cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of internal visualization on digit span performance.

Fifty-two subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions according to a 2 × 2 factorial design in order to determine the effect of internal visualization on short-term memory for digits as measured by the Wechsler Digit Span subtest. Surprisingly, internal visualization (imaging with eyes closed) was found not to affect Digit Span performance significantly.
Enhancing lysosome biogenesis attenuates BNIP3-induced cardiomyocyte death

Hypoxia-inducible pro-death protein BNIP3 (BCL-2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa interacting protein 3), provokes mitochondrial permeabilization causing cardiomyocyte death in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Inhibition of autophagy accelerates BNIP3-induced cell death, by preventing removal of damaged mitochondria. We tested the hypothesis that stimulating autophagy will attenuate BNIP3-induced cardiomyocyte death. Neonatal rat cardiac myocytes (NRCMs) were adenovirally transduced with BNIP3 (or LacZ as control; at multiplicity of infection = 100); and autophagy was stimulated with rapamycin (100 nM). Cell death was assessed at 48 h. BNIP3 expression increased autophagosome abundance 8-fold and caused a 3.6-fold increase in cardiomyocyte death as compared with control. Rapamycin treatment of BNIP3-expressing cells led to further increase in autophagosome number without affecting cell death. BNIP3 expression led to accumulation of autophagosome-bound LC3-II and p62, and an increase in autophagosomes, but not autolysosomes (assessed with dual fluorescent mCherry-GFP-LC3 expression). BNIP3, but not the transmembrane deletion variant, interacted with LC3 and colocalized with mitochondria and lysosomes. However, BNIP3 did not target to lysosomes by subcellular fractionation, provoke lysosome permeabilization or alter lysosome pH. Rather, BNIP3-induced autophagy caused a decline in lysosome numbers with decreased expression of the lysosomal protein LAMP-1, indicating lysosome consumption and consequent autophagosome accumulation. Forced expression of transcription factor EB (TFEB) in BNIP3-expressing cells increased lysosome numbers, decreased autophagosomes and increased autolysosomes, prevented p62 accumulation, removed depolarized mitochondria and attenuated BNIP3-induced death. We conclude that BNIP3 expression induced autophagosome accumulation with lysosome consumption in cardiomyocytes. Forced expression of TFEB, a lysosomal biogenesis factor, restored autophagosome processing and attenuated BNIP3-induced cell death.
Treatment of antioxidant deficiencies in AIDS patients

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are a major health threat to populations in North America and throughout the world. Since HIV-infected individuals have an extended lifespan due to the development of effective antiretroviral therapies, malnutrition and wasting are becoming central factors in the health care plans of long-term survivors. The nutrition status of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients has an important influence on the maintenance and optimal efficiency of the immune system. Micronutrient therapy in conjunction with allopathic treatments can extend and improve the quality and quantity of life in individuals infected with HIV as well as those living with AIDS. In this section we will discuss the current work on the consequences of malnutrition as well as the effectiveness of antioxidant supplementation in HIV/AIDS patients.
Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Is Overexpressed in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Elevated levels of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) occur in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and have been associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, an inducible microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES) was identified. This enzyme converts the cyclooxygenase product prostaglandin H(2) (PGH(2)) to PGE(2). Given the apparent significance of PGE(2) in carcinogenesis, it is important to elucidate the mechanisms that account for increased amounts of PGE(2) in HNSCC. By immunoblot analysis, mPGES was overexpressed in 11 of 14 (79%) cases of HNSCC compared with adjacent normal tissue. Immunohistochemistry localized mPGES expression to neoplastic epithelial cells. Cell culture was used to determine whether cellular transformation was associated with increased amounts of mPGES. Levels of mPGES protein and mRNA were markedly elevated in HNSCC cell lines (1483 and Ca9-22) versus a nontumorigenic oral epithelial cell line (MSK-Leuk1). Interestingly, treatment of MSK-Leuk1 cells with PGE(2) caused both dose- and time-dependent stimulation of cell growth. Each of the four known receptors for PGE(2) (E-prostanoid receptor subtypes 1-4) was detected in head and neck squamous mucosa. Taken together, these results suggest that overexpression of mPGES contributes to the increased levels of PGE(2) found in HNSCC. Additional studies will be needed to determine whether this enzyme is a bona fide target for anticancer therapy.
Evidence for semantic learning in profound amnesia: An investigation with patient H.M.

