cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geographical variation and trends in outcomes of laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with or without splenic vessel preservation: A meta-analysis

Abstract Background Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is performed to treat tumors of the pancreatic body and tail. Traditionally, splenectomy is performed with a DP, however, laparoscopic spleen-preserving DP (SPDP) using Warshaw's (splenic vessels ligation) or Kimura's (splenic vessels preservation) techniques have been reported. The clinical benefits of using either technique remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing Warshaw's and Kimura SPDP. This is the first study to evaluate the geographical variation in outcomes of Warshaw's and Kimura SPDP. Methods Databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were used to identify studies reporting Warshaw's and Kimura SPDP. Clinical outcomes were compared. Pooled odds risk and weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval were calculated using random effect models. Results Fourteen non-randomized controlled studies involving 945 patients met our selection criteria. 301 (31.9%) patients underwent Warshaw's SPDP; 644 (68.1%) underwent Kimura SPDP. Compared to Warshaw's SPDP, patients undergoing Kimura SPDP had a lower incidence of post-operative complications including spleen infarction (OR = 9.64, 95% CI = 5.79 to 16.05, P Conclusion Both Warshaw's and Kimura are safe SPDP techniques. These data suggest Kimura SPDP is the preferred technique due to less risk of splenic infarct and gastric varices. Despite evidence of regional variation in volume performed (between Kimura and Warshaw's), there are no statistically significant differences in outcomes between these techniques.
Hydrogenation of CO to Methanol on Ni(110) through Subsurface Hydrogen.

We present a combined theoretical and experimental study of CO hydrogenation on a Ni(110) surface, including studies of the role of gas-phase atomic hydrogen, surface hydrogen, and subsurface hydrogen reacting with adsorbed CO. Reaction mechanisms leading both to methane and methanol are considered. In the reaction involving surface or subsurface hydrogen, we investigate four possible pathways, using density functional theory to characterize the relative energetics of each intermediate, including the importance of further hydrogenation versus C–O bond breaking, where the latter may lead to methane production. The most energetically favorable outcome is the production of methanol along a pathway involving the sequential hydrogenation of CO to a H3CO* intermediate, followed by a final hydrogenation to give methanol. In addition, we find that subsurface hydrogen noticeably alters reaction barriers, both passively and through the energy released by diffusion to the surface. Indeed, the effective reaction barr...
STABLE OXYGEN ISOTOPE SOURCING OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FAUNA FROM CHACO CANYON, NEW MEXICO

Modern datasets provide the context necessary for accurate interpretations of isotopic data from archaeological faunal assemblages. In this study, we use the oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) of modern small mammals from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, to quantify expected isotopic variation in a local population. The δ18O values of local, modern small mammals encompass a broad range (−6.0‰ to 4.8‰ VPDB), which is expected given the extreme seasonal variation in the δ18O of precipitation on the Colorado Plateau (−11‰ to −3‰ VPDB). Isotopic ratios of small mammals obtained from excavated archaeological sites in Chaco Canyon (ca. AD 800 to 1200) show no significant differences with their modern counterparts, suggesting that there is no difference in the origins of the archaeological small-mammal collection and the modern, local Chaco Canyon small-mammal collection. In contrast, δ18O values of large mammals from Chaco archaeological sites are significantly different from those of modern specimens, reflecting a nonlocal, but also nonspecific, source in the past.
Actions of Angiotensin II on Isolated Cardiac Fibroblasts

Angiotensin (Ang) II contributes to myocardial hypertrophy by modulating fibroblast function. In the nonhypertrophied adult rat, rabbit, monkey and human heart, both angiotensin receptor subtypes, AT1 and AT2, are expressed. AT1 seems to be present on almost all myocardial cells, whereas AT2 has so far been localized to coronary endothelial cells and to fibroblasts. AT1 signaling in fibroblasts resembles in many aspects growth factor and cytokine signaling. It includes Ca2+ influx, protein kinase C activation, tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of proteins, activation of the JAK–STAT pathway, and protooncogene induction. Effects of Ang II on the cellular level include proliferation, migration, activation of paracrine–autocrine loops via TGF-β1 and other mediators, stimulation of cell–cell interaction, and synthesis of matrix proteins, i.e., collagens I and III and fibronectin. Ang II stimulation induces an increase in osteopontin, which then engages to the αvβ3 integrin receptor on the cell surface of the fibroblasts. These events appear necessary for increased DNA synthesis and collagen gel contractions. Several modulators of fibroblast function interfere with the effects of Ang II, including prostaglandins, which interact with matrix synthesis; nitric oxide, which modulates proliferation at the level of cell cycle regulation; and endothelin, which transmits Ang II-induced proliferation signals. Mechanical loading of intact hearts also affects isolated fibroblast function, and therefore, isolated fibroblasts from pressure- and volume-loaded animals exhibit specific features that interfere with matrix synthesis and calcium handling. Fibroblasts from explanted human hearts respond to Ang II and to Ang (1–7) by DNA and protein synthesis. So far, binding assays to identify angiotensin receptor subtypes have been inconclusive. PCR has consistently revealed the presence of AT1. It is possible that AT2 receptors are also present on human cardiac fibroblasts in vivo, but their number is downregulated by growth factors in cell culture. The question concerning the conditions under which Ang II stimulates collagen formation in human cardiac fibroblasts cannot yet be conclusively answered.
Levitation force between a horizontally oriented point magnetic dipole and a superconducting sphere

