cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microscopic variations in interstitial and intracellular structure modulate the distribution of conduction delays and block in cardiac tissue with source–load mismatch

Aims Reentrant activity in the heart is often correlated with heterogeneity in both the intracellular structure and the interstitial structure surrounding cells; however, the combined effect of cardiac microstructure and interstitial resistivity in regions of source–load mismatch is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate how microstructural variations in cell arrangement and increased interstitial resistivity influence the spatial distribution of conduction delays and block in poorly coupled regions of tissue. Methods and results Two-dimensional 0.6 cm × 0.6 cm computer models with idealized and realistic cellular structure were used to represent a monolayer of ventricular myocytes. Gap junction connections were distributed around the periphery of each cell at 10 μm intervals. Regions of source–load mismatch were added to the models by increasing the gap junction and interstitial resistivity in one-half of the tissue. Heterogeneity in cell shape and cell arrangement along the boundary between well-coupled and poorly coupled tissue increased variability in longitudinal conduction delays to as much as 10 ms before the onset of conduction block, resulting in wavefront breakthroughs with pronounced curvature at distinct points along the boundary. Increasing the effective interstitial resistivity reduced source–load mismatch at the transition boundary, which caused a decrease in longitudinal conduction delay and an increase in the number of wavefront breakthroughs. Conclusion Microstructural variations in cardiac tissue facilitate the formation of isolated sites of wavefront breakthrough that may enable abnormal electrical activity in small regions of diseased tissue to develop into more widespread reentrant activity.
Behavioral memory induced by stimulation of the nucleus basalis: effects of contingency reversal.

Abstract Specific behavioral associative memory induced by stimulation of the cortically-projecting cholinergic nucleus basalis (NB) is dependent on intrinsic acetylcholine and shares with natural memory such features as associativity, specificity, rapid formation, consolidation and long-term retention. Herein, we examined extinction and the effects of stimulus pre-exposure. Two groups of adult male rats ( n = 4 each) were first tested for behavioral responses (disruption of ongoing respiration) to tones (1–15 kHz), constituting a pre-training behavioral frequency generalization gradient (BFGG). They next received a first session of training, 200 trials of a tone (8.00 kHz, 70 dB, 2 s) either paired with electrical stimulation of the NB (100 Hz, 0.2 s, ∼67 μA, NBstm) (group IP) or unpaired (group IU). Twenty-four hours later, they were tested for behavioral memory by obtaining post-training BFGGs. Then the contingencies were reversed yet another 24 h later; the IP group received tone and NBstm unpaired and the IU group received them paired. A final set of generalization gradients was obtained the next day. All stimuli were presented with subjects under state control indexed by regular respiration. Tested 24 h post-initial training, the IP group developed specific associative behavioral memory indicated by increased responses only to CS-band frequencies, while the IU group did not. After subsequent training with unpaired stimuli, the IP group exhibited experimental extinction. Furthermore, after initial exposure to the CS and NBstm unpaired, the IU group exhibited a tendency toward reduced conditioning to CS/NBstm pairing and a significant increase in latency of conditioned responses. The present findings provide additional support for the hypothesis that engagement of the NB is sufficient to induce natural associative memory and suggest that activation of the NB may be a normal component in the formation of natural associative memory.
Authoritarianism and Corporatism in Latin America

Since the mid-1960s it has been apparent that authoritarian regimes are not necessarily doomed to extinction as societies modernize and develop, but are potentially viable (if unpleasant) modes of organizing a society s developmental efforts. This realization has spurred new interest among social scientists in the phenomenon of authoritarianism and one of its variants, corporatism. The sixteen previously unpublished essays in this volume provide a focus for the discussion of authoritarianism and corporatism by clarifying various concepts, and by pointing to directions for future research utilizing them. The book is organized in four parts: a theoretical introduction; discussions of authoritarianism, corporatism, and the state; comparative and case studies; and conclusions and implications. The essays discuss authoritarianism and corporatism in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela."
Hepatic subcellular metabolism of heme from heme-hemopexin: incorporation of iron into ferritin.

Abstract The subcellular distribution and metabolic fate of [59Fe]heme-[125I]-labeled hemopexin after receptor-mediated interaction with the liver was examined in the rat. After intravenous injection, [59Fe]heme from the complex and 59Fe from hepatic catabolism of this heme accumulate in the liver and undergo changes in their subcellular distribution over 2 hours. The amounts of [59Fe]heme and particularly of 59Fe increase in the cytosol while remaining constant or decreasing in membranous fractions. In contrast, [125I]-labeled hemopexin associated with the liver during heme transport is always a small fraction of the dose and is not measurably catabolized under these conditions. Gel filtration of the cytosol showed that 59Fe increased linearly with time in a high molecular weight fraction which was identified immunologically as ferritin. We conclude that heme transported by hemopexin is metabolized by the liver and the iron conserved.
Male pelvic anatomy reconstructed from the visible human data set.

