cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The estimates and characteristics of poverty in Kathmandu: What do three measurement standards suggest?

Abstract This paper compares poverty outcomes in Kathmandu using absolute income, absolute consumption, and relative income standards and suggests that the extent of poverty in this city can be somewhere between 19 and 44% of the population depending on which standard is used. The characteristics of poverty also vary depending on the poverty standard applied. Nevertheless, all three standards consistently suggest the following poverty characteristics: households with low educational attainment of householders; large household size; residence in north, central, and east locations; temporary dwelling; and the presence of higher number of children younger than 18. These characteristics render some specific policy implications. While the absolute income standard appears to be relatively better at predicting poverty status of households in Kathmandu, which standard policymakers use largely depends on their political preferences and policy goals.
PheWAS: demonstrating the feasibility of a phenome-wide scan to discover gene-disease associations.

Motivation: Emergence of genetic data coupled to longitudinal electronic medical records (EMRs) offers the possibility of phenomewide association scans (PheWAS) for disease–gene associations. We propose a novel method to scan phenomic data for genetic associations using International Classification of Disease (ICD9) billing codes, which are available in most EMR systems. We have developed a code translation table to automatically define 776 different disease populations and their controls using prevalent ICD9 codes derived from EMR data. As a proof of concept of this algorithm, we genotyped the first 6005 European–Americans accrued into BioVU, Vanderbilt’s DNA biobank, at five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with previously reported disease associations: atrial fibrillation, Crohn’s disease, carotid artery stenosis, coronary artery disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. The PheWAS software generated cases and control populations across all ICD9 code groups for each of these five SNPs, and disease-SNP associations were analyzed. The primary outcome of this study was replication of seven previously known SNP–disease associations for these SNPs. Results: Four of seven known SNP–disease associations using the PheWAS algorithm were replicated with P-values between 2.8 × 10 −6 and 0.011. The PheWAS algorithm also identified 19 previously unknown statistical associations between these SNPs and diseases at P < 0.01. This study indicates that PheWAS analysis is a feasible method to investigate SNP–disease associations. Further evaluation is needed to determine the validity of these associations and the appropriate statistical thresholds for clinical significance. Availability: The PheWAS software and code translation table are freely available at http://knowledgemap.mc.vanderbilt.edu/research.
Mechanisms of Discordant Alternans and Induction of Reentry in Simulated Cardiac Tissue

Background—T-wave alternans, which is associated with the genesis of cardiac fibrillation, has recently been related to discordant action potential duration (APD) alternans. However, the cellular electrophysiological mechanisms responsible for discordant alternans are poorly understood. Methods and Results—We simulated a 2D sheet of cardiac tissue using phase 1 of the Luo-Rudy cardiac action potential model. A steep (slope .1) APD restitution curve promoted concordant APD alternans and T-wave alternans without QRS alternans. When pacing was from a single site, discordant APD alternans occurred only when the pacing rate was fast enough to engage conduction velocity (CV) restitution, producing both QRS and T-wave alternans. Tissue heterogeneity was not required for this effect. Discordant alternans markedly increases dispersion of refractoriness and increases the ability of a premature stimulus to cause localized wavebreak and induce reentry. In the absence of steep APD restitution and of CV restitution, sustained discordant alternans did not occur, but reentry could be induced if there was marked electrophysiological heterogeneity. Both discordant APD alternans and preexisting APD heterogeneity facilitate reentry by causing the waveback to propagate slowly. Conclusion—Discordant alternans arises dynamically from APD and CV restitution properties and markedly increases dispersion of refractoriness. Preexisting and dynamically induced (via restitution) dispersion of refractoriness independently increase vulnerability to reentrant arrhythmias. Reduction of dynamically induced dispersion by appropriate alteration of electrical restitution has promise as an antiarrhythmic strategy. (Circulation. 2000;102;1664-1670.)
Reducing network contention with mixed workloads on modern multicore, clusters

Multi-core systems are now extremely common in modern clusters. In the past commodity systems may have had up to two or four CPUs per compute node. In modern clusters, these systems still have the same number of CPUs, however, these CPUs have moved from single-core to quad-core and further advances are imminent. To obtain the best performance, compute nodes in a cluster are connected with high-performance interconnects. On nearly all clusters, the number of network interfaces is the same on current multi-core systems as in the past when there were fewer cores per node. Although these networks have increased bandwidth with the shift to multi-core, there still exists severe network contention for some application patterns. In this work we propose mixed workload (non-exclusive) scheduling of jobs to increase network efficiency and reduce contention. As a case-study we use Message Passing Interface (MPI) programs on the InfiniBand interconnect. We show through detailed profiling of the network that accesses of the network and CPU of some applications are complementary to each other and lead to increased network efficiency and overall application performance improvement. We show improvements of 20% and more for some of the NAS Parallel Benchmarks on quad-socket, quad-core AMD systems.
Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis

