cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ca2+-Induced Ca2+ Release Activates Spontaneous Miniature Outward Currents (SMOCs) in Parasympathetic Cardiac Neurons

Mudpuppy parasympathetic cardiac neurons exhibit spontaneous miniature outward currents (SMOCs) that are thought to be due to the activation of clusters of large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ chann...
Care and sterilization of endourologic instruments.

SUMMARY All endourologic instruments must be handled properly if they are to continue to function properly. Care must be taken in washing and sterilizing of this equipment, as not all endoscopic equipment can endure all methods, and people who are working with these instruments must be taught the proper care and sterilization methods of each. For example, fiberoptic telescopes and light cables must never be autoclaved; ethylene oxide is the method of choice. Disinfectant is an alternative. Loops, sheaths, high-frequency cables, resectoscopes, and working elements should be sterilized by ethylene oxide. Loops and high-frequency cables should not be soaked in a disinfectant, but other instruments may be soaked. All instruments should be dried before sterilization. Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the importance of proper storage of these very fragile fiberoptic instruments. With proper care and sterilization, these instruments will need fewer repairs and function properly for a longer time.
Clinical efficacy of transmyocardial laser revascularization

Since 1990, over 6000 patients in 23 countries have undergone transmyocardial laser revascularization for the treatment of myocardial ischemia due to end-stage coronary artery disease. To evaluate the efficacy of this procedure, four prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials have compared transmyocardial laser revascularization to maximal medical therapy. All of the trials demonstrated that transmyocardial laser revascularization provided significant relief of angina when compared to medical management. Additional objective data in the form of exercise tolerance and myocardial perfusion scanning is used to support the symptomatic improvement. The entry criteria for these trials were similar, but the methodology was not. This review provides an update and comparison of the results.
The physics of everything

At a time when most of the public probably associates physics with esoteric (and possibly untestable) ideas such as 11D string theory and multiple universes, it is refreshing to be reminded that the subject is also grounded in the everyday devices of modern society.
Riboswitches as Genetic Control Elements

Riboswitches are metabolite-sensing RNA elements that are present in the noncoding portions of certain messenger RNAs. Each riboswitch carries an aptamer that is highly selective for its target metabolite and an expression platform that more direcdy interfaces with gene expression systems. In bacteria, changes in RNA structure brought about by ligand binding are harnessed to control expression by modulating mRNA transcription, translation, or RNA stability. The gene control mechanisms and ligand binding characteristics of riboswitches range from minimalist to surprisingly complex. Therefore it is likely that some riboswitches represent the simplest of ways to control genes, while others exhibit levels of sophistication that until now had only been seen with protein genetic factors
Overview of Skeletal Development

Development of cartilage and bone, the core components of the mouse skeletal system, depends on the well-coordinated proliferation and differentiation of skeletogenic cells, including chondrocytes and osteoblasts. These cells differentiate from common progenitor cells originating in the mesoderm and neural crest. Multiple signaling pathways and transcription factors tightly regulate differentiation and proliferation of skeletal cells. In this chapter, we overview the process of mouse skeletal development and discuss major regulators of skeletal cells at each developmental stage.
Glucose metabolism and bladder cancer.

359Background: To understand and evaluate the role of glucose metabolism in bladder cancer growth, in the identification of disease, and development of potential treatment strategies. Methods: UMUC3, T24 and 253JBV cells were grown in varying glucose concentrations (25, 100 and 200mg/dl) and cell proliferation assay with Vi-Cell was performed. Next, we used Qiagen PCR array of glucose metabolic pathway of the UMUC3 cell line under different glucose concentrations. PKM2 is a driver of glycolysis and exists in an inactive dimer or active tetramer. Dimer PKM2 also known as Tumor M2-PK was measured in urine samples of bladder cancer patients using a commercially available ELISA kit (ScheBo Biotech AG). Lastly, Shikonin, a PKM2 inhibitor was evaluated as an inhibitor of bladder cancer cell proliferation using Vi-Cell. Results: Increased glucose concentration 200mg/dl leads to increased proliferation in bladder cancer cells while decreased concentration of glucose; 25mg/dl reduces proliferation compared to cont...
Abstract 78: Pnmt+ "Primer" Cells Give Rise to Cardiac Myocytes and Neurons in the Mammalian Heart: Development of New Experimental Tools for Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Applications

