cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three modes of calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) in neurons

Ca2+ is an important signaling ion in a wide variety of cells, and many physiological stimuli produce their cellular effects by changing the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) (Clapham, 1995, Berridge, 1995). Given that cells are multicompartment systems, the action of a particular stimulus depends on the way it modifies intracompartmental [Ca2+], and the Ca2+-sensitive effectors that are present within each compartment, poised to interpret the Cat+ signal. Since [Ca2+] is regulated by multiple interacting Ca2+ transport pathways, understanding the effects of stimulation on the intracellular distribution of Ca2+ requires analysis of the dynamical properties of a system of coupled Ca2+ transporters.
Identification of helix capping and b-turn motifs from NMR chemical shifts.

We present an empirical method for identification of distinct structural motifs in proteins on the basis of experimentally determined backbone and 13Cβ chemical shifts. Elements identified include the N-terminal and C-terminal helix capping motifs and five types of β-turns: I, II, I′, II′ and VIII. Using a database of proteins of known structure, the NMR chemical shifts, together with the PDB-extracted amino acid preference of the helix capping and β-turn motifs are used as input data for training an artificial neural network algorithm, which outputs the statistical probability of finding each motif at any given position in the protein. The trained neural networks, contained in the MICS (motif identification from chemical shifts) program, also provide a confidence level for each of their predictions, and values ranging from ca 0.7–0.9 for the Matthews correlation coefficient of its predictions far exceed those attainable by sequence analysis. MICS is anticipated to be useful both in the conventional NMR structure determination process and for enhancing on-going efforts to determine protein structures solely on the basis of chemical shift information, where it can aid in identifying protein database fragments suitable for use in building such structures.
Studies with Isolated Human Coronary Arteries: Some General Observations, Potential Mediators of Spasm, Role of Calcium Antagonists

We studied the basic mechanisms involved in human coronary artery smooth-muscle contraction in an attempt to gain insight into the pathophysiology and pathopharmacology of coronary spasm. Coronary arteries were obtained from recipient hearts of patients receiving cardiac transplantation at Stanford University. Coronary ring segments were studied in an organ bath using standard Tyrode's solution. Observation included characterizations of spontaneous contractile activity, factors affecting basal tone, type of agonist-induced contractile response, receptor distribution, activity of cardioactive drugs, and species differences. Agents mediating contraction included histamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, potassium, and prostaglandins. Because of recent clinical interest in calcium antagonists, diltiazem was studied extensively. Diltiazem demonstrated noncompetitive antagonism to the effects of several agonists and competitive antagonism to calcium. The exact cause and mechanism of coronary spasm is still unknown, but we have identified new areas for future investigation.
Anemia in Ducks Infected with Leucocytozoon simondi

SYNOPSIS. Thirty-four white Pekin ducklings were used to study the anemia associated with infection by Leucocytozoon simondi. The first appearance of gametocytes in the peripheral blood, as detected by thin smears, marked the onset of anemia. This anemia lasted for the duration of the initial parasitemia, usually reaching a low point early in the infection (1 to 5 days post patency) and returning slowly to normal as the parasitemia decreased. Greatest gametocyte density occurred 5 to 8 days post patency. In a number of cases recovery from anemia began simultaneously or even prior to the highest level in the gametocyte density. In low level parasitemias a fluctuation occurred in erythrocyte numbers which corresponded with the peaks of gametocyte density. In none of the infections was a sufficient number of parasite observed to account for the existing anemia. Haemopoietic activity was observed for a brief period at the time of maximum erythrocyte loss in only a few birds. The overcompensation for erythrocyte loss at the end of the primary parasitermia favors the view that increased erythrocyte production may account for the short duration of haemopoiesis.
Anatomy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow: potential relationship of acute ulnar neuropathy to gender differences

Men develop perioperative ulnar neuropathies more frequently than women. To determine the role of anatomical gender differences in the development of these neuropathies, we performed several studies of the anatomy of the ulnar nerve, cubital tunnel, and elbow region. These studies included detailed dissection of male and female embalmed and unembalmed cadavers, ultrasound measurements of the tissue layers at the elbow, and measurement of various dimensions of the coronoid process of the ulna in multiple skeletal sets. No gross anatomical differences were found between genders regarding the course of the ulnar nerve through the upper limb. However, there was a strikingly larger (2-19 times greater) fat content on the medial aspect of the elbow in women compared to men, and the tubercle of the coronoid process was approximately 1.5 times larger in men (P < or = .002, rank sum test). Our finding suggest that the tubercle of the coronoid process is a likely area for external compression-induced ischemia of the ulnar nerve because the nerve and its arterial supply (the posterior ulnar recurrent artery) are covered at the tubercle only by skin, subcutaneous fat, and a very thin aponeurosis of the flexor carpi ulnaris. Importantly, this tubercle is larger and the nerve and blood vessels passing by it are less protected by subcutaneous fat in men than in women. These two anatomical differences between men and women may contribute to the increased frequency of perioperative ulnar neuropathy induced by external pressure at the medial aspect of the elbow in men.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) induction of biofilm matrix architectural and bioadhesive modifications.

