cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
44 Timing of the Development of Donor Specific Antibody after Heart Transplantation Impacts Long-Term Outcome

tients with ELISA-PRA 10% and with HLA-specific antibodies determined by Luminex bead array (L-IGG) underwent heart transplantation (HTx). 33(34%) HTx recipients exhibited pre-Tx DSA. Four patients with DSA 8000 MFI assessed by L-IGG were considered virtual crossmatch (VCXM) positive and all were CXM positive, 3 were CDC-AHG T cell and 1 was B cell CXM . All other HTx patients had DSA level 8000 MFI. Immunosuppression (IS) consisted of tacrolimus and MMF and 88(93%) had also induction therapy with alemtuzumab. Frequency of acute severe rejection (ACR) and presence of diffuse C4d in tissue was evaluated in DSA and non-DSA cohorts with one year follow-up. Results: VCXM negative defined as DSA 8000 MFI correlated 100% with the negative CDC-CXM performed with pre-Tx sera within 24 hr of HTx. Peri-operative plasmapheresis and IVIG was used in CXM patients. Post-op ECMO use: 3% in DSA group vs. 10% in non-DSA group (p 0.4). Freedom from diffuse C4d staining in first year was 92% in non-DSA group vs. 68% in DSA group (p 0.02). Of the CXM positive HTx recipients one patient post-Tx had persistent high level of DSA and developed diffuse C4d in tissue. Freedom from ACR was 78% in non-DSA group vs. 81% in DSA group (p 0.7). Overall, graft survival was similar or better in DSA group (30 days, 1 year, 3 years 97%, 97%, 97%; vs. non-DSA group, 94%, 85%, 74%; (p 0.04). Conclusions: Although, HTx patients with DSA exhibited increased C4d in heart biopsies, the frequency of ACR was similar and overall survival was not worse at 3 years in DSA vs. non-DSA cohort. Under induction therapy with tacrolimus and MMF maintenance IS, sensitized HTx patients can be safely transplanted with pre-and post-transplant evaluation of DSA levels. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long term outcomes in these high risk HTx candidates.
Limits on a Lorentz- and parity-violating modification of electrodynamics.

The Chern-Simons Lagrangian has been studied previously in (2+1)-dimensional spacetime, where it is both gauge and Lorentz invariant. In 3+1 dimensions, this term couples the dual electromagnetic tensor to an external four-vector. If we take this four-vector to be fixed, the term is gauge invariant but not Lorentz invariant. In this paper, we examine both the theoretical consequences of such a modification and observational limits we can put on its magnitude. The Chern-Simons term would rotate the plane of polarization of radiation from distant galaxies, an effect which is not observed. From the observations we deduce that the magnitude of the vector is 1.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}42}$${h}_{0}$ GeV, where ${h}_{0}$ is the Hubble constant in units of 100 km ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ ${\mathrm{Mpc}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$.
The Relationship Between Brain Volume and Walking Outcomes in Older Adults With And Without Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) alters walking. Yet, the compensatory role of central locomotor circuits remains unclear. We hypothesized that walking outcomes would be more closely related to regional gray matter volumes in older adults with DPN, as compared with nonneuropathic diabetic patients and nondiabetic control subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Clinically important outcomes of walking (i.e., speed, stride duration variability, and double support time) were measured in 29 patients with DPN (type 2 diabetes with foot-sole somatosensory impairment), 68 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients (type 2 diabetes with intact foot-sole sensation), and 89 control subjects. Global and regional gray matter volumes were calculated from 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS DPN subjects walked more slowly ( P = 0.005) with greater stride duration variability ( P P P P P CONCLUSIONS Strong relationships between brain volumes and walking outcomes were observed in the DPN group and to a lesser extent the DM group, but not in control subjects. Individuals with DPN may be more dependent upon supraspinal elements of the motor control system to regulate several walking outcomes linked to poor health in elderly adults.
Analytical Predictions for Zonally Symmetric Equilibrium States of the Stratospheric Polar Vortex

Equilibrium states of initially barotropically unstable polar vortices are predicted using two different approaches: minimum enstrophy and maximum entropy theories, which have been extended to include flows evolving on the surface of a sphere. Minimum enstrophy theory shows very good agreement with an ensemble of direct numerical integrations of a polar vortex that mixes vorticity mainly on a spherical cap. For the case of a polar vortex with a substantial resistance to vorticity mixing at its core, the maximum entropy prediction shows good consistency with an ensemble of direct numerical integrations. Maximum entropy theory gives an additional source of information with its density functions, which in a probabilistic sense reveal how the vorticity field (and therefore the mass field) is redistributed in the equilibrium state. The density functions show good skill in predicting several passive tracer distributions in the numerical experiments. Also, from a local point of view, density functions determine the degree of mixing of initially well separated air masses, information that is valuable in tracing atmospheric chemical components.
Inter-population differences in salinity tolerance and osmoregulation of juvenile wild and hatchery-born Sacramento splittail.

The Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) is a minnow endemic to the highly modified San Francisco Estuary of California, USA and its associated rivers and tributaries. This species is composed of two genetically distinct populations, which, according to field observations and otolith strontium signatures, show largely allopatric distribution patterns as recently hatched juveniles. Juvenile Central Valley splittail are found primarily in the nearly fresh waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries, whereas San Pablo juveniles are found in the typically higher-salinity waters (i.e. up to 10‰) of the Napa and Petaluma Rivers. As the large salinity differences between young-of-year habitats may indicate population-specific differences in salinity tolerance, we hypothesized that juvenile San Pablo and Central Valley splittail populations differ in their response to salinity. In hatchery-born and wild-caught juvenile San Pablo splittail, we found upper salinity tolerances, where mortalities occurred within 336 h of exposure to 16‰ or higher, which was higher than the upper salinity tolerance of 14‰ for wild-caught juvenile Central Valley splittail. This, in conjunction with slower recovery of plasma osmolality, but not ion levels, muscle moisture or gill Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, in Central Valley relative to San Pablo splittail during osmoregulatory disturbance provides some support for our hypothesis of inter-population variation in salinity tolerance and osmoregulation. The modestly improved salinity tolerance of San Pablo splittail is consistent with its use of higher-salinity habitats. Although confirmation of the putative adaptive difference through further studies is recommended, this may highlight the need for population-specific management considerations.
Carbofuran: Effect of Long-Term Feeding of Low Doses in Sucrose Syrup on Honey Bees in Standard-Size Field Colonies

Standard-size (10-frame Langstroth) field colonies of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., located in an area that forced the bees to accept offered food because of lack of natural bee forage, were fed long-term, controlled low doses of carbofuran in sucrose syrup throughout the summers of 1976 and 1977. The effect of poisoning on queens by feeding carbofuran at any level that killed colonies was indirect, because queen mortality was related to insufficient care through lack of attendants to feed, groom, and regulate temperatures vital to queen survival. Queens were fed mostly glandular secretions by attendants, rather than honey or pollen, and evidently the glandular food contained no poison. Feeding honey bee colonies sucrose syrup contaming 0.1- or 0.01-ppm carbofuran did little to impede survival of sealed brood or adult bees to maintain the population of colonies at functional levels. However, 1.0-ppm carbofuran was the threshold of serious damage; colonies fed this level of the insecticide sustained continual reduction of sealed brood and adult bees that led to eventual death of these colonies in the winter.
Comparative Analysis of Inpatient and Outpatient Interspinous Process Device Placement for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Purpose To compare reoperations, health care utilization, and costs in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients undergoing interspinous process (ISP) device placement in an inpatient versus outpatient setting. Methods The MarketScan database (2007–2009) was queried for adults with LSS undergoing ISP device placement as a primary procedure. Reoperations, health care utilization, and costs in patients with at least 18 months of follow-up were analyzed. Chi-square and Student t tests were used to assess the differences in characteristics and outcomes between patients treated in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Results A total of 411 patients who underwent ISP device placement were identified; the mean age was 72 years, 51% were female, and most patients were insured by Medicare (73.7%). The average postoperative follow-up was 24.9 months. A subset of 182 patients (44.3%) had inpatient procedures; 229 (55.7%) underwent outpatient ISP device placements. The overall reoperation rate was 20.4%. ISP reoperation rates between inpatient and outpatient cohorts were comparable (23.1% versus 18.3%; p = 0.24). Inpatients accrued significantly higher index procedural costs compared with outpatients ($17,432 versus $8854; p = 0.0001), however, the outpatient cohort utilized more postoperative outpatient services (143 versus 112; p = 0.09) and higher outpatient service costs ($25,376 versus $15,481; p = 0.01). Consequently, cumulative overall cost was similar among the two cohorts ($51,059 versus $51,778; p = 0.94). Conclusions Long-term reoperation rates following ISP device placement are comparable in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Upfront cost savings may be achieved with outpatient ISP device placement, but this benefit is lost by 18 months following initial surgery.
Proof without Words: Sum of Special Products

(1989). Proof without Words: Sum of Special Products. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 62, No. 2, pp. 96-96.
Treatment Options for Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures

A decision for operative versus nonoperative management of thoracolumbar fractures should NEVER be based solely on one factor. Only after a thorough physical, neurological, and spinal examination, and an assessment of a patient's prior activity, social and educational background and patient's expectations, one should review the patient's radiographs and CT scans to determine risks and benefits of operative versus nonoperative care. Both treatment options are discussed in this paper. As a surgical option our preference is short-segment instrumentation and fusion. Careful and appropriate patient selection and an excellent operative technique insure the minimum complications.
Kinetic partitioning during de novo septin filament assembly creates a critical G1 “window of opportunity” for mutant septin function

