cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Change and Continuity in the Study of State and Local Governance A Conversation with Ann Bowman

The operation and study of state and local government and politics has gone through a significant transformation in the last several decades. For this issue of Reviews and Essays, the author sat do...
143. Interleukin-1R3 mediates interleukin-1 induced potassium current increase through fast activation of Akt kinase

Inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) performs multiple functions in the central nervous system. The type 1 IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1) and the IL-1 receptor accesory protein (IL-1RAcP) form a functional IL-1 receptor complex that is thought to mediate most, if not all, IL-1-induced effects. Several recent studies, however, suggested the existence of a heretofore unidentified receptor for IL-1. In this study, we report that the IL-1R1 gene contains an internal promoter which drives the transcription of a shortened IL-1R1 mRNA. This mRNA is the template for an novel IL-1 receptor protein that is identical with IL-1R1 at the C-terminus, but with a shorter extracellular domain at the N-terminus. We have termed this molecule IL-1R3. The mRNA and protein for IL-1R3 are expressed in normal and two strains of commercially available IL-1R1 knockout mice. In addition, immunohistochemical staining indicates that IL-1R3 is expressed exclusively in neurons, whereas IL-1R1 can be localized in non-neuronal cells of the brain. Furthermore, IL-1 binds specifically to IL-1R3 when it is complexed with the newly discovered alternative IL-1 receptor accessory protein, IL-1RAcPb. Stimulation of neurons expressing both IL-1R3 and IL-1RAcpb causes fast activation of the Akt kinase, which leads to an increase in voltage-gated potassium current. These results demonstrate IL-1R3/IL-1RAcPb complex mediates a unique subset of IL-1 activity.
Isotopic studies of the body potassium content in thyrotoxicosis.

Summary1. A radioactive isotope of potassium (K42) was used to determine the exchangeable potassium content (Ke) in 13 subjects with untreated thyrotoxicosis. The Ke values were lower in untreated thyrotoxic males than in normal male subjects. It is concluded that the low Ke values could be attributed to a decrease in the total muscle mass of the body, resulting from increased catabolism of body tissue. 2. In contrast to the results found in men, the values for Ke/wt in untreated women were normal, with one exception. This sex difference has been attributed to the dissimilarity in body composition normally found between males and females. It is postulated that in women mild or early thyrotoxicosis decreases the relative fat content of the body. Muscle tissue is extensively catabolized only after the store of fat has been depleted.
Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Study of 213 Patients with Stage C Tumors Treated by Total Perineal Prostatectomy

AbstractThe effects of age, histological grade and clinical extension of carcinoma of the prostate are analyzed in a series of 213 patients with stage C carcinomas treated by total perineal prostatectomy. Survival data and the incidence of local recurrence, distant metastases and deaths from cancer of the prostate are the parameters used for comparison with 132 stage B patients, 70 patients with seminal vesicle invasion and data from the literature. Long-term survivors in the young age group and some long-term survivors with high grade lesions are good arguments for the possible curability of early stage C carcinoma of the prostate by total prostatectomy. Correct surgical staging of these tumors by previous pelvic lymphadenectomy is mandatory.
Prolonged stellate block in treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Prolonged continuous stellate ganglion blockade has been found useful in treatment of post-traumatic reflex sympathetic dystrophy under the following circumstances: 1) When conservative treatment with outpatient physical therapy, tranquilizers and mild analgesics has failed. 2) When conservative therapy plus intermittent stellate blocks (q.l to 4 weeks) has failed. A three-year average follow-up of a group of 26 unselected patients has shown 25% relapse rate and 75% marked to complete improvement.
Can heart function lost to disease be regenerated by therapeutic targeting of cardiac scar tissue

Myocardial infarction results in scar tissue that cannot actively contribute to heart mechanical function and frequently causes lethal arrhythmias. The healing response after infarction involves inflammation, biochemical signaling, changes in cellular phenotype, activity, and organization, and alterations in electrical conduction due to variations in cell and tissue geometry and alterations in protein expression, organization, and function - particularly in membrane channels. The intensive research focus on regeneration of myocardial tissues has, as of yet, only met with modest success, with no near-term prospect of improving standard-of-care for patients with heart disease. An alternative concept for novel therapeutic approach is the rejuvenation of cardiac electrical and mechanical properties through the modification of scar tissue. Several peptide therapeutics, locally applied genetic therapies, or delivery of genetically modified cells have shown promise in improving the characteristics of the fibrous scar and post-myocardial infarction prognosis in experimental models. This review highlights several factors that contribute to arrhythmogenesis in scar formation and how these might be targeted to regenerate some of the electrical and mechanical function of the post-MI scar.
Exogenous pulses of luteinizing hormone cause persistence of the largest bovine ovarian follicle

