cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Habitat-specific demography of a long-distance, neotropical migrant bird, the eastern kingbird

I used data from a 10-yr study of Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) breeding in three habitats in the Charlotte Valley of central New York to describe population trends, and to examine how population dynamics varied with habitat-specific estimates of reproductive output, adult dispersal, and survival. Although breeding date was slightly earlier on the floodplain than the upland, my other comparisons showed that clutch size, egg mass, or the number of young lost to starvation or predators did not vary with habitat. However, floodplain pairs had the lowest annual productivity because significantly more of their eggs were eaten by predators during incubation. Males tended to exhibit higher survival and site fidelity than females, but in both sexes, survival was highest on the floodplain and lowest in the upland. Most dispersing individuals of both sexes moved toward the creek (significant in males). As a result of this and the moderately high survival of adults that bred along the creek, the creek population remained stable between 1989 and 1998, whereas the floodplain, upland, and total population tended to decline (2.5%/yr). Counts of kingbirds from Breeding Bird Surveys (1989–1996) conducted within 100 km of the study site also showed significant declines. Population size within the Charlotte Valley was positively associated with local adult male survival and seasonal productivity, and the declines in population size seemed to be linked most strongly to a drop in male survival during the latter half of the study. Calculation of habitat-specific population growth rates suggested that all three habitats, and thus the entire Charlotte Valley system, was a population sink whose numbers were supplemented substantially by outside immigration. However, productivity along the creek (and upland) was density dependent, suggesting also that the creek may function as a “pseudosink.” My results suggest that spatial and temporal (i.e., successional) changes in habitat quality may have led to increased permanent emigration of adults, and declines in population size. The importance of outside immigration also suggests that population dynamics can only be understood by evaluating local trends within a larger geographic context.
Making sense of olfaction through predictions of the 3-D structure and function of olfactory receptors.

We used the MembStruk first principles computational technique to predict the three-dimensional (3-D) structure of six mouse olfactory receptors (S6, S18, S19, S25, S46 and S50) for which experimental odorant recognition profiles are available for a set of 24 odorants (4–9 carbons aliphatic alcohols, acids, bromo-acids and diacids). We used the HierDock method to scan each predicted OR structure for potential odorant binding site(s) and to calculate binding energies of each odorant in these binding sites. The calculated binding affinity profiles are in good agreement with experimental activation profiles, validating the predicted 3-D structures and the predicted binding sites. For each of the six ORs, the binding site is located between trans-membrane domains (TMs) 3–6, with contributions from extracellular loops 2 and 3. In particular, we find six residue positions in TM3 and TM6 to be consistently involved in the binding modes of the odorants. Indeed, the differences in the experimental recognition profiles can be explained on the basis of these critical residues alone. These predictions are also consistent with mutation data on ligand binding for catecholamine receptors and sequence hypervariability studies for ORs. Based on this analysis, we defined amino acid patterns associated with the recognition of short aliphatic alcohols and mono-acids. Using these two sequence fingerprints to probe the alignment of 869 OR sequences from the mouse genome, we identified 34 OR sequences matching the fingerprint for aliphatic mono-acids and 36 corresponding to the recognition pattern for aliphatic alcohols. We suggest that these two sets of ORs might function as basic arrays for uniquely recognizing aliphatic alcohols and acids. We screened a library of 89 additional molecules against the six ORs and found that this set of ORs is likely to respond to aldehydes and esters with longer carbon chains than their currently known agonists. We also find that compounds associated with the flavor in foods are often among the best calculated binding affinities. This suggests that physiologic ligands for these ORs may be found among aldehydes and esters associated with flavor.
EFFECTS OF EMERSION TEMPERATURE ON THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION RATES OF MALE TANNER CRABS, CHIONOECETES BAIRDI

Abstract Delivery of live crustaceans to markets has the potential to increase profits for Alaskan fishermen, but the practice has been limited in part by mortality occurring during shipment to distant markets. Protocols that select crabs more likely to survive shipment would likely further develop this niche market and evaluating the physiological stress response in crustaceans provides a logical entry point to explore this area. This study measures oxygen consumption rates (MO2; mgO2 g−1 hr−1) of male Tanner crabs, Chionoecetes bairdi, following 15, 30 or 45 min of emersion at 8°C or −15°C followed 12 h later by a uniform handling stressor (emersion at −15°C for 10 min). MO2 increased immediately following 15, 30 and 45 min emersion at 8°C (on average 1.5 times pre-treatment levels). All crabs survived emersion at 8°C and MO2 returned to pre-treatment levels within 12 hours. These animals also responded similarly to a uniform second stress test by increasing MO2. Crabs previously exposed to air at −15°C...
An interactive learning framework for scalable classification of pathology images

