cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Species- and Strain-Specific Control of a Complex, Flexible Regulon by Bordetella BvgAS

The Bordetella master virulence regulatory system, BvgAS, controls a spectrum of gene expression states, including the virulent Bvg(+) phase, the avirulent Bvg(-) phase, and at least one Bvg-intermediate (Bvg(i)) phase. We set out to define the species- and strain-specific features of this regulon based on global gene expression profiling. Rather than functioning as a switch, Bvg controls a remarkable continuum of gene expression states, with hundreds of genes maximally expressed in intermediate phases between the Bvg(+) and Bvg(-) poles. Comparative analysis of Bvg regulation in B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica revealed a relatively conserved Bvg(+) phase transcriptional program and identified previously uncharacterized candidate virulence factors. In contrast, control of Bvg(-)- and Bvg(i)-phase genes diverged substantially between species; regulation of metabolic, transporter, and motility loci indicated an increased capacity in B. bronchiseptica, compared to B. pertussis, for ex vivo adaptation. Strain comparisons also demonstrated variation in gene expression patterns within species. Among the genes with the greatest variability in patterns of expression, predicted promoter sequences were nearly identical. Our data suggest that the complement of transcriptional regulators is largely responsible for transcriptional diversity. In support of this hypothesis, many putative transcriptional regulators that were Bvg regulated in B. bronchiseptica were deleted, inactivated, or unregulated by BvgAS in B. pertussis. We propose the concept of a "flexible regulon." This flexible regulon may prove to be important for pathogen evolution and the diversification of host range specificity.
Electrophysiological Properties and Synaptic Responses of Cells in the Trigeminal Principal Sensory Nucleus of Postnatal Rats

In the rodent brain stem trigeminal complex, select sets of neurons form modular arrays or “barrelettes,” that replicate the patterned distribution of whiskers and sinus hairs on the ipsilateral sn...
The chat circles series: explorations in designing abstract graphical communication interfaces

We have been creating a series of graphical chat programs designed to foster social interaction and expressive communication. We started with a spare, minimalist interface and in subsequent programs have modified its fundamental features: background space, individual representation, movement implementation, communication channels, and history depiction. The resulting family of graphical chat programs share many interface features but differ significantly in their feel and function. This paper examines the variations among the interfaces and discusses their implications for social interaction.
Evidence for Substrate Dependent Inhibition Profiles for Human Liver Aldehyde Oxidase

The goal of this study was to provide a reasonable assessment of how probe substrate selection may impact the results of in vitro aldehyde oxidase (AO) inhibition experiments. Here, we used a previously studied set of seven known AO inhibitors to probe the inhibition profile of a pharmacologically relevant substrate N-[(2-dimethylamino)ethyl]acridine-4-carboxamide (DACA). DACA oxidation in human liver cytosol was characterized with a measured Vmax of 2.3 ± 0.08 nmol product · min−1 · mg−1 and a Km of 6.3 ± 0.8 µM. The Kii and Kis values describing the inhibition of DACA oxidation by the panel of seven inhibitors were tabulated and compared with previous findings with phthalazine as the substrate. In every case, the inhibition profile shifted to a much less uncompetitive mode of inhibition for DACA relative to phthalazine. With the exception of one inhibitor, raloxifene, this change in inhibition profile seems to be a result of a decrease in the uncompetitive mode of inhibition (an affected Kii value), whereas the competitive mode (Kis) seems to be relatively consistent between substrates. Raloxifene was found to inhibit competitively when using DACA as a probe, and a previous report showed that raloxifene inhibited uncompetitively with other substrates. The relevance of these data to the mechanistic understanding of aldehyde oxidase inhibition and potential implications on drug-drug interactions is discussed. Overall, it appears that the choice in substrate may be critical when conducting mechanistic inhibition or in vitro drug-drug interactions prediction studies with AO
Play in evolution, culture, and individual adaptation: implications for therapy.

In this paper human play is examined from the perspectIve of its role in evolution. A model of social evolutzan is proposed to extend the model of biological evolution and to demonstrate the central role of play in the soclal­ evolutionary process. Since in evo­ lution play is a mechanzsm for its process, it demands species members who are playful. Thus, man IS a player by virtue of species membership and the evolutionary pathway of the species. The impli­ cations of this deep-seated charac­ teristic of playfulness are dIscussed in terms of human development. Finally, a set of principles IS derived from the evolutionary­ developmental characteristICS of play. Application of these przncl­ pies in clinical practice is demon­ strated and discussed.
Hurricane-fire interactions in coastal forests of the south: a review and hypothesis