Phenylethanolamine n-methyltransferase (Pnmt) catalyzes the conversion of norepinephrine to epinephrine, and thus serves as a marker for adrenergic cells. We employed a combination of immunofluorescent histochemical staining and genetic fate-mapping strategies to show that two separate Pnmt+ cell populations contribute to heart development. Intrinsic cardiac adrenergic (ICA) cells originate from the primary heart field, and contribute to pacemaking, conduction, and working (contractile) myocardium. A second population of cardiac Pnmt+ cells is derived from migrating neural crest. These neural crest adrenergic (NCA) cells appear to contribute to cardiac neurons. By adulthood, most of the Pnmt+ cells show a distinctively left-sided orientation in the heart, with nearly 90% of them being found in the left atrium and ventricle. Surprisingly large swaths of ventricular muscle are derived from Pnmt+ primer cells. Since this region of the heart is highly vulnerable to coronary artery disease and often sustains varying degrees of damage following myocardial infarction, we hypothesize that directed stem cell differentiation into Pnmt+ primer cells could serve as a valuable resource for repair and/or regeneration of left ventricular myocardium for heart disease patients. To test this hypothesis, we have generated stable recombinant mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) lines that express various fluorescent marker proteins under the control of the endogenous Pnmt gene regulatory network. These cells can be rapidly expanded in culture, sorted, and used for transplantation studies in animal models to determine their therapeutic effectiveness. The cells can be induced along cardiogenic or neurogenic pathways in vitro, and the resulting Pnmt+ cells from each population can then be collected and tested in vivo. To achieve this goal, we have knocked-in a nuclear-localized enhanced green fluorescent protein into the Pnmt locus to create Pnmt-nEGFP recombinant mESCs and mice. We show that nEGFP expression is specifically expressed in Pnmt+ cells in vitro and in vivo. This strategy allows us to identify and isolate Pnmt+ cells to evaluate their effectiveness for cardiac regenerative medicine applications. .
Alfred Stieglitz and Donald Judd: Titans of Creative Spaces

Inclusive, non-elitist art spaces are mounted by remarkably talented, creative individuals. Alfred Stieglitz and Donald Judd were two such individuals. Stieglitz's space was an intimate urban art gallery in Manhattan while Judd's space in Marfa, Texas was expansive, isolated, and rural. Aside from sharing the usual characteristics of the very creative, both were charismatic, physically attractive, intelligent men who held forceful visions about art. Unlike most of their peers, they had the capacity to write well and speak convincingly. Their resolute confidence and aesthetic competencies enabled them to attract and hold astute colleagues. Last they had the necessary expertise and connections to obtain resources required to maintain their vision.
Impact of Clinical Salmonellosis in Veal Calves on the Recovery of Salmonella in Lymph Nodes at Harvest.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, serotypes, antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of Salmonella recovered in feces and mesenteric and prefemoral lymph nodes (LNs) from cohorts of calves with and without a confirmed outbreak of salmonellosis. In a prospective cohort study, 160 calves from four farms without a reported outbreak (nonoutbreak farms) were sampled at farm and harvest. In addition, harvest samples from 80 calves of two farms with a confirmed outbreak (outbreak farms) were collected. A culture protocol for Salmonella isolation was applied for all samples and recovered isolates were further characterized by serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and PFGE. Among nonoutbreak farms, Salmonella was recovered from 0% (0/160) farm fecal samples, 3.7% (6/160) harvest fecal swabs, 21.9% (35/160) mesenteric LNs, and 0.6% (1/160) prefemoral LNs. Serotypes identified in nonoutbreak herds included Salmonella Ty...
Will Analytics Suppress a Diversity of Ideas in Psychological Science

In this article, I suggest that an overreliance on analytics to assess faculty productivity and the diffusion of ideas may inadvertently suppress innovation. Even when these productivity-diffusion ...
A reconfigurable silicon photonic 4 th -order filter for synthesizing butterworth, Chebyshev, and elliptic responses

We demonstrate a reconfigurable Si-photonic fourth-order all-pass filter-based topology to synthesize Butterworth, Chebyshev, and elliptic filter responses. Ring resonator drop port photodetectors provide electrical monitor information to tune the location of both the poles and zeros to dynamically set the desired filter configuration.
Twenty Years after IIRIRA: The Rise of Immigrant Detention and its Effects on Latinx Communities across the Nation:

This paper studies the dynamics of detention, deportation, and the criminalization of immigrants. We ground our analyses and discussion around the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsib...
Impact of the development of an endoscopic eradication program for Barrett’s esophagus with high grade dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma on the frequency of surgery

Background and aims The impact of the advent of an institutional endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) program on surgical practice for Barrett’s esophagus (BE)-associated high grade dysplasia (HGD) or suspected T1a esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is unknown. The aims of this study are to evaluate the different endoscopic modalities used during development of our EET program and factors associated with the use of EET or surgery for these patients after its development. Methods Patients who underwent primary endoscopic or surgical treatment for BE-HGD or early EAC at our hospital between January 1992 and December 2014 were retrospectively identified. They were categorized by their initial modality of treatment during the first year, and the impact over time for choice of therapy was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Results We identified 386 patients and 80 patients who underwent EET and surgery, respectively. EET included single modality therapy in 254 (66 %) patients and multimodal therapy in 132 (34 %) patients. Multivariable logistic regression showed that, for each subsequent study year, EET was more likely to be performed in patients who were older (P = 0.0009), with shorter BE lengths (P Conclusion The introduction of an EET program at our hospital increased the odds of utilizing EET versus surgery over time for initial treatment of patients who were older, had shorter BE lengths or the diagnosis of BE-HGD, but not in patients with EAC.
Hospital readmission following takotsubo syndrome.

