cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of alcohol consumption, correlates of alcohol misuse among Korean American adolescents.

There is scant research on alcohol and other drug use among Asians and Pacific Islanders living in the United States. In particular, there are no studies on alcohol consumption patterns among Korean American adolescents. This study provides new information on alcohol use for a population that has not been extensively studied. Descriptive analyses reveal that alcohol misuse does occur among Korean American adolescents. Results from logistic regression indicate that alcohol misuse among Korean American adolescents is influenced by the social variables found to affect use among other ethnic groups. For Whites, psychological variables (depression, self-esteem), perceived prejudice, and feeling safe where one lives explained variance beyond social influences. These findings support the contention that there are similarities in the social milieu of alcohol use among all adolescents in the United States. However, our data indicate that psychological forces provide additional influences on White alcohol misuse. I...
The investigation of visual attention and workload by experts and novices in the cockpit

Under high pressure of flight mission and dynamic aircraft maneuvers in the tactic missions, pilot faces additional difficulties and increased mental workload. Workload could increase the error of flight operation, decrease efficiency of pilot's decision-making. Experts had significantly shorter dwells, more total fixations, more aim point and airspeed fixations and fewer altimeter fixations than novices, experts were also found to have better defined eye-scanning patterns. This research applies the eye-tracking technology for analyzing visual attention, emWave-2 for measuring physiological coherence, and NSAS-TLX for investigating subjective cognitive efforts. The participants of this research consisted of 41 fighter pilots. The present study is applying new technology to understand the pilots' workload and visual attention in the cockpit for conducting a simulated air-to-air tactic operation. There is a raising need for further research regarding mental workload and stress management program for real-time flight operations.
Quando eu estava lá, ela não estava - Sobre as secreções uma vez perdidas na noite

LEWIS R. GORDON Traduzido por: Deivison Mendes Faustino, Dionisio da Silva Pimenta e Jose Ricardo Marques dos Santos.
Estimation of mortality risk in chronically ventilated infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic, sometimes fatal lung disease, which primarily affects premature infants and often leads to a dependence on mechanical ventilation lasting many months. To identify prognostic factors of mortality at 1 and 2 months of age, the authors reviewed the medical records of the 144 neonates admitted to two neonatal intensive care units in Seattle from January 1, 1986, through December 31, 1988, who required mechanical ventilation throughout the first month of life. Likely predictors of mortality were tested by logistic regression analysis. The calculated mean airway pressure at 30 days of age (MAP30) and the diagnosis of bacterial sepsis at any time during the first month of life (Bact 0-30) were statistically significant predictors of mortality (P less than .001 and P = .018, respectively) and had the lowest deviance in the regression model. The probability of mortality was estimated by 1/(1 + e-chi), where chi = -6.510 + 0.4588 (MAP30) + 1.475 (Bact 0-30), and where MAP30 is expressed as centimeters of water pressure (1 cm H2O = 0.0978 kPa) and the presence or absence of bacteremia is 1 and 0, respectively. The records of the 57 infants who still required mechanical ventilation at 60 days of age were reanalyzed with clinical data available during the first 2 months of life. Mean airway pressure (MAP 60) and the fraction of inspired oxygen (F60) at 60 days of age combined to form the best predictors of mortality, where chi = 7.668 + 0.2940 (MAP 60) + 5.935 (F60).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Distribution and Parasitism of Sophonia rufofascia (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) Eggs in Hawaii

The leafhopper Sophonia rufofascia (Kuoh & Kuoh) is a recent invasive pest attacking a wide variety of plant species in Hawaii. We surveyed the distribution and parasitism of its eggs in a number of natural and agricultural habitats on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii. Egg density was fairly low, with egg distribution affected both by plant species and plant habitat. Approximately 40% of S. rufofascia eggs, averaged over all plants and sites, were parasitized by Chaetomymar sp. nr. bagichi Narayanan, Subba Rao, & Kaur; Schizophragma bicolor (Dozier); and Polynema sp. Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Percentage parasitism varied widely among different plant species and habitats. C. sp. nr. bagichi was the most abundant and widely distributed species, but the parasitoid guild varied depending on plant and on habitat. The implications of these results on decisions regarding classical biological control of twospotted leafhopper in Hawaii are discussed.
The Body, Diseases and Their Relationship to Trauma and Stress

When trauma strikes, it creates an emotional upset that disrupts our mental and physical metabolism; thereby, affecting our wellbeing. Often the symptoms of this disruption manifests in what we see as psychological problems in individual personality traits such as intrusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, ADHD in children, schizophrenia and other antisocial behaviors commonly manifested from PTSD. What is not widely talked about are the devastating side effects of trauma that destroys not just the mind, but the body. (Biography, 2011; Answers.com, 2011; Roland, 2011) When the body is exposed to long term stress or trauma the adrenaline gland has a systems overload burning the wires that block cortisol. Therefore excessive amounts of cortisol are produced that cause biological malfunctions. This paper explores those unintended consequences of stress.
Effect of diltiazem on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in hepatocytes during endotoxic shock

