cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving the fit of bivariate smoothing splines when estimating longitudinal immunological and virological markers in HIV patients with individual antiretroviral treatment strategies.

CD4+ lymphocyte count and HIV RNA plasma viral load are longitudinally monitored in patients with HIV infection. Because data collection intervals may be unequally spaced and these markers experience high within-patient variability, they may be smoothed before use in subsequent models. Estimation strategies must be able to accommodate the drastic changes in viral load which may occur when an individual's treatment strategy is updated. Because these treatment changes are not regimented, these dynamics cannot be modelled using standard methods. We propose univariate and bivariate cubic smoothing splines to fit CD4+ count and viral load over time. The method is developed using state space equations, and the Kalman filter is used to calculate the log-likelihood. Non-linear optimization is used to obtain the maximum likelihood estimates. A modification of the Kalman filter allows non-informative or diffuse priors at the initial observation. Since treatment changes are expected to alter the shape of the curve, we further extend the Kalman filter to permit greater flexibility in the smoothing spline at these time points. The method produces smoothed estimates of the viral load and CD4+ count curves over time.
Patching and Single-Strand Ligation in Nonhomologous DNA End Joining Despite Persistence of a Closely Opposed 3′-Phosphoglycolate-Terminated Strand Break

Abstract Previous work showed that in human nuclear extracts, double-strand break substrates bearing partially complementary (-ACG) 3′-phosphoglycolate (PG)-terminated 3′ overhangs are joined by a mechanism involving annealing of the terminal CG dinucleotides, PG removal, single-base gap filling and ligation. However, in these extracts only a minority of the breaks are rejoined, and most of the 3′-PG termini remain intact even after several hours. To determine whether the presence of a persistent 3′-PG prevents patching and ligation of the opposite strand, a substrate was constructed with two -ACG overhangs, one PG-terminated and one hydroxyl-terminated. after incubation in HeLa cell nuclear extracts, two major repair products of similar yield were formed: a fully repaired duplex and a nicked duplex in which the initial 3′-PG terminus remained intact. These results indicate that patching and ligation can proceed to completion in the unmodified strand despite persistence of the 3′-PG-terminated break in th...
Design of an ultra-wideband power-efficient distributed low-noise amplifier

An ultra-wideband (UWB) distributed amplifier implementing high-gain, low-power-consumption gain-cells is presented. The distributed amplifier was fabricated in TSMC 0.18-µm CMOS process and achieved an average power gain of around 10 dB, input return loss of less than −20 dB, and noise figure of 3.3–6.1 dB with a power consumption of only 19.6 mW over the entire UWB range of 3.1–10.6 GHz. In the high-gain operating mode that consumed 100 mW, the distributed amplifier exhibited a high gain of 16 dB with 3.2–6-dB noise figure over the UWB range.
Some Effects of Chloroquine on Oxidative Processes in Rat Heart

Chloroquine at a concentration of 5.4 × 10 −4 M enhanced the oxygen consumption of rat ventricle homogenates respiring in the presence of succinate. This effect was not noted with aged homogenates. Total α-keto acids present after incubation of homogenates with succinate was observed to be diminished when chloroquine was present. The oxidation of malate and β -hydroxybutyrate was inhibited by the addition of chloroquine. Chronic poisoning by this drug did not affect the ability of heart homogenates to utilize β -hydroxybutyrate, but the oxidation of malate was impaired. A purified malic dehydrogenase was not inhibited by chloroquine but, at a concentration of 5.4 × 10 −4 M, the drug markedly inhibited the oxidation of NADH by a fragmented mitochondrial suspension prepared from rat myocardium.
Impulsivity and Academic Cheating

The authors examined the relations between academic cheating and impulsivity in a large sample of adolescents enrolled in high school health education classes. Results indicated that impulsivity predicts academic cheating for students who report extensive involvement in cheating. However, students who engage in extensive cheating are less likely to report cheating when they perceive a mastery goal structure. In addition, both moderate and extensive cheaters report less cheating when they perceive the teacher as being credible.
Fed-batch fermentor synthesis of 3-dehydroshikimic acid using recombinant Escherichia coli.

3-Dehydroshikimic acid (DHS), in addition to being a potent antioxidant, is the key hydroaromatic intermediate in the biocatalytic conversion of glucose into aromatic bioproducts and a variety of industrial chemicals. Microbial synthesis of DHS, like other intermediates in the common pathway of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, has previously been examined only under shake flask conditions. In this account, synthesis of DHS using recombinant Escherichia coli constructs is examined in a fed-batch fermentor where glucose availability, oxygenation levels, and solution pH are controlled. DHS yields and titers are also determined by the activity of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthase. This enzyme's expression levels, sensitivity to feedback inhibition, and the availability of its substrates, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and D-erythrose 4-phosphate (E4P), dictate its in vivo activity. By combining fed-batch fermentor control with amplified expression of a feedback-insensitive isozyme of DAHP synthase and amplified expression of transketolase, DHS titers of 69 g/L were synthesized in 30% yield (mol/mol) from D-glucose. Significant concentrations of 3-dehydroquinic acid (6.8 g/L) and gallic acid (6.6 g/L) were synthesized in addition to DHS. The pronounced impact of transketolase overexpression, which increases E4P availability, on DHS titers and yields indicates that PEP availability is not a limiting factor under the fed-batch fermentor conditions employed.
The contribution of 5-hydroxyindolepyruvic acid to cerebral 5-hydroxyindole metabolism.

