cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Does Pioglitazone Prevent Progression of Impaired Glucose Tolerance to Diabetes

It is now common knowledge that we are in the midst of a worldwide epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This disease occurs disproportionately in African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and other minorities. T2D is a major cause of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, and these unfavorable outcomes are greatly increased in the presence of T2D (1–4). Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is itself a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (5). Obesity and IGT are each major risk factors for T2D, with yearly incidence of T2D in individuals with IGT ranging from 3.9 to 8.7% in various American populations, with an average of 5.7% (6), and averaging 6.5% in a meta-analysis of global studies (7). Both insulin resistance and diminished β-cell function (insulin secretion) are crucial pathogenetic factors in the progression from IGT to T2D, with the proportional impact of these defects varying in different reports and populations (8). The rate of progression can be reduced by lifestyle modification leading to weight loss (9) and the use of metformin (9), the thiazolidinedione drugs pioglitazone (PIO) (10) and rosiglitazone (11), α-glucosidase inhibitors (12), sulfonylureas (13), and insulin (14). Selection of therapeutic agents could be enhanced by matching their dominant actions on insulin resistance and/or β-cell dysfunction to the relative dominance of these abnormalities in specific individuals or populations with IGT. For the above reasons, the study by DeFronzo et al. (15) in this issue is of particular interest. In the Actos Now for the prevention of diabetes (ACT NOW) study (10), which included 602 high-risk IGT patients, PIO reduced the progression to T2D over 2.4 years from an annual incidence of 7.6% in the placebo (PLAC) group by 72% (95% …
Conformal adaptive hexahedral-dominant mesh generation for CFD simulation in architectural design applications

Mesh generation is a critical and probably the most manually intensive step in CFD simulations in the architectural domain. One essential feature is the large span of dimensional scales that is encountered in design, particularly if the model aims to simulate indoor and outdoor conditions concurrently, e.g., site at the magnitude of kilometers while building elements at the magnitude of centimeters. In addressing the challenge this paper presents an approach to generate adaptive hexahedral-dominate meshes for CFD simulations in sustainable architectural design applications. Uniform all-hexahedral meshes and adaptive hexahedral-dominant meshes are both generated for natural ventilation simulation of a proposed retrofit building in Philadelphia. Simulation results show that adaptive hexahedral-dominate meshes generate very similar results of air change rate in the space due to natural ventilation, compared to all-hexahedral meshes yet with up to 90% reduction in number of elements in the domain, hence improve computation efficiency.
Simplifying alternating peptide synthesis by protease-catalyzed dipeptide oligomerization.

A unique route to perfectly alternating oligopeptides is described. First, AG-OEt was prepared by standard chemical coupling. Then, AG-OEt was converted by papain-catalysis in 30 s to (AG)x (80%-yield, x = 9.4 ± 0.3). Extension of this strategy to other alternating peptide compositions as well as the importance of selecting a protease and reaction conditions that avoid competing transamidation and hydrolysis reactions is discussed.
Noninvasive Index of Cryorecovery and Growth Potential for Human Follicles In Vitro

Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos is commonly used to preserve fertility. However, women undergoing cancer treatment may not have the time or may not be good candidates for these options. Ovarian cortical tissue cryopreservation and subsequent tissue transplant has been proven successful yet inefficient in preserving larger secondary follicles, and is not recommended as a fertility preservation option for women with certain cancers. We evaluated cryopreservation of individual follicles as an alternative option in rodents, nonhuman primates, and human primates. Under optimal conditions, cryopreserved mouse secondary follicles were able to reestablish granulosa cell-oocyte interactions, which are essential for subsequent follicle growth. Individual secondary follicles survived cryopreservation, were able to be cultured in a three-dimensional alginate hydrogel matrix to the antral stage, and the enclosed oocytes were competent for fertilization. Using a vital imaging technique (pol-scope) employed in many fertility centers, we were able to bioassay the thawed, cultured follicles for the presence of transzonal connections between the somatic and germ cells. Perturbations in these linkages were shown to be reversed when follicles were cryopreserved under optimal freezing conditions. We applied the optimized cryopreservation protocol to isolated rhesus monkey and human secondary follicles, and using the birefringent bioassay, we were able to show good correlation between early follicle growth and healthy somatic cell-oocyte connections. Our results suggest that ovarian follicles can be cryopreserved, thawed, and analyzed noninvasively, making follicle preservation an additional option for young cancer patients.
The Effect of the Medicare Prospective Payment System