The extent to which periodic wildfires, burning in increased forest fuels following severe hurricanes, influenced coastal plain forest ecosystems prior to European settlement is unknown. A review of the literature suggests that, in many forests, conditions after exceptionally strong hurricanes promote the occurrence of fires of higher than normal intensity. While post-hurricane fires have not been prevalent or widespread in recent times in the southern US, a credible line of reasoning plus observations from outside the US supports the hypothesis of a hurricane-fire interaction, particularly in the era before organized fire suppression. The drastic effects caused by strong hurricanes and subsequent fire is likely to have been a significant part of the long-term disturbance regime of many ecosystems. Due to their infrequent occurrence and the difficulties involved in their study, these effects have been overlooked, minimized, or ignored. The hypothesis is presented that a hurricane-fire interaction influenced vegetation in specific ways in the presettlement South. Further, the present-day absence of this process may in part account for the continuing decline of certain plant communities. Opportunities for large-scale restoration of declining communities and ecosystems exist in areas where extensive vegetation change has already come in the form of drastic natural disturbance, such as that caused by severe hurricanes. Land managers may be able to facilitate the long-term process of restoring diverse, fire-maintained ecosystems by using a regime of frequent prescribed fires in areas impacted by strong hurricanes.
Application of Automatic Parallelization to Modern Challenges of Scientific Computing Industries

Characteristics of full applications found in scientific computing industries today lead to challenges that are not addressed by state-of-the-art approaches to automatic parallelization.These characteristics are not present in CPU kernel codes nor linear algebra libraries, requiring a fresh look at how to make automatic parallelization apply to today's computational industries using full applications. The challenges to automatic parallelization result from software engineering patterns that implement multifunctionality, reusable execution frameworks, data structures shared across abstract programming interfaces, a multilingual code base for a single application, and the observation that full applications demand more from compile-time analysis than CPU kernel codes do. Each of these challenges has a detrimental impact on compile-time analysis required for automatic parallelization. Then, focusing on a set of target loops that are parallelizable by hand and that result in speedups on par with the distributed parallel version of the full applications, we determine the prevalence of a number of issues that hinder automatic parallelization. These issues point to enabling techniques that are missing from the state-of-the-art.In order for automatic parallelization to become utilizedin today's scientific computing industries, the challenges described in this paper must be addressed.
Teaching Corporate in College

By applying the strengths of corporate models for effective teamwork, academic scientists can drive transdisciplinary research and accelerate biomedical translation.
Code verification for multiphase flows using the method of manufactured solutions

Abstract Code verification is the process of ensuring, to the extent possible, that there are no algorithm deficiencies and coding mistakes (bugs) in a scientific computing simulation. Order of accuracy testing using the Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS) is a rigorous technique that is employed here for code verification of the main components of an open-source, multiphase flow code – MFIX. Code verification is performed here on 2D and 3D, uniform and stretched meshes for incompressible, steady and unsteady, single-phase and two-phase flows using the two-fluid model of MFIX. Currently, the algebraic gas-solid exchange terms are neglected as these can be verified via techniques such as unit-testing. The no-slip wall, free-slip wall, and pressure outflow boundary conditions are verified. Temporal orders of accuracy for first-order and second-order time-marching schemes during unsteady simulations are also assessed. The presence of a modified SIMPLE-based algorithm in the code requires the velocity field to be divergence free in case of the single-phase incompressible model. Similarly, the volume fraction weighted velocity field must be divergence-free for the two-phase incompressible model. A newly-developed curl-based manufactured solution is used to generate manufactured solutions that satisfy the divergence-free constraint during the verification of the single-phase and two-phase incompressible governing equations. Manufactured solutions with constraints due to boundary conditions as well as due to divergence-free flow are derived in order to verify the boundary conditions.
The Distribution of Pay Television in the United States: Let an Unshackled Marketplace Decide

Aiming at what Senator John McCain has called an “injustice...inflicted on the American people,” antitrust litigation has taken aim at powerful television programmers who force large and unwieldy bundles of TV channels on distributors and the ultimate consumer, with overpayments that are tens of billions of dollars each year. The unwieldy and expensive bundles deny consumers meaningful choice and deter many from subscribing to pay TV. The paper focuses on one unsuccessful consumer class action suit dismissed in the lower courts, but also describes another pending suit brought against a programmer. An antitrust remedy could eliminate the bundling restraints, freeing the distributors to allow competition, not costly or intrusive regulation, to bring choice and lower cost options to television consumers. The article also analyzes commentary supportive of the dismissal of the earlier litigation, criticizing that commentary and arguing that a better outcome would have been consistent with the purposes of the Sherman Act and demonstrate the Act's continued relevance in a high tech world. The offered economic analysis is relevant not only to future antitrust litigation, but also to possible FCC regulatory action or proposed legislation pending in the Congress dealing with television distribution.
MDSM: Generalized multiagent coordination for demand side management