Until recently, it seemed unlikely that any semantic knowl- edge could be acquired following extensive bilateral damage to the medial temporal lobes (MTL). Although recent studies have demonstrated some semantic learning in amnesic patients, questions remain regarding the limits of this capacity and the extent to which it relies on those patients' residual MTL function. The present study examined whether detailed, semantic memory could be acquired by a patient with no functioning hippocampus. We used cued recall and forced-choice recognition tasks to investigate whether the patient H.M. had acquired knowledge of people who became famous after the onset of his amnesia. Results revealed that, with first names provided as cues, he was able to recall the corresponding famous last name for 12 of 35 postoperatively famous personalities. This number nearly doubled when semantic cues were added, suggesting that his knowledge of the names was not limited to perceptual information, but was incorporated in a semantic network capable of supporting explicit recall. In forced-choice recognition, H.M. discriminated 87% of postmor- bid famous names from foils. Critically, he was able to provide uniquely identifying semantic facts for one-third of these recognized names, de- scribing John Glenn, for example, as "the first rocketeer" and Lee Harvey Oswald as a man who "assassinated the president." Although H.M.'s semantic learning was clearly impaired, the results provide robust, unam- biguous evidence that some new semantic learning can be supported by structures beyond the hippocampus proper. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Acyclic diastereoselection in the hydroboration process. Documented cases of 1,3-asymmetric induction

Abstract Good levels of 1,3-asymmetric induction have been observed in the hydroboration of terminal olefins (eq. 1). A considerable level of generality has been noted in this reaction and a transition state model has been proposed to account for the observations.
Conspicuous Consumption The Figure of the Serial Killer as Cannibal in the Age of Capitalism

The aim of this article is (1) to posit a conceptual model for the way ideas, conceptions, or feelings are represented or 'figured' in memory with the help of the imagination, and (2) to use this model to begin to outline what I believe constitutes part of our culture's 'memory-image' of the serial killer in both fact and fiction. Human memory is not simply a passive storehouse of information. It is an active process whereby relations are created by way of the imagination. The 'memory image' is connected to what we wish to remember, but also to other images stored in memory, and inscribes itself in a vast 'figural network'. I show how a given metaphor - 'capitalism as cannibalism' - can find its way in a given figural network, that of our memory-image of the serial killer. I investigate the rhetorical network that surrounds cannibalism and examine how this network offers our imagination a topos for our memory-image of the serial killer. Finally, I look at two films that activate this topos in their representation of serial killing, even though they avoid any direct thematization of it. The absence of any act of cannibalism in these films makes its 'presence' in our experience of them all the more compelling
Direct Torque Feedback for Accurate Engine Torque Delivery and Improved Powertrain Performance

At the present time, both control and estimation accuracies of engine torque are causes for under-achieving optimal drivability and performance in today’s production vehicles. The major focus in this area has been to enhance torque estimation and control accuracies using existing open-loop torque control and estimation structures. Such an approach does not guarantee optimum torque tracking accuracy and optimum estimation accuracy due to air flow and efficiencies estimations errors. Furthermore, current approach overlooks the fast torque path tracking which does not have any related feedback. Recently, explicit torque feedback control has been proposed in the literature using either estimated or measured torques as feedback to control the torque using the slow torque path only. We propose the usage of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) torque sensor to measure the engine brake torque and feedback the signal to control the torque using both the fast and slow torque paths utilizing an inner-outer loop control structure. The fast torque path feedback is coordinated with the slow torque path by a novel method using the potential torque that is adapted to the sensor reading. The torque sensor signal enables a fast and explicit torque feedback control that can correct torque estimation errors and improve drivability, emission control, and fuel economy. Control-oriented engine models for the 3.6L engine are developed. Computer simulations are performed to investigate the advantages and limitations of the proposed control strategy, versus the existing strategies. The findings include an improvement of 14% in gain margin and 60% in phase margin when the torque feedback is applied to the cruise control torque request at the simulated operating point. This study demonstrates that the direct torque feedback is a powerful technology with promising results for improved powertrain performance and fuel economy.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Tead and AP1 Coordinate Transcription and Motility

The Tead family transcription factors are the major intracellular mediators of the Hippo-Yap pathway. Despite the importance of Hippo signaling in tumorigenesis, Tead-dependent downstream oncogenic programs and target genes in cancer cells remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize Tead4-mediated transcriptional networks in a diverse range of cancer cells, including neuroblastoma, colorectal, lung, and endometrial carcinomas. By intersecting genome-wide chromatin occupancy analyses of Tead4, JunD, and Fra1/2, we find that Tead4 cooperates with AP1 transcription factors to coordinate target gene transcription. We find that Tead-AP1 interaction is JNK independent but engages the SRC1-3 co-activators to promote downstream transcription. Furthermore, we show that Tead-AP1 cooperation regulates the activity of the Dock-Rac/CDC42 module and drives the expression of a unique core set of target genes, thereby directing cell migration and invasion. Together, our data unveil a critical regulatory mechanism underlying Tead- and AP1-controlled transcriptional and functional outputs in cancer cells.
Molar Heat Capacity (Cv) for Saturated and Compressed Liquid and Vapor Nitrogen from 65 to 300 K at Pressures to 35 MPa.