AIMS Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction with symptoms and electrocardiographic changes mimicking acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The objective of this study was to evaluate in-hospital death and hospital readmission in patients with TTS and to compare outcomes to patients with AMI. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients diagnosed with TTS and AMI were identified using the United States Nationwide Readmission Database from 2010 to 2014. In-hospital outcomes for the index admission, and rates and causes of 30 day readmissions were compared between TTS patients and AMI patients without TTS. Sixty-one thousand, four hundred, and twelve patients with TTS and 3 470 011 patients with AMI without TTS were identified. Patients with TTS were younger, more often women (89% vs. 41%), and less likely to have cardiovascular risk factors than AMI patients. Mortality during the index admission was lower in TTS compared with AMI (2.3% vs. 10.2%, P < 0.0001). Cardiogenic shock occurred at the same frequency (5.7%) with TTS or AMI. Among TTS survivors, 7132 patients (11.9%) were readmitted within 30 days, and mortality associated with readmission was 3.5%. The most common reason for readmission after TTS was heart failure (HF; 10.6% of readmissions). CONCLUSION Takotsubo syndrome is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Although outcomes are more favourable than AMI, approximately 2% of patients died in hospital and approximately 12% of survivors were readmitted within 30 days; HF was the most frequent indication for rehospitalization. Careful outpatient follow-up of TTS patients may be warranted to avoid readmissions.
Experimental Characterization of a Direct Metal Deposited Cobalt-Based Alloy on Tool Steel for Component Repair

Casting dies made of tool steel are subject to impact, abrasion, and cyclic thermo-mechanical loading that can result in damage such as wear, corrosion, and cracking. To repair these defects, materials enveloping the defects need to be machined off and then refilled. In this study, V-shaped defects with varied sidewall inclination angles were prepared on H13 tool steel substrates and refilled with a cobalt-based alloy using direct metal deposition process (DMD) for superior hardness and wear resistance. The microstructure of rebuilt samples was characterized using an optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Elemental distribution from the substrate to deposits was analyzed using energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The mechanical properties of repaired samples were evaluated by tensile testing and microhardness measurement. A fracture mechanism in tensile testing was analyzed by observing the fracture surface. The experimental result reveals that V-shaped defects with sidewall beyond certain angles can be successfully remanufactured. The deposits were fully dense and free of defects. The microstructure and tensile testing confirm the solid bonding along the interface. The tensile testing shows the average ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the repaired samples is approximately 620 MPa, where samples fractured at the deposits region. The hardness measurement reveals the hardness of deposits is around 800 HV, which is much higher than the hardness of the substrate.
Frequency shift of an optical cavity mode due to a single-atom motion

Using quantum coherence effects, we have developed a new technique of detection of motion of single atoms or ions in an optical cavity. We have theoretically demonstrated that the presence of a sin...
Continuous Univariate Distributions, Volume 2

(1996). Continuous Univariate Distributions, Volume 2. Technometrics: Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 189-189.
Teaching novice clinicians how to reduce diagnostic waste and errors by applying the Toyota Production System

Background Diagnostic waste, defined as the ordering of low value tests, increases cost, causes delays, increases complexity, and reduces reliability. The Toyota Production System (TPS) is a powerful approach for process improvement that has not been applied to the diagnostic process. We describe a curriculum based on tools and principles of TPS that provides medical students with an approach for reducing diagnostic waste and improving patient management. Methods A 2-day elective course "Fixing Healthcare Delivery" was offered to medical students at the University of Florida, Gainesville. A section within the course had three learning objectives related to TPS: (1) define value in health care; (2) describe how diagnostic waste leads to time delays and diagnostic errors; and (3) apply sequential and iterative value streams for patient management. Instruction methods included videos, readings, and online quizzes followed by a 2-h seminar with facilitated discussion and active problem solving. Results During the 3 years the course was offered students (n = 25) achieved average scores of 95% on a pre-seminar test of manufacturing principles applied to the diagnostic and management process. Course evaluations averaged 4.94 out of 5 (n = 31). Conclusions Students appreciated the application of the TPS principles to the diagnostic process and expressed the desire to apply these manufacturing principles in their future diagnostic and management decision-making.
Transcriptional consequences of targeting the i-motif structure of the c-Myc promoter with TMPyP4

