cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting differential alternative splicing events in scRNA-seq with or without UMIs

Analysis of alternative splicing in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is challenging due to its inherent technical noise and generally low sequencing depth. We present SCATS (Single-Cell Analysis of Transcript Splicing) for differential alternative splicing (DAS) analysis for scRNA-seq data with or without unique molecular identifiers (UMIs). By modeling technical noise and grouping exons that originate from the same isoform(s), SCATS achieves high sensitivity to detect DAS events compared to Census, DEXSeq and MISO, and these events were confirmed by qRT-PCR experiment.
It's in the bag: Corticosterone levels and behavioral responses of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) vary with type of holding bag

ABSTRACT Birds react to capture, restraint, and handling by both innate physiological and behavioral means, which function to promote survival. Following capture, small birds are typically placed i...
The continuum of sexual trauma: An examination of stalking and sexual assault in former US service members

ABSTRACTThe experience of stalking is an understudied yet essential factor in the prevention of sexual violence. Along with the devastating impact stalking can have on physical and psychological he...
State Obligations to Protect the Lives and Health of Women after Abortion or Miscarriage

“Carmen and Manuela, Salvadorian women, both suffered complications during labor leading to stillbirths. When the women sought follow-up medical care, doctors accused both women of having undergone abortions in violation of El Salvador’s restrictive abortion law. Police immediately arrested them for homicide — one of the women was shackled while she was still receiving critical medical care. Both were sentenced to more than [thirty] years in prison. In Carmen’s case, after more than eight years in prison, a judge ordered her release, acknowledging that a mistake had been made. Nevertheless, the government never compensated Carmen for the grievous rights violations. Manuela died in prison; she had suffered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma — a form of cancer — before she even became pregnant, but she received treatment only after it was too late to save her.”1 She never had a chance to speak to a lawyer.2
Clinical characteristics and predictors of survival in adults with coronavirus disease 2019 receiving tocilizumab.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can progress to cytokine storm that is associated with organ dysfunction and death. The purpose of the present study is to determine clinical characteristics associated with 28 day in-hospital survival in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that received tocilizumab. This was a retrospective observational cohort study conducted at a five hospital health system in Michigan, United States. Adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 that were admitted to the hospital and received tocilizumab for cytokine storm from March 1, 2020 through April 3, 2020 were included. Patients were grouped into survivors and non-survivors based on 28 day in-hospital mortality. Study day 0 was defined as the day tocilizumab was administered. Factors independently associated with in-hospital survival at 28 days after tocilizumab administration were assessed. Epidemiologic, demographic, laboratory, prognostic scores, treatment, and outcome data were collected and analyzed. Clinical response was collected and defined as a decline of two levels on a six-point ordinal scale of clinical status or discharged alive from the hospital. Of the 81 patients included, the median age was 64 (58-71) years and 56 (69.1%) were male. The 28 day in-hospital mortality was 43.2%. There were 46 (56.8%) patients in the survivors and 35 (43.2%) in the non-survivors group. On study day 0 no differences were noted in demographics, clinical characteristics, severity of illness scores, or treatments received between survivors and non-survivors. C-reactive protein was significantly higher in the non-survivors compared to survivors. Compared to non-survivors, recipients of tocilizumab within 12 days of symptom onset was independently associated with survival (adjusted OR: 0.296, 95% CI: 0.098-0.889). SOFA score ≥8 on day 0 was independently associated with mortality (adjusted OR: 2.842, 95% CI: 1.042-7.753). Clinical response occurred more commonly in survivors than non-survivors (80.4% vs. 5.7%; p < 0.001). Improvements in the six-point ordinal scale and SOFA score were observed in survivors after tocilizumab. Early receipt of tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19 was an independent predictor for in-hospital survival at 28 days.
The Effects of Dual Atmosphere Exposure Duration and Temperature on the Growth of Iron Oxide on Ferritic Stainless Steels

In this study, the oxidation behavior of two ferritic steels with different amounts of chromium is examined under dual atmosphere exposure conditions. Experiments with varying time and temperature were carried out to understand the effects of these variables and difference in chromium concentration on severity and morphology of oxidation products. Higher amounts of alloyed chromium in the steel leads to better passivation against iron oxidation. With increased exposure time, however, the passivating scale breaks down leading to iron oxide overgrowth. This phenomenon appears more pronounced at lower temperatures and complete passivation of both steels was observed at the higher temperature (700°C) after 100 h of exposure. A hypothesis with regards to the presence of hydrogen during exposure is presented along with discussion on observed oxidation behavior.
Bringing Social Justice into the Statistics Classroom

Social justice is an American Psychological Association (APA) ethical principal which is often taught in content courses (e.g. social psychology, developmental psychology, introductory psychology) ...
Tumor and Systemic Immunomodulatory Effects of MEK Inhibition

