cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enrichment constrained time-dependent clustering analysis for finding meaningful temporal transcription modules

Motivation: Clustering is a popular data exploration technique widely used in microarray data analysis. When dealing with time-series data, most conventional clustering algorithms, however, either use one-way clustering methods, which fail to consider the heterogeneity of temporary domain, or use two-way clustering methods that do not take into account the time dependency between samples, thus producing less informative results. Furthermore, enrichment analysis is often performed independent of and after clustering and such practice, though capable of revealing biological significant clusters, cannot guide the clustering to produce biologically significant result. Result:We present a new enrichment constrained framework (ECF) coupled with a time-dependent iterative signature algorithm (TDISA), which, by applying a sliding time window to incorporate the time dependency of samples and imposing an enrichment constraint to parameters of clustering, allows supervised identification of temporal transcription modules (TTMs) that are biologically meaningful. Rigorous mathematical definitions of TTM as well as the enrichment constraint framework are also provided that serve as objective functions for retrieving biologically significant modules. We applied the enrichment constrained time-dependent iterative signature algorithm (ECTDISA) to human gene expression time-series data of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection of human primary endothelial cells; the result not only confirms known biological facts, but also reveals new insight into the molecular mechanism of KSHV infection. Availability: Data and Matlab code are available at http://engineering.utsa.edu/~yfhuang/ECTDISA.html Contact: yufei.huang@utsa.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Decay of correlations in classical lattice models at high temperature

In classical statistical mechanical lattice models with many body potentials of finite or infinite range and arbitrary spin it is shown that the truncated pair correlation function decays in the same weighted summability sense as the potential, at high temperature.
Methods to sample air borne propagules of Aspergillus flavus

Three techniques (cyclone samplers, filter samplers and rotorods) were evaluated for sampling airborne propagules of Aspergillus flavus in a cultivated region of southwest Arizona. Analysis of variance indicated no significant difference between cyclone and filter samplers in quantity of colony forming units caught, but there was a positive correlation between catches of the three separate impaction samplers (r = 0.84–0.99, P>0.05). There was no detectable correlation between impaction sampler catches and cyclone catches (r=0.12–0.33; P>0.05). Cyclone samplers collected a dry sample that was easy to process for quantification of fungal propagules. Size of conidia of A. flavus (combined with filter retention studies) suggests that the predominant propagules caught by the cyclone sampler were conidia, rather than sclerotia or infected vegetative matter. Using a water-soluble coating, rotorods collected viable conidia of A. flavus under controlled environment conditions, but not in the field, although viable propagules of other fungi were caught, including other Aspergilli. In the desert environment the rotorods became overloaded with particles of dust if operated for more than 2 h. Where isolate culture is required, cyclone samplers are ideal for collecting airborne A. flavus propagules in dry climates.
Daytime Vertical E×B Drift Velocities Inferred from Ground-Based Equatorial Magnetometer Observations

The daytime equatorial electrojet is a narrow band of enhanced eastward current flowing in the 100–120 km altitude region within ±2° latitude of the dip equator. A unique way of determining the daytime strength of the electrojet is to observe the difference in the magnitudes of the Horizontal (H) component between a magnetometer placed directly on the magnetic equator and one displaced 6–9° away. The difference between these measured H values provides a direct measure of the daytime electrojet current, and in turn, the magnitude of the vertical E×B drift velocity in the F region ionosphere. This paper emphasizes two major topics related to the title: (1) Describes and summarizes the techniques developed for obtaining the daytime, E×B drift velocities from ground-based magnetometer observations, and (2) Describes and summarizes the equatorial, ionospheric physical transport mechanisms that have been addressed using these techniques.
Response to Sorrentino et al.

To the Editor: We thank Sorrentino et al. (1) for their interest in our article (2), and appreciate their comments about our published paper. We do acknowledge that there are other ways in which our meta-analysis could have been performed. However, with our analysis, we cannot make a conclusion based on the available body of data on fecal lactoferrin in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. We acknowledged this limitation in our discussion with the following statement: “little data is available to make a judgment on the utility of fecal lactoferrin in excluding IBD” in IBS points. This is a very different issue than assessing disease activity and monitoring in patients with IBD for which fecal lactoferrin is an excellent test.
Epidemiology of acute non-A, non-B hepatitis in a large county hospital outpatient population

