cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MCP-1 promotes detrimental cardiac physiology, pulmonary edema, and death in the cpk model of polycystic kidney disease.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is characterized by slowly expanding renal cysts that damage the kidney, typically resulting in renal failure by the fifth decade. The most common cause of death in ...
Legislating in Pari Materia: Protecting Trade Secret Law and Reining in the CFAA

When used for its intended purpose the CFAA can be an effective statute. If Congress replaces the unclear “unauthorized access” standard with a “circumvention” standard, the CFAA will once again be limited to its intended function of preventing and prosecuting computer hacking. Plaintiffs will no longer be able to use the CFAA to get state trade secret law claims into federal court, or seek recovery for the theft of information that states have deemed unworthy of trade secret protection. Additionally, if Congress replaces the CFAA’s criminal penalties with the criminal penalties that currently exist in the Stored Communications Act, prosecutors and judges will be better able to render consequences in proportion to the severity of a violation. These changes will force courts to apply the CFAA in the way Congress originally intended, which will reduce the uncertainty and controversy surrounding the law.
Comparative Outcomes of Transcarotid and Transsubclavian Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background Previous reports described successful use of transcarotid and transsubclavian approaches for the performance of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis who cannot be treated with transfemoral access. The purpose of the present study was to compare these two alternative approaches with respect to safety, efficacy, and procedural efficiency. Methods A retrospective analysis of all TAVR procedures performed through either a transcarotid or a transsubclavian approach at a single tertiary care medical center between January 2016 and October 2018 was performed. Outcomes are reported in accordance with the Valve Academic Research Consortium definitions. Results During the study period, 33 patients had transcarotid TAVR and 38 patients had transsubclavian TAVR. Transcarotid patients were older (mean age, 82.9 ± 7.2 vs 78.1 ± 8.2 years; P = .012), but otherwise the two groups were not significantly different with respect to preoperative characteristics. Valve deployment was similar between the groups (100% vs 97%; P = .348). Procedure time was shorter with the transcarotid approach (110 ± 32 vs 134 ± 45 minutes; P = .014). There was a lower mean fluoroscopy air kerma in the transcarotid group (682.82 ± 713.48 mGy vs 2141 ± 2055 mGy; P Conclusions The transcarotid and the transsubclavian approaches have similar safety and efficacy outcomes. The transcarotid approach had a shorter procedure duration and a trend toward lower fluoroscopy duration and radiation exposure.
A Systematic Review of U.S. Studies on the Prevalence of Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities Since 2000

This systematic review examined 14 U.S. studies published since 2000 reporting prevalence estimates for intellectual disability (ID) or developmental disability (DD). Prevalence rates for children were between 11.0 and 13.4 per 1,000 for ID and between 45.8 and 69.9 per 1,000 for DD using data from 2010 or later. A 2015 Ohio study of adults yielded a prevalence estimate of 41.0 per 1,000 for DD. The only study of ID in adults and the only study incorporating DD Act definitions used the 1994/1995 NHIS-D yielding prevalence estimates for ID and/or DD of 38.2 per 1,000 for children birth to 5 years, 31.7 for children 6 to 18 years, and 7.9 per 1,000 for adults. Notable differences in prevalence estimates by age and operational definition have important implications for public policy and research. Serious surveillance gaps limit our understanding of service utilization rates, unmet needs, and health and other outcomes for adults with ID or DD.
Younger age negatively impacts depression‐associated exacerbation of hemoglobin A1c levels in type 2 diabetes: Implications for intervention

Adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and depression are associated with higher hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C ) compared to their nondepressed counterparts. Little is known about related clinical and demographic components contributing to these differences. We examined differences in HbA1C between adults who have T2DM with and without major depression. T tests and chi-square analyses measured differences in HbA1C and clinical/demographic variables. HbA1C was statistically higher in depressed participants compared to nondepressed participants. The difference was no longer statistically significant after controlling for age. Age and HbA1C were negatively correlated across the sample and were still correlated in each group independently. The interaction of age and HbA1C was moderated by depression status. Additionally, mechanisms for diabetes severity differences were assessed using moderation analyses and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique. Seventy-four percent of the mean outcome HbA1C difference between depressed and nondepressed diabetic participants was explained by age. Furthermore, age was negatively correlated with clinical variables, such as diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol. Comparing age to smoking and nonsmoking participants, smokers were statistically younger. Younger adults with T2DM may require more attention regarding self-management, particularly in the context of depression. Depression should be screened and treated among individuals with diabetes since this exacerbates diabetes severity.
Technology and Application of Multidimensional Remote Monitoring System for Electric Energy Meter Based on Decision Tree Group