The magnetic interaction between a point dipole of horizontally oriented moment and a superconducting sphere in the complete Meissner state is investigated in detail. It is demonstrated that the levitation force for this configuration is precisely one half the value of the configuration with vertically oriented point dipole. An extension to other applied fields, still assuming the perfect flux exclusion state, is presented. The results have application to models for magnetic levitation and magnetic force microscopy.
HDM: Hyper-Dimensional Modulation for Robust Low-Power Communications

This paper introduces hyper-dimensional modulation (HDM), a new class of practical modulation scheme for robust communication among low-power and low- complexity devices. Unlike conventional orthogonal modulations, HDM conveys numerous information bits per symbol by combining hyper-dimensional vectors that are not strictly orthogonal to each other. Information bits are spread across many elements in the hyper-dimensional vector, thus HDM is tolerant of element-wise failures in high noise channels. Bit error rate (BER) evaluation results confirm that uncoded HDM with 256-dimension outperforms low density parity check (LDPC) and Polar codes with the same block length of 256. Analysis reveals HDM demodulation complexity is lower than that of LDPC and Polar decoders when the block length is relatively small. Moreover, HDM provides graceful tradeoffs between data rate and signal-to-noise ratio for robust short message communications among power- and complexity- constrained devices.
SCoBi-Veg: A Generalized Bistatic Scattering Model of Reflectometry From Vegetation for Signals of Opportunity Applications

SCoBi-Veg stands for Signals of opportunity Coherent Bistatic scattering model for Vegetated terrains. It simulates polarimetric reflectometry of vegetation canopy over a flat ground using a Monte Carlo scheme. The model is aimed at assessing the value of navigation and communication satellite Signals of Opportunity in a range of frequencies from P- to S-bands for remote sensing of a number of geophysical land parameters such as soil moisture and biomass. A fully polarimetric expression for bistatic scattering from a vegetation canopy is first formulated for a general case and is then specialized to the practical case of ground-based/low-altitude platforms with passive receivers overlooking vegetation using the signals transmitted from large distances. Using analytical wave theory in conjunction with distorted Born approximation, the transmit and receive antenna effects (i.e., polarization crosstalk/mismatch, orientation, and altitude) are explicitly accounted for. The forward model developed here enables the understanding of the effect of different geophysical parameters and system configurations on the coherent and incoherent components of the reflected signatures. It can thus help developing robust inverse algorithm for extraction of soil moisture and biomass. The model is applied to P-band signals of geostationary communication satellites to describe polarimetric reflections from tree canopies as observed from down-looking platforms at various altitudes. The relative contributions of diffuse and specular scattering on total reflected power and reflectivity are quantified for various observing scenarios.
Anorexigenic effects of estradiol in the medial preoptic area occur through membrane-associated estrogen receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors.

Abstract Activation of membrane-associated estrogen receptors (mER) decreases food and water intake in female rats. Additional studies suggest these effects are mediated, at least in part, by membrane-associated estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Nevertheless, the critical site of action and the intracellular signaling required for the ingestive effects of ERα remain unclear. Estradiol given to the medial preoptic area (mPOA) decreases ingestive behaviors, and membrane-associated ERα has been shown to affect intracellular signaling through interactions with metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes, but an involvement of this signaling pathway, in the mPOA, in ingestive behavior remains untested. To address these open questions, we first showed that activation of mER in the mPOA decreased both overnight food and water intake, and did so in a time course consistent with a genomic mechanism of action. Next, we tested the requirement of mGluR1a signaling in the mPOA for the anorexigenic and anti-dipsogenic effects of estradiol. As expected, estradiol in the mPOA decreased food intake, but only in the absence of an mGluR1a antagonist. The same was not true for estradiol effects on water intake, which were unaffected by an mGluR1a antagonist. These results suggest that estrogens require mGluR activation for at least some of their effects on ingestive behaviors, and indicate that the mPOA is a critical site of action. The results also reveal an interesting divergence in the estrogenic control of ingestive behavior by which mGluR signaling in the mPOA plays a role in the control of food intake, but not water intake.
Flipping an Academic Library Collection: A Path to a Global Open Scholarly Commons