Molar heat capacities at constant volume (Cv ,) for nitrogen have been measured with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. The temperatures ranged from 65 to 300 K, while pressures were as high as 35 MPa. Calorimetric data were obtained for a total of 276 state conditions on 14 isochores. Extensive results which were obtained in the saturated liquid region (Cv(2) and Cσ ) demonstrate the internal consistency of the Cv (ρ,T) data and also show satisfactory agreement with published heat capacity data. The overall uncertainty of the Cv values ranges from 2% in the vapor to 0.5% in the liquid.
An adaptive, conservative 0D-2V multispecies Rosenbluth-Fokker-Planck solver for arbitrarily disparate mass and temperature regimes

In this study, we propose an adaptive velocity-space discretization scheme for the multi-species, multidimensional Rosenbluth-Fokker-Planck (RFP) equation, which is exactly mass-, momentum-, and energy-conserving. Unlike most earlier studies, our approach normalizes the velocity-space coordinate to the temporally varying individual plasma species' local thermal velocity, v t h ( t ) , and explicitly considers the resulting inertial terms in the Fokker-Planck equation. Our conservation strategy employs nonlinear constraints to enforce discretely the conservation properties of these inertial terms and the Fokker-Planck collision operator. To deal with situations of extreme thermal velocity disparities among different species, we employ an asymptotic v t h -ratio-based expansion of the Rosenbluth potentials that only requires the computation of several velocity-space integrals. Numerical examples demonstrate the favorable efficiency and accuracy properties of the scheme. In particular, we show that the combined use of the velocity-grid adaptivity and asymptotic expansions delivers many orders-of-magnitude savings in mesh resolution requirements compared to a single, static uniform mesh.
A comprehensive outpatient weight reduction program: dietary patterns, psychological considerations, and treatment principles.

A comprehensive outpatient approach to weight reduction has the best chance of long-term success. This article outlines the dietitian’s role and summarizes dietary patterns and psychological problems encountered in such a program at the University of Virginia Clinical Nutrition Center. Patients were assisted in making gradual changes in eating patterns through nutrition education and the use of behavior modification techniques. Initial food diaries often reflected a low intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes; increased consumption of these high-fiber foods is advocated as an aid to weight loss. Psychological support is an important component of the weight reduction process. The dietitian must be adequately prepared to provide this therapy but also must be able to recognize when patients should be referred for further psychological counseling. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the sabotage which must be dealt with by patients as they lose weight and struggle to maintain that weight loss.
How does choice of statistical method to adjust counts for imperfect detection affect inferences about animal abundance

Summary 1.There is ongoing debate in ecology about the value of the increasing complexity of analytical methods, especially as it relates to models that correct occupancy or abundance estimates for imperfect detection. While both arguments for and against increasing complexity have merit, there is a need for greater clarity on how to determine what level of complexity is necessary. We present a general approach and case study for comparing alternative detection methods that vary in their complexity. Our approach puts emphasis on the logistical costs of methods, which are often overlooked in the debate about method complexity, and on developing models that address common sources of error in ecological datasets while avoiding unwarranted complexity. 2.We used point counts of saltmarsh sparrows (Ammodramus caudacutus) to compare estimates of abundance from three alternative protocols that vary by logistical costs: single observer, multiple observers, and multiple visits. We also compared results from counts to those from captures and nest searches from the same populations to provide broader context for the evaluation of point count methods. 3.We found that parameter estimates derived from alternative count protocols were similar and that predictions of point-level abundance were highly correlated (r = 0.96). We found lower correlation between pairwise comparisons of abundance estimated from point count data, the number of individuals captured, and the number of nests (all comparisons r = 0.5 or less). 4.Choosing point counts over alternative measures of abundance may have a greater effect on inferences than choosing among specific count protocols. For saltmarsh sparrows, there is likely little added benefit to adopting count protocols that require additional logistical costs. Determining the frequency of cases like this has broad implications for the appropriate design of studies that rely on estimates of abundance, especially when resources are limited. The general approach we present can be used to assess whether general rules of thumb can be developed to benefit people charged with implementing field studies and allocating limited resources. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Technical Note: Improving the VMERGE treatment planning algorithm for rotational radiotherapy

Purpose: The authors revisit the VMERGE treatment planning algorithm by Craft et al. [“Multicriteria VMAT optimization,” Med. Phys. 39, 686–696 (2012)] for arc therapy planning and propose two changes to the method that are aimed at improving the achieved trade-off between treatment time and plan quality at little additional planning time cost, while retaining other desirable properties of the original algorithm. Methods: The original VMERGE algorithm first computes an “ideal,” high quality but also highly time consuming treatment plan that irradiates the patient from all possible angles in a fine angular grid with a highly modulated beam and then makes this plan deliverable within practical treatment time by an iterative fluence map merging and sequencing algorithm. We propose two changes to this method. First, we regularize the ideal plan obtained in the first step by adding an explicit constraint on treatment time. Second, we propose a different merging criterion that comprises of identifying and merging adjacent maps whose merging results in the least degradation of radiation dose. Results: The effect of both suggested modifications is evaluated individually and jointly on clinical prostate and paraspinal cases. Details of the two cases are reported. Conclusions: In the authors’ computational study they found that both proposed modifications, especially the regularization, yield noticeably improved treatment plans for the same treatment times than what can be obtained using the original VMERGE method. The resulting plans match the quality of 20-beam step-and-shoot IMRT plans with a delivery time of approximately 2 min.
Modeling Pāninian Grammar