Effects of Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization were studied in hepatocytes. Rats were given intravenous injections of saline (control), endotoxin (20 mg/kg), or endotoxin (20 mg/kg) plus diltiazem (1.2 mg/kg). They were killed 5 h later, at which time endotoxin-injected rats showed signs of shock. The involvement of myoinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and arachidonic acid (AA) in intracellular Ca2+ mobilization was tested using saponin-permeabilized hepatocytes. Added Ca2+ was sequestered by intracellular organelles in the presence of ATP until the medium free Ca2+ concentration was lowered to a near steady-state level. In control cells subsequent addition of 10(-6) M IP3 and AA, respectively, caused a rapid increase in free Ca2+ concentration from 130 +/- 31 to 257 +/- 54 nM (P less than 0.01) and from 111 +/- 21 to 196 +/- 37 (P less than 0.01). By use of experimental conditions designed to permit selective Ca2+ accumulation, it was determined that all of the Ca2+ released by IP3 and AA originated from the endoplasmic reticulum. The intracellular release of Ca2+ by IP3 and AA was significantly attenuated in endotoxic shock. Treatment of endotoxic rats with a calcium channel blocker, diltiazem, effected an increase in free Ca2+ concentration by IP3 from 124 +/- 18 to 240 +/- 41 nM (P less than 0.01) and by AA from 109 +/- 15 to 192 +/- 32 (P less than 0.01). These data suggest that during endotoxic shock there is an attenuation of IP3- and AA-induced intracellular Ca2+ release, which could be prevented by treatment of animals with diltiazem.
National and Transnational Dimensions of Memory in Matar a todos and Paisito

This article investigates the national and transnational dimensions of the representation of memory in two contemporary Uruguayan films, Esteban Schroeder’s Matar a todos (Kill Them All, 2007) and Ana Diez’s Paisito (Small Country, 2008). These films revisit the traumas and after-effects of the Southern Cone dictatorships that came to power in the early and mid-1970s. As co-productions, Matar a todos and Paisito rely on the representation of prosthetic memories, but the artificial nature of these memories may be problematic for different audiences. Thus, this article not only considers these films’ depiction of a traumatic past, but also their circulation in and beyond Uruguay and the challenge of engaging transnational audiences.
Virtual Memorials in Times of Crisis

Journalism and Memorialization in the Age of Social MediaBy Peter Joseph Gloviczki(New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015).ISBN: 9781137460868, $95.00 Journalism and Memorialization in the Age of Socia...
Everyday illegal: when policies undermine immigrant families

In Everyday Illegal, Joanna Dreby explores how illegality affects the lives of immigrant families within an increasingly restrictive immigration context. Her contribution to the literature on undoc...
Investigation of pathogen disinfection and regrowth in a simple graywater recycling system for toilet flushing

AbstractGraywater treatment systems must inactivate pathogens, prevent regrowth, be low cost, and be simple to operate to support their widespread adoption for alleviating water stress. A treatment system comprised only of filtration and disinfection could meet these constraints. To investigate pathogen disinfection and regrowth in such a system with minimal organic matter removal, herein three disinfectants (chlorine, ultraviolet irradiation, and ozone) were tested in combination with three filter types (coarse, sand, and cartridge) for inactivation of pathogens in graywater from the showers and hand washbasins of 14 student residences. Graywater was spiked with bacterial and viral pathogens or surrogates post-filtration. Chlorination post-filtration achieved log reductions greater than 7.1, 8.0, and 7.4 for Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, and 3.8 for MS2 bacteriophage. UV was similarly effective, but would not prevent regrowth without a disinfectant resid...
The Political Economy of Prehispanic Tarascan Metallurgy

Tarascan metallurgy was not only a complex technology, but a significant marker of elite social status and a major source of wealth for the ruling dynasty. Reanalysis of ethnohistoric material, when coupled with new cartographic and archaeological data, provides insight into the structure and role of copper, silver, and gold production in the Protohistoric Tarascan State. The increasing political centralization of the Tarascan State in the last century before European contact resulted in the emergence of new forms of exploitation of mineral resources, tempered by the technological and transport constraints of a prehispanic civilization.
Amine-Rich Polyelectrolyte Multilayers for Patterned Surface Fixation of Nanostructures

We describe a lithographic method for directly patterning the adhesive properties of amine-rich layer-by-layer assembled polymer films, useful for positioning metal and other nanostructures. The adhesive properties of the films are sufficiently robust that the films can be patterned with standard as opposed to soft lithographic methods. We perform the patterning with a lithographically defined evaporated aluminum mask which protects selected regions of the substrate, passivating adhesion in the exposed regions with acetic anhydride. When the aluminum is removed with a HCl etch, the protected regions retain their adhesion, whereas particle adsorption is almost completely eliminated in the passivated areas, making it possible to guide adsorption to the protected areas. The high degree of adhesion comes about because of uncoordinated amine groups that pervade the film. Cycling the pH from high values to low and back causes the amines to be rearranged, rejuvenating the adhesive properties of the surface, whic...
Psychotherapy research evidence and reimbursement decisions: Bambi meets Godzilla.

