cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrolases in intracellular compartments of rat liver cells : evidence for selective activation and/or delivery

We used perfused rat livers to investigate the role of endosomes versus lysosomes in the hydrolysis of endocytosed material. When perfusions were performed at 37 degrees C with 125I-asialoorosomucoid, 125I-galactosylated albumin, or 125I-mannosylated albumin, there was a 15-min lag before trichloroacetic acid-soluble degradation products were detected. Furthermore, no hydrolysis was detected at 16 degrees C, indicating that there was no significant prelysosomal degradation of these proteins. Since detection by this method depends on extensive hydrolysis, we subsequently used three small synthetic molecules from which fluorescent products are generated by a single cleavage. These were 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate, 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate, and 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucosaminide, which are substrates for aryl sulfatase, acid phosphatase, and beta-hexosaminidase, respectively. Using the first two compounds, hydrolysis was detected after 3 min at 37 degrees C and still occurred, albeit to a reduced extent, at 16 and 4 degrees C. This indicates that aryl sulfatase and acid phosphatase are active prelysosomally. We found a different result with 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucosaminide. At 37 degrees C, there was a greater than 15-min lag before hydrolysis products were measured; furthermore, hydrolysis ceased at 16 degrees C, indicating that beta-hexosaminidase is active lysosomally. Taken together, these findings show that there is selective activation and/or delivery of hydrolases along the endocytic pathway.
Detecting Player Goals from Game Log Files

In this paper we describe the development of a detector of seriousness of pursuit of a particular goal in a digital game. As gaming researchers attempt to make inferences about player characteristics from their actions in open-ended gaming environments, understanding game players’ goals can help provide an interpretive lens for those actions. This research uses Classification and Regression Tree methodology to develop and then cross-validate features of game play and related rules through which player behavior about pursuing a goal of completing a quest can be classified as serious or not serious.
Plasma hepatocyte growth factor is a novel marker of AL cardiac amyloidosis.

AbstractBackground: Cardiac amyloidosis is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy that is challenging to diagnose. We hypothesized that the novel biomarkers hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), galectin-3 (GAL-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) would be elevated in cardiac amyloidosis and may be able to discriminate from non-cardiac systemic amyloidosis or other cardiomyopathies with similar clinical or morphologic characteristics.Methods: Patients were selected from the Vanderbilt Main Heart Registry according to the following groups: (1) amyloid light-chain (AL) cardiac amyloidosis (n = 26); (2) transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis (n = 7); (3) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (n = 45); (4) systolic heart failure (n = 42); and (5) non-cardiac systemic amyloidosis (n = 7). Biomarkers were measured in stored plasma samples. Biomarkers' discrimination performance in predicting AL cardiac amyloidosis (i.e., Concordance index) was reported. A survival analysis was used to explor...
New Biofunctional Loading of Natural Antimicrobial Agent in Biodegradable Polymeric Films for Biomedical Applications

The study focuses on the development of novel Aloe vera based polymeric composite films and antimicrobial suture coatings. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a synthetic biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, was combined with Aloe vera, a natural herb used for soothing burning effects and cosmetic purposes. The properties of these two materials were combined together to get additional benefits such as wound healing and prevention of surgical site infections. PVA and Aloe vera were mixed in a fixed quantity to produce polymer based films. The films were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activity against bacterial (E. coli, P. aeruginosa) and fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus tubingensis) screened. Aloe vera based PVA films showed antimicrobial activity against all the strains; the lowest Aloe vera concentration (5%) showed the highest activity against all the strains. In vitro degradation and release profile of these films was also evaluated. The coating for sutures was prepared, in vitro antibacterial tests of these coated sutures were carried out, and later on in vivo studies of these coated sutures were also performed. The results showed that sutures coated with Aloe vera/PVA coating solution have antibacterial effects and thus have the potential to be used in the prevention of surgical site infections and Aloe vera/PVA based films have the potential to be used for wound healing purposes.
An Inclusive Model of Lesbian Identity Assumption

Many psychological studies of lesbian identity have described linear stages in a process of achieving an identity or isolating “types” of lesbians. A select few of these models are critiqued. Linear models have clearly defined beginnings and endings, are rarely grounded in the historical and social contexts in which women grow, and focus on sexual identity to the exclusion of other important human traits. The author proposes a cyclical model that attempts to integrate sexuality with other aspects of a woman’s sense of self.
Amyloidogenic lambda Light Chain Renal Toxicity: Oxidative Stress Implicated.