Recent advances in microscopy imaging and genomics have created an explosion of patient data in the pathology domain. Whole-slide images (WSIs) of tissues can now capture disease processes as they unfold in high resolution, recording the visual cues that have been the basis of pathologic diagnosis for over a century. Each WSI contains billions of pixels and up to a million or more microanatomic objects whose appearances hold important prognostic information. Computational image analysis enables the mining of massive WSI datasets to extract quantitative morphologic features describing the visual qualities of patient tissues. When combined with genomic and clinical variables, this quantitative information provides scientists and clinicians with insights into disease biology and patient outcomes. To facilitate interaction with this rich resource, we have developed a web-based machine-learning framework that enables users to rapidly build classifiers using an intuitive active learning process that minimizes data labeling effort. In this paper we describe the architecture and design of this system, and demonstrate its effectiveness through quantification of glioma brain tumors.
Single-Atom Alloy Pd–Ag Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Acrolein

Pd–Ag alloy catalysts with very dilute amounts of Pd were synthesized. EXAFS results demonstrated that when the concentration of Pd was as low as 0.01 wt %, Pd was completely dispersed as isolated single atoms in Ag nanoparticles. The activity for the hydrogenation of acrolein was improved by the presence of these isolated Pd atoms due to the creation of sites with lower activation energy for H2 dissociation. In addition, for the same particle size, the 0.01% Pd/8% Ag alloy nanoparticles exhibited higher selectivity than their monometallic counterparts, suggesting that the Pd atom may act as a site for the favorable bonding of the acrolein molecule for facile hydrogenation of the aldehyde functionality.
Talking heads

My colleagues and I are developing a system that emulates these popular everyday communication styles. Through the UCI's (University of California at Irvine) Technology Outreach Program, this project is producing a system that not only observes and listens to the talking head of the operator, but also provides a talking head on-screen for the user to hear and watch. Our project specifically uses multimedia to address an immediate and practical goal-better speech recognition. Although implementing "natural" multimedia is a key goal of this project, comfortable use in itself is important, even if only as a motivating or marketing attribute. However, where increased efficiency does not result from using more natural and comfortable procedures, the situation may still improve if the computer begins to act more like a human team-mate.
Charge Collection Mechanisms in GaAs MOSFETs

Charge collection mechanisms are investigated in surface channel GaAs MOSFETs under broadbeam heavy ion irradiation and pulsed two-photon-absorption laser irradiation. The large barrier between the gate dielectric and GaAs eliminates gate conduction current, but there is significant gate displacement current. Charge enhancement occurs because radiation-generated holes accumulate in the substrate, which increases the local electrostatic potential. The increased potential enhances the source-to-drain current, resulting in excess collected charge. The collected charge increases significantly with gate bias, due to the long tails of the charge waveforms that occur for higher gate bias. The collected charge increases with increasing drain bias.
Natural analogues: a way to increase confidence in predictions of long-term performance of radioactive waste disposal

No exact analogue to a radioactive waste disposal system exists but by studying natural analogues of the most important components or subsystems of a waste repository, confidence in long-term predictions can be increased. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is supporting research on igneous intrusions into proposed repository-type host rock (basalt, tuff, crystalline hard-rock, and salt), on uranium ore body analogues, on actinide solubility as a function of natural complexing agents in closed basin lakes and on field migration of radionuclide species at low-level waste and uranium mill tailings disposal sites. The NRC is studying analogues to ensure that important parameters which might be overlooked in laboratory tests and in modeling because of problems with scaling time, space and geologic complexity can be identified and their importance bounded.
Sub- and super-Maxwellian evaporation of simple gases from liquid water

Non-Maxwellian evaporation of light atoms and molecules (particles) such as He and H2 from liquids has been observed experimentally. In this work, we use simulations to study systematically the evaporation of Lennard-Jones particles from liquid water. We find instances of sub- and super-Maxwellian evaporation, depending on the mass of the particle and the particle-water interaction strength. The observed trends are in qualitative agreement with experiment. We interpret these trends in terms of the potential of mean force and the effectiveness and frequency of collisions during the evaporation process. The angular distribution of evaporating particles is also analyzed, and it is shown that trends in the energy from velocity components tangential and normal to the liquid surface must be understood separately in order to interpret properly the angular distributions.
ERAP1 reduces accumulation of aberrant and disulfide-linked forms of HLA-B27 on the cell surface.

