cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water extraction from the inner medullary collecting tubule system: a role for urea.

Water extraction from the inner medullary collecting tubule system: A role for urea. Recent examinations of the inner medullary collecting tubule membrane in vitro have demonstrated that its reflection coefficient to urea (σ urea ) is significantly less than unity and less than σ NaCl in the presence of antidiuretic hormone. Fluid entering the inner medullary collecting tubule has a higher urea concentration and lower NaCl concentration than does the medullary interstitium, although total osmolarity is nearly equal on either side of the membrane. The transtubular difference in solute composition, together with the difference between σ urea and σ NaCl , should result in a driving force for extraction of water from the tubule. This hypothesis was examined in a differential analysis of water and solute fluxes across the collecting tubule epithelium. The results indicate that this driving force contributes significantly to water extraction from the inner medullary collecting tubule. Soustraction d'eau au systeme collecteur medullaire interne: Un role de l'uree. Des etudes in vitro recentes de la membrane du canal collecteur medullaire interne ont demontre que le coefficient de reflexion a l'uree (σ uree ) est significativement inferieur a l'unite et inferieur a σ NaCl en presence d'hormone antidiuretique. Le liquide qui entre dans le canal collecteur medullaire interne a une concentration d'uree plus elevee et une concentration de NaCl plus faible que l'interstitium de la medullaire bien que l'osmolalite soit a peu pres egale de part et d'autre de la membrane. La difference transtubulaire de la concentration des substances dissoutes et la difference entre σ uree et σ NaCl devrait avoir pour consequence une force motrice qui assure la soustraction d'eau au collecteur. Cette hypothese a ete envisagee dans une analyse differentielle des flux d'eau et de substances dissoutes a travers l'epithelium du tube collecteur. Les resultats indiquent que cette force motrice contribue significativement a soustraire de l'eau au canal collecteur de la medullaire interne.
Treating hemoglobinopathies using gene-correction approaches: promises and challenges

Hemoglobinopathies are genetic disorders caused by aberrant hemoglobin expression or structure changes, resulting in severe mortality and health disparities worldwide. Sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia, the most common forms of hemoglobinopathies, are typically treated using transfusions and pharmacological agents. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative therapy, but has limited clinical applicability. Although gene therapy approaches have been proposed based on the insertion and forced expression of wild-type or anti-sickling β-globin variants, safety concerns may impede their clinical application. A novel curative approach is nuclease-based gene correction, which involves the application of precision genome-editing tools to correct the disease-causing mutation. This review describes the development and potential application of gene therapy and precision genome-editing approaches for treating SCD and β-thalassemia. The opportunities and challenges in advancing a curative therapy for hemoglobinopathies are also discussed.
Malignant Melanoma of the Penis and Male Urethra: 4 Case Reports and Literature Review

Malignant melanomas of the penis and male urethra are uncommon lesions. We report 3 new cases of male urethral melanoma and 1 case of penile melanoma, bringing the total numbers of reported cases to 26 and 57, respectively. The literature is reviewed, and biological, histopathological and therapeutic considerations are analyzed.
Synthesis of a Potent Vinblastine: Rationally Designed Added Benign Complexity

Many natural products, including vinblastine, have not been easily subjected to simplifications in their structures by synthetic means or modifications by late-stage semisynthetic derivatization in ways that enhance their biological potency. Herein, we detail a synthetic vinblastine that incorporates added benign complexity (ABC), which improves activity 10-fold, and is now accessible as a result of advances in the total synthesis of the natural product. The compound incorporates designed added molecular complexity but no new functional groups and maintains all existing structural and conformational features of the natural product. It constitutes a member of an analogue class presently inaccessible by semisynthetic derivatization of the natural product, by its late-stage functionalization, or by biosynthetic means. Rather, it was accessed by synthetic means, using an appropriately modified powerful penultimate single-step vindoline–catharanthine coupling strategy that proceeds with a higher diastereoselec...
Determining Optimal Production Temperature, Transplant Stage, and Postharvest Protocols for Cut ‘Esprit’ Penstemon

The effects of production temperature and transplant stage on stem length and caliper of cut stems and postharvest treatments on vase life of ‘Esprit’ penstemon (Penstemon grandiflorus) were examined. Plugs transplanted with eight to nine sets of true leaves had a longer stem length (64.3 cm) at harvest than those transplanted with two to three sets (57.7 cm) or five to six sets (60.8 cm). Time to flowering from transplant shortened as production temperature increased and when transplants had a greater number of true leaves. The addition of 2% or 4% sucrose with 7 ppm isothiazolinone as a vase solution resulted in the longest vase life (9.4 days) of all treatments compared with the control (4.5 days). A holding solution increased vase life to 7.0 days for Floralife holding solution and 5.9 days for Chrysal holding solution from the 4.3 days control, although hydrating solutions and preservative brand had no effect. The use of floral foam or antiethylene agents, ethylene exposure, or sucrose pulses also had no effect on vase life. Extended cold storage lengths either wet or dry for 2 or 3 weeks caused vase life to decrease to 2.0 days when compared with 5.6 days for the unstored control and 7.6 days for 1 week storage. ‘Esprit’ penstemon may be suitable for greenhouse production and has acceptable potential as a locally grown specialty cut flower.
Ultrastructural characterization of microenvironmental elements associated with proximal colonic lymphoid tissue (PCLT) in the mouse

