cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low power real-time programmable DSP development platform for digital hearing aids

This paper presents a new low power binaural wearable digital hearing aid platform based on the Texas Instruments TMS320C5000 fixed point digital signal processor. This platform is a real-time system capable of processing two input speech channels at a 32 kHz sampling rate for each channel and driving a stereo headphone output. It provides for frequency shaping, suppression, multiband amplitude compression, frequency dependent interaural time delay algorithms. Since the platform is a programmable solution capable of running at 1.8 V for MIPS intensive research and 1 V for actual hearing aid implementation, this platform will enable further research into improving the quality of life for the hearing impaired.
A Survey of Ethically Challenging Issues in Urological Practice

Purpose: We surveyed ethical attitudes among urological and nonurological practitioners, allowing for thought and discussion regarding ethical issues in a larger audience.Materials and Methods: With input from an academic urologist, a senior medical student and a hospital ethics committee member, a survey was created which asked for multiple choice responses to 3 demographic questions (practice type, age, location) and 10 ethically challenging clinical questions. Surveys were distributed online or via mail to 5 groups including academic urologists, urologists in private practice, medical students, hospital risk managers/attorneys and members of a bioethical society. Surveys were analyzed according to demographic variables.Results: Surveys were sent out to 1,447 individuals and 340 responses were received (24%). There were statistically significant differences in the responses to several questions based on practice type, age and practice location. There was a lack of consistency in answer choices with grea...
An ultrasonic technique for determining the elastic constants of glass wafers

A technique is described that determines the elastic constants for a glass wafer (or a wafer of any homogeneous, isotropic, elastic solid) by standing it on edge on two piezoceramic transducers and using pulses to excite resonant contour-mode vibrations in the wafer. One transducer excites the wafer into vibration with a grated sine wave and the second transducer senses when the wafer is driven at a resonant frequency by monitoring the decay transient of the pulsed resonant vibration. For a 10 cm (four inch) diameter wafer of 7740 glass, the resonances are in the range of 25 to 50 kHz. The application of the technique to determining the values of the elastic constants of Corning 7740 glass over the temperature range from -50 to 100 degrees C is described. >
Comparing air quality impacts of hydrogen and gasoline

This paper uses a lifecycle approach to analyze potential air quality impacts of hydrogen and gasoline use in light duty vehicles. The analysis is conducted for scenarios in 2005 and 2025 in Sacramento, California for CO, NOx, VOC, and PM10. Three natural gas-based hydrogen supply pathways are analyzed: onsite hydrogen production via small-scale steam methane reforming (SMR), central large-scale hydrogen production via SMR with gaseous hydrogen pipeline delivery, and central hydrogen production via SMR with liquid hydrogen truck delivery. These are compared to gasoline pathways with current and advanced technologies, in terms of lifecycle air quality impacts. The centralized/pipeline hydrogen pathway reduces pollution the most, followed by the onsite hydrogen production pathway and the centralized hydrogen production with liquid hydrogen truck delivery. Gasoline pathway scenarios, even with advanced new gasoline vehicles, would lead to much higher ambient concentrations of pollutants than any of the hydrogen pathways, producing 273 times greater CO, 88 times greater VOC, 8 times greater PM10, and 3.5 times greater NOx concentrations than those caused by the centralized/pipeline hydrogen pathway.
Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment: Psychosocial Factors and Treatment Outcomes

Background: This research explored how patients with surgical versus non-surgical periodontal treatment differ in trait anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and well-being on the day of surgery and in their reported pain and use of pain medication 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. In addition, it was investigated how psychosocial factors affected reported pain, use of pain medication, and wound healing.Methods: Data were collected from 70 dental patients (34 males and 36 females; average age: 54.79 years; SD = 13.206) on the day of their periodontal treatment and 2 and 4 weeks after this treatment. The psychosocial factors (i.e., trait anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and well-being) were measured with standardized scales. The patients' providers assessed their wound healing 2 weeks after treatment.Results: On the day of treatment, non-surgical patients had higher anxiety, depression, and stress, and poorer well-being than surgical patients. However, surgical patients reported a higher level of pain ...
Phenotypic Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus, Selected Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa after Single and Multiple In Vitro Exposures to Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, and Trovafloxacin

