety 1979 the contribution of national policy to traffic safety is substantial. The Federal safety standards and programs for highway and motor vehicle safety that have been instituted since 1966 have combined to reduce the fatality rate (number of deaths per 100 million vehicle miles driven) by 39 percent. In other words, a motorist today can drive more than 1,600 miles with the same degree of risk as someone who drove 1,000 miles in 1966. This improvement has come about despite large increases in traffic that could have sent the death rate higher—registered motor vehicles up 67 percent; licensed drivers up 42 percent; and vehicle miles driven up 65 percent.1 The message is clear: traffic safety policy has produced a sizable reduction in the risk of fatal accident despite the adverse effect of some demographic and economic trends.
Serve or Conserve: Mission, Strategy, and Multi-Level Nonprofit Change During the Great Recession

Change is frequently afoot in the nonprofit sector, both in the wider institutional environment in which nonprofits operate and within the organizations themselves. Environmental transformations—funding sources, supply and demand for collective goods, and administrative norms—create the circumstances in which organizations operate. Internally, change involves the alteration of goals, practices, and personnel. To explore how multiple aspects of change intersect across levels, we ask how organizations’ practices influence their experience of and reaction to changes in the environment. Turning open systems theories inside out, we argue that internal planning, routines, and missions give rise to organizational mindsets that imbue evolving environmental circumstances with meaning. We illustrate our argument using a unique longitudinal dataset of 196 representative 501(c)(3) public charities in the San Francisco Bay Area from 2005 to 2015 to assess both accelerators and obstacles of change. Empirically, we investigate predictors of organizational insolvency and the ability to serve constituents in the wake of the Great Recession. We find that strategic planning decreases the likelihood of insolvency whereas an orientation toward the needy increases spending. We conclude with our contributions to understanding of multi-level organizational change and nonprofit strategy.
The Therapeutic Relationship: Enhancing Referrals.

Purpose This article focuses on the ways rehabilitation nurses use the therapeutic relationship to lessen barriers some veterans experience when a referral to mental health treatment is recommended. Design Veterans presenting with posttraumatic stress symptoms are discussed, and possible interventions within the therapeutic relationship are proposed. Method Veterans' perception of mental health stigma, building a collaborative therapeutic relationship, recommending a referral and assessments of stress responses, posttraumatic stress symptoms, suicide risk, and intervention strategies are proposed. Findings When changes in functioning and suicidality occur in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, it is important to screen and engage veterans at risk. Conclusions and clinical relevance When veterans in the rehabilitation process present with a need for mental health referral, barriers to treatment may include the stigma of mental health treatment. Rehabilitation nurses using the therapeutic relationship act as change agents to assist veterans in overcoming these barriers to treatment. The therapeutic relationship provides nurses with a foundation to provide opportunities for veterans to be supported and to seek treatment.
Improved Folding Yields of a Model Protein Using Protein Disulfide Isomerase

Purpose. To study the effects of recombinant human protein disulfide isomerase (rhPDI) concentration, reduced glutathione:oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH:GSSG) and temperature on the efficiency of oxidative folding of a model protein, recombinant human interleukin 2 (C125A mutation) (C125A rhIL-2).
As nature evolves, so too does MPA management need to evolve

Over the last 50 years, the degradation of 60% of the world’s major marine ecosystems has led to a decline in marine biodiversity of 49% (Living Planet Index 2014). With the cumulative economic imp...
A Ground Motion Prediction Model for Average Spectral Acceleration

This study presents a ground motion prediction model that directly estimates the median and dispersion of Saavg, defined as the geometric mean of 5%-damped pseudo-acceleration ordinates of oscillat...
Groundwater discharge dynamics into a salt marsh tidal river