In late 2017, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries participated in the David Lewis and Michael Roy “2.5% Commitment and Open Data Collection Tool Project.” This exercise provided a ben...
Fracture sequences during elastic–plastic indentation of brittle materials

A fracture analysis is developed for crack initiation sequences occurring during sharp indentation of brittle materials. Such indentations, generated by pyramidal or conical loading, generate elastic and plastic deformation. The analysis uses a nonlinear elements-in-series model to describe indentation load–displacement responses, onto which lateral, radial, cone, and median crack initiation points are located. The crack initiation points are determined by extension and application of a contact stress-field model coupled to the indentation load, originally developed by Yoffe, in combination with crack nuclei coupled to the indentation displacement to arrive at an explicit fracture model. Parameters in the analysis are adapted directly from experimental fracture and deformation measurements, and the analysis outputs are directly comparable to experimental observations. After adaptation, crack initiation loads and sequences during indentation loading and unloading of glasses and crystals are predicted by the model from material modulus, hardness, and toughness values to within about 25% of peak contact load. This work is dedicated to George M. Pharr IV on the occasion of his 65th birthday in recognition of his contributions to indentation mechanics.
The Impact of Omission of Intraoperative Frozen Section Prior to Orthotopic Neobladder Reconstruction

Purpose:Current guidelines recommend confirming a negative urethral margin prior to orthotopic neobladder reconstruction. We investigated our rate of urethral positive margins and recurrence in the...
Double-layer gas diffusion media for improved water management in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Abstract Water management is an important consideration to improve the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Reactant gases are supplied to the catalyst layer through gas diffusion media (GDM) in PEMFCs. Under high current draw conditions, the GDM can flood with liquid water which is detrimental to fuel cell operation. In this paper, we investigate the effectiveness of a double-layer GDM with different polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) loadings to mitigate saturation with liquid water under flooding conditions. We developed a numerical model to predict the saturation field in the double-layer GDM, and showed that the overall saturation level is decreased when the layer with higher PTFE loading is placed adjacent to the catalyst layer. It was found that the interface between the two GDM layers plays a significant role in regulating the saturation level by lowering the driving saturation level for water transport inside the GDM. The numerical predictions of the model were validated by conducting experiments with the double-layer GDM which showed a higher limiting current density and more stable performance, thereby confirming that the new GDM architecture can improve water management in PEMFCs.
Adult Mouse Digit Amputation and Regeneration: A Simple Model to Investigate Mammalian Blastema Formation and Intramembranous Ossification

Here, we present a protocol of adult mouse distal terminal phalanx (P3) amputation, a procedurally simple and reproducible mammalian model of epimorphic regeneration, which involves blastema formation and intramembranous ossification analyzed by fluorescence immunohistochemistry and sequential in-vivo microcomputed tomography (μCT). Mammalian regeneration is restricted to amputations transecting the distal region of the terminal phalanx (P3); digits amputated at more proximal levels fail to regenerate and undergo fibrotic healing and scar formation. The regeneration response is mediated by the formation of a proliferative blastema, followed by bone regeneration via intramembranous ossification to restore the amputated skeletal length. P3 amputation is a preclinical model to investigate epimorphic regeneration in mammals, and is a powerful tool for the design of therapeutic strategies to replace fibrotic healing with a successful regenerative response. Our protocol uses fluorescence immunohistochemistry to 1) identify early-and-late blastema cell populations, 2) study revascularization in the context of regeneration, and 3) investigate intramembranous ossification without the need for complex bone stabilization devices. We also demonstrate the use of sequential in vivo μCT to create high resolution images to examine morphological changes after amputation, as well as quantify volume and length changes in the same digit over the course of regeneration. We believe this protocol offers tremendous utility to investigate both epimorphic and tissue regenerative responses in mammals.
Comparing nonverbal synchrony in racially concordant and racially discordant oncology interactions.

11525Background: Communication in racially discordant (Black patient, non-Black physician) oncology interactions, which constitute about 80% of Black patients’ interactions, is generally poorer tha...
L-cumulants, L-cumulant embeddings and algebraic statis- tics

Focusing on the discrete probabilistic setting we generalize the combinatorial denition of cumulants to L-cumulants. This generalization keeps all the desired properties of the classical cumulants like semi-invariance and vanishing for independent blocks of random variables. These properties make L-cumulants useful for the algebraic analysis of statistical models. We illustrate this for general Markov models and hidden Markov processes in the case when the hidden process is binary. The main motivation of this work is to understand cumulant-like coordinates in algebraic statistics and to give a more insightful explanation why tree cumulants give such an elegant description of binary hidden tree models. Moreover, we argue that L-cumulants can be used in the analysis of certain classical algebraic varieties.
Development of COSYSMO 3.0: An Extended, Unified Cost Estimating Model for Systems Engineering