In 1965, the enabling legislation for the Medicare program mandated that hospitals be reimbursed for the reasonable costs they incurred in providing services to Medicare beneficiaries. During the first 15 years of the program, hospital payments (which make up about 71 % of all Medicare payments) increased at an annual rate of approximately 15.4% (94). Most of the increase in payments was due to the increasing costs of providing hospital services. The federal policy of retrospective cost reimbursement was an important factor contributing to that explosion in hospital costs (56, 61, 96). In response to the increase in program costs, in 1982 Congress passed the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA), which made major changes in Medicare's hospital reimbursement policy. The two most impor­ tant features of this change were (a) a limit was placed on the allowable (reimburseable) rate of increase in the cost per hospital discharge, and (b) the concept of case-mix was incorporated into the reimbursement system. The following year, the Congress passed the Social Security Reform Act, which established a prospective payment system for hospitals under the Medicare program (PPS). The basic features of PPS are as follows:
A Rosetta Stone for insulin treatment: Self-monitoring of blood glucose

In the daily management of type 1 diabetes, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is the recommended glycemic monitor, or “Rosetta stone”, that enables improved glycemic control (1). By measuring real-time glucose, informed patients can modify their diabetes management acutely or prospectively to sustain glucose in a narrow range near normal. A recent study from the Veterans Administration demonstrated improved glycemic control with lowered hemoglobin A1c in patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes who performed SMBG (2). A wide range of insulins is now available with various durations of action that can help to improve glycemic control. The greatest therapeutic advances entail the use of recombinant DNA-engineered insulin analogs. Novel insulins such as lyspro-insulin [lysine(B28), proline(B29)] have a very rapid onset of action (15–30 min), peak effect (1–2 h), and limited overall duration of action (3–4 h), whereas glargine (A-Gly-30Ba-l-Arg-30Bh-l-Arg-human) has no peak and a duration of action of 24 h or longer. Maintaining blood glucose at or very near the normal range decreases the frequency of new-onset microvascular complications and delays the progression of established microvascular complications in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (3)(4)(5). In non-insulin-treated patients, before 2002 there were few data to suggest that SMBG improved clinical outcome (6). However a recent study from France found that SMBG lowered hemoglobin A1c in monitored, non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (7), as did a study from Germany (8). Accurate and precise blood glucose measurements are no doubt helpful and important to achieve optimal diabetic care (9). However, unless patients alter their care (e.g., acute adjustments in diet, exercise, or insulin dosing) in response to the real-time blood glucose or in anticipation of changes in blood glucose, even the most accurate and precise glucose …
Epidemiology and Sociocultural Aspects of Non-suicidal Self-Injury and Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (ED), including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are significant public health problems among adolescents and young adults. This chapter reviews the overlap between these behaviors, focusing on epidemiological and sociocultural characteristics that may be related to the high degree of comorbidity within patients. Eating disorders and NSSI fall along the continuum of self-harm, and up to 72 % of people with an ED also engaging in NSSI and up to 54 % of people who engage in NSSI report comorbid eating pathology. The likelihood of engaging in NSSI is greater among patients with purging-type EDs than those with non-purging-type EDs, suggesting an etiological link between purging and NSSI. Those engaging in ED and NSSI are at an increased risk for suicidal behaviors and are likely to have certain comorbidities including Borderline Personality Disorder, depressive symptoms, and substance use. Further, people with comorbid ED and NSSI are at an increased risk for experiencing traumatic events and having negative attitudes toward their bodies. Clinical implications for assessment and treatment of individuals with ED and NSSI are discussed throughout the chapter.
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor 2-Deficient Mice Have Reduced Intestinal Inflammatory Responses

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortins (Ucn) bind with various affinities to two G-protein-coupled receptors, CRHR1 and CRHR2, which are expressed in brain and in peripheral tissues, including immune cells. CRHR2-deficient mice display anxiety-like behavior, hypersensitivity to stress, altered feeding behavior and metabolism, and cardiovascular abnormalities. However, the phenotype of these mice in inflammatory responses has not been determined. In the present study we found that compared with wild-type CRHR2-null mice developed substantially reduced intestinal inflammation and had lower intestinal mRNA expression of the potent chemoattractants keratinocyte chemokine and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 following intraluminal exposure to Clostridium difficile toxin A, a potent enterotoxin that mediates antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis in humans. This effect was recapitulated by administration of astressin 2B, a selective CRHR2 antagonist, before toxin A exposure. Moreover, Ab array analysis revealed reduced expression of several inflammatory chemokines, including keratinocyte chemokine and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in toxin A-exposed mice pretreated with astressin 2B. Real-time RT-PCR of wild-type mouse intestine showed that only UcnII, but not other Ucn, was significantly up-regulated by ileal administration of toxin A at 4 h compared with buffer exposure. We also found that human colonic epithelial HT-29 cells express CRHR2alpha mRNA, whereas expression of beta and gamma spliced variants was minimal. Moreover, treatment of HT-29 cells with UcnII, which binds exclusively to CRHR2, stimulated expression of IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. Taken together, these results provide direct evidence that CRHR2 mediates intestinal inflammatory responses via release of proinflammatory mediators at the colonocyte level.
Wavelet-based vector quantization for high-fidelity compression and fast transmission of medical images

