cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of melanocortin antagonists in cachexia of chronic disease

Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that frequently develops in the setting of chronic diseases including cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, AIDS, renal failure and liver failure. Loss of lean body mass is believed to be a significant factor contributing to morbidity and mortality in these chronic diseases; however, there are currently no treatments available that have proven to be effective in reversing the progressive loss of lean body mass in cachectic patients. Evidence from animal models suggests a compelling link between inflammation, the central melanocortin system and cachexia. This review summarises the current evidence supporting the role of the melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptor subtype in cachexia, and discusses the development and use of small-molecule MC4 antagonists, which have proved to be effective in preventing the loss of lean body mass in animal models of cachexia. MC4 antagonists represent an attractive therapeutic approach for cachexia that may attenuate t...
BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR BLOCKADE, ALPHA-STIMULATION AND CHANGES IN PLASMA POTASSIUM CONCENTRATION AFTER SUXAMETHONIUM ADMINISTRATION IN DOGS†

A study involving 20 mongrel dogs tested the hypotheses that beta-adrenoceptor blockade or alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation may potentiate and prolong the increase in plasma potassium concentration after suxamethonium administration, and that the beta effect is beta2-receptor mediated. Propranolol 0. 5 mg kg−1 altered the time to peak increase in plasma concentration of potassium after suxamethonium, but did not increase peak concentrations. In controls, the maximum change (0. 83 mmol litre−1) occurred at 3 min, while in propranolol-treated dogs the peak change (0. 96 mmol litre−1 occurred at 30 min. Similar results were obtained when metoprolol 0. 25 mg kg−1 and ICI 118551 0. 1 mg kg−1 were used, respectively, as selective betax- and beta2-adrenoceptor blockers. The increases in potassium concentration following suxamethonium in the metoprolol group (0. 98 mmol litre−1) and the ICI 118551 group (0. 82 mmol litre−1) reached maximum concentrations at 30 min compared with the controls (0. 79 mmol litre−1) which achieved a maximum at 3 min. Phenylephrine was infused at 8 fig kg−1 min−1 to produce alpha stimulation. The infusion alone altered plasma concentrations of potassium, but the haemodynamic changes were such that conclusions as to the effect of alpha-stimulation on release of potassium after suxamethonium could not be reached.
An XYZ Micromanipulator with three translational degrees of freedom

This paper introduces a three degree of freedom XYZ Micromanipulator (XYZM) that is fabricated in the $x$-$y$ plane and positions components in the $x$, $y$, and $z$ directions using three independent linear inputs. The mechanism positions components on a platform using three legs, each composed of a slider mechanism and a parallelogram mechanism.Three versions of the XYZM were fabricated and tested using surface micromachining processes: the rigid-body, offset, and compliant XYZM. Slider displacements of 45 micrometers result in a predicted out-of-plane displacement of 188 micrometers for the rigid-body XYZM, 205 micrometers for the offset XYZM, and 262 micrometers for the compliant XYZM.
Do Intentions Set Up Rational Defaults? Commitments, Reasons, and the Diachronic Dimension of Rationality

Suppose that you do not do what you have previously decided to do. Are you to be charged with irrationality? A number of otherwise divergent theories of practical rationality hold that by default, you are; there are rational pressures, it is claimed, that favor the long-term stability and eventual execution of distal intentions. The article challenges this view by examining how these purported pressures can be spelled out. Is intention a normative commitment to act? Are intentions reasons for action – or at least for retaining one's intention until the time to act has come? Or is the rationality of ‘doing as you decide’ governed by diachronic wide-scope norms, as Michael Bratman and John Broome suggest? All of these approaches are shown to raise severe problems, which suggests a more modest view: diachronic pressures on intending are at each point in time confined to the very next instant.
Image analysis microspectroscopy shows that neurons participate in the genesis of a subset of early primitive (diffuse) senile plaques.

Amyloid is a component of the senile plaques that characterize one of the major neuropathologic changes in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The sequence of events leading to the accumulation of amyloid precursors in senile plaques is unknown. In previous studies, the authors have shown that congophilic deposits in a subset of mature amyloid plaques are angiocentric. In this study, the authors used image analysis microspectroscopy and an antibody directed against a synthetic beta-protein (beta) or A4 sequence to examine the distribution patterns of this protein in serial sections from brains of patients with AD and in normal aged brains after quantitative immunohistochemistry. Image analysis of early primitive plaques disclosed two main patterns of early beta/A4 deposition, which consisted of neurocentric and angiocentric decreasing concentration gradients. In most instances, these gradients were not recognizable by the naked eye but appeared strikingly conspicuous after image subtraction and pseudocoloring. The described neurocentric gradients suggest that deposition of this protein, in at least some early primitive plaques, is related to neurons and possibly originates from these cells. The opposite viewpoint, i.e., that peripherally synthesized beta/A4 protein would 'sink in' toward neurons, is not supported because in very early plaques the highest immunoreactivity within the gradient was the neuronal body itself. A hypothesis is offered to reconcile the presence of both neurocentric and angiocentric depositions of these substances.
Adverse Effects of Daylight Saving Time on Adolescents' Sleep and Vigilance