Objective Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) variants contribute to the risk of ankylosing spondylitis in HLA-B27 positive individuals, implying a disease-related interaction between these gene products. The aim of this study was to determine whether reduced ERAP1 expression would alter the cell surface expression of HLA-B27 and the formation of aberrant disulfide-linked forms that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthritis.
Medical Record Quality Assessments of Palliative Care for Intensive Care Unit Patients. Do They Match the Perspectives of Nurses and Families

Rationale: To understand how well palliative care is provided in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to direct improvements, measurement of the quality of care delivered is requisite.Objectives: To measure the quality of palliative care delivered in the ICU, using chart review–derived process quality measures of palliative care in critically ill patients, and to compare these measures with family and nursing perspectives on the quality of care provided.Methods: We developed and operationalized a comprehensive quality evaluation measure set from previously endorsed palliative care measure statements, using a rigorous multidisciplinary Delphi process focused on optimizing the validity and feasibility of chart review–derived metrics. Fourteen process measures assessed the quality of care delivered across established domains of palliative care for the ICU. We assessed the quality of care for ICU patients with ICU length of stay exceeding 2 days from three perspectives: medical record reviews, family satisfactio...
Developmental competence of mouse embryos following zona drilling using a non-contact holmium: yttrium scandian gallium garnet (Ho: YSGG) laser system

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of the holmium:yttrium scandian gallium garnet (Ho:YSGG) laser, operating in a pipette-free, non-contact mode, to assist hatching and sustain normal embryonic development. Two-cell mouse embryos were recovered and assigned to laser-assisted hatching (LAH) treatment or control human tubal fluid (HTF) culture with or without serum (HTF-s, HTF-o) or with late serum supplementation (HTF-o/s). The basic experimental apparatus for LAH consisted of a stationary 2.1 microns Ho:YSGG laser beam directed through a mechanical shutter into an input port of a Zeiss Axiomat inverted microscope. Fewer (P < 0.05) embryos developed to the blastocyst stage in the HTF-s group (81%) than in the LAH (90%), HTF-o (94%) and HTF-o/s (92%) groups. The level of hatching was significantly increased (P < 0.01) after the LAH treatment (57%) compared to HTF-o/s (32%), HTF-s (18%) or HTF-o (5%). Implantation rates were not significantly impaired following the LAH treatment (21%). These data demonstrate that LAH using the Ho:YSGG laser is a simple, accurate and effective procedure for assisted hatching.
Accelerated Thermal Decomposition of Graphene Oxide Films in Air via in Situ X-ray Diffraction Analysis

Thermal decomposition of graphene oxide (GO) has been extensively investigated in the past decade, but the detailed reaction kinetics remains elusive so far. Here we employ an in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to clarify the kinetics of GO decomposition in different atmospheres and sample morphologies. The XRD peak (002), which is the major diffraction peak corresponding to the interlayer distance in GO samples, shifted from 11.5° to 23° along with significant decrease in intensity when samples were heated from 25 to 350 °C. The decomposition in air exhibits a higher reaction rate compared with that in pure nitrogen gases because the O2 molecules in air facilitate the oxidation of carbon atoms, leading to the evolution of CO and CO2. Free-standing films of GO also decompose significantly faster than GO powders, owing to their slower heat dissipation into the environment and higher thermal conductivity within the well-stacked lamella. This study has provided new insights into the reaction kinetics o...
Thirty-day re-admission after traumatic brain injury: Results from MarketScan®

AbstractObjective: To estimate the national 30-day re-admission rate after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in insured patients under age 65 and to examine factors that predict re-admission.Methods: This study reviewed data on patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of TBI in the MarketScan® database from 2010–2012. Patients with substantial concurrent injury to non-head regions were excluded. This study identified all hospitalizations within 30 days after index discharge and compared characteristics of patients who were re-admitted vs those who were not.Results: This study identified 26 831 patients with a primary diagnosis of TBI who survived the index hospitalization. Overall, 6.6% of patients were re-admitted within 30 days. TBI was the most common primary diagnosis for re-admission (28.5%), followed by psychiatric disorders (12.5%). Patients who were older, had a head Abbreviated Injury Score of 3 or more, one or more comorbidities, longer length of stay or who were discharged to an inpatient reha...
Pediatric Spinal Tumors

The clinical outcome and surgical treatment of 34 pediatric spinal tumors seen over an 18-year period (1981-1999) were analysed in a retrospective study at the Neurosurgical University Hospital of Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
The Impact of Foreign Aid Allocation on Access to Social Services in sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Water and Sanitation

Summary The Sustainable Development target of ensuring access to water and sanitation for all by 2030 has far-reaching implications for the achievement of the other SDGs. However, achieving this target remains a major challenge for sub-Saharan Africa, and the ability of governments in the region to expand access is constrained by limited financial resources. This paper investigates whether targeting foreign aid to the water and sanitation sector can help achieve the goal of expanding access to water and sanitation services in sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis is based on panel data estimation techniques controlling for country-specific effects and potential endogeneity of regressors. The econometric results suggest that increased aid targeted to the supply of water and sanitation is associated with increased access to these services, although the relationship is non-linear. The evidence in this study makes an important contribution to the scholarly debate on aid effectiveness. It also has important practical implications for aid policy: specifically, it suggests that in addition to scaling up aid disbursements to sub-Saharan African countries, donors need to increase aid allocation to water and sanitation as well as other areas where the region lags behind. There is also a need to identify structural constraints that may limit access to water and sanitation, and utilize foreign aid so as to alleviate these constraints.
An Integrated Approach to the Construction of Knowledge-Based Systems: Experience with Advise and Related Programs