Based on the decision tree group, this paper studies the multidimensional energy meter state verification method, and uses the electric information acquisition system as the background platform to carry out the concrete realization of the decision tree group anomaly diagnosis model. The example proves that the multidimensional electric energy meter state inspection system based on the decision tree group can issue early warning information to the abnormal alarm contact when the electric energy meter is running abnormally, and assist the staff to have the target to troubleshoot the abnormal electric energy meter without the need for foreign work. The personnel continuously test all the energy meters to realize remote and efficient management of the energy meter.
Is it possible to extract the pressure dependence of low-shear viscosity from EHL friction? Revised May, 2020

Abstract In the study of elastohydrodynamic lubrication the rheological properties of the liquid film are essential to understanding and predicting the friction and the film thickness in lubricated concentrated. There are two entirely different approaches to obtain these properties. In the quantitative approach, viscometers and rheometers are used at high pressure. In the classical approach, the same averaged properties are extracted from the contact itself. For more than 40 years the two methods have provided quite different pictures of high-pressure rheology. The claim has been made that the averaging technique provides viscosities that match those from this author's rheometer and viscometer. This claim can easily be shown to be false and the use of the contact as a viscometer must end.
Protocol for Identification and Removal of Doublets with DoubletDecon

Summary Retention of multiplet captures in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data can hinder identification of discrete or transitional cell populations and associated marker genes. To overcome this challenge, we created DoubletDecon to identify and remove doublets, multiplets of two cells, by using a combination of deconvolution to identify putative doublets and analyses of unique gene expression. Here, we provide the protocol for running DoubletDecon on scRNA-seq data. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to DePasquale et al. (2019) .
Association of Neurosurgical Work Relative Value Units with Objective Markers of Operative Complexity.

Objective Relative value units (RVUs) form the backbone of health care service reimbursement calculation in the United States. However, it remains unclear how well RVUs align with objective measures of procedural complexity within neurosurgery. Methods The 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for neurosurgical procedures with >50 patients, using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Length of stay (LOS), operative time, mortality, and readmission and reoperation rates were collected for each code and a univariate correlation analysis was performed, with significant predictors entered into a multivariate logistic regression model, which generated predicted work RVUs, which were compared with actual RVUs to identify undervalued and overvalued procedures. Results Among 64 CPT codes, LOS, operative time, mortality, readmission, and reoperation were significant independent predictors of work RVUs and together explained 76% of RVU variance in a multivariate model (R2 = 0.76). Using a difference of >1.5 standard deviations from the mean, procedures associated with greater than predicted RVU included surgery for intracranial carotid circulation aneurysms (CPTs 61697 and 61700; residual RVU = 12.94 and 15.07, respectively), and infratemporal preauricular approaches to middle cranial fossa (CPT 61590; residual RVU = 15.39). Conversely, laminectomy/foraminotomy for decompression of additional spinal cord, cauda equina, and/or nerve root segments (CPT 63048; residual RVU = –21.30), transtemporal craniotomy for cerebellopontine angle tumor resection (CPT 61526; residual RVU = –9.95), and brachial plexus neuroplasty (CPT 64713; residual RVU = –11.29) were associated with lower than predicted RVU. Conclusions Work RVUs for neurosurgical procedures are largely predictive of objective measures of surgical complexity, with few notable exceptions.
Towards a more intelligent model of providing pediatric trauma care: identifying temporal variations in trauma team activations.

Background Trauma centers are resource-intensive environments, and pediatric-specific personnel are often limited resources. Identifying the temporal patterns of pediatric traumas can help guide resource allocation strategies to optimize patient care. Methods We conducted a retrospective, single-institution analysis of 575 injured patients less than 18 years old that triggered a trauma team activation (TTA). TTA volume according to time of day and day of the week was analyzed using a mixed Poisson regression model and monthly patterns were analyzed using an analysis of variance. Subset analyses were conducted for children and teenagers. Results Across all days, the 6-hour time frame between 15:00 and 21:00 had significantly more activations than average, encompassing nearly half (47.2%) of all pediatric TTAs (p=0.01). Saturdays had significantly more activations than the daily average (Saturdays: 26.0/year, Other: 14.8/year, p Conclusion The volume of pediatric trauma activations varies significantly according to time of day and day of the week. These findings can direct or validate resource allocation strategies such as staffing physicians, nurses, and ancillary personnel according to TTA volume. Type of study Retrospective cohort study. Level of evidence Level III.
An expedited approach towards the rationale design of non-covalent SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors with in vitro antiviral activity

