cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shear-induced orientational dynamics and spatial heterogeneity in suspensions of motile phytoplankton.

Fluid flow, ubiquitous in natural and man-made environments, has the potential to profoundly impact the transport of microorganisms, including phytoplankton in aquatic habitats and bioreactors. Yet, the effect of ambient flow on the swimming behaviour of phytoplankton has remained poorly understood, largely owing to the difficulty of observing cell–flow interactions at the microscale. Here, we present microfluidic experiments where we tracked individual cells for four species of motile phytoplankton exposed to a spatially non-uniform fluid shear rate, characteristic of many flows in natural and artificial environments. We observed that medium-to-high mean shear rates (1–25 s−1) produce heterogeneous cell concentrations in the form of regions of accumulation and regions of depletion. The location of these regions relative to the flow depends on the cells' propulsion mechanism, body shape and flagellar arrangement, as captured by an effective aspect ratio. Species having a large effective aspect ratio accumulated in the high-shear regions, owing to shear-induced alignment of the swimming orientation with the fluid streamlines. Species having an effective aspect ratio close to unity exhibited little preferential accumulation at low-to-moderate flow rates, but strongly accumulated in the low-shear regions under high flow conditions, potentially owing to an active, behavioural response of cells to shear. These observations demonstrate that ambient fluid flow can strongly affect the motility and spatial distribution of phytoplankton and highlight the rich dynamics emerging from the interaction between motility, morphology and flow.
How To Ask Sensitive Questions without Getting Punched in the Nose

Do you regularly smoke pot? Have you ever had a homosexual experience? Are you a Communist? Do you cheat on your income tax? A “yes” answer to any of the preceding questions may be embarrassing to an individual. In fact, many people would become irate at being asked one of these questions and might well refuse to answer. Some would feel that such matters were personal or confidential and no one’s business but their own. However, such questions may be other people’s business. For example, consider the case in the armed forces where military officials are interested in estimating the percentage of military men using hard drugs. Based on this estimate they will decide whether or not there is a need to expand the drug rehabilitation program. The officials will need to interview the men about their use of drugs and must be equipped with methods that will elicit truthful answers to sensitive or personal questions about drug use.
Liver Extract in the Toxemias of Pregnancy

Summary 1. Cases of known or suspected preconceptional nephritis were only symptomatically improved after using liver extract. 2. Convulsions did not occur in any treated preeclamptic cases. 3. Improvement always occurred except in the preconceptional nephritic cases. 4. No mortality in this consecutive series except Case No. 7. 5. Eclamptics must be under constant observation and the drug given in doses sufficient to neutralize the toxin present in the individual.
Why do We Regulate Banks

There is little reason, from an economic perspective, for banking regulation. Incentives exist, or can be created through private systems, to protect against the risks that are usually cited in defense of banking regulation. Moreover, the private systems would remove much of the cost and risk created by current government oversight. This suggests that the only reason we regulate banks is because we want to, not because we have to.
One Hundred Planned Robotic Segmentectomies: Early Results, Technical Details, and Preferred Port Placement

Background Both robotic pulmonary operations and anatomic segmentectomy are being increasingly performed. The largest published series of anatomic robotic segmentectomy comprises 35 patients, and the specific details of port placement are poorly understood. Methods This is a review of a consecutive series of patients from a single surgeon's prospective database. All patients in the study were scheduled to undergo robotic anatomic segmentectomy. Results Between February 2010 and December 2014, 100 patients went to the operating room for a planned pulmonary segmentectomy. A robotic approach was chosen for all. Seven patients underwent conversion to robotic lobectomy, and the remaining 93 patients had an anatomic robotic segmentectomy. There were no conversions to thoracotomy. Indications for resection were lung cancer in 79 patients, metastatic lesions in 10 patients, fungal infections in 4 patients, and other conditions in 7 patients. The median age was 69 years, and 50 patients were men. The median blood loss was 20 mL (range, 10–120 mL), the median number of lymph nodes removed was 19, the median operative time was 1.28 hours (88 minutes), the median length of stay was 3 days, and major morbidity occurred in 2 patients (pneumonia in both). All had undergone R0 resection. There were no 30- or 90-day mortalities. Of the 79 patients with lung cancer, the median follow-up was 30 months, and 3 patients (3.4%) had recurrence in the operated lobe. Overall survival was 95% at 30 months. Conclusions Completely portal robotic anatomic segmentectomy is safe and effective and offers outstanding intraoperative 30-day and 90-day results. The recurrence rate is approximately 3% at 2.5 years.
More on Economic Performance and Political Support in Britain: A Reply to William R. Keech