The objectives of this study were, 1) to determine whether increased frequency of LH pulses, independent of changes in progesterone, will cause persistence of the first largest ovarian follicle (LF1) during the bovine estrous cycle and 2) to determine whether a follicle produced in this manner will ovulate after luteal regression. In Exp. 1, 32 nonlactating beef cows were randomized into four groups. Bovine LH was given as 50 micrograms i.v. every 2 h from 0800 on d 7 through 0800 on d 13 postestrus to cows in two groups, which in addition either received PGF2 alpha on d 12 and were allowed to ovulate (LHOV; Group 1) or were ovariectomized (LHOVX; Group 2) on d 13. Cows in Group 3 received progesterone via a used controlled internal drug releasing device (CIDR) on d 4 to 13, PGF2 alpha on d 6, and ovariectomy on d 13. These cows received 1 mL of saline i.v. every 2 h on d 7 to 13, as did those in Group 4 (SAL), but cows in Group 4 did not receive any PGF2 alpha. Proportion (percentage) of LF1 maintained until d 13 was similar in cows with CIDR (100) and on LH (88) but less in cows on SAL (36; P < .01). The LF1 were largest in cows with CIDR, smallest in cows on SAL, and intermediate in cows on LH (P < .001). During d 7 to 13, progesterone was lesser and estradiol was greater in peripheral plasma in cows with CIDR than in cows on LH or SAL (P < .001). In Experiment 2, beef heifers received 50 micrograms of bLH (LH; n = 5) or saline (SAL; n = 4) i.v. every 2 h from 0800 on d 7 until 12 h after signs of estrus were observed following PGF2 alpha on d 12. The LF1 were maintained by LH and 60% ovulated; all LF1 were replaced during treatment in heifers on SAL. The LF1 were larger in heifers on LH, but estradiol and progesterone did not differ between groups. In conclusion, an increased frequency of LH pulses during a normal luteal phase allowed LF1 to persist but did not increase secretion of estradiol.
Diuretic Radionuclide Urography in the Diagnosis of Suspected Ureteral Obstruction following Renal Transplantation

AbstractThe diuretic radionuclide urogram has been shown to be an effective method to discriminate obstructive from nonobstructive hydronephrosis in nontransplanted renal units. This test was evaluated in 9 renal transplant patients with suspected partial ureteral obstruction. An obstructed pattern in 2 patients was confirmed and relieved by an operation. Nonobstructed patterns in 7 patients were verified by long-term clinical followup and subsequent ancillary testing. Accurate in all 9 cases, this investigation appears to provide a safe, noninvasive method to diagnose suspected post-transplantation ureteral obstruction.
[Cost-effectiveness of the HIV screening program carried out in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region infectious disease special demonstration project areas].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cost effectiveness of HIV screening project in three Guangxi infectious disease special demonstration project countries in 2013. METHODS: To calculate the funds used for the HIV screening project and to study the data on HIV/AIDS and HAART. A five-tree markov model was used to evaluate the quality adjusted life year (QALY) of this HIV screening project and to analyze the related cost effectiveness of the project. RESULTS: The cost of HIV screening in Guangxi infectious disease special demonstration project areas was 19.205 million Yuan and having identified 1 218 HIV/AIDS patients. The average costs for HIV/AIDS positive detection in three project countries were 14.562 18.424 and 14.042 thousand Yuan per case. The QALYs gained from finding a HIV/AIDS case were 12.736 8.523 and 8.321 on average with the total number of QALYs gained from the project as 5 973.184 3 613.752 and 2 704.325. The overall cost effectiveness ratio of the project was 1.562 thousand Yuan per QALY and 1.143 2.162 and 1.688 thousand Yuan per QALY in these three project countries. Project country "A" showed better cost effectiveness index than country B and C. CONCLUSION: The HIV screening project in Guangxi seemed relatively cost-effective but the average cost of HIV/AIDS positive detection was expensive. To strengthen HAART work for HIV/AIDS could improve the cost-effective of the project.
ADDRESSING HIV INFECTION IN OFFICE PRACTICE: Assessing Risk, Counseling, and Testing

SUMMARY HIV risk assessment, counseling, and testing performed by primary care physicians can be valuable in the early identification of persons infected with HIV, can contribute to their appropriate medical treatment, and may help to prevent the further spread of the disease. HIV risk assessment comprises a detailed sexual and drug use history, awareness of the mechanisms of HIV transmission, and knowledge of which patients should be encouraged to undergo counseling and testing. During pretest counseling, the physician asks for informed consent for the HIV test, explains the meaning of positive and negative test results, reviews risk behaviors, and offers an appropriate prevention message. During posttest counseling, the physician informs the patient of the results, reviews the meaning of the test results, and reinforces the appropriate prevention messages. Follow-up care for seropositive patients should be arranged, including appropriate medical care, referral to social and support services, and, if indicated, mental health care.
Betty A. Reardon: key texts in gender and peace

The roots of violence that Betty Reardon’s scholarship lays bare are militarization and patriarchy. This book addresses the crucial need for gender balance in analysis of and response to conflicts ...
Conductivity map from scanning tunneling potentiometry

