cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hibernation in the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel, Citellus lateralis bernardinus

Little is known about hibernation in the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis. Wade (1930) and Grinnell and Dixon (1918) give a few notes concerning hibernation in this species as well as pictures of hibernating individuals. More extensive observations concerning hibernation have been made upon other species of the genus Citellus in the United States. Johnson (1928, 1931, 1932) and Wade (1930) present information concerning temperature control in Citellus tridecemlineatus and Citellus franklini. The present study of the golden-mantled ground squirrel was undertaken to investigate the species' seasonal activity patterns, body changes accompanying hibernation, body temperature regulation in both the active and torpid states, and to consider the environmental factors responsible for hibernation. A lack of ecological knowledge concerning this species necessitated field studies as well as observations upon captive animals. Field observations concerning the hibernation and ecology of the goldenmantled ground squirrel were made in the Big Bear Lake and San Gorgonio Peak areas. Data on the species' general distribution was obtained by transects through the mountains. On October 1, 1950, golden-mantled ground squirrels were captured with padded No. 1 steel-jaw traps and taken to Los Angeles for study. The animals were kept in cages (made of wood and half-inch wire mesh) which measured 3 by 1.5 by 1.5 feet. The cages were furnished with wooden nest boxes measuring 7 by 4 by 5 inches and equipped with removable tops. The cages were kept in a sunny location until some of the animals began to hibernate, at which time the cages were moved into the shade. Temperatures were taken with a Schultheis quick registering, mercury thermometer especially made for small animal work. The squirrels' temperatures were taken regularly between 8:00 and 10:00 A.M. Ordinarily, in one or two minutes an animal can be picked up from its nest, its body temperature can be taken, and it can be released. Only those body temperatures were recorded that were obtained without previously pursuing the animals. The body temperatures were taken rectally with the thermometer inserted about one-half inch, and orally with the thermometer placed in the back of the mouth.
An alternate method of fixation for management of early-onset deformity with thoracic kyphosis.

BACKGROUND: Although methods currently used for management of early-onset scoliosis are effective, the presence of excessive thoracic kyphosis is associated with an increased instrumentation failure rate. METHODS: An alternate method of upper thoracic fixation by using a 4-rib construct was developed by necessity when the author was presented with 2 cases of early-onset deformity with severe kyphosis and osteoporosis. RESULTS: With a minimum 3-year follow-up, both cases have demonstrated gratifying clinical and radiographic results. CONCLUSIONS: This method is presented as an alternate method of upper thoracic fixation when increased pullout forces secondary to thoracic kyphosis are anticipated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
Interaction of multiple bonded and unsaturated heavier main group compounds with hydrogen, ammonia, olefins, and related molecules.

We showed in 2005 that a digermyne, a main group compound with a digermanium core and aromatic substituents, reacted directly with hydrogen at 25 °C and 1 atm to give well-defined hydrogen addition products. This was the first report of a reaction of main group molecules with hydrogen under ambient conditions. Our group and a number of others have since shown that several classes of main group molecules, either alone or in combination, react directly (in some cases reversibly) with hydrogen under mild conditions. Moreover, this reactivity was not limited to hydrogen but also included direct reactions with other important small molecules, including ammonia, boranes, and unactivated olefins such as ethylene. These reactions were largely unanticipated because main group species were generally considered to be too unreactive to effect such transformations.In this Account, we summarize recent developments in the reactions of the multiple bonded and other open shell derivatives of the heavier main group element...
Moving from trainee to junior: faculty: a brief guide.

The transition from student to independent research investigator is challenging, to say the least, but does not have to be painful. This article is intended to help PhD postdoctoral trainees, MD fellows, and junior faculty plan for the successes, and cope with the challenges, associated with a career in research. At the outset, I need to make a few disclaimers. I do not claim to have special insights – I am just like scientists you encounter regularly, many of whom likely could have written this article. I have had the good fortune of a successful research career, including a variety of leadership positions that allowed me to facilitate the career development of others, and to have guided trainee development on a national level. Hence, although I have the background to offer some useful advice, it comes from long experience, not some unique, inherent ability. Second, even all the best-laid plans do not guarantee success. I have had, and anticipate will continue to have, failed (yes, even triaged) grant applications, rejected papers, scooped research, and the burden of administrative mandates that defy all logic. Nonetheless, I have managed to learn from the failures and frustrations (admittedly after recovering from my initial anger and disappointment) and to leverage this knowledge into more successful approaches and healthier attitudes. Third, this brief article is not intended to persuade anyone to pursue a research career; the desire for that comes from a passion that, while perhaps blossoming under great teachers and nurtured by great mentors and colleagues, is uniquely yours. In essence, I am writing down what I wish some mythical advisor had told me many years ago – I’d like to think it would have made a difference for me, and my hope is that trainees and junior faculty reading this will feel the same. Over the course of your training and transition to faculty, you will receive advice from a wide range of sources, but in the end, you alone have to decide which goals to set and which path you will follow to achieve these. There are many factors involved in achieving your research goals. Some of these are obviously unique to you and your institution; however, the following constitutes some guidelines that are almost universally applicable. They are listed in no particular order of importance; each topic is important to consider when planning for a successful research career. A lot of the advice is rather terse; it would be easy to write a book on this subject. The idea is to view what follows as the big picture – it will be up to you to fill in the details.
Crustal accretion of thick mafic crust in Iceland: implications for volcanic rifted margins