Abstract The kidney is the most common organ involved in systemic light-chain amyloidosis (AL), seen in up to 40% of patients. Renal involvement can result in proteinuria and/or renal insufficiency. The mechanism of renal injury in amyloidosis remains unclear. We present data supporting a central role for oxidative stress in amyloid-induced renal damage. Soluble free light chains(LCs) were isolated from plasma of AL and myeloma patients obtained at the time of stem cell collection. LCs were purified by liquid-phase iso-electric fractionation of pooled plasma samples from each patient. Purified LC were incubated with cultured rat renal epithelial cells, both wild-type and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) over-expressing, for 16 hours. Macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) induction was measured in the media by ELISA. LC from myeloma patients were used as negative controls. Significant induction of MCP-1, a sensitive indicator of oxidative stress, was seen in 4/5 patients with lambda light-chain amyloidosis and 0/4 kappa light-chain amyloidosis patients. Induction of MCP-1 was seen in only 1/8 myeloma patients tested (4 lambda and 4 kappa). Induction of MCP-1 was reduced in the presence of HO-1 overexpression, implicating oxidative stress as a critical pathway of toxicity of amyloidogenic lambda light chains in this system. These results suggest that lambda and kappa light chains may cause renal injury through distinct pathways in the kidney.
Insights on the Mechanism of Na-Ion Storage in Soft Carbon Anode

Graphite is the commercial anode for lithium-ion batteries; however, it fails to extend its success to sodium-ion batteries. Recently, we demonstrated that a low-cost amorphous carbon—soft carbon exhibits remarkable rate performance and stable cycling life of Na-ion storage. However, its Na-ion storage mechanism has remained elusive, which has plagued further development of such carbon anodes. Here, we remedy this shortfall by presenting the results from an integrated set of experimental and computational studies that, for the first time, reveal the storage mechanism for soft carbon. We find that sodium ions intercalate into graphenic layers, leading to an irreversible quasi-plateau at ∼0.5 V versus Na+/Na as well as an irreversible expansion seen by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Such a high-potential plateau is correlated to the defective local structure inside the turbostratic stacking of soft carbon and the associated high-binding energies with Na ions, sug...
Quantile regression of microgeographic variation in population characteristics of an invasive vertebrate predator.

Localized ecological conditions have the potential to induce variation in population characteristics such as size distributions and body conditions. The ability to generalize the influence of ecological characteristics on such population traits may be particularly meaningful when those traits influence prospects for successful management interventions. To characterize variability in invasive Brown Treesnake population attributes within and among habitat types, we conducted systematic and seasonally-balanced surveys, collecting 100 snakes from each of 18 sites: three replicates within each of six major habitat types comprising 95% of Guam’s geographic expanse. Our study constitutes one of the most comprehensive and controlled samplings of any published snake study. Quantile regression on snake size and body condition indicated significant ecological heterogeneity, with a general trend of relative consistency of size classes and body conditions within and among scrub and Leucaena forest habitat types and more heterogeneity among ravine forest, savanna, and urban residential sites. Larger and more robust snakes were found within some savanna and urban habitat replicates, likely due to relative availability of larger prey. Compared to more homogeneous samples in the wet season, variability in size distributions and body conditions was greater during the dry season. Although there is evidence of habitat influencing Brown Treesnake populations at localized scales (e.g., the higher prevalence of larger snakes—particularly males—in savanna and urban sites), the level of variability among sites within habitat types indicates little ability to make meaningful predictions about these traits at unsampled locations. Seasonal variability within sites and habitats indicates that localized population characterization should include sampling in both wet and dry seasons. Extreme values at single replicates occasionally influenced overall habitat patterns, while pooling replicates masked variability among sites. A full understanding of population characteristics should include an assessment of variability both at the site and habitat level.
The Molecular Basis of Translation of the Genetic Message

In recent years we have gained considerable knowledge of the way in which the genetic information stored in DNA1 is transmitted to the protein making machinery of the cell, so that a specific nucleotide sequence in DNA gives rise to a unique amino acid sequence in the polypeptide chains of proteins. RNA participates in this process as a messenger between the DNA and the protein. DNA directs the synthesis of a specific messenger RNA (mRNA) and this in turn directs the synthesis of a specific protein.
Icefish and Other Genetic Anomalies and an Argument for Vestigiality

If one watches the embryonic development of a mammal, say a mouse, one sees a gradual increase in complexity as a single cell multiplies and develops into tissues and organs. But it does so in steps. The heart, for example, rather than forming as an intact entity begins as a blood vessel that folds to form two distinct chambers, which are characteristic of the heart of a fish. One of the chambers then divides into two so that three are present, which is much like the heart of reptiles. Finally, the undivided chamber is partitioned so that the four chambers characteristic of a mammalian heart finally form. The process appears to be one of adding complexity to simpler, previously developed structures. In fish, blood vessels run from the heart to the gills where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. Those blood vessels exist in mammals early in development, but they become modified to carry blood from the heart to the head, arms, lungs ,and trunk as development proceeds. From the construction point of view, this is not the most efficient way of doing things; it is analogous to build a diesel locomotive by first building a steam engine and then re-engineering it into a diesel by using the original materials and reworking them. Conceivably, you could end up with something that functions, but it would be far more reasonable to simply build the diesel in the first place. Biologically speaking, however, what is efficient from a constructive point of view is not what we have, and what we have makes sense in terms of evolution. Fish preceded mammals by around 200 million years. As fish spreads through the marine and aquatic niches available to them, some ventured into shallow areas where they were exposed to air for periods of time. Those that could survive in that environment prospered. Over time, modification of their existing structures allowed taking better advantage of this new, oxygen-rich resource that served them well.
Assessing Hereditary and Sociocultural Factors: Genetics