Septin proteins form highly conserved cytoskeletal filaments composed of hetero-oligomers with strict subunit stoichiometry. Mutations within one hetero-oligomerization interface (the "G" interface) bias the mutant septin toward conformations that are incompatible with filament assembly, causing disease in humans and, in budding yeast cells, temperature-sensitive defects in cytokinesis. We previously found that, when the amount of other hetero-oligomerization partners is limiting, wild-type and G interface-mutant alleles of a given yeast septin "compete" along parallel but distinct folding pathways for occupancy of a limited number of positions within septin hetero-octamers. Here, we synthesize a mathematical model that outlines the requirements for this phenomenon: if a wild-type septin traverses a folding pathway that includes a single rate-limiting folding step, the acquisition by a mutant septin of additional slow folding steps creates an initially large disparity between wild-type and mutant in the cellular concentrations of oligomerization-competent monomers. When the 2 alleles are co-expressed, this kinetic disparity results in mutant exclusion from hetero-oligomers, even when the folded mutant monomer is oligomerization-competent. To test this model experimentally, we first visualize the kinetic delay in mutant oligomerization in living cells, and then narrow or widen the "window of opportunity" for mutant septin oligomerization by altering the length of the G1 phase of the yeast cell cycle, and observe the predicted exacerbation or suppression, respectively, of mutant cellular phenotypes. These findings reveal a fundamental kinetic principle governing in vivo assembly of multiprotein complexes, independent of the ability of the subunits to associate with each other.
Other Complications: Late-Onset Unilateral Irregular Mixed Astigmatism Following Thick-Flap LASIK

Irregular mixed astigmatism can be seen after LASIK surgery [1–3]. In this case the clue for proper treatment was the realization of the excessively large flap thickness of LASIK performed 12 years earlier.
Antimonide-Based Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiodes at 2 µm Wavelength

Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (APDs) at 2-µm wavelength have been developed in the antimonide material system. At 77K, the APDs demonstrated a dark count rate of 210kHz and an avalanche probability of 35% at 4.5V overbias.
Energy Efficiency Projects that Move Slowly

Open image in new window This chapter analyzes 65 slow moving energy efficiency projects (including dropped and cancelled ones) in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) portfolio. Slow moving projects are projects that did not reach the final stage of completion. There is a difference between dropped and cancelled projects. Projects classified as dropped are slowly moving before the GEF Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Council endorsement or the approval by Agencies. cancelled projects are slowly moving after endorsement and approval, and sometimes even after the beginning of implementation. Slow moving projects lacked forward momentum and failed to mature in an acceptable time period. Because these projects did not proceed after the early stages of project development and preparation, and before CEO endorsement, the majority of them did not impose substantial business costs for the GEF. The analysis of slowly developing projects in the GEF portfolio provides information on GEF processes and practices, and the significant roles played by stakeholders in project preparation and implementation.
An examination of dropout rates for Hispanic or Latino students enrolled in online K-12 schools

As the number of online K-12 educational offerings continues to grow it is important to better understand key indicators of success for students enrolled in these classes. One of those indicators is student dropout rates. This is particularly important for Hispanic or Latino students who traditionally have high dropout rates. The purpose of this study was to better understand dropout rates for K-12 Hispanic or Latino students enrolled in online schools in Arizona. This was accomplished by examining the effects that the independent variables of time, school type (charter vs non-charter) and delivery type (blended vs fully online) have on dropout rates. A quantitative analysis of data from 32 online schools was performed. The results of this study show that dropout rates are indeed declining for the period of 2013–2015. This decline is mirrored by national dropout rates for all students and specifically for Hispanic or Latino students. While the declines are positive news, the dropout rates for Hispanic or Latino students are still among the highest measured. The dropout rate gap between other demographic groups and Hispanics or Latinos is still substantial and worth continued research along with efforts to reduce these dropout rates and foster increased student success.
The Wandering Doctrine of Constitutional Fact

Perhaps the most underrated doctrine of constitutional law or federal jurisdiction is the constitutional fact doctrine. Developed in the 1920s and 30s, the doctrine at its core dictates that factual issues on which the constitutionality of governmental action turns must be determined de novo by an Article III federal court or state court, with no deference given to resolution of these factual issues by an administrative or executive agency. For example, if an agency determines that a particular regulation affects interstate commerce, that mixed law-fact question is subject to de novo review in the courts. If an agency determines that particular expression is obscene and therefore constitutionally the subject of suppression, the courts will review that determination de novo. If an administrative regulator determines that defamation of a public figure was uttered with knowledge of falsity, thereby taking it out of the First Amendment’s protective sphere, that factual determination will be subjected to de novo judicial review.Largely because the doctrine came into existence in the era of the now-dishonored doctrine of economic substantive due process, it was thought by many to have fallen into disrepute and eventually obscurity. But recent developments in a variety of areas of constitutional law, including freedom of expression and true threats, police officers’ use of excessive force and military tribunals’ procedural treatment of enemy combatants, underscore the doctrine’s continued vitality.In recent years, however, the doctrine has lost its conceptual bearings. The Supreme Court, exercising its “supervisory” power, has extended the doctrine to areas where it has no proper role to play, including appellate judicial review of factual findings by lower courts and juries. For the constitutional fact doctrine to achieve its legitimate goals, it must be rethought and reshaped. That is the purpose of this Article. By putting forth an entirely new conceptual taxonomy of the constitutional fact doctrine and then exploring the conceivable constitutional rationales behind the doctrine, we are able to demonstrate that the doctrine is best served by categorical rejection of the “supervisory” theory as the principle’s intellectual foundation. Instead we focus on the Due Process Clauses and Article III, finding potential problems with both rationales but fashioning a creative synthesis of the two constitutional sources that provides the strongest intellectual foundation for the constitutional fact doctrine.
TCT-325 Proper balloon sizing for optimal bridging aortic valvuloplasty therapy in patients awaiting Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

