cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glutaredoxin Regulates Autocrine and Paracrine Proinflammatory Responses in Retinal Glial (Müller) Cells

Protein S-glutathionylation is a reversible redox-dependent post-translational modification. Many cellular functions and signal transduction pathways involve proteins whose cysteine-dependent activities are modulated by glutathionylation. Glutaredoxin (Grx1) plays a key role in such regulation because it is a specific and efficient catalyst of deglutathionylation. We recently reported an increase in Grx1 in retinae of diabetic rats and in rat retinal Muller glial cells (rMC-1) cultured in high glucose. This up-regulation of Grx1 was concomitant with NFκB activation and induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). This proinflammatory response was replicated by adenoviral-directed up-regulation of Grx1 in cells in normal glucose. The site of regulation of NFκB was localized to the cytoplasm, where IκB kinase (IKK) is a master regulator of NFκB activation. In the current study, inhibition of IKK activity abrogated the increase in ICAM-1 induced by high glucose or by adenoviral-directed up-regulation of Grx1. Conditioned medium from the Muller cells overexpressing Grx1 was added to fresh cultures of Muller or endothelial cells and elicited increases in the Grx1 and ICAM-1 proteins in these cells. These effects correlate with a novel finding that secretion of interleukin-6 was elevated in the cultures of Grx overexpressing cells. Also, pure interleukin-6 increased Grx1 and ICAM-1 in the rMC-1 cells. Thus, Grx1 appears to play an important role in both autocrine and paracrine proinflammatory responses. Furthermore, IKKβ isolated from Muller cells in normal glucose medium was found to be glutathionylated on Cys-179. Hence Grx-mediated activation of IKK via deglutathionylation may play a central role in diabetic complications in vivo where Grx1 is increased.
Dosing of proton pump inhibitors is suboptimal among otolaryngologists treating reflux-induced upper-respiratory disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the practice of otolaryngologists treating reflux-induced upper-respiratory disease in a nationwide survey. STUDY DESIGN: Survey study using an anonymous questionnaire containing clinical vignettes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The survey was mailed to all 6,899 board-certified fellow members in practice in the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residing in the United States. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred twenty questionnaires were returned. Respondents empirically treated reflux-induced upper-respiratory disease with proton pump inhibitors once daily and twice daily 63% and 31%, respectively. Fifteen percent did not instruct their patients on how to take the proton pump inhibitors. Of those who instructed their patients, 22% advised dosing before breakfast, 32% before breakfast and again before dinner, and 46% recommended other timings. When prescribing twice-per-day dosing, 64% responded to give before breakfast and dinner and 28% responded before breakfast and at bedtime. CONCLUSION: Suboptimal dosing of proton pump inhibitors is prevalent among otolaryngologists treating reflux-induced upper-respiratory disease.
Naturally Acquired Antibodies against Four Enterococcus faecalis Capsular Polysaccharides in Healthy Human Sera

Healthy human sera (HHS) contain naturally acquired enterococcal antibodies which promote neutrophil-mediated killing. The target antigens remain unknown. The present study used a capsular polysaccharide (CPS)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to investigate whether the HHS antibodies of 12 healthy donors bound to the CPS of four E. faecalis serotypes (CPS-A to CPS-D) and then employed an opsonic-killing assay to determine if these antibodies mediated phagocyte-dependent killing. All HHS contained immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies directed against capsular polysaccharides of the four serotypes. Absorption of the sera with homologous and heterologous strains showed a majority of antibodies to be cross-reactive among the prototype strains. The susceptibility of the four prototype strains to opsonic killing varied. Opsonic killing of CPS-A and CPS-B strains was significantly higher than killing of CPS-C and CPS-D strains. Absorption studies revealed that the opsonic killing of HHS was only partially type specific, with cross-reactivity between CPS-A and CPS-B strains and between CPS-C and CPS-D strains. These data indicate that healthy individuals possess opsonic antibodies specific for CPS-A and CPS-B but only low titers of opsonic antibodies against CPS-C and CPS-D. Titers of opsonic antibodies did not correlate with antibody titers measured by ELISA. Whether this lack of correlation is due to the low frequency of opsonic antibodies or to increased resistance to the opsonophagocytic killing of some serotypes remains to be determined.
An ICAI architecture for troubleshooting in complex, dynamic systems

