cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contemporary Practices in the Performance and Sustainability of Computer Music Repertoire

An UnConference UnSession on Computer Music Performance was hosted on June 5, 2010 at the International Computer Music Conference in New York to initiate a dialog regarding the past practices, current state, challenges, and future opportunities for the field of computer music performance. Reflecting the inherently eclectic make-up of computer music, the unsession attracted a diverse group of performers, composers, researchers, computer scientists, sound engineers, and technicians. The event provided a rare and honest peek into what is on the minds of those who are focused on computer music performance, which, relative to computer music research and composition, is a largely undeveloped sub-discipline of computer music. What follows in the main text of this paper and main content of the corresponding poster presentation is a brief and organized list of takeaways from the unsession unconference along with appropriately summarized elaboration. The takeaways centered on recurring interdependent themes: effective notation of computer music, sustainability, the role and responsibility of the performer and performer-engineer, and ultimately, the rationale and final authority governing sustainability. Sustainability was the unifying theme that tied together most of the discussion. This paper will be of interest to computer musicians whose primary creative activity is live performance/interpretation/realization, performers who specialize in contemporary music, composers who want to facilitate effective communication and collaboration with performers, concert producers, virtual instrument designers, music technology educators, and musicologists. More specifically, this paper delves into the salient points regarding the preservation of computer music repertoire and discusses the best practices for the facilitation of repeated performances.
The Randall Phase Component at the Dirt Lodge Village Site9 Spink County, South Dakota: Late Woodland/Early Plains Village Transitions on the Northeastern Plains

Res. d'A. The Randall phase dates to about AD 1150 and represents a regional Late Woodland cultural expression in the Southern portion of the Northeastern Plains. It shows similarities to Great Oasis and Initial Middle Missouri variant sites of the Plain Village tradition. Data from the Late Plain Woodland component at the Dirt Lodge Village site (39SP11) are used to define Randall phase. The Rose Hill Village site (39HD4), the Wolf Creek Mounds site (39HT30), and the Randall phase component at the Scalp Creek site (39GR1) all appear to be assignable to the Randall phase
Decision-aiding Algorithms

Utility companies — and the public utility commissions regulating them — make technology selections where multiple criteria must be considered. In the past, utilities often ignored environmental and other externalities, selecting resources which, in effect, “assign[ed] the residual … externality costs a value of zero” (Ottinger, 1990, p. 15).
Is bariatric surgery safe in the elderly population

Bariatric surgery has proven to be the most effective treatment for morbid obesity in all age groups and is considered superior to medical treatment. The aim of our study was to report the outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients over 65 years of age at our institution. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted of all patients > 65 years who underwent a bariatric procedure between 2005 and 2015 at our institution. We compared this group to a control group of patients 65 years of age at time of surgery. There was a significant difference in proportion of male patients among groups; 42 % in Group B were male compared to 30 % in Group A (p < 0.001). Caucasians represented the majority in both groups. Both groups had comparable preoperative BMI 42.27 kg/m2 for the younger Group A population versus 41.64 kg/m2 for Group B (p = 0.074). Group B had more comorbidities than Group A: hypertension (p < 0.001), sleep apnea (p < 0.001), and hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.001). No difference was found between groups in history of depression (p = 0.409) or type II diabetes (p = 0.961). Distribution of procedures was significantly different between groups, with more LSG in Group A (p < 0.001). Elderly patients had longer length of stay (LOS) by one day on average (LOS = 3 days, p < 0.001), but a lower readmission rate (10 % vs. 7 %) (p = 0.023). Complication rates were comparable in both groups, except for incidence of de novo GERD, which was higher in Group B (5 % vs. 8 %) (p = 0.005). Elderly patients are usually sicker in terms of comorbidities than the younger population. However, age does not seem to represent a risk of surgical complications after bariatric surgery.
Special issues related to the treatment of depression in women

Depressive disorders in women are commonly associated with reproductive events. This association may be due in part to the changing balance between estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones that affect neurotransmitter function throughout a woman's lifecycle. Alternatively, they may be related to psychosocial events surrounding these pivotal times or to both sets of conditions. Some data suggest that depression in women tends to respond differently to antidepressant treatment than depression in men, underscoring the need to examine the risk and treatment of depressive disorders in males and females separately. Women have benefited considerably from serotonin reuptake inhibitor anti-depressants that are currently available. These agents appear to be more effective than the older tricyclic antidepressants in treating various depressive disorders that occur commonly or exclusively in women. Additionally, serotonin reuptake inhibitors have increased tolerability in women, who generally experience more adverse effects from tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors than do men. Estrogen appears to enhance antidepressant response in postmenopausal women receiving estrogen replacement therapy. More research is needed, however, that examines how the balance between estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones affects neurotransmitter function.
Symmetry and the Optical Properties of Crystals

