cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence-based Analysis: Postoperative Gastric Bleeding: Etiology and Prevention

Although the incidence of stomach hemorrhage is declining, stress-related gastric bleeding remains an important source of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients undergoing major surgical procedures to remove tumor. Prevention of stress-related bleeding is desirable; however, the optimal use of drugs to prevent gastric bleeding is unclear. Prophylaxis is recommended for surgical patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation or have a coaguloathy. Histamine-2 receptor antagonists and sucralfate will reduce the likelihood of clinically important gastric-bleeding. Sucralfate appears to be less effective than H-2 blockers, but it is associated with fewer side effects such as nosocomial pneumonia. Preliminary studies show that proton pump inhibitors are most effective, have few side effects, but are most expensive. Intravenous proton pump inhibitors may be the drugs of choice for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in high-risk patients.
Light-curve solutions for S CANCRI and TT Hydrae with rapid rotation.

Physical model light- and velocity-curve solutions for S Cancri and TT Hydrae are obtained, and analyses with incorporation of asynchronous rotation are carried out. A photometric rotation rate for the primary star of TT Hya is determined, and excellent agreement with results from spectral line profiles is found. Both separate light- and velocity-curve solutions and simultaneous light-velocity solutions are listed. The photometric rotation for S Cnc from existing light curves is indeterminate, but is compatible with line profile measures. Evidence for third light from the light curves of S Cnc is found. An explanation for the apparent conflict between the rotational states and mass-transfer activities of the two binaries is suggested.
The bio-barcode assay for the detection of protein and nucleic acid targets using DTT-induced ligand exchange

The recently developed bio-barcode assay for the detection of nucleic acid and protein targets without PCR has been shown to be extraordinarily sensitive, showing high sensitivity for both nucleic acid and protein targets. Two types of particles are used in the assay: (i) a magnetic microparticle with recognition elements for the target of interest; and (ii) a gold nanoparticle (Au-NP) with a second recognition agent (which can form a sandwich around the target in conjunction with the magnetic particle) and hundreds of thiolated single-strand oligonucleotide barcodes. After reaction with the analyte, a magnetic field is used to localize and collect the sandwich structures, and a DTT solution at elevated temperature is used to release the barcode strands. The barcode strands can be identified on a microarray via scanometric detection or in situ if the barcodes carry with them a detectable marker. The recent modification to the original bio-barcode assay method, utilizing DTT, has streamlined and simplified probe preparation and greatly enhanced the quantitative capabilities of the assay. Here we report the detailed methods for performing the ligand exchange bio-barcode assay for both nucleic acid and protein detection. In total, reagent synthesis, probe preparation and detection require 4 d.
Efficiency of particle retention in Mytilus edulis L.

Abstract It is shown that Mytilus edulis is capable of retaining particles at least as small as 2 µ with great efficiency. This probably means that particles smaller than 5 µ play an important role in the nutrition of the mussel, as particles of this size are an important fraction of the total organic particulate matter.
The use of laser radiation as a surgical "light knife".

Abstract An investigation into the effects of continuous wave (CW) infrared laser radiation on skin, muscle, skull, brain, liver, and small bowel was carried out on 24 dogs. A unique articulating arm was utilized by the surgeon to conveniently direct the energy to the exposed target. About 30 watts of power focused to a 2-mm. diameter spot size readily cut through skin and muscle without significant bleeding. When vessels more than 1 mm. in diameter were encountered, bleeding usually occurred since the energy caused vaporization of the vessel wall without sealing off the opening. Such bleeding was troublesome in attempting to cut through brain and liver. As soon as a film of blood covered the surgical field the laser energy was absorbed by the blood, preventing deeper penetration. The skull bone could be incised down to a depth of about 3 mm. at which point charring occurred and further penetration was not practical since the deeper layers could not be exposed to the energy by retraction of superficial layers (unlike soft tissue). Healing of canine abdominal skin wound incisions deteriorated during the sixth to tenth day after laser radiation causing wound edge separation. Healing by secondary intention then rapidly ensued. Gross and histologic examination of knife and laser wounds during the first week and during the third through the sixth week failed to reveal significant differences. Use of laser radiation as a “light knife” by the clinical surgeon has some practical hazards which include accidental radiation of unintentional targets. At present, except for some select applications, the disadvantages to the use of laser radiation in surgery outweigh any advantages.
Stakeholder activism through nonviolence

Purpose – This paper seeks to analyze instances of nonviolent strategies adopted by a class of stakeholders – the women of the Niger Delta region.Design/methodology/approach – It analyzes their successes and failures in terms of a set of prerequisite conditions that must be met for such strategies to be effective. These prerequisite conditions must be present in the environment, the agent, and the methodology of nonviolent action, for assurance of efficacy.Findings – The experience of the women of Niger Delta with nonviolent action indicates that it is possible to meet the prerequisite conditions for assurance of efficacy and for formulation of nonviolent strategies to conflict resolution. It is, therefore, determined that nonviolent action offers a viable alternative for persuasion of the multinational oil corporations in the Niger Delta region.Originality/value – This paper would be of value to researchers and practitioners, in the fields of corporate communication, organizational communication, public ...
Percutaneous liver biopsy in children: impact of ultrasonography and spring-loaded biopsy needles.

