cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Removal of Hair/Thread Tourniquet

Consider the diagnosis when presented with an appendage that has a well-demarcated, circumferential, painful, edematous distal segment, adjacent to a nonedematous, nonerythematous proximal portion (Fig. 125.1).
The centrality of checkpoints for civilians during conflict

AbstractAnalyses of the violence–displacement relationship motivate a disaggregation of violence into violence in residential areas (home violence) and violence along migration routes (road violence). These two forms of violence have opposite effects upon displacement, with home violence increasing displacement and road violence decreasing displacement. Yet, conflict scholarship would benefit from additional consideration of the specific activities that constitute road violence. This consideration reveals that road violence primarily involves displacement-deterring violence at checkpoints. This motivates the question: How does checkpoint violence deter displacement? Using interviews with Syrian and Somali refugees, as well as daily data on violence and displacement in Somalia, this paper argues that state and non-state armed groups create and foster uncertainty at checkpoints. Then, they use dramatic violence that is tangible to civilians through their ability to physically see, hear, and smell evidence o...
Membrane-based hydrophobic interaction chromatography

ABSTRACTHydrophobic interaction membrane adsorbers have been prepared using poly N-vinylcaprolactam as the binding ligand. The ligands were grafted using atom transfer radical polymerization. Binding and elution of lysozyme, bovine serum albumin, and IgG4 was investigated. At high ionic strength during loading, the ligand is above its lower critical solution temperature and adopts a dehydrated conformation. During elution in low ionic strength buffer, the ligand is below its lower critical solution temperature and adopts a hydrated conformation. Use of a responsive ligand could lead to improved performance. The importance of tailoring the three-dimensional structure of the ligands is shown.
Abstract 3265: Thrombopoietin and megakaryocytes in breast cancer metastasis to bone

Bone is one of the preferred sites for breast cancer cells to metastases. Once patients are diagnosed with skeletal metastases, the relative five-year survival rate falls from 90% to less than16%. Thrombocytosis is a sign of poor prognosis for survival, and thromboembolisms are one of the leading causes of death in all cancers patients. These conditions are due to high numbers and/or high platelet activity. Megakaryocytes (MKs) are responsible for platelet production, but also play a role in bone metabolism and skeletal homeostasis. We had determined in two mouse models of experimental metastasis (MDA-MB-231 in athymic mice, and 4T1.2 in Balb/c mice), that bone metastasis was associated with increased numbers of MKs. Under normal conditions MKs represent less than 1% of the total bone marrow cell population, but after analysis of the femurs of the mice with metastasis, we found at least a two-fold increase in the numbers of MKs present in the bone marrow in the MDA-MB-231mice. The Balb/c mice injected in the mammary glands with mouse 4T1.2 cells showed a four-fold increase in MKs in the spleen (extrameduallary hematopoiesis). Therefore we hypothesized that increased megakaryocytosis was linked to metastasis, and that decreasing the number of MKs would decrease metastasis. We transferred a thrombopoietin (TPO) expression deletion mutation to a Balb/c background and inoculated the mice with 4T1.2 cells. These TPO -/- mice showed approximately a 90% decrease in bone marrow MKs compared to the wild type mice. The numbers of blood platelets was also decreased by 90%. We tested our hypothesis by inoculation of 4T1.2LUC cells into the mammary gland, and then followed the course of the cancer and metastasis by luciferase imaging. Contrary to our hypothesis the TPO -/- mice developed metastasis to the bone more rapidly than the heterozygotes or wild type mice. Literature suggests that platelets interact with tumor cells to contribute to hematogenous metastasis and angiogenesis. In the TPO-/- mice with very few platelets, metastasis was more aggressive and developed more rapidly than in the wild type or the heterozygote mice. The next step will be to separate the role of the megakaryocytes from the platelets. This work was sponsored by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel W81XWH-10-1-0253 Citation Format: Walter Jackson, Andrea M. Mastro, Donna M. Sosnoski. Thrombopoietin and megakaryocytes in breast cancer metastasis to bone. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3265. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3265
Elevation of Serum Free Light Chains Are Common In Lymphoma and Associated with Poor Event Free and Overall Survival

