cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen Fertilization of Wheat No‐Till Planted in Alfalfa Stubble

Conservation tillage practices significantly reduce soil erosion, improve water distribution, and decrease environmental concerns in furrow-irrigated fields. Developing optimum N fertilization practices after legumes in these systems will help their adoption. We conducted three field studies on a silt loam soil to determine if N fertilizer is required for furrow-irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planted in herbicide killed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stubble. Fall regrowth of alfalfa was sprayed with a mixture of 1 qt glyphosphate and 2 qt 2,4-D/acre. `Stephens', a soft white winter wheat was planted with a double disk opener drill in two experiments and 'Bronze Chief', a hard red spring wheat in a third experiment. Nitrogen fertilizer (ammonium nitrate) was spring broadcast at four rates from 0 to 200 or 240 lb N/acre. The buried plastic bag technique estimated available N (EAN); above ground whole plant samples estimated root zone nitrate-N; and grain plot yields estimated with a combine. Nitrogen fertilization increased grain yield in all experiments because sufficient N had not mineralized from soil and legume residues before uptake needs of the wheat. The wheat plant at the soft dough growth stage contained about 109 lb N/acre from N mineralized from soil and legume residue sources. The apparent N fertilizer recovery calculated by a combined regression relationship between N uptake and fertilizer rates was 76%. The average plant recovery of mineralized N at maximum grain yields was calculated at 78%. Crops planted in herbicide killed alfalfa should be selected so sufficient nitrate-N can accumulate from mineralization before maximum crop uptake and for N uptake ability in late summer. Nitrogen fertilizer applications should be based on a spring soil test for nitrate-N in this no-till system. Both practices will reduce the potential for nitrate-N leaching losses.
Communication Between Magnetic Tunnel Junctions Using Spin-Polarized Current for Logic Applications

We investigated spin-polarized current controlled magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) connected with a nano-magnetic channel using micromagnetic simulations. A spin polarized current is used to switch the MTJ and form a domain wall in the nanochannel that is captured at a notch in the channel. A current can then be applied along the nanochannel to drive the domain wall to the other MTJ. The nanochannel design was optimized by varying MTJ pillar size, nanochannel width, material, and notch sizes. Both in-plane and perpendicular anisotropy were simulated. Perpendicular anisotropy was found to be the most beneficial by alleviating the dominate effect of shape anisotropy. Four different nanochannels were connected to a single MTJ with perpendicular anisotropy and a domain wall formed in each channel. This allows fan out to be realized and consequently more complex logic functions. The current densities to switch the MTJ elements and drive the domain wall were found to be on the order of 1 × 108 A/cm2 and 6 × 109 A/cm2, respectively.
Unnatural Polyketide Analogues Selectively Target the HER Signaling Pathway in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Receptor tyrosine kinases are critical targets for the regulation of cell survival. Cancer patients with abnormal receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) tend to have more aggressive disease with poor clinical outcomes. As a result, human epidermal growth factor receptor kinases, such as EGFR (HER1), HER2, and HER3, represent important therapeutic targets. Several plant polyphenols including the type III polyketide synthase products (genistein, curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-galate) possess chemopreventive activity, primarily as a result of RTK inhibition. However, only a small fraction of the polyphenolic structural universe has been evaluated. Along these lines, we have developed an in vitro route to the synthesis and subsequent screening of unnatural polyketide analogues with N-acetylcysteamine (SNAc) starter substrates and malonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) and methylmalonyl-CoA as extender substrates. The resulting polyketide analogues possessed a similar structural polyketide backbone (aromatic-2-pyrone) with variable side chains. Screening chalcone synthase (CHS) reaction products against BT-474 cells resulted in identification of several trifluoromethylcinnamoyl-based polyketides that showed strong suppression of the HER2-associated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, yet did not inhibit the growth of nontransformed MCF-10A breast cells (IC(50)>100 microM). Specifically, 4-trifluoromethylcinnamoyl pyrone (compound 2 e) was highly potent (IC(50)<200 nM) among the test compounds toward proliferation of several breast cancer cell lines. This breadth of activity likely stems from the ability of compound 2 e to inhibit the phosphorylation of HER1, HER2, and HER3. Therefore, these polyketide analogues might prove to be useful drug candidates for potential breast cancer therapy.
The design and discovery of water soluble 4-substituted-2,6-dimethylfuro[2,3-d]pyrimidines as multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and microtubule targeting antitumor agents.

