cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
168 ALDOSTERONE AND CORTISOL: IS THERE A COMMON STIMULUS IN SUBJECTS WITH RESISTANT HYPERTENSION?

Background Resistant hypertension defined as blood pressure (BP) > 140/90 mm Hg on three antihypertensive agents is a common problem. It has been reported from centers worldwide that these patients have a near 20% prevalence of primary aldosteronism (PA). The etiology of the high prevalence of hyperaldosteronism in this high-risk group is unknown. The purpose of current study is to characterize resistant hypertensive patients and identify potential stimuli of aldosterone secretion in subjects with resistant hypertension. Methods Consecutive subjects referred for resistant hypertension and control subjects with normal or mildly elevated blood pressure were prospectively evaluated with plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma renin activity (PRA), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and a 24-hour urine collection for aldosterone (Ualdo), creatinine, protein, cortisol (UCort), sodium (UNa), and potassium (UK) during a normal diet. All hypertensive subjects were on a stable antihypertensive regimen. Results 290 resistant hypertensive subjects and 53 controls were evaluated. Age (54.51 ± 10.83 vs 50.36 ± 10.15, p = .01), clinic BP (145 ± 21/85 ± 15 vs 125 ± 10/79 ± 7 mm Hg), PAC (13.07 ± 9.3 vs 8.44 ± 5.17 ng/dL, p = .0005), Ualdo (12.79 ± 9.98 vs 9.73 ± 6.58 μg/24 h, p = .033), BNP (41.49 ± 47.79 vs 22.48 ± 24.74 pg/mL, p = .0069), ANP (105.60 ± 76.51 vs 49.87 ± 16.65, p = .008) were higher in resistant hypertensive subjects compared with controls. BMI and waist and neck circumference were similar. A multivariate regression analysis with age, sex, race, BMI, Una, and UCort as covariates predicting aldosterone secretion shows that UCort is the strongest predictor of UAldo (p = .012). The R2 for this model is 17.4%. Subgroup analysis further showed that resistant hypertensive subjects with high UAldo (> 12 μg/24 h, n = 68), UCort (103.95 ± 40.51 vs 77.75 ± 42.94, p = .0004), UNa (200.34 ± 94.79 vs 172.96 ± 75.20 mEq/24 h, p = .0072), and UK (80.44 ± 33.79 vs 49.49 ± 20.62, p Conclusion Our findings indicate a state of hyperaldosteronism and in spite of diuretic use, persistent intravascular volume expansion evident from a high BNP and ANP values in subjects with resistant hypertension. These findings also suggest that in these subjects, there may be a common stimulus for cortisol and aldosterone such as ACTH, other stimuli being dietary sodium and/or dietary potassium.
High Performance Hybrid Propulsion System for Small Satellites

Described in this paper is the design of and initial ground test results from a small spacecraft propulsion system. The system consists of a 25 N PMMA and nitrous oxide main hybrid thruster and multiple 1 N ethylene and nitrous oxide bipropellant reaction control thrusters (although only a single reaction control thruster has been tested). The primary objective of the propulsion system development project is to develop an inexpensive system that uses environmentally benign propellants and has performance comparable to the hydrazine and nitrogen tetraoxide bipropellants systems commonly used. Ground test results (using a non flight-weight configuration) show that reliable ignition and efficient and stable combustion have been achieved in the reaction control thruster. Ground testing of the main thruster is underway but is not complete at the point in time.
Taxonomy, Distribution, and Pathology of Phomopsis Occulta and P. Juniperovora

Because of the close morphological similarity between the saprophyte, Phomopsis occulta (Trav.) Sacc., and the destructive nursery parasite, P. juniperovora Hahn, on eastern red cedar (Juniperus vi...
Excitotoxic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A large number of studies have documented abnormalities of glutamate metabolism in ALS patients or in postmortem ALS tissue. These abnormalities include altered synthetic enzymes, tissue glutamate levels, transporter proteins, and postsynaptic receptors, as well as the presence of potentially toxic agonists. As yet, there is no hypothesis effectively linking all the observations to one central defect. Furthermore, it is not clear if the various abnormalities in glutamate systems represent a primary defect or a secondary response. For example, defects of glutamate transport subtypes could reflect the primary loss of the proteins or the secondary effect of another toxic insult. Nevertheless, experimental paradigms suggest that, even if secondary, glutamate could contribute to the death of motor neurons. Therefore, interventions to minimize the toxicity of glutamate (e.g., receptor antagonists, release inhibitors, or antioxidants) could partially ameliorate the degeneration of motor neurons. This has been observed experimentally in cultured motor neurons. More importantly, a small study with riluzole suggests that glutamate-acting drugs could alter the progression of the disease. Future studies with riluzole and other glutamate-acting agents will evaluate this possibility.
A Routing-Protocol-Independent Caching Framework for Mobile Clouds