Abstract Systems engineering continues to increase in importance. Therefore systems engineering practices need to continue to increase in rigor. One of these practices, critical to successful projects, is cost estimation. The parametric systems engineering cost estimating model COSYSMO 1.0 was introduced in 2005. Since then, some significant enhancements have been proposed. These include covering projects using development with reuse, development in the presence of requirements volatility, development for reuse, or development in a system-of-systems context. However, these enhancements have not been brought together into a single cost estimating model. The author’s recently completed parametric cost estimating model COSYSMO 3.0 does in fact include all these enhancements, plus many other detailed improvements to COSYSMO 1.0; furthermore, it’s an open model, allowing users to understand numerically exactly how its parameters affect cost estimates, and encouraging development of estimating tools. COSYSMO 3.0 will be presented, highlighting its coverage of these enhancements, and pointing out some of its unique properties.
Experimental Results of Snow and Soil Moisture Measurement from Non-Vegetated and Vegetated Sites Using P-Band Signals of Opportunity

This paper shows results from a proof-of-concept tower experiment that computed phase and reflectivity from a reflected P-band signal. The change in phase of the reflected signal is related to SWE for dry snow and the rate of change of phase is directly correlated to frequency of observation. The effect of vegetation was also evaluated by using measurements from two towers: one with bare soil and one surrounded by small trees with heights of up to 3 meters. SWE has been retrieved from two sites with RMSD of 1.15-1.6 cm for different frequencies and sites. In addition, sensitivity in reflectivity measurement at 260 MHz due to changes in soil moisture was observed in summer 2018 data.
Elder Abuse: Research, Practice, and Policy

Elder Abuse: Research, Practice, and Policy was written to expose the prevalence of elder abuse and to emphasize the need for scientific research-based evidence to support practice and policy. The ...
Comparison of meat quality and health implications of branded and commodity beef

ABSTRACT Objective The primary objective was to compare the quality attributes of steaks from “naturally raised” branded beef programs (NAT) with steaks from commodity beef (CONV) with similar marbling specifications. Materials and Methods Ribeye rolls were purchased from 5 branded programs with identical marketing claims (no dietary antibiotic or ionophore inclusion and no growth promotants) and 2 major beef packing companies and were wet-aged at 2°C for 14 d from the box date. After wet aging, ribeye rolls were removed from vacuum packaging and pH of the LM was measured before steaks were cut for fresh instrumental color, fatty acid analysis, antibiotic residue testing, Warner-Bratzler shear-force determination, and consumer sensory evaluation. Results and Discussion The LM pH did not differ (P = 0.072) between CONV and NAT ribeye rolls, but CONV LM had lesser (P = 0.014) L* values than NAT LM. Although CONV LM had greater (P = 0.019) proportions of 18:1 trans fatty acids than NAT LM, concentrations of SFA (P = 0.799), monounsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.724), and PUFA (P = 0.420) were not different between CONV and NAT. Penicillin G residues were detected in 2 NAT steaks, but no antibiotic residues were detected in the CONV LM steaks. Neither Warner-Bratzler shear-force values nor consumer panelists’ sensory ratings differed (P ≥ 0.166) between CONV and NAT. Implications and Applications There was little to no difference in fresh beef color, fatty acid composition, or cooked beef palatability between steaks from CONV and NAT, especially when cattle were fed high-concentrate finishing diets.
John Noonan on Development of Moral Doctrine and Capital Punishment: A Cautionary Tribute from the Time of Pope Francis

John Noonan (1926-2017) was a giant in American Law. A distinguished judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for three decades, he was also a scholar of the first rank. From his Holmes Lectures at Harvard in 1972 to his capstone book A Church That Can and Cannot Change (2005), Noonan famously defended the thesis that "the central problem of the legal enterprise is the relation of love to power." This paper explores Noonan's understanding of how the moral demands of love both emerge from and drive the development of moral doctrine in the tradition that was his own, the Catholic tradition. The paper begins by laying out Noonan's account of how moral doctrine ought to develop and then applies that normative account to Pope Francis's recent teaching, in apparent contradiction of all previous popes and many saints and doctors of the Church, that capital punishment is now "inadmissible." The question addressed is what Catholics are to do, according to Noonan, with a papal judgment that capital punishment is "inadmissible" yet not, apparently, malum in se. Reaching the conclusion that Noonan's norms for development in morals are radical in their implications for change in the Catholic Church, the paper concludes by asking whether Noonan has not unintentionally approved a papacy unbounded. The paper was an invited contribution to a conference in Noonan's honor at Berkeley Law in September 2019.
NM GRADS: Lessons Learned from Implementing a School-Based Program for Young Parents Across New Mexico