The mucosal immune system is comprised of both diffuse and aggregated lymphoid components, and acts as the primary immune barrier for ingested antigens. The elaborate studies of Owen (1) and others have clearly demonstrated that a specialized population of antigen sampling Membranous cells (M cells) is present in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) overlying Peyer’s patches of the small intestine. However, in contrast to the antigen responsive role of secondary lymphoid tissue generally bestowed upon gastrointestinal associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), the terminal ileal Peyer’s patch has been shown to be a primary source of B lymphocytes in sheep (2,3) and pigs (4). We have recently described proximal colonic lymphoid tissue (PCLT), which is a lymphoid nodule in the proximal colon of mice and rats displaying many characteristics of a primary lymphoid tissue (5,6). The majority population of B cells found within PCLT display a relatively immature B cell phenotype (10–20% of which are CD5+), and appear unable to respond to mitogenic activation. In addition PCLT displays a unique steroid sensitivity among gut associated lymphoid tissues, losing up to 70% of its tissue weight after steroid treatment. Until now little attention has been focused on the stromal components associated with this unique tissue. Therefore it was the intent of these studies to define the non-lymphoid elements associated with PCLT in the mouse.
The Selective Synthesis of C2+ Oxygenates from Syngas Related Reactions Over Ni- and Rh-Based Catalysts

Abstract The synthesis of C2+ oxygenates from CO hydrogenation, ethylene addition to syngas, and methylene chloride addition to syngas has been studied over Rh/SiO2, Ni/SiO2, and coprecipitated Na-Mn-Ni catalysts. The formation of C2+ oxygenates involves the insertion of CO into the adsorbed hydrocarbon species which can be produced from chlorinated hydrocarbons, olefins, and CO/H2. Rh/SiO2 and Na-Mn-Ni are active for C2 oxygenate synthesis in CO hydrogenation and exhibit a high CO insertion activity. Although Ni/SiO2 is a methanation catalyst, the catalyst exhibited a good CO insertion activity for the conversion of CH2Cl2 to acetaldehyde and for the conversion of C2H4 to propionaldehyde.
Abstract P177: The Impact of Triple Therapy (3T) as Secondary Prevention for Recurrent Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With Prior Myocardial Infarction

Background: We determined if use of aspirin, beta-blocker, and statin, or triple therapy (3T), on admission for recurrent acute coronary syndromes (ACS) improved outcomes in patients with history of myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: A total of 1442 patients with history of MI who presented with ACS between January 1999 and December 2006 were identified. Data on baseline demographics, clinical presentation, and in-hospital management were collected, and patients with contraindications to any of the three drugs were excluded. Patients were then separated into two groups based on presence or absence of 3T in admission medications. The impact of 3T on in-hospital, 6-month, and 2-year mortality and adverse cardiovascular events was then analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square tests, Student's t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Only 42.3% (610 of 1442) patients were found to be taking 3T upon admission. These patients were more likely to be younger and to have a history of previous PCI or CABG...
An expert system for Karnaugh map minimization

The author presents an intelligent system to minimize Boolean functions by using the Karnaugh map method. The methodology is illustrated through the use of a four-variable Karnaugh map. A rule-based expert system for Karnaugh map minimization is presented. Rule transformation, the rule map, and inverse rule transformation are introduced. For four-variable Karnaugh maps, sixteen rules are specified. The relationships among these rules are also presented. These sixteen minimization rules form a Boolean algebra. >
Dopamine D1A directly interacts with otoferlin synaptic-pathway proteins: Ca2+ and phosphorylation underlie an NSF-to-AP2mu1 molecular switch

Dopamine receptors regulate exocytosis via protein-protein interactions (PPIs) as well as via adenylyl cyclase transduction pathways. Evidence has been obtained for PPIs in inner ear hair cells coupling D1A to soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE)-related proteins snapin, otoferlin, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF), and adaptor-related protein complex 2, mu 1 (AP2mu1), dependent on [Ca2+] and phosphorylation. Specifically, the carboxy terminus of dopamine D1A was found to directly bind t-SNARE-associated protein snapin in teleost and mammalian hair cell models by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and pull-down assays, and snapin directly interacts with hair cell calcium-sensor otoferlin. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, competitive pull-downs, and co-immunoprecipitation indicated that these interactions were promoted by Ca2+ and occur together. D1A was also found to separately interact with NSF, but with an inverse dependence on Ca2+ Evidence was obtained, for the first time, that otoferlin domains C2A, C2B, C2D, and C2F interact with NSF and AP2mu1, whereas C2C or C2E do not bind to either protein, representing binding characteristics consistent with respective inclusion or omission in individual C2 domains of the tyrosine motif YXXΦ. In competitive pull-down assays, as predicted by KD values from SPR (+Ca2+), C2F pulled down primarily NSF as opposed to AP2mu1. Phosphorylation of AP2mu1 gave rise to a reversal: an increase in binding by C2F to phosphorylated AP2mu1 was accompanied by a decrease in binding to NSF, consistent with a molecular switch for otoferlin from membrane fusion (NSF) to endocytosis (AP2mu1). An increase in phosphorylated AP2mu1 at the base of the cochlear inner hair cell was the observed response elicited by a dopamine D1A agonist, as predicted.
Computational model of methane and ammonia emissions from dairy barns: Development and validation