We present a novel method for extracting two-dimensional (2D) conductivity profiles from large electrochemical potential datasets acquired by scanning tunneling potentiometry of a 2D conductor. The method consists of a data preprocessing procedure to reduce/eliminate noise and a numerical conductivity reconstruction. The preprocessing procedure employs an inverse consistent image registration method to align the forward and backward scans of the same line for each image line followed by a total variation (TV) based image restoration method to obtain a (nearly) noise-free potential from the aligned scans. The preprocessed potential is then used for numerical conductivity reconstruction, based on a TV model solved by accelerated alternating direction method of multiplier. The method is demonstrated on a measurement of the grain boundary of a monolayer graphene, yielding a nearly 10:1 ratio for the grain boundary resistivity over bulk resistivity.
Work Motivation Through the Design of Salesperson Jobs

AbstractThe validity of a job diagnostic model to (re)-design salespersons' jobs is investigated. The model purports that a number of core job dimensions and individual differences interact to affect critical psychological states which, in turn, influence work motivation, satisfaction, and performance of people at work. The results indicate that the model holds promise in analyzing salespersons' jobs. Possible managerial implications and limitations are also discussed.
En la huella de Changó se reescribe la historia: representación y relectura en la narrativa latinoamericana contemporánea

Alentando un acercamiento entre historia y literatura, se propone aqui un lugar epistemologico que contribuya a ampliar la comprension sobre el sujeto afro-descendiente de nuestra region en tanto resultado de la relacion triangular Europa/America/Africa. Para ello se enfrenta el anali- sis categorial de Chango, el Gran Putas, novela donde se hace visible la representacion del sujeto afro-descendiente. El texto se articula sobre la base de dos hipotesis: que esta novela ofrece una lectura apropiada de los elementos constitutivos e identitarios del colectivo social a que per- tenece el personaje principal y que al trascender el conocimiento de su pasado, otorga una nueva comprension y protagonismo de su historia.
The role of dislocation channeling in IASCC initiation of neutron irradiated stainless steel

Abstract This study intended to understand how dislocation channeling affects IASCC initiation using a novel four-point bend test. Stainless steels used in this study (irradiated in the BOR-60 reactor) included a commercial purity 304L alloy irradiated to 5.5, 10.2, and 47.5 dpa, and two high purity alloys, Fe 18Cr 12Ni and Fe 18Cr 25Ni, irradiated to ∼10 dpa. IASCC was enhanced by MnS inclusions, which dissolve in the NWC environment and form oxide caps, creating a crevice condition with a high propensity for crack initiation. Stress concentration at the grain boundary intersecting these sites induced crack initiation, resulting from discontinuous dislocation channels (DC). Stress to initiate IASCC decreased with dose due to earlier DC initiation. The HP Fe 18Cr 12Ni alloy had low IASCC susceptibility and the high Ni alloy did not crack. The difference was attributed to the propensity for DCs to transmit across grain boundaries, which controls stress accumulation at DC – grain boundary intersections.
Phase I Study of Temozolomide and Cisplatin in Patients with Acute Leukemia.

Abstract We previously demonstrated that temozolomide has significant activity in patients with acute leukemia (Seiter K, et al JCO 2002). Cisplatin can increase the activity of temozolomide through depletion of MGMT, the enzyme that rescues cells from temozolomide toxicity. We performed a phase I study of temozolomide in 17 patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia. Median age: 53 (range 26–73); M/F: 9/8; Dx: AML: 12, ALL: 3, biphenotypic: 2; median # of prior regimens: 2 (range 1–7); duration of 1st remission: primary refractory: 8 patients, 1–6 months: 3 patients, 7–12 months: 4 patients, greater than 1 yr: 2 patients; cytogenetics: good: 2, intermediate: 11, poor: 4; prior AHD: 6 patients; Cisplatin (50–100 mg/m2) was given on day 1; temozolomide (200 mg/m2/d for 5–7 days) was administered daily beginning 4 hours after cisplatin. Cisplatin was administered in the inpatient setting. Twenty-one cycles were administered. To date, no dose limiting toxicity has been observed. The median number of hospital days was 10 (range 2–37). Neutropenic fever occurred in 11/21 cycles. Other grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity included orthostatic hypotension, syncope, and constipation in one patient each, and elevated bilirubin in 2 patients. Four patients had grade 2 elevations of creatinine that resolved with hydration. Other grade 1/2 non-hematologic toxicity included fatigue, nausea/vomiting, constipation, bradycardia, diarrhea, hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia. The median number of RBC transfusions was 3U (range 0–8); the median number of platelet transfusions was 3 (range 0–12). No complete remissions were seen. However significant antileukemic activity was seen: the median pretreatment WBC was 3.2 (range 0.3–78.3); the median nadir WBC was 0.4 (range 0.1–9.6). Four patients had a significant reduction in bone marrow blasts: 40 to 22%, 87 to 38%, 69 to 3%, and 87 to 5%, respectively. The three latter patients were treated at the highest dose level. Cisplatin and temozolomide was well tolerated. We are continuing to accrue patients at the highest dose level to further assess efficacy.
Host–Tumor Interactions in Brain Cancer Metastasis Leading to Drug Resistance