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Daylight saving time (DST) has been established with the intent to reduce energy expenditure, however unintentional effects on sleep and vigilance have not been consistently measured. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that DST adversely affects high school students' sleep and vigilance on the school days following its implementation. METHODS: A natural experiment design was used to assess baseline and post-DST differences in objective and subjective measures of sleep and vigilance by actigraphy, sleep diary, sleepiness scale, and psychomotor vigilance testing (PVT). Students were tested during school days immediately preceding and following DST. RESULTS: A total of 40 high school students were enrolled in this study; 35 completed the protocoA total of 40 high school students were enrolled in this study; 35 completed the protocol. Sleep duration declined by an average of 32 minutes on the weeknights post-DST, reflecting a cumulative sleep loss of 2 h 42 min as compared to the baseline week (p = 0.001). This finding was confirmed by sleep diary analyses, reflecting an average sleep loss of 27 min/ night (p = 0.004) post-DST. Vigilance significantly deteriorated, with a decline in PVT performance post-DST, resulting in longer reaction times (p CONCLUSIONS: The early March DST onset adversely affected sleep and vigilance in high school students resulting in increased daytime sleepiness. Larger scale evaluations of sleep impairments related to DST are needed to further quantify this problem in the population. If confirmed, measures to attenuate sleep loss post-DST should be implemented. Language: en
A Species of Sorodiscus on Heteranthera

The fungus discussed in this paper was first collected in Lake Champlain in August 1929 by Doctor W. C. Muenscher of the Department of Botany of Cornell University. While engaged in a biological survey for the New York State Conservation Department he observed characteristic galls on the lower portions of the stem of Heteranthera dubia (Jacq.) MacM., and in these found the organism constantly present. Specimens were submitted to Doctor H. M. Fitzpatrick for identification, and, because of the flat disc-like aspect of many of the spore aggregations, the organism was referred by him tentatively to Sorodiscus of the Plasmodiophoraceae. An American collection of this genus was of sufncient interest to warrant a more complete study, and the investigation herein presented was begun. Additional collections of the organism have been made by Doctor Muenscher and the writer in various lakes and streams in
Evaluation of Two Commercially Available Test Methods to Determine the Feasibility of Testing for Respiratory Syncytial Virus in a Community Hospital Laboratory

The feasibility of performing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) testing in a community hospital laboratory was assessed. The Abbott® RSV EIA Kit, an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and the Ortho® Respiratory Syncytial Virus Identification Re-agent, a direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) technique, were evaluated in terms of technologist time, result time, cost, and agreement of results. There was little difference in the amount of technologist time required for either method. The DFA technique was shown to be much less expensive than the EIA method and also required at least 50% less time to generate a final result. When compared with an indirect fluorescent anti-body technique, the EIA technique was more sensitive (87%) than the DFA method (81%). Both methods showed 100% specificity. Based on the findings of this study, the DFA technique was determined to be the more feasible method for a community hospital laboratory to use for the rapid detection of RSV.
Counterion and Steric Effects in Self-Assembled HgX2–Thioether Coordination Polymers

A series of mercury dithioether coordination polymers were synthesized from mercury dihalides and rigid xylyl dithioethers containing methyl, t-butyl, and benzyl pendant groups (ligands 3a–c). The resulting coordination polymers were examined by X-ray crystallography. Changes in sterics surrounding mercury result in structures ranging from one-dimensional polymers (e.g., (3a·HgI2)∞, (3b·Hg2Cl4)∞, (3b·HgBr2)∞) to two-dimensional sheets (e.g., (3c·HgCl2)∞) and three-dimensional extended networks (e.g., [(3c)2(HgBr2)3]∞) from crystallizations which were conducted under identical conditions with the same 1:1 stoichiometry. Bridging mercury–halide bonds were found to play a surprisingly large role in governing the final structures.
Effects of chlorpromazine on sleep in cats pretreated with para-chlorophenylalanine.