The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is a validated antiviral drug target. Several Mpro inhibitors have been reported with potent enzymatic inhibition and cellular antiviral activity, including GC376, boceprevir, calpain inhibitors II and XII, each containing a reactive warhead that covalently modifies the catalytic Cys145. In this study, we report an expedited drug discovery approach by coupling structure-based design and Ugi four-component (Ugi-4CR) reaction methodology to the design of non-covalent Mpro inhibitors. The most potent compound 23R had cellular antiviral activity similar to covalent inhibitors such as GC376. Our designs were guided by overlaying the structure of SARS-CoV Mpro + ML188 (R), a non-covalent inhibitor derived from Ug-4CR, with the X-ray crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro + calpain inhibitor XII/GC376/UAWJ247. Binding site analysis suggests a strategy of extending the P2 and P3 substitutions in ML188 (R) to achieve optimal shape complementary with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Lead optimization led to the discovery of 23R, which inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and SARS-CoV-2 viral replication with an IC50 of 0.31 microM and EC50 of 1.27 microM, respectively. The binding and specificity of 23R to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro were confirmed in a thermal shift assay and native mass spectrometry assay. The co-crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with 23R revealed the P2 biphenyl fits snuggly into the S2 pocket and the benzyl group in the α-methylbenzyl faces towards the core of the enzyme, occupying a previously unexplored binding site located in between the S2 and S4 pockets. Overall, this study revealed the most potent non-covalent SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors reported to date and a novel binding pocket that can be explored for Mpro inhibitor design.
Clinician Satisfaction with Rapid Adoption and Implementation of Telehealth Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: To examine clinician perspectives on the acceptability, appropriateness/suitability, and feasibility of video telehealth as a way to deliver mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Mental health clinicians were surveyed with 27 Likert questions, using previously validated measures, on satisfaction and implementation experience with video telehealth visits between March and June 2020. Results: A total of 112 of 193 clinicians completed the survey (58.0%), including psychiatrists, psychologists, trainees (i.e., residents and fellows), advanced practice providers, and licensed mental health counselors. Clinicians reported high levels of acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of video telehealth; they also reported high levels of satisfaction with video telehealth visits. Seventy-nine and a half (79.5%) reported that their patients seemed highly satisfied with video telehealth visits, and 107 (95.5%) of clinicians responded that they would like video telehealth visits to represent at least 25% of their practice in the future. Discussion: Mental health clinicians showed positive attitudes toward the implementation of video telehealth visits, high levels of satisfaction with this care, and indicated strong interest in continuing this modality as a significant portion of clinical practice. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the ability of mental health clinicians to embrace new technology to expand access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicate that telemental health is likely to be an integral part of clinic practice in the future.
Goals and Applications of Trigger Assessment in Clinical Practice and Research

Trigger assessment can be used for many purposes in both clinical and research settings. For example, when used to facilitate the development of individual causal models, the knowledge of trigger beliefs provided by such assessments can be used to understand the potential consequences, both positive and negative, of these models. Another application of trigger assessment is for use in research on headache triggers, a goal that is vitally important for advancing knowledge in the field. This chapter describes several ways trigger assessments can be used.
Differential habitat use and recruitment facilitate coexistence in a community with intraguild predation

Theory predicts that species engaged in intraguild predation (IGP) can only coexist under limited conditions, yet IGP is common in nature. Habitat complexity can promote coexistence by reducing encounter rates, but little information is known about the contribution of differential habitat use. We hypothesized that differential use of alternative habitats promotes coexistence of an intraguild (IG) predator and prey. We evaluated predictions of this hypothesis with an experimental introduction of an IG predator fish into four natural stream communities that previously contained only the IG prey fish. We monitored the development of this IGP over the course of four years to determine how each species used alternative stream habitats. The introduced species preferred pool habitats while the resident species was more evenly distributed across pools and riffles. The density of the resident decreased in the pool habitat preferred by the invader, accompanied by a local increase in the mean of the resident size distribution. Selective predation by the invader on hatchling residents appears to impact the residents' demographic response. The continued recruitment of resident juveniles in riffles, where the introduced species is rare, facilitated the persistence of the resident. This differential use of habitats was not accompanied by a change in the resident's growth rates in either habitat. Our results showed that differential habitat selection and recruitment promoted persistence during an invasion involving IGP, which helps to bridge the gap between theory and observation in explaining coexistence in IGP systems.
Experience with Voluntary SARS-CoV-2 Testing of Asymptomatic Staff at the National Institutes of Health for One Year.

Voluntary asymptomatic severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing was provided by the NIH Clinical Center over 1 year. Among 105,927 tests, 0.2% were positive. Among eligible staff, 79% participated with variable frequency and 61% of positive individuals had symptoms at the time of testing. Saliva specimen collection was chosen as an option less frequently than midturbinate collection.
Workplace Democracy and Democratic Worker Organizations: Notes on Worker Centers and Members-Only Unions

Worker organizing outside the traditional union framework in the United States has lately focused on worker centers and, to a lesser extent, members-only unions. These organizations provide the benefits of collective action and participatory workplace democracy without the legal obstacles faced by unions. This Essay offers thoughts on legal regulation of how worker organizations govern themselves to facilitate collective power with appropriate protection for the rights of individuals within the collective. Federal law extensively regulates the internal governance of unions so as to protect minorities in an organization that is an exclusive representative. It does not apply to members-only unions (which seek to bargain on behalf of only those workers who choose to become members) or worker centers (which disclaim the desire to represent workers for bargaining). Worker centers and members-only unions are regulated only lightly, under state law of nonprofit organizations. But if they become powerful, they will be large and will need to be managed by a leadership that may or may not remain accountable to the membership and respectful of minority rights. This Essay offers a reading of the literature on union democracy from the 1950s, including a classic text, Union Democracy, as notes toward thinking about governance of worker organizations that are not labor unions.
Chloride Fluxes in the Erythroblastic Leukemic Cell: An Example of Membrane Differentiation