3169 The nuclease hypersensitivity element III1 (NHE III1) upstream of both the P1 and P2 promoters in the c-Myc gene controls the majority of transcriptional activity (80â\#8364;“90%) of the gene and has been shown to form secondary DNA structures. It has also been shown as the target for the cationic porphyrin TMPyP4 molecule, which has been previously shown to downregulate c-Myc gene expression (Siddiqui-Jain et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2002, 99, 11593). Through a series of experiments, an additional target to the G-quadruplex has been identified for TMPyP4 binding, which is the i-motif structure that forms from the pyrimidine-rich strand of the NHE. Using a cleavage assay, it has been shown that TMPyP4 binds specifically to the top of the i-motif structure. This binding of TMPyP4 increases the melting temperature of the i-motif, making it more stable, as seen by CD spectrometry. Using the ChIP assay it was shown that binding of TMPyP4 to the i-motif structure prevents the association of hnRNP K, a transcription factor known to regulate the expression of c-Myc. In addition, NMR confirms the binding of TMPyP4 to the i-motif structure. Finally, gene transcription was detected using real-time PCR, illustrating the effects of TMPyP4 in cells. These experiments suggest that an important target for TMPyP4, in addition to the G-quadruplex, is the i-motif and that stabilization of this structure prevents binding of hnRNP K, resulting in transcriptional silencing.
Abstract 3181: A novel, bioluminescent assay for the selective detection of target cell killing in mixed cultures

Efforts to develop and commercialize T cell immunotherapies would benefit from sensitive and easy-to-use assays to monitor target cell killing. We have developed an approach to selectively measure the death of target cells mediated by CAR/TCR-T cells or other types of effector cells. The method relies on the release of a HiBiT-tagged protein from target cells following cell lysis. Once released, HiBiT, an 11 a.a. peptide tag, binds to cell-impermeable Large BiT (LgBiT), a 17.6 kDa protein, to reconstitute NanoBiT Luciferase. In the presence of furimazine substrate, the luminescent signal is proportional to the amount of target cell killing, and cell lysis can be quantified at a single time point using Maximum Release and Spontaneous Release controls. The assay is compatible with a wide range of target cells per well (e.g. 100-500,000 cells/well), and low levels of Spontaneous Release allow the sensitive detection of low levels of target cell lysis (e.g. 1-5%). Using a modified format, target cell killing can be measured continuously in a bench-top luminometer for 24 hours or more. We demonstrate these approaches using commercially available CAR-T cells and target cells stably expressing a HiBiT-tagged protein via random integration of plasmid DNA or viral transduction. We also demonstrate the use of a thaw-and-use format to facilitate MOA-based lot release assays. The approach provides simple, non-radioactive assay formats for selectively monitoring target cell killing in mixed culture experiments. Citation Format: Brock Binkowski, Aileen Paguio, Christopher Eggers, Braeden Butler, Michael Beck, Frank Fan. A novel, bioluminescent assay for the selective detection of target cell killing in mixed cultures [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3181.
A real-time PCR for rapid identification of Salmonella enterica Gaminara serovar

Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses in the USA. When a Salmonella outbreak occurs, rapid identification of the causative serovar is important for tracing the source of contamination and for preventing the further spread of the illness. Each serovar is characterized by the presence of a group-specific somatic O-antigen(s) and an assortment of flagellar phase-1 and phase-2 antigens. As the traditional serotyping protocol is time consuming, labor intensive, and expensive, faster and less expensive molecular diagnostic methods are needed. This report outlines the development of a rapid multiplex real-time PCR procedure that facilitates the identification of Salmonella serogroup I and the serovars of the group. Using Salmonella Gaminara serovar (O16:d:1,7) as an example, first the gene(s) responsible for expression of the somatic O antigen, O16, and the nucleotide sequence of the variable-region of genes encoding the flagellar phase-1 (d) and phase-2 (1,7) antigens were identified. Then, a multiplex real-time PCR was designed that incorporated primers and probes specific for the three target genes and confirmed the specificity. The assay had 100% inclusivity for all three gene targets, detecting 2 genomic DNA copies of O16 and 1,7 gene targets and 10 copies of d gene target. Importance: Rapid molecular methods to identify Salmonella serovars should increase the precision of routine surveillance of clinically important serovars and promote public health.
Risks of Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy in Children: A 21-Year Experience in a High-Volume Cancer Center.