Recent advances in smart device technologies have enabled a new computing paradigm in which large amounts of data are stored and processed on mobile devices. Despite the available powerful hardware, the actual capabilities of mobile devices are rather limited as they are often battery powered. This work explores data caching for $k$ -out-of- $n$ computing in mobile cloud environments, with the goal of distributing data in a way that the expected future energy consumption for nodes to retrieve data is minimized, while preserving reliability. More specifically, we propose to place data caches (in addition to the originally stored data) based on the actual data access patterns and the network topology. Consequently, we formulate the cache placement optimization problem and propose a centralized caching framework that optimally solves the problem and a distributed solution that approximates the optimal solution. The distributed caching framework (DC) learns data access patterns by sniffing packets and informing a resident cache daemon about popular data items. Simulations reveal that our proposed DC improves the energy efficiency by up to 70 percent comparing with no-caching, and even outperforms the centralized framework when taking the overhead into account. Experiments are conducted in a small-scale network (8 nodes), and up to 35 percent energy reduction are observed, and the results well align with our previous analysis on the effects of popularity threshold and routing protocols.
Sensor Web operations: Rapid data acquisition and product generation during a volcanic crisis

The autonomous Model-based Volcano Sensor Web (MSW), based at JPL, proved its worth during a volcanic crisis at Nyamulagira, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2006. The MSW facilitated the rapid acquisition of spacecraft data which allowed pinpointing the location of the volcanic vent. This was vital in predicting lava flow direction and extent. In 2007 a number of improvements have been made to the MSW. These include the deployment of in situ SO2 sensors on Kilauea volcano, HI, capable not only of triggering requests by the EO-1 spacecraft in the event of anomalous SO2 detection, but also of being triggered autonomously by an anomalous thermal detection from advanced data processing software onboard EO-1, and the conversion of the sensor web to using Open Geospatial Consortium Web Services. The Sensor Web is monitoring volcanoes around the world. A number of volcanic eruptions have been detected and monitored, including a carbonatite eruption at Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania, and the March 2008 summit eruption of Kilauea, Hawai?i, that occurred in the Halema?uma?u caldera. Data and products were also obtained during the 2008 eruption of Etna, Sicily. These products were distributed to volcanologists in the UK and Italy.
Image processing considerations for digital photography

We consider an image processing pipeline that enables a user to capture and generate high-quality images from a digital camera. In such a system, some image processing tasks are typically implemented within the camera, while others are performed in software on a host computer that controls the output device. We consider the complexity issues and tradeoffs involved in designing several key algorithms in such a system. We also discuss hardware features that accelerate these algorithms.
Adolescent Suicidal Ingestion: National Trends Over a Decade

Abstract Purpose Suicide attempts by adolescents most commonly involve the overdose of medications. To date, there has been little information on the over-the-counter or prescription medicines that adolescents ingest for self-harm. Identification of medications chosen in suicide attempts may help guide anticipatory guidance to parents by primary care providers and Poison Centers in prevention programs. Methods This was a retrospective observational study using the American Association of Poison Control Center's National Poison Data System. Data were collected on patients aged 13–19 years old at the time of their substance ingestion, between the years 2004 and 2013 and that were coded as reason for ingestion of "intentional-suspected suicide." Results During the 10-year study period, there were 390,560 poison center calls for intentional-suspected suicide in the United States between 2004 and 2013, accounting for 80.3% of all "intentional" ingestion calls in the adolescent population. Over the entire age range, the most common substance ingested included acetaminophen (10.9%), ibuprofen (9%), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (7.7%), atypical antipsychotic (6%), and antihistamines (5%). The most common medications coded as resulting in major clinical effects or death were antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics. Conclusions Adolescent ingestion choices for suicide attempts have remained relatively consistent over the past 10 years. However, there was a recent decrease in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ingestions. The most common medications used in an overdose attempt were ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Further preventative efforts are needed in this at-risk population from multiple providers at various levels.
Diagnosing the frontal variant of Alzheimer’s disease: a clinician’s yellow brick road

Disruption of the frontal lobes and its associated networks are a common consequence of neurodegenerative disorders. Given the wide range of cognitive, behavioral and motor processes in which the frontal lobes are involved, there can be a great variety of manifestations depending on the pathology distribution. The most common are the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and the frontal variant of Alzheimer’s disease (fvAD), which are particularly challenging to disentangle. Recognizing fvAD from bvFTD-related pathologies is a diagnostic challenge and a critical need in the management and counseling of these patients. Here we present three pathology-proven cases of Alzheimer’s disease initially misdiagnosed as bvFTD and discuss the distinctive or less overlapping historical, examination, and laboratory findings of fvAD and bvFTD, deriving analogies for mnemonic endurance from the Wizard of Oz worldview. The Yellow Brick Road to diagnosing these disorders may be served by the metaphor of fvAD as the irritable, paranoid, and tremulous Scarecrow and bvFTD the heartless, ritualistic, and rigid Tin Man. An Oz-inspired creative license may help the clinician recognize the differential disease progression, caregiver burden, and treatment response of fvAD compared with bvFTD.
Improved classification of indeterminate biliary strictures by probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy using the Paris Criteria following biliary stenting.