The epidemiology of acute non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis in a large county hospital was determined by reviewing all acute hepatitis serology profiles over a 26-month period. Acute NANB hepatitis was identified in 77 patients from their clinical history, negative serologic findings, and elevated hepatic enzyme levels. The age and sex distributions for hepatitis A, B, and NANB are in agreement with previous epidemiologic studies. However, the frequency of various risk factors for NANB obtained from this epidemiologic investigation vary from those previously reported. Information regarding risk factors was available for 69 of the 77 patients identified. A history of recent intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) was obtained in 45 patients (65.2%). In the 6 months prior to presentation, blood transfusion was documented in five patients (7.2%). Eighteen patients (26.1%) denied having had a previous transfusion or IVDA. In our population a history of transfusion is obtained less frequently from patients with acute NANB hepatitis than previously reported. IVDA is the predominant risk factor for acute NANB hepatitis.
Measurement of Flow Through Hypodermic Needles With Modified Entrances for Reduced Hemolysis

Hemolysis during phlebotomy with hypodermic needles and other cannulae interferes with the assays of a number of metabolites, electrolytes and enzymes, notably potassium, glucose, creatinine, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, leading to inaccurate test results [Sharp & Mohammad 1998]. Hemolysis in cannulae can also cause pain and discomfort during dialysis sessions [Dhaene 1989]. Released from red cells, high concentration of plasma free hemoglobin (PFH) is toxic, resulting in renal dysfunction and other organ failure. Therefore, low hemolysis is an important and widely measured performance criterion for a wide range of devices, including artificial hearts [Westaby, et al. 1998], centrifugal blood pumps [Ahmed, et al. 1999], cardiopulmonary bypass pumps [Xiao, et al. 2000], prosthetic valves [Steegers, et al. 1999], blood oxygenators [Skogby, et al. 1998], central venous catheters [Boswald, et al. 1999], heparin anticoagulation bioreactors [Ameer, et al. 1999], visceral perfusion systems [Leijdekkers, et al. 1999], shock wave lithotripsy [Lokhandwalla, et al. 2001a & b], balloon angioplasty [Muhlestein, et al. 1992], and hemodialysers [Yang & Lin 2001]. Models for predicting flow-induced hemolysis promise to reduce the time and expense required to develop such devices [Chen & Sharp 2011]. Several models have been compared with respect to their fit with experimental hemolysis results in needles with modified entrance geometry to reduce fluid stresses on erythrocytes flowing through them [Chen & Sharp 2006]. This paper describes an experiment constructed to validate flows through the needles predicted by computational fluid dynamics (CFD).Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The Root of All Evil

Heijermans had prefaced Patient Death with a quotation from I Timothy VI, but if we read further down the page, we shall find a verse that might well serve as an introduction not to one, but to a whole group of his plays. “For the love of money is the root of all evil...” warns the tenth verse. Heijermans was well aware of the corrupting force of this evil passion on men of all classes. From his first years as a dramatist to the last play he wrote, this remained an important part of his philosophy. In Engel and the tradesmen of The Seventh Commandment he had portrayed people who were so blinded by their love of money that they could not love their fellow creatures. This became a theme of In de Jonge Jan (At the Jonge Jan), De Opgaande Zon (The Rising Sun), Nocturne, Beschuit met Muisjes (Blessed Event), De Meid (The Maid), and Eva Bonheur, and it also appears in Pray and Work, Links, Good Luck!, Dawn, and The Good Old “Morning Stay.”
A Determination of Fundamental Concepts of Healthful Living and Their Relative Importance for General Education at the Secondary-School Level

(1951). A Determination of Fundamental Concepts of Healthful Living and Their Relative Importance for General Education at the Secondary-School Level. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 3-27.
Case report of a large lactating adenoma with rapid antepartum enlargement.

Abstract Introduction Lactating adenomas are rare benign breast tumors, most commonly found during pregnancy and lactation. They are usually slow growing and smaller than 3 cm in maximal diameter. Rare cases of giant lactating adenomas and rapid postpartum enlargement have been reported, but none have shown a giant lactating adenoma with rapid antepartum enlargement or antepartum surgical management. Case presentation A 27 year-old pregnant woman presented at 28 weeks gestation with a 5 cm left breast mass that doubled to 10 cm within six weeks and was increasingly tender. Histopathologic examination of a core biopsy was consistent with a lactating adenoma. The mass was excised at 31 weeks gestation with no complications. Discussion Lactating adenomas are common during pregnancy and need to be distinguished from breast cancer, a commonly diagnosed malignancy in pregnancy. They can be distinguished from carcinoma and other benign tumors like fibroadenoma under histopathologic examination. Rare cases of giant lactating adenomas with rapid postpartum enlargement that were managed by postpartum excision have been reported. However, a giant lactating adenoma with rapid antepartum enlargement, managed by excision in the third trimester of pregnancy, has not been reported. Conclusion Excision of a large, rapidly enlarging lactating adenoma in the third trimester of pregnancy is a safe and feasible management option.
Hemoptysis Due to Anterior Scoliosis Implants: A Case Report.

