cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical studies of GBA1-associated parkinsonism: progress and challenges.

Section of Molecular Neurogenetics, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA *Author for correspondence: Tel.: +1 301 451 0901 or 301 496 0373; Fax: +1 301 402 6438; sidranse@mail.nih.gov Mutations in glucocerebrosidase (GBA1), the gene mutated in the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease, are now widely accepted as an important genetic risk factor for the development of the common complex disorder Parkinson disease (PD) [1,2]. In recent years, this gene has also been implicated in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) [3,4] and even in the more rare disorder, multiple system atrophy (MSA). In the decade, since the link between GBA1 and PD was first appreciated, there has been enhanced recognition of the importance of this gene, and new clinical and basic science studies now appear in the literature almost weekly. While the field continues to advance our understanding of disease presentation and progression, major gaps in our understanding of the basis of the association remain. As the spectrum of synucleinopathies associated with GBA1 expands, there is a need for greater rigor in distinguishing the different parkinsonian syndromes involved. In doing so, specific neurodegenerative mechanisms may be more easily linked to particular clinical phenotypes. Initially, much of the literature focused on population studies. It took several years and thousands of genotypes before it was clearly established that in almost every cohort of patients with PD screened, between 3 and 20% of patients carried a GBA1 mutation, a rate approximately fiveto seven-times higher than age-matched controls [1,4,5]. This finding remained consistent in cohorts of Ashkenazi Jewish patients, patients from different European and South American countries, and centers around the USA. Remarkably, in v arious cohorts from Asia, where Gaucher disease is less often identified, the same frequency of mutations was seen, both among patients with PD and MSA [6,7]. Several large collaborative multi-center studies were performed before these fi ndings gained widespread acceptance [2]. In parallel with these studies focusing on PD, investigators who cared for patients in the Gaucher community began a more careful examination of their patient populations. Reports from “...careful evaluation of older patients with Gaucher disease or heterozygous carriers could help tease out factors shared by mutation carriers that do not develop parkinsonism in order to determine those factors that may play a protective role.”
Differing Photo-Oxidation Mechanisms: Electron Transfer in TiO2 versus Iron-Doped TiO2

Low-level iron doping has been found to alter the photo-oxidation mechanism of TiO2 by efficiently activating molecular oxygen. In the absence of iron, TiO2 either reduces water or stores the electron. Quantitatively, 0.5% Fe-TiO2 is nearly three times as efficient as undoped TiO2; 0.1% Fe-TiO2 is twice as efficient. It is found that the efficiency boost primarily results from a more effective use of the absorbed UV photons. Extension of absorption into the visible region due to iron doping increases the efficiency by a factor of only 1.03 compared with UV-only irradiation. Characterization of these small particles reveals that particle size, crystal structure (anatase in all cases), and exposed faces are all insensitive to iron doping. Iron modifies the electronic states of TiO2 by introducing an interband state and enhancing population of a newly identified state at +1.48 eV that acts as an efficient electron–hole recombination site. Activation of molecular oxygen effectively competes with electron–hole...
Hormones and sexual behavior associated with postconception perineal swelling in the sooty mangabey ( Cercocebus torquatus atys )

Three studies were conducted with female sooty mangabeys to describe the occurrence of perineal swelling during pregnancy and to document the associated patterns of ovarian hormone secretion and sexual behavior. Menstrual cycles and pregnancies were charted in 29 female subjects by recording daily vaginal bleeding and perineal swelling. As in other swelling species, maximum perineal tumescence corresponded with the periovulatory phase of the cycle; however, a second tumescence was recorded during pregnancy, with a peak at 49 days postconception. The swelling patterns were similar with the exception that deturgescence was slower during pregnancy. In a second study, blood samples were obtained weekly from nine females to document the estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) profiles during pregnancy. Analyses revealed increased E2 concentrations and low P4 levels in association with the postconception swelling. A third study compared sexual behavior during ovulatory and post-conception tumescent peaks. Behavioral data revealed that, although there was no overall difference in male mount rate to females during the ovulatory and postconception maximum swelling period, when only the alpha male was considered, significantly fewer mounts were directed to females exhibiting a post-conception versus an ovulatory maximum tumescence.
Invited Commentary: Imaging Infection in Patients with Agranulocytosis

Agranulocytosis is a relatively uncommon disease, with an incidence of approximately 3.3 per one million population ([1][1]). The causes of granulocytopenia can be divided into 3 broad categories: peripheral destruction of polymorphonuclear cells, overwhelming sepsis, and generalized bone marrow
Standardized mites allergens immunotherapy for allergic asthma in 68 children

