cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of Three Noncontiguous Regions on Bacillus anthracis Plasmid pXO1 That Are Important for Its Maintenance

Bacillus anthracis pXO1 minireplicon (MR) plasmid consisting of open reading frames (ORFs) GBAA_pXO1_0020 to GBAA_pXO1_0023 is not stably maintained in B. anthracis, whereas the full-size parent pXO1 plasmid (having 181,677 bp and 217 ORFs) is extremely stable under the same growth conditions. Two genetic tools developed for DNA manipulation in B. anthracis (Cre-loxP and Flp-FRT systems) were used to identify pXO1 regions important for plasmid stability. We localized a large segment of pXO1 that enables stable plasmid maintenance during vegetative growth. Further genetic analysis identified three genes that are necessary for pXO1 maintenance: amsP (GBAA_pXO1_0069), minP (GBAA_pXO1_0082), and sojP (GBAA_pXO1_0084). Analysis of conserved domains in the corresponding proteins indicated that only AmsP (activator of maintenance system of pXO1) is predicted to bind DNA, due to its strong helix-turn-helix domain. Two conserved domains were found in the MinP protein (Min protein from pXO1): an N-terminal domain having some similarity to the B. anthracis septum site-determining protein MinD and a C-terminal domain that resembles a baculovirus single-stranded-DNA-binding protein. The SojP protein (Soj from pXO1) contains putative Walker box motifs and belongs to the ParA family of ATPases. No sequences encoding other components of type I plasmid partition systems, namely, cis-acting centromere parS and its binding ParB protein, were identified within the pXO1 genome. A model describing the role of the MinP protein in pXO1 distribution between daughter cells is proposed.
The Spatial Variability of Urban Land Surface Temperature

Urban land surface temperatures (LST) are often correlated with thematic land use and land cover (LULC) data in order to understand its spatial variability. This study aimed to analyze the spatial pattern of LST in the City of Indianapolis, the United States by using sub-pixel biophysical variables extracted from a spectral mixture analysis (SMA). A Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus image of the study area, acquired on June 22, 2002, was spectrally unmixed into four fraction endmembers, namely green vegetation, soil, high and low albedo. Impervious surface was then computed based on the high and low albedo images. A hybrid classification procedure was developed to classify the fraction images into seven land use and land cover classes. Next, pixel-based LST measurements were related to urban surface biophysical descriptors. Correlation analyses were conducted to investigate land cover based relationships between LST and impervious surface and green vegetation fractions for an analysis of the causes of LST variations. Results indicate that fraction images derived from SMA were effective for quantifying the urban morphology and for providing reliable measurements of biophysical variables such as vegetation abundance, soil, and impervious surface. An examination of LST variations within census block groups and their relationships with the compositions of LULC types, biophysical descriptors, and other relevant spatial data shows that LST possessed a weaker relation with the LULC compositions than with other variables (including urban biophysical descriptors, remote sensing biophysical variables, GIS-based impervious surface variables, and population density).
The software development laboratory: incorporating industrial practice in an academic environment

Team-based project courses are commonly used to provide students with an opportunity to apply concepts of software engineering practice and process to realistic development efforts. However, these projects may be limited in duration due to curricular constraints or lacking in continuity because of turnover in student teams. Previous reports have suggested a number of ways that these problems can be mitigated. The paper describes experience with an implementation of an old idea, that of a software development laboratory in which student teams work for extended periods on large-scale, ongoing projects in the context of a standardized and evolving development process.
Female swordtails, Xiphophorus continens, prefer the scent of heterospecific males

Xiphophorus continens is one of two northern swordtail species that has only small, noncourting, sneaker males. In this study we discovered that female X. continens were strongly attracted to the scent of courting males of their close relative X. montezumae and that they preferred the odour of those males to the scent of conspecific males. The heterospecific attraction is asymmetric; female X. montezumae were not attracted to the scent of X. continens. These results suggest that the olfactory cue is in fact multicomponent, transmitting information about both the species identification (conspecific versus not a conspecific) and sexual status (sneaker male versus courting male) of the sender. These two ‘bits’ of information can interact in either a mutually reinforcing or an antagonist manner depending upon the choice being offered. Xiphophorus montezumae females choosing between X. montezumae/X. continens males are faced with mutually reinforcing cue components: ‘conspecific þ courting male’ versus ‘not a conspecific þ sneaker male’. Xiphophorus continens females making the same choice, however, are faced with conflicting cue components: ‘conspecific þ sneaker male’ versus ‘not a conspecific þ courting male’. We suggest that the strength of attraction to the conspecific based upon olfactory cues in these fishes represents the complex outcome of the female’s attraction to the different components in the male-based cue.
Ezetimibe for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: assessment by novel magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance elastography in a randomized trial (MOZART trial).