Abstract Background Dental implants are commonly used today for the treatment of partially and fully edentulous patients. Despite the high success rate they are not resistant to complications and failure due to a variety of problems including peri-implantitis or peri-mucositis due to bacterial biofilm formation on the implant surface. The use of non-surgical and surgical treatment procedure to promote healing in cases with peri-implantitis have limited efficacy. Here we studied the ability of photodynamic therapy to destroy a known bacterial pathogen and the extracellular matrix architecture of biofilm attached to titanium plates and germanium prisms. Methods Titanium plates or germanium prisms were incubated for 24 h with Fusobacterium nucleatum a fusiform, gram-negative bacterium was used to enable biofilm formation. Photodynamic therapy was carried out by incubating the biofilm samples on each substrata with porfimer sodium. Treatment was carried out using a diode laser at 630 nm, 150 mW/cm 2 for light doses ranging from 25–100 J/cm 2 . Evaluation of killing efficacy was done by counting colony forming units compared to controls. Multiple attenuated internal reflection-infrared spectroscopy (MAIR-IR) and SEM were used to analyze the samples pre and post PDT for validation. Results F. nucleatum was significantly reduced in a dose dependent manner by treatment with PDT. Changes in biofilm components and strength of bioadhesion were examined with MAIR-IR following jet impingement using calibrated water jets. SEM demonstrates significant morphological alterations in the bacteria, consistent with damage associated with exposure to reactive oxygen species. Conclusion The results are indicative that aPDT is a method that can be used to eradicate micro-organisms associated with biofilm in peri-implantitis on relevant substrata. Data shows that the slime layer of the biofilm is removed and that further methods need to be employed to completely remove weakened or destroyed biofilm matrix components. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated oxidative damage results in morphologic changes as a consequence of changes in cell membrane integrity.
The Future of Deference

In this essay, Professor Pierce describes the history of the deference doctrines the Supreme Court has announced and applied to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes and rules over the last seventy years. He predicts that the Court will continue to reduce the scope and strength of those doctrines, in part because of increasing concern about the temporal inconsistencies created by those doctrines. In the current highly polarized political environment, deference doctrines create a legal environment in which the "law" applicable to many agency actions changes every time a President of one party replaces a President of the other party.
The role of philanthropy in child maltreatment prevention efforts

he Duke Endowment has long been interested in the welfare of children. In his Indenture of Trust that established The Endowment in 1924, James B. Duke expressed a desire to help children who had been orphaned from their families. Today, we recognize that children are less likely to be orphaned in the traditional sense of the word (by the death of their parents). They are more likely to be “orphaned” by the actions of their parents—namely, child abuse and neglect that results in the state (through county departments of social services) taking custody of the
Serum antibodies to JC virus, BK virus, simian virus 40, and the risk of incident adult astrocytic brain tumors

Genomic sequences of the human polyomaviruses, JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV), and simian virus 40 (SV40) have been reported from several types of human brain tumors, but there have been no population-based seroepidemiologic studies to evaluate the association between polyomavirus infection and brain tumors. We conducted a case-control study, nested within a prospective cohort, to investigate the association between antibodies to JCV, BKV, and SV40, as measured in serum collected 1-22 years before diagnosis and incident primary malignant brain tumors. Brain tumor cases (n = 44) and age-, gender-, and race-matched controls (n = 88) were identified from participants of two specimen banks in Washington County, Maryland. IgG antibodies to the capsid proteins of JCV and BKV were assessed using ELISAs. SV40-neutralizing antibodies were measured using plaque neutralization assays. Similar to the general population, the prevalence of JCV and BKV infection was high in our study population (77 and 85%, respectively). Antibodies to SV40 were less prevalent (11%). The odds ratio for subsequent brain tumor development was 1.46 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61-3.5] for JCV, 0.66 for BKV (95% CI, 0.22-1.95), and 1.00 for SV40 (95% CI, 0.30-3.32). Given the high prevalence of JCV and BKV infections and the millions who were potentially exposed to SV40 through contaminated polio vaccines, future studies should attempt to replicate these findings.
Factors affecting early exsanguination and death in blunt thoracic aortic trauma.