Abstract 4136 Background: The serum free light chain (FLC) assay quantitates free kappa and free lambda immunoglobulin light chains. This assay has prognostic value in MGUS, multiple myeloma (MM), solitary plasmacytoma, and amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, and has been incorporated in response criteria for both MM and AL amyloidosis. We previously showed elevated FLC was associated with poor outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients from a phase II cooperative group clinical trial (Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts) 2009 November 20, 2009; 114(22): 136). Here we replicate those findings in a large clinic based epidemiology cohort, as well as examine FLC abnormalities in other lymphoma subtypes. Methods: Newly diagnosed lymphoma patients were prospectively enrolled in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER). Serum FLC was quantitated from enrollment research serum draws within 9 months of diagnosis using the Freelite FLC assay (The Binding Site, Ltd., Birmingham, UK). Elevated FLC was defined as either kappa or lambda above the published reference range. Monoclonal elevated FLC was defined as elevated FLC with an abnormal FLC ratio; polyclonal elevated FLC was defined as elevated FLC with an FLC ratio in the normal reference range. Clinical data was abstracted using a standard protocol for the MER and patients were followed systematically for event-free (progression, retreatment, or death due to any cause) and overall survival (EFS and OS, respectively). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the unadjusted association between FLC and outcome. Results: 1118 lymphoma patients diagnosed between September 2002 and February 2008 with available serum were assayed. At a medium follow-up of 49 months (range 1–94), 484 patients (43%) had an event and 249 patients died (22%). Elevated FLC was present in 27% of lymphomas, with prevalence ranging from 13% in follicular lymphoma (FL) to 64% for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and 77% for lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Elevated FLC was present in 27% of DLBCL and associated with poor EFS (monoclonal hazard ratio (HR)=2.56, polyclonal HR=1.99, all p Conclusions: A significant percentage of lymphoma patients have elevated FLC. Our previous discovery of elevated FLC predicting poor outcome in DLBCL was confirmed in a large, independent dataset. Prevalence and type of elevated FLC (monoclonal vs. polyclonal) varies by lymphoma subtype. Elevated monoclonal and polyclonal FLC is associated with poor outcome broadly in lymphoma, as well as specifically for a number of lymphoma subtypes, supporting FLC as a potentially useful prognostic biomarker in many lymphoma subtypes. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Geodetically derived strain at Shelter Cove, California

abstract To monitor crustal motion, the National Geodetic Survey observed, during 1976, a small geodetic network in the Shelter Cove area of northern California. This network straddles part of the fault which ruptured during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Analysis of the new survey data, combined with observations of a larger 1930 network, yields an estimate of N13.2°W ± 4.5° for the direction of maximum right-lateral shear strain through the area. This value agrees well with the average strike of the straddled fault and with the average strike of the San Andreas Fault9s underwater path between Point Arena and Shelter Cove. The mean shear strain rate in this direction is 1.01 ± 0.18 (10 −6 ) rad/yr for the 1930 to 1976 time interval where a region undergoing homogeneous strain more accurately describes the data than models allowing for the existence of surface slippage.
Needle-guided ultrasound technique for axillary artery catheter placement in critically ill patients: A case series and technique description.

Abstract Purpose Axillary arterial cannulation for blood pressure monitoring has been reported in adults since 1973. Reported failure rates using palpation landmarks are high. This report describes a needle-guided ultrasound technique for axillary arterial line placement in critically ill patients. Methods A retrospective review of all patients requiring axillary arterial cannulation attempts with ultrasound-assisted needle guidance for hemodynamic monitoring was performed from July 2010 to June 2016 at a single institution. Results One hundred fifty nine (159) cannulation attempts were performed in 155 patients. The overall success rate was 97%, with a first pass success rate of 84%. Inexperienced operators performed 49% of procedures under direct faculty supervision, and had a 99% success rate, which was not different from experienced operators. Almost 20% of patients had moderate-to-severe coagulopathy (platelets 2.0 or PTT > 60 s). Complications reported included the following: nonfunctioning of catheter (6%) and hematoma (6%). Ischemia was noted in 2 patients (1%), but only one was attributed to the arterial catheter. Conclusions Use of the needle-guided ultrasound assisted approach for axillary arterial line placement is easily teachable and can be used to promote safe and successful placement of axillary arterial lines for novice learners.
Structured Reporting of IR Procedures: Effect on Report Compliance, Accuracy, and Satisfaction.

Abstract Purpose To compare effect of free-text versus structured reporting of IR procedures on report quality and report coding and value. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, 432 common consecutive free-text IR reports created during 4 months (from September 2013 to December 2013) before implementation of structured reporting (February 2014) and 415 structured IR reports created after implementation (from September 2014 to December 2014) were reviewed to assess ease of use and compliance with reporting requirements for regulatory requirements and coding. IR staff and trainees and referring physicians to IR were surveyed on procedure report attributes, such as detail, quality, and clarity. Results Structured reporting increased compliance with reporting fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, and contrast administration compared with free-text reports (402/432 [93.1%] vs 251/415 [60.5%], P P P P = .01). Most IR physicians found structured reports to require less time to complete (21/26 [81%]), to be easier to complete (23/26 [89%]), and to have a similar or higher level of detail (19/26 [73%]) compared with free-text reports. Referring physicians were more satisfied with structured reports compared with free-text reports (6.9/10 vs 5.6/10, P = .03). Conclusions Structured IR reporting compared with free-text reporting improves compliance with radiation dose and contrast reporting, reporting and coding efficiency, and satisfaction among IR and referring physicians.
Relation of Age and Health-related Quality of Life to Invasive Versus Ischemia-guided Management of Patients with Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