Ahab, an intelligent computer-aided instruction (ICAI) program, illustrates an architecture for simulator-based ICAI programs to teach troubleshooting in complex, dynamic environments. The architecture posits three elements of a computerized instructor: the task model, the student model, and the instructional module. The task model is a prescriptive model of expert performance that uses symptomatic and topographic search strategies to provide students with directed problem-solving aids. The student model is a descriptive model of student performance in the context of the task model. The instructional module coordinates information presented by the instructional media, the task model, and the student model so that each student receives individualized instruction. Concept and metaconcept knowledge that supports these elements is contained in frames and production rules, respectively. The results of an experimental evaluation are discussed. >
Downstream effects of mountaintop coal mining: comparing biological conditions using family- and genus-level macroinvertebrate bioassessment tools

Surface coal mining with valley fills has impaired the aquatic life in numerous streams in the Central Appalachian Mountains. We characterized macroinvertebrate communities from riffles in 37 small West Virginia streams (10 unmined and 27 mined sites with valley fills) sampled in the spring index period (March-May) and compared the assessment results using family- and genus-level taxonomic data. Specific conductance was used to categorize levels of mining disturbance in mined watersheds as low (,500 lS/cm), medium (500-1000 lS/cm), or high (.1000 lS/cm). Four lines of evidence indicate that mining activities impair biological condition of streams: shift in species assemblages, loss of Ephemeroptera taxa, changes in individual metrics and indices, and differences in water chemistry. Results were consistent whether family- or genus-level data were used. In both family- and genus-level nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordinations, mined sites were significantly separated from unmined sites, indicating that shifts in community structure were caused by mining. Several Ephemeroptera genera (e.g., Ephemerella, Epeorus, Drunella) and their families (Ephemerellidae, Heptageniidae) were correlated most strongly with the primary NMS axis (r . 0.59 for these genera; r . 0.78 for these families). These same Ephemeroptera were absent and, thus, eliminated from most of the mined sites. Total Ephemeroptera richness and relative abundance both declined with increasing mining disturbance. Several other metrics, such as richness, composition, tolerance, and diversity, clearly discriminated unmined vs mined sites. Most family-level metrics performed well and approximated the strength of genus-based metrics. A genus-based multimetric index (MMI) rated more mined sites as impaired than did the family-based MMI. Water-quality variables related to mining were more strongly correlated to NMS axis-1 scores, metrics, and MMIs than were sedimentation and riparian habitat scores. Generally, the correlations between the genus-level MMI and water-quality variables were stronger than the correlations between the family-level MMI and those variables. Our results show that mining activity has had subtle to severe impacts on benthic macroinvertebrate communities and that the biological condition most strongly correlates with a gradient of ionic strength.
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Smoldering Myeloma: New Insights into Pathophysiology and Epidemiology

Routine screening for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is not indicated. Despite this fact, MGUS is a common finding in medical practice. Almost all individuals diagnosed with MGUS represent incidental cases diagnosed when physicians order serum protein electrophoresis, immunofixation, or both, as part of the work-up of a number of common symptoms and laboratory abnormalities. In the absence of reliable molecular predictors of outcome, the detection of an early precursor state typically imposes a complex situation for the patient and the responsible physician-usually, it leads to a lot of questions that lack clear answers. In the past years, several novel insights have been gained in the area of multiple myeloma (MM) precursor disease. This review focuses on results from recent investigations and discusses implications for diagnostic work-up, clinical management, and patient counseling. More specifically, it sheds light on the following commonly asked questions by patients and physicians: i) what is the risk of progression from precursor to full-blown MM, and are there ways to risk-stratify patients?; ii) is MM always preceded by a precursor state, and is there anything that could or should be done to delay or prevent progression?; and iii) why do some individuals develop MM precursor diseases, and is there a reason to screen the family?
Systemic central venous oxygen saturation is associated with clot strength during traumatic hemorrhagic shock: A preclinical observational model

Background Clot strength by Thrombelastography (TEG) is associated with mortality during trauma and has been linked to severity of tissue hypoperfusion. However, the optimal method for monitoring this important relationship remains undefined. We hypothesize that oxygen transport measurements will be associated with clot strength during traumatic shock, and test this hypothesis using a swine model of controlled traumatic shock.
The molecular basis for sonographic cervical shortening at term: identification of differentially expressed genes and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a function of cervical length

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cervical shortening of a ripe cervix at term is associated with changes in the cervical transcriptome. STUDY DESIGN: Sonographically measured cervical lengths and biopsy specimens were obtained from 19 women at term who were not in labor with a ripe cervix. Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 arrays (Affymetrix Inc, Santa Clara, CA) were used. Gene expression was analyzed as a function of cervical length. Gene Ontology, pathway analyses, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were performed. RESULTS: Cervical length shortening was associated with differential expression of 687 genes. Fifty-four biologic processes, 22 molecular functions, and 9 pathways were enriched. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed differential expression of 13 genes. Bone morphogenetic protein-7, claudin-1, integrin beta-6, and endometrial progesterone-induced protein messenger RNA, and protein expressions were down-regulated with cervical shortening. CONCLUSION: Sonographic cervical shortening in patients at term who are not in labor with a ripe cervix is associated with changes in the uterine cervix transcriptome. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition may participate in the mechanism of cervical shortening at term.
A novel polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel functionalized with organic boundary lubricant for use as low-friction cartilage substitute: synthesis, physical/chemical, mechanical, and friction characterization.

