cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Model-based assessment of persistence in proposed marine protected area designs

Assessment of marine protected areas (MPAs) requires the ability to quantify the effects of proposed MPA size and placement, habitat distribution, larval dispersal, and fishing on the persistence of protected populations. Here we describe a model-based approach to assessment of the contribution of a network of marine protected areas to the persistence of populations with a sedentary adult phase and a dispersing larval phase. The model integrates the effects of a patchy spatial distribution of habitat, the spatial scale of larval dispersal, and the level of fishing outside of reserves into a calculation of the spatial distribution of equilibrium settlement. We use the amount of coastline predicted to have equilibrium settlement rates that saturate post-settlement habitat as a response variable for the assessment and comparison of MPA network designs. We apply this model to a set of recently proposed MPA networks for the central coast of California, USA. Results show that the area of habitat set aside is a good predictor of the area over which population levels will be high for short-distance dispersers. However, persistence of longer distance dispersers depends critically on the spatial distribution of habitat and reserves, ranging from not persistent anywhere to persistent over a greater area than that set aside in reserves. These results depend on the mechanisms of persistence, with self-replacement supporting short-distance dispersers and network effects supporting long-distance dispersers. Persistence also depends critically on fishery status outside the MPAs, as well as how fishing effort is redistributed after MPA implementation. This assessment method provides important benchmarks, as well as a transparent modeling approach, for improving initial MPA configurations that may result from less-comprehensive rule- or habitat-based methods of designing MPAs.
Complete plastid genome sequences suggest strong selection for retention of photosynthetic genes in the parasitic plant genus Cuscuta

Plastid genome content and protein sequence are highly conserved across land plants and their closest algal relatives. Parasitic plants, which obtain some or all of their nutrition through an attachment to a host plant, are often a striking exception. Heterotrophy can lead to relaxed constraint on some plastid genes or even total gene loss. We sequenced plastid genomes of two species in the parasitic genus Cuscuta along with a non-parasitic relative, Ipomoea purpurea, to investigate changes in the plastid genome that may result from transition to the parasitic lifestyle. Aside from loss of all ndh genes, Cuscuta exaltata retains photosynthetic and photorespiratory genes that evolve under strong selective constraint. Cuscuta obtusiflora has incurred substantially more change to its plastid genome, including loss of all genes for the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase. Despite extensive change in gene content and greatly increased rate of overall nucleotide substitution, C. obtusiflora also retains all photosynthetic and photorespiratory genes with only one minor exception. Although Epifagus virginiana, the only other parasitic plant with its plastid genome sequenced to date, has lost a largely overlapping set of transfer-RNA and ribosomal genes as Cuscuta, it has lost all genes related to photosynthesis and maintains a set of genes which are among the most divergent in Cuscuta. Analyses demonstrate photosynthetic genes are under the highest constraint of any genes within the plastid genomes of Cuscuta, indicating a function involving RuBisCo and electron transport through photosystems is still the primary reason for retention of the plastid genome in these species.
Social Support and Children of Divorce

This paper examines childrens’ social support in the years immediately succeeding the dissolution of their parents’ marriage. The situation of parental divorce is a frequent one in our society, one that will be experienced by approximately one third of all children before they reach their eighteenth birthday (Glick, 1979). The negative consequences of this situation for children have been demonstrated to include extreme immediate distress, anxiety and aggression problems, school difficulties and impaired cognitive and sex role development (Hetherington, 1979; Kurdek, 1981).
The Interaction of Research Systems in the Evo-devo Juncture

Evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-devo) research is made up of many overlapping intersections among specialties, including genetics, developmental biology, cell biology, morphology, paleontology, and behavior. Often, an intersection develops into a specialty in its own right, but Evo-devo remains a juncture: a place where many specialties interact, but where integration among them is limited. It has been a locus of debates, as well as a place of cooperative production. This paper considers this pattern of incomplete integration of specialties from a sociological perspective. There are at least two kinds of reason for this pattern. First, technical disputes and incompatibilities of many kinds slow or block the integration of different approaches into a single, more comprehensive view. At the same time, the juncture is held together over time by a network of connections among the lines of research that comprise it. My emphasis here is on the pattern of connections and incompatibilities in Evo-devo, rather than on specific research issues. In particular, the ways in which research is organized exerts important influences on the manner and extent of specialty integration. Second, relations among sponsors, hosts, associations, and the research they support sometimes make it more difficult or more unlikely for cross-specialty research programs to collaborate or integrate effectively. I describe some of the institutional and organizational constraints that shape and limit the course of intersections and specialties, with special attention to the course of events in Evo-devo research and its current state of affairs.
Sensitivity of field isolates of Eimeria to monensin in the turkey.