I am flattered that a political scientist of William Keech's caliber uses words such as ingenious and outstanding to describe my work. I am also grateful that he took the time and was given the opportunity by the Review to show the implications of my theory of political support for a stylized case where unmeasured sources of support for British governments among the occupational classes are nil (aqj = 0), the only performance variable valued by voters is the unemployment rate, which has a reasonable contemporaneous impact of -0.02, and where the decay rate parameter g for past performance outcomes is set equal to the sensible value of 0.8 (implying a backwardlooking discount rate of 0.25 per quarter). A check of selected entries in Keech's Table 1 indicates they are correct, and I have no important disagreements with his interpretations of their behavioral implications. One caveat, however, about Keech's statement that my model "presumes that the performance of the old government affects the support of the new one with exactly the same slope (bn = bo in equation A), but with opposite sign": the absolute value of the partial derivative of Y* with respect to Zt-k in my model is b gk, which of course depends on lag k. b(bn, bo) is a scale parameter; the slope, as defined in the usual way, is given by the (time varying) derivative above. Professor Keech's main point seems to be that if alternative models for the dynamics of political support are correct-in particular, models giving different representations of political support during so-called "honeymoon" periods early in a government's term-then my model is misspecified and will yield biased estimates. This is true by definition.' But
H2-H2O Effective Binary Diffusivity Measurement in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode Using an Electrochemical Cell

The effective binary diffusivity of H2 and H2O in a Ni and yittria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode of the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) was measured between 650 and 800oC using an electrochemical cell consisting of an oxygen pump, an oxygen sensor, and a porous SOFC anode pellet. The effective binary diffusivity was obtained from the relationship between the current density across the oxygen pump, and the H2 partial pressure gradient across the anode sample measured using the oxygen sensor. The anode limiting current density and concentration polarization were estimated using the experimental results.
Multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis

To analyze financial time series exhibiting volatility clustering or other highly irregular behavior, we exploit multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA). We summarize the use of local Holder exponents, generalized Hurst exponents, and the multifractal spectrum in characterizing the way that the sample paths of a multifractal stochastic process exhibit light- or heavy-tailed fluctuations as well as short- or long-range dependence on different time scales. We detail the development of a robust, computationally efficient software tool for estimating the multifractal spectrum from a time series using MF-DFA, with special emphasis on selecting the algorithm's parameters. The software is tested on simulated sample paths of Brownian motion, fractional Brownian motion, and the binomial multiplicative process to verify the accuracy of the resulting multifractal spectrum estimates. We also perform an in-depth analysis of General Electric's stock price using conventional time series models, and we contrast the results with those obtained using MF-DFA.
Isolation of the Lyme disease spirochete from mammals in Minnesota.

AbstractLyme disease spirochetes were isolated from the kidneys of two Peromyscus spp. trapped in Minnesota in September and October 1983. No spirochetes were isolated from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), red backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi), or shrews (Sorexy cineretis and Blarina brevicauda). This is the first report of the isolation of the Lyme disease spirochete from the midwestern United States and isolations from these animals, which were free of ticks, suggest that the Lyme disease spirochete may persist in animal organs for months.
Comparison of the biodiversity of Lepidoptera within three forested ecosystems

Lepidopterans function in the dynamics of forested ecosystems by serving as defoliators, decomposers, prey or hosts to carnivores, and pollinators. The biodiversity of Lepidoptera is thus linked into the ecosystem by influencing nutrient cycling, plant population dynamics, and predator-prey population dynamics. Two important measures of biodiversity are species richness and abundance of individuals. However, values for these measures require an ecosystem context for insightful interpretation of ecological function. We propose that such an ecosystem context is gained by an assessment of host resource requirements; in the case of Lepidoptera, this means larval host plants. The flora that contributes to the biodiversity of Lepidoptera can be grouped into 3 major vegetation types: (1) conifers, (2) hardwood trees and shrubs, and (3) herbs and grasses. We compared the macrolepidopteran biodiversity of 3 forested ecosystems: (1) western Oregon, (2) eastern Oregon, and (3) West Virginia. In respective order of the above locations, totals of 463, 385, and 475 species were found. Conifers supported 9, 10, and 1% of the species richness. By contrast, hardwoods supported 57, 45, and 61% of the species richness, whereas herbs and grasses supported 31, 42, and 31% of the species richness. The patterns in abundance of individual moths were different from species richness of moths and butterflies considered together. Comparisons of moth abundance showed conifers supported 18, 5, and 1%; hardwoods supported 69,39, and 77%; and herbs and grasses supported 11,55, and 8%. Practicesinvolved in the management offorested ecosystems are discussed in the context of how Lepidoptera may be used as an indicator taxon for the assessment of land management practices, and how biodiversity of Lepidoptera could be considered in plans for habitat restoration with a specific focus on food web relationships.
High-order nonlinear refractive indices for He, Ne, Kr, and Xe atoms