The erythroblastic leukemic cell from the Long-Evans rat has been used in our laboratory as a model of the immature component of the erythroid line (Wise, '74; Hempling and Wise,'75; Wise,'76). We have used this cell line to determine which membrane functions found in the mature erythrocyte are already present in the immature stage and which membrane functions present in the immature stage disappear when the cells lose their nuclei and mature. It was found (Hempling and Wise,'75) that the rapid permeability of the membrane to water and to urea, so distinctive for the membrane of the mature erythrocyte, was characteristic of the erythroblastic leukemic cell also. In contrast, Wise found (Wise,'76) that the membrane of the immature erythroblastic leukemic cell possessed three mediated pathways for the transport of neutral amino acids which were dependent on external Na+. On the other hand, the rat reticulocyte lost one mediated pathway, while the mature erythrocyte lost all three.
A case of benign Pelger-Huët anomaly.

![Figure][1] A 49-year-old man presented with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis and pancytopenia. Peripheral blood smear revealed 80% of neutrophils with bilobed nuclei and normal granulation (panel A). Bone marrow morphology demonstrated normally maturing trilineage hematopoiesis without dysplasia
Analytical treatment of virtual image phase array

In this paper, our analytical treatment of the VIPA reveals many interesting features: 1. Intensity modulation over wavelength; 2. Potential satellite peaks within each subband; 3. Small variation of diffraction efficiency for different sub-bands. This formulation is very general and useful. Further analysis shows the inherent dispersion provided by VIPA and the shape of the diffraction beam in the real space. Through them, one can optimize the optical design for best efficiency.
Leadership and technology management (LTM): the strategic management of technology in a consumer-driven environment

The CENTER ON DISABILITIES at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has designed a new training program, "Leadership and Technology Management (LTM)," to begin in the Summer of 1994, with the purpose of identifying and training leaders in the area of 'system change', i. e., putting more technology in the hands of more people with disabilities. The LTM is funded in part by a grant from the U. S. Department of Education to the California State Department of Rehabilitation (DR) and by the CENTER ON DISABILITIES at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). DR in turn has contracted with the CENTER ON DISABILITIES at CSUN for this training program. The LTM Program is designed to increase the availability and utilization of assistive technologies among persons with disabilities through "systems change" activities. The LTM Program will assist managers from human service agencies to effectively take leadership roles in designing strategies to put more technology into the hands of more persons with disabilities. Participants will gain greater insight into current and new technologies, visit model programs, and develop a personal "Action Plan" to initiate systems change activities within their own organization. LTM graduates agree to be a continuing resource to the Program and to serve as mentors to others. The LTM provides a solid grounding in understanding, developing, and utilizing leadership skills to manage a consumer-driven, technological environment. A limited number of California residents are awarded full scholarships (including tuition, transportation, expenses) to the LTM. Others including those from other countries may enroll at a cost of $795 per person, with each individual being responsible for their own travel and expenses.
The Philosophy of Information Retrieval Evaluation

Evaluation conferences such as TREC, CLEF, and NTCIR are modern examples of the Cranfield evaluation paradigm. In Cranfield, researchers perform experiments on test collections to compare the relative effectiveness of different retrieval approaches. The test collections allow the researchers to control the effects of different system parameters, increasing the power and decreasing the cost of retrieval experiments as compared to user-based evaluations. This paper reviews the fundamental assumptions and appropriate uses of the Cranfield paradigm, especially as they apply in the context of the evaluation conferences.
Benchmarking for Steganography

With the increasing number of new steganographic algorithms as well as methods for detecting them, the issue of comparing security of steganographic schemes in a fair manner is of the most importance. A fair benchmark for steganography should only be dependent on the model chosen to represent cover and stego objects. In particular, it should be independent of any specific steganalytic technique. We first discuss the implications of this requirement and then investigate the use of two quantities for benchmarking--the KL divergence between the empirical probability distribution of cover and stego images and the recently proposed two-sample statistics called Maximum Mean Discrepancy (MMD). While the KL divergence is preferable for benchmarking because it is the more fundamental quantity, we point out some practical difficulties of computing it from data obtained from a test database of images. The MMD is well understood theoretically and numerically stable even in high-dimensional spaces, which makes it an excellent candidate for benchmarking in steganography. We demonstrate the benchmark based on MMD on specific steganographic algorithms for the JPEG format.
Inhibition of O-Linked N-Acetylglucosamine Transferase Reduces Replication of Herpes Simplex Virus and Human Cytomegalovirus