This article describes four cases of exercise-induced anaphylaxis occurring only in temporal relationship to the ingestion of food. One individual developed anaphylaxis if exercise followed the ingestion of any food within 2 hr. Three other individuals had symptoms only if celery was ingested in relation to exercise. Skin reactivity to fresh celery extracts was demonstrated in all three individuals. The episodes were prevented by avoidance of food ingestion in relation to exercise. This syndrome appears to be a variant of exercised-induced anaphylaxis.
Lightwave multichannel networks with grid-based topologies

The author explores a class of multichannel networks in which each channel is treated as a link in a regular logical topology. Specifically, the topologies are based on the two-dimensional grid. The author reviews other approaches to the design of lightwave local area networks and explains the reasons behind this approach. He considers the case in which the channels are logically organized as a simple two-dimensional grid. He introduces a variation of the grid topology called the multiconnected grid, and investigates a particular type of multiconnected grid in detail. For the variations of the grid topology the author studies their fault-tolerant characteristics, their ability to support multicast communication, and their suitability for use with an adaptive topology protocol. >
The Rotation Period and Light-Curve Amplitude of Kuiper Belt Dwarf Planet 136472 Makemake (2005 FY9)

Kuiper Belt dwarf planet 136472 Makemake, formerly known as 2005 FY9, is currently the third-largest known object in the Kuiper Belt, after the dwarf planets Pluto and Eris. It is currently second only to Pluto in apparent brightness, due to Eris' much larger heliocentric distance. Makemake shows very little photometric variability, which has prevented confident determination of its rotation period until now. Using extremely precise time-series photometry, we find that the rotation period of Makemake is 7.7710 ± 0.0030 hr, where the uncertainty is a 90% confidence interval. An alias period is detected at 11.41 hr, but is determined with approximately 95% confidence not to be the true period. Makemake's 7.77 hr rotation period is in the typical range for Kuiper Belt objects, consistent with Makemake's apparent lack of a substantial satellite to alter its rotation through tides. The amplitude of Makemake's photometric light curve is 0.0286 ± 0.0016 mag in V. This amplitude is about 10 times less than Pluto's, which is surprising given the two objects' similar sizes and spectral characteristics. Makemake's photometric variability is instead similar to that of Eris, which is so small that no confident rotation period has yet been determined. It has been suggested that dwarf planets such as Makemake and Eris, both farther from the Sun and colder than Pluto, exhibit lower photometric variability because they are covered with a uniform layer of frost. Such a frost is probably the correct explanation for Eris. However, it may be inconsistent with the spectrum of Makemake, which resembles reddish Pluto more than neutrally colored Eris. Makemake may instead be a more Pluto-like object that we observe at present with a nearly pole-on viewing geometry—a possibility that can be tested with continuing observations over the coming decades.
Troponin Release—Reversible or Irreversible Injury? Should We Care?

Controversies concerning whether cardiac biomarkers can be released in the absence of cell death have existed for years. The initial observations were made with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),3 the 134-kDa enzyme that was found to be released from cells or organs in response to tissue injury in the absence of overt cell death (1). Similar issues arose with creatine kinase (CK) and CK isoenzyme MB (CK-MB). Heyndrickx et al. (2), who found increases in CK in response to brief (5–15 min) coronary occlusions thought to be insufficient to induce cardiac injury, argued that the release was due to ischemia and not cell death; however, pathologic confirmation of this finding was not demonstrated. Subsequently, Ishikawa et al. attempted to cause CK release in animals in the absence of cell death by creating small, graded coronary occlusions (3). Whenever they found CK release in the circulation, they observed cells that appeared severely damaged and necrotic, according to electron microscopy results and extensive evaluations of the potentially ischemic area. These findings were supported by the absence of mitochondrial CK in the blood, a biomarker that would provide clear evidence of irreversible cell death. For these reasons, this group argued that the release of CK (86 kDa) was due to cell death. The discussion has been extensive regarding this controversial issue of whether biomarkers can be released from cells in the absence of cell death. Initially, it was thought that regeneration of cardiac myocytes did not occur. That led to a real concern that if the release of biomarkers was due to cell death, one could in essence run out of heart tissue over time. That possibility is no longer a concern, because we now know that cardiomyocytes can regenerate and repair the heart (4). This controversy became topical again with the advent …
Impact of Micromirror Seidel Aberrations on Microcavity Spectra

The stress-induced deformation of micromirrors is examined in terms of common Seidel aberrations, and its impact on microcavity spectra is quantified. Tilt, curvature, and astigmatism cause characteristic changes in the spectra, but coma and spherical aberration are often negligible
RFID: Integration Stages in Supply Chain Management

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an enabling technology that promises to create value through greater visibility in supply chain networks, higher product velocity, more efficient inventory management, reduced labor cost, and reduced human error. However, it is still not clear if these objectives can be fully achieved due to high tag costs and uncertain return-of-investment (ROI). We introduce the key components and concepts of RFID applications and identify key issues when implementing RFID in supply chain networks. We suggest an RFID integration model that allows for degrees of integration breadth.
The 100th Meridian, Ecological Boundaries, and the Problem of Reification