The New Mexico Graduation Reality and Dual-role Skills (GRADS) program provides services for expectant and parenting students at high schools. The GRADS program has operated since 1989, serving more than 17,000 youth. This study summarizes the GRADS program model and program administrators’ lessons learned from implementing this comprehensive, large-scale program. The GRADS program is a multicomponent intervention that can include a classroom intervention, case management, linkages to child care and health care, and support for young fathers. The program aims to support expectant and parenting youth in finishing high school, delaying a repeat pregnancy, promoting health outcomes for their children, and preparing for college and career. This study presents program administrators’ lessons learned to increase understanding of how to implement a statewide program to support expectant and parenting students. During the 2010–2017 school years, the GRADS program operated in 26–31 sites each year, serving a total of 2691 parenting youth. Program administrators identified lessons learned from implementing the GRADS program during that period of expansion, including allowing variation across sites based on resources and needs, providing centralized implementation support, fostering buy-in from school and district leaders, and collecting consistent data to better understand participant outcomes. Although not based on a rigorous impact or implementation study, this article provides lessons learned from a statewide, school-based program that may be a promising way to serve a large number of expectant and parenting youth and help them overcome challenges for completing high school.
Recent Temporal Trends In Hospital Costs For Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Introduction Since the first implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in 1980, the technological improvement of this device has been groundbreaking and rapid; 40 years later, these devices are now significantly more compact and are capable of new functions such as anti-tachycardia and biventricular pacing. As the functionality of ICDs has increased, the cost associated with ICDs is potentially problematic for their widespread application. While many studies have prospectively analyzed the cost-effectiveness of ICDs for patients, literature concerning the associated institutional costs is very limited. The associated hospital costs for non-surgical patients who received implantable cardioverter defibrillators at the University of Maryland Medical Center from 2015 to 2019 were reviewed. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator at the University of Maryland Medical Center between 2015 and 2019. Patients admitted for surgical encounters and those who had received an ICD before November 2015 were excluded. Results A total of 423 patients who received implantable cardioverter defibrillators were reviewed. 118 patients admitted for surgical encounters were excluded and an additional 39 patients admitted before November 2015 were excluded for missing cost data. Of the remaining 267 patients, linear regression was used to compare costs vs. time. Overall cost showed little change during this study period. Mean overall variable cost was $34,003.92 with R2 = 3.2 × 10−5 when trended from 2015 to 2019. Mean supply cost was $21,920.78 with R2 = 0.05. Further analysis of the supply cost showed that the mean ICD cost was $16,142.50 with R2 = 0.056. Mean drug cost was $1,544.31 with R2 = 0.0004. Mean laboratory testing cost was $786.65 with R2 = 0.0023. Mean radiology cost was $1,849.94 with R2 = 0.009. Mean labor costs for nursing and physical/occupational therapy were $7,353.04 with R2 = 0.02 and $1,102.67 with R2 = 0.047, respectively. Conclusion From 2015 to 2019, the overall variable cost, encompassing laboratory testing, pharmaceutical costs, operating room costs, imaging, and labor, for non-surgical patients who received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator has not significantly changed. The variable cost of all types of ICDs has not statistically changed during this timeframe. Initial evaluation of ICD costs showed significantly higher costs before the change in the electronic medical record at the University of Maryland Medical Center due to related changes in cost accounting. While this study was limited by the availability of financial data, detailed longitudinal analysis should provide greater insight into changes in the institutional and corresponding healthcare costs for patients receiving ICDs.
1339. Antibiotic Prescribing Varies among Patients with a Documented Penicillin or Cephalosporin Adverse Drug Reaction

Background Studies have shown that over half of hospitalized children receive an antibiotic during their encounter, of which between 30-50% is considered inappropriate. Antibiotic prescribing is further complicated as approximately 10% of children are labeled beta-lactam allergic, resulting in the use of either broad-spectrum or suboptimal therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare antibiotic prescribing between patients with a documented ADR vs. those without using a nationwide sample of hospitalized children.
From latent to emergent entrepreneurship in innovation ecosystems: The role of entrepreneurial learning

Abstract Utilizing insights from relational sociology and adopting a situated, process view of entrepreneurial learning, this research examines how latent entrepreneurship transforms into emergent entrepreneurship in the U.S. drone industry. Our phenomenological inquiry incorporating a longitudinal, qualitative study reveals that the emerging drone industry took on the contours of an innovation ecosystem. The entrepreneur and other ecosystem stakeholders interact, playing reciprocal roles, while learning from each other. In effect, entrepreneurial learning operates as a multilevel process – at individual, organizational, inter-organizational, and systemic levels, guiding the entrepreneur's engagement with a nascent opportunity.
Contrasting Roles of Ang II and ACEA in the Regulation of IL10 and IL1β Gene Expression in Primary SHR Astroglial Cultures