Case: A twenty-five-year-old man presented with recurrent episodes of hemoptysis requiring hospitalization and interventional embolization. Instrumentation that had been implanted ten years previously for anterior spinal correction and fusion to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis adjoined the medial border of the right lung. The instrumentation eroded the lung during respiration, which prompted the formation of adhesions and fibrosis. Because of the risk of additional hemoptysis events, we performed revision thoracotomy, removal of the spinal instrumentation, and partial lobectomy. Conclusion: This rare and serious complication underscores the importance of meticulous surgical technique to ensure proper implant placement and of vigilant monitoring for late iatrogenic injury.
Lymphocyte-mediated immune responses in neoplasia.

All or most immune responses to neoplasms may be considered to be mediated by subpopulations of lymphoid cells. Those immune responses to tumors which are directed specifically against tumor-associated antigens and which effect primarily “cellular” immune responses are discussed. “Humoral” immune responses to tumor-associated antigens are considered only insofar as they interact with “cellular” responses. In addition, the mediation of cellular immune responses to tumor antigens by lymphoid extracts, i.e. , “immune” RNA and transfer factor, is described. Although research utilizing animal models is discussed where appropriate or necessary, this report stresses studies of lymphocyte-mediated immune responses to human tumors.
Microsphere-assisted Fabrication of Ultra-high Aspect-ratio PDMS Micropillars for Bio-inspired Acoustic Sensing

We developed a new soft-lithographic fabrication technique which enables the realization of high aspect-ratio PDMS micropillars. The key enabling factor is the adoption of the direct drawing technique incorporated with the in situ heating for simultaneous hardening and solidification of the PDMS micropillars. In addition, our technique allows self-aligned installation of highly reflective microspheres at the tips of the micropillars. Using the transparent PDMS micropillar as a flexible waveguide and the microsphere as a self-aligned reflector, we transformed the microsphere-tipped PDMS micropillars into all optically interrogated acoustic sensors inspired by the cricket’s filiform hairs and successfully demonstrated the sensing capability.
Blue-Green Coalitions: Constraints and Possibilities in the Post 9-11 Political Environment

Workers and environmentalists in the United States have often found themselves on opposite sides of critical issues. Yet at the WTO meeting in Seattle in November 1999, they came together in a historic protest many see as a watershed in the formation of a new blue-green Seattle Coalition. However the two camps are again in con?ict over substantive issues, and in the changed political climate of post 9-11, the question arises of the coalitions durability. The paper ?rst brie? y reviews the history of labor-environment interactions in the United States. It then examines a series of problems and potential areas of promise for the movements: di?culties of coalition-building, expectations of reciprocation, local vs. national connections, and the question of di?ering class cultures and interests. Finally, three areas of potential research and action are suggested: new roles for the mainstream environmental groups, just transition alliances and climate justice alliances. We propose that the environmen-tal justice and environmental health wings of the green movement are more suited to making long-term coalitions with labor than are habitat-oriented green groups.
Study on meteorological factors to mosquito density surrounding Capital Airport

Objective To identify the relationship between mosquito density and meteorological parameters for selection of appropriate predicting factors for the change of mosquito density in peripheral areas of Beijing Capital International Airport. Methods Spearman' s rank correlation was used in the analysis of the correlation between meteorological parameters and mosquito density per month from 2011 to 2013.Stepwise regression analysis was performed to model the mosquito density change regarding meteorological parameters. Results Single wave was observed in the mosquito seasonal succession curve, indicating that mosquitoes arose in May, reached apeak in June-September, and disappeared in October.It was found that mosquito density was correlated with temperature and atmospheric pressure other than sunshine time and relative humidity. Conclusion Since mosquito density was correlated with meteorological parameters, its change could be predicted by an atmospheric pressure and rainfall fitting model.
Tumores mesodérmicos mixtos malignos del útero

We have seen over the past six years, a gradual increase in the number of mixed mesodermal tumors of the uterus. In this study he was diagnosed, treated and followed a total of 41 patients in an institution and by the same doctors. the stories were reviewed with particular attention to clinical factors such as previous radiation, estrogen use, race, laboratory, etc. The sheets were studied and myometrial tumor penetration was determined. In twelve patients, the initial diagnosis was wrong, and r revised tissue sent to our institution revealed the existence of sarcoma and carcinoma. This factor can influence the increased incidence of this rare tumor. Patients were initially treated with surgery alone, and in later stages of this study was combined surgery and radiation. Survival at 3 years was 15%. No significant difference in survival between those who had surgery alone and those in which external radiation was added was found. Yes myometrial significant correlation between penetration and survival was found. In most patients myometrial deep penetration of the tumor was found. Serum levels of LDH were elevated in 72% of patients. high elevations was found when the disease was advanced.
New developments in electronic technology : In monitoring the other we discover ourselves