The traditional approach to blunt thoracic aortic injuries has been expedient diagnosis and operative repair due to the significant risk of early exsanguination and death in initial survivors. Nonoperative management has been advocated in patients with multiple injuries to reduce the operative mortality. However, specific clinical parameters and diagnostic tests that may predict the risk of early exsanguination and death have yet to be identified. A retrospective analysis of 80 patients with these injuries was undertaken to identify factors associated with early exsanguination or death. Available aortograms were also examined and graded to determine their utility in predicting these outcomes. Early exsanguination and death were found to be associated with low systolic blood pressure on admission and with short duration from injury to diagnosis. Exsanguination was also associated with the total number of lesions in thoracic injuries, and mortality with age greater than 30 years. Aortographic appearance was...
Pathogenesis of Canine Bordetellosis

Bordetella bronchiseptica produced tracheobronchitis when administered in aerosol to specific pathogen-free dogs. Clinical signs appeared to be directly related to numbers of bacteria in the trachea. Electron microscopic examination revealed that each bacterium was close to one or more tracheal cilia and that a fibrillar material was radiating from the bacterial cell wall. B. bronchiseptica required 14 weeks to be cleared from the tracheas of infected dogs; in contrast, other organisms commonly isolated from the respiratory tracts of dogs were cleared within one to three days. Strains of high and low in vitro passage and strains representing three different morphotypes were of equal pathogenicity. Local immunity was observed after infection and appeared to be of primary importance in recovery from the infection. Presumably this response involves prevention of bacterial attachment and reattachment to cilia.
Overview and Description of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD) are sleep disorders that result from a misalignment between the endogenous circadian system and the desired sleep–wake schedule. The etiology varies depending on the disorder but is thought to be the result of either an alteration in the endogenous circadian timing system or a mismatch between the endogenous circadian timing system and the external environment (e.g., jet lag and shift work). The diagnosis of these disorders is primarily based on medical review of symptoms, which vary depending on which of the nine CRSD are present. The sleep complaint must lead to significant impairment in social or occupational functioning, and may not be the result of any other medical, neurological, or psychiatric disorder.
Drug-Behavior Interactions

As discussed in the previous chapter, drugs can affect behavior by serving as functional stimuli. They also can modulate the effects of nonpharmacological variables. How they do so and the factors that influence these processes are the topics of the present chapter.
225–280 GHz receiver for rotational spectroscopy

A fully integrated CMOS receiver for mm-wave rotational spectroscopy is demonstrated. The receiver consists of a sub-harmonic mixer based receiving front-end which down-converts 225–280 GHz RF input to 20 GHz intermediate frequency, a 20-GHz AM demodulator followed by a baseband buffer amplifier, and an 122–139 GHz local oscillator chain which is comprised of a frequency quadrupler and a driver amplifier. The receiver exhibits responsivity of 400–1200 kV/W and noise equivalent power of 0.4 to 1.2 pW/√Hz from 225 to 280 GHz. Detection of ethanol, propionitrile (EtCN), acetonitrile (CH3CN) and acetone in a mixture is demonstrated using the receiver in a rotational spectrometer setup. This is the first demonstration that a CMOS receiver can be used for rotational spectroscopy and that a CMOS circuit can support an existing application at frequencies above 200 GHz.
Adaptive Reasoning for Context-Sensitive Access Controls

Many of the current policy-based management systems implement policies that depend on dynamic operational environment contexts. The existing formal-based approaches for enforcing security policies are mainly expressed using first-order logic. A major drawback of using first-order logic in implementing dynamic policies is that new observations cannot override previously inferred consequences. In fact, a security system whose enterprise policies are implemented using first-order logic is required to have complete access to data in advance in order to be able to perform an informed reasoning and enforce restricting policies. As a major problem, the systems designed based on these first order logic-based approaches are often static, inflexible, and hard to manage and scale. This paper introduces an approach for expressing and enforcing adaptive access control policies dynamically. The paper presents a non-monotonic formal approach based on Answer Set Programming where default policies are explicitly separated from context-dependent and exception policies that often occur in dynamic systems and in particular when the required context data are unavailable ahead of time. The results of presented case study demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed approach compared to the first order logic-based context-sensitive approaches as implemented in Organizational-Based Access Control (ORBAC) model.
Experience with A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique (ADAPT) for Thrombectomy in Distal Cerebral Artery Occlusions Causing Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background Thromboembolic occlusion of distal branches in anterior and posterior circulation may produce severe clinical deficits. A Direct Aspiration at first Pass Technique (ADAPT) is a simple, fast method for achieving good angiographic and clinical outcomes using large-bore catheters in large vessel occlusions. We present our results using ADAPT with distal cerebral artery occlusions. Methods ADAPT was used to treat 35 patients (14 women, 21 men; average age 65.5 years ± 12.6) with acute ischemic stroke with thrombus in the distal middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, or posterior cerebral artery. Patients presented with a mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 14.1 ± 6.9; 15 patients received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. Mean time from onset to puncture was 7.1 hours ± 5.1. Of patients, 28 (80%) presented with isolated M2 segment occlusions, 1 (2.9%) presented with isolated A3 segment occlusion, and 6 (17.1%) presented with tandem occlusions. Results Mean time to recanalization was 35.7 minutes ± 26.4. A thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2B or better was achieved in 34 patients (97.1%), with 15 achieving a thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 3. Aspiration alone was successful in 26 cases (77.1%), whereas 7 (20%) required additional techniques. A 90-day modified Rankin Scale score was available in 32 patients; 59.4% had a 90-day score of 0–2. No patients had a modified Rankin Scale score of 6. Conclusions Acute distal anterior circulation thromboembolic occlusions may be treated safely with intraarterial thrombectomy. Prior studies have demonstrated the success of ADAPT in proximal large vessel occlusions. This series suggests that ADAPT is an effective, safe method for performing thrombectomy in distal branches of anterior and posterior circulation.
Electronic cigarettes and mental illness: Reviewing the evidence for help and harm among those with psychiatric and substance use disorders