An estimated 200,000 cases of brain metastases occur in the United States each year. Brain metastasis is associated with poor prognosis, neurological deterioration, and reduced quality of life. At present, there are no targeted therapies solely for brain metastasis, and patients are more likely than not to be excluded from clinical trials evaluating new therapeutic agents. Treatment efforts are hindered by the blood-brain barrier, which prevents the entry of many cytotoxic agents and antibody-based therapies into the central nervous system (CNS). Accumulating evidence suggests that tumor-associated endothelial cells and reactive astrocytes also limit the efficacy of chemotherapy by signaling for activation of antiapoptotic programs in cancer cells. Consequently, a diagnosis of brain metastasis usually signifies a fatal outcome for patients with solid tumors. Improved clinical outcomes are dependent on an enhanced understanding of the brain metastasis-initiating population of cancer cells, a greater enrollment of patients with brain metastases into clinical trials, and the development of new therapeutic strategies to overcome the mechanisms that mediate resistance to therapy.
Phase noise-induced biases in coherent dual-comb spectroscopy

Dual comb spectroscopy is a promising technique for high accuracy measurement of trace gas concentrations. Here we study the impact of residual phase noise on the frequency combs on retrieved trace gas concentrations.
Using Analogical Problem Construction As An Advance Organizer To Teach Advanced Database (SQL) Nomenclature

Although business faculty have an important teaching responsibility to prepare students for professional positions in industry, very few have any formal training in instructional design. Analogical problem construction and advance organizers are powerful design techniques used to link prior knowledge to new material. Unfortunately, the use of analogies as a formal teaching strategy is disappointingly low. This study examines the use of analogical problem constructions as an advance organizer strategy to teach advanced database (SQL) concepts.
Voriconazole and posaconazole therapeutic drug monitoring: a retrospective study

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) aims to minimize the clinical impact of posaconazole and voriconazole pharmacokinetic variability. However, its benefits on clinical outcomes are still being defined. Additionally, TDM data are limited for posaconazole IV and delayed-release tablet formulations among specific patient populations, including critically ill. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of therapeutic posaconazole and voriconazole drug levels across all formulations in a real-world clinical setting and elucidate factors affecting attainment of target concentrations. This study was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the University of Colorado Hospital between September 2006 and June 2015 that evaluated patients who received posaconazole or voriconazole TDM as part of routine care. Voriconazole (n = 250) and posaconazole (n = 100) levels were analyzed from 151 patients. Of these, 54% of voriconazole and 69% of posaconazole levels were therapeutic. For posaconazole, 14/38 (37%), 28/29 (97%) and 27/33 (82%) levels were therapeutic for the oral suspension, IV, and delayed-release tablet, respectively. Intravenous and delayed-release tablet posaconazole were 20 fold (p < 0.01) and sevenfold (p = 0.002) more likely than the oral suspension to achieve a therapeutic level. Subsequent levels were more likely to be therapeutic after dose adjustments (OR 3.31; 95% CI 1.3–8.6; p = 0.02), regardless of timing of initial non-therapeutic level. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, no characteristics were independently predictive of therapeutic voriconazole levels and only absence of H2RA/PPI use was independently predictive of therapeutic posaconazole levels. There was no correlation between survival and therapeutic drug levels for either voriconazole (p = 0.67) or posaconazole (p = 0.50). A high percentage of drug levels did not achieve TDM targets for voriconazole and posaconazole oral suspension, supporting the need for routine TDM for those formulations. The utility of TDM for the IV and delayed-release tablet formulations of posaconazole is less apparent.
Note Concerning Lakota Sioux Terms For White And Negro

(1976). Note Concerning Lakota Sioux Terms For White And Negro. Plains Anthropologist: Vol. 21, No. 71, pp. 63-65.
1639c Organophosphorus pesticide neurotoxicity in egyptian applicators

Introduction Chronic occupational exposure to organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) is consistently associated with deficits on neurobehavioral tests when compared to unexposed groups. However, a dose-response relationship has not been established, leading some to doubt an association between occupational OP exposure and deficits on behavioural performance tests. We studied pesticide application teams in Egypt who are primarily exposed to one OP, chlorpyrifos (CPF), differing in exposure experience based on their job category. Methods Trailmaking A and B were administered to 54 engineers (who typically watch the applications from beside the field), 59 technicians (who typically guide the applicators in the field), 31 applicators (using knapsack sprayers), and 150 controls (who did not work in the fields) at 2 different times during the OP application season and also immediately and 1.5 months after applications had ended. Results A consistent dose-response relationship was seen in performance speed: Controls had the best performance through most of the application season on Trailmaking A (p Conclusion This study identifies a dose-response based on job category and establishes that the OP chlorpyrifos is neurotoxic.
Characterization of the Interaction Between Fungal Pathotoxins and URF13, the cms-T Maize Mitochondrial T-Toxin Receptor

URF13, a mitochondrial membrane protein in maize (Zea mays L.) carrying the cms-T cytoplasm, is responsible for Texas cytoplasmic male sterility and susceptibility of cms-T maize to the fungal pathogens Cochliobolus heterostrophus race T and Mycosphaerella zeamaydis. URF13 is a ligand-gated, pore-forming receptor for the pathotoxins produced by these fungal pathogens. URF13, which contains three transmembrane α-helices, forms oligomers in cms-T maize mitochondria and when expressed in Eschericia coli cells. To study the tertiary and quaternary structure of URF13 oligomers and their interactions with the pathotoxins, we employed site-directed mutagenesis and chemical cross-linking. We determined that URF13 oligomers contain a central core of helices II. More recently, we introduced Cys residues into consecutive positions 78–82 and tested for diamide-induced cross-linking of the introduced Cys residues to Cys-27, the only Cys residue in native URF13. Our results suggest that amino acids 78–82 extend out of the membrane and into the center of the URF13 oligomers.
Photophysical and Photoacoustic Properties of π-Extended Curcumin Dyes. Effects of the Terminal Dimethylamino Electron-donor and the Bridging Aryl Ring.