The time-dependent nonlinear refractive index ${n}_{4}$ is calculated for a series of noble gases (helium, neon, krypton, and xenon) in the nonresonant regime using the coupled cluster singles and doubles method to account for electron correlation. Second-order polynomial fitting of dc Kerr ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\rho}}^{(2)}(\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\omega};\ensuremath{\omega},0,0)$, electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\rho}}^{(2)}(\ensuremath{-}2\ensuremath{\omega};\ensuremath{\omega},\ensuremath{\omega},0)$, degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\rho}}^{(2)}(\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\omega};\ensuremath{\omega},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\omega},\ensuremath{\omega})$, and static second-order hyperpolarizability ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\rho}}^{(2)}(0;0,0,0)$ is performed to obtain the corresponding fourth-order optical properties. An expression involving static, dc Kerr, DFWM fourth-order hyperpolarizability is employed to calculate the degenerate six-wave mixing ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\phi}\ensuremath{\theta}}^{(4)}(\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\omega};\ensuremath{\omega},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\omega},\ensuremath{\omega},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\omega},\ensuremath{\omega})$ optical process. The calculated higher-order nonlinear refractive indices ${n}_{4}$ for He, Ne, Kr, and Xe atoms are positive over the wavelengths 250--2000 nm. The quartic nonlinear refractive index calculated for xenon is about four orders of magnitude larger than that for helium in the infrared regime.
Ab initio determination of structure-property relationships in alloy nanoparticles

I present a computational study on atomic order in 2-nm cuboctahedral Au-Pd nanoparticles. Equilibrium atomic structures, energies, and electronic surface $d$-band centers have been calculated across the entire range of compositions at different temperatures using a Bayesian approach to cluster expansions. The estimated prediction error in formation energies calculated by the cluster expansion, relative to density functional theory, is approximately 1 meV/atom. This prediction error would be low for a cluster expansion on a bulk material, and it is exceptionally low for a study of nanoparticles of this size. This result was accomplished by extending the Bayesian approach for cluster expansions to account for nonlocal, composition-dependent effects that might otherwise not be captured. For this system the Bayesian approach is estimated to be approximately five times as efficient as more common cluster selection techniques.
Prostatic carcinoma: 5-year followup of patients with surgically staged disease undergoing extended field radiation.

AbstractWe analyzed all patients who had undergone pre-radiation staging pelvic lympadenectomy from 1969 to 1979. Of 70 patients with a minimum followup of 5 years 33 had positive and 37 had negative nodes. Three of the 33 patients with positive lymph nodes were alive without disease at the time of our study, compared to 20 of 37 with negative lymph nodes.Our review suggests that extended field radiation has minimal or no impact on the natural history of prostatic carcinoma in patients with positive nodes. Patients with stages T1 and T2 lesions, and negative nodes do well with external beam therapy.
CANDID Specification of Commercial and Financial Contracts: A Formal Semantics Approach to Knowledge Representation, Part III: CANDID Specification of Financial Concepts

The formal language CANDID is presented as a knowledge representation formalism for artificially intelligent decision support systems. The language is specifically oriented to representation of concepts in finance, commerce and administration. Later parts of the paper demonstrate the application of CANDID to explication of corporate entities and contractual objects, as well as to various concepts in elementary finance.
Black Citizenship Through Marriage?: Reflections on the Moynihan Report at 50

This essay looks to surface and then interrogate the assumptions about black citizenship and marriage at the heart of the Moynihan Report. In doing so, it engages directly with arguments about marriage's citizenship-conferring capacity articulated during Reconstruction by whites and many newly freedpersons, as well as the claims more recently advanced by LGBT rights advocates and even U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy in his majority opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges, a decision that recognized the Fourteenth Amendment right of same-sex couples to marry. Insofar as it examines the racial inequality that informs the spiraling rates of black marriage, the essay also intervenes in current debates about whether black lives matter in America. While post-Ferguson solutions for policing reforms or interventions have not often touched on matters of race and family, I argue that the racial inequality reflected in our criminal justice system cannot be easily divorced from that which still shapes and constrains the functioning of black families -- marital or nonmarital -- in the United States.
Comparative Costs of Public and Private Enterprise in a Municipal Service

Government expenditures in the United States have grown from 27 per cent of GNP in 1954 to 33 per cent in 1974, while the number of government employees grew during the period from 14 to 18 per cent of total non-agricultural employment. This growth has been accompanied by increasing concern about efficiency in government, and the drawing of invidious comparisons between the public and private sectors with respect to efficiency.
An acute, non-therapeutic dose of methylphenidate disrupts partner preference in female rats.