Research evidence on psychotherapy outcome is both extensive and positive. However, the evidence is not responsive to the question. What kinds of psychotherapy are most effective for what kinds of problems? It is demonstrably feasible to conduct scientifically meritorious studies of process and outcome; however, the prospect that rigorous research evidence will soon provide a credible list of "certified" psychotherapy techniques and procedures for the treatment of specific disorders is poor. The author presents recommendations for what the doctor can do for the policy maker "until the researcher comes."
Rapid [14C]heptachlor clearance from body stores of ovines: ingested mineral oil and parenteral trans-stilbene oxide lack effects.

Recently we reported elimination of radioactivity from [14C]heptachlor from body stores of lactating ovines, mainly into excreta rather than milk, contrasting sharply with bovines. To further assess heptachlor metabolism and clearance by ovines, 12 fine-wool wether lambs (41 +/- 3 kg) housed in metabolism stalls were fed pelleted alfalfa hay (96%) plus molasses (3%) ad libitum and were dosed i.p. once with [14C]heptachlor (1.643 mg/kg body wt; sp. act. = .89 microCi/mg). Feces and urine were collected separately and quantitatively. Light mineral oil was mixed with feed (5 g/100 g) of six lambs and trans-stilbene oxide, an inducer of biotransformational enzymes, was administered i.p. (4 g/hd initially; 2 g/hd daily thereafter) through 20 d to three lambs given each mineral oil treatment, in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Feces, urine, blood, bile and body tissues were assayed for total 14C activity. Radioactivity (heptachlor and [or] metabolites) eliminated into excreta during 21 d amounted to 34 to 36% of dose administered, of which 67% appeared in urine and 33% in feces. Biological half-time for elimination into excreta was 11.3 d [Kel = -.061/d], similar to 11.7 d we reported for lactating ewes. Clearance from blood had T1/2 = 14 d. Neither mineral oil nor trans-stilbene oxide altered rate or route of 14C activity excreted or concentrations of 14C activity in blood. Results confirmed that ovines eliminate heptachlor much more rapidly than bovines.
Intra-amniotic inoculation of rubella virus.

A virulent strain (M33) of rubella virus was inoculated into the amniotic cavities of 4 pregnant rhesus monkeys during the first third of their pregnancy. The virus multiplied up to 11 weeks after inoculation and produced a significant antibody response in maternal serum. In addition to maternal antibody, significant antibody levels also appeared in the amniotic fluid of all monkeys at approximately the same time or slightly later than would be expected to appear in maternal serum. Intra-amniotic injection of “wild” rubella virus was lethal and may have produced a congenital anomaly.
The Heroic Tragedy of Cleopatra: The ‘Prostitute Queen’

For centuries in Roman writings (as was briefly noted in Chapter 2), the historical Cleopatra was routinely — and disparagingly — called regina meretrix, Latin for the ‘prostitute queen’ (Anderson and Zinsser, 1988, I: 56),1 so the Roman male characters in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra are true to what would become Roman cultural tradition in regarding her as such. As inheritors of that tradition, male and female literary critics have had difficulty in granting Shakespeare’s Cleopatra full status as tragic hero.2 That reluctance is epitomized in this seeming oxymoron of ‘prostitute queen’, in which ‘prostitute’ easily trumps ‘queen’; the pun on ‘queen’ as ‘quean’ (‘whore’) in early modern English concisely enables the same function.3 As Linda T. Fitz (Woodbridge) rightly observes, it is Cleopatra’s ‘frank sexuality’ that ‘damns her’ in critics’ estimations, disallowing her serious consideration even as queen of Egypt, let alone as tragic hero (1977: 188).4
The Standing Committees

One of the most visible and enduring features of congress is its committee system. From hearings to investigations to legislative activity, committees are the congressional darlings of the mass media. And considering the central role that committees play in modern-day lawmaking and oversight, there is little wonder why they garner so much attention. Most important legislation originates in a standing committee, most of the details of legislation are approved in committee, and standing committee members usually dominate floor and conference action. When legislation dies, it usually does so in committee. The significance of standing committees in the policy-making process varies over time. In the mid-twentieth century, committees were often described as nearly autonomous policy makers (see Chapter 2). The tremendous growth in government and power of the presidency that characterized the New Deal and World War II era of the 1930s and 1940s led Congress to reevaluate the way it did business. The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 reduced the number of standing committees, provided detailed, written committee jurisdictions, guaranteed a professional staff for each committee, and directed committees to conduct oversight of executive agencies. As a result of the 1946 act, most of the key features of the modern committee system were put into place. Moreover, the leadership of the internally divided Democratic majority usually preferred to defer to committees rather than risk open divisions on the House and Senate floor. In fact, prescriptive norms of deference to committees and senior committee leaders were articulated by leaders to bolster the power of committees.
Intracranial Ependymoma Follow-Up Study

The management and outcome of 24 children with intracranial ependymomas (22 benign and well differentiated) treated over a 10-year period, 1979-1988, and with a minimum 5-year follow-up were analysed at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
Experience with Autologous HSC Transplant in Therapy-Related MDS/AML Using Cells Harvested Prior to the Development of the Secondary Malignancy.