One key challenge in creating a sustainable society is to make consumer demand adaptive to the supply of electricity. We propose a generalization for the multiagent coordination algorithm for partially-centralized demand side management. In this setting, a central unit buys the electricity for the whole group, while the individual agents make their own demand decisions, based on their private constraints and preferences. While the state-of-the-art algorithm achieves strong guarantees, i.e., efficiency, strict budget balance as well as weak incentive compatibility, the formulation requires a simple supply model with a 2-step increasing threshold price function. In this paper, we propose MDSM, a generalized formulation of the multiagent coordination algorithm and prove that it converges to the optimal solution for all convex piecewise linear cost functions. Further, we perform simulations based on real world consumption data to evaluate the scalability of the algorithm in respect to the number of thresholds. The results indicate that the convergence time of MDSM is not sensitive to the number of thresholds in the cost function. This means, the proposed algorithm could be used for a broader set of distributed scheduling problems.
Effects of acute infection on cholesterogenesis in the rhesus monkey.

SummaryRhesus monkeys acutely infected with D. pneumoniae or S. typhimurium exhibited an increased rate of 3H-mevalonic acid incorporation into free cholesterol in comparison with values observed in control monkeys. When studied early in either infection, there was no evidence for an inhibition of squalene synthesis or its conversion to cholesterol. The estimated volume of plasma cholesterol did not change. Total hepatic cholesterol was decreased and entry of radioactivity into plasma cholesterol esters was reduced in the Samonella-infected monkeys.
Dynamic multiple attribute grey incidence decision making mothed based on interval valued intuitionisitc fuzzy number

For the decision making problem that the attribute value is interval valued intuitionisitc fuzzy number and the attribute weights are unknown,a dynamic multiple attribute decision making method with interval valued intuitionisitc fuzzy number based on the grey incidence analisis is proposed.Firstly,the algorithms and properties of the interval valued intuitionisitc fuzzy number are used to construct the positive and negative ideal scheme for each time period,and tthe multi-objective programming model with the minimum deviation of the grey incidence degree between each scheme and the positive ideal scheme for each stage is built to determine the attribute weights.Then the grey incidence each stage degree with interval valued intuitionisitc fuzzy number between each scheme and the positive and negative ideal scheme for each stage is calculated to eastablish the optimization model of the optimal membership degree for scheme,so that the expressions form of the optimal membership degree for scheme is determined to solve the optimal membership degree for scheme.Finally,an example validates the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model.
Bioengineering for cartilage and intervertebral disc regeneration

Cell-based therapy on damaged or degenerative articular cartilage and intervertebral disc promote tissue regeneration by optimized cells and biodegradable matrix. Cell culture is a crucial process to construct the neo-tissue and only means to manipulate cell differentiation and metabolic function prior to implant. Bioreactor, one of the key technology, allows changing culture condition programmed for maximizing tissue regeneration. Incorporating latest biochemical, molecular, and clinical notions, bioengineering means will provide secure treatment to restore functional tissue.
A Coupled-Mode Shallow-Water Model for Tidal Analysis: Internal Tide Reflection and Refraction by the Gulf Stream

AbstractA hydrostatic, coupled-mode, shallow-water model (CSW) is described and used to diagnose and simulate tidal dynamics in the greater Mid-Atlantic Bight region. The reduced-physics model incorporates realistic stratification and topography, internal tide forcing from a priori estimates of the surface tide, and advection terms that describe first-order interactions of internal tides with slowly varying mean flow and mean buoyancy fields and their respective shear. The model is validated via comparisons with semianalytic models and nonlinear primitive equation models in several idealized and realistic simulations that include internal tide interactions with topography and mean flows. Then, 24 simulations of internal tide generation and propagation in the greater Mid-Atlantic Bight region are used to diagnose significant internal tide interactions with the Gulf Stream. The simulations indicate that locally generated mode-one internal tides refract and/or reflect at the Gulf Stream. The redirected inter...
On Parabolic Pdes and Spdes in Sobolev Spaces W P 2 without and with Weights

We present a “streamlined” theory of solvability of parabolic PDEs and SPDEs in half spaces in Sobolev spaces with weights. The approach is based on interior estimates for equations in the whole space and is easier than and quite different from the standard one.
Medical oncology patient readmissions: Are they preventable?