Ezetimibe inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption and lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Uncontrolled studies have suggested that it reduces liver fat as estimated by ultrasound in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Therefore, we aimed to examine the efficacy of ezetimibe versus placebo in reducing liver fat by the magnetic resonance imaging-derived proton density-fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) and liver histology in patients with biopsy-proven NASH. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 50 patients with biopsy-proven NASH were randomized to either ezetimibe 10 mg orally daily or placebo for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in liver fat as measured by MRI-PDFF in colocalized regions of interest within each of the nine liver segments. Novel assessment by two-dimensional and three-dimensional magnetic resonance elastography was also performed. Ezetimibe was not significantly better than placebo at reducing liver fat as measured by MRI-PDFF (mean difference between the ezetimibe and placebo arms -1.3%, P = 0.4). Compared to baseline, however, end-of-treatment MRI-PDFF was significantly lower in the ezetimibe arm (15%-11.6%, P < 0.016) but not in the placebo arm (18.5%-16.4%, P = 0.15). There were no significant differences in histologic response rates, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, or longitudinal changes in two-dimensional and three-dimensional magnetic resonance elastography-derived liver stiffness between the ezetimibe and placebo arms. Compared to histologic nonresponders (25/35), histologic responders (10/35) had a significantly greater reduction in MRI-PDFF (-4.35 ± 4.9% versus -0.30 ± 4.1%, P < 0.019). Conclusions: Ezetimibe did not significantly reduce liver fat in NASH. This trial demonstrates the application of colocalization of MRI-PDFF-derived fat maps and magnetic resonance elastography-derived stiffness maps of the liver before and after treatment to noninvasively assess treatment response in NASH. (Hepatology 2015;61:1239–1250)
An Alternative Synthesis of [Pd2Cl2(μ-dmpm)2]

A new, high yield synthesis of [Pd2Cl2(m-dmpm)2] (dmpm = bis(dimethylphosphino)methane), which avoids the use of the ill-defined, polymeric substance [PdCl(CO)]n as a starting material, is described. The procedure involves ligand metathesis of [Pd2Cl2(m-dppm)2] (dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino) methane) with dmpm using a solvent in which both [Pd2Cl2(m-dppm)2] and [Pd2Cl2(m-dmpm)2] are only sparingly soluble. Yields of > 98% are routinely obtained.
Insulin Resistance and the Pathogenesis of Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a complex metabolic disorder of heterogeneous etiology (1–4). There is clearly a strong hereditary component to the disease, but the exact genetic abnormalities are likely to differ among different population groups (1,5). In addition, NIDDM is likely to be multigenic, in that more than one discrete gene defect needs to complement before the NIDDM phenotype manifests. Thus, from a genetic point of view, NIDDM is heterogeneous and polygenic making identification of “diabetes” genes particularly difficult. Numerous biochemical abnormalities have been identified in NIDDM and the relative contribution of different physiologic or cellular defects differs among different patient groups (6,7). Regardless of the exact pathophysiologic sequence in a particular patient, once full blown fasting hyperglycemia develops, a characteristic set of metabolic derangements can be identified in the great majority of NIDDM patients (Fig. 1). This consists of abnormalities at the level of the pancreatic islets, the liver, and peripheral insulin target tissues which, taken together, represent a final common metabolic pathway for the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia (1,8).
The right brain hypothesis for obesity.

THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY CONTINUES TO INcrease exponentially worldwide. In the United States, where the majority of the adult population is at least overweight, this condition accounts for an economic burden in billions of dollars per year. Despite increased awareness and determined efforts, the epidemic remains uncontrolled and constitutes a global public health problem. Moreover, the current state of knowledge may not include critical aspects of the etiology of obesity.
SOLENOPSIS ROSELLA KENNEDY, A NEW ANT FROM SOUTHERN ONTARIO

While on an ant-collecting trip to Pelee Point, Ontario, August 6, 1931, with Dr. Mary Talbot, Miss Mable Schramm and Prof. Merle G. McFadden, the writer found a queen (Coll. No. 526), the first specimen of this new Solenopsis. The striking rose pink color of the gaster was a shade of red we had not found before in any of the ants of this region.
Perspective---Open to Negotiation: Phenomenological Assumptions and Knowledge Dissemination