The design, synthesis and biological evaluations of fourteen 4-substituted 2,6-dimethylfuro[2,3-d]pyrimidines are reported. Four compounds (11–13, 15) inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β), and target tubulin leading to cytotoxicity. Compound 11 has nanomolar potency, comparable to sunitinib and semaxinib, against tumor cell lines overexpressing VEGFR-2 and PDGFR-β. Further, 11 binds at the colchicine site on tubulin, depolymerizes cellular microtubules and inhibits purified tubulin assembly and overcomes both βIII-tubulin and P-glycoprotein-mediated drug resistance, and initiates mitotic arrest leading to apoptosis. In vivo, its HCl salt, 21, reduced tumor size and vascularity in xenograft and allograft murine models and was superior to docetaxel and sunitinib, without overt toxicity. Thus 21 affords potential combination chemotherapy in a single agent.
Physical properties of poly(n-alkyl acrylate) copolymers. Part 2. Crystalline/non-crystalline combinations

Abstract The physical properties of n-alkyl acrylate copolymers containing one crystallizeable monomer and one non-crystallizeable or slightly crystallizeable monomer, including thermal characteristics, structure as determined by small angle X-ray scattering, and gas permeability as a function of temperature, were examined in detail and compared to the corresponding homopolymers and copolymer systems containing two crystallizeable comonomers. The current copolymers exhibit melting point depression and, for a given average side-chain length, have lower heats of fusion than the corresponding homopolymers and crystalline/crystalline copolymers. Limited SAXS experiments revealed an increase in the d-spacings, above and below the melting point, with side-chain length consistent with expectations. The crystallites predominantly exhibit end-to-end packing similar to other poly(n-alkyl acrylates) previously studied. Poly(n-alkyl acrylates) exhibit a ‘jump’ in their gas permeability at the Tm of the side-chain lengths that is mainly caused by a switch in the side-chain morphology from crystalline to amorphous upon melting. The reduced crystallinity of the crystalline/non-crystalline copolymers results in a smaller permeation jump, which in some cases were extremely broad. All jump breadths correlate with the melting endotherms for these copolymers as determined by DSC similar to that for homopolymers and crystalline/crystalline copolymers. The magnitude of the jump correlates with the heat of fusion, irrespective of the comonomer type, in all cases.
New properties of light in metamaterials

Maxwell's equations describe the classical electromagnetic properties of all systems, including metamaterials, which are periodic and highly inhomogeneous. In studies of metamaterials, however, one typically further assumes that their low-frequency properties are described by Maxwell's equations in an equivalent homogenous medium. Hence, tremendous recent efforts have focused on discovering structures with unusual properties in electrical permittivity and magnetic permeability tensors. Here we offer an alternative viewpoint, by designing three-dimensional metamaterials, which may be best described by effective uniform media that is non-Maxwellian. In the low-frequency limit, these metamaterials support multi-component effective fields, with the numbers of field-components designable by geometry. Our work indicates that the physics of metamaterials is far richer than previously anticipated. In particular, new effective low-energy theory with high symmetry can emerge from topological complexity alone.
A Quantitative Assessment of the Potential of Implicit Integration Methods for Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Implicit integration, unencumbered by numerical stability constraints, is attractive in molecular dynamics (MD) simulation due to its presumed ability to advance the simulation at large step sizes. It is not clear what step size values can be expected and if the larger step sizes will compensate for the computational overhead associated with an implicit integration method. The goal of this paper is to answer these questions and thereby assess quantitatively the potential of implicit integration in MD. Two implicit methods (midpoint and Hilber-Hughes-Taylor) are compared with the current standard for MD time integration (explicit velocity Verlet). The implicit algorithms were implemented in a research grade MD code, which used a first-principles interaction potential for biological molecules. The nonlinear systems of equations arising from the use of implicit methods were solved in a quasi-Newton framework. Aspects related to a Newton-Krylov type method are also briefly discussed. Although the energy conservation provided by the implicit methods was good, the integration step size lengths were limited by loss of convergence in the Newton iteration. Moreover, a spectral analysis of the dynamic response indicated that high frequencies present in the velocity and acceleration signals prevent a substantial increase in integration step size lengths. The overhead associated with implicit integration prevents this class of methods from having a decisive impact in MD simulation, a conclusion supported by a series of quantitative analyses summarized in the paper.
An analysis of bilateral and unilateral reminiscence.

224 Ss practiced on the pursuit rotor with massed practice for 15 min. The four conditions of practice were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with initial hand practice (5 min., left or right) occurring with or without a 5-min. rest at the end of the fifth minute of practice. All groups finished with 10 min. of right-handed practice. Trial means, standard deviations, and correlations were analyzed for differences between bilateral and unilateral reminiscence. The unilateral reminiscence group showed a significantly greater mean gain after rest than the bilateral reminiscence group. Rest did not have the effect of reinstating the original individual differences. For trials spanning rest, r dropped more for unilateral than for bilateral reminiscence groups. It was concluded that bilateral and unilateral reminiscence were best measured by changes in the mean time on target and not by changes in measures of variance.
Control of the Microstructure of Alumina–Zirconia Alloys Starting from Inorganic Salts

Des poudres coprecipitees d'alumine-zircone, preparees a partir de sels mineraux, cristallisent d'une facon differente, de celle de chacun des constituants. Alors que l'alumine ou le zircone commencent a cristalliser a 370°C, la cristallisation de l'alliage est retardee jusqu'a 800°C. Lors d'un pressage sous 40PMa a 1400°C, les poudres coprecipitees developpent une texture cristallographique dans la phase alumine-α. Une croissance cristalline preferentielle sous contrainte uniaxiale est suggeree comme explication possible a la texture cristallographique
A Novel Binary Code Based Projector-Camera System Registration Method