Compression of medical images has always been viewed with skepticism, since the loss of information involved is thought to affect diagnostic information. However, recent research indicates that some waveletbased compression techniques may not effectively reduce the image quality, even when subjected to compression ratios up to 30∶1. The performance of a recently designed wavelet-based adaptive vector quantization is compared with a well-known waveletbased scalar quantization technique to demonstrate the superiority of the former technique at compression ratios higher than 30∶1. The use of higher compression with high fidelity of the reconstructed images allows fast transmission of images over the Internet for prompt inspection by radiologists at remote locations in an emergency situation, while higher quality images follow in a progressive manner if desired. Such fast and progressive transmission can also be used for downloading large data sets such as the Visible Human at a quality desired by the users for research or education. This new adaptive vector quantization uses a neural networks-based clustering technique for efficient quantization of the wavelet-decomposed subimages, yielding minimal distortion in the reconstructed images undergoing high compression. Results of compression up to 100∶1 are shown for 24-bit color and 8-bit monochrome medical images.
Randomized clinical trials: do they provide the optimal method for research on emergency medical services for children?

There are increasing calls for evidence-based medicine, suggesting the need for both further rigorous evaluation of medical practice and implementation of results as they become available. In the important area of emergency medical services for children (EMSC), many practices remain unevaluated. Some of these, such as prehospital spine immobilization, are associated with significant distress, if not frank morbidity. As EMSC research evolves, the development of appropriate methodologies to address the unique challenges and concerns of EMSC has gained particular attention. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), with their carefully specified design and implementation features, provide a rigorous method for developing knowledge1–3 and frequently serve as the standard by which to measure the adequacy of other clinical research. The aspects of their conduct, from the ethics of recruitment4,5 to biostatistical analysis,6,7 constitute a large and evolving literature. Do RCTs therefore provide the optimal method for conducting rigorous EMSC research? We consider RCTs from this perspective, briefly reviewing their key characteristics and then considering the question posed by the title. To do so, we identify both key limitations of RCTs and relevant strengths that might be more generally applicable in EMSC research. Throughout the paper, we focus on a specific and well-recognized RCT conducted in EMSC to illustrate the general points raised. In 2000, Gausche and colleagues8 published the results of a remarkable RCT designed to test the value of 2 alternative treatments in the uniquely challenging environment of pediatric prehospital care: endotracheal intubation (ETI) and bag-mask ventilation (BMV). Requiring what one commentator described as a ‘‘Herculean’’ effort,9 the
“A Different Light”: Examining Impairment through Parent Narratives of Childhood Disability

This article explores narratives of parenting a child with impairments for insight into impairment as both a materially and socially meaningful phenomenon. Drawing from in-depth interviews with parents, a narrative approach is employed to explore the ambiguities of human impairment and embodiment as experienced by an intimate other. Parents’stories illustrate impairment as an intersubjective and intercorporeal accomplishment and illustrate multiple locations of meaning of impairment within the context of intimate social relationships. Narrative approaches have largely been identified with research on embodiment from the perspective of disabled people; it is argued that narrative accounts of embodied others may avoid dualisms of objective/subjective and social/natural that trouble current theoretical approaches to impairment.
Dynamic Query Forms for Database Queries

Modern scientific databases and web databases maintain large and heterogeneous data. These real-world databases contain hundreds or even thousands of relations and attributes. Traditional predefined query forms are not able to satisfy various ad-hoc queries from users on those databases. This paper proposes DQF , a novel database query form interface, which is able to dynamically generate query forms. The essence of DQF is to capture a user’s preference and rank query form components, assisting him/her in making decisions. The generation of a query form is an iterative process and is guided by the user. At each iteration, the system automatically generates ranking lists of form components and the user then adds the desired form components into the query form. The ranking of form components is based on the captured user preference. A user can also fill the query form and submit queries to view the query result at each iteration. In this way, a query form could be dynamically refined until the user is satisfied with the query results. We utilize the expected F-measure for measuring the goodness of a query form. A probabilistic model is developed for estimating the goodness of a query form in DQF . Our experimental evaluation and user study demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the system.
Members of the bHLH-PAS family regulate Shh transcription in forebrain regions of the mouse CNS.