Abstract The increased global demand for milk and other dairy products over the past decades is a cause for concern due to the potential for environmental impact. Ammonia produced by housed dairy cows can contribute to the formation of particulate matter and nitrous oxide which both contribute to the greenhouse effect. The methane produced by these cows also contributes to the greenhouse effect. Scientists and engineers face the challenge of developing methods to reduce the environmental impact of dairy production while not inhibiting the ability of producers to keep up with demand. Emission of methane and ammonia are highly dependent on feed composition, barn design and operation, manure management making this a challenging topic to study experimentally. Using computational models to simulate the generation and dispersion of gaseous species within dairy housing can facilitate the exploration of cost-effective gas mitigation strategies. Thus a steady-state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model capable of simulating biologically based generation of methane, ammonia, and heat and their transport within the domain was developed and validated. The effect of buoyancy forces on the accuracy and stability of the solutions was explored. The model was validated with experimental data collected from emission chambers located at USDA-ARS Dairy Forage Research Center in Wisconsin, USA. Concentration of ammonia and methane, due to controlled injections from cylinders and biological generations from a dairy cow, were measured in the chambers using a FTIR gas analyzer. Results of the validated CFD model could be used to predict gaseous emissions under a range of environmental, design, and experimental treatment parameters.
A teoria nietzschiana da vontade

Resumo O artigo procura mostrar como Nietzsche, a partir de um exame detalhado da fenomenologia do querer, constroi um argumento a favor de sua tese revisionista de que a nossa experiencia do querer nao rastreia uma relacao causal real com nossos atos, disso resultando o colapso da ideia mesma de responsabilidade moral no sentido exigido pelas teorias incompatibilistas da liberdade da vontade. Uma premissa importante do argumento de Nietzsche depende de um Doutrina dos Tipos, segundo a qual todos os nossos pensamentos conscientes tem um estatuto de epifenomeno em relacao a psicologia inconsciente e a fisiologia do agente, que por sua vez remete ao tipo psicofisico ao qual cada individuo deve ser vinculado. Por fim, procura-se mostrar que a teoria nietzschiana da vontade antecipa certos resultados da psicologia empirica contemporânea.
Singapore: An Overview

Singapore has grown to be one of the world’s most prosperous countries, with very high economic freedom and export rates. However, it faces various challenges in the international domain, with concerns about Southeast Asian security as well as regional diplomacy. The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies is a leading think tank and graduate teaching institution specializing in strategic and international affairs. It tackles a wide range of issues, from traditional security to economic multilateralism. Most recently, it has provided the Singaporean government with specific recommendations on the future of the ASEAN community, aiding the country’s track-one diplomacy.
Familial anticardiolipin antibodies and C4 deficiency genotypes that coexist with MHC DQB1 risk factors

Objective. To investigate the familial basis of antiphospholipid antibodies by studying putative risk factors at the C4 and MHC class II loci. Methods. Autoimmune diseases, anticardiolipin (aCL) and other autoantibodies were studied in 38 first and 2nd degree family members of 3 index cases selected for primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and 33 controls. C4 protein phenotyping and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of C4 and MHC class II loci were performed. Results. Nineteen family members (46%) had autoimmune diseases or autoantibodies; aCL were present in 10 family members, 4 of whom had primary APS. Each family had 2 or more subjects with aCL. Among 22 independent haplotypes in family members, there was a high frequency of C4A and C4B deficiency alleles (0.41 vs 0.18 in 66 controls, p=0.03) and a strong trend toward an increase in MHC DQB1 putative risk factors that share the TRAELDT structural domain. This DQB1 structural domain was present in 4/5 different haplotypes that contained a C4B deficiency genotype; however, neither of 2 different haplotypes with a C4A deletion (one being a common ancestral haplotype) contained this DQB1 putative risk factor. Among the 10 family members who had aCL, 10/20 haplotypes contained a C4 deficiency genotype; moreover, the DQBI putative risk factor was present in all 16 MHC haplotypes that did not contain a C4A deletion. Conclusion. In these families, expression of an autoimmunity trait as aCL antibody appears to be associated with the coexistence of C4 deficiency alleles with DQB1 alleles that contain the TRAELDT structural domain
Macular pseudoholes. Clinical features and accuracy of diagnosis.