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) is an integral component of the RAS signaling pathway, one of the most frequently mutated pathways in cancer biology. MEK inhibitors were initially developed to directly target oncogenic signaling, but are recognized to have pleiotropic effects on both tumor cells and lymphocytes. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical evidence that MEK inhibition is immunomodulatory and discuss the potential rationale for combining MEK inhibitors with systemic immunotherapies. MEK inhibition may modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) through direct effects on both tumor cells and immune cells. Despite encouraging evidence that MEK inhibition can reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME) and augment anti-tumor immunity regardless of KRAS/BRAF status, recent clinical outcome studies combining MEK inhibition with systemic immunotherapy have yielded mixed results. The combination of MEK inhibitors plus systemic immunotherapies has been tolerable, but has thus far failed to demonstrate clear evidence of synergistic clinical activity. These results underscore the need to understand the appropriate therapeutic context for this combination. MEK inhibitors have the potential to inhibit oncogenic signaling and reprogram the tumor immune microenvironment, representing an attractive therapy to combine with systemic immunotherapies. Ongoing preclinical and clinical studies will further clarify the immunomodulatory effects of MEK inhibitors to inform the design of rational therapeutic combinations.
Catheter ablation of atrial arrhythmias to prevent ventricular tachycardia in a patient with mobile left ventricular thrombus.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a leading cause of inappropriate shocks in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), but can also trigger episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF), leading to appropriate ICD therapies.1 Although many antiarrhythmic drugs have effects on both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, catheter ablation is an effective therapy for both AF and VT, especially when refractory to antiarrhythmics. Left ventricular (LV) thrombus is an important contraindication to endocardial VT ablation.2
Endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ-from Papanicolaou test to hysterectomy: a series of 74 cases.

Introduction Endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) is not always identified on cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) test cytology because the Pap test has relatively low sensitivity for the diagnosis endocervical glandular lesions. We performed a retrospective study to determine the relative sensitivity of different diagnostic approaches, including Pap tests, cervical biopsy and/or endocervical curettage, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), and hysterectomy specimens. Methods Cases of endocervical AIS diagnosed from August 2005 to January 2019 were retrieved from our institution’s pathology databases, and their clinicopathologic features were reviewed. Results A total of 74 patients with endocervical AIS with or without concurrent squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical neoplasms were identified. Their mean age at diagnosis was 39.9 years. More than one half of the cases of AIS were not detected from screening Pap tests but were diagnosed during histologic examination of cervical biopsy or endocervical curettage, LEEP, or cone biopsy specimens (~66%). Only a few patients had had a definitive diagnosis of AIS from the Pap tests (10.8%). Other abnormal glandular cytology included atypical glandular cells, not otherwise specified (16.2%), atypical glandular cells favoring neoplasia (5.4%), and atypical glandular cells suspicious for malignancy (1.3%). Abnormal squamous cytology was common in the study population (54%), with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion the most common finding (30%). AIS was diagnosed in 31 of 42 cervical biopsies or curettages, with 16 cases an incidental finding and 15 cases confirming previous abnormal glandular cytology. In addition, AIS was identified in 51 of 53 LEEPs. Approximately 41.5% of those undergoing LEEP had a previous diagnosis of AIS, and 54.7% of the cases were incidental findings. More than one half of the AIS cases harbored significant concurrent cervical lesions, including 26.7% with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 5.7% with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 1.9% with invasive squamous cell carcinoma, 20.9% with invasive adenocarcinoma, and 6.7% with microinvasive adenocarcinoma. Conclusions Our results have demonstrated that the ability to detect AIS with routine screening Pap testing or biopsy/curettage has variable efficacy depending on the screening methods. Given the relatively low combined sensitivity of Pap testing and biopsy/endocervical curettage in the diagnosis of AIS, all LEEPs and cervical cone biopsies performed for squamous cell abnormalities should be thoroughly evaluated for glandular lesions.
Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Recent studies have identified higher recurrence and lower survival with a minimally-invasive approach (MIS) versus abdominal approach to radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer. We aim to compare recurrence rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival for cervical cancer after MIS versus abdominal radical hysterectomy. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Central, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies from 1990 to 2020 that included women with stage 1 or higher cervical cancer treated with primary radical hysterectomy and compared recurrence and/or progession-free survival (PFS) and overall survival with MIS versus abdominal hysterectomy (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020173600). Results: 50 studies, including 22,593 women with cervical cancer, met inclusion criteria. 29% of studies had less than 30 months of follow-up and 14% had 60+ months of follow-up. Of the 37 studies reporting PFS, 29 reported no difference and 8 reported decreased PFS with MIS approach. Of the 37 studies reporting OS, 2 studies reported improved OS with MIS approach, 31 reported no difference, and 4 reported decreased overall survival with MIS approach. For progression-free survival, the odds were non-significantly worse for women undergoing MIS radical hysterectomy (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.98-1.52, 14 studies) when all studies were included. When limited to studies with 30+ months follow-up, the odds of progression-free survival were worse with MIS radical hysterectomy (OR 1.39 for 30+ months, 95% CI 1.09-1.70, 12 studies; OR 1.49 for 48+ months, 95% CI 0.94-2.03, 4 studies). For overall survival, the odds were not significantly different for MIS vs. abdominal hysterectomy (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.58-1.06, 14 studies). When limited to studies with longer follow-up, the odds of overall survival remained non-significantly different for MIS vs. abdominal (OR 0.90 for 30+ months, 95% CI 0.53-1.26, 11 studies; OR 0.94 for 48+ months, 95% CI 0.42-1.46, 4 studies; OR 1.70 for 60+ months, 95% CI 0.62-2.78, 2 studies). Conclusions: In our meta-analysis of 50 studies, MIS radical hysterectomy was associated with worse progression-free survival compared to open radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer in studies with 30+ months of follow-up. The emergence of this finding with longer follow-up highlights the importance of high-quality studies to guide cancer and surgical treatment.
Rapid, multiplexed detection of the let-7 miRNA family using γPNA amphiphiles in micelle-tagging electrophoresis.

