cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetics and Genomics Gene Expression Microarrays

Since its development almost 2 decades ago, gene expression microarray technology has generated excitement and raised expectations for dramatic discoveries of underlying disease mechanisms. The general concept of a gene expression microarray is relatively straightforward. Messenger RNA is extracted from a biospecimen. Examples of biospecimens include cells grown in culture, tissue from animal models, and human tissue. The messenger RNAs are converted into DNA, labeled with a fluorescent dye, and hybridized to a slide containing probes corresponding to target genes of interest arranged in a matrix format. The level of gene expression is estimated from the raw intensities of the fluorescence emitted by the labeled sequence bound to probes representing genes from which messenger RNAs were transcribed. Various different platforms are available to measure gene expression levels. Some are single-channel arrays in which 1 sample is hybridized on each array; others are 2-channel arrays in which 2 samples are hybridized simultaneously on a single array with 2 different fluorescent dyes. Some platforms are all-purpose standard arrays manufactured on a large scale that typically interrogate the expression level of all known genes. There also are custom arrays available that measure the expression levels of genes known to be associated with a particular disease or genes of interest to an individual researcher. Throughout this article, the term microarray is used to refer to a gene expression microarray. The intent of the present article is to present an overview of the statistical components related to the design and analysis of a microarray experiment. In general, the usual statistical standards of scientific research apply to microarray studies. This article reviews common study objectives and designs, describes the typical analytical techniques, and concludes with a discussion of threats to the validity of a microarray study. Because articles in this statistics series have wordcount restrictions that necessarily limit their breadth and depth, readers wanting more detail are directed to more comprehensive reviews by Allison et al, 1 Dobbin and Simon, 2 and Dupuy and Simon. 3
Distributed space-time codes with relay preprocessing for low SNR source-relay links

In this work, we consider a network formed by a single source-destination pair and multiple cooperating relays. For such networks, in most of the previously proposed schemes, the relays that can decode the source message correctly are allowed to retransmit. Although this is a reasonable relaying strategy in the high SNR regime, it suffers in low SNR ranges where the number of relays that can successfully decode the source message can be small. We propose to use an appropriate mapping of the noisy receptions at the relays followed by a distributed space-time code. The proposed schemes outperform the well-known amplify-and-forward and decode-and-forward strategies.
Physical Activity Interventions Following Cancer Diagnosis: Methodologic Challenges to Delivery and Assessment

With the increase in the number of cancer survivors, there is a need to understand the effect of physical activity (PA) on cancer prognosis. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate methods used to assess PA and energy expenditure (EE) in exercise interventions following cancer diagnosis and to evaluate the outcomes of these interventions. A literature search of studies up to and including June 2003 was conducted. To be included in the review, studies had to examine the effects of a PA intervention following cancer diagnosis. Forty-three studies met the selection criteria; 21 were randomized controlled trials and 22 were quasi-experimental study designs. The studies vary in terms of the purpose, subjects, study design, variables measured, and level of detail reported in the study manuscript. A focus of most studies was on the feasibility of performing PA interventions in cancer survivors and the effect on psychosocial processes. Very few studies examined the effect of PA on physiological or biological processes, and no studies examined the effect of PA on cancer recurrence or survival. Overall, the studies consistently demonstrated that PA has a positive effect on psychosocial processes, including fatigue and nausea. Many challenges remain pertaining to the study of PA following cancer diagnosis to include subject recruitment and compliance, delivery and assessment of PA, and the measurement of study variables. Future studies are needed that use a randomized controlled design with process, short-term impact, and long-term outcome measures to identify a dose-response effect of increased PA and physical fitness on cancer recurrence and survival.
Telomere length as a risk factor for hereditary prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences that stabilize the ends of chromosomes. Critically short telomeres are thought to contribute to cancer development by increasing chromosomal instability. We hypothesized that shorter leukocyte telomere length, a surrogate for inherited prostate cell telomere length, would be associated with increased risk of prostate cancer in hereditary prostate cancer (HPC) families. METHODS One hundred twelve affected and 63 unaffected men from 28 families were drawn from the Johns Hopkins HPC family database. Relative mean telomere length was measured in isolated peripheral leukocyte DNA by quantitative PCR. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the association between quartile of age-adjusted telomere length and prostate cancer. RESULTS Men in the shortest quartile of telomere length did not have increased odds of prostate cancer compared to men in the other three quartiles (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.32–2.20, P = 0.73). However, when the analysis was restricted to affected men with blood drawn before or within a year of diagnosis (N = 39) and all unaffected men, shorter telomere length was moderately associated with increased odds of prostate cancer (OR = 3.55, 95% CI: 0.82–15.43, P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS Though we found no association overall, shorter leukocyte telomere length may be associated with increased odds of prostate cancer when measured in pre-diagnostic samples. Further prospective research is warranted exploring the utility of telomere length as a prostate cancer biomarker. Prostate 74:359–364, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Histone dosage regulates DNA damage sensitivity in a checkpoint-independent manner by the homologous recombination pathway