A novel material design was developed by functionalizing polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with an organic low-friction boundary lubricant (molar ratios of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 moles of lauroyl chloride). The hydrogels were fabricated using two different techniques. First, the boundary lubricant was initially functionalized to the polymer, then the hydrogels were created by physically crosslinking the reacted polymer. Second, hydrogels were initially created by crosslinking pure polyvinyl alcohol, with the functionalization reaction performed on the fully formed gel. After the reaction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance spectra revealed a clear ester peak, the diminishment of the alcohol peak, and the amplification of the alkyl peaks, which confirmed attachment of the hydrocarbon chains to the polymer. Additional chemical characterization occurred through elemental analysis where an average increase of 22% carbon and 40% hydrogen provided further confirmation of attachment. Physical characterization of the boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogels was performed by water content and contact angle measurements. Water content dependency showed that method 1 had a direct relationship with boundary lubricant concentration, and method 2 displayed an inverse relationship. The contact angle increased as boundary lubricant concentration increased for the pure matrix material for both processing methods, suggesting that the hydrocarbons produced surface properties that mimic natural cartilage, and contact behavior of the biphasic system was dependent on processing method. Friction tests demonstrated a significant decrease in friction coefficient, with a maximum decrease of 70% and a minimum decrease of 24% for boundary lubricant functionalized hydrogels compared with nonfunctionalized polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment after rat peroneal nerve transection and entubulation.

Abstract Rat peroneal nerves were transected and entubulated with a Silastic channel. The experimental group was treated with hyperbaric oxygen to evaluate changes in acute edema, functional recovery, and histology. Hyperbaric oxygen was administered with 100% O 2 at 2.5 atmospheres absolute for 90 minutes twice a day for 1 week and then four times a day for 1 week. Acute edema changes based on nerve water weight and transfascicular area measurements were greater in injured than in uninjured nerves but demonstrated no differences between hyperbaric oxygen-treated and -untreated groups 2, 8, and 16 days after surgery. Functional evaluation with gait analysis demonstrated significant changes between injured and uninjured groups 1, 3, 7, and 13 weeks after injury but no differences between hyperbaric oxygen-treated and -untreated groups. Thirteen weeks after the initial injury, elicited muscle force measurements demonstrated no significant improvement from hyperbaric oxygen treatment of injured nerves. Histologic evaluation of nerve area, myelinated axon number, myelinated axon area, myelin thickness, and blood vessel number and area revealed no significant differences between hyperbaric oxygen - treated and - untreated groups. Hyperbaric oxygen was not associated with improvement of nerve regeneration with any of the outcome variables in this model. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1996;114:424-34.)
METNET: SYSTEMS BIOLOGY TOOLS FOR ARABIDOPSIS

platform features graph visualization, interactive displays, graph theoretic computations for determining biological distances, a unique multivariate display and statistical analysis tool, graph modeling using the open source statistical analysis language, R, and versatile text mining. The use of these tools is
Analytical Discharge Model for RF Ion Thrusters

A comprehensive 0-D model of the plasma discharge in magnetic ring-cusp ion thrusters was previously developed. The model utilizes conservation of particles into and out of the ion thruster and conservation of energy into the discharge and out of the plasma, and provided the first closed solution for predicting ion-thruster discharge chamber performance. The 0-D discharge model was benchmarked against the performance measured on several ion thrusters, and successfully predicts the discharge loss as a function of mass utilization efficiency. The analytical model has been modified to handle the discharge chamber configurations and the different magnetic confinement physics found in RF ion thrusters. In these ion thrusters, there is no applied magnetic field to provide confinement of the electrons and ions, but the ac magnetic field induced by the inductively coupled RF coil affects the particle confinement and transport and is important in determining the discharge loss and thruster performance. The modifications to the model required to address the physics of RF thrusters will be discussed, and results showing the predicted ion thruster performance will be presented.
Incompressible Irrotational Axisymmetric Flow about a Body of Revolution: The Inverse Problem