Precisely relating pixels in the projector image to pixels in camera image plays a significant role in many projector-camera systems. In this paper, we present a novel method of finding the correspondence in a simple and efficient manner. Our registration approach uses binary coding scheme, only need to capture a few pictures and does not need to give any assumption in the projector-camera system. Our experimental results demonstrate the advantage of using our registration methods.
Woody understory plant diversity in pure and mixed native tree plantations at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Abstract Tree plantations can be an important tool for restoration of abandoned pasturelands in the tropics. Plantations can help speed up secondary forest succession by improving soil conditions, attracting seed-dispersal agents, and providing shade necessary for understory growth. In this study, abundance and richness of understory regeneration was measured in three native tree plantations 15–16 years of age at La Selva Biological Station in the Costa Rican Caribbean lowlands. Each plantation contained tree species in pure plots, a mixture of the species, and natural regeneration plots (no trees planted). The greatest abundance of regeneration was found in the understory of pure plots of Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D.Don., Vochysia guatemalensis Donn.Sm., Dipteryx panamensis Benth, Vochysia ferruginea Mart., and in two mixed stands, while the lowest was found in the natural regeneration treatments with about half the values as in the plantation stands. There was a significant negative correlation between percent canopy openness and abundance of regeneration in the understory. Two distinctive clusters separated the regeneration treatments from the mixed and pure plantations at a very low Bray–Curtis similarity value. The natural regeneration treatments are separated from mixed and pure plantations in the two-dimensional ordination. The lack of difference between the understory make-up of pure and mixed plantations in abundance, species richness, and seed-dispersal syndromes of understory species suggests that planting mixed stands is not necessarily superior to planting pure stands for promoting understory diversity of woody species. While regeneration of woody species can be faster under pure- or mixed-species plantations than in open pastures, the abundance, richness and species composition depends on each plantation species, or species assemblages in case of the mixtures.
Intrauterine contraception in Saint Louis: a survey of obstetrician and gynecologists' knowledge and attitudes

Abstract Background Many obstacles to intrauterine contraception (IUC) use exist, including provider and patient misinformation, high upfront cost and clinician practice patterns. The aim of our study was to investigate knowledge and attitudes about IUC among obstetricians and gynecologists in the area of Saint Louis. Study Design We mailed a self-administered, anonymous survey to 250 clinicians who provide obstetric and gynecologic care in Saint Louis City and County which included questions about demographics, training, family planning visits and intrauterine contraceptive knowledge and use. Results The overall survey response rate among eligible clinicians was 73.7%. Clinicians who had recently finished training or saw higher numbers of contraceptive patients per week were more likely to insert IUC than clinicians who completed training prior to 1989 or saw fewer contraceptive patients. Several misconceptions among clinicians were identified, including an association between intrauterine contraceptives and an elevated risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. Conclusions Physician misconceptions about the risks of IUC continue to occur. Improved clinician education is greatly needed to facilitate the use of these highly effective, long-acting, reversible methods of contraception.
Ethics in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

In treating patients with terminal disease, physicians are faced with multiple situations that require balancing a respect for life with the dying process and the inevitable death of the patient. Difficult decisions must be made, but with proper utilization of the principles of ethical conduct and the “Rule of Double Effect” moral and ethical dilemmas can be avoided. In this chapter, the principles of ethical conduct will be discussed in association with moral obligations, legal limitations, and protections provided to the physician dealing with end-of-life care.
Genes, Signals, and Lineages in Pancreas Development

▪ Abstract Type I diabetes results from the autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta (β) cells, which regulate blood sugar levels by secretion of insulin. Recent clinical data suggest that the disease could be cured if an adequate supply of new β-cells were available, and one goal of pancreatic developmental biology is to understand how endogenous β-cells are made, with the hope of making them exogenously. Much is now known about the transcriptional regulation of pancreatic organ specification, growth, and lineage allocation; less is known about intercellular signals that regulate this process, but candidates continue to emerge. Additional insights, often contradicting older models, have come from the application of new lineage-tracing techniques. Altogether, these studies also shed light on the still-elusive pancreatic stem cell, which may participate in normal organ maintenance as well as recovery from injury. A rigorous proof of the existence of such a cell, whether in vivo or in vitro, would...
Evaluation of MIMO Techniques in FH-MA Ad Hoc Networks

We consider an ad hoc network where frequency hopping (FH), convolutional coding and multiple antennas are employed in order to combat fading and multiple access (MA) interference. The transmitters are distributed in space according to the Poisson distribution and the corresponding receivers are situated at a fixed distance. Under a channel model that accounts for Rayleigh fading and path-loss, we derive an approximation to the frame-error-probability (FEP). This is in turn used to obtain simple expressions for network metrics of interest, such as the network throughput and the information efficiency, previously introduced in the literature. A number of interesting observations is made with respect to how the aforementioned metrics are affected by the code diversity order, the choice of multiple- input multiple-output (MIMO) technique and the propagation exponent.
Robust Tensor Splines for Approximation of Diffusion Tensor MRI Data