Background: Percutaneous liver biopsy is a valued tool of pediatric hepatology. Recent advances in technology have incorporated spring-loaded biopsy needles and ultrasonography in percutaneous liver biopsy. Methods: To determine the frequency of complications after liver biopsy and whether variables such as needle selections (Jamshidi, Monopty, or ASAP) and ultrasound guidance could predict complications, medical records were retrospectively reviewed of all patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy during a 7-year period. Available data were collected from 123 patients who had undergone a total of 249 percutaneous liver biopsies. All patients with evidence of mild clotting abnormalities (8.83%) received platelets, cryoprecipitate, or fresh-frozen plasma. Results: There was a 6.83% incidence of overall complications, and a 2.4% incidence of major complications. The mortality rate was 0.4%. Ultrasound localization did not diminish the risk of bleeding during biopsy. There was no significant difference in the change of hematocrit between the aspiration (Jamshidi) and spring-loaded (Monopty) needles. However, in patients less than 5 years of age, the change of hematocrit was significantly higher (P < 0.05) with the 15- or 18-gauge ASAP needle (Microvasive, Quincy, MA, U.S.A.) than with either the Jamshidi (Allegience Healthcare, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.) or Monopty (Bard Technologies, Covington, GA, U.S.A.) needles. Conclusion: Percutaneous liver biopsy is safe, using either aspiration or spring-loaded needles. Ultrasound guidance may not be helpful except in patients who underwent segmental liver transplantation.
Emergent Enterprise Dynamics in Optimal Control Models of the System of Systems Engineering Process

An enter-prise engaged in a dynamic mission involving multiple internal and external stakeholders operates as a complex adaptive system. System of systems engineering in such a context, spanning the entire cycle from research and development, through acquisition, transition to operations, operational use and maintenance, and system retirement, is extraordinarily complex. Here, we apply high-level and simplified optimal control-theoretic models of complex system of systems engineering processes to the acquisition of new capabilities or enterprise transformation. The results suggest guidelines and research directions for planning and managing the system of systems engineering processes of an enterprise. The results also provide quantitative benchmarks against which all kinds of enterprise programs, encompassing acquisition of capabilities and operational use towards a mission, can be compared. Such modeling also could be used to support decision-making on selection of acquisition and management approaches for these extremely complex efforts.
Rock Varnish and its Use to Study Climatic Change in Geomorphic Settings

The dusky brown to black coating of rock varnish dominates bare rock surfaces of many desert landforms (Oberlander, 1994). Thicknesses less than even 0.020 mm (or 20 micrometres, μm) are enough to darken light-colored rock types (Fig. 21.1). The gradual pace of change on many desert landforms permits the slow accretion of rock varnish at rates of a few micrometres per thousand years (Dorn, 1998; Liu and Broecker, 2000). Just about any rock type will accumulate varnish, in so long as rock-surface erosion is slow enough to permit varnish accretion. Rock varnish formation starts when bacteria oxidize and concentrate manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) (Dorn and Oberlander, 1981; Krumbein and Jens, 1981; Palmer et al., 1985; Hungate et al., 1987; Jones, 1991; Drake et al., 1993; Dorn, 1998; Krinsley, 1998). Although random collection of rock varnish reveals an impressive array of dozens of different types of microorganisms and their molecular by-products (Nagy et al., 1991; Dragovich, 1993; Perry et al., 2002; Kuhlman et al., 2005; Kuhlman et al., 2006), the bacteria that actually initiate varnish grow very infrequently (Dorn, 1998). Hence, rock varnish accumulates very slowly. If all of the organisms purported to cause varnish formation (Taylor-George et al., 1983; Eppard et al., 1996; Perry et al., 2003) actually contributed, rates of formation would reach millimetres per thousand years.
Effectiveness of Problem Solving Software in Engineering Conceptual Design