Background and aims Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) using the Miami Criteria has improved classification of indeterminate biliary strictures. However, previous biliary stenting may result in their misclassification as malignant strictures. Inflammatory criteria were added to form the Paris Classification to prevent this misclassification and reduce false positives. The aim of this study was to assess if the Paris Classification was more accurate than the Miami Classification in classifying indeterminate biliary strictures after biliary stenting. Methods This was a retrospective observational study involving 21 patients with indeterminate biliary strictures from whom 27 pCLE video sequences were obtained (20 benign and seven malignant). Patients with and without prior biliary stenting underwent pCLE. Two investigators classified the strictures as malignant or benign using the Miami and Paris Classifications. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity (Se), and specificity (Sp) of endoscopic retrograde-guided pCLE were compared with final histopathology. Results In those without biliary stenting, the Miami Criteria resulted in Se 88%, Sp 75%, positive predictive value (PPV) 64%, negative predictive value (NPV) 92%, and accuracy 79%, while the Paris Classification resulted in Se 63%, Sp 88%, PPV 71%, NPV 82%, and accuracy 79%. In those with prior biliary stenting, the Miami Criteria resulted in Se 88%, Sp 36%, PPV 23%, NPV 93%, and accuracy 45%, while the Paris Classification resulted in Se 63%, Sp 73%, PPV 31%, NPV 91%, and accuracy 71%. The kappa statistic was 0.56. Conclusion The Paris Classification improved specificity and accuracy of biliary stricture classification in those who had been previously stented and decreased the rate of misclassification of benign strictures as malignant.
Effect of processing parameters on the quality of red oak flakes

ABSTRACTA lot of volume of red oak (Quercus rubra) is available for use in the manufacture of oriented strand board (OSB) in the Appalachian and Northeast regions of the U.S.A. However, the large amount of fines and low quality of red oak ring-cut flakes produced in industry have restricted their use in commercial OSB products. This study evaluated the effects of log pre-treatment temperature and disc flaker’s knife clearance on the quality of red oak flakes. Experimental results showed that heat treatment was the dominant factor than the flaker’s knife clearance during oak disc-cut flaking. A large amount of high quality oak flakes with acceptable geometry and minimal fines suitable for usage as face furnish on the OSB panel can be produced with a proper log heating treatment before flaking.
Patient self-assessed shoulder comfort and function and active motion are not closely related to surgically documented rotator cuff tear integrity.

Background The rationale for rotator cuff repair surgery is that better integrity of the cuff should be associated with better comfort and function. However, in patients with cuff disease, there is not good evidence that the degree of rotator cuff integrity is closely associated with the shoulder's comfort, function, or active motion. The goal of this study was to explore these relationships in shoulders with surgically documented cuff disease. Methods In 55 shoulders having surgery for cuff-related symptoms, we correlated the preoperative Simple Shoulder Test score with the objectively measured preoperative active shoulder motion and with the integrity of the cuff observed at surgery. Results The 16 shoulders with tendinosis or partial-thickness tears had an average Simple Shoulder Test score of 3.7 ± 3.3, active abduction of 111° ± 38°, and active flexion of 115° ± 36°. The corresponding values were 3.6 ± 2.8, 94° ± 47°, and 94° ± 52° for the 22 full-thickness supraspinatus tears and 3.9 ± 2.7, 89° ± 39°, and 100° ± 39° for the 17 supraspinatus and infraspinatus tears. Conclusion In this study, surgically observed cuff integrity was not strongly associated with the shoulder's comfort or function. Whereas surgeons often seek to improve the integrity of the rotator cuff, the management of patients with rotator cuff disorders needs to be informed by a better understanding of the factors other than cuff integrity that influence the comfort and functioning of shoulders with cuff disease.
Reinforcement Effects of Food and Stimulus Novelty

This study was designed to demonstrate that stimulus novelty can be as strong a reinforcement as food for rats under 22 hr. of food deprivation. 3 groups of food deprived rats were given 30 non-correction acquisition trials in an E-maze with an ITI of 24 hr. For the food-and-novelty-reinforced group (Group FN), novel stimuli were available in one goal box and food was available in the other goal box on each trial. For the food-reinforced group (Group F), food was available in one goal box and the other goal box was empty. And for the novelty-reinforced group (Group N), novel stimuli were available in one goal box and the other goal box was empty. The results indicated that both Group F and Group N learned to approach the reinforced goal box, and that the performance of the 2 groups did not differ significantly. However, Ss in Group FN did not develop a preference for either reinforcement. The importance for motivation theory of considering increases in drive or arousal as a source of reinforcement was discussed.
Defining Competitive Advantage in Knowledge Services