Summary The effect of chlorpromazine on the insomnia, PGO spiking during wakefulness, and waking eye movements induced by the serotonin depleting agent para -chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) was examined in 4 cats. Chlorpromazine (CPZ) administered in a single 5 mg/kg dose to insomniac cats after 5 days of PCPA treatment (150 mg/kg) restored normal appearing slow-wave sleep for up to 24 h, and suppressed the waking PGO activity induced by PCPA for 12–30 h. Cats with longest suppression of waking spikes also had the longest return of sleep. Increases in numbers of small saccadic eye movements during wakefulness induced by PCPA were reduced to the normal range following CPZ injection.
CONTRASTING AND ANALYZING THE UTILITY ARITHMETIC FOR CALCULATING THE Z-FACTOR OF SOUR GAS

Based on a lots of literatures, the paper summarized the methods for calculating the z-factor of gas on the base of reading lots of related literature; and discussed the methods and processes for correcting the systematic critical parameters due to the influence of the CO_2 and H_2S when calculating the Z-factor; finally the different results from different methods were contrasted and analyzed.
Soviet Nuclear Doctrine

A debate has raged for many years over the true nature of Soviet thinking on nuclear war. Many influential strategic analysts have argued that Soviet nuclear doctrine is aggressive, guided by the central assumption that the USSR could fight and win a nuclear war. As such it is depicted as the tool of an expansionist, revisionist Marxist-Leninist state whose primary goal is the subversion of the West. Naturally, these analysts contend that Soviet nuclear doctrine constitutes a significant threat to Western security.
Scalable Single Source Shortest Path Algorithms for Massively Parallel Systems

We consider the single-source shortest path (SSSP) problem: given an undirected graph with integer edge weights and a source vertex $v$ , find the shortest paths from $v$ to all other vertices. In this paper, we introduce a novel parallel algorithm, derived from the Bellman-Ford and Delta-stepping algorithms. We employ various pruning techniques, such as edge classification and direction-optimization, to dramatically reduce inter-node communication traffic, and we propose load balancing strategies to handle higher-degree vertices. These techniques are particularly effective on power-law graphs, as demonstrated by our extensive performance analysis. In the largest tested configuration, an R-MAT graph with $2^{38}$ vertices and $2^{42}$ edges on 32,768 Blue Gene/Q nodes, we have achieved a processing rate of three Trillion Edges Per Second (TTEPS), a four orders of magnitude improvement over the best published results.
RelA Mutant Enterococcus faecium with Multiantibiotic Tolerance Arising in an Immunocompromised Host.

Serious bacterial infections in immunocompromised patients require highly effective antibacterial therapy for cure, and thus, this setting may reveal novel mechanisms by which bacteria circumvent antibiotics in the absence of immune pressure. Here, an infant with leukemia developed vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) bacteremia that persisted for 26 days despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Sequencing of 22 consecutive VRE isolates identified the emergence of a single missense mutation (L152F) in relA, which constitutively activated the stringent response, resulting in elevated baseline levels of the alarmone guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp). Although the mutant remained susceptible to both linezolid and daptomycin in clinical MIC testing and during planktonic growth, it demonstrated tolerance to high doses of both antibiotics when growing in a biofilm. This biofilm-specific gain in resistance was reflected in the broad shift in transcript levels caused by the mutation. Only an experimental biofilm-targeting ClpP-activating antibiotic was able to kill the mutant strain in an established biofilm. The relA mutation was associated with a fitness trade-off, forming smaller and less-well-populated biofilms on biological surfaces. We conclude that clinically relevant relA mutations can emerge during prolonged VRE infection, causing baseline activation of the stringent response, subsequent antibiotic tolerance, and delayed eradication in an immunocompromised state. Importance The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is a major challenge currently facing the medical community. Such pathogens are of particular importance in immunocompromised patients as these individuals may favor emergence of novel resistance determinants due to lack of innate immune defenses and intensive antibiotic exposure. During the course of chemotherapy, a patient developed prolonged bacteremia with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium that failed to clear despite multiple front-line antibiotics. The consecutive bloodstream isolates were sequenced, and a single missense mutation identified in the relA gene, the mediator of the stringent response. Strains harboring the mutation had elevated baseline levels of the alarmone and displayed heightened resistance to the bactericidal activity of multiple antibiotics, particularly in a biofilm. Using a new class of compounds that modulate ClpP activity, the biofilms were successfully eradicated. These data represent the first clinical emergence of mutations in the stringent response in vancomycin-resistant entereococci.
The Politics and Heritage of Race and Space in San Francisco’s Chinatown

Presumed to be the first Chinatown in the North America, San Francisco’s Chinatown is of great significance in the Chinese immigration history. Moreover, it presents an interesting case that reveals conflicting ideas about historic preservation, heritage, and identity politics. An examination of the effort to preserve the architectural integrity of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the 1940s and a government-led proposal to designate Chinatown as a historic district in the 1980s reveals the discontinuity and ambiguity in the heritage discourse and its associated collective memory. The ways that historic preservation was feared, resisted, or celebrated by the various stakeholders show that preservation can be a real challenge. At stake was the preservation of the city neighborhood as a heritage site and an inscription of memory, or maintaining it as a vital place evolving to incorporate the everyday activities pursued by its inhabitants.
Crystal Structure of a Proteolytic Fragment of ADAMTS13 Reveals Alternative Disulfide Pairings in the Cysteine-Rich Domain