Fuzzy and investigative ecological boundaries are reconstituted as absolute and tangible when used to inform natural resource management policies. The process of treating symbolic representations of ecological discontinuities as if they were authentic reflections of reality represents a process of reification and may lead to inappropriate policy provisions with adverse local ecological and social consequences. This essay describes how the United States Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program takes the 100th meridian—a simplified representation of the ambiguous gradient between the non-arid East from the arid West—and hardens it into a concrete boundary where farmers follow different rules depending on what side of the boundary they reside.
MICROSCOPIC CONTROL OF PARTICLE SIZE IN REFRACTORY MANUFACTURE

A comparison is made of the results of particle-size determinations by screening, elutriation, and microscopic count. Particular stress is laid on those sizes under 325-mesh (44 microns). The results obtained indicate that the microscope offers a quick practical method of sufficient accuracy to warrant its use in such work.
Germicidal activity of a chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide teat dip and a sodium chlorite teat dip during experimental challenge with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae

Three postmilking teat dips were tested for efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae in two separate studies using experimental challenge procedures that were recommended by the National Mastitis Council. The first study evaluated a barrier teat dip product containing chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide as the germicidal agent, and the second study evaluated a sodium chlorite product with a barrier component as well as a sodium chlorite product without a barrier component. The chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide teat dip reduced new intramammary infections (IMI) caused by Staph. aureus by 91.5% and reduced new IMI caused by Strep. agalactiae by 71.7%. The barrier dip containing sodium chlorite reduced new IMI caused by Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae by 41.0 and 0%, respectively. The nonbarrier dip containing sodium chlorite reduced new IMI caused by Staph. aureus by 65.6% and reduced new IMI caused by Strep. agalactiae by 39.1%. Teat skin and teat end conditions were evaluated before and after the second study; no deleterious effects among dipped quarters compared with control quarters were noted for the two sodium chlorite products.
Fermentation of Radiolabeled Carbohydrates by a Reconstructed Continuous-Flow Culture Effective Against Salmonella in Broiler Chicks

An 81-d-old continuous-flow (CF) culture of broiler cecal bacteria was maintained in a lactose-based broth. The culture had been previously proven effective against Salmonella colonization in young chicks, especially when the chicks were provided dietary lactose. Portions of the CF culture were batch-cultured in glucose- and lactose-based broths containing 14C-labeled lactose, glucose, galactose, or lactic acid to determine the effect of media carbohydrate on fermentation products. Acetic and propionic acids were the major 14C-labeled fermentation products. 14C-Carbohydrates were fermented to lactic acid and then to acetic and propionic acids. Distribution of radiolabeled fermentation products was effected by the broth carbohydrate and the time postinoculation.
The skin of primates XIX. The relationship between melanocytes and alkaline phosphatase‐positive cells in the potto (Perodicticus potto)

The epidermis of the potto, which normally contains no DOPA-reactive melanotic melanocytes, supports a population of large dendritic cells which are specifically reactive for alkaline phosphatase. After irradiation of the skin with ultraviolet light, these same dendritic cells become DOPA positive and produce visible melanin. These results give further evidence that the alkaline phosphatase-reactive dendritic cells are part of a unique system of epidermal melanocytes.
Biodetection Using Silicon Photonic Crystal Microcavities

Lord Rayleigh was the first to study electromagnetic wave propagation in onedimensional (1D) periodic media and to identify the angle-dependent, narrow band in which light propagation is prohibited. However, it was not until a full century later, when Yablonovitch [1] and John [2] in 1987 combined Maxwell’s equations with solid-state physics theorems to introduce the concept of photonic bandgaps in two and three dimensions. Many subsequent developments in fabrication, theory, and applications (e.g., fiber optics, integrated optics, and negative refraction materials) have since followed. As shown in Fig. 7.1, photonic crystals (PhCs) are periodically structured media [3] in one, two, or three dimensions. PhCs can be designed to produce photonic bandgaps. Light with photon energies or frequencies that fall inside this bandgap cannot propagate through the PhC. The periodicity in length scale is proportional to the wavelength of light inside the bandgap. PhCs are the electromagnetic analog of crystalline atomic lattices, in which interference in the electron wavefunction produces the forbidden bands. Hence, the study of PhCs is also governed by the Bloch-Floquet theorem. To study the propagation of light, Maxwell’s equations are solved as an eigenproblem. We assume that light propagates in a mixed dielectric medium with no free charges or currents. Maxwell’s equations are then given by:
Scientism versus social constructionism in critical policy studies

What is not to like about this approach to public policy studies that we are calling a narrative policy framework? Well, the first thing I do not like is when they capitalize it, as in Narrative Po...
Oncomodulin, an EF-hand Ca2+ buffer, is critical for maintaining cochlear function in mice