Background: Epimacular membrane with pseudohole is an important vitreomacular disorder that belongs in the differential diagnosis of impending and established macular hole. To better characterize this lesion, the authors attempted to identify various features of eyes with epimacular membrane and pseudohole. Methods: Demographic, clinical, photographic, and fluorescein angiographic data for 14 eyes with epimacular membrane and pseudohole were reviewed. Horizontal and vertical diameters of the pseudoholes were measured, and the original diagnosis was recorded for each eye. Fluorescein angiography was performed in 11 eyes. Results: The mean age of patients with macular pseudoholes was 61.6 years, and median visual acuity for pseudohole eyes was 20/30. Mean horizontal and vertical diameters of the pseudoholes were 384 and 410 μm, respectively. None of the eyes with pseudoholes had the characteristic ophthalmoscopic features associated with full-thickness macular holes or impending macular holes. Results of fluorescein angiography showed three eyes with increased tortuosity or abnormal straightening of the perifoveal vessels; three eyes with a foveal window defect; and three eyes with late leakage from the perifoveal vessels. The original diagnosis of the initial examining physician was correct in only 43% of eyes with epimacular membrane and pseudohole. Conclusion: Epimacular membrane with pseudohole may be an underdiagnosed lesion and commonly mistaken for impending macular hole, full-thickness hole, or lamellar hole. These data may be of use as more patients are being considered for recently advocated surgical treatments for impending and established macular hole.
What is the unit of natural selection

The gene as the solution to the debate over the level at which natural selection acts has often been termed as too reductionist, but is this a valid criticism? Exploring this question in the context of nonlinearity illuminates not only the debate over the unit of natural selection but also the broader debate on reductionism versus holism in science.
Ventricular fibrillation and defibrillation: contemporary understanding of mechanisms

Before proceeding with a discussion of contemporary transthoracic defibrillation and the transition to biphasic waveforms, I will review the mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and defibrillation. Though they are complex, much insight has been gained into these mechanisms, which facilitates an understanding of why defibrillation with well-designed biphasic waveforms has emerged from experimental observations into clinical practice.
Effect of positioning on ureteric stone retropulsion: 'gravity works'.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential impact of alterations in 'patient' position on laser-induced ureteric stone retropulsion in an in vitro model. MATERIALS AND METHODS A ceramic (phantom) stone was placed in a water-filled clear polymer tube and subjected to continuous laser energy until the stone had retropulsed a distance of 10 cm. The trial was stopped after 60 s if the stone had not reached 10 cm. The time and total energy needed to cause 10 cm of retropulsion were recorded at incline angles of 0°, 10°, 20°, and 40°; 10 trials at each angle were completed. The study was then repeated with pure calcium phosphate brushite stones. RESULTS Retropulsion decreased with increasing incline angle of the saline-filled clear polymer tube. At 0° of incline the phantom stone reached a distance of 10 cm after 7.4 s. At 10°, 20° and 40°, the phantom stone migrated a mean maximum distance of 3.1, 1.2 and 0.7 cm, respectively, and the trial was stopped after 60 s. For the calcium phosphate stone, at 0° and 10° of incline, the stone reached 10 cm after 6.9 and 42.8 s, respectively (P < 0.05). At 20° and 40°, the calcium phosphate stone moved a mean maximum distance of 2.4 and 1 cm, and the trial was stopped after 60 s. CONCLUSION Alterations in the angle of inclination reduced stone retropulsion during ureteroscopic lithotripsy in an in vitro model to <1 cm. Increasing the incline angle of a patient may effectively preclude retropulsion when performing laser lithotripsy of ureteric stones.
Discovering Associations Among Older Adults' Characteristics and Planned Nursing Interventions Using Electronic Health Record Data

Background and purpose Little is known about how nursing assessments of strengths and signs/symptoms inform intervention planning in assisted living communities. The purpose of this study was to discover associations among older adults' characteristics and their planned nursing interventions. Methods This study employed a data-driven method, latent class analysis, using existing electronic health record data from a senior living community in the Midwest. A convenience sample comprised de-identified data of well-being assessments and care plans for 243 residents. Latent class analysis, descriptive, and inferential statistics were used to group the sample, summarize strengths and problems attributes, nursing interventions, and Knowledge, Behavior, and Status scores, and detect differences. Results Three groups presented based on patterns of strengths and signs/symptoms combined with problem concepts: Living Well (n = 95) had more strengths and fewer signs/symptoms; Lower Strengths (n = 99) had fewer strengths and more signs/symptoms; and Resilient Survivors (n = 49) had more strengths and more signs/symptoms. Some associations were found among group characteristics and planned interventions. Living Well had the lowest average number of planned interventions per resident (Mean = 2.7; standard deviation [SD] = 1.7) followed by Lower Strengths (Mean = 3.8; SD = 2.6) and Resilient Survivors (Mean = 4.1; SD = 3.4). Implications for practice This study offers new knowledge in the use of a strengths-based ontology to facilitate a nursing discourse that leverages use of older adults' strengths to address their problems and support their living a healthier life. It also offers the potential to complement the problem-based infrastructure in clinical practice and documentation.
The Untold Story of Shiloh: The Battle and the Battlefield/Shiloh: A Battlefield Guide