The extent of the 5-hydroxyindolepyruvic acid (5-HIPA) bypass to the cerebral metabolism of 5-hydroxyindoles was measured. The presence of 5-HIPA-14C in brain was demonstrated after intravenous 5-HTP-14C through isolation and identification of its 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone. The formation of 5-HIPA was significantly affected by various drugs. The rate of synthesis of 5-HIAA via 5-HIPA in rat brain appears to be at least 0.22 n-mol/g/hr. Increased cerebral 5-HT inhibited transamination of 5-HTP but not the hydroxylation of tryptophan. Lack of feedback inhibition of cerebral tryptophan hydroxylase by 5-HT is confirmed.
Morphology and autowave metric on CNN applied to bubble-debris classification

We present the initial results of cellular neural network (CNN)-based autowave metric to high-speed pattern recognition of gray-scale images. The approach is applied to a problem involving separation of metallic wear debris particles from air bubbles. This problem arises in an optical-based system for determination of mechanical wear. This paper focuses on distinguishing debris particles suspended in the oil flow from air bubbles and using the CNN technology to create an online fault monitoring system. The goal is to develop a classification system with an extremely low false alarm rate for misclassified bubbles. The CNN algorithm detects and classifies single bubbles and bubble groups using binary morphology and autowave metric. The debris particles are separated based on autowave distances computed between bubble models and the unknown objects. Initial experiments indicate that the proposed algorithm is robust and noise tolerant and when implemented on a CNN universal chip it provides a solution in real time.
Inhibition of guanylate cyclase stimulation by NO and bovine arterial relaxation to peroxynitrite and H2O2.

The inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulation by nitric oxide (NO), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), was examined for its effects on the prolonged relaxation of end...
Radial variation in sap velocity as a function of stem diameter and sapwood thickness in yellow-poplar trees

Canopy transpiration and forest water use are frequently estimated as the product of sap velocity and cross-sectional sapwood area. Few studies, however, have considered whether radial variation in sap velocity and the proportion of sapwood active in water transport are significant sources of uncertainty in the extrapolation process. Therefore, radial profiles of sap velocity were examined as a function of stem diameter and sapwood thickness for yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) trees growing on two adjacent watersheds in eastern Tennessee. The compensation heat pulse velocity technique was used to quantify sap velocity at four equal-area depths in 20 trees that ranged in stem diameter from 15 to 69 cm, and in sapwood thickness from 2.1 to 14.8 cm. Sap velocity was highly dependent on the depth of probe insertion into the sapwood. Rates of sap velocity were greatest for probes located in the two outer sapwood annuli (P1 and P2) and lowest for probes in closest proximity to the heartwood (P3 and P4). Relative sap velocities averaged 0.98 at P1, 0.66 at P2, 0.41 at P3 and 0.35 at P4. Tree-specific sap velocities measured at each of the four probe positions, divided by the maximum sap velocity measured (usually at P1 or P2), indicated that the fraction of sapwood functional in water transport (f(S)) varied between 0.49 and 0.96. There was no relationship between f(S) and sapwood thickness, or between f(S) and stem diameter. The fraction of functional sapwood averaged 0.66 +/- 0.13 for trees on which radial profiles were determined. No significant depth-related differences were observed for sapwood density, which averaged 469 kg m(-3) across all four probe positions. There was, however, a significant decline in sapwood water content between the two outer probe positions (1.04 versus 0.89 kg kg(-1)). This difference was not sufficient to account for the observed radial variation in sap velocity. A Monte-Carlo analysis indicated that the standard error in estimated mean f(S) declined rapidly with increasing sample size. At n = 10, the coefficient of variation in mean f(S) was 7% and at n = 15 it was slightly less than 5%. These observations indicate that radial variation in sap velocity is an important, albeit often overlooked, source of uncertainty in the scaling process. Failure to recognize that not all sapwood is functional in water transport will introduce systematic bias into estimates of both tree and stand water use. Future studies should devise sampling strategies for assessing radial variation in sap velocity and such strategies should be used to identify the magnitude of this variation in a range of non-, diffuse- and ring-porous trees.
Mesoscale Convective Systems in Weakly Forced Large-Scale Environments. Part I: Observations

Abstract During a 24-h period, beginning 1200 UTC 11 May 1982, a series of five mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) developed within a weakly forced large-scale environment. Analyses indicate that the large-scale flow created a broad region of potential buoyant energy, but owing to a restraining inversion and weak large-scale upward motion, convection was initiated only where lifting associated with mesoscale features was able to eliminate the inversion. The series of MCSs developed sequentially and moved eastward across the moist axis. Two of these systems had a large component of motion against the mean tropospheric flow and propagated in a direction nearly opposite to that of the traveling upper-level disturbances. Each system produced an outflow of cold downdraft air that spread progressively farther south than that from the preceding system. This description of the development and evolution of convection is very different from traditional ones wherein convection develops and moves more or less in pha...
"Home Run, Strike Out, or Base Hit: How Do Accelerators Impact Exit and VC Financing in New Firms?"