The flow of an incompressible fluid past an axisymmetric shape is considered in the form of the "inverse problem" in hydrodynamics. For a given pressure or velocity distributon, the appropriate body shape is determined iteratively. The method of line sources and sinks is used to represent the body shape. The procedure is simple and accurate and convergence is more rapid than that obtained by other investigators using surface-source distributions. Examples chosen to represent the method include spheres, Rankine bodies, a constant velocity body, and an airfoil-shape axisymmetric body. Results compare very well with exact solutions and with calculated results of others when comparison is possible.
Surgical management of penetrating pulmonary injuries

Chest injuries were reported as early as 3000 BC in the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus. Ancient Greek chronicles reveal that they had anatomic knowledge of the thoracic structures. Even in the ancient world, most of the therapeutic modalities for chest wounds and traumatic pulmonary injuries were developed during wartime. The majority of lung injuries can be managed non-operatively, but pulmonary injuries that require operative surgical intervention can be quite challenging. Recent progress in treating severe pulmonary injuries has relied on finding shorter and simpler lung-sparing techniques. The applicability of stapled pulmonary tractotomy was confirmed as a safe and valuable procedure. Advancement in technology have revolutionized thoracic surgery and ushered in the era of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), providing an alternative method for accurate and direct evaluation of the lung parenchyma, mediastinum, and diaphragmatic injuries. The aim of this article is to describe the incidence of the penetrating pulmonary injuries, the ultimate techniques used in its operative management, as well as the diagnosis, complications, and morbidity and mortality.
Flauto: an ethnographic study of a highly successful private studio:

This study examined the instructional settings, pedagogical techniques, interpersonal dynamics and personal characteristics of a teacher and her adolescent students in a renowned private flute stud...
Rift Valley Fever: An Emerging Mosquito-Borne Disease*

Rift Valley fever (RVF), an emerging mosquito-borne zoonotic infectious viral disease caused by the RVF virus (RVFV) (Bunyaviridae: Phlebovirus), presents significant threats to global public health and agriculture in Africa and the Middle East. RVFV is listed as a select agent with significant potential for international spread and use in bioterrorism. RVFV has caused large, devastating periodic epizootics and epidemics in Africa over the past ∼60 years, with severe economic and nutritional impacts on humans from illness and livestock loss. In the past 15 years alone, RVFV caused tens of thousands of human cases, hundreds of human deaths, and more than 100,000 domestic animal deaths. Cattle, sheep, goats, and camels are particularly susceptible to RVF and serve as amplifying hosts for the virus. This review highlights recent research on RVF, focusing on vectors and their ecology, transmission dynamics, and use of environmental and climate data to predict disease outbreaks. Important directions for future research are also discussed.
Characterization of a Multipeptide Lantibiotic Locus in Streptococcus pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Bacterial communities are established through a combination of cooperative and antagonistic interactions between the inhabitants. Competitive interactions often involve the production of antimicrobial substances, including bacteriocins, which are small antimicrobial peptides that target other community members. Despite the nearly ubiquitous presence of bacteriocin-encoding loci, inhibitory activity has been attributed to only a small fraction of gene clusters. In this study, we characterized a novel locus (the pld locus) in the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae that drives the production of a bacteriocin called pneumolancidin, which has broad antimicrobial activity. The locus encodes an unusual tandem array of four inhibitory peptides, three of which are absolutely required for antibacterial activity. The three peptide sequences are similar but appear to play distinct roles in regulation and inhibition. A modification enzyme typically found in loci encoding a class of highly modified bacteriocins called lantibiotics was required for inhibitory activity. The production of pneumolancidin is controlled by a two-component regulatory system that is activated by the accumulation of modified peptides. The locus is located on a mobile element that has been found in many pneumococcal lineages, although not all elements carry the pld genes. Intriguingly, a minimal region containing only the genes required for pneumolancidin immunity was found in several Streptococcus mitis strains. The pneumolancidin-producing strain can inhibit nearly all pneumococci tested to date and provided a competitive advantage in vivo . These peptides not only represent a unique strategy for bacterial competition but also are an important resource to guide the development of new antimicrobials. IMPORTANCE Successful colonization of a polymicrobial host surface is a prerequisite for the subsequent development of disease for many bacterial pathogens. Bacterial factors that directly inhibit the growth of neighbors may provide an advantage during colonization if the inhibition of competitors outweighs the energy for production. In this work, we found that production of a potent antimicrobial called pneumolancidin conferred a competitive advantage to the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. S. pneumoniae secreting pneumolancidin inhibits a wide array of Gram-positive organisms, including all but one tested pneumococcal strain. The pneumolancidin genetic locus is of particular interest because it encodes three similar modified peptides (lantibiotics), each of which has a distinct role in the function of the locus. Lantibiotics represent a relatively untapped resource for the development of clinically useful antibiotics which are desperately needed. The broad inhibitory activity of pneumolancidin makes it an ideal candidate for further characterization and development.
Explaining the link between access-to-care factors and health care resource utilization among individuals with COPD.