AIM: To observe the clinical effects, lung function, and adverse reactions of standardized mites allergens immunotherapy for allergic asthmatic children. METHODS: Sixty-eight children with mild to moderate allergic asthma were immunotherapy with standardized mites allergens for 25 wk. Master Scope children's spirometry was used for monitoring lung function assessment of asthmatic children pre- and post-treatment. Moreover, morning and night peak expiratory flow (PEF) , scores of inter-day and inter-night symptoms and medications were observed. Adverse reactions were recorded after every injection. RESULTS: The predicted percentages of FEV1, PEF before and after immunotherapy were (96±s 24, 113±16) , (92±23, 116±16) respectively. The average scores of inter-day and inter-night symptom and medications during 0-12 wk and 13 - 25 wk periods were (0.13±0.10, 0.06±0.06), (0.06±0.07, 0.02±0.04), (0.507±0.023, 0.48±0.05) respectively. After the comparison, all parameters improved significantly (P 0.05). Although a shrinking tendency has been noticed from the mean morning and night PEF variability after 13 wk, there was no statistical significance after comparing with those of0-12wk (P 0.05). No severe adverse reaction occurred. CONCLUSION: Standardized mites allergens immunotherapy 25 wk for mild to moderate allergy asthmatic children with obvious relief of clinical symptoms, reduction of medication dosage and improve lung function.
Tumor markers for breast carcinoma.

Carcinoembryonic antigen, the only tumor marker for breast carcinoma currently in wide use, has a number of limitations that leave room for the development of more accurate markers. Other potential markers, such as GCDFP-15 and kappa-casein, are currently under investigation and may prove to be clinically useful diagnostic tools.
Management of Testicular Masses Incidentally Discovered by Ultrasound

AbstractIncidental nonpalpable testicular masses were discovered in 9 patients during approximately 1,600 scrotal ultrasound examinations done for other indications. Of the 9 lesions 7 (78%) were benign (4 Leydig cell tumors, 2 Sertoli cell tumors and 1 interstitial fibrosis) and 2 (22%) were malignant (1 teratocarcinoma and 1 seminoma). Five lesions (55%) were less than 1cm. (4 benign and 1 malignant), while 4 (45%) were 1 to 2cm. (3 benign and 1 malignant). Seven lesions (78%) were hypoechoic, 1 (11%) was hyperechoic and 1 (11%) was cystic. We conclude that incidentally discovered nonpalpable lesions are usually benign. Management should include inguinal exploration with frozen section diagnosis. The testis can be spared if the lesion is benign. Ultrasound followup should be used only if there is a strong clinical suspicion of a nonneoplastic lesion, such as recent trauma or infection. It is suggested that nonpalpable tumors discovered in patients with metastatic germ cell tumor should be treated as mal...
Forest management scenarios in a changing climate: trade‐offs between carbon, timber, and old forest

Balancing economic, ecological and social values has long been a challenge in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, where conflict over timber harvest and old-growth habitat on public lands has been contentious for the past several decades. The Northwest Forest Plan, adopted two decades ago to guide management on federal lands, is currently being revised as the region searches for a balance between sustainable timber yields and habitat for sensitive species. In addition, climate change imposes a high degree of uncertainty on future forest productivity, sustainability of timber harvest, wildfire risk, and species habitat. We evaluated the long-term, landscape-scale tradeoffs among carbon (C) storage, timber yield, and old forest habitat given projected climate change and shifts in forest management policy across 2.1 million hectares of forests in the Oregon Coast Range. Projections highlight the divergence between private and public lands under business-as-usual forest management, where private industrial forests are heavily harvested and many public (especially federal) lands increase C and old forest over time but provide little timber. Three alternative management scenarios altering the amount and type of timber harvest show widely varying levels of ecosystem C and old-forest habitat. On federal lands, ecological forestry practices also allowed a simultaneous increase in old forest and natural early-seral habitat. The ecosystem C implications of shifts away from current practices were large, with current practices retaining up to 105 Tg more C than the alternative scenarios by the end of the century. Our results suggest climate change is likely to increase forest productivity by 30-41% and total ecosystem C storage by 11-15% over the next century as warmer winter temperatures allow greater forest productivity in cooler months. These gains in C storage are unlikely to be offset by wildfire under climate change, due to the legacy of management and effective fire suppression. Our scenarios of future conditions can inform policy makers, land managers, and the public about the potential effects of land management alternatives, climate change, and the tradeoffs that are inherent to management and policy in the region. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Possibility for Spark-Initiated Explosion in Mixtures of Uranium Hexafluoride and Deuterium

The possibility for spark-initiated explosions in deuterium containing 0.5 to 70 mol% uranium hexafluoride at pressures up to 2.8 MPa has been investigated. No explosions were observed under these conditions, although spark-initiated formation of the reaction product beta-uranium pentafluoride occurred. The spark potential for deuterium containing 0 to 25 mol% uranium hexafluoride at pressures up to 2.8 MPa is also reported. For pure deuterium, the voltage to produce a 1-mm-long spark ranged from 10 kV at 250 kPa to 24 kV at 2.7 MPa. The addition of uranium hexafluoride increased the spark voltage sharply; at 2.3 MPa the addition of 7 mol% UF/sub 6/ raised the spark voltage from 24 to 73 kV.
125. Purging Latent HIV Infection by CRISPR-Mediated Viral Reactivation

