cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Where is hippocampal activity in the cascade of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers?

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Amyloid-β deposition in mild cognitive impairment is associated with increased hippocampal activity, atrophy and clinical progression’, by Huijbers et al. (doi:10.1093/brain/awv007). Recent neuroimaging advances have helped transform the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Previously, imaging and other biomarkers were used only to rule out other causes of dementia. However, with the new National Institute on Aging – Alzheimer’s Association criteria (Jack et al. , 2011), neuroimaging can now be used to confirm the presence of Alzheimer’s neuropathology; thus Alzheimer’s disease is no longer primarily a diagnosis of exclusion. Hippocampal activity (as measured by functional MRI) is one of the key emerging imaging markers, and use of this marker promises to further improve Alzheimer’s disease risk prediction. However, the relationship between hippocampal activity and other Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains unclear. In this issue of Brain , Huijbers et al. report the results of one of the first longitudinal neuroimaging studies to compare changes in biomarkers of amyloid deposition and functional MRI activation over time in older adults with MCI (Huijbers et al. , 2015). In the Huijbers et al. study, 33 older adults with MCI were followed for 36 months. At baseline they underwent amyloid imaging with Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB), as well as MRI (structural and functional) and cognitive testing. At six additional time points over the next 36 months they underwent repeat MRI and, at five time points, repeat cognitive testing. Approximately 50% of subjects with MCI had PiB retention above the normal range (i.e. amyloid-β+). As expected, this is intermediate between cognitively unimpaired older adults (∼25% amyloid-β+) and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (∼100% amyloid-β+), and thus reflects the …
SEAT: a usable trace analysis tool

Understanding the dynamics of a program can be made easier if dynamic analysis techniques are used. However, the extraordinary size of typical execution traces makes exploring the content of traces a tedious task. In this paper, we present a tool called SEAT (software exploration and analysis tool) that implements several operations that can help software engineers understand the content of a large execution trace. Perhaps, the most powerful aspect of SEAT is the various filtering techniques it incorporates. In our precious work, we showed that these techniques can reduce significantly the size of traces in order to reveal the main content they convey.
Electromagnetic waves over half-space metamaterials of arbitrary permittivity and permeability

Most electromagnetic problems deal with media with unit permeability. However, recent interest in metamaterials necessitated studies of wave characteristics in media with arbitrary permittivity and permeability whose real parts can be positive or negative. This paper presents analysis of wave characteristics on semiinfinite metamaterials. Waves are excited by electric or magnetic line sources, and the problem is separated into the p (TM) and the s (TE) polarization, showing symmetries. The Fourier spectra of the reflection and transmission coefficients are examined and the poles, branch points, and zeros are shown in the real /spl mu/-real /spl epsi/ diagram. We clarify the location of poles in proper and improper Riemann Surfaces, and the excitation of forward and backward surface waves, forward and backward Lateral waves, and Zenneck waves, and the relations between Brewster's angle and Sommerfeld poles. We include the behaviors of the backward surface waves and the temporal backward Lateral waves.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Blockade Mediates Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis and Improves Survival in Rats With Pulmonary Hypertension

Background—We previously reported that administration of elastase inhibitors reverses fatal pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in rats by inducing smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis. We showed in pulmonary artery (PA) organ culture that the mechanism by which elastase inhibitors induce SMC apoptosis involves repression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and subsequent signaling through v3-integrins and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). This suggests that blockade of these downstream effectors may also induce regression of PAH. Methods and Results—In this study, we first showed in PA organ culture that MMP inhibition or v3-integrin blockade with agents in clinical and preclinical use (SC-080 and cilengitide, respectively) mediates SMC apoptosis and regression of medial hypertrophy. We also documented similar results with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. We then induced PAH in rats by injection of monocrotaline and, at day 21, began a 2-week treatment with SC-080, cilengitide, or the EGFR inhibitor PKI166. No vehicle- or cilengitide-treated animal survived beyond 2 weeks. Administration of SC-080 resulted in 44% survival at 2 weeks, and PKI166 therapy resulted in 78% and 54% survival in daily or 3-times-weekly treated animals, respectively. Four weeks after cessation of PKI166, we documented survivals of 50% and 23% in the 2 treatment groups, associated with reductions in pulmonary pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, and abnormally muscularized distal arteries. Conclusion—We propose that selective blockade of EGFR signaling may be a novel strategy to reverse progressive, fatal PAH. (Circulation. 2005;112:423-431.)
Changes in Pulmonary Function Tests After Neoadjuvant Therapy Predict Postoperative Complications

Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy increases the risk of pulmonary resection. Changes in specific pulmonary function tests may be predictive. Methods A retrospective review of a prospective database of patients with non–small cell lung cancer who underwent neoadjuvant therapy, had pulmonary function tests performed both before and after therapy, and then underwent elective pulmonary resection was performed. Final values and change in the pulmonary function tests before and after treatment were entered as independent variables into a multivariate model in which the dependent variable was major or respiratory morbidity. Results There were 132 patients. The mean duration between pretherapy and posttherapy pulmonary function tests was 4.1 months. The mean change in the percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second, in the percent diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, and in the percent diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide corrected for the alveolar volume was +1.0, −6.4%, and −6.6%, respectively. Fifty-five patients (42%) experienced a postoperative complication, and 39 of those patients experienced a major or respiratory complication. There were 7 (5.3%) operative mortalities (5 were respiratory related). On multivariate analysis the change in the percent diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide corrected for the alveolar volume was the only factor associated with major or respiratory morbidity ( p = 0.028). When the posttherapy percent diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide corrected for the alveolar volume fell by 8% or more, there was an increased likelihood of major morbidity ( p = 0.01). Conclusions A decrease in the percent diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide corrected for the alveolar volume after neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy may predict increased risk for pulmonary resection, especially if the decrease is 8% or greater. These results should be considered in the preoperative risk assessment of patients who are to undergo pulmonary resection after induction therapy.
Combination of scoring functions improves discrimination in protein-protein docking.

Two structure-based potentials are used for both filtering (i.e., selecting a subset of conformations generated by rigid-body docking), and rescoring and ranking the selected conforma- tions. ACP (atomic contact potential) is an atom- level extension of the Miyazawa-Jernigan potential parameterized on protein structures, whereas RP- Score (residue potential score) is a residue-level potential, based on interactions in protein-protein complexes. These potentials are combined with other energy terms and applied to 13 sets of protein decoys, as well as to the results of docking 10 pairs of unbound proteins. For both potentials, the ability to discriminate between near-native and non-native docked structures is substantially improved by refin- ing the structures and by adding a van der Waals energy term. It is observed that ACP and RPScore complement each other in a number of ways (e.g., although RPScore yields more hits than ACP, mainly as a result of its better performance for charged complexes, ACP usually ranks the near-native com- plexes higher). As a general solution to the protein- docking problem, we have found that the best dis- crimination strategies combine either an RPScore filter with an ACP-based scoring function, or an ACP-based filter with an RPScore-based scoring function. Thus, ACP and RPScore capture comple- mentary structural information, and combining them in a multistage postprocessing protocol pro- vides substantially better discrimination than the use of the same potential for both filtering and ranking the docked conformations. Proteins 2003;
Affinity screening by packed capillary high performance liquid chromatography using molecular imprinted sorbents. II. Covalent imprinted polymers

This study concentrates on the production of covalent molecular imprint polymers (MIPs) as highly selective sorbents for nortriptyline (NOR), a representative tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). The functionalized template contains a polymerizable 4-vinylphenyl carbamate moiety used to bind the template molecule to the polymer matrix. Polymerization with a cross-linker followed by hydrolytic cleavage of the labile carbamate functionality leaves an MIP with selective binding sites capable of binding template through hydrogen bonding interactions. Demonstrated chromatographically through a "selection index", these MIPs showed high selectivity for the template molecule (NOR) among a library of structurally similar compounds. The recognition was found to correlate with structural similarity to the template compound. A direct comparison between covalent and non-covalent molecular imprinting strategies reveals a great deal of improvement in the peak shape of the retained compound resulting from covalent imprinting (evidenced by peak asymmetry factors A.).
PAREXEL International Corp. (A)

Despite severe market turmoil, in 2001, the biopharmaceutical contract research organization (CRO) PAREXEL is bucking calls for cost-cutting by pursuing an expensive globalization and IT strategy. Under the leadership of founder and CEO Josef von Rickenbach, over the past 20 years PAREXEL has made several bold investments based on a vision of future industry dynamics and client demand. Indeed, over PAREXEL's sometimes-bumpy journey from an opportunistic two-person venture into a global company valued at $1 billion, Rickenbach's willingness to take calculated risks has kept it at the leading edge of the CRO sector. Now, despite slowing demand for CRO services and against the advice of some analysts, PAREXEL is betting that global capability and technology services will become its key competitive advantage in the decade to come. This case traces the evolution of the CRO sector from a small, secondary cluster of firms into a major player with essential capabilities for global drug development. The context of CROs' rise, highlighted in the case, is the biopharmaceutical industry's transformation from the mid-1970s through 2001, including the rising cost and complexity of drug development and the remarkably slow pace of IT adoption in clinical trials. Learning Objective: Strategic issue - what should be the next step in the evolution of CROs in the biopharmaceutical industry?
Mutual Fund Performance in the Era of High-Frequency Trading