The synthesis, photophysical and photoacoustic characterization for a series of nine π-extended quadrupolar curcumin dyes is presented. A systematic evaluation of the π-bridging unit including the p-phenyl, naphth-4-yl, thien-2-yl and hybrid 4-naphthathien-2-yl groups is presented. Furthermore, evaluation of the strongly donating donor-π-acceptor-π-donor quadrupolar dimethylamino terminated derivatives is also included. Select dyes exhibit excited state absorption at increased laser fluence which translates to the production of a nonlinear enhanced photoacoustic response. In particular, the bis-4-dimethylaminonaphtha-2-thien-5-yl curcuminBF2 contrast agent DMA-5 exhibits an excellent molar photoacoustics (PA) emission at both low (9.4 × 103 V M-1 ) and high (1.47 × 105 V M-1 ) laser fluence which is confirmed by its strong contrast by photoacoustic tomography (PAT). In summary, the strong absorbance and enhanced photoacoustic properties of naphthyl and thienyl curcuminoids here presented provides great promise for future photoacoustic imaging applications as demonstrated by preliminary PAT studies.
Ovarian Cancer Relapse: Experimental Therapies

Epithe ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all gynecologic cancers with an estimated 22,280 cases diagnosed in 2012 in the United States and 15,500 deaths [1]. For women between the ages of 60 and 79 years of age, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death following lung, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer [2]. Survival improvements for newly diagnosed ovarian cancer have reached a plateau using upfront surgery followed by platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Thus, investigational efforts with new therapeutic agents are underway in an effort to overcome platinum- and chemotherapy-resistant cancer and ultimately improve survival. Insights into the molecular biology of ovarian cancer through mechanisms such as The Cancer Genome Atlas Project have identified potential therapeutic targets [2]. Efficacy, toxicities, and drug metabolism related to targeted therapies in the elderly patient with ovarian cancer are not available, and thus, data on the risk-benefit ratio of targeted therapies in this age group are mainly derived from studies in non-gynecologic cancers. This chapter reviews the available targeted therapies for the management of ovarian cancer and outlines the application of newer biologic agents in elderly patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
Inhibition of lens opacification during the early stages of cataract formation.

Purpose. To characterize the time period during cataract formation in which administration of pantethine inhibits lens cell opacification in the selenite model for cataract. Methods. Pantethine was administered to neonatal rat pups at selected time points from -0.5 to 17 hours with respect to injection of selenite at time = 0. The injection dose of pantethine was 820 mg/kg (1.5 mmol/kg) diluted in water at 410 mg/ml concentration. The injection dose of selenite was 3.28 mg/kg (19 μmol/kg) diluted in saline at 1.8 mg/ml concentration. Opacification was observed using a slit lamp microscope at selected time points over a 14-day period. Cataracts were staged using a classification of opacity from 0 (normal) to 6 (mature). Results. The effect of pantethine was characterized by three different time periods : administration -0.5 to 6 hours with respect to selenite injection provided highly significant protection, P < 0.001 ; administration 8 hours after selenite provided significant protection, P < 0.005 ; administration 10 to 17 hours after selenite was not protective. Conclusions. The metabolite pantethine inhibited lens opacification during cataract formation in the selenite model. Even when pantethine was injected several hours after the administration of selenite, opacification was inhibited. Advanced stages of opacification were unresponsive to the administration of pantethine. The inhibitory effect of pantethine was statistically significant when administered during the earliest stage of opacification in the selenite model for catarac
Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's disease.

The WHO Classification for Hodgkin’s disease (HD) has made an important step by separating nodular lymphocyte predominant HD, NLPHD, from classical HD subtypes.1, 2 Although uncommon, approximately 5% of all HD, NLPHD is important because of its unique morphologic/immunophenotypic features, as well as its clinical characteristics and evolving recommendations for therapy.
Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

The past decade has witnessed enormous strides in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Currently available pharmacologic agents are capable of inducing sustained clinical improve...
Exploring Barriers to Success and Sources of Assistance for U.S. Hispanic Women Entrepreneurs

This study explored the barriers to success and sources of assistance available for U.S. Hispanic women entrepreneurs. The goal of this research was to identify the problems, determine the source o...
Does restless legs syndrome impact cognitive function via sleep quality in adults with Parkinson's disease?