Abstract A method previously described by Jeffers and Bentley, involving calculation of a growth and survival ratio and optimal anticoccidial activity index, was used to investigate the sensitivity of 23 field isolates of Eimeria obtained from turkey flocks to the ionophorous antibiotic monensin. Isolates were obtained from litter and intestinal samples from several major turkey-growing regions of the United States, and in most cases contained at least two species of Eimeria. A mixture of strains that had been maintained in the laboratory for many years in the absence of exposure to anticoccidial drugs was found to be sensitive to monensin. Six of the field isolates were judged sensitive, seven partially resistant, and ten resistant to the drug, judged by the Jeffers and Bentley criteria. This is the first report of the acquisition of resistance to monensin in isolates of Eimeria from turkey flocks in the United States.
Integrated Regulation of Hepatic Lipid and Glucose Metabolism by Adipose Triacylglycerol Lipase and FoxO Proteins

Metabolism is a highly integrated process that is coordinately regulated between tissues and within individual cells. FoxO proteins are major targets of insulin action and contribute to the regulation of gluconeogenesis, glycolysis, and lipogenesis in the liver. However, the mechanisms by which FoxO proteins exert these diverse effects in an integrated fashion remain poorly understood. We report that FoxO proteins also exert important effects on intrahepatic lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation via the regulation of adipose triacylglycerol lipase (ATGL), which mediates the first step in lipolysis, and its inhibitor, the G0/S1 switch 2 gene (G0S2). We also find that ATGL-dependent lipolysis plays a critical role in mediating diverse effects of FoxO proteins in the liver, including effects on gluconeogenic, glycolytic, and lipogenic gene expression and metabolism. These results indicate that intrahepatic lipolysis plays a critical role in mediating and integrating the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism downstream of FoxO proteins.
Sexual sterilization of screw-worm flies by orally administered 1-[bis(1-aziridinyl)phosphinyl]-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea: effects of feeding times and concentrations of vehicle.

When screw-worm flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), were treated orally with sugar syrup containing 1-[bis(1-aziridinyl) phosphinyl]-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea, egg hatchability decreased progressively as the length of time the males fed on 5% chemosterilant increased from 1 to 24 hr; at 20 hr, sterility was theoretically complete and equal to that obtained with the 24-hr feeding Also, egg hatchability increased progressively as the concentration of sugar syrup used as the vehicle for 1% chemosterilant fed to both sexes decreased from saturation to 0.1-saturation. When the length of time males fed on 1% chemosterilant was increased from 1 to 24 hr, egg hatchability decreased more rapidly if saturated sugar syrup was used as the vehicle than if 0.1-saturated sugar syrup was used.
On the Establishment of the Legal System about Electronic Wastes——Comment and Judge 《The Rule of Supervising Waste and Old Household Electrical Appliance and Electrical Production》(seeking opinions sketch )

With the development of economy and science,electrical wastes appear and become a environmental problem perplexing every country。The problem of electrical wastes in our country is not optimistic,and becomes serious;to be gratified,our government attaches importance to it,and begins to draft the law。This paper makes an simple approach about how to draft our legal system of electrical wastes,combining to 《The Rule of Supervising Waste and Old Household Electrical Appliance and Electrical Production》(seeking opinions sketch )
Epidemiological Analysis of Bacillary Dysentery form 2004-2011 in A County

Objective To analyze epidemiology characteristics of bacillary dysentery during 2004-2011 in Hongze County.Methods Methods of analytical epidemiology was used.Results 148 cases of bacillary dysentery were reported in Hongze from 2004 to 2011.The average annual incidence was 4.93/ lakh..It decreased with years.The morbidity rate of bacillary dysentery significantly increased in villages and towns which had large floating population.The morbidity rate varied seasonally.The highest peak began in May and terminated in August.And it was in the children under 5 years old.Children and farmers were the majority.Conclusion To strengthen the focus of population health knowledge propaganda is to reduce the incidence of bacillary dysentery.Supervision of drinking water and diet hygiene are important measures to cut off the route of transmission of bacillary dysentery in during the epidemic seasons.Improving the epidemic reporting and handling is the the pivot of concrolling the outbreak of bacillary dysentery.
Association of Central Adiposity With Adverse Cardiac Mechanics: Findings From the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network Study.