A brief review of the major findings and research trends in psychiatric genetics is necessary to deepen our understanding of the results of community surveys and studies of the social correlates of mental illness. The long-range goal for researchers in this field is to assess the relative importance of genetic and social factors in the etiology of mental illness, not to continue the age-old heredity versus environment argument. That argument flared into a major controversy in the late 1800s following Darwin’s discoveries, but was considered simplistic by astute scientists such as Sir Francis Galton. Galton, a staunch believer in the role of heredity, in the 1870s carried out the early studies on intelligence that laid the scientific foundation for Binet and Simon’s development of intelligence tests and the concept of the Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Geneticists now agree that genes are the basic determinants of physical and mental characteristics, but that their expression depends on “many interactions taking place before, at, and after birth.”2
Local delivery of a zoledronate solution improves osseointegration of titanium implants in a rat distal femur model.

This study aimed to determine whether locally applied anti-resorptive agents acetazolamide or zoledronic acid would improve mechanical stability in implant osseointegration when applied as a solution within the medullary canal. Thirty-three rats received titanium-implants bilaterally in their intramedullary femoral canals. Prior to implantation, animals received 0.1 ml saline, 1 mM acetazolamide solution, or 0.7 mM zoledronic acid solution directly into the medullary cavity. The control group only received saline within the medullary canal while the treatment groups only received the respective treatment to which they were randomized. Animals were allowed to heal 4 weeks, at which time they were euthanized and femurs isolated for mechanical and radiographic evaluation. Push-out force to failure increased 152% in the zoledronic acid group relative to the control. There was no significant difference in push-out force with acetazolamide relative to control. Also, zoledronic acid increased metaphyseal bone volume fraction 46% and increased metaphyseal bone-implant contact 58% relative to the control. Recent research exploring local injection of medications to improve implant osseointegration and minimize systemic-effects has failed to quantitatively evaluate implant fixation strength on non-hydroxyapatite coated implants or implants without previous bone compaction. This study demonstrated that a simple injection of zoledronic acid into the medullary canal, rather than coatings or commercial gels, can increase fixation strength of an uncoated titanium-implant. Our findings indicate simple injection of zoledronic acid in saline solution has the potential for improving fixation of uncemented joint implants. Clinical Significance: Intramedullary injection of local bisphosphonate solutions could be implemented to improve osseointegration in cementless arthroplasty. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3294-3298, 2018.
Theoretical and experimental studies of photomechanical materials [Invited]

After a brief introduction to the field of light-responsive materials, this paper provides a general theory for modeling the photomechanical response of a material, applies it to the two best-known mechanisms of photothermal heating and photoisomerization, and then describes an experimental procedure for quantitative measurements of the stress response. Several different materials are characterized to illustrate how the experiments and theory can be used to isolate the contributing mechanisms through both photomechanical measurements and auxiliary measurements of laser heating and thermal expansion. The efficiency and figure of merit of the photomechanical response are defined on several scales from the molecule to the bulk, and the photomorphon—the basic material element that determines the bulk response—is introduced. The photomorphon provides a conceptual model that can be expressed in terms of viscoelastic elements, such as springs in series and parallel with the photoactive molecule. The photomechanical response, figure of merit, and the deduced microscopic photomechanical properties are tabulated and proposals for new materials classes are made.
Quantum hydrodynamics for supersolid crystals and quasicrystals

Supersolids are theoretically predicted quantum states that break the continuous rotational and translational symmetries of liquids while preserving superfluid transport properties. Over the last decade, much progress has been made in understanding and characterizing supersolid phases through numerical simulations for specific interaction potentials. The formulation of an analytically tractable framework for generic interactions still poses theoretical challenges. By going beyond the usually considered quadratic truncations, we derive a systematic higher-order generalization of the Gross-Pitaevskii mean-field model in conceptual similarity with the Swift-Hohenberg theory of pattern formation. We demonstrate the tractability of this broadly applicable approach by determining the ground-state phase diagram and the dispersion relations for the supersolid lattice vibrations in terms of the potential parameters. Our analytical predictions agree well with numerical results from direct hydrodynamic simulations and earlier quantum Monte Carlo studies. The underlying framework is universal and can be extended to anisotropic pair potentials with a complex Fourier-space structure.
Significant neutrophil accumulation, IL-18 deposition, and active inflammasome in tumor regions of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

e15754Background: Obesity is an established risk factor for cancer and cancer-related mortality. Adipocytes may act as a “damage” signal resulting in the accumulation of innate immune cells, fuelin...
How Will Humans Cut Through Automated Vehicle Platoons in Mixed Traffic Environments? A Simulation Study of Drivers’ Gaze Behaviors Based on the Dynamic Areas of Interest