Phenomenological assumptions---assumptions about the fundamental qualities of the phenomenon being studied and how it relates to the environment in which it occurs---affect the dissemination of knowledge from subfields to the broader field of study. Micro-process research in organizational studies rests on implicit phenomenological assumptions that vary in the extent to which micro-processes are viewed as parts of larger systems. We suggest that phenomenological assumptions linking micro-processes to organizational contexts highlight the relevance of micro-process research findings to broader organizational questions and therefore increase the likelihood that the findings will disseminate to the larger field of organizational research. We test this assertion by analyzing studies of negotiation published in top peer-reviewed management, psychology, sociology, and industrial relations journals from 1990 to 2005. Our findings reveal a continuum of open systems to closed systems phenomenological assumptions in negotiation research. Analysis of the citation rates of the articles in our data set by non-negotiation organizational research indicates that more open systems assumptions increase the likelihood that a negotiation article will be cited in organizational studies, after controlling for other, previously identified effects on citation rates. Our findings suggest that subfields can increase the impact they have on the broader intellectual discourse by situating their phenomena in rich contexts that illuminate the connections between their findings and questions of interest to the broader field.
STUDIES IN THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PEOSTATE GLAND

I. Radium Emanation to the Testes of Rats; Effect on Testes and Prostates. This study was undertaken for the purpose of determining (1) the effect of radium emanation on the germinal epithelium and interstitial tissue of the testes and (2) the secondary changes which might occur in the prostates and seminal vesicles. Method. Healthy adult male rats were chosen. The gold seed containing the radium emanation was inserted aseptically into the scrotum about midway between the testes, and the animals were sacrificed after a specified period of time. Results. Data for body weight and organ weights on 14 animals so treated are given in Table 1, wherein the animals were sacrificed after gradually increasing intervals of time. It is noted that the maximal destructive effect on the testes was not reached until 38 days and that the prostates did not show a similar decrease in weight.
Mercaptans as promoters and modifiers in emulsion copolymerization of butadiene and styrene using potassium persulfate as catalyst. II. Mercaptans as modifiers

The rate of emulsion copolymerization of butadiene and styrene, with soap as emulsifier and potassium persulfate as catalyst, is extremely small at 50°C. The presence of very small amounts of high-molecular mercaptans promotes the copolymerization reaction. The promoting effect is at a maximum for primary, secondary, and tertiary dodecyl mercaptans and decreases for mercaptans of either higher or lower molecular weight. The promoting effect is independent within wide limits of the amount of mercaptan added after the minimum quantity has been exceeded. Mercaptans which are poor promoters may be so because they fail to bring about chain initiation or because they aid in chain termination. The low-molecular mercaptans which are poor promoters prevent the high-molecular mercaptans from exerting their good promoting effect when a mixture of both types of mercaptans is used. The mechanism of the promoting effect of mercaptans upon the emulsion copolymerization of butadiene (75 parts) and styrene (25 parts) or upon the polymerization of butadiene alone is not yet clear.
Diffusion in κ-carrageenan gel beads

Using a well-mixed and temperature-led vessel, the diffusion characteristics of various solutes into spherical κ-carrageenan gel beads were experimentally investigated. The diffusion coefficient of glucose was markedly affected by the glucose concentration and the operating temperature. In all cases the diffusivity obtained was noticeably smaller than that of glucose in pure water. The experimental data also indicated an inverse relationship between the diffusivity and the polymer concentration used in the gel preparation. As well, the glucose diffusivity was affected by the presence of other solutes in the glucose solution. Electrolytes such as ammonium sulfate, KCl, and CaCl2 were observed to enhance the diffusion coefficient. On the other hand, the addition of arginine or bovine serum albumin had an adverse effect on the diffusivity. No diffusion of albumin into the gel beads was observed, and such a solute created a significant mass transfer resistance during the diffusion process.
N-acetylcysteine protects melanocytes against oxidative stress/damage and delays onset of ultraviolet-induced melanoma in mice.

Purpose: UV radiation is the major environmental risk factor for melanoma and a potent inducer of oxidative stress, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of several malignancies. We evaluated whether the thiol antioxidant N -acetylcysteine (NAC) could protect melanocytes from UV-induced oxidative stress/damage in vitro and from UV-induced melanoma in vivo . Experimental Design: In vitro experiments used the mouse melanocyte line melan-a. For in vivo experiments, mice transgenic for hepatocyte growth factor and survivin, shown previously to develop melanoma following a single neonatal dose of UV irradiation, were given NAC (7 mg/mL; mother9s drinking water) transplacentally and through nursing until 2 weeks after birth. Results: NAC (1-10 mmol/L) protected melan-a cells from several UV-induced oxidative sequelae, including production of intracellular peroxide, formation of the signature oxidative DNA lesion 8-oxoguanine, and depletion of free reduced thiols (primarily glutathione). Delivery of NAC reduced thiol depletion and blocked formation of 8-oxoguanine in mouse skin following neonatal UV treatment. Mean onset of UV-induced melanocytic tumors was significantly delayed in NAC-treated compared with control mice (21 versus 14 weeks; P = 0.0003). Conclusions: Our data highlight the potential importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of melanoma and suggest that NAC may be useful as a chemopreventive agent.
The Nutella Project: An Education Initiative to Suggest Tourism as a Means to Peace between the United States and Afghanistan