In older patients with non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction, an initial invasive strategy reduces cardiovascular events compared with an ischemia-guided approach; however its association with health status outcomes is unknown. Among patients with non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction from 2 multicenter US acute myocardial infarction (AMI) registries, health status was assessed at baseline and at 1, 6, and 12 months after AMI using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Routine invasive management was defined as coronary angiography within 72 hours of admission without a preceding stress test. Among 3,559 patients with NSTEMI, 2,455 (69.0%) were treated with routine invasive treatment, which was more common in younger patients. In propensity-adjusted analyses, invasive treatment was associated with higher SAQ physical limitation, angina frequency, and summary scores over the year after AMI; however, the differences were small (
Trickling Filters Successfully Treat Milk Wastes

More data is needed by milk industry regarding successful methods of waste treatment; paper discusses volume and strength of wastes discharged, and unit loadings and efficiencies at two waste treat...
Development and evaluation of a mother-centered toolkit for postpartum behavioral and psychosocial health.

The well-being of mothers and infants is influenced by mothers’ behavioral and psychosocial health (B&PH), yet it is often neglected during healthcare visits. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop and evaluate acceptability of a postpartum toolkit (screening questionnaire, feedback template, and decision aid) to promote B&PH. Using a decision-making model and participatory design (N = 24), a B&PH screening questionnaire was refined, and prototypes of feedback templates and decision aids for selecting health goals were developed. Most mothers in this multi-ethnic sample rated the resulting toolkit as easy to understand/use and useful, and reported they were likely to act on their health goals. Toolkit ease of use and usefulness ratings were largely unrelated to education, ethnicity, and acculturation. In conclusion, findings support the toolkit’s acceptability and applicability to women of diverse backgrounds. The toolkit is a promising strategy to engage mothers in setting goals to promote B&PH.
Intensified dryland crop rotations support greater grain production with fewer inputs

Abstract Rising use and costs of agri-chemical inputs to support agricultural production have placed an economic burden on farmers while contributing to environmental and human health issues. Ecologically based nutrient and weed management – the use of ecological processes to replace external chemical inputs – may represent a strategy to support crop growth while achieving positive environmental and economic outcomes. In dryland agroecosystems around the world, farmers are increasingly transitioning toward no-till and intensified cropping systems, in which unvegetated fallow periods are replaced with crops. This study seeks to determine if cropping system intensification represents an ecologically based strategy for managing nutrients and weeds relative to traditional crop-fallow systems, and to understand the implications for crop production and profitability. We quantified total and potentially mineralizable nitrogen (N), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonization of wheat roots and implications for plant phosphorus (P) uptake, 6 years of crop yields, fertilizer and herbicide use, and net operating income across dryland, no-till cropping systems in the semi-arid High Plains, USA. Three levels of cropping system intensity were represented ranging from wheat-fallow (unvegetated fallow every other year) to continuous cropping (no fallow years). After accounting for variability due to environment and site characteristics, total and potentially mineralizable N were 12% and 30% greater in continuous rotations relative to wheat-fallow, respectively. Mid-intensity (fallow every 2 or 3 years) and continuous rotations had roughly 2 and 3 times more AMF colonization than wheat-fallow, respectively, and AMF colonization was positively correlated with wheat plant P concentration. Farmers practicing continuous cropping applied 22 and 34 kg ha−1 less N fertilizer per crop compared to wheat-fallow and mid-intensity, respectively, despite similar and 60% greater annualized crop production than mid-intensity and wheat-fallow rotations, respectively. Additionally, farmers who practiced continuous cropping used less than half the total herbicide used by wheat-fallow farmers. Net operating incomes of continuous and mid-intensity rotations were an estimated 47 USD ha−1 yr−1 (80%) and 42 USD ha−1 yr−1 (70%) more than wheat-fallow, respectively. These results suggest that cropping system intensification, and especially continuous cropping, represents an opportunity to achieve more grain production while managing weeds and nutrients with fewer agri-chemical inputs, leading to greater profitability and improved environmental outcomes in no-till agroecosystems.
The Stress Response, Stress Hyperglycemia and Stress Hyperlactemia