ABSTRACT O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) is an essential cellular enzyme that posttranslationally modifies nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins via O-linked addition of a single N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) moiety. Among the many targets of OGT is host cell factor 1 (HCF-1), a transcriptional regulator that is required for transactivation of the immediate-early genes of herpes simplex virus (HSV). HCF-1 is synthesized as a large precursor that is proteolytically cleaved by OGT, which may regulate its biological function. In this study, we tested whether inhibition of the enzymatic activity of OGT with a small molecule inhibitor, OSMI-1, affects initiation of HSV immediate-early gene expression and viral replication. We found that inhibiting OGT9s enzymatic activity significantly decreased HSV replication. The major effect of the inhibitor occurred late in the viral replication cycle, when it reduced the levels of late proteins and inhibited capsid formation. However, depleting OGT levels with small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced the expression of HSV immediate-early genes, in addition to reducing viral yields. In this study, we identified OGT as a novel cellular factor involved in HSV replication. Our results obtained using a small molecule inhibitor and siRNA depletion suggest that OGT9s glycosylation and scaffolding functions play distinct roles in the replication cycle of HSV. IMPORTANCE Antiviral agents can target viral or host gene products essential for viral replication. O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is an important cellular enzyme that catalyzes the posttranslational addition of GlcNAc sugar residues to hundreds of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins, and this modification regulates their activity and function. Some of the known OGT targets are cellular proteins that are critical for the expression of herpes simplex virus (HSV) genes, suggesting a role for OGT in the replication cycle of HSV. In this study, we found that OGT is required for efficient expression of viral genes and for assembly of new virions. Thus, we identify OGT as a novel host factor involved in the replication of HSV and a potential target for antiviral therapy.
A heat shock operon in Coxiella burnetti produces a major antigen homologous to a protein in both mycobacteria and Escherichia coli.

Abstract A gene library from the DNA of Coxiella burnetii has been constructed in the cosmid vector pHC79. A particular clone, pJB196, reacted strongly with Coxiella-specific antibodies elicited in a number of different species of animals. This clone produced two abundant C. burnetii-specific polypeptides, a 14-kilodalton nonimmunoreactive protein and a 62-kilodalton immunoreactive protein. Sequencing identified two open reading frames, encoding polypeptides of 10.5 and 58.3 kilodaltons. The only transcriptional control element observed on the 5' side of the initiation codon resembled a heat shock promoter. This heat shock promoter was functionally regulated in Escherichia coli, since both proteins were produced by growth conditions at 37 degrees C and neither protein was detected at 23 degrees C. There were four sequences from the literature that were highly homologous (greater than 50%) to the 62-kilodalton protein from C. burnetii. Three were from Mycobacterium species and represent the immunodominant antigen of this genus. The other was from E. coli, detected as a gene that complements or suppresses a temperature-sensitive RNase activity. Since the recombinant protein was immunogenic, it may serve as an efficacious vaccine against C. burnetii and other pathogenic microorganisms that express the conserved antigen.
Review: Robert Neuwirth (2005). Shadow Cities: A Billion Squatters, a New Urban World

Bisher finden sich in der stadtischen Entwicklungsgeschichte konkurrierende Anspruche hinsichtlich der Legitimitat von Landbesitz und -gebrauch. Obwohl Hausbesetzer(innen), d.h. Menschen, die in Stadten ohne einen rechtlichen Anspruch auf Landbesitz leben, und die von ihnen errichteten Lebensraume oftmals Thema offentlichen Interesses gewesen sind, herrscht ein relativer Mangel an Studien, die sich mit diesem Gegenstand befassen; insbesondere die Binnensichten der Mitglieder von Hausbesetzungsgemeinschaften sind haufig ignoriert oder diskreditiert worden. In seinem kurzlich erschienen Buch prasentiert NEUWIRTH eine Studie uber Hausbesetzungsgemeinschaften in vier Grosstadten (Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, Mumbai und Istanbul) auf vier Kontinenten. Dabei ist das Vorgehen NEUWIRTHS besonders bemerkenswert: anstatt die zu untersuchenden Gemeinschaften "von ausen" zu diskutieren, lebte NEUWIRTH in jeder der untersuchten Gemeinschaft einige Monate. In meiner Rezension diskutiere ich das Buch hinsichtlich dessen Nutzlichkeit sowohl fur Entwicklungstheoretiker(innen) als auch fur Praktiker(innen). Auch wenn die Darstellung der Methoden und die Ubersichtlichkeit des Buches teilweise zu wunschen ubrig lassen, handelt es sich um ein wertvolles und originelles Manuskript, und viele der aufgeworfenen Fragen werden (und mussen) Gegenstand von kunftigen, elaborierten Untersuchungen sein. Das vielleicht Wichtigste an Shadow Cities ist, dass die Notwendigkeit von kreativen Losungen erkennbar wird, bei denen die Hausbesetzer(innen) in Entscheidungsprozesse einbezogen werden. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs050289
Long-term outcome of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children.