Oncomodulin (Ocm), a member of the parvalbumin family of calcium binding proteins, is expressed predominantly by cochlear outer hair cells in subcellular regions associated with either mechanoelectric transduction or electromotility. Targeted deletion of Ocm caused progressive cochlear dysfunction. Although sound-evoked responses are normal at 1 month, by 4 months, mutants show only minimal distortion product otoacoustic emissions and 70–80 dB threshold shifts in auditory brainstem responses. Thus, Ocm is not critical for cochlear development but does play an essential role for cochlear function in the adult mouse. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Numerous proteins act as buffers, sensors, or pumps to control calcium levels in cochlear hair cells. In the inner ear, EF-hand calcium buffers may play a significant role in hair cell function but have been very difficult to study. Unlike other reports of genetic disruption of EF-hand calcium buffers, deletion of oncomodulin (Ocm), which is predominately found in outer hair cells, leads to a progressive hearing loss after 1 month, suggesting that Ocm critically protects hearing in the mature ear.
Neodymium Ground-State-Depleted Laser Characterization and Demonstration

A recently proposed class of rare earth doped solid state lasers is described. These Ground State Depleted (GSD) lasers are characterized by a low laser ion doping density (5-10xl018 ions/cc) and a large fractional excited population inversion density (4-8xl018 ions/cc). For efficiency, these lasers must be pumped by narrowband ( 10-50 kW/cm2) sources. Four level operation at room temperature is obtained and efficient lasing to the ground electronic state manifold is achieved. The design domain of GSD lasers is dominated by the pump transition cross section (2-10x10−20 cm2) and the associated saturation fluence/flux (2-10 J/cm2 and 10-50 kW/cm2). The GSD laser gain element is typically optically thick (Lambert Law) at the pump wavelength, but is substantially bleached at the working pump intensity.
Accountability for Genocide and Other Gross Human Rights Violations: The Need for an Integrated and Victim-Based Approach

This article argues that the right to justice which corresponds to the State’s duty to prosecute; the right to truth which corresponds to the State’s duty to search and inform the victims and the community at large of the truth about the violations; the right to reparation which corresponds to the State’s duty to guarantee reparation to the victims and their beneficiaries; and finally the right to be guaranteed non-recurrence of violations of gross human rights violations, which corresponds to the State’s duty to take all measures necessary to guarantee a non-recurrence are now recognized in international law.It further makes a case for their application as a package, rather than allowing countries to pick and choose one and exclude others, and the need for an institution to monitor their implication and advise on their implementation. Such an approach has the benefit of providing a solid platform for accountability and prevention of genocide and other gross human rights violations.
386 OXIDIZED PHOSPHOLIPIDS DISRUPT ENDOTHELIAL PROLIFERATION AND AKT PHOSPHORYLATION; VEGF-A COUNTERACTS THIS EFFECT

Background Oxidative modification of LDL plays an important role in vascular injury. Most studies have focused on harsh oxidation products, but not oxidized phospholipids. The purpose of this project was to test 1) if oxidized phospholipids disrupt endothelial function and 2) if vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) counteracts this effect. Oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2- arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (Ox-PAPC) is an oxidized phospholipid mixture in minimally oxidized LDL and was tested. To demonstrate possible in vivo significance, human sera with either low or high lipid hydroperoxide levels were also tested. Methods and Results 1) Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) were incubated with 50 μg/ml Ox-PAPC, 200 μg/ml LDL, or media containing 20% human serum. In wounding/migration assays, [3H]thymidine incorporation assays and immunoblotting for phospho-Akt, Ox-PAPC inhibited migration by 97%, proliferation by 88%, and decreased Akt phosphorylation 2.5 fold. PAPC and LDL had no significant effect. High lipid hydroperoxide serum reduced endothelial migration by 63%, reduced proliferation by 53%, and reduced Akt phosphorylation 2 fold compared to low lipid hydroperoxide serum. 2) Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were treated with Ox-PAPC, 100 μg/ml VEGF, and Ox-PAPC+VEGF. VEGF stimulated cell proliferation by 62.3% and increased Akt phosphorylation 1.5 fold over controls. Ox-PAPC+VEGF restored results to control levels. Conclusion and Significance 1) Oxidized phospholipids and elevated lipid hydroperoxide sera can impair endothelial function. This may, in part, explain the increased atherosclerosis in patients with elevated lipid oxidation products in vivo. 2) VEGF overcomes Ox-PAPC9s inhibitory effect. Further investigation of Ox-PAPC9s mechanism of action and VEGF9s counteraction may provide insight into atherosclerosis
Update on paravertebral blocks.