Increasingly, entrepreneurs in search of critical early stage resources face an evolving paradigm: the rise of accelerators that integrate small equity investments with an intensive, cohort-based m...
Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric-Onset and Adult-Onset Multiple Sclerosis in Hispanic Americans

Multiple sclerosis can affect pediatric patients. Our aim was to compare characteristics between pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis and adult-onset multiple sclerosis in Hispanic Americans. This was a cross-sectional analysis of 363 Hispanic American multiple scleroses cases; demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. A total of 110 Hispanic patients presented with multiple sclerosis before age 18 and 253 as adult multiple sclerosis. The most common presenting symptoms for both was optic neuritis. Polyfocal symptoms, seizures, and cognitive symptoms at presentation were more prevalent in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (P ≤ .001). Transverse myelitis was more frequent in adult-onset multiple sclerosis (P ≤ .001). Using multivariable analysis, pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (adjusted odds ratio, 0.3OR 95% confidence interval 0.16-0.71, P = .004) and being US born (adjusted odds ratio, 0.553, 95% confidence interval 0.3-1.03, P = .006) were less likely to have severe ambulatory disability. Results suggest that pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis and adult-onset multiple sclerosis in Hispanics have differences that could be important for treatment and prognosis.
NIMG-07RADIOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF PROGRESSION WITH ASSOCIATED OUTCOMES AFTER BEVACIZUMAB THERAPY IN GLIOBLASTOMA PATIENTS

INTRODUCTION: Patterns of progression following bevacizumab (bev) treatment and associated outcomes remain poorly characterized. In patients (pts) with glioblastoma (GB) treated with bev, we describe radiographic patterns of progression and their association with outcome. METHODS: 64 pts treated at MD Anderson matched the predetermined inclusion criteria. Tumor progression after bev treatment was assessed according to the RANO criteria and pts categorized into groups based on previously published data: Group1:exclusively T2-diffuse hyperintense tumor (T2-diffuse), Group2:initial decrease and subsequent flare-up of contrast enhancement (CE) at progression (cT1 Flare-up), Group3:no decrease in CE or development of new lesions at first follow-up imaging (non- responders), Group4:exclusively T2-circumscribed hyperintense tumor progression (T2-circumscribed). In addition, we screened for new diffusion-restricted lesions or pre-contrast T1-hyperintense lesions or both (double-positive). RESULTS: Pts were categorized into Group1:11%, Group2: 33%, Group3: 45%, Group4: 11%. 16 pts had T1-hyperintense lesions and 37 had restricted diffusion;10 pts had double-positive lesions. There was no significant difference in time-to-initiation of bev treatment in the 4 groups. After starting bev, median OS and PFS (months) was Group1:8.6, 4.2 Group2:12.3,3.9 Group3:5.6,1.4 and Group4:7.0,3.2 respectively. Comparing non-responders vs the rest of the groups (responders), OS from initiation of bev was 5.6 vs 10 months (p = <0.001). OS from diagnosis of GB was not significantly different between the 4 groups. Post-progression on bev, OS was: Group1:3.9,Group2:6.4, Group3: 3.8 and Group4:3.0. Pts with restricted diffusion had worse OS (23.4 vs17.4 months). There was no difference in survival based on presence/absence of T1-hyperintense or double-positive lesions. CONCLUSION: Compared to non-responders, cT1 Flare-up have better PFS/OS after bev initiation. Post-progression on bev, cT1 Flare pts lived significantly longer than T2-diffuse and non-responders. Though T2-diffuse and T2-circumscribed have a better PFS after bev initiation compared to non-responders, no OS benefit was seen. Restricted diffusion was a radiographic marker of worse outcomes.
Hospice Dementia Care

Hospice care for persons with dementia is slowly evolving as the public understands of the nature of the disease, clinicians improve their abilities to assess prognosis for late stage dementia and funders understand the financial wisdom of hospice care. Medicare utilization of hospice services in 2009 by patients with dementia increased to 6 % of hospice admissions for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and 11 % of all admissions for persons with dementia other than Alzheimer’s disease e.g., Lewy body dementia. Length of stay in hospice for persons with Alzheimer’s disease expanded from 67 days in 1998 to 106 days in 2009 [1]. The LOS for non-AD dementia increased from 57 days to 92 days. The extended LOS has produced a tenfold increase in Medicare expenditures from $184 to $1,880 per recipient with dementia. The number of hospice agencies that serve patients with dementia increased from 21 % of providers in 1994 to 94 % in surveys from 2008 [2]. A survey of 16,347 nursing homes in the US revealed a significant increase in the number of demented residents who used hospice from 26.5 % in 2003 to 34.4 % in 2007 [3]. Most patients with dementia have complex care needs in the final stages of the illness. In contrast to the hospice expenditure, the cost of assisted living care is approximately $3,600 per month while the cost of nursing home care is about $255 per day. Long term care for dementia in any setting is expensive however the modest cost of hospice care coupled with potential savings from avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions points to the relative value of hospice care [1]. For-profit hospice agencies are more likely to take patients with dementia; these individuals frequently have lower “skilled needs” and longer length of stay [4].
A parametric study of unsupervised anomaly detection performance in maritime imagery using manifold learning techniques