miRNA is a promising class of biomarkers whose levels can be assayed to detect various forms of cancer and other serious diseases. These short, noncoding nucleic acids are difficult to detect due to their low abundance and the marginal stability of their duplexes with DNA probes. In addition, miRNAs within the same family have high sequence homology, and often, related miRNA differ in sequence by only a single base. In this report, we demonstrate an independent detection seven members of the let-7 family of miRNA in a single run. Key to success is the use of mini-PEG-substituted PNA amphiphiles (γPNAA) and highly fluorescent DNA nanotags in micelle tagging electrophoresis (MTE). Multiplexed detection is accomplished in capillary electrophoresis (CE) using oligomeric nanotags of pre-programmed lengths where the presence of a specific miRNA links its nanotag to a micelle drag-tag, which shifts the nanotag elution time to a defined region for detection. We further demonstrate that the peak shape and elution time are unaffected by the presence of up to 10 mg/ml of serum protein in the sample, with a total runtime of less than 4 min and a LOD of 10-100 pM. We discuss efforts to substantially decrease the detection limit using nanotags that are >1000 bp in length.
Heat transfer in a radiating, nonsteady, three-dimensional stagnation flow

A similar solution has been obtained to the problem of simultaneous radiation and convection for nonsteady stagnation point flow over a three-dimensional blunt body with both boundary layer suction and injection.
Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals the Repetitive Structure of the Mammoth Genome

RP-18 Woolly mammoths were a species of elephant that populated much of Eurasia and North America until about 10,000 years ago. Using the next-generation sequencing technologies, we generated nearly one-fold nuclear genomic sequences, and investigated their transposable element amplification dynamics. We found that the mammoth genome contains a larger proportion of interspersed repeats than any other mammalian genome reported so far, in which the proliferation of the RTE family of retrotransposons (covering 12% of the genome) may be the main reason for an increased genome size. Phylogenetic analysis showed that RTEs in mammoth are closely related to the family BovB/RTE. The incongruence of the reconstructed RTE phylogeny indicates that RTEs in mammoth may be acquired through an ancient lateral gene transfer event. A recent proliferation of SINEs was also found in the probocidean lineage, whereas the Afrotherian-wide SINEs in mammoth have undergone a rather flat and stepwise expansion. Comparisons of the transposable elements (TEs) between mammoth and other mammals may shed light on the evolutionary history of TEs in various mammalian lineages.
The Future of Food Law & Policy: The Responsibility of Lawyers in the Academy and Beyond

Food Law & Policy is a flourishing legal field that is fast approaching the tenth anniversary of its inception. The field boasts several key milestones. The first Food Law & Policy course was taught in 2004. The first scholarly journal devoted to the field was created in 2005. And, the first Food Law & Policy legal clinic was established in 2010. Today, interest in the field among legal scholars and law students alike is so widespread that a 2013 news article reported “there may be no hotter topic in law schools right now than food law and policy.” Food Law & Policy incorporates elements from the study of traditional food and drug law as well as elements from the study of traditional agricultural law. It intersects with a new approach to agricultural law studies that involves a more holistic approach including sustainability and a food systems analysis.This article was prepared for the Yale University Food Systems Symposium. It was written by faculty members at several law schools that have made commitments to Food Law & Policy, and it describes their programs and their approach.
On a Kind of Sequence of Polynomials

In this paper, motivated by a conjecture concerning the q-derangement polynomials Dn(q) which are defined by Brenti, we study a kind of sequence of polynomials {Sn(q)}. The Sn(q) is a polynomial of degree n with nonnegative real coefficients and satisfy some initial conditions and the following recurrence relation: $$S_n (q) = a_n qS_{n - 1} (q) + b_n q(1 + c_n q)S'_{n - 1} (q) + d_n qS_{n - 2} (q),$$ where an>0,bn>0,dn>0 and n>0. We show that Sn(q) has n distinct real roots(≤ 0), separated by the roots of Sn−1(q). As a consequence, the conjecture is proved.
A shared and unique epitope(s) on human colon, skin, and biliary epithelium detected by a monoclonal antibody