Rifting near hotspots results in mantle melting to create thick mafic igneous crust at volcanic rifted margins (VRMs). This mafic crust is transitional between rifted continental crust with mafic i...
Studies on γ-crystallin from calf lens

A protein fraction isolated from calf lens by gel filtration has been shown to be identical with γ-oryatallin. This fraction constitutes 20% of the total soluble proteins in the lens, but was found to have a higher concentration in the nucleus than in the cortex. Since sedimentation and diffusion analyses gave no indication of inhomogeneity whereas free electrophoresis at pH 5.0 resulted in a resolution into four components, it is probable that these subtractions have similar molecular weights. The average molecular weight was estimated to be 20,000–25,000. Immunoeleotrophoretic analysis at pH 8.2 revealed only two bands, probably because of the instability and low mobilities of the proteins at this pH. The sulphur and sulphydryl group content found is higher than previously reported for any lens protein fraction.
Demand response estimation based on aggregate data from heterogeneous users

The article presents methodologies for the prediction of the aggregate consumption of a large number of heterogeneous energy users with deferrable loads. It is assumed that the users respond to an identical coordinating signal (e.g. a price) broadcast by the system operator. The main contributions of the article are two: (i) the presence of heterogeneous users is explicitely addressed by considering the possibility of several “classes” of consumers; (ii) the described methodologies provide predictions and estimates that have the advantage of making use of aggregate data only. When a dynamic response mechanism is implemented, the presence of consumers with deferrable loads introduces memory in the system in the form of the backlogged demand that has to be satisfied in the near future. From the perspective of the system operator, an accurate estimate of the current backlogged demand is of paramount importance, since it allows one to better predict what the aggregate consumption will be for a given coordinating signal. Thus, mathematical models need to be derived in order to predict future aggregate consumption using the accessible information. Unfortunately, consumers tends to be highly heterogeneous, depending on several factors including individual preferences, the interrupt-ability or the criticality of the tasks and the presence of hard deadlines. These factors can not be measured directly. Indeed, both privacy issues and practical constraints on processing and communicating data are likely to prevent utility companies and system operators from collecting and using measurements at the individual user level. Thus, methodologies for predicting aggregate demand response from aggregate data, such as the ones suggested in the article, can help overcome all these challenges.
Living with the Legacies: Our Culture Confronts Our Environment

As the program of limited government, gridlock, infinite resources, and exponential growth begins to collapse, the twenty-first century will witness the next “great transformation.” One possible option might be “authoritarian capitalism” built around an all-powerful state that pushes the domination of Nature to its technological extreme, protects the power and wealth of a small economic elite, and monitors every thought and action of its inhabitants. A better alternative would be the movement toward a system that promotes economic and ecological justice for all members of our extended community. The capacity for each of these choices resides in the narratives built into our culture. The will to determine the direction we take is embedded in the values, habits, and traditions that are all part of our national character and made clear by an understanding of America’s environmental legacies.
Conception, birth, and development of three new successful analytical concepts

Les 3 techniques considerees sont la spectrometrie d'emission atomique, la spectrometrie de fluorescence atomique et la spectrometrie de masse, toutes 3 utilisant un plasma induit par haute frequence
Durable gels with ultra-low adhesion to ice

In this work, building on the principles of adhesion mechanics, we developed novel inexpensive, environmentally benign, non-corrosive PDMS gels that offer ultra-low adhesion to ice as well as outstanding mechanical durability. We elucidated the mechanism of separation of ice from our PDMS gels via separation pulses. We envision that our durable PDMS gels with ultra-low ice adhesion strength as well as the improved understanding of the separation mechanism will enable universal deicing design strategies in aviation, maritime, power, automotive, and energy sectors.
Cell Cycle Related Stem Cell Gene Expression.