The phenotypic resistance of selected organisms to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and trovafloxacin was defined as a MIC of > or =4 microg/ml. The dynamics of resistance were studied after single and sequential drug exposures: clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were utilized. After a single 48-h exposure of a large inoculum to four times the initial MIC for the organism, the frequency of selection of resistant mutants of MSSA was greater for trovafloxacin than levofloxacin (P = 0.008); for E. cloacae, the frequency was highest for ciprofloxacin and lowest for levofloxacin and trovafloxacin; for S. marcescens, the frequency was highest for trovafloxacin and lowest for ciprofloxacin (P = 0.003). The results of serial passage experiments were analyzed both by the Kaplan-Meier product-limited method as well as by analysis of variance of mean inhibitory values. By both methods, MSSA and MRSA expressed mutants resistant to ciprofloxacin after fewer passages than were required for either levofloxacin or trovafloxacin. For the aerobic gram-negative bacilli, two general patterns emerged. Mutants resistant to trovafloxacin appeared sooner and reached higher mean MICs than did mutants resistant to levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin. Mutants resistant to ciprofloxacin appeared later and reached mean MICs lower than the MICs of the other two drugs studied. Even though individual strain variation occurred, the mean MICs were reproduced when the serial passage experiment was repeated using an identical panel of E. coli isolates. In summary, the dynamic selection of fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria can be demonstrated in experiments that employ serial passage of bacteria in vitro.
A semiparametric test to detect associations between quantitative traits and candidate genes in structured populations

Motivation: Although population-based association mapping may be subject to the bias caused by population stratification, alternative methods that are robust to population stratification such as family-based linkage analysis have lower mapping resolution. Recently, various statistical methods robust to population stratification were proposed for association studies, using unrelated individuals to identify associations between candidate genes and traits of interest. The association between a candidate gene and a quantitative trait is often evaluated via a regression model with inferred population structure variables as covariates, where the residual distribution is customarily assumed to be from a symmetric and unimodal parametric family, such as a Gaussian, although this may be inappropriate for the analysis of many real-life datasets. Results: In this article, we proposed a new structured association (SA) test. Our method corrects for continuous population stratification by first deriving population structure and kinship matrices through a set of random genetic markers and then modeling the relationship between trait values, genotypic scores at a candidate marker and genetic background variables through a semiparametric model, where the error distribution is modeled as a mixture of Polya trees centered around a normal family of distributions. We compared our model to the existing SA tests in terms of model fit, type I error rate, power, precision and accuracy by application to a real dataset as well as simulated datasets. Contact: meijuanl@biostat.umn.edu
Site Specific Controlled Release for Cardiovascular Disease: Translational Directions

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Despite tremendous progress in prophylaxis, diagnostics, and pharmacology of cardiovascular disorders, a number of disease states cannot be successfully treated even with the most sophisticated therapeutics. A significant part of the problem is a lack of adequate systems for the focal delivery of therapeutic agents to disease sites in the heart and blood vessels. Over the last 30 years, basic and translational research on the interface of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, physiology, biomaterials, and nanotechnology have made possible the emergence of clinical grade site specific controlled release devices, which have become standards of care in cardiovascular medicine. There are multiple advantages of controlled release systems for localized site specific treatments, including increased efficacy, reduced side effects, and favorable tissue scaffolding properties.
Near-ground-state transport of trapped-ion qubits through a multidimensional array

We have demonstrated transport of ${}^{9}$Be${}^{+}$ions through a two-dimensional Paul-trap array that incorporates an X junction, while maintaining the ions near the motional ground state of the confining potential well. We expand on the first report of the experiment in Blakestad et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 153002 (2009)], including a detailed discussion of how the transport potentials were calculated. Two main mechanisms that caused motional excitation during transport are explained, along with the methods used to mitigate such excitation. We reduced the motional excitation below the results in the above reference by a factor of approximately 50. The effect of a mu-metal shield on qubit coherence is also reported. Finally, we examined a method for exchanging energy between multiple motional modes on the few-quanta level, which could be useful for cooling motional modes without directly accessing the modes with lasers. These results establish how trapped ions can be transported in a large-scale quantum processor with high fidelity.
Apoptosis in the regulation of and function of T and B lymphocytes in inflammation

Lymphocytes (B and T cells) through their clonally unique receptors initiate specific responses to infection. T cells in particular can initiate apoptosis in cells expressing the appropriate antigen from an infectious agent, for example a virus that the T cells encounter. In addition, through both short and long-range effector mechanisms, T cells can contribute to apoptosis in non-infected cells. This action contributes to the overall inflammatory process. The extension of damage to non-infected cells represents an amplification analogous to other biological processes (e.g. blood clotting) whereby a carefully controlled, specific event can be expanded to effect a larger biological result. While both specific and non-specific apoptosis is important to control some pathogens, they can also be a source of pathology.
A Pilot Study of an Acceptance-Based Behavioral Intervention for Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery

Tens of thousands of bariatric surgery patients each year experience sub-optimal weight loss, significant regain, or both. Weight regain can contribute to a worsening of weight-related co-morbidities, and for some, leads to secondary surgical procedures. Poor weight outcomes have been associated with decreased compliance to the recommended postoperative diet. Decreased compliance may be partially due to a lack of psychological skills necessary to engage in healthy eating behaviors over the long term, especially as the effects of surgery (on appetite, hunger, and desire for food) decrease. Many behavioral interventions do not sufficiently address these challenges and often have limited effectiveness. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a novel 10-week acceptance-based behavioral intervention to stop postoperative weight regain. A sample of bariatric surgery patients (n = 11) who regained at least 10 % of their maximum lost postoperative weight was recruited. All participants received the intervention, which emphasized psychological skills thought to be integral to successful weight control post-surgery. The intervention was shown to be feasible and acceptable, with 72 % retention and high mean rating (4.25 out of 5.00) of program satisfaction among completers. Weight regain was stopped, and even reversed, with a mean total body weight loss of 3.58 ± 3.02 % throughout the 10-week intervention. There were also significant improvements in eating-related and acceptance-related variables. These findings provide initial support for the use of a psychological acceptance-based intervention for weight regain in bariatric surgery patients.
Ballistics and the Management of Ureteral Injuries from High Velocity Missiles

The management of 21 patients with 22 ureteral injuries from high velocity missiles is described and 6 cases are reported in detail. Ballistics should be considered in all wounds of violence. Debridement, internal stents, proximal diversion and thorough drainage are advocated.
Politicians and professors: a double standard

(1987). Politicians and professors: a double standard. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 3-4.
False-Positive Cardiac Troponin I Results: Two Case Reports

Cardiac markers are important in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, especially in patients with an equivocal electrocardiogram pattern. Recently, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) immunoassays have been used to diagnose myocardial infarction, because of this marker’s specificity, sensitivity, and duration of elevated values. Immunoassays are the standard for analysis of cTnI and other cardiac markers. This report documents two cases in which cTnI values were discrepant with the clinical diagnosis. Retrospective analysis identified heterophilic antibodies as responsible for the discrepancies in one and possibly both cases. These cases expound the limitations of immunoassays and illustrate that cardiac markers must always be evaluated in concert with clinical data.
Aging. I. Effects of Parental Age on the Life Cycle of Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Single-pair crosses were made to determine the effects of parental age upon the durations of different stages of the offspring of the confused flower beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal. Positive correlations were found to exist between parental age and the larval, pupal, and adult stages. Larval and adult durations were altered in a cyclic manner with increasing age of the parents. The changes in the larval stage were reciprocal to those in the adult stage. The effects of parental age upon pupal duration was very marked only when the parents were very old. The number of molts in the larvae was not found to be affected by the increasing age of the parents. The number of viable eggs produced by the female was influenced by the age of the female only. Here again the rate of egg production was cyclic with the age of the beetles. The age of the male had no effect upon the number of eggs produced by the female. It was observed also that maximum longevity of female Tribolium was much greater than that of the male.
Removal efficiency of Cu~(2+) by Deinococcus radiodurans

As a non-pathogenic bacteria,Deinococcus radiodurans is extremely resistant to ionizing radiation and oxidative stress and shows great potential in remediation of Cu2 +pollution. In this study,we used the ELIASA plate reader and the ICP-OES,respectively,to monitor the growth rate of Deinococcus radiodurans and the Cu2+ concentration in the supernatant after the bacterial solution was centrifuged. The results show that the removal efficiency of Cu2+ by Deinococcus radiodurans reached 57. 3% when the initial concentration of Cu2+ was 1. 36 mg / L, and the removal efficiency dropped to 35. 4% when the initial concentration of Cu2+ increased to 6. 28 mg / L. Meanwhile,using confocal laser scanning microscopy( CLSM), we observed that Deinococcus radiodurans assembled at a high concentration of Cu2+.
Selection of reference laboratory services.

This article is directed primarily to hospital pathology and clinical laboratories that require the testing services of other laboratories. However, many of the observations and principles presented should apply to other users of reference laboratory services, such as outpatient clinics, public health laboratories, occupational health laboratories or clinics, and even the individual doctor’s office.
Automatic blend shape creation for facial motion capture

Blend shape animation is one of the most common methods for facial animation used by animators. Creation of effective blend shapes is an investment as they can take a very long time to create, but once finished, help with consistency in animation. As this is a prime animation method, its extensive process can be off-putting to newcomers. This project is focused on creating a system that will automate the blend shape creation process. The resulting blend shapes could be used in a blend shape based facial motion capture system (eg. [Weise et al. 2011]). The goal of this application is to produce a comparable result to that of blend shapes done by hand for student projects.
Psoralens : novel modulators of Cl- secretion