This paper shows that intensity of high-frequency trading (HFT) in stocks held by mutual funds is negatively related to fund performance. This negative relation can largely be explained by the illiquidity premium: HFT-intensive stocks provide lower returns because the majority of these stocks are relatively liquid. Further analysis shows that this relation is not a self-selection bias, but indicates a causality: intensive HFT is a key reason for the existence of significant illiquidity premium, because high-frequency traders are very sensitive to illiquidity due to their very short investment horizon. However, there is no evidence to support the widespread concern that HFT raises trading costs of mutual funds.
On the Question of the Legacy of Leo Strauss

AbstractThe question of the legacy of Leo Strauss, insofar as it is philosophically raised, deals not with what he had handed down, but with the mission he had undertaken. Philosophically, the question of the legacy of Leo Strauss is the question of his legation. That question takes its bearings from the question of the mission of Socrates, which, in turn, takes its bearings from the question of the “ladder of ascent” as set forth by Diotima. The rung of that ladder reached by Strauss is the question of his legacy, philosophically understood.
Causes of bimodal stable isotope signatures in the feathers of a molt-migrant songbird

Stable isotope ratios of hydrogen (dD) and carbon (d 13 C) in feathers collected from Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris (L., 1758)) breeding in the midwestern United States revealed a surprising degree of variation in dD, as well as a clear bimodal signal in d 13 C in the innermost primary feather. Because this population does not molt on the breeding grounds, we reasoned that these observations could be due (i) to birds migrating to two (or possibly more) distinct molting areas or (ii )t o differences in the timing of molt (as opposed to molt location) relative to arrival at the stopover site. To evaluate these hy- potheses, we collected feathers at a molting location in northwestern Mexico, which revealed patterns similar to those from the birds in the US (favoring the second hypothesis above). We suspect that some birds arrive at stopover sites and begin molting before their body tissues equilibrate to the new isoscape so that the first feathers grown represent a blend of materi- als from the breeding and stopover locations. Other birds may delay molt after arriving at the molting site, allowing them to equilibrate with the local isoscape and produce feathers with isotope signatures of the molting location.
Infestation Patterns of Douglas-Fir Beetle in Standing and Windthrown Trees in Southern Idaho

To facilitate population studies, the infestation patterns of Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins, were investigated in standing and wind thrown trees in southern Idaho. Three infestation zones were recognized in most standing trees. The basal zone was infested least densely, progeny did not result from about one-fourth of the galleries, and the infestation varied more than in the upper portions. Typically, a middle zone comprised four-fifths of the infested stem, and the infestation there was densest and most successful as well as least variable. At the top of the infestation, the proportion of unsuccessful galleries again increased and fewer live progeny were present. In windthrown trees, the infestation varied circumferentially, but lengthwise stratification was not demonstrated. Both galleries and progeny were denser on the shaded underside than on the sun-exposed upper side of down trees. Although lengthwise differences were not demonstrated, the infestation was least variable mid way along the infested length, thereby favoring the underside in that vicinity for sampling of down trees.
The effects of blindness on bluegill, Lepomis Machrochirus, activity

Surgically blinded bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, were found to be significantly less active than those with normal vision. Following Hebb’s theory, the results indicated that fish do not have an optimum arousal level.
Floc formation in quartz—Mg(OH)2 system

Abstract Stability of fine particles in aqueous systems is of interest in numerous industrial applications. A commonly occurring ion in process water is that of magnesium, which precipitates as Mg(OH) 2 in moderately alkaline solutions. The interactions between quartz and Mg(OH) 2 leading to the formation of flocs were examined by abstraction tests, electron-microscope observations and settling tests. The charge on the flocs was determined directly by a sedimentation-potential technique and related to the settling behavior of quartz suspensions. Flocculation of quartz in the presence of Mg(OH) 2 was found to be due to charge neutralization. A model is presented to explain floc formation in this system.
Behavioral Responses and the Distributional Effects of Personal Income Taxes

This paper simulates the distributional impact of the Russian personal income tax (PIT) following the flat tax reform of 2001 using data from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey. I decompose the change in the distribution of net income into a direct (tax) effect and an indirect effect. The indirect effect is further decomposed into evasion and productivity effects using existing estimates of these respective elasticities. As expected, the direct tax effect increased net income inequality. Changes in the pre-tax distribution (indirect effect), on the other hand, had a large negative impact on inequality thus leading to an overall decline in net income inequality. I also find that the tax-induced evasion response increased reported net income inequality while reducing consumption. To the extent that consumption approximates actual income, these results demonstrate that the PIT affects actual income inequality differently than it does reported income inequality.
Applying GIS and Machine Learning Methods to Twitter Data for Multiscale Surveillance of Influenza.