As beams of electromagnetic light waves travel through a crystal their properties may change due to their interaction with the material. In some cases these changes depend on the direction of travel in the crystal. In these cases the material is said to be optically anisotropic. The reason for this is that the structure of the crystal controls the ability of the electrons on the atoms of the crystal to respond to the influence of an electromagnetic wave. The light wave propagates through the crystal because its electric field induces the electrons on the atoms of the crystal to oscillate. If the crystal structure allows the electrons to oscillate more easily in one direction than another, then the speed of the light wave propagating in one direction will be greater than that of a light wave propagating in the other direction. This effect is called birefringence or double refraction. It can occur naturally due to the anisotropy of the crystal or it can be induced by an external source such as an electric field (electrooptic effect) or stress (photoelastic effect). Also the properties of the crystal may cause the light waves to exhibit optical activity which is a rotation of the direction of polarization. Because of the directional nature of these properties, the symmetry of the crystal plays an important role in determining the physical effects and it is possible to use transformation tensor formalism similar to that discussed in Chap. 3 to treat these optical properties. These properties have important applications in different types of light modulator devices used in a variety of optical systems. This chapter deals with “linear” optical properties while nonlinear optical effects are discussed in chap. 6
Co-stimulation of the fc receptor and interleukin-12 receptor on human natural killer cells leads to increased expression of cd25.

Natural killer (NK) cells serve a critical role in the immune response against microbes and developing tumors. We have demonstrated that NK cells produce stimulatory cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ) in response to potent stimulation via immobilized IgG (to engage Fc receptors) and interleukin (IL)-12. CD25 is a component of the high-affinity IL-2R, which promotes NK cell activation in response to low doses of IL-2 such as those released by activated T cells. We hypothesized that stimulation of NK cells via IgG and IL-12 would enhance CD25 expression and promote NK cell anti-tumor activity in response to low-dose IL-2. It was confirmed that this dual stimulation strategy significantly enhanced NK cell CD25 expression compared to unstimulated cells or cells treated with IgG or IL-12 alone. Dual stimulated NK cells also were more responsive to low-dose IL-2. Dual stimulated NK cells subsequently treated with low-dose IL-2 (10 pg/mL) displayed enhanced intracellular signaling as indicated by increased pSTAT5 levels. IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity against K562 cells by NK cells stimulated with low-dose IL-2 was comparable to that of cells treated with high-dose IL-2 (10 ng/mL). Importantly, cells isolated from head and neck cancer patients receiving the mAb cetuximab and IL-12 on a clinical trial displayed increased CD25 expression following combination therapy compared to baseline. Altogether, these findings suggest that FcR and IL-12R co-stimulation induces expression of the high-affinity IL-2R and promotes NK cell anti-tumor activity.
The Dilemma of Conditioning Intensity: When Does Myeloablative Conditioning Improve Outcomes for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Abstract The impact of conditioning intensity on different disease risk index (DRI) groups has not been evaluated. We retrospectively analyzed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients in 2 groups based on DRI, to assess the impact of conditioning intensity on overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), relapse, and nonrelapse mortality (NRM). A total of 380 patients with either high/very high (n = 148) or low/intermediate DRI (n = 232) myeloid malignancy (AML, n=278; MDS, n = 102) were included in the analysis. Median follow-up for survivors was 35 months. Median age was 58years (range, 18 to 75). Patient and transplant-related characteristics were 41% reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC), 59% myeloablative conditioning (MAC), 13% bone marrow graft, 29% matched related donor, 49% matched unrelated donor, 22% haploidentical donor, and 52% HCT-specific comorbidity index ≥ 3. Among patients with high/very high DRI, there was no difference in OS, DFS, relapse, and NRM between RIC and MAC conditioning groups. For low/intermediate risk DRI recipients of MAC had better 3-year OS estimate (69% versus 57%, P = .001), DFS (65% versus 51%, P = .003), and lower relapse (3-year cumulative incidence, 17% versus 32%; P = .01) but similar NRM (19% versus 17%, P = .04) to RIC recipients. On multivariable analysis MAC was associated with better DFS (hazard ratio [HR], .58; 95% confidence interval [CI], .39-.88; P = .01), lower relapse (HR, .56; 95% CI, .32 to .97; P = .038), and similar NRM (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, .54 to 2.26; P = .781) compared with RIC in the low/intermediate DRI group. Intensity had no impact on HCT outcomes in the high/very high DRI group. MAC improves DFS and relapse compared with RIC among AML/MDS patients with low/intermediate DRI. The finding of no such benefit in high/very high DRI needs to be further explored in a larger cohort with a longer follow-up.
Dynamic Relationship Between Local Cerebral Blood Volume and Systemic Mean Arterial Pressure in the Frequency-Domain

Coherent oscillations in cerebral blood volume and mean arterial pressure were concurrently measured. Transfer function analysis was performed to characterize their relationship in terms of relative amplitude and phase at frequencies 0.04–0.20 Hz.
Development of an autodissemination strategy for the deployment of novel control agents targeting the common malaria mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaculatus say (Diptera: Culicidae).