In this paper, we present a novel and robust spline approximation algorithm given a noisy symmetric positive definite (SPD) tensor field. Such tensor fields commonly arise in the field of Medical Imaging in the form of Diffusion Tensor (DT) MRI data sets. We develop a statistically robust algorithm for constructing a tensor product of B-splines - for approximating and interpolating these data - using the Riemannian metric of the manifold of SPD tensors. Our method involves a two step procedure wherein the first step uses Riemannian distances in order to evaluate a tensor spline by computing a weighted intrinsic average of diffusion tensors and the second step involves minimization of the Riemannian distance between the evaluated spline curve and the given data. These two steps are alternated to achieve the desired tensor spline approximation to the given tensor field. We present comparisons of our algorithm with four existing methods of tensor interpolation applied to DT-MRI data from fixed heart slices of a rabbit, and show significantly improved results in the presence of noise and outliers. We also present validation results for our algorithm using synthetically generated noisy tensor field data with outliers. This interpolation work has many applications e.g., in DT-MRI registration, in DT-MRI Atlas construction etc. This research was in part funded by the NIH ROI NS42075 and the Department of Radiology, University of Florida.
The development/application of a ‘minimalist’ organic/biochemical molecular mechanic force field using a combination of ab initio calculations and experimental data

In this chapter, we present an overview on our approach to developing a molecular mechanical model for organic and biological molecules and our opinions on what are the most important issues that go into the development of such a model. Since molecular mechanical models are more thoroughly reviewed by Hunenberger et al. [1], it is not inappropriate that we focus more on general principles and philosophy here. The main focus on new results presented here are consequences of some recent high-level ab initio calculations carried out by Beachy et al. [2]. This leads to a slight modification of our previously presented force field; we call this new model C96.
SDF-1α up-regulates expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 in PC3 cells via a MEK-ERK dependent NF-κB activation

5240 Bone metastasis in prostate cancer (PC) results from a complex cascade of events initiated by trans-endothelial migration (TEM) of PC cells to the bone marrow microenvironment. We tested the hypothesis that enhanced expression of the chemokine receptor, CXCR4 in PC cells is dependent upon SDF-1α mediated activation of NF-κB, which plays a crucial role in their adhesion to the bone marrow endothelium and TEM. PC3 (bone metastatic PC cell line) and LNCaP (lymph node metastatic PC cell line) cells were treated with SDF-1α (100 ng/ml) for 6 or 24 hr. RT-PCR analysis at 6 hr showed an increased CXCR4 mRNA expression (3-4 fold) in PC3 cells but not in LNCaP cells; by 24 hr this induction in PC3 cells returned to basal levels. Transient transfection of PC cells with NF-κB-luciferase reporter plasmid (2 μg) followed by exposure to SDF-1α showed enhanced levels of NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity in PC3 cells but not in LNCaP cells. SDF-1α stimulation increased (200-225 %) PC3 cells adhesion to the confluent vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayer and enhanced (80-100 %) TEM. Co-incubation of PC3 cells with monoclonal CXCR4 antibody (1 μg/ml) blocked their adhesion and TEM through endothelial cells. Transfection of LNCaP cells with a CXCR4 expression plasmid enhanced adhesion ability of these cells to HUVECs. Suppression of NF-κB activity in PC3 cells by a mutant I-κB-α super-repressor adenoviral vector decreased the CXCR4 mRNA expression by 2-3 fold and inhibited adhesion and TEM (50-80 %) of PC3 cells. Over-expression of p65 subunit of NF-κB by transient transfection of PC3 cells with pCMV-p65 expression plasmid (3 μg per 5x10 5 cells) up-regulated the CXCR4 mRNA expression and cell surface CXCR4 receptor expression (2-3 fold), and increased the adhesion (50-80 %) even in the absence of SDF-1α. TEM of these cells was further increased (80-100 %) in response to SDF-1α gradient (10 ng/ml). In contrast, introduction of pCMV-p50 expression plasmid in PC3 cells did not affect CXCR4 gene expression. Treatment of PC3 cells with SDF-1α up-regulated NF-κB protein expression within 15-30 min, which correlated with IκBα phosphorylation. The p42/44 MAPK (Erk 1/2) levels in these cells followed a biphasic pattern with early activation of Erk 1/2 within 15 min and then again at 3-4 hr after SDF-1α treatment. Phosphorylation of IKKα was observed within 30 min, which was blocked by PD98059 (MEK inhibitor). SDF-1α induced NF-κB reporter activity was also blocked by co-treatment of PC-3 cells with PD98059. These data suggest that SDF-1α induced NF-κB activation in PC3 cells is dependent on MEK-ERK signaling cascade and the resultant expression of CXCR4 plays a significant role in adhesion and TEM of bone metastatic PC3 cells through the vascular endothelial cells.
The regulatory process to revise nutrient labeling relative to the Dietary Reference Intakes

The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990--an amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act--paved the way for significant changes in the labeling of foods, nutrient content, and health claims. This article gives an overview of the regulatory process used by the US Food and Drug Administration to revise the food label relative to the Dietary Reference Intakes and in ways that reflect new scientific knowledge and public health issues.
Leiomyoma of the ileum presenting as perforated viscus. Report of a case.