Cet article porte un regard critique sur l'industrie de la surveillance utilisant les nouvelles technologies electroniques. Ayant deborde depuis longtemps de leurs applications au strict domaine de l'espionnage militaire, ces technologies sont sous-tendues par un projet disciplinaire qui pose un veritable probleme de liberte publique, illustre notamment par le manque d'acces du public aux banques de donnees ou par l'intrusion des technologies de surveillance sur le lieu de travail. L'A. conclut en explorant les implications de ces technologies sur la vie privee et sur les derives du pouvoir d'Etat
Involvement of delta opioid receptors in alcohol withdrawal-induced mechanical allodynia in male C57BL/6 mice

Abstract Background As a legal drug, alcohol is commonly abused and it is estimated that 17 million adults in the United States suffer from alcohol use disorder. Heavy alcoholics can experience withdrawal symptoms including anxiety and mechanical allodynia that can facilitate relapse. The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well understood, which stifles development of new therapeutics. Here we investigate whether delta opioid receptors (DORs) play an active role in alcohol withdrawal-induced mechanical allodynia (AWiMA) and if DOR agonists may provide analgesic relief from AWiMA. Methods To study AWiMA, adult male wild-type and DOR knockout C57BL/6 mice were exposed to alcohol by a voluntary drinking model or oral gavage exposure model, which we developed and validated here. We also used the DOR-selective agonist TAN-67 and antagonist naltrindole to examine the involvement of DORs in AWiMA, which was measured using a von Frey model of mechanical allodynia. Results We created a robust model of alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety and mechanical allodynia by orally gavaging mice with 3 g/kg alcohol for three weeks. AWiMA was exacerbated and prolonged in DOR knockout mice as well as by pharmacological blockade of DORs compared to control mice. However, analgesia induced by TAN-67 was attenuated during withdrawal in alcohol-gavaged mice. Conclusions DORs appear to play a protective role in the establishment of AWiMA. Our current results indicate that DORs could be targeted to prevent or reduce the development of AWiMA during alcohol use; however, DORs may be a less suitable target to treat AWiMA during active withdrawal.
The tribes in the context of the digital technological hybridism: the constitution of the virtual digital acquaintanceship

The article approaches the graduation of the educator in the contemporaneity, investigating the processes of teaching and learning through emerging digital technologies (DTs). The DTs can be understood as acquaintanceship places, while they enable the representation of the perception about the knowledge, the dialogical relationship and the interaction among participants. In other words, thinking the human being regarding the other. The problem includes two aspects: the context of the digital technological hybridism and the constitution of the virtual acquaintanceship. The reflection about this problem took place during the initial graduation courses of the educator, developed in Brazil and in France, in the digital technological hybridism context – composed by DTs: Learning Virtual Environment; Instant Communicator; Blog and Metaverse. The empirical data resulted from the process of interaction and representation of perception of the participants in the proposed activities. Those data were submitted to the methodology of content analysis. Thus, in the research, we evidenced that the constitution of virtual digital acquaintanceship occurs through: thrilling encounters, the aesthetics that founds the “tribes”; the daily “being-together” that is established in sociality and otherness; the dialogical relationships in the interaction processes; the structural coupling established in acquaintanceship. Therefore, we believe that in the educational context, the development of problematizing (disturbance) pedagogical practicing of the daily living and living together is important, in congruency with the DTs that potentiates the interaction.
Study of the 3D Geometric Structure and Temperature of a Coronal Cavity Using the Limb Synoptic Map Method

We present the three-dimensional geometric structure and thermal properties of a coronal cavity deduced from limb synoptic maps. The observations are extreme ultraviolet images from the Atmospheric Imager Assembly (AIA) and magnetic images from the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager instruments on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. We describe a limb synoptic-map method used to effectively identify and measure cavities from annuli of radiance above the solar limb. We find that cavities are best seen in the 211, 193, and 171 A passbands. The prominence associated with each cavity is best seen in the 304 A synoptic maps. We also estimate the thermal properties of the cavity and surrounding plasma by combining the AIA radiances with a differential emission measure analysis. This paper focuses on one long cavity from a catalog of coronal cavities that we are developing. Cavities in this catalog are designated by a coded name using the Carrington Rotation number and position. Cavity C211347177N was observed during Carrington Rotation 2113 at the northwestern limb of the solar disk with an average latitude of 47° N and a central longitude of 177°. We showed the following. (1) The cavity is a long tube with an elliptical cross-section with ratios of the length to width and the length to height of 11:1 and 7:1, respectively. (2) The cavity is about 1360 Mm long, or 170° in longitude. (3) It is tilted in latitude. (4) And it is slightly hotter than its surroundings.
Elucidation of the Fanconi Anemia Protein Network in Meiosis and Its Function in the Regulation of Histone Modifications