Traditional methods for monitoring influenza are haphazard and lack fine-grained details regarding the spatial and temporal dynamics of outbreaks. Twitter gives researchers and public health officials an opportunity to examine the spread of influenza in real-time and at multiple geographical scales. In this paper, we introduce an improved framework for monitoring influenza outbreaks using the social media platform Twitter. Relying upon techniques from geographic information science (GIS) and data mining, Twitter messages were collected, filtered, and analyzed for the thirty most populated cities in the United States during the 2013–2014 flu season. The results of this procedure are compared with national, regional, and local flu outbreak reports, revealing a statistically significant correlation between the two data sources. The main contribution of this paper is to introduce a comprehensive data mining process that enhances previous attempts to accurately identify tweets related to influenza. Additionally, geographical information systems allow us to target, filter, and normalize Twitter messages.
Chromatic Detection and Discrimination

A traditional model of color detection and discrimination is based upon two opponent and one non-opponent combination of cone signals, called red–green, blue–yellow, and achromatic Mechanisms. This psychophysical model has been shown to be incorrect in many respects, especially with regard to the bipolar nature of its color mechanisms. An alternative splits the mechanisms into unipolar channels, named according to hues to which their signals very roughly correspond: R (red), G (green), B (blue), Y (yellow), I (increment achromatic), and D (decrement achromatic). R and G are the most sensitive mechanisms at lower temporal frequencies; they are linear, with quite symmetric cone inputs. B and Y are insensitive at all temporal frequencies and are therefore harder to characterize, but they are likely nonlinear combinations of cones, with asymmetric cone inputs. I and D have the highest relative sensitivity at high temporal frequencies; their linearity and symmetry are not well established. Many experiments indicate that there are higher order mechanisms that are maximally responsive to color directions lying between those to which the classical mechanisms respond best, but these mechanisms remain elusive.
Genetics of Abdominal Obesity

Abdominal obesity, also termed visceral obesity, has been closely linked to a variety of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers, as well as total mortality. The most widely used measures of abdominal obesity are waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR), which are determined by both environmental and genetic factors. Classic genetic studies such as twin studies and family studies have indicated that a high proportion of variance in WC or WHR is determined by genetic components. While linkage studies and candidate gene-based association studies have largely been unsuccessful in identifying genetic loci for abdominal obesity, genome-wide association studies have identified nearly 20 loci associated with WC or WHR, mostly in Caucasians. The genetic effects on abdominal obesity appear to be sex specific, with stronger effects observed in women. Recent evidence suggests that environmental factors such as lifestyle (e.g. physical activity vs. sedentary lifestyle) and diet (e.g. sugar sweetened beverages) may modify the genetic susceptibility to obesity, and other changes such as epigenetic alterations may also be involved in modulating the relation between genomic factors and abdominal obesity in humans.
A Genome-wide CRISPR Death Screen Identifies Genes Essential for Oxidative Phosphorylation

Summary Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is the major pathway for ATP production in humans. Deficiencies in OXPHOS can arise from mutations in either mitochondrial or nuclear genomes and comprise the largest collection of inborn errors of metabolism. At present we lack a complete catalog of human genes and pathways essential for OXPHOS. Here we introduce a genome-wide CRISPR "death screen" that actively selects dying cells to reveal human genes required for OXPHOS, inspired by the classic observation that human cells deficient in OXPHOS survive in glucose but die in galactose. We report 191 high-confidence hits essential for OXPHOS, including 72 underlying known OXPHOS diseases. Our screen reveals a functional module consisting of NGRN, WBSCR16, RPUSD3, RPUSD4, TRUB2, and FASTKD2 that regulates the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and intra-mitochondrial translation. Our work yields a rich catalog of genes required for OXPHOS and, more generally, demonstrates the power of death screening for functional genomic analysis.
Diagnostic Challenges in Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension

As with any rare disease, a low prevalence in the population is a setup for missed diagnosis. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can occur at any age during childhood and like in adults, a delay in diagnosis is common.1 Historical outcomes for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension are worse than adults, with a mean survival of 10 months after diagnosis.2 This highlights the need for accurate workup for a potential pediatric PH diagnosis. Generally the evaluation process has paralleled the adult guidelines.3,4 However, adult guidelines lack evidence-based support in pediatrics.5 Recently the American Heart Association and American Thoracic Society created guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pediatric PH.6 The guidelines offer a diagnostic algorithm needed to verify the diagnosis and work up potential etiologies (Figure 1). They provide the best evidence-based support for the workup and rationale involved. However, the guidelines are still hindered in that the majority of the evidence to support th...
Extended performance analysis of polyurethane–iron oxide nanocomposite for efficient removal of arsenic species from water