Purpose of review The goal of this review was to update the reader on the developments and advancements that have transpired in the previous few years and to encourage an open dialogue amongst readers and researchers alike. Recent findings Tremendous progress has been made investigating the part paravertebral blocks play, not only in acute pain management but also in management of nonsurgical pain. It starts with discussing the recent advances pertaining to paravertebral blocks (PVBs) in breast, thoracic and cardiac surgery and then leads on to its evolving presence in pediatric surgery. The review also discusses utilization of thoracic paravertebral blocks in managing acute and chronic nonsurgical pain. Finally, it concludes with mention of new techniques and procedures to perform PVBs. Summary The impact of paravertebral analgesia on cancer pain and prevention of metastasis could be huge once enough data have accumulated. The steady influx of data on PVBs has led to the resurgence of this block in almost every area of acute pain management.
Testicular atrophy associated with agenesis of the epididymis in the ACI rat.

AbstractThe male ACI rat has a congenital Wolffian duct defect manifested by unilateral agenesis of the kidney, ureter, seminal vesicle, ductus deferens, and most of the epididymis. In the adult the testis on the affected side is markedly smaller than the contralateral testis and spermatogenesis is absent. In addition, in vitro perfusion of the affected testis revealed significantly less testosterone secretion than did the contralateral testis. Moreover, electron microscopy revealed that the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the Leydig cell was significantly decreased. Thus, the affected testes clearly showed deranged spermatogenesis and Leydig cell structure and function. The ACI rat model may provide insight into the potential effects of congenital epididymal abnormalities on the testis of the human.
Faraday’s Law

In his Explication of Arago’s Magnetic Phenomena (§4 in the First Series of Experimental Researches in Electricity), Faraday described how he was able to generate a sustained electric current using only a bar magnet and a spinning copper disk. This he did by first touching the ends of a conducting wire to the disk, one to its axis and one to its periphery. When the pole of a magnet was aimed at a point on the disk between the two wire contacts, an electrical current flowed thought the wire when the disk was spun. This curious observation had profound consequences; it led directly to the development of the practical electric generator. For example, a constant electric current can be generated by a magnet placed before the face of a conducting disk being spun by a water- or wind-mill. But why does this work? What is the physical law governing this phenomenon? To answer this questions, Faraday considers a simpler system: a single conducting wire passing before the face of a bar magnet.
Outcomes of intervention for cephalic arch stenosis in brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas

Abstract Background Development of recalcitrant stenotic lesions of the cephalic arch is a significant cause of dysfunction of brachiocephalic access arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). Endovascular and surgical therapy can be used to treat cephalic arch stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular and surgical interventions for cephalic arch stenosis. Methods A retrospective review of all patients during a 16-year period with a compromised but not occluded brachiocephalic AVF due to cephalic arch stenosis was undertaken. Patency, reintervention, infection, and functional dialysis rates were examined. Results From January 2000 to December 2015, 219 patients (67% female; mean age, 58 ± 20 years) with a failing brachiocephalic AVF underwent intervention at the cephalic arch. These interventions included angioplasty, primary stent placement, transposition, and bypass. The average time to intervention for cephalic arch stenosis was 1.7 years after primary access placement. The average number of percutaneous interventions before the decision to intervene surgically on the cephalic arch was three (range, two to six). Technical success was superior in the surgical groups (70% and 80% compared with 96% and 100% for balloon angioplasty, stenting, transposition, and bypass, respectively; P = .02). Major adverse cardiovascular events were overall low but significantly higher in the surgical groups (1%, 1%, 0.3%, and 0.3% for transposition, bypass, balloon angioplasty, and stenting, respectively; P = .02). Both surgical options carried significantly superior patency rates at 2 years for transposition, bypass, balloon angioplasty, and stenting, respectively (63%, 59%, 90%, and 92%; P = .04). There was a lower rate of interventions per person-year of follow-up in the surgical groups compared with the endovascular groups (1.9, 1.4, 3.5, and 3.1 for transposition, bypass, balloon angioplasty, and stenting, respectively; P = .04). Functional dialysis durations were significantly superior in the surgical groups compared with the endovascular group ( P = .03). Conclusions Cephalic arch stenosis is a significant cause of brachiocephalic AVF malfunction. Surgical options offer superior long-term patency and functional results and should be considered earlier in the treatment of this disease.
Tetracycline uptake and metabolism by vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Nash)

Environmental contamination by antibiotics not only perturbs the ecological balance but also poses a risk to human health by promoting the development of multiantibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study focuses on identifying the biochemical pathways associated with tetracycline (TC) transformation/degradation in vetiver grass that has the potential to be used as a biological remediation system in TC-contaminated water sources. A hydroponic experimental setup was used with four initial TC concentrations (0, 5, 35, 75 ppm), and TC uptake was monitored over a 30-day period. Results show that TC transformation in the media occurred during the first 5 days, where a decrease in the parent compound and an increase in the concentration of the isomers such as epitetracycline (ETC) and anhyrotetracycline (ATC) occurred, and TC disappeared in 20 days in tanks with vetiver grass. However, the isomers ETC and ATC remained in the control tanks for the duration of the trial. Transformation products of TC in plant tissue were analyzed by using ultra HPLC high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometery (HRMS/MS), which indicates amide hydrolysis of TC in vetiver roots. Metabolic profiling revealed that glyoxylate metabolism, TCA cycle, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, tryptophan metabolism, and inositol phosphate metabolism were impacted in vetiver root by TC treatment.
Suprasellar Germinoma and Growth Retardation