Complete eradication of HIV-1 infection is impeded by the existence of cells that harbor chromosomally integrated but transcriptionally inactive provirus. These latently-infected cells can persist for years without producing viral progeny, rendering them refractory to immune surveillance and antiretroviral therapy and providing a permanent reservoir for the stochastic reactivation and reseeding of HIV-1. Strategies for purging this latent reservoir are thus needed to eradicate infection. Here we show that engineered transcriptional activation systems based on CRISPR/Cas9 can be harnessed to activate HIV-1 expression in cell line models of latency. We utilized two distinct CRISPR transcriptional activation systems, dCas9-VP64 and the synergistic activation mediator (SAM) complex, to target numerous sites across the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter and observed robust expression from the full-length HIV-1 promoter in multiple cell line models of HIV-1 latency. We further demonstrated that complementing Cas9 activators with latency-reversing compounds can enhance latent HIV-1 transcription and that epigenome modulation using CRISPR-based acetyltransferases could also promote viral gene activation. Finally, we showed that latent HIV-1 expression could also be stimulated by CRISPR-mediated activation of endogenous factors not previously implicated in HIV-1 pathogenesis but whose expression could nonetheless reactivate viral gene expression. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CRISPR systems are potentially effective tools for inducing latent HIV-1 expression and that their use, in combination with antiretroviral therapy, could lead to improved therapies for HIV-1 infection.
Novel Direct Evidence That Adult Bone Marrow-Derived Very Small Embryonic Like (VSEL) Stem Cells Are Mobilized into Peripheral Blood - Leukopheresis as a Potential Tool To Isolate Pluripotent Stem Cells for Therapeutic Pruposes.

Abstract Recently, we identified in adult bone marrow (BM) a population of very small embryonic like (VSEL) stem cells (Leukemia 2006: 20;857) that are i. very small in size (∼3.5 μm), ii. CXCR4+Oct-4+ SSEA-1+Sca-1+CD45−lin−, iii. respond to SDF-1 gradient and iv. contain large nuclei with open type of euchromatin. We asked if VSEL are mobilized into peripheral blood (PB) similarly as BM-derived hematopoietic stem cells. To address this question, we evaluated VSEL level in PB after i. pharmacological (G-CSF) and ii. stress/organ damage-induced mobilization (toxic liver and skeletal muscle damage after exposure to CCl4 and cardiotoxin respectively). The number of circulating VSEL in PB was measured by i. FACS, ii. direct histochemical staining of PB-cells for SSEA-1 and Oct-4 expression, and iii. RQ-PCR analysis of pluripotent genes (Oct-4, Nanog). Finally, VSEL sorted from the PB were tested for their pluripotency in our established assay based on formation of embryoid-like spheres by VSEL in co-cultures with C2C12 cells. We report that in steady state conditions, VSEL circulate at very low levels in PB (∼100–200 cells/ml) and that the number of these cells/ml of PB is five times higher in two month old mice as compared to one year old animals. Furthermore, we found that VSEL are mobilized into PB both by G-CSF- and tissue injury and the number of circulating VSEL increases 5–6 and 2–3 times after G-CSF and after liver or skeletal muscle injury, respectively. Furthermore, the mobilization of VSEL could be additionally enhanced by blocking CXCR4 receptor by T140 antagonist. Based on this, we provide the evidence that VSEL i. is a mobile pool of primitive CXCR4+SSEA-1+Oct-4+ stem cells, ii. is released into circulation during tissue/organ injury and iii. their trafficking is regulated by SDF-1-CXCR4 axis. Further studies will asses if the level of mobilized VSEL i. correlates with overall regenerative potential of an organism and ii. could become a helpful prognostic indicator for the clinical outcome from organ damage/injury (e.g., stroke, heart infarct). Finally, mobilized VSEL could also be employed in regenerative medicine and we are testing this possibility in appropriate animal models.
Local degradation pathways in lithium-rich manganese–nickel–cobalt oxide epitaxial thin films

The electrochemical performance and microstructure of positive electrodes are intimately linked. As such, developing batteries resistance to capacity and voltage fade requires understanding these underlying structure-properties relationships and their evolution with operation. Epitaxial films of a Li-rich manganese-nickel- cobalt oxide cathode material were deposited on (100) and (111) orientated SrRuO3/SrTiO3 substrates. Cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy tracked the response of these positive electrode materials, while the microstructure of the pristine and cycled films was characterized using transmission electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy identifies compositional fluctuations in as-deposited films. Phase transformations and dissolution were observed after electrochemical testing. There is a correlation between both local composition and substrate orientation (i.e., surface faceting) and what degradation pathways are active. Regions with comparatively higher concentrations of Ni and Co were more resistant to dissolution and unfavorable phase transformations than those with relatively more Mn. As such, a global composition metric may not be an accurate predictor of degradation and performance. Rather possessing the synthetic ability to engineer the chemical profile as well as characterizing it, pose a challenge and opportunity.
Objective versus subjective outcomes assessment in rhinology.