Angiotensin (Ang) II is well-known to have potent pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory effects in the brain. Extensive crosstalk between the primary Ang II receptor, Ang type 1 receptor (AT1R), and the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) has been demonstrated by various groups in the last decade. Since activation of glial CB1R has been demonstrated to play a key role in the resolution of inflammatory states, we investigated the role of Ang II (100 nM) and/or ACEA (10 nM), a potent CB1R-specific agonist in the regulation of inflammatory markers in astrocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar rats. Astrocytes were cultured from brainstems and cerebellums of SHR and Wistar rats and assayed for IL1β and IL10 gene expression and secreted fraction, in treated and non-treated cells, by employing qPCR and ELISA, respectively. mRNA expression of both IL10 and IL1β were significantly elevated in untreated brainstem and cerebellar astrocytes isolated from SHR when compared to Wistar astrocytes. No changes were observed in the secreted fraction. While ACEA-treatment resulted in a significant increase in IL10 gene expression in Wistar brainstem astrocytes (Log2FC ≥ 1, p < 0.05), its effect in SHR brainstem astrocytes was diminished. Ang II treatment resulted in a strong inhibitory effect on IL10 gene expression in astrocytes from both brain regions of SHR and Wistar rats (Log2FC ≤ -1, p < 0.05), and an increase in IL1β gene expression in brainstem astrocytes from both strains (Log2FC ≥ 1, p < 0.05). Co-treatment of Ang II and ACEA resulted in neutralization of Ang II-mediated effect in Wistar brainstem and cerebellar astrocytes, but not SHR astrocytes. Neither Ang II nor ACEA resulted in any significant changes in IL10 or IL1β secreted proteins. These data suggest that Ang II and ACEA have opposing roles in the regulation of inflammatory gene signature in astrocytes isolated from SHR and Wistar rats. This however does not translate into changes in their secreted fractions.
Osteoporosis guidelines

Nurnerous clinical practice guidelines are available to assist clinicians in the management of osteoporosis. These guidelines include the American an Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), the Scientific Advisory Council of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada (OSC), the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Panel, and the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Additionally, guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in special populations include recommendations for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Furthermore, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has issued recommendations for the management of osteoporosis in gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases. This article provides an overview of recommendations contained within the guidelines, as well as a table that summarizes major findings from each of the general guidelines.
Risk Factors and Comorbidities Associated with Diabetic Kidney Disease

Introduction/objectives:Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. Despite optimal glycemic control and blood pressure management, progression to DKD cannot be ...
LOCAL SELECTION UNDERLIES THE GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF SEX‐RATIO DRIVE IN DROSOPHILA NEOTESTACEA

"Selfish" genetic elements promote their own transmission to the next generation, often at a cost to the host individual. A sex-ratio (SR) driving X chromosome prevents the maturation of Y-bearing sperm, and as a result is transmitted to 100% of the offspring, all of which are female. Because the spread of a SR chromosome can result in a female-biased population sex ratio, the ecological and evolutionary consequences of harboring this selfish element can be severe. In this study, we show that the prevalence of SR drive in Drosophila neotestacea varies between 0% and 30% among populations, and is common in the south whereas rare in the north. The prevalence of SR is not associated with the presence of suppressors of drive, geographic distance, or genetic distance based on autosomal microsatellite loci. Instead, our results indicate that ecological selection on SR drive varies among populations, as the prevalence of SR is highly correlated with climatic factors, with the severity of winter the best determinant of SR frequency. Thus, ecological and demographic factors may have significant consequences for the short and long term evolutionary dynamics of selfish elements and the manner with which they coevolve with the rest of the genome.
CW Raman laser

In the past, the production of a continuous wave (cw) Raman laser has been limited by the high pump powers needed for the process to proceed with a reasonable gain.
Envelope protein of influenza virus. I. Hemagglutinating activity of reassociated subunits.

Abstract The hemagglutinating properties of influenza virus envelope protein, prepared by reassociation of polypeptide subunits, have been defined and compared with those of virus and ether-split hemagglutinin. In general, the characteristics of the intact and ether-split virus were found to be similar, whereas those of the envelope protein were distinctly different. The use of chicken, pigeon, and guinea pig erythrocytes both at 23 and 4 C disclosed that the hemagglutinating titers of envelope protein preparations were particularly dependent on the system employed. Under optimal conditions, with guinea pig cells at 4 C, the titers of envelope protein preparations were equivalent to those of the original virus concentrates. The hemagglutinating activity of envelope protein was particularly sensitive to elevated temperature, concentrated urea, sulfhydryl-reducing reagents, and tryptic digestion at high salt concentrations. In all these respects, the intact virus was more resistant than the envelope protein. Interpretation of the data indicates that the hemagglutinin is stabilized when associated with the lipid micelle at the surface of the virus.
Framework Using Bayesian Belief Networks for Utility Effective Management and Operations