With higher levels of automation (LoA) in vehicles, mixed traffic environments are expected to emerge and last, until the transition into fully autonomous traffic environments. So far, there is limited research surrounding this transitional state of mixed traffic environments regarding how humans in semiautomatic vehicles interact with autonomous vehicles on the road. Knowledge behind the interactive behavior of humans in this situation can be useful to resolve the uncertainty in mixed traffic environments. This study investigated the manual driver’s gaze behaviors during their targeted action of changing lanes and cutting through a platoon of fully automated vehicles, with the goal of safely exiting a highway. This scenario of manually cutting through a platoon, which was run by Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC), was developed using a model-based simulation software (PreScan, TASS International) and tested in a driving simulator with a controlled experimental scheme. The resultant gaze behaviors, captured during the experiments using the eye-tracking glass (ETG2, SMI), were analyzed by mapping the gaze vectors with the specified area of interests (AOIs) in the visual field of view. This paper focuses on applying a deep learning algorithm for automated detection and tracking of the two, dynamic AOIs, (1) the leading vehicle from the platoon in the middle lane pertaining to the perceived distance and amount of time the driver has to make a lane change and (2) the road center outlined by the detection of lane and road boundaries, which serves as a frame of reference for visual attention in a primary driving task. By training over a thousand images for deep learning, the accuracy of the two AOIs’ detection was obtained at 99.85% and 71.95%, respectively. The mapping of gaze vectors with the AOIs showed that, with a shorter time headway (THW) of a platoon, drivers spent a longer time fixating on the leading vehicle from the platoon and that the average fixation time on the road center became longer, while the percentage of road center remains unchanged. These findings imply there are significant changes in cognitive workload with various platoon time headway during a mixed traffic environment.
Foreword: the Anglophone problem as seen through the eyes of some of Cameroon’s most prominent veteran and emerging scholars

This essay serves as a foreword to the special issue guest-edited by Juliana Makuchi Nfah-Abbenyi and Gilbert Doho and defines the context in which four veteran scholars and three emerging ones cam...
Teaching the Spanish trill to L1 English speakers using ultrasound instruction: a preliminary study on pronunciation pedagogy

It has been argued that a learner’s L1 articulatory tendency to produce an American English “retroflex” tongue shape as opposed to a “bunched” one can facilitate Spanish trill acquisition. This is ...
Strategies for altering lipid self-assembly to trigger liposome cargo release.

Abstract While liposomes have proven to be effective drug delivery nanocarriers, their therapeutic attributes could be improved through the development of clinically viable triggered release strategies in which encapsulated drug contents could be selectively released at the sites of diseased cells. As such, a significant amount of research has been reported involving the development of stimuli-responsive liposomes and a broad range of strategies have been explored for driving content release. These have included the introduction of trigger groups at either the lipid headgroup or within the acyl chains that alter lipid self-assembly properties of known lipids as well as the rational design of lipid analogs programed to undergo conformational changes induced by events such as binding interactions. This review article describes advances in the design of stimuli-responsive liposome strategies with an eye towards emerging trends in the field.
Validation of the Global Limb Anatomic Staging System in first-time lower extremity revascularization.

Abstract Objective The Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) was developed as a new anatomic classification scheme to grade the severity of chronic limb threatening ischemia. We evaluated the ability of this anatomic grading system to determine major adverse limb events after lower extremity revascularization. Methods We performed a single-institutional retrospective review of 1060 consecutive patients who had undergone 1180 first-time open or endovascular revascularization procedures for chronic limb threatening ischemia from 2005 to 2014. Using the review of angiographic images, the limbs were classified as GLASS stage 1, 2, or 3. The primary composite outcome was reintervention, major amputation (below- or above-the-knee amputation), and/or restenosis (>3.5× step-up by duplex criteria) events (RAS). The secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, failure to cross the lesion by endovascular methods, and a comparison between bypass vs endovascular intervention. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to determine the event rates at 1 and 5 years, and Cox regression analysis was used to adjust for baseline differences among the GLASS stages. Results Of all patients undergoing first-time revascularization, imaging studies were available for 1180 procedures (91%) for GLASS grading. Of these procedures, 552 were open bypass (47%) and 628 were endovascular intervention (53%). Compared with GLASS stage 1 disease (n = 267, 23%), stage 2 (n = 367; 31%) and stage 3 (n = 546; 42%) disease were associated with a greater risk of RAS at 1 year (stage 1, 33% vs stage 2, 48% vs stage 3, 53%) and 5 years (stage 1, 45% [reference]; stage 2, 65%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.2; P Conclusions For patients undergoing first-time lower extremity revascularization, the GLASS can be used to predict for reintervention and restenosis. Bypass resulted in better long-term outcomes compared with endovascular intervention for all GLASS stages.
An Immigration Defense Lawyer Walked into a Barr...