Hypoparathyroidism occurs relatively frequently after thyroid surgery in children. However, few studies have reported risk factors. We aimed to identify risk factors for hypoparathyroidism that occurred after total thyroidectomy for proven or suspected malignancy in children. Children (aged ≤ 18 years) who underwent total thyroidectomy for neoplasm or RET germline mutation at our institution between 1997 and 2018 were included. We retrospectively reviewed demographics, surgical indications, perioperative and follow-up laboratory results, pathologic results, and duration of calcium/calcitriol supplementation. Risk factors for hypoparathyroidism were identified by multivariate analysis. Of 184 consecutive patients, 111 had undergone surgery for neoplasm; these diseases were primarily malignancies (106, 95.5%), predominantly papillary carcinoma (103, 92.8%). The remaining 73 patients had undergone early thyroidectomy for RET germline mutation. Among all patients, 67 (36.4%) had hypoparathyroidism: 61 transient and 6 permanent. In a multivariate analysis, central neck dissection (odds ratio 4.3, 95% confidence interval 2.0–9.1) and gross extrathyroidal extension (odds ratio 4.9, 95% confidence interval 2.0–12.1) predicted overall hypoparathyroidism; however, no significant factors were associated with permanent hypoparathyroidism. Most patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism (5 of 6) had undergone therapeutic central neck dissection. When central neck dissection was performed, younger children had a higher risk of overall hypoparathyroidism. In pediatric total thyroidectomies, central neck dissection and gross extrathyroidal extension were major predictors for overall hypoparathyroidism. Surgeons performing thyroidectomy in such patients should be aware of the relatively high risk, preserve parathyroid tissue to the extent possible, and be conscientious regarding postoperative calcium monitoring and replacement.
“Sistema decimal entre los antiguos peruanos": An Example of An Understudied Genre in Ricardo Palma, The Essay

The Peruvian author Ricardo Palma gained prominence as South America’s preeminent literary figure with his tradiciones, but he also cultivated lesser-known genres such as poetry and theatre, as well as the essay, the topic of the present study. This article investigates why Palma’s “Sistema decimal entre los antiguos peruanos” is an essay and not a tradicion, an apparent, yet erroneous category for it, since it appeared in various editions of Tradiciones peruanas. In it, Palma utilizes a philological analysis of the anonymous play Ollantay and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega’s Royal Commentaries to prove that the Inkas used the decimal system of numbers. The present article considers why this piece is an essay by comparing its constituent elements with the characteristics of the essay as Jose Luis Gomez Martinez outlines them, including discursivity, lack of a rigid structure, incitement of reflection, digression, and vagueness in quoting practices. If Palma completes a philological commentary on Ollantay and the Royal Commentaries, the present article accomplishes a philological analysis of Palma’s “Sistema decimal,” which reveals qualities properly belonging to the essay. // El autor peruano Ricardo Palma logro preeminencia como luminaria literaria sudamericana mediante sus “tradiciones”, pero se dedico tambien a generos menos conocidos en su obra, como la poesia y el teatro, ademas del ensayo, sujeto de este estudio. Aqui investigamos por que el texto “Sistema decimal entre los antiguos peruanos” es un ensayo y no una “tradicion,” categoria obvia, aunque erronea, ya que aparecio en el libro Tradiciones peruanas. En el Palma utiliza un analisis filologico del drama anonimo Ollantay y los Comentarios reales de Inca Garcilaso de la Vega para probar que los Inkas usaron el sistema decimal de numeros. Este articulo considera la cuestion de la esencia ensayistica del texto al comparar sus elementos constituyentes con las caracteristicas del ensayo esbozadas por Jose Luis Gomez Martinez, incluyendo la discursividad, la ausencia de una estructura rigida, el estimulo a la reflexion, la digresion y la vaguedad al citar fuentes. Asi como Palma lleva a cabo un comentario filologico de Ollantay y de los Comentarios reales, este articulo realiza un analisis filologico de “Sistema decimal” de Palma que revela las propiedades de un ensayo.
Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in breast cancer: what to discuss with patients

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) rate in the U.S. has been steadily increasing. This is of particular concern because many women who undergo this procedure are ...
A graphical user interface for automated 2- or 3-dimensional image registration in dental treatment recovery planning: the DentIR application

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans enable quantification of interproximal bone loss after implant procedures in dental patients. In order for this quantification to be accurate, software is typically used to manipulate image sets captured before and after implantation to obtain their exact registration (i.e., alignment). However, no affordable CBCT image registration software is currently available for dental applications. Thus, the aim of the present study was to develop a freely available graphical user interface, called DentIR, that automates 2-dimensional (2-D) or 3-D image registration for use in planning dental treatment. The DentIR app was designed using the MATLAB environment, downloaded to a desktop personal computer (PC and Mac), and tested for its ease of use and alignment accuracy in the absence of the MATLAB environment. The DentIR app enabled previewing of the CBCT images in 3-D to allow for filtering of each frame to reduce noise and blurring before registration. The 2-D or 3-D registration was tested with four transformation methods. The accuracy of each method was assessed by comparing the mean squared error and the peak signal-to-noise ratio values that were provided by the DentIR app. The registered images could be saved as Portable Network Graphics (PNG) images. The free, user-friendly DentIR app was easily downloadable to Mac or PC platforms. It provided accurate image registration to aid in the planning of dental treatment. Future updates of the DentIR app include adding the ability to register more than two images at once, enhancing image editing options and enabling registration of a cropped portion of the image for more in-depth analyses.
Using time-inconsistent wait-time functions for cycle-free coordinated traffic intersections