Review of: "The Untold Story of Shiloh: The Battle and the Battlefield," by Timothy B. Smith, and "Shiloh: A Battlefield Guide," by Mark Grimsley and Steven E. Woodworth.
γ — γ Directional Correlations of the 1079–89 and 2089–89 keV Cascades in 156 Gd

The spin of the 1.168 MeV level has been previously assigned1 ) as 0, 1, 2 on the basis of the branching to the 0+ and 2+ levels in the ground state rotational band. With the development of Nal -Ge(Li) detectory systems for measurement of γγ (θ) it has become very easy to measure γγ directional correlations on weak transitions without systematic errors. In the course of our experiments on the measurement of E2/M1 admixtures in the transitions from the β — band to the ground state rotational band in 156 Gd, we measured the directional correlations of the 1079–89 and 2089–89 keV cascades. The directional correlation on the first cascade firmly establishes the spin of the 1.168 MeV level. Our results on the latter cascade deviates considerably from the older work of Bauer and Deutsch2). In this paper our results on these two cascades are presented.
Machine Learning-Based Pre-Routing Timing Prediction with Reduced Pessimism

Optimizations at placement stage need to be guided by timing estimation prior to routing. To handle timing uncertainty due to the lack of routing information, people tend to make very pessimistic predictions such that performance specification can be ensured in the worst case. Such pessimism causes over-design that wastes chip resources or design effort. In this work, a machine learning-based pre-routing timing prediction approach is introduced. Experimental results show that it can reach accuracy near post-routing sign-off analysis. Compared to a commercial pre-routing timing estimation tool, it reduces false positive rate by about 2/3 in reporting timing violations.
Sources of stream bed sediment in an urbanized watershed

Abstract Excessive delivery of fine-grained sediment and sediment-bound nutrients to surface waters results in water quality impairment. Information on the relative contribution of different sources contributing sediment to river systems is a prerequisite to target management practices. The overall goal of this study was to determine the sources of stream bed sediment at a subwatershed scale using sediment fingerprinting approach in an urbanized, 31 km2 Moore's Mill Creek watershed in Southern Piedmont region in Alabama, USA. The relative source contribution from construction sites and stream banks was quantified for two different particle size fractions, 63–212 μm (fine sand) and
Behaviorism: Methodological, radical, assertive, skeptical, ethological, modest, humble, and evolving.

wasofferedpartlyin anattemptto shapethebehavior ofbehaviorists. Weacknowl-edge different classes ofbehavior withdiffering functional relationships andlaws, and we might therefore entertainthe possibility ofdifferent functional re-lationships in the overt and covert do-mains. Hineline's point is extended byanothercontemporarybehaviorist: "Theessential difference between modernbe-havioral theories andcognitive orphys-iologicaltheoriesisthat,
Neighborhood Poverty and Control of HIV, Hypertension, and Diabetes in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

Neighborhoods with high poverty rates have limited resources to support residents’ health. Using census data, we calculated the proportion of each Women’s Interagency HIV Study participant’s census tract (neighborhood) living below the poverty line. We assessed associations between neighborhood poverty and (1) unsuppressed viral load [VL] in HIV-seropositive women, (2) uncontrolled blood pressure among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative hypertensive women, and (3) uncontrolled diabetes among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative diabetic women using modified Poisson regression models. Neighborhood poverty was associated with unsuppressed VL in HIV-seropositive women (> 40% versus ≤ 20% poverty adjusted prevalence ratio (PR), 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.92). In HIV-seronegative diabetic women, moderate neighborhood poverty was associated with uncontrolled diabetes (20–40% versus ≤ 20% poverty adjusted PR, 1.75; 95% CI 1.02–2.98). Neighborhood poverty was associated with neither uncontrolled diabetes among HIV-seropositive diabetic women, nor uncontrolled hypertension in hypertensive women, regardless of HIV status. Women living in areas with concentrated poverty may need additional resources to control health conditions effectively.
Recovery of a Tidal Freshwater Embayment from Eutrophication: a Multidecadal Study

Effective management of eutrophication in tidal ecosystems requires a thorough understanding of the dynamics of their responses to decreases in nutrient loading. We analyze a 34-year dataset on a shallow embayment of the tidal freshwater Potomac River, Gunston Cove, for long-term responses of ambient nutrient levels, light transparency measures, phytoplankton biomass, and coverage of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) to decreased nutrient loading. Point source loading of phosphorus, the nutrient most limiting primary production in this system, was greatly curtailed coincident with the study onset (1983/84) exhibiting a sharp decrease of 95% from peak loading levels. However, water column total phosphorus decreased much more slowly and gradually. Phytoplankton chlorophyll a did not show a distinctive decrease until 2000 and SAV responded strongly beginning in 2004. The habitat suitability model for SAV developed by Chesapeake Bay researchers was able to explain the recovery of SAV coverage based on data on light transparency and basin morphometry collected in this study. The study results were consistent with the alternative stable state theory with a sharp transition from a phytoplankton-dominated “turbid water” state to an SAV-dominated “clear water” state in a 2-year period from 2003 to 2005. The system eventually responded to nutrient load reductions, but the nonlinear and incomplete nature of this recovery and the two-decade delay illustrate the complexities of managing these systems.
Online Nonlinear Dynamic System Identification With Evolving Spatial–Temporal Filters: Case Study on Turbocharged Engine Modeling