We have previously reported that marrow stem cells show changes in engraftment (Habibian, et al J Ex. Hem, 188:393–398, 1998), homing (Cerny et al. , J Hematother Stem Cell Res11:913–922, 2002) and differentiation (Colvin et al. , J Cell Phys199:20–31, 2004) phenotype as they transit a cytokine-driven cell cycle. mRNA and surface expression of adhesion proteins also change (Becker et al. , Exp Hematol27:533–541, 1999). We have evaluated gene expression by Real-time PCR of murine lineage negative, Sca+ (Lin-Sca+) stem cells stimulated by Il-3, Il-6, Il-11 and Steel factor (at 0, 24 and 48h) and lineage negative Rhodamine low, Hoescht low (LRH) stem cells stimulated by TPO, Flt-3 and Steel at various points in cell cycle transit (0,32,40,48h). In Lin-Sca+ cells (4experiments, time 0) expression of the following genes in descending order was as follows: IKAROS, L-selectin, Pu-1, Gata-2, Pecam, Cd84, Rock-1, c-fms, FOG, Cxcr4, c-kit, Cd4. The following were either not expressed or expressed at very low levels: Il-11, Ccr4, Sdf-1, Gata-1, P-selectin and Vecam. A pattern of depressed gene expression in S-phase (24h) with subsequent recovery (48h) was seen with c-fms and c-kit. With LRH cells (2 experiments, time 0) approximate descending rank order of gene expression was Cd45r, Cd34, G-CSFR, Mac-1, GM-CSFR and Flt-3. Il7r was not detected. With cycle progression Cd34 and Sca-1 were markedly elevated while Mac-1 and c-mpl were decreased. The expression of GM-CSFR, G-CSFR, Cd45r and Cd4 showed variable fluctuation. Il-7r was negative throughout. These data show that primitive marrow stem cells express a wide variety of “hematopoietic genes”, that expression modulates with cell cycle transit and perhaps most importantly that observed changes in gene expression are reversible. This is consistent with the continuum theory of stem cell regulation.
Establishing a Stand-Alone Laboratory Dedicated to the Care of Patients With Ebola Virus Disease.

Objective To describe the process for establishment of a stand-alone laboratory dedicated to testing for Ebola virus disease (EVD). Methods We selected 2 neighboring rooms for the EVD unit: 1 for patient care and 1 for laboratory testing. A limited test menu was developed after consultation with the team of healthcare providers treating patients with EVD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and other sites with EVD expertise. Results We selected several point-of-care (POC) devices and manual assays to provide necessary testing. Three new instruments were purchased to meet testing needs (Abaxis Piccolo Xpress, Sysmex pocH-100i, and Helena Cascade) and accuracy, precision and reportable range were verified and found to be consistent with the manufacturers' claims. Training was obtained for volunteering laboratory staff members before the initiation of laboratory operation, involving simulation of all procedures. Conclusions The establishment of a stand-alone unit and laboratory dedicated to the care of patients with EVD minimizes the risk of spreading EVD among hospital patients and employees. Risk assessment, instrument validation, and employee training are major components that contribute to the success of establishing this type of laboratory.
The Belarusian Genitive plural: a case for reanalysis

The paper presents new data from ongoing morphological change in the Standard Belarusian nominal declension that potentially bear on the nature of phonology-morphology interactions. It is generally accepted that the allomorphs in the Genitive plural case are /-O/, /-ow/, and /-ej/, and that some version of the /-ow/ allomorph is now being extended from Declension Ia to other declension classes. The spread of this change in some classes is sensitive to a phonotactic condition that does not normally interact with morphology elsewhere. Thus Belarusian suppletive allomorphy shows some output optimization, or Phonology > Morphology effects. The allomorph being extended to feminine nouns is the unstressed pronunciation of /-ow/, the neutralized [-aw] (< /-ow/). I suggest that this phonologically predictable [-aw] has at some point been reanalyzed as an independent lexical allomorph /-aw/ which must be “unstressed”. In a model of the grammar where phonology and morphology are interleaved, I show that the /-aw/ is implemented by a constraint GenPl: /-aw/ which is ranked with respect to a phonological constraint (YerDep) and the other GenPl Decl constraints implementing /-O/, /-ow/, and /-ej/. The “unstressability” of /-aw/ is said to be due to Lexical Conservatism (Steriade 1999a, 1999b); there are no instances of Gen plural [-aw] in Belarusian. The nature of this innovation raises questions about the architecture of phonology-morphology interactions and the representation of lexical allomorphy in the grammar.
Improving prodrug cancer chemotherapy through enzyme evolution and molecular imaging