The process of generating the most attractive product concepts in engineering design is still one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. There are several tools for supporting this extremely uncontrollable phase of engineering design. Except for the method, the problem-solving software is the very important tool. One of the most useful methods in teaching and learning, i.e. Brief Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (BTIPS), is discussed in other papers [1], [2], [3] and [4]. This paper is devoted to the software supporting the problem solving process. There is still no software suitable for a completely satisfactory automation of the conceptual design process. However there are some software packages that could be the most helpful in supporting the process and would greatly influence the quality of the final product, especially in cases of contradicting constraints. In this paper some results of the research on the use and effectiveness of Invention Machine (IM™) software products are described. Four packages are discussed and compared: the IM v. 2 for Windows, TechOptimizer v. 3.5, TechOptimizer v. 4.0 and Goldfire v. 6.5. Goldfire v. 6.5 evaluation is still in the process and is not completely finished yet. The first three packages were used in teaching several junior, senior and graduate courses at the University of Connecticut (UConn) for many years. The experience with Goldfire v. 6.5 is comparatively limited. In the research described in this paper the content and the teaching effectiveness of the software packages in teaching were studied. Data from student feedback was evaluated, conclusions were derived. On the basis of this - recommendations for the future use of the software are offered. This paper concentrates on some instrumental software qualities that could be used in teaching of solving problems of industrial products conceptual design. The user’s experience and its connection with the effectiveness of the packages used are discussed in the paper. Conclusions are derived at the end.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The commissioning of all believers: Toward a more holistic model of global discipleship

In the last 150 years, “missions” has become a distinctive specialty often separated from the normal work of the normal church. This article examines that break and how it impacts the way in which the concept of “missions” is being communicated among academics and practitioners. This article will first look at two reasons for the separation: the historical break and the cognitive compartmentalization that results. After examining the damage done by this separation, a new holistic model for understanding the church’s mission will be presented along with the benefits that this model can bring to the church.
A determination of the optimum beam ratio to produce maximum contrast photographic reconstructions from double-exposure holographic interferograms.

The beam ratio (reference beam intensity to object beam intensity) which produces maximum contrast photographic reconstructions from double-exposure holographic interferograms was experimentally determined to be 1.2 ± 0.2.
Toward a Measure of Community Journalism

This article reports the first stage in the development of a multiple-item summated scale to measure the degree to which media outlets aid community. Through a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of scholarship on community and news media, the article develops theoretical constructs of community and community journalism as well as general items for a summated measurement scale. Findings suggest (a) community is a process of negotiating shared symbolic meaning, and (b) degree of structure, or the degree to which facilities, institutions, and spaces are structured for interaction, facilitates the process of negotiation and sharing. In light of this definition of community as process, community news media should (a) facilitate the process of negotiating and making meaning about community and (b) reveal or ensure understanding of community structure. Community media aid this process by both listening and leading and by both encouraging pluralism and offering cohesive, coherent representations of the...
In-house preparation of hydrogels for batch affinity purification of glutathione S-transferase tagged recombinant proteins

Many branches of biomedical research find use for pure recombinant proteins for direct application or to study other molecules and pathways. Glutathione affinity purification is commonly used to isolate and purify glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged fusion proteins from total cellular proteins in lysates. Although GST affinity materials are commercially available as glutathione immobilized on beaded agarose resins, few simple options for in-house production of those systems exist. Herein, we describe a novel method for the purification of GST-tagged recombinant proteins. Glutathione was conjugated to low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) via thiol-ene “click” chemistry. With our in-house prepared PEGDA:glutathione (PEGDA:GSH) homogenates, we were able to purify a glutathione S-transferase (GST) green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein (GST-GFP) from the soluble fraction of E. coli lysate. Further, microspheres were formed from the PEGDA:GSH hydrogels and improved protein binding to a level comparable to purchased GSH-agarose beads. GSH containing polymers might find use as in-house methods of protein purification. They exhibited similar ability to purify GST tagged proteins as purchased GSH agarose beads.
A high-sensitivity alternative to "routine" genetic amniocentesis: multiple urinary analytes, nuchal thickness, and age

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the Down syndrome screening efficiency of a new algorithm consisting of multiple urinary biochemical and ultrasound markers for use in high-risk groups such as women of advanced maternal age. Study Design: The urinary β-core fragment of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-core fragment) and total urinary estriol, along with fetal nuchal thickness, were measured prospectively in pregnant women who were undergoing genetic amniocentesis at midtrimester (15 to 24 weeks). The most common indication for amniocentesis was advanced maternal age (90.2%). An analyte ratio (β-core fragment/total estriol ratio) was developed. The values were expressed as multiples of the normal median. An increase in the observed nuchal thickness (delta nuchal thickness) above that expected on the basis of the biparietal diameter was calculated. On the basis of the mean and standard deviations of the urinary analyte ratio in normal fetuses and also Down syndrome, we calculated individual Down syndrome likelihood ratios for each of the two parameters, using gaussian analysis. The product of the likelihood ratios, based on delta nuchal thickness and urinary β-core fragment–total estriol values times the maternal age–related risk, gave the overall Down syndrome risk. The screening efficiency of our algorithm at various risk thresholds was determined. Results: There were 13 (2.8%) cases of Down syndrome in a total study population of 457. At a risk threshold of >1 in 70, the sensitivity was 92.3% for a false-positive rate of 4.5%. Corresponding values at a risk threshold of >1 in 78 were a sensitivity of 100% with a false-positive rate of 5.2%. Conclusion: By combining urinary analyte, nuchal thickness, and maternal age data, we achieved a high Down syndrome detection rate with a low false-positive rate. This algorithm would be attractive as an alternative to "routine" amniocentesis based solely on advanced maternal age. The potential benefits of this protocol could include a significant reduction in the rate of amniocentesis, along with substantial savings in medical expenditures. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:169-73.)
Updating finite markov chains by using techniques of group matrix inversion