Exposure of the host to diverse noxious stimuli results in a stereotypic and coordinated response, referred to by Hans Selye as the “general adaption syndrome” (or stress response) which serves to restore homeostasis and enhance survival [1]. The stress response is mediated primarily by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as well as the sympathoadrenal system (SAS). Activation of the HPA axis results in increased secretion from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) (see Fig. 13.1) [2].
Coupled plasma-neutral fluid transport computations using the neutral diffusion approximation

In this paper, a one-group diffusion approximation to neutral transport in a plasma is incorporated in a two-dimensional ({theta}-r) computational code, EPIC, coupling transport and recycling of the plasma-neutral fluids in a consistent finite discretization scheme. Boundary conditions accommodate particle recycling at the edge-core plasma interface. Neutral particle reflection from the pumping duct characterizes a given pumping system. Marginal validity of the diffusion approximation motivates extensive comparisons of the results with Monte Carlo (DEGAS) transport calculations. Steady-state density and temperature contours for the Axially Symmetric Divertor Experiment (ASDEX) diverted tokamak are consistent with previous computations using fixed boundary conditions at the separatrix, but show reduced (20%) recycling attributed to the more realistic neutral atom transport by charge-exchange scattering in the diffusion model. Time-dependent plasma solutions with flux boundary conditions across the separatrix are more consistent with experimental data than results with fixed value boundary conditions at the separatrix. The flux across the separatrix is dominated by recycled particles from the edge plasma. A conclusion is that while the one-group diffusion treatment oversimplifies the physics of neutral transport, it is computationally efficient and adequate in accuracy and therefore well suited for edge plasma and for plasma-neutral recycling studies.
School Stress and School Refusal Behavior

School stress refers to unpleasant physical and cognitive symptoms in response to global and specific school-related stressors. School refusal behavior refers to substantial child-motivated refusal to attend school and⧸or difficulties remaining in classes for an entire day. School stress is an integral part of school refusal behavior and requires detailed assessment and treatment processes.
A novel cancer syndrome caused by KCNQ1-deficiency in the golden Syrian hamster

BACKGROUND: The golden Syrian hamster is an emerging model organism. To optimize its use, our group has made the first genetically engineered hamsters. One of the first genes that we investigated is KCNQ1 which encodes for the KCNQ1 potassium channel and also has been implicated as a tumor suppressor gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We generated KCNQ1 knockout (KO) hamsters by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene targeting and investigated the effects of KCNQ1-deficiency on tumorigenesis. RESULTS: By 70 days of age seven of the eight homozygous KCNQ1 KOs used in this study began showing signs of distress, and on necropsy six of the seven ill hamsters had visible cancers, including T-cell lymphomas, plasma cell tumors, hemangiosarcomas, and suspect myeloid leukemias. CONCLUSIONS: None of the hamsters in our colony that were wild-type or heterozygous for KCNQ1 mutations developed cancers indicating that the cancer phenotype is linked to KCNQ1-deficiency. This study is also the first evidence linking KCNQ1-deficiency to blood cancers.
Impact of a Motivational Intervention and Interactive Feedback on Electricity and Water Consumption: A Smart Housing Field Experiment:

Many interventions designed to curb energy use are ineffective because they fail to inspire individuals to engage in proenvironmental behavior and interact meaningfully with energy information. Thi...
A Research Agenda for Emergency Medicine–based Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Objective The objective was to identify key questions for emergency medicine (EM)-based adolescent sexual and reproductive health and to develop an evidence-based research agenda. Methods We recruited national content experts to serve as advisory group members and used a modified Delphi technique to develop consensus around actionable research questions related to EM-based adolescent reproductive and sexual health care. Author subgroups conducted literature reviews and developed the initial list of research questions, which were iteratively refined with advisory members. External stakeholders then independently rated each item for its importance in expanding the evidence base (1 = not important to 5 = very important) via electronic survey. Results Our final list of 24 research questions included items that intersected all sexual and reproductive health topics as well as questions specific to human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infections (HIV/STIs), pregnancy prevention, confidentiality/consent, public health, and barriers and facilitators to care. External stakeholders rated items related to HIV/STI, cost-effectiveness, brief intervention for sexual risk reduction, and implementation and dissemination as most important. Conclusions We identified critical questions to inform EM-based adolescent sexual and reproductive health research. Because evidence-based care has potential to improve health outcomes while reducing costs associated with HIV/STI and unintended pregnancy, funders and researchers should consider increasing attention to these key questions.
Age Distribution of Red Tree Voles in Northern Spotted Owl Pellets Estimated from Molar Tooth Development