We evaluated effects of psoralens on Cl- secretion (short-circuit current, I(sc)) across T84 monolayers. Methoxsalen failed to increase I(sc). Several observations suggest that psoralens open cysti...
Radiation Dose–Dependent Hippocampal Atrophy Detected With Longitudinal Volumetric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose After radiation therapy (RT) to the brain, patients often experience memory impairment, which may be partially mediated by damage to the hippocampus. Hippocampal sparing in RT planning is the subject of recent and ongoing clinical trials. Calculating appropriate hippocampal dose constraints would be improved by efficient in vivo measurements of hippocampal damage. In this study we sought to determine whether brain RT was associated with dose-dependent hippocampal atrophy. Methods and Materials Hippocampal volume was measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 52 patients who underwent fractionated, partial brain RT for primary brain tumors. Study patients had high-resolution, 3-dimensional volumetric MRI before and 1 year after RT. Images were processed using software with clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration and Conformite Europeene marking for automated measurement of hippocampal volume. Automated results were inspected visually for accuracy. Tumor and surgical changes were censored. Mean hippocampal dose was tested for correlation with hippocampal atrophy 1 year after RT. Average hippocampal volume change was also calculated for hippocampi receiving high (>40 Gy) or low ( Results Mean hippocampal dose was significantly correlated with hippocampal volume loss ( r =−0.24, P =.03). Mean hippocampal volume was significantly reduced 1 year after high-dose RT (mean −6%, P =.009) but not after low-dose RT. In multivariate analysis, both RT dose and patient age were significant predictors of hippocampal atrophy ( P Conclusions The hippocampus demonstrates radiation dose–dependent atrophy after treatment for brain tumors. Quantitative MRI is a noninvasive imaging technique capable of measuring radiation effects on intracranial structures. This technique could be investigated as a potential biomarker for development of reliable dose constraints for improved cognitive outcomes.
Organic field-effect transistor sensors with dual responses to dinitrotoluene

Recently, organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) have been studied in applications such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, display drivers, pressure mapping elements and sensors. Some OFETs are highly sensitive to various analytes and combined with their low-cost, low-weight and flexibility, OFETs are attractive candidates for sensors. OFETs have potential in applications such as homeland security, industrial and environmental monitoring, and biological detection, with various alternative methods currently being used [1–3]. In OFETs, analytes will alter the source-drain current by various mechanisms such as doping or quenching the transistor, or trapping/retarding charge transport via dipole-induced interactions. These different mechanisms alter the threshold voltage and/or mobility of the device, altering the source drain current. Tuning charge carrier energies of organic semiconductors is far easier than in conventional inorganic devices, allowing for greater freedom in designing more sensitive films. The film thickness can be as small as a few monolayers to allow for a faster response.
Sequence Effects in Donor-Acceptor Oligomeric Semiconductors Comprising Benzothiadiazole and Phenylenevinylene Monomers

To understand the influence of monomer sequence on the properties and performance of conjugated oligomers, a series of dimers, trimers, and tetramers were prepared from phenylene (P) and benzothiadiazole (B) monomers linked by vinylene groups. Optical and electrochemical studies established the influence of sequence on both the λmax and redox potentials of this series of structurally related oligomers. For tetramers with bromo end groups (PBBP, BPPB, PBPB, PPBB), the λmax ranged from 493 to 512 nm (Δ = 19 nm), the electrochemical oxidation potential from 0.65 to 0.82 (Δ = 0.17 V) and the reduction potential from −1.45 to −1.31 (Δ = 0.14 V), all of which are sequence-dependent. The effect of end groups (cyano, bromo, and alkyl) was also demonstrated to be important for the properties of these oligomers. DFT calculations of the tetramers were performed and the energy levels were correlated well with the experimentally determined spectroscopic data. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells fabricated with selec...
Immunohistochemistry Is Rarely Justified for the Diagnosis of Viral Infections.

Objectives To determine the utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the diagnosis of viral infections in surgical pathology specimens lacking characteristic viral cytopathic effects. Methods Five years of cases at an academic medical center were reviewed for the use of IHC to detect cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), adenovirus, or polyomavirus (ie, BK or JC). Results In total, 1,636 viral IHC stains were ordered on 1,099 specimens from 957 cases. Altogether, 134 (8.2%) stains were positive, including 59 (7.9%) of 749 for CMV, 34 (8.9%) of 384 for HSV-1 and HSV-2, 16 (11.5%) of 139 for VZV, three (1.4%) of 210 for adenovirus, and 22 (14.3%) of 154 for polyomavirus. In 101 (75.4%) of 134 cases, viral cytopathic effect (VCPE) was readily identifiable on H&E slides. No significant changes in clinical care occurred in any of the cases without definitive VCPE that had positive staining cells on IHC. Conclusions These findings suggest that IHC for viral infections without a high degree of clinical or histologic suspicion is unnecessary in most cases.
A Design and Implementation of Simultaneous Remote Text File Editor in LAN