(1980). Updating finite markov chains by using techniques of group matrix inversion. Journal of Statistical Computation and Simulation: Vol. 11, No. 3-4, pp. 163-181.
Rate and resolution scalable subband coding of video

We propose a full colour video compression strategy, based on 3-D subband coding with camera pan compensation, to generate a single, embedded, compressed bit stream supporting multiple decoder display formats and a wide, finely gradated range of bit rates. An experimental implementation of our algorithm produces a single bit stream, from which suitable subsets are extracted to be compatible with many useful decoder frame sizes and frame rates and to satisfy transmission bandwidth constraints ranging from several tens of kilo-bits per second to several mega-bits per second. The reconstructed video quality from any of these bit stream subsets is often found to exceed that obtained from an MPEG-1 implementation, operated with equivalent bit rate constraints, in both perceptual quality and mean squared error. >
An Electrochemically and Thermally Switchable Donor–Acceptor [c2]Daisy Chain Rotaxane

Although motor proteins are essential cellular components that carry out biological processes by converting chemical energy into mechanical motion, their functions have been difficult to mimic in artificial synthetic systems. Daisy chains are a class of rotaxanes which have been targeted to serve as artificial molecular machines because their mechanically interlocked architectures enable them to contract and expand linearly, in a manner that is reminiscent of the sarcomeres of muscle tissue. The scope of external stimuli that can be used to control the musclelike motions of daisy chains remains limited, however, because of the narrow range of supramolecular motifs that have been utilized in their templated synthesis. Reported herein is a cyclic daisy chain dimer based on π-associated donor-acceptor interactions, which can be actuated with either thermal or electrochemical stimuli. Molecular dynamics simulations have shown the daisy chain's mechanism of extension/contraction in the ground state in atomistic detail.
Aortic stenosis: even mild disease is significant.

See doi:10.1016/j.ehj.2003.12.002for the article to which this editorial refers The spectrum of calcific aortic valve disease ranges from aortic sclerosis, without obstruction to ventricular outflow, to severe aortic stenosis. The natural history of symptomatic and asymptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis has been evaluated by Doppler echocardiography in several retrospective and prospective studies. In addition, there is substantial data on the rate of haemodynamic progression of aortic stenosis of all degrees of severity. However, there is much less data on clinical outcomes in adults with asymptomatic mild-moderate stenosis.1–3Knowledge of the expected outcomes with mild aortic valve disease is especially important given that aortic sclerosis is present in about 25% of adults over age 65 years and progression to aortic stenosis occurs within 7 years in 16% of patients with aortic sclerosis.4 In this issue of the European Heart Journal, Rosenhek and colleagues5provide an important contribution to our understanding of the natural history of mild to moderate aortic stenosis This consecutive cohort of 176 initially asymptomatic adults was identified over a 1-year period, with detailed clinical outcomes ascertained over anaverage of 4 years. Although earlier studies based on patient groups identified at catheterization suggested a relatively benign prognosis, the findings in the current study extend the observations from the Seattle aortic stenosis study that both adverse clinical outcomes and progression to severe aortic stenosis occur at a very high rate in adults with mild-moderate aortic stenosis (Table 1). About 50% of these patients with mild to moderate stenosis at baseline had progressive valve calcification leading to haemodynamically severe aortic … *Correspondence to: Catherine M. Otto, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Cardiology Fellowship Training Programs, Division of Cardiology, Box 356422, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Tel: +1 206-685-1397; Fax: +1 206-616-4847 E-mail address: cmotto{at}u.washington.edu
Effect of Practice Order on the Efficiency of Bilateral Skill Acquisition

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate whether practice order influenced the efficiency of a simple motor skill performed to a criterion employing the preferred and nonpreferred hand. Sixty undergraduate volunteer students served as subjects for this experiment. The apparatus used in this study was a Lafayette model 30014 photoelectric rotary pursuit. The circle template was employed with speed of rotation set at 20 rpms. Subjects were given 20-sec trials and required to reach a criterion performance 70% of the time on target with both hands. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four practice groups: preferred serial, nonpreferred serial, preferred sequence, and nonpreferred sequence. Subjects' performance score was the number of trials required to reach the criterion performance for both hands. Two-way analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of order of practice on right, left, and total performance. Results indicated that for preferred and nonpreferred hands, order of p...
Multi-granularity resource reservations