BackgroundPrior studies on the relationship between computed tomography scan findings and patient-based quality of life in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have found very low correlations. Whereas sur...
Endoscopic Balloon Dilation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Strictures

Abstract Stricture is a common complication of Crohn's disease or surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) has become a valid treatment option for those strictures. EBD appears to be more effective than medical therapy and less invasive than surgery, for the treatment of the mechanical complication. Adverse events, such as perforation and excessive bleeding may occur during endoscopic intervention. The endoscopist should be well trained, always be cautious, anticipate for possible procedure-associated complications, be prepared for damage control during endoscopy, and have surgical back up ready. In this review, we discuss the principle, preparation, techniques of endoscopic therapy, as well as the prevention and management of endoscopic procedure-associated complications. We propose that IBD endoscopy may be a part of training for “super” gastroenterology fellows, that is, those seeking a career in advanced endoscopy or in IBD.
Risk factors associated with clinical signs of vesicular stomatitis and seroconversion without clinical disease in Colorado horses during the 2014 outbreak.

Vesicular stomatitis (VS) is caused by a contagious rhabdovirus that affects horses, cattle, and swine. Clinical signs of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection in pigs and cattle are indistinguishable from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a foreign animal disease and reportable disease in the United States (Rodriguez et al., 2000). A VS epidemic occurred in the Rocky Mountain region in 2014-15. A study was conducted in Colorado to evaluate horse- and management-level factors associated with VS. For a horse to be considered a clinical VS horse, there were two requirements. First, clinical VS horses had to have clinical signs consistent with VS, including one or more of the following: vesicles, ulcers, erosions or crusting on the muzzle, nares, lips, oral or nasal mucosa, ears, ventrum, udder or penile sheath, or coronary band lesions. Second, clinical VS horses had to have laboratory confirmation of VSV exposure via virus isolation from lesions or a positive complement fixation test performed on sera. All non-clinical horses residing on VSV-affected premises enrolled in the study were evaluated for exposure (i.e., seroconversion) to VSV. Overall, management and housing data were collected from 334 horses on 48 premises in Colorado. Approximately one-third (31.4%) of enrolled horses were clinical cases and two-thirds (68.6%) were controls. Three premises-matched logistic regression models were constructed in SAS using backward elimination (P-value < 0.05) after univariate screening of a priori-selected variables (P-value < 0.20). Model outcomes included differences in characteristics and management of 1) clinical and nonclinical horses, 2) exposed and unexposed horses, and 3) exposed nonclinical and unexposed nonclinical horses. Overall, factors most strongly associated with risk of being a VS clinical horse were access to pasture (P-value = 0.002), and pregnancy status (P-value = 0.001). Factors most strongly associated with VSV exposure among horses were access to pasture (P-value = 0.003) and lack of any insect control (P-value = 0.001). The only factor associated with VSV-exposed nonclinical horses compared with unexposed VSV horses was contact with clinical horses (P-value = 0.013). There were no associations identified regarding clinical horses compared with exposed nonclinical horses. With regard to severity of lesions (severe vs. moderate or mild), no variables met the criteria for inclusion in the multivariable model. Results of this study provide evidence that pasture access and fly control are important factors associated with VSV exposure.
Pathologic characterization and differential diagnosis of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

Mesotheliomas are characterized by their ability to exhibit a broad range of cytomorphological features and to grow in a wide variety of histological patterns. Based on their appearance, three major histological types of mesotheliomas are recognized: epithelioid, mixed epithelioid and sarcomatoid (biphasic), and sarcomatoid. Although the distribution of these histological types varies from series to series, epithelioid mesothelioma is the most common. Of the 157 cases included in the two largest series of peritoneal malignant mesotheliomas, 132 (84%) were epithelioid, 22 (14%) biphasic, and 3 (2%) sarcomatoid (Baker et al. 2005; Kannerstein and Churg. 1977). The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the morphological variants of mesothelioma and to review the roles of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy in the diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma. Particular emphasis is placed on the uncommon morphological variants of mesothelioma, some of which have only recently been described, as well as on the immunohistochemical markers that have most recently become available and for which there is evidence that they could be useful in the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Application of Provenance for Automated and Research Driven Workflows

Provenance has recently become a popular topic for workflow execution environments but it is also relevant to other applications, such as long-running, user-driven "research workflows", problem solving environments, and data streaming (data analysis) environments. This paper presents a number of use cases where provenance can play an important role in understanding how data was derived, how decisions were made, and enable sharing of data from a variety of sources. We break down the requirements elucidated by our use cases and discuss our experiences in applying an existing provenance system to these use cases.
The influence of ascorbic acid on active sodium transport in cultured rabbit nonpigmented ciliary epithelium.