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an integrated approach to the construction of knowledge-based systems. The integrated approach emphasizes the construction of knowledge bases using the best problem solving and representational tools at hand rather than using a single prescribed representation and problem solving scheme. The approach emphasizes the integration of machine learning tools directly within the knowledge base language and within an interactive user interface for knowledge acquisition and refinement. The KBVL 2 language was developed as a part of this integrated approach and provides for description of libraries of knowledge base segments which can be integrated into a single knowledge-based system or used as building blocks for defining a family of knowledge-based systems. The QUery and INference system, QUIN, provides interactive access to the knowledge represented in a KBVL 2 knowledge base. QUIN is primarily a marriage between relational database and inductive learning technologies. The induction operations within QUIN interact to form a set of utilities that can be used in sequence or in cycles. The databases used to test and experiment with these learning algorithms are more easily handled with database management techniques that store, modify, and restructure data for eventual input to the inference programs.
The role of maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer and remains incurable despite advances in therapy. Current therapy for multiple myeloma includes a phased-approach, often consisting of initial induction therapy, consolidation and maintenance therapy. With an ever-growing landscape of treatment options, the approach to optimal therapy has become increasingly complex. Specifically, controversy surrounds the optimal use and duration of maintenance therapy. We conducted a comprehensive literature search to analyze the most current literature and to provide recommendations for maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma.
Does MAOA increase susceptibility to prenatal stress in young children

Abstract Background We previously demonstrated a gene-by-prenatal-environment interaction whereby the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) modified the impact of prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) on adolescent disruptive behavior (DB), with the MAOA risk genotype varying by sex. We extend this work by examining whether this mechanism is evident with another common adversity, prenatal stress exposure (PSE), and whether sex differences are present earlier in development in closer proximity to exposure. Methods Participants were 281 mothers and their 285 children derived from a prenatal cohort with in-depth prospective measures of PSE and PTE. We assessed DB at age 5 via dimensional developmentally-sensitive measurement. Analyses were stratified by sex based on prior evidence for sex differences. Results Concurrent stress exposure predicted DB in children (β = 0.310, p = 0.001), while main effects of prenatal exposures were seen only in boys. We found a three-way interaction of MAOA × PSE × sex on DB (β = 0.813, p = 0.022). Boys with MAOA-H had more DB as a function of PSE, controlling for PTE (β = 0.774, p = 0.015), and as a function of PTE, controlling for PSE (β = 0.362, p = 0.037). Boys with MAOA-L did not show this susceptibility. MAOA did not interact with PSE (β = − 0.133, p = 0.561) nor PTE (β = − 0.144; p = 0.505) in predicting DB in girls. Examination of gene-environment correlation (rGE) showed a correlation between paternal MAOA-L and daughters' concurrent stress exposure (r = − 0.240, p = 0.013). Discussion Findings underscore complex mechanisms linking genetic susceptibility and early adverse exposures. Replication in larger cohorts followed from the pregnancy through adolescence is suggested to elucidate mechanisms that appear to have varying developmental expression.
Blame, coping, and psychosocial outcomes in caregivers of individuals with brain injury.

Objective Acquired brain injury (ABI) is associated with many physical and psychiatric conditions. Oftentimes, the individual's family members are responsible for providing long-term care, leaving caregivers vulnerable to negative effects of caregiving including stress, depression, and decreased quality of life. Attribution theory suggests that caregivers may blame the individual with the ABI for their injury as a way to understand their own circumstances. The objective of this study was to investigate caregiver coping strategies as possible mediators between caregiver family member blame and caregiver psychosocial outcomes among caregivers of individuals with ABI. Method Caregivers of individuals with ABI (n = 94) completed an online survey of self-report measures regarding coping (emotion-focused, problem-focused, and dysfunctional strategies), blame (direct, indirect, and preoccupation with blame), depressive symptoms, and quality of life (QOL). Bootstrapping mediation analyses were conducted to investigate the mediating role of caregiver coping strategies between blame attributions, and either depressive symptoms or QOL. Results Results demonstrated that the use of more dysfunctional coping strategies significantly mediated the relationship between indirect blame, and depressive symptoms and QOL. Furthermore, using more dysfunctional coping strategies also significantly mediated the relationship between preoccupation with blame and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Results of this study point to the important role blame attributions play in the use of coping strategies and subsequent psychosocial outcomes. By understanding the relationships between blame attributions, coping behavior, and psychosocial outcomes, clinicians may better tailor treatments to optimize QOL and promote the psychological well being of caregivers and care recipients. (PsycINFO Database Record
Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in the United States: implications for the perfusion profession. A 2017 update.