6589 Background: As part of the Affordable Care Act, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has initiated programs for certain non-cancer index admissions aimed to improve patient care and redu...
Here Begins the Fifth Chapter on the Divisions of Integral Numbers

When one wishes to know how to divide any number by any number, it is necessary, as in adding, first to divide all numbers by the numbers from two up to ten; and this is not possible to do until certain introductions to divisions of certain numbers are known by heart; these divisions are given in tables in the following pages. But it first is taught how the small fractions are written. [p24]
Oral manifestations of nutritional disorders

Nutritional deficiencies occur when body metabolic requirements are not matched by intake and absorption. Reasons for this discrepancy are numerous, but often social, economic, medical, and even psychiatric factors may play a role. Vitamins and minerals are required for appropriate rapid cell turnover of the oral mucosa. The oral cavity is a unique anatomic environment that may manifest early signs of nutritional disorders as well as other indicators of systemic disease. Knowledge of these oral manifestations and associated findings will allow a practitioner to consider a nutritional disorder when evaluating oral changes and, in turn, initiate appropriate therapy. A systematic approach to examination of the mouth and perioral skin is suggested. A detailed medical and social history complements the physical examination in identifying patients at risk for nutritional disorders and heightening the clinical suspicion to warrant additional nutritional screening. The rising prevalence of anorexia and bulimia, as well as fad diets, add to the population of patients at risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies that a clinician must now consider.
Estimating decay dynamics for enzyme activities in soils from different ecosystems

Abstract Extracellular enzymes in soil are central to the decomposition of plant and microbial detritus and they are increasingly incorporated into soil biogeochemical models as drivers of detritus breakdown. In enzyme-driven models, a critical parameter is the functional lifespan of the enzymes, yet this is poorly constrained by experimental data. We evaluated how long soil enzymes remain active in five soils spanning from arctic tussock tundra to a tropical forest/grassland soil. We incubated soils under continuous fumigation with CHCl 3 vapor to kill microbes and prevent the synthesis of new enzymes. We monitored the activities of six hydrolytic and two oxidative enzymes over a 12-week incubation. Initial activities of the various soil enzymes varied substantially across the ecosystems; they were generally highest (per gram soil) in the tussock tundra, followed by temperate hardwood forest, grassland, tropical forest/grassland, and then chaparral. In tussock tundra organic soil, activities of all enzymes decreased rapidly following first-order decay curves; the half-lives of enzyme activity were typically several weeks. In the mineral soils, the time course of loss of hydrolytic enzyme activities could always be described by a first-order decay curve, but in many cases, activity could equally be described by a zero-order, linear, decay function because the rate of loss was slow. Although α-glucosidase lost activity rapidly, for other enzymes substantial activity remained even after 12 weeks of incubation. This likely resulted from stabilization by mineral surfaces, stabilization that might constrain activity against native polymeric substrates. Measured turnover rate constants fell within the broad range that model have used, but that range remains exceedingly broad.
Solid State Electrochemical Direct Writing of Copper Nanostructures on an Ion Conductive Phosphate Glass Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract In this paper, we report a solid state direct writing method for fabricating copper nanostructures in seconds using atomic force microscopy. Under ambient conditions, a dendritic electrochemical reaction on the surface of a super-ionic (CuI) x (CuPO 3 ) (1- x) glass surface is demonstrated by negatively biasing an atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe relative to a Cu film counter electrode. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is then used to characterize the dendrite and confirm electrochemical extraction of copper on the glass surface. To implement controlled electrochemical extraction, the copper growth process is then localized by realizing a ∼pA level current controlled electrochemical extraction process with a stationary AFM tip. Line patterns with ∼200 nm line-width are then generated in seconds over areas tens of microns in diameter by moving the AFM tip along the desired pattern while supplying a constant current to the tip. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a solid state direct writing approach for making copper nano-patterns on an ion conductive glass substrate.
A Systematic Review of Placental Biomarkers Predicting Small-for-Gestational-Age Neonates.

Background:Neonates born small for gestational age (SGA) face increased risk of neonatal mortality, childhood developmental problems, and adult disease. The placenta is a key factor in SGA developm...
Concurrent Versus Sequential Chemoradiation Therapy in Completely Resected Pathologic N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Propensity-Matched Analysis of the National Cancer Data Base