The current paper compares obvious methods to implement a few aspects of Sanskrit grammar computationally, comments upon the degree to which they approach or depart from Pāninian methodology and exemplifies methods that would achieve a closer model. Two questions essential to determining a basic framework in which to implement Pāninian grammar computationally are dealt with in some detail: the question of levels and the role of semantics.Pānini does not operate with a fourfold hierarchy of modular levels that segregates semantics, syntax, morphology, and phonetics. Rather he conceives of two levels, meaning and sound, generating the latter from the former. He achieves the complex mapping of the former onto the latter utilizing a number of stages that do not correspond neatly to the four modules articulated in modern generative grammar. Although Pānini does not state semantic rules, he does operate with numerous semantic categories and sometimes utilizes morphophonemic categories to determine such categories.
Detection and quantitation of mycotoxins in infant cereals in the U.S. market by LC-MS/MS using a stable isotope dilution assay

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins B 1 , B 2 , G 1 , G 2 , ochratoxin A, fumonisins B 1 and B 2 , zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, and HT-2 toxin in infant cereals using rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Another goal was to survey infant cereals purchased in the United States for the presence and amounts of 11 mycotoxins. Separation of the mycotoxins was accomplished using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with 13 C]-uniformly labeled mycotoxins were added to the sample extracts prior to LC-MS/MS analysis. Overall recoveries of mycotoxins were 81–130% in rice, 70–119% in barley, 87–123% in oat, and 82–127% in mixed-grain cereals with lower recoveries for fumonisins B 1 and B 2 , (33–67%) at three spiking levels (12.5, 25 and 50 ng/g). The relative standard deviation was n = 64) purchased in the U.S. in 2012, 78% of infant cereals were found to be contaminated with at least one of these mycotoxins. None of the infant cereals exceeded the established regulatory limits in the United States for any of the analyzed mycotoxins. However, a total of 21 samples exceeded the European Union maximum limits for three of the mycotoxins including aflatoxin B 1 , ochratoxin A and zearalenone. Results of this study suggest that cereals intended for infants should be routinely monitored for mycotoxin content.
Giant Aneurysm of In Situ Saphenous Vein Graft

We report a case of a symptomatic and rapidly expanding aneurysm of an in situ saphenous vein graft in a 70-year-old man with extensive prior open and endovascular procedures for aneurysmal disease. He was found to have full-length aneurysmal dilation with rapid progression over the course of 6 months. Successful ligation and exclusion with subtotal excision of the aneurysmal segment was performed, and revision bypass was foregone because of adequate distal perfusion via collateralization. This rare complication of autologous vein bypass graft typically occurs at the anastomoses and merits aneurysmorrhaphy or ligation. Far less common is the scenario of nonanastomotic, true aneurysmal dilation of the entire conduit such as the current patient. Surgical intervention via open, endovascular, or a combination thereof is warranted for rapidly growing or symptomatic defects and those yielding distal malperfusion.
Data representation for time series data mining: time domain approaches

In most time series data mining, alternate forms of data representation or data preprocessing is required because of the unique characteristics of time series, such as high dimension the number of data points, presence of random noise, and nonlinear relationship of the data elements. Therefore, any data representation method aims to achieve substantial data reduction to a manageable size, while preserving important characteristics of the original data, and robustness to random noise. Moreover, appropriate choice of a data representation method may result in meaningful data mining. Many high level representation methods of time series data are based on time domain approaches. These methods preprocess the original data in the time domain directly and are useful to understand the behavior of data over time. Piecewise approximation, data representation by identification important points, and symbolic representation are some of the main ideas of time domain approaches, and widely used in various fields. WIREs Comput Stat 2017, 9:e1392. doi: 10.1002/wics.1392
Strong metal-support interactions: An extra layer of complexity

Strong interactions between oxide supports and catalytic metal particles can lead to inhibitive oxide layers forming over the active metal catalyst. Now, adsorbate-induced metal–support interactions have been shown to lead to a porous overlayer in the Rh/TiO2 system that tunes catalyst activity, improving its selectivity for the partial reduction of CO2.
Reorganized, weak C–H⋯O interactions directly modify the mechanical properties and compaction performance of a series of nitrobenzoic acids