Background— Central obesity, defined by increased waist circumference or waist:hip ratio (WHR), is associated with increased cardiovascular events, including heart failure. However, the pathophysiological link between central obesity and adverse cardiovascular outcomes remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that central obesity and larger WHR are independently associated with worse cardiac mechanics (reduced left ventricular strain and systolic [s′] and early diastolic [e′] tissue velocities). Methods and Results— We performed speckle-tracking analysis of echocardiograms from participants in the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network (HyperGEN) study, a population- and family-based epidemiological study (n=2181). Multiple indices of systolic and diastolic cardiac mechanics were measured. We evaluated the association between central obesity and cardiac mechanics using multivariable-adjusted linear mixed-effects models to account for relatedness among participants. The mean age of the cohort was 51±14 years, 58% were women, and 47% were black. Mean body mass index was 30.8±7.1 kg/m2, waist circumference was 102±17 cm, WHR was 0.91±0.08, and 80% had central obesity based on waist circumference and WHR criteria. After adjusting for multiple potential confounders (including age, sex, race, physical activity, body mass index, heart rate, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, antihypertensive medication use, glomerular filtration rate, left ventricular mass index, wall motion abnormalities, and ejection fraction), central obesity and WHR remained associated with worse global longitudinal strain, early diastolic strain rate, s′ velocity, and e′ velocity ( P <0.05 for all comparisons). There were no significant statistical interactions between WHR and obesity status. Conclusions— In this cross-sectional study of participants with multiple comorbidities, central obesity was found to be associated with adverse cardiac mechanics.
Optic Nerve Head Measurements With Optical Coherence Tomography: A Phantom-Based Study Reveals Differences Among Clinical Devices.

PURPOSE Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can monitor for glaucoma by measuring dimensions of the optic nerve head (ONH) cup and disc. Multiple clinical studies have shown that different OCT devices yield different estimates of retinal dimensions. We developed phantoms mimicking ONH morphology as a new way to compare ONH measurements from different clinical OCT devices. METHODS Three phantoms were fabricated to model the ONH: One normal and two with glaucomatous anatomies. Phantoms were scanned with Stratus, RTVue, and Cirrus clinical devices, and with a laboratory OCT system as a reference. We analyzed device-reported ONH measurements of cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) and cup volume and compared them with offline measurements done manually and with a custom software algorithm, respectively. RESULTS The mean absolute difference between clinical devices with device-reported measurements versus offline measurements was 0.082 vs. 0.013 for CDR and 0.044 mm3 vs. 0.019 mm3 for cup volume. Statistically significant differences between devices were present for 16 of 18 comparisons of device-reported measurements from the phantoms. Offline Cirrus measurements tended to be significantly different from those from Stratus and RTVue. CONCLUSIONS The interdevice differences in CDR and cup volume are primarily caused by the devices' proprietary ONH analysis algorithms. The three devices yield more similar ONH measurements when a consistent offline analysis technique is applied. Scan pattern on the ONH also may be a factor in the measurement differences. This phantom-based study has provided unique insights into characteristics of OCT measurements of the ONH.
Water and Solute Mass Balance Models

This chapter describes the WINDS tipping bucket approach to water, salt, and nitrate transport in soils. The tipping bucket model is based on the law of conservation of mass (Fig. 26.1). The model runs quickly because rapid changes due to irrigation or storm events are simulated with conservation of mass, which allows for daily time steps. The algorithms march forward in time with Euler’s finite difference method. Because the model is fast, it can simulate daily changes in water, salinity, and nitrogen at hundreds of locations within fields over a growing season.
Hepatic Fatalities and Valproic Acid

The results of a third retrospective study of the US experience since 1986 with fatal hepatotoxicity associated with valproic acid (VPA) are reported from the Department of Neurology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Emergency Medicine Trainee Burnout and Clinical Performance in a High-fidelity Simulation Environment.

Objective Burnout is prevalent among emergency medicine (EM) physicians, with physicians experiencing burnout more likely to report committing medical errors or delivering suboptimal care. The relationship between physician burnout and identifiable differences in clinical care, however, remains unclear. We examined if EM trainee burnout was associated with differences in clinical performance using high fidelity simulation as a proxy for patient care. Methods In this cross-sectional study across six institutions, we measured trainee performance over four simulation scenarios based on recognized EM milestones. For each scenario a faculty rater assessed whether the trainee performed pre-defined critical actions specific to each case. A summation of performed actions across all cases resulted in a cumulative task (CT) score (range 0-85). Raters also assigned an impression score on a 10-point scale (0=poor; 10=outstanding) assessing the trainee's overall performance after each scenario, with the mean of the scores resulting in an overall impression (OI) score. After the simulation assessment, we measured trainees’ burnout via the Maslach Burnout Inventory through a confidential, electronic survey. Trainee depression, quality of life (QOL) and daytime sleepiness were also evaluated. Survey results were compared to simulation scores using analysis of variance and covariance. Results Fifty-eight of 89 (65.2%) eligible participants completed the survey and simulation assessment. Thirty-one of 58 (53.4%, 95% CI 40.2%-66.7%) trainees reported burnout. In trainees with burnout compared to those without, mean CT scores (73.4 vs 75.2, 95% CI of difference 0.06-3.51) and OI scores (6.4 vs 6.8, 95% CI of difference 0.03-0.79) were negatively associated with burnout after controlling for training program. In contrast, QOL were positively associated with CT [F(1, 48)=4.796, p=0.033] and OI [F(1, 48)=4.561, p=0.038] scores. There were no significant associations between simulation performance and depression or daytime sleepiness. Conclusion EM trainees with burnout received lower cumulative performance scores over four high fidelity simulation scenarios than trainees without burnout. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Prestack waveform inversion of three-dimensional seismic data — An example from the Rock Springs Uplift, Wyoming, USA