This is a copy of an article published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. © 2016 Dove Medical Press Publications. http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S95717
Micromechanical logic

Summary form only given. Micromechanical digital logic elements based on electrostatic actuation have been fabricated using silicon micromachining technology. A complete logic family has been fabricated, including NOT, AND, NAND, OR, and NOR gates. Although the performance of the fabricated elements is far inferior to that of conventional microelectronic devices, the realization of micromechanical digital logic represents an application in the field of microdynamics and suggests an alternate approach to the implementation of low-speed, low-density, radiation-hard logic and memory. >
Economic Conditions, Monetary Policy and Capital Market Integration in the Euro Area: What is the Role of Covered Bonds?

The paper examines the development of structured finance, and complementary role of covered bond and securitization markets, in resolving current policy challenges in the euro area, especially in the area of monetary easing and greater integration of capital markets. It reviews the considerations for including covered bonds in the ECB’s asset purchase program and illustrates the importance of covered bonds as an alternative source of long-term finance. Further developing structured finance, especially for lending to SMEs, could help remove impediments to credit supply by overcoming the adverse effects of financial fragmentation, improving the allocation and pricing of liquidity, and supporting cross-border investment within the euro area.
Online Education About Herbs and Dietary Supplements Margin or Mission

BACKGROUND Online education is increasingly used to train health professionals, but little is known about how variations in cost affect use of elective training. We assessed whether offering registration for free increased the number of modules consumed in both absolute terms (# modules consumed per person, pp) and relative terms (# modules consumed per # modules registered). METHODS We analyzed results of the 'natural experiment' on learner's use of the OSU Center for Integrative Health and Wellness online elective curriculum, Introduction Herbs and Dietary Supplements Across the Lifespan, in which costs varied based on monthly discounts for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of selected professional associations. RESULTS Over 7 months there were a total of 905 registrants for 8553 modules. Most (847/905, 94%) registered for free; they completed 1505 (18%) of 8344 modules for which they registered. Fewer (58/905, 6%) people paid for registration; they completed a significantly higher percentage 90/209 (43%, P < 0.001) of modules for which they registered; those who paid full, non-discount rates had the highest completion rates (62%, P < 0.001). Free and paid registrants completed about the same average number of modules per person, pp, (1.8 pp free vs.1.6 pp paid). CONCLUSION Although it may not contribute to financial margins, offering free online elective training addresses the institutional mission of increasing the number health professionals trained and the number of modules consumed compared with charging for training. Additional research is needed to determine the impact of pricing on educational outcomes and ultimately on patient care.
A Metal Cage for Rearing Grasshoppers

Since establishment of the Grasshopper Investigations Laboratory at Bozeman, Mont., in 1930, it has been cutomary to maintain a supply of grasshoppers for experimental usage during the winter months. For the most part, eggs were gathered from the field in the fall and kept under refrigeration until needed. Because it was necessary to gather large quantities of eggs, the species of grasshoppers reared were limited to 3 or 4 that normally concentrate their eggs around the edges of cropland or along the horrow pits of country roads. The migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.); the two-striped grasshopper. M. bivillatus (Say); the differential grasshopper, M. differentialis (Thomas); and the clear-winged grasshopper, Camnula pellucida (Scudder), in that order, were the species most sought. In most years we had little trouble gathering sufficient eggs to rear all the grasshoppers needed for experimental work during the winter months. However, with the advent of the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, and their almost universal use on farms to control grasshoppers in and around crops, it became increasingly difficult to find sufficient eggs for rearing the necessary grasshoppers. For this reason we have found it advisable to collect adult grasshoppers during the summer, cage them over sand at the laboratory, ami harvest the eggs. The method has proved quite successful with M. sanguinipes at the Mesa, Ariz., laboratory, where they have been able to obtain enough eggs to supply their needs and also to supply the Bozeman laboratory with several hundred pods each year.
Current Surgical Considerations in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Infancy and Childhood