Strong hydrogen-bonding interactions are predictably leveraged for local molecular docking; however, weak intermolecular interactions are being increasingly recognized as pivotal governors of extended, supramolecular assembly. In this report, a series of nitrobenzoic acids (NBA) – m-nitrobenzoic acid (3-NBA), p-nitrobenzoic acid (4-NBA), 4-methyl-3-NBA (Me-NBA), 4-chloro-3-NBA (Cl-NBA) and 4-bromo-3-NBA (Br-NBA) – are utilized to systematically adjust weak C–H⋯O (nitro) and C–H⋯O (carboxyl) bonding interactions and discriminate their influence on the crystal structure, aggregate elasticity and compaction performance. The expected carboxylic acid dimer persists across the entire NBA series; however, alternative organization of C–H⋯O interactions yields distinct 1-d tapes. The acoustic frequency distributions obtained from powder Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectra provide supportive interpretation of the strength and anisotropy of the reorganized intermolecular interactions. Aggregate Young's moduli displayed a narrow range from 13.5 GPa for Br-NBA to 9.8 GPa for 3-NBA. However, the maximum longitudinal moduli (Mmax), calculated from the high-frequency cutoff, revealed significant differences in the strength of intermolecular interactions along the 1-d tapes. For 3-NBA, the extended organization of several co-linear C–H⋯O (nitro) interactions yielded an Mmax of 42.0 GPa, while the remaining NBA materials displayed an Mmax near 25 GPa. From powder compaction studies, the tabletability rank order was observed as: 3-NBA > 4-NBA > Me-NBA ≈ Br-NBA ≈ Cl-NBA; however, none of the materials achieved a tensile strength greater than 1 MPa. Overall, even minor redistribution of weak intermolecular interactions significantly modifies supramolecular assembly in NBA and detailing the specific contribution of these weak forces is required for substantive structure–performance correlation.
Compassionate love predicts long-term survival among people living with HIV followed for up to 17 years

A budding literature has shown the benefits of compassionate love on psychological well-being. Yet, much less is known on its relevance for health outcomes. The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of compassionate love on survival among people living with HIV (PLWH). 177 PLWH at the mid-stage of illness participated in a longitudinal study of stress and coping. They completed questionnaires, interviews, and essays every 6 months. Three components (giving and receiving compassionate love, and compassionate love toward self) were rated using interview and essay transcripts. Giving compassionate love and compassionate love toward self predicted longer survival, even when controlling for substance use and social support. Only giving compassionate love remained a significant predictor when controlling for adherence. Being compassionate toward others as well as oneself may have survival benefits. Giving compassionate love appears to be more important than receiving.
System of Service Delivery for People with Disabilities in India and Impact in Rural Areas

India is one of the oldest and largest civilizations in the world and the second largest populated country with over 1.2 billion people who speak more than 1500 languages. The country is culturally diverse, with strong sense of family and spirituality. This chapter outlines the critical role that social class, family, and spirituality plays in views on differences. The current state of disability is described, with regard to system of and barriers to service delivery. Differences between urban and rural access to services are described, with recommendations for increasing services to the more geographically isolated areas of India.
Cytoplasmic Flow and Mixing Due to Deformation of Motile Cells

The cytoplasm of a living cell is a dynamic environment through which intracellular components must move and mix. In motile, rapidly deforming cells such as human neutrophils, bulk cytoplasmic flow couples cell deformation to the transport and dispersion of cytoplasmic particles. Using particle-tracking measurements in live neutrophil-like cells, we demonstrate that fluid flow associated with the cell deformation contributes to the motion of small acidic organelles, dominating over diffusion on timescales above a few seconds. We then use a general physical model of particle dispersion in a deforming fluid domain to show that transport of organelle-sized particles between the cell periphery and the bulk can be enhanced by dynamic deformation comparable to that observed in neutrophils. Our results implicate an important mechanism contributing to organelle transport in these motile cells: cytoplasmic flow driven by cell shape deformation.
Designing an ontology for emotion-driven visual representations

Emotions influence our perceptions and decisions and are often felt more strongly in situations related to healthcare. Therefore, it is important to understand how both providers and patients express their emotions in face-to-face scenarios. An ontology is a way to represent domain concepts and the relationships between them in a polyarchical manner. We have created an ontological model called the Visualized Emotion Ontology (VEO) that expresses the semantic definitions and visualizations of 25 emotions based on published research. With VEO, we can augment patient-facing software tools, like embodied conversational agents, to improve patient-provider interaction in clinical environments.
The total kinetic energy release in the fast neutron-induced fission of 232 Th

The post-emission total kinetic energy release (TKE) in the neutron-induced fission of 232Th was measured (using white spectrum neutrons from LANSCE) for neutron energies from $ E_{n} = 3$ to 91MeV. In this energy range the average post-neutron total kinetic energy release decreases from $ 162.3 \pm 0.3$ at $ E_n = 3$ MeV to $ 154.9 \pm 0.3$ MeV at $ E_n = 91$ MeV. Analysis of the fission mass distributions indicates that the decrease in TKE with increasing neutron energy is a combination of increasing yields of symmetric fission (which has a lower associated TKE) and a decrease in the TKE release in asymmetric fission.
Association of ß-hCG Surveillance with Emotional, Reproductive, and Sexual Health in Women Treated for Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.