Introduction:By analyzing epidemiological trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD), key stakeholders can make informed decisions on the future of disease burden and treatment. Accordingly, the cardio...
CLAN: the CrossLinked reads ANalysis tool

The crosslinked RNA sequencing technology ligates interacting RNA strands followed by next-generation sequencing. Mapping of the resulting duplex reads allows for functional inference of the corresponding intramolecular/intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions. However, duplex read mapping remains computationally challenging, and the existing best-performing software fails to map a significant portion of the duplex reads. To address this challenge, we develop a novel algorithm for duplex read mapping, called CrossLinked reads ANalysis tool (CLAN). CLAN demonstrates drastically improved sensitivity and high alignment accuracy when applied to real crosslinked RNA sequencing data. CLAN is implemented in GNU C++, and is freely available from https://sourceforge.net/projects/clan-mapping.
Tricuspid valve annulus surgery during mitral valve surgery

Tricuspid valve repair at the time of mitral valve surgery is a contemporary topic faced by cardiac surgeons routinely. We and our cardiologist as well as anesthesiologist echocardiographers share the common debate about what to do with leaking tricuspid valve during mitral valve surgery.
No Evidence of "healthy neuroticism" in the Hawaii Personality and Health Cohort.

Background Heterogeneity in the effects of trait neuroticism on mortality has inspired recent theories of "healthy neuroticism," or the possibility that neuroticism can lead people down either healthy or unhealthy behavioral pathways. The logical extension of this theory is that some construct-perhaps another trait, financial resource, or health-relevant situation-changes the relationship between neuroticism and health. The other possibility is that different components of neuroticism lead to different health behaviors and therefore different outcomes. Purpose The current study systematically examines the relationship between child and adult neuroticism and various health indicators including perceptions of health, behaviors, health outcomes, and biomarkers of health. Finally, we examine both potential moderators of the associations with neuroticism and examine its facet structure. Methods The current study utilizes data from the Hawaii Longitudinal Study of Personality and Health, which includes both adult (IPIP-NEO) and childhood (teacher-reported) measures of personality and socioeconomic status, as well as a variety of health outcomes, from self-reported health and health behavior to biological markers, such as cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Sample sizes range from 299 to 518. Results The relationship between neuroticism and health was not consistently moderated by any other variable, nor were facets of neuroticism differentially related to health. Conclusions Despite a systematic investigation of the potential "paths" which may differentiate the relationship of neuroticism to health, no evidence of healthy neuroticism was found.
Transient Stability Analysis for Offshore Wind Power Plant Integration Planning Studies - Part I: Short Term Faults

Power system planning is the process of forecasting load demand and ensuring sufficient generation and reserve capacities over some planning horizon. This process includes investigation of steady-state and dynamic operations of the power system of interest. This paper addresses the transient stability (also known as large-signal stability) analysis of power systems for offshore wind power plant integration planning studies. In particular, this study develops a comprehensive practical methodology to assess the transient stability of power systems, including rotor angle stability, voltage stability, and frequency response for large scale power systems. This methodology considers variability of the offshore wind power plants as well as the type of any faulted system's components present. Additionally, this methodology is applicable to the study of both short-term and long-term faults, though only short-term faults are considered here (long-term faults are treated sequentially in a companion paper). This paper considers the integration of offshore wind power plants into existing power systems and demonstrates the utility of this methodology through the examination of the specific case of integrating 1000 MW of offshore wind power into the FirstEnergy/PJM service territory using a realistic model of 63k-bus test system that represents the U.S. Eastern Interconnection.
The Panic of 2001 and Corporate Transparency, Accountability, and Trust (a)