Purpose: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder that results in sleep dysfunction. Sleep disruption can have profound negative consequences in adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD), potent...
Molecular structure and transcriptional regulation of the salivary gland proline-rich protein multigene families.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the biochemistry and molecular biology of salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs). Specialized cells in eukaryotes variably express different genes during differentiation and development. Exocrine glands, such as the pancreas and salivary glands, have served as the models of secretory tissues. Under ordinary conditions, the salivary glands of adult animals are relative stable and do not change appreciably in cell size or number. However, the administration of catecholamine isoproterenol causes dramatic morphological, cytological, and biochemical changes. Morphologically, the parotid glands can increase up to 10-fold in size. Cytologically, about 50% of the acinar cells are polyploid within 2 days of treatment. Biochemically, a dramatic induction of the multigene family encoding the PRPs is observed. The expression of PRPs for the parotid and submandibular glands is tissue-specific or, possibly more correctly, cell-specific. PRPs have been identified immunochemically in the trachea and pancreas, but there is no evidence that PRP genes in these tissues respond as in the salivary glands to isoproterenol treatment. Small amounts of PRP mRNAs are observed in the mouse pancreas after isoproterenol treatment, but these results are variable. Current data suggest that transcriptional controls, tissue-specific factors, and post-translational modification share the role of principal modulators of the expression of the PRP gene families.
Synergistic effects of aluminum/iron oxides and clay minerals on nutrient removal and recovery in water filtration media

Abstract The eutrophication of water bodies due to excessive amounts of nutrients is an ongoing issue that coincides with the depletion of the commercial and affordable phosphorus reserves that are required for food production. This paper presents the investigation of Advanced Green Environmental Media (AGEM) for nutrient removal and recovery, in stormwater runoff or agricultural discharge, via a laboratory-scale fixed-bed column study. The water filtration media mix of AGEM was compared to existing Iron-filings Based Green Environmental Media (IFGEM) for performance assessment. Synergistic effects among iron, aluminum, and clay resulted in different capacities for removal and recovery of ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate simultaneously in IFGEM and AGEM due to their different sorption functionalities. Research findings indicate that AGEM and IFGEM removed 52% and 42% of the nitrate load, respectively. While both filtration media exhibited elevated phosphate removal than before, 98% and 96% of the total phosphate load can be removed by IFGEM and AGEM, respectively. The discovery that the AGEM mix exhibited synergy among clay, iron, and aluminum particles with higher application potential on a long-term basis is the first of its kind in water filtration media. In this process, optimal phosphate removal was achieved by utilizing ammonia, a byproduct of nitrate reduction, which precipitated to form ammonium-phosphate salt. Finally, the synergistic effects of iron, aluminum, and clay for promoting urban farming, stormwater treatment, and hydrogen gas production simultaneously was confirmed in an urban food-energy-water nexus.
Short-term effects of Mn2O3 nanoparticles on physiological activities and gene expression of nitrifying bacteria under low and high dissolved oxygen conditions.

Abstract The short-term effects of Mn2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were examined for nitrifying bacterial enrichments exposed under low and high dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions using substrate (ammonia) specific oxygen uptake rates (sOUR), reverse transcriptase – quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays, and by analysis of 16S rRNA sequences. Samples from nitrifying bioreactor were exposed in batch vessels to Mn2O3 NPs (1, 5 and 10 mg/L) for either 1 or 3 h under no additional aeration or 0.25 L/min aeration. There was increase in nitrification inhibition as determined by sOUR with increasing dosages of Mn2O3 NPs for both low and high DO. At 10 mg/L Mn2O3 NPs, the inhibition was about 7–10% for 1 and 3 h exposure in both cases. There was notable reduction in the transcript levels of amoA, hao and nirK for 10 mg/L of Mn2O3 NPs under 3 h, high DO exposure, which corresponded well with sOUR. The 16S rRNA sequencing showed that there was an inhibitory effect on ammonia oxidizers activity upon exposure to 10 mg/L of Mn2O3 NPs. Collectively, the findings in this study advanced understanding of the different effects of Mn2O3 NPs on nitrifying bacteria.
In vivo CRISPR screening for phenotypic targets of the mir-35-42 family in C. elegans

Identifying miRNA target genes is difficult, and delineating which targets are the most biologically important is even more difficult. We devised a novel strategy to test the phenotypic impact of individual microRNA-target interactions by disrupting each predicted miRNA-binding site by CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in C. elegans We developed a multiplexed negative selection screening approach in which edited loci are deep sequenced, and candidate sites are prioritized based on apparent selection pressure against mutations that disrupt miRNA binding. Importantly, our screen was conducted in vivo on mutant animals, allowing us to interrogate organism-level phenotypes. We used this approach to screen for phenotypic targets of the essential mir-35-42 family. By generating 1130 novel 3'UTR alleles across all predicted targets, we identified egl-1 as a phenotypic target whose derepression partially phenocopies the mir-35-42 mutant phenotype by inducing embryonic lethality and low fecundity. These phenotypes can be rescued by compensatory CRISPR mutations that retarget mir-35 to the mutant egl-1 3'UTR. This study demonstrates that the application of in vivo whole organismal CRISPR screening has great potential to accelerate the discovery of phenotypic negative regulatory elements in the noncoding genome.
A Resonant Current Regulator for Direct Electrical Heating of Subsea Pipelines