Abstract Sensing and computing capabilities of modern traffic intersections have greatly improved in recent years, but current control policies do not fully utilize these capabilities. In this paper, we present a novel intersection control algorithm based on an objective function that accounts for drivers’ time preferences. In particular, the intersection places greater importance on a vehicle which has been waiting at an intersection over one that just arrived. Coordination between intersections is achieved through an added term to the objective function using the green wave idea. Under this policy given a macroscopic dynamical model, we provide a sufficient condition for the controller to maintain uniformly bounded weighted queues at an intersection given sufficiently small spawn rates. We test our algorithm and results extensively in a realistic microscopic simulation, through measuring queue stability and various performance metrics.
The growing transition from lifetime marijuana use to frequent use among 12th grade students: U.S. National data from 1976 to 2019.

Abstract Background More United States adolescents now report high-frequency marijuana use than similar use levels of alcohol or tobacco. Increased high-frequency use raises questions such as (a) is frequent use likelihood growing among adolescents who experiment with use? (b) Is such change observed equally across sex and racial/ethnic subgroups? (c) Have sociodemographic and other covariate associations with frequent use changed over time? Methods Data were obtained from 649,505 12th grade students participating in the cross-sectional, nationally-representative Monitoring the Future study from 1976 to 2019. Historical trends were modeled for any and frequent (20+ occasions) past 30-day marijuana use among all students and lifetime users, and lifetime user sex and racial/ethnic subgroups. Multivariable logistic regression estimates from 1989 to 1993 (lowest prevalence years) versus 2015−2019 (most recent years) were compared to examine covariate association changes with frequent use. Results Among all students, recent linear trends in any and frequent marijuana use were not significantly different from zero (0.023 [SE 0.156] and 0.036 [0.073], respectively); frequent use among lifetime users increased (0.233 [0.107], p = 0.048). Among lifetime users, the increase was stronger for male than female students, and for minority versus White students. Significant association changes with race/ethnicity, parental education, and perceived risk were observed. Conclusions The proportion of adolescent lifetime marijuana users reporting current frequent marijuana use increased, and is now at near-record levels. Increases were particularly strong among males and minority students. There appears to be an increasing likelihood that adolescents who experiment with marijuana use may progress to frequent use.
Efficient Robust Training via Backward Smoothing

Adversarial training is so far the most effective strategy in defending against adversarial examples. However, it suffers from high computational cost due to the iterative adversarial attacks in each training step. Recent studies show that it is possible to achieve Fast Adversarial Training by performing a single-step attack with random initialization. Yet, it remains a mystery why random initialization helps. Besides, such an approach still lags behind state-of-the-art adversarial training algorithms on both stability and model robustness. In this work, we develop a new understanding towards Fast Adversarial Training, by viewing random initialization as performing randomized smoothing for better optimization of the inner maximization problem. From this perspective, we show that the smoothing effect by random initialization is not sufficient under the adversarial perturbation constraint. A new initialization strategy, \emph{backward smoothing}, is proposed to address this issue and significantly improves both stability and model robustness over single-step robust training methods. Experiments on multiple benchmarks demonstrate that our method achieves similar model robustness as the original TRADES method, while using much less training time (~3x improvement with the same training schedule).
Neurocognitive markers of passive suicidal ideation in late-life depression.

Aims: Late life suicide is an international public health crisis, yet the mechanisms underlying late life suicide risk are far less understood compared to younger age groups. Executive dysfunction is widely documented in late life depression (LLD), and cognitive flexibility and inhibition are specifically hypothesized as vulnerabilities for suicide risk. There is some evidence that LLD patients with suicidal ideation or attempt suicide have worse executive dysfunction than LLD patients that do not; however, it is unknown whether these differences exist in Passive Suicidal Ideation (PSI), which may be an important early stage of suicide risk. Delineating the mechanisms of risk for PSI in LLD is a crucial direction for late life suicide research. The purpose of our study was to examine whether cognitive flexibility and inhibitory ability are neurocognitive markers of PSI. The secondary purpose of our study was to determine if neurocognitive differences due to PSI are mediated by volumetric differences in the prefrontal cortex. Methods: Forty community-dwelling middle- and older-aged adults with LLD (18 with PSI, 22 without) completed a neurocognitive battery that assessed cognitive flexibility, inhibitory ability, as well as other neurocognitive domains, and underwent structural neuroimaging. Results: The PSI group performed significantly worse on cognitive flexibility and inhibitory ability, but not on other neurocognitive tasks which included other measures of executive function. The PSI group had a larger left mid-frontal gyrus (LMFG) than those without PSI, but there was no association between LMFG and cognitive flexibility or inhibitory ability, nor was there statistical evidence of mediation. Conclusions: Our findings implicate a unique neurocognitive signature in LLD with PSI: poorer cognitive flexibility and poorer inhibitory ability not better accounted for by other domains of cognitive dysfunction and not mediated by volumetric differences in the prefrontal cortex. Volumetric brain differences in the LMFG appear unrelated to differences in cognitive flexibility and inhibitory ability, which suggests two specific but independent risk factors for PSI in middle- and older-aged adults.
Implementing a Protocol to Reduce Opioid Prescriptions in Military Otolaryngology: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