Abstract 3363 Proteolytic cleavage of von Willebrand factor (VWF) by ADAMTS13 depends on its non-catalytic domain (or exosite) interactions. These exosites, particularly the residues between Tyr 659 and Tyr 665 and their adjacent residues Arg 568 and Phe 592 in the ADAMTS13 spacer domain, are the major targets of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies in patients with acquired TTP. In an effort to further determine the potential exosite interactions between ADAMTS13 and VWF, we carried out crystal screening of a recombinant full-length ADAMTS13 purified from stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. After over 900 conditions were tested, we obtained multiple well-formed and diffractable crystals. Upon X-ray diffraction, we discovered that only a proteolytic fragment of full-length ADAMTS13 (Met 432 -Arg 670 ) had been consistently crystallized. Here, we report the structure of this non-catalytic ADAMTS13 fragment at 2.2A. The fragment encompasses 8 residues from the first TSP-1 repeat, an entire cysteine-rich domain (C A and C B ), and a majority of the spacer domain. While recombinant ADAMTS13 in the present study is fully glycosylated, the overall structure agrees very well with the analogous portion of the ADAMTS13-DTCS structure previously reported (RMSD = 0.02A, 1817 atoms, 232 residues). A region within the C A domain does vary slightly from that in the ADAMTS13-DTCS (RMSD = 0.08A, 379 atoms, 51 residues). As with the ADAMTS13-DTCS structure, our structure shows 3 intermolecular disulfide bonds in C A , in addition to 2 free cysteine residues. In this region, our structure shows differences in the disulfide bonding pairing, and a slight shift in the α4 helix from Gly 479 -Cys 483 . Specifically, our structure reveals an intermolecular disulfide bond between the residues Cys 483 and Cys 527 and Cys 508 and Cys 522 . These disulfide pair patterns are different from those reported in the ADAMTS13-DTCS structure, in which disulfide bonds are formed between the residues Cys 483 and Cys 522 (4.6A apart in our structure) and the residues Cys 508 and Cys 527 (3.8A apart in our structure). Our results indicate that, despite the difference in conditions under which crystals of ADAMTS13 fragments are formed, the overall structure of the Cys-rich and spacer domains are quite similar. The difference in the disulfide bond pattering may provide a novel insight into the mechanism regarding the ADAMTS13 exosite interaction with VWF. Our ongoing work is aimed to determine the complex formation between ADAMTS13 and its substrate or autoantibodies. Disclosures: Rottensteiner: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment.
Single Session Bilateral Vs Staged Bilateral Ureteroscopy for Nephrolithiasis: An Assessment of Safety and Efficacy.

Abstract Objective To compare outcomes of patients undergoing single session bilateral ureteroscopy (SSBU) to those undergoing planned staged ureteroscopy (URS) for bilateral nephrolithiasis. While SSBU has the advantage of 1 anesthetic procedure, some may pursue a staged approach due to the potential higher risk of complications and patient discomfort with 2 ureteral stents. Methods We retrospectively identified patients undergoing SSBU and planned staged URS for nephrolithiasis between December 2007 and December 2014. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative techniques, and postoperative outcomes were compared. Stone burden was calculated as cumulative stone diameter. Residual stone fragments were defined as any stone visible on postoperative imaging. Results Sixty-three patients underwent SSBU and 37 underwent planned staged URS. Both cohorts had a relatively large cumulative stone burden (30.9 mm vs 32.4 mm, P = .71). Total operative time was significantly longer for planned staged URS (139 vs 86 minutes, P Conclusion SSBU is safe and effective with overall shorter operative times and similar stone-free rates compared to planned staged URS. Bilateral ureteral stent placement did not increase the rate of unplanned emergency visits. For patients with bilateral nephrolithiasis, urologists should strongly consider SSBU to limit anesthetic exposure, overall operative time, and health care costs.
A Mixed-Methods Study of Veterans Affairs Providers' Experiences Communicating With Patients About the Affordable Care Act.