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 5654 Reductive prodrugs, such as mitomycin C (MMC) and 5-aziridinyl-2,4-dinitrobenzamide (CB 1954), are nontoxic in their native form, but generate a highly toxic species when reduced. Given that only a small fraction of cells actively replicate in human tumor at a given time, these drugs are particularly advantageous because they can target both growing and non-growing cells. Reductive chemotherapy is presently based on the fact that the concentration of certain prodrug-reducing enzymes, such as the mammalian DT-diaphorase (NQO1), increases in tumor cells, making them more susceptible to their killing action. However, reduction of prodrugs also occurs in normal cells because reducing enzymes are present also in such cells, producing severe side effects. We constructed a mutant (ChrR6) of the newly discovered E. coli nitroreductase ChrR (formerly called YieF) using directed evolution. ChrR6 kills HeLa spinners, JC and 4T1 tumor cells with >6 fold greater efficiency than the wild type enzyme. The screening procedure employed to find ChrR6 was indirect. We recently developed a direct screening method for large mutants libraries of nitroreductases employing 6-chloro-9-nitro-5-oxo-5H-benzo[a]phenoxazine (CNOB), which is an analogue of CB 1954. Reduction of CNOB generates a highly fluorescent compound (aminophenoxazine) and thus permits rapid and direct screening for prodrug-reducing activity. To monitor reduction of CNOB in vivo we used the attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL 7838 strain as a delivery vehicle for our enzymes. Using confocal microscopy we located SL 7838, expressing GFP and the tested enzyme, in the cytosol of HeLa cells. Furthermore, CNOB reduction was visualized in the same location. The reduction of CNOB by HeLa cells alone was undetectable. We also report, for the first time, that CNOB can act as prodrug with the same efficiency as CB1954 in in vitro as well as in vivo. As its cytotoxic product is fluorescent, it can be monitored in vivo . The novel ability to track both the delivery vehicle and prodrug reduction is unique and opens exciting possibilities for improving prodrug cancer gene therapy.
Engendering situational interest through innovative instruction in an engineering classroom: what really mattered?

Instructors often try out innovative interventions (INTRs) in their classrooms to promote student engagement and learning interest. While such efforts are commendable, thinking through how individual and environmental characteristics influence interest development in learners is crucial to meeting such teaching objectives. In this study, we examined the role of personal interest, students’ perceptions of meaningfulness (MNG) and the instructional utility of an innovative hands-on learning module in the development of triggered and maintained situational interests in an engineering classroom that used hands-on learning modules. Participants were undergraduate students enrolled in an engineering classroom who were taught fluid mechanics concepts using an innovative instructional approach. Results of the study indicate that the instructional INTR and the MNG learning material were significant predictors of situational interest. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
The reduced osteogenic potential of Nf1-deficient osteoprogenitors is EGFR-independent

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. Recalcitrant bone healing following fracture (i.e. pseudarthrosis) is one of the most problematic skeletal complications associated with NF1. The etiology of this condition is still unclear; thus, pharmacological options for clinical management are limited. Multiple studies have shown the reduced osteogenic potential of Nf1-deficient osteoprogenitors. A recent transcriptome profiling investigation revealed that EREG and EGFR, encoding epiregulin and its receptor Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 1, respectively, were among the top over-expressed genes in cells of the NF1 pseudarthrosis site. Because EGFR stimulation is known to inhibit osteogenic differentiation, we hypothesized that increased EREG and EGFR expression in NF1-deficient skeletal progenitors may contribute to their reduced osteogenic differentiation potential. In this study, we first confirmed via single-cell mRNA sequencing that EREG over-expression was associated with NF1 second hit somatic mutations in human bone cells, whereas Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) expression was unchanged. Second, using ex-vivo recombined Nf1-deficient mouse bone marrow stromal cells (mBMSCs), we show that this molecular signature is conserved between mice and humans, and that epiregulin generated by these cells is overexpressed and active, whereas soluble TGFβ1 expression and activity are not affected. However, blocking either epiregulin function or EGFR signaling by EGFR1 or pan EGFR inhibition (using AG-1478 and Poziotinib respectively) did not correct the differentiation defect of Nf1-deficient mBMSCs, as measured by the expression of Alpl, Ibsp and alkaline phosphatase activity. These results suggest that clinically available drugs aimed at inhibiting EGFR signaling are unlikely to have a significant benefit for the management of bone non-union in children with NF1 PA.
Effect of the fluctuating proton size on the study of the chiral magnetic effect in proton-nucleus collisions

High energy proton-nucleus (pA) collisions provide an important constraint on the study of the chiral magnetic effect in QCD matter. Naively, in pA collisions one expects no correlation between the orientation of the event plane as reconstructed from the azimuthal distribution of produced hadrons and the orientation of the magnetic field. If this is the case, any charge-dependent hadron correlations can only result from the background. Nevertheless, in this paper we point out that in high multiplicity pA collisions a correlation between the magnetic field and the event plane can appear. This is because triggering on the high hadron multiplicity amounts to selecting Fock components of the incident proton with a large number of partons that are expected to have a transverse size much larger than the average proton size. We introduce the effect of the fluctuating proton size in the Monte Carlo Glauber model and evaluate the resulting correlation between the magnetic field and the second-order event plane in both pA and nucleus-nucleus (AA) collisions. The fluctuating proton size is found to result in a significant correlation between the magnetic field and the event plane in pA collisions, even though the magnitude of the correlation is still much smaller than in AA collisions. This result opens a possibility of studying the chiral magnetic effect in small systems.
Integrated III-V nanoelectronic devices on Si