Abstract Background: To assess the emotional, reproductive, sexual health, and relationship concerns of women treated for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and examine associations with s-hCG surveillance. Methods: This institutional review board approved study surveyed GTN survivors (n = 51) who received treatment from 1996 to 2008. Fifty-one women, including those actively followed or formerly treated, were surveyed. The survey consisted of background/medical information, the Reproductive Concerns Scale, the Female Sexual Function Index, an item from the Abbreviated Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression scale, the Menopausal Symptom Checklist, the Impact of Life Events Scale, and exploratory items. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 37.1 years; 41.6 years at study enrollment. Twenty-seven patients (56%) expressed worry about treatment harm and 30 (60%) about recurrence. Twenty percent reported significant depressive symptomatology. Mild cancer-related distress,...
Inner Nonlinear Waves and Inelastic Light Scattering of Fractional Quantum Hall States as Evidence of the Gravitational Anomaly

We develop the quantum hydrodynamics of inner waves in the bulk of fractional quantum Hall states. We show that the inelastic light scattering by inner waves is a sole effect of the gravitational anomaly. We obtain the formula for the oscillator strength or mean energy of optical absorption expressed solely in terms of an independently measurable static structure factor. The formula does not explicitly depend on a model interaction potential.
Detection of Sunlight Exposure with Solar-Sensitive Liposomes that Capture and Release Food Dyes

Direct assessment of sunlight exposure can be challenging over extended periods or in multiple remote locations. We optimized liposome formulations that included egg and hydrogenated soy lipids as well as small amounts of a chlorophyll-derived phospholipid (PoP) to confer sunlight reactivity and triggered-release of entrapped dyes. Dye release occurred with PoP-mediated photooxidation of unsaturated phospholipids and could be tuned by varying the unsaturated (egg) to saturated (soy) lipid ratio or by varying the amount of PoP included. Numerous food coloring dyes were entrapped within the liposomes and, when applied onto a polyacrylamide gel, remained intact and immobilized for at least a month in the dark. When exposed to sunlight, the dyes were released and rapidly diffused through the gel, creating a detection system for assessing sunlight exposure by the naked eye based on dye diffusion. Acid Blue 9 and Acid Yellow 23 were particularly effective reporter food dyes in this system. By using liposomes wi...
Beginning to see the light

The fifth in our series exploring practical activities for introducing concepts that will help children in the Understanding the world area of learning – this month, we look at the science of sunlight and shadows.
Cochrane for clinicians. First-line treatment for hypertension.

In comparing the effects of thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) with placebo, thiazide diuretics lowered mortality and morbidity from stroke, heart attack, and heart failure more than beta blockers.1 ACE inhibitors and CCBs reduced mortality and morbidity as much as thiazide diuretics, but the evidence is less robust. Because the use of thiazide diuretics is supported by a strong body of evidence and no other class of antihypertensive medications has been shown to be better at improving outcomes, they are the first-line drugs for most patients with hypertension. Current evidence does not support using beta blockers as first-line therapy for hypertension.
Canine distemper virus

Distemper is not a very precise description of a disease entity, and the Oxford Dictionary lists a vast number of different meanings for the word “distemper”: “It argues sickness and distemper in the mind as well as in the body.” In connection with dogs it has been applied for centuries for “that fatal disorder proper to the canine race called par excellence, the distemper”. Besides rabies, canine distemper (CD) is the only virus disease in dogs with a high mortality rate. It has a worldwide distribution and only few dogs in isolated areas remain without contact with the virus. According to some reports (Kirk, 1922; Geiger, 1939) CD made its first appearance in Europe in Spain in 1761, introduced from either Asia or Peru. From Spain it spread to all European countries within the same century. Jenner, well known for his development of a successful smallpox vaccine, made its first accurate description in 1809.
Family Therapy and Other Family Intervention-Based Efforts

In many ways, the history of family therapy is the history of interventions that target families with adolescents, as many early family therapists were focused on adolescent-oriented issues that were being seen for the first time within the context of the family. The present chapter covers a number of interventions targeting families with adolescents that have received sizable empirical attention over the past 15 years, including: Brief Strategic Family Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Multidimensional Family Therapy, and Multisystemic Therapy. A brief summary of each approach is given, including information regarding its theoretical foundations, and is followed by an overview of the empirical attention that each of these models have been given to date.
A Chromosome-Scale Assembly of the Enormous (32 Gb) Axolotl Genome