AbstractPurpose: To improve understanding of the male pelvic anatomy pertinent to urological surgery we performed computer generated, 3-dimensional reconstruction of the male pelvis from the Visible Human data set.Materials and Methods: A total of 18 discrete anatomical structures, including the prostate, bladder, urethra, rectum and pelvic musculature, was segmented from the Visible Human cross-sectional data obtained from the National Library of Medicine. Using high speed computing and rendering software, 3-dimensional models of each structure were generated and assembled into composite figures.Results: These reconstructions offer a revised view of pelvic anatomy as it has been traditionally depicted. The lateral surfaces of the levator ani muscle are oriented vertically in the pelvis and directly applied to the entire lateral surface of the prostate. The bladder rests primarily anterior to the prostate rather than directly above it, as has been commonly depicted. In the cross-sectional data and reconst...
Afro-Caribbean Immigrants and the Politics of Incorporation: Ethnicity, Exception, or Exit by Reuel R. Rogers

The immigration of Afro-Caribbean populations to the United States in the latter half of the twenty-first century has complicated how scholars view race, racism, and race relations in urban centers...
Vasopressin: A Review of Therapeutic Applications

ASOPRESSIN (VP) WAS DISCOVERED in 1895 from the extract of the posterior pituitary and named for the early observation of its vasoconstrictive properties. 1 The peptide is present in various species, both invertebrate and vertebrate, with only minor variations in amino acid sequence. Human VP contains the amino acid arginine, hence the name arginine vasopressin. It is alternatively referred to as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), reflecting its main physiologic function in promoting water retention. (For the remainder of the text, the term vasopressin and the abbreviation VP will be used in lieu of arginine vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone.) Since its isolation 2 and synthetic preparation, 3 VP has been the subject of much research. Its clinical applications range from the management of enuresis to the treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, septic shock, cardiac arrest, and heart failure. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the physiology and pharmacology of this hormone and its various functions. As with much in medicine, the discovery of disease states involving VP and/or its receptors has offered the most insight into VP’s in vivo role and functional repertoire. As such, an appraisal of these conditions will be used to review current knowledge and clinical applications of VP and its synthetic agonists and antagonists. Unanswered questions and future research opportunities will then be summarized.
Practical Methods for Geometric and Photometric Correction of Tiled Projector

We describe a novel, practical method to create largescale, immersive displays by tiling multiple projectors on curved screens. Calibration is performed automatically with imagery from a single uncalibrated camera, without requiring knowledge of the 3D screen shape. Composition of 2D-mesh-based coordinate mappings, from screen-tocamera and from camera-to-projectors, allows image distortions imposed by the screen curvature and camera and projector lenses to be geometrically corrected together in a single non-parametric framework. For screens that are developable surfaces, we show that the screen-to-camera mapping can be determined without some of the complication of prior methods, resulting in a display on which imagery is undistorted, as if physically attached like wallpaper. We also develop a method of photometric calibration that unifies the geometric blending, brightness scaling, and black level offset maps of prior approaches. The functional form of the geometric blending is novel in itself. The resulting method is more tolerant of geometric correction imprecision, so that visual artifacts are significantly reduced at projector edges and overlap regions. Our efficient GPUbased implementation enables a single PC to render multiple high-resolution video streams simultaneously at frame rate to arbitrary screen locations, leaving the CPU largely free to do video decompression and other processing.
Optimal Expulsion Control-A Dual Approach to Admission Control of an Ordered-Entry System

In this paper we obtain the optimal admission control policy for a first-come, first-served FCFS M/M/m ordered-entry queueing system to maximize the expected discounted and the long-run average profit reward minus cost. We introduce a new approach for determining the optimal admission control policy. The underlying idea of this approach is to construct a dual system: a preemptive last-come, first-served LCFS-P M/M/m ordered-entry queueing system that is subject to expulsion control. We show that an LCFS-P system with expulsion control is isomorphic to an FCFS system with admission control, and the two systems share the same optimal control policy. Eluding the conventional dynamic programming formulation, we approach the solution from behaviors of individual customers and their impact on the social outcome. This makes our analysis simple and intuitive and reveals a better insight into the structural properties of the optimal control policy. Besides providing formulas to compute the optimal threshold, we use the operational characteristics of the dual system to obtain an easily computable approximation for the optimal threshold. The applicability of the approach transcends well beyond the problem addressed in this paper.
Selection of Materials