A 50-year-old white male presented with an “acute abdomen” secondary to perforation of a leiomyoma. After operative treatment, the patient has had an uneventful course for the past year.
Quarter Cycle Modulation of a Minimally Actuated Biomimetic Vehicle

This paper describes a technique, called quarter cycle constant-period frequency modulation, to control the motion of wings on a flapping wing micro air vehicle. This technique allows control over the wingbeat period and three additional points within a single wingbeat cycle, allowing modulation of the wing’s velocity to provide control over multiple degrees-of-freedom of the vehicle. Using a blade element based aerodynamic model, both instantaneous and cycle averaged forces and moments are analytically computed for a specific type of wing beat motion that enables nearly decoupled, multiple degrees-of-freedom control of the aircraft. The wing positions are controlled using oscillators whose frequencies change once per wing beat cycle. A control oriented dynamic model of the vehicle is derived, which is based on a cycle averaged representation of the forces and moments. Control derivatives are calculated and a cycle-averaged control law is designed that provides control over multiple degrees-of-freedom of the vehicle.
2D and 3D Mechanobiology in Human and Nonhuman Systems

Mechanobiology involves the investigation of mechanical forces and their effect on the development, physiology, and pathology of biological systems. The human body has garnered much attention from many groups in the field, as mechanical forces have been shown to influence almost all aspects of human life ranging from breathing to cancer metastasis. Beyond being influential in human systems, mechanical forces have also been shown to impact nonhuman systems such as algae and zebrafish. Studies of nonhuman and human systems at the cellular level have primarily been done in two-dimensional (2D) environments, but most of these systems reside in three-dimensional (3D) environments. Furthermore, outcomes obtained from 3D studies are often quite different than those from 2D studies. We present here an overview of a select group of human and nonhuman systems in 2D and 3D environments. We also highlight mechanobiological approaches and their respective implications for human and nonhuman physiology.
Characteristics of cysteine uptake in intestinal basolateral membrane vesicles

Uptake of cysteine in intestinal basolateral membrane vesicles was independent of Na+, was sensitive to medium osmolarity, exhibited saturation kinetics, and was selectively inhibited by other amin...
Modularity and Integration in Evo-Devo

Modularity in organisms can be described at many organizational levels and is closely linked to integration among elements of the organ or system. Modularity in organisms can be measured and compared among systems and among lineages. The emergence of modularity in the developing organism provides insight into the patterns of anatomical modularity observed in adult forms, and thus the origins and the consequences of modularity and integration are a major research area in evolutionary developmental biology.
Time-Resolved Infrared Radiometric Imaging of Coatings

Thermal techniques have matured for the nondestructive characterization of the internal structure of opaque solids in recent years. While CW-modulated thermal wave imaging techniques have proven applicable to the inspection of many types of structures, difficulties arise when the layers are thick or have low thermal diffusivity. The depth, l, into the specimen which can be probed is approximately one thermal diffusion length, δ = (2α/ω)l/2 where α is the thermal diffusivity and ω is the angular modulation frequency. When l/δ is large because of a low thermal diffusivity, the modulation frequency must be lowered to allow the full thickness of the structure to be examined. As the modulation frequency is decreased, the dwell time required at each point for construction of an image by a point-scanning technique increases as do the data acquisition times. For low diffusivity materials, the data acquisition times are too long for thermal wave imaging to be a feasible routine inspection technique.
Multigroup Neutron Diffusion Equations

The integro-differential equation describing the spatially dependent neutron balance within a nuclear reactor, while formally correct, is extremely challenging to solve in most situations. Fortunately, this equation may be considerably simplified by using the diffusion theory approximation discussed earlier and by averaging the energy-dependent neutron cross sections over discrete energy regimes (or energy groups). The set of equations which result from these simplifications are called the multigroup neutron diffusion equations. These equations consist of coupled ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients which may be solved relatively easily using standard mathematical techniques. The solution to these equations yields spatially dependent neutron flux distributions for each discrete energy group plus an eigenvalue which describes the critical state of the reactor. By using these neutron flux distributions with the appropriate fission cross sections, detailed, fairly accurate power density distributions may be determined at all points throughout a nuclear reactor.
Psychological Factors Influencing the Decision of Urban Adolescents With Undiagnosed Asthma to Obtain Medical Care