Background: Therapy-related MDS/AML (t-MDS/AML) is a common and devastating complication of treatment with alkylating agents and topoisomerase II inhibitors, often employed with curative intent, in standard or high-doses, in the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Allogeneic HSC transplant is considered the standard treatment for t-MDS/AML but its applicability is limited by the unavailability of donors, comorbidities in the recipient and risk of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Patients carrying diseases commonly treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous HSC transplant (such as multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma) who latter develop t-MDS/AML occasionally have stored HSC harvested prior to the diagnosis of the secondary malignancy (hereafter called early-stored HSC). The benefit of using early-stored HSC to support myeloablative therapy for the treatment t-MDS/AML is unknown. Methods: Retrospective, single center analysis of patients with t-MDS/AML receiving myeloablative chemotherapy with or without irradiation supported with early-stored HSC. Results: Six patients received early-stored HSC transplant for treatment of t-MDS/AML between 2000 and 2007. Median age at the time of the transplant was 57 years (range 15–71). Three patients had been primarily diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, 2 with multiple myeloma and 1 with Ewing’s sarcoma. One patient had received prior autologous HSC transplantation. Two patients developed AML, 1 patient CMML, 1 patient RCMD, 1 patient RAEB1 and 1 patient RAEB2. Median time from diagnosis of primary malignancy to HSC harvesting was 26 (2–122) months and from harvesting to development of t-MDS/AML 44 (7–79) months. Conditioning regimen was Cy/TBI in three patients, BuCy in 2 patients and Samarium + Melphalan in one patient. Five patients engrafted neutrophils and 4 patients engrafted platelets 10–34 and 13–126 days after transplant respectively. In 3/6 patients there was disappearance of the pre-transplant chromosomic abnormality (2 patients -7 and 1 patient -7 and t(1;7)). Two patients obtained hematologic CR and two patients obtained CR without full recovery of platelets. One patient died of sepsis 230 days after transplant, one died with refractory disease on day 103 after transplant and one patient is alive with recurrence of t-MDS. Three patients are alive and free of disease 7, 73 and 87 months after transplant. Conclusion: Myeloablative conditioning followed by autologous, early-stored HSC transplant can provide prolonged survival to patients with tMDS/AML not suitable to allogeneic SCT.
Planting the Seed: An Evaluation of a Community Youth Summit

Meaningful youth engagement produces benefits both to youth and to the community in which they live. This paper discusses a day-long youth summit held for 289 middle school students. Youth attended a combination of mass and break-out sessions based on America’s Promise Five Promises. Planners and evaluators assessed proximal student outcomes throughout the day. A two question visual analog scale was developed and utilized to assess students’ perceptions of learning and enjoyment.
The expansion of Hall-Littlewood functions in the dual Grothendieck polynomial basis

A combinatorial expansion of the Hall-Littlewood functions into the Schur basis of symmetric functions was first given by Lascoux and Schutzenberger, with their discovery of the charge statistic. A combinatorial expansion of stable Grassmannian Grothendieck polynomials into monomials was first given by Buch, using set-valued tableaux. The dual basis of the stable Grothendieck polynomials was given a combinatorial expansion into monomials by Lam and Pylyavskyy using reverse plane partitions. We generalize charge to set-valued tableaux and use all of these combinatorial ideas to give a nice expansion of Hall-Littlewood polynomials into the dual Grothendieck basis. \par
Quantification of CT images for the classification of high- and low-risk pancreatic cysts

Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal cancer with an overall 5-year survival rate of 7%1 due to the late stage at diagnosis and the ineffectiveness of current therapeutic strategies. Given the poor prognosis, early detection at a pre-cancerous stage is the best tool for preventing this disease. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), cystic tumors of the pancreas, represent the only radiographically identifiable precursor lesion of pancreatic cancer and are known to evolve stepwise from low-to-high-grade dysplasia before progressing into an invasive carcinoma. Observation is usually recommended for low-risk (low- and intermediate-grade dysplasia) patients, while high-risk (high-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma) patients undergo resection; hence, patient selection is critically important in the management of pancreatic cysts.2 Radiologists use standard criteria such as main pancreatic duct size, cyst size, or presence of a solid enhancing component in the cyst to optimally select patients for surgery.3 However, these findings are subject to a radiologist’s interpretation and have been shown to be inconsistent with regards to the presence of a mural nodule or solid component.4 We propose objective classification of risk groups based on quantitative imaging features extracted from CT scans. We apply new features that represent the solid component (i.e. areas of high intensity) within the cyst and extract standard texture features. An adaptive boost classifier5 achieves the best performance with area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.73 and accuracy of 77.3% for texture features. The random forest classifier achieves the best performance with AUC of 0.71 and accuracy of 70.8% with the solid component features.
Seiberg—Witten and Physics