In this chapter we consider the selection of materials for thermoelectric refrigeration and the optimisation of the properties of a given material. The first three sections deal specifically with materials for use at normal temperatures but the considerations are also applicable at moderately high and moderately low temperatures. The possibility of developing thermocouples for effective thermoelectric cooling at really low temperatures is discussed in Section 3.4.
Poison-Pen Diplomacy: Mexico, 1913

Following more than three decades of conservative dictatorship in Mexico Porfirio Diaz was overthrown by the idealistic Francisco Madero in 1911. Madero was impractical and disorganized and the unrest, which had characterized the last years under Diaz, continued throughout the brief presidency of his successor. In February 1913 a rising under Felix Diaz, nephew of the old dictator, led to civil war within the capital. The fall of Madero was assured when General Victoriano Huerta, who commanded the government forces, switched sides and implemented the arrest of the President. A pact between Felix Diaz and Huerta led to the provisional presidency of Huerta with Diaz lurking in the background as potential candidate for the permanent presidency.
Off-rotor induced flow by a finite-state wake model

This paper describes how the finite-state inflow model can be extended to include flow in all three directions and everywhere in the rotor flow field. The fundamental idea is that a second set of finite-state equations must be solved so that the acceleration potential can be split into two parts. Once that is done, all components of flow are known everywhere. Introduction Over the past ten years, a new induced flow model has found increasing use in the rotorcraft community. It is a finite-state wake model based on a transformation of the potential flow equations into ordinary differential equations through the use of acceleration potentials as shape functions". When this inflow theory is coupled with a blade lift model", the result is a unified aerodynamic theory for rotors. Since this theory is in state-space, it can be used quite effectively in stability analyses and real-time simulations. * Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of Center for Computational Mechanics, Fellow AIAA 'Graduate Research Assistant Copyright© 1996 by David A. Peters. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. The theory, as used until now, provides only the vertical component of induced flow at the rotor disk. The purpose of this work is to show how the theory can be used to find all three velocity components at all points in the flow field. The attached theoretical development outlines two different velocity expansions. One is based on $ (the acceleration potential) and one is based on $ (the velocity potential). As it turns out, the velocity field must be divided into two parts, one due to $ and one due to $ . This is accomplished through solution of a second set of differential equations that parallel the original ones. Basic Equations In the previous work, we showed that the pressure function in two dimensions satisfies Laplace's equation and is an acceleration potential. In the three-dimensional theory, a similar effect occurs. The resulting solution is Prandtl's acceleration potential function which satisfies Laplace's equation and also gives a pressure discontinuity across a circular disc in ellipsoidal coordinates. It is given by
Restructuring of a model hydrophobic surface: Monte Carlo simulations using a simple coarse-grained model.

A lattice model is proposed to explain the restructuring of an ionic surfactant absorbed on a charged surface. When immersed in water, an ionic mica plate initially covered by a monolayer of surfactants rearranges to a surface inhomogeneously covered by patches of surfactant bilayer and bare mica. The model considers four species that can cover lattice sites of a surface. These species include (i) a surfactant molecule with its headgroup down, (ii) surfactant molecule with the headgroup up, (iii) a surfactant dimer arranged in a tail-to-tail configuration, which is a part of a bilayer, and (iv) a mica lattice site covered by water. We consider that only nearest neighbors on the lattice interact and describe the interactions by an interaction matrix. Using this model, we perform Monte Carlo simulations and study how the structure of the inhomogeneous surface depends on the interaction between water covered lattice site and its neighboring surfactant species covered sites. We observe that when this interact...
Distinct Cellular Pathways for Induction of CD4+ T Cell–Dependent Antibody Responses to Antigen Expressed by Intact Bacteria Versus Isolated Soluble Antigen

Uptake of intact bacteria and soluble Ags by APCs is mediated by phagocytosis and endocytosis or pinocytosis, respectively. Thus, we predicted that injection of clodronate-containing liposomes (CLs), which selectively deplete cells efficient in phagocytosis, would inhibit murine CD4(+) T cell-dependent IgG responses to Ags expressed by intact bacteria but not isolated soluble Ags. Surprisingly, injection of CLs markedly inhibited protein-specific IgG responses to intact, heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as a soluble OVA-polysaccharide conjugate or OVA alone. IgG anti-polysaccharide responses to bacteria and conjugate were also reduced, but more modestly. In both instances, CL-mediated inhibition was associated with a significant reduction in induced germinal centers and CD4(+) germinal center T follicular helper cells. However, CL injection, which largely abrogated the proliferative response of adoptively transferred OVA peptide-specific-transgenic CD4(+) T cells in response to immunization with S. pneumoniae expressing OVA peptide, did not inhibit T cell proliferation in response to OVA-polysaccharide conjugate or OVA. In this regard, monocyte-derived cells, depleted by CLs, internalized S. pneumoniae in vivo, whereas CD11c(low) dendritic cells, unaffected by CL injection, internalized soluble OVA. Ex vivo isolation and coculture of these respective APCs from S. pneumoniae- or OVA-immunized mice with OVA-specific T cells, in the absence of exogenous Ag, demonstrated their selective ability to induce T cell activation. These data suggest that, although distinct APCs initiate CD4(+) T cell activation in response to Ag expressed by intact bacteria versus Ag in soluble form, CL-sensitive cells appear to be necessary for the subsequent IgG responses to both forms of Ag.
Outpatient management of the burned patient.