Background The reduced efficacy of current Anopheline mosquito control methods underscores the need to develop new methods of control that exploit unique target sites and/or utilizes novel deployment methods. Autodissemination methodologies using insect growth regulators (IGRs) is growing in interest and has been shown to be effective at controlling Aedes mosquitoes in semi-field and field environments, yet little information exists for Anopheline mosquitoes. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that female-driven autodissemination of an IGR combined with a new mechanism of action insecticide (Kir channel inhibitor) could be employed to reduce Anopheline populations. Methodology We studied the ability of three IGRs to be transferred to the larval habitat during oviposition in laboratory and semi-field environments. Adult mosquitoes were exposed to the chemicals for 4 hours immediately after blood feeding and efficacy was tested using classical methodologies, including adult emergence inhibition and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). A complete autodissemination design was tested in a semi-field environment. Principal findings Larval survivability and adult emergence were significantly reduced in habitats that were visited by novaluron treated adults, but no statistical differences were observed with pyriproxyfen or triflumuron. These data suggested novaluron, but not pyriproxyfen or triflumuron, was horizontally transferred from the adult mosquito to the larval habitat during oviposition. HPLC studies supported the toxicity data and showed that novaluron was present in the majority of larval habitats, suggesting that novaluron can be horizontally transferred by Anopheles quadrimaculatus. Importantly, the combination of novaluron and the Kir channel inhibitor, VU041, was capable of reducing adult and larval populations in semi-field environments. Conclusions Novaluron can be transferred to the adult at a greater efficacy and/or is not degraded as quickly during the gonotropic cycle when compared to pyriproxyfen or triflumuron. Pending field confirmation, autodissemination approaches with novaluron may be a suitable tool to manage Anopheles populations.
Carbon Dioxide Reduction by Iron Hangman Porphyrins

Iron hangman porphyrins with phenol, guanidinium, and sulfonic acid proton donor groups placed above the Fe porphyrin platform reduce CO2 to CO with Faradaic efficiencies >93%. Computations show that the activation of CO2 at the Fe center is enhanced by the hanging group. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding from the phenol and guanidinium groups results in a 2.1–6.6 kcal/mol stabilization of CO2 within the hangman pocket; the hanging sulfonate group is deprotonated, thus resulting in destabilization of the CO2 adduct due to unfavorable electrostatic interactions. Electrochemical studies show that Fe hangman porphyrins exhibit canonical S-curve character; together with computation results, the apparent rate constant for CO2 reduction is found to be governed by CO2 binding within the hangman cleft.
Through the Physician's Eyes: Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery on Comorbid Conditions.

Patients for gastric bypass surgery should be carefully selected on the basis of several objective factors, and those chosen should be treated and monitored by specialized teams to optimize outcomes. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Epstein-Barr virus infection and immunoregulation in man.

Publisher Summary Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is a unique viral pathogen for man and its target for infection is the immune system itself. Not only are B lymphocytes infected by the virus, but once infected, they become functionally activated and also acquire the property of autonomous growth that introduces a considerably more complicated problem of host defense than encountered with other pathogens. Generally a benign and self-limited acute illness, EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis (IM) has been associated with the appearance of hypogammaglobulinemia and malignant polyclonal lymphoproliferation. During primary infection, nonspecific suppressor and probably nonspecific cytotoxic mechanisms are activated that regulate and destroy virus-infected cells. However, as with all herpes viruses, EBV persists in the body for life after primary infection and remains capable of inducing polyclonal B cell growth and differentiation that are regulated again by both suppressor and cytotoxic mechanisms. EBV immortalizes B cells in vitro , providing exceptionally useful lymphoid cell lines, and it induces B cell differentiation in the absence of cooperating accessory and T cells. In contrast to these EBV-related lymphoproliferative disorders that are often polyclonal in nature, the African type of Burkitt's lymphoma is a monoclonal malignancy of B cells usually infected with EBV that have also been found to contain characteristic chromosomal translocations and DNA rearrangements involving the cellular myc oncogene. The precise role of EBV in the etiology and pathogenesis of lymphoid tumor is still unclear and various hypotheses have been advanced to explain the way a number of cofactors, including endemic malaria, could affect infection with EBV and cause this type of cellular transformation.
Aspiration of Deep Waters through Straits

In 1973 Stommel, Bryden and Mangelsdorf conjectured that high speed shallow flow in the Strait of Gibraltar is capable of sucking deep Mediterranean Water from the adjacent Alboran Sea directly up and over the sill into the Atlantic Ocean. This mechanism, which we call Bernoulli aspiration, has since been demonstrated in laboratory models, and the direct outflow has been confirmed by field experiment. Laboratory modeling, numerical experiment, and field measurement also have shown that the upstream path of the outflowing deep water is constrained by the combination of rotation and topography to form a narrow boundary current against the African coast. Data that was recently acquired during the Gibraltar Experiment (1985–1986) is used to describe the direct outflow of deep water and its distribution upstream of the sill.
Modeling Over-Dispersed Microbiome Data