Abstract The present study was designed to test the effects of an acute, high dose of methylphenidate (MPH; trademarked as Ritalin) on sexual behavior in female Long-Evans rats. In Experiment 1, naturally cycling subjects in estrus were tested for partner preference 20 min after receiving an i.p. injection of MPH 10 mg/kg ( n = 8) or saline ( n = 7). During the partner-preference test, female subjects were given the choice to interact with a sexually active male stimulus or a sexually receptive female stimulus. Physical contact was limited by placing the stimulus animals behind a wire mesh during the no-contact phase of the test, whereas physical contact was not limited during the contact phase. Female subjects that received MPH spent significantly less time with the male stimulus than the saline-treated subjects during both phases (no-contact and contact) of the partner-preference test. This acute dose of MPH did not affect visits to the female stimulus; however, MPH-treated subjects made fewer visits to the male stimulus than the saline-treated subjects during the contact phase of the partner-preference test. Consistent with previous findings, MPH increased line crossings when subjects were tested in an open field immediately after the partner-preference test. In Experiment 2, female subjects were ovariectomized (OVX), primed with estradiol benzoate and progesterone, and tested for partner preference 20 min after receiving an injection of MPH 10 mg/kg ( n = 8) or saline ( n = 8). Similar to the results of Experiment 1, OVX hormone-primed subjects that received MPH spent significantly less time with the male stimulus than the saline-treated subjects during both phases of the partner-preference test. Although MPH-treated subjects were sexually receptive, they displayed fewer proceptive behaviors (i.e., hops and darts) than saline-treated subjects. Two-weeks later, the subjects from Experiment 2 were tested in an open field 20 min after receiving an injection of MPH 10 mg/kg or saline (counterbalancing previous MPH exposure). Once again MPH increased locomotor activity. In conclusion, the effects of MPH were equally as robust in naturally cycling subjects as in the more commonly used OVX-hormone primed subjects. The results of the present study suggest that an acute, non-therapeutic dose of MPH disrupts approach and interest in a male stimulus during a test of partner preference. This avoidance of the male stimulus may be the result of a decrease in the incentive value of a sexual partner.
Design tradeoffs in a multi-modular capacitive wireless power transfer system

This paper investigates the tradeoffs involved in designing a single module in a multi-modular scalable capacitive wireless power transfer system suitable for stationary and inmotion electric vehicle charging. A matching network optimization is employed to design the module over a range of power levels, air-gap voltages, input and output voltages, and switching frequencies to evaluate impacts on its efficiency, safety, and practical implementation. Results indicate that increasing module power decreases the required matching network inductances, but at the cost of increased fringing fields. Increasing switching frequency, however, decreases both the required inductances and fringing fields. Maximum and minimum limits on module power and switching frequency are determined based on a detailed air-core inductor design procedure. These module-level results are currently informing the design of a kW-level multi-modular capacitive WPT system with a 12-cm air-gap and a target power transfer density of 50 kW/m2.
A lifetime of contributions to the world of semiconductors using the Czochralski invention

Abstract Over the course of my career, I have made numerous contributions related to semiconductor crystal growth and high performance optoelectronics over a vast region of the electromagnetic spectrum (ultraviolet to terahertz). In 2016 this cumulated in my receiving the Jan Czochralski Gold Medal award from the European Materials Research Society. This article is designed to provide a historical perspective and general overview of these scientific achievements, on the occasion of being honored by this award. These achievements would not have been possible without high quality crystalline substrates, and this article is written in honor of Jan Czochralski on the 100 th anniversary of his important discovery.
Behavior of window panels under in-plane forces

Abstract This paper discusses the results of thirty-nine in-plane loading tests on single window panels under a horizontal in-plane force applied to the horizontal top member of a steel, pin-connected, or hinged, loading frame. Under this load condition the movement of the glass with respect to the sash as well as the horizontal in-plane deflection, or drift, of the window panel, fastened to this hinged frame, were measured by means of dial gages. Panel size and panel configuration Panel attachment to hinged frame Sash material Clearance between glass and sash Hardness of putty Thirty-three specimens were tested under static loads. Two tests were performed under repeated reversed loads and four under impact loads. Some conclusions were derived regarding the ultimate drift of a window panel under the load conditions used and as affected by the variables listed.
TEMPORAL CHANGE IN MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTILITY AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH QUALITY OF LIFE

Background: Myocardial contractility, measured as LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), predicts clinical outcomes. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), a treatment of severe aortic stenosis in high-risk patients, results in afterload reduction and change in myocardial contractility. We
Contrast enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of blunt pediatric abdominal trauma

Abstract Introduction Blunt abdominal trauma is a common problem in children. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for imaging in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma, however up to 50% of CTs are normal and CT carries a risk of radiation-induced cancer. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may allow accurate detection of abdominal organ injuries while eliminating exposure to ionizing radiation. Methods Children aged 7–18 years with a CT-diagnosed abdominal solid organ injury underwent grayscale/power Doppler ultrasound (conventional US) and CEUS within 48 h of injury. Two blinded radiologists underwent a brief training in CEUS and then interpreted the CEUS images without patient interaction. Conventional US and CEUS images were compared to CT for the presence of injury and, if present, the injury grade. Patients were monitored for contrast-related adverse reactions. Results Twenty one injured organs were identified by CT in eighteen children. Conventional US identified the injuries with a sensitivity of 45.2%, which increased to 85.7% using CEUS. The specificity of conventional US was 96.4% and increased to 98.6% using CEUS. The positive predictive value increased from 79.2% to 94.7% and the negative predictive value from 85.3% to 95.8%. Two patients had injuries that were missed by both radiologists on CEUS. In a 100 kg, 17 year old female, a grade III liver injury was not seen by either radiologist on CEUS. Her accompanying grade I kidney injury was not seen by one of the radiologist on CEUS. The second patient, a 16 year old female, had a grade III splenic injury that was missed by both radiologists on CEUS. She also had an adjacent grade II kidney injury that was seen by both. Injuries, when noted, were graded within 1 grade of CT 33/35 times with CEUS. There were no adverse reactions to the contrast. Conclusion CEUS is a promising imaging modality that can detect most abdominal solid organ injuries in children while eliminating exposure to ionizing radiation. A multicenter trial is warranted before widespread use can be recommended. Level of evidence Level II; Diagnostic Prospective Study.
Simultaneous Detection of Oral Pathogens in Subgingival Plaque and Prostatic Fluid of Men With Periodontal and Prostatic Diseases