The secreted protein sonic hedgehog (Shh) is required to establish patterns of cellular growth and differentiation within ventral regions of the developing CNS. The expression of Shh in the two tissue sources responsible for this activity, the axial mesoderm and the ventral midline of the neural tube, is regulated along the anteroposterior neuraxis. Separate cis-acting regulatory sequences have been identified which direct Shh expression to distinct regions of the neural tube, supporting the view that multiple genes are involved in activating Shh transcription along the length of the CNS. We show here that the activity of one Shh enhancer, which directs reporter expression to portions of the ventral midbrain and diencephalon, overlaps both temporally and spatially with the expression of Sim2. Sim2 encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH-PAS) PAS domain containing transcriptional regulator whose Drosophila homolog, single-minded, is a master regulator of ventral midline development. Both vertebrate and invertebrate Sim family members were found sufficient for the activation of the Shh reporter as well as endogenous Shh mRNA. Although Shh expression is maintained in Sim2 -/- embryos, it was determined to be absent from the rostral midbrain and caudal diencephalon of embryos carrying a dominant-negative transgene that disrupts the function of bHLH-PAS proteins. Together, these results suggest that bHLH-PAS family members are required for the regulation of Shh transcription within aspects of the ventral midbrain and diencephalon. SUMMARY
Analysing the influence of African dust storms on the prevalence of coral disease in the Caribbean Sea using remote sensing and association rule data mining

The application of an association rule data mining algorithm is described to combine remote sensing and in-situ geophysical data to show a relationship between African dust storms, Caribbean climate, and Caribbean coral disease. An analysis is performed to quantify the relative statistical significance of each Caribbean climate parameter on the prevalence of coral disease. Results show that African dust storms contribute to an increased prevalence of coral disease in the Caribbean Sea, and that the correlation between them is influenced by other climate parameters, especially sea surface temperature.
The FAITh TrIAl: BAselIne ChArACTerIsTICs oF A ChurCh-BAsed TrIAl To Improve Blood pressure ConTrol In BlACks

Objective: To describe the baseline char­acteristics of participants in the Faith-based Approaches in the Treatment of Hyperten­sion (FAITH) Trial. Design: FAITH evaluates the effectiveness of a faith-based lifestyle intervention vs health education control on blood pressure (BP) reduction among hypertensive Black adults. Setting, Participants, and Main Measures: Participants included 373 members of 32 Black churches in New York City. Baseline data collected included participant demo­graphic characteristics, clinical measures (eg, blood pressure), behaviors (eg, diet, physical activity), and psychosocial factors (eg, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms). Results: Participants had a mean age of 63.4 ± 11.9 years and 76% were female. About half completed at least some college (53%), 66% had an income ≥$20,000, and 42.2% were retired or on disability. Partici­pants had a mean systolic and diastolic BP of 152.1 ± 16.8 mm Hg and 86.2 ± 12.2 mm Hg, respectively, and a mean BMI of 32 kg/m2. Hypertension (HTN) medications were taken by 95% of participants, but most (79.1%) reported non-adherence to their regimen. Participants reported consuming 3.4 ± 2.6 servings of fruits and vegetables and received 30.9% of their energy from fat. About one-third (35.9%) reported a low activity level. Conclusion: Participants in the FAITH trial exhibited several adverse clinical and behavioral characteristics at baseline. Future analyses will evaluate the effective­ness of the faith-based lifestyle intervention on changes in BP and lifestyle behaviors among hypertensive Black adults. Ethn Dis . 2015;25[3]:337-344.
'Folk' International Economics - Much Ado About MB

The battle over immigration reform is a recent manifestation of a long debate over the relationship between the United States and other countries. To economists, these issues are easy. Since at least the work of David Ricardo (1772-1823), economists have known that international trade is desirable and beneficial for both trading partners. But the continuing debate over these issues is evidence that many citizens have difficulty understanding or accepting the wisdom of economists. When there is such disagreement, it is useful to look for the causes of the dispute rather than merely decrying the ignorance of non-economists. Much Ado about MB The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which took effect in 1989, is an international agreement to limit or phase out various chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. One such chemical is methyl bromide (MB), an important pesticide used to control harmful insects, rodents, pathogens and weeds. The U.S. government (that is, the EPA) can, with the approval of the protocol's international oversight committee, grant exceptions for specific amounts of certain chemicals that are considered to be critically needed. Regulators have made this process a nightmare for those who produce or need MB. But even if all manmade methyl bromide were eliminated, more than 80 percent of the current volume would still be released into the atmosphere, because most of MB emissions are the result of natural processes.
Nanoscaled self-assemblies for facilitated energy conversion

Nanoscaled self-assemblies of conjugated polymers with tunable electronic and optical properties serves as fantastic interfacial layer to facilitate electron (hole) transfer across donor acceptor interface that leads to 60% improvement in power conversion efficiency. The manuscript aim at revealing the synthesis and characterization of these novel conjugated oligomer and how they come together to form nanoscaled self-assembled monolayer and multilayers. In addition, our results reveal understanding of the underlying mechanism and fundamental principle of molecular assemblies that leads to desired structure and properties for solar cell applications.
Attentional control and asymmetric associative priming.