ABSTRACTApplying seismic inversion to estimate subsurface elastic earth properties for reservoir characterization is a challenge in exploration seismology. In recent years, waveform-based seismic inversions have gained popularity, but due to high computational costs, their applications are limited, and amplitude-variation-with-offset/angle inversion is still the current state-of-the-art. We have developed a genetic-algorithm-based prestack seismic waveform inversion methodology. By parallelizing at multiple levels and assuming a locally 1D structure such that forward computation of wave equation synthetics is computationally efficient, this method is capable of inverting 3D prestack seismic data on parallel computers. Applying this inversion to a real prestack seismic data volume from the Rock Springs Uplift (RSU) located in Wyoming, USA, we determined that our method is capable of inverting the data in a reasonable runtime and producing much higher quality results than amplitude-variation-with-offset/ang...
Long-Term Follow-Up of 98 Cases of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (epoetin) Induced Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA): Outcomes and Treatment Data from the Research on Adverse Drug Reactions and Reports (RADAR) Program.

Abstract Background: With the recent reporting of 191 cases of epoetin induced PRCA (Bennett CL, NEJM 2004), information is needed about the long-term follow-up of individuals with this diagnosis. While 47 cases from France, Germany, and England have been reported recently (Verhelst D, Lancet 2004), these data are limited by short follow-up and absence of information from other regions. Methods: RADAR investigators identified cases of epoetin-associated PRCA from the Food and Drug Administration MEDWatch database and proprietary reports from both the manufacturers epoetin alpha (Epogen from AMGEN, and Eprex from Johnson and Johnson) and epoetin beta (Neorecormon from Roche). Patients exposed to more than one epoetin form were excluded. PRCA recovery was operationally defined as transfusion independence, clearance of anti-erythropoietin antibody, and/or normalization of reticulocyte count. Results: See table. Conclusions: The overall recovery rate of 82% following transplantation versus 40% following immunosuppression suggests that transplantation might be the optimal therapy for epoetin-associated PRCA. Almost half of the patients rechallenged with epoetin developed recurrent PRCA, raising concern over the benefits of rechallenge. Eprex (N=82) Neorecormon (N=11) Epogen (N=5) Origin: US 60% 64% 100% Europe 60% 64% – Pacific Rim/Asia 21% 36% – Canada 19% – – Subcutaneous delivery 99% 100% 60% Recovery with Immunosuppression 37% 73% 0% Recovery with renal Transplant 11% – – No recovery with renal transplant 1% – 20% No Recovery 41% 18% 40% Unknown Recovery 10% 9% 40% Male gender 68% 73% 40% Rechallenged with epoetin N=12 – – Response rate 50% Median age 68 years 47 years 51 years
Evaluation of Smart Grid Technologies Employed for System Reliability Improvement: Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Experience

The Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration (PNWSGD) was a smart grid technology performance evaluation project that included multiple U.S. states and cooperation from multiple electric utilities in the northwest region. One of the local objectives for the project was to achieve improved distribution system reliability. Toward this end, some PNWSGD utilities automated their distribution systems, including the application of fault detection, isolation, and restoration and advanced metering infrastructure. In light of this investment, a major challenge was to establish a correlation between the implementation of these smart grid technologies and the actual improvements of distribution system reliability. This paper proposes using Welch’s t-test to objectively determine and quantify whether distribution system reliability is improving over time. The proposed methodology is generic, and it can be implemented by any utility after calculation of the standard reliability indices. The effectiveness of the proposed hypothesis testing approach is demonstrated through comprehensive practical results. It is believed that wider adoption of the proposed approach can help utilities to evaluate a realistic long-term performance of smart grid technologies.
Toward quantifying soft power: the impact of the proliferation of information technology on governance in the Middle East

This study examines how information technology and mass communication outlets have been employed as soft power platforms in the Middle East in the aftermath of 9/11/2001. The focus is on Internet access and mobile phone subscriptions to see how their proliferation has impacted government effectiveness and political stability in MENA nations from 2004 to 2014. The analysis is centred in the context of increased American investment in soft power programs in the region with the goal of reducing instability and anti-Western sentiments. We examine the nature of such investment in relation to information technology dependence. Understanding that the necessary technology is a product of Western-centric multinationals, we study the interplay between imports, foreign aid and foreign direct investment (FDI), as direct metrics of foreign capital intensity and our explanatory variables—Internet and mobile technology usage rates. The results suggest that information technology platforms contribute to improved governance, while foreign aid has a negative impact. We further examine if increased government effectiveness and stability attracted FDI, as a representation for a positive outcome of improved governance, and find that such governmental efficacy was a successful predictor of foreign direct investment growth, while political stability was not. This article is published as part of a collection on soft power.
Confidante: Usable Encrypted Email: A Case Study with Lawyers and Journalists