The majority of the estimated two million burned persons in the United States each year are treated as outpatients. A rational approach to the management of outpatient bums is presented. An understanding of the pathology and repair of the bum wound, and an appreciation of the various methods available to the physician, are required for success.
Ultrasound-guided vessel catheterization in adult Yorkshire cross-bred pigs

Abstract Objective To describe an ultrasound-guided approach for venous and arterial vascular access and catheterization in anesthetized adult Yorkshire cross-bred pigs. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Ten adult female Yorkshire cross-bred pigs, weighing 78.4 ± 5.6 kg (mean ± standard deviation). Methods Using ultrasound guidance and the Seldinger technique, a 7 Fr, 20 cm triple-lumen central venous catheter was placed in the external jugular vein and an 18 gauge, 16 cm catheter was placed in the femoral artery. The success rate of catheterization and the incidence of catheter patency over 24 hours of general anesthesia were recorded. Results Catheterization of the external jugular vein was successful in 10 out of 10 pigs and catheterization of the femoral artery was successful in eight out of 10 pigs. A surgical dissection technique on the femoral artery was performed in two pigs. Venous and arterial catheter patency was maintained in all pigs over the 24 hour study period. Conclusions and clinical relevance Ultrasound guidance resulted in success rates of 100% for catheterization of the external jugular vein and 80% for catheterization of the femoral artery in anesthetized adult Yorkshire cross-bred pigs. This technique is a noninvasive, easily performed alternative to surgical exposure of the vessels in large pigs undergoing surgical instrumentation for biomedical device testing.
ESTIMATED UNDISCOVERED RECOVERABLE OIL AND GAS RESOURCES OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF OF THE UNITED STATES

Publisher Summary The assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources is an important function of both industry and government and it is vital to the planning process in both areas. In September 1974, the Resource Appraisal Group (RAG) of the Branch of Oil and Gas Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey was asked to aid the Federal Energy Administration in its legal responsibility to generate an independent appraisal of the undiscovered oil and gas resources of the United States, both onshore and offshore. It was stipulated in the charge to the Resource Appraisal Group that the primary emphasis was to be placed on conventional oil and gas for all onshore provinces and for offshore provinces to a water depth of 200 meters. However, excluded from consideration were oil shales, tar sands, and heavy hydrocarbons and tight gas sands that were not productive at the time. This chapter presents the results of the project that were reported in the U.S. Geological Survey Circular 725.
Embedded two phase liquid cooling for increasing computational efficiency

High-end server-class processors continue to push towards increased performance in both single thread and throughput performance. Improved computational performance and power efficiency can be achieved by increasing the number of complex cores through three-dimensional (3D) chip stacking technology. However, the thermal and associated reliability issues can be a limiting factor in such a strategy unless it is augmented by an aggressive, new cooling solution. This research paper demonstrates a novel intrachip two-phase liquid cooling technology with channel dimensions which are consistent with through silicon vias (TSV) compatible 3D chip stacking to mitigate any thermal constraints. To evaluate the benefits, data from characterization studies of IBM POWER7+™ systems and corresponding microprocessor power maps were used to generate power and computational performance models. These models were combined with system-level models to perform a quantitative analysis on system performance.
Thermal Conductivity of Solid – Inorganic Compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the values of thermal conductivity of solid (inorganic compounds) in tabular manner. For the tabulation, an equation is selected for thermal conductivity of solid as a function of temperature. The tabulation is arranged by alphabetical order such as Ag, Al, Ar, and Zr to provide ease of use in quickly locating the data by using the chemical formula. The compound name and chemical abstracts registry number (CAS No) are also provided in tabular form. Values for regression coefficients are given in the adjacent columns. The temperature range for use is also given in the columns (TMIN and TMAX). The equation should not be used for temperatures outside this range. The next column provides the code for the tabulation. The last three columns provide values for thermal conductivity of solid at representative temperatures. The estimates should be considered rough approximations. Experimental data and estimates are regressed to provide the same equation for all compounds. A comparison of calculated and data values is also shown for a representative compound. The graph shows favorable agreement of equation and data.
Dynamics of Excited States of an Atom Interacting with Strong Laser Fields