This chapter examines the profound and widespread evolutionary transformation of the workplace as the economy shifts from one based on manufacturing to knowledge services. 20 th century managerial approaches for competitiveness are becoming a relic, the result of a broader transformation to knowledge services and the need to focus on the building of tacit knowledge stocks for sustained competitive advantage. The chapter outlines the emerging knowledge based work landscape and the challenges it presents for managers. In this chapter, the “proventure” worker is introduced and the new and complex contract in the relationship between management and worker in the workplace. The nature of knowledge service solutions to customer priorities is presented with the focus on collective cognitization along with the active inclusion of customer as co-creators of value-added solutions. The chapter concludes by highlighting a big-picture framework to provide guidance for managers of knowledge services interested in understanding and improving the performance of their organizations.
Application of the crack layer theory to modeling of slow crack growth in polyethylene

A crack and a domain of highly fibrillated and stretched material ahead of the crack (process zone), commonly observed in polyethylene, are considered as a system called the crack layer. Slow crack layer growth is assumed to be a result of interactions between the crack, process zone and the rest of the body, as well as of degradation of the process zone material. The energy balance for process zone formation and crack layer advance is presented. The equations governing crack layer propagation are formulated and numerically solved. The proposed mechanism of fracture process models the discontinuous crack growth often observed in polyethylene, and predicts the relationship between the crack growth rate and the stress intensity factor consistent with the experimental one. The dependence of the lifetime on load is discussed.
Use of Fe Protein Altered at Specific Amino Acid Positions to Probe Its Function in Nitrogenase Catalysis

The steps established for the Fe protein (FeP) in nitrogen fixation were revealed by biochemical and biophysical analysis of purified FeP during several years of research (Mortenson et al, 1992). The ordered steps of its involvement in nitrogen fixation are as follows: (a) MgATP binds at its two mononucleotide binding sites; (b)its single oxidized 4Fe-4S center accepts an electron from an electron donor; (c) it binds to the MoFe protein (MoFeP); (d)the resulting complex couples MgATP hydrolysis to the transfer of an e-from the 4Fe-4S of FeP presumably to the 8Fe center of MoFeP;and (e) now FeP with MgADP bound and with its 4Fe-4S center oxidized, dissociates from the one e-reduced MoFeP and the cycle repeats until sufficient electrons are transferred to N2 to produce 2NH3 (Thorneley RNF, Lowe, DJ (1985). Although the FeP does not catalyze MgATP hydrolysis itself, there are several changes that it undergoes when MgATP (MgADP) binds to it. The loss of these changes when wild type (WT) FeP is modified by specific single site amino acid substitutions, has been used to rationalize the functions of the WT amino acids. The latter is the subject of this presentation (Table 1).
Wavelet Transforms and Wavelet Approximations

We summarize properties of classical wavelet transforms and Wavelet Stieltjes transforms. Wavelet approximation problems are also considered for Wavelet Stieltjes transforms. This will give rise to some characterizations of general signals.
SIGCSE chair's report preview

The annual SIGCSE report is submitted each July to ACM, and the follow is a preview of the report.
Cursed by Oil? Rural Threats, Agricultural Policy Changes and the Impact of Oil on Indonesia's and Nigeria's Rural Development

This paper aims to re‐examine the linkages between oil and agricultural development. While Indonesia and Nigeria faced similar adjustment problems after the oil boom of 1974, their food production performance showed significant differences. I find that threats from rural forces matter. Rural threats forced the Indonesian government to pursue agricultural policy reforms and use oil revenue to support these reforms. In contrast, the absence of rural threats gave leeway for Nigerian elites to use oil money to reproduce their interests in infrastructural and industrial development at the expense of peasant producers. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shirts or Skins?: Tattoos as Costly Honest Signals of Fitness and Affiliation among US Intercollegiate Athletes and Other Undergraduates