However, count data is not purely relative—the count pair (1, 2) carries different information than counts of (1000, 2000) even though the relative amounts of the two components are the same.
Gastrointestinal symptom improvement from fiber, STW 5, peppermint oil, and probiotics use—Results from an online survey

Abstract Objectives Several common supplements are used by a significant number of patients affected by gastrointestinal (GI) disorders to improve symptoms and quality of life. We investigated the impact of GI symptom improvement with the use of fiber, STW 5, probiotics, and peppermint oil in relation to overall GI pain and quality of life via an online survey. Design We used a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlation design. A Qualtrics online survey was utilized to collect data from January to June 2013 through various websites. Areas evaluated included participant demographics, use of supplements, and gastrointestinal symptom severity. Results The rate of supplement use among patients with GI disorders was high (90% in past year) and consultation with healthcare providers was reported by 80%. Participants who completed the survey (n = 68) reported a strong correlation between GI symptom severity and overall quality of life (r2 = 0.8682, p Conclusions Persons with chronic GI disorders often choose the complementary use of common supplements to mitigate GI symptoms and consult with their healthcare providers frequently. The use of STW 5 and probiotics specifically is linked to overall reduction in GI symptoms and improvement of quality of life.
Interlimb skill ability in motor skill performance.

Abstract Thirty-eight male college freshmen continuously threw a softball at a 4′x4′ target for 30 sec. and also kicked a soccer ball at a 4′x4′ target for the game length of time. The subjects were tested using their preferred and nonpreferred arms and legs. Five of the six correlations, including preferred arm and nonpreferred arm, preferred leg and nonpreferred leg, preferred arm and preferred leg, nonpreferred arm and nonpreferred leg, and preferred arm and nonpreferred leg, were positive, low, but significant. However, when analyzed for generality and specificity factors of performance, the highest generality (29 percent) was obtained when comparing leg performance. There is evidence of strong specificity in limb performance, and thus more support for a specificity theory of learning and performance.
Academic E-book Usability from the Student’s Perspective

Abstract Objective – This article describes how librarians systematically compared different e-book platforms to identify which features and design impact usability and user satisfaction. Methods – This study employed task-based usability testing, including the “think-aloud protocol.” Students at the University of Colorado Boulder completed a series of typical tasks to compare the usability and measure user satisfaction with academic e-books. For each title, five students completed the tasks on three e-book platforms: the publisher platform and two aggregators. Thirty-five students evaluated seven titles on nine academic e-book platforms. Results – This study identified each platform’s strengths and weaknesses based on students’ experiences and preferences. The usability tests indicated that students preferred Ebook Central over EBSCO and strongly preferred the aggregators over publisher platforms. Conclusions – Librarians can use student expectations and preferences to guide e-book purchasing decisions. Preferences may vary by institution, but variations in e-book layout and functionality impact students’ ability to successfully complete tasks and influences their affinity for or satisfaction with any given platform. Usability testing is a useful tool for gauging user expectations and identifying preferences for features, functionality, and layout.
Multidimensional Grief Therapy: Pilot Open Trial of a Novel Intervention for Bereaved Children and Adolescents

This study describes a pilot open trial of Multidimensional Grief Therapy, an assessment-driven, phasic individual therapy for bereaved youth. This study provides a preliminary outcome evaluation with respect to maladaptive grief reactions, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and depressive symptoms in bereaved youth. The sample consisted of 65 bereaved youth (ages 6–17 years, M = 11.62, SD = 2.76; 53% female; 33.3% Hispanic, 31.8% African American/Black, 27.3% Caucasian, 6.1% mixed/biracial, 1.5% Native American). The study utilized a single-group open trial design. Youth referred to the study due to the death of a loved one completed measures of grief reactions, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Measures were also completed following Phases I and II of the treatment. Youth who completed Phase I (n = 42) reported significant reductions from baseline, with large to very large effect sizes (Cohen’s D range = 0.77−1.35) for all three domains of maladaptive grief, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Youth who completed Phase II (n = 22) exhibited significant reductions from the end of Phase I, with medium to large effect sizes (range = 0.57–0.90) for two domains of maladaptive grief as well as for posttraumatic stress symptoms and depressive symptoms. Although further evaluations using a wider array of outcomes are needed to evaluate MGT and the maintenance of treatment gains over time, the present study provides preliminary evidence supporting MGT as an individual treatment for bereaved youth experiencing maladaptive grief reactions, post-traumatic stress, and depressive symptoms.
Assessing the value of PCR assays in oral fluid samples for detecting African swine fever, classical swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease in U.S. swine

Introduction Oral fluid sampling and testing offers a convenient, unobtrusive mechanism for evaluating the health status of swine, especially grower and finisher swine. This assessment evaluates the potential testing of oral fluid samples with real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) to detect African swine fever, classical swine fever, or foot-and-mouth disease for surveillance during a disease outbreak and early detection in a disease-free setting.
Dark Ages, Dark Therapies