An immune-complex-mediated inflammation has been suggested in the pathogenesis of skin and biliary complications in ulcerative colitis, although specific antigen-antibody complexes have not been found. We recently identified an Mr 40,000 colonic protein that reacts with tissue-bound immunoglobulin G eluted from colon specimens of patients with ulcerative colitis and not with immunoglobulin G eluted from colon specimens of patients with other diseases (J Clin Invest 1985;7:311). Murine monoclonal antibodies to the purified Mr 40,000 colonic protein are developed. The presence of the Mr 40,000 protein was examined with a monoclonal antibody (7E12H12, immunoglobulin M isotype) by an immunoperoxidase assay against various human epithelial tissues (74 specimens) including colon, ileum, jejunum, duodenum, stomach, esophagus, pancreaas, liver, respiratory, urinary, and genital tracts. In addition, gall bladder, bile duct, hepatic ducts, skin, synovial membrane, and eye tissue were also examined for any cross-reactivity with 7E12H12 and another anti-Mr 40,000 monoclonal antibody (7E6A5, immunoglobulin G1 isotype). 7E12H12 reacted only with colonic-epithelial cells mainly along the basolateral domains of plasma membrane and apical areas. The reactivity was present in both adult and fetal colon including the appendix. Among all the noncolonic tissue specimens, 7E12H12 reacted only with the gall bladder, the bile duct, the hepatic ducts, and the skin. All other epithelial tissues from 15 different organs, including the small intestine, synovium, and eye tissue, did not react. In the skin and biliary tract the immunoreactivity was exclusively present in the epidermal epithelial cells and mucosal epithelium respectively. 7E6A5 stained colonic mucosal cells but did not react with skin, biliary epithelium, synoyium and eye tissue. These results indicate the presence of a unique epitope or epitopes on Mr 40,000 colonic epithelial protein that is shared by the skin and biliary tract epithelial cells. Future studies of this shared epitope or epitopes and its immune recognition may provide further understanding in the pathogenesis of extraintestinal complications involving these organs in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Identification of target cells for growth hormone's action in the arcuate nucleus

Growth hormone (GH) participates in the regulation of its own secretion by acting through a short-loop feedback mechanism to regulate the synthesis and secretion of somatostatin (SS) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The mechanism of GH's action in certain peripheral targets involves the induction of c-fos. Similarly, we hypothesized that GH induces the expression of c-fos mRNA in SS and GHRH neurons in the hypothalamus. Using in situ hybridization, we observed a significant induction of c-fos mRNA in the arcuate nucleus of human GH-treated compared with control animals. Contrary to our hypothesis, only 11% of GHRH mRNA-containing and 5% of SS mRNA-containing neurons colabeled for c-fos mRNA. These findings indicate that GH feedback on the hypothalamus includes the induction of c-fos mRNA primarily in neurons other than GHRH and SS in the arcuate nucleus and suggest that these unidentified neurons located in the arcuate nucleus are directly involved in transducing the effects of GH in the brain.
Interspecific hybridization between human and mouse somatic cells: Enzyme and linkage studies

Human-mouse somatic cell hybrids have been isolated and examined for enzyme and chromosome constitution. The enzymes assayed were lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), phosphoglucomutase (PGM), and several esterases. Coexpression of mouse and human genomes and formation of heteropolymeric enzymes were observed in seven different hybrid populations for the enzymes LDH, IDH, MDH, and G6PD. Evidence predicated on the absence of chromosomal rearrangements is provided for the lack of genetic linkage in the human genome for these four enzymes, as well as for thymidine kinase.
A scale to measure pharmacy students' self-efficacy in performing medication therapy management services.

Objective. To determine whether a college of pharmacy curriculum creates a sense of self-efficacy among students with respect to providing medication therapy management (MTM) services.Methods. An e...
Cutting Mechanics of High Speed Dry Machining of Magnesium-Calcium Biomedical Alloy Using Internal State Variable Plasticity Model

Magnesium-Calcium (MgCa) alloys have become attractive orthopedic biomaterials due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and congruent mechanical properties with bone tissues. However, process mechanics of machining biomedical MgCa alloys is poorly understood. Mechanical properties of the biomedical magnesium alloy at high strain rates and large strains are determined by using the split-Hopkinson pressure bar testing method. Internal state variable (ISV) plasticity model is implemented to understand the dynamic material behavior under cutting conditions. A finite element simulation model has been developed to study the chip formation during high speed dry cutting of MgCa0.8 (wt %) alloy. Continuous chip formation predicted by the FE simulation is verified by high speed dry face milling of MgCa0.8 using polycrystalline diamond (PCD) inserts. Chip ignition is known as the most hazardous aspect of machining Mg alloys. The predicted temperature distributions may well explain the reason for machining safety of high-speed dry cutting of MgCa0.8 alloy.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Generation of Electrochemical Gradient from Peptide Self-Assembly

The nucleating core of the Amyloid β peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease is able to organize into a peptide bilayer maintaining dimensions similar to biological phospholipid membranes. However, the dynamics of the hydrogen-bonded peptides are certainly different from the flexible alkanes of the lipid membranes, and this crystallinity prompted us to consider their dynamics and functional potential. Here we will review these unique surfaces built on cross-β structures of amyloid, and extend that pattern to mixing of positively- and negatively-charged surfaces to give even higher order architectures with high electrochemical potential across the 4 nm membrane. Further, we have developed EFM analyses to map the charge distribution and explored novel energy or electron transduction reactions. Our results show that these peptide membrane scaffolds are dynamic, and their ability to self-organize offers a new opportunity for engineering specific molecular recognition elements into the peptide assemblies and well-ordered materials.
Aminohydroxypropylidene diphosphonate treatment of hypercalcemic crisis due to primary hyperparathyroidism.