An understanding of gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants and children by the clinician requires a working knowledge of 18- to 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and the motility disorders of the esophagus and stomach that may be associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The results of surgical therapy for childhood gastroesophageal reflux disease cannot be assessed accurately without this knowledge. Antireflux operations can be tailored to the child's situation, which includes a combination of clinical symptoms and findings on objective tests for reflux and associated alimentary-tract motility disorders. The presence of severe complications from gastroesophageal reflux disease in "asymptomatic" infants and children is a troublesome and not yet fully defined problem. Special areas include the documentation of gastroesophageal reflux disease as a cause of SIDS, the increased reporting of Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in childhood, and the effect of associated alimentary-tract motility disorders in children with CNS disease who have gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring surgical intervention.
Estimated predation rate of the stalked bourgueticrinid (Crinoidea) Democrinus from Roatán, Honduras

Crinoids have the ability to regenerate their crowns when arms are autotomized or bitten off by predators. The evidence of predation is visible in many populations of crinoids, including the deep water stalked crinoid Democrinus off the coast of Roatan, Honduras. Throughout the videos taken in a submersible, many individuals displayed arms that are significantly shorter relative to their stalk lengths than the full-grown adults in the area, indicating arm regeneration. Some individuals were missing crowns completely, strongly suggesting predation by fishes. Our calculated predation rate of 17.25% including individuals missing a crown or regenerating their arms in situ is significantly greater than that rates determined in previous studies of predation on Democrinus. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesizing Plausible Privacy-Preserving Location Traces

Camouflaging user's actual location with fakes is a prevalent obfuscation technique for protecting location privacy. We show that the protection mechanisms based on the existing (ad hoc) techniques for generating fake locations are easily broken by inference attacks. They are also detrimental to many utility functions, as they fail to credibly imitate the mobility of living people. This paper introduces a systematic approach to synthesizing plausible location traces. We propose metrics that capture both geographic and semantic features of real location traces. Based on these statistical metrics, we design a privacy-preserving generative model to synthesize location traces which are plausible to be trajectories of some individuals with consistent lifestyles and meaningful mobilities. Using a state-of-the-art quantitative framework, we show that our synthetic traces can significantly paralyze location inference attacks. We also show that these fake traces have many useful statistical features in common with real traces, thus can be used in many geo-data analysis tasks. We guarantee that the process of generating synthetic traces itself is privacy preserving and ensures plausible deniability. Thus, although the crafted traces statistically resemble human mobility, they do not leak significant information about any particular individual whose data is used in the synthesis process.
Abstract C33: Effects of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 deficiency on spontaneous metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in mice fed a high-fat diet

Obesity is a risk factor for cancer. Adipose tissue is considered an endocrine organ that produces pro-inflammatory adipokines, e.g. monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), that may contribute to obesity-related malignant progression. This study investigated effects of MCP-1 deficiency on pulmonary metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in male C57BL/6 mice using a spontaneous metastasis model. The high-fat diet (45% of energy from fat) significantly increased the number and size (cross-sectional area and volume) of lung metastases compared to the AIN93G control diet (16% of energy from fat). Deficiency of MCP-1 reduced the number of lung metastases by 37% (p Citation Format: Lin Yan, Sneha Sundaram. Effects of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 deficiency on spontaneous metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in mice fed a high-fat diet. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Function of Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression; 2016 Jan 7–10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(15 Suppl):Abstract nr C33.
Delay techniques for nipple-sparing mastectomy: A systematic review.

Summary Background Rare but serious complications of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) include necrosis of the nipple–areolar complex (NAC) and mastectomy skin flaps. NAC and mastectomy flap delay procedures are novel techniques designed to avoid these complications and may be combined with retroareolar biopsy as a first-stage procedure. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate various techniques for NAC and mastectomy flap delay. Methods PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1975 through April 15, 2016. The following search terms were used for both titles and key words: ‘nipple sparing mastectomy' AND (‘delay' OR ‘stage' OR ‘staged'). Two independent reviewers determined the study eligibility, only accepting studies involving patients who underwent a delay procedure prior to NSM and studies with objective results including specific outcomes of NAC and mastectomy flap necrosis. Results The literature search yielded 242 studies, of which five studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 101 patients. Various techniques for NSM delay have been described, all of which involve undermining the nipple and surrounding mastectomy skin to some degree. Partial NAC necrosis was reported in a total of 9 patients (8.9%). Mastectomy flap necrosis was reported in a total of 8 patients (7.9%). Three of five studies reported positive retroareolar biopsy findings in a total of 7 patients (6.9%). Conclusions Delay procedures for NSM have a good safety profile and may be considered in patients at risk for NAC or mastectomy flap necrosis, such as patients with pre-existing breast scars, active smoking, prior radiation, or ptosis. These procedures have the added benefit of allowing a retroareolar biopsy to be sent for permanent sections prior to mastectomy, allowing the surgical team to plan for the removal of the NAC at the time of mastectomy if indicated and eliminating the risk of a false-negative result on frozen section analysis.
Droxidopa for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension

Introduction: Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension is a disabling manifestation of autonomic failure seen in disorders such as multiple system atrophy, pure autonomic failure, Lewy body disease, Parkinson’s disease, autonomic neuropathies and dopamine β-hydroxylase deficiency.Areas covered: Droxidopa is an orally administered norepinephrine prodrug that was approved in the US in the year 2014 for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. This review examines the published pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, safety and efficacy data including the results of phase II and phase III studies of droxidopa.Expert opinion: Droxidopa has been shown to have measurable clinical benefit in reducing the symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, in particular postural lightheadedness despite its modest pressor effect, and it has been well-tolerated. As studies to date have demonstrated only short-term efficacy and safety, longer-term studies are needed to establish the durability of efficacy. An important ...
Revisiting the Decision of Death in Hurst v. Florida

The United States Supreme Court has considered the question of whether a judge or a jury must make the findings necessary to support imposition of the death penalty in several notable cases, including Spaziano v. Florida (1984), Hildwin v. Florida (1989), and Ring v. Arizona (2002). In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court revisited the subject in Hurst v. Florida . Florida Statute § 921.141 allows the judge, after weighing aggravating and mitigating circumstances, to enter a sentence of life imprisonment or death. Before Hurst , Florida's bifurcated sentencing proceedings included an advisory sentence from jurors and a separate judicial hearing without juror involvement. In Hurst , the Court revisited the question of whether Florida's capital sentencing scheme violates the Sixth Amendment, which requires a jury, not a judge, to find each fact necessary to impose a sentence of death in light of Ring . In an eight-to-one decision, the Court reversed the judgment of the Florida Supreme Court, holding that the Sixth Amendment requires a jury to find the aggravating factors necessary for imposing the death penalty. The role of Florida juries in capital sentencing proceedings was thereby elevated from advisory to determinative. We examine the Court's decision and offer commentary regarding this shift from judge to jury in the final imposition of the death penalty and the overall effect of this landmark case.
Czy muzyka jest ewolucyjną adaptacją

In this paper it is being argued that music might be regarded as a adaptive human behavior in the light of the evolutionary process. The author recalls here the NAPS theory of music according to which music does not prolong the existence of humanity but it might use one or many channels related to feeling pleasure which had evolved to strengthen adaptive behavior. The article recalls examples of theoreis of musical evolution connec ted to such issues as sexual choices, social integrity, development of perception, development of movement abilities, group effort, reduction of conf lict of interests, safe time consumption and communication between generations. All this evidence is being here regarded through archeological, anthropological and etological context. The conclusion of this paper is based on two assumptions. The first one is the notion that our mood is regulated through conversation and being with a friendly human. The other says that music takes and important place in this mood regulation.
A Bay/Estuary Model to Simulate Hydrodynamics and Water Quality Transport: Part 1 - Hydrodynamics

This paper presents the development and application of a bay/estuary model to simulate hydrodynamics and thermal and salinity transport. The hydrodynamic module solves three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with or without the hydrostatic assumptions. The turbulence is modeled with typical transport equations. The Boussinesq approximation is employed to deal with the buoyancy force due to temperature and salinity variations. The moving free surface is explicitly handled by solving the kinematic boundary condition equation using a node-repositioning algorithm. The transport module solves the energy equation for spatial-temporal distributions of temperature and the mass transport equations for the salinity field. The Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) representation is adopted for all transport equations including momentum transport. The solution is obtained with finite element methods or a combination of finite element and Semi-Lagrangian (particle tracking) methods. The model has been successfully calibrated with tides and salinities and is applied to Loxahatchee Estuary for the investigation of its minimum flow requirements to maintain ecological balance.
May We Take Our Baby With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Home

In the case at hand, some physicians might simply accede to the parents' request. Before there were surgical options for babies with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), 95% of affected newborns...
A review of level-set methods and some recent applications

Abstract We review some of the recent advances in level-set methods and their applications. In particular, we discuss how to impose boundary conditions at irregular domains and free boundaries, as well as the extension of level-set methods to adaptive Cartesian grids and parallel architectures. Illustrative applications are taken from the physical and life sciences. Fast sweeping methods are briefly discussed.
Polymeric Pseudolatex Dispersions as a New Topical Drug Delivery System