In eukaryotes, multiple genes encode histone proteins that package genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and regulate its accessibility. Because of their positive charge, ‘free’ (non-chromatin associated) histones can bind non-specifically to the negatively charged DNA and affect its metabolism, including DNA repair. We have investigated the effect of altering histone dosage on DNA repair in budding yeast. An increase in histone gene dosage resulted in enhanced DNA damage sensitivity, whereas deletion of a H3–H4 gene pair resulted in reduced levels of free H3 and H4 concomitant with resistance to DNA damaging agents, even in mutants defective in the DNA damage checkpoint. Studies involving the repair of a HO endonuclease-mediated DNA double-strand break (DSB) at the MAT locus show enhanced repair efficiency by the homologous recombination (HR) pathway on a reduction in histone dosage. Cells with reduced histone dosage experience greater histone loss around a DSB, whereas the recruitment of HR factors is concomitantly enhanced. Further, free histones compete with the HR machinery for binding to DNA and associate with certain HR factors, potentially interfering with HR-mediated repair. Our findings may have important implications for DNA repair, genomic stability, carcinogenesis and aging in human cells that have dozens of histone genes.
EFFICIENT MECHANISMS FOR MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

We characterize incentive-ecient merger outcomes when payments can be made both in cash and stock. Each firm has private information about both its stand-alone value and a component of the (possibly negative) potential synergies. We study two cases: when transfers can, and cannot, be made contingent on the value of any new firm. When they can, we show that redistributing shares of any non-merging firm generates information rents and provide necessary and sucient conditions for the implementability of ecient merger rules. When they cannot, private information undermines eciency more when it concerns stand-alone values
Kinetics of Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene Using the Reactive Surfactant HITENOL BC20

The effect of the reactive surfactant HITENOL BC20 (polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether ammonium sulfate; 20 U of ethylene oxide (EO)) on the emulsion polymerization of styrene was studied via reaction calorimetry (Mettler RC1; 70°C). For polymerizations carried out above the cmc of BC20, the reaction kinetics and evolution of the number of particles (Np) resembled those reported using the conventional surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate, indicating that nucleation proceeded by a combination of micellar and homogenous nucleation (Interval I and Stage 2). The reaction rate (Rp) not only increased with increasing initiator (K2S2O8) and surfactant concentrations, as expected, but the increase in rate in Stage 2 was dependent on the initiator concentration and independent of the surfactant concentration. This is consistent with the proposed nucleation mechanisms. The molecular weight increased with increasing surfactant concentration and decreasing initiator concentration as would also be expected for a conventional surfactant. The dependencies of Rp and Np on the BC20 and initiator concentrations, however, were lower than the classical Smith-Ewart values (Rp ∝ [E]0.47–0.52; Rp ∝ [I]0.21–0.25) although Rp was found to be directly proportional to Np. Chain transfer to the reactive surfactant is considered a likely source of divergence. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Simultaneous removal of organic compounds and heavy metals from soils by electrokinetic remediation with a modified cyclodextrin.

Thousands of sites are contaminated with both heavy metals and organic compounds and these sites pose a major threat to public health and the environment. Previous studies have shown that electrokinetic remediation has potential to remove heavy metals and organic compounds when they exist individually in low permeability soils. This paper presents the feasibility of using cyclodextrins in electrokinetic remediation for the simultaneous removal of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from low permeability soils. Kaolin was selected as a model low permeability soil and it was spiked with phenanthrene as well as nickel at concentrations of 500 mg kg 1 each to simulate typical mixed field contamination. Bench-scale electrokinetic experiments were conducted using hydroxypropyl b-cyclodextrin (HPCD) at low (1%) and high (10%) concentrations and using deionized water in control test. A periodic voltage gradient of 2 VDC cm 1 (with 5 d on and 2 d off) was applied to all the tests, and 0.01 M NaOH was added during the experiments to maintain neutral pH conditions at anode. In all tests, nickel migrated as Ni 2+ ions towards the cathode and most of it was precipitated as Ni(OH)2 within the soil close to the cathode due to high pH condition generated by electrolysis reaction. The solubility of phenanthrene in the flushing solution and the amount of electroosmotic flow controlled the migration and removal of phenanthrene in all the tests. Even though high flow was generated in tests using deionized water and 1% HPCD, migration and removal of phenanthrene was low due to low solubility of phenanthrene in these solutions. The test with 10% HPCD solution showed higher solubility of phenanthrene which caused it migrate towards the cathode, but further migration and removal was retarded due to reduced electric current and electroosmotic flow. Approximately one pore volume of flushing resulted in approximately 50% removal of phenanthrene from the soil near the anode. Sustained higher electroosmotic flow with higher concentration cyclodextrin and maintaining low soil pH near cathode should be investigated to increase removal efficiency of both phenanthrene and nickel. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Predicting Future Random Events Based on Past Performance