Abstract Exchange of groundwater is an important transfer mechanism for nutrients and pollutants between coastal aquifers and surface waters. Constraining such exchange in salt marshes - where biological productivity and biogeochemical cycling rates are among the highest of all coastal ecosystems – is vital for understanding ecosystem function and vulnerability. Here, we quantify groundwater discharge into the tidal Duplin River from the adjoining salt marsh near Sapelo Island, Georgia using high spatial and temporal resolution field measurements of radon-222. Field campaigns occurred for several weeks each summer during 2013, 2015, and 2016. Spatial surveys reveal a general increase in radon activity upstream through the Duplin River, which may result from either higher groundwater discharge or lower mixing rates in the headwaters. To distinguish between these possibilities, we use a radon mass balance model to determine groundwater input. We find that groundwater discharge (normalized to inundated marsh surface area) to the headwaters average 5.1–5.8 cm3/cm2 marsh/day across all three field campaigns, which are comparable to those to the main channel (averaging 6.0–6.5 cm3/cm2 marsh/day across all three field campaigns). Our work reveals a positive relationship between aerial extent of marsh inundation and groundwater discharge into the Duplin River. Discharge is generally maximal during falling tide, reflecting a hydraulic gradient driver, but also is significant prior to high tide, indicative of sediment compression as a driver of groundwater inputs. Constraining the relationship between marsh inundation and resulting groundwater dynamics is an integral aspect to assessing how salt marsh circulation processes may respond to intensifying inundation (from reduced sediment supply, subsidence, and/or rising sea levels).
Coupled CFD and chemical-kinetics simulations of cellulosic-biomass enzymatic hydrolysis: Mathematical-model development and validation

Abstract Computational simulations of cellulosic-biomass enzymatic hydrolysis using a computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) model coupled to a chemical-kinetics model are presented in this work. A time-step sub-cycling strategy was used to circumvent large disparities in time scales with respect to transport physics and chemical kinetics. The unknown reaction and transport parameters in the mathematical model were first fit to two canonical experiments: a well-mixed case that was limited by reaction kinetics and a settled-solids case that was limited by transport. The model was then validated against a benchtop experiment for an intermediate-mixing scenario, for which simulation results were in reasonable agreement with experimentally measured cellulose conversions. Settling of cellulose particles and diffusion of enzymes determine overall conversion rates for lower mixing rates, while reaction rates dominate conversion at higher mixing rates for which greater homogenization of substrates is achieved.
Phononic Band Structure Engineering for High- Q Gigahertz Surface Acoustic Wave Resonators on Lithium Niobate

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) serving as universal interfaces are intriguing for hybrid systems with classical and quantum components. This study demonstrates a method for designing a high-quality SAW resonator using phononic band structure engineering. The SAW resonator presents a quality factor $Q$ g 104 at gigahertz frequencies, yielding a figure of merit (the product of frequency and $Q$) of 10${}^{13}$ at room temperature. Improvements in $Q$ at cryogenic temperatures are also observed. The presented methodology paves the way for hybrid classical-quantum phonon networks.
“How can a river be red?” Violent petroculture in Chigozie Obioma’s The Fishermen

Chigozie Obioma’s 2015 novel The Fishermen does not directly address oil extraction in the Niger River Delta, or the activism of Ken Saro-Wiwa who would have been executed during the time-present o...
Electronic coherence lifetimes of the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex and light harvesting complex II

The study of coherence between excitonic states in naturally occurring photosynthetic systems offers tantalizing prospects of uncovering mechanisms of efficient energy transport. However, experimental evidence of functionally relevant coherences in wild-type proteins has been tentative, leading to uncertainty in their importance at physiological conditions. Here, we extract the electronic coherence lifetime and frequency using a signal subtraction procedure in two model pigment-protein-complexes (PPCs), light harvesting complex II (LH2) and the Fenna-Matthews-Olson complex (FMO), and find that the coherence lifetimes occur at the same timescale (<100 fs) as energy transport between states at the energy level difference equal to the coherence energy. The pigment monomer bacteriochlorophyll a (BChla) shows no electronic coherences, supporting our methodology of removing long-lived vibrational coherences that have obfuscated previous assignments. This correlation of timescales and energy between coherences and energy transport reestablishes the time and energy scales that quantum processes may play a role in energy transport.
Construct Validity of the Wisc-III Verbal and Performance Factors for Black Special Education Students

The underlying factor structure of the revised edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) was consistently found to be comparable between regular and special education students as well as across Anglo, Black, and Hispanic populations. A commensurate research base across exceptionality and ethnic group has not been established for the recently published third edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III), making it vital that information regarding the psychometric properties of the WISC-III among diverse groups of children be collected. This study examines the factor structure of the 10 WISC-III core subtests among a sample of Black students receiving special education services. Results provided evidence of a large, first principal factor as well as the expected Verbal and Performance factors. Implications for psychologists are presented, and recommendations for future research are provided.
Make America meme again: the rhetoric of the Alt-right

The lead up to the 2016 US Presidential Election proved to be a masterclass in unconventional, albeit effective, persuasive tactics that bucked political tradition. Given the evolving nature and ev...
Treprostinil improves hemodynamics and symptoms in children with mild pulmonary hypertension awaiting heart transplantation.