A single-phase LCCL resonant inverter is presented in this paper for direct electrical heating of subsea pipelines. The proposed LCCL-RI is a type of immittance converter which operates as a high-frequency, constant-amplitude alternating current source to provide superior heating performance compared to the existing line-frequency DEH system. The capacitors in the tank network provide compensation of the load inductance and mitigate the requirement of external reactive compensation. The tank network is designed to operate at the frequency of peak current gain to minimize the tank input current as well as to ensure ZVS of the inverter switches. The design procedure of the proposed LCCL-RI for constant-current operation is presented and validated through detailed simulation and experimental results on a SiC MOSFET based prototype unit.
Shoulder Dystocia and Composite Adverse Outcomes for the Maternal-Neonatal Dyad

BACKGROUND Although the neonatal morbidity associated with shoulder dystocia are well known, the maternal morbidity caused by this obstetrical emergency is infrequently reported. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the composite adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes among vaginal deliveries (at 34 weeks or later) with and without shoulder dystocia. STUDY DESIGN This is a secondary analysis of the Consortium of Safe Labor, an observational obstetrical cohort of all vaginal deliveries occurring at 19 hospitals (from 2002–2008) and for which data on the occurrence of shoulder dystocia were available. The composite adverse maternal outcome included third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration, postpartum hemorrhage (>500 cc blood loss for a vaginal delivery and >1000 cc blood loss for cesarean delivery), blood transfusion, chorioamnionitis, endometritis, thromboembolism, admission to intensive care unit, or maternal death. The composite adverse neonatal outcome included an Apgar score of RESULTS Of the 228,438 women in the overall cohort, 130,008 (59.6%) met the inclusion criteria, and among them, shoulder dystocia was documented in 2159 (1.7%) cases. The rate of composite maternal morbidity was significantly higher among deliveries with shoulder dystocia (14.7%) than without (8.6%; adjusted relative risk, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.64–2.01). The most common maternal morbidity with shoulder dystocia was a third- or fourth-degree laceration (adjusted relative risk, 2.82; 95% confidence interval, 2.39–3.31). The risk of composite neonatal morbidity with shoulder dystocia (12.2%) was also significantly higher than without shoulder dystocia (2.4%) (adjusted relative risk, 5.18; 95% confidence interval, 4.60–5.84). The most common neonatal morbidity was birth injury (adjusted relative risk, 5.39; 95% confidence interval, 4.71–6.17). The area under the curve for maternal characteristics to identify shoulder dystocia was 0.66 and it was 0.67 for intrapartum factors. CONCLUSION Although shoulder dystocia is unpredictable, the associated morbidity affects both mothers and newborns. The focus should be on concurrently averting the composite morbidity for the maternal-neonatal dyad with shoulder dystocia.
Artificial Intelligence for Modeling Complex Systems: Taming the Complexity of Expert Models to Improve Decision Making

Major societal and environmental challenges involve complex systems that have diverse multi-scale interacting processes. Consider, for example, how droughts and water reserves affect crop production and how agriculture and industrial needs affect water quality and availability. Preventive measures, such as delaying planting dates and adopting new agricultural practices in response to changing weather patterns, can reduce the damage caused by natural processes. Understanding how these natural and human processes affect one another allows forecasting the effects of undesirable situations and study interventions to take preventive measures. For many of these processes, there are expert models that incorporate state-of-the-art theories and knowledge to quantify a system's response to a diversity of conditions. A major challenge for efficient modeling is the diversity of modeling approaches across disciplines and the wide variety of data sources available only in formats that require complex conversions. Using expert models for particular problems requires integration of models with third-party data as well as integration of models across disciplines. Modelers face significant heterogeneity that requires resolving semantic, spatiotemporal, and execution mismatches, which are largely done by hand today and may take more than 2 years of effort. We are developing a modeling framework that uses artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to reduce modeling effort while ensuring utility for decision making. Our work to date makes several innovative contributions: (1) an intelligent user interface that guides analysts to frame their modeling problem and assists them by suggesting relevant choices and automating steps along the way; (2) semantic metadata for models, including their modeling variables and constraints, that ensures model relevance and proper use for a given decision-making problem; and (3) semantic representations of datasets in terms of modeling variables that enable automated data selection and data transformations. This framework is implemented in the MINT (Model INTegration) framework, and currently includes data and models to analyze the interactions between natural and human systems involving climate, water availability, agricultural production, and markets. Our work to date demonstrates the utility of AI techniques to accelerate modeling to support decision-making and uncovers several challenging directions for future work.
Evaluation of Appropriate Use of Preoperative Echocardiography before Major Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND Preoperative resting echocardiography is often performed before noncardiac surgery, but indications for preoperative resting echocardiography are limited. This study aimed to investigate appropriateness of preoperative resting echocardiography using the Appropriate Use Criteria for Echocardiography, which encompass indications from the guidelines on perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and management and nonperioperative indications independent of the perioperative period. The authors hypothesized that patients are frequently tested without an appropriate indication. METHODS Records of patients in the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases who underwent a major abdominal surgery from 2005 to 2017 were included. These databases contain de-identified records of health services for more than 250 million patients with primary or Medicare supplemental health insurance coverage through employer-based fee-for-service, point-of-service, or capitated plans. Patients were classified based on the presence of an outpatient claim for resting transthoracic echocardiography within 60 days of surgery. Appropriateness was determined via International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-Clinical Modification, and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision-Clinical Modification principal and secondary diagnosis codes associated with the claims, and classified as "appropriate," "rarely appropriate," or "unclassifiable" using the Appropriate Use Criteria for Echocardiography. RESULTS Among 230,535 patients in the authors' cohort, preoperative resting transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 6.0% (13,936) of patients. There were 12,638 (91%) studies classifiable by the Appropriate Use Criteria for Echocardiography, and 1,298 (9%) were unable to be classified. Among the classifiable studies, 8,959 (71%) were deemed "appropriate," while 3,679 (29%) were deemed "rarely appropriate." Surveillance of chronic ischemic heart disease and uncomplicated hypertension accounted for 43% (1,588 of 3,679) of "rarely appropriate" echocardiograms. CONCLUSIONS More than one in four preoperative resting echocardiograms were considered "rarely appropriate" according to the Appropriate Use Criteria for Echocardiography. A narrow set of patient characteristics accounts for a large proportion of "rarely appropriate" preoperative resting echocardiograms. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Introductory Statistical Inference with the Likelihood Function