We investigate the parameters that govern an unsupervised anomaly detection framework that uses nonlinear techniques to learn a better model of the non-anomalous data. A manifold or kernel-based model is learned from a small, uniformly sampled subset in order to reduce computational burden and under the assumption that anomalous data will have little effect on the learned model because their rarity reduces the likelihood of their inclusion in the subset. The remaining data are then projected into the learned space and their projection errors used as detection statistics. Here, kernel principal component analysis is considered for learning the background model. We consider spectral data from an 8-band multispectral sensor as well as panchromatic infrared images treated by building a data set composed of overlapping image patches. We consider detection performance as a function of patch neighborhood size as well as embedding parameters such as kernel bandwidth and dimension. ROC curves are generated over a range of parameters and compared to RX performance.
The vascular laboratory. Standards and certification

The diversity of testing methodologies and reporting practices has necessitated that standards be defined for both performance of testing as well as interpretation and reporting of results. The guidelines to be used for the noninvasive diagnosis of extracranial vascular disease and the rationale for their use are presented. Emphasis is placed upon realistic diagnostic features that have clinical relevance and the use of testing methods that can identity these features. Further developments in this field, particularly those addressing the overall performance of vascular diagnostic laboratories, are to be defined by a multiprofessional inter-societal commission in the near future. It is anticipated that a voluntary accreditation process will insure high quality of testing.
SU-G-JeP3-11: Use of an Easily-Modified Simple Phantom to Perform the Daily and Monthly Localization QA Tasks for a Video-Based Surface Imaging System

Purpose: To describe a simple, easily fabricated, Styrofoam phantom used in conjunction with a commonly available OBI phantom, to QA a video-surface imaging system according to TG147, using minimal effort. Methods: Styrofoam, a common packaging material, reflects the speckled AlignRT light very well. A Styrofoam block was used as a partial cap to attach onto a standard Varian Marker Match phantom. The cap was engraved with two sets crosshairs on each surface, one at the ‘zero’(center) and the other an ‘off-centered’ position, 2 cm in all three orthogonal directions. A reference image is obtained at ‘zero’ position. For the daily test, static localization check is performed by aligning the phantom with room lasers at ‘off-centered’ position and then the couch is shifted to match the ‘zero’ with the lasers. For the monthly test, plate calibration is recommended to define a relationship between an image point on the camera and that of the isocenter in the treatment room. Static localization accuracy is checked using a hidden-target test, which is an extension of daily static localization procedure. The phantom positioned at ‘off-centered’ is shifted to make the readings 0.0 cm for all orientations. The location of the hidden target is then verified by taking orthogonal kV images or CBCT. Results: The AlignRT tests required by TG147 are quite similar to those performed on on-board imaging (OBI). Overall alignment of the system is maintained with RMS < 1 mm and any potential problems were identified. The system's static location is maintained within ± 1 mm. The same accuracy can be obtained for a monthly hidden target test which is integrated with an OBI QA. Conclusion: A customized phantom is tested and a routine QA program for surface-imaging system is introduced. By dealing with a single phantom, the procedure can achieve similar goals efficiently.
Evaluation of Small-Scale Powder Flow Characterization Tests in the Prediction of Large-Scale Process Failures

In pharmaceutical development, powder flow characteristics are notoriously difficult to predict. Although tests exist that aim to determine the flowability of powders, many have not been definitively correlated with a powder’s performance in downstream processes. Part of the challenge is that powder flow must occur over a broad range of consolidating stresses, including low-stress flow regimes such as the filling of a die cavity in a tablet press and high-stress flow regimes such as the deformation associated with tablet compression. The objective of this work was to characterize several placebo formulations utilizing a variety of standardized and non-standardized experiments and contrasting those results with downstream tablet compression performance. Angle of repose, bulk and tap density, Hausner ratio, Carr’s compressibility index, a visual powder flow assessment, a mass flow rate test, Flodex, and powder shear testing were evaluated on several different blends of placebo powders to determine a predictive test for downstream process performance. The placebo powders consisted of a standard base unit formula, mixed with various levels of four different “pseudo-active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)” (i.e., excipients that mimic poorly flowing active pharmaceutical ingredients). All formulations were evaluated by the individual flow tests and then compressed on a rotary tablet press. Formulations were deemed failures if the relative standard deviation of tablet weight was >2 %, material stuck to punches (low lubrication), or exhibited ejection forces high enough to trigger automatic shutdown of tablet press. The 2 % RSD limit is based on internally developed best practices for transferring tablet compression processes from development into manufacturing. The results of the tablet compression process were then compared to the results of the flowability tests to detect any correlations. The Hausner ratio and powder shear test results discriminated marginally between successful and failed batches and were highly correlated with each other.
Hyperexcitability of Mesencephalic Trigeminal Neurons and Reorganization of Ion Channel Expression in a Rett Syndrome Model