Resource reservation has been recently supported by many real-time operating systems to provide applications with guaranteed and timely access to system resources. Typically, reservations are based on the worst-case requirements, and therefore can inflate resource demands unnecessarily. Many multimedia applications such as MPEG video streams (1) have high worst-case to average-case demand ratio and (2) can tolerate some deadline misses. To support such applications, we propose a "multi-granularity" reservation model. Instead of the classical {C, T, D} model of resource reservation, the multi-granular reserve specification is given by {{C,T,D},...,{Cx, epsixTi},...,{Cy, epsiyT i}} which represents a guarantee of the highest-granularity reserve for C units of resource during every successive periodic interval of T only as long as the resource usage by each of its low-granularity reserves (e.g., Cx units of resource in every recurring time of epsixTi, epsix isin Z+) is maintained. This multi-granular reservation approach delivers higher system utilization than the pessimistic strategy of worst-case reservation and better temporal isolation than other stochastic and heuristic guarantees in the literature. We perform a detailed schedulability analysis of this model using deadline-monotonic scheduling and derive an appropriate admission control test. We also present detailed analyses and simulation results comparing our reservation scheme for MPEG-4 streams with average-case resource reservation, constant bandwidth server (CBS), and (m, k)-firm guarantee
On the Trade-Off Between Control Rate and Congestion in Single Server Systems

The goal of this paper is to characterize the tradeoff between the rate of control and network congestion for flow control policies. We consider a simple model of a single server queue with congestion-based flow control. The input rate at any instant is decided by a flow control policy, based on the queue occupancy. We identify a simple 'two threshold' control policy, which achieves the best possible congestion probability, for any rate of control. We show that in the absence of control channel errors, the control rate needed to ensure the optimal decay exponent for the congestion probability can be made arbitrarily small. However, if control channel errors occur probabilistically, we show the existence of a critical error probability threshold beyond which the congestion probability undergoes a drastic increase due to the frequent loss of control packets. Finally, we determine the optimal amount of error protection to apply to the control signals by using a simple bandwidth sharing model.
The Yeast Mcm1 Protein Is Regulated Posttranscriptionally by the Flux of Glycolysis

Mcm1 is a multifunctional protein which plays a role both in the initiation of DNA replication and in the transcriptional regulation of diverse genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The mcm1-1 mutation results in instability of minichromosomes and alpha-specific sterility. Second-site suppressors that restore minichromosome stability but not fertility to the mcm1-1 mutant were isolated. Two of the suppressors, pgm1-1 and pgm1-2, are mutant alleles of PGM1 which encodes a glycolytic enzyme, phosphoglycerate mutase. We show that the pgm1-1 mutation suppresses the minichromosome maintenance (Mcm) defect by increasing the protein activity or level of Mcm1-1 posttranscriptionally. This increase in the intracellular Mcm1-1 activity is sufficient to suppress the Mcm defect but only minimally suppresses the mating defect. Mutations in genes encoding other glycolytic enzymes, such as eno2::URA3, can also suppress the Mcm phenotype of mcm1-1. Suppression by these glycolytic enzyme mutations correlates with a reduced rate of glycolysis rather than a reduced rate of cell growth. This study suggests that in response to changes in their nutritional states yeast cells may attain homeostasis by modulating the activity of global regulators like Mcm1, which plays a central role in the regulation of energy-expensive anabolic processes.
Janus nanoparticle dimers and chains viapolymer single crystals

We report a novel method to synthesize functional Janus nanoparticles using a polymer single crystal templating method. These functionalized Janus nanoparticles can be used to fabricate homo- and hetero-nanoparticle dimers and chains, which are useful for applications including surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, cell imaging and nanoelectronic devices.
MEASUREMENT OF CONCURRENT SELECTION EPISODES

Current methods for measuring selection with longitudinal data have been developed with the assumption that episodes of selection are sequential. However, a number of empirical examinations have demonstrated that natural and sexual selection may act concurrently and in opposing directions. Other recent work has highlighted the difficulty of assigning fitness values for survival when reproduction and mortality within a population temporally overlap. I treat these as facets of a single problem; how to analyze selection where mortality and reproduction are concurrent. To address this problem, I formalize a method to estimate total fitness of individuals over a period of time utilizing longitudinal data. I then show how the fitness may be partitioned to provide two separate estimates of fitness for reproductive opportunity and reproductive success. In addition, another total fitness estimate for the period can be obtained from the two partitioned estimates. This procedure will allow calculation of total fitness where there are some missing datapoints for reproductive success of an individual. A simulation indicates that bias is generally low for the various fitness estimates. These methods should expand our ability to understand the interaction of different selection episodes.
Possible ameliorating effects of erythroblastosis by promethazine hydrochloride.