In patients with severe aortic stenosis awaiting definitive therapy, percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty(PABV) is at times necessary as bridging therapy to transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR) or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement. There are no current guidelines for proper balloon
Growth Rate Effects on the Formation of Dislocation Loops Around Deep Helium Bubbles in Tungsten

The growth process of spherical helium bubbles located 6 nm below a (100) surface is studied using molecular dynamics and parallel replica dynamics simulations, over growth rates from 106 to 1012 h...
Performance evaluation of the HCM 2010 platoon dispersion model under midblock pedestrian and truck traffic friction conditions

Abstract The urban street segment analysis chapter of the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 provides a methodology for evaluating automobile performance on street segments within an urban roadway network ( TRB, 2010 ). The methodology involves applying a platoon dispersion model to predict platoon arrival profiles at a downstream signalized intersection; using the predicted arrival flow profiles to compute the proportion of vehicle arrivals on green, and subsequently compute the control delay, average travel speed and level of service (LOS) of the segment. The predictive ability of the HCM 2010 platoon dispersion model has not been independently evaluated using field data. This paper, therefore, uses field data to evaluate the performance of the HCM 2010 platoon dispersion model under friction and no friction traffic conditions. The traffic friction conditions include pedestrian and vehicular interactions on urban collector street segments and the presence of trucks within the traffic stream on principal urban arterial segments. Based on the results obtained, the HCM 2010 platoon dispersion model performs relatively well in predicting platoon arrival profiles on urban street segments with no friction traffic conditions. The results, however, show the model's performance is limited on urban street segments with pedestrian and truck friction conditions.
Phosphorus redox reactions as pinch hitters in microbial metabolism.

Phosphorus (P) is required by all living organisms for the synthesis of genetic and cellular components, metabolism, and energy transfer. The phosphate ion (PO43-, P valence +5), also referred to as inorganic phosphate (Pi), is typically the most easily assimilated P species but is also a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems. Microorganisms can also obtain Pi from inorganic and organic forms of reduced P compounds (P valence +1, +2, +3), including phosphonates (organophosphorus compounds with a direct C-P bond), phosphite (HPO32-), and hypophosphite (1). Reduced P compounds have long been known to exist in the environment, although only recently has it become clear that these compounds make up a significant proportion of the P available to microbial organisms (2⇓–4). DNA sequencing studies have revealed the corresponding enormous diversity of microorganisms that can utilize or synthesize reduced P compounds (5, 6). Therefore, the microbial transformations of reduced P compounds are expected to have previously unrecognized roles in the ecology and biogeochemistry of ecosystems. Figueroa et al. (7) explore how microorganisms in an anoxic environment obtain all of the energy necessary for growth by oxidizing phosphite to Pi, thereby contributing to the production of new biomass and to the P redox cycle. Their findings contribute to emerging evidence that the P redox cycle is an intrinsic part of the microbial cycling of carbon, energy, and other nutrients. In oceanic waters, P redox pathways are an active component of the P cycle (8 … [↵][1]1Email: ososa{at}hawaii.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Computer Algebraic Approach to Verification and Debugging of Galois Field Multipliers

The paper presents a novel method to verify and debug gate-level arithmetic circuits implemented in Galois Field arithmetic. The method is based on forward reduction of the specification polynomials of the circuit in GF(2m) using GF(2) models of its logic gates. We define a forward variable order “FO >” and the rules of forward reduction that enable verification, bug detection, and automatic bug correction in the circuit. By analyzing the remainder generated by forward reduction, the method can determine whether the circuit is buggy, and finds the location and the type of the bug. The experiments performed on Mastrovito and Montgomery multipliers show that our debugging method is independent of the location of the bug(s) and the debugging time is comparable to the time needed to verify the bug-free circuit.
Enthalpies of absorption of carbon dioxide in aqueous diethanolamine solutions