PURPOSE Cultured rabbit nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPE) transports ascorbic acid (ASC) inward through a sodium-dependent mechanism. This study was conducted to test whether Na-K transport is activated to export the additional sodium, which enters the cell in cotransport with ASC. METHODS Studies were conducted using a cell line derived from rabbit NPE. ASC uptake was measured using [14C]ascorbic acid. The ouabain-sensitive potassium (86Rb) uptake rate was measured as an index of active Na-K transport. Cellular sodium was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry or SBFI fluorescence. RESULTS In the presence of 200 microM ASC, ouabain-sensitive potassium (86Rb) uptake rate increased approximately 70%; lesser concentrations of ASC produced lesser increases. Phloridzin (100 microM) inhibited ASC uptake and inhibited the stimulatory effect of external ASC on 86Rb uptake. Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) did not increase 86Rb uptake. Neither DHA nor ASC altered the Na,K-ATPase activity measured in isolated membrane material. External ASC appeared to stimulate active sodium transport through a mechanism involving an increase of cytoplasmic sodium. In the presence of 200 microM ASC, cellular sodium increased approximately 26%; studies with cells, sodium loaded by nigericin treatment, suggested that this sodium increase could account for the degree of 86Rb uptake stimulation observed in ASC-treated cells. However, the cellular sodium increase could not be explained simply on the basis of sodium entry through the ASC transporter. An additional sodium-entry pathway seemed to be activated in cells that accumulated ASC. Dimethylamiloride (DMA) abolished both the cellular sodium increase and the 86Rb uptake stimulation caused by ASC. DMA did not prevent ASC uptake. CONCLUSIONS ASC significantly stimulated active Na-K transport in cultured NPE. The mechanism appeared to involve activation of a DMA-sensitive sodium entry pathway, which caused cytoplasmic sodium concentration to increase.
Improving sow productivity through management during gestation, lactation and after weaning

Number of pigs produced per sow per year is dependent upon the number of pigs born live, the number that survive to weaning and the interval between consecutive farrowings for the sow. Feeding and management of the sow during late gestation affects birth weight and amount of energy stored as glycogen and lipid in the piglet. Piglets that are heavier and that have more energy stores have a higher survival rate. Adding fat to the sow's diet during the last month of gestation or altering the sow's metabolism to direct more nutrients to the fetus are methods for increasing piglet birthweight and energy stores. Feeding the sow properly during lactation is important for maximum yield of milk and milk energy, which affects survival of pigs to weaning, and for rebreeding performance of the sow after weaning. Energy intake during lactation can be increased by adding fat to diets, and this is beneficial in situations where feed intake is insufficient to meet the sow's requirements. For example, fat supplementation during lactation is beneficial for primiparous sows and for sows lactating during hot weather. The minimum practical lactation length is about 2 wk for normal rebreeding performance of the sow. Split weaning or separation of the litter from the sow for 6 to 12 h/d will shorten the rebreeding interval or induce estrus during lactation. Administration of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin, with or without human chorionic gonadotropin, will induce estrus during lactation, and the response is better after the second week of lactation. Similar treatments at weaning will shorten the rebreeding interval.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Component Standards for Stable Microgrids

This paper is motivated by the need to ensure fast microgrid stability. Modeling for purposes of establishing stability criterion and possible implementations are described. In particular, this paper proposes that highly heterogeneous microgrids comprising both conventional equipment and equipment based on rapidly emerging new technologies can be modeled as purely electric networks in order to provide intuitive insight into the issues of network stability. It is shown that the proposed model is valid for representing fast primary dynamics of diverse components (gensets, loads, and PVs), assuming that slower variables are regulated by the higher level controllers. Based on this modeling approach, an intuitively appealing criterion is introduced requiring that components or their combined representations must behave as closed-loop passive electrical circuits. Implementing this criterion is illustrated using a typical commercial feeder microgrid. Notably, these set the basis for standards that should be required for groups of components (subgrids) to ensure no fast instabilities in complex microgrids. Building the need for incrementally passive and monotonic characteristics into standards for network components may clarify the system level analysis and integration of microgrids.
Blockade of RGMb inhibits allergen-induced airways disease.