I will give an overview of our recent work on the integration of III-V semiconductor nano-structures on silicon (Si) for electronic devices. The template-assisted selective epitaxy (TASE) used to monolithically integrate high crystal quality III-V nanostructures on Si is introduced. The challenges and recent progress of the development of nanoscale III-V MOSFETs and Tunnel FETs is discussed and a complementary p-type InAs-Si and η-type InAs-GaSb TFET technology is demonstrated.
Critical Importance of Low-Dose Tissue Plasminogen Activator Policy for Treating Intraoperative Pulmonary Thromboembolism During Liver Transplantation.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been reported to treat intraoperative pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) during liver transplantation (LT). However, tPA administration is often delayed due to fear of uncontrolled bleeding and storage in a refrigerator outside of operating rooms. Various dosages of tPA were used. We hypothesize that a policy of tPA storage and low dosage use improves patient outcomes. At a transplantation center, a multidisciplinary committee has implemented a tPA policy since April 2014, which includes the following: (1) timely administering of low-dose tPA (0.5-4 mg) for intraoperative PTE; (2) keeping 2 vials of tPA (2 mg/vial) in the operating room at room temperature; and (3) transferring unused tPA vials to the cardiology catheterization laboratory for next-day use. A prospective observational study was conducted to record the incidence and outcome of PTE during LTs. Over the next 19 months, 99 adult deceased donor LTs were performed with 1 (1.0%) intraoperative PTE. A 45-year-ol...
Transport Costs in International Trade Theory

Transport costs have been somewhat neglected in international trade theory, most of which is expounded on the assumption that transport costs are absent. In this paper I shall present a simple geometric method for describing transport costs in offer-curve diagrams, and apply this method to consider the effects of transport costs on the terms of trade, the transfer problem, the optimum tariff, and real factor returns. To avoid introducing a third industry—the transport industry—it will be necessary to employ a drastic, but very useful assumption regarding the nature of transport costs. I shall assume that transport costs are met by the wastage of a proportion of the goods traded. This assumption will mean that: if each country provides the resources for transporting its own exports, then only a proportion of the goods exported will be received as imports by the other country, the remainder being used up as costs of transport; if each country provides the resources for transporting its imports, then a proportion of its exports will be used up for every unit of the other country's good imported; and if each country shares in the transport of each good, some of each country's resources will be used up in transporting each good. The meaning of this assumption will become clearer later in the paper.
PCR analysis of a prescription vegetarian diet and use in three dogs with cutaneous adverse food reactions.

Background Cutaneous adverse food reaction (CAFR) is diagnosed by performing an elimination diet trial utilizing prescription or home-cooked diets followed by provocative challenge. Objectives To report findings of PCR analysis of a prescription vegetarian diet (RCV) for undeclared proteins of animal origin, as well as to describe its utilization for diagnosis and management of dogs suspected of having CAFR. Animals Three client-owned dogs. Methods PCR analysis of RCV for 11 mammalian species and poultry. In three dogs, clinical examination, cytology, aerobic culture (if indicated) and at least one elimination diet trial with RCV. Results In our case series, all dogs had a history of pruritus and recurrent pyoderma that resolved with infection control and an elimination diet trial. In cases 1 and 2, a diagnosis of CAFR was made following an elimination trial with RCV and provocative challenge. Case 3 had a previously confirmed diagnosis of CAFR and RCV was successfully used to maintain remission of CAFR-related signs. PCR testing of RCV was negative for 11 mammalian species and poultry. Conclusions and clinical importance The RCV diet was found not to contain any undeclared mammalian or avian proteins. In this case series, the RCV was successfully used to diagnose and maintain three dogs with CAFR.
Occurrence of Viruses in Treated Drinking Water in the United States

Health concerns regarding waterborne transmission of enteric viruses began to develop around 1940 in the United States (U.S.) with the isolation of poliovirus from human feces and sewage. The implication of these isolations for the transmission of viral disease through contaminated drinking water stimulated research on methodology for virus detection, recovery and assessment from water. Although virus methods research is still an important area of study, relatively sensitive procedures became available during the past decade for recovering many enteric virus types from large-volume samples of drinking water. Controversy surrounded many of the early reported isolations of viruses from treated drinking water using these procedures due to the suspicion of laboratory contamination. The occurrence of viruses in drinking water treated by currently accepted procedures has still not been proven by the U.S. experience although the likelihood may be gaining support. However, a virus survey of 54 water supplies and extensive studies of two water systems by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not demonstrate viral contamination of treated water derived from surface sources.
Depression and Parkinsonism

This article focuses on the clinical manifestations, recognition, and management of depression in the context of parkinsonism. There are multiple causes of parkinsonism: Parkinson’s disease, drug-induced parkinsonism, and Parkinson’s-related neurodegenerative disorders are the most common, and all are associated with depressive disturbances. Parkinsonism is also an important feature of psychiatric disorders in the absence of discrete neurological disease. Awareness of the relationship between parkinsonism and depression should increase the likelihood of recognition, accurate diagnosis, and treatment of both movement and mood disorders.
Top Pop Albums, 1955–2016