ABSTRACTObjective: The provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can potentially increase insurance options for Veterans. Veterans must be informed about their options, and potential benefits and challenges associated with use of multiple health care systems. This study aimed to assess VA providers' perceptions of how they contributed to Veterans' health care decision-making within the health care context established by the ACA. Materials and Methods: A mixed-methods approach including an online survey and semi-structured interviews was used to assess the experiences of health care providers (e.g., physicians, nurses, and social workers) communicating with Veterans about the ACA. Closed-ended survey questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses to the survey and semi-structured interview entailed thematic analysis, which involved identifying themes and patterns within and across participants until reaching saturation. Results: A total of 251 provid...
Abstract 3868: The stem cell factor LIN28B regulates proliferation and apoptosis in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is an incurable, invasive and aggressive pediatric brain tumor. Identifying molecular markers that regulate tumor growth and invasion are needed for developing efficient treatment strategies. LIN28B is a stem cell factor expressed during normal fetal development and re-expressed in cancer cells. We had previously shown that LIN28A, another family member of LIN28 proteins, regulates invasion and tumorigenicity in adult high grade gliomas. We observed increased LIN28B expression in patient-derived DIPG neurosphere cell lines using western blotting. We hypothesized that LIN28B promotes proliferation and prevents apoptosis in DIPG. Using two different lentiviral transduced short hairpin RNAs (shRNA), we suppressed LIN28B protein levels in DIPG neurospheres, as confirmed by western blotting. DIPG neurospheres that have been treated with LIN28B shRNA showed reduced proliferation as measured by BrdU incorporation (P Citation Format: Huizi Guo, Sepehr Akhtarkhavari, Charles G. Eberhart, Harpreet Kaur, Eric H. Raabe. The stem cell factor LIN28B regulates proliferation and apoptosis in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3868. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3868
Clustered versus Uniform Display of GALA-Peptides on Carrier Nanoparticles: Enhancing the Permeation of Noncharged Fluid Lipid Membranes.

GALA-peptide is a random coil in neutral pH; in acidic pH, it becomes an amphipathic α-helix that aggregates in solution, possibly via its hydrophobic facet that runs along the helix’s long axis. In the presence of fluid lipid membranes, the GALA-helix exhibits membrane-active properties that originate from the same hydrophobic facet; these properties make GALA a candidate for inclusion in drug delivery systems requiring permeation of the endosomal membrane to enable drug escape into the cytoplasm. Previous work has shown that the uniform functionalization of carrier nanoparticles with GALA-peptides improved their membrane activity and enhanced the endosomal escape of delivered therapeutics. The present study aims to evaluate the potential role of altering membrane activity via cluster-displayed GALA-peptides (for higher local valency) on the surface of carrier nanoparticles. The presentation of GALA-peptides on carrier nanoparticles was also designed to be pH-dependent. The peptide display on the surface...
Diffusion of cytokines in live lymph node tissue using microfluidic integrated optical imaging.

Abstract Communication and drug efficacy in the immune system rely heavily on diffusion of proteins such as cytokines through the tissue matrix. Available methods to analyze diffusion in tissue require microinjection or saturating the tissue in protein, which may alter local transport properties due to damage or rapid cellular responses. Here, we developed a novel, user-friendly method – Microfluidic Integrated Optical Imaging (micro-IOI) – to quantify the effective diffusion coefficient of bioactive proteins in live tissue samples ex vivo. A microfluidic platform was used to deliver picograms of fluorescently labelled cytokines to microscale regions within slices of murine lymph node, and diffusion was monitored by widefield fluorescence microscopy. Micro-IOI was validated against theory and existing methods. Free diffusion coefficients were within 8% and 24% of Stokes-Einstein predictions for dextrans and cytokines, respectively. Furthermore, diffusion coefficients for dextrans and proteins in a model matrix were within 1.5-fold of reported results from fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). We used micro-IOI to quantify the effective diffusion of three cytokines from different structural classes and two different expression systems – tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and interleukin-2 (IL-2), from human and mouse – through live lymph node tissue. This is the first method to directly measure cytokine transport in live tissue slices, and in the future, it should promote a deeper understanding of the dynamics of cell-cell communication and enable targeted immunotherapy design.
Ethnographic research in disability identity: self-determination and community

The emergence of a positive disability identity has occurred nearly simultaneously with the growth of a disability community and the practice of active self-determination. It is clear that these experiences are active processes. Disabled people have not often had the formal opportunity to discuss and build upon these ideas in environments that supported these exchanges. This study reports data from two discussion sessions and one data interpretation and analysis group that focused on disability identity issues such as: 'who is us'; 'disability pride'; 'disability positive'; 'disability culture and community'; and 'self-determination'. An exploratory, non-experimental design for this study was selected because the methodology provided the opportunity for exploration and clarification of meaning and intention. This 3-year project first identified the emergence of an inclusive disability community perception. It progressed from an articulation of identity to an assertion of self-determination, which included the vital importance of disabled people determining the interpretation of their experiences and relating their own stories. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
Work function and stability of adsorbed Ba, O, and Ba-O species on an array of tungsten surfaces

In this work, we have used Density Functional Theory to explore the effect of O, Ba and Ba-O adsorbates on W surfaces to assess the impact of these adsorbates on the work function and surface stability for eight different W surface orientations. A discussion of the impact of different surface adsorbates on the surface stability and work function is presented, together with newly discovered stable Ba-O arrangements on the most stable W surfaces. Finally, we discuss the potential role of high index surfaces in electron emission, and the possible impact of W diffusion kinetics on the prevalence of high index surfaces.
Inverse Problem of Travel Time Difference Functions on a Compact Riemannian Manifold with Boundary