In this chapter we discuss a certain unified approach to different problems arising in Gauge Theory. The approach we present is well known in Theoretical Physics where most of the gauge theoretic problems originated and where they can be formulated in terms of the non-rigorous “functional integration”. To a certain extent the problem of functional integration can be overcome by translating the Physics formulation into the more appealing mathematical language of some homology classes of Banach manifolds. The vocabulary that would allow a satisfactory restatement of the Physics results in topological terms is far from being fully developed. We recall briefly some of the known results related to the construction of the Mathai-Quillen form and to infinite dimensional generalisations and we discuss the connection between the regularised Euler numbers of certain Banach bundles and Floer homology.
Parkinson’s disease is associated with DNA methylation levels in human blood and saliva

Several articles suggest that DNA methylation levels in blood relate to Parkinson’s disease (PD) but there is a need for a large-scale study that involves suitable population based controls. The purposes of the study were: (1) to study whether PD status is associated with DNA methylation levels in blood/saliva; (2) to study whether observed associations relate to blood cell types; and (3) to characterize genome-wide significant markers (“CpGs”) and clusters of CpGs (co-methylation modules) in terms of biological pathways. In a population-based case control study of PD, we studied blood samples from 335 PD cases and 237 controls and saliva samples from another 128 cases and 131 controls. DNA methylation data were generated from over 486,000 CpGs using the Illumina Infinium array. We identified modules of CpGs (clusters) using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). Our cross-sectional analysis of blood identified 82 genome-wide significant CpGs (including cg02489202 in LARS2 p = 8.3 × 10–11 and cg04772575 in ABCB9 p = 4.3 × 10–10). Three out of six PD related co-methylation modules in blood were significantly enriched with immune system related genes. Our analysis of saliva identified five significant CpGs. PD-related CpGs are located near genes that relate to mitochondrial function, neuronal projection, cytoskeleton organization, systemic immune response, and iron handling. This study demonstrates that: (1) PD status has a profound association with DNA methylation levels in blood and saliva; and (2) the most significant PD-related changes reflect changes in blood cell composition. Overall, this study highlights the role of the immune system in PD etiology but future research will need to address the causal structure of these relationships.
Detecting Curvilinear Relationships: A Comparison of Scoring Approaches Based on Different Item Response Models

There is a growing use of noncognitive assessments around the world, and recent research has posited an ideal point response process underlying such measures. A critical issue is whether the typical use of dominance approaches (e.g., average scores, factor analysis, and the Samejima's graded response model) in scoring such measures is adequate. This study examined the performance of an ideal point scoring approach (e.g., the generalized graded unfolding model) as compared to the typical dominance scoring approaches in detecting curvilinear relationships between scored trait and external variable. Simulation results showed that when data followed the ideal point model, the ideal point approach generally exhibited more power and provided more accurate estimates of curvilinear effects than the dominance approaches. No substantial difference was found between ideal point and dominance scoring approaches in terms of Type I error rate and bias across different sample sizes and scale lengths, although skewness i...
The Role of Cognitive Control in the Self-Regulation and Reinforcement of Smoking Behavior.

Cognitive control (CC)-the ability to regulate attention and memory-plays an important role in a variety of health behaviors, including smoking behavior. In this theoretical review of the literature, we propose a CC and smoking behavior framework that includes (1) the positive influence of CC on the self-regulation of smoking, (2) nicotine-induced improvements in CC that may indirectly reinforce smoking (including withdrawal reversal effects), and (3) the long-term effects of smoking on the brain that may result in reduced CC. Integration of these literatures suggests that CC contributes to both self-regulation (ie, brake pedal) and nicotine-related reinforcement (ie, gas pedal) amid the catastrophic effects of long-term smoking, which may reduce self-regulatory control over smoking while also enhancing indirect reinforcement. Supportive evidence and limitations of this approach will be presented, as well as ideas for future research directions that may fully examine this multifaceted modeling of CC in relation to smoking behavior. Implications There is substantial evidence that CC contributes to self-regulation (ie, brake pedal) and reinforcement (ie, gas pedal) of smoking behavior as well as evidence that long-term smoking may cause reduced CC. The proposed model delineates how these opposing influences of CC may mask the unique contribution of self-regulation and reinforcement in maintaining smoking behavior. Targeting CC for treating nicotine dependence will require more nuanced approaches that consider the independent and combined effects of self-regulation and reinforcement to improve smoking cessation success rates.
DYNAMIC EKG CHANGES ARE NOT ALWAYS ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

The typical finding of “giant” T-wave inversion in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHC) can be mistaken for ischemia in acute coronary syndrome. An 85-year-old woman with a history of transient ischemic attack, hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented with epigastric pain. EKG revealed
Calculation of Neutron Superinelastic Scattering in 178mHf

The 2.45-MeV metastable state in [sup 178]Hf is an isomer with a half-life of 31 yr. It thus offers potential advantages as a compact energy source. The current paper is a theoretical investigation of the use of conventional alpha-neutron and photoneutron sources to achieve an energy gain via the neutron bombardment of [sup 178m]Hf. Theoretical calculations of neutron superinelastic scattering on the 2.45-MeV 16+ metastable state in [sup 178]Hf are performed. The results of the cross-section calculations from the point of view of possible applications that involve energy gains obtained by using various neutron sources are analyzed.
Genetically mediated responses of microsomal ethanol oxidation in mice.