We have considered the dynamic effects arising from the interaction of a three-level atom in the “V” configuration with two strong laser fields, whose initially populated modes are resonance with the two atomic transition frequencies. One-, two- and three-photon processes have been considered and the corresponding spectral functions have been calculated in the limit of high photon densities of both laser fields. Numerical calculations have been made for selected values of the Rabi frequencies of the two laser fields, and the computed results have been graphically presented and discussed. Comparison has been made between the results derived when the laser fields are quantized, and photon correlations have been considered in the limit of high photon densities with those obtained when the laser fields are treated classically; the latter treatment is identical to those derived by the dress-atom method. It is found that the appearance of new sidebands, for which there is no classical analog, reveals the boson character of the photon fields when the laser fields are quantized taking into account photon correlations in the limit of high photon densities. The merit of using the latter method is that it yields results describing both the classical as well as the quantum nature of the photon fields involved.
Exploring school choice and the consequences for student racial segregation within Pennsylvania’s charter school transfers

Using individual-level student data from Pennsylvania, this study explores the extent to which charter school racial composition may be an important factor in students’ self-segregative school choices. Findings indicate that, holding distance and enrollment constant, Black and Latino students are strongly averse to moving to charter schools with higher percentages of White students. Conversely, White students are more likely to enroll in such charter schools. As the percentage and number of students transferring into charter schools increases, self-segregative school choices raise critical questions regarding educational equity, and the effects of educational reform and school choice policies on the fostering of racially diverse educational environments.
Specificity and Function of T Lymphocytes Induced by Influenza A Viruses

Over the past 20 years, it has become increasingly clear that thymus-derived lymphocytes (T lymphocytes) play a pivotal role in immune responsiveness. Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than in antiviral immunity, in which T lymphocytes provide a critical helper function in antibody responses and also function directly to reduce viral replication. Of the large number of viruses known to elicit T-lymphocyte responses, influenza virus has been the most extensively studied.
Crucial Roles for SIRT2 and AMPA Receptor Acetylation in Synaptic Plasticity and Memory

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission and are crucial for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. However, the molecular control of AMPAR stability and its neurophysiological significance remain unclear. Here, we report that AMPARs are subject to lysine acetylation at their C termini. Acetylation reduces AMPAR internalization and degradation, leading to increased cell-surface localization and prolonged receptor half-life. Through competition for the same lysine residues, acetylation intensity is inversely related to the levels of AMPAR ubiquitination. We find that sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) acts as an AMPAR deacetylase regulating AMPAR trafficking and proteostasis. SIRT2 knockout mice (Sirt2-/-) show marked upregulation in AMPAR acetylation and protein accumulation. Both Sirt2-/- mice and mice expressing acetylation mimetic GluA1 show aberrant synaptic plasticity, accompanied by impaired learning and memory. These findings establish SIRT2-regulated lysine acetylation as a form of AMPAR post-translational modification that regulates its turnover, as well as synaptic plasticity and cognitive function.
Just Playing Around? The Effects of CEO Sense of Humor on Financial Analysts

Executive personality is increasingly recognized as an important determinant of firm behaviors and outcomes. Despite the abundance of research on executive personality in the upper echelons, little...
The perceived forms and drivers of forest dependence at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the perceived forms, and drivers of forest dependence at Volcanoes National Park. Using focus group interviews, we explored the perceptions of forest adjacent residents with direct access to conservation incentives, residents with no direct access to conservation incentives, and senior park managers. The paper reveals dominant forms of forest dependence, including, hunting for bushmeat, extraction of bamboo, bean-stakes, grass for cattle feed, and water for domestic use. The paper also reveals the primary drivers of forest dependence, including, food security constraints, and increase in the market demand of forest products. In addition, animal crop raiding was observed to be the main driver of food security constraints at the park. There were several notable variations in the perceptions. While residents attribute forest dependence to food security constraints, park managers attribute it to the increasing demand of forest products, resentment, stubbornness, and lack of jobs. I...
Abstract ES8-3: Everything Comes at a Price - Toxicity, Cost and Adherence to Endocrine Therapy