There are many situations where one is interested in predicting the expected number of events in period 2 given that x events occurred in period 1. For example, insurance companies must decide whether or not to cancel the insurance of drivers who had 3 or more accidents during the previous year. In analyzing marketing research data an analyst may wish to predict the number of future purchases to be made by those customers who made x purchases in the previous 3 months. The owner of a baseball team may wish to estimate the number of home runs a batter will hit this year given he hit say 40 home runs last year. When the events e.g., accidents, purchase occasions, home runs can be assumed to occur randomly over time a very general result due to Robbins Robbins, H. 1977. Prediction and estimation for the compound Poisson distribution. Proc. National Acad Sci. USA74 2670-2671. is available. This approach has certain advantages and disadvantages with respect to the negative binomial model that is commonly used to analyze purchasing and accident data. The Robbins result is particularly appropriate for predicting what the zero class in period 1 will do in period 2. The main purpose of this paper is to present the Robbins result in a form that can be readily understood by applied researchers in a variety of disciplines. Data on consumer purchases, motor vehicle violations and accidents are analyzed and applications to other areas are discussed.
Integrative health coaching: an organizational case study.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to describe integrative health (IH) coaching as developed in three different interventions offered through a major medical center, as a step toward further defining the field of health coaching.STUDY DESIGN:An organizational case study was conducted with document analysis and interviews.SETTING/PARTICIPANTS:Interviewees were the first six IH coaches at Duke Integrative Medicine who provided 360 clients with individual and/or group coaching (two to 28 sessions) in a randomized clinical study and two work-site wellness programs.ANALYSIS:Qualitative analysis using the constant comparative method was conducted.RESULTS:Integrative health coaching is characterized by a process of self-discovery that informs goal setting and builds internal motivation by linking clients' goals to their values and sense of purpose. Time, commitment, and motivation are necessary in the IH coaching process.CONCLUSIONS:The underpinnings of IH coaching are distinct from the medical model, and the process is distinct from health education, executive coaching, and psychotherapy. Integrative health coaching fits well with the assumptions of integrative medicine and has a role in supporting behavior change.
Learning with Annotation Noise

It is usually assumed that the kind of noise existing in annotated data is random classification noise. Yet there is evidence that differences between annotators are not always random attention slips but could result from different biases towards the classification categories, at least for the harder-to-decide cases. Under an annotation generation model that takes this into account, there is a hazard that some of the training instances are actually hard cases with unreliable annotations. We show that these are relatively unproblematic for an algorithm operating under the 0--1 loss model, whereas for the commonly used voted perceptron algorithm, hard training cases could result in incorrect prediction on the uncontroversial cases at test time.
Dynamics of electrical double layer formation in room-temperature ionic liquids under constant-current charging conditions

We report detailed simulation results on the formation dynamics of an electrical double layer (EDL) inside an electrochemical cell featuring room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) enclosed between two planar electrodes. Under relatively small charging currents, the evolution of cell potential from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations during charging can be suitably predicted by the Landau-Ginzburg-type continuum model proposed recently (Bazant et al 2011 Phys. Rev. Lett. 106 046102). Under very large charging currents, the cell potential from MD simulations shows pronounced oscillation during the initial stage of charging, a feature not captured by the continuum model. Such oscillation originates from the sequential growth of the ionic space charge layers near the electrode surface. This allows the evolution of EDLs in RTILs with time, an atomistic process difficult to visualize experimentally, to be studied by analyzing the cell potential under constant-current charging conditions. While the continuum model cannot predict the potential oscillation under such far-from-equilibrium charging conditions, it can nevertheless qualitatively capture the growth of cell potential during the later stage of charging. Improving the continuum model by introducing frequency-dependent dielectric constant and density-dependent ion diffusion coefficients may help to further extend the applicability of the model. The evolution of ion density profiles is also compared between the MD and the continuum model, showing good agreement.
Isolation and molecular characterization of Musca domestica delta‐9 desaturase sequences

We have isolated fatty acyl-CoA desaturase cDNA (Mdomd9) and genomic sequences from the housefly, Musca domestica. Two approximately 1.66 kb cDNAs were recovered. They had identical coding regions and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), but differed in their 5' UTRs. The open reading frame encodes a 380 amino acid (aa) protein with 82% identity to Drosophila melanogaster desat1, and significant (> 50%) identity with other insect delta-9 desaturases. Functional analyses in a yeast expression system confirmed the cDNA encodes a delta9 desaturase. Northern analysis indicated two transcripts of 1.7 and 2.9 kb that hybridized specifically to the open reading frame. PCR amplification of genomic templates revealed three intron sites that are conserved among other insect species. Southern analysis of genomic DNA indicated at least two desaturase gene copies per haploid genome. There is a high degree of polymorphism, most of which appears to be due to variable intron sequences; curiously, individual flies had varying morphs of intron II and intron III. Together, the data suggest that there are more delta9 desaturase alleles within the population studied than there are loci within the genome, and support other studies suggesting that insect fatty acyl-CoA desaturases are a dynamically evolving gene family.
Are you having fun teaching Excel? Using an electronic classroom management system