We used molar measurements from 136 known-age red tree voles (Arborimus longicaudus) to develop regression models that could estimate tree vole age from skeletonized remains. The best regression included a quadratic structure of the ratio between two measurements, crown height and anterior height, and natural log-transformed age in days. The regression predicted that molar roots begin to develop at 40 days of age and that molar crowns are worn completely away at 1,177 days of age. We used the regression to estimate the age distribution of 1,703 red tree voles found in northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) pellets collected in western Oregon during 1970–2009. The age distribution of red tree voles in pellets was dominated by young individuals, with 81% younger than one year and only 0.5% older than two years. The proportion of individuals 61–120 days old was particularly high relative to other age classes. The proportion of subadult (52–120 days old) individuals exhibited regional variation between the Oregon Cascades and the Coast Range. Localized annual variation in age distribution was low, exhibited no evidence of cyclic variation, and was positively associated with local precipitation rates during the spotted owl nesting season (March–June). We hypothesize that the age distribution of tree voles in owl pellets may be similar to the age structure of tree vole populations in the wild, but acknowledge that this is virtually impossible to test because tree voles cannot be adequately sampled using conventional small mammal capture methods.
Chapter 6 – Adaptations

Publisher Summary Desert inhabiting organisms share most genetic and physiological traits with closely related species living in mesic environments. Many species of desert plants and animals are living close to their limits of tolerance for one or more environmental variables. For most organisms, tissue temperatures greater than 42°C are lethal. At tissue temperatures lower than the optimum for a given species, the rates of reactions decrease by a factor of two for each drop of 10°C. High temperatures and dry air increase water needs, thus requiring behavioral and/or physiological mechanisms for reducing water loss. There are general characteristics of desert plants that are considered adaptive in hot, arid environments. These include features like small leaf size, reduction in numbers of stomata per unit surface area of leaf, concentrations of stomata on the underside of leaves, and the presence of hairs and waxy surfaces on leaves. Adaptive specializations of desert plants include rooting patterns, stem photosynthesis, succulence, and different photosynthetic pathways. Several general categories of adaptations of both plants and animals that contribute to the success of many species in hot, arid environments include avoidance of extremes, physiological and morphological characteristics that reduce water loss and thermal stress, rapid response to the availability of water and nutrients, reduced metabolic rates, and mechanisms to conserve essential nutrients.
3.13 – Selenophenes

This chapter details the theoretical aspects, structure, reactivity, syntheses, and applications of selenophenes and their fused derivatives reported from 1994 to 2006. In all parts of this chapter, selenophenes and fused selenophenes are treated together. The first section discusses the utility of theoretical methods for studying selenophenes including making comparisons to other chalcogenophenes. The next section details structure-based studies of selenophenes (e.g., NMR, X-ray). A short section regarding thermodynamic aspects primarily focused on aromaticity and electrochemistry. The reactivity of selenophenes was divided up into four sections according to the location of the reactivity (side-chain vs. ring) and level of conjugation (conjugated vs. non-conjugated). The next section discussed the synthesis of selenophenes and this was divided up into four subsections including intermolecular syntheses, intramolecular syntheses, multicomponent reactions, and the synthesis of nonconjugated selenophenes. The intermolecular and intramolecular de novo selenophene syntheses were categorized by the number and location of the new bonds that described the selenophene ring-forming step. A short section detailing the preparation of selenophenes from other heterocycles appeared next. Finally, the last section discussed biologically active selenophenes and selenophene-based materials.
Disney, Good Faith, and Structural Bias

This article assesses the recent Disney decisions, and argues that on the facts presented, the decision was probably correct. However, the court squandered an opportunity: to develop and articulate an appropriate doctrinal approach for the issues the case presented. The case was an excellent opportunity for courts to provide some means to constrain executive compensation, and more generally to address problems caused by "structural bias," the cozy relationship directors may have with officers (and, less often, controlling shareholders). In such cases, there is no breach of the duty of loyalty as that duty has been articulated. However, the duty of care rubric doesn't seem properly applicable either. What the directors have done isn't to simply be careless; rather, they seem to have gone through some motions of decision making when their decision was, given their ties to the officers, a foregone conclusion. The court created space for a separate doctrine of good faith, but it provided little guidance as to how that doctrine might work, even in cases like Disney itself. We suggest an extension of the duty of good faith that could provide a bit more bite. Plaintiffs should be allowed to demonstrate bad faith with a two-part showing: (1) the decision occurred within an environment of structural bias, and (2) influenced by that structural bias, the directors were grossly negligent in making the decision. Even if a court were to follow our suggestion, most cases would turn out as they historically have, with defendant victories. But we think that articulation by the courts of a doctrine contemplating more scrutiny for decisions made in an environment of structural bias may help fuel a Caremark-like shift in norms and practices, directed by a combination of legal and extra-legal forces.
Mechanisms of Disease Resistance