Introduction and Objective The Dark Ages are rightfully characterized by the loss of classic learning, the religious institutionalizing of dogma, the loss of humanism and secular authority, and a Western devolvement of medicine. Patients with stone disease were thus in a double dilemma, there was little in the way of medical therapeutics, and the surgical alternative was “horribly” worse.
The Act of Listening Well: Improving Communication Skills through Bibliotherapy

Health professions education programs have the ability to educate future healthcare professionals on the technical aspects of medicine and physical function, yet it is difficult to provide students with the skills to effectively communicate with patients. Communication is a critical competency for all healthcare professionals, and it is well-documented that patient-provider communication is an important factor in affecting patient views and care outcomes. In this essay, a program of bibliotherapy, or reading therapy, is explored as a means to teach health professions students to effectively and compassionately communicate with patients. The experience of serving as a bibliotherapist enables students to create bonds that increase empathy and understanding of patient perspectives.
Radioactive 79rubidium in a magneto-optical trap

The strong confinement of atoms in 6D phase space makes the magneto-optic trap (MOT) a promising tool for work with small samples of radioactive isotopes, and recently there has been considerable interest in using them for weak interaction precision measurements in radioactive atoms.1,2 However, the capture velocity for trapping is typically at most 1/10 of the thermal velocity. Special attention has to be paid to loading the atoms into the MOT efficiently. One way of doing this is to laser-decelerate the incoming atomic beam.2 We have chosen the vapor-cell approach.3 During wall collisions the atoms rethermalize and have many chances to cross the trap region. Use of non-stick Dryfilm coatings on the inside of the cell prevents the sticking of alkali atoms to the glass walls.4.
Corrections to “3D Printed Elastomeric Lattices With Embedded Deformation Sensing”

In the above article [1] , Figure 3 should read “Isometric view of two wires forming a capacitor in the measured configuration. The yellow wire is the top plate and the red is the bottom plate of a capacitor. The gray is a dielectric elastomer lattice, the deformation of which can be indirectly determined by measuring the capacitance.” Figure 4 should read “Isometric (A) and bottom view (B) of a lattice with an alternative configuration in four quadrants for selective sensing. The selectivity can be extended to any combination of cells in both vertical and horizontal configurations.” In Figure 9 , the ${x}$ -axis should read “Min Deformation Slow; Min Deformation Fast; Max Deformation Slow; Max Deformation Fast.” A sentence in the introduction should read “Within the context of additive manufacturing, lattices are the focus of significant research since they...” The authors requested this correction for clarity purposes.
Yehupets as Fantasy and Reality: Sholem Aleichem’s Kiev

The city of Kiev was an inexhaustible source of material for Sholem Aleichem’s prolific writings in various genres. The imaginary city of Yehupets functions in his writing as a transitional space b...
Racialism and the Media: Black Jesus, Black Twitter, and the First Black American President: By Venise T. Berry (2020). New York: Peter Lang Press. 159 pp.

In the book, Racialism and the Media: Black Jesus, Black Twitter, and the First Black American President, by Professor Venise T. Berry, Berry’s central ideal in the book focuses her analysis “on th...
Enabling high-strength cement-based materials for thermal energy storage via fly-ash cenosphere encapsulated phase change materials

Abstract The incorporation of phase change materials (PCMs) in cement-based materials opens pathways for large-scale thermal energy storage with tremendous opportunities for energy saving. However, traditional use of polymer micro-encapsulated PCMs (MEPCM) in cement-based materials lead to several well-known drawbacks (e.g., detrimental to mechanical performance, lower thermal conductivity, and high costs). In this research, a novel micro-encapsulation pathway is pursued, using fly-ash cenosphere to encapsulate PCMs for high volume use in cement-based materials. A comparative study was conducted to elucidate the effects of the cenosphere encapsulated PCMs (namely CenoPCM) and its polymer micro-encapsulated counterparts on the mechanical and thermal properties of functionalized cement-based materials. In addition, a micro-mechanics-based model was developed to predict properties of cementitious materials containing MEPCM. Property trade-off analysis shows that CenoPCM has substantial potential in the development of heat-storing cement-based materials, due to its significantly improved mechanical properties, good thermal conductivity, and much lower cost than other MEPCMs.
Early onset epilepsy and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy with cardiac arrhythmia in mice carrying the early infantile epileptic encephalopathy 47 gain-of-function FHF1(FGF12) missense mutation.