Background Treprostinil, a prostacyclin analog, is a safe and effective therapy for children with PAH; however, the use of this agent in children with mild PVR elevations related to HF, including those with SV congenital heart disease awaiting HT, is understudied. We describe the hemodynamic and symptomatic changes in pediatric patients awaiting HT treated with treprostinil. Methods Single-center retrospective review of all patients was listed for HT who received treprostinil during the listing period. Changes in hemodynamic and functional indices between the baseline catheterization (prior to drug initiation), and prior to HT, and patient outcomes were analyzed. Results Among 16/17 (94%) who survived to HT, 8 (50%) were female, and 10 (63%) had SV physiology. The median age at drug initiation was 9 (IQR: 1, 14) years. The median duration of therapy prior to HT was 253 (IQR: 148, 504) days. Treprostinil significantly decreased PVR (3.8 vs 3.1 WU, P = .03), while mLA or mPCW pressure did not change (11 vs 13 mm Hg, P = .9). HF symptoms improved in 9/15 (60%) patients without VAD support prior to drug initiation, including 4/10 (40%) who did not receive a VAD any point while awaiting HT. Conclusions Treprostinil may be used safely in patients with mild PAH awaiting HT, including those with SV disease. PVR falls without substantial increases in mLA/mPCW pressure. HF symptoms improve in some patients.
Comparing the Safety and Cost of Image-Guided Percutaneous Gastrostomy Tube Placement in the Outpatient Versus Overnight Observation Setting in a Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Rationale and Objectives Historically, patients undergoing image-guided percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement have been admitted overnight with feeds commencing 12–24 hours postprocedure. With new expedited feeding protocols starting 3–4 hours postprocedure, same-day discharge is now possible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and cost of image-guided percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement as an outpatient procedure. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, 131 patients (age 63.9 ± 11.6; 34% female) underwent gastrostomy tube placement as an outpatient procedure with expedited feeding protocol versus 40 patients (age 61.3 ± 12.6; 38% female) who were hospitalized overnight with feeds starting at 12–24 hours, primarily based on operator preference. The two groups were compared regarding complications within 90 days of procedure. Using a subgroup of 33 consecutive patients, procedural costs (total combined insurer and patient payments for professional and hospital services) for outpatients vs. hospitalized patients were compared. Results Complication rates were similar (p = 0.64) for gastrostomy tubes placed on outpatients (0.17 complications/procedure: 4 bleeding, 2 aspiration pneumonia, 1 abdominal abscess, 4 significant pain, 6 cellulitis, 1 surgical consult, 4 malpositioned/fractured tubes) and hospitalized patients (0.20 complications/procedure: 1 aspiration pneumonia, 1 significant pain, 3 cellulitis, 1 surgical consult, 2 fractured tubes). Total combined insurer and patient payments were similar ($2193/outpatient vs $2701/hospitalized patient; p= 0.52). Conclusion Outpatient image-guided percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement with an expedited feeding protocol is a safe and cost-comparable alternative to historic overnight hospitalization. Further prospective investigation with a larger sample is warranted.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Preventive Oral Health Care During Wave One

Introduction: Early childhood caries burdens children, their families, and the health care system. Utilizing fluoride varnish at medical well-child visits with non-dental primary care providers can be an interprofessional strategy to combat early childhood caries. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered preventive health care delivery and the effects on preventive oral health care delivery have not been previously described. Methods: This analysis used descriptive statistics and non-parametric Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney tests to compare preventive oral health utilization among 1- to 5-year old children in two state Medicaid agencies before and during the pandemic. Fluoride utilization rates at dental visits and medical well-child visits was calculated as number of users per 1000 enrolled children. Additionally, the proportion of well-child visits that included fluoride application was calculated for each state. Results: During the pandemic, fluoride utilization rate decreased at dental visits (pre-pandemic=153.5 per 1000 enrolled children; pandemic=36.1 per 1000 enrolled children; p<.001) and decreased at medical well-child visits (pre-pandemic=72.2 per 1000 enrolled children; pandemic=32.3 per 1000 enrolled children; p=.03) significantly decreased during the pandemic. However, the proportion of well-child visits that included fluoride application did not significantly change (pre-pandemic=26%; pandemic=20%; p=.2). Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of interprofessional collaboration among non-dental primary care providers and dental providers to provide access to preventive oral health services, particularly when access to dentists is limited. Future directions might include rigorous evaluations of co-located medical and dental services or the use of interprofessional telehealth technologies.
Twenty-First Century Solutions to Increase Medication Optimization and Safety in Kidney Transplant Patients.