How different the world would be had countries not reopened their borders to welcome tourists after conflict, thus providing opportunities for travelers to learn, understand, and overcome potential stereotypes and negative perceptions of a country’s residents and environment. This study reveals preliminary results of an education initiative focused on understanding, addressing, and overcoming negative perceptions, with the possibility of creating interest in, and opportunities for, a revitalization of tourism in Afghanistan. The study offers contact theory as a way to present organic images of a place to help create perceptions of destinations that are more accurate than induced images. Results revealed that contact theory, through intergroup dialogue between residents of two countries with noted historic conflict, provided the means for reducing cultural ambiguity and overcoming stereotypes. The findings offer implications for both the tourism and education sectors and suggest that intergroup dialogue ma...
Abstract 337: VE-Cadherin Mechanotransduction Regulates Lung Endothelial Contractility and Barrier Integrity

Dysfunctional regulation of endothelial adherens junctions is the direct underlying cause of vascular leak and pulmonary edema in acute lung injury. Indirect evidence suggests that cytoskeletal rearrangements are linked to adherens junction remodeling, but there is no clear demonstration that adherens junction proteins play an active role in the regulation of intracellular or extracellular mechanical tension. Here I investigate mechanotransduction (response to applied force) of VE-cadherin, the main structural protein at adherens junctions, and how this regulates global cell contractility and actin remodeling both locally and globally. Mechanical responses in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells were studied using magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC) experiments, in which shear stress was exerted on specific cell surface receptors by twisting magnetized beads bound to the cell surface. Remodeling of adherens junctions and F-actin in response to mechanical force was visualized by immunofluorescence. Confocal microscopy revealed force-actuated changes in both local and global cytoskeletal organization, as well as local rearrangements at both bead-cell and cell-cell junctions. This force-dependent remodeling correlated directly with the stiffening of VE-cadherin junctions with increasing applied stress. Treatment with cytoskeletal inhibitors significantly diminished this response. When a constant magnitude of shear stress was applied continuously over time, VE-cadherin junctions increased stiffness, suggesting active junction reinforcement. These data provide direct evidence that VE-cadherin complexes are tension sensors, and that associated mechanotransduction regulates global cell mechanics. Moreover, I present data showing that cadherin adhesions across the cell monolayer form a mechanically coupled network that regulates the endothelial barrier in response to force. This suggests a new mechanism regulating endothelial monolayer integrity.
Leading Efforts to Increase Organ Donation Through Professionalization of Organ Procurement Organizations and Establishment of Organ and Tissue Donor Registries

Abstract Objective The influence of new donor registrations through the California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry on the local OneLegacy Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) was examined during a 6-year period. Methods Publicly available data from Donate Life America for California were examined for the 6 calendar years of 2009–2014. Performance data from OneLegacy for the same 6 years for organ donors and number of transplants were also examined. The donor designation rate (DDR) was defined as the rate at which new individuals joined the state donor registry as a percentage of all driver licenses and ID cards issued within a calendar year. The total donor designation (TDD) was defined as the sum of the new and existing people who were registered organ donors. Donor designation share (DDS) was the total number of designated donors as a percentage of all residents of the state who were ≥18 years old. The business practices and educational efforts of the OneLegacy OPO were examined as well. Results In California, from 2009 through 2014, the DDR was 25.5%–28%. When added to the existing donor registrations, the TDD and DDS increased each year from 2009 through 2014. With the current level of growth, it is projected that California will be able to reach a DDS of 50% by 2017. For the OneLegacy OPO, designated donors from the California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry made up 15% of the total donations in 2009, and 39% of the total donations in 2014, increasing by ∼5% each year since 2009. By increasing professionalization and transparency, and widening its educational and training efforts, OneLegacy was able to take advantage of an increasing percentage of donors who were designated donors and to increase the overall number of donors and organs transplanted, becoming one of the largest OPOs in the nation. Conclusions This can be a model for OPOs in other donor service areas, and it may set the stage for the United States to serve as an example to the global community in the practice of organ donation.
Thrombolytics in VAD management - A single-center experience.