In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a text editor that will allow for content to be remotely edited by multiple users at the same time in a Local Area Network. It is a simple, yet flexible real-time text editor that serves as a tool to help facilitate better group collaboration whether working on a programming project in plain text or a formatted report using styled text. The design is then implemented on a campus Local Area Network, which shows that this program is a very helpful tool in improving group collaboration through the minimizing of wasted time when a group member is simply waiting to modify a section of the document that no one else is currently editing.
Introducing Students to Inner Sphere Electron Transfer Concepts through Electrochemistry Studies in Diferrocene Mixed-Valence Systems

We have designed a 4 h physical chemistry laboratory to introduce upper division students to electrochemistry concepts, including mixed valency and electron transfer (ET), using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetries. In this laboratory practice, students use a ferrocene dimer consisting of two ferrocene centers covalently bonded through a dimethylethylene bridge as a platform for the measurement of inner-sphere ET. The degree of electronic communication between the ferrocene redox centers is measured by the magnitude of the equilibrium constant of the comproportionation reaction that yields the mixed-valent ferrocene dimer. Students measure the difference in E1/2 from the electrochemistry of the ferrocene dimers and categorize these ferrocene dimers according to the Robin-Day classification. We include an interactive presentation, a student handout, and one sample quiz.
Changes in the phenolic acids composition during pancake preparation: Whole and refined grain flour and processed food classification by UV and NIR spectral fingerprinting method—Proof of concept

Abstract We investigated the changes in the levels of phenolic acids during pancake preparation (flour to batter-pancake) from two refined and whole-wheat wheat varieties. In addition, we evaluated if multivariate analysis of ultraviolet (UV) and near infrared (NIR) spectral fingerprinting data can be used for classification of samples based on preparation stage, wheat varieties, and flour types (whole and refined). Results indicated that total phenolic acids did not significantly change ( 90%) of the phenolic acids existed in insoluble bound form and ferulic acid (82–92%) was the most abundant phenolic acid. Correlation between simple UV spectral scan and HPLC analysis for the assay of phenolic acids ranged from 0.771 to 1.00. Principle component analysis (PCA) of NIR spectral data from 4900 to 5900 cm−1 showed clear separation between flour, batter, and pancake. Additionally, the PCA of UV spectral data between 250 and 350 nm separated two into clusters well (refined and whole-wheat samples). The results presented in this manuscript with limited number of samples illustrate the proof of concept that spectral fingerprinting techniques show promising potential for whole and refined grains sample classification and their products.
Developing Contemporary Literacies and Fostering Multicultural Education Through Sports Literature

A. Brown & L. Rodesiler (2016). Developing Contemporary Literacies Through Sports: A Guide for the English Classroom. Urbana, IL: National Council for Teachers of English. 253 pages, $39.95 (paperb...
An Interactive Robotic Fish Exhibit for Designed Settings in Informal Science Learning

Informal science learning aims to improve public understanding of STEM. Free-choice learners can be engaged in a wide range of experiences, ranging from watching entertaining educational videos to actively participating in hands-on projects. Efforts in informal science learning are often gauged by their ability to elicit interaction, to foster learning, and to influence perceptions of STEM fields. This paper presents the installation of a biomimetic robotic fish controlled by an iDevice application at an informal science learning exhibit. Visitors to the exhibit are offered a unique experience that spans engineering and science, in which they can steer the robotic fish, choosing from three modes of control. Visitor engagement is examined through the lens of the Selinda model of visitor learning, while their behavior is examined using an adapted model of Borun’s framework for behaviors indicative of learning. The evaluation of the efficacy of the exhibit is assessed through a post-experience survey questionnaire, an analysis of the application usage, and a behavior coding study. Data collected on visitor interactions with the exhibit indicate that free-choice learners value the importance of engineering research, and prefer interactive modes. Further, behavior coding results support the ability of the robotic fish platform to capture the visitors’ attention. Findings offer compelling evidence that the exhibit is both highly engaging to visitors and a suitable format for science inquiry.
Dietary tannic acid stimulates production of reactive oxygen intermediates and growth factor and inflammatory gene expression in human colon tumor cells