Individual songs are the currency of popular music. Composers craft them; singers and other musicians perform them; studio engineers record them; record companies manufacture, market, and distribut...
Effect of treatment modality on chronic opioid use in patients with T1/T2 oropharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND The effect of treatment modality on long-term opioid dependence in patients with oropharyngeal cancer has not been reported. METHODS A retrospective cohort of 122 patients with T1/T2 oropharyngeal cancer undergoing treatment was generated. Risk factors associated with chronic opioid use were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS The prevalence of chronic opioid use was 45.9%. On multivariate analysis, primary nonsurgical treatment (odds ratio [OR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-11.4), pretreatment opioid use (OR 14.9, 95% CI: 3.5-62.5), psychiatric disorder (OR 4.3, 95% CI: 1.03-18.5), alcohol use (OR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.03-6.5), and younger age (OR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.02-1.11) were significantly associated with chronic opioid use. CONCLUSION Primary nonsurgical treatment, younger age, pretreatment opioid use, alcohol use, and psychiatric disorder were independently associated with an increased risk of chronic opioid use. Preventative strategies should be especially focused toward these patients to reduce their risk of long-term opioid use.
Ultrastructural analysis of submacular choriocapillaris and its transport systems in AMD and aged control eyes

Abstract The choriocapillaris is the source of nutrients and oxygen for photoreceptors, which consume more oxygen per gram of tissue than any other cell in the body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the ultrastructure of the choriocapillaris and its transport systems in patients with and without age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ultrastructural changes were also evaluated in subjects that were homozygous for polymorphisms in high risk CFH alleles (Pure 1) only or homozygous only for high risk ARMS2/HTRA1 (Pure 10) alleles. Tissue samples were obtained from the macular region of forty male (n = 24) and female (n = 16) donor eyes and prepared for ultrastructural studies with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average age of the aged donors was 74 ± 7.2 (n = 30) and the young donors 31.7 ± 11.25 (n = 10). There was no significant difference in average ages between the adult groups. TEM images of the capillaries in the choriocapillaris (CC) were taken at 4,000X and 25,000X and used to measure the area of endothelial cell somas, the number of fenestrations, and area of caveolae within the endothelial cells per length of Bruchs membrane (BrMb). The Student t-test and Wilcoxon sum rank test were used to determine significant differences. There was no significant difference between young subjects and aged controls in any of the morphological criteria assessed. There was a significant decrease in the number of fenestrations/mm of BrMb in atrophic areas of GA eyes (p = 0.007) when compared with aged control eyes. A significant increase was found in the caveolae area as a percent of the endothelial cell soma of capillaries from GA subjects as compared with the controls (p = 0.03). Loss of capillary segments in choriocapillaris was also evident, especially in areas of geographic atrophy and CNV. In eyes from patients with sequence variations, the capillary endothelial cells often appeared degenerative and exhibited atypical fenestrations and pericytes covering the blood vessels. Subjects that were homozygous for polymorphisms in high risk CFH alleles only had more fenestrations/mm of BrMb than subjects that were homozygous only for high risk ARMS2/HTRA1 alleles (p = 0.04), while the latter had greater caveolae area/endothelial cell area than the former (p = 0.007). This study demonstrated an attenuation of CC and a significant decline in the two major transport systems in CC endothelial cells in AMD. This may contribute to drusen deposition, nutrient transport, and vision loss in AMD subjects.
The Molecular Biology Database Collection: 2004 update

The Molecular Biology Database Collection is a public resource listing key databases of value to the biologist, including those featured in this issue of Nucleic Acids Research, and other high-quality databases. All databases included in this Collection are freely available to the public. This listing aims to serve as a convenient starting point for searching the web for reliable information on various aspects of molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics. This year's update includes 548 databases, 162 more than the previous one. The databases are organized in a hierarchical classification that should simplify finding the right database for each given task. Each database in the list comes with a recently updated brief description. The database list and the database descriptions can be accessed online at the Nucleic Acids Research web site http://nar. oupjournals.org/.
Transcriptional profile of spinal dynorphin-lineage interneurons in the developing mouse

Mounting evidence suggests that the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) contains multiple subpopulations of inhibitory interneurons that play distinct roles in somatosensory processing, as exemplified by the importance of spinal dynorphin-expressing neurons for the suppression of mechanical pain and chemical itch. Although it is clear that GABAergic transmission in the SDH undergoes significant alterations during early postnatal development, little is known about the maturation of discrete inhibitory "microcircuits" within the region. As a result, the goal of this study was to elucidate the gene expression profile of spinal dynorphin (pDyn)-lineage neurons throughout life. We isolated nuclear RNA specifically from pDyn-lineage SDH interneurons at postnatal days 7, 21, and 80 using the Isolation of Nuclei Tagged in Specific Cell Types (INTACT) technique, followed by RNA-seq analysis. Over 650 genes were ≥2-fold enriched in adult pDyn nuclei compared with non-pDyn spinal cord nuclei, including targets with known relevance to pain such as galanin (Gal), prepronociceptin (Pnoc), and nitric oxide synthase 1 (Nos1). In addition, the gene encoding a membrane-bound guanylate cyclase, Gucy2d, was identified as a novel and highly selective marker of the pDyn population within the SDH. Differential gene expression analysis comparing pDyn nuclei across the 3 ages revealed sets of genes that were significantly upregulated (such as Cartpt, encoding cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide) or downregulated (including Npbwr1, encoding the receptor for neuropeptides B/W) during postnatal development. Collectively, these results provide new insight into the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the known age-dependent changes in spinal nociceptive processing and pain sensitivity.
Concomitant Interstitial Lung Disease with Psoriasis