Body art that lesions the skin can result in infection, making tattoos and piercings inherently risky forms of expression. Evolutionary theorists have posited two complementary hypotheses for the popularity of tattooing and piercing in the face of less dangerous options. The “human canvas hypothesis” suggests that tattooing and piercing may be hard-to-fake conscious or unconscious advertisements of fitness or affiliations. The “upping the ante hypothesis” proposes that tattooing and piercing are costly honest signals of good genes in that they injure the body to show how well it heals. We sampled two student populations in the USA to test three related predictions: (1) intercollegiate athletes would be tattooed and pierced at higher rates than other undergraduates to signal fitness, (2) athletes would be more likely to get college- or pro sports-related tattoos than other students, and (3) tattooed or pierced intercollegiate athletes would have lower rates of tattoo- and piercing-related medical complications. We used chi-square and separate logistic regressions of athlete status on tattooing, piercing, and related complications. Study 1 (n = 524) did not find support for predictions but included only a small number of athletes with body modifications. Study 2 (n = 6004) found no main effect for athletes but did find an interaction effect for athletes-by-gender (p = .005). Athletes were also more likely to have college- and pro sports-related tattoos, and football players and male swimmers/divers were more likely to be tattooed in general than other undergraduates (p < .05). Finally, we found positive relationships between tattooing/BMI and BMI/tattooing complications (p < .01), supporting a costly honest signaling function irrespective of athlete status. Both hypotheses were falsified for piercing. Our findings support tattooing as a fitness and affiliation signal that is highly context-dependent.
Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Enhanced With Mobile Technology (iQuit Mindfully): Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Mindfulness training shows promise for improving smoking cessation and lapse recovery, and between-session mobile health messages could enhance treatment engagement and effectiveness. Personalized, in-the-moment text messaging support could be particularly useful for low-income smokers with fewer smoking cessation resources. Objective: This pilot study examined the feasibility of a text messaging program (iQuit Mindfully) as an adjunct to in-person Mindfulness-Based Addiction Treatment (MBAT) for smoking cessation. Methods: A total of 71 participants were randomly assigned to MBAT (n=33) or iQuit Mindfully (n=38; MBAT + between-session text messages); of these, 70% (50/71) were African American, and 61% (43/71) had an annual household income of US $30,000 or less. All participants received 8 weekly therapist-led group counseling sessions, nicotine patches, and self-help materials. Outcomes were feasibility (attrition, engagement, and participants’ ratings), participants’ feedback regarding the text messaging intervention, and smoking cessation (assessed in person). Results: Strong retention was achieved (76% [54/71] at the end of treatment, and 89% [63/71] at 1-month follow-up). In the iQuit Mindfully group, engagement was high (88% [29/33] indicated reading all or most texts, and 89% [34/38] engaged in interactive texting), and participants provided positive ratings (on a 1-10 scale, average rating for recommending the program to others was 8.4 [SD 2.5]). Participants indicated benefiting from the texts (eg, appreciating encouraging reminders, coping strategies, and social support) and suggested improvements (eg, more personalization). Overall, biochemically confirmed smoking cessation rates were 22% (12/55) at the end of treatment and 19% (12/62) at 1-month follow-up, with no differences between conditions. Living below the poverty level predicted worse cessation outcomes at 1-month follow-up among participants receiving in-person only treatment (P=.03) but not among those receiving iQuit Mindfully. Conclusions: Text messaging appears to be a feasible and acceptable modality for supporting mindfulness-based smoking cessation treatment. The availability of 24/7 text messaging might be particularly helpful for low-income smokers who have access to fewer cessation resources and experience significant day-to-day barriers to quitting. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03029819; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03029819
Impact of Different Gums on Textural and Microbial Properties of Goat Milk Yogurts during Refrigerated Storage

In this study, the impact of seven different gums on textural and microbiological properties of goat milk yogurt during refrigerated storage was investigated. The results showed that yogurt containing xanthan and locust bean gums had enhanced firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity during four weeks of storage compared to the control and yogurt fortified with other gums (p < 0.05). The addition of gums also helped to maintain the microbial viability of the yogurt culture and the probiotic Bifidobacterium spp. This study thus demonstrated that these gums could be used in the production of goat milk yogurt with enhanced textural properties.
Pharmacokinetics of oral therapeutics delivered by dendrimer-based carriers

Introduction: Dendrimers showed promise as carriers for oral delivery due to their nanoscale size and transepithelial permeability across the gut epithelium. However, for the successful approval of dendrimer-based oral therapeutics for human use, it is essential to understand their pharmacokinetics. The knowledge of pharmacokinetics of drugs delivered with dendrimers within the context of oral delivery of therapeutics will help in the design of clinical trials, and development of dosage regimens. Areas covered: This review summarizes the pharmacokinetic aspects of dendrimer and dendrimer-drug complexes after oral administration. We discussed the influence of size, core chemistry, surface charge, surface chemistry, and modification on the pharmacokinetics of dendrimers and dendrimer-drug complexes. Furthermore, we also discussed studies involving alternative dosage forms such as matrix tablets containing dendrimers, dendrimers encapsulated in lipid nanostructures, and chitosan anchored-dendrimers. Expert opinion: From the studies, it is evident that dendrimers significantly improve the oral bioavailability of drugs with poor biopharmaceutical properties. However, further in vivo studies are needed to establish the relationship between the properties of dendrimers and oral pharmacokinetics of dendrimer-drug complexes and conjugates.
Acute Blockade of PACAP-Dependent Activity in the Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus Disrupts Leptin-Induced Behavioral and Molecular Changes in Rats