During the course of their coevolution, plants and pathogens have evolved a highly complex and intricate relationship. Pathogens have developed sophisticated offensive systems to parasitize plants and plants, rather than being an easy prey, have in general exhibited a remarkable potential to defend themselves against the onslaught of pathogens. Some plants are capable of preventing certain pathogens from penetrating their walls. Others seem to unleash their defensive weapons shortly after their walls are breached and a few of their cells are invaded.
Spatial characteristics and temporal evolution of the relationship between PM2.5 and aerosol optical depth over the eastern USA during 2003–2017

Abstract Previous research has proposed use of satellite-retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) to generate geospatial assessments of near-surface PM2.5 mass concentrations and potentially to provide air quality forecasts. Spatiotemporal variability in PM2.5–AOD relationships over the eastern United States of America are analyzed using surface observations, satellite data, reanalysis data, and WRF-Chem simulations. Three primary metrics are analyzed: eta (η, the ratio of PM2.5 to AOD), the correlation coefficient (ρ) between daily values of PM2.5 to AOD, and hit rate (θ, defined as co-occurrence of high PM2.5 and AOD). It is shown that mean daily η exhibits substantial geospatial variability and a pronounced seasonal cycle. η computed for 301 EPA stations ranges from 21 to 155 μg m−3 and has a domain-wide median value of 70 μg m−3. Larger values of η occur in winter and fall. There is also evidence of diurnal variability in η. Lower values are derived in analyses using AOD from Terra (i.e. the morning overpass) than when AOD from the MODIS instrument onboard Aqua (i.e. the afternoon overpass). The spatial median η from Terra is 70 vs. 93 μg m−3 from Aqua. A majority of sites exhibit statistically significant lower values of η, ρ, and θ during 2013–2017 than 2003–2007, indicating a declining association between AOD and PM2.5. This has implications for the potential to use remotely-sensed AOD to generate geospatial estimates of near-surface PM2.5. The spatial distribution of η across the 301 locations exhibits a negative dependence on planetary boundary layer height and 10 m wind speed and a positive dependence on integrated humidity in lower troposphere, urban fraction, 2 m temperature, and vegetation coverage. Simulations with WRF-Chem indicate model-derived estimates of η, ρ, and θ are highly dependent on the aerosol scheme employed but the model captures some of the spatial variability and the correct dependence of η on meteorological and land use causes of that variability.
Correction: A universal method for sensitive and cell-free detection of CRISPR-associated nucleases.

Correction for ‘A universal method for sensitive and cell-free detection of CRISPR-associated nucleases’ by Kurt J. Cox et al., Chem. Sci., 2019, 10, 2653–2662, DOI: 10.1039/C8SC03426E.
Cost-related Medication Nonadherence and Its Risk Factors Among Medicare Beneficiaries

BACKGROUND Unaffordability of medications is a barrier to effective treatment. Cost-related nonadherence (CRN) is a crucial, widely used measure of medications access. OBJECTIVES Our study examines the current national prevalence of and risk factors for CRN (eg, not filling, skipping or reducing doses) and companion measures in the US Medicare population. RESEARCH DESIGN Survey-weighted analyses included logistic regression and trends 2006-2016. SUBJECTS Main analyses used the 2016 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. Our study sample of 12,625 represented 56 million community-dwelling beneficiaries. MEASURES Additional outcome measures were spending less on other necessities in order to pay for medicines and use of drug cost reduction strategies such as requesting generics. RESULTS In 2016, 34.5% of enrollees under 65 years with disability and 14.4% of those 65 years and older did not take their medications as prescribed due to high costs; 19.4% and 4.7%, respectively, experienced going without other essentials to pay for medicines. Near-poor older beneficiaries with incomes $15-25K had 50% higher odds of CRN (vs. >$50K), but beneficiaries with incomes <$15K, more likely to be eligible for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, did not have significantly higher risk. Three indicators of worse health (general health status, functional limits, and count of conditions) were all independently associated with higher risk of CRN. CONCLUSIONS Changes in the risk profile for CRN since Part D reflect the effectiveness of targeted policies. The persistent prevalence of CRN and associated risks for sicker people in Medicare demonstrate the consequences of high cost-sharing for prescription fills.
Building Back Better: Applying Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic to Expand Critical Information Access