Abstract Background With continued increase in the use of mechanical circulatory support, the incidence of device thrombus remains a challenge. This study is a retrospective analysis of data at a single center to assess the safety and efficacy of thrombolytic use in durable mechanical assist devices. Methods Data was analyzed retrospectively from 154 patients who underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation from 1/1/2005 to 6/30/2014. The HMII device was implanted in 131 patients while 23 received the HVAD. LVAD thrombus was diagnosed when lactate dehydrogenase levels exceeded 1000 units/l accompanied by clinical signs of hemolysis and heart failure, echocardiographic data and surges in pump power. TPA (tissue plasminogen activator) protocol consisted of a 5 mg intravenous bolus followed by 3 mg/h infusion in normal saline for 10 h. If symptoms persisted another cycle of TPA at 1 mg/h was continued up to 48 h. Results The TPA group had a 70% success rate. Success was defined as complete resolution of hemolysis and clinical symptoms with no requirement for LVAD exchange at 30 days. 95% survival was noted at 30 days and 90% were free of a hemorrhagic stroke in the TPA group. The rates of hemorrhagic strokes in the TPA group and the control group were not different (OR = 0.92). Conclusion The TPA protocol described here was successful consistently. Though this study is limited by its size and retrospective nature it leads the way for larger studies to generate more robust comparisons between different types of mechanical assist devices as well as the tailored use of thrombolytics in this patient population.
BCL-6 mRNA expression in higher grade transformation of follicle center lymphoma: correlation with somatic mutations in the 5' regulatory region of the BCL-6 gene

Follicle center lymphoma (FCL) is an indolent low-grade B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) that frequently transforms to aggressive diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Histological transformation of FCL is commonly associated with accumulation of secondary genetic alterations. The BCL-6 gene is commonly implicated in the pathogenesis of DLBCL and its expression may be altered by clonal rearrangements and somatic point mutations in its 5' non-translated regulatory region. Recently, somatic mutations of the BCL-6 gene were associated with the transformation process. Here, we examined BCL-6 mRNA expression and BCL-6 mutations in paired biopsies from the same patients obtained at the time of FCL diagnosis and after transformation. BCL-6 mRNA expression markedly increased upon transformation (1.9- to 4.8-fold) in three cases, remained unchanged in one case and decreased compared to the diagnosis FCL specimens in four cases. The three specimens that demonstrated an increase in the BCL-6 mRNA expression upon transformation harbored BCL-6 gene mutations in the 5' region of the first intron that overlapped with the previously reported negative regulatory region of the gene. Accumulation of new mutations in this region was not observed in DLBCL biopsies in which the BCL-6 mRNA expression did not increase. The present study demonstrates that although BCL-6 gene mutations do accumulate during the transformation process and, depending on their location within the first intron, may deregulate BCL-6 mRNA expression, increase in BCL-6 mRNA expression is not uniformly required for transformation from FCL to DLBCL.
Analysis of Seasonal Variations of Indoor Radon Concentrations in the Tokyo Metropolitan Isotope Research Center

From October 1988 to September 1991, we measured radon gas concentrations in different types of residential buildings in Tokyo and outlying prefectures for the purpose of evaluating potential radiation risk to the people living in the area. The characteristics of seasonal variation and relevant factors influencing the radon gas concentration levels were analyzed. However, in order to estimate the radiation risk to people, we also needed to obtain data of buildings other than residences in which people may spend time for working, shopping, etc. As a part of such investigation, we measured the indoor radon gas concentrations in four different buildings at the Tokyo Metropolitan Isotope Research Center. The average indoor concentration level in a three-storied concrete steel building was lower than that of the residential concrete steel building, and mostly showed a similar seasonal variation (i. e., higher in winter and lower in summer). The average indoor concentration level in a one-story prefabricated building was almost equivalent to that in an ordinary prefabricated residential building, but the phase of variation was different. Measurements in two other concrete steel buildings showed different average levels depending on the ventilating conditions (i. e., a lower concentration level in a more frequently ventilated room). Seasonal variations in these two buildings also showed different tendencies depending on ventilating conditions (i. e., smaller variation in a more frequently ventilated room).
Enhancing the Perceived Readability of Pharmaceutical Container Labels and Warnings: The use of Alternative Designs and Pictorials

The appropriate use of pharmaceuticals, as well as their hazards, are not commonly known to most people. In fact, the only information available to consumers is usually the material found on the product label. Unfortunately, for some consumers this method of communicating instructions and risks may be ineffective, and potentially dangerous. People may have difficulty with the labels because the print on the label is too small for them to read. Two alternative (tag and fold-out) designs were developed to increase the available surface area for information printed on a fictitious prescription drug label. The alternative label designs were compared to a standard control label. The presence versus the absence of pictorials visually depicting several instructions and warnings was also examined. Participants rated the labels on ease of reading the labels, likelihood of noticing the warnings, likelihood of reading the warnings, preference for each of the labels, and likelihood that they would recommend each labe...
Tyrosine phosphorylation of C-Cbl facilitates adhesion and spreading while suppressing anchorage-independent growth of V-Abl-transformed NIH3T3 fibroblasts.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of C-Cbl facilitates adhesion and spreading while suppressing anchorage-independent growth of V-Abl-transformed NIH3T3 fibroblasts
More efficient logistic analysis using moving extreme ranked set sampling

ABSTRACTLogistic regression is the most popular technique available for modeling dichotomous-dependent variables. It has intensive application in the field of social, medical, behavioral and public health sciences. In this paper we propose a more efficient logistic regression analysis based on moving extreme ranked set sampling (MERSSmin) scheme with ranking based on an easy-to-available auxiliary variable known to be associated with the variable of interest (response variable). The paper demonstrates that this approach will provide more powerful testing procedure as well as more efficient odds ratio and parameter estimation than using simple random sample (SRS). Theoretical derivation and simulation studies will be provided. Real data from 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data are used to illustrate the procedures developed in this paper.
Predicting with Variables Constructed from Temporal Sequences.