5181 Tannic acid (penta-m-digalloyl glucose) is a polycyclic aromatic compound produced by a variety of plants. Humans ingest tannic acid in many foods, beverages, and medicinal products. Many studies have shown tannic acid to be anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic, particularly in the presence of other procarcinogenic insults. At low levels in the diet, tannic acid reduces spontaneous hepatomas in C3H mice, and has been proposed as a chemopreventative agent for colon cancer. However, tannic acid also has negative impacts on health. Betel nuts, routinely chewed in the cheek after dinner in some Asian countries, contain 11-26% tannins and are believed to contribute to the high levels of cheek and esophageal cancers in those countries. In animal studies, tannic acids decrease feed intake, growth rate, energy uptake, and protein digestability. Tannic acid applied to burns also causes tumors in experimental animals, suggesting that it may promote carcinogenesis. Our laboratory has been investigating the tumor promoting activity of tannic acid. We found that tannic acid (10-100 μM) is a prooxidant and can generate hydrogen peroxide and produce hydroxyl radicals in the presence of transition metals as measured using terephthalate, a free radical trapping agent, the product of which becomes highly fluorescent upon hydroxylation. Using plasmid DNA unwinding assays, tannic acid was also found to cause single and double stranded DNA breaks, a finding consistent with the formation of reactive oxygen intermediates. Using CX-1, a human carcinoma line, we found that tannic acid causes extensive lipid peroxidation. This reaction was time-dependent up to at least 5 h and was inhibited by the anti-oxidant dimethyl sulfoxide (0.1%). During this time we found that tannic acid was a potent inducer of growth factor and inflammatory gene expression. Tannic acid increased expression of IL-8, TGFβ, RANTES, and GM-CSF by 3-16 fold, and IL-8 by 220 fold. Other transcript markers of inflammation, including iNOS and COX-2, were induced 3-10 fold even at very low concentrations of tannic acid (1 μM). Taken together, our data suggest that dietary tannic acid has prooxidant activity that can damage lipids and DNA. Moreover, it has the ability to induce growth factors and inflammatory cytokines that may be important in regulating tumor cell growth. These studies suggest that tannic acid in the diet may contribute to the progression of colon cancer. Supported by NIH grants ES05022, ES007148, CA093798 and CA100994.
Evaluating a topic model approach for parsing microbiome data structure

The increasing availability of microbiome survey data has led to the use of complex machine learning and statistical approaches to measure taxonomic diversity and extract relationships between taxa and their host or environment. However, many approaches inadequately account for the difficulties inherent to microbiome data. These difficulties include (1) insufficient sequencing depth resulting in sparse count data, (2) a large feature space relative to sample space, resulting in data prone to overfitting, (3) library size imbalance, requiring normalization strategies that lead to compositional artifacts, and (4) zero-inflation. Recent work has used probabilistic topics models to more appropriately model microbiome data, but a thorough inspection of just how well topic models capture underlying microbiome signal is lacking. Also, no work has determined whether library size or variance normalization improves model fitting. Here, we assessed a topic model approach on 16S rRNA gene survey data. Through simulation, we show, for small sample sizes, library-size or variance normalization is unnecessary prior to fitting the topic model. In addition, by exploiting topic-to-topic correlations, the topic model successfully captured dynamic time-series behavior of simulated taxonomic subcommunities. Lastly, when the topic model was applied to the David et al. time-series dataset, three distinct gut configurations emerged. However, unlike the David et al. approach, we characterized the events in terms of topics, which captured taxonomic co-occurrence, and posterior uncertainty, which facilitated the interpretation of how the taxonomic configurations evolved over time.
An Assessment of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency in MS (P05.177)

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an independent assessment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in MS. BACKGROUND: CCSVI is a hypothesis of MS pathogenesis related to venous outflow from the head, with conflicting results from different studies. Recent studies have found a very low prevalence of CCSVI, suggesting that those investigators were performing ultrasound assessments differently than the original reports. DESIGN/METHODS: After obtaining formal training in CCSVI ultrasound techniques, we performed ultrasound assessments on a group of 61 MS subjects (4 CIS, 28 RRMS, 19 SPMS, 10 PPMS; 42 females) and 20 non-MS controls (15 healthy and 5 other neurological diseases; 10 female). Ultrasonographers were blinded to diagnosis, and separate research staff positioned subjects prior to ultrasonographer arrival. Assessments were performed using a Biosound MyLab25, equipped with Quality Doppler Profiles (QDP) technology, and traditional transcranial Doppler. Two published interpretations of CCSVI Criteria were utilized: Narrow Criteria did not include either B-mode intraluminal abnormalities or QDP technology for deep cerebral vein reflux, while Broad Criteria included both of these. RESULTS: Using either Narrow Criteria or Broad Criteria, there were no significant differences between MS subjects and controls (p>0.5 for both comparisons). In both groups, there was a doubling of the proportion of subjects meeting CCSVI criteria when using the Broad Criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Using trained and blinded ultrasonographers and QDP technology, we observed no difference in the proportion of MS subjects meeting CCSVI criteria compared to non-MS controls. Different interpretations of CCSVI criteria altered the proportions of subjects meeting CCSVI criteria, highlighting the importance of criteria interpretations when comparing the prevalence of CCSVI between studies. These observations do not support a significantly increased prevalence of CCSVI in MS and suggest against a pathogenic role of CCSVI in MS. Supported by: Research grant from National MS Society (RC 1004-A-5). Disclosure: Dr. Fox has received personal compensation for activities with Avanir, Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, and Novartis. Dr. Fox has received research support from Biogen Idec and Genentech. Dr. Baus has nothing to disclose. Dr. Diaconu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Grattan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ivancic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Raber has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ramesh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rae-Grant has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis, Biogen Idec and Teva Neurosciences as a speaker.
Suspension polymerization of itaconic acid diesters