For all of the attention given to President Trump’s rhetoric characterizing Western Hemisphere immigrants in harsh and degrading criminal terms, little mainstream attention has been given to the real administration policies affecting actual criminal immigrants. While the Department of Justice is charged with administering removal proceedings, via its internal administrative immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”), it also defends those outcomes in the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Thus, it is instructive to comprehensively examine the administration’s actions through both its agency precedent and its litigation in the courts. Florida-based litigation provides a useful vantage point for consideration of contemporary application of the broad criminal grounds of “inadmissibility” and “deportability” enumerated in the Immigration and Nationality Act. (“INA”). This article serves to first catalogue and critique the Trump Attorney Generals’ internal achievements – distinguishing the BIA’s “independent” published decisions from those BIA cases certified by the Attorney General to decide himself - that seek to clarify (and generally amplify) the immigration consequence of criminal convictions. It will then draw out the Florida-specific roots of some of those decisions and explore the Florida and Eleventh Circuit implications of the remainder. The purpose of this article is both to canvas these cases, in service of the Florida bench and bar, and also to discover any philosophical consistency – or not – in the Department of Justice positions. Philosophically, a conservative administration might predictably advocate for a harsher interpretation of the removal statute. However, conservatives would also predictably argue for a strict reading of a statute, including in the use of the “categorical approach” in modern criminal and immigration law, which has evolved to require rigid comparison of federal and state criminal definitions of offenses in order for those offenses to trigger sentencing or deportation consequences. Paradoxically, close adherence to the “categorical approach” sometimes leads to generous outcomes for the immigrants. The Florida criminal code strays far from the model penal code; consequently, it provides ample fodder for a disproportionate amount of litigation and, consequently, for this article. The author has extensively written on, and litigated – both successfully and unsuccessfully, and in pending matters – regarding these issues, as both primary counsel and for amici curiae. This article develops the interconnectedness of the above two topics, in order to comprehensively discuss the immigration consequences of Florida crimes, and to attempt to reconcile 1) recent tracks of administrative and appellate jurisprudence under the current administration, with 2) the collision course of the “categorical approach” with the interpretive principles of Chevron. In doing so, the article makes recommendations for a more consistently principled, predictable, and uniform intersection of the state criminal statutes and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Impact of interdisciplinary education on pharmacy student knowledge and comfort with counseling on drug-nutrient interactions.

Abstract Introduction: Drug-nutrient interactions (DNIs) can negatively impact the medication use process and cause patient harm. Education in basic nutrition is often not included within pharmacy school curricula despite pharmacists needing to be proficient in identifying sources of potentially interacting nutrients. We evaluated the impact of an online education module about common DNIs and their sources on fourth-year student pharmacist knowledge, comfort with counseling, and perceived importance of DNIs. Methods: Fourth-year pharmacy students participating in their first community pharmacy advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) were incentivized to view an educational module developed by pharmacists and a dietitian. Pre- and post-assessments were given to determine the impact of the module on knowledge, comfort with counseling, and perceived importance of DNIs. An end-of-rotation assessment was administered to examine the use of module information during the APPE. Pre- and post-assessment responses were compared utilizing paired t-test analyses. Results: The pre- and post-module assessment results demonstrated statistically significant increases in knowledge, comfort, and perceived importance. Baseline knowledge scores increased from 65% to 80% and comfort increased for all included medication classes, most notably for bisphosphonates, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers. Perception of DNI importance increased across all classes. Students reported identifying DNIs at least weekly during the five-week APPE. Conclusions: An educational module about DNIs increased student knowledge, comfort with counseling, and perceived importance in fourth-year pharmacy students. Students reported encountering DNIs weekly during a community pharmacy rotation and found the module information useful.
The Safety and Efficacy of Stand-Alone Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Adjacent Segment Disease in a Cohort of 44 Patients.