In modern education, computer applications are capable of enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. Instructors teaching spreadsheet applications such as Excel are faced with a variety of assessment and teaching methods to assign and grade homework projects that guide students in mastering the essentials of spreadsheet operations. Several grading software packages are available in the market to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching an Excel course. This study discusses a system designed to create and grading Excel assignments. The system's advantages and drawbacks are discussed and compared to the packages available in the market.
Interleukin-12 Neutralization Alters Lung Inflammation and Leukocyte Expression of CD80, CD86, and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II in Mice Infected with Histoplasma capsulatum

Histoplasma capsulatum induces a cell-mediated immune response in lungs and lymphoid organs of mammals. Resolution of primary infection in mice depends on interleukin-12 (IL-12), since neutralization of this monokine increases susceptibility to infection. The present study was designed to determine if blockade of IL-12 disrupts the protective immune response by altering the influx of lineage-specific cells into infected lungs and the numbers of cells expressing CD80, CD86, CD119, and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules. In mice given anti-IL-12, there was a 2.5-fold decrease in total numbers of T cells on days 3 to 10 of infection and a 4-fold increase in Mac-1/Gr-1(+) cells on days 7 and 10 compared to infected controls. CD80(+) lung cells from anti-IL-12-treated mice were 2- to 3-fold greater than those from controls on days 7 and 10, whereas the total numbers of CD86(+) cells were 2- to 3-fold less and MHC II(+) cells were 1.5- to 2-fold less on days 3 and 5. Cells expressing CD119 were reduced 1.5-fold on day 5. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to CD80, CD86, or both reduced the fungal burden slightly compared to that in rat immunoglobulin G-treated controls, whereas after IL-12 neutralization, blocking of CD80 reduced the tissue burden by 2. 5-fold and this correlated with a decrease in IL-4. Regardless, mortality was not altered by treatment with MAb to CD80 or CD86. We conclude that (i) IL-12 neutralization alters the nature of the inflammatory response in lungs and the expression of CD80 and CD86 on lineage-specific cells, (ii) the immune response during infection with H. capsulatum is controlled via mechanisms independent of the CD80 and CD86 costimulatory pathways, and (iii) decreased expression of CD86 and MHC II may modulate generation of optimal protective immunity.
MPI-CHECK: a tool for checking Fortran 90 MPI programs

SUMMARY MPI is commonly used to write parallel programs for distributed memory parallel computers. MPI-CHECK is a tool developed to aid in the debugging of MPI programs that are written in free or fixed format Fortran 90 and Fortran 77. MPI-CHECK provides automatic compile-time and run-time checking of MPI programs. MPI-CHECK automatically detects the following problems in the use of MPI routines: (i) mismatch in argument type, kind, rank or number; (ii) messages which exceed the bounds of the source/destination array; (iii) negative message lengths; (iv) illegal MPI calls before MPI INIT or after MPI FINALIZE; (v) inconsistencies between the declared type of a message and its associated DATATYPE argument; and (vi) actual arguments which violate the INTENT attribute. Copyright c � 2003 John Wiley &S ons, Ltd.
Use of Preoperative Breast Ultrasonography for Mapping of Breast Cancer Extent Improves Resection Margins During Breast Conservation Surgery

Background Positive margins after breast conservation surgery occur frequently and negatively influence local control rates. Hypothesis Preoperative breast ultrasonography reduces the incidence of positive margins during breast conservation surgery. Design Case-control analysis. Patients and Intervention One hundred twenty-two consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer were studied. Palpation or needle-wire–guided breast conservation surgery was used in the first 61 patients (group 1). Preoperative breast ultrasonography was added to the protocol in the last 61 patients (group 2). Main Outcome Measures Incidence of positive margins, distance to closest margin. Results There was a 3.7-fold reduction in positive margins ( P = .04, 95% confidence interval, 1.06-16.73) and improved resection margins ( P = .04, 95% confidence interval, 0.14-3.88) when breast ultrasonography was used. Reexcision of margins was done in 11% (7 of 61 patients) in group 1 and 3% (2 of 61 patients) in group 2 ( P = .17). Conclusion Preoperative breast ultrasonography improves the margins of resection and decreases the incidence of positive margins during breast conservation surgery.
THE IMPACT OF INSECTICIDES AND HERBICIDES ON THE BIODIVERSITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF AQUATIC COMMUNITIES