Dimethyl itaconate and dicyclohexyl itaconate monomers are polymerized successfully for the first time via suspension polymerization. The obtained polymers possess significantly higher molecular weights and more narrow polydispersities compared to itaconate polymers prepared in solution or in bulk. The yields of these polymers from the suspension process are higher than the polymers synthesized from bulk. Solution cast films of both polymers were too brittle for mechanical properties characterization. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46417.
Revision of the camel spider genus Eremocosta Roewer and a description of the female Eremocosta gigas Roewer (Arachnida, Solifugae).

A recent phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the solifuge genus Eremocosta (Eremobatidae), although not monophyletic, formed a strongly supported group, rendered paraphyletic by the exclusion of E. acuitlapanensis , which we herein determine is misplaced in this genus. We revise the taxonomy of the genus Eremocosta. Nine species of the 13 currently placed in the genus are retained, E. bajaensis (Muma 1986) , E. calexicensis (Muma 1951) , E. formidabilus (Simon 1879) , E. gigas Roewer 1934 , E. gigasella (Muma 1970) , E. spinipalpis (Kraepelin 1899) , E. striata (Putnam 1883) , and E. titania (Muma 1951) . Eremocosta fusca (Muma 1986) and E. montezuma (Roewer 1934) are returned to the genus Eremorhax along with E. arenarum . Eremocosta hystrix and Eremocosta acuitlapanensis (Vazquez & Gavino-Rojas 2000) are transferred to Eremobates . We re-evaluated E. nigrimana (Pocock 1895) and determined that, since the type shows the ventrodistal concavity (VDC) diagnostic for the genus Eremocosta , it should be retained in that genus; however, because the type locality is identified as Afghanistan, far outside the range of any Eremobatidae, its status and placement remain uncertain. Eremocosta robusta (Roewer 1934) was designated nomen dubium by Muma and we maintain this designation. We provide a key to the species of Eremocosta and provide a description of the female of E. gigas .
INTRACELLULAR ALBUMIN TRANSPORT

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses intracellular albumin transport. The salient feature of transport of proteins destined for secretion is that the proteins never enter the soluble phase of the cytoplasm, the cytosol or cell sap, but are at all times confined within membrane-bounded channels or vesicles. The assembly of peptide chains, however, takes place on ribosomes that face on the cytosol. The chapter also discusses features of albumin transport. The secretory pathway followed by serum albumin and other plasma proteins formed in liver is similar to that of the pancreatic proteins, except that the concentration and storage stages are omitted. Secretion of albumin is continuous with no mechanism for changing the rate of release other than altering the rate of synthesis. The rate of synthesis of albumin and, thus, the rate of its secretion is linked most closely to the supply of amino acids. The amounts of albumin and other plasma proteins found intracellularly rise and fall promptly, but not markedly with changes in the rate of synthesis.
57-OR: VALIDATION OF A MULTIPLEX LUMINEX ASSAYS TO DETECT POTENTIAL BIOMARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH RENAL ALLOGRAFT REJECTION

Aim Renal allograft failure accounts for nearly 30 percent of patients awaiting renal transplantation. Our aim was to determine if key proteins associated with fibrosis are targets for immune response leading to allograft rejection and may have promise as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers. Methods Type II epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is reported to be involved in renal interstitial fibrosis. Five custom ‘direct-capture’ assays were developed on the Luminex immunobead platform for putative EMT autoantigens, including vimentin, beta catenin, p53, phosphoglycerate mutase and survivin. Extensive analytical validation for both single- and multi-plex assays was performed to establish the standard test performance characteristics. The diagnostic value of these assays were evaluated using diagnostic serum samples from cases of chronic renal allograph rejection (n = 25) and age-matched controls (n = 21). All measurements were performed on a Luminex FlexMAP 3D system equipped with xPONENT v3.2 and data analyzed using IBM SPSS v19.0. Results All analytical validations showed excellent accuracy and inter- and intra-batch precision across wide ranges of quantitation (1.5 ng/mL – 4 μ g/mL). Cross reactivity of P53and PGAM within the 5-plex assay necessitated a 3- and 2- plex assay configuration to resolve these issues. Validated multiplexed assays were then used to establish background levels of autoantibodies in an age-matched cohort prior to evaluation of autoantibody titre in the cases of chronic allograph rejection. The Mann-Whitney U test found that autoantibodies against P53 and vimentin were highly significant (p Conclusions Our findings support the idea that type II EMT may be highly associated with autoimmunity in chronic allograph rejection.
An original method for staging sleep based on dynamical analysis of a single EEG signal.