Participants completed a battery of 3 attentional control (AC) tasks (OSPAN, antisaccade, and Stroop, as in Hutchison, 2007) and performed a lexical decision task with symmetrically associated (e.g., sister-brother) and asymmetrically related primes and targets presented in both the forward (e.g., atom-bomb) and backward (e.g., fire-blaze) directions at either a 250- or 1,250-ms stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA). As predicted, high-AC individuals showed greater forward priming than low-AC individuals. There was also some evidence that low-AC individuals exhibited greater backward priming than high-AC individuals, and this difference was most pronounced in the later portions of the reaction time distribution. These results suggest that high-AC individuals are more likely to prospectively generate and maintain expected targets in working memory, whereas low-AC individuals are more likely to rely on a retrospective semantic matching or integration processes. These findings support the distinction between proactive and reactive forms of cognitive control embodied in Braver, Gray, and Burgess's (2007) dual-mechanism model of cognitive control. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Changes in Serum Chemical Values as a Result of Prolonged Contact with the Clot

Changes in serum biochemical values as a function of serum-clot contact time were investigated. Time extending to 48 hours were studied by drawing sets of six specimens from ten subjects. Glucose, lactic dehydrogenase, the transaminases, potassium, alkaline phosphatase, and iron showed significant changes. Other common tests, including electrophoretic separations, were not affected.
Experimental Measurements of Amine-Functionalized Anion-Tethered Ionic Liquids with Carbon Dioxide

Amine-functionalized anion-tethered ionic liquids (ILs), trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium glycinate [P66614][Gly], alanate [P66614][Ala], sarcosinate [P66614][Sar], valinate [P66614][Val], leucinate [P66614][Leu], and isoleucinate [P66614][Ile], were synthesized and investigated as potential absorbents for CO2 capture from postcombustion flue gas. Their physical properties, including density, viscosity, glass transition temperature, and thermal decomposition temperature, were determined. The influence of changing the anion and, more specifically, the length of the alkyl chain is discussed. Furthermore, the CO2 absorption isotherms of [P66614][Gly], [P66614][Ile], [P66614][Sar], and [P66614][Ala] were measured using a volumetric method, and the results were modeled with two different Langmuir-type absorption models. All four ILs reached greater than 0.5 mol of CO2 per mole of IL at CO2 pressures of less than 1 bar. This indicates the predominance of the 1:1 mechanism, where the CO2 reacts with one IL to for...
Building a Quality Management System for a Thyroid Nodule Clinic

Background: There are few published quality metrics relevant to fine-needle aspirations (FNA) of the thyroid and endocrinology. With the development of a Thyroid Nodule Clinic within an academic practice, the Division of Endocrinology, in collaboration with the Department of Medicine Quality Improvement Team, established a system to monitor the results and follow-up of thyroid biopsies to ensure patient safety and to prevent adverse clinical outcomes attributable to delayed or incomplete follow-up. Methods: All FNA performed are identified using billing data from the Thyroid Nodule Clinic. Results were followed using the Beth Israel Deaconess Online Medical Record (OMR) system, and information is collected on documented follow-up plan and actions taken. Missing data are flagged for review. Over the reporting period, the monitoring process and categories were modified to account for adoption of the Bethesda reporting criteria and implementation of gene expression classifier testing. Specific workflow plans...
On the performance of adaptive data rate over deep space Ka-band link: Case study using Kepler data

Future missions envisioned for both human and robotic exploration demand increasing communication capacity through the use of Ka-band communications. The Ka-band channel, being more sensitive to weather impairments, presents a unique trade-offs between data storage, latency, data volume and reliability. While there are many possible techniques for optimizing Ka-band operations such as adaptive modulation and coding and site-diversity, this study focus exclusively on the use of adaptive data rate (ADR) to achieve significant improvement in the data volume-availability trade-off over a wide range of link distances for near Earth and Mars exploration. Four years of Kepler Ka-band downlink symbol signal-to-noise (SNR) data reported by the Deep Space Network were utilized to characterize the Ka-band channel statistics at each site and conduct various what-if performance analysis for different link distances. We model a notional closed-loop adaptive data rate system in which an algorithm predicts the channel condition two-way light time (TWLT) into the future using symbol SNR reported in near-real time by the ground receiver and determines the best data rate to use. Fixed and adaptive margins were used to mitigate errors in channel prediction. The performance of this closed-loop adaptive data rate approach is quantified in terms of data volume and availability and compared to the actual mission configuration and a hypothetical, optimized single rate configuration assuming full a priori channel knowledge.
Spectral engineering for reconstructive imaging and spectrometry(Conference Presentation)