People with Rett syndrome (RTT) have defects in motor function also seen in Mecp2-null mice. Motor function depends on not only central motor commands but also sensory feedback that is vulnerable to changes in excitability of propriosensory neurons. Here we report evidence for hyperexcitability of mesencephalic trigeminal (Me5) neurons in Mecp2-null mice and a novel cellular mechanism for lowering its impact. In in vitro brain slices, the Me5 neurons in both Mecp2-/Y male and symptomatic Mecp2+/- female mice were overly excitable showing increased firing activity in comparison to their wild-type (WT) male and asymptomatic counterparts. In Mecp2-/Y males, Me5 neurons showed a reduced firing threshold. Consistently, the steady-state activation of voltage-gated Na+ currents (INa ) displayed a hyperpolarizing shift in the Mecp2-null neurons with no change in the INa density. This seems to be due to NaV1.1, SCN1B and SCN4B overexpression and NaV1.2 and SCN3B under-expression. In contrast to the hyperexcitability, the sag potential and postinhibitory rebound (PIR) were reduced in Mecp2-null mice. In voltage-clamp, the IH density was deficient by ∼33%, and the steady-state half-activation had a depolarizing shift of ∼10 mV in the Mecp2-null mice. Quantitative PCR analysis indicated that HCN2 was decreased, HCN1 was upregulated with no change in HCN4 in Mecp2-/Y mice compared to WT. Lastly, blocking IH reduced the firing rate much more in WT than in Mecp2-null neurons. These data suggest that the Mecp2 defect causes an increase in Me5 neuronal excitability likely attributable to alterations in INa , meanwhile IH is reduced likely altering neuronal excitability as well. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1151-1164, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Large-Area Electronics: A Platform for Next-Generation Human- Computer Interfaces

Large-area electronics (LAE) is a compelling platform for developing the next generation of human–computer interfaces (HCIs). These systems aim to provide natural interfaces that do not rely on the user providing active and explicit inputs. Instead, user intentions should be inferred implicitly from our natural interactions with the environment and with each other, in order to derive inputs. This requires a large number of sensors to detect signals from interactions and signal-processing to infer the intentions. LAE is a well-suited technology for creating the sensors, enabling these to be diverse and distributed but also conformal. This eases integration in/on environmental and personal surfaces. In order to address the signal-processing required, as well as the other system functions, we develop hybrid LAE/CMOS architectures, which exploit the complementary strengths of the two technologies. We demonstrate the hybrid architectures in several testbed systems, and focus on two of these as case studies: 1) A source separation system, which uses a large-area microphone array to separate the voice of multiple simultaneous speakers in a room; 2) An electroencephalogram (EEG) acquisition and biomarker-extraction system based on flexible, thin-film electronics.
Dipstick Urinalysis as a Test for Microhematuria and Occult Bladder Cancer.

Introduction: There is a lack of evidence supporting the routine use of laboratory tests to detect bladder cancer. Identifying a cost-effective and widely available diagnostic aid may improve bladder cancer outcomes. We sought to evaluate the utility of dipstick urinalysis to detect microhematuria and diagnose bladder cancer in a large, diverse, contemporary cohort. Methods: All non-pregnant women and men 35 and older with a new diagnosis of microhematuria (≥3 RBC/hpf) were identified via a multi-center electronic medical record data warehouse query. Negative controls with no history of hematuria were randomly chosen and included to complete our cohort. Comparison between dipstick urinalysis and microscopic urinalysis on self-matched patients for the detection of microhematuria and diagnosis of bladder cancer was performed via Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, sensitivity/specificity testing, and ROC curve analysis. Results: A total of 46,842 patients were included. Spearman’s rank order correlation (rho = 0.66) between degree of microhematuria on dipstick urinalysis and microscopic urinalysis indicated a strong positive relationship. The ROC curve for dipstick urinalysis to identify microhematuria had an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI 0.79–0.81). No difference (p = 0.83) in diagnostic accuracy between dipstick urinalysis (AUC 0.74, 95% CI 0.70–0.78) and microscopic urinalysis (AUC 0.73, 95% CI 0.69–0.78) as a test for bladder cancer was found. Conclusion: Dipstick urinalysis provides a highly specific test for microhematuria and similar accuracy to microscopic urinalysis when used as a diagnostic tool to detect bladder cancer.
Immunopathogenesis of Experimental Uveitic Diseases

Autoimmune uveitis is a potentially blinding disease in humans. Use of animal models to study basic mechanisms of disease revealed that thymic expression of retinal antigens eliminates most autoreactive lymphocytes through central tolerance and positively selects natural regulatory T cells. However, because antigens in the healthy eye are relatively sequestered from the immune system, peripheral tolerance is inefficient and residual autoreactive lymphocytes persist and can be activated by accidental encounter with self- or a cross-reactive antigen. In the presence of innate danger signals, they mature into Th1 or Th17 effector cells, which, upon reaching the eye and recognition of specific antigen, orchestrate a destructive inflammation by recruiting inflammatory leukocytes from the circulation. Regulatory T cells are also induced as part of the disease process and ultimately control inflammation and permit healing to take place.
Dynamic Imagery in Speech and Gesture