A Networked Society based on the Internet of Things is a significant paradigm shift in the early 21st century. The advanced modern engineered systems, constituent of the networked society, within the areas of Utility, Transport, Telecommunication and Enterprise are becoming increasingly dynamic and complex. These encompass various smart devices components, including both software and hardware such as Cyber-Physical Systems. As the number of these components and interactions increases being networked with each other or the internet, it is becoming challenging to manage and operate efficiently their complex networks. Furthermore, these systems can fail, implying impacts to their availability, maintainability, reliability and ultimately customer and end-user satisfaction. Therefore, there is a tremendous need for effective management and operation for both Telecommunications and Industry a Society complex systems, leveraging analytics from Cyber-Physical Systems collected data. In this paper, we propose a generic predictive analysis framework for decision support using a Bayesian Belief Network that will increase the Utility complex systems cost efficiency during the network operations and maintenance lifecycle. The enabling technologies are based on probabilistic and data mining techniques with pattern detection to extract fault precursors leveraging events from the network, communication quality data and trouble tickets. This predictive resolution approach will proactively reduce maintenance cost and improve overall systems management and operations efficiency, performance, reliability and customer satisfaction.
Advanced thermal simulation of a circuit breaker

The quality of thermal simulation results depends on the accuracy of both the modelled heat sources and heat sinks. Starting from an existing simplified thermal simulation model, This work describes further steps towards a more accurate representation of the heat sinks in a circuit breaker. Heat generated in switchgear can leave the system either along the metallic conducting path to the connecting wires or through the case to the surrounding air. The former simulation model accurately represented the heat generation and the thermal path along the metallic conductor. However, the path through the case was only summarized by convection coefficients on the metallic parts' surfaces. Due to the high performance requirements of modern breakers it is interesting to know not only the temperatures of the conducting parts but also the thermal impact on the plastic components supporting the conductors or providing essential functions. Therefore, the non-metallic parts of the circuit breaker (including the air within the device) are now part of the model. Consequently, the heat flux through the housing is a result of the simulation and not an estimated boundary condition any more. Moreover, conclusions can be drawn about the thermal stress of the plastic parts of the breaker.
Study of the error correction procedure in robot calibration

The MMM (model modification method) alone fails to provide accuracy improvement in a robot with insufficient degrees of freedom. In this class of robot, accuracy improvement is usually followed by decline in flexibility. On the other hand, this class of robot is structurally simpler and very attractive from the dynamic calculation point of view. However, wide acceptance of robot technology depends largely on the robot's ability to have both flexibility and accuracy. The result should be helpful in deciding what kind of robot is appropriate for future applications. >
Male-specific lethal 2, a dosage compensation gene of Drosophila, undergoes sex-specific regulation and encodes a protein with a RING finger and a metallothionein-like cysteine cluster.

In Drosophila the equalization of X-linked gene products between males and females, i.e. dosage compensation, is the result of a 2-fold hypertranscription of most of these genes in males. At least four regulatory genes are required for this process. Three of these genes, maleless (mle), male-specific lethal 1 (msl-1) and male-specific lethal 3 (msl-3), have been cloned and their products have been shown to interact and to bind to numerous sites on the X chromosome of males, but not of females. Although binding to the X chromosome is negatively correlated with the function of the master regulatory gene Sex lethal (Sxl), the mechanisms that restrict this binding to males and to the X chromosome are not yet understood. We have cloned the last of the known autosomal genes involved in dosage compensation, male-specific lethal 2 (msl-2), and characterized its product. The encoded protein (MSL-2) consists of 769 amino acid residues and has a RING finger (C3HC4 zinc finger) and a metallothionein-like domain with eight conserved and two non-conserved cysteines. In addition, it contains a positively and a negatively charged amino acid residue cluster and a coiled coil domain that may be involved in protein-protein interactions. Males produce a msl-2 transcript that is shorter than in females, due to differential splicing of an intron of 132 bases in the untranslated leader. Using an antiserum against MSL-2 we have shown that the protein is expressed at a detectable level only in males, where it is physically associated with the X chromosome. Our observations suggest that MSL-2 may be the target of the master regulatory gene Sxl and provide the basic elements of a working hypothesis on the function of MSL-2 in mediating the 2-fold increase in transcription that is characteristic of dosage compensation.
Indications for radiotherapy and chemotherapy after complete resection in rhabdomyosarcoma: A report from the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Studies I to III.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) treated with complete surgical resection and multiagent chemotherapy, with or without local radiotherapy (RT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred thirty-nine patients with completely resected (ie, group I) RMS were further treated with chemotherapy (vincristine and actinomycin D ± cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) on Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Studies (IRS) I to III between 1972 and 1991. Eighty-three patients (19%) also received local RT as a component of initial treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients relapsed (10-year failure-free survival [FFS] 79%, overall survival 89%). Six percent of failure sites were local, 6% were regional, and 7% were distant. Poor prognostic factors were tumor size greater than 5 cm, alveolar or undifferentiated histology, primary tumor sites other than genitourinary, and treatment on IRS-I or II. For patients with embryonal RMS who were treated with RT, there was a trend for improved FFS but...
The crystal and molecular structure of an asymmetric diacetylene monomer, 6-(4-dimethylaminobenzoyloxy)-2,4-hexadiynyl 3,5-dinitrobenzoate