Pesticides constitute a major anthropogenic addition to natural communities. In aquatic communities, a great majority of pesticide impacts are determined from single- species experiments conducted under laboratory conditions. Although this is an essential protocol to rapidly identify the direct impacts of pesticides on organisms, it prevents an assessment of direct and indirect pesticide effects on organisms embedded in their natural ecological contexts. In this study, I examined the impact of four globally common pesticides (two insecticides, carbaryl (Sevin) and malathion; two herbicides, glyphosate (Roundup) and 2,4-D) on the biodiversity of aquatic communities containing algae and 25 species of animals. Species richness was reduced by 15% with Sevin, 30% with malathion, and 22% with Roundup, whereas 2,4-D had no effect. Both insecticides reduced zooplankton diversity by eliminating cladocerans but not copepods (the latter increased in abundance). The in- secticides also reduced the diversity and biomass of predatory insects and had an apparent indirect positive effect on several species of tadpoles, but had no effect on snails. The two herbicides had no effects on zooplankton, insect predators, or snails. Moreover, the herbicide 2,4-D had no effect on tadpoles. However, Roundup completely eliminated two species of tadpoles and nearly exterminated a third species, resulting in a 70% decline in the species richness of tadpoles. This study represents one of the most extensive experimental inves- tigations of pesticide effects on aquatic communities and offers a comprehensive perspective on the impacts of pesticides when nontarget organisms are examined under ecologically relevant conditions.
The Congenital Muscular Dystrophies: Recent Advances and Molecular Insights

Over the past decade, molecular understanding of the congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs) has greatly expanded. The diseases can be classified into 3 major groups based on the affected genes and the location of their expressed protein: abnormalities of extracellular matrix proteins (LAMA2, COL6A1, COL6A2, COL6A3), abnormalities of membrane receptors for the extracellular matrix (fukutin, POMGnT1, POMT1, POMT2, FKRP, LARGE, and ITGA7), and abnormal endoplasmic reticulum protein (SEPN1). The diseases begin in the perinatal period or shortly thereafter. A specific diagnosis can be challenging because the muscle pathology is usually not distinctive. Immunostaining of muscle using a battery of antibodies can help define a disorder that will need confirmation by gene testing. In muscle diseases with overlapping pathological features, such as CMD, careful attention to the clinical clues (e.g., family history, central nervous system features) can help guide the battery of immunostains necessary to target an unequivocal diagnosis.
Three new Solomon’s Seals ( Polygonatum : Asparagaceae) from the Eastern Himalaya

Three new Polygonatum (Asparagaceae) are described and illustrated from the Eastern Himalaya. These species, Polygonatum autumnal e, P . angelicum , and P. luteoverrucosum , have opposite leaves and are evergreen. The foremost is the first autumn-flowering species in the genus and is known from a single locality in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Polygonatum angelicum and P. luteoverrucosum are the first species in the genus to be reported with distinctly verrucose perigone surfaces. These two are sympatric in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and Xizang, China, but occur at different elevations. Their relationships to other opposite-leaved species are discussed and a key is provided to these and related species.
The morbidity of a divided stoma compared to a loop colostomy in patients with anorectal malformation.

Abstract Purpose Loop colostomies may contaminate the genitourinary (GU) tract in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) owing to incomplete diversion of stool. Stoma complications are also thought to be higher with a loop versus divided colostomy. We sought to compare the morbidity, including urinary tract infections (UTI), in these two types of colostomies in children with ARM. Methods A review was performed at a children's hospital (1989–2014). Children with ARM who had a colostomy performed were identified. Demographic data and outcome variables were collected. Analyses included Student's t -test, Fischer's exact and logistic regression as appropriate. Results 171 patients were identified (loop=78; divided=93). Thirty percent of patients with a divided colostomy and 24% with a loop experienced a stoma complication (p=0.5). A subgroup analysis of children with a rectourinary fistula (54 divided, 26 loop) was performed to assess for effect of colostomy type on UTI. After controlling for other UTI risk factors (major GU anomalies, vesicostomy, and prophylactic antibiotics), loop ostomies were not associated with risk of UTI (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.27–2.63). No patient with a loop colostomy developed megarectum. Conclusions Children with ARM who undergo a loop colostomy are not at a detectable increased risk of experiencing a UTI compared to a divided stoma. The rate of stoma complication is high regardless of the type of stoma created.
Direct measurement of pulmonary microvascular distensibility

Pulmonary vascular distensibility has an important influence on pulmonary hemodynamics. Although many measurements of distensibility have been made on large pulmonary vessels, there is less information on microvascular distensibility. We have measured the distensibility of the smallest (< 70-microns-diam) precapillary arterioles and postcapillary venules. Isolated dog lobes, at 2.5 cmH2O transpulmonary pressure, were perfused at low flows, which caused the arteriovenous pressure gradient to be very small and thereby permitted accurate estimation of microvascular pressure. As microvascular pressure was systematically varied between 0 and 30 mmHg, subpleural microvascular diameters were determined from computer-enhanced images obtained by videomicroscopy. Arteriolar and venular distensibilities were not different from each other. The microvascular pressure-diameter relationship was alinear with distensibility coefficients of 1-3% mmHg-1, values that are of the same order of magnitude as previously measured distensibilities of 100- to 1,000-microns-diam canine pulmonary vessels.
Percutaneous Closure of a Residual Left Atrial Appendage Leak After Lariat Procedure.