The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) provides critical models for studying regeneration, evolution and development. However, its large genome (~32 gigabases) presents a formidable barrier to genetic analyses. Recent efforts have yielded genome assemblies consisting of thousands of unordered scaffolds that resolve gene structures, but do not yet permit large scale analyses of genome structure and function. We adapted an established mapping approach to leverage dense SNP typing information and for the first time assemble the axolotl genome into 14 chromosomes. Moreover, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization to verify the structure of these 14 scaffolds and assign each to its corresponding physical chromosome. This new assembly covers 27.3 gigabases and encompasses 94% of annotated gene models on chromosomal scaffolds. We show the assembly9s utility by resolving genome-wide orthologies between the axolotl and other vertebrates, identifying the footprints of historical introgression events that occurred during the development of axolotl genetic stocks, and precisely mapping several phenotypes including a large deletion underlying the cardiac mutant. This chromosome-scale assembly will greatly facilitate studies of the axolotl in biological research.
Brief Report: Interferon-γ-Mediated Immunopathology Potentiated by Toll-Like Receptor 9 Activation in a Murine Model of Macrophage Activation Syndrome.

Objective Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening cytokine storm syndrome that occurs in patients with underlying rheumatic diseases. Preclinical and clinical data suggest that interferon-γ (IFNγ) is pathogenic in MAS, but how IFNγ may be linked to disease pathogenesis remains unknown. This study was undertaken to determine whether IFNγ signals synergize with systemic innate immune responses to drive the cytokine storm in a murine model of MAS. Methods IFNγ-deficient mice were treated with 5 doses of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) agonist CpG 1826, IFNγ, or a combination of the 2 stimuli over the course of 10 days. Immunopathologic features of MAS, including cytopenias, hepatitis, hepatosplenomegaly, and induction of inflammatory myelopoiesis, were assessed. Mixed bone marrow chimeras were created to determine whether TLR-9- and IFNγ receptor 1 (IFNγR1)-dependent signals induce enhanced myelopoiesis in a cell-intrinsic or cell-extrinsic manner. Results IFNγ-deficient mice did not develop features of MAS when treated with repeated doses of either the TLR-9 agonist or IFNγ alone. In contrast, IFNγ-deficient mice treated with both the TLR-9 agonist and IFNγ developed cytopenias, hepatitis, and hepatosplenomegaly, reproducing major clinical features of MAS. TLR-9- and IFNγR1-dependent signals synergized to enhance myeloid progenitor cell function and induce myelopoiesis in vivo, which occurred through cell-extrinsic mechanisms and correlated with the induction of disease. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that TLR-9-driven signals potentiate the effects of IFNγ to initiate murine MAS, and provide evidence that induction of inflammatory myelopoiesis is a common TLR-9- and IFNγ-dependent pathway that may contribute to the pathogenesis of MAS.
Prelimbic cortex is a common brain area activated during cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine and heroin seeking in a polydrug self-administration rat model.

Many preclinical studies examined cue-induced relapse to heroin and cocaine seeking in animal models, but most of these studies examined only one drug at a time. In human addicts, however, polydrug use of cocaine and heroin is common. We used a polydrug self-administration relapse model in rats to determine similarities and differences in brain areas activated during cue-induced reinstatement of heroin and cocaine seeking. We trained rats to lever press for cocaine (1.0 mg/kg per infusion, 3-hr/day, 18 day) or heroin (0.03 mg/kg per infusion) on alternating days (9 day for each drug); drug infusions were paired with either intermittent or continuous light cue. Next, the rats underwent extinction training followed by tests for cue-induced reinstatement where they were exposed to either heroin- or cocaine-associated cues. We observed cue-selective reinstatement of drug seeking: the heroin cue selectively reinstated heroin seeking and the cocaine cue selectively reinstated cocaine seeking. We used Fos immunohistochemistry to assess cue-induced neuronal activation in different subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, and amygdala. Fos expression results indicated that only the prelimbic cortex (PL) was activated by both heroin and cocaine cues; in contrast, no significant cue-induced neuronal activation was observed in other brain areas. RNA in situ hybridization indicated that the proportion of glutamatergic and GABAergic markers in PL Fos-expressing cells was similar for the heroin and cocaine cue-activated neurons. Overall, the results indicate that PL may be a common brain area involved in both heroin and cocaine seeking during polydrug use.
Control Design and Analysis of a Stochastic Event-Driven System