Conventional sensing techniques work by doing a point-by-point mapping of information from a signal to a detector, whether in spectrometry or imaging. However, there are alternative ways to acquire a signal of interest. By structuring the spectral properties of a measurement, it is possible to impose a sensing pattern onto the signal of interest, and then algorithmically recover the signal from the detected measurements. This allows for a computational isolation of the signal from the measurement, which has potential benefits in flexibility, speed, or resolution. To that end, we have developed a device for spectral engineering using an array of optical resonators. We can then multiplex the properties of our device onto the signal, and the signal then becomes encoded with a known pattern. From this, we recover the signal. The flexibility in our device is shown as we use it for both imaging and spectrometry. We anticipate this method to be useful for a wide variety of applications from high-speed imaging to compact spectrometry.
Global Analysis of Secreted Proteins and Glycoproteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Protein secretion is essential for numerous cellular activities, and secreted proteins in bodily fluids are a promising and noninvasive source of biomarkers for disease detection. Systematic analysis of secreted proteins and glycoproteins will provide insight into protein function and cellular activities. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is an excellent model system for eukaryotic cells, but global analysis of secreted proteins and glycoproteins in yeast is challenging due to the low abundances of secreted proteins and contamination from high-abundance intracellular proteins. Here, by using mild separation of secreted proteins from cells, we comprehensively identified and quantified secreted proteins and glycoproteins through inhibition of glycosylation and mass spectrometry-based proteomics. In biological triplicate experiments, 245 secreted proteins were identified, and comparison with previous experimental and computational results demonstrated that many identified proteins were located in the extracel...
National Trends in the Surgical Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Analysis of a National Estimate of 60,108 Children From the National Inpatient Sample Over a 13-Year Time Period in the United States.

Abstract Study Design Analysis of Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Objective Evaluate evolution of operative treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Summary of Background Data Spinal surgery is one of the most rapidly evolving branches of surgery. Changes in AIS operations are incompletely defined. Methods Children (10–18 years) with ICD-9 diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis who underwent thoracic and/or lumbar spinal fusion identified in the NIS (1998–2011) were analyzed. Population-based utilization rates were calculated from US Census data. Patient demographics, surgical approach, operative techniques, complications during hospitalization, hospital stay length, and charges were analyzed. Results 60,108 children (46,256 girls, 13,776 boys, 76 gender not specified; average age 14.1 years) were identified. Thoracic fusions were the majority. Number of operations increased over time. For thoracic fusions, posterior operations significantly increased, whereas anterior and anterior/posterior operations decreased significantly. Although anterior operations for lumbar fusions declined, this was not as steep as thoracic. Use of autogenous bone graft (including iliac crest) significantly increased, which mirrored significant decreases in alternative fusion agents. Thoracoplasty significantly decreased, whereas osteotomy significantly increased. The average complication rate was 3.7%. Rates of blood transfusions, infection, and neural injury did not differ significantly from 1998 to 2011. Device-related complications increased significantly over time. Average lengths of hospital stay decreased significantly, whereas average total hospital charges increased significantly. Conclusions In a representative sample of the US population from 1998 to 2011, operative approaches and techniques for AIS significantly changed. Anterior procedure is rarely performed for thoracic curves; lumbar curves continue to be treated with anterior and posterior approaches. Osteotomy and autogenous bone graft increased, while thoracoplasty decreased. Overall complication rates remain stable, whereas hospital lengths of stays decreased and charges increased.
High-performance aerodynamic computations for aerospace applications

A recent study outlining a NASA vision for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) development emphasizes the importance of high-performance computing (HPC) in increasing the impact of CFD on design and certification of aerospace vehicles.Broader use of CFD in aerospace applications has been limited by its inability to accurately predict turbulent separated flows.This paper presents recent experiences with the development, implementation, and application of a large-scale solver for turbulent flow simulations in HPC environments and discusses computational challenges and opportunities pertaining to aerospace computations. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) plays a critical role in aerospace applications. A recent study outlining a NASA vision for CFD development emphasizes the importance of high-performance computing (HPC) in increasing the impact of CFD on design and certification of aerospace vehicles. Advanced CFD capabilities have already led to significant reduction of wind tunnel and flight test campaigns as well as important physical insights. However, broader use of CFD in aerospace applications has been limited by its inability to accurately predict turbulent separated flows. This paper presents recent experiences with the development, implementation, and application of a large-scale solver for turbulent flow simulations in HPC environments and discusses computational challenges and opportunities pertaining to aerospace computations.
E-Learning to Improve Intercultural Communication