A polyurethane (PU) foam nanocomposite impregnated with iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) was developed to remove Arsenic (As) from drinking water at ppb concentrations. The effect of synthesis and application parameters such as the size of IONPs, pH levels, adsorbents weight, and arsenic concentrations, on the performance of PU-IONPs adsorbents in removing arsenic are studied. The prepared adsorbents were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microscopy to evaluate the microstructure of PU-IONPs and the surface adsorption of arsenic species; respectively. Atomic absorption spectrometry was conducted to measure the concentration of arsenic in the treated solutions in order to calculate the removal capacity of PU-IONPs. The experimental results revealed that decreasing the size of IONPs from 50–100 nm to 15–20 nm yields a higher removal capacity. Increasing the weight of the used adsorbents and the contact time led to increasing the removal capacity as well. As the arsenic species (III and V) concentration increased in the solution, the removal capacity of PU-IONPs decreased. In a column study, long-term cyclic operation mode was found to be very effective in removing arsenic; 100% removal capacity was achieved when 500 ml of As solution (100 ppb) was treated.
Association Between Hematologic and Inflammatory Markers and 31 Thrombotic and Hemorrhagic Events in Berlin Heart Excor Patients

Bleeding and thrombotic events remain a significant cause of morbidity in pediatric patients supported with ventricular assist devices (VADs). The objective of this study is to identify the association between markers of anticoagulation and bleeding and thrombosis events during Berlin Heart ExCor support. A retrospective, single-center analysis of 9 patients supported with the Berlin Heart ExCor was performed. Inflammatory and anticoagulation parameters including C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and platelet count were measured at 48 and 24 h before and after bleeding or thrombosis events. Patients served as their own controls, and the same parameters were measured during a control period where subjects did not experience either event. All patients received the anticoagulation regimen proposed by Berlin Heart. A total of 31 bleeding or thrombotic events were identified and matched to 18 control events. Patient with predominantly thrombotic events tended to weigh less than those with bleeding events (Δ7.7 kg, p < 0.001). PTT levels were higher before and after bleeding (Δ17.36, p = 0.002) and thrombosis (Δ8.75, p < 0.001) events relative to control. Heparin dose decreased after a thrombosis event (Δ−5.67, p = 0.097), and this decrease was significantly different from control (p = 0.032). Non-collinearity between heparin dose and PTT should prompt further inflammatory and hematological investigation. In addition, heavier patients were more prone to bleeding complications. The role of inflammation in the development of thrombus or hemorrhages in the pediatric VAD population needs to be studied further.
Cross-Cultural Variations in Aggressive Syndromes

Sociocultural systems of behavior can be defined in much the same way as biological systems, although the principles of organization are of course different. On the broadest level, one may speak of the social system, using the generic singular to refer to a given society in its entirety. The biological equivalent would be the species. On a somewhat less general, but still very broad, level of organization, one may speak of certain institutionalized ways of behaving that help maintain a given social order. Examples within our own society would include the judicial system, the banking system, and the legislative system. As social systems and subsystems become more and more narrowly defined, we eventually come to the level of the social role. This is the level of organization that is most relevant to an analysis of emotional syndromes.
Dendritic space-filling requires a neuronal type-specific extracellular permissive signal in Drosophila

Neurons sometimes completely fill available space in their receptive fields with evenly spaced dendrites to uniformly sample sensory or synaptic information. The mechanisms that enable neurons to sense and innervate all space in their target tissues are poorly understood. Using Drosophila somatosensory neurons as a model, we show that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) Dally and Syndecan on the surface of epidermal cells act as local permissive signals for the dendritic growth and maintenance of space-filling nociceptive C4da neurons, allowing them to innervate the entire skin. Using long-term time-lapse imaging with intact Drosophila larvae, we found that dendrites grow into HSPG-deficient areas but fail to stay there. HSPGs are necessary to stabilize microtubules in newly formed high-order dendrites. In contrast to C4da neurons, non-space-filling sensory neurons that develop in the same microenvironment do not rely on HSPGs for their dendritic growth. Furthermore, HSPGs do not act by transporting extracellular diffusible ligands or require leukocyte antigen-related (Lar), a receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP) and the only known Drosophila HSPG receptor, for promoting dendritic growth of space-filling neurons. Interestingly, another RPTP, Ptp69D, promotes dendritic growth of C4da neurons in parallel to HSPGs. Together, our data reveal an HSPG-dependent pathway that specifically allows dendrites of space-filling neurons to innervate all target tissues in Drosophila.
Design and Implementation Guidelines for a Modular Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Scanner