Despite the proven efficacy of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer (BC) adherence to therapy for the full duration of 5-years is suboptimal. Adherence is likely even lower for extended adjuvant therapy for up to 10-years. Issues related to non-adherence are increasingly important, as analyses from prospective randomized trials show compliance to endocrine therapy is associated with improved disease-free survival. The reasons for non-adherence to hormonal therapy are multifactorial. Barriers to compliance include patient, physician, medication and system related variables and poor compliance is usually associated with a combination of these factors. Characteristics associated with non-adherence include very high and low age, minority race, being single, increased number of comorbidities, lack of knowledge about efficacy of AI therapy, history of non-adherence to other chronic medications, limited insurance status, and higher out of pocket costs. Side effects from hormonal therapy is the most common reason for early discontinuation. AI arthralgia has been estimated to affect 45-60% of patients, many of whom report severe or continuous pain. One study reported an overall AI discontinuation rate of 32.4% within 2 years due to adverse effects, 24.3% specifically due to musculoskeletal symptoms, which was the primary reason for discontinuation. There is no consensus on the best treatment for AI arthralgia. The most commonly used therapy is NSAIDs, although there are no formal data testing their efficacy for AI arthralgia, and they are associated with potentially severe adverse effects. Randomized controlled trials have shown benefits from exercise (aerobic and strength training exercises), acupuncture, omega-3-fatty acids and duloxetine compared to placebo for AI arthralgia. Studies have also demonstrated improvement in symptoms over time even among patients receiving placebo. Various educational interventions have also been studied to improve adherence. A systematic review of behavioral interventions to enhance adherence to hormone therapy found five articles that met inclusion criteria and none reported the interventions significantly enhanced adherence compared to usual care. All evaluated educational interventions with or without reminders or navigation. In addition, a multicenter randomized clinical trial of patients with early stage breast cancer on AI’s found that bi-weekly unidirectional text messages for 36 months focused on overcoming potential barriers to medication adherence did not result in improved adherence to hormonal therapy. It is likely that improving long-term adherence will likely require sustained behavioral interventions and support. Citation Format: DL Hershman. Everything Comes at a Price - Toxicity, Cost and Adherence to Endocrine Therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr ES8-3.
Flossing Is Associated with Improved Oral Health in Older Adults.

The effect of preventive oral habits is largely unexplored in older individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between home use of flossing and prevalence of periodontal disease and caries in older adults. Five-year incident tooth loss was also evaluated. Data on 686 individuals ≥65 y-old from the Piedmont 65+ Dental Study were examined including: 1) interproximal clinical attachment level (iCAL), 2) interproximal probing depth (iPD), 3) numbers of caries, and 4) missing teeth. Flossing behavior was evaluated according to the Periodontal Profile Class (PPC) system. Five-year follow-up data (n = 375) was evaluated for incident tooth loss. Dichotomous and categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square tests as well as covariate-adjusted Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests. Multiple linear regression compared clinical parameters based on flossing behavior. Elderly flossers had lower (mean, SE) %iCAL≥3 mm (38.2, 2.38 vs. 48.8, 1.56) and %iPD≥4 mm (8.70, 1.41 vs. 14.4, 0.93) compared to nonflossers (P ≤ 0.005). Flossers showed less coronal caries compared to nonflossers (P = 0.02). Baseline number of missing teeth (mean, SE) was 11.5 (0.35) in nonflossers compared to 8.6 (0.53) in flossers (P 40%) for flossing behavior (P = 0.0005). In conclusion, the extent of oral disease for older individuals was significantly less in flossers than in nonflossers. Flossers showed less periodontal disease, fewer dental caries, and loss of fewer teeth over a 5-y period. These findings further support flossing as an important oral hygiene behavior to prevent oral disease progression in older adults.
Survival of Escherichia coli O157 in autoclaved and natural sandy soil mesocosms

While the soil microbiome may influence pathogen survival, determining the major contributors that reduce pathogen survival is inconclusive. This research was performed to determine the survival of E. coli O157 in autoclaved and natural (unautoclaved) sandy soils. Soils were inoculated with three different E. coli O157 strains (stx1+/stx2+, stx1-/stx2-, and stx1-/stx2+), and enumerated until extinction at 30°C. There was a significant difference in the survival of E. coli O157 based on soil treatment (autoclaved versus natural) at 30°C on days 1 (P = 0.00022), 3, (P = 2.53e-14), 7 (P = 5.59e-16), 14 (P = 1.072e-12), 30 (P = 7.18e-9), and 56 (P = 0.00029), with greater survival in autoclaved soils. The time to extinction (two consecutive negative enrichments) for all three strains was 169 and 84 days for autoclaved and natural soils, respectively. A separate E. coli O157 trial supplemented with 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the soil microbiome was performed at 15°C and 30°C on days 0, 7, 14, and 28 for each soil treatment. Greater species richness (Chao1, P = 2.2e-16) and diversity (Shannon, P = 2.2e-16) was observed in natural soils in comparison with autoclaved soils. Weighted UniFrac (beta-diversity) showed a clear distinction between soil treatments (P = 0.001). The greatest reduction of E. coli O157 was observed in natural soils at 30°C, and several bacterial taxa positively correlated (relative abundance) with time (day 0 to 28) in these soils (P < 0.05), suggesting that the presence of those bacteria might cause the reduction of E. coli O157. Taken together, a clear distinction in E. coli O157 survival, was observed between autoclaved and natural soils along with corresponding differences in microbial diversity in soil treatments. This research provides further insights into the bacterial taxa that may influence E. coli O157 in soils.
Tattooing in the Age of Instagram

This article explores the impact of Instagram on tattoo culture. The role of this technology is considered from the perspective of tattoo artists, whose work has been transformed by social media. U...
Chronic hypertension in pregnancy: are outcomes the same in patients on antihypertensives?