Electronic learning, or e-learning, is becoming an increasingly common way to educate and train individuals. However, along with the benefits of e-learning there are some challenges. This study investigates the use of VoIP technology, as an e-learning system, for U.S. and Taiwanese students to improve their intercultural communication competency. The subjects worked together one-on-one using Skype to communicate. The findings from this experience suggest that VoIP technology provides a good fit for one-on-one e-learning in addressing an intercultural communication task. Students were able to successfully teach and learn from one another, regarding more than just the language.
The Effect of Intermicellar Interactions on Interpretations of Micellar Diffusivities by Dynamic Light Scattering

Using the method of dynamic light scattering, we have determined the diffusion coefficients of micelles in aqueous solution as a function of surfactant and salt concentrations for three related systems: CTAB (C16H33N(CH3)3Br) + NaBr, MyTAB(C14H29N(CH3)3Br) + NaBr and CTACl(C16H33N(CH3)3Cl) + NaCl. For each system there is a well-defined salt concentration below which the micellar diffusivity increases linearly with surfactant concentration. In this low-salt region, in which the net intermicellar interaction is repulsive, we have obtained good fits to the diffusivity data using linear interaction/DLVO theory. From this procedure we have determined the “minimum-sphere” micellar radius as a function of temperature as well as estimates of the micellar fractional ionization α and the Hamaker constant A for the above systems as well as for SDS(C12H25SO4Na) + NaCl. Hence, by this approach one is able to relate variations in these physical parameters to subtle changes in surfactant composition (e. g. alkyl chain length) and counterion properties. Interestingly, significant micellar growth apparently commences at the salt concentration at which the net intermicellar interaction shifts from repulsive to attractive.
Drone Security Policy and Targeted Killing

The most enduring policy legacy of the Obama presidency may be the Yemen Model, a mixture of drone strikes (UAVs) and targeted killing raids of top al-Qaida leaders, which was domestically and internationally legal pursuant to the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF 2001). An administration White Paper provided legal reasoning justifying the use of UAV-targeted killings of terrorism suspects, including US citizens, if the target posed an imminent threat of attack against the USA. President Obama ultimately acknowledged that civilians were killed by drone strikes, and detailed US policies were put in place to protect civilians and limit casualties, but they failed to go far enough in achieving transparency and accountability.
Drawing out the shame: A comparative study on the effectiveness of art therapy with hypersexual adults

Abstract Shame can be an obstacle preventing hypersexual adults from ending their compulsive sexual behaviors and working towards achieving lasting recovery. A quasi-experimental designed study compared outcomes of two different forms of treatment to reduce shame with this population; a modified CBT approach and an art therapy approach. The Internalized Shame Scale and the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory were administered at pretreatment, end-of-treatment, and again at the posttreatment follow-up. Fifty-four participants (50 men, 4 women) were recruited from three treatment facilities that specialize in treating this disorder. The results indicated that there was no significant between-group differences observed between the CBT and art therapy groups; both treatments were equally effective at reducing hypersexual behavior and shame. Results illuminate the importance of shame reduction in the recovery process and provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of art therapy as a treatment method for shame with hypersexual adults. The purpose of this research is to advocate for the use of quantitative methods in art therapy research and to provide a structure for communicating complex data using statistical procedures.
Now You See Me, Now You Don't: Proverbial Empowerment in the Shadow of Deictic Projection

In the last forty plus years, proverb research has explored proverbs as traditional ("the voice of others") and as a means for the proverb initiator to gain dominance in dialogue. Neal Norrick presents these two aspects of proverb performance as a paradox with the proverb initiator fading into the background of societal opinion while gaining the upper hand (1994). I will argue that one does not have to leave these two aspects as a paradox, but can find clarification of how proverbs operate by applying the concept of deictic projection to proverbs. Examples will be provided from field research done with Kazakh proverbs. The type of deixis being considered is literary-linguistic deixis as described most fully within the discipline of cognitive poetics by Stockwell (2002). Of the six deictic aspects he describes, five can be applied to proverbs. Movement along any one aspect of deixis is called deictic projection. A proverb stands out based on its distinctive style and invites the culturally competent hearer to consider emergent temporal and interpersonal significance. Approaching proverbs in terms of deixis allows for a more complete analysis and affirms the ability of proverbs to provide a space for engagement among parties in dialogue.
Influence of demographics on colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of race, gender, and age on colorectal cancer cases in our tumor registry between January 1987 and December 2000 and to determine the implications of these factors on screening strategies. Tumors were defined as early (Stage I/II) or late (Stage III/IV) and proximal or distal (relationship to splenic flexure). Effect of age was examined by stratifying patients into three groups ( 70 years). Two time periods (1/87-12/96 and 1/97-12/00) were compared. Significance (P 70 years (P = 0.04), and patients with family history of colon cancer compared to distal lesions. Proximal migration of tumors occurred in the latter part (1997-2000 compared to 1987-1996) of the study (P = 0.002). Patients 70 years was 61.9 per cent and in a white male >50 years was 35.1 per cent. Significant differences exist in the stage and location of tumors according to patient's age, race, and gender. These factors should be considered in implementing public screening strategies. Specifically, African-American patients were more likely to present with late-stage tumors, and more aggressive patient education and screening programs should be implemented. For all groups, a proximal migration of colorectal tumors was identified. This factor should eliminate use of sigmoidoscopy as a screening tool. Complete colonoscopy, instead, should be the procedure of choice to identify colonic neoplasia.
A critical discourse analysis of racial violence in South Carolina, U.S.A.: implications for traveling while Black