The potential use of a new class of polymeric colloidal dispersions and film forming agents, pseudolatices, were studied as unique topical vehicles. The topical anesthetic drug lidocaine was employed as a model drug in the study. The ethylcellulose pseudolatices containing tissue compatible and nonirritating nonionic surfactants, nontoxic solvents and other FDA-approved ingredients along with lidocaine were evaluated for their physical and chemical stability by periodic measurements of sediment height, particle size, viscosity and pH. All of the formulations except the one containing 20% ethyl-cellulose and 2% lidocaine were found to be physically and chemically stable. In vitro diffusion studies were performed on these pseudolatices to evaluate the availability of lidocaine from the formulations. Commercially available lidocaine products were compared to the pseudolatex formulations, and the amount of drug released from the pseudolatices in a diffusion study was found to be several times higher than from the commercially available products.
Novel Approach to Spatial Frequency Domain Fluorescence Diffuse Optical Tomography for Tumor Imaging

We discovered a limitation of SVD-based analytic inversion algorithm for spatial frequency domain fluorescence diffuse optical tomography. We illustrate the issue and introduce an algorithm to overcome this challenge.
Relationships are the heart of the work: mentoring relationships within gender-responsive programs for black girls

Research suggests that the well-being of black girls is often neglected in schools and juvenile justice systems. Gender-responsive programs designed to serve black girls can be beneficial if they f...
Data Analytics Implications

This special theme issue of IEEE Potentials introduces the rapidly evolving area of data analytics, which encompasses data analysis, data fusion, data storage, data sources, infrastructure and technology, screening and filtering algorithms, machine learning, and complexity. An emergent technology from data analytics is big-data analytics, defined by the Gartner IT Glossary as "high-volume, high-velocity and/or high-variety information assets that demand cost-effective, innovative forms of information processing that enable enhanced insight, decision making, and process automation." Big data definitely changes the way we approach data analytics. For example, we favor very large volumes of data over smaller volumes, even if the smaller volumes are more accurate. Also, our big-data analytics is more focused on probabilities and correlations over causality and certainty. In fact, The Fourth Paradigm: Data-Intensive Scientific Discovery states that "increasingly, scientific breakthroughs will be powered by advanced computing capabilities that help researchers manipulate and explore massive datasets."
The immunity-related GTPase M rs13361189 variant does not increase the risk for prevalent or incident steatosis; results from the Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Emerging data from paediatric populations suggest that variants in the autophagy-governing immunity-related GTPase M (IRGM) gene may contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) susceptibility. We examined the relationship between IRGM rs13361189 variants and NAFLD in a community-based cohort of adults. METHODS We included all Framingham Heart Study participants with available data on the IRGM rs13361189 variant, undergoing study-directed computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen (2002-2005). Using multivariable linear and logistic regression modelling, we evaluated cross-sectional associations between rs13361189 genotype and hepatic steatosis (HS). Among the subset of participants without baseline HS and who underwent follow-up CT scan between 2008 and 2011, we used multivariable logistic regression modelling to assess the longitudinal relationship between IRGM rs13361189 genotype and risk for incident HS. RESULTS Among 2070 participants (50% women; mean age 51 ± 11 years), 332 (16%) had one copy of the variant rs13361189 variant C allele, while 19 (1%) had the CC genotype. Compared to the TT genotype, there was no increased odds of prevalent HS with the CT or CC genotype (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.93 [95% CI 0.68-128] and 0.86 [95% CI 0.46-1.63], respectively). Among individuals without baseline HS (n = 1052), 19.3% developed incident HS over median 6.1 years. Compared to the TT genotype, neither the CT nor the CC genotype were significantly associated with incident HS (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION In our community-based, longitudinal cohort of Caucasian adults, variants in the autophagy-governing IRGM gene at the rs13361189 locus were not associated with increased prevalent or incident HS.
Dune soil communities primarily associated with climate factors, not exotic plant presence

Soil communities are shaped by multiple biotic and environmental components. We assessed the role of multiple factors in shaping soil bacterial and nematode communities in an ongoing plant invasion in western Michigan sand dunes. We aimed to determine which factors were important for structuring soil communities. We surveyed seven sites containing the exotic plant, Leymus arenarius, in western Michigan, USA sand dunes. We sampled the plant community and collected soil cores to assess bacterial and nematode communities. We assessed bacterial functional diversity using Biolog Ecoplates. Nematode communities were assessed based on morphological identification. Temperature was a strong determinant of bacterial functional diversity and community composition. Precipitation and Ammophila density were also correlated with bacterial function composition. Nematode communities were shaped by a combination of temperature, precipitation, Ammophila density, and to a lesser degree soil organic matter and Leymus density. Soil bacteria and bacterivorous nematode assemblages were not significantly associated in their responses to the environment. Soil communities of bacteria and nematodes in this early successional dune system are affected strongly by changes in climatic factors, rather than exotic plant presence.