Background A mainstay of treatment for symptomatic adjacent segment disease (ASD) has consisted of revision with posterior decompression and fusion. This carries significant morbidity and can be technically difficult. An alternative is stand-alone lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), which may avoid complications associated with revision surgery. We describe the largest cohort of patients treated with LLIF for ASD to our knowledge. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study on all patients who underwent transpsoas LLIF for ASD at a single academic center between 2012 and 2019. Postoperative improvement was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results Forty-four patients who underwent LLIF for ASD were identified. Median age was 65 years. Median time from index surgery to ASD development was 78 months. Median levels fused via LLIF was 1. Our median follow-up was 358 days. At follow-up, the median VAS back pain score was 0 (mean, 0.884), median VAS leg pain score was 1 (mean, 0.953), and median ODI was 8. The median improvement for VAS back pain was 8, for VAS leg pain was 6, and for ODI was 40. No patients suffered new neurologic symptoms postoperatively. Of the 17 patients who initially presented with non-pain neurologic symptoms, 8 (47.1%) experienced complete resolution of symptoms, and 5 (29.4%) experienced only some improvement. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort study of patients to date evaluating stand-alone LLIF for ASD. Our patient outcomes show it is safe and effective with low risk of morbidity.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of hydrocortisone augmentation of Prolonged Exposure for PTSD in U.S. combat veterans.

Abstract Objective Cognitive behavioral therapies such as Prolonged Exposure (PE) are considered first line treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nonetheless, many continue to experience significant symptoms following treatment and there is interest in enhancing treatment effectiveness. Glucocorticoid alterations in PTSD are well documented, and these steroids have been shown to enhance extinction learning. Methods Augmentation of PE with the synthetic glucocorticoid hydrocortisone (HCORT) was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 60 veterans of wars in Iraq or Afghanistan with PTSD (NCT01525680). Participants ingested 30 mg oral HCORT or placebo 30 min prior to exposure sessions. Primary outcome measure: PTSD severity assessed by the CAPS; secondary outcome measures: self reported PTSD symptoms assessed by the PDS and depression assessed by the BDI; all administered at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow up. Results Across conditions, there was a robust effect of PE over time. An intent-to-treat analysis showed that HCORT did not measurably improve PTSD symptoms or secondary outcomes. However, exploratory analyses indicated that veterans with mild TBI exposure and current postconcussive symptoms showed a greater reduction in hyperarousal symptoms following PE treatment with HCORT augmentation. Additionally, veterans with higher baseline glucocorticoid sensitivity showed a greater reduction in avoidance symptoms with HCORT augmentation. Conclusions Treatment matching based on cognitive or biological vulnerabilities might lead to greater efficacy of PE with glucocorticoid augmentation.
Identification, DNA sequence, and distribution of IS981, a new, high-copy-number insertion sequence in lactococci.

Abstract An insertion in the lactococcal plasmid pGBK17, which inactivated the gene(s) encoding resistance to the prolate-headed phage c2, was cloned, sequenced, and identified as a new lactococcal insertion sequence (IS). IS981 was 1,222 bp in size and contained two open reading frames, one large enough to encode a transposase. IS981 ended in imperfect inverted repeats of 26 of 40 bp and generated a 5-bp direct repeat of target DNA at the site of insertion. IS981 was present on the chromosome of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LM0230 from where it transposed to pGBK17 during transformation. Twenty-three strains of lactococci examined for the presence of IS981 by Southern hybridization showed 4 to 26 copies per genome, with L. lactis subsp. cremoris strains containing the highest number of copies. Comparison of the DNA sequence and the amino acid sequence of the long open reading frame to other known sequences showed that IS981 is related to a family of IS elements that includes IS2, IS3, IS51, IS150, IS600, IS629, IS861, IS904, and ISL1.
Ray-shooting and isotopy classes of lines in 3-dimensional space

A uniform approach to problems involving lines in 3-dimensional space is presented. This approach is based on mapping lines in R3 into points and hyperplanes in 5-dimensional projective space (Plucker space). We improve previously known results on the following problems: 1. Preprocess n triangles so as to efficiently answer the query: “Given a ray, which is the first triangle hit?” (Ray-shooting problem). We discuss the ray-shooting problem for both disjoint and non-disjoint triangles and several space/time trade offs. 2. Efficiently detect the first face hit by any ray in a set of axis-oriented polyhedra. 3. Preprocess n lines (segments) so as to efficiently answer the query “Given 2 lines, is it possible to move one into the other without crossing any of the initial lines (segments)?” (Isotopy problem). If the movement is possible produce an explicit representation of it. 4. Construct the arrangement generated by n intersecting triangles in 3-space in an output-sensitive way, with a subquadratic overhead term. 5. Count the number of pairs of intersecting lines in a set of n lines in space.
Abstract 18046: Pim1 Kinase Overexpression Enhances ckit+ Cardiac Stem Cells Cardioreparative Ability After Intramyocardial Delivery in a Swine Model