Objective Fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) are brain and cardiac sodium channel-binding proteins that modulate channel density and inactivation gating. A recurrent de novo gain-of-function missense mutation in the FHF1(FGF12) gene (p.Arg52His) is associated with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy 47 (EIEE47; Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database 617166). To determine whether the FHF1 missense mutation is sufficient to cause EIEE and to establish an animal model for EIEE47, we sought to engineer this mutation into mice. Methods The Arg52His mutation was introduced into fertilized eggs by CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) editing to generate Fhf1R52H /F+ mice. Spontaneous epileptiform events in Fhf1R52H /+ mice were assessed by cortical electroencephalography (EEG) and video monitoring. Basal heart rhythm and seizure-induced arrhythmia were recorded by electrocardiography. Modulation of cardiac sodium channel inactivation by FHF1BR52H protein was assayed by voltage-clamp recordings of FHF-deficient mouse cardiomyocytes infected with adenoviruses expressing wild-type FHF1B or FHF1BR52H protein. Results All Fhf1R52H /+ mice experienced seizure or seizurelike episodes with lethal ending between 12 and 26 days of age. EEG recordings in 19-20-day-old mice confirmed sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) as severe tonic seizures immediately preceding loss of brain activity and death. Within 2-53 s after lethal seizure onset, heart rate abruptly declined from 572 ± 16 bpm to 108 ± 15 bpm, suggesting a parasympathetic surge accompanying seizures that may have contributed to SUDEP. Although ectopic overexpression of FHF1BR52H in cardiomyocytes induced a 15-mV depolarizing shift in voltage of steady-state sodium channel inactivation and slowed the rate of channel inactivation, heart rhythm was normal in Fhf1R52H /+ mice prior to seizure. Significance The Fhf1 missense mutation p.Arg52His induces epileptic encephalopathy with full penetrance in mice. Both Fhf1 (p.Arg52His) and Scn8a (p.Asn1768Asp) missense mutations enhance sodium channel Nav 1.6 currents and induce SUDEP with bradycardia in mice, suggesting an FHF1/Nav 1.6 functional axis underlying altered brain sodium channel gating in epileptic encephalopathy.
The sporicidal activity of chlorine dioxide gas on Paenibacillus larvae spores

American foulbrood disease (AFB) is an economically important, reportable bacterial infection of honey bees (Apis mellifera) caused by the spore-forming pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. Currently, th...
Cancer-specific outcomes for prostate cancer patients who had prebiopsy prostate MRI.

Abstract Purpose We characterized population-level cancer-specific outcomes for prostate cancer patients based on use of prebiopsy prostate MRI. Methods Using SEER-Medicare claims, we identified men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer from 2010–2015 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Results We identified 48,574 patients, where 915 (1.9%) underwent prebiopsy MRI. Patients with prebiopsy MRI had more GG>2 cancer on biopsy (70.0% MRI vs. 62.8% no MRI) but lost significance after adjustment (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.96–1.30). Patients with prebiopsy MRI were more likely to have prostatectomy (39.2% vs. 28.5%, adjusted OR 1.51, 95%CI 1.31–1.76). Downgrading from biopsy GG 3–5 to final GG 1–2 was less common after prebiopsy MRI (21.3% vs. 28.2% no MRI, P = 0.05) but not significant after adjustment (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.51 – 1.08). Among 14,027 men with prostatectomy, accurate risk classification was not more likely with a prebiopsy MRI (48.0% no MRI vs. 49.6% prebiopsy MRI, P = 0.56). Conclusion During initial adoption, men with prebiopsy prostate MRI had marginally increased detection of significant cancer on biopsy and were more likely to be treated with prostatectomy. For those treated with prostatectomy, use of prebiopsy MRI was not associated with a greater likelihood of accurate risk classification or grade concordance between biopsy and final pathology results.
Prospective investigation of factors associated with success on the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care certification examination (2016-2018).

OBJECTIVE To assess the association of candidate attributes and residency training factors with success on the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) board certification examination and to develop multivariable models of first-attempt success. DESIGN Prospective survey-based study. SETTING Post-assessment ACVECC examination candidates. ANIMALS None. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Comprehensive surveys were distributed to ACVECC examination candidates in 2016 to 2018 after completion of their assessments, but prior to publication of examination results. Unique anonymous candidate identification numbers were used to match survey responses to outcome data from the office of the ACVECC Executive Secretary. After curation to retain only the first response from each candidate, there were 97 unique candidate responses available for analysis. Univariate analyses identified multiple factors associated with first-attempt success and multiple differences between academic and private practice residency programs. Multivariable logistic regression modeling suggested that 5 factors were independently associated with first-attempt success on the ACVECC examination, specifically younger age, more weeks of study prior to the examination, training at a facility with more ACVECC Diplomates, training at a facility with more ACVECC residents, and having no requirement to manage both Emergency Room (ER) and Critical Care (CC) cases simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS Numerous resident and training center factors are associated with success in the ACVECC board certification examination. Residents and training centers might be able to use these data to enhance training, but caution must be exercised because these data are associative only.
Involvement of CRMP2 in Regulation of Mitochondrial Morphology and Motility in Huntington's Disease.