Leptin signaling pathways, stemming primarily from the hypothalamus, are necessary for maintaining normal energy homeostasis and body weight. In both rodents and humans, dysregulation of leptin signaling leads to morbid obesity and diabetes. Since leptin resistance is considered a primary factor underlying obesity, understanding the regulation of leptin signaling could lead to therapeutic tools and provide insights into the causality of obesity. While leptin actions in some hypothalamic regions such as the arcuate nuclei have been characterized, less is known about leptin activity in the hypothalamic ventromedial nuclei (VMN). Recently, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been shown to reduce feeding behavior and alter metabolism when administered into the VMN in a pattern similar to that of leptin. In the current study, we examined whether leptin and PACAP actions in the VMN share overlapping pathways in the regulation of energy balance. Interestingly, PACAP administration into the VMN increased STAT3 phosphorylation and SOCS3 mRNA expression, both of which are hallmarks of leptin receptor activation. In addition, BDNF mRNA expression in the VMN was increased by both leptin and PACAP administration. Moreover, antagonizing PACAP receptors fully reversed the behavioral and cellular effects of leptin injections into the VMN. Electrophysiological studies further illustrated that leptin-induced effects on VMN neurons were blocked by antagonizing PACAP receptors. We conclude that leptin dependency on PACAP signaling in the VMN suggests a potential common signaling cascade, allowing a tonically and systemically secreted neuropeptide to be more precisely regulated by central neuropeptides.
Pediatric Cancer Models in Zebrafish

Pediatric cancer is a leading cause of death in children and adolescents. Improvements in pediatric cancer treatment that include the alleviation of long-term adverse effects require a deeper understanding of the genetic, epigenetic, and developmental factors driving these cancers. Here, we review how the unique attributes of the zebrafish model system in embryology, imaging, and scalability have been used to identify new mechanisms of tumor initiation, progression, and relapse and for drug discovery. We focus on zebrafish models of leukemias, neural tumors and sarcomas – the most common and difficult childhood cancers to treat.
Chapter 11 – Synthesis of Mass-Exchange Networks: An Algebraic Approach

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an algebraic procedure that yields results equivalent to those provided by the graphical pinch analysis. The graphical pinch analysis provides designers with a useful tool that represents the global flow of mass from the rich streams to the mass-separating agents (MSAs) and determines performance targets such as the minimum operating cost of the MSAs. But it is subject to the accuracy problems associated with any graphical approach. This is particularly so when there is a wide range of operating compositions for the rich and the lean streams. This neccessitates the use of an algebraic method. The composition-interval diagram is a useful tool for ensuring thermodynamic feasibility of mass exchange. In it each process stream is represented as a vertical arrow whose tail corresponds to its supply composition and whose head represents its target composition. Next, horizontal lines are drawn at the heads and tails of the arrows. These horizontal lines define a series of composition intervals. The objective of constructing a table of exchangeable loads is to determine the mass-exchange loads of the process streams in each composition interval. Having determined the individual loads of all process streams for all composition intervals, one can also obtain the collective loads of the rich and the lean streams. The collective load of the rich streams within the kth interval is calculated by summing the individual loads of the rich streams that pass through that interval.
Use-dependent plasticity explains aftereffects in visually guided locomotor learning of a novel step length asymmetry.

Use-dependent plasticity, or learning from repetition, is an important process for upper extremity reaching tasks, but its contribution to walking is not well established. Here, we demonstrate the ...
Comparison of International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision Codes With Electronic Medical Records Among Patients With Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Importance International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes are used to characterize coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related symptoms. Their accuracy is unknown, which could affect downstream analyses. Objective To compare the performance of fever-, cough-, and dyspnea-specificICD-10codes with medical record review among patients tested for COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included patients who underwent quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 at University of Utah Health from March 10 to April 6, 2020. Data analysis was performed in April 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) ofICD-10codes for fever (R50*), cough (R05*), and dyspnea (R06.0*) were compared with manual medical record review. Performance was calculated overall and stratified by COVID-19 test result, sex, age group ( 64 years), and inpatient status. Bootstrapping was used to generate 95% CIs, and Pearson χ2tests were used to compare different subgroups. Results Among 2201 patients tested for COVD-19, the mean (SD) age was 42 (17) years; 1201 (55%) were female, 1569 (71%) were White, and 282 (13%) were Hispanic or Latino. The prevalence of fever was 66% (1444 patients), that of cough was 88% (1930 patients), and that of dyspnea was 64% (1399 patients). For fever, the sensitivity ofICD-10codes was 0.26 (95% CI, 0.24-0.29), specificity was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99), PPV was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93-0.97), and NPV was 0.41 (95% CI, 0.39-0.43). For cough, the sensitivity ofICD-10codes was 0.44 (95% CI, 0.42-0.46), specificity was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.84-0.92), PPV was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.95-0.97), and NPV was 0.18 (95% CI, 0.16-0.20). For dyspnea, the sensitivity ofICD-10codes was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.22-0.26), specificity was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96-0.98), PPV was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.96), and NPV was 0.42 (95% CI, 0.40-0.44).ICD-10code performance was better for inpatients than for outpatients for fever (χ2 = 41.30;P Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest thatICD-10codes lack sensitivity and have poor NPV for symptoms associated with COVID-19. This inaccuracy has implications for any downstream data model, scientific discovery, or surveillance that relies on these codes.
Indoor heat exposure in Baltimore: does outdoor temperature matter?