Abstract Promethazine hydrochloride has been studied in animals in the laboratory and found to be an immunosuppressive drug. Its use during pregnancies affected by erythroblastosis is reported here. It has not been possible, with this small series of patients, to prove unequivocally its effectiveness in ameliorating the effects of this disease. However, it is believed that in some individual cases beneficial results have occurred at the dosage used. The probable mechanisms of action of this drug in vivo, is the metabolic suppression of the fetal reticuloendothelial system cells.
The defining pathology of the new clinical and histopathologic entity ACTA2-related cerebrovascular disease

Smooth muscle cell contraction is an essential function of arteries and relies on the integrity of the actin-myosin apparatus. The tissue-specific α2-smooth muscle actin, encoded by ACTA2, is predominantly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells. ACTA2 mutations predispose to development of aortic aneurysms and early onset coronary and cerebrovascular disease. Based on arteriographic findings, a distinct cerebrovascular disease has been proposed for ACTA2 heterozygous patients carrying the R179H mutation. We present the first integrated analysis of a severely compromised patient with the R179H mutation and define the arterial pathology of ACTA2-related cerebrovascular disease. Histologically, striking morphological abnormalities were present in cerebral arteries of all sizes. Massive intimal smooth muscle cell proliferation, fragmentation of the elastic laminae and medial fibromuscular proliferation characterized large arteries whereas prominent vessel wall thickening, fibrosis and smooth muscle cell proliferation were unique changes in small arteries. The medial fibrosis and smooth muscle cell proliferation explain the characteristic radiologic appearance of “straight arteries” and suggest impaired function of mutant smooth muscle cells. Actin three-dimensional molecular modeling revealed critical positioning of R179 at the interface between the two strands of filamentous actin and destabilization of inter-strand bundling by the R179H mutation, explaining the severe associated phenotype. In conclusion, these characteristic clinical and pathologic findings confirm ACTA2-related cerebrovascular disease as a new cerebrovascular disorder for which new therapeutic strategies need to be designed.
Uteroplacental Circulation and Maternal/Fetal Health

The striking increase of uterine blood flow in pregnancy is essential both for optimal growth and survival of the fetus, as well as for cardiovascular well-being of the mother. Maladaptation of the uteroplacental circulation during pregnancy is associated with high incidence of clinical complications including preeclampsia and fetal intrauterine growth restriction. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of regulatory mechanisms of uteroplacental vascular adaptation in pregnancy has long been sought, but has not been achieved. Interactions between the mother and fetus via the placenta during gestation are sophisticated and complex, which determine the optimal growth and health of the fetus. Pregnancy complications and fetal growth restriction occur when things go wrong in the uteroplacental circulation. One of the most provocative recent findings in modern medicine is that uteroplacental insufficiency and perinatal stress not only significantly increase maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates, but also have long-term adverse effects on adult health, predisposing to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases later in life. Multiple factors may be involved in determining maternal/fetal health and developmental programming of health and disease but the function of uteroplacental circulation is the center of all. This hot-topic issue provides broad and up-to-date information and recent advancement of our knowledge in physiology and pathophysiology of the uteroplacental circulation and the development of fetal cerebral, coronary and pulmonary vasculatures. Each Chapter is written by leading experts in the field, providing the highest academic level for readers including basic, clinical, and translational scientists, pediatricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and physiologists.
A regression method to estimate bindng potential when all data are not available from the moment of injection

154 Objectives Conventional rearrangements of the SRTM model lead to regressors that are integrals from t = 0 to utilize the 0 initial conditions, but the equations are also valid for each frame of data. Using this fact, and treating integrals from each frame as trapezoid sums leads to the regression equations C(t2) -C(t1) = R1{CREF(t2)-CREF(t1) +k29[(CREF(t2)+CREF(t1)]Δt/2} - k2a[C(t2)+C(t1)]Δt/2 + e on each frame, with estimated BPND = R1k29/k2a - 1. Δt is the frame duration t2 - t1. This allows the potential to start the regression at initial times > 0. Methods We applied this method to 10 randomly chosen, previously acquired data sets from each of 3 different tracers including [11C]DASB and [11C]PHNO in humans and [11C]ABP688 in nonhuman primates, and compared estimated BPND from progressively later starting times to BPND estimated from full datasets using basis function SRTM (BF SRTM). We examined putamen, a high binding region for all 3 tracers, and lower binding regions for [11C]DASB (medial temporal cortex) and [11C]PHNO (midbrain). Results BPND was highly correlated with BF SRTM. Estimates were similar to BF SRTM when all data were used, and remained similar for several later starting times, after which estimates became unreliable. These starting time limits varied across tracers (Figure 1). BPND estimates and latest possible starting times were more robust in the high binding regions than the low binding regions. Conclusions This method provides an alternative approach for reference tissue-based BPND measurement that may not require the first several minutes of data after injection. It also may provide a fast method for parametric BPND maps that does not require an assumed basis set.
A Field Meeting of Pathologists