INTRODUCTION To compare pain medication refill rates for adult septoplasty and rhinoplasty patients before and after initiating a multimodal analgesic protocol for reducing opioid prescriptions (PROP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Data from 58 adult patients were retrieved by retrospective chart review (19 septoplasties and 10 rhinoplasties before initiating PROP in September 2018 and 21 septoplasties and 8 rhinoplasties after PROP). We selected consecutive septoplasties and rhinoplasties, at which time a new discharge order set was implemented. The new order set consisted of 10 oxycodone tabs (5 mg), 100 acetaminophen tabs (325 mg), and 28 celecoxib tabs (200 mg). The primary outcome variable was the number of initial opioid prescriptions and refills filled by any provider. RESULTS Among the septoplasties, there was a 46% decrease in total morphine milligram equivalent (MME) prescribed, from a mean of 202.0 mg in the non-PROP group (95% CI, 235.4, 174.6) to 108.6 mg in the PROP group (95% CI, 135.8, 81.4), with no difference in refill rates. Among the rhinoplasties, there was a 51% decrease in total MME prescribed, from a mean of 258.8 mg in the non-PROP group (95% CI, 333.4, 184.1) to 126.6 mg in the PROP group (95% CI, 168.1, 85.0) with no difference in refill rates. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes after PROP implementation for septoplasty and rhinoplasty at our institution suggest that opioid prescription rates can be significantly decreased to manage postoperative pain, with no difference in opioid refill rates. The results also warrant further investigation into patient pain, satisfaction, provider efficiency, and healthcare costs.
On the joint role of non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity and weight status in predicting postmenopausal weight gain.

Objectives To determine how baseline weight status contributes to differences in postmenopausal weight gain among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). Methods Data were included from 70,750 NHW and NHB postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI OS). Body Mass Index (BMI) at baseline was used to classify women as having normal weight, overweight, obese class I, obese class II or obese class III. Cox proportional hazards was used to estimate the hazard of a 10% or more increase in weight from baseline. Results In both crude and adjusted models, NHBs were more likely to experience ≥10% weight gain than NHWs within the same category of baseline weight status. Moreover, NHBs who were normal weight at baseline were most likely to experience ≥10% weight gain in both crude and adjusted models. Age-stratified results were consistent with overall findings. In all age categories, NHBs who were normal weight at baseline were most likely to experience ≥10% weight gain. Based on the results of adjusted models, the joint influence of NHB race/ethnicity and weight status on risk of postmenopausal weight gain was both sub-additive and sub-multiplicative. Conclusion NHBs are more likely to experience postmenopausal weight gain than NHWs, and the disparity in risk is most pronounced among those who are normal weight at baseline. To address the disparity in postmenopausal obesity, future studies should focus on identifying and modifying factors that promote weight gain among normal weight NHBs.
Testing directional predictability between energy prices: A quantile-based analysis

Abstract We evaluate the relationship between various energy markets at different quantiles of their respective return distributions by employing the recently developed cross-quantilogram method and the quantile Granger causality test. Three important open questions in the energy literature are revisited, namely, the “decoupling” of crude oil and natural gas prices, the mixed relationship between natural gas and electricity prices, and the “rockets and feathers” effect between crude oil and petroleum product prices. We find positive and significant spillover effects from crude oil to natural gas during bearish market conditions, which have weakened after 2013, suggesting a possible delink between the two markets in recent years. We further find a bi-directional causality at different market conditions for natural gas and electricity returns, especially at moderate and high return quantiles. However, in recent years the two markets have become more correlated during periods with low returns due to the transition of the natural gas power plants from peak to baseload facilities. Finally, our results do not find evidence for the “rockets and feathers” effect from crude oil to either the gasoline or heating oil market as we do not observe more significant spillovers during bullish market conditions.
Using the Huntington’s Disease-Behavioral Questionnaire (HD-BQ) as a Screening Tool for Behavioral Disturbances in HD (2849)