In this study, we applied the local learning paradigm and conditional independence assumptions to control the rapid growth of the dimensionality introduced by multivariate time series. We also combined various univariate time series with different stationary assumptions in temporal models. These techniques are applied to learn simple Bayesian networks from temporal data and to predict survival probabilities of ICU patients on every day of their ICU stay.
Experimental Investigation of Dynamic Fracture Initiation in PMMA Submerged in Water

The mode-I dynamic fracture response of notched PMMA plates submerged in water was investigated. The experimental setup utilized was designed to study underwater crack propagation with the aid of visualization techniques to obtain quantitative and qualitative results. High-speed imaging and the method of transmitted caustics were used to complete the measurements. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of surrounding water on the dynamic fracture behavior of samples as they were impacted. The properties measured to assess the effect of water were the stress intensity factor and crack speed in the initial stages of crack propagation. Experiments were also completed for samples surrounded by air for comparison purposes. Results showed that the presence of water had no effect on the fracture behavior of PMMA at strain rates of the order of 102 s−1.
Role of ketamine for analgesia in adults and children

Ketamine an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocking agent and a dissociative anesthetic with neurostimulatory side effects. In recent years, multiple research trials as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest the usefulness of ketamine as a strong analgesic used in subanesthetic intravenous doses, and also as a sedative. In addition, ketamine was noted to possess properties of anti-tolerance, anti-hyperalgesia and anti-allodynia most likely secondary to inhibition of the NMDA receptors. Tolerance, hyperalgesia and allodynia phenomena are the main components of opioid resistance, and pathological pain is often seen in the clinical conditions involving neuropathic pain, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and central sensitization with allodynia or hyperalgesia. All these conditions are challenging to treat. In low doses, ketamine does not have major adverse dysphoric effects and also has the favorable effects of reduced incidence of opioid-induced nausea and vomiting. Therefore, ketamine can be a useful adjunct for pain control after surgery. Additional studies are required to determine the role of ketamine in the immediate postoperative period after surgical interventions known to produce severe pain and in the prevention and treatment of chronic pain.
Study of some resistance mechanisms to Orobanche spp. infestation in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) breeding lines in Tunisia

AbstractThe behavior of seven faba bean breeding lines toward Orobanche foetida and Orobanche crenata infestation was examined under field, pots, and in vitro conditions and compared to reference cultivars. The breeding lines presented resistance reaction to Orobanche spp. in different experiment conditions. In infested field by O. foetida, the grain yield reduction ranged from 55.7 to 83% for the breeding lines compared to 97% for the susceptible cultivar Badi. Lines L6 and L7 were the less affected by Orobanche parasitism considering severity, number of emerged Orobanche, and yield. In pots, the number of attachments varied from .6 to 3.4 and from 1.4 to 6.4 for the breeding lines against 10.4 and 12.3 for Badi inoculated, respectively, by O. foetida and O. crenata. In Petri dish experiment, Orobanche germination reached the highest rates; 69.9 and 59.7%, respectively, with O. crenata and O. foetida for Badi. For the breeding lines, it ranged from 6.3 to 44.9% for O. crenata and from 4.8 to 40.8% for O....
Monte Carlo MP2 on Many Graphical Processing Units.

In the Monte Carlo second-order many-body perturbation (MC-MP2) method, the long sum-of-product matrix expression of the MP2 energy, whose literal evaluation may be poorly scalable, is recast into a single high-dimensional integral of functions of electron pair coordinates, which is evaluated by the scalable method of Monte Carlo integration. The sampling efficiency is further accelerated by the redundant-walker algorithm, which allows a maximal reuse of electron pairs. Here, a multitude of graphical processing units (GPUs) offers a uniquely ideal platform to expose multilevel parallelism: fine-grain data-parallelism for the redundant-walker algorithm in which millions of threads compute and share orbital amplitudes on each GPU; coarse-grain instruction-parallelism for near-independent Monte Carlo integrations on many GPUs with few and infrequent interprocessor communications. While the efficiency boost by the redundant-walker algorithm on central processing units (CPUs) grows linearly with the number of ...
An Examination of Mindfulness-Based Programs in US Medical Schools