Background and Objectives Adults with mental illness (MI) use combustible tobacco at increased rates and have greater difficulty quitting smoking. Given the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), their use by those with MI has important health implications. While preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits of e-cigarette use for those with MI, well-controlled, systematic research examining appeal, correlates, and consequences of e-cigarette use in this vulnerable population is lacking. This review evaluated current knowledge of e-cigarette use and potential for help and/or harm among adults with MI. Methods The search strategy resulted in k = 88 reports, of which k = 9 were deemed relevant. Results E-cigarette use is prevalent among those with MI, as is concurrent use of e-cigarettes and combustibles. E-cigarettes appeal to those with MI as a viable alternative to combustible tobacco, and their use does not appear to exacerbate nicotine addiction or psychiatric symptoms. However, the long-term impact of e-cigarette use on combustible tobacco use and other health indices is largely unknown. Discussion and Conclusions Rigorous research and improved knowledge regarding risks and benefits of e-cigarette use within this vulnerable population are needed to inform whether special consideration is warranted towards those with MI in developing tobacco control policies and health communications. Recommendations for future e-cigarette research include improved assessment of the following: 1) psychodiagnostic variability, 2) flavor preferences, 3) the longitudinal impact on combustible tobacco use, and 4) impact of tobacco product communications. Scientific Significance As with combustible cigarettes, individuals with MI may display unique e-cigarette use patterns from that of the general population. (Am J Addict 2017;26:306–315)
A Brief History of Software Patents (and Why They're Valid)

Today, there is a vigorous and sometimes caustic debate over whether computer software is a patentable invention. Unfortunately, these arguments are rife with confusion about the technology and the law, and courts are proving to be equally confused. As opposed to continuing the entirely doctrinal and policy debate in the literature, this essay fills a gap in the scholarship by detailing the historical evolution of computer software and showing how intellectual property (IP) law played a key role in its technological development. This historical account contributes to the debates in two ways. First, it reveals that opposition to IP protection for software is not new. There was vociferous opposition in the 1960s to extending copyright protection to software code, just as there is strident opposition today to extending patent protection to software programs. Second, and more important, it reveals why courts extended patent protection to software programs in the 1990s, which followed from the evolution of computer technology itself. Legal doctrines evolve in response to developments in new technology, and the patent system exemplifies this operating principle. The patent system secured to innovators the new technological inventions in the Industrial Revolution and it secures to innovators the new technological inventions in the Digital Revolution today. Understanding the history of computer software and its evolving protections under the IP laws confirms that software programs today are inventions that, if they are new, useful, nonobvious and properly disclosed in a patent application, are rightly eligible for patent protection.
Fungal Biofilms: Inside Out.

We focus this article on turning a biofilm inside out. The “inside” of the biofilm comprises the individual biofilm-related phenotypes, their environmental drivers and genetic determinants, and the coordination of gene functions through transcriptional regulators. Investigators have viewed the inside of the biofilm through diverse approaches, and this article will attempt to capture the essence of many. The ultimate goal is to connect the inside to the “outside,” which we view as biofilm structure, development, pharmacological attributes, and medical impact.
Sulfide Generation by Dominant Halanaerobium Microorganisms in Hydraulically Fractured Shales.