Precise epigenetic regulation of the sex chromosomes is vital for the male germline. Here, we analyze meiosis in eight mouse models deficient for various DNA damage response (DDR) factors, including Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins. We reveal a network of FA and DDR proteins in which FA core factors FANCA, FANCB, and FANCC are essential for FANCD2 foci formation, whereas BRCA1 (FANCS), MDC1, and RNF8 are required for BRCA2 (FANCD1) and SLX4 (FANCP) accumulation on the sex chromosomes during meiosis. In addition, FA proteins modulate distinct histone marks on the sex chromosomes: FA core proteins and FANCD2 regulate H3K9 methylation, while FANCD2 and RNF8 function together to regulate H3K4 methylation independently of FA core proteins. Our data suggest that RNF8 integrates the FA-BRCA pathway. Taken together, our study reveals distinct functions for FA proteins and illuminates the male sex chromosomes as a model to dissect the function of the FA-BRCA pathway.
Electrical and acoustic techniques for monitoring partial discharges

Two different partial discharge detection systems have been described for the characterization of partial discharges in capacitor dielectric systems. One, with electrical sensors, uses computer aided control and measurement during accelerated life testing. The other, with acoustic sensors, is designed for versatility and operation in environments of high electromagnetic interference.
The design and development of an online tool to strategically support knowledge acquisition for improved educator practice

With recent push for teacher accountability in education systems, there has been a clear need to develop effective professional development tools to assist teachers in meeting these standards. Here, we discuss the design and development of a technological tool called EdHub, which seeks to create a strategic knowledge sharing community in order to effectively promote growth and improvement in teachers' pedagogical skills. EdHub helps users with identified practice needs connect with others of similar needs, access materials to support knowledge acquisition, get feedback from supervisors on self-reflection efforts, and ultimately contribute strategies to curated repositories of resources. This was done utilising a closed, nested social network with affordances for communication with experts, supervisors, and other learners seeking similar knowledge to improve practice. In this paper, we discuss the theoretical background, design principles, technologies utilised, developed tools, and considerations for similar design and development efforts.
An Analysis of Preoperative and Postoperative Photography Available on the Internet for Facial Aesthetic Surgery

Preoperative and postoperative photography is a powerful tool that remains integral to the practice of cosmetic surgery. The purpose of this study is 2-fold. The first is to evaluate the standardiz...
Association of lung fluorodeoxyglucose uptake with radiation pneumonitis after concurrent chemoradiation for non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Background Increased uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) by lung tissue could reflect inflammatory changes related to radiation pneumonitis (RP). In this secondary analysis of a clinical trial, we examined potential associations between posttreatment lung FDG uptake and RP severity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for up to 12months after concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). Methods Subjects were 152 patients with NSCLC who had received concurrent CRT as part of the prospective trial NCT00915005. The following lung FDG variables were evaluated after CRT: maximum, mean, and peak standardized uptake values (SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVpeak) and global lung glycolysis (GLG; lung SUVmean×lung volume). RP severity was scored with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. Results Significant associations were noted between PET findings and RP severity at 1–6months (all P P >0.05). Lung FDG uptake at 1–3months after treatment predicted later development of grade ≥2 RP (all P Conclusions Lung FDG uptake correlated significantly with RP severity during the first 6months after CRT. The cutoff values seem clinically meaningful for identifying patients at risk of developing RP after such therapy.
Viscoanesthesia. Part I: toxicity to corneal endothelial cells in a rabbit model.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the toxicity of a solution combining sodium hyaluronate 1.5% with lidocaine (0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.65%) to the rabbit corneal endothelium. Setting Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Methods Each rabbit cornea was excised, and the endothelium was exposed to 1 of the following solutions for 20 minutes: viscoanesthetic solution (0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.65% lidocaine in sodium hyaluronate 1.5%; 5 corneas each), sodium hyaluronate 1.5% (n = 5), balanced salt solution (BSS®) (n = 5), mitomycin-C 0.02% (n = 2), dextran 15% (n = 2), or distilled water (n = 2). The endothelium was then stained with trypan blue and alizarin red. Two corneas were stained immediately after excision. Cell morphology and damage to the corneal endothelium were analyzed by microscopic examination. Results The endothelium in the corneas of the viscoanesthetic groups was comparable to that in the sodium hyaluronate 1.5% and the BSS groups and to the corneas not exposed to any solution. In some areas of the 1.0% and the 1.65% viscoanesthesia groups, the corneal endothelial cells presented irregular intercellular borders. Staining with trypan blue, which indicates cellular damage, was observed in some linear areas corresponding to corneal folds in all groups. The folds were probably caused during manipulation for corneal excision and staining. The corneal endothelium was destroyed in the mitomycin group. In the dextran and distilled-water groups, morphological alterations probably resulting from osmotic changes were observed. Conclusion The 3 concentrations of viscoanesthetic solutions appeared to be safe to rabbit corneal endothelium.
Primary unresectable locally invasive biatrial paraganglioma presenting with chest pain