: A 43 year old man was known to have had mild primary hyperparathyroidism for several years. Nine days following surgery for acute cholecystitis he developed a hypercalcemic crisis with a plasma calcium level of 4.23 mmol/l, despite intravenous and oral hydration. The hypercalcemia was corrected by a single intravenous dose of (3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene)-1,1-diphosphonate (15 mg), allowing parathyroidectomy to be performed electively and on a well patient.
Reports of the ‘author's’ death may be greatly exaggerated but the ‘writer’ lives on in the text

"The death of the author" is a familiar refrain among poststructuralists, a phrase used to mean nonhermeneutic approaches to texts"a label against which to react in the name of the historical subject" (Kamuf 5). Probably the source of this controversial slogan is Barthes' precisely titled, brief essay, "The Death of the Author," in which he charts the postmodern move from a literature "tyrannically centred on the author.... [where] the explanation of a work is always sought in the man or woman who produced it," to the ascendancy of the reader (143). When Barthes replaces the terms authori scriptor with critic/reader, he suggests that the future movement of literary theory requires the author's death to enable the reader's birth. Foucault, also making a distinction between the author and what happens in the text, offers the term author-function as being outside and preceding the text itself. True, the author is maker of text, but disappears once this function is performed, only the "function" remaining, that is, being outside and preceding the text. In this role the author must accept obliteration in the text. Whereas the author in the epic form accepted early death because the epic itself would bring immortality, Foucault says that "modem" writing no longer is linked to death but to "sacrifice of life" because the author must accept "obliteration of the self that does not require representation in books because it takes place in the everyday existence of the writer" (117). More and more we're hearing another slogan: The tyranny of the author has been replaced by that of the reader. Yet I think one has to accept autonomy of neither author nor reader if we approach poststructuralist theory rhetorically. To do this we need to (1) broaden thinking about literature not only to include the discursive nature of language but also to accept its persuasive nature; (2) attempt distinctions between author and writer; (3) acknowledge the presence of the writer in the text itself (ethos); (4) embrace the concept of the world as language.
Alanine, glutamate, and ammonia exchanges in acutely ischemic swine myocardium.

Coronary artery disease causes an increase in glutamate uptake and alanine output by the heart. We assessed the effects of acute myocardial ischemia on alanine and glutamate exchange and ammonia production in 10 anesthetized open-chest domestic swine (46.9±0.7 kg). Coronary blood flow was controlled through an extracorporal perfusion circuit. After a nonischemic control period (aerobic) the blood flow in the left anterior descending coronary artery was reduced by 60%. Arterial and anterior interventricular venous samples where drawn before and during 35 min of ischemia. Subendocardial blood flow, measured using radiolabeled microspheres, decreased from 1.27±0.16 to 0.25±0.09 (ml/g)/min, and left-ventricular wall-thickening fell to 47% of aerobic values. Ischemia resulted in a significant increase in the rate of glucose uptake (p<0.05) and a switch to net lactate production (p<0.01). Ischemia did not affect the rates of alanine output (−0.9±1.0 vs. −0.3±0.3 μmol/min) or glutamate uptake (−0.4±1.1 vs. 0.3±0.6 μmol/min), but did increase the venous-arterial difference for ammonia (−4.1±4.1 to 52.7±5.5 μM, p<0.0001) and the ammonia output (−0.33±0.24 to 1.34±0.14 μmol/min, p<0.0001). In conclusion, acute ischemia did not stimulate greater alanine output or glutamate uptake. However, acute ischemia did cause an increase in anaerobic glycolysis rate and ammonia output, which reflects a profound disruption in myocardial energy metabolism.
A dual-growth kinetic model for biological wastewater reactors

Biological wastewater reactors are traditionally divided into two groups based on modes of cell growth: suspension and attached (biofilm) growth. Kinetic descriptions of these reactors are based on confining cell growth to solid surfaces or void space. Because suspended cells grow in void space and biofilms grow on surfaces, both forms of microbial growth must in principle occur in a biological reactor, unless the surface is inhabitable by a biofilm. Cell growth and substrate utilization in both modes, suspension and attached, are fully accounted for in the model developed here. Simulations based on this model show that biofilms growing on the walls of a reactor, classified as a suspension culture, can contribute substantially to the total organics removal. Similarly, suspended cells in the voids of a "traditional biofilm" reactor can contribute significantly to degradation of organic substrates. The presence of biofilms can obviate total washout of suspended cells and avert reactor failure. Model simulations enable a comparison of attached and suspended biomass in terms of biomass accumulation, substrate degradation, and effectiveness of substrate utilization and illustrate interactions between the two forms of biomass. The model provides a unified way to analyze and design biological wastewater processes.
Capacitation in the rabbit: stimulation, inhibition, and recovery from inhibition.