Background: Chronic prostatitis (CPr) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are complex inflammatory conditions for which etiologic determinants are still poorly defined. Periodontitis is caused by subgingival colonizing bacteria in the oral cavity. The causal effect of periodontal disease on prostatic inflammation has not been established. The purpose of this study is to isolate oral pathogens from expressed prostatic secretions of patients with periodontal disease and CPr or BPH.Methods: Twenty-four men diagnosed with CPr/BPH participated in the study. A complete periodontal examination consisting of probing depth, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility, gingival index, and plaque index was performed on the men, and prostatic secretion was collected for the study. Dental plaque and prostatic secretion samples were used for analysis of bacterial DNA for Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Treponema denticola (Td), and Escherichia coli using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reac...
On the valences of europium and ytterbium in compounds

Abstract Europium and ytterbium are the only lanthanide metals which are divalent in their standard state. In some of their compounds these two metals are trivalent, e.g., the sesquioxides and trihalides. In order to form compounds in which europium and ytterbium are trivalent, the extra 4ƒ electron in the pure metals must be promoted to a valence or outer electronic level. The energy of promotion is calculated to be 23 and 9 kcal/g at. Eu and Yb, respectively. It is this energy of promotion which plays a decisive role in determining the valence state assumed by europium and ytterbium in their compounds. From the magnitudes of these values it is seen why there are more compounds in which ytterbium is trivalent than europium. The relationship between the location of the non-lanthanide element partner in the Periodic Table and the valence state of europium and ytterbium in the various compounds is discussed.
Configurations of Bat-Ball Collisions

Using text and figures, this chapter explains nine configurations of bat-ball collisions. The first three involve collisions at the center of mass of the bat. The next four are head-on collisions at the impact point of the bat. The first three of these model the motion of the bat as a translation and a rotation. The fourth analyzes the effect of friction. The last two configurations consider oblique rather than head-on collisions.
Trends in Health Behavior Patterns Among U.S. Adults, 2003-2015.

Background Over the last two decades, considerable resources from U.S. federal and philanthropic entities were dedicated to improving preventive and reducing chronic disease risk behaviors. Purpose Given the population health efforts to improve health behaviors in adults, this study explored how health behavior patterns shifted over the years by exploring multiple health behavior patterns. Methods Data were obtained from the odd years between 2002 and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Latent class analyses including fruit and vegetables, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and heavy and binge drinking were conducted for each year. Results Three-class models best fit the data and were most interpretable. Each year included Healthy or Physically Active (preventive behaviors, no risk behaviors), Apathetic (no preventive/risk behaviors), and Binge-drinking groups. Gender and age consistently distinguished the Healthy/Physically Active groups from the Apathetic and Binge-drinking groups across the years. Conclusions This study confirms health behavior clusters exist and have been stable across time. This is encouraging as trends have not gotten worse, but there is room for improvement. Repetition of the groups across years suggests that despite population-level interventions, a large segment of the U.S. population at risk for chronic diseases are not engaging in preventive health.
Mucins in Embryo Implantation

Embryo implantation involves direct interaction of the blastocyst with the lumenal epithelium of the uterus, a highly coordinated and complex process regulated by multiple factors. Mucins, expressed at the apical surface of uterine epithelia, act as a barrier to microbial infection and attack. The transmembrane mucin, MUC1, contributes to the anti-adhesive nature of uterine epithelia influencing uterine function and embryo implantation. Loss of MUC1 is a prerequisite for embryo attachment in most species. This article reviews expression, functions, and regulation of mucins with a particular importance on MUC1.
The Politics of Ethics

One of the most challenging endeavors in revamping ethical rules is to adopt new rules regarding prosecutorial conduct. Viewing themselves as “ministers of justice,” prosecutors are reluctant to believe that they need additional rules governing their ethical conduct. They are particularly resistant to rules proposed by others, especially defense counsel. Prosecutors tend to view these as an unnecessary intrusion and a threat to prosecutorial independence. However, it is critical that prosecutors and defense counsel resist the temptation to politicize the process of evaluating, adopting and revising ethical rules. The impact of these rules is far too important to be compromised by political interests.
Automated detection of electroencephalography artifacts in human, rodent and canine subjects using machine learning.