The objective of this study is to determine the long-term outcome and consequences of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in children. This is an observational cross-sectional cohort study of children diagnosed with GBS (0-18 years old) at the Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam from 1987 to 2009. All patients were invited for a structured interview, questionnaires, and full neurologic exam to record their current clinical condition focused on complaints and symptoms, neurological deficits, disabilities, behavior, and quality of life. Thirty-seven patients participated, 23 were now adults, with a median age of 20 years (range 4-39 years) and a median follow-up time of 11 years (range 1-22 years). Residual complaints were reported by 24 (65%) patients, including paresthesias (38%), unsteadiness of gait in the dark (37%), painful hands or feet (24%), and severe fatigue (22%). Four patients had severe neurological deficits, including facial diplegia and limb weakness. Two patients had had a recurrence of GBS. In 10 patients (26%), GBS had a negative impact on their school career. Questionnaires identified a wide range of behavioral problems. Quality of life was below normal on the subscale vitality, and above normal on the subscales social functioning and positive emotions in the adult group. Most children show good recovery of neurological deficits after GBS, but many have persisting long-term residual complaints and symptoms that may lead to psychosocial problems interfering with participation in daily life.
15NH Backbone Dynamics of Protein GB1: Comparison of Order Parameters and Correlation Times Derived Using Various “Model-Free” Approaches

A new model-free approach that allows visualization of the distribution of motional correlation times is presented and is used to analyze 1 5 N NMR relaxation data [T 1 , T 2 , and { 1 H}- 1 5 N NOE], acquired at 500. 600, and 800 MHz, on the uniformly 1 5 N-enriched, 56 residue B1 domain from immunoglubulin protein G (GB I ). Nanosecond time scale internal motions are found for all NHs of residues in protein GB1, a finding which is consistent with the concept of hierarchical internal motions in proteins first forwarded by Frauenfelder. Order parameters and overall tumbling correlation times derived using this approach are not influenced by the number of internal motional modes. Comparatively, use of the Lipari-Szabo, Clore et al., or Lemaster "model-free" methods yields underestimated order parameters and overestimated overall tumbling correlation times due to the presence of nanosecond time scale internal motions. This new model-free approach provides a straightforward way to derive more accurate order parameters and correlation times for overall tumbling and internal motions.
Examining the diversity of microbes in a deep-sea coral community impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Abstract Deep-sea surface sediments and flocculent material (floc) associated with corals containing oil originating from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill were examined to determine the diversity of microbes and the presence of functional genes involved in oil degradation. For all samples, 16S rRNA clone libraries were constructed to obtain full-length sequences and Illumina amplicon sequencing was used to further probe the diversity of the microbial community. The 16S rRNA gene data obtained by Illumina amplicon sequencing revealed Proteobacteria (55–64%) as the dominant bacteria in both sediment and floc samples. The floc samples were comprised of mostly aerobic or facultative aerobic phylotypes including Rhizobiales, Rhodobacterales, Sphingomonadales, Rickettsiales, Alteromonadales, Pseudomonadales, whereas mixtures of the aforementioned aerobic species and anaerobic phylotypes such as Desulfobacterales, Desulfuromonadales and Desulfarculales were present in the sediment samples. Genera affiliated with oil-degrading bacteria were identified in both sediment and floc samples. To evaluate the potential of the microbial community to degrade oil, clone libraries were constructed for the alkB gene (one of the structural genes of alkane hydroxylase involved in the aerobic degradation of n-alkanes of chain length >C5–C16) and the alkylsuccinate synthase/benzylsuccinate synthases (assA/bssA) gene (involved in the anaerobic degradation of n-alkanes [via assA] and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs; via bssA]). The alkB gene was present in all samples with the majority of sequences clustering to members of the Proteobacteria closely aligned to environmental sequences from hydrocarbon seep environments. The assA/bssA genes were only detected in sediment samples and were closely affiliated with δ-Proteobacteria previously detected in oil-contaminated sediments and oil-enrichment cultures. These data provide insight into the differences between environments impacted by the DWH oil spill and highlight the functional diversity of oil-degrading microbes associated with a deep-sea coral community.
Experimental Limits for the Electron-Proton Charge Difference and for the Charge of the Neutron