In the past decades, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) has transformed into a widely popular imaging technology which is used in many research and clinical applications. Despite such fast growth in the field, the technology has not been readily accessible to many research laboratories either due to the cost or inflexibility of the commercially available systems or due to the lack of essential knowledge in the field of optics to develop custom-made scanners that suit specific applications. This paper aims to provide a detailed discussion on the design and development process of a typical SD-OCT scanner. The effects of multiple design parameters, for the main optical and optomechanical components, on the overall performance of the imaging system are analyzed and discussions are provided to serve as a guideline for the development of a custom SD-OCT system. While this article can be generalized for different applications, we will demonstrate the design of a SD-OCT system and representative results for in vivo brain imaging. We explain procedures to measure the axial and transversal resolutions and field of view of the system and to understand the discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical values. The specific aim of this piece is to facilitate the process of constructing custom-made SD-OCT scanners for research groups with minimum understanding of concepts in optical design and medical imaging.
Expanding transplant outcomes research opportunities through the use of a common data model

The volume of solid organ transplant in the United States is increasing, providing improved quality of life and survival for patients with organ failure. The growth of transplant requires a systematized management of transplant outcomes assessment, especially with the movement toward value-based care. However, there are several challenges to analyzing outcomes in the current registry-based, transplant reporting system: (1) longitudinal data points are difficult to capture in outcomes models; (2) data elements are restricted to those that already exist in the registry data; and (3) there is a delay in the release of outcomes report. In this article, we propose an informatics approach to solve these problems by using a "common data model" to integrate disparate data sources, data elements, and temporal data points. Adopting such a framework can enable multicenter outcomes analyses among transplant centers, nationally and internationally.
Molecular mapping of QTL for Fusarium head blight resistance introgressed into durum wheat

The major QTL for FHB resistance from hexaploid wheat line PI 277012 was successfully introgressed into durum wheat and minor FHB resistance QTL were detected in local durum wheat cultivars. A combination of these QTL will enhance FHB resistance of durum wheat. Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a devastating disease of durum wheat. To combat the disease, great efforts have been devoted to introgress FHB resistance from its related tetraploid and hexaploid wheat species into adapted durum cultivars. However, most of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB resistance existing in the introgression lines are not well characterized or validated. In this study, we aimed to identify and map FHB resistance QTL in a population consisting of 205 recombinant inbred lines from the cross between Joppa (a durum wheat cultivar) and 10Ae564 (a durum wheat introgression line with FHB resistance derived from the hexaploid wheat line PI 277012). One QTL (Qfhb.ndwp-2A) from Joppa and two QTL (Qfhb.ndwp-5A and Qfhb.ndwp-7A) from 10Ae564 were identified through phenotyping of the mapping population for FHB severity and DON content in greenhouse and field and genotyping with 90K wheat Infinium iSelect SNP arrays. Qfhb.ndwp-2A explained 14, 15, and 9% of the phenotypic variation, respectively, for FHB severity in two greenhouse experiments and for mean DON content across the two greenhouse environments. Qfhb.ndwp-5A explained 19, 10, and 7% of phenotypic variation, respectively, for FHB severity in one greenhouse experiment, mean FHB severity across two field experiments, and mean DON content across the two greenhouse experiments. Qfhb.ndwp-7A was only detected for FHB severity in the two greenhouse experiments, explaining 9 and 11% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. This study confirms the existence of minor QTL in North Dakota durum cultivars and the successful transfer of the major QTL from PI 277012 into durum wheat.
Molecular Pathogenesis of the Polyglutamine Disease: Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an adult onset neurodegenerative disease that affects men beginning in the fourth to fifth decade of life. The disease results from the expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the first exon of the androgen receptor gene. Symptoms of SBMA include weakness and atrophy of the proximal limb and bulbar muscles as well as partial androgen insensitivity. Cellular markers of disease include the loss of spinal motor neurons and the formation of nuclear aggregates of mutant androgen receptor protein (NII). The mechanism for pathogenesis in SBMA is unknown, and there is currently no treatment for the disease. New transgenic mouse, fly, and cell models of SBMA have provided important insights into the role of testosterone binding as a critical initiator of disease. An understanding of androgen receptor (AR) metabolism upon ligand binding is likely to provide new insights into the upstream events in SBMA pathogenesis. Moreover, the creation of novel models of disease is providing insights into abnormal neuronal responses to expanded AR accumulation. Here we discuss these ideas in the context of both basic AR biology and novel therapeutic development for SBMA.
Ion Transport and Metabolism in Renal Cells