SummaryThe capacitating ability of the oviduct and uterus in the ovariectomized rabbit with and without estrogen treatment was compared. There was a significant decrease in the ability of the uterus and oviduct to capacitate sperm within 3 days after ovariectomy. Both the uterus and oviduct showed a biphasic response to estrogen. Optimum capacitation occurred when ovariectomized rabbits were given 0.5-1.0 μg ECP/kg/day.The ability of the uterus to recover after inhibition by progesterone was studied. The uterus requires about 10 days to return to its nontreated ovariectomized capacitating state after progesterone treatment is stopped. If estrogen is given when progesterone is stopped, the uterine capacitating ability is restored to the nontreated ovariectomized state in 24 hr. However, only after 10 days of estrogen treatment is optimum capacitating ability regained by the uterus.
Methods for determination of lipid peroxidation in biological samples

Abstract Interest in the pathological consequences of lipid peroxidation has led to the development of a number of analytical approaches to the quantitation of products. However, the various analytical methodologies employed often do not measure the same chemical classes of products, and apparent discrepencies have been observed, particularly in studies of lipid peroxidation in biological systems. This review provides a brief discussion of some of the strengths and weaknesses of methods currently used for the determination of lipid peroxidation in biological tissues.
Samarium valence changes and reactive interdiffusion at the Si(111)-Sm interface

Abstract Synchrotron radiation photoemission studies show that the Si(111) 2×1-Sm interface has a complex morphology involving sequential formation stages with different Sm valence states. For metal coverages up to 2–3 A, Sm atoms appear only in a divalent state. At higher coverages (up to 10–15 A) the trivalent Sm configuration dominates and large chemical shifts of Si 2p and Sm 4f and 5p levels are observed. The Sm valence change is related to the onset of the reactive interdiffusion of Sm and Si.
Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) enhanced biosensing by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for portable devices

The use of magnetic nanparticles in microfluidic systems is emerging and is receiving growing attention due to the synergistic advantages of microfluidics and magnetic nanoparticles. Biomagnetic separation techniques based on magnetic nanoparticles are becoming increasingly important with a wide range of possible applications. However, the separation products are difficult to be detected by general method due to the small size of MNPs. Here, we demonstrate magnetic nanoparticles can greatly enhance the signal of surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR). Features of MNPs-aptamer conjugates as a powerful amplification reagent for ultrasensitive immunoassay are explored for the first time. Our results confirm that MNPs is a powerful sandwich element and an excellent amplification reagent for SPR based sandwich immunoassay and SPR has a great potential for the detection of magnetic nanoparticles-based separation products.
Former heroin addicts with or without a history of cocaine dependence are more impulsive than controls.

Background Personality traits such as impulsivity and sensation seeking may contribute to the initiation and maintenance of illicit drug use. Since studies have reported higher impulsivity and sensation seeking traits in cocaine dependent subjects, we were interested in determining whether former heroin addicts in methadone pharmacotherapy with comorbid cocaine addiction have greater impulsivity than those without.
Whorf versus Socrates, round 10

A recent paper by Dehaene, Izard, Pica and Spelke examined geometric concepts among the Munduruku, an Amazonian group without many linguistic terms for spatial relations, and without maps or formal schooling. Their profile of strengths and weaknesses provides new insights into the nature of the human mind and the importance of culture and language to the development of thought.
Disparity in limb-salvage surgery among sarcoma patients

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that aggressive preoperative radiation increases the likelihood of limb salvage in sarcoma patients. METHOD: The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database was used to run an adjusted logistic regression for the receipt of cancer-directed treatment modalities. RESULTS: Of patients with specific surgical procedures recorded (n = 2,104), 86.0% had undergone a limb-sparing procedure. On bivariate analysis, African American patients were less likely to receive a limb-sparing procedure than white patients (80.4% vs 86.9%; P = .02). On multivariate analysis, African Americans were significantly more likely to receive preoperative radiation (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-4.40; P = .011), yet this did not translate into an increase in limb salvage (OR, .67; 95% CI, .42-1.08; P = .10). Limb salvage significantly increased for all groups in 2001 and after (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.55-4.88; P = .001) without a decrease in survival. For those with tumors greater than 4 cm, there was a trend away from limb salvage for African Americans (OR, .59; 95% CI, .32-1.07; P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: Our results of an increase in limb-salvage surgeries after 2001 without a decrease in survival support previous studies. The trend away from limb salvage for African Americans cannot be answered by this study.
Are traditional prognostic criteria useful in pancreatic abscess