Abstract Background The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic generated an unprecedented volume of evolving clinical guidelines that strained existing clinical information systems and necessitated rapid innovation in emergency departments (EDs). Objectives Our team aimed to harness new COVID-19-related reliance on digital clinical support tools to re-envision how all clinical guidelines are stored and accessed in our ED. Methods We used a design-thinking approach including empathizing, defining the problem, ideating, prototyping, and testing to develop a low-cost, homegrown clinical information hub: E*Drive. To measure impact, we compared web traffic on E*Drive to our legacy cloud-based folder system and conducted a survey of end-users using a validated health technology utilization instrument. Results Our final product, E*Drive, is a centralized clinical information hub storing everything from clinical guidelines to discharge resources. Clinical guidelines are standardized and housed within the high-traffic E*Drive platform to increase accessibility. Since launch, E*Drive has averaged 84 unique weekly users, compared with less than one weekly user on the legacy system. We surveyed 52 clinicians for a total response rate of 47%. Prior to the E*Drive rollout, 12.5% of ED clinicians felt confident accessing clinical information on the legacy system, whereas 76.6% of ED clinicians felt they could more easily access clinical information using E*Drive. Conclusion The COVID pandemic revealed vulnerabilities within our information dissemination system and presented an opportunity to improve clinical information delivery. Centralized web-based clinical information hubs designed around the clinician end-user experience can increase clinical guideline access in the ED.
Estimating the loss and fragmentation of dark environments in mammal ranges from light pollution

Abstract A hallmark of the Anthropocene is the global expansion of pollution stemming from electric lighting. This evolutionarily novel phenomenon has left few spaces on Earth where natural light cycles remain unaltered. Assessing the exposure of species to light pollution is critical for developing conservation plans that address this expanding sensory pollutant. Here we used data from NASA's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite to determine the contribution of full moonlight radiance to establish an ecologically-informed threshold of natural radiance. Using the geographic ranges of 351 mammals across the contiguous United States, we estimated the percentage of each species' range in which light pollution exceeded thresholds associated with direct emissions and skyglow, where it did not (“dark environment”), and the associated fragmentation of dark environments. Average mammal range contained 2.6% (95% CI: 2.3–3.2%) of area that consistently exceeded full moon radiance at point-source emissions, but with a large range among species (0–47.4%). Skyglow affected far greater percentages of ranges ( X ¯ = 24.3%; 95% CI: 22.1–26.8%). Nocturnal species had slightly greater exposure than diurnal species. Several families with the most impacted ranges included species of conservation concern (e.g., Molossidae; free-tailed bats). When assessing connectivity of dark environments, we found light pollution fragmented most mammal ranges and resulted in isolated dark refugia (e.g., 154% average increase in patches of dark environments). Identifying species with the greatest exposure to and dark environment fragmentation from light pollution is an important step for targeted conservation efforts of remaining dark refugia for light-sensitive species.
P120 catenin potentiates constitutive E-cadherin dimerization at the plasma membrane and regulates trans binding

Summary Cadherins are essential adhesion proteins that regulate tissue cohesion and paracellular permeability by assembling dense adhesion plaques at cell-to-cell contacts. Adherens junctions are central to a wide range of tissue functions; identifying protein interactions that potentiate their assembly and regulation has been the focus of research for over 2 decades. Here, we present evidence for a new, unexpected mechanism of cadherin oligomerization on cells. Fully quantified spectral imaging fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FSI-FRET) and fluorescence intensity fluctuation (FIF) measurements directly demonstrate that E-cadherin forms constitutive lateral (cis) dimers at the plasma membrane. Results further show that binding of the cytosolic protein p120ctn binding to the intracellular region is required for constitutive E-cadherin dimerization. This finding differs from a model that attributes lateral (cis) cadherin oligomerization solely to extracellular domain interactions. The present, novel findings are further supported by studies of E-cadherin mutants that uncouple p120ctn binding or with cells in which p120ctn was knocked out using CRISPR-Cas9. Quantitative affinity measurements further demonstrate that uncoupling p120ctn binding reduces the cadherin trans binding affinity and cell adhesion. These findings transform the current model of cadherin assembly at cell surfaces and identify the core building blocks of cadherin-mediated intercellular adhesions. They also identify a new role for p120ctn and reconcile findings that implicate both the extracellular and intracellular cadherin domains in cadherin clustering and intercellular cohesion.
Regulatory Approved Monoclonal Antibodies Contain Framework Mutations Predicted From Human Antibody Repertoires