ABSTRACT Hydraulic fracturing of black shale formations has greatly increased United States oil and natural gas recovery. However, the accumulation of biomass in subsurface reservoirs and pipelines is detrimental because of possible well souring, microbially induced corrosion, and pore clogging. Temporal sampling of produced fluids from a well in the Utica Shale revealed the dominance of Halanaerobium strains within the in situ microbial community and the potential for these microorganisms to catalyze thiosulfate-dependent sulfidogenesis. From these field data, we investigated biogenic sulfide production catalyzed by a Halanaerobium strain isolated from the produced fluids using proteogenomics and laboratory growth experiments. Analysis of Halanaerobium isolate genomes and reconstructed genomes from metagenomic data sets revealed the conserved presence of rhodanese-like proteins and anaerobic sulfite reductase complexes capable of converting thiosulfate to sulfide. Shotgun proteomics measurements using a Halanaerobium isolate verified that these proteins were more abundant when thiosulfate was present in the growth medium, and culture-based assays identified thiosulfate-dependent sulfide production by the same isolate. Increased production of sulfide and organic acids during the stationary growth phase suggests that fermentative Halanaerobium uses thiosulfate to remove excess reductant. These findings emphasize the potential detrimental effects that could arise from thiosulfate-reducing microorganisms in hydraulically fractured shales, which are undetected by current industry-wide corrosion diagnostics. IMPORTANCE Although thousands of wells in deep shale formations across the United States have been hydraulically fractured for oil and gas recovery, the impact of microbial metabolism within these environments is poorly understood. Our research demonstrates that dominant microbial populations in these subsurface ecosystems contain the conserved capacity for the reduction of thiosulfate to sulfide and that this process is likely occurring in the environment. Sulfide generation (also known as “souring”) is considered deleterious in the oil and gas industry because of both toxicity issues and impacts on corrosion of the subsurface infrastructure. Critically, the capacity for sulfide generation via reduction of sulfate was not detected in our data sets. Given that current industry wellhead tests for sulfidogenesis target canonical sulfate-reducing microorganisms, these data suggest that new approaches to the detection of sulfide-producing microorganisms may be necessary.
A Survey of Clinical Uncertainty from the Paediatric Basic Specialist Trainee Perspective

This study was undertaken to evaluate uncertainty from the Basic Specialist Trainee perspective. The survey of trainees explored 1) factors in decision making, 2) the personal impact of uncertainty, 3) the responses to both clinical errors and challenges to their decision making and 4) the potential strategies to address uncertainty. Forty-one (93%) of trainees surveyed responded. Important factors in decision making were clinical knowledge and senior colleague's opinion. Sixty percent experienced significant anxiety post call as a consequence of their uncertainty. When errors are made by colleagues, the trainee's response is acceptance (52.5%), and sympathy (32%).Trainees are strongly influenced by the opinions of senior colleagues often changing their opinions having made confident decisions. Solutions to address uncertainty include enhanced knowledge translation, and to a lesser extent, enhanced personal awareness and resilience awareness. To enhance the training experience for BST and lessen the uncertainty experienced these strategies need to be enacted within the training milieu.
Effects and Mechanism of Nicotinamide Against UVA- and/or UVB-mediated DNA Damages in Normal Melanocytes

Melanoma incidences are increasing rapidly, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is believed to be its major contributing factor. UV exposure causes DNA damage in skin which may initiate cutaneous skin cancers including melanoma. Melanoma arises from melanocytes, the melanin-producing skin cells, following genetic dysregulations resulting into hyperproliferative phenotype and neoplastic transformation. Both UVA and UVB exposures to the skin are believed to trigger melanocytic hyperplasia and melanomagenesis. Melanocytes by themselves are deficient in repair of oxidative DNA damage and UV-induced photoproducts. Nicotinamide, an active form of vitamin B3 and a critical component of the human body's defense system has been shown to prevent certain cancers including nonmelanoma skin cancers. However, the mechanism of nicotinamide's protective effects is not well understood. Here, we investigated potential protective effects and mechanism of nicotinamide against UVA- and/or UVB- induced damage in normal human epidermal melanocytes. Our data demonstrated an appreciable protective effect of nicotinamide against UVA- and/or UVB- induced DNA damage in melanocytes by decreasing both cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. We found that the photoprotective response of nicotinamide was associated with the activation of nucleotide excision repair genes and NRF2 signaling. Further studies are needed to validate our findings in in vivo models.
Listening across borders: migration, dedications, and voice in cumbia sonidera

During performances of cumbia sonidera, a Mexican style of music with roots in Colombia's northwest, sonideros (DJs) recite names of people and places over the music. Fans hand slips of paper, hold...
Chemogenetic activation of orexin/hypocretin neurons ameliorates aging-induced changes in behavior and energy expenditure

Aging affects numerous physiological processes, as well as behavior. A large number of these processes are regulated, at least partially, by hypothalamic orexin neurons, and orexin tone may decrease with normal aging. In this study, we hypothesized that designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) stimulation of orexin neuronal activity will ameliorate the effect of aging on behavioral and metabolic alterations in young and middle-aged mice. DREADD targeting was achieved by stereotaxic injection of AAV vectors (AAV2-hSyn-DIO-hM3D(Gq)-mCherry) into the lateral hypothalamus of 5- and 12-mo old orexin-cre female mice and was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of orexin A and mCherry expression. After recovery, animals were subjected to a behavioral test battery consisting of the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field (OFT), and novel object recognition tests (NORT) to assess effects of aging on anxiety-like behavior, general locomotion, and working memory. A comprehensive laboratory animal monitoring system (CLAMS) was used to measure spontaneous physical activity (SPA) and energy expenditure (EE). The results indicate that activation of orexin neurons mitigates aging-induced reductions in anxiety-like behavior in middle-aged mice (P < 0.005) and increases locomotion in both young and middle-aged mice (P < 0.05). Activation of orexin neurons increases SPA (P < 0.01) and EE (P < 0.005) in middle-aged mice, restoring the levels to that observed in young animals. Results from this study identify orexin neurons as potential therapeutic targets for age-related impairments in cognitive and anxiety-related behavior, and energy balance.
Portfolio Optimization Using Regime-Switching Stochastic Interest Rate and Stochastic Volatility Models