Abstract Background Electroencephalography (EEG) invariably contains extra-cranial artifacts that are commonly dealt with based on qualitative and subjective criteria. Failure to account for EEG artifacts compromises data interpretation. New Method We have developed a quantitative and automated support vector machine (SVM)-based algorithm to accurately classify artifactual EEG epochs in awake rodent, canine and humans subjects. An embodiment of this method also enables the determination of ‘eyes open/closed’ states in human subjects. Results The levels of SVM accuracy for artifact classification in humans, Sprague Dawley rats and beagle dogs were 94.17%, 83.68%, and 85.37%, respectively, whereas 'eyes open/closed' states in humans were labeled with 88.60% accuracy. Each of these results was significantly higher than chance. Comparison with Existing Methods Other existing methods, like those dependent on Independent Component Analysis, have not been tested in non-human subjects, and require full EEG montages, instead of only single channels, as this method does. Conclusions We conclude that our EEG artifact detection algorithm provides a valid and practical solution to a common problem in the quantitative analysis and assessment of EEG in pre-clinical research settings across evolutionary spectra.
Cardiac Perfusion, Past and Present

In its early phase cardiac metabolism was exclusively concerned with the nutrition of the heart. The isolated perfused organ appeared to be ideally suited for that purpose. Most of this work has been admirably summarized in 1926 in “A Text Book of Physiology” by Robert A. Tigerstedt, the discoverer of the enzyme renin (1). One section of this book deals with the “chemical conditions for the beating heart.” Prominent amongst the frequently quoted pioneers are Ludwig, Langendorff, Kronecker, Howell, Martin, Greene, Gaskell, Bowditch. Clark, Loewi, Locke, and particularly Ringer (1). Starling and Evans play a predominant role in the investigation of the use of organic material by the heart (2). In 1983 as we celebrate Ringer’s centennial, the work of Ringer is particularly pertinent. It is amusing to read that Ringer, investigating the role of calcium in cardiac contraction was first misled by using tap water for perfusion. Tap water, as he discovered later, contained not only CaCl but also KCl which antagonized the calcium effect (1). One year later Ringer discovered that the arrested heart could be made to beat again by the addition of calcium chloride. In 1883 he concluded that calcium is essential for maintenance of cardiac contraction (1).
Foreign capital flows, credit spreads, and the business cycle

Abstract Previous studies have found that foreign capital flows into the US Treasury and corporate-bond markets drive US long-term interest rates. In this paper, we extend the literature by showing that (1) foreign capital flows also drive the US risk structure of interest rates (i.e., credit spreads), and (2) the impacts of foreign capital flows through the credit spread on corporate financing and investment as well as aggregate economic activities are significant, even outside of the Global Financial Crisis period.
Chemistry and Metabolism of the Transferrins

The discovery of transferrin-type proteins in egg white and serum proceeded along independent though parallel routes. In their investigation of the composition of egg white, Osborne and Campbell (1900) had occasion to purify a new protein that was very similar to ovalbumin. They wrote that “…since it so closely resembles ovalbumin and is so intimately associated with it, the writer suggests that it be called conalbumin.” Con-albumin was purifed by ammonium sulfate precipitation and manipulation of pH. Osborne and Campbell were not aware of the iron-binding properties of conalbumin. Almost half a century later, Schade and Caroline (1944) discovered the antimicrobial properties of raw egg white and showed that such activity could be abolished by iron. They also discovered that the addition of iron to the egg white produced a tan to brownish coloration. Two years later, Alderton et al. (1946) showed that the antimicrobial substance of raw egg white was conalbumin. They isolated 95% pure conalbumin by ammonium sulfate precipitation (1.5 M ammonium sulfate at pH 3.0), and it accounted for 80% of all conalbumin present in egg white. They estimated that conalbumin accounted for some 10% of all egg white protein.
Metabolism in dense microbial colonies: 13C metabolic flux analysis of E. coli grown on agar identifies two distinct cell populations with acetate cross-feeding