Background Allergic asthma causes morbidity in many subjects, and novel precision-directed treatments would be valuable. Objective We sought to examine the role of a novel innate molecule, repulsive guidance molecule b (RGMb), in murine models of allergic asthma. Methods In models of allergic asthma using ovalbumin or cockroach allergen, mice were treated with anti-RGMb or control mAb and examined for airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity (AHR), a cardinal feature of asthma. The mechanisms by which RGMb causes airways disease were also examined. Results We found that blockade of RGMb by treatment with anti-RGMb mAb effectively blocked the development of airway inflammation and AHR. Importantly, blockade of RGMb completely blocked the development of airway inflammation and AHR, even if treatment occurred only during the challenge (effector) phase. IL-25 played an important role in these models of asthma because IL-25 receptor–deficient mice did not develop disease after sensitization and challenge with allergen. RGMb was expressed primarily by innate cells in the lungs, including bronchial epithelial cells (known producers of IL-25), activated eosinophils, and interstitial macrophages, which in the inflamed lung expressed the IL-25 receptor and produced IL-5 and IL-13. We also found that neogenin, the canonical receptor for RGMb, was expressed by interstitial macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells in the inflamed lung, suggesting that an innate RGMb-neogenin axis might modulate allergic asthma. Conclusions These results demonstrate an important role for a novel innate pathway in regulating type 2 inflammation in patients with allergic asthma involving RGMb and RGMb-expressing cells, such as interstitial macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells. Moreover, targeting this previously unappreciated innate pathway might provide an important treatment option for allergic asthma.
Systematic Review of Gut Microbiota and Major Depression.

Background: Recently discovered relationships between the gastrointestinal microbiome and the brain have implications for psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Bacterial transplantation from MDD patients to rodents produces depression-like behaviors. In humans, case-control studies have examined the gut microbiome in healthy and affected individuals. We systematically reviewed existing studies comparing gut microbial composition in MDD and healthy volunteers. Methods: A PubMed literature search combined the terms “depression,” “depressive disorder,” “stool,” “fecal,” “gut,” and “microbiome” to identify human case-control studies that investigated relationships between MDD and microbiota quantified from stool. We evaluated the resulting studies, focusing on bacterial taxa that were different between MDD and healthy controls. Results: Six eligible studies were found in which 50 taxa exhibited differences (p<0.05) between patients with MDD and controls. Patient characteristics and methodologies varied widely between studies. Five phyla—Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria and Protobacteria—were represented; however, divergent results occurred across studies for all phyla. The largest number of differentiating taxa were within phylum Firmicutes, in which nine families and twelve genera differentiated the diagnostic groups. The majority of these families and genera were found to be statistically different between the two groups in two studies identified. Family Lachnospiraceae differentiated the diagnostic groups in four studies (with an even split in directionality). Across all five phyla, nine genera were higher in MDD (Anaerostipes, Blautia, Clostridium, Klebsiella, Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis, Parabacteroides, Parasuterella, Phascolarctobacterium, and Streptococcus), six were lower (Bifidobacterium, Dialister, Escherichia/Shigella, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminococcus), and six were divergent (Alistipes, Bacteroides, Megamonas, Oscillibacter, Prevotella, and Roseburia). We highlight mechanisms and products of bacterial metabolism as they may relate to the etiology of depression. Conclusions: No consensus has emerged from existing human studies of depression and gut microbiome concerning which bacterial taxa are most relevant to depression. This may in part be due to differences in study design. Given that bacterial functions are conserved across taxonomic groups, we propose that studying microbial functioning may be more productive than a purely taxonomic approach to understanding the gut microbiome in depression.
Verification of I-131Yields from the neutron irradiation of tellurium

Abstract The production of I-131 for use in medicine can be accomplished by the neutron irradiation of tellurium, typically in the form of TeO2. Unfortunately, the literature contains conflicting data concerning the I-131 yield as a function of neutron fluence, target mass, irradiation time and post-irradiation decay. In this work, the activity of the I-131 was determined using calculations and experimental verifications based on the interplay of these variables.
Allergies, asthma, and psychopathology in a nationally-representative US sample.

Abstract Background Symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety have been associated with immune dysregulation and atopic disorders, however it is unclear whether this relationship spans other forms of psychopathology. The objective of this study was to use a large, population-based sample to examine the association between several common psychiatric conditions and two atopic disorders: seasonal allergies and asthma. This study also examined whether comorbidity between psychiatric disorders confounded the relationship between atopy and each psychiatric disorder. Methods Data come from the Comprehensive Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys, a nationally-representative sample of US adults (N = 10,309). Lifetime history of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Inventory. History of seasonal allergies and asthma were assessed by self-report. Weighted logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between allergies and asthma and psychopathology. Psychiatric comorbidities were also examined as potential confounders. Results Approximately 36.6% had a history of allergies and 11.5% a history of asthma. Seasonal allergies were positively associated with odds of MDD (Odds ratio (OR): 1.24, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.06–1.46), GAD (OR: 1.54 (1.28–1.84)), PD (OR: 1.54 (1.24–1.91)), and PTSD (OR: 1.32 (1.09–1.59)). Asthma was not significantly associated with any psychiatric disorder. All significant associations persisted after adjustment for psychiatric comorbidities. Limitations Limitations include self-reporting of atopic disorder status and of all disorder ages of onset. Conclusions This study confirms the association between MDD and PD and seasonal allergies, and extends this relationship to GAD and PTSD.
Review of Essentials of Chemical Education