Background. We encounter interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients with psoriasis. The aim of this case series was to examine clinical and radiographic characteristics of patients with concomitant psoriasis and ILD. Methods. This is a retrospective review of our institutional experience of ILD concomitant with psoriasis, from the database in the Advanced Lung/Interstitial Lung Disease Program at the Mount Sinai Hospital. Out of 447 ILD patients, we identified 21 (4.7%) with antecedent or concomitant diagnosis of psoriasis. Clinical, radiographic, pathological, and outcome data were abstracted from our medical records. Results. Median age was 66 years (range, 46–86) and 14 (66.7%) were male. Thirteen (61.9%) had not previously or concomitantly been exposed to immunosuppressive therapy directed against psoriasis. Two (9.5%) ultimately died. Clinical diagnosis of ILD included idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 11 (52.4%); nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), 2 (9.5%); cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, 2 (9.5%); chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, 2 (9.5%); and the others, while radiographic diagnosis included usual interstitial pneumonia pattern, 9 (42.9%); NSIP pattern, 6 (28.6%); organizing pneumonia pattern, 4 (19.0%); hypersensitivity pneumonitis pattern, 2 (9.5%); and the others. Conclusions. We report 21 ILD cases with antecedent or concomitant diagnosis of psoriasis. Further prospective studies are required to determine the association between ILD and psoriasis.
State-selective analysis of ultrafast molecular dynamics driven by broadband XUV pulses

We present the results of a time-resolved photoelectron-photoion coincident experiment on laser-induced dissociation of the XUV-photoionized CO2 molecule. This allows for a state-selective analysis of molecular dynamics driven by broadband pulses.
An Academic Relative Value Unit System: Do Transparency, Consensus, and Accountability Work?

Author(s): Carmody, Kristin | Abstract: Introduction: Academic medicine continues to struggle in its efforts to compensate scholarly productivity. Academic achievements receive less recognition compared to clinical work, evidenced by a lack of reduced clinical hours or financial incentive. Core departmental education responsibilities are often distributed inequitably across academic departments. An approach using an incentive program, which emphasizes transparency, equity, and consensus may help academic departments share core education responsibilities and reward scholarly activity.Methods: We launched a two-stage approach to confront the inequitable distribution of educational responsibilities and to recognize the scholarly work among our faculty. In the first stage, baseline education expectations were implemented for all faculty members, which included accountability procedures tied to a financial incentive. The second stage involved the creation of an aAcademic rRelative vValue uUnit (ARVU) system which contained additional activities that were derived and weighted based on stakeholder consensus. The points earned in the ARVU system were applied towards additional financial incentive at academic year-end. We compared education contributions before and after implementation as well as total points earned in the ARVU system.Results: In the first year of implementing education expectations, 87% of faculty fulfilled requirements. Those with a heavier clinical load made up the majority of deficient faculty. Those who did not meet education expectations were notified and had their year-end incentive reduced to reflect this. Faculty conference attendance increased by 21% (Pl.001) and the number of resident assessments completed increased by 30% (Pl.001) compared to the previous year. To date, faculty across the department have logged a total of 1,240 academic activities in the database, which will be converted into financial bonus amounts at year-end.Conclusion: We have seen significant increases in faculty participation in educational activities and learner assessments as well as documentation of activities in the ARVU system. A similar system using different specialty-specific activities may be generalizable and employed at other institutions.
Perceptions of Racial Slurs Used by Black Individuals Toward White Individuals: Derogation or Affiliation?:

Research suggests that racial slurs may be “reclaimed” by the targeted group to convey affiliation rather than derogation. Although it is most common in intragroup uses (e.g., “nigga” by a Black in...
On the use of geochronology of detrital grains in determining the time of deposition of clastic sedimentary strata