In this study, we have investigated for the first time the metabolism of E. coli grown on agar using 13C metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA). To date, all 13C-MFA studies on microbes have been performed with cells grown in liquid culture. Here, we extend the scope of 13C-MFA to biological systems where cells are grown in dense microbial colonies. First, we identified new optimal 13C tracers to quantify fluxes in systems where the acetate yield cannot be easily measured. We determined that three parallel labeling experiments with the tracers [1,2-13C]glucose, [1,6-13C]glucose, and [4,5,6-13C]glucose permit precise estimation of not only intracellular fluxes, but also of the amount of acetate produced from glucose. Parallel labeling experiments were then performed with wild-type E. coli and E. coli ΔackA grown in liquid culture and on agar plates. Initial attempts to fit the labeling data from wild-type E. coli grown on agar did not produce a statistically acceptable fit. To resolve this issue, we employed the recently developed co-culture 13C-MFA approach, where two E. coli subpopulations were defined in the model that engaged in metabolite cross-feeding. The flux results identified two distinct E. coli cell populations, a dominant cell population (92% of cells) that metabolized glucose via conventional metabolic pathways and secreted a large amount of acetate (~40% of maximum theoretical yield), and a second smaller cell population (8% of cells) that consumed the secreted acetate without any glucose influx. These experimental results are in good agreement with recent theoretical simulations. Importantly, this study provides a solid foundation for future investigations of a wide range of problems involving microbial biofilms that are of great interest in biotechnology, ecology and medicine, where metabolite cross-feeding between cell populations is a core feature of the communities.
Differences in 100-m sprint performance and skeletal muscle mass between elite male and female sprinters.

Background The sex difference in 100-m sprint performance between the world's best athletes is approximately 10%. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle mass (SM) relative to body mass may be a major factor contributing to this difference. The aim of this study was to examine the sex difference in absolute and relative SM and sprint performance in male and female sprinters. Methods We analyzed the SM of male (N.=37) and female (N.=26) 100-m sprinters; the sample was divided into two subgroups within each sex according to personal best 100-m time: 10.00-10.90 s (M10; N.=22) and 11.00-11.70 s (M11; N.=15) for males and 11.00-11.90 s (F11, N.=14) and 12.00-13.50 s (F12, N.=12) for females. SM was estimated from ultrasound-measured muscle thickness (MT) using prediction equations. Results There was an approximate 10% difference in 100-m sprint time between sexes, whereas absolute and relative values of SM for female sprinters were 70-71% and 79-84% of the male sprinters, respectively. No differences were observed within each male/female subgroup for fat-free mass, absolute and relative SM, excepting that leg SM index of M10 was higher than M11. The 100-m time was not different (0.27 s, P=0.051) between M11 and F11 subgroups, but absolute and relative values of SM and MT were higher and percent body fat was lower in the M11 than in the F11 subgroup. Conclusions Our results suggest that differences in muscle mass may not play a large role in determining successful performance in elite male and female sprinters.
Schistosomiasis among obstetric fistula patients in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Background Schistosoma haematobium infection has been documented as an uncommon cause of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and can result in impaired wound healing of urogenital tissues. For these reasons, it could potentially be linked to an increased rate of obstetric fistula among women who experience obstructed labor and/or in a higher failure rate of fistula repair. Therefore, the primary objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of S. haematobium infection among women undergoing obstetric VVF repair in Lilongwe, Malawi. Our secondary objectives were to assess if S. haematobium infection could be a risk factor for obstetric fistula development or unsuccessful VVF repair in our patient population. Methods From July to October 2013, we conducted S. haematobium testing via urine microscopy on 96 patients undergoing obstetric VVF repair surgery at the Fistula Care Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi. Results The prevalence of S. haematobium infection among women undergoing obstetric VVF repair was 2% (n=2). Both women with S. haematobium had successful VVF repairs. Conclusions Although S. haematobium has the potential to be a risk factor for obstetric VVF formation or unsuccessful VVF repair, it was uncommon among the women in our clinic with obstetric VVF.
Development and validation of a reverse phase HPLC method for SHetA2, a novel anti-cancer drug, in mouse biological samples.

Abstract SHetA2 is a flexible heteroarotinoid that has the potential to prevent and treat lung, ovarian and cervical cancer without significant toxicity. A simple and reliable high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed to determine SHetA2 concentrations in the lungs, reproductive organs and plasma of mice. SHetA2 was extracted from these biological matrices by solid phase and liquid-liquid extraction in the presence of 4% H3PO4 and acetonitrile followed by filtration through a Captiva® filtration plate. Drug concentrations in the filtrates were quantified by a Waters HPLC Alliance system coupled with XBridge® C18 column, guard column and UV detection at 361 nm. The mobile phase consisted of methanol and 0.25 N sodium acetate buffer (80:20, v/v) at pH: 3. SHetA2 was eluted after 5.35 and 6.14 min for tissues and plasma, respectively. Recovery of SHetA2 from biological samples was more than 95% of the spiked amount in tissues and more than 80% of the spiked amount in plasma. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.005 μg/mL and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.025 μg/mL, which were 280 and 56 times lower than the predicted therapeutic concentration of SHetA2, respectively. The method was suitable to quantify SHetA2 concentrations in biological matrices from animal studies administering the drug by the vaginal, pulmonary and oral routes that had the purpose of determining the pharmacokinetic parameters of drug disposition. The HPLC method developed meets the ICH Harmonized Tripartite Guideline of a reliable, sensitive, reproducible and accurate method to be used in the determination of drug concentrations in biological samples
N-Substituted Analogs of 2β-Carbomethoxy-3β-(4‘-iodophenyl)tropane (β-CIT) with Selective Affinity to Dopamine or Serotonin Transporters in Rat Forebrain