Abstract Purpose Adolescents are low users of medical care. Psychological factors and perceived reasons to not seek routine medical care may increase risk of nonuse by adolescents with undiagnosed asthma. This study tests if psychological factors were associated with seeing a medical provider for asthma-like symptoms; identifies adolescents' perceived reasons for not obtaining care; explores if psychological factors are associated with these perceptions; and explores if asthma severity moderates the relationships with psychological factors. Methods We analyzed cross-sectional data from a baseline assessment of 349 urban, primarily ethnic minority adolescents with moderate to severe asthma-like symptoms but no asthma diagnosis who were enrolled in a controlled trial. Results The odds of seeing a provider for their asthma-like symptoms were significantly higher for those with asthma-related anxiety (odds ratio [OR]: 1.644; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.242–2.176) and depressive symptoms (OR: 1.031; 95% CI: 1.004–1.059). The most commonly endorsed reason for noncare included a characterization of symptoms as not serious, past medical visits not diagnosed as asthma, fear of diagnosis, busy lifestyles, and not wanting medication. Psychological factors were not related to the number of reasons or to most of the commonly endorsed reasons. Adolescents with more asthma-related anxiety were less likely to characterize their breathing problems as serious (OR = .0583; 95% CI: .424–.802) and were more likely to report busy lifestyles (OR = 1.593; 95% CI: 1.122–2.261). Conclusions Adolescent-perceived reasons for noncare were not pragmatic, but instead highlighted denial. Asthma-related anxiety was the most robust psychological factor associated with the decision to seek medical care.
Excellence in Development of Health Care Providers: The Nicaragua Clinical Experience.

Introduction:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 17% of the U.S. population is Latino, with an expected increase to 31% by 2060. It is imperative that we prepare students who will be future health...
Endoscopic Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool in a Case of Obscure Hemobilia

Hemobilia represents an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding that can present both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The evaluation of hemobilia typically involves cross-sectional imaging and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). There is limited data regarding the diagnostic utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the evaluation of hemobilia. We present a case of a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm as the etiology of hemobilia that was detected via EUS only. We conclude that EUS can serve as an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of obscure hemobilia, especially in cases where imaging, ERCP, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography have been unsuccessful or inconclusive.
Quantifying Baseline Fixed Charge Density in Healthy Human Cartilage Endplate: A Two-point Electrical Conductivity Method.

STUDY DESIGN Regional measurements of fixed charge densities (FCDs) of healthy human cartilage endplate (CEP) using a two-point electrical conductivity approach. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the FCDs at four different regions (central, lateral, anterior, and posterior) of human CEP, and correlate the FCDs with tissue biochemical composition. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The CEP, a thin layer of hyaline cartilage on the cranial and caudal surfaces of the intervertebral disc, plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining the unique physiological mechano-electrochemical environment inside the disc. FCD, arising from the carboxyl and sulfate groups of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the extracellular matrix of the disc, is a key regulator of the disc ionic and osmotic environment through physicochemical and electrokinetic effects. Although FCDs in the annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) have been reported, quantitative baseline FCD in healthy human CEP has not been reported. METHODS CEP specimens were regionally isolated from human lumbar spines. FCD and ion diffusivity were concurrently investigated using a two-point electrical conductivity method. Biochemical assays were used to quantify regional GAG and water content. RESULTS FCD in healthy human CEP was region-dependent, with FCD lowest in the lateral region (P = 0.044). Cross-region FCD was 30% to 60% smaller than FCD in NP, but similar to the AF and articular cartilage (AC). CEP FCD (average: 0.12 ± 0.03 mEq/g wet tissue) was correlated with GAG content (average: 31.24 ± 5.06 μg/mg wet tissue) (P = 0.005). In addition, the cross-region ion diffusivity in healthy CEP (2.97 ± 1.00 × 10 cm/s) was much smaller than the AF and NP. CONCLUSION Healthy human CEP acts as a biomechanical interface, distributing loads between the bony vertebral body and soft disc tissues and as a gateway impeding rapid solute diffusion through the disc. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.
Aneurysm Morphology and Prediction of Rupture: An International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Analysis.

Abstract BACKGROUND: There are conflicting data between natural history studies suggesting a very low risk of rupture for small, unruptured intracranial aneurysms and retrospective studies that have identified a much higher frequency of small, ruptured aneurysms than expected. OBJECTIVE: To use the prospective International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms cohort to identify morphological characteristics predictive of unruptured intracranial aneurysm rupture. METHODS: A case-control design was used to analyze morphological characteristics associated with aneurysm rupture in the International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms database. Fifty-seven patients with ruptured aneurysms during follow-up were matched (by size and location) with 198 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms without rupture during follow-up. Twelve morphological metrics were measured from cerebral angiograms in a blinded fashion. RESULTS: Perpendicular height (P = .008) and size ratio (ratio of maximum diameter to the parent vessel diameter; P = .01) were predictors of aneurysm rupture on univariate analysis. Aspect ratio, daughter sacs, multiple lobes, aneurysm angle, neck diameter, parent vessel diameter, and calculated aneurysm volume were not statistically significant predictors of rupture. On multivariate analysis, perpendicular height was the only significant predictor of rupture (Chi-square 7.1, P-value .008). CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of other morphological factors, such as perpendicular height and size ratio, that may influence unruptured intracranial aneurysm rupture risk in addition to greatest diameter and anterior vs posterior location.
The CHA2DS2-VASc score and the risk of ischemic stroke in community-dwelling individuals with and without atrial fibrillation: The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study