Vehicle control problems have been historically using simple control structures with lookup tables that were designed to use vehicle steady-state characterization to calibrate and are suited better for older systems with lower complexity/dimension. However, the increasing complexity of the vehicle systems and stringent regulations requires optimal control of the dynamic vehicle systems. In this brief, we present an efficient online identification methodology with a composite local model structure that will be critical to the new control paradigm. We first introduce the concept of evolving spatial–temporal filters (STFs) that dynamically transform an incoming input–output data stream into a nonlinear combination of local models. The local models are weighed by an array of weights corresponding to the compatibility of the input–output data to a set of ellipsoidal clusters that partition the input–output space. The filters exploit ellipsoidal-shape evolving clusters as function bases and a distance metric defined as a combination of Mahalanobis distance and scaled local model prediction error. Parameters of the filters and local models can be updated simultaneously online, making adaptive optimization a possibility for vehicle systems. Evolving clustering and recursive least square techniques are exploited to simultaneously update the cluster parameters and local linear models. We apply the developed algorithm to the modeling of a turbocharged internal combustion engine that is a highly nonlinear and complex system. Promising performance is demonstrated both in a high-fidelity simulator and on an experimental vehicle.
Impact of Pain, Opioids, and the Mu-opioid Receptor on Progression and Survival in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer.

OBJECTIVES Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is frequently associated with pain requiring opioid therapy. Opioids, however, have been implicated in causing tumor progression, ultimately shortening survival. We examined the impact of pain, opioid use, and the mu-opioid receptor (MOP-R) expression in tumor tissue on progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. METHODS We identified 103 patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma receiving chemotherapy and abstracted data from Tumor Registry, in addition to pain, opioid exposure, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 values, survival, and imaging response. MOP-R expression was evaluated using an immunohistochemistry assay. The association of variables with progression-free survival and overall survival was analyzed in univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS Patients with low opioid use (<5 mg oral morphine equivalent/d) survived longer than patients with high opioid (HO) use (≥5 mg oral morphine equivalent/d) (median overall survival of 315 vs. 150 d; hazard ratio [HR]=1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13, 2.84). This effect persisted on multivariate models (adjusted HR=2.76; 95% CI: 1.39, 5.48). Low opioid patients tended to respond better to treatment than HO patients, based on carbohydrate antigen 19-9. Patients with low MOP-R expression had longer median survival (230 vs. 193 d), though the HR was not significant (1.15; 95% CI: 0.71, 1.88). Baseline pain was not associated with outcomes. CONCLUSION In patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, HO use is associated with decreased survival, but the severity of baseline pain and MOP-R expression score in tumor tissue does not correlate with clinical outcomes.
Variants of Common Nevus

Flat, Unna, and Miescher nevi vary widely. We will consider these variants together here, but some of them should be probably considered as entities sui generis. It is advantageous to know not only the major variants of melanocytic nevus but also the unusual ones. One always has to consider the possibility that if a nevus cannot be characterized, it may be a melanoma.
Obligaciones de deuda colateralizadas: Una espada de dos filos del sistema financiero de Estados Unidos

This paper points out a design flaw in Collateralized Debt Obligation or CDO, one of the heavily traded financial instruments by investment banks. The paper suggests that financial design of CDO was not incentive compatible among the players involved in the production, marketing and investing in this instrument. In a CDO, the underlying debt holders (borrowers) have the incentive to default and mortgage service providers (lenders) have the incentive to go for foreclosure because the mortgage insurance providers end up paying for the loss. The biggest losers in this transaction are the mortgage protection sellers like the AIG (American International Group) or the Lehman Brothers and CDO equity holders.
Osilodrostat: A Review of Recent Clinical Studies and Practical Recommendations for its Use in the Treatment of Cushing Disease.