Pancreatic abscess remains a potentially lethal disease. Efforts to relate outcome to the severity of associated pancreatitis or the type of surgical drainage employed have yielded conflicting results. This study was designed to test the validity of traditional prognostic criteria in the clinical setting of pancreatic abscess and to determine whether the technique of surgical drainage employed correlated with survival. The records of 40 consecutive patients with pancreatic abscess were reviewed. In each case the diagnosis was confirmed by operation. Prognostic factors analyzed included number of Ranson criteria, etiology, type, and number of microorganisms isolated, extent of abscess, time to diagnosis and operation, and technique of surgical drainage. Of the 11 Ranson criteria evaluated, only an elevation in blood urea nitrogen >5 mg/dl correlated with decreased survival (p < 0.001). Polymicrobial abscesses (three or more organisms) resulted in a higher mortality than abscesses where fewer than three organisms were isolated (45.4 vs 13.8%; p < 0.05). Intraperitoneal extension of the abscess was associated with an increased mortality rate compared to those confined to the retroperitoneum (57.1 vs 15.2%; p < 0.01). In patients requiring unplanned reexploration, mortality was significantly increased (42.9 vs 11.5%; p < 0.05). The technique of surgical drainage employed (open versus closed) did not influence overall mortality (23.5 vs 21.7%; p = NS). Extent of disease at operation, polymicrobial abscess, reexploration for persistent or recurrent disease, and deterioration in renal function were all predictive of increased mortality in cases of pancreatic abscess. Traditional Ranson criteria were not useful predictors of survival. No correlation existed between type of surgical drainage employed and subsequent outcome
Incitements to desire: Sexual cultures and modernizing projects

This review essay considers recent work on sexuality and modernity, broadly conceived. Examining two studies from China and two from parts of Latin America, I suggest that fruitful research and writing is focusing on regions that are undergoing economic transitions marked by growing private sectors and market reform as a consequence of globalization. In these areas one finds both economic and sexual “opening up” to change, with diverse cultural and political implications at the local and the national levels.
Detection of Several Novel γ-Aminobutyric Acid-Containing Compounds in Human CSF

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations in human CSF are known to increase significantly after hydrolysis; however, the source of this increase has been unknown. Using either ion-exchange or reverse-phase chromatography coupled with on-line alkaline hydrolysis, we have shown 2-pyrrolidinone, the lactam of GABA, to be present in insufficient quantity to account for this increase. Subsequent experiments involving fraction collection of column eluents followed by acid hydrolysis and rechromatography demonstrated the presence of several previously undetected GABA-containing compounds.
Classroom Live: a software-assisted gamification tool

Teachers have come to rely on a variety of approaches in order to elicit and sustain student interest in the classroom. One particular approach, known as gamification, seeks to improve student engagement by transforming the traditional classroom experience into a competitive multiplayer game. Initial attempts at classroom gamification relied on the teacher manually tracking student progress. At the US Air Force Academy, we wanted to experiment with a software gamification tool. Our client/server suite, dubbed Classroom Live, streamlines the gamification process for the teacher by simplifying common tasks. Simultaneously, the tool provides students with an esthetically pleasing user interface that offers in game rewards in exchange for their participation. Classroom Live is still in development, but our initial experience using the tool has been extremely positive and confirms our belief that students respond positively to gamification, even at the undergraduate level.
Airway salvation after failed anterior graft in a child with long segment stenosis

Abstract Objectives 1-Recognize difficulties and review techniques in long-segment laryngotracheal stenosis repair. 2-Contribute to increasing clinical and surgical skills in pediatric airway reconstruction through reporting our experience with a novel reconstruction technique involving use of a failed anterior graft and prolonged postoperative stenting. Methods Case report: 10 year old male with history of burn injury who required a tracheostomy due to prolonged intubation/inhalational injury in 2005. Subglottic/tracheal stenosis was identified and he subsequently underwent anterior costal cartilage grafting involving the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and trachea. He remained tracheostomy dependent for six years due to failed graft and postoperative complications despite several attempts to improve the airway with CO2 laser and balloon dilation. In 2011, preoperative CT with 3D reconstruction revealed a 32 mm long segment of complete stenosis. The patient underwent suprahyoid release and single stage reconstruction with cricotracheal resection and partial preservation of the anterior costal cartilage graft found in the luminal scar tissue. Results Postoperatively the patient was stented with a nasal endotracheal tube for 2 weeks. Bronchoscopy showed mild tracheal collapse inferior to the site of anastamosis and granulation tissue at the site of anastomosis. Granulation tissue was removed and the subglottic anastomosis site was stented with a 2 cm Dumon stent for 6 months. Conclusion The problem of long segment stenosis after failed cartilage graft reconstruction of the airway is evaluated and a novel technique of laryngotracheal reconstruction involving a pre-existing failed anterior graft and short segment stenting is described.
Gender Differences in the Longitudinal Impact of Exposure to Violence on Mental Health in Urban Youth