Someone begins to describe an event and almost immediately her hands start to fly. The movements seem involuntary and indeed unconscious, yet they take place vigorously and abundantly. Why is this happening? Whatever the reason, our person is not alone. Popular beliefs notwithstanding, every culture produces gestures. Gesturing is a phenomenon that passes almost without notice but it is omnipresent. If you watch someone speaking, in almost any language, and under nearly all circumstances, you will see what appears to be a compulsion to move the head, hands and arms in conjunction with speech. Speech, we know, is the actuality of language. But what are these gestures? They are not compensations for missing words or inarticulate speech — if anything, gestures are positively related to fluency and complexity of speech — the more articulate the speech, the more gesture.
Overcoming the Hydrolytic Lability of a Reaction Intermediate in Production of Protein/Drug Conjugates: Conjugation of an Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonate to a Model Carrier Protein

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains one of the most serious public health challenges and a significant cause of mortality for certain populations. Despite the large number of antiretrovirals developed in the past two decades, the inability of small molecule therapeutics to target HIV reservoirs directly creates a significant obstacle to their effective utilization. Indeed, achieving the desired therapeutic outcome in the absence of an effective means of targeted delivery must rely on dosage escalation, which frequently causes severe toxicity. This problem may be solved by conjugation of antiretroviral agents to endogenous proteins that are specifically recognized by HIV reservoirs (such as macrophages) for internalization and catabolism. However, conjugation of a large class of antiretroviral agents (acyclic nucleoside phosphonates, such as adefovir, tenofovir, and cidofovir) to a protein is challenging due to rapid degradation of the activated form of the drug (e.g., adefovir phosphonoimida...
Mitochondrial function and autophagy: integrating proteotoxic, redox, and metabolic stress in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder with widespread neurodegeneration in the brain. Significant oxidative, reductive, metabolic, and proteotoxic alterations have been observed in PD postmortem brains. The alterations of mitochondrial function resulting in decreased bioenergetic health is important and needs to be further examined to help develop biomarkers for PD severity and prognosis. It is now becoming clear that multiple hits on metabolic and signaling pathways are likely to exacerbate PD pathogenesis. Indeed, data obtained from genetic and genome association studies have implicated interactive contributions of genes controlling protein quality control and metabolism. For example, loss of key proteins that are responsible for clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria through a process called mitophagy has been found to cause PD, and a significant proportion of genes associated with PD encode proteins involved in the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. In this review, we highlight the evidence for the targeting of mitochondria by proteotoxic, redox and metabolic stress, and the role autophagic surveillance in maintenance of mitochondrial quality. Furthermore, we summarize the role of α-synuclein, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2, and tau in modulating mitochondrial function and autophagy. Among the stressors that can overwhelm the mitochondrial quality control mechanisms, we will discuss 4-hydroxynonenal and nitric oxide. The impact of autophagy is context depend and as such can have both beneficial and detrimental effects. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of targeting mitochondria and autophagic function as an integrated therapeutic strategy and the emerging contribution of the microbiome to PD susceptibility.
Using a hydro-reference ontology to provide improved computer-interpretable semantics for the groundwater markup language (GWML2)

Comprehensive water data management requires semantically integrating various data models and ontologies that represent hydrologic knowledge. But integration is hampered by nuances in the use of wa...
25 Unique Skin Immunology of the Lower Female Genital Tract with Age

It has been long recognized that the genital tract must be able to defend against significant microbial exposures. In this area of medicine, old theories that may have even acquired some attributes of folklore must be revised to include new knowledge. Through the last century, popular ideas regarding mechanisms of microbial defenses in the genital tract have reflected the medical thinking of each era. In the time of antisepsis of the early twentieth century, lactic acid from the lactobacillus was proposed as the chief regulatory vaginal antiseptic. Subsequently, the possibility of antiseptic action from hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli was considered, although little hydrogen peroxide would be expected to be produced in the naturally anaerobic environment of the vaginal lumen. With the influence of the more recent antibiotic era, research interest has focused upon bacteriocins, unique but relatively weak lactobacillus-derived antibiotics. Theories of microbial defense have evolved further in the current, more enlightened era of immunology. Rapid advances in the area of immunology have now disclosed complex immune defenses in the genital epithelium that do have a significant antimicrobial impact, moderated by estrogen. From the immune standpoint, the lower genital tract has the following competing roles: (1) to facilitate the various aspects of reproduction and (2) to simultaneously prevent the access of locally resident microbes to the upper genital tract and to the peritoneal cavity. To facilitate a primary function in reproduction, the immune responsiveness of the lower female genital tract is blunted. Ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, labor, and delivery of the infant are all mediated by immune mechanisms that may not be optimal for microbial defense. A blunted humoral immune response may be compensated by an active innate or cellmediated response. For example, sperm may be highly immunogenic. If sperm are detected by the humoral immune system, the development of antisperm antibodies can reduce fertility [1]. It is important for the vaginal immune system to identify potential pathogens, but not
Developing and Maintaining an Entrepreneurial Culture