Abstract Objective Cushing disease (CD) is characterized by chronic hypercortisolism caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma. Surgery remains the first-line treatment option; however, medical therapy is essential if surgery is contraindicated or fails to achieve remission or when recurrence occurs after surgical remission. Osilodrostat (Isturisa), a novel steroidogenic inhibitor, is now approved for the treatment of CD in the United States and Cushing syndrome in Europe. Herein, we review pharmacology and data on the efficacy, safety, and clinical use of osilodrostat and provide guidance on its use in treating patients with CD. Methods We reviewed the literature and published clinical trial data of osilodrostat use in patients with Cushing syndrome. Detailed information related to the clinical assessment of osilodrostat use, potential drug-to-drug interactions, drug initiation, dose titration, and the monitoring of drug tolerability were discussed. Results Clinical trial data demonstrated that osilodrostat, by virtue of inhibiting 11-β hydroxylase, potently and rapidly decreased the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels and sustained these reductions, with improved glycemia, blood pressure, body weight, and quality of life as well as lessened depression. Osilodrostat may interact with certain drugs, resulting in QT prolongation, which requires careful assessment of concomitant medications and periodic monitoring using electrocardiogram, respectively. The common adverse effects include adrenal insufficiency, hypokalemia, edema, and hyperandrogenic symptoms, which can be minimized using a slower up-titration dosing regimen. Conclusion Osilodrostat is an effective, new treatment option for CD, with positive effects on cardiovascular and quality of life parameters as well as tolerable adverse effects. This article provides a review of the pharmacology of osilodrostat and offers practical recommendations on the use of osilodrostat to treat CD.
Detection of single walled carbon nanotube based sensors in a large mammal

Abstract High resolution, rapid, and precise detection of biological analytes related to disease and infection is currently the focus of many researchers. Better biosensors could lead to earlier detection, more avenues of intervention, and higher efficacy of therapeutics, which would lead to better outcomes for all patients. One class of biosensors, single walled carbon nanotubes, is unique due to their nanoscale resolution, single molecule sensitivity, and reversibility for long term applications. While these biosensors have been successful in rodent models, to date, no study has shown successful sensor detection in a large animal. In this study, we show the first successful signal detection of single walled carbon nanotube-based sensors in a large mammal model. Using a relatively simple and cost-effective system, we were able to detect signals in nearly 70% of the sheep used in the study, marking an important steppingstone towards the use of SWNT-based sensors for clinical diagnostics.
Looking for Love

Personal advertisements are powerful windows into understanding individuals, societal trends, and cultural values. “Personals” in the United States and elsewhere offer a unique opportunity to understand societal changes and cross-cultural issues. As one study demonstrates, personals reflect the societal importance placed on thinness in American women. A cross-cultural study shows how personals are used in understanding the American value of individualism and the Chinese values of family and society. Personals in an Indian newspaper and an Indian-American newspaper both demonstrate Indian values, yet the latter shows hints of American acculturation. For psychiatrists, the personals may be an important way to understand patients and their social and cultural contexts. Patients’ ads may help the psychiatrist and patient understand the patients’ values and fantasies, aid in treatment, and help form relationships.
MO-FG-BRA-08: A Preliminary Study of Gold Nanoparticles Enhanced Diffuse Optical Tomography

Purpose: To develop an imaging method by using gold nanoparticles (GNP) to enhance diffuse optical tomography (DOT) for better tumor detection. Methods: Experiments were performed on a tissue-simulating cylindrical optical phantom (30mm diameter, 60mm length). The GNP used are gold nanorods (10nm diameter, 44nm length) with peak light absorption at 840nm. 0.085ml GNP colloid of 96nM concentration was loaded into a 6mm diameter cylindrical hole in the phantom. An 856nm laser beam (14mW) was used as light source to irradiate the phantom at multiple locations through rotating and elevating the phantom. A CCD camera captured the light transmission through the phantom for each irradiation with total 40 projections (8 rotation angles in 45degree steps and 5 elevations with 3mm apart). Cone beam CT of the phantom was used to generate the three-dimensional mesh for DOT reconstruction and to identify the true location of the GNP volume. A forward simulation was performed with known phantom optical properties to establish a relationship between the absorption coefficient and concentration of the GNP by matching the simulated and measured transmission. DOT image reconstruction was performed to restore the GNP within the phantom. In addition, a region-constrained reconstruction was performed by confining the solutions within the GNP volume detected from CT. Results: The position of the GNP volume was reconstructed with <2mm error. The reconstructed average GNP concentration within an identical volume was 104nM, 8% difference from the truth. When the CT was used as “a priori”, the reconstructed average GNP concentration was 239nM, about 2.5 times of the true concentration. Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate GNP enhanced DOT with phantom imaging. The GNP can be differentiated from their surrounding background. However, the reconstruction methods needs to be improved for better spatial and quantification accuracy.
The intranuclear binding of testosterone and 5-alpha-androstan-17-beta-ol-3-one by rat prostate.