In 2019, 7% of adult kidney transplant recipients experienced acute rejection within 1 year of transplant; a higher percentage (9%) was experienced by younger recipients (18–34 years old) ([1][1]). Optimizing immunosuppressant and other medications by improving adherence and preventing medication
Automatic Semivariogram Modeling by Convolutional Neural Network

Modeling the semivariogram to characterize spatial continuity requires expert geostatistical knowledge and domain expertise about the spatial phenomenon of interest. Moreover, although practitioners may have experience in semivariograms, their interpretations may vary due to experimental semivariogram noise and ambiguity. In general, modeling semivariograms remains highly subjective. This paper presents a data-driven, deep learning-based automated semivariogram modeling method known as automatic semivariogram modeling with convolution-based deep learning (ASMC) that improves the utilization of available spatial information to reduce the subjectivity of semivariogram modeling. Training models are generated by sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS) and labeled with their associated semivariogram parameters (i.e., maximum correlation length, aspect ratio of major and minor direction ranges, and azimuth of major direction). ASMC consists of two convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The first CNN model maps the sparse spatial samples to the exhaustive SGS-derived spatial models, and the second CNN maps the SGS spatial model to the semivariogram parameters. Both CNNs are trained with realistic spatial training data, and their validity is also checked with validation data withheld from training. Two-dimensional synthetic, but realistic, case studies demonstrate that the first CNN successfully learns the spatial characteristics among spatial data and generates realistic subsurface model estimates. The second CNN learns the spatial context of the estimated subsurface model and successfully predicts the semivariogram parameters with greater than 96% accuracy. The proposed machine, deep learning-based workflow improves the utilization and objectivity of spatial data in semivariogram-based spatial continuity modeling. With the optimal design of the experiment for training and tuning of model hyperparameters, this method may be generalized for application for a wide range of spatial modeling projects.
Young’s Inequality Sharpened

A quantitative stability result with an optimal exponent is established, concerning near-maximizers for Young’s convolution inequality for Euclidean groups.
Pincio y los Estados Unidos que no son los Estados Unidos

Lo neofantastico en Tommaso Pincio se distingue de lo fantastico posmoderno de nuestros escritores. Se basa en la realidad estadounidense contemporanea; la introduce en un proceso de elaboraciones enfaticas, mezclas, transfiguraciones, y la convierte en el simbolo de otro mundo, de un planeta extrano. Pincio llega a esta operacion creativa gracias a su conocimiento de las tradiciones y de las costumbres, de la historia, de la cultura y de la literatura de los Estados Unidos. De todo eso quiere darse una idea en este ensayo, analizando la segunda novela de Pincio, Spazio sfinito , en la que se representa a unos Estados Unidos que no son Estados Unidos.
A comparison of inhalational inductions for children in the operating room vs the induction room

Summary Background: There has been debate about the use of an induction room (IR) compared with an operating room (OR) for inhalational induction in children. The quality of the anesthesia induction between these two physical environments has not been studied previously. We sought to compare child distress, OR utilization and efficiency, and parental satisfaction and safety, between an IR and an OR. Methods: In a prospective observational study, we studied 501 developmentally appropriate children ages 1–14 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I–III, presenting for the inhalational induction of anesthesia, undergoing outpatient or outpatient-admit ENT surgery. Inductions were performed in an IR (IR group) or OR (OR group) with parent(s) present. Child behavioral compliance was assessed using the Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC), a validated observational scale from 0 to 10 consisting of 10 behaviors; an ICC score ≥4 was considered poor behavioral compliance. Times for transport, anesthesia start, ready for surgery, surgery finish, out of OR, and total case process times were recorded. OR utilization and OR efficiency was derived using these times. Data on number and experience of clinical providers were also collected. Parent satisfaction with the induction was measured using a satisfaction survey. Safety was measured by recording respiratory complications during induction. The chi-squared test was conducted to determine whether induction location was associated with level of behavioral compliance. A multivariable proportional odds model was used to control for risk factors. OR utilization and efficiency were analyzed using the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test. Results: There were no significant differences in ICC scores between the groups (P-value = 0.12). Anesthesia, nonoperative, and transport time were statistically less in the OR group when compared with the IR group, although total case process times were similar in both groups. While OR efficiency was significantly higher for the OR group (P-value = 0.0096), OR utilization did not differ between groups (P-value = 0.288). The OR group had a significantly higher number of anesthesia providers and a more experienced surgical team. Parents in the two groups were equally satisfied with their experience during induction, and none of the subjects had respiratory complications during the anesthesia induction. Conclusions: We found no differences in child distress, parent satisfaction, and respiratory complications between inductions conducted in the IR vs the OR. Differences in utilization, efficiency, and turnover were minimal and not operationally significant. Capital equipment, space, and staffing strategies should be key drivers in considerations for the use of IRs, and in the design of ORs with IRs.
Give It Your Best Shot: Favorite Lectures from Agile Teachers