A 77-year-old man with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and systolic heart failure underwent left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation with a Lariat suture delivery device (SentreHEART, Redwood City, California), and subsequent pulmonary vein isolation. One month
Proton beam radiotherapy for uveal melanoma

Proton beam radiotherapy for uveal melanoma can be administered as primary treatment, as salvage therapy for a recurrent tumor, as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgical resection, or as adjuvant therapy after surgical resection. Of all eye-conserving forms of uveal melanoma treatment, proton beam is associated with the lowest overall risk of local tumor recurrence. The physical properties of proton beams make it possible to deliver high-radiation doses to tumors with relative sparing of adjacent tissues from collateral damage. The chances of survival, ocular conservation, visual preservation, and avoidance of iatrogenic morbidity depend greatly on the tumor size, location, and extent. When treating side effects and/or complications, it is helpful to consider whether the etiology is collateral damage to healthy ocular tissues, such as the optic disc, or exudation and release of angiogenic factors from the irradiated tumor, possibly resulting in neovascular glaucoma (‘toxic tumor syndrome’). As with any the...
Estimating subject-specific parameters for modeling hand joints

In both biomedical and graphics applications, quantifying skeletal motion requires a kinematic model describing the joint location and axis directions. In this talk, we present techniques we have recently developed for determining parameters of three types of anatomic joints. In particular, it is important but difficult to obtain high-quality parameter estimates for the joints of the human hand. Due to the small scale of hand segments, mis-location of joint centers by even 1 cm leads to unacceptable errors in the joint angle measurement. In addition, the axis directions of hand joints are not aligned with standard anatomical planes [1], and each individual has subject-specific axis directions. The errors in axis location and direction from standard estimation techniques result in noticeable differences in reconstructed hand shape and the grasp contact points of the fingers.
Ideational influences on the transition to parenthood : Attitudes toward childbearing and competing alternatives

In this paper I propose an expansion of the theory of planned behavior that considers how attitudes toward competing behaviors affect a focal behavior. Specifically, I explore how attitudes toward childbearing and the competing behaviors of educational attainment, career development, and consumer spending affect childbearing behavior. The empirical analyses use data from an eight-wave longitudinal study of mother-child pairs, the Intergenerational Panel Study of Parents and Children. The results indicate that positive attitudes toward children and childbearing increase rates of marital childbearing, while positive attitudes toward careers and luxury goods reduce rates of premarital childbearing. I conclude that theories and models of the attitude-behavior relationship should be expanded to include attitudes toward competing behaviors, and that social scientists who study childbearing behavior would benefit from greater emphasis on social psychological explanations of behavior.
Rare ABCA7 variants in Alzheimer disease: Guilt by association.

When evaluating patients with suspected or potential Alzheimer disease (AD), clinicians can consider screening 4 different genes. Three are deterministic genes ( APP , PS1 , and PS2 ) that typically cause early-onset, autosomal dominant AD. Mutation analysis of these genes rarely produces positive results. APOE , a risk gene whose status influences diagnostic confidence, is more diagnostically relevant to the vast majority but an APOE genotype does not definitively confirm or refute a clinical diagnosis. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have associated approximately 20 additional genes with AD,1 but clinical tests remain commercially unavailable for these genes because their GWAS-identified contribution appears limited. R.H. Swerdlow is supported by P30 AG035982 (NIA) and PCTR‐15‐330495 (Alzheimer's Association).
A Probabilistic Risk Mitigation Model for Cyber-Attacks to PMU Networks

The power grid is becoming more dependent on information and communication technologies. Complex networks of advanced sensors such as phasor measurement units (PMUs) are used to collect real time data to improve the observability of the power system. Recent studies have shown that the power grid has significant cyber vulnerabilities which could increase when PMUs are used extensively. Therefore, recognizing and responding to vulnerabilities are critical to the security of the power grid. This paper proposes a risk mitigation model for optimal response to cyber-attacks to PMU networks. We model the optimal response action as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem to prevent propagation of the cyber-attacks and maintain the observability of the power system.
Manuel to Walt

A graphic memory of the incisive and joyful Manuel Cardona’s attitude towards life and science.
Dual Simian Foamy Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infections in Persons from Côte d’Ivoire