There is evidence of gender differences in psychopathology during adolescence, but little research has investigated gender differences in trauma-related symptoms. Exposure to violence is a commonly experienced potentially traumatic event among urban adolescents, and the few studies examining gender differences in its mental health impact have produced inconsistent findings. The present study examines the moderating effects of gender on the longitudinal association between exposure to violence and a variety of mental health symptoms (externalizing, internalizing, PTSD, dissociation) in a racially diverse urban adolescent sample (N = 615; 50.6% female; Time 1 mean age = 14.15; Time 2 mean age = 16.70). For both genders, exposure to violence prospectively predicted increases in all types of symptoms. Although boys reported more exposure to violence on average, girls experiencing violence were more likely to experience dissociative (but not PTSD, internalizing, or externalizing) symptoms. The results suggest that adolescent girls exposed to potentially traumatic events may be especially vulnerable to experiencing certain trauma-related symptoms and imply gender-specific pathways to trauma-related psychopathology.
Analysis of Tryptophanase Operon Expression in Vitro ACCUMULATION OF TnaC-PEPTIDYL-tRNA IN A RELEASE FACTOR 2-DEPLETED S-30 EXTRACT PREVENTS Rho FACTOR ACTION, SIMULATING INDUCTION

Expression of the tryptophanase (tna) operon in Escherichia coli is regulated by catabolite repression and tryptophan-induced transcription antitermination. The key feature of this antitermination mechanism has been shown to be the retention of uncleaved TnaC-peptidyl-tRNA in the translating ribosome. This ribosome remains stalled at the tna stop codon and blocks the access of Rho factor to the tna transcript, thereby preventing transcription termination. In normal S-30 preparations, synthesis of a TnaC peptide containing arginine instead of tryptophan at position 12 (Arg(12)-TnaC) was shown to be insensitive to added tryptophan, i.e. Arg(12)-TnaC-peptidyl-tRNA was cleaved, and there was normal Rho-dependent transcription termination. When the S-30 extract used was depleted of release factor 2, Arg(12)-TnaC-tRNA(Pro) was accumulated in the absence or presence of added tryptophan. Under these conditions the accumulation of Arg(12)-TnaC-tRNA(Pro) prevented Rho-dependent transcription termination, mimicking normal induction. Using a minimal in vitro transcription system consisting of a tna template, RNA polymerase, and Rho, it was shown that RNA sequences immediately adjacent to the tnaC stop codon, the presumed boxA and rut sites, contributed most significantly to Rho-dependent termination. The tna boxA-like sequence appeared to serve as a segment of the Rho "entry" site, despite its likeness to the boxA element.
The Old Story Teller as a John the Baptist-figure in DeMille's Samson and Delilah

In his paper, "The Old Story Teller as a John the Baptist-figure in DeMille's Samson and Delilah," Anton Karl Kozlovic argues that DeMille is a pop culture professional, an unsung auteur, and the father of the US-American biblical epic whose production and direction of Samson and Delilah (1949) is a masterful exercise in sacred subtext construction. In the public's eyes, Samson is a saintly hero, but scripturally speaking, he is notoriously bad as the last of the twelve judges overseeing the downward spiral of Israel's religio-political disintegration. DeMille, as Hollywood’s leading cinematic lay preacher, enhanced deliberately the sanctity of his film by engineering many sacred subtexts into it to create "thick" religion. In particular, he designed the old Story Teller as a John the Baptist-figure to point the way to his construction of Samson as a Christ-figure. Kozlovic identifies elements of this Baptist sacred subtext and concludes that DeMille's skilfulness at engineering sacred subtexts made him the undisputed doyen of US-American biblical cinema and ensured his phenomenal box-office success. Anton Karl Kozlovic, "The Old Story Teller as a John the Baptist-figure in DeMille's Samson and Delilah" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 8.3 (2006):
Dysgerminoma of the ovary

From 1938 to 1977, 21 patients with pure dysgerminoma were treated at Memorial and James Ewing Hospitals, now Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Twelve patients were considered to have their initial therapy begun or completed at our institution. Eleven (91.7%) of 12 patients were found free of disease from 2 to 38 years (median 6 years). Nine patients were referred with recurrent disease. Only 4 (45%) could be salvaged 2 to 21 years (median 9 years). Because of the lower survival rate in the treatment of recurrent disease in this series, it is difficult to advocate overly conservative therapy initially in all early lesions. The survival rate depends on the original size of the tumor, initial adequate staging and appropriate therapy based on the extent of disease. Recommendations for a treatment protocol are proposed.
Processes leading to confidence and accuracy in sentence recognition: A metamemory approach

We propose that memory confidence is based on the processes and products of the just-completed memory task, along with the participants’ metamemory beliefs about the relation of these processes and products to memory accuracy. We tested this metamemory approach to confidence by having participants carry out a simple recognition memory task with deceptive and nondeceptive items. The deceptive items were sentences that contained a possible synonym substitution, thus allowing errors based on gist memory. For nondeceptive items, high confidence was associated with high accuracy. For deceptive items the relationship reversed; high confidence was associated with low accuracy. A memory process questionnaire was developed that provided more differentiated phenomenal reports than the traditional know/remember distinction. For nondeceptive items, metamemory beliefs tended to be valid indicators of accuracy, but for deceptive items involving unconscious reconstructive memory processes, they tended to be invalid indi...
Assessing Student Outcomes for Psychology Majors

Numerous state legislatures, accrediting agencies, and public interest groups now require postsecondary institutions to produce evidence that they are providing a quality education for their studen...