Objective: To examine the usefulness of a new behavioral questionnaire for patients with, and at risk for, Huntington’s disease (HD). Background: Behavioral changes are characteristic features of HD and often the most distressing aspect of the disease for families and caregivers. Design/Methods: The HD-BQ, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Functional Capacity (TFC) and Total Motor Score (TMS), Problem Behaviors Assessment-Short (PBA-s), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered to 98 HD, 66 pre-manifest HD (PM), and 106 control (NC) subjects. The HD-BQ was also administered to 61 HD caregivers. Results: The HD-BQ discriminated between HD (mean 31.4), PM (mean 22.7) and NC (mean 15.3) subjects (p Conclusions: The HD-BQ is a rapidly administered instrument for screening behavioral changes in individuals with, and at risk for, HD. It can be used to interrogate patients and caregivers with regard to behavior. It discriminates well between NC, PM, and HD subjects, and compares favorably to the current gold standards for behavioral assessment on ROC analysis. Behavioral changes are a possible early marker for HD onset. When possible, information regarding behavior should be corroborated by an informant since HD patients tend to underestimate their impairment. Disclosure: Dr. Corey-Bloom has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Genentech, Teva, Serono, and Alexion. Dr. Corey-Bloom has received research support from Vaccinex, Wave Life Sciences, and CHDI. Dr. Wong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Aboufadel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Snell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Castleton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wright has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gilbert has nothing to disclose.
Parasites of Ruminants: Possible Cross-Transmission of Dictyocaulus Sp. Lungworm Between Cattle and Elk

Determine the relationship of elk lungworm, Dictyocaulus hadweni, and a related species, D. viviparus in cattle. Elk are reinfected annually in the spring months with the lungworm species noted above. Serum samples from the elk are needed in order to attempt to explain why the elk make no immune response to lungworm infections during the period, April-June. Additionally, epidemiological work with the lungworm of cattle in areas also utilized by elk in Teton and Fremont Counties of Wyoming will be completed so as to learn more about possible cross-transmission of the lungworm infections in the cervids and bovids.
Selective and Universal Prevention of Late-Life Depression

This chapter provides illustrations of the Institute of Medicine framework of prevention as it pertains to selective and universal prevention of late-life depression. Examples of completed randomized trials for late-life depression prevention, using each approach, are described in detail. Advantages and limitations involved in applying each of these prevention modalities for late-life depression are discussed. Accompanying tables provide concept definitions and summarize key findings from the research literature to date. Finally, attention is given to promising future directions for both selective and universal prevention strategies, and particular emphasis is placed on possible means to reduce the practical barriers to testing and implementing universal prevention approaches in late-life depression.
Molecular Biology of Neuromuscular Transmission

The area of contact between the α-motorneuron and the skeletal muscle fiber is a highly ordered structure. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is comprised of a pre-synaptic nerve terminal and a high density array of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) and other elements such as voltage-gated sodium channels, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the muscle cytoskeleton that organize the post-synaptic muscle membrane. In between these two components is the extracellular matrix which fills the synaptic space between the two. Significant progress has been made in the last decade to identify and understand the molecular elements that populate the neuromuscular junction and participate in establishing and maintaining its complex structure. This review will focus on some of these new molecular details, especially as it relates to the temporal and functional differences in the expression of the two forms of the AChR.
IRAS Observations of Galaxies

The basic properties of galaxies at 12μm, 25μm, 60μm and 100μm have been determined from IRAS observations. The far infrared luminosity of galaxies is a substantial, but not dominant, component of the luminosity output of the local universe. From a careful analysis of the spatial distribution of the infrared emission in the nearby spiral galaxy M33 it is found that approximately 3/4 of the total infrared luminosity from this galaxy originates in stars with ages less than a few hundred million years. To the extent that M33 is a typical spiral galaxy, this supports the prejudice that the infrared emission in galaxies is measuring the luminosity of newly formed stars. Interactions are found to be a major trigger of the high activity phase (L ir > 1011 L ⊙) in galaxies. A substantial fraction of all massive spiral galaxies probably undergo such a phase over the course of their evolution.
Allchin’s Folly: Exploring Some Myths About Open Source Software

The twists and turns in the government’s antitrust case against Microsoft – from the D.C. Circuit’s stormy questioning at the two day oral argument in late February 2001 to its affirmance of the lion’s share of the government’s case in June 2001, and then from the settlement between the United States and Microsoft to the continuing battle by nine states for tougher sanctions – have garnered their share of press attention. But the high-profile antitrust case has not been the only Microsoft-centered controversy during the past year. Another involves the open source software movement about which Microsoft has professed grave fears. The fears, however genuine, spring from wrongheaded myths about open source software. Exploding those myths is the burden of this article.