Three patients, ages 9, 12, and 13 years (1 boy and 2 girls), diagnosed with intracranial germinoma are reported from University Children’s Hospital Homburg, Germany.
Laparoscopic hepatectomy significantly shortens the time to postoperative chemotherapy in patients undergoing major hepatectomies

Abstract Background The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy occurs with early initiation, but is commonly delayed due to postoperative complications. Minimally invasive surgery is proven to significantly reduce complications and hospital length of stay. This study compares open versus laparoscopic liver resection in patients requiring adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods 120 consecutive patients with metastatic colorectal liver cancer who underwent liver resection between 2007 through 2012 were reviewed from an IRB prospective database. Results 44 laparoscopic cases were compared to 76 open cases having equivalent resections. Laparoscopic liver resection patients had lower blood loss (276 ml) than patients with open resection (614 ml). Patients with laparoscopy had shorter length of hospital stay (5 days) than patients with open resection (9 days). Patients with laparoscopic resection had a shorter time of chemotherapy initiation postoperatively (24 days v 39 days). Overall complication rates were higher, but statistically insignificant in patients with open resection. Conclusions Our data showed that the shorter LOS with laparoscopic major hepatectomies allows earlier initiation of chemotherapy compared to the open group, without jeopardizing surgical margins or extent of resection. Summary Over the past decade multiple authors have established that, despite occasional longer operating times, laparoscopic liver surgery is associated with reduced blood loss, reduced postoperative morbidity and shorter hospital stay. The purpose of this analysis was to determine if the advantages of a minimally invasive approach correspond to shorter initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy versus an open approach.
WNK1 is an unexpected autophagy inhibitor

Autophagy is a cellular degradation pathway that is essential to maintain cellular physiology, and deregulation of autophagy leads to multiple diseases in humans. In a recent study, we discovered that the protein kinase WNK1 (WNK lysine deficient protein kinase 1) is an inhibitor of autophagy. The loss of WNK1 increases both basal and starvation-induced autophagy. In addition, the depletion of WNK1 increases the activation of the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PtdIns3K) complex, which is required to induce autophagy. Moreover, the loss of WNK1 increases the expression of ULK1 (unc-51 like kinase 1), which is upstream of the PtdIns3K complex. It also increases the pro-autophagic phosphorylation of ULK1 at Ser555 and the activation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), which is responsible for that phosphorylation. The inhibition of AMPK by compound C decreases the magnitude of autophagy induction following WNK1 loss; however, it does not prevent autophagy induction. We found that the UVRAG (UV radiation resistance associated gene), which is a component of the PtdIns3K, binds to the N-terminal region of WNK1. Moreover, WNK1 partially colocalizes with UVRAG and this colocalization decreases when autophagy is stimulated in cells. The loss of WNK1 also alters the cellular distribution of UVRAG. The depletion of the downstream target of WNK1, OXSR1/OSR1 (oxidative-stress responsive 1) has no effect on autophagy, whereas the depletion of its relative STK39/SPAK (serine/threonine kinase 39) induces autophagy under nutrient-rich and starved conditions.
Cardiac tamponade secondary to purulent pericarditis diagnosed with the aid of emergency department ultrasound

Purulent pericarditis is a rare but devastating disease process and even when treated, carries a poor prognosis. Cardiac tamponade is the most severe complication of purulent pericarditis and without acute surgical intervention, is often fatal. Diagnosis requires pericardiocentesis; however, early consideration of the disease and its complications in the emergency department (ED) can be life-saving. Here, we present a case of an intravenous drug user who presented with altered mental status and a rectal temperature of 105.4°. While in the ED, the patient acutely decompensated. The ED physician performed bedside cardiac ultrasound that a showed pericardial effusion and right ventricle diastolic collapse concerning for cardiac tamponade. The patient underwent urgent pericardiocentesis which revealed 300 ml of purulent fluid. Both blood and pericardial cultures grew methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Despite a complicated hospital course, with appropriate antibiotic coverage and surgical intervention, the patient was discharged in good neurologic condition. This rare case of purulent pericarditis underscores the utility of bedside ultrasound in the ED and the complicated nature of altered mental status in intravenous drug users.
Characterization of ash in algae and other materials by determination of wet acid indigestible ash and microscopic examination