Abstract Paragangliomas, neuroendocrine tumors of neural crest origin, commonly occur in the adrenal medulla where they are called pheochromocytoma. Primary cardiac paragangliomas are uncommon whereby they arise in the left atrium and, less frequently, right atrium. We present a 43-year-old female with a cardiac paraganglioma presenting with ischemic and positional chest pains. CT scanning showed an infiltrative 15×10cm unresectable tumor with intense peripheral enhancement and central hypoattenuation located above the right atrium. The clinical impression was that of a high-grade sarcoma. Histopathological examination revealed tumor cell nests in a distinctive ‘Zellballen' pattern with positive synaptophysin, chromogranin and GATA-3 staining confirming the diagnosis of paraganglioma. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the tumor lacked the expression of SDHB and therefore indicating a SDHB gene mutation. The tumor was nonfunctioning, and therefore the absence of the classic adrenergic manifestations contributed to the late diagnosis of the condition. In conclusion, whereas preoperative diagnosis is challenging with nonfunctional paragangliomas, it is recommended that paragangliomas be considered in the differential diagnosis of cardiac neoplasms.
Is the Risk of Bleeding Among Older Adults With Atrial Fibrillation Lower With Antiplatelet Compared With Oral Anticoagulants

DATA SOURCES Two reviewers independently conducted a robust search of MEDLINE PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Controlled Clinical Trials from their inception to January 2016; bibliographies of identified articles were screened for additional relevant articles. STUDY SELECTION Randomized controlled trials, quasi-randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, controlled before-and-after studies, and prospective or retrospective parallel cohort studies reporting frequency of bleeding events were reviewed if they compared one or several antiplatelet drugs with any oral anticoagulant, included patients aged 65 years and older (ie, 70% or more of all included patients were ≥65 years, or the studies reported separate data for this age group), or followed patients for 6 months or more. Studies on post- or perioperative bleeding complications and patients receiving combined treatment with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs were excluded. Patients younger than 65 years were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two authors independently assessed every study for inclusion, assessed its risk of bias, and extracted data with predefined forms. The main outcome analyzed was major bleeding, defined as clinically overt bleeding involving a critical anatomic site or associated with death, permanent disability, a decrease in hemoglobin concentration greater than 2 g/dL, or a patient’s requiring transfusion of greater than or equal to 2 units of whole blood or packed RBCs. Secondary outcomes were intracranial bleeding, any severity of bleeding, and all-cause mortality. Outcomes were analyzed at 12 months. The risk of bias was assessed with the tool developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. Subgroup analyses were predefined by age (patients 65 to 79 years, or 80 years or older), by indication for anticoagulation (atrial fibrillation or other indications), and by aspirin dose (less than or greater than 100 mg/day).
Exploring Exponential Decay Using Limited Resources

Science students need exposure to activities that will help them to become familiar with phenomena exhibiting exponential decay. This paper describes an experiment that allows students to determine the rate of thermal energy loss by a hot object to its surroundings. It requires limited equipment, is safe, and gives reasonable results. Students record the decreasing temperature values displayed by a thermometer, which was initially heated by body contact. The procedure is easy to repeat, taking only 3 min. The students then convert temperature changes into thermal energy losses and plot graphs. Data analysis can be used to teach graphing and ratio interpretation. This experiment can be used by high school or first-year college students in situations where resources or space may be limited or where large student populations dictate a need for uncomplicated experimental procedures, particularly those that minimize the production of chemical waste.
Water availability drives urban tree growth responses to herbivory and warming

Urban forests provide important ecosystem services to city residents, including pollution removal and carbon storage. Climate change and urbanization pose multiple threats to these services. However, how these threats combine to affect urban trees, and thus how to mitigate their effects, remains largely untested because multi-factorial experiments on mature trees are impractical. We used a unique urban warming experiment paired with a laboratory chamber experiment to determine how three of the most potentially damaging factors associated with global change for urban and rural trees—warming, drought, and insect herbivory—affect growth of Quercus phellos (willow oak), the most commonly planted large shade tree in the southeastern US, which is known for its resilience to these potential stressors. In a previous study, we found that the urban heat island effect was associated with reduced growth of Q. phellos and higher abundance of Parthenolecanium scale insects, key pests of oaks in cities. Here, we tested the hypothesis that tree water stress is the mechanism for these effects of warming. We found evidence that water stress is a major, interactive factor reducing urban tree growth, but found no evidence that water stress is associated with Parthenolecanium survival or abundance. Warming and Parthenolecanium only reduced growth in Q. phellos saplings that were simultaneously water stressed. Synthesis and applications. Across many temperate cities worldwide, urban trees grow less than rural trees. Our results point to water stress as the most likely driver for this pattern. Importantly, we found that water stress both reduces tree growth on its own and exacerbates effects of warming and insect pests on tree growth. Therefore, management strategies targeted at increasing tree hydration in cities may reduce effects of these three key stressors that are expected to intensify with further urbanization and climate change.
On the Augmented Biot-JKD Equations with Pole-Residue Representation of the Dynamic Tortuosity