This report concerns the synthesis and chemical characterization of novel series of N-substituted 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)tropane (beta-CIT, 2) analogs and their neuropharmacological evaluation for affinity at dopamine (DAT), serotonin (5-HTT), and norepinephrine membrane transporters in rat brain tissue. N-Substituted analogs of beta-CIT with a 2 beta-carbomethoxy ester moiety showed lower DAT affinity than beta-CIT for the DAT, and some were more selective for the 5-HTT over the DAT. 2 beta-Carbomethoxy(iodophenyl)nortropane analogs of beta-CIT with the N-substituents difluoroethyl, mesoxypropyl, iodopropyl, and methylpropionyl all yielded > 10-fold lower DAT affinity than beta-CIT itself, whereas the N-(fluoropropyl)-2 beta- isopropyl ester analog (1) of beta-CIT exceeded beta-CIT (2, an N-methyl-2 beta-carbomethoxy ester) in DAT affinity. Several N-haloalkyl-substituted beta-CIT analogs yielded high 5-HTT affinity (Ki N-chloropropyl (4) > or = N-bromopropyl (3) > beta-CIT (2) > N-3'-phtalimidopropyl (11), with particularly high (ca. 30-fold) 5-HTT-over-DAT selectivity found in the N-fluoropropyl (5) and N-fluoroethyl (6) compounds, compared to only 3.o-fold 5-HTT selectivity in beta-CIT itself. Highly 5-HTT selective agents such as 5 and 6 may be useful as brain-imaging ligands for serotonin neurons or as mood-elevating drugs, while the high affinity and selectivity for the DA transporter found in N-(fluoropropyl)-2 beta-(carboxyisopropyl)-3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)-nortropane (1) and N-(fluoropropyl)-2 beta-carboxymethoxy-3 bet-(4'-iodophenyl)nortropane (FP-beta-CIT, 5) support their use as improved markers for DA neurons.
The Hip in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) can cause fractures and progressive deformity of the bones of the pelvis and hip joint in addition to fractures of the long bones. In children with moderate to severe forms of the disease, coxa vara and acetabular protrusion occur quite commonly as do upper femoral shaft deformities and femoral neck fractures. A small subset of patients with the C-propeptide mutation will have an increased risk of hip dysplasia and dislocation as well. This chapter describes the clinical presentations, pathophysiology and treatment of coxa vara, acetabular protrusion, developmental hip dislocation, proximal femoral fractures and deformity in children with OI.
Autoimmune polyneuropathy with severe dysautonomia after ipilimumab treatment for melanoma (P2.109)

Objective: To describe a case of polyneuropathy with dysautonomia after ipilimumab treatment Background: Checkpoint-inhibitor immunotherapies for metastatic melanoma such as ipilimumab can be associated with systemic immune-related Adverse Events (irAE) in 64% of patients. Neurologic events are rare: primarily sensorimotor polyneuropathies in 0.1% in phase II+III trials. Other neurologic irAEs are also reported. Since irAEs are common, dysautonomia can be misdiagnosed. Autonomic neuropathy has rarely been identified with ipilimumab treatment, except for one case of enteric neuropathy diagnosed post-mortem, and 2 cases of acute sensorimotor neuropathy with autonomic symptoms. Design/Methods: Case report of a patient seen at UCLA Medical Center Results: A 63 year old man with melanoma stage IIIc received adjuvant immunotherapy with ipilimumab 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks. On day 23 (after 2 doses of ipilimumab), he went to the ER for back pain. On day 30 he developed abdominal pain, emesis and severe obstipation progressing to ileus, urinary retention and severe orthostatic hypotension. Symptoms were initially attributed to opiate use, urinary tract infection, dehydration, and incidental adrenal lesions. Subsequently it became clear that he had dysautonomia. On day 48, methylprednisolone 48 mg daily was tried without improvement. On day 74 high-dose methylprednisolone 1 gm daily resulted in mild improvement. He was rehospitalized on day 83 for worsening dysautonomia. CSF was acellular with elevated protein, and paraneoplastic panel was negative. He again received methylprednisolone 1 gm for 7 days and IVIG on days 84 and 114, followed by mycophenolate and an extended prednisone taper with clinical improvement. Conclusions: Autonomic neuropathy without sensorimotor symptoms as an irAE of ipilmumab therapy is a challenging diagnosis and has not been reported. Orthostatic hypotension, urinary retention and ileus after immunotherapy should prompt further evaluation for dysautonomia. Lumbar puncture may help in diagnosis. Initial treatment includes high-dose steroids and symptomatic treatment of dysautonomia. Other considerations include IVIG, plasmapharesis, and prolonged systemic immunosuppression. Disclosure: Dr. Kern has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pak has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mazumder has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alegria has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nghiemphu has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Abbvie. Dr. Nghiemphu has received research support from Novartis. Dr. Restrepo has nothing to disclose.