Some medical schools have begun introducing mindfulness concepts to their students, and academic mindfulness centers associated with medical schools (AMCAMS) have started to emerge. However, knowledge of the expansion of mindfulness-based interventions within academic medical institutions is primarily anecdotal. The study objective was to evaluate the scope of mindfulness-related activities across medical schools in the USA and to identify AMCAMS and their programmatic characteristics. First, we conducted a systematic website content search to evaluate mindfulness activities related to wellness, research, clinical use, and education among the 140 accredited US medical schools. Second, we surveyed AMCAMS directors to query the type of programs offered, the type of professionals participating at AMCAMS, and approaches for financial sustainability. Website content analysis showed that mindfulness-related activity was present at 79 % of US medical schools in 2014. Activities for wellness (87/140; 62 %) and research (69/140; 49 %) were most common. A potential AMCAMS was identified at 27 % (38/140) of medical schools, and 33 of 38 directors at those centers completed our survey (87 % response rate). AMCAMS directors reported that the most commonly offered program was Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) followed by Mindful Movement and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Private-pay MBI groups (21/33; 64 %), private donations (17/33; 52 %), and fee-for-service billing (16/33; 48 %) were the most common contributors to financial sustainability. This is the first effort to collect data on all mindfulness-based programming within US medical schools and the first study to describe and identify AMCAMS characteristics. We discuss next steps for research on AMCAMS and dissemination of mindfulness in medicine.
Genre Signals in Textual Topologies

In this chapter, two topological transformations are proposed that enable textual analysis at a scale sufficient to test some of the central propositions of genre theory. The first transformation renders the words of a text into a network graph that may be analyzed using network graphs and adjacency matrices. The second transformation uses rhetorical topoi as nodes to construct graphs that compare instances of known similar genres. The chapter closes with several examples of both techniques implemented used to perform rhetorical analyses in a manner designed to be assistive to rather than to replace human interpretation. The goal is testing genre-theorists’ hypotheses about the social actions that genres perform.
Cervical disc arthroplasty: do conflicts of interest influence the outcome of clinical studies?

Abstract Background Context Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is an emerging technique for the treatment of cervical degenerative disease. Multiple studies have investigated the outcomes of CDA, particularly in comparison with cervical arthrodesis techniques such as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). As many entities have financial interests in CDA implants, it is imperative to consider the influence of conflicts of interest on the results of studies investigating the efficacy of CDA. Purpose This study aimed to determine if there is an association between the presence of conflicts of interest among study authors and the reported outcome of studies involving CDA. Study Design This is a systematic review of clinical CDA publications until October 2016. Outcome Measure The outcome measures are presence of conflicts of interest, level of evidence, and outcome for all included studies. Methods PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for articles presenting clinical, radiographic, and cost outcomes of CDA. Data extracted from each article included title, authors, publication year, level of evidence, prosthesis type, number of operative levels, presence of conflicts of interest, and outcome. Conflicts of interest were determined by the presence of any conflicts for any author within manuscript disclosure sections or through Open Payments reporting. Outcomes of each study were graded as either favorable, unfavorable, or equivocal. The presence of conflicts of interest was tested for an association with the level of evidence and study outcome using Pearson chi-square analysis, Fisher exact test, or logistic regression for categorical variables. The authors report no conflicts of interest directly related to this work, and have not received any funds in support of this work. Results A total of 98 articles were included in this analysis. In total, 44.9% (44) of articles had the presence of a conflict of interest, whereas 55.1% (54) of articles did not. Conflicted studies were more likely to present level I evidence and less likely to present level IV evidence than non-conflicted studies (p Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the majority of conflicted and non-conflicted studies report favorable results in patients undergoing CDA. However, conflicted studies were also more likely to report favorable outcomes compared with non-conflicted studies. Individual clinicians must critically review published studies for potential conflicts of interest before incorporating CDA into their practice.
LA ESPECIALIDAD DE MEDICINA DE URGENCIA EN CHILE: 20 AÑOS DE HISTORIA☆

SUMMARY Chile esta en una posicion privilegiada para ser el lider del desarrollo sudamericano de la especialidad Medicina de Urgencia. La Medicina de Urgencia chilena ha hecho una transicion exitosa de ser una idea de capacitacion novedosa a una entidad reconocida nacionalmente e internacionalmente con serios objetivos para la salud publica. Existen mas programas de capacitacion por residencia medica en Chile que en cualquier otro pais en America del Sur o America Latina y la especialidad es formalmente reconocida por el Ministerio de Salud. Los lideres de la Medicina de Urgencia chilena se han contactado con multiples grupos internacionales, han usado de manera inteligente los recursos externos y han creado lazos academicos duraderos. Mientras han estado enfocados en asuntos locales importantes y en la atencion al paciente, tambien han logrado avanzar exitosamente en su programa. A pesar de esto, la especialidad enfrenta muchos desafios nuevos y sigue siendo fragil, pero sostenible. Los responsables de formular politicas y el MINSAL chileno necesitan tener especial conciencia de esta fragilidad para conservar el progreso logrado hasta ahora y apoyar la maduracion en curso de la especialidad de Medicina de Urgencia.
Logical and inequality implications for reducing the size and difficulty of quadratic unconstrained binary optimization problems