In this paper control design for a class of linear systems based on stochastic hybrid framework is studied. The system is subject to external disturbances that affect the plant. The contribution of disturbance on dynamics of the system is modeled using stochastic differential equations. The control law is calculated based on state feedback and is applied to the system in random discrete time intervals. However, the control law can contain noise and uncertainty due to faulty actuators, noise in the system, etc. A question of interest is how to design the control law to have finite statistical moments of the system and reach to desired performance specifications (e.g., a specific mean and variance of the system state). Here, we derive exact solutions of the first two moments of the system, and use them to derive the stability conditions. We further design a control law that steers the system to a desired mean and variance. Next, we demonstrate our results on a general system. We show that under some specific conditions, randomness in the times that control law is applied can even reduce the variability contributed from disturbance. Finally, we discuss the trade-off between stability and achievable mean and variance, i.e., we can steer the system to any mean value as far as we do not violate the stability conditions.
Chapter 20 – Two-Group k-Eigenvalue Problems

The two-group diffusion model for neutron transport in a light-water nuclear system is an adequate model for many analyses. In this chapter we formulate the neutron diffusion problem with two energy groups, and given an efficient implementation of the inverse power method for finding the effective multiplication factor for the system. The implementation requires the solution of two, one group problems; Python code for this implementation is provided. We use the twogroup model, and its solution to a reflected reactor problem, to demonstrate some principles of reactor theory.
Environmental Comprehension and Evaluation

This section includes material frequently designated under the rubric of “environmental perception” (especially by those outside of the field of psychology), a term used in reference to very diverse problems, processes and phenomena.
The Impact of Training Pathway on Breast Surgery Cases Performed during Plastic Surgery Residency.

Operative volume is a critical component of surgical resident education. This study compares reported breast surgery case volume between resident training pathways in plastic surgery. This retrospective cohort study reviewed case logs of plastic surgery residents in the independent/combined and integrated training pathways. Breast surgery case volume was compared via t tests across two major categories: reconstructive and aesthetic. Differences in intra-pathway variability were compared with F tests. Five consecutive cohorts of plastic surgery residents (n = 818): independent/combined (n = 526, 64%) and integrated (n = 292, 36%) at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residency programs, were included (2011–2015). Independent/combined residents reported significantly more aesthetic cases than integrated residents, but similar reconstructive cases. Independent/combined residents reported more breast augmentations, mastopexy, cosmetic breast fat grafting, and other cosmetic breast cases. Within the reconstructive category, independent residents reported more breast reconstruction fat grafting cases while integrated residents reported more breast reconstruction with pedicle flap, other breast reconstruction, and breast reduction cases. Independent residents had greater intra-pathway variability in five case subcategories, while integrated residents had greater variability in one case subcategory. Disparities in breast surgery case volume exist by plastic surgery residency training pathway. Given the importance of case volume to residents and faculty, these disparities may warrant greater attention. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Observation of a Cambarus bartonii bartonii (Common Crayfish) Overwintering in a Terrestrial Winter Microhabitat

In cool climates, crayfish that are not primary burrowing species are typically thought to retreat into deeper waters in winter and may seek refuge in small aquatic burrows or interstitial spaces associated with aquatic substrates. Herein, I report a novel observation of a juvenile Cambarus bartonii bartonii (Common Crayfish) during winter within eastern Pennsylvania occupying a terrestrial microhabitat consisting of moist, terrestrial leaf litter associated with a small depression in an upland forest. I found the crayfish in association with a small aggregation of Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-backed Salamander). Requirements of a hibernaculum by the salamanders with sufficient moisture and buffered from freezing may have also provided sufficient conditions for the crayfish to utilize the depression as a winter refugium.
Effective MCH epidemiology in state health agencies: lessons from an evaluation of the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program (MCHEP).

Objectives: The Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program (MCHEP), jointly sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), was evaluated in 1996–1997. As part of this evaluation, an effort was undertaken to identify components of effective MCH epidemiology, to examine their prevalence across participating states, and to assess differences with respect to these components between MCHEP and non-MCHEP states. Methods: A case-study evaluation was undertaken in which nine states (five MCHEP and four non-MCHEP) rated themselves on a benchmark questionnaire and participated in interviews conducted during site visits. At the completion of the evaluation, 16 components of effective MCH epidemiology in state health agencies were identified. The nine states were rated by the evaluation team on each component. Ratings across all states and between MCHEP and non-MCHEP states were compared. Results: There was a great deal of variability among the nine states with respect to the presence of the components of effective MCH epidemiology. Components on which the states appeared weakest overall were the presence of adequately trained personnel, the presence of adequate management information systems to support MCH programs, and whether the state health agency's epidemiologic unit understands the MCH planning cycle. States with an MCHEP assignee had a higher overall mean score than non-MCHEP states across all components. There were seven components on which the two groups of states differed. These include whether the MCH director is empowered in the state health agency, whether the state health agency has identified internal epidemiologic capacity building as a priority, and whether analytic leadership is available for MCH epidemiologic activities. Conclusions: Building and maintaining MCH epidemiologic capacity in state health agencies requires attention to a variety of factors. While the presence of an MCH epidemiologist is important, this is only one of many components that must be considered as both the federal and state governments seek to promote and institutionalize effective MCH epidemiology in state health agencies.