College instructors are incorporating agile methods into their courses throughout the curriculum. Industrial trainers are focusing on effective ways of introducing agile techniques to their clients. We now have a significant amount of experience from which to draw upon for adding agile to our courses. This panel brings together four experienced teachers of agile methods to present their most effective techniques for teaching one or more agile practices to their class members. Each panelist will present a 10-15 minute mini-lecture and explain why they find it to be their most effective. After the presentations there will be a half hour question-and-answer period with time for discussions with the panelists. Audience members will be encouraged to discuss their experiences with the type of teaching presented by the panelists, and share their own favorite techniques.
Diagnostic yield of dual-phase computed tomography enterography in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy.

Background and Aim: In patients with obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, capsule endoscopy is widely used to determine the source of bleeding. However, there is currently no consensus on how to further evaluate patients with obscure GI bleeding with a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy examination. This study aims to determine the diagnostic yield of dual-phase computed tomographic enterography (CTE) in patients with obscure GI bleeding and a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy. Methods: Patients with obscure GI bleeding who were referred for capsule endoscopy were prospectively enrolled. Obscure GI bleeding was defined as overt if there was obvious GI bleeding; otherwise it was defined as occult. Patients with a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy and no contraindications underwent a CTE. Results: Capsule endoscopy was performed in 52 patients; 26 patients (50%) had occult GI bleeding and 26 patients (50%) had overt GI bleeding. CTE was then performed in 25 of the 48 patients without a definitive source of bleeding seen on capsule endoscopy. The diagnostic yield of CTE was 0% (0/11) in patients with occult bleeding versus 50% (7/14) in patients with overt bleeding (P < 0.01). Using clinical follow up as the gold standard, for the 25 patients with a non-diagnostic capsule, CTE had a sensitivity of 33% (95% confidence interval 0.15, 0.56) and a specificity of 75% (95% confidence interval 0.22, 0.99). Conclusions: In patients with a non-diagnostic capsule endoscopy examination, CTE is useful for detecting a source of GI bleeding in patients with overt, but not occult, obscure GI bleeding.
Invasion by bacteriophage T5. I. Some basic kinetic features.

Abstract Several factors have been found to influence the kinetics of invasion of Escherichia coli F by phage T5. A process called stabilization, defined as the transition of early phage-bacterium complexes from a state of “blendor-sensitive” to “blendor-resistant” infection, is accelerated by (1) decreasing bacterial concentration, (2) aeration, (3) increasing phage multiplicity. The same factors shorten the latent period of intracellular growth. The temporal relations between stabilization and latent period are discussed. At high bacterial concentration (about 5 × 10 9 per milliliter), the evolution of the complexes is arrested prior to stabilization. Some properties of the arrested complexes are described. In contrast with T2, the findings with T5 suggest a dependence of stabilization on the physiological state of the host cell.
Role of Calcium/Calmodulin-Mediated Processes in Protozoa