These cases are part of a module of teaching materials that study the major financial events of the first decade of the 2000s and the dramatic shift in civic attitudes that accompanied them. Cases on the so-called Panic of 2001 address the start of the shift in 2001-02 (the complementary materials address the events of 2008 and beyond). The substance of the A and B cases is the civic reaction to the dot-com crash of 2000 and the wave of corporate fraud cases exposed from 2000 to 2002. The A case reviews the dot-com crash, the collapse of Enron, other cases of corporate fraud, and the actions of the president, Congress, and other entities up to July 15, 2002. At that date, Senator Paul Sarbanes and Representative Michael Oxley agreed to meet in a conference to hash out the final draft of the bill to be named “The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.” The dominant issue for the legislators (and for the students) is how tough to make the bill. The task for the student is to compare and contrast the respective bills and make a recommendation for a compromise. More broadly, the case affords the opportunity to reflect on the dynamics of financial crises and why it seems to be that frauds emerge during times of financial instability. Excerpt UVA-F-1788 Rev. Jul. 24, 2018 The Panic of 2001 and Corporate Transparency, Accountability, and Trust (A) On July 19, 2002, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland) and US Representative Michael Oxley (R-Ohio) met to shape legislation aimed at limiting corporate fraud and manipulation of earnings. This meeting was a “conference committee” of senators and representatives who would seek to produce a “reconciliation” draft that could pass both houses and be presented to President George W. Bush for his signature. The two houses of Congress had approved their own versions of such legislation. It now depended on the conferees to shape a final recommendation to both houses. The laws passed by each house differed in some respects. The House version was passed on April 24 by a majority vote of 334 to 90. The Senate version was passed on July 15 by a majority vote of 97 to zero. Could the differences in the two acts be attributable to timing? In any event, how should the conferees settle their differences? What prompted this outcome? What was the purpose of the act? How successful would it be? The Dot-Com Bubble and Bust From 1992 to March 2000, the US economy and stock market boomed, particularly in the technology sector. Exhibit 1 shows that the NASDAQ Index displayed a 679% increase from January 1, 1995, to March 10, 2000, compared to a 303% increase for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). During this time, venture financing of early-stage technology companies surged. The price increases reflected buoyant investor expectations about growth of the World Wide Web, growth in transmission speeds owing to high-capacity optical fiber cable, and general growth in telecommunications volume. Growing access to the internet meant that tech-based services could become part of everyday life, rather than luxuries for a few. . . .
Role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in promoting drug resistance of human pancreatic cells

4262 The activation of the epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGF-R) by EGF induces the up-regulation of PI3K/Akt and Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways in human pancreatic carcinoma cells. These pathways play major roles in proliferation, survival, and drug resistance in many different cell types. Here we study the mechanism by which EGF-R activation increases drug resistance in human pancreatic carcinoma cells, using the BxPC3 human pancreatic cell line. Serum-starved cells and serum-starved cells stimulated with EGF and subsequently treated with doxorubicin or paclitaxel showed an increase in phosphorylation activity of both ERK and Akt. Combination treatments with LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) and chemotherapeutic drugs displayed a significant increase in apoptotic activity. However, treatments with U0126 (a MEK inhibitor which suppressed ERK activation) did not display any difference in the level of apoptosis. Hence, our data indicate that EGF and EGF-R mediate their effects on drug resistance through the PI3K/Akt and not through the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in this pancreatic cancer cell line.
The Politics of “Giving Student Victims a Voice”: A Feminist Analysis of State Trafficking Policy Implementation

AbstractLittle research explores factors shaping those policies and actors involved in state-level sex and labor trafficking prevention. This study examined the organizational, political, and norma...
Simultaneous Anatomic and Physiologic Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease With Coronary Angiography Alone: Seeing the Future∗

Objective To assess median and percentile birthweight distribution in women with various groups of heart disease relative to a contemporaneous comparison group. Methods Data on birth weight and gestational age were collected from 1321 pregnancies ≥24 weeks’ gestation in 1053 women with heart disease from seven UK maternity units. Women were assigned to one of 16 groups according to their cardiac lesion. In units where it was possible, data on two births, one delivering before and one after index cases, were collected, giving 2307 comparators. Birthweight percentiles (corrected for gestational age, sex and parity) were calculated using Aberdeen norms. We assessed the association of birth weight with cardiac lesion, maternal hypoxaemia (saturations Results 1321 pregnancies in women with heart disease and 2307 comparators were studied. Almost all groups with heart disease had lower median and percentile birth weights than comparators, significantly in 10 groups, the biggest effect seen in women with Fontan circulation, pulmonary hypertension, prosthetic heart valves, systemic right ventricle, Marfan syndrome, repaired tetralogy of Fallot and cardiomyopathy (in that order). In 307 pregnancies, women took beta-blockers; median birth weight adjusted for maternal age, parity and the effect of the cardiac lesion was 3116.7 g (IQR 790.4) when beta-blockers were used and 3354.3 g (IQR 634.1) when they were not (p Conclusion Our findings identify specific groups of women with heart disease at risk of having a small baby.
Facile synthesis of highly luminescent lithium silicate nanocrystals with varying crystal structures and morphology