Email encryption tools remain underused, even by people who frequently conduct sensitive business over email, such as lawyers and journalists. Usable encrypted email has remained out of reach largely because key management and verification remain difficult. However, key management has evolved in the age of social media: Keybase is a service that allows users to cryptographically link public keys to their social media accounts (e.g., Twitter), enabling key trust without out-of-band communication. We design and prototype Confidante, an encrypted email client that uses Keybase for automatic key management. We conduct a user study with 15 people (8 U. S. lawyers and 7 U. S. journalists) to evaluate Confidante's design decisions. We find that users complete an encrypted email task more quickly and with fewer errors using Confidante than with an existing email encryption tool, and that many users report finding Confidante comparable to using ordinary email. However, we also find that lawyers and journalists have diverse operational constraints and threat models, and thus that there may not be a one-size-fits-all solution to usable encrypted email. We reflect on our findings — both specifically about Confidante and more generally about the needs and constraints of lawyers and journalists—to identify lessons and remaining security and usability challenges for encrypted email.
Human Papillomaviruses Preferentially Recruit DNA Repair Factors to Viral Genomes for Rapid Repair and Amplification

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) activate the ataxia telangiectasia mutated-dependent (ATM) DNA damage response as well as the ataxia telangiectasia mutated-dependent DNA-related (ATR) pathway in the absence of external DNA damaging agents for differentiation-dependent genome amplification. Through the use of comet assays and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, our studies showed that these pathways are activated in response to DNA breaks induced by the viral proteins E6 and E7 alone and independently of viral replication. The majority of these virally induced DNA breaks are present in cellular DNAs and only minimally in HPV episomes. Treatment of HPV-positive cells with inhibitors of both ATM and ATR leads to the generation of DNA breaks and the fragmentation of viral episomes, indicating that DNA breaks are introduced into HPV genomes. These breaks, however, are rapidly repaired through the preferential recruitment of homologous recombination repair enzymes, such as RAD51 and BRCA1, to viral genomes at the expense of cellular DNAs. When HPV-positive cells are treated with hydroxyurea, this recruitment of RAD51 and BRCA1 to viral genomes is greatly enhanced with little recruitment to damaged cellular DNAs and with retention of the ability of viral genomes to amplify. Overall, our studies demonstrated that human papillomaviruses induce breaks into cellular and viral DNAs and that the preferential repair of these lesions in viral episomes leads to genome amplification.IMPORTANCE High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the etiologic agents of cervical cancer and are linked to the development of many other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Replication of high-risk HPVs requires the activation of the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR) DNA repair pathways. Our studies have shown that HPVs activate these pathways by inducing double-strand breaks primarily in cellular DNAs and minimally in viral genomes. Breaks are induced in viral genomes but are rapidly repaired through the preferential recruitment of homologous repair factors such as RAD51 and BRCA1 to HPV episomes. The preferential repair of breaks in viral genomes leads to amplification. Our study identified a novel mechanism by which human papillomaviruses manipulate DNA repair pathways to productively replicate viral genomes. The induction of genetic instability in cellular DNAs likely contributes to the generation of mutations that lead to the development of cancers.
Exploitation of the high affinity and specificity of proteins in waste stream treatment.

During the conference on “Genetic Control of Environmental Pollutants” held in Seattle in 1983 (18), it became clear that adsorption systems with high affinities and specificities would be useful in removing specific pollutants from waste streams. Following the conference, we decided to explore the possibility of developing such systems, taking advantage of the high specificity and affinity offered by proteins. The present chapter addresses three areas of research: (a) the development of protein, peptide, and biomimetic adsorbers; (b) the development of microbiosensors and control systems for the continuous monitoring and automation of water treatment procedures; and (c) automation of the production of proteins used in ligand adsorbers and biosensors.
A comparative study of silver-epoxy and tin-lead solder in their joints with copper, through mechanical and electrical measurements during debonding

A comparative study of silver-epoxy and tin-lead solder in their joints with copper was made through simultaneous mechanical and electrical measurements during debonding. Silver-epoxy joints to copper abruptly increased in contact electrical resistivity upon completion of shear debonding, whereas tin-lead soldered joints to copper did not, due to the higher ductility of solder compared to silver-epoxy. The contact resistivity before debonding was higher for silver-epoxy than solder. Cleansing of the copper surface was essential for silver-epoxy, but not for solder. Acetone washing of copper surface helped silver-epoxy joints, but not soldered joints. Acid washing helped soldered joints more than acetone washing, but helped silver-epoxy joints to the same extent as acetone washing.
Vascular engraftment and repair by adult non-hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