The relationship between active transport at the plasma membrane and respiration has been studied extensively in the kidney, because this organ utilizes a large percentage of energy for this dissipative process. In the kidney, the rate of respiration follows linearly the rate of active transport. Various approaches have explored the coupling between these two variables (1,2,3). One of the simplest models that attempts to explain this coupling is the one proposed by Whittam and coworkers (4,5) on the basis of their studies of Na-K-ATPase-mediated ion transport and respiration in kidney cortex and brain slices. In this model, schematically shown in Fig.1, an increase in active ion transport could cause an increase in the rate of ATP hydrolisis, which would be expected to elicit a decrease in the cellular concentration of ATP and an increase in the concentration of the ATP hydrolisis products, ADP and Pi. Such an increase in ADP and Pi concentration could serve as a cytoplasmic feedback signal resulting in an acceleration of the mitochondrial respiratory rate, as described for isolated mitochondria by Chance and Williams (6).
Nonlinear Free-Surface Flow Around an Impulsively Moving Cylinder

Nonlinear free-surface flow around an impulsively accelerating, vertical surface-piercing cylinder is investigated analytically. The exact solutions for the velocity potential and free-surface elevation are derived up to the third order by the small-time- expansion method. The hydrodynamic pressure acting on the cylinder wall is also obtained. A constant horizontal acceleration is considered to illustrate the theoretical results. It is found that during the initial stage of this impulsive motion, no travelling free-surface waves are present. A surge of water appears on the upwind face and a depression forms on the downwind face. The second-order free-surface elevation is singular along the contact line between the fluid surface and the cylinder surface. The nonlinear pressure distribution on the cylinder surface has been determined.
Examining re-injury worry, confidence and attention after a sport musculoskeletal injury.

Background Sport injury is an unfortunate event which can have a major impact on the injured athletes' psychology. Athletes may experience re-injury worry and low levels of attention and confidence getting back to competition following a sport injury. The aim of the study was to examine re-injury worry, confidence and attention of previously injured athletes, before they returned to competition. Methods Cross-sectional research design. A total of 52 athletes volunteered for this study, aged 23.1±4.8 years old with a previous musculoskeletal injury during the last year. Participants completed the Causes of Re-Injury Worry Questionnaire, the Sport Confidence Questionnaire of Rehabilitated Athletes Returning to Competition and the Attention Questionnaire of Rehabilitated Athletes Returning to Competition, on their first competitive game after rehabilitation program. Results The athletes experienced average levels of re-injury worry and distraction attention and high levels of confidence and functional attention. The duration of injury, the medical and physiotherapy treatment and the absence from sport were significantly correlated with the questionnaire factors "Re-injury worry due to opponent's ability", "Functional attention" and "Distraction attention". Conclusions Psychological characteristics of previously injured athletes may be influenced from the duration of: 1) medical treatment; 2) injury; 3) physiotherapy treatment; and 4) absence from sport, when they return to competition. More research needs to be conducted to confirm the present results.
A 0.46-THz 25-Element Scalable and Wideband Radiator Array With Optimized Lens Integration in 65-nm CMOS

In this article, we present a 438–479-GHz fully integrated 25-element radiator array source based on a scalable structure of coupled standing wave oscillator cells without extra loss and parasitics from coupling networks. The bandwidth is extended using a varactor-less frequency tuning method, and EIRP is improved by increasing the size of the array using the proposed scalable coupling method and maximizing the radiation directivity using a silicon lens in an optimized radiation setup. An analysis of the radiation directivity of a chip-lens setup is presented as well as the employed approach for enhancing EIRP by maximizing the directivity. The circuit is implemented in a 65-nm CMOS process and is measured to have 40.7 GHz/8.9% frequency tuning range. The chip consumes 0.38–2.34-W power (1.18 W at 459-GHz center frequency) from a 1.2-V supply voltage. The circuit provides a maximum of −1.8-dBm radiated power and 19.3-dBm EIRP at 448 GHz using a 12.5-mm radius silicon lens. The minimum measured phase noise at 10-MHz offset is −100.6 dBc/Hz. To the best of our knowledge, this article has the largest EIRP, radiated power, and bandwidth among fully integrated silicon-based coherent sources above 350 GHz.
Trends in primary surgical resection and chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer, 2000-2016.

e16000Background: When, whether and in whom resection of the primary tumor for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is indicated remains incompletely elucidated, although a recent rando...
Students' perceptions of COVID-19 impact on experiential learning

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an undeniable effect on medical education, particularly experiential education. Our institution conducted a brief, anonymous survey of nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician assistant students engaged in experiential education during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess diverse student health professionals' perceptions of the pandemic. Based on the survey results, COVID-19 had a significant impact on students, including concerns for mental health and the quality of experiential education. The majority of students considered themselves to be essential workers, citing their need to learn, and a professional responsibility to serve; others expressed concerns of exposure risk to COVID-19 and use of personal protective equipment when supplies may be limited. Students requested increased communication, transparency, and financial support during the hardship of COVID-19. Educators and administrators should strive to address these concerns at their respective institutions, through dedicated resources to communication, mental health, and financial aid.
Rapid and Effective Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by a Cationic Conjugated Oligomer with Visible Light: Studies of Antiviral Activity in Solutions and on Supports