Zoonotic transmission of simian retroviruses in West-Central Africa occurring in primate hunters has resulted in pandemic spread of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIVs) and human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLVs). While simian foamy virus (SFV) and simian T- lymphotropic virus (STLV)-like infection were reported in healthy persons exposed to nonhuman primates (NHPs) in West-Central Africa, less is known about the distribution of these viruses in Western Africa and in hospitalized populations. We serologically screened for SFV and STLV infection using 1,529 specimens collected between 1985 and 1997 from Cote d'Ivoire patients with high HIV prevalence. PCR amplification and analysis of SFV, STLV, and HIV/SIV sequences from PBMCs was used to investigate possible simian origin of infection. We confirmed SFV antibodies in three persons (0.2%), two of whom were HIV-1-infected. SFV polymerase (pol) and LTR sequences were detected in PBMC DNA available for one HIV-infected person. Phylogenetic comparisons with new SFV sequences from African guenons showed infection likely originated from a Chlorocebus sabaeus monkey endemic to Cote d'Ivoire. 4.6% of persons were HTLV seropositive and PCR testing of PBMCs from 15 HTLV seroreactive persons identified nine with HTLV-1 and one with HTLV-2 LTR sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed that two persons had STLV-1-like infections, seven were HTLV-1, and one was an HTLV-2 infection. 310/858 (53%), 8/858 (0.93%), and 18/858 (2.1%) were HIV-1, HIV-2, and HIV-positive but undifferentiated by serology, respectively. No SIV sequences were found in persons with HIV-2 antibodies (n = 1) or with undifferentiated HIV results (n = 7). We document SFV, STLV-1-like, and dual SFV/HIV infection in Cote d'Ivoire expanding the geographic range for zoonotic simian retrovirus transmission to West Africa. These findings highlight the need to define the public health consequences of these infections. Studying dual HIV-1/SFV infections in immunocompromised populations may provide a new opportunity to better understand SFV pathogenicity and transmissibility in humans.
JOURNAL CLUB: Patient Perception of Radiology and Radiologists: A Survey Analysis of Academic and Community Institutions.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of the present study is to evaluate patient understanding of radiology and radiologists and to assess patient interest in direct consultation with a radiologist. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 1976 adult radiology outpatients at both a university and a nearby community hospital were surveyed. After an initial survey was administered, educational material with an attached follow-up survey was distributed to the patients. A McNemar test was used to assess the difference between patients who correctly chose the radiologist as the image interpreter before and after educational material was provided, whereas a paired t test was used to test the difference between patient levels of comfort with various image interpreters. RESULTS. Of the respondents, 84% expressed interest in meeting with a radiologist, with 43% willing to pay $0, 37% willing to pay $10–$30, and 20% willing to pay $40 or more to do so. Small percentages of respondents incorrectly identified ultrasound (10%) and MRI (...
Subjective memory complaints are associated with poorer cognitive performance in adults with HIV

ABSTRACTWith successful antiretroviral therapy in the US, HIV-positive adults now routinely survive into old age. However, increased life expectancy with HIV introduces the added complication of age-related cognitive decline. Aging with HIV has been associated with poorer cognitive outcomes compared to HIV-negative adults. While up to 50% of older HIV-positive adults will develop some degree of cognitive impairment over their lifetime, cognitive symptoms are often not consistently monitored, until those symptoms are significant enough to impair daily life. In this study we found that subjective memory complaint (SMC) ratings correlated with measurable memory performance impairments in HIV-positive adults, but not HIV-negative adults. As the HIV-positive population ages, structured subjective cognitive assessment may be beneficial to identify the early signs of cognitive impairment, and subsequently allow for earlier interventions to maintain cognitive performance as these adults continue to survive into o...
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXCIMER LASER ANGIOPLASTY TO TREAT CORONARY IN-STENT RESTENOSIS WITH PERI-STENT CALCIUM AS ASSESSED BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Background: We used optical coherence tomography to evaluate excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) to treat in-stent restenosis (ISR) due to peri-stent calcium (Ca) related stent underexpansion. Methods: We studied 53 ISR lesions with >90° peri-stent Ca and compared ECLA (n=21) vs no-ELCA (n=
The effects of developing English language and literacy on Spanish reading comprehension

ABSTRACTIn this longitudinal study, the cross-language transfer from second language (L2) to first language (L1) was examined among Spanish-speaking English-language learners in an English intervention (Grades 1–3) in the southwest United States. Path analysis revealed statistically significant transfers (ps < .05) for the treatment group from English reading comprehension to Spanish reading comprehension. English vocabulary and English grammar also had an indirect influence on Spanish reading comprehension through English reading comprehension. For the comparison group, no English to Spanish paths were statistically significant. We concluded that intervention activities in L2 influenced L1 reading even when L1 instructional time was reduced.
Phototoxic potential of undispersed and dispersed fresh and weathered Macondo crude oils to Gulf of Mexico Marine Organisms