Long-sleep (LS) and Short-sleep (SS) male mice were treated chronically with alcohol for 30 days. Ethanol treated mice were withdrawn from alcohol diet at 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 30 days of treatment for the assessment of metabolic tolerance and numerous parameters associated with the microsomal cytochrome P-450 complex. Up to 20 days of ethanol treatment, LS and SS mice displayed nearly the same enhancement of in vivo ethanol elimination rates. At 24 and 30 days of ethanol treatment, LS mice were found to have significantly greater ethanol elimination rates than SS mice chronically treated with alcohol. The induction of microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and microsomal ethanol oxidation paralleled the acquisition of metabolic tolerance with LS mice displaying significantly greater values of both microsomal parameters at 24 and 30 days of treatment. Aniline hydroxylase was maximally induced (2.5 fold) in both LS and SS mice by 16 days of treatment. Chronic ethanol treatment resulted in a significant induction of ethylmorphine and benzphetamine N-demethylase activity in both LS and SS mice with the SS selected line showing a greater (P<.05) maximal induction. These data are suggestive that the induction of MEOS may have some significance in the acquisition of metabolic tolerance to ethanol and that there may be a genetic predisposition for these adaptive responses.
Numerical Solution of Travelling Waves for Reaction-Diffusion Equations Via the Sinc-Galerkin Method

Travelling waves in reaction—diffusion equations have received the interest of both mathematicians and physical scientists. Indeed, travelling waves of chemical, physical or biological activity are commonly observed in reacting and diffusing systems. The best known example is the neural action potential, a wave of electrical activity that propagates along an axonal membrane [10]. Other examples incLude waves of excitation in the BelousovZhabotinskii [17] reaction, travelling population waves in various genetic models [1, 8], and travelling fronts in hydrodynamic systems [14].
Sustaining exercise participation through group cohesion

The general hypothesis to be examined by this article is that increased group cohesion leads to an increase in adherence to an exercise program over time. Although preliminary research is promising, there is a need for further research aimed at examining the model of group development in exercise classes, the impact of group cohesion on both group and individual exercise behavior, and the measurement of group cohesion.
Capitalism, Hacking, and Digital Media

This chapter examines the logic of developments in information formats that have produced unintended consequences due to misuse, hacking, and publication of private and protected information. The same logic that enables swift searches and instrumental behavior can also be used to surveil the user and capture information about the user’s practices, preferences, choices, and lifestyle, particularly secured information that can be used to obtain additional information. Based on risk-reduction logics, various accounting and surveillance systems to rationalize marketing strategies and profits, such as TV ratings, consumer credit scores, and quantitative internet “clicks,” ironically, were central to the neo-liberal project despite being vulnerable to manipulation. This logic is reflected in various intended uses of the mediated information, as well as the unintended uses, including “hacking,” or the stealing and unauthorized interception of communication for nefarious purposes, often involving money. These points will be illustrated with recent developments involving the use of social media, especially the ways in which media conglomerates like Google and Facebook enabled Russian-related agents to interfere in the 2016 US Presidential Election (Altheide, Terrorism and the Politics of Fear, 2nd edn. Rowman & Littlefield, New York, 2017). Other examples are drawn from the hacking of hundreds of millions of credit reports controlled by the giant credit agency, Equifax, and some three billion Yahoo accounts.
A Robust and Quantitative Reporter System To Evaluate Noncanonical Amino Acid Incorporation in Yeast