Introduction: Pim-1 kinase plays an important role in cell division, survival and commitment of precursor cells towards a myocardial lineage. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that overexpression of Pim1 in ckit+ cardiac stem cell (CSCs) enhances their cardioreparative effect Methods: We treated immunosuppressed Yorkshire swine (n=29) with human ckit+ CSCs (n=10), Pim1 modified human ckit+ CSCs (n=9) or PBS (n=10) two weeks after MI. Cardiac MRI and PV loops were obtained before and after cell administration. Results: Whereas both pim1- and pim1+ c-kit cells reduced MI size, the Pim1 group had a ~3-fold decrease in scar mass at 8 weeks post transplantation compared to ckit+ (–29.2±2.7% vs. –8.4±0.7%, p<0.003). Pim1+ CSC injections also produced a 2-fold increase of viable mass compared to ckit+ CSCs at 8 weeks (113.7±7.2% vs 65.6±6.8%, p<0.003; Fig. 1B), a greater increase in regional contractility (Ecc) at infarct (–10±1.1 vs. –6.1±0.3, p<0.05, Fig. 1D) and border zones (–12.3±1 vs. –8.4±0.5, p<0.05; Fig. 1E)....
Gorenstein, David G.: Developments in 31P NMR

The sections in this article are 1 Other Important 31P Milestones 2 Conclusions 3 Biographical Sketch
Glycosylated hemoglobin levels and outcome in non-diabetic cardiac surgery patients

In diabetics, elevated preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels are associated with increased complication rates after cardiac surgery. While many non-diabetics also have elevated HbA1c, the relationship with outcome in these patients is not well understood. Therefore, in a cohort of non-diabetic patients, we tested the hypothesis that preoperative HbA1c is associated with early mortality risk after cardiac surgery. In this retrospective observational study, we accessed data from a prospectively collected quality assurance database for a cohort of 1,474 non-diabetic elective cardiac surgery patients with documented preoperative HbA1c levels. The relationship of HbA1c with death within 30 days of surgery was examined using logistic regression modeling. Acute kidney injury and infection were similarly assessed using multivariable linear and logistic regression. Thirty-one percent of patients (n = 456) had elevated HbA1c values (>6.0%). Patients with elevated HbA1c had higher fasting and peak intraoperative blood glucose values. Also, an elevated HbA1c level was independently associated with increased 30-day mortality (odds ratio 1.53 per percent increase [1.24-1.91]; P = 0.0005). This relationship persisted even after “borderline” diabetics were excluded. Furthermore, acute kidney injury was associated with elevated baseline HbA1c (P = 0.01). No association was found between HbA1c and postoperative infection risk (P = 0.48). In non-diabetics, an elevated preoperative HbA1c level (>6.0%) is independently associated with significantly greater early mortality risk after elective cardiac surgery. Our findings suggest that HbA1c may have value as a screening tool to identify high-risk non-diabetic cardiac surgery patients.
Behavioural changes associated with oestrus in the Giant panda

The Giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca has been the subject of many scientific and popular treatises since the first Chinese writings of the seventh century AD. More recent publications have continued to review both facts and fancy concerning the life history and behaviour of this species (Morris & Morris, 1966; Collins & Page, 1973; Davis, 1973; Perry, 1973; Sheldon, 1975). Yet we remain largely ignorant of some of the most essential aspects of Giant panda behaviour, except at a descriptive level. The most thorough treatment of reproduction in A. melanoleuca has been published by the Peking Zoo (Anon, 1974). Reported behavioural changes associated with oestrus and breeding between March and May include greater activity in both sexes, decreased food consumption, especially by the 9, increased urination by the S, and the occurrence of a 'bleat' vocalisation in both sexes (Morris & Morris, 1966; Anon, 1974). As oestrus approaches, the vaginal orifice becomes red and swollen and the $ may rub the genital region with the paw or on objects. Descriptions of copulation suggest that it is short and that the (? may be in a half-seated position behind the 9 (Anon, 1974). This report documents some aspects of the development of socio-sexual behaviour in a pair of Giant pandas at the National Zoological Park, Washington. Data are presented on behavioural changes in the $ and 9 associated with the breeding season and oestrus. Of most importance, however, we will report on the predominance of 9 'preceptive' behaviour (Beach, 1976), which suggests that the $ Giant panda has an extremely active role in initiating and controlling the interactions of the pair prior to mating. The importance of $ activities in influencing the time and occurrence of copulation until recently has generally been ignored (Doty, 1974; Beach, 1976).
By whose warrant? Multiple contexts for ownership and control

g g ' l ~ Y whose warrant?" has long been a question .l.Jr relevant to all human systems. Elites everywhere find it necessary to legitimate what they can and should do to others, and counterestablishmentarians have carried on guerrilla warfare since the beginning of recorded history. So any day is a good time to revisit the question. Murray Weidenbaum's "The Evolving Corporate Board" is a good beginning, but it is not enough. Overall, his piece suggests the skilled patching of a leaky boat, as this essay seeks to demonstrate by evaluating Weidenbaum's argument in terms of its goodness-of-fit with evolving concepts of economic ownership and managerial control.
Reprocessing and reinterpretation of COCORP southern Appalachian profiles