Abstract An isothermal flow calorimeter was used to measure the enthalpies of absorption of carbon dioxide in aqueous 20, 35, and 50 wt.% diethanolamine (DEA) solutions. The experimental temperature and pressure ranges were 299.82–399.82 K and 0.087–1.121 MPa, respectively. The experimental equipment and procedure are described, with emphasis on the complexities originating from the difficulty of measuring the enthalpy of absorption of a gas in an aqueous solution. The calorimetric data were also found to be useful in determining the equilibrium concentrations of CO 2 in the DEA solutions. Both enthalpy of absorption and equilibrium concentration data for CO 2 -aqueous DEA systems are reported and compared with existing values from other investigations. The enthalpy of absorption of CO 2 in aqueous DEA solutions was found to be independent of pressure and DEA concentration, and linearly dependent upon the temperature. An equation is given for predicting the enthalpy of absorption over the ranges of temperatures, pressures, and concentrations investigated.
RADECS Short Course Section 4 Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) for Space Systems

Contents include the following: Introduction. Programmatic aspects of RHA. RHA componens: requirements and specifications; mission radiation environment; and parts selection and radiation tolerance. Analysis at the function/subsystem/system level: TID/DD; SEE. Conclusion.
Thick High Aspect-Ratio Biomimetic Silicon Hair Sensors as Accelerometers

In nature, hair typically exists in large-scale arrays, offering improved sensitivity and dynamic range. In this paper, we present a new high aspect-ratio (HAR) hair biomimetic microstructure used as an accelerometer and it consists of a vertically anchored hair-like spring with a proof-mass attached to the top of it and made from thick silicon. Silicon structures mimicking hair, fabricated by MEMS technology, have the potential to greatly improve sensor performance by combining large and dense arrays of HAR microstructures with efficient transduction mechanisms and local interface circuits. Signal processing of the MEMS array outputs (hundreds or thousands) can eventually provide multiplicity of functions, including high sensitivity, greater dynamic range, reduced parasitics, fault-tolerance, and reconfigurability. We present a thick silicon capacitive MEMS accelerometer and accelerometer arrays with a small-footprint based on this microstructure. Multiple electrodes surrounding the core hair structure form differential capacitive pairs and enable fully symmetric readout as well as force-feedback closed-loop operation for sensing acceleration. Arrays of 64 accelerometers each with a footprint of $200\times 200 \,\,\mu \text{m}^{2}$ and $500~\mu \text{m}$ thick have been demonstrated. [2018-0215]
Some Concerns about the Application of Piaget's Theory and Research to Mathematical Learning and Instruction.

In his attempts to develop a theory of intelligence, Piageťs observations have led him to certain conclusions regarding children's spontaneous development of various mathematical and premathematical ideas. For instance, Piaget and Inhelder have concluded in The Child's Conception of Space (see table 1) that contrary to historical development, topological ideas appear before projective or Euclidean ideas in children's spontaneous development of nonmetric spatial concepts. (If you are not familiar with the topologicalprojective-Euclidean distinction, sources such as Sullivan [1967], Lovell [(b) 1971], or Copeland [1970] can be consulted.) Furthermore, "Piaget and Inhelder assert that children attain the ability to deal with projective and Euclidean space simultaneously" (Wallace 1965, p. 117). We all are aware of writers or speakers who have cited Piageťs conclusion regarding children's spontaneous development of topological, projective, and Euclidean ideas of space. These persons then often go on to draw some instructional inferences from this conclusion. For ex-
Current Controversies and Challenges in Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (taTME)

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard surgical approach to rectal cancer. Requirements of oncologically successful TME include the surgical extirpation of a complete mesorectal specimen, with tumor-free circumferential resection margins (CRM), a tumor-free distal resection margin (DRM), and the removal of ≥12 lymph nodes. Since 1991, alternative minimally invasive approaches to laparotomy have been found to be oncologically equivalent to open surgery while conferring the numerous benefits of minimally invasive surgery. Laparoscopy, robotic, and most recently transanal TME (taTME) have all been demonstrated as alternatives. We will present a literature review and comparison among the different approaches to TME as well as the challenges of taTME.
Academic Libraries and Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know?

Abstract This paper examines the rising rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children in the United States (1 in 59), and explores the role academic libraries can play in helping college students with ASD. A literature review of how different types of libraries (school, public, academic) support students with ASD indicates research in this area in general is lacking. Findings point to lack of adequate training and awareness for librarians and staff, resources, services and spaces are universal challenges. Several initiatives that academic libraries and librarians may consider in helping students with ASD are identified and described.
Comparison of PESA and MESA techniques for men with obstructive azoospermia.

Abstract Design Video presentation. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) A 53-year-old male presents with a history of a vasectomy performed 7 years prior. His wife is 36 years-old and requests sperm extraction for in-vitro fertilization. On examination, his testicles were 20 cc bilaterally with a serum follicle-stimulating hormone of 5.3. Intervention(s) Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) and Microscopic Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA) Main outcome measure(s) Intraoperative technique highlighting the main steps for performing PESA and MESA, complications, and sperm retrieval outcomes. Result(s) This video highlights the technique for performing both PESA and MESA. We demonstrate complications and outcomes associated with both procedures. Both PESA and MESA are viable options for sperm retrieval with varying complications and sperm quality outcomes. Conclusion(s) We demonstrate how to perform both PESA and MESA. Both are effective means for obtaining sperm for in-vitro fertilization with differences in technique, equipment required, complications and sperm quality outcomes.
Zika virus noncoding sfRNAs sequester multiple host-derived RNA-binding proteins and modulate mRNA decay and splicing during infection.