Crude oils contain a mixture of hydrocarbons, including phototoxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have the ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. Absorption of UV light by PAHs can substantially increase their toxicity to marine organisms. The objective of the present study was to examine the potential for phototoxicity of fresh and naturally weathered Macondo crude oils alone and in combination with the dispersant Corexit 9500 to mysid shrimp (Americamysis bahia), inland silverside (Menidia beryllina), sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus), and Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis). Acute toxicity tests were conducted using combinations of natural or artificial sunlight and low-energy water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of fresh and weathered Macondo crude oils collected from the Gulf of Mexico. Studies were also conducted to compare the phototoxicity resulting from natural and artificial sunlight. Fresh Macondo crude oil was more phototoxic than weathered crude oils, both in the presence and in the absence of UV light. Differences in toxicity between fresh and weathered crude oils were likely attributed to lighter-ringed PAHs in fresh crude oils. Phototoxic PAHs were relatively resistant to weathering compared with lighter-ringed PAHs. The addition of Corexit 9500 to crude oil increased toxicity compared with tests with crude oil alone, by increasing phototoxic PAH concentrations in WAFs. Macondo crude oils had the potential to be phototoxic to Gulf of Mexico marine organisms if specific light conditions and PAH concentrations were present during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2640-2650. © 2017 SETAC.
Stopwatch Calibrations, Part III: The Time Base Method

The Time Base Method for calibrating stopwatches and/or timers involves determining the frequency of the device's time base using calibrated, traceable standards. Two non-contact methods for this m...
Nanographene Aerogels: Size Effect of the Precursor Graphene Oxide on Gelation Process and Electrochemical Properties

Improving the electrochemical properties of graphene aerogels (GAs) without doping or making composites is an attractive synthetic strategy. In this work we report on the effects of graphene sheet dimensions on GAs. Nanographene aerogels (nG-AGs) were synthesized using nanographene oxide (nGO) powder with a mean platelet diameter of 90 nm. In-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) during gelation revealed a longer fast gelation regime for nG-AGs than for stdG-AGs. The surface-area-normalized capacitance of nG-AGs calculated from cyclic voltammetry is 16% higher than that of stdG-AGs, and the onset of hydrogen evolution is observed at a lower over-potential. These observations can be attributed to increased edge sites and defects in nanographene sheets. Our results imply that the diameter of the precursor graphene sheets can be used as a parameter to optimize the electrochemical properties of graphene AGs depending on the application.
Cardiac and pulmonary donor procurement.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Within the United States, donor heart and lung procurement varies between institutions and among surgeons within the same institution sometimes. The purpose of this article is to review the history of donor heart and lung procurement, the surgical techniques, and pitfalls. RECENT FINDINGS The current article covers the important intraoperative evaluation of the donor heart and lungs at the procurement hospital and the surgical pitfalls that can be prevented to ensure good procurement of donor heart and lungs. SUMMARY The current article provides a review of the history of donor procurement. The article will also provide recommendations for surgical techniques and to prevent possible complications of donor procurement at the time of surgery.
A Comparison of Rule Induction Using Feature Selection and the LEM2 Algorithm

The main objective of this chapter is to compare a strategy of rule induction based on feature selection, exemplified by the LEM1 algorithm, with another strategy, not using feature selection, exemplified by the LEM2 algorithm. The LEM2 algorithm uses all possible attribute-value pairs as the search space. It is shown that LEM2 significantly outperforms LEM1, a strategy based on feature selection in terms of an error rate (5 % significance level, two-tailed test). At the same time, the LEM2 algorithm induces smaller rule sets with the smaller total number of conditions as well. The time complexity for both algorithms is the same.
Biotinylated recombinant human erythropoietins: bioactivity and utility as receptor ligand [see comments]

Recombinant human erythropoietin labeled covalently with biotin at sialic acid moieties has been prepared, and has been shown to possess high biological activity plus utility as a receptor ligand. Initially, the effects on biological activity of covalently attaching biotin to erythropoietin alternatively at carboxylate, amino, or sialic acid groups were compared. Biotinylation of erythropoietin at carboxylate groups using biotin-amidocaproyl hydrazide plus 1-ethyl-3-(3- dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide led to substantial biological inactivation, although biotinylated molecules retained detectable activity when prepared at low stoichiometries. Biotinylation at amino groups using sulfosuccinimidyl 6-(biotinamido) hexanoate resulted in a high level of biological inactivation with little, if any, retention of biological activity, regardless of labeling stoichiometries. Biotinylation at sialic acid moieties using periodate and biotinamidocaproyl hydrazide proceeded efficiently (greater than 95% and 80% labeling efficiencies for human urinary and recombinant erythropoietin, respectively) and yielded stably biotinylated erythropoietin molecules possessing comparably high biological activity (ie, 45% of the activity of unmodified hormone). Utility of recombinant biotin-(sialyl)-erythropoietin (in combination with 125I-streptavidin) in the assay of cell surface receptors was demonstrated using two distinct murine erythroleukemia cell lines, Friend 745 and Rauscher Red 1. The densities and affinities of specific hormone binding sites were 116 +/- 4 sites, 3.3 +/- 0.4 nmol/L kd and 164 +/- 5 sites, 2.7 +/- 0.4 nmol/L kd, respectively. It is predicted that the present development of biotin-(sialyl)-erythropoietin as a chemically and biologically stable, bioactive ligand will assist in advancing an understanding of the regulated expression and physicochemistry of the human and murine erythropoietin receptors.