Abstract Reprocessing of COCORP southern Appalachian data was focused on basic seismic evidence for continuation of sediments beneath a master decollement. The most important evidence is a nearly continuous series of subhorizontal reflections extending from the Valley and Ridge province into the Piedmont province. Continuity of subhorizontal reflections becomes tenuous in the Inner Piedmont. Careful reprocessing has yielded evidence for termination of strong reflections beneath the allochthon and the beginning of a relatively weak and complex series of “events”. Termination of sedimentary rocks beneath the Piedmont is interpreted from true amplitude seismic data. A zone of detachment continues southeast of the sediment termination as far as the master decollement root zone. Research on stacking velocities has indicated that complex velocity structures could create apparent low stacking velocities. This phenomenon may occur in the Charlotte belt of Georgia. Bouguer gravity can be modeled as a former craton of normal density with an accreted margin of very slightly higher density. Variation in crustal thickness also contributes to the Bouguer gravity gradient. No continuous large-scale overthrust is needed southeast of the interpreted master decollement root zone located beneath the Kings Mountain belt and Charlotte belt.
Physico-chemical pneumonitis.

SUMMARY The lung may be damaged by an ever-increasing number of physical and chemical forms of violence. This violence may come from the hazards of industry, from attempts to treat other disease, or from the environmental dangers of current existence. Regardless of the etiology, the syndrome of pneumonitis with its sequellae of suppuration and fibrosis may occur. Once such a syndrome has been produced, it should be treated energetically by removal of the offending agent if possible, by combatting bacterial infection, by stimulating body defenses, and by enhancing the self-cleansing action of the tracheobronchial tree.
Sustainable IT ecosystems and data centers

A recent study found that IT contributes about 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, in line with that of the aviation industry. Furthermore, it projected that that this share would double by the year 2020. Increasing environmental concern and regulatory action will soon force a paradigm shift in how IT solutions are designed and managed across their lifecycles. Data centers are a prominent and fast growing component of this impact.To address these concerns, we propose the development of a suite of technologies for a sustainable data center (SDC). The goal is to reduce the environmental footprint of a data center to such an extent that the services it offers are more environmentally friendly than conventional services offered within today's state-of-the-art facilities.Developing and demonstrating a SDC requires the multi-disciplinary collaboration of mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, computer scientists, and others. The compute infrastructure of the data center consists of thousands of servers hosting revenue-generating services, interconnected with each other and the outside world via networking equipment, and relying on storage devices for persistent data. The data center also has a power infrastructure that feeds electricity to all of the equipment, and a cooling infrastructure that removes heat from the equipment. The economic and environmental burden of the latter two infrastructures can often equal that of the compute infrastructure.All of these infrastructures, and many of their components, have traditionally been designed and managed independently, resulting in unnecessary redundancy and waste. For example, CRAC units are often provisioned in high availability (tier 4) data centers at twice the required capacity. This is to ensure sufficient backup cooling capacity in the event of failure. However, we have previously shown how to map the thermal zones of influence for each CRAC, and how to identify regions of the data center that naturally have high levels of cooling redundancy. Using such thermal zones, hardware can be provisioned to services based on availability and reliability requirements. For example, critical workloads can be placed within regions of the data center that are served by multiple thermal zones. The economic and environmental benefit of eliminating a redundant standby CRAC unit illustrates the type of advantage that can be garnered through integration of the compute and cooling infrastructures in the data center. Similarly integrating design and management of an entire data center, both within and across its compute, power, and cooling infrastructures, is crucial to improved operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact.We identify five principles for integrated design and management that cut across all three infrastructures, and indeed cut across the multiple disciplines that are needed to achieve this goal. This talk will describe each of these five principles and discuss how they can be employed to improve IT and data center sustainability.
Engineered Injection and Extraction for In Situ Remediation of Sorbing Solutes in Groundwater

AbstractEngineered injection and extraction (EIE) is a method of in situ remediation of contaminated groundwater in which a treatment chemical that reacts with the contaminant is injected into the contaminated aquifer, and a series of injections and extractions of clean water are performed in nearby wells to promote the spreading of the treatment chemical throughout the contaminated aquifer. Numerical simulations are used to investigate the use of EIE for sorbing groundwater contaminants. The aquifer is homogeneous and confined with negligible ambient groundwater flow. A range of sorption parameters are considered for both linear equilibrium sorption and linear kinetic sorption, and both instantaneous and rate-limited bimolecular reactions are discussed. An effective EIE sequence is developed for a sorbing contaminant and is compared with a sequence developed for aqueous, nonsorbing contaminants. The results show that for contaminants that exhibit fast sorption and fast reaction, the EIE sequence develope...