cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intensivist Time Allocation: Economic and Ethical Issues Surrounding How Intensivists Use Their Time

Intensivists' time is a fundamentally constrained resource. Many factors can put intensivists under conditions in which demands for their time outstrip the amount of time available. The importance of intensivist time strain is increasing both because demand for intensivists exceeds supply and because the roles that intensivists are being asked to take on are constantly expanding. There is strong evidence that time strain affects the decisions that intensivists make; evidence about whether it impacts patient outcomes is mixed. In deciding how to allocate their time, intensivists face many challenges. This article highlights two of these challenges: (1) How should intensivists approach two common scheduling-related issues (24/7 intensive care unit coverage and long blocks of service time that promote continuity but sacrifice weekends off) and balance these issues with the very real workforce concern of accelerated professional burnout? (2) What are the hidden financial impacts of intensivist participation in quality improvement programs, given current reimbursement systems?
Effect of aureomycin on the herpes simplex virus in embryonated eggs.

Conclusion(1) Aureomycin appears to be more toxic for the chick embryo than for most other laboratory animals. (2) There seemed to be a significant difference in toxicity between the 2 lots of aureomycin used. Incubation of aureomycin at 56 °C for five days destroys the embryo-toxic principle as well as its antibiotic activity. (3) Aureomycin has no in vitro activity against herpes simplex virus. (4) As compared with its activity against the larger viruses, no similar in vivo effect against herpes simplex virus could be demonstrated.
Complexin splits the membrane-proximal region of a single SNAREpin

Complexin (Cpx) is thought to be a major regulator of SNARE-dependent membrane fusion. Although the inhibition of membrane fusion by complexin has been frequently reported, its structural basis has been elusive and an anticipated disruption of the SNARE core has never been observed. Here, to mimic the natural environment, we assembled a single SNAREpin between two nanodisc membrane patches. Single molecule FRET detects a large conformational change, specifically at the C-terminal half, while no conformational change is observed at the N-terminal half. Our results suggest that complexin splits the C-terminal half of the SNARE core at least 10 A, whereby inhibiting further progression of SNARE zippering and membrane fusion.
Inhibition of protein synthesis by 8-azaguanine. I. Effects on polyribosomes in HeLa cells.

In HeLa monolayer and suspension cultures azaguanine causes a preferential inhibition of protein synthesis; RNA and DNA synthesis are inhibited to a lesser extent and at later times. The effects of azaguanine were explored by measuring protein synthesis on the cytoplasmic polyribosomes that were isolated by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Azaguanine (3 x 10 -4 M) after 24 hours pretreatment of HeLa, decreased protein synthesis per unit of polyribosome to 44% of control. The appearance of mRNA in polyribosomes of the drug-treated culture was not impaired. Synthesis of cytoplasmic ribosomes was suppressed by about 50-60%. Azaguanine was incorporated into both mRNA and ribosomal RNA molecules of the polyribosome structure. Azaguanine (3 x 10 -4 M) did not inhibit protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes even after 20 hours’ exposure to the drug. It was concluded that azaguanine inhibits protein synthesis not by blocking the formation of polyribosomes but rather by incorporation into mRNA of this structure.
Entropion and ectropion of the eyelids.

Common types of entropion and ectropion of the eyelids are classified and surgical approaches to reconstruction are presented.
Stepwise Regression Choosing the Proper Level of Significance

We present a model to demonstrate that the routine use of significance levels, such as 0.05, in stepwise regression analysis, give rise to Type I (alpha) error rates which are in excess of the desired rate. The model also leads to an appropriate nominal level of significance which should be used in order to attain the desired significance level.
Effects of friction stir processing on mechanical properties of the cast aluminum alloy A356

Surfaces of A356 castings were treated by friction stir processing to reduce porosity and to create more uniform distributions of second-phase particles. Dendritic microstructures were eliminated in stir zones. The ultimate tensile strength, ductility, and fatigue life of the cast A356 was increased by friction stir processing. Tensile specimens of cast and friction stir processed metal were also given a T7 heat treatment. Higher tensile strengths and ductilities were also measured for these friction stir processed specimens.
Brief Report: Evaluation of an Intelligent Learning Environment for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Researchers are increasingly attempting to develop and apply innovative technological platforms for early detection and intervention of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This pilot study designed and evaluated a novel technologically-mediated intelligent learning environment with relevance to early social orienting skills. The environment was endowed with the capacity to administer social orienting cues and adaptively respond to autonomous real-time measurement of performance (i.e., non-contact gaze measurement). We evaluated the system with both toddlers with ASD (n = 8) as well as typically developing infants (n = 8). Children in both groups were able to ultimately respond accurately to social prompts delivered by the technological system. Results also indicated that the system was capable of attracting and pushing toward correct performance autonomously without user intervention.
Oxygen Sensing Difluoroboron β-Diketonate Polylactide Materials with Tunable Dynamic Ranges for Wound Imaging.