Abstract Algae are known for high ash content. It is important to properly characterize their ash for value added utilization of algae as food, feed, and feedstock for biofuels. In this study, 12 algae of different sources were measured for proximate composition and mineral profile. Results showed that the relative difference between ash content by dry ashing and total minerals content by wet digestion increased with ash content. A major cause was soon identified: when using a common procedure of strong attacks for sample digestion before mineral analysis, incomplete digestion existed for most algae samples due to the presence of siliceous materials. It was proposed that algae consist of wet acid indigestible ash (WAIA) and wet acid digestible ash, whereas WAIA is siliceous. Methods to measure WAIA content in the 12 algae, along with oat grain, oat forage, defatted soymeal and fine sand, were then developed based on digestion with nitric acid or sulfuric acid-hydrogen peroxide. For the 12 algae, ash ranged 1.9 to 37.4% dry matter while WAIA by nitric acid digestion varied 0.1% to 25.6%. High correlation between WAIA and ash contents indicates WAIA as an important contributor for algae ash. For identifying what constituted the siliceous materials, all samples in three matrixes (original, ash by dry ashing, and WAIA) were microscopically examined. Because wet acid digestion had an ability to concentrate siliceous materials and maintain their original shape and size, WAIA was the best matrix for microscopic examination. Micrographs of WAIA show three types of siliceous materials in algae: non-diatom cellular structures, diatom cell walls, and sandy particles. It was concluded that high ash content of algae resulted partly from contamination of diatoms and/or sandy particles of geologic origin and that WAIA should be an important quality parameter for algae. Subsequently, several measures are proposed to produce algae with low ash content.
The neural correlates of temperamental inhibitory control in toddlers

The current study examined the association between effortful control and a well-studied neural index of self-regulation, the N2 event-related potential (ERP) component, in toddlers. Participants included 107 toddlers (44 girls) assessed at 30, 36 and 42 months of age. Participants completed a Go/NoGo task while electroencephalography data were recorded. The study focused on the N2 ERP component. Parent-reported effortful control was examined in association with the NoGo N2 ERP component. Findings suggest a positive association between the NoGo N2 component and the inhibitory control subscale of the wider effortful control dimension, suggesting that the N2 component may index processes associated with temperamental effortful control.This article is part of the theme issue 'Diverse perspectives on diversity: multi-disciplinary approaches to taxonomies of individual differences'.
A comprehensive investigation of natural language processing techniques and tools to generate automated test cases

Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques show promising results to organize and identify desired information from the bulky raw data. As a result, NLP techniques are continuously getting researcher's attention to automate various software development activities like test cases generation. However, selection of right NLP techniques and tools to generate automated test cases is always challenging. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the application of NLP techniques to generate test cases from preliminary requirements document. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) has been conducted to identify 16 research works published during 2005-2014. Consequently, 6 NLP techniques and 18 tools have been identified. Furthermore, 4 test case generation approaches and 9 NLP algorithms have also been presented. The identified NLP techniques and tools are highly beneficial for the researchers and practitioners of the domain.
A 128-Tap Highly Tunable CMOS IF Finite Impulse Response Filter for Pulsed Radar Applications

A configurable-bandwidth (BW) filter is presented in this paper for pulsed radar applications. To eliminate dispersion effects in the received waveform, a finite impulse response (FIR) topology is proposed, which has a measured standard deviation of an in-band group delay of 11 ns that is primarily dominated by the inherent, fully predictable delay introduced by the sample-and-hold. The filter operates at an IF of 20 MHz, and is tunable in BW from 1.5 to 15 MHz, which makes it optimal to be used with varying pulse widths in the radar. Employing a total of 128 taps, the FIR filter provides greater than 50-dB sharp attenuation in the stopband in order to minimize all out-of-band noise in the low signal-to-noise received radar signal. Fabricated in a 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ silicon on insulator CMOS process, the proposed filter consumes approximately 3.5 mW/tap with a 1.8-V supply. A 20-MHz two-tone measurement with 200-kHz tone separation shows IIP3 greater than 8.5 dBm.
Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for detection of tumor recurrence following radiofrequency ablation in retrospective cohort of stage I lung cancer.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to define patterns for tumor recurrence on PET following RFA, compare time to imaging recurrence by PET versus CT, evaluate whether pre-treatment tumor uptake pr...
Reconstruction of an abdominal wall defect following wide excision of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma at the percutaneous gastrostomy site in a head and neck cancer patient

Cancer metastasis to an enterostomy site is a rare and serious complication. The incidence seems to be on the rise due to increased acceptance of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedure. Because this may be associated with synchronous distant metastasis, full metastatic workup is required. Resections of these metastatic lesions require full-thickness abdominal wall reconstruction.
Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in the United States (P1.140)