Insect-borne flaviviruses produce a 300–500–base long noncoding RNA, termed subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA), by stalling the cellular 5′–3′-exoribonuclease 1 (XRN1) via structures located in their 3′ UTRs. In this study, we demonstrate that sfRNA production by Zika virus represses XRN1 analogous to what we have previously shown for other flaviviruses. Using protein–RNA reconstitution and a stringent RNA pulldown assay with human choriocarcinoma (JAR) cells, we demonstrate that the sfRNAs from both dengue type 2 and Zika viruses interact with a common set of 21 RNA-binding proteins that contribute to the regulation of post-transcriptional processes in the cell, including splicing, RNA stability, and translation. We found that four of these sfRNA-interacting host proteins, DEAD-box helicase 6 (DDX6) and enhancer of mRNA decapping 3 (EDC3) (two RNA decay factors), phosphorylated adaptor for RNA export (a regulator of the biogenesis of the splicing machinery), and apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3C (APOBEC3C, a nucleic acid–editing deaminase), inherently restrict Zika virus infection. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the regulations of cellular mRNA decay and RNA splicing are compromised by Zika virus infection as well as by sfRNA alone. Collectively, these results reveal the large extent to which Zika virus–derived sfRNAs interact with cellular RNA-binding proteins and highlight the potential for widespread dysregulation of post-transcriptional control that likely limits the effective response of these cells to viral infection.
Cytoplasmic ERα and NFκB Promote Cell Survival in Mouse Mammary Cancer Cell Lines

There is a desperate need in the field for mouse mammary tumors and cell lines that faithfully mimic estrogen receptor (ER) expression and activity found in human breast cancers. We found that several mouse mammary cancer cell lines express ER but fail to demonstrate classical estrogen-driven proliferation or transcriptional activity. We investigated whether these cell lines may be used to model tamoxifen resistance by using small molecule inhibitors to signaling pathways known to contribute to resistance. We found that the combination of NFκB inhibition and ER antagonists significantly reduced cell proliferation in vitro, as well as growth of syngeneic tumors. Surprisingly, we found that ER was localized to the cytoplasm, regardless of any type of treatment. Based on this, we probed extra-nuclear functions of ER and found that co-inhibition of ER and NFκB led to an increase in oxidative stress and apoptosis. Together, these findings suggest that cytoplasmic ER and NFκB may play redundant roles in protecting mammary cancer cells from oxidative stress and cell death. Although this study has not identified a mouse model with classical ER activity, cytoplasmic ER has been described in a small subset of human breast tumors, suggesting that these findings may be relevant for some breast cancer patients.
Corporate Long Arms

One of the most persistent debates among corporate law scholars has been whether the competition among states for corporate charters produces a race to the top or a race to the bottom. Some argue that the competition leads to the most efficient state emerging as the winner of the race. Others argue that the competition favors the states that put the interests of managers—who have the power to choose the corporation’s state of incorporation (the “home state”)—ahead of the interests of shareholders and other stakeholders of the corporation. In this Article, I show how corporate long arm statutes could be used to facilitate a race to the top and mitigate the negative spillovers from a race to the bottom that may result from the competition for corporate charters. What I propose is that the rules of another state (the “host state”) would become available to their intended beneficiaries when the host state has a greater interest than the home state in protecting such beneficiaries. I offer a few examples of how the proposed statute would work in practice and show that it is more cost-effective and politically feasible than other proposed alternatives.
NKCC1: Newly Found as a Human Disease-Causing Ion Transporter.

Among the electroneutral Na+-dependent chloride transporters, NKCC1 had until now evaded identification as a protein causing human diseases. The closely related SLC12A transporters, NKCC2 and NCC have been identified some 25 years ago as responsible for Bartter and Gitelman syndromes: two renal-dependent salt wasting disorders. Absence of disease was most surprising since the NKCC1 knockout mouse was shown in 1999 to be viable, albeit with a wide range of deleterious phenotypes. Here we summarize the work of the past 5 years that introduced us to clinical cases involving NKCC1. The most striking cases are of 3 children with inherited mutations, who have complete absence of NKCC1 expression. These cases establish that lack of NKCC1 causes deafness; CFTR-like secretory defects with mucus accumulation in lung and intestine; severe xerostomia, hypotonia, dysmorphic facial features, and severe neurodevelopmental disorder. Another intriguing case is of a patient with a dominant deleterious SLC12A2 allele. This de novo mutation introduced a premature stop codon leading to a truncated protein. This mutant transporter seems to exert dominant-negative effect on wild-type transporter only in epithelial cells. The patient who suffers from lung, bladder, intestine, pancreas, and multiple endocrine abnormalities has, however, normal hearing and cognition. Finally, new reports substantiate the haploinsufficiency prediction of the SLC12A2 gene. Cases with single allele mutations in SLC12A2 have been linked to hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Europeanization from the periphery: the case of ‘second-class’ food in Central and Eastern Europe

Europeanization is often defined as the process by which European Union (EU) laws, policies and practices shape the member states. Scholars have examined the key drivers of Europeanization. In bott...
Intensity and mode of Lindera melissifolia reproduction are affected by flooding and light availability.