Recent advances in our understanding of adult non-hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell biology may lead to powerful new therapies for vascular repair and for the treatment of ischemic tissue injury. This chapter will provide an overview of several non-hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell types that engraft and contribute to the vasculature (mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs; endothelial and smooth muscle progenitor cells, EPCs and SPCs; adipose-derived stem cells, ADSCs; and cardiac stem cells, CSCs) and mechanisms of angiogenic and postnatal vasculogenic repair by adult stem/progenitor cells.
Geriatric Patients with Epilepsy

Elderly patients with epilepsy share many characteristics with their younger cohort, but there are important differences between these groups that are relevant for the neuropsychologist working with older adults. Elderly patients with epilepsy have unique risk factors for comorbidities and complications that put them at increased risk of neurocognitive sequelae. The medical, cognitive, and psychosocial characteristics of this group often result in different referral questions and approaches for the development of clinical hypotheses, selection of tests, interpretation of results, and provision of recommendations.
Spine update: genetics of familial idiopathic scoliosis.

The etiology et familial idiopathic scoliosis remains in question. The role of genetic factors in the development of this disorder has been well-documented; however, reports of the specific mode of genetic inheritance are inconclusive. These facts, combined with the phenotypic variability of this disorder, suggest that the genetic expression if idiopathic scoliosis may be dependent upon multiple factors and genetic interactions, Strategies to resolve the complex nature of this condition include genome-wide scanning of one extensive family or, alternatively, a well-characterized population of families affected with idiopathic scoliosis.
Fractional-Order Trajectory-Following Control for Two-Legged Dynamic Walking

This research seeks greater efficiency for walking robots. Efficiency can be improved in two ways: better performance (i.e., less wasted motion) and reduced energy consumption. Fractional-order control is a pathway to both of these improvements because of the flexibility it offers in designing a control strategy. Compared to the existing proportional-derivative architecture, changing the order of the derivative - the number of derivatives taken - to real numbers other than 1 has yielded both types of improvement for a simulated walker. The evidence of better performance is the leg angles' improvement in maintaining a desired relationship with respect to one another. Depending on the controller chosen, the walker can also be made to achieve the original level of performance with reduced control signals and less torque delivered to the hip joint, implying greater energy efficiency.
The influence of beliefs and policies on youth cigarette use in Florida

ABSTRACTBackground: Nearly 90 percent of smokers developed their habit as teenagers, and tobacco use in high school influences behaviors later in adulthood. An amendment to the Florida Clean Indoor...
The impact of community sustainability: A life cycle assessment of three ecovillages

Abstract This study uses life cycle assessment (LCA) to develop a comprehensive model of the environmental impacts of residents of three ecovillages (Sirius Community, Earthaven, and Ecovillage at Ithaca) across four areas of activity: home energy use, transportation energy use, food consumption, and waste disposal. In addition, a model of the average U.S. resident was developed to provide a basis for comparison. Using models for residents of each ecovillage and the average U.S. resident allows the investigation of the impacts of different practices at each ecovillage while also demonstrating that ecovillage residents have substantially lower environmental impacts than the average U.S. resident. The combination of the comprehensive results provided by the LCA and the examination of multiple ecovillages provides a rich understanding of the impacts of these communities and their potential as models for the development of more sustainable communities.
Mechanisms of tissue-specific genetic regulation revealed by latent factors across eQTLs

Abstract Background Genetic regulation of gene expression, revealed by expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), varies across tissues in complex patterns ranging from highly tissue-specific effects to effects shared across many or all tissues. Improved characterization of these patterns may allow us to better understand the biological mechanisms that underlie tissue-specific gene regulation and disease etiology. Results We develop a constrained matrix factorization model to learn patterns of tissue sharing and tissue specificity of eQTLs across 49 human tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project. The learned factors include patterns reflecting tissues with known biological similarity or shared cell types, in addition to a dense factor representing a universal genetic effect across all tissues. To explore the regulatory mechanisms that generate tissue-specific patterns of expression, we evaluate chromatin state enrichment and identify specific transcription factors with binding sites enriched for eQTLs from each factor. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that matrix factorization can be applied to learn the tissue specificity pattern of eQTLs and that it exhibits better biological interpretability than heuristic methods. We present a framework to characterize the tissue specificity of eQTLs, and we identify examples of tissue-specific eQTLs that may be driven by tissue-specific transcription factor (TF) binding, with relevance to interpretation of disease association.
Bioprocess for hydrolysis of galacto-oligosaccharides in soy molasses and tofu whey by recombinant Pseudomonas chlororaphis