The purpose of this paper is to present a rich, detailed case that illustrates the way in which the discourse of racial violence has been constructed in the United States (U.S.), and how that has i...
Simulating the Energetics and Dynamics of Enzymatic Reactions

Two methods for computer simulation of enzymatic reactions are described. The first method allows one to estimate activation-free energies of enzymatic reactions by using available X-ray structures of enzyme-substrate complexes. This method is based on the empirical valence bond (EVB) approach which correlates reaction rates with the difference in electrostatic stabilization of the relevant resonance structures in the enzyme and in solution. The second method is based on a molecular dynamics extension of the EVB approach. This method allows one to study fundamental aspects of enzymatic reactions, including analysis of the role of structural fluctuations and estimates of entropic effects. The dynamical method is used here for examination of the relationship between reaction free energies (ΔGo) and activation free energies (Δg≠) in enzyme catalysis. The preliminary results presented here indicate that the rates of proton transfer reactions in enzymes might be correlated in a simple way with the corresponding pKa differences.
EXPERIENCES WITH THE GeMSAEC FAST ANALYZER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the experiences with the GeMSAEC fast analyzer at the University of Minnesota. A bulk of enzyme analyses was done using single and dual channel continuous flow analyzers, prior to the introduction of the GeMSAEC. In the experiment described in the chapter, a series of dichromate solutions were prepared and absorbances with a carefully calibrated Cary 16 spectrophotometer were measured. The GeMSAEC provides the ability to perform a routine analysis in a manner that formerly would have been time-consuming. The GeMSAEC is a spectrophotometer and one of its virtues is that as a general instrument one may use it any way one wishes.
Depiction of the native coronary arteries during ECG-triggered High-Pitch Dual-Source Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in children: Determinants of image quality.

Abstract Objective Assess the image quality of ECG-triggered High-Pitch Dual-Source CTA for the evaluation of native coronaries in children. Materials and methods Between August 2014 and September 2017, 45 children with morphologically normal cardiac chambers had cardiac prospective ECG-triggered High-Pitch Dual-Source CTA. Two pediatric radiologists blinded to clinical data, independently reviewed each case. The coronary arteries were evaluated using a four-point scale quality score according to the coronary segment. Attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured using values from the air, inter-ventricular septum and ascending aorta at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva. Results 225 coronary segments were assessed showed a mean score of 2.40 ± 0.73, 94.2% had diagnostic image quality. The best and worst average quality were seen in segment 5 and 2, respectively. Inter-observer agreement was moderate for all segments except for segment 1, which was excellent. Worse quality scores were significantly associated with younger patients and low body mass index as well as with higher heart rates in all segments. The mean observed heart rate and BSA in patients with diagnostic image quality were below 77 bpm and over 1.4 m2 respectively. There is no significant association between attenuation, SNR and CNR with image quality. Conclusions Prospective ECG-triggered High-Pitch Dual-Source Computed Tomography Angiography achieves consistent and diagnostic image quality for coronary artery assessment at a low effective dose in pediatric patients.
SYMMACHUS' VARRO: LATIN LETTERS IN LATE ANTIQUITY

Symmachus opened his first book of letters by writing to his father Avianius, whom he depicted as a ‘new Varro’ writing learned epigrams on seven famous men in imitation of Varro's lost work, the Hebdomades. Symmachus was not alone in using Varro's work as an intertext. Based on my study of allusions to Varro and his works by late‐fourth and fifth‐century writers, I argue that Christian polemicists renewed their attacks on the Augustan scholar in the last decades of the fourth century. Consequently, Symmachus' choice of Varro was a forceful response in support of Roman religious as well as literary traditions in the late 380s or early 390s, the period in which I would date the dissemination of the first book of Symmachus' letters and the conceptualization of his seven‐book letter collection.