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the roles of calcium and calmodulin (CaM) in various protozoan systems and examines the structure of Tetrahymena CaM, its localization and cytology, and the regulation of specific enzyme systems. The presence of CaM in protozoa was first reported in Tetrahymena. While the structure of CaM is conserved in nature, Tetrahymena CaM possesses several unique structural characteristics that account for the biochemical and functional properties peculiar to this ciliate. CaM is a multifunctional protein with a molecular mass of 16,680 containing 148 amino acids, a high proportion of which are acidic residues. Following the stimulation of a cell, there is an increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration due to the movement of Ca2+ through channels in the plasma membrane or due to its release from intracellular organelles. Each CaM molecule can bind as many as four Ca2+. The binding of Ca2+ produces conformational changes to a more helical structure that exposes hydrophobic regions, which, in turn, can bind to and activate CaM-binding proteins. The CaM–Ca2+complex can function directly and rapidly on an effector system, such as the ATPase transport system, or indirectly and slowly on a regulatory system, such as a protein kinase.
Response to ‘Inhibiting renal sodium–glucose transport in diabetes: pass the salt’

We read with interest the letter by Zietse and Hoorn1 regarding their patient and the caution with the use of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) agents in such a setting. We are aware of the fact that these agents have the potential to cause volume depletion if not properly monitored. However, in the more typical clinical setting, it would be unusual to have a patient develop volume depletion simply from this agent. Similar to agents that block the renin–angiotensin system, it is appreciated that changes in volume status can adversely affect kidney function and may occur with any agent, including diuretics as well as the aforementioned classes in any patient.
The negative impact of single prolonged stress (SPS) on bone development in mice.

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) disrupts hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Given the established role of HPA axis hormones in regulating bone metabolism, we tested the hypothesis that traumatic stress has a negative impact on bone development. We employed a variant single prolonged stress (SPS) model in which several stressors were applied to three week old C57BL/6J mice. Compared to the controls, the stressed mice showed increased freezing behavior reminiscent of PTSD symptoms. At two weeks, bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (B area) and bone mineral density (BMD) in total body based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis were reduced by 10.2%, 7.0% and 3.6%, respectively. Micro-CT analysis of the metaphyseal region of the excised tibia revealed that SPS caused a deterioration of trabecular architecture with trabecular number (Tb.N), BV/TV, connectivity density (Conn-Den) decreasing 12.0%, 18.9%, 23.3% and trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), structure model index (S...
INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTORS (IGFs) STIMULATE VLA-4 INTEGRIN GENE EXPRESSION IN DIFFERENTIATING MOUSE SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Muscle cell differentiation is regulated not only by soluble growth factors, but also by cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and direct cell-cell interactions. VLA-4, a member of the integrin family of cell surface molecules involved in cell-ECM and cell-cell interactions, is expressed in skeletal myocytes and plays an important role in differentiation; antibodies to this integrin inhibit myogenesis. Interactions between growth factor signalling and integrin function, however, are not well understood. To explore potential interactions between the IGFs, known stimulators of myogenesis, and integrin expression in muscle cell differentiation, we examined the effects of IGFs on VLA-4 gene expression In mouse C2C12 and BC3H-1 skeletal muscle cells. Myoblasts were placed in serum-free medium and studied for up to 4 days In the absence or presence of 3-12 nM IGF-I, IGF-II, and [Leu27] IGF-II, an IGF-II analog with markedly reduced affinity for the IGF-I receptor but normal affinity for the IGF-II receptor. IGF-I caused a 3-4 fold increase in VLA-4 mRNA in comparison to untreated cells while IGF-II resulted in a 2-3 fold increase. [Leu27]IGF-II was 25-50% as potent as IGF-II in stimulating VLA-4 mRNA. When comparing the relative temporal expression of IGF-II (the principal IGF peptide expressed by muscle cells) with that of VLA-4 during differentiation, an increase in IGF-II mRNA preceded that of VLA-4 by approximately 24 h. These data suggest that IGFs, acting principally through the IGF-I receptor, stimulate muscle cell differentiation, at least in part, by Increasing expression of the VLA-4 integrin.
Information operations in Africa: An overlooked opportunity

With last year's activation of US African Command (AFRICOM), the United States will now address its security concerns for that turbulent continent with operations realigned under one command instead of three. Information operations will necessarily dominate the Department of Defense's activities in Africa - genocide, poverty, famine, epidemic and civil war are rarely if ever amenable to solution by direct armed intervention. Information Operations (IO) involves more than network and cyber operations, which is just one of its five core elements. IO also includes psychological operations, electronic warfare, operations security, and military deception. All of these will be important in AFRICOM, both in terms of their effectiveness and in their utility in the economy of force considerations that will be a permanent part of the security environment for the foreseeable future. This presentation considers the challenges and opportunities of IO in Africa from the point of view of culture, security, infrastructure, and level of development.