Abstract The main objective of the study was to develop a bioprocess to hydrolyse galacto-oligosaccharides (GOs) using genetically engineered Pseudomonas chlororaphis which could produce biopolymers and biosurfactants. To this end, alpha-galactosidase genes were expressed in P. chlororaphis transformants either via a plasmid vector (i.e., strain [dAG]) or integrated into the chromosome (i.e., strain [chr::AG]). Pseudomonas secretion signals for protein were tested to facilitate extracellular secretion of the gene product. Furthermore, a two-stage condensed-cell-density fermentation process was adopted to enable hydrolysis of GOs by the P. chlororaphis recombinants. The results showed that the recombinant P. chlororaphis strains could hydrolyse GOs in culture media containing raffinose alone, stachyose alone, crude soy molasses, and tofu whey waste byproducts. Specifically, the most active recombinant P. chlororaphis [dAG] strain reduced the levels of raffinose (0.5% w/v) to
Diagnosis and treatment of low-risk superficial basal cell carcinoma in a single visit.

Introduction: Surgical excision remains the most commonly utilized treatment for superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). In the era of cost containment of healthcare, the rising incidence of BCC a...
Sequential third-year medical student quality assurance (QA) clerkship projects appear to introduce a culture of continuous quality improvement across New Jersey family medicine practices

Background In recent years, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Family Medicine has integrated a quality assurance (QA) project as a required component of their 5-week medical student clerkship. This project requires each student to conduct a QA study at an assigned family practice and discuss the results with their preceptor. The aim of this study was to determine if sequential medical student QA projects impact physician readiness to improve guideline adherence over time. Methods A retrospective analysis of student reports was conducted to determine if physician readiness to improve compliance improved post implementation of the QA project using James Prochaska’s Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change. Fisher’s exact test or the χ2 test were used as applicable to compare the change in results. Results In academic year 2015–2016, there were 11 (6%) instances where physicians were precontemplating on change, 43 (24%) instances where physicians were contemplating, 101 (57%) instances where physicians were preparing to make change, 18 (10%) instances where physicians were acting, and 4 (2%) of instances where a physician were maintaining previous changes. The following year, the numbers were: 15 (8%), 38 (21%), 82 (46%), 34 (19%) and 11 (6%), respectively. There were increases of physicians in stages of precontemplation (p=0.047), action (p=0.02) and maintenance (p=0.047), a decrease in physicians that were in the stage of preparation (p=0.05) and no significant change in the instances they were in a stage of contemplation (p=0.60). Conclusion Student QA projects appear to leverage physician readiness to improve guideline adherence. Future studies will determine if raising awareness through these clerkship projects results in practice behavioural change.
Accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

e12604Background: The safety of the sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure (SLNB) in the surgical management of breast cancer relies upon a false negative rate (FNR) being less than 10%. The accuracy...
Measure twice, cut once: Optimal inventory and harvest under volume uncertainty and stochastic price dynamics

Abstract Natural resources are often subject to state uncertainty: resource abundance is not known with certainty, but can be measured. Measurements are typically imperfect and costly to obtain. The decision of whether to invest in resource measurement may be influenced by other state variables, for example a resource commodity price. We introduce a mixed-observability model of optimal forest management featuring a partially-observable forest resource and perfectly-observable stochastic price. The decision maker optimizes the expected net present value of forest returns by choosing when to measure current forest volume (conduct an inventory), harvest and replant, or delay action. Parameter values are obtained from numerous forestry data sources. Optimal investment in inventory reduces the cost of uncertainty about timber volume and increases the predictability of returns. Moreover, price stochasticity interacts with inventory decisions to produce asymmetric effects of high and low prices on inventory timing. We also produce the first graphical Faustmann rule analogues for jointly-optimal inventory and harvest.
Wage Discrimination within Health care Professions: An Intersectional Analysis

Research Objective The goal of this project was to analyze the degree to which gender discrimination and black‐white racial wage discrimination exist within the US health care workforce. Additionally, this project utilizes a critical race theoretical framework to explore how individuals with intersectional identities, specifically black women, are impacted by these wage differences.
A narrative review of primary spontaneous pneumomediastinum: a poorly understood and resource-intensive problem