We show that the travel time difference functions, between common interior points and pairs of points on the boundary, determine a compact Riemannian manifold with smooth boundary up to Riemannian isometry if the boundary satisfies a certain visibility condition. This corresponds with the inverse microseismicity problem. In the proof of this result, we also construct an explicit smooth atlas from the travel time difference functions.
Comments on Techniques on Gas Chromatography

I would like to continue the discussion of some of the factors affecting GLC. It may be reasonably stated that the design of an instrument has much to do with quantitation of steroids. In addition to the deleterious effects of inefficient injection systems on zone spreading, chromatography at high temperature requires an efficient arrangement for the maintenance of uniform temperature throughout the system. Variations in temperature along the column may give rise to so-called ‘hot-spots’ which in turn cause localized deterioration of the column packing. The same effect is produced when the column packing extends into the flash heating zone. Adsorption of compounds onto the thus altered packing becomes more pronounced when sub-microgram amounts are injected. A temperature drop in the connection between column exit and the detector, or in the detector itself, may lead to a partial condensation of the vapor and thus may result in decreased detector response as well as eventual line clogging. Excessive dead volume in the injector component will lead to column inefficiency and zone diffusion during chromatography. A similar effect, despite high column efficiency can be noted when such dead volume exists between the column outlet and the detector.
A behavioral look at the training of Alex: A review of Pepperberg's the Alex studies: Cognitive and communicative abilities of grey parrots

The Alex Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots by Irene Pepperberg is reviewed from a behavior analytic orientation. The results of the majority of her experiments are discussed in terms drawn from the general literature of behavior analysis and Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior. We conclude that she has provided evidence of the complex control of vocal behavior that illustrates a functional verbal repertoire of tacts and mands. This book suggests several areas for future research on the methods needed to establish verbal repertoires in species other than humans.
Performance Measures and Uncertainty

Many artificial intelligence algorithms or models are ultimately designed for prediction. A prediction algorithm, wherever it may reside – in a computer, or in a forecaster’s head – is subject to a set of tests aimed at assessing its goodness. The specific choice of the tests is contingent on many factors, including the nature of the problem, and the specific facet of goodness. This chapter will discuss some of these tests. For a more in-depth exposure, the reader is directed to the references, and two books: Wilks (1995) and Jolliffe and Stephenson (2003). The body of knowledge aimed at assessing the goodness of predictions is referred to as performance assessment in most fields; in atmospheric circles, though, it is generally called verification. In this chapter, I consider only a few of the numerous performance measures considered in the literature, but my emphasis is on ways of assessing their uncertainty (i.e., statistical significance). Here, prediction (or forecast) does not necessarily refer to the prediction of the future state of some variable. It refers to the estimation of the state of some variable, from information on another variable. The two variables may be contemporaneous, or not. What is required, however, is that the data on which the performance of the algorithm is being assessed is as independent as possible from the data on which the
On disruption and integration: two views of digital media technologies in K-12 schools

In this review essay, Earl Aguilera compares two recent contributions to the growing body of literature on technology in education, Christo Sims’ Disruptive Fixation and Antero Garcia’s Good Recept...
Nuclear cardio-oncology: From its foundation to its future

Cardio-oncology is a growing field focused on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in oncologic patients. While a major focus of chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction has been on left ventricular ejection fraction, oncologic treatment can lead to cardiovascular pathology in a variety of ways. The use of multimodality imaging is essential to the care of these patients, with nuclear cardiology playing an important role. We will review nuclear cardiology's history, its current role, and its promising future in cardio-oncology and the management of these patients.
A New Species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from the Island of Anguilla

Eugenia walkerae, a new species from the island of Anguilla, is described and illustrated. This species is known only from five herbarium collections, and additional fieldwork is needed to determine its current conservation status. It resembles the Puerto Rican endemic E. woodburyana, and its seeds are comparable to those described for certain species of Eugenia from southern Africa. This is the second species of seed plant currently recognized as endemic to Anguilla.
Popular Culture and Social Control: The Moral Panic on Music Labeling

Informed by a moral panic perspective, I analyze the music labeling debate in the United States from the mid 1980s until the early 1990s. Instigated by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), a voluntary group set up in 1985 by several politically well-connected women, this peculiar chapter in the control of music led to a hearing in the U.S. Senate and produced an intense debate, involving members of the community and musicians, litigation in the courts and legal discussions, police actions, as well as research by academic experts. The moral panic faded rather quickly after a warning label for music recordings was adopted, which remains in place today. This paper presents an effort in cultural criminology to make sense of this episode in the social control of music and argues that a historical approach to moral panics, conceived as cultural struggles, has important analytical advantages because of its relative detachment from the immediacy of an intensely debated social concern.
Contemporary management of lower extremity venous aneurysms.