To investigate differences in maternal and fetal outcomes among pregnant patients with chronic hypertension requiring antihypertensives for adequate control versus those who do not require antihype...
Study the Effects of Misalignments in the Printed Spiral Inductive Coils for Passive Wearable Sensors

Inductive coupling between two coils is becoming an important technique for wireless power and data transfer in near-field for a variety of applications such as wireless charging and passive (zero-power) sensors. We have previously employed a pair of printed spiral coils (PSC) to collect the physiological signals via our novel Wireless Resistive Analog Passive (WRAP) skin attachable sensors. The pair of PSCs and the circuit components have been optimized to maximize the probed biosignals where the mutual inductance (or coupling factor) was kept constant. However, the coils' relative positions in the wearables can vary in real-life scenarios, which makes the mutual inductance to change, compromising optimal results. To design a system with maximum robustness against these PSC alignment variations, the effects of primary coil size on the coupling factor variability to axial and lateral displacements are studied. We limited the maximum self-inductance to 5 µH and 7 µH for primary and secondary coils, respectively that ensures the results are not affected by the coils' self-inductance variation. Our simulation shows that larger primary coils create magnetic fields with reduced sensitivity to the coupling factor for lateral and axial displacements. The resultant coupling factor behavior indicates robust coil designs for applications where the axial and lateral displacements can occur in real-life.
Assessing the United States Grape Industry’s Understanding of Fungicide Resistance Mitigation Practices

In 2019, a national survey of 252 members of the United States grape industry from 20 states assessed knowledge perception of fungicide resistance management, application of that knowledge to vineyard practices, and knowledge acquisition sources. Overall, respondents demonstrated clear understanding of resistance management practices. The specific distribution of responses was influenced by the respondent’s job role, duration of industry experience, and their farming operation size. Nationally, respondents were moderately familiar with the acronym FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee), with nearly 75% indicating they could identify the FRAC code of a fungicide. They felt moderately competent they could design a fungicide program that adhered to resistance management principles. Respondents identified fungicide resistance as a serious problem nationally, and as a moderate problem in their own vineyards. They ranked practices that include rotating fungicides of different FRAC codes, avoiding multiple sequential applications of the same trade name or FRAC code, tank mixing with different FRAC codes, using multisite products in a spray program, routine sprayer maintenance and calibration, and good canopy management as very-to-extremely important in managing fungicide resistance; whereas practices such as rotating between trade names and tank mixing different trade names ranked slightly important. Respondents identified university-based extension programs as the primary information resource for fungicide efficacy and fungicide stewardship (resistance management). To maximize potential effect, these results suggest that future educational efforts should be aimed at improving practices for fungicide resistance stewardship and should align with the knowledge-base and demographic factors of the target audience—particularly their job role, experience, and size of operation.
Social Reactivation of Fear Engrams Enhances Memory Recall

Summary For group-living species such as humans and rodents, conspecific interactions pervasively shape emotion 3–5, attention 6, and cognitive ability 7–10. Higher-order cognitive processes such as memory within a social brain are thus interlaced with social influences. Traditional laboratory rodent cages offer a limited but nonetheless rich multi-modal landscape of communication, including auditory calls 11–14, chemical signaling 15, 16, and tactile stimulation 17, 18. The absence of such social encounters in singly housed animals results in cognitive impairments and depression-like phenotypes 23, likely obscuring how the social brain has evolved to function. It is thus important to understand the relationship between social context and how individuals process memories. As social interaction recruits hippocampal 29 and amygdalar 30 circuitry that also serves as hubs for non-social memory traces24–28, we hypothesized that pre-existing ensembles in these regions can be modulated by social experiences and lead to changes in memory expression. Here we show that stressful social experiences enhance the recall of previously acquired fear memories in male but not female mice. Activity-dependent tagging of cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) during fear learning revealed that these ensembles were endogenously reactivated during the social experiences in males. These reactivated cells were shown to be functional components of engrams, as optogenetic stimulation of the cells active during the social experience in previously fear conditioned animals was sufficient to drive fear-related behaviors. Our findings suggest that social encounters can reactivate pre-existing DG engrams and thereby strengthen discrete memories.
Modeling multicomponent reactive transport on parallel computers using Jacobian-Free Newton Krylov with operator-split preconditioning