Following complete resection of pN2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), national guidelines recommend either sequential (sCRT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT). This is the largest study to date evaluating survival between both approaches. In sCRT patients, sequencing ‘chemotherapy first’ versus ‘radiotherapy first’ was also addressed. The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried for patients with primary NSCLC undergoing surgery (without neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy), pN2 disease with negative surgical margins, and receiving postoperative CRT. Multivariable logistic regression ascertained factors associated with cCRT administration. Kaplan–Meier analysis evaluated overall survival (OS), and Cox proportional hazards modeling determined variables associated with OS. Propensity matching was performed to address group imbalances and indication biases. Of 1924 total patients, 1115 (58%) received sCRT and 809 (42%) underwent cCRT. Median OS in the sCRT and cCRT cohorts was 53 months versus 37 months (p < 0.001); differences persisted following propensity matching (p = 0.002). In the sCRT population, there was a trend for higher OS in the ‘chemotherapy first’ group, relative to ‘radiotherapy first’ (55 vs. 44 months, p = 0.079), but there were no statistically apparent differences following propensity matching (p = 0.302). For completely resected pN2 NSCLC, delivering adjuvant sCRT was associated with improved survival over cCRT. Toxicity-related factors may help to explain these results but need to be better addressed in further investigations. Differential sequencing of sCRT did not appear to affect survival.
Ion Transport Across Leaf Cuticles: Concepts and Mechanisms

The chemistry of leaf cuticles (e. g., Holloway, 1994) and the permeation of cuticles by nonelectrolytes (e. g., Kerstiens, 1994; Riederer et al, 1994) are much better understood than is the permeation of ionic species, e. g., salts and acids. Ions differ from nonelectrolytes in that they carry a net electric charge. Ions and nonelectrolytes both diffuse in response to concentration gradients in solution, but ions are unique in being moved by electric gradients in addition to concentration gradients. If the force associated with an electric gradient is larger in magnitude and opposite in direction to the concentration gradient, then ionic species can move from regions of low to high concentration. In general, when salts and acids diffuse, an electric gradient, called a diffusion potential is generated; this electric gradient will retard the rate of diffusion of some ions and speed up the rate of others. Failure to recognize the influence of electric gradients can lead to errors or vagueness in interpretation of results (see below).
Hope Springs Eternal?: The Downstream Effects of the 2008 Presidential Election on Youth Turnout in 2010

This paper addresses the question of the durability of the effects of political mobilization on voter turnout by utilizing a regression discontinuity design that compares voter turnout in 2010 among young people who turned eighteen either side of Election Day, 2008. This study draws upon the Youth Participatory Politics Survey, fielded in the spring of 2011, and the November 2010 Current Population Study Voting and Registration Supplement. The findings indicate that political mobilization does have a substantial effect on youth political participation that extends beyond one electoral cycle. Young people who turned eighteen in the months immediately prior to the 2008 presidential election are far more likely to have voted in the 2010 congressional elections than are young people who came of age after Election Day in 2008. These differences in turnout in 2010 cannot be attributed to any other difference between these two groups apart from the fact that the former group was eligible to vote two years earlier and the latter group was not. Young people who were eligible to vote in 2008 are not more likely to participate in a variety of other political activities apart from voting than are their slightly younger peers; nor are there any differences between the groups in attitudes such as political interest and efficacy. It is demonstrated that the lasting effect of eligibility to vote in 2008 on voter turnout in 2010 among youth can be attributed to the higher registration rates among young people who turned eighteen by November 2008 relative to their slightly younger peers.
TFE/Translocation Morphology Renal Cell Carcinoma

TFE/translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) was formally recognized by the WHO in 2004 as a distinct, typically translocation-associated, RCC with characteristic morphology and immunohistochemical expression of TFE3 or TFEb. Cytogenetic translocations may include TFE3-ASPS, TFE3-PRCC, TFEb-alpha, or other variants; mechanisms for TFE upregulation may be heterogenous. TFE3 and TFEB are members of the MiTF/TFE family of basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper transcription factors [1–3].
Understanding the Role of Inclusions on the Dynamic Fracture Toughness of High Strength Lightweight FeMnAl Steels

High manganese lightweight steel alloys in the Fe–Mn–Al–C system are promising alternatives to quenched and tempered Cr and Mo steels for transportation and military applications. The understanding of nonmetallic inclusion formation and their effect on the mechanical properties is of extreme importance for further alloy development. Sharp and brittle AlN forms prior to the liquidus and has been shown to decrease notch toughness. Controlled additions of sulfur may promote soft and globular MnS that precipitates around AlN during solidification, thus mitigating their detrimental effect. The effect of controlled sulfur additions from 0.004 to 0.042%S was studied in a Fe–30%Mn–9%Al–1%Si–(0.9–1.2)%C–0.5%Mo steel. The main inclusions observed were AlN, MnS, and AlN-cored MnS. Charpy impact toughness was evaluated in the solution treated condition and in specimens aged to 329–340 HBN. Toughness is a function of the overall inclusion population. In aged specimens, same was true only for steels with 0.9% carbon; above 1%C the toughness was below 15 J for any sulfur content.
The murine vaginal microbiota and its perturbation by the human pathogen group B Streptococcus