Chemiedidaktik Heute was published in Germany in 2001 and Essentials of Chemical Education is a translation, with some updating. My impression is that the amount of revision was not large. Not having read the book in German, I cannot say for sure, but of the several hundred references, less than 10% have dates after 2001. One of the more recent references is Misconceptions in Chemistry, with one of the same authors and the same publisher. A very large fraction of the citations are from sources in German, which greatly decreases their utility to monolingual Americans. It is not difficult to find awkward phraseology and a few typos (the first one I noticed is at the end of the first sentence, on page 1 of the Introduction). Those problems, including the fact that Table 5.1 remains entirely in German, is evidence that the book was not carefully edited, but they do not subtract substantially from its utility.
What Mathematics Should be Required of Computer Science Majors

Mathematics requirements for computer science students vary broadly by institution. The general question of what mathematics should be required of computer science majors naturally leads to more specific questions such as: What mathematics content should be required? What mathematical concepts? Should the theory of computation be required? Should calculus, discrete mathematics, probability, and/or linear algebra? What impact do newer fields such as data science and machine learning have on the mathematics needed or required for computer science majors? What are faculty members doing to integrate mathematics into their computer science courses and does this help some students overcome difficulties learning the mathematics? What level of mathematical maturity should a computer science graduate attain? In this session, participants will share their answers to these questions with the goal of coming to a broader understanding of how mathematics informs the discipline. Through this discussion, we will try to reconcile our idealized curriculum with the practical reality of requirements, dependencies, and limits imposed by our institutions.
Keynote speech 3: Big data Computing and Machine Learning for Intelligent Transportation and Connected Vehicles

We are developing machine learning algorithms and software to fuse real-time feeds from video cameras and traffic sensor data to generate real-time detection, classification, and space-time trajectories of individual vehicles and pedestrians. This information is then transmitted to a cloud-based system and then synthesized to create a real-time city-wide traffic palette. I will discuss our research on: Smart intersections: Space-time trajectories are used to understand and improve the safety and efficiency of the intersection. Using conflict points of the vehicle-pedestrian trajectories, we identify potential collisions, or “near-misses,” and how they are related to the state of the signal cycle (transition from green to yellow, from yellow to red, etc.) and the presence of other vehicles and pedestrians. • Smart system: We are developing efficient signal re-timing for different corridors by time of day and day of the week to reflect the changes in network demand. We are also developing machine learning techniques for real-time detection of incidents and accidents on arterial networks. • Smart interactions with connected and autonomous vehicles: We have developed signalized intersection control strategies and sensor fusion algorithms for jointly optimizing vehicle trajectories and signal control for a mixture of autonomous vehicles and traditional vehicles at every intersection
Prehospital midazolam use and outcomes among patients with out-of-hospital status epilepticus.

Objective To examine the use of benzodiazepines and the association between low benzodiazepine dose, breakthrough seizures, and respiratory support in patients with status epilepticus. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis of adult patients with status epilepticus treated by an emergency medical services agency from 2013 to 2018, the primary outcome was treatment with a second benzodiazepine dose, an indicator for breakthrough seizure. The secondary outcome was receiving respiratory support. Midazolam was the only benzodiazepine administered. Results Among 2,494 patients with status epilepticus, mean age was 54.0 years and 1,146 (46%) were female. There were 1,537 patients given midazolam at any dose, yielding an administration rate of 62%. No patients received a dose and route consistent with national guidelines. Rescue therapy with a second midazolam dose was required in 282 (18%) patients. Higher midazolam doses were associated with lower odds of rescue therapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7–0.9) and were not associated with increased respiratory support. If anything, higher doses of midazolam were associated with decreased need for respiratory support after adjustment (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.8–1.0). Conclusions An overwhelming majority of patients with status epilepticus did not receive evidence-based benzodiazepine treatment. Higher midazolam doses were associated with reduced use of rescue therapy and there was no evidence of respiratory harm, suggesting that benzodiazepines are withheld without clinical benefit. Classification of evidence This study provides Class III evidence that for patients with status epilepticus, higher doses of midazolam led to a reduced use of rescue therapy without an increased need for ventilatory support.
Load Variation Enables Escaping Poor Solutions of Time-Varying Optimal Power Flow

This paper analyzes solution trajectories for optimal power flow (OPF) with time-varying load. Despite its nonconvexity, it is common to solve time-varying OPF sequentially over time using simple local-search algorithms. We aim to understand the local and global optimality behavior of these local solution trajectories. An empirical study on California data shows that local solution trajectories initialized at different points may converge to the time-varying global solution of the data-driven OPF, even if the problem has multiple local solutions throughout time. That is, these trajectories can avoid poor solutions. To explain this phenomenon, we introduce a backward mapping that relates a neighborhood of the time-varying OPF’s global solution at a given time to a set of desirable initial points. We show that this proposed backward mapping could act as a stochastic gradient ascent algorithm on an implicitly convexified formulation of OPF, which justifies the escaping of poor solutions over time.
JOINT for large-scale single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis via soft-clustering and parallel computing.