Upper limits for the electric charges on the atoms of cesium and potassium and the molecules of hydrogen and deuterium have been measured by a molecular beam deflection method. The results are: $q(\mathrm{Cs})=(1.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}{q}_{e}$, $q(\mathrm{K})=(\ensuremath{-}3.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}11.8)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}{q}_{e}$, $|q({\mathrm{H}}_{2})|l2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}{q}_{e}$, and $|q({\mathrm{D}}_{2})|l2.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}{q}_{e}$ (${q}_{e}$ is the absolute value of the electron charge). They are consistent with the usual view that atoms and molecules are electrically neutral. The results on ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ provide very direct upper limits of $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}{q}_{e}$ for the electron-proton charge difference and $2.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}{q}_{e}$ for the neutron charge. The cesium result can be interpreted as showing that the magnitude of the electron charge differs from that of the proton by less than 5 parts in ${10}^{19}$ and that the neutron charge is less than $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}19}{q}_{e}$. The relevance of charge equality to cosmological theory, and to the theory of elementary particles is discussed.
Brain network alterations and vulnerability to simulated neurodegeneration in breast cancer

Breast cancer and its treatments are associated with mild cognitive impairment and brain changes that could indicate an altered or accelerated brain aging process. We applied diffusion tensor imaging and graph theory to measure white matter organization and connectivity in 34 breast cancer survivors compared with 36 matched healthy female controls. We also investigated how brain networks (connectomes) in each group responded to simulated neurodegeneration based on network attack analysis. Compared with controls, the breast cancer group demonstrated significantly lower fractional anisotropy, altered small-world connectome properties, lower brain network tolerance to systematic region (node), and connection (edge) attacks and significant cognitive impairment. Lower tolerance to network attack was associated with cognitive impairment in the breast cancer group. These findings provide further evidence of diffuse white matter pathology after breast cancer and extend the literature in this area with unique data demonstrating increased vulnerability of the post-breast cancer brain network to future neurodegenerative processes.
Smoking and deaf adults : Associations with age at onset of deafness

Smoking is a major health problem whose prevalence in different populations is thought to be influenced by sociocultural and linguistic factors. Although smoking and hearing loss are positively correlated, little is known about the smoking habits of deaf populations. Using national survey data, this study determined the smoking prevalence in two socioculturally distinct deaf populations, based on age at onset of deafness. The smoking prevalence in each deaf population was compared to the smoking prevalence in the hearing population in multivariate analyses that adjusted for sociodemographics and health status. The smoking prevalence among postlingually deafened adults was not significantly different from that among hearing adults. Prelingually deafened adults were found to be less likely to smoke than hearing adults, even though they have less education and lower income, factors both associated with higher smoking prevalence in other populations. The lower smoking prevalence among prelingually deafened adults may be due to cultural differences or to limited access to English-language tobacco advertising.
On the asymptotic solutions of a generalized eigenvalue problem

The asymptotic values of the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenfunctions of the kernel (1/2π)Ln|r(s)−r(s′)| are obtained, where |r(s)−r(s′)| is the distance between two pointsr(s) andr(s′) on a closed smooth curveC.
Understanding the impact of internet exchange points on internet topology and routing performance

The growth of Internet eXchange Points (IXPs) as an important component in the Internet Autonomous System (AS) level topology has led to the need for a detailed evaluation of their effect on Internet topology evolution and inter-domain packet routing. In this work, we carry out initial measurements to analyze the effect of the additional peering links and observe path quality in terms of round-trip time and loss rates of routes going through an IXP between pairs of Internet hosts. We observe significant effects of IXP-links on Internet growth and topology evolution while the routing performance points to numerous cases of Triangle Inequality Violations (TIVs) due to the IXP switches.
Relating Cortical Wave Dynamics to Learning and Remembering

Electrical waves propagate across sensory and motor cortices in stereotypical patterns. These waves have been described as potentially facilitating sensory processing when they travel through sensory cortex, as guiding movement preparation and performance when they travel across motor cortex, and as possibly promoting synaptic plasticity and the consolidation of memory traces, especially during sleep. Here, an alternative theoretical framework is suggested that integrates Pavlovian hypotheses about learning and cortical function with concepts from contemporary proceduralist theories of memory. The proposed framework postulates that sensory-evoked cortical waves are gradually modified across repeated experiences such that the waves more effectively differentiate sensory events, and so that the waves are more likely to reverberate. It is argued that the qualities of cortical waves—their origins, form, intensity, speed, periodicity, extent, and trajectories —are a function of both the structural organization of neural circuits and ongoing reverberations resulting from previously experienced events. It is hypothesized that experience-dependent cortical plasticity, both in the short- and long-term, modulates the qualities of cortical waves, thereby enabling individuals to make progressively more precise distinctions between complex sensory events, and to reconstruct components of previously experienced events. Unlike most current neurobiological theories of learning and memory mechanisms, this hypothesis does not assume that synaptic plasticity, or any other form of neural plasticity, serves to store physical records of previously experienced events for later reactivation. Rather, the reorganization of cortical circuits may alter the potential for certain wave patterns to arise and persist. Understanding what factors determine the spatiotemporal dynamics of cortical waves, how structural changes affect their qualities, and how wave dynamics relate to both mental experiences and memory-based performances, may provide new insights into the nature of learning and memory.
Preoperative radiographic assessment of hepatic steatosis with histologic correlation.