This paper considers the continuous-time portfolio optimization problem with both stochastic interest rate and stochastic volatility in regime-switching models, where a regime-switching Vasicek model is assumed for the interest rate and a regime-switching Heston model is assumed for the stock price.We use the dynamic programming approach to solve this stochastic optimal control problem. Under suitable assumptions, we prove a verification theorem.We then derive a closed-form solution of the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation for a power utility function and a special choice of some model parameters. We prove the optimality of the closed-form solution by verifying the required conditions as stated in the verification theorem. We present a numerical example to show the optimal portfolio policies and value functions in different regimes.
Design and Implementation of Manufacturing Data Lake in Hadoop

The manufacturing industry generates vast amounts of data today and modern semiconductor manufacturing is one of the key contributors to this tsunami of data. Efficient storage and analysis of data have a significant impact on productivity and profit. In this paper, we will explore design and implementation of a manufacturing Data Lake in Hadoop ecosystem and how the data is used to generate business intelligence.
Binding of BRACO19 to a Telomeric G-Quadruplex DNA Probed by All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulations with Explicit Solvent.

Although BRACO19 is a potent G-quadruplex binder, its potential for clinical usage is hindered by its low selectivity towards DNA G-quadruplex over duplex. High-resolution structures of BRACO19 in complex with neither single-stranded telomeric DNA G-quadruplexes nor B-DNA duplex are available. In this study, the binding pathway of BRACO19 was probed by 27.5 µs molecular dynamics binding simulations with a free ligand (BRACO19) to a DNA duplex and three different topological folds of the human telomeric DNA G-quadruplex (parallel, anti-parallel and hybrid). The most stable binding modes were identified as end stacking and groove binding for the DNA G-quadruplexes and duplex, respectively. Among the three G-quadruplex topologies, the MM-GBSA binding energy analysis suggested that BRACO19′s binding to the parallel scaffold was most energetically favorable. The two lines of conflicting evidence plus our binding energy data suggest conformation-selection mechanism: the relative population shift of three scaffolds upon BRACO19 binding (i.e., an increase of population of parallel scaffold, a decrease of populations of antiparallel and/or hybrid scaffold). This hypothesis appears to be consistent with the fact that BRACO19 was specifically designed based on the structural requirements of the parallel scaffold and has since proven effective against a variety of cancer cell lines as well as toward a number of scaffolds. In addition, this binding mode is only slightly more favorable than BRACO19s binding to the duplex, explaining the low binding selectivity of BRACO19 to G-quadruplexes over duplex DNA. Our detailed analysis suggests that BRACO19′s groove binding mode may not be stable enough to maintain a prolonged binding event and that the groove binding mode may function as an intermediate state preceding a more energetically favorable end stacking pose; base flipping played an important role in enhancing binding interactions, an integral feature of an induced fit binding mechanism.
Intestinal Spirochetosis: Case Series and Review of the Literature

Objective This study aims to present the clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic characteristics associated with intestinal spirochetosis (IS). It also serves to heighten awareness among pathologists, since the histologic appearance of spirochetosis could be subtle and easily overlooked. Methods Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) slides and special stains of intestinal biopsies from six patients with a diagnosis of IS at our institution were reviewed. Clinical history, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings were obtained from electronic medical records. Results The patients presented with diverse clinical symptoms, and only one patient was asymptomatic. The most consistent symptoms were watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Two out of five treated patients reported symptomatic improvement after antibiotics therapy. The colonoscopy findings were not specific, ranging from normal mucosa to polyps, to mucosal ulcerations in one patient. On histologic examination, the typical "brush-like" organisms lying perpendicular to the surface epithelium are seen both on H&E stain and special stains. Conclusions IS is usually an incidental histologic finding, and the association with symptoms is still unclear. The clinical presentation could be very diverse, hence, a long list of differential diagnosis should be ruled out. Additional clinical testing should be pursued if patients are unresponsive to antibiotic treatment.
A Case Report: Insulinoma in a Military Pilot Detected by 68Ga-Dotatate PET/CT.