Lithium silicates have received noteworthy interest as a class of materials with significant potential in lithium ion batteries, ionic conductors, optical waveguides and sensors, and efficient sorbents for CO2 capture. Herein we report the optical properties, electronic structures, and surface characteristics of two distinct lithium silicate crystal phases using first-principles hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in-depth experimental characterization studies. Orthorhombic Li2SiO3 (space group Cmc21) and Li2Si2O5 (space group Ccc2) nanoparticles (NPs) passivated with alkylamine and alkane surface functionalities were produced by reacting SiI4 with n-butyllithium in the presence of 1,2-hexadecanediol. The as-synthesized nanostructures exhibit poor crystallinity, which upon annealing at 600 °C adopt phase-pure orthorhombic crystal structures with spherical (Li2SiO3), polyhedral or rod-shaped (Li2Si2O5) morphologies. The surface analysis of Li2SiO3 and Li2Si2O5 NPs reveals distinct chemical states for Li+, Sin+, and On−, consistent with their stoichiometry and higher binding energies for constituent elements in Li2Si2O5 NPs. Hybrid functional calculations predict indirect and direct energy gaps of 7.79 and 7.80 eV for Li2SiO3 and Li2Si2O5, respectively, signifying the insulating nature of extended solids. Nonetheless, the as-synthesized Li2SiO3 and Li2Si2O5 NPs exhibit high intensity visible photoluminescence (quantum yields = 10–30%) with nanosecond timescale decays at 15 K and 295 K, which we attribute to radiative recombination from surface/interface traps. The facile colloidal synthesis provides control over the crystal structure and composition of nanostructured lithium silicates, which will potentially widen their applications as visible to IR transparent optical materials, chromophores, waveguides, sensors, and high surface area CO2 sorbents.
New Imaging Techniques in the Management of Stone Disease

Recent advances in computed tomography, X-ray-based imaging, and ultrasonography have improved the accuracy of urinary stone detection and differentiation of stone composition while minimizing radiation exposure. Dual-energy computed tomography and digital tomosynthesis show promise in predicting mineral composition to optimize medical and surgical therapy. Electromagnetic tracking may enhance the use of ultrasonography to achieve percutaneous renal access for nephrolithotomy. This article reviews innovations in imaging technology in the contemporary management of urinary stone disease.
A Loan at Last? Race and Racism in Mortgage Lending

Homeownership is often considered the lynchpin of the “American Dream.” The largest asset in the portfolio of the typical American household is a house, which is most often financed by a mortgage loan. Thus, homeownership via the mortgage market has significant implications for wealth-generation and other long-term benefits, including improved educational and health outcomes, safer communities, and tax advantages. For these reasons, homeownership is subsidized by the government and supported by a complex housing finance system supported by domestic and international investors. Due to racism, discrimination, historical inequality, and the disparate impact of certain public policies over time, Black and Latinx households have had far fewer opportunities to accrue the benefits of homeownership than their White counterparts, and homeownership rates for Blacks and Latinx households in the USA remain significantly lower than those of White Americans. This chapter focuses on the cumulative disadvantages of race and racism in mortgage lending requirements and the ways in which these impediments undergird a persistent wealth gap that can only be offset by substantial changes to the market system.
Trends, Patient and Prescriber Characteristics in Gabapentinoid Use in a Sample of United States Ambulatory Care Visits from 2003 to 2016

Increasing gabapentinoid use has raised concerns of misuse and abuse in the United States (US). Little is known about the characteristics of gabapentinoid use in general clinical practice over time. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We examined the trends of patient and prescriber characteristics and the diagnoses associated with US ambulatory care visits involving gabapentinoids for adult visits from 2003 to 2016. Using multivariable logistic regression, we estimated the adjusted proportion of gabapentinoid-involved visits among all visits and tested for trend significance. Among the weighted estimate of 260.1 million gabapentinoid-involved visits (aged 18-64 years: 61.8%; female: 61.9%; white: 85.5%), the adjusted annual proportion of gabapentinoid-involved visits nearly quadrupled from 2003 to 2016 (9.1 to 34.9 per 1000 visits; Ptrend < 0.0001), driven mainly by gabapentin. Nearly half had concurrent use with opioids (32.9%) or benzodiazepines (15.3%). Primary care physicians (45.8%), neurologists (8.2%), surgeons (6.2%), and psychiatrists (4.8%) prescribed two-thirds of the gabapentinoids. Most (96.6%) of the gabapentinoid visits did not have an approved indication for gabapentinoids among the first three diagnoses. Among US ambulatory care visits from 2003 to 2016, gabapentinoid use increased substantially, commonly prescribed by primary care physicians.
Chapter 17 – Thymus Hormones

Publisher Summary It has become evident that the thymus gland and various polypeptides produced by thymus cells play a hormonal role in the functions of the immune system. A bewildering number of factors elaborated by thymus-derived cells appear to operate at one level or another in the growth of and immunoglobulin production by antibody-producing cells. The thymus contains T cell lymphocytes that in turn produce factors to regulate the expression of immunoglobulins by B cell lymphocytes. T cells enter the circulation from the thymus, as do B cells from bone marrow. Phagocytic cells are involved also in the immune process. There are at the very least six peptides of the thymus called thymosins. These hormones are produced in the thymus gland and control the development of the thymic-dependent lymphoid system as the thymus participates in the process of immune regulation. The thymosins modulate immunological responses in vitro and in vivo as well as regulating the differentiation of thymic-dependent lymphocytes.
185 Do parents and kids agree when reporting the child’s potentially traumatic events after a violent injury?