Abstract The quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problem arises in diverse optimization applications ranging from Ising spin problems to classical problems in graph theory and binary discrete optimization. The use of preprocessing to transform the graph representing the QUBO problem into a smaller equivalent graph is important for improving solution quality and time for both exact and metaheuristic algorithms and is a step towards mapping large scale QUBO to hardware graphs used in quantum annealing computers. In an earlier paper a set of rules was introduced that achieved significant QUBO reductions as verified through computational testing. Here this work is extended with additional rules that provide further reductions that succeed in exactly solving 10% of the benchmark QUBO problems. An algorithm and associated data structures to efficiently implement the entire set of rules is detailed and computational experiments are reported that demonstrate their efficacy.
Rupture and Release: A Role for Soluble Erythrocyte Content in the Pathology of Cerebral Malaria

Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most severe form of malaria and causes high associated mortality. We propose a multistep process for CM pathology that is initiated by cytoadhesion of infected erythrocytes to the brain vasculature, followed by rupture and release of contents that complete the disruption of the blood–brain barrier.
Discovery and Characterization of Human Amniochorionic Membrane Microfractures

This study obtained visual evidence of novel cellular and extracellular matrix–level structural alterations in term and preterm human fetal amniochorionic membranes. Amniochorions were collected from term cesarean (not in labor) or vaginal (labor) deliveries, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and spontaneous preterm birth. To determine the effect of oxidative stress on membranes at term or preterm labor, term not in labor samples in an organ explant culture in vitro were exposed to cigarette smoke extract. Tissues were imaged using multiphoton autofluorescence and second harmonic generation microscopy. Images were analyzed using ImageJ and IMARIS software. Three-dimensional microscopic analysis of membranes revealed microfractures that were characterized by amnion cell puckering, basement membrane degradation, and tunnels that extended into the collagen matrix with migrating cells. Numbers of microfractures were similar at term regardless of labor status; however, morphometric measures (width and depth) were higher in term labor membranes. Oxidative stress induced higher numbers of microfractures in term not in labor membranes, with morphometry resembling that seen in term labor membranes. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes had the highest number of microfractures compared to membranes from term and other preterm births. Microfractures are structural alterations indicative of areas of tissue remodeling during gestation. Their increase at preterm and in response to oxidative stress may indicate failure to reseal, predisposing membranes to rupture.
Bringing physical construction and real-world data collection into a massively open online course (MOOC)

This Work-In-Progress paper details the process and lessons learned when converting a hands-on engineering mini-course to a scalable, self-paced Massively Open Online Course (MOOC). Online courseware has been part of academic and industry training and learning for decades. Learning activities in online courses strive to mimic in-person delivery by including lectures, homework assignments, software exercises and exams. While these instructional activities provide “theory and practice” for many disciplines, engineering courses often require hands-on activities with physical tools, devices and equipment. To accommodate the need for this type of learning, MIT Lincoln Laboratory's “Build A Small Radar” (BSR) course was used to explore teaching and learning strategies that support the inclusion of physical construction and real world data collection in a MOOC. These tasks are encountered across a range of engineering disciplines and the methods illustrated here are easily generalized to the learning experiences in engineering and science disciplines.
Respiratory Responses during Exercise in Self-contained Breathing Apparatus among Firefighters and Nonfirefighters

Abstract Background Firefighters are required to use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which impairs ventilatory mechanics. We hypothesized that firefighters have elevated arterial CO 2 when using SCBA. Methods Firefighters and controls performed a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and two graded exercise tests (GXTs) at 25%, 50%, and 70% of their maximal aerobic power, once with a SCBA facemask and once with protective clothing and full SCBA. Results Respiratory rate increased more in controls than firefighters. Heart rate increased as a function of oxygen consumption ( V . O 2 ) more in controls than firefighters. End-tidal CO 2 (ETCO 2 ) during the GXTs was not affected by work rate in either group for either condition but was higher in firefighters at all work rates in both GXTs. SCBA increased ETCO 2 in controls but not firefighters. Conclusions The present study showed that when compared to controls, firefighters’ hypoventilate during a maximal test and GXT. The hypoventilation resulted in increased ETCO 2 , and presumably increased arterial CO 2 , during exertion. It is proposed that firefighters have altered CO 2 sensitivity due to voluntary hypoventilation during training and work. Confirmation of low CO 2 sensitivity and the consequence of this on performance and long-term health remain to be determined.