Composition of the vaginal microbiota has significant influence on female urogenital health and control of infectious disease. Murine models are widely utilized to characterize host-pathogen interactions within the vaginal tract, however, the composition of endogenous vaginal flora remains largely undefined with modern microbiome analyses. Here, we employ 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to establish the native microbial composition of the vaginal tract in adult C57Bl/6 J mice. We further interrogate the impact of estrous cycle and introduction of the human vaginal pathobiont, group B Streptococcus (GBS) on community state type and stability, and conversely, the impact of the vaginal microbiota on GBS persistence. Sequencing analysis revealed five distinctive community states of the vaginal microbiota dominated largely by Staphylococcus and/or Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, or a mixed population. Stage of estrus did not impact microbial composition. Introduction of GBS decreased community stability at early timepoints; and in some mice, GBS became the dominant bacterium by day 21. Endogenous Staphylococcus abundance correlated with GBS ascension into the uterus, and increased community stability in GBS-challenged mice. The murine vaginal flora is diverse and fluctuates independently of the estrous cycle. Endogenous flora may impact pathogen colonization and dissemination and should be considered in urogenital infection models.
The Germ Fraction Inhibits Iron Bioavailability of Maize: Identification of an Approach to Enhance Maize Nutritional Quality via Processing and Breeding.

Improving the nutritional quality of Fe in maize (Zea mays) represents a biofortification strategy to alleviate iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, the present study measured iron content and bioavailability via an established bioassay to characterize Fe quality in parts of the maize kernel. Comparisons of six different varieties of maize demonstrated that the germ fraction is a strong inhibitory component of Fe bioavailability. The germ fraction can contain 27–54% of the total kernel Fe, which is poorly available. In the absence of the germ, Fe in the non-germ components can be highly bioavailable. More specifically, increasing Fe concentration in the non-germ fraction resulted in more bioavailable Fe. Comparison of wet-milled fractions of a commercial maize variety and degerminated corn meal products also demonstrated the inhibitory effect of the germ fraction on Fe bioavailability. When compared to beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) containing approximately five times the concentration of Fe, degerminated maize provided more absorbable Fe, indicating substantially higher fractional bioavailability. Overall, the results indicate that degerminated maize may be a better source of Fe than whole maize and some other crops. Increased non-germ Fe density with a weaker inhibitory effect of the germ fraction are desirable qualities to identify and breed for in maize.
Functional Regulation of an Oxidative Stress Mediator, Rac1, in Diabetic Retinopathy

Early activation of cytosolic NADPH oxidase-2 (Nox2) in diabetes increases retinal ROS production, damaging their mitochondria. The assembly of Nox2 holoenzyme requires activation of a small molecular weight G protein Rac1. Rac1 activation is regulated by guanine exchange factors and guanine nucleotide-dissociation inhibitors, and post-translational modifications assist in its association with exchange factors and dissociation inhibitors. The goal of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of Rac1 activation in the development of diabetic retinopathy. The levels of the dissociation inhibitor, prenylating enzyme (farnesyltransferase, FNTA), and exchange factor Vav2 were quantified in human retinal endothelial cells, incubated in normal or high glucose for 96 h. The roles of prenylation and Vav2 in Rac1-Nox2-ROS mitochondrial damage were confirmed in FNTA-siRNA–transfected cells and using the Vav2 inhibitor EHop, respectively. Retinal histopathology and functional changes associated with diabetic retinopathy were analyzed in diabetic mice receiving EHop for 6 months. Key parameters of Rac1 activation were confirmed in the retinal microvasculature from human donors with diabetic retinopathy. In HRECs, glucose increased FNTA and Vav2 and decreased the dissociation inhibitor. FNTA-siRNA and EHop inhibited glucose-induced activation of Rac1–Nox2–ROS signaling. In diabetic mice, EHop ameliorated the development of retinopathy and functional/structural abnormalities and attenuated Rac1–Nox2–mitochondrial damage. Similar alterations in Rac1 regulators were observed in retinal microvasculature from human donors with diabetic retinopathy. In diabetes, Rac1 prenylation and its interactions with Vav2 contribute to Nox2–ROS–mitochondrial damage, and the pharmacological inhibitors to attenuate Rac1 interactions with its regulators could have the potential to halt/inhibit the development of diabetic retinopathy.
Republished: The bumper technique for advancing a large profile microcatheter

Operators commonly encounter difficulty maneuvering a microcatheter beyond the distal lip of wide neck aneurysms and aneurysms in challenging locations. Few techniques have been described to guide operators in these particular situations. In this case report of a 56-year-old woman with a 16 mm ophthalmic artery aneurysm, the microcatheter continually snagged the distal aneurysm lip, preventing delivery of a flow diverter into the distal parent vessel. In troubleshooting this obstacle, a second microguidewire was introduced alongside the microcatheter and was used to cover the distal lip of the aneurysm to prevent further snagging. The second guidewire successfully deflected the microcatheter into the distal vessel, a technique that we have aptly dubbed the ‘bumper technique’.
Tales of Mentoring in Radiology: The Experience of Residents and Mentors at a Single Academic Program