A 37-year-old active duty male Air Force instructor pilot, with no prior medical history, was found unresponsive at his home after awakening with symptoms of altered mental status when the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) was called. The patient was found to be hypoglycemic with a glucose of 37 mg/dL. The patient recovered after administration of a dextrose bolus. Further investigation revealed that over the last several years, the patient exhibited symptoms of lightheadedness and tremors if fasted greater than 3 hours. Further clinical workup strongly suggested the presence of a neuroendocrine tumor. Initial imaging studies to include a multiphasic dedicated pancreatic computed tomography (CT) scan did not demonstrate a pancreatic lesion. However, the utilization of an innovative new nuclear medicine imaging modality, a 68Ga-Dotatate PET/CT, clearly demonstrated a 19 × 16 mm lesion of the distal pancreatic tail, which guided surgical resection. He underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, pathologically characterized as an insulinoma. The patient's symptoms immediately resolved with no recurrence over the next 6 months. The pilot was granted a waiver, returning him to his flying duties. The 68Ga-Dotatate PET/CT enabled the identification of an otherwise occult pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor ultimately leading to this patient's definitive cure and the salvage of this military asset's aviation career.
Relay Protocol for Approximate Byzantine Consensus.

Approximate byzantine consensus is a fundamental problem of distributed computing. This paper presents a novel algorithm for approximate byzantine consensus, called Relay-ABC. The algorithm allows machines to achieve approximate consensus to arbitrary exactness in the presence of byzantine failures. The algorithm relies on the usage of a relayed messaging system and signed messages with unforgeable signatures that are unique to each node. The use of signatures and relays allows the strict necessary network conditions of traditional approximate byzantine consensus algorithms to be circumvented. We also provide theoretical guarantees of validity and convergence for Relay-ABC. To do this, we utilize the idea that the iteration of states in the network can be modeled by a sequence of transition matrices. We extend previous methods, which use transition matrices to prove ABC convergence, by having each state vector model not just one iteration, but a set of $D$ iterations, where $D$ is a diameter property of the graph. This allows us to accurately model the delays of messages inherent within the relay system.
Can Data Generated by Connected Vehicles Enhance Safety?: Proactive Approach to Intersection Safety Management:

Traditionally, evaluation of intersection safety has been largely reactive and based on historical crash frequency data. However, the emerging data from connected and autonomous vehicles can complement historical data and help in proactively identifying intersections with high levels of variability in instantaneous driving behaviors before the occurrence of crashes. On the basis of data from the Safety Pilot Model Deployment in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this study developed a unique database that integrated intersection crash and inventory data with more than 65 million real-world basic safety messages logged by 3,000 connected vehicles; this database provided a more complete picture of operations and safety performance at intersections. As a proactive safety measure and a leading indicator of safety, location-based volatility was introduced; this quantified variability in instantaneous driving decisions at intersections. Location-based volatility represented the driving performance of connected-vehicle driver...
Rapid Entry into Masters in Computing Program for Non-Majors

The COSMIC: Change Opportunity - Start Masters in Computing graduate curriculum initiative strives to provide a rapid entry pathway to a professional Master of Science (MS) degree for individuals who do not have an undergraduate degree in computing, but who wish to cross over to a career in the computing field. The goal of our curriculum is to minimize the time students spend preparing for graduate study and maximize experiences relevant for work after graduation. The COSMIC curriculum initiative is similar in concept to other post-baccalaureate conversion programs. However, customization of the COSMIC bridge course and curriculum pathway makes it possible for conversion students to complete the bridge course in summer, then move directly to standard graduate program courses in fall. The highly focused bridge course includes learning to program in two popular high-level languages, abstract data structures, professional practices and various computing concepts that prepare students for the rigors of the MS program. To recruit low-income students from populations underrepresented in the computing field, federal funding and institutional support was obtained. The funding provides low-income students with financial support that enables them to complete the degree in two years. With projected computing talent shortfalls and the advantages of workforce diversity, it is vital that educational institutions create conversion programs that can be completed relatively quickly, with the needs of non-traditional students in mind.
Abnormal Femoral Anteversion Is Associated With the Development of Hip Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature and to evaluate the relationship between abnormal femoral version and the development of hip osteoarthritis (OA). Methods A systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, evaluating Level I and II studies. Included studies had to provide granular femoral version (FV) information. The severity of OA was ranked on the Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) scale. Excel version 1808 (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) was used to perform a student t test statistical analyses. Results Our review identified 19 qualifying studies—5 Level I and 14 Level II with 1,756 patients. Patients with FV above normal range (>14°) had greater KL scores than patients with normal range FV (mean ± standard deviation; 3.37 ± 1.44 vs 2.05 ± 1.72, P 24° (>1 standard deviation) versus patients with FV >14° but Conclusions The present review suggests that elevated FV may be a risk factor for more severe hip OA with or without the presence of concurrent dysplasia of the hip. The relative amount of increased anteversion appears positively correlated with severity of OA. Although femoral retroversion may impact hip mechanics, in this review it does not appear to strongly correlate with the development of OA. Level of Evidence II: systematic review of Level I and II studies.
Looking Back on 130 Years of Fern and Lycophyte Research in Glacier National Park, Montana: A Modern Taxonomic Account