Statement of Purpose Ascertaining an accurate and cumulative history of exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTE) can be valuable in identifying violently-injured youth’s recovery needs. It is unclear how youth and caregiver report of youth’s PTEs relate to each other. We examined agreement between youth and caregiver self-report of 23 different PTEs following the youth’s recent violent injury. Methods As part of a larger survey, 48 youth ages 8–18 and their caregiver independently completed a self-administered Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ) within approximately 20 days following the youth’s Emergency Department visit for a violent injury. We compare youth and caregiver reports of youth PTEs and identify PTEs with the greatest and least agreement. Results Mean youth participant age was 13.8±2.2 years; 42% were female, 96% reported nonpenetrating injuries. The average number of PTEs was 9±4 by youth report and 8±4 by caregiver report. For 13 of the PTEs there was >50% youth-parent discordance, wherein the youth reported the PTE and the caregiver did not. Youth and caregiver agreement exceeded 80% for three PTEs, the highest of which reported someone physically hurting or threatening the child. Conclusion Although youth and parents are reporting a similar number of youth PTEs, there are a substantial number of PTEs for which youth report but parents do not and a small number of PTEs where they usually agree. Significance and Contributions to Injury and Violence Prevention Science Violently injured youth and their parents often disagree about the youth’s exposure to PTEs. This could reflect a youth’s failure to disclose the PTEs to their parent, or a difference in their respective appraisals of what events are considered potentially traumatic. Further research will explore how these discrepancies may inform mental health treatment of violently injured youth in the peri-traumatic recovery period.
Abelson kinases intrinsically disordered linker plays important roles in protein function and protein stability

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Abelson (Abl) and its family members play conserved roles in embryonic development, wiring of the nervous system, and tissue homeostasis, while inappropriate activation can promote leukemia. Abl is a multidomain protein that uses its kinase activity and multiple protein interaction sites to organize a signaling complex, linking cell-cell signals to cytoskeletal and transcriptional outputs. One shared feature in the family is a long intrinsically disordered region (IDR) linking the kinase domain and the C-terminal F-actin binding domain. This is less well conserved, and different Abl family members contain motifs within this region thought to mediate distinct protein interactions. Previous work has begun to assess the function of different parts of the IDR, but here we ask a simple question: what is the effect of completely deleting the IDR on Abl function (AbIDeltaIDR), using the single Abl family member in Drosophila as a model? Our data suggest that the IDR is key to Abl function. Removing it reduces Abl function more profoundly than eliminating kinase activity, deleting the F-actin binding domain or mutating individual conserved sites in the IDR. In fact, in some contexts AblDeltaIDR has apparent dominant effects, leading to a phenotype worse than that seen in an abl null mutant. We also find that the IDR has a role in regulating stability of Abl protein, as AblDeltaIDR is substantially more stable than wildtype Abl. These data provide new insights into Abl function.
Gaps in Emergency General Surgery Coverage in the United States.

Introduction Despite three million adults in the United States (US) being admitted annually for emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, we lack an understanding of the barriers to round-the-clock EGS care. Our objective was to measure gaps in round-the-clock EGS care. Methods From August 2015 to December 2015, we surveyed all US-based, adult acute care general hospitals that have an emergency room and ≥1 operating room and provide EGS care, utilizing paper and electronic methods. Surgeons or chief medical officers were queried regarding EGS practices. Results Of 2,811 hospitals, 1,634 (58.1%) responded; 279 (17.1%) were unable to always provide round-the-clock EGS care. Rural location, smaller bed size, and non-teaching status were associated with lack of round-the-clock care. Inconsistent surgeon coverage was the primary reason for lacking round-the-clock EGS care (n=162; 58.1%). However, lack of a tiered system for booking emergency cases, no anesthesia availability overnight, and no stipend for EGS call were also associated with the inability to provide round-the-clock EGS care. Discussion We found significant gaps in access to EGS care, often attributable to workforce deficiencies.
Genomic strategies to identify mammalian regulatory sequences

With the continuing accomplishments of the human genome project, high-throughput strategies to identify DNA sequences that are important in mammalian gene regulation are becoming increasingly feasible. In contrast to the historic, labour-intensive, wet-laboratory methods for identifying regulatory sequences, many modern approaches are heavily focused on the computational analysis of large genomic data sets. Data from inter-species genomic sequence comparisons and genome-wide expression profiling, integrated with various computational tools, are poised to contribute to the decoding of genomic sequence and to the identification of those sequences that orchestrate gene regulation. In this review, we highlight several genomic approaches that are being used to identify regulatory sequences in mammalian genomes.