Modern multicomponent reactive transport models necessitate the use of parallel computation due to extreme memory and processing demands. Innovative parallel algorithms are needed to fully exploit the advanced computational power provided by today's supercomputers within these models. In order to take advantage of available high-performance computing, we have developed the parallel reactive transport model PARTRAN. This three-dimensional, finite volume model is built upon the versatile PETSc library developed at Argonne National Laboratory. PARTRAN is capable of using either conventional techniques (Jacobian-based) or the Jacobianfree, Newton-Krylov method to solve the fully coupled, nonlinear system of equations representing complex geochemical transport processes in the subsurface. The use of Newton-Krylov eliminates the necessity of computing and storing a Jacobian, resulting in considerably less computation and memory use. While one disadvantage of Jacobian-free Newton-Krylov is the need for efficient matrix-free preconditioning, we develop an innovative operator-split preconditioning method to address this shortfall. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of PARTRAN and its implementation of the Jacobianfree, Newton Krylov technique. We evaluate the parallel performance of the model in detail, comparing the performance of the Newton-Krylov method with conventional Jacobian-based and operator-split methods. The Jacobian-free, Newton-Krylov method demonstrates excellent parallel performance based on runtime, scalability and efficiency, in comparison to the conventional methods.
Formulas for premature infants: fate of the calcium and phosphorus

Formulas designed for feeding of premature infants contain minerals added by the manufacturer. Although it is known that these minerals may be poorly suspended in the formula, little is known about concentrations of minerals in formula delivered to the infant under conditions prevailing in premature infant nurseries. In partially empty bottles of Similac Special Care, concentrations of calcium and phosphorus of this residual formula were found to be substantially greater than concentrations in full bottles. Presumably, concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in formula delivered to the infants was relatively low. Enfamil Premature and SMA Preemie infant formulas contain lesser quantities of added calcium and demonstrated less tendency to sedimentation. Substantial decrease in concentration of calcium was observed with all three formulas during continuous infusion, but the decrease was greatest with Similac Special Care. Little or no change in concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were observed with simulated bolus feeding by gavage.
Novel Therapeutics for Therapy-Related Acute Myeloid Leukemia: 2014

Effective treatment options for adults with therapy-related AML continues to be an area of unmet need. Genetic and molecular changes within these leukemias confer resistance to standard chemotherapy regimens. Emerging developmental therapeutics in this area has focused on several approaches. These include; novel delivery of chemotherapy as well as newer DNA-damaging agents delivered through antibody-drug conjugates, increased use of hypomethylating agents, and molecularly-directed small molecules against specific mutations commonly occurring in secondary AML. Results of this efforts are encouraging, but to date, no clear improvements have been demonstrated in this most difficult to treat population.
Determination of the rate of base-pair substitution and insertion mutations in retrovirus replication.

We recently described a protocol for determination of retrovirus mutation rates, that is, the mutation frequency in a single cycle of retrovirus replication (J.P. Dougherty and H.M. Temin, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:4378-4395, 1987; J.P. Dougherty and H.M. Temin, p. 18-23, in J. H. Miller and M. P. Calos, ed., Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells, 1987). We used this protocol to determine the mutation rates for defined mutations in a replicating retrovirus by using a spleen necrosis virus-based vector. We determined that the mutation rate for a single base pair substitution during replication of this avian retrovirus is 2 x 10(-5) per base pair per replication cycle and the insertion rate is 10(-7) per base pair per replication cycle. It will be possible to use this protocol to determine mutation rates for other retroviruses.
Evaluation of an Infant Simulator Intervention for Teen Pregnancy Prevention

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of simulation as a strategy to influence teens' perceptions of pregnancy and parenting. Design This pilot study was a preexperimental, one group pre/posttest design. Setting The school‐based wellness center of a high school was the setting for the weekly sessions and the pre/posttest administration. Participants Sample members participated in 6 weekly Baby Think it Over (BTIO) classes and an infant simulator experience. The final sample included 79 teens age 14 to 18 years who attended one of eight BTIO sessions. Methods We used the Thoughts on Teen Parenting Survey (TTPS) to assess the perceptions of teens with regard to the costs and rewards associated with teen parenting. The TTPS yields a composite score of the teen attitudes toward the teen parenting experience and eight subscale scores that assess different areas of teen life. Results No significant differences were found in the mean pre/posttest scores or in correlations of the demographic data and mean scores. Two significant differences in pre/posttest subscale scores were in the areas of friends and personal characteristics. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the effectiveness of using infant simulators to influence the perceptions of teens about the reality of teen parenting is minimal.