Mitochondrial morphology and motility (mitochondrial dynamics) play a major role in the proper functioning of distant synapses. In Huntington’s disease (HD), mitochondria become fragmented and less motile, but the mechanisms leading to these changes are not clear. Here, we found that collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) interacted with Drp1 and Miro 2, proteins involved in regulating mitochondrial dynamics. CRMP2 interaction with these proteins inversely correlated with CRMP2 phosphorylation. CRMP2 was hyperphosphorylated in postmortem brain tissues of HD patients, in human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from HD patients, and in cultured striatal neurons from HD mouse model YAC128. At the same time, CRMP2 interaction with Drp1 and Miro 2 was diminished in HD neurons. The CRMP2 hyperphosphorylation and dissociation from Drp1 and Miro 2 correlated with increased fission and suppressed motility. (S)-lacosamide ((S)-LCM), a small molecule that binds to CRMP2, decreased its phosphorylation at Thr 509/514 and Ser 522 and rescued CRMP2’s interaction with Drp1 and Miro 2. This was accompanied by reduced mitochondrial fission and enhanced mitochondrial motility. Additionally, (S)-LCM exerted a neuroprotective effect in YAC128 cultured neurons. Thus, our data suggest that CRMP2 may regulate mitochondrial dynamics in a phosphorylation-dependent manner and modulate neuronal survival in HD.
The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib reverses TRAIL resistance in refractory human bladder tumors in vivo

736 In a previous study we reported that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (PS-341, Velcade) abrogated TRAIL resistance in human bladder cancer cells in vitro. Here we evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy and systemic toxicity of combination therapy with bortezomib plus TRAIL in human 253J B-V bladder tumor xenografts. Male nude mice bearing established subcutaneous 253J B-V tumors were treated twice weekly with 0.5 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg bortezomib with or without 4 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg recombinant human TRAIL. Levels of tumor proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis were measured by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Combination therapy with 4 mg/kg TRAIL plus 0.5 mg/kg bortezomib was well tolerated, but therapy with TRAIL plus 1 mg/kg bortezomib produced fatal toxicity when drugs were administered simultaneously. This toxicity was eliminated when bortezomib was delivered 16 h before TRAIL. Prolonged (4-week) therapy with rhTRAIL increased tumor cell apoptosis as measured by caspase-8 and -3 activation and DNA fragmentation. In contrast, short-term (2-week) therapy with either TRAIL or bortezomib alone had no effect on apoptosis, whereas combination therapy produced significant increases in all three measures of cell death. Unexpectedly, therapy with single-agent TRAIL or TRAIL plus bortezomib resulted in marked reductions in tumor microvessel densities. Combination therapy with bortezomib plus rhTRAIL can trigger lethal toxicity that can be avoided by lowering the dose of bortezomib or staggering drug dosing. Under these conditions combination therapy induces apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis in tumors that are refractory to either bortezomib or TRAIL alone.
Wood and masonry on the Web: a civil engineering design course goes virtual

Summary form only given. This presentation documents the on-going effort to develop and deliver a Web-based, practiced-orientated, civil engineering design course. The course, titled "EGR 437-Wood and Masonry Design", focuses on the structural design and construction of low-rise buildings and uses a system-based approach to motivate learning and to emphasize component integration. This course is being offered for the first time, (Fall, 1998), via the Web to residential Northern Aizona University (NAU) students. These students use the deep Web site as a course center that includes directions (e.g., homework, project, and reading assignments), daily lecture notes, pictures, links to on-line reference materials, and communications. In addition, the residential students physically attend class-a highly interactive recitation-type session-with the resulting activities posted to the Web. Future offerings of EGR 437 will include distance students taking the class, more or less, on the same schedule as the residential students.
Effect of dietary (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) pretreatment on the hepatotoxicity of acute high dose EGCG (270.3)

Green tea based dietary supplements containing high levels of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) have become popular for weight loss. Case-studies have reported hepatotoxicity associated with consumption of green tea-based supplements and laboratory studies have demonstrated the potential hepatotoxicity of EGCG. We examined the effect of pretreatment with dietary EGCG on the bioavailability and hepatotoxicity of high oral bolus EGCG in CF-1 mice. EGCG (750 mg/kg, i.g., once daily) for 3 d increased plasma alanine aminotransferase by 80-fold compared to controls. High dose EGCG also decreased hepatic levels of reduced (59% decrease) and total glutathione (33% decrease), and increased hepatic phosphorylation of histone 2AX compared to vehicle-treated control mice. Pretreatment with dietary EGCG (3.2 mg/g) for 2 wk blunted these changes. EGCG pretreatment also raised the levels of several oxidative stress-related genes. Analysis of plasma and liver levels of EGCG showed that pretreatment with dietary EGCG...
Effectiveness of a CBT Intervention for Persistent Insomnia and Hypnotic Dependency in an Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic.