Abstract Objective Lower extremity venous aneurysms may lead to serious morbidity in patients, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and chronic venous insufficiency. Presently, because of the low incidence of these aneurysms, no consensus for their treatment exists. The purpose of this study was to review the presentation and management of lower extremity venous aneurysms at our institution. Methods A retrospective review of all patients with isolated lower extremity venous aneurysms treated at a single tertiary care medical center from 2005 to 2017 was conducted. Results Five male and six female patients with lower extremity venous aneurysms were identified, with a mean age of 50.4 years. Three patients presented with deep venous thrombosis or PE, three presented with pain, and five venous aneurysms were found incidentally. Nine of 11 patients had aneurysms involving the popliteal vein; one was in the iliac vein, and one was in the common femoral vein. Diagnosis was made by duplex ultrasound in five patients, magnetic resonance imaging in five patients, and computed tomography venography in one patient. Mean aneurysm to adjacent vein ratio was 2.62. No patients who had venous aneurysms discovered incidentally suffered thromboembolic complications. Three patients who were initially treated conservatively went on to eventual surgical intervention. Six patients underwent surgical intervention. The indication for operation was deep venous thrombosis or PE in three patients and lower extremity swelling in three patients; all were symptomatic at presentation. Three patients had simple venorrhaphy, two patients had aneurysmectomy and ligation of the vein, and one patient underwent aneurysmectomy with placement of an interposition vein graft. Mean follow-up was 26 months, with no recurrent thromboembolism. Perioperative complications included postoperative hematoma (one) and superficial thrombophlebitis (one). Conclusions Lower extremity venous aneurysms continue to represent a rare yet potentially morbid vascular disease. Symptomatic patients demonstrated a clear benefit from surgery vs conservative management. Larger, multicenter studies are required to properly characterize the natural history and management of this disease.
Robotic partial nephrectomy after pazopanib treatment in a solitary kidney with segmental vein thrombosis.

Objective To demonstrate our surgical technique of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in a patient with a solitary kidney who received neoadjuvant Pazopanib, highlighting the multidisciplinary approach. Materials and methods In our video, we present the case of 77-year-old male, Caucasian with 6.6cm left renal neoplasm in a solitary kidney. An initial percutaneous biopsy from the mass revealed clear cell RCC ISUP 2. After multidisciplinary tumor board meeting, Pazopanib (800mg once daily) was administered for 8 weeks with repeat imaging at completion of therapy. Post-TKI image study was compared with the pre-TKI CT using the Morphology, Attenuation, Size, and Structure criteria showing a favorable response to the treatment. Thereafter, a RPN was planned3. Perioperative surgical outcomes are presented. Results Operative time was 224 minutes with a cold ischemia time of 53 minutes. Estimated blood loss was 800ml and the length of hospital stay was 4 days. Pathology demonstrated a specimen of 7.6cm with a tumor size of 6.5cm consistent with clear cell renal carcinoma ISUP 3 with a TNM staging pT1b Nx. Postoperative GFR was maintained at 24 ml / min compared to the preoperative value of 33ml / min. Conclusions A multidisciplinary approach is effective for patients in whom nephron preservation is critical, providing na opportunity to select those that may benefi t from TKI therapy. Pazopanib may allow for PN in a highly selective subgroup of patients who would otherwise require radical nephrectomy. Prospective data will be necessary before this strategy can be disseminated into clinical practice. Available at: http://www.intbrazjurol.com.br/video-section/20180240_Garisto_et_al.
An examination of the neurocognitive profile and base rate of performance impairment in primary dystonia

Abstract Background Primary dystonia has been traditionally viewed as a motor disorder. However, non-motor symptoms are frequently present and significantly quality of life. Neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms have been identified, but prior studies have been limited in sample size and lack of control groups. This study examined the neurocognitive profile of a sample of persons with primary dystonia (PWD) as compared to demographically matched healthy control group. Methods A cognitive test battery was administered to 25 PWD who presented for pre-surgical candidacy evaluation for deep brain stimulation surgery. The test battery domains included global cognitive function, attention, expressive language, visuospatial skills, memory, and executive functioning. Twenty-five age, gender, education-matched healthy control participants were compared to the PWD. Results Compared to demographically matched healthy controls, PWD performed worse on measures of global cognitive function, attention, memory, and conceptualization. Based on normative comparison, a large portion of PWD were impaired on tasks of executive functioning and expressive language. Over 80% of the PWD showed impairment on at least one neurocognitive measure and over 60% showed impairment on 3 or more tests. Conclusions Neurocognitive deficits were prevalent among our PWD sample. These impairments were present across a broad range of cognitive domains. Given the degree of cognitive impairment found in this study, our results have implications for health care providers with providing interventions to PWD.
Determinants of Maintenance and Recovery of Function in a Representative Older Community-Resident Biracial Sample.