Glacier National Park encompasses over one million acres in the mountains of northwestern Montana, along the United States–Canada border. Our survey of online databases indicates that the earliest extant fern and lycophyte collections from this area were taken by Robert S. Williams in 1892. In the summer of 1919, Paul C. Standley, a botanist with the United States National Museum, conducted a survey of the flora of the newly created Park and recorded 39 species of ferns and lycophytes. In 2002, a revised flora for the Park by Peter Lesica increased this number to 61. Here we summarize 130 years of collections-based research on the ferns and lycophytes of Glacier National Park, documenting how our understanding of the flora has changed through time. In the summer of 2019, the lead author conducted a field survey to relocate as many ferns and lycophytes as possible within park boundaries. In parallel, we scoured herbarium online portals and databases for high-resolution digitized specimen images to confirm or refute historical vouchers of ferns and lycophytes collected from the Park. In a few cases, specimen loans were requested from herbaria to confirm our determinations. The results from our combined field and online herbarium studies are presented here. Of the 61 taxa recognized by Lesica in 2002, we were able to confirm all but seven. In sum, we recognize here a total of 71 fern and lycophyte taxa for the Park. Most previously unreported taxa belong to Botrychium, a genus that has seen a flurry of recent taxonomic work by co-author Farrar and collaborators. These new data are presented here together with updated nomenclature and discussion to provide a current taxonomic account of the fourteen fern and lycophyte families known to occur in Glacier National Park. We anticipate this study will provide a useful foundation for further investigations in the Park.
Greater Carboxy-Methyl-Lysine Is Associated With Increased Fracture Risk in Type 2 Diabetes.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) in bone alters collagen structure and function. Fluorescent AGEs are associated with fractures but less is known regarding non-fluorescent AGEs. We examined associations of carboxy-methyl-lysine (CML), with incident clinical and prevalent vertebral fractures by type 2 diabetes (T2D) status, in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition cohort of older adults. Incident clinical fractures and baseline vertebral fractures were assessed. Cox regression was used to analyze the associations between serum CML and clinical fracture incidence, and logistic regression for vertebral fracture prevalence. At baseline, mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 73.7 ± 2.8 and 73.6 ± 2.9 years in T2D (n = 712) and non-diabetes (n = 2332), respectively. Baseline CML levels were higher in T2D than non-diabetes (893 ± 332 versus 771 ± 270 ng/mL, p < 0.0001). In multivariate models, greater CML was associated with higher risk of incident clinical fracture in T2D (hazard ratio [HR] 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-1.79 per 1-SD increase in log CML) but not in non-diabetes (HR 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94-1.13; p for interaction = 0.001). This association was independent of bone mineral density (BMD), glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c), weight, weight loss, smoking, cystatin-C, and medication use. CML was not significantly associated with the odds of prevalent vertebral fractures in either group. In conclusion, higher CML levels are associated with increased risk of incident clinical fractures in T2D, independent of BMD. These results implicate CML in the pathogenesis of bone fragility in diabetes. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Sustaining the World’s Forests: Managing Competing Demands for a Vital Resource – The Role of the World Bank

Forests cover about 25–30% of the Earth’s land surface, or between 3.3 billion and 3.9 billion hectares, depending on the definitions used. Each year, forests covering an area the size of Portugal (approximately 92,000 km2) are cut down. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that during the 1990s, the world suffered a net loss of 95 million hectares of forests – an area larger than Venezuela – with most of the losses occurring in the tropics. The loss of 161 million hectares of natural forests to deforestation was somewhat offset by 15 million hectares of afforestation (deliberate creation of forest where none existed before), 36 million hectares of natural expansion of forests, and 15 million hectares of reforestation.
Post-Radical Prostatectomy Penile Blood Flow: Assessment with Color Flow Doppler Ultrasound

AbstractCadaveric dissections have revealed that accessory blood vessels to the penis often arise near or through the apex of the prostate. These accessory vessels may be easily injured during radical prostatectomy. Increasing attention since the 1980s has focused on preserving potency after radical prostatectomy with a nerve sparing technique. However, many patients are impotent even after a nerve sparing procedure. An arterial, venous or psychological mechanism may be involved. A prospective study was designed to assess cavernous artery diameter, peak systolic flow velocity, penile blood flow, end diastolic flow velocity and resistance index preoperatively and postoperatively in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Ten patients with a mean age of 60 years were evaluated, of whom 8 underwent a unilateral nerve sparing procedure, 1 bilateral nerve sparing procedure and 1 bilateral nonnerve sparing procedure. Mean penile blood flow as calculated by the formula penile blood flow = peak systolic flow v...