Heat exposure of a population is often estimated by applying temperatures from outdoor monitoring stations. However, this can lead to exposure misclassification if residents do not live close to the monitoring station and temperature varies over small spatial scales due to land use/built environment variability, or if residents generally spend more time indoors than outdoors. Here, we compare summertime temperatures measured inside 145 homes in low-income households in Baltimore city with temperatures from the National Weather Service weather station in Baltimore. There is a large variation in indoor temperatures, with daily-mean indoor temperatures varying from 10 °C lower to 10 °C higher than outdoor temperatures. Furthermore, there is only a weak association between the indoor and outdoor temperatures across all houses, indicating that the outdoor temperature is not a good predictor of the indoor temperature for the residences sampled. It is shown that much of the variation is due to differences in the availability of air conditioning (AC). Houses with central AC are generally cooler than outdoors (median difference of − 3.4 °C) while those with no AC are generally warmer (median difference of 1.4 °C). For the collection of houses with central or room AC, there is essentially no relationship between indoor and outdoor temperatures, but for the subset of houses with no AC, there is a weak relationship (correlation coefficient of 0.36). The results presented here suggest future epidemiological studies of indoor exposure to heat would benefit from information on the availability of AC within the population.
Invasive predator disrupts link between predator evenness and herbivore suppression

Abstract Biodiversity provided by non-crop plants has long been thought to strengthen conservation biological control by providing food and habitat for natural enemies. More recently, greater evenness among natural enemies has also been suggested to promote strong top-down control, but habitat characteristics and management strategies that promote or disrupt evenness among predators remain unclear. We examined effects of non-crop plants, and the activity density of the invasive intraguild predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae), on evenness among predators of the crucifer flea beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). We sampled ground-active predators, flea beetles, and in-row coverage of non-crop vegetation on 52 Brassica fields across three US states, and used structural equation models to evaluate direct and indirect, predator-mediated effects of non-crop plant cover on pest abundance. We found that non-crop plant cover and high evenness among predators associated with higher predator activity and indirectly with lower herbivore densities, consistent with stronger biocontrol. However, non-crop plants attracted the invader P. melanarius. In turn, P. melanarius linked with lower evenness among other ground-active predators, while showing no direct effect on flea beetles, suggesting potential disruptive interference by P. melanarius. While non-crop plants are widely known to attract diverse predators, it may be difficult for growers to manipulate plant communities that increase enemy evenness and promote natural pest control if intraguild predators commonly benefit from these resources as well. More generally, our results suggest a need for closer examination of role of predator-predator interactions in relationships between plant diversity and biological control across agroecosystems.
Capital Controls: An Evaluation

The literature on capital controls has (at least) four very serious apples-to-oranges problems: (i) There is not unified theoretical framework to analyze the macroeconomic consequences of controls; (ii) there is significant heterogeneity across countries and time in the control measures implemented; (iii) there are multiple definitions of what constitutes a "success" and (iv) the empirical studies lack a common methodology -- furthermore these are significantly "overweighted" by a couple of country cases (Chile and Malaysia). In this paper, we attempt to address some of these shortcomings by: being very explicit about what measures are construed as capital controls. Also, given that success is measured so differently across studies, we sought to "standardize" the results of over 30 empirical studies we summarize in this paper. The standardization was done by constructing two indices of capital controls: Capital Controls Effectiveness Index (CCE Index), and Weighted Capital Control Effectiveness Index (WCCE Index). The difference between them lies only in that the WCCE controls for the differentiated degree of methodological rigor applied to draw conclusions in each of the considered papers. Inasmuch as possible, we bring to bear the experiences of less well known episodes than those of Chile and Malaysia.
A novel integrated pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model to evaluate combination therapy and determine in vivo synergism

Understanding pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic (PD) relationships is essential in translational research. Existing PK-PD models for combination therapy lack consideration of quantitative contributions from individual drugs, whereas interaction factor is always assigned arbitrarily to one drug and overstretched for the determination of in vivo pharmacologic synergism. Herein, we report a novel generic PK-PD model for combination therapy by considering apparent contributions from individual drugs coadministered. Doxorubicin (Dox) and sorafenib (Sor) were used as model drugs whose PK data were obtained in mice and fit to two-compartment model. Xenograft tumor growth was biphasic in mice, and PD responses were described by three-compartment transit models. This PK-PD model revealed that Sor (contribution factor = 1.62) had much greater influence on overall tumor-growth inhibition than coadministered Dox (contribution factor = 0.644), which explains the mysterious clinical findings on remarkable benefits for patients with cancer when adding Sor to Dox treatment, whereas there were none when adding Dox to Sor therapy. Furthermore, the combination index method was integrated into this predictive PK-PD model for critical determination of in vivo pharmacologic synergism that cannot be correctly defined by the interaction factor in conventional models. In addition, this new PK-PD model was able to identify optimal dosage combination (e.g., doubling experimental Sor dose and reducing Dox dose by 50%) toward much greater degree of tumor-growth inhibition (>90%), which was consistent with stronger synergy (combination index = 0.298). These findings demonstrated the utilities of this new PK-PD model and reiterated the use of valid method for the assessment of in vivo synergism. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A novel pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic (PD) model was developed for the assessment of combination treatment by considering contributions from individual drugs, and combination index method was incorporated to critically define in vivo synergism. A greater contribution from sorafenib to tumor-growth inhibition than that of coadministered doxorubicin was identified, offering explanation for previously inexplicable clinical observations. This PK-PD model and strategy shall have broad applications to translational research on identifying optimal dosage combinations with stronger synergy toward improved therapeutic outcomes.
Osteochondral Lesions of the Distal Tibial Plafond: A Systematic Review of Lesion Locations and Treatment Outcomes