Background The adverse impact of hepatic steatosis on perioperative outcomes after liver resection is gaining recognition. But the accuracy of preoperative radiologic assessment of fatty liver disease remains unclear. The objective of this study was to correlate preoperative radiologic estimation with postoperative histologic measurement of steatosis. Study Design Patients who underwent partial hepatectomy between 1997 and 2001, with complete preoperative radiographic imaging and postoperative pathologic assessment of steatosis, were retrospectively analyzed. The presence of steatosis was assessed radiographically using noncontrast-enhanced CT (NCCT), contrast-enhanced CT (CCT), or MRI, using standard quantitative radiologic criteria. Repeat histologic analysis was used to quantify the extent of hepatic steatosis. Results One hundred thirty-one patients were studied. The overall sensitivity and specificity for all imaging modalities in detecting pathologically confirmed hepatic steatosis were 56% and 82%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for NCCT, CCT, and MRI using standard quantitative criteria were 33% and 100%, 50% and 83%, and 88%, and 63%, respectively. Increasing body mass indices adversely affected the accuracy of NCCT (p=0.002). Preoperative chemotherapy did not notably affect radiologic accuracy. Conclusions The presence of a fatty-appearing liver on NCCT scans indicates clinically significant steatosis, but steatosis cannot be excluded based on a normal NCCT scan, particularly in obese patients. Conversely, normal MRI helps to exclude hepatic steatosis, but abnormal MRI is not a reliable indicator of fatty change. CCT is not an effective means of identifying steatosis. We conclude that, when used alone, conventional cross-sectional imaging does not consistently permit accurate identification of hepatic steatosis.
Breaking and re-forming the disulfide bond at the high-potential, respiratory-type Rieske [2Fe-2S] center of thermus thermophilus: characterization of the sulfhydryl state by protein-film voltammetry.

A disulfide bond, adjacent to the [2Fe-2S] cluster, is conserved in all high-potential Rieske proteins from the respiratory and photosynthetic cytochrome bc1 and b6f complexes but is absent from the low-potential, bacterial dioxygenase Rieske proteins. The role of the disulfide is unclear, since cysteine mutants have resulted in only apoprotein. The high stability of the soluble Thermus thermophilus Rieske protein permits chemical reduction of the disulfide bond and characterization of the sulfhydryl (dithiol) form by protein-film voltammetry. The effect of disulfide reduction on the cluster potential is small (ΔE0‘ ≤ −0.04 V) and attributed to relaxation of the disulfide tether between the protein loops ligating the cluster, including possible mechanical strain release and hydrogen-bonding modification. Above pH 6 an additional decrease in potential of the sulfhydryl form is assigned to the nearby negatively charged thiolates (ΔE0‘ −0.16 to −0.12 V); the histidine-ligand nitrogen pKs are correspondingly ...
A Phase Variable Simulation Model for Interior PM Synchronous Motor Drives with Stator Turn Faults

Mathematical representations of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) with stator turn faults are derived in abc-variables. Based on the derived expressions, an IPMSM drive simulation model, which is capable of representing stator turn faults, is implemented in Matlab Simulink. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed model is verified by comparing the simulation results with the findings in previous research on stator turn faults in 3-phase symmetrical electric machines.
Nutrition Education Intervention Improves Vegetable-Related Attitude, Self-Efficacy, Preference, and Knowledge of Fourth-Grade Students.

BACKGROUND: Impact of a classroom-based, standardized intervention to address limited vegetable consumption of fourth graders was assessed. METHODS: A 4-lesson, vegetable-focused intervention, revised from extant materials was repurposed for Pennsylvania fourth graders with lessons aligned with state academic standards. A reliability-tested survey was modified, then examined for face and content validity and test-retest reliability. Lessons and evaluation materials were modified through an iterative testing process with educator feedback. A nonequivalent control group design was stratified by local Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) partnering organizations with random assignment of participating elementary schools as control (N = 68) or intervention (N = 72) treatments. Independent t-tests compared control and intervention group changes. A mixed effects model was created to account for classroom effects from the nested sampling method of selecting classrooms within SNAP-Ed partnering organizations. General linear model univariate analyses of variance were conducted to assess intervention effects considering gender, and food preparation/cooking experience. RESULTS: During a 3- to 5-week time frame, 57 intervention classrooms (N = 1047 students) and 51 control classrooms (N = 890) completed pre- and post-testing. Intervention students improved in vegetable-related attitude, self-efficacy, preference, and knowledge scores (p < .001). For example, intervention vegetable preference increased 1.56 ± 5.80 points; control group mean increase was only 0.08 ± 4.82 points. Group differences in score changes were not affected by gender or interactions between gender and food preparation/cooking experience with family. CONCLUSIONS: A defined intervention delivered in a SNAP-Ed setting can positively impact mediators associated with vegetable intake for fourth-grade students.