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are an important class of therapeutics used to treat cancer, inflammation, and infectious diseases. Identifying highly developable mAb sequences in silico could greatly reduce the time and cost required for therapeutic mAb development. Here, we present position-specific scoring matrices (PSSMs) for antibody framework mutations developed using baseline human antibody repertoire sequences. Our analysis shows that human antibody repertoire-based PSSMs are consistent across individuals and demonstrate high correlations between related germlines. We show that mutations in existing therapeutic antibodies can be accurately predicted solely from baseline human antibody sequence data. We find that mAbs developed using humanized mice had more human-like FR mutations than mAbs originally developed by hybridoma technology. A quantitative assessment of entire framework regions of therapeutic antibodies revealed that there may be potential for improving the properties of existing therapeutic antibodies by incorporating additional mutations of high frequency in baseline human antibody repertoires. In addition, high frequency mutations in baseline human antibody repertoires were predicted in silico to reduce immunogenicity in therapeutic mAbs due to the removal of T cell epitopes. Several therapeutic mAbs were identified to have common, universally high-scoring framework mutations, and molecular dynamics simulations revealed the mechanistic basis for the evolutionary selection of these mutations. Our results suggest that baseline human antibody repertoires may be useful as predictive tools to guide mAb development in the future.
Ionizing radiation induces mast cell degranulation and may contribute to fibrosis in patients undergoing radiation therapy

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 575 Purpose: Mast cells have been thought to play a role in various side effects of radiation such as acute radiation sickness (ARS) and fibrosis. It is well known that radiation has numerous effects on immune system effector cells ranging from induction of cytokines to the down-regulation of immune surveillance. This study examines the effect of ionizing radiation on mast cells in culture. Methods: Bone marrow stem cells were grown in culture to produce mature mast cells which were collected at 6 weeks and exposed to gamma irradiation from a 60Co source at six doses ranging from 12.5 to 400cGy. A Beta-hexosaminidase degranulation assay was performed within 15 minutes following irradiation. The cells were collected at 24, 48 and 72 hours post-irradiation to assess the extent of apoptosis and total cell number and cell viability determinations were made by direct visualization with Trypan Blue stain. Results: The Beta-hexosaminidase assay revealed that mast cell degranulation was related to radiation dose and ranged from 30-45% with a peak detected between 25 -100cGy. Apoptosis increased continuously with increasing doses of radiation. Furthermore, cell viability assessment revealed linear dose and time dependent cell death. These results confirm that the dose-dependent degranulation of the mast cells was not simply the result of cell death. Discussion: We found that ionizing radiation induces mast cell degranulation in a non-linear, dose-dependent fashion with a peak degranulation between 25-100cGy, a dose which normal tissue may be subjected to during standard radiotherapy. This pattern of cytokine release is consistent with historic data for other cell types however the underlying mechanism is currently being further investigated. Release of mast cell contents has been shown to have local as well as systemic effects. Early studies of ARS implicated histamine release and mast cell contents are felt to play a role in the development of fibrosis. Therefore, the results of this preliminary study suggest for the first time that modulation of the mast cell response through pharmacologic intervention may modulate the injury incurred by normal tissue from gamma irradiation. ![Figure][1] [1]: pending:yes
Chapter 1 Silicon in plants: Facts vs. concepts

The facts of silicon (Si) in plant life are one thing; the concepts regarding Si in plant physiology are another thing altogether. Most terrestrial plants grow in media dominated by silicates, and the soil solution bathing roots contains Si at concentrations exceeding those of phosphorus (P) by roughly a factor of 100. Plants absorb the element, and their Si content is of the same order of magnitude as that of the macronutrient elements. The general plant physiological literature, however, is nearly devoid of Si. The reason for this marked discrepancy is the conclusion that Si is not an “essential” element because most plants can grow in nutrient solutions lacking Si in their formulation. Such Si-deprived plants are, however, experimental artifacts. They may differ from Si-replete plants in (i) chemical composition; (ii) structural features; (iii) mechanical strength; (iv) various aspects of growth, including yield; (v) enzyme activities; (vi) surface characteristics; (vii) disease resistance; (viii) pest resistance; (ix) metal toxicity resistance; (x) salt tolerance; (xi) water relations; (xii) cold hardiness; and probably additional features. The gap between plant physiological facts and plant physiological concepts must be closed. The facts of Si in plant life will not change; hence it is the concepts regarding the element that need revising.
Oxygen saturation determinations of the newborn in vaginal delivery and cesarean section

Abstract 1. 1. By means of microchemical determinations of oxygen saturation of fetal capillary blood at successive intervals following delivery, it has been possible to establish figures which possibly represent the best physiologic response which may be secured in spontaneous delivery. 2. 2. Compared with these determinations in spontaneous delivery the oxygen saturation of the fetal blood following elective cesarean section under continuous spinal anesthesia shows a definite lag. 3. 3. It appears that this method of study may be applied to the analysis of various forms of anesthesia, technical procedure of operation, and handling of the newborn in cesarean section to lessen fetal mortality associated with this operation.
The Plasma Proteome: High Abundance versus Low Abundance. January 10-11, 2006, San Diego, CA, USA.

Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Sixth Annual The Plasma Proteome: High Abundance versus Low Abundance meeting focused on different methods of analyzing the plasma proteome as well as applications ...