We studied the impact of flooding and light availability gradients on sexual and asexual reproduction in Lindera melissifolia (Walt.) Blume, an endangered shrub found in floodplain forests of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV), USA. A water impoundment facility was used to control the duration of soil flooding (0, 45, or 90 days), and shade houses were used to control light availability (high = 72%, intermediate = 33%, or low = 2% of ambient light) received by L. melissifolia established on native soil of the MAV. Sexual reproductive intensity, as measured by inflorescence bud count, fruit set, and drupe production, was greatest in the absence of soil flooding. Ninety days of soil flooding in the year prior to anthesis decreased inflorescence bud counts, and 45 days of soil flooding in the year of anthesis lessened fruit set and drupe production. Inflorescence bud development was the greatest in environments of intermediate light, decreased in high-light environments, and was absent in low light environments. But low fruit set diminished drupe production in intermediate light environments as compared to high light environments. Asexual reproduction, as measured by development of new ramets, was greatest in the absence of soil flooding and where plants were grown in high or intermediate light. Plants exhibited plasticity in reproductive mode such that soil flooding increased the relative importance of asexual reproduction. The high light environment was most favorable to sexual reproduction, and reproductive mode transitioned to exclusively asexual in the low light environment. Our results raise several implications important to active management for the conservation of this imperiled plant.
DmRaf: Raf homologue (D. melanogaster)

DmRaf was originally cloned by homology with mammalian Raf1. Mutations in DmRaf identify the 1(1)pole hole locus that has been implicated in signaling from both the torso, sevenless, and EGF receptor tyrosine kinases in Drosophila melanogaster. DmRaf contains the three highly conserved domains found in vertebrate Rafs, that is, CR1, CR2, and the kinase domain (CR3). Domains CR1 and CR2 regulate activation of DmRaf. The C110 mutation in the CR1 domain disrupts the interaction with Ras1, but still shows partial activity. Vertebrate homologues of DmRaf include Raf1, A-Raf, B-Raf, and the c-mil protooncogene in birds. The vertebrate functional homologue is Raf1. Other similar vertebrate genes are A-Raf, B-Raf, and the c-mil protooncogene in birds. DmRaf encodes a single 3.3 kb RNA that is ubiquitously expressed throughout development.
BuddyNet: history-based P2P search

Peer-to-peer file sharing has become a very popular Internet application. P2P systems such as Gnutella and Kazaa work well when the number of peers is small. Their performances degraded significantly when the number of peers scales. In order to overcome the scalability problem, numerous research groups have experimented with different approaches. We conduct a novel evaluation study on Kazaa traffic focusing on the interest-based locality. Our analysis shows that strong interest-based locality exist in P2P systems and can be exploited to improve performance. Based on our findings, we propose a history-based P2P search algorithm and topology adaptation mechanism. The resulting system naturally clusters peers with similar interests to each other and greatly improves the efficiency for searching. We test our design through simulations; the results show significant reduction in total system load and large speedup in search efficiency compared to random walk and interest shortcut schemes. In addition, we show that our system is more robust under dynamic situations.
Microstructure, tensile, and creep behavior of O + BCC Ti2AlNb alloys processed using induction-float-zone melting

Abstract The microstructure, tensile, and tensile–creep behavior were studied for orthorhombic (O) plus body-centered cubic (BCC) Ti–22Al–24Nb and Ti–26Al–27Nb (at.%) alloys processed using induction-float-zone melting (IFZM). Microstructure studies were performed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), automated electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Upon solidification, the BCC phase evolved with [1 0 0] oriented nearly parallel to the longitudinal rod direction. During the slow cool through the O+BCC-phase field, O-variants formed in a fine lath network within the parent BCC. The as-processed Ti–26Al–27Nb rod was strongly textured with an approximately equal distribution of six resolvable O-variants. The retained BCC phase, which was sandwiched between O laths, maintained a higher volume fraction (Vf∼0.20) in Ti–22Al–24Nb compared to Ti–26Al–27Nb (Vf∼0.05). The tensile and creep behavior of the as-processed microstructures were evaluated with the tensile axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal rod direction. The fully lath O+BCC Ti–22Al–24Nb microstructure exhibited a room-temperature yield strength of 836 MPa and an elongation-to-failure of 4.5%. Surface slip traces revealed that slip was compatible between the O and BCC phases. An untransformed-BCC Ti–26Al–27Nb microstructure, oriented with [1 0 0] nearly parallel to the tensile axis, exhibited localized deformation bands resulting in an elongation of more than 5.9% and an average yield strength of 828 MPa. In terms of the creep behavior, the secondary creep rates revealed that the fully lath O+BCC Ti–26Al–27Nb microstructure significantly outperformed that for all other O-based alloys. For applied stresses greater than 300 MPa, an activation energy of 346 kJ/mol and a creep exponent of 5.1 were measured, while for lower applied stresses the creep exponent transitioned to a value of 2.3. Overall, this work shows that induction-float-zone processing produces textured fully lath O+BCC microstructures containing an attractive balance of room- and elevated-temperature properties for Al concentrations as high as 26 at.%.
Fashion Supply Chain Management through Cost and Time Minimization from a Network Perspective