In this paper, we derive the augmented Biot-JKD equations, where the memory terms in the original Biot-JKD equations are dealt with by introducing auxiliary dependent variables. The evolution in time of these new variables are governed by ordinary differential equations whose coefficients can be rigorously computed from the JKD dynamic tortuosity function TD(ω) by utilizing its Stieltjes function representation derived in [19], where an approach for computing the pole-residue representation of the JKD tortuosity is also proposed. The two numerical schemes presented in the current work for computing the poles and residues representation of TD(ω) improve the previous scheme in the sense that they interpolate the function at infinite frequency and have much higher accuracy than the one proposed in [19].
Characterization of arachidonic acid metabolism and the polymorphonuclear leukocyte response in mice infected intracorneally with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Purpose To examine the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the concentrations of the proinflammatory metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) in ocular tissue of mice that are either capable or incapable of restoring corneal clarity during an intraocular Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Methods For a period of 11 days after infection, whole eyes were enucleated and homogenized in buffer from mice given only an initial infection as well as from mice given a subsequent infection in the previously uninfected eye either 4 or 8 weeks after the initial infection. Tissue-free supernatants from the ocular homogenates were used for the determination of MPO activity by quantitating the conversion of specific substrate by spectrophotometric methods and for the quantitation of AA metabolites by ELISA: Results Overall, animals reinfected at 4 and 8 weeks had a lower inflammatory response when compared to the mice given only the initial infection. The lowest levels of LTB4 and MPO activity, indicators of PMN involvement, were observed in the the 8-week reinfected mice, which restored corneal clarity in an enhanced manner. Conclusions These results suggest that induced ocular PMN responses may play a role, in part, in the inflammatory response leading to the tissue destruction observed during ocular P. aeruginosa infection.
Note on minimizing the bandwidth of sparse, symmetric matrices

The case where more than one initial numberings is possible when minimizing the bandwidth of a given sparse symmetric matrix by a directed method, is discussed. It is shown that for a little extra cost there is a significant reduction in the bandwidth.
Assessment and diagnosis

The young patient introduced in Chapter 1 has been sitting with an icy stare. The clinician feels uneasy as the stare becomes more hostile. A tense silence is broken by the patient declaring that he will resist all efforts to alter his sex. The clinician asks him to explain, but the patient wonders why the doctor is denying the obvious. Hesitantly at first, the patient proceeds to describe the vague somatic sensations experienced several months ago, sensations which he later realized were caused by drugs in his food. He noticed that his scrotum wrinkled after a cold shower— evidence of an assault on his sexual organs. Sexual thoughts began entering his mind, their source unknown. Last week circumstances converged, fortuitously permitting his sudden discovery of the source of his sexual change. During dinner at his aunt’s house, her daughter complained that the food tasted like plastic. His aunt was visibly disturbed but told her daughter that they would discuss it later. Since the aunt had thus unwittingly tipped her hand, it remained only for the patient to account for her motivation. She had always secretly resented the patient’s mother and now feared her own daughter’s sexual attraction toward the patient. The aunt feared the patient’s sexual power, believing he would reunite the family through coitus with her daughter.
Discriminative Accuracy of FEV1:FVC Thresholds for COPD-Related Hospitalization and Mortality.

Importance According to numerous current guidelines, the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires a ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first second to the forced vital capacity (FEV1:FVC) of less than 0.70, yet this fixed threshold is based on expert opinion and remains controversial. Objective To determine the discriminative accuracy of various FEV1:FVC fixed thresholds for predicting COPD-related hospitalization and mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Pooled Cohorts Study harmonized and pooled data from 4 US general population–based cohorts (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study; Cardiovascular Health Study; Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study; and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). Participants aged 45 to 102 years were enrolled from 1987 to 2000 and received follow-up longitudinally through 2016. Exposures Presence of airflow obstruction, which was defined by a baseline FEV1:FVC less than a range of fixed thresholds (0.75 to 0.65) or less than the lower limit of normal as defined by Global Lung Initiative reference equations (LLN). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was a composite of COPD hospitalization and COPD-related mortality, defined by adjudication or administrative criteria. The optimal fixed FEV1:FVC threshold was defined by the best discrimination for these COPD-related events as indexed using the Harrell C statistic from unadjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Differences in C statistics were compared with respect to less than 0.70 and less than LLN thresholds using a nonparametric approach. Results Among 24 207 adults in the pooled cohort (mean [SD] age at enrollment, 63 [10.5] years; 12 990 [54%] women; 16 794 [69%] non-Hispanic white; 15 181 [63%] ever smokers), complete follow-up was available for 11 077 (77%) at 15 years. During a median follow-up of 15 years, 3925 participants experienced COPD-related events over 340 757 person-years of follow-up (incidence density rate, 11.5 per 1000 person-years), including 3563 COPD-related hospitalizations and 447 COPD-related deaths. With respect to discrimination of COPD-related events, the optimal fixed threshold (0.71; C statistic for optimal fixed threshold, 0.696) was not significantly different from the 0.70 threshold (difference, 0.001 [95% CI, −0.002 to 0.004]) but was more accurate than the LLN threshold (difference, 0.034 [95% CI, 0.028 to 0.041]). The 0.70 threshold provided optimal discrimination in the subgroup analysis of ever smokers and in adjusted models. Conclusions and Relevance Defining airflow obstruction as FEV1:FVC less than 0.70 provided discrimination of COPD-related hospitalization and mortality that was not significantly different or was more accurate than other fixed thresholds and the LLN. These results support the use of FEV1:FVC less than 0.70 to identify individuals at risk of clinically significant COPD.
Direct Partition Measurement of Parasitic Resistance Components in Advanced Transistor Architectures