The crystal and molecular structure of an asymmetric diacetylene derivative, 6-(4-dimethylaminobenzoyloxy)-2,4-hexadiynyl 3,5-dinitrobenzoate (1), was determined from x-ray diffraction data. The crystals are monoclinic, P21/c with Z = 4 in a unit cell having dimensions, a = 11,116 (1) A, b = 13,429 (2) A, c = 14,672 (3) A, β = 106,84 (6)°. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least-squares techniques to an RF of 6,2% for 1 991 independent reflections. The diacetylene backbone chains are almost perfectly parallel to the ac-plane; however, they are displaced from each other in the [010] direction. The solid-state polymerization mechanism is discussed with respect to the geometric disposition of the diacetylene chains, which in this crystal are too far apart to permit polymerization by means of 1,4-addition, consistent with the Baughman mechanistic model.
Examining Leadership Development through Student Leader Outdoor Recreation Training

Since their inception, student leadership development has been a consistent goal of outdoor recreation programs (ORPs). However, little research has been conducted to better understand how these experiences contribute to leadership development for college students. Using the Komives et al. (2005) model of leadership identity development, this qualitative research study examined leadership identity development in the context of a training trip for student employees of an ORP. By focusing on this particular training program, the study sought to answer the following research question: How does participating in an outdoor recreation training trip impact students’ leadership identity development? The study found that the participants were navigating through the final three stages of Komives et al.’s (2005) leadership model: leadership differentiated, generativity, and integration/synthesis stages. Participants understood the role of positional leaders and that there were others who were able to lead without ho...
Track–to–track association using intrinsic statistical properties

The problem of track-to-track association of local tracks from two disparate and dispersed sensor systems is considered. Typical approaches to this problem base the association upon the estimated target states. Bias, pointing, navigation and location errors among others often frustrate theses approaches and result in higher association error probabilities. Realizing that the state estimate represents on the first order statistics of the target trajectory, this paper augments those approaches with an association test based upon the second order statistics of the measurements. It is shown that in general, the cross-covariance of the measurements from two disparate and dispersed sensor systems will be nonzero if the measurements are from tracks on the same target. If the tracks are on different targets then the measurement crosscovariance will be zero. A test of the null hypothesis that the measurement cross-covariance is zero is derived and an implementation using sample statistics is developed. The probability density function of the test statistic is presented so that the test result can be combined with the association result based upon the estimated track state. Both absolute and relative tests are discussed. The effect of track length is analyzed and then examined in an example.
Temporospatial and kinematic gait alterations during treadmill walking with body weight suspension

Our purpose was to analyze the effects of selected levels of body weight support (BWS) on lower extremity kinematics of normal subjects at a predetermined treadmill speed. Seventeen non-disabled volunteers walked on a treadmill at 1.25 ms(-1). Temporospatial and kinematic data were collected while various support levels were applied (Minimal, 10, 30, 50 and 70% BWS). Compared to 10% BWS, significant temporospatial and kinematic changes were induced by 50 and 70% BWS. Fewer differences were induced by 30% BWS compared to 10% BWS. We concluded that gait patterns of unimpaired subjects are significantly changed by 50 and 70% BWS.
Preparation of Rhenium(I) and Rhenium(II) Amine Dinitrogen Complexes and the Characterization of an Elongated Dihydrogen Species.

A series of rhenium(I) dinitrogen complexes were prepared containing predominantly amine ligands. On the basis of infrared and electrochemical data, a system was selected that was anticipated to be a suitable precursor for an elongated dihydrogen complex. Upon oxidation by AgOTf, the dinitrogen ligand of fac-[Re(PPh3)(PF3)(dien)(N2)]+ (3) is replaced with triflate to generate 13, fac-[Re(PPh3)(PF3)(dien)(OTf)]OTf, a convenient precursor to rhenium(II) and rhenium(I) amine complexes. Reduction of the rhenium(II) triflate 13 under 1 atm of hydrogen gas generates the complex fac-[Re(dien)(PPh3)(PF3)(dien)(H2)]+ (fac-14). T1 measurements indicate a dihydrogen species with a H−H distance of 1.38 ± 0.03 A. The HD analog displays a JHD of 6.7 Hz, corresponding to a H−H distance of 1.31 ± 0.03 A, a value in good agreement with that determined from T1 data and among the largest ever measured for an elongated dihydrogen system.