[Clastic sedimentary rocks are best dated by isotopic analysis of closely interbedded volcanic rocks (PLAN A). Fossils can also provide age assement of sufficient precision (PLAN B) but when volcanic rocks are not present or fossils are not diagnostic, PLAN C may be ncessary. This contribution discusses some details of using geochronology of detrital grains to determine the depositional age of clastic rocks. , Abstract Placing geologic events in a temporal framework is essential to telling the story of Earth history. However, clastic sedimentary rocks can be difficult to date in an absolute reference because they are made up of grains that are older than the rock in which they are now found, and some clastic rocks do not contain fossils that allow precise reference to the Geologic Timescale. For such rocks, the isotopic dating of detrital minerals can be used to estimate the time of deposition; the clastic rock must be younger than the youngest grain analysed. However, many researchers eschew this simple and straightforward approach in favour of schemes that estimate the maximum allowable depositional age as the weighted mean of the age of several grains, chosen by a variety of selection criteria. This is a mistake; in the absence of a geochemical resemblance apart from the similarity of their age, detrital grains should not be assumed to have originated in the same system and therefore any averaging or other manipulation of such data is statistically invalid and produces results without geologic significance. In the absence of interbedded volcanic rocks or index fossils, dating of detrital minerals can be an important aid in understanding the time of deposition of clastic rocks, but the best estimate will come from taking note of the youngest single grain and not by inappropriately averaging data.]
Modeling non-Gaussian random fields of material properties in multiscale mechanics of materials

Abstract The proper representation of random physical quantities and system parameter uncertainties is a key ingredient of predictive science. This modeling aspect must ensure, in particular, that all samples drawn from the stochastic model satisfy the requirements raised by the mathematical analysis of the associated boundary value problem. In addition, the model is typically required to mimic physics-based constraints, ranging from the prescription of material symmetries to the multiscale-inferred definition of anisotropic statistical fluctuations. In this chapter, we present a methodology that allows non-Gaussian, tensor-valued, and vector-valued random fields to be modeled within an information-theoretic framework. The overall framework is first presented and illustrated on a simple application. The approach is subsequently developed to model tensor-valued random coefficients for linear elliptic operators. This case necessitates a specific treatment of symmetry constraints, which is addressed in detail. The modeling of stochastic nonlinear constitutive laws is finally discussed, and results devoted to the randomization of spatially dependent, Ogden-type strain energy functions are provided.
Video Explanations of Solutions for Improved Student Performance

The main challenge author faced while teaching circuit analysis course was to motivate students to put required effort on homework problems. Students tend to copy the solutions from others, which adversely affects their learning. This was indicated by the data of student grades and course evaluation. This can be referred as “Case A”. To overcome this challenge, instructor required each student to record a video explanation of homework solution. This approach yielded significant improvement in student exams and class performance as well as student course evaluations as indicated by the data. This can be referred as “Case B”.Although incorporating video explanations significantly improved student learning, it heavily increased the grading workload. In other words, “Case B” is much better than “Case A” but it still needs improvement for practical implementation.This paper presents “Case C” which is improved version of “Case B”. It explains how the author used a combination of quizzes along with video explanations to address this issue. The new approach reduced the grading workload by half without compromising student learning. The data of student grades and course evaluation for “Case C” is statistically similar to “Case B”.This paper also presents other ways to further reduce the grading workload and incorporate video explanations for large class sizes.
Qubit construction in 6D SCFTs

Abstract We consider a class of 6D superconformal field theories (SCFTs) which have a large N limit and a semi-classical gravity dual description. Using the quiver-like structure of 6D SCFTs we study a subsector of operators protected from large operator mixing. These operators are characterized by degrees of freedom in a one-dimensional spin chain, and the associated states are generically highly entangled. This provides a concrete realization of qubit-like states in a strongly coupled quantum field theory. Renormalization group flows triggered by deformations of 6D UV fixed points translate to specific deformations of these one-dimensional spin chains. We also present a conjectural spin chain Hamiltonian which tracks the evolution of these states as a function of renormalization group flow, and study qubit manipulation in this setting. Similar considerations hold for theories without AdS duals, such as 6D little string theories and 4D SCFTs obtained from compactification of the partial tensor branch theory on a T 2 .
Exhaled end-tidal carbon dioxide as a predictor of lactate and pediatric sepsis.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between exhaled end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and serum lactate via nasal capnography and to assess the ability of ETCO2 to predict disease severity in children with suspected sepsis in a pediatric emergency department. Methods This prospective study included patients (≥ 30 days to ≤21 years of age) who presented with suspected sepsis to a tertiary pediatric emergency department. Pearson correlation coefficient was generated to measure the linear relationship between ETCO2 and lactate. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were generated to assess the performance of ETCO2 to predict a lactate ≥2 mmol/L and severe disease. Severe disease was defined as severe sepsis and septic shock. Results From November 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020, 105 emergency department patients underwent evaluation for suspected sepsis. Sixty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. There was an inverse relationship between ETCO2 and lactate with a correlation coefficient of −0.34 (p = .005). Severe disease had lower ETCO2 (32 ± 6 mmHg, p Conclusions We observed a significant inverse relationship between ETCO2 and lactate in children presenting with suspected sepsis. A lower ETCO2 was predictive of severe disease.