Abstract Background The dynamical complexity of brain electrical activity manifested in the EEG is quantifiable using recurrence analysis (RA). Employing RA, we described and validated an originative method for automatically classifying epochs of sleep that is conceptually and instrumentally distinct from the existing method. New method Complexity in single overnight EEGs was characterized second-by-second using four RA variables that were each averaged over consecutive 30-sec epochs to form four-component vectors. The vectors were staged using four-component cluster analysis. Method validity and utility were established by showing: (1) inter- and intra-subject consistency of staging results (method insusceptible to nonstationarity of the EEG); (2) use of method to eliminate costly and arduous visual staging in a binary classifications task for detecting a neurogenic disorder; (3) ability of method to provide new physiological insights into brain activity during sleep. Results RA of sleep-acquired EEGs yielded four continuous measures of complexity and its change-rate that allowed automatic classification of epochs into four statistically distinct clusters (“stages”). Matched subjects with and without mental distress were accurately classified using biomarkers based on stage designations. Comparison with existing methods For binary-classification purposes, the method was cheaper, faster, and at least as accurate as the existing staging method. Epoch-by-epoch comparison of new versus existing methods revealed that the latter assigned epochs having widely different dynamical complexities into the same stage (dynamical incoherence). Conclusions Sleep can be automatically staged using an originative method that is fundamentally different from the existing method.
Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and substance use in US adults

The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) infects humans resulting in acute toxoplasmosis, an infection that in immunocompetent people is typically mild but results in persistent latent toxoplasmosis. In that T. gondii appears to affect dopamine synthesis and because addicting drugs affect midbrain dopamine transmission, latent toxoplasmosis could influence substance use. Using both the third and continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we used logistic regression to test for associations between T. gondii seropositivity and subject self-report of having ever used tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine. In the third NHANES dataset, which included data for tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine, T. gondii seropositivity was associated with a reduced likelihood of self-reported marijuana (OR = 0.71 [95% CI: 0.58; 0.87]; p = 0.001) and cocaine use (OR = 0.72 [95% CI: 0.56; 0.91]; p = 0.006). In the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys dataset, which included data for all six substances, T. gondii seropositivity was associated with a reduced likelihood of self-reported tobacco (OR = 0.87 [95% CI: 0.76; 1.00]; p = 0.044), marijuana (OR = 0.60 [95% CI: 0.50; 0.72]; p < 0.001), heroin (OR = 0.60 [95% CI: 0.42; 0.85]; p = 0.005) and methamphetamine use (OR = 0.54 [95% CI: 0.38; 0.77]; p = 0.001). We observed interactions between sex and T. gondii seropositivity in the prediction of self-reported use of tobacco and alcohol. Further, T. gondii seropositivity appeared to remove the protective effect of education and economic status against self-reported cigarette smoking. These findings suggest that T. gondii seropositivity may be inversely associated with some but not all types of substance use in US adults.
Myelophthisic Anemia in a Patient with Lobular Breast Carcinoma Metastasized to the Bone Marrow

Breast tumors have a predilection for metastasizing to the bone leading to cells being displaced by the cancer cells subsequently producing immature leukocytes and erythrocytes in the peripheral blood. We present a case of a 57-year-old female who was found to have myelophthisic anemia secondary to stage four lobular breast carcinoma metastasized to the bone marrow after being misdiagnosed as having thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura. Diagnosis of myelophthisic anemia requires a thorough workup and treatment is based upon secondary management of the malignancy.
Secondary Metabolites from Fungal Endophytes of Echinacea purpurea Suppress Cytokine Secretion by Macrophage-Type Cells.

Botanical extracts of Echinacea purpurea have been widely used for the treatment of upper respiratory infections. We sought to chemically examine fungal endophytes inhabiting E. purpurea, and to identify compounds produced by these endophytes with in vitro cytokine-suppressive activity. Twelve isolates from surface sterilized seeds of E. purpurea were subjected to fractionation and major components were isolated. Sixteen secondary metabolites belonging to different structural classes were identified from these isolates based on NMR and mass spectrometry data. The compounds were tested for their influence on cytokine secretion by murine macrophage-type cells. Alternariol (1), O-prenylporriolide (4), porritoxin (10) s-zearalenol (13), and (S)-zearalenone (14) inhibited production of TNF-a from RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with LPS in the absence of any significant cytotoxicity. This is the first report of a cytokine-suppressive effect for 4. The results of this study are particularly interesting given that they show the presence of compounds with cytokine-suppressive activity in endophytes from a botanical used to treat inflammation. Future investigations into the role of fungal endophytes in the biological activity of E. purpurea dietary supplements may be warranted.