Objective: To assess trends of hospital discharges and resource utilization of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States(US). Background: Limited or no information exists on the burden on multiple sclerosis in the US. Design/Methods: In a population-based, observational cohort study, we identified adult patients (>17 years) with MS [ICD-9-CM 340] using the National Inpatient Sample(NIS). Primary outcome was to assess population-based trend in point estimates for incidence of MS per 100,000 US populations between 2000 through 2014. Secondary outcomes included mortality, discharge disposition, length of hospital stay (LOS), and inflation-adjusted costs during initial hospitalization in patients with MS. All estimates are based upon the recently introduced discharge-level weights (TRENDWT) to extrapolate national statistics. Results: National estimates suggest that over 1.76 million hospital-level discharges occurred with a primary (17.2%) or secondary (82.8%) diagnosis of MS across non-federal hospitals between 2001 and 2014. The incidence of MS increased by 33.3% (1.33 fold), from 34.8 per 100,000 in 2001 to 46.3 per 100,000 US populations in 2014. Overall, the median age was 54 years and 73.1% were female. Average in-hospital mortality was estimated at 1.7%, and 29.6% patients were discharged to a rehabilitation facility. The median hospital stay and costs were 4 days and $7721, respectively. Despite inflation adjustments of all cost data to represent 2016 US$ amounts, the median hospital costs increased by 21.8% from $6398 in 2001 to $7794 in 2014 with no net increase in the median LOS (4 days in 2001 and 2014). Conclusions: Despite the introduction of several disease modifying drugs, the incidence of MS continues to rise with an increase in the overall hospitalization costs and no change in hospital stay. Increased access to healthcare following amendment of the Affordable Care Act could be plausibly linked to the recent increase in discharges; however our data does not predict causality. Disclosure: Dr. Sharma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bittner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kamholz has nothing to disclose.
Motivating Change in Addiction via Modulation of the Dark Side

The constructs of emotion and motivation are intimately linked. Throughout my career, W. Horsley Gantt and Joseph V. Brady laid a rich foundation for understanding the concept of emotion, derived from two prominent traditions of physiology and psychology: classical conditioning and operant conditioning, respectively. This framework guided my fierce interest in motivation in general and the interaction between reward and stress, which began at John Hopkins University with my thesis work under the mentorship of Zoltan Annau, with help from Solomon Synder and Joseph Brady, among many others. Using the study of the neurobiology of addiction as a framework, I argue that drug addiction can be heuristically framed as a cycle of three stages—binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation (“craving”)—that involve domains of incentive salience/pathological habits (mediated by basal ganglia circuits), reward deficits/stress surfeit (mediated by extended amygdala circuits), and executive function deficits (mediated by the frontal cortex), respectively. Movement through the three stages involves a transition from positive reinforcement that is associated with the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse to another major source of reinforcement, specifically negative reinforcement that is driven by negative emotional states (termed the “dark side” of addiction). Repeated overstimulation of the reward systems with drugs of abuse decreases reward function, characterized by a decrease in brain stimulation reward and presumbably reflecting a dysphoria-like state. The construct of negative reinforcement, defined as drug taking that alleviates a negative emotional state that is created by drug abstinence, is particularly relevant as a driving force in both the withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation stages of the addiction cycle. From a neurobiological perspective, the negative emotional state that drives such negative reinforcement is hypothesized to derive from excessive activation of the brain reward systems that leads to a decrease in the function of normal reward-related neurocircuitry (dopamine, opioid peptides) in the ventral striatum and persistent recruitment of anti-reward systems, reflected by sensitization of the brain stress systems (corticotropin-releasing factor, dynorphin) within the extended amygdala. This shift in motivation is hypothesized to reflect the allostatic misregulation of hedonic tone such that drug taking makes the hedonic negative emotional state worse during the process of seeking temporary relief with compulsive drug taking. Understanding the neuroplasticity of the neurocircuitry that comprises negative reinforcement that is associated with addiction is a key to understanding motivation in general and its representation in pathophysiology.
Castles in the Clouds: LiDAR for Historical Study and Terrain Analysis

Examples of castles and fortresses seen in publicly available LiDAR data by the national mapping agencies in Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and United States demonstrate the value of LiDAR data for understanding military history. The data sets, which include derived grids and the original point clouds with densities from 2–24 points/m², always identify the ground points, generally include LiDAR return intensity values, and sometimes include point classifications that discriminate vegetation and buildings. Grids with 0,5- or one-metre resolution could be created from the highest density point clouds in this study, while grids with one- or two-metre resolution can be created from the lowest density clouds. The digital surface model, which includes everything seen by the sensor, notably ground, buildings, and vegetation, can be created with higher resolution than the bare earth grids. The surface model provides the best visual representation of the castle and its surroundings. Viewed in interactive 3D, the data allows familiarisation with the landscape. Optimal displays depend on the desired scale and the terrain characteristics, but hillshade or shaded reflectance maps, reverse greyscale slope maps, and openness maps all work effectively. Further analysis may include functions such as viewsheds, which enhance the understanding of key terrain.
Application of the Combined State Concept to Behavioral Investment Decisions Under Interval-Valued Information

Investment decisions are characterized by behavioral issues and imperfect relevant information. It is needed to take into account behavior of decision maker that depends on states of economy in such probability. Application of the combined states approach for investment and sensitivity analysis can easily illustrate the opportunities of the proposed work. We used interval-valued probability in this paper.