Abstract type Clinical Research. Presentation type Oral Presentation. Introduction Recent evidence from hospital-based cohorts suggests that the CHA2DS2-VASc score may be used to predict ischemic stroke in individuals without atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to evaluate the association of the CHA2DS2-VASc score for incident ischemic stroke, with and without AF, among community-dwelling individuals. Methodology We included all participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study who attended visit 4 (1996–98) and had no prior AF, stroke, and were not on warfarin. Incident AF was ascertained from study ECGs and hospital discharge diagnosis codes, and stroke was physician-adjudicated. AF cases were matched with non-AF controls based on CHA2DS2-VASc variables, and participants were censored if they began anticoagulants during the follow-up period. Time-to-event and competing risk analyses were used to calculate the incidence rates of ischemic stroke by CHA2DS2-VASc score, stratified by AF status. RESULTS This analysis included 4,039 participants (mean age, 74.6 ± 6.8 years; 50% women; 14% blacks) of whom 1,180 had incident AF. After a mean follow-up of 5.1 ± 4.2 years, 182 (4.5%) developed ischemic stroke. Higher CHA2DS2-VASc score was associated with higher incidence of ischemic stroke in participants with and without AF. In participants without AF, the absolute 1-year risk remained low (0.6%) even in those with CHA2DS2-VASc score of ⩾6. In participants with AF, the absolute 1-year risk of ischemic stroke was 3.2% even in those with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0–1) Conclusion The risk of ischemic stroke is low across CHA2DS2-VASc score categories in community-dwelling individuals without AF. Individuals with AF are at high risk for ischemic stroke even with low CHA2DS2-VASc score, suggesting the need for stroke prevention in individuals with AF and one CHA2DS2-VASc stroke risk factor.
Rare Yeast Infections: Risk Factors, Clinical Manifestations, Treatment, and Special Considerations

Rare yeasts include Trichosporon, Malassezia, Saprochaete, Kodamaea, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Pseudozyma, Sporobolomyces, Exophiala, Lacazia, Emmonsia, and Wickerhamomyces (Pichia). In this review, we focus on the taxonomy, microbiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment of rare yeasts. Most rare yeasts are commonly encountered in the environment but infrequently cause infection in humans. Many of these organisms cause superficial skin infections in normal hosts. Most serious infections occur in immunocompromised hosts and/or in the presence of medical devices, especially intravascular catheters, and usually present as fungemia. Recent advances in DNA sequencing have led to taxonomic reclassification of some species which may not be reflected in older literature. The gold standard for diagnosis of rare yeast infections is still microscopy and culture based; however, molecular-based methods of diagnosis such as DNA sequencing or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) are promising for speciation. Antifungal susceptibility varies by organism, but most favorable outcomes reported have been with amphotericin B or voriconazole. In general, mortality tends to be high. Advances in health care and improved molecular diagnostics are expanding the species of rare yeasts that are being recognized as human pathogens. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of the pathogenicity of these organisms so as to optimize therapy and improve outcomes.
Excitonic luminescence of Hg1-x-yCdxMnyTe crystals

Photoluminescence in excitonic range of spectrum is detected forHgCdMnTe crystals (Cd=0.33, Mn=0.015) for the first time. Luminescencefeatures are well pronounced and strongly effected by intensity ofpumping at low temperature.
Cocoa Products Exports of India:A Markov Chain Analysis

After introduction of cocoa in early half of 20th century, it gained momentum in late l990s only. Though the growth rates in area, production, export quantity and value were heartening, the actual situation of Indian export sector of cocoa products was disheartening. The paper attempts to quantify the changing structure of Indian cocoa products exports. Data for analysis was taken for a period of 16 years from 2000-01 to 2016-17. The Markov chain analysis was attempted through linear programming method to assess the transition probabilities for the major cocoa markets. The major Indian cocoa export markets were categorized as stable market (USA, China, & others) and unstable markets (Singapore, Netherland) based on the magnitude of transition probabilities. The major export markets for Indian cocoas were USA (14.9%), Nepal(11.6%),China(7.71%), Netherland (6.94%)and Singapore (5.06%). The holistic conclusion leads to the need of emphasizing on productivity enhancing research, measures to stabilize existing markets and tapping other markets section for improvement in this sector.
Retrospective study of nivolumab for patients with recurrent high grade gliomas.

Patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGG) have limited treatment options. HGG utilize the PD-1 pathway to evade immune responses. Checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated safety and clinical activity in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. We explored the efficacy of nivolumab in recurrent HGG with a primary objective of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We retrospectively analyzed HGG patients treated with nivolumab in our institution. We included patients with advanced HGG who received nivolumab at their oncologist’s decision. Patients received nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks until confirmed progression, intolerable toxicity, death, or physician decision. Radiographic assessments were performed every 8 weeks. Between April 2015 and October 2017, 50 HGG patients received nivolumab. 43 patients received nivolumab with bevacizumab. 44 patients were bevacizumab refractory and 7 patients received nivolumab monotherapy. All had received prior radiation and chemotherapy. 39 adverse events (AEs) were noted [most commonly fatigue (16%) and constipation (10%)]. 4 (8%) patients experienced grade 3–4 AEs. 36 (72%) patients experienced stable disease (SD) at the 2-month assessment. Median duration of SD was 4.3 months (5.1 months in the bevacizumab naive, 3.8 months in the bevacizumab refractory). Median PFS was 4.3 months (95% CI 3.5–5.3); median OS was 6.5 months (95% CI 6.0–8.8). Treatment with nivolumab therapy was associated with a manageable safety profile. In a subset of patients, there was disease stabilization in heavily pre-treated recurrent HGG.
An Analysis of Professor J.F. Bell's Research on the Finite Twist and Extension of Thin-walled Polycrystalline Cylindrical Tubes

Professor J.F. Bell's empirical result regarding the rotation factor in the polar decomposition of the deformation gradient for the finite twist–extension of a thin-walled polycrystalline cylindrical metal tube is examined. The correct expression for the rotation is derived and used to show how Bell's result should be interpreted. Some implications for his incremental plasticity equations are also discussed. In particular, they are shown to satisfy appropriate invariance requirements when cast in terms of the variables actually measured by Bell in his experiments. Further consequences of his equations consistent with his data are also derived. Finally, it is shown that his theory furnishes a consistent constitutive statement about the response of isotropic solids provided that the Cauchy stress is constrained to be symmetric.
Protein Recognition Motifs of Sγ3 DNA Are Statistically Correlated with Switch Recombination Breakpoints

The Immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy (H) chain class switch permits expression of a mature variable (VDJ) region with constant (C) regions other than Cμ (for review see [6]). Molecular analysis of IgH loci which have undergone isotype switching has led to the observation that this event results in the deletion of the Cμ gene and the intervening genomic sequences [18, 21]. The looping-out and deletion model for switch recombination predicts that the intervening DNA between switch (S) regions will be excised as a circle [9]. Circular excision products of Ig switch recombination have recently been isolated from mitogen stimulated spleen cells [7, 8, 14, 25]. This finding confirms that switch recombination occurs by the looping-out and deletion mechanism.
Invisible water: the importance of good groundwater governance and management

This paper summarizes the results of efforts to bring attention to the importance of understanding and improving groundwater governance and management. Discussion of survey work in the United States and global case studies highlights the importance of focusing attention on this invisible water resource before pollution or depletion of it causes severe economic, environmental, and social dislocations. Better governance and management of groundwater are required to move toward sustainable groundwater use.
Lifecycle Comparison of Mainstream Anaerobic Baffled Reactor and Conventional Activated Sludge Systems for Domestic Wastewater Treatment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the lifecycle impacts of anaerobic primary treatment of domestic wastewater using anaerobic baffled reactors (ABRs) coupled with aerobic secondary treatment relative to conventional wastewater and sludge/biosolids treatment systems through the application of wastewater treatment modeling and three lifecycle-based analyses: environmental lifecycle assessment, net energy balance, and lifecycle costing. Data from two pilot-scale ABRs operated under ambient wastewater temperatures were used to model the anaerobic primary treatment process. To address uncertain parameters in the scale-up of pilot-scale anaerobic reactor data, uncertainty analysis and Monte Carlo simulation were employed. This study demonstrates that anaerobic primary treatment of domestic wastewater using ABRs can be incorporated with existing aerobic treatment strategies to reduce aeration demand, reduce sludge production, and increase energy generation. The net result of coupling anaerobic primary ...
The use of proteasome inhibitors among patients with POEMS syndrome.

e19530Background: Neuropathy is a universal symptom of patients with POEMS syndrome, which makes the use of bortezomib less appealing. However, proteasome inhibitors (PIs) can provide rapid and dee...
Confirmation of BRD4 haploinsufficiency role in Cornelia de Lange–like phenotype and delineation of a 19p13.12p13.11 gene contiguous syndrome

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a genetically and clinical heterogeneous condition characterized by congenital malformation, intellectual disability, and peculiar dysmorphic features. Recently, BRD4 (19p13.12) was proposed as a new critical gene associated with a mild CdLS because of a similar presentation of the patients carrying point mutations and of its involvement in the NIPBL pathway. Patients harboring a 19p interstitial deletion shared some physical features with BRD4 mutation carriers, which results in a more complex phenotype because of the involvement of several neighboring genes. We report a new 19p deletion in a patient clinically diagnosed as CdLS, partially overlapping with previously published cases with the aim to support the role of BRD4 haploinsufficiency in a CdL-like phenotype and to improve the delineation of 19p13.12p13.11 deletion as a new nonrecurrent gene contiguous syndrome, spanning GIPC1, NOTCH3, BRD4, AKAP8, AKAP8L, CASP14, and EPS15L1 genes. Previously described cases are reviewed, attempting to delineate a genotype-phenotype correlation.