More-Moore logic device technology roadmap suggests Lateral/Vertical Gate-All-Around (LGAA /VGAA) device architectures beyond FinFETs for further scaling and performance. At extremely scaled gate pitches, parasitic resistance significant impacts the performance of the devices. Direct partition measurement of the resistance components in FinFETs has been established. Stacked LGAA devices at further scaled gate pitches exhibit high S/D series resistance and contact resistance which can be partitioned with similar Kelvin measurement. VGAA transistors have a very different structure from FinFETs or LGAAs. Their asymmetric bottom and top S/D results in significant spreading resistance and different contact resistance values. Separate partition of the resistances at the bottom and top is needed. In this paper, VGAA test structures and measurement methodology is introduced for partitioning the resistance components.
Notch Signaling-Induced Oscillatory Gene Expression May Drive Neurogenesis in the Developing Retina.

After integrating classic and cutting-edge research, we proposed a unified model that attempts to explain the key steps of mammalian retinal neurogenesis. We proposed that the Notch signaling-induced lateral inhibition mechanism promotes oscillatory expression of Hes1. Oscillating Hes1 inhibitory activity as a result leads to oscillatory expression of Notch signaling inhibitors, activators/inhibitors of retinal neuronal phenotypes, and cell cycle-promoting genes all within a retinal progenitor cell (RPC). We provided a mechanism explaining not only how oscillatory expression prevents the progenitor-to-precursor transition, but also how this transition happens. Our proposal of the mechanism posits that the levels of the above factors not only oscillate but also rise (with the exception of Hes1) as the factors accumulate within a progenitor. Depending on which factors accumulate fastest and reach the required supra-threshold levels (cell cycle activators or Notch signaling inhibitors), the progenitor either proliferates or begins to differentiate without any further proliferation when Notch signaling ceases. Thus, oscillatory gene expression may regulate an RPC's decision to proliferate or differentiate. Meanwhile, a post-mitotic precursor's selection of one retinal neuronal phenotype over many others depends on the expression level of key transcription factors (activators) required for each of these retinal neuronal phenotypes. Because the events described above are stochastic due to oscillatory gene expression and gene product inheritance from a mother RPC after its division, an RPC or precursor's decision requires the assignment of probabilities to specific outcomes in the selection process. While low and sustained (non-oscillatory) Notch signaling activity is required to promote the transition of retinal progenitors into various retinal neuronal phenotypes, we propose that the lateral inhibition mechanism, combined with high expression of the BMP signaling-induced Inhibitor of Differentiation (ID) protein family, promotes high and sustained (non-oscillatory) Hes1 and Hes5 expression. These events facilitate the transition of an RPC into the Muller glia (MG) phenotype at the late stage of retinal development.
Aggregate perceptions of intrateam conflict and individual team member perceptions of team psychological contract breach: The moderating role of individual team member perceptions of team support

We seek to contribute to our very limited knowledge base about a relatively new type of psychological contract: team psychological contracts. We argue that aggregate perceptions of intrateam task and relationship conflict are positively associated with individual team member perceptions of team psychological contract breach. We also argue that individual team member perceptions of team support mitigate the respective relationships between aggregate perceptions of intrateam task and relationship conflict and individual team member perceptions of team psychological contract breach. Using 306 team members across 76 teams from 18 organizations, we find that aggregate perceptions of intrateam task and relationship conflict are both positively associated with individual team member perceptions of team psychological contract breach. However, we find that individual team member perceptions of team support only mitigate the relationship between aggregate perceptions of intrateam relationship conflict and individual team member perceptions of team psychological contract breach. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.