Contents.- Preface.- Introduction.- The Statistical Approach.- Estimation.- Interval Estimation.- Hypothesis Testing.- Maximum Likelihood: Basic Results.- Linear Model.- Other Estimation Methods.- Decision Theory.- Sufficiency.- Conditionality.- Statistical Principles.- The Practice of Statistics.- Bayesian Statistics: Philosophy and Theory.- Priors.- Bayesian Statistics: Computation.- Bayesian Inference: Miscellaneous.- Sufficiency.- A Probability and Mathematical Concepts.
Optimizing sample size allocation to strata for estimating area and map accuracy

Abstract The results of a map accuracy assessment are often summarized by reporting user's accuracy and producer's accuracy for each class in the map legend. Additionally estimating the proportion of area of each class based on the best assessment of ground condition (i.e., the reference classification) of the locations selected in the sample is often of interest for monitoring status and change in land cover. Stratified random sampling is a commonly used sampling design for accuracy assessment, and an important decision for this design is the allocation of sample size to the strata. In this article, the allocation that minimizes the sum of the variances of the estimators of user's accuracy, producer's accuracy, and area of a single targeted class for a fixed total sample size is derived for stratified random sampling. For example, the targeted class might be a rare land-cover type such as wetland or in the case of a land-cover change assessment forest loss. An Excel sample allocation calculator implements the optimization and two examples illustrate the application. Practitioners can apply these optimization results to guide sample size allocation decisions when using a stratified random sampling design for accuracy assessment and area estimation.
B cells regulate murine gammaherpesvirus 68 latency.

The dynamics of the establishment of, and reactivation from, gammaherpesviruses latency has not been quantitatively analyzed in the natural host. Gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) is a murine gammaherpesvirus genetically related to primate gammaherpesviruses that establishes a latent infection in infected mice. We used limiting dilution reactivation (frequency of cells reactivating γHV68 in vitro) and limiting dilution PCR (frequency of cells carrying γHV68 genome) assays to compare γHV68 latency in normal (C57BL/6) and B-cell-deficient (MuMT) mice. After intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation, latent γHV68 was detected in the spleen, bone marrow, and peritoneal cells. Both B-cell-deficient and C57BL/6 mice established latent infection in peritoneal cells after either i.p. or intranasal (i.n.) inoculation. In contrast, establishment of splenic latency was less efficient in B-cell-deficient than in C57BL/6 mice after i.n. inoculation. Analysis of reactivation efficiency (reactivation frequency compared to frequency of cells carrying γHV68 genome) revealed that (i) regardless of route or mouse strain, splenic cells reactivated γHV68 less efficiently than peritoneal cells, (ii) the frequency of cells carrying γHV68 genome was generally comparable over the course of infection between C57BL/6 and B-cell-deficient mice, (iii) between 28 and 250 days after infection, cells from B-cell-deficient mice reactivated γHV68 10- to 100-fold more efficiently than cells from C57BL/6 mice, (iv) at 7 weeks postinfection, B-cell-deficient mice had more genome-positive peritoneal cells than C57BL/6 mice, and (v) mixing cells (ratio of 3 to 1) that reactivated inefficiently with cells that reactivated efficiently did not significantly decrease reactivation efficiency. Consistent with a failure to normally regulate chronic γHV68 infection, the majority of infected B-cell-deficient mice died between 100 and 200 days postinfection. We conclude that (i) B cells are not required for establishment of γHV68 latency, (ii) there are organ-specific differences in the efficiency of γHV68 reactivation, (iii) B cells play a crucial role in regulating reactivation of γHV68 from latency, and (iv) B cells are important for controlling chronic γHV68 infection.