Abstract The intranuclear binding of radioactive hormone in prostate after the intravenous administration of testosterone-1,2-3H to rats has been studied. Nuclei obtained by sucrose density gradient centrifugation were extracted with buffer containing 0.6 m NaCl, and the soluble radioactivity was separated into bound and free fractions by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 or G-200. As early as 15 min after testosterone administration, the radioactivity recovered in the bound form was predominantly dihydrotestosterone. By gel filtration of nuclear extracts on Sephadex G-200 and by the use of digestive enzymes, it was shown that dihydrotestosterone was bound to an acidic nuclear protein. Finally, several characteristics of this binding phenomenon were defined; the binding was stable to freezing for as long as 8 days, stable to short term incubation at 20° but not at 37°, and partially stable to repeated gel filtration on Sephadex.
Constrained-Hamiltonian Shallow-Water Dynamics on the Sphere

Salmon’s nearly geostrophic model for rotating shallow-water flow is derived in full spherical geometry. The model, which results upon constraining the velocity field to the height field in Hamilton’s principle for rotating shallow-water dynamics, constitutes an important prototype of Hamiltonian balanced models. Instead of Salmon’s original approach, which consists in taking variations of particle paths at fixed Lagrangian labels and time, Holm’s approach is considered here, namely variations are taken on Lagrangian particle labels at fixed Eulerian positions and time. Unlike the classical quasigeostrophic model, Salmon’s is found to be sensitive to the differences between geographic and geodesic coordinates. One consequence of this result is that the β plane approximation, which is included in Salmon’s original derivation, is not consistent for this class of model.
Accumulation and assembly of soybean β-conglycinin in seeds of transformed petunia plants

A gene encoding the α'-subunit of β-conglycinin, a seed storage protein of soybean (Glycine max), was transformed into petunia cells on a disarmed Ti-plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and plants were regenerated. Transcripts of the introduced gene accumulated in immature embryos but not in leaves of the transformed plants. Soybean protein was first detected immunologically in proteins extracted from embryos at 10 days post pollination (d.p.p.), concurrent with the accumulation of subunits of the major petunia seed proteins. Between 10 and 16 d.p.p. the primary soybean protein detected had an apparent mol. wt. of 55 kd. The 76-kd α'-subunit and several smaller polypeptides accumulated between 16 and 24 d.p.p., when seeds had matured. Polypeptides <76 kd probably resulted from specific proteolytic cleavage of the α'-subunit. The α'-subunit and the smaller polypeptides assembled into multimeric proteins with sedimentation coefficients of 7–9S, similar to the sedimentation coefficients of β-conglycinins isolated from soybean seeds. This transformation and expression system should be ideally suited for testing gene mutations to alter the amino acid composition of these seed storage proteins.
Effects of Radio-Frequency Exposure on Synchronous Brain Electrical Activity in Humans [Health Matters}

Reports on the effects of radio frequency exposure on synchronous brain modeling techniques, focusing on electrical activity. Under both normal and abnormal conditions, weak electrical current and voltage signals from nerve cells or neurons in the brain may be recorded noninvasively using electrodes attached to different areas of a person’s scalp Electroencephalography (EEG) is the most commonly used method and protocol for acquiring the spatial-temporal information contained in recordings from multiple scalp electrodes. EEG recordings are used to display wave patterns of electrical activity that occur in the brain and to assess a variety of brain functions in neurological examinations, including sleep patterns (determining different stages of sleep) and assorted psychological disorders.
Formation and Characterization of Co-Continuous Shear Thickening Fluid/Polymer Blends

By synergistically combining distinct physical and chemical properties of different components, co-continuous polymer blending has become an important route to improve the performance of polymeric materials. Shear thickening fluid is a type of non-Newtonian fluid which has unique shear rate dependence and good damping properties. In this work, the authors combined the shear thickening fluid and a commodity polymer into a single system by forming a co-continuous blend via a melt processing technique. The processing window of such co-continuous blend was determined by referring to the thermal and rheological properties of raw materials and experimentally exploring various blending conditions. An increase of tanδ under dynamic mechanical analyzing testing was observed in the co-continuous blend compared with neat polymer as control, which indicated the enhancement of damping capabilities.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A large-sample model selection criterion based on Kullback's symmetric divergence

The Akaike information criterion, AIC, is a widely known and extensively used tool for statistical model selection. AIC serves as an asymptotically unbiased estimator of a variant of Kullback's directed divergence between the true model and a fitted approximating model. The directed divergence is an asymmetric measure of separation between two statistical models, meaning that an alternate directed divergence may be obtained by reversing the roles of the two models in the definition of the measure. The sum of the two directed divergences is Kullback's symmetric divergence. Since the symmetric divergence combines the information in two related though distinct measures, it functions as a gauge of model disparity which is arguably more sensitive than either of its individual components. With this motivation, we propose a model selection criterion which serves as an asymptotically unbiased estimator of a variant of the symmetric divergence between the true model and a fitted approximating model. We examine the performance of the criterion relative to other well-known criteria in a simulation study.
Two condensed macro-elements with full approximation power

A variant of the classical C1 Powell-Sabin-12 macro-element is defined that has the same approximation power, but has fewer degrees of freedom and only requires vertex data. The same idea is then applied to a related C1 trivariate macro-element.
Genotoxicity of bioremediated soils from the Reilly Tar site, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

An in vitro approach was used to measure the genotoxicity of creosote-contaminated soil before and after four bioremediation processes. The soil was taken from the Reilly Tar site, a closed Superfu...