Single-cell RNA-Sequencing (scRNA-Seq) has provided single-cell level insights into complex biological processes. However, the high frequency of gene expression detection failures in scRNA-Seq data make it challenging to achieve reliable identification of cell-types and Differentially Expressed Genes (DEG). Moreover, with the explosive growth of single-cell data using 10x genomics protocol, existing methods will soon reach the computation limit due to scalability issues. The single-cell transcriptomics field desperately need new tools and framework to facilitate large-scale single-cell analysis. In order to improve the accuracy, robustness, and speed of scRNA-Seq data processing, we propose a generalized zero-inflated negative binomial mixture model, “JOINT,” that can perform probability-based cell-type discovery and DEG analysis simultaneously without the need for imputation. JOINT performs soft-clustering for cell-type identification by computing the probability of individual cells, i.e. each cell can belong to multiple cell types with different probabilities. This is drastically different from existing hard-clustering methods where each cell can only belong to one cell type. The soft-clustering component of the algorithm significantly facilitates the accuracy and robustness of single-cell analysis, especially when the scRNA-Seq datasets are noisy and contain a large number of dropout events. Moreover, JOINT is able to determine the optimal number of cell-types automatically rather than specifying it empirically. The proposed model is an unsupervised learning problem which is solved by using the Expectation and Maximization (EM) algorithm. The EM algorithm is implemented using the TensorFlow deep learning framework, dramatically accelerating the speed for data analysis through parallel GPU computing. Taken together, the JOINT algorithm is accurate and efficient for large-scale scRNA-Seq data analysis via parallel computing. The Python package that we have developed can be readily applied to aid future advances in parallel computing-based single-cell algorithms and research in various biological and biomedical fields.
Excavating Embodied Literacies through a Chicana/Latina Feminist Framework.

In this article, the authors take a reflective, self-study journey that digs into their own embodied literacies as Chicana feminist literacy researchers. Chicana/Latina feminisms offer an/other ang...
Representing Crochet with Stitch Meshes

Crochet is a fabrication technique in which a 3D surface is created from yarn by interlacing loops formed with a special hook. Crochet patterns are typically represented using a standardized set of abstract pictorial symbols. Unfortunately, while this notation is enough for someone well-versed in the individual stitches, it does not directly show the yarn layout of stitches. This lack of specification makes it difficult for both novice users and computer programs to parse, visualize, and design crochet patterns. We demonstrate how to represent crochet patterns within the “stitch mesh” paradigm. That is, the pattern is represented using a library of tiles, where each tile contains yarn geometry, and tiles connect along their edges. In order to adapt stitch meshes to crochet, we introduce a special edge type which captures the idea of the current loop – the loop of yarn held on the crochet hook during fabrication. We also create a library of mesh face types which model commonly-used crochet stitches. We illustrate the richness of the crochet stitch faces by showing a number of examples including patterns generated from 3D models.
Enhanced far ultraviolet spectral response and gain in SiC avalanche photodiodes

The voltage dependent spectral response in the 200–400 nm range was measured in n+-n--p SiC avalanche photodiodes with ultrathin n+ layers varying in the thickness from 60 to 120 nm. The unity gain responsivity in the far ultraviolet (200–250 nm) spectral region increases significantly with bias, leading to a 2–3 times enhancement at 200 nm for devices with 120 nm and 60 nm n+ layers, respectively. At the onset of gain, new spectral response peaks appear at 226 nm and 240 nm for the devices with the 60 nm and 120 nm thick n+ layers, respectively, both significantly blue shifted from the zero bias peak at 265 nm. Modeling indicates that the enhanced far ultraviolet unity gain responsivity results from the improved collection of carriers photogenerated near the illuminated surface of the device as the depletion of the n-region extends toward the surface, thereby mitigating surface recombination. The emergence of the peaks at higher bias and their larger blue shift with decreasing n+ layer thickness can be explained by the longer transit distance across the multiplication region for the holes with improved collection photogenerated near the illuminated surface, which leads to a larger enhancement in a multiplication gain with increasing bias for 200 nm photoexcitation over that for 380 nm. Devices employing the thicker 120 nm n+ layer achieve a multiplication gain greater than 5 × 106 at 12 pW 240 nm illumination, and ∼ 12 nA/cm2 dark current at gain of 1000 suitable for single photon counting.
The effect of incident polarization handedness and ellipticity on the laser damage resistance of oriented liquid crystals in the nanosecond regime

Interactions of liquid crystals (LC’s) with polarized light have been studied widely and have spawned numerous device applications across wide regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. To date, little is known about the effect of incident light polarization state on laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDT) for LC’s exposed to high-peak-power, nanosecond-pulsed lasers. This work describes the LIDT dependence on incident polarization for light encountering a LC mesophase in a high degree of molecular orientation. In one example chiral nematic LC, the 1053 nm, 1.4 ns LIDT ranged from 17.7-30.5 J/cm2 in the same device, depending on the input polarization handedness and ellipticity.