If we are in a developing country that simply does not have global and local giants then what are our alternatives for economic development? In order to get the economy started the government could generate numerous businesses. These businesses may give the economy a start, but in time these government-owned businesses become stale, out of touch and, in short, regressive. In fact, many developing countries have been and are suffering from this syndrome.
MAO and L-dopa treatment of Parkinson's disease.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there were differences in the oxidative deamination of dopamine in patients with Parkinson’s disease who demonstrated a long-duration response (LDR) to treatment with dopa and carbidopa and in patients who demonstrated only a short-duration response (SDR) to the drugs. The patients who demonstrated LDR had received dopa and carbidopa for a shorter time (3.4 y) than had the SDR patients (9.5 y). The concentrations of dopamine and 3-methoxytyramine and their deaminated metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid were measured in 24-h urine samples collected from patients in both groups. The ratios of homovanillic acid to 3-methoxytyramine and dopamine were greater in SDR than in LDR patients suggesting increased oxidative deamination of dopamine in this group. Increased oxidative deamination could be caused by an increase in MAO activity as Parkinson’s disease progresses or by the treatment with L-dopa.
Acetabular anti-protrusio rings and cages in revision total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract Uncemented hemispherical porous-coated acetabular components work well for the great majority of acetabular component revisions. Unfortunately, when bone loss is so severe that little contact between a porous-coated socket and native bone can be achieved, high rates of failure of uncemented porous-coated sockets have been reported. When circumstances are encountered in which porous-coated hemispherical sockets are unlikely to succeed, acetabular reinforcement devices have advantages over cemented polyethylene sockets alone. The ability of antiprotrusio rings and cages, now used to augment socket fixation to the pelvis, facilitate extensive pelvic bone grafting, and prevent early socket migration, have led to renewed interest in these devices as useful tools in the orthopedic surgeon's armamentarium to manage some of the most challenging acetabular reconstruction problems. This article discusses the rationale for selected use of acetabular reinforcement devices, the reported results of using acetabular reinforcement rings and cages in revision total hip arthroplasty, and the circumstances in which these devices may be considered for acetabular reconstruction at the present time.
The Fractal Range of the Distribution of Galaxies; Crossover to Homogeneity, and Multifractals

This paper takes as established that the large scale distribution of galaxies includes a self-similar fractal range. The astonishing power of simple fractal algorithms to generate rich form is recalled and illustrated, then two issues are tackled. A) Does the fractal range stop at 5 Mpc, as asserted by Peebles et al.? Or does it continue beyond? Does it stop before the limits of observation? That is, should one believe the conventional statistical arguments in favor of 5 Mpc? B) The simplest fractal distributions are “fractally homogenous,” that is, homogeneous over a fractal set, and zero outside of this set. However, the distribution of galactic and inter-galactic mass is non homogenous to the extreme. It can be self-similar, in which case it follows a “multifractal measure,” as discussed by the author in 1974. This paper is concerned with questions of method, and analysis of data is not included.
Like Mother like Daughter, like Father like Son: The Spell of Youth on “The O.C.”

This essay aims to shed light on the purposes served by parental figures in the television series The O.C. (2003-2007). For the teen-drama genre, Josh Schwartz’s creation set a new trend of intergenerational narratives and shifted the perspectives among young and adult, and female and male characters. In addition to being functional to the plot and legitimizing the problems experienced by young viewers, parental figures serve at least two additional purposes on The O.C. . First, I posit that adults act as positive and negative role models that allow Schwartz’s show to function as a cautionary tale for its young viewers. Second, I propose that subplots revolving around parents allowed the showrunner to broaden the potential audience of the series, by targeting adults in addition to teen viewers. I finally suggest that, as most of the show’s characters – parents and children alike - engage in youthful behavior, the series also seems to promote and perpetuate what sociologist Marcel Danesi has defined the “Forever Young Syndrome” – a kind of society where the generational gap is almost nonexistent and adults systematically behave, and inevitably consume, like teenagers.
Timing is everything: the utility of time-series analysis to capture causality in qualitative case-based policy inquiry

While policy researchers call for new approaches to support the analysis of complex policies, the dominance of experimental and quasi-experimental designs limits the field’s possibilities. Innovati...
Plastic fantastic innate lymphoid cells

In this issue of JEM, Nagasawa et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20190490) have undertaken a detailed study of the cell surface phenotype, transcriptional profile, and cytokine secretion of ILC progenitor populations in human peripheral blood and tissues and describe markers that highlight the heterogeneity of these chameleons.
Minimizing variance in pediatric surgical care through implementation of a perioperative colon bundle: A multi-institution retrospective cohort study.