Abstract Objectives Focus on decline in performance of activities of daily living (ADL) has not been matched by studies of recovery of function. Advised by a broad conceptual model of physical resilience, we ascertain characteristics that identify (1) maintenance, (2) decline, and (3) recovery of personal self-maintenance activities over six years in an older, community representative, African American and white sample. Design Longitudinal study, analyses included descriptive statistics and repeated measures proportional hazards. Setting/Participants Community-representative participants of the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE), unimpaired at baseline (n = 3187; 46% white, 54% African American; 64% female, 36% male), followed annually for up to 6 years. Measures Data included information on basic activities of daily living (BADL), demographic characteristics, health status, social services provided and received, household size, neighborhood safety, and survival status. Results Over 6 years, ∼75% remained unimpaired, of whom 30% were unimpaired when they dropped out or died. Of ∼25% who became impaired, just under half recovered. Controlled analyses indicated that those who became impaired were in poorer health, younger, and more likely to be African American. Characteristics of recovery included younger age, not hospitalized in the previous year, and larger household size. Conclusions/Implications Maintenance of health status facilitated continued unimpaired BADL. While decline was associated with poorer health, younger age, and being African American, recovery was also associated with younger age, together with larger household size, and no further deterioration in health as measured here. Maintenance of good health is preferred, but following decline in functioning, increased effort to improve health and avoid further decline, which takes into account not only physical but also personal social conditions, is needed.
Long Term Outcomes of Split-Thickness Skin Grafting to the Plantar Foot

Abstract The most common consequence of neuropathy is a diabetic foot ulcer, which usually occurs on the plantar surface of the foot. Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) has been shown in numerous studies to be an effective treatment for rapid coverage of diabetic ulcers. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively examine the outcomes of STSG to the plantar foot and determine the durability of this treatment compared to non–plantar surface STSG. This is a retrospective, single-center, institutional review board approved, case-control study of all patients who received STSG to their lower extremity for chronic ulcers from November 2013 to February 2017. Patients with ulcers on the plantar surface were considered cases, and non–plantar surface ulcers were considered controls. There were 182 patients who received STSG to the lower extremity, 52 to the plantar surface foot and 130 to non–plantar surface locations. Healing at 30 days was not significantly different between plantar and nonplantar ulcers (19% versus 28%, p = .199) but did become significant at 60, 90, and 365 days (21% versus 45%, p = .003; 33% versus 49%, p = .043; 38% versus 64%, p = .002, respectively). However, time to full healing was not significantly different between plantar and nonplantar groups (18.2 ± 19.5 versus 17.4 ± 21.6 weeks, mean ± standard deviation, p = .84). Recurrence was low for both groups (17% versus 10%, respectively), and there was no significant difference between groups (p = .17). Patients with plantar surface ulcers can achieve a durable coverage/closure of their wounds with STSG. When combined with appropriate patient selection and postoperative offloading, acceptable recurrence rates can be achieved.
Examining the psychometric properties of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory and Brief Cope in the firefighter population

This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a modified sport psychology instrument in firefighters and explore the associations between psychological skills and coping strategies. Car...
Business as Usual?: The Limited Influence of Climate Change Disclosure and Fiduciary Duties on the Low-Carbon Investment Practices of Canada's Big 10 Public Pension Funds

Canada must achieve an estimated CAD 2.6 trillion in low-carbon investments by 2030 to meet its commitment under the Paris Agreement. To reach this investment benchmark, Canada must secure the financial support of its ten largest public pension funds. But low-carbon investing is not currently “business as usual” for the majority of these “Big 10” funds. The recently commissioned Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance (EPSF) recommends two regulatory changes to address this problem: (1) implementing the disclosure recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures; and (2) clarifying the relevance of climate change to the fiduciary duties pension funds owe to their beneficiaries. I argue that these recommendations will not guarantee that the Big 10 will meaningfully contribute capital towards Canada’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy over the next decade. A disclosure regime is unlikely to incentivize the Big 10 to increase their domestic low-carbon investments. The Big 10’s independent governance structures would likely prevent plan beneficiaries, civil society and the courts from holding them accountable for poor low-carbon investment disclosure or practices. Any clarification to the fiduciary duty of prudence would simply require the Big 10 to consider low-carbon investment opportunities as part of their investment decision-making; the duty could still be fulfilled by adopting a range of investment strategies that do not directly support Canada’s transition. These insights have important implications for how Canada responds to the EPSF’s recommendations and for any future regulatory action to secure a sustainable economic future.