This paper presents results of a study of a new cationic oligomer that contains end groups and a chromophore affording inactivation of SARS-Cov-2 by visible light irradiation in solution or as a solid coating on wipes paper and glass fiber filtration substrates. A key finding of this study is that the cationic oligomer with a central thiophene ring and imidazolium charged groups give outstanding performance in both killing of E. coli bacterial cells and inactivation of the virus at very short times. Our introduction of cationic N-Methyl Imidazolium groups enhances the light-activation process for both E. coli and SARS-Cov-2 but dampens the dark killing of the bacteria and eliminates the dark inactivation of the virus. For the studies with this oligomer in solution at concentration of 1 g/mL and E. coli we obtain 3 log killing of the bacteria with 10 min irradiation with LuzChem cool white lights (mimicking indoor illumination). With the oligomer in solution at a concentration of 10 g/mL, we observe 4 logs inactivation (99.99 %) in 5 minutes of irradiation and total inactivation after 10 min. The oligomer is quite active against E. coli on oligomer-coated wipes papers and glass fiber filter supports. The SARS-Cov-2 is also inactivated by the oligomer coated glass fiber filter papers. This study indicates that these oligomer-coated materials may be very useful as wipes and filtration materials.
Detection, prevention, and pre-clinical treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Despite thousands of medical and scientific articles published every year about Alzheimer dementia, it remains a clinically neglected disease. There is no Heisenbergian uncertainty that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become one of the most ominous medical challenges of the 21st century. It follows that if rapid action is not taken to substantially reduce its exponential growth, a socio-economic crisis will develop and devour many government-sponsored health plans within the next few decades. So, what do we do about it and how do we do it? It makes a lot of sense to sort out what has been done in the field of AD so far and how we might learn from prior failures. The time, effort, and billions of dollars spent by industry in the last twenty years searching for a pharmaceutical nostrum to provide questionable palliation to patients who may not be aware of their surroundings has not helped in the battle to limit the number of people affected by AD. These nostrums, which are charitably called ‘cognitive enhancers’, do no such thing, not even in treating mild cognitive impairment or slowing-down conversion to AD [1]. The ethical imperative of this tactic is nothing less than a cruel approach to Alzheimer victims and their care-takers. It also takes advantage of the fact that a dementia remedy does not exist, thereby allowing the void created as an opportunity to try and launch products into the consumer market that are on
Software Project Dynamics: An Integrated Approach

Presents a scientific model of the software project management process based on focused field interviews and includes a detailed case study that was conducted to test the model. Covers human resource management, software production, controlling and planning.
Investigation of transient temperature oscillations of a propylene loop heat pipe

This paper reports on the transient characterization testing results showing low frequency temperature oscillations.
Tuberculoma of the myocardium; a case report.

Abstract A case of nodular tuberculosis (tuberculoma) of the heart is presented, together with a summary of the recent literature. Although there were three nodules in the left auricle, one of which involved the base of the mitral valve, yet at no time was there any clinical evidence referable to the cardiovascular system.
The total number of naturalized species can be a reliable predictor of the number of alien pest species

In her recent paper, Shawna J. Dark (2004) concluded that the distributions of ‘invasive alien plants’ and ‘non-invasive alien plants’ in California were significantly correlated. She found the highest numbers of both ‘invasive’ and ‘non-invasive’ species in regions with low elevation, high road density, and high native species richness. Dark actually uses two definitions of ‘invasive’ in the paper; we discuss the implications of this on her conclusions. We point out that the most important message of Dark’s paper is that the total number of naturalized species can be, at least at some spatial scales, a reliable predictor of the numbers of exotic pest species. We also provide another example to support this conclusion. We follow the definitions of native, non-native, naturalized, casual, pest, and weed in Pysek et al . (2004) in this note unless otherwise specified. It is necessary to examine how Dark defined ‘invasive’ in her paper because the data she used include only a small number of plant species (78) classified as ‘invasive’ while the remaining 1097 naturalized species listed in the most recent statewide flora and online updates (total 1175; Hickman, 1993; http:// ucjeps.berkeley.edu/interchange.html) were classified as ‘non-invasive alien plants’. Dark first defines ‘invasive alien plants’ in the paper’s second sentence as ‘alien plants that produce offspring in very large numbers and at large distances from parent plants and thus have potential to spread over a considerable area (Richardson et al ., 2000)’. Later, however, we learn that species actually classified as ‘invasive’ for data analysis in this study are only those rated as ‘A’ and ‘B’ on the California Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (1999) list of ‘Exotic Pest Plants of Greatest Ecological Concern’ (Dark, 2004; text under Fig. 1; CalEPPC, 1999). CalEPPC (1999) in turn defines its A and B categories as covering species that