Objective To test cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in patients who not only receive psychiatric treatment in a outpatient psychiatry clinic but also continue to experience chronic insomnia despite receiving pharmacological treatment for sleep. CBT-I included an optional module for discontinuing hypnotic medications. Method Patients were randomized to 5 sessions of individual CBT-I (n = 13) or treatment as usual (n = 10). Sleep parameters were assessed using sleep diaries at pre- and posttreatment. Questionnaires measuring depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life were also administered. Results CBT-I was associated with significant improvement in sleep, with 46% obtaining normal global sleep ratings after treatment. However, no changes in secondary outcomes (depression, anxiety, quality of life) were obtained and no patients elected to discontinue their hypnotic medications. Conclusions Patients with complex, chronic psychiatric conditions can obtain sleep improvements with CBT-I beyond those obtained with pharmacotherapy alone; however, sleep interventions alone may not have the same effect on mental health outcomes in samples with more severe and chronic psychiatric symptoms and dependency on hypnotic medications.
Magnetic soft X-ray microscopy: Towards imaging ultrafast spin dynamics on the nanoscale

The manipulation of spins on the nanoscale is of both fundamental and technological interest. Advances in synthesis of magnetic nanostructures and analytical tools are key to provide a fundamental insight into the physical processes involved. Magnetic microscopies are faced with the challenge to provide both spatial resolution in the nanometer regime, a time resolution on a ps to fs scale and elemental specificity to be able to study novel multicomponent and multifunctional magnetic nanostructures and their ultrafast spin dynamics. Magnetic soft X-ray microscopy is a very promising technique since it combines X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (X-MCD) as element specific magnetic contrast mechanism with high spatial and temporal resolution. Fresnel zone plates used as X-ray optical elements provide a spatial resolution down to currently <15nm [1] thus approaching fundamental magnetic length scales such as the grain size [2] and magnetic exchange lengths. Images can be recorded in external magnetic fields giving access to study magnetization reversal phenomena on the nanoscale and its stochastic character [3] with elemental sensitivity [4]. Utilizing the inherent time structure of current synchrotron sources fast magnetization dynamics with 70ps time resolution, limited by the lengths of the electron bunches, can be performed with a stroboscopic pump-probe scheme. I will review recent achievements with magnetic soft X-ray microscopy with focus on current induced wall [5] and vortex dynamics in ferromagnetic elements [6]. The potential of soft X-ray microscopy to push the spatial resolution into the less than 10nm regime with improved X-ray optics will be outlined and x-ray microscopy at future high brilliant fsec X-ray sources makes snapshot images of fsec spin dynamics feasible.
Developing Methods for Preventing and Detecting Substance Abuse in the Operating Room: A Disease Approach

Substance abuse is an occupational hazard for health care workers in the operating room setting. Anesthesiologists have a higher rate of substance abuse than their physician counterparts. Anesthesia residents have the highest incidence of substance abuse among anesthesia providers. By creating a disease model for substance abuse, pharmacists may be better able to understand, detect, and prevent substance abuse in the operating room area. The development of comprehensive methods for dispensing and monitoring controlled substance use in the operating room should include systems that limit exposure, provide accountability and consistency, and provide education for the medical staff.
Adventures in Peptides and Science With Students! The Joys of Research

It is a great honor to receive the Murray Goodman Award for Scientific Excellence and Mentorship. I believe it is primarily a reflection of the tremendous scientific abilities, productivities, and accomplishments of my Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Associates both while in my laboratory and since. It also is tremendous to be associated in this way with Murray Goodman who was a good friend and colleague. He gave me much good advice in numerous aspects of my career. We also shared some important adventures as consultants for the United Nation’s Development Program, and the in the development of the American Peptide Symposium and American Peptide Society. It is very daunting to reflect on my life as a Professor and mentor, since I have had so many outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral associates including 20 Masters students, 65 Ph.D. students and over 90 Postdoctoral Associates, most of who have published multiple papers with me. How can I summarize their tremendous efforts and accomplishments when associated with me and my laboratory? I have tried to solve this problem by simply illustrating how our thoughts and sciences have evolved on a few joint accomplishments we have had in the 42 plus years I have been a mentor. Hopefully they will illustrate my philosophy as a teacher and mentor (Figure 1). Every person is unique; help them find their uniqueness. Everyone needs to take ownership of their research. Make the most of your ideas. Collaboration within the group and with our biological colleagues is encouraged and often necessary for excellence. Good ideas and creativity can come from everyone, but generally by choosing to solve a difficult problem. Figure 1 In so doing there is much I will not talk about including:1) use of 2H, 13C, etc. NMR to examine peptide-protein interactions; 2) computational chemistry and peptide drug design; 3) asymmetric synthesis of novel amino acids and β-turn mimetics; 4) peptide synthesis; 5) oxytocin conformation-activity relationships; 6) development of combinatorial chemistry and the selectide process; 7) glucagon - development of pure antagonists, inverse agonists and multiple signaling pathways; 8) substance P, CCK, melanocyte concentrating hormone and other neurotransmitters; and 9) conversion of somatostatin to a highly selective mu opioid antagonist.