Background:Osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond (OLTPs) remain less common than osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs), but recognition of the condition has increased.Purpose:To systemati...
Behavioral Crisis Management: A Quality Improvement Pilot for Improving Teamwork in a Primary Care Pediatric Setting.

Abstract Introduction Children with behavioral escalations in the primary care office may pose safety risks to themselves and others. Interprofessional teams utilizing crisis resource management (CRM) skills more successfully manage behavioral crises. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) pilot project was to improve team performance during a behavioral crisis in pediatric primary care, as well as evaluate learner satisfaction with the curriculum. Method We implemented an evidence-based curriculum using simulation and didactic techniques in primary care offices within a pediatric network. Using a one group pre-post design, we evaluated roles, communication, and patient-centered care with the KidSIM Team Performance Scale. Utilizing a post intervention survey, learner feedback was elicited regarding learning environment, facilitators and barriers to learning, skill of facilitator, and usability and applicability of content. Findings 101 interprofessional participants attended one of eight educational sessions. KidSIM Team Performance Scale results demonstrated statistically significant improved total team performance in a simulated behavioral crisis (Z = −2.52, p = 0.012). Post simulation evaluation demonstrated positive feedback about the program, content and facilitators. Discussion This pilot QI project demonstrated that a curriculum using behavioral simulation scenarios and CRM principles can improve teamwork in an interprofessional primary care office. Additionally, participants overwhelmingly indicated satisfaction with the curriculum. Application to practice Ensuring staff have the appropriate skills to manage behavioral health crises facilitates safer and more effective patient care, enhances patient-centered care and solidifies a positive staff approach in the pediatric ambulatory setting.
Understanding Resistance Mechanisms to Trifluralin in an Arkansas Palmer Amaranth Population

Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson (Palmer amaranth) is considered a problematic and troublesome weed species in many crops in the USA, partly because of its ability to evolve resistance to herbicides. In this study, we explored the mechanism of resistance in a trifluralin-resistant A. palmeri accession collected from Arkansas, USA. Dose-response assays using agar plates demonstrated an EC50 (effective concentration that reduces root length by 50%) of 1.02 µM trifluralin compared to 0.39 µM obtained in the susceptible accession. Thus, under these conditions, the resistant accession required 2.6 times more trifluralin to inhibit root length by 50%. Seeds in the presence or absence of the cytochrome P450-inhibitior malathion displayed a differential response with no significant influence on root length, suggesting that resistance is not P450-mediated. In addition, application of 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl), a glutathione S-transferase (GST) inhibitor, showed significant differences in root length, indicating that GSTs are most likely involved in the resistance mechanism. Sequencing of α- and β-tubulin genes revealed no single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously described between accessions. In addition, relative gene copy number of α- and β-tubulin genes were estimated; however, both resistant and susceptible accessions displayed similar gene copy numbers. Overall, our results revealed that GST-mediated metabolism contributes to trifluralin resistance in this A. palmeri accession from Arkansas.
Abundance of mixoplanktonic algae in relation to prey, light and nutrient limitation in a dystrophic lake: a mesocosm study

The role of mixoplanktonic algae is increasingly recognised as an important link between primary production and microbial loop processes, particularly in dystrophic systems where staining can both limit light and nutrient availability and increase bacterial productivity. We hypothesised that these three factors would affect the relative abundance of mixotrophs (RAmixotrophs), with increased light and nutrient availability decreasing RAmixotrophs and increased bacterial availability increasing RAmixotrophs. We employed a fully factorial design within near-shore mesocosms in a highly stained lake, with light intensity, bacterial abundance, and phosphorus concentration as treatment variables. Over the initial 3 days of the experiment, when changes were greatest, we found no significant three-way interaction effect among light, phosphorus and nutrients on the RAmixotrophs. We did find significant two-way interactions between phosphorus and light, and phosphorus and bacteria. RAmixotrophs was decreased by the addition of phosphorus whether light was added or not, but light only significantly deceased RAmixotrophs when phosphorus was not added. Phosphorus concentration was also found to decrease RAmixotrophs whether bacterial food was supplemented or not, but bacteria increased RAmixotrophs only in mesocosms without phosphorus additions. Collectively, our results indicated that phosphorus concentrations may be the primary driver of mixoplanktonic phytoplankton dynamics in dystrophic systems.