Engineering protein translation machinery to incorporate noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins has advanced applications ranging from proteomics to single-molecule studies. As applications of ncAAs emerge, efficient ncAA incorporation is crucial to exploiting unique chemistries. We have established a quantitative reporter platform to evaluate ncAA incorporation in response to the TAG (amber) codon in yeast. This yeast display-based reporter utilizes an antibody fragment containing an amber codon at which a ncAA is incorporated when the appropriate orthogonal translation system (OTS) is present. Epitope tags at both termini allow for flow cytometry-based end point readouts of OTS efficiency and fidelity. Using this reporter, we evaluated several factors that influence amber suppression, including the amber codon position and different aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA (aaRS/tRNA) pairs. Interestingly, previously described aaRSs that evolved from different parent enzymes to incorporate O-methyl-l-tyrosine exhibit vastly different behavior. Escherichia coli leucyl-tRNA synthetase variants demonstrated efficient incorporation of a range of ncAAs, and we discovered unreported activities of several variants. Compared to a plate reader-based reporter, our assay yields more precise bulk-level measurements while also supporting single-cell readouts compatible with cell sorting. This platform is expected to allow quantitative elucidation of principles dictating efficient stop codon suppression and evolution of next-generation stop codon suppression systems to further enhance genetic code manipulation in eukaryotes. These efforts will improve our understanding of how the genetic code can be further evolved while expanding the range of chemical diversity available in proteins for applications ranging from fundamental epigenetics studies to engineering new classes of therapeutics.
Characterizing salt permeability in polyamide desalination membranes using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Abstract Improving the performance of desalination membranes requires better measurements of salt permeability in the polyamide separating layer to elucidate the thermodynamic and kinetic components of membrane permselectivity. In this work, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is introduced as a technique to measure the salt permeability and estimate the salt partition coefficient in thin polyamide films created using molecular layer-by-layer deposition. The impedance of supported polyamide films ranging in thickness from 3.5 nm to 28.5 nm were measured in different electrolyte solutions. Impedance spectra were modeled with equivalent circuits containing resistive and capacitive elements associated with the EIS measurement system as well as characteristic low-frequency parallel resistive and capacitive elements that are associated with the polyamide film. The characteristic polyamide membrane resistance increases with film thickness, decreases with solution concentration, and is an order of magnitude greater for a divalent cationic solution than for a monovalent cationic solution. For each polyamide film, salt permeability is calculated from the membrane resistance, and a salt partition coefficient is estimated. At the highest solution concentration measured, which is representative of brackish water desalination conditions, the calculated salt permeabilities range from Ps = 1.3 × 10 − 16 ms−1 to 3.9 × 10 − 16 m s−1, and the estimated salt partition coefficients range from Ks = 0.008 to 0.016. These measurements demonstrate that EIS is a powerful tool for studying membrane permselectivity through the measurement of salt permeability in thin polyamide films.
Improved synthesis of 4-[18F]fluoro-m-hydroxyphenethylguanidine using an iodonium ylide precursor

Fluorine-18 labeled hydroxyphenethylguanidines were recently developed in our laboratory as a new class of PET radiopharmaceuticals for quantifying regional cardiac sympathetic nerve density in heart disease patients. Studies of 4-[18 F]fluoro-m-hydroxyphenethylguanidine ([18 F]4F-MHPG) and 3-[18 F]fluoro-p-hydroxyphenethylguanidine ([18 F]3F-PHPG) in human subjects have shown that these radiotracers can be used to generate high-resolution maps of regional sympathetic nerve density using the Patlak graphical method. Previously, these compounds were synthesized using iodonium salt precursors, which provided sufficient radiochemical yields for on-site clinical PET studies. However, we were interested in exploring new methods that could offer significantly higher radiochemical yields. Spirocyclic iodonium ylide precursors have recently been established as an attractive new approach to radiofluorination of electron-rich aromatic compounds, offering several advantages over iodonium salt precursors. The goal of this study was to prepare a spirocyclic iodonium ylide precursor for synthesizing [18 F]4F-MHPG and evaluate its efficacy in production of this radiopharmaceutical. Under optimized automated reaction conditions, the iodonium ylide precursor provided radiochemical yields averaging 7.8% ± 1.4% (n = 8, EOS, not decay corrected), around threefold higher than those achieved previously using an iodonium salt precursor. With further optimization and scale-up, this approach could potentially support commercial distribution of [18 F]4F-MHPG to PET centers without on-site radiochemistry facilities.
Growth of high purity zone-refined Boron Carbide single crystals by Laser Diode Floating Zone method

Abstract We report the growth of 4 mm diameter × 50 mm long Boron Carbide (B4C) with large single crystal regions using a Laser Diode Floating Zone (LDFZ) method at varying growth rates of 5–20 mm/hr. These materials were grown using polycrystalline B4C as a seed. Microstructural characterization shows the presence of a significant number of twinning-boundaries along the growth direction ([0 0 1]h) oriented in the (1 2 1 0)h plane. At faster growth rates >10 mm/hr, the crystal orientation was reproducible, suggesting a twin-plane mediated growth mechanism. On the contrary, at slower growth rates
Simulated Performance of Cross-Laminated Timber Residential Structures Subject to Tornadoes

Tornadoes are some of the most severe and devastating natural events and cause significant damage to structures in the United States. Light-frame wood residential structures have shown vulnerabilities to these events, but they are not explicitly addressed in the design requirements due to their infrequent occurrence, relatively small impact area (compared to hurricanes), and complex wind profile. This paper explores the potential of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) to serve as a residential building material, specifically with regards to its performance in tornado events. CLT is an engineered wood product made when orthogonal layers of dimensioned lumber are glued to create panels. To compare the tornado performance of CLT buildings, six archetype residential buildings were each designed using CLT and light-frame wood in accordance to the appropriate US building code provisions and engineering principles. The capacity of each of the structural components was simulated using Monte Carlo Simulation based on the panel spans and connections of the panel boundaries. In addition, the resistance to structure sliding and combined uplift and overturning was simulated using engineering principles based on the load path of a CLT residential structure. Analysis of tornado induced wind loading was performed using recommendations from the 2016 ASCE-7 commentary and applicable literature that attempts to account for the wind-induced pressures caused by tornadoes. Fragility analysis was performed to determine the probability of failure for a given estimated tornado wind-speed. When compared to the wind speeds of the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, the CLT residential archetypes showed wind speeds resulting in 10% probability of failure were in the range of EF-4 level events. Factors such as the connection spacing, and roof panel spans had the most significant effect on the simulated performance of the residential archetypes. Thicker panels, more robust connections, or tighter connection spacing could also lead to residential CLT structures that withstand EF-5 level events.
Epigenetic changes associated with mechanisms of disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma

In addition to socioeconomic influences, biological factors are believed to play a role in health disparities. In this paper, we investigate miRNA, mRNA, and DNA methylation patterns that contribute to disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is accomplished by integration of mRNA-Seq, miRNA-Seq, and DNA methylation data we acquired by analysis of liver tissues from 30 HCC patients consisting of European Americans (EAs), African Americans (AAs), and Asian Americans (Asians). Mixed-ANOVA models are applied to identify miRNAs, mRNAs, and DNA methylation sites that are significantly altered in tumor vs. adjacent normal tissues in a race-specific manner. Through integrated analysis, a refined list of differentially expressed mRNAs is obtained by selecting those that are targets of differentially expressed miRNAs and consist of promoter regions that are differentially methylated.
Did human evolution in skin of color enhance the TEWL barrier

United States will soon be a nation of color; however, much of our knowledge of normal skin disease, and treatment thereof is based on white skin. We and others have attempted to elucidate any potential differences and advantages/disadvantages in skin function that have emerged during homo sapiens evolution post major migration from Eastern Africa. We investigated differences in one stratum corneum function by examining transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements in skin of color compared to Caucasian skin. TEWL, a measure of insensible water loss through stratum corneum, plays a major role in human survival. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to procure relevant papers that measured baseline TEWL in skin of color and Caucasian skin. The data show wide contradiction in results for all skin of color groups and white skin and, therefore, no conclusion can be made based on this question. We suggest this variation may be due to experimental confounding variables that impact TEWL quantification, such as anatomic site and sample size subject to further analysis and focus.
Predicting Cellular Drug Sensitivity using Conditional Modulation of Gene Expression

Abstract Selecting drugs most effective against a tumor’s specific transcriptional signature is an important challenge in precision medicine. To assess oncogenic therapy options, cancer cell lines are dosed with drugs that can differentially impact cellular viability. Here we show that basal gene expression patterns can be conditioned by learned small molecule structure to better predict cellular drug sensitivity, achieving an R2 of 0.7190±0.0098 (a 5.61% gain). We find that 1) transforming gene expression values by learned small molecule representations outperforms raw feature concatenation, 2) small molecule structural features meaningfully contribute to learned representations, and 3) an affine transformation best integrates these representations. We analyze conditioning parameters to determine how small molecule representations modulate gene expression embeddings. This ongoing work formalizes in silico cellular screening as a conditional task in precision oncology applications that can improve drug selection for cancer treatment.
Attending to the Ignored

Abstract. Ostracism – being excluded and ignored – has received considerable attention in social psychology in the past few decades. Experimental evidence suggests that negative psychological react...
An engineered activated factor V for the prevention and treatment of acute traumatic coagulopathy and bleeding in mice.

Acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) occurs in ≈30% of trauma patients and is associated with increased mortality. Excessive generation of activated protein C (APC) and hyperfibrinolysis are believed to be driving forces for ATC. Two mouse models were used to investigate whether an engineered activated FV variant (superFVa) that is resistant to inactivation by APC and contains a stabilizing A2-A3 domain disulfide bond, is able to reduce traumatic bleeding and normalize hemostasis parameters in ATC. First, ATC was induced by the combination of trauma and shock. ATC was characterized by APTT prolongation and reductions of FV, FVIII, and fibrinogen, but not FII and FX. Administration of superFVa normalized the APTT, returned FV and FVIII clotting activity levels to their normal range, and reduced APC and thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) levels, indicating improved hemostasis. Next, a liver laceration model was used where ATC develops as the consequence of severe bleeding. SuperFVa prophylaxis prior to liver laceration reduced bleeding, prevented APTT prolongation, depletion of FV and FVIII, and excessive generation of APC. Thus, prophylactic administration of superFVa prevented the development of ATC. SuperFVa intervention started after the development of ATC stabilized bleeding, reversed the prolonged APTT, returned FV and FVIII levels to their normal range, and reduced TAT levels that were increased by ATC. In summary, superFVa prevented ATC and traumatic bleeding when administered prophylactically, and superFVa stabilized bleeding and reversed abnormal hemostasis parameters when administered while ATC was in progress. Thus, superFVa may be an attractive strategy to intercept ATC and mitigate traumatic bleeding.