The writer was invited to represent the New York Botanical Garden at a meeting of plant pathologists and Connecticut farm bureau agents, held during the week beginning August I8 at New Haven, Storrs, and elsewhere, for the discussion of some of the most important problems now confronting the Connecticut farmers, fruit growers, and truck gardeners. About twenty botanists, mostly from New England and New York, were present; while several hundred other persons were in attendance at special meetings. The evenings were devoted to brief papers and discussions; the mornings and afternoons to automobile tours through the plantations between New Haven, Hartford, and Storrs. A distance of three hundred miles was covered in these tours, during which time the weather was most delightful. The meeting on Monday evening at the Graduates Club of New Haven, presided over by Dr. E. H. Jenkins, was devoted to a variety of general subjects, such as "Plant Pathology and the College Course," "Closer Relations between France and America," "Entomology and Pathology," "Tropical Forestry," "The Botanical Garden and the Pathologist," and "Reminiscences of Dr. Farlow."
Elucidating the Mechanism of Silica Nanoparticle PEGylation Processes Using Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopies

Surface modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG; PEGylation) is a widely used technique to improve nanoparticle (NP) stability, biocompatibility, and biodistribution profiles. In particular, PEGylation of silica surfaces and coatings plays a pivotal role across various classes of NPs. Despite the use of numerous protocols there is limited fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of these processes for NPs. Here, after reaction optimization for particle stability, we employ fluorescence correlation and cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCS, FCCS) on ultrasmall (<10 nm) fluorescent silica nanoparticles (SNPs) in water as a test bed. We show unexpected fast reaction kinetics in successful PEGylation observed even at nanomolar concentrations and attributed this to instant noncovalent adsorption of PEG molecules to the SNP surface preceding covalent attachment. Further studies of various reaction conditions enable the elucidation of process design criteria for NP PEGylation and surface modification with fu...
GENO-26IDENTIFICATION OF GENOMIC LESIONS ENRICHED IN LUNG CANCER BRAIN METASTASES

BACKGROUND: The incidence of central nervous system metastasis from primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has steadily increased despite the introduction of more effective targeted therapies. Current standard-of-care treatment modalities for CNS metastases include microsurgical resection, stereotactic radiosurgery, and whole-brain radiation therapy, either alone or in combination. There are currently FDA-approved drugs with indications for metastatic lung cancer, however, they have limited effectiveness against brain metastases. Clearly, there is a dire need to identify biomarkers permitting earlier and accurate diagnosis of CNS metastases. METHODS: DNA isolated from 27 fresh-frozen NSCLC metastatic brain tumors (MBTs), including both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma subtypes, was quantified and analyzed by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) using Agilent SurePrint arrays (G3 ISCA CGH + SNP 180K) and commercially-available, genetically-normal female or male DNA standard. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using Agilent Cytogenomics software. Data were filtered against the Cancer Gene Census (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) to identify genes with well-characterized roles in cancer. RESULTS: From our genomic copy number aberration (CNA) data analysis tailored to uncover recurring gene aberrations in NSCLC MBTs, we identified SOX2, PIKC3A, MYC, and CCDN1 amplifications in 22%, 19%, 15% and 15% of MBT specimens, respectively. Of these, targeted therapeutics have been developed for PIKC3A (dactolisib, SF1126, and PX-866) and CCDN1 (daunorubicin and gemtuzumab). CONCLUSIONS: These genes are known drivers of cancer cell phenotypes and are targets of new drug development and warrant further study to determine their suitability as biomarkers for advancing treatment strategies for brain metastases in NSCLC patients.
Atypical facial pain in multiple sclerosis caused by spinal cord seizures: a case report and review of the literature

Background Pain is a very commonly reported symptom and often drives patients to seek medical attention; however, it can prove a very difficult diagnostic conundrum and even more challenging to treat effectively. Accurately determining the primary pain generator is key, as certain conditions have efficacious medical and surgical treatments. We present a rare case of a man with multiple sclerosis presenting with spinal cord seizures causing dermatomal pain. While pain has been reported in the context of motor symptoms attributed to spinal cord seizures in a small number of spinal cord conditions, this case represents the first report of pain exclusively associated with spinal cord demyelination in multiple sclerosis.
Resilience analytics in systems engineering with application to aviation biofuels

The resilience of systems is a topic of increasing interest for systems engineers. Across systems, stakeholder perspectives, and application domains, there is opportunity for resilience analytics that is broadly applicable. This paper introduces an important facet of resilience analytics that is concerned with disruption of priorities and changeable stakeholder requirements. In particular, resilience analytics in this paper addresses the evolution of stakeholder preferences under scenarios of technological, economic, environmental, regulatory, and other stressors. Updating of the problem frames is described to improve the objectivity of risk assessments and adapt strategic priorities as new information becomes available over time. Resilience analytics is demonstrated in a case study of supply chains for aviation biofuel. The case study provides transferable lessons for updating of systems engineering strategic plans for an innovative technology.
ASSOCIATION OF ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO NORMALIZING PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CLEARANCE WITH MORTALITY AND TECHNIQUE FAILURE: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS USING THE UNITED STATES RENAL DATA SYSTEM-DIALYSIS MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY STUDY, WAVE 2