Primary spontaneous pneumomediastinum (PSPM) is a benign self-limited condition that can be difficult to discriminate from esophageal perforation. This may trigger costly work-up, transfers and hospital admissions. To better understand this diagnostic dilemma and current management, we undertook the most comprehensive and up to date review of PSPM. The PubMed database was searched using the MeSH term "Mediastinal Emphysema"[Mesh], to identify randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and case series (including 10 or more patients) relevant to the clinical presentation and management of patients with PSPM. There were no relevant randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses. Nineteen case series met our criteria, including a total of 535 patients. The average mean age was 23 years with a 3:1 male predominance. Chest pain was the most common symptom, found in 70.9% of the patients. Dyspnea and neck pain were the second and third most common symptoms, found in 43.4% and 32% of the patients, respectively. Subcutaneous emphysema was the most common sign (54.2%). Common histories included smoking (29.6%), cough (27.7%), asthma (25.9%), physical exertion (21.1%) and recent retching or emesis (13%). Nearly all patients (96.9%) underwent chest X-ray (CXR). Other diagnostic studies included computed tomography (65%) and esophagram (35.6%). Invasive studies were common, with 13% of patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy and 14.6% undergoing bronchoscopy. The rate of hospital admission was 86.5%, with an average length of stay of 4.4 days. No deaths were reported. Notably, we identified a dearth of information regarding the vitals, laboratory values and imaging findings specific to patients presenting with PSPM. We conclude that PSPM is a benign clinical entity that continues to present a resource-intensive diagnostic challenge and that data on the vitals, labs, and imaging findings specific to PSPM patients is scant. An improved understanding of these factors may lead to more efficient diagnosis and management of these patients.
Comparison of mini laparotomy and morcellation for large specimen retrieval in robotic gynecologic surgery

Objectives: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is the standard of care for gynecologic and gynecologic oncology conditions. For large specimen retrieval, morcellation is a controversial option due to concerns of undetected malignancy and dissemination. Our objective was to compare safety and discharge outcomes for patients with mini-laparotomy (ML) versus morcellation for large specimen retrieval during robotic cases. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent robotic gynecologic surgery (RGS) from January 2013 to June 2016, we compared intraoperative and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing ML or morcellation. Mode of specimen delivery was at the discretion of the surgeon. The ML group consisted of patients who at the completion of RGS underwent an abdominal ML incision and the morcellation group consisted of patients who underwent manual or power morcellation for specimen delivery. Outcomes were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared/Fisher's exact tests, and multivariate logistic models. Results: Of the 2,126 patients undergoing RGS, 154 (7.2%) underwent a ML for specimen retrieval and 834 (39.2%) underwent specimen removal with morcellation. Median age was greater for the ML compared to morcellation (45 [IQR 37.1-52.8] vs 40 [IQR 35.0-46.0]; p Download : Download high-res image (80KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Despite increased EBL and operative time, ML for specimen retrieval does not affect postoperative outcomes such as time to discharge, wound infection, complications, need for blood transfusion, or re-admission rates. These results highlight that ML may play an important role when removing large specimens while still enabling patients to have a successful MIS procedure and same day discharge.
Safety, Immunogenicity and Efficacy of a Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vectored Vaccine Against Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome and Heartland Bandaviruses

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a recently emerged tickborne virus in east Asia with over 8,000 confirmed cases. With a high case fatality ratio, SFTSV has been designated a high priority pathogen by the WHO and the NIAID. Despite this, there are currently no approved therapies or vaccines to treat or prevent SFTS. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) represents an FDA-approved vaccine platform that has been considered for numerous viruses due to its low sero-prevalence in humans, ease in genetic manipulation and promiscuity in incorporating foreign glycoproteins into its virions. In this study, we developed a recombinant VSV (rVSV) expressing the SFTSV glycoproteins Gn/Gc (rVSV-SFTSV) and assessed its safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in mice. We demonstrate that rVSV-SFTSV is safe when given to immunocompromised animals and is not neuropathogenic when injected intracranially into young immunocompetent mice. Immunization of Ifnar-/- mice with rVSV-SFTSV resulted in high levels of neutralizing antibodies and protection against lethal SFTSV challenge. Additionally, passive transfer of sera from immunized Ifnar-/- mice into naive animals was protective when given pre- or post-exposure. Finally, we demonstrate that immunization with rVSV-SFTSV cross protects mice against challenge with the closely related Heartland virus despite low neutralizing titers to the virus. Taken together, these data suggest that rVSV-SFTSV is a promising vaccine candidate. ImportanceTick borne diseases are a growing threat to human health. Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and Heartland viruses are recently recognized, highly-pathogenic, tick-transmitted viruses. The fatality rates for individuals infected with SFTSV or HRTV are high and there are no therapeutics or vaccines available. The recent introduction of the tick vector for SFTSV (Haemaphysalis longicornis) to the eastern half of the United States and Austrailia raises concerns for SFTSV outbreaks outside East Asia. Here we report the development of a potential vaccine for SFTSV and HRTV based on the viral vector platform that has been successfully used for an Ebola vaccine. We demonstrate that the rVSV-SFTSV protects from lethal SFTSV or HRTV challenge when given as a single dose. We evaluated possible pathogenic effects of the vaccine and show that it is safe in immune compromised animlas and when introduced into the central nervous system.