In this paper, we consider fashion supply chain management through cost and time minimization, from a network perspective and in the case of multiple fashion products. We develop a multicriteria decision-making optimization model subject to multimarket demand satisfaction, and provide its equivalent variational inequality formulation. The model allows for the determination of the optimal multiproduct fashion flows associated with the supply chain network activities, in the form of: manufacturing, storage, and distribution, and identi es the minimal total operational cost and total time consumption.The model allows the decision-maker to weight the total time minimization objective of the supply chain network for the time-sensitive fashion products, as appropriate. Furthermore, we discuss potential applications to fashion supply chain management through a series of numerical examples.
REVISING THE FILM CANON

Canon formation is necessary and inevitable. In 1985 Janet Staiger suggested two guiding principles to revise the process of canon formation: (1) include works that were previously marginalized and (2) eliminate or mitigate the role of evaluative criteria in canon formation to avoid repeating a system of exclusion and inclusion. In this paper I review Jonathan Rosenbaum's two most recent books, Movie Mutations (2003) and Essential Cinema (2004), in the context of Staiger's two recommendations and argue that the books embrace the first guideline while rejecting the second. I also conduct a statistical analysis of Rosenbaum's 1,000‐film canon in order to understand more clearly its implications.
Treating lung inflammation with agonists of the adenosine A2A receptor: promises, problems and potential solutions

Adenosine A2A receptor agonists may be important regulators of inflammation. Such conclusions have come from studies demonstrating that, (i) adenosine A2A agonists exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo, (ii) selective A2A antagonists enhance inflammation in vivo and, (iii) knock outs of this receptor aggravate inflammation in a wide variety of in vivo models. Inflammation is a hallmark of asthma and COPD and adenosine has long been suggested to be involved in disease pathology. Two recent publications, however, suggested that an inhaled adenosine A2A receptor agonist (GW328267X) did not affect either the early and late asthmatic response or symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis suggesting that the rationale for treating inflammation with an adenosine A2A receptor agonist may be incorrect. A barrier to fully investigating the role of adenosine A2A receptor agonists as anti-inflammatory agents in the lung is the side effect profile due to systemic exposure, even with inhalation. Unless strategies can be evolved to limit the systemic exposure of inhaled adenosine A2A receptor agonists, the promise of treating lung inflammation with such agents may never be fully explored. Using strategies similar to that devised to improve the therapeutic index of inhaled corticosteroids, UK371,104 was identified as a selective agonist of the adenosine A2A receptor that has a lung focus of pharmacological activity following delivery to the lung in a pre clinical in vivo model of lung function. Lung-focussed agents such as UK371,104 may be suitable for assessing the anti-inflammatory potential of inhaled adenosine A2A receptor agonists.
Nitric acid dry deposition to conifer forests:. Niwot Ridge spruce-fir-pine study

Abstract The dry deposition velocity of nitric acid, Vd(HNO3), over a 12-m (mean height) spruce–fir forest at Niwot Ridge, Colorado was estimated during 13 daytime periods using the flux-gradient approach. Turbulence intensity at this site is high (mean u ∗ of 0.65 m s−1 with u of 2.9 m s−1) and contributed to the large observed Vd(HNO3). The overriding contributor is identified to be the small aerodynamic needle width of the conifer trees. Two cases had inflated Vd(HNO3) due to height-differentiated nitric acid loss to soil-derived particle surfaces. Not considering these cases, the mean Vd(HNO3) was 7.6 cm s−1. The mean laminar boundary layer resistance (Rb) was found to be 7.8 s m−1 (of similar magnitude to that of the aerodynamic resistance, 8.5 s m−1). The data-determined Rb is bracketed by two theoretical estimates of the mean Rb, 5.9 and 8.6 s m−1, that include consideration of the small canopy length scale (aerodynamic needle width), 1 mm or less, at this conifer forest. However, the poor correlation of data-determined Rb values with both sets of theoretical estimates indicates that measurement error needs to be reduced and/or improved formulations of theoretical Rb values are in order. The large observed Vd(HNO3) at this conifer forest site is attributed to high turbulence intensity, and, especially, to small aerodynamic needle width.
Who Says? Working-Class Rhetoric, Class Consciousness, and Community, William DeGenaro, ed.

Who Says? is a collection of essays that ranges widely over rhetorics of work and the working class. In his introduction the editor of the collection, William DeGenaro, points out the lack of atten...