♦ BACKGROUND: Total body water (V) is an imprecise metric for normalization of dialytic urea clearance (Kt). This poses a risk of early mortality/technique failure (TF). We examined differences in the distribution of peritoneal Kt/V when V was calculated with actual weight (AW), ideal weight (IW), and adjusted weight (ADW). We also examined the associations of these Kt/V measurements, Kt/body surface area (BSA), and non-normalized Kt with mortality and TF. ♦ METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 534 incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients from the Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave 2 linked with United States Renal Data System through 2010. Using Cox-proportional hazard models, we examined the relationship of several normalization strategies for peritoneal urea clearance, including Kt/VAW, Kt/VIW, Kt/VADW, Kt/BSA, and non-normalized Kt, with the outcomes of mortality and TF. Harrell's c-statistics were used to assess the relative predictive ability of clearance metrics for mortality and TF. The distributions of Kt/VAW, KT/VIW, and KT/VADW were compared within and between body mass index (BMI) strata. ♦ RESULTS: Median patient age: 59 (54% male; 72% white; 91% continuous ambulatory PD [CAPD]). Median 24-hour urine volume: 700 mL; median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at initiation: 7.15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Technique failure and transplant-censored mortality at 5 years: 37%. Death and transplant-censored TF at 5 years: 60%. There were no significant differences in initial eGFR and 24-hour urine volume across BMI strata. There were statistically significant differences in each Kt/V calculation within the underweight, overweight, and obese strata. After adjustment, there were no significant differences in the hazard ratios (HRs) for TF/mortality for each clearance calculation. Harrell's c-statistics for mortality for each clearance calculation were 0.78, and for TF, 0.60 - 0.61. ♦ CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal urea clearances are sensitive to subtle changes in the estimation of V. However, there were no detectable significant associations of Kt/VAW, Kt/VIW, Kt/VADW, Kt/BSA, or Kt with TF or mortality.
A Predictive Model for Medical Events Based on Contextual Embedding of Temporal Sequences

Background: Medical concepts are inherently ambiguous and error-prone due to human fallibility, which makes it hard for them to be fully used by classical machine learning methods (eg, for tasks like early stage disease prediction). Objective: Our work was to create a new machine-friendly representation that resembles the semantics of medical concepts. We then developed a sequential predictive model for medical events based on this new representation. Methods: We developed novel contextual embedding techniques to combine different medical events (eg, diagnoses, prescriptions, and labs tests). Each medical event is converted into a numerical vector that resembles its “semantics,” via which the similarity between medical events can be easily measured. We developed simple and effective predictive models based on these vectors to predict novel diagnoses. Results: We evaluated our sequential prediction model (and standard learning methods) in estimating the risk of potential diseases based on our contextual embedding representation. Our model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.79 on chronic systolic heart failure and an average AUC of 0.67 (over the 80 most common diagnoses) using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) dataset. Conclusions: We propose a general early prognosis predictor for 80 different diagnoses. Our method computes numeric representation for each medical event to uncover the potential meaning of those events. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method, which will benefit patients and physicians by offering more accurate diagnosis. [JMIR Med Inform 2016;4(4):e39]
Differential release of manure-borne bioactive phosphorus forms to runoff and leachate under simulated rain.

Abstract Limited information exists on the unhindered release of bioactive phosphorus (P) from a manure layer to model the partitioning and transport of component P forms before they reach an underlying soil. Rain simulations were conducted to quantify effects of intensity (30, 60, and 90 mm h −1 ) on P release from an application of 60 Mg ha −1 of dairy manure. Runoff contained water-extractable- (WEP), exchangeable and enzyme-labile bioactive P (TBIOP), in contrast to the operationally defined “dissolved-reactive P” form. The released P concentrations and flow-weighed mass loads were described by the log-normal probability density function. At a reference condition of 30 mm h −1 and maintaining the surface at a 5% incline, runoff was minimal, and WEP accounted for 20.9% of leached total P (TP) concentrations, with an additional 25–30% as exchangeable and enzyme-labile bioactive P over the 1-h simulation. On a 20% incline, increased intensity accelerated occurrence of concentration max and shifted the skewed P concentration distribution more to the left. Differences in trends of WEP, TBIOP, or net enzyme-labile P (PHP o ) cumulative mass released per unit mass of manure between intensities were attributable to the higher frequency of raindrops striking the manure layer, thus increasing detachment and load of colloidal PHP o of the water phases. Thus, detailed knowledge of manure physical characteristics, bioactive P distribution in relation to rain intensity, and attainment of steady-state of water fluxes were critical factors in improved prediction of partitioning and movement of manure-borne P under rainfall.