Abstract Purpose To investigate the utility of mentoring groups in radiology residency. Methods Five assistant professors of Radiology and 20 radiology residents were divided into 5 groups. One resident from each academic year was randomly paired with a mentor group. Three 1-hour group mentoring sessions took place over the year. Upon completion of the project an anonymous Quality Improvement survey of 20 questions were sent out to participants to assess the utility of these mentoring sessions. Results Four mentors out of 5 responded. All 4 had prior neutral and positive experiences as mentees involving career advice and subspecialty choice. During this experience all mentors had a positive experience. The majority found it helpful to have residents of different levels in their group to allow for peer to peer mentoring and all thought the mentoring program should continue. The most common topics they covered during the sessions were career advice and specialty choice. Sixteen residents out of 20 responded. The majority had had a previous mentor experience which was mostly positive or very positive and predominantly career and/or research related. Almost all of them had a positive or very positive mentoring experience this year. The high majority found that having residents of different levels was beneficial. Topics that mentoring sessions helped mostly with were career advice, work life balance and study skills. All of the mentees thought the mentoring program should continue. Conclusions Mentoring groups can be a valuable addition to residency training, especially in helping with career advice and work life balance.
Cytoreductive surgery in selected patients with metastatic gastric cancer treated with systemic chemotherapy.

409Background: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS – gastrectomy combined with metastasectomy) for non-palliative indications is controversial for patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma (MGA). We h...
Hyperoxia in pediatric severe traumatic brain injury (TBI): a comparison of patient classification by cutoff versus cumulative (area-under-the-curve) analysis

Objective: Hyperoxia is associated with adverse outcome in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study explored differences in patient classification of oxygen exposure by PaO2 cutoff and cumulative areaunder-the-curve (AUC) analysis. Methods: Retrospective, explorative study including children (<18 years) with accidental severe TBI (2002–2015). Oxygen exposure analysis used three PaO2 cutoff values and four PaO2 AUC categories during the first 24 hours of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission. Results: Seventy-one patients were included (median age 8.9 years [IQR 4.6–12.9]), mortality 18.3% (n = 13). Patient hyperoxia classification differed depending on PaO2 cutoff vs AUC analysis: 52% vs. 26%, respectively, were classified in the highest hyperoxia category. Eleven patients (17%) classified as ‘intermediate oxygen exposure’ based on cumulative PaO2 analysis whereby they did not exceed the 200 mmHg PaO2 cutoff threshold. Patient classification variability was reflected by Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.40 (p-value 0.001). Conclusions: Hyperoxia classification in pediatric severe TBI during the first 24 hours of PICU admission differed depending on PaO2 cutoff or cumulative AUC analysis. We consider PaO2 cumulative (AUC) better approximates (patho-)physiological circumstances due to its time- and dose-dependent approach. Prospective studies exploring the association between cumulative PaO2, physiological parameters (e.g. ICP, PbtO2) and outcome are warranted as different patient classifications of oxygen exposure influences how its relationship to outcome is interpreted.
Horizontal Shareholdings and Effects on the Competitive Structure of the Market

Recent studies have linked the concentration of common shareholding in competing corporations among the same group of minority shareholders with competition concerns. This paper will examine whether the correlation between the structure of corporate ownership captured by common shareholding and the structure of the market(s) in which the companies operate might determine anticompetitive effects and be considered illegal under antitrust laws. To this regard, after describing the main theoretical and empirical foundations for the competition concerns associated to common shareholding, I will analyze the arguments raised both in favor and against the enforcement of the antitrust laws and, in particular as regards the latter, the lack of evidence on the causal mechanism through which common shareholdings determine anticompetitive effects. While in the US, the Clayton Act seem to ban merger and stock acquisition that are likely to have anticompetitive effects regardless of whether the mechanism for those effects is known, a different conclusion should be reached with regard to the European Union antitrust laws. Under the EU merger regulation competitive effects of common shareholdings are captured if, and only, they confer control, being control the causal mechanism preidentified by the EU law to link competitive effects to a transaction that modifies the structure of the market.
Does Blood Patch for Persistent Postoperative Air Leak Reduce Air Leak Duration

Persistent air leak is the most common complication following pulmonary resection. Blood patch pleurodesis, first described in 1987, has shown promising results in small institutional studies for sealing persistent air leak, but it has failed to gain widespread adoption. In this chapter, we review the available data for blood patch pleurodesis, focusing specifically on its use for persistent air leak following pulmonary resection. Results from institutional trials of blood patch pleurodesis for persistent postoperative air leak show quicker time to resolution of air leak with few complications. Therefore, the application of blood patch pleurodesis may benefit post-resection patients with prolonged air leak refractory to traditional drainage.
The impact of antidepressants on depressive symptom severity, quality of life, morbidity, and mortality in heart failure: a systematic review.