Abstract Background Employing an institutional initiative to minimize variance in pediatric surgical care, we implemented a set of perioperative bundled interventions for all colorectal procedures to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs). Methods Implementation of a standard colon bundle at two children’s hospitals began in December 2014. Subjects who underwent a colorectal procedure during the study period were analyzed. Demographics, outcomes, and complications were compared with Wilcoxon Rank-Sum, Chi-square and Fisher exact tests, as appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the influence of time period (independent of protocol implementation) on the rate of subsequent infection. Results One hundred and forty-five patients were identified (preprotocol = 68, postprotocol = 77). Gender, diagnosis, procedure performed and wound classification were similar between groups. Superficial SSIs (21% vs. 8%, p = 0.031) and readmission (16% vs. 4%, p = 0.021) were significantly decreased following implementation of a colon bundle. Median hospital days, cost, reoperation, intraabdominal abscess, and anastomotic leak were unchanged before and after protocol implementation (all p > 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression found time period to be independent of SSIs (OR: 0.810, 95% CI: 0.576–1.140). Conclusion Implementation of a standard pediatric perioperative colon bundle can reduce superficial SSIs. Larger prospective studies are needed to evaluate the impact of colon bundles in reducing complications, hospital stay and cost. Level of evidence III — Retrospective cohort study
Hippocampal Growth Factor and Myokine Cathepsin B Expression following Aerobic and Resistance Training in 3xTg-AD Mice.

Aerobic training (AT) can support brain health in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the role of resistance training (RT) in AD is not well established. Aside from direct effects on the brain, exercise may also regulate brain function through secretion of muscle-derived myokines. Aims. This study examined the effects of AT and RT on hippocampal BDNF and IGF-1 signaling, β-amyloid expression, and myokine cathepsin B in the triple transgenic (3xTg-AD) model of AD. 3xTg-AD mice were assigned to one of the following groups: sedentary (Tg), aerobic trained (Tg+AT, 9 wks treadmill running), or resistance trained (Tg+RT, 9 wks weighted ladder climbing) (n = 10/group). Rotarod latency and strength were assessed pre- and posttraining. Hippocampus and skeletal muscle were collected after training and analyzed by high-resolution respirometry, ELISA, and immunoblotting. Tg+RT showed greater grip strength than Tg and Tg+AT at posttraining (p < 0.01). Only Tg+AT improved rotarod peak latency (p < 0.01). Hippocampal IGF-1 concentration was ~15% greater in Tg+AT and Tg+RT compared to Tg (p < 0.05); however, downstream signals of p-IGF-1R, p-Akt, p-MAPK, and p-GSK3β were not altered. Cathepsin B, hippocampal p-CREB and BDNF, and hippocampal mitochondrial respiration were not affected by AT or RT. β-Amyloid was ~30% lower in Tg+RT compared to Tg (p < 0.05). This data suggests that regular resistance training reduces β-amyloid in the hippocampus concurrent with increased concentrations of IGF-1. Both types of training offered distinct benefits, either by improving physical function or by modifying signals in the hippocampus. Therefore, inclusion of both training modalities may address central defects, as well as peripheral comorbidities in AD.
Nursing of gastric lavage in children with acute oral poisoning

Objective To summarize the experience of emergency gastric lavage nursing in children with acute oral poisoning. Methods A total of 86 cases of children acute oral poisoning admitted in the emergency department of Tianjin Children's Hospital from September to November 2015 were selected and given gastric lavage treatment and relevant nursing intervention. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results After the lavage treatment and the corresponding nursing of all the children, no cases of death were found, and all of them were cured and discharged. Conclusions The application of emergency nursing in children with acute oral poisoning treated by gastrointestinal lavage is beneficial to improve the emergency treatment and nursing effect, promote the children's physical rehabilitation. Key words: Child; Nursing care; Poisoning; Gastric lavage
Outcomes of a technique combining diaphyseal impaction grafting and metaphyseal cones for severe bone loss in revision total knee arthroplasty

Aims Metaphyseal cones with cemented stems are frequently used in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, if the diaphysis has been previously violated, the resultant sclerotic canal can i...
Evidence from Urban Roads without Bicycle Lanes on the Impact of Bicycle Traffic on Passenger Car Travel Speeds

A concern raised by some motorists in relation to the presence of bicycles on urban roads without bicycle lanes, discussed in part of the traffic literature, is that cyclists will slow down motoriz...
Testing, Instrumentation, and Results to make the world’s first usable 1Kx1K Infrared LED Scene Projector Systems

Infrared LED Scene Projector (IRSP) systems are an emerging technology that has made substantial progress in development and testing. With recent instrumentation, testing, and results, CDS has successfully made the world’s first usable 1Kx1K IRSP system that can achieve high resolution, fast frame rates, and hot temperatures; while also providing cutting edge features to improve testing and usability for the end-user. (Abstract)
Developing Positive Data Cultures in High-Stakes Environments: The Role of School Leaders

Data use is considered a key lever in school improvement processes, but the punitive pressure of high-stakes accountability can influence whether or not data use is enacted in ways which facilitate...
Colonial comida: the colonization of food insecurity in Puerto Rico

Food insecurity is prevalent in Puerto Rico due to intersecting structural inequalities, such as poverty and unemployment, which are rooted in the US’s colonialism in Puerto Rico. The impact of col...