Objective The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the impact of antidepressants on depressive symptom severity, quality of life (QoL), morbidity, and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Methods Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, studies published from December 1969 to December 2019 that pertain to depression and HF were identified through the use of the PubMed and PsycINFO databases, using the keywords: 'antidepressant*' and 'heart failure.' Two authors independently conducted a focused analysis and reached a final consensus on 17 studies that met the specific selection criteria and passed the study quality checks. Results Studies varied in types of antidepressants used as well as in study designs. Ten studies were analyzed for the impact of antidepressant medications on depressive symptom severity. Five of these were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), out of which sertraline and paroxetine showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms despite the small samples utilized. Four of the 17 studies addressed QoL as part of their outcomes showing no difference for escitalopram (RCT), significantly greater improvements for paroxetine controlled release (RCT), statistical significance for sertraline compared to control (pilot study), and showing significant improvement before and after treatment (open-label trial) for nefazodone. Thirteen of the 17 studies included measures of morbidity and mortality. Although early analyses have pointed to an association of antidepressant use and mortality particularly with fluoxetine, the reviewed studies showed no increase in mortality for antidepressants, and secondary analyses showed improved mortality in patients who achieved remission of depressive symptoms. Conclusion Out of the various antidepressants studied, which included sertraline, paroxetine, escitalopram, citalopram, bupropion, nefazodone, and nortriptyline, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors seem to be a safe treatment option for patients with depression and HF. However, due to the variety of study designs as well as the mixed results for each antidepressant, more information for reducing depression severity, morbidity, and mortality and improving quality of life in patients with HF should be examined using robust large sample RCTs.
Practitioner availability rather than surgical quality impacts the utilization of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract Background Liver transplantation (LT) provides better outcome than surgical resection (SR) although both are acceptable surgical options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is unclear whether non-clinical factors drive treatment decisions. Our goal is to identify factors that may affect treatment decisions. Methods Patients aged 18–74 with T2 HCC undergoing either LT or SR in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database from 2004 to 2014 were included. Healthcare resources data were analyzed to assess factors that predict utilization of LT versus SR, adjusted for demographic, clinical outcomes, and socioeconomic factors. Results 51% of patients (Total N = 2616) received LT, with a substantial state-level variation in LT rates (0.0%–66.9%). Higher LT center density [OR = 1.04 per 1% increment, P Conclusion Liver transplant center density and organ availability, but not surgical outcomes, affect utilization of LT. Future studies should focus on increasing availability of resources.
Three-Dimensional Printable Nanoporous Polymer Matrix Composites for Daytime Radiative Cooling

Daytime radiative cooling presents an exciting new strategy for combating global warming, because it can passively cool buildings by reflecting sunlight and utilizing the infrared atmospheric window to eject heat into outer space. Recent progress with novel material designs showed promising subambient cooling performance under direct sunlight. However, large-scale implementation of radiative cooling technologies is still limited by the high-cost and complex fabrication. Here, we develop a nanoporous polymer matrix composite (PMC) to enable rapid production and cost reduction using commercially available polymer processing techniques, such as molding, extrusion, and 3D printing. With a high solar reflectance of 96.2% and infrared emissivity > 90%, the nanoporous PMC achieved a subambient temperature drop of 6.1 °C and cooling power of 85 W/m2 under direct sunlight, which are comparable to the state-of-the-art. This work offers great promise to make radiative cooling technologies more viable for saving energy and reducing emissions in building cooling applications.
Modeling the Nonsmoothness of Modern Neural Networks.

Modern neural networks have been successful in many regression-based tasks such as face recognition, facial landmark detection, and image generation. In this work, we investigate an intuitive but understudied characteristic of modern neural networks, namely, the nonsmoothness. The experiments using synthetic data confirm that such operations as ReLU and max pooling in modern neural networks lead to nonsmoothness. We quantify the nonsmoothness using a feature named the sum of the magnitude of peaks (SMP) and model the input-output relationships for building blocks of modern neural networks. Experimental results confirm that our model can accurately predict the statistical behaviors of the nonsmoothness as it propagates through such building blocks as the convolutional layer, the ReLU activation, and the max pooling layer. We envision that the nonsmoothness feature can potentially be used as a forensic tool for regression-based applications of neural networks.