Difluoroboron β-diketonate poly(lactic acid) materials exhibit both fluorescence (F) and oxygen sensitive room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP). Introduction of halide heavy atoms (Br and I) is an effective strategy to control the oxygen sensitivity in these materials. A series of naphthyl-phenyl (nbm) dye derivatives with hydrogen, bromide, and iodide substituents were prepared for comparison. As nanoparticles, the hydrogen derivative was hypersensitive to oxygen (0–0.3%), while the bromide analogue was suited for hypoxia detection (0–3% O2). The iodo derivative, BF2nbm(I)PLA, showed excellent F to RTP peak separation and a 0–100% oxygen sensitivity range, unprecedented for metal-free RTP emitting materials. Due to the dual emission and exceptionally long RTP lifetimes of these O2 sensing materials, a portable, cost-effective camera was used to quantify oxygen levels via lifetime and red/green/blue (RGB) ratiometry. The hypersensitive H dye was well matched to lifetime detection; simultaneous lifetime a...
Nitrogen assessment points: development and application to high-elevation lakes in the Sierra Nevada, California

Increased nitrogen (N) inputs to oligotrophic high-elevation lakes are contributing to long-term eutrophication, changes in nutrient cycles, and shifts in phytoplankton communities. State of California water quality standards do not adequately protect mountain lake ecosystems from atmospheric deposition, including lakes in national parks and other protected areas. The development of quantitative nutrient assessment points based on measurable ecological effects specific to high-elevation lakes is an important step in long-term protection of these ecosystems. We conducted in situ bioassay experiments during the phytoplankton growing season and modeled the response of phytoplankton to nutrient additions using algal growth models. Phytoplankton responded to nutrient additions (N and N + phosphorus) in five of seven experiments conducted in N-limited lakes. Results were modeled using Michaelis-Menten, Monod, and dose–response curves and used to calculate effective doses (ED) for excess phytoplankton growth. The 10%, 50%, and 90% ED estimates were determined for early and late hydrologic seasons. Results for the 10% ED were 0.33 (early hydrologic season) and 0.89 (late hydrologic season), the 50% ED were 1.0 μmol/L (early hydrologic season) and 4.0 μmol/L (late hydrologic season), and the 90% ED were 3.1 μmol/L (early hydrologic season) and 18 μmol/L (late hydrologic season). We then applied these assessment points to lake chemistry data from the National Park Service's Inventory and Monitoring Program to assess the status of lakes across Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks. Mean nitrate concentration during the growing season was 4.58 μmol/L and ranged from <0.04 to 11.8 μmol/L (n = 75). The 10% ED were exceeded by 28% (late hydrologic season) and 37% (early hydrologic season) of lakes, the 50% ED were exceeded by 18% (late hydrologic season) and 29% (early hydrologic season) of lakes, and the 90% ED were exceeded by 0.0% (late hydrologic season) and 21% (early hydrologic season) of lakes. Our results suggest that phytoplankton populations in many Sierra Nevada lakes are affected by N deposition based on exceedance of growth assessment points. The most sensitive lakes are typically found at higher elevations in watersheds with steep, north-facing slopes and minimal vegetation.
Impact of Individual and Neighborhood Factors on Cardiovascular Risk in White Hispanic and Non‐Hispanic Women and Men

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality for adults in the US, regardless of ethnicity. A cross-sectional correlational design was used to describe and compare CVD risk and cardiac mortality in White Hispanic and non-Hispanic women and men. Data from 3,317 individuals (1,523 women and 1,794 men) hospitalized for non-cardiac causes during 2012–2013, and data from the 2010 United States Census were included. The sex-specific 10-year Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Score (FRS-10) was used to estimate long-term risk for major cardiac events. Approximately three-quarters of the sample was White Hispanic. FRS-10 scores were generally low, but a high prevalence of risk factors not included in the standard FRS-10 scoring formula was seen. White Hispanic women had significantly lower estimated CVD risk scores compared to White Hispanic and non-Hispanic men despite higher non-FRS-10 risks. Neighborhood median household income had a significant negative relationship and Hispanic neighborhood concentration had a significant positive relationship with cardiac mortality. Hispanic concentration was the only predictor of estimated CVD risk in a multilevel model. CVD risk assessment tools that are calibrated for ethnic groups and socioeconomic status may be more appropriate for Hispanic individuals than the FRS-10. Neighborhood-level factors should be included in clinical cardiac assessment in addition to individual characteristics and behavioral risks. Researchers should continue to seek additional risk factors that may contribute to or protect against CVD in order to close the gap between estimated CVD risk and actual cardiac mortality for Hispanics in the US. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Examination of Drinking Habits and Motives of Collegiate Student-Athletes

Universities across the United States have reported consistently high rates of alcohol use and abuse among students during the past 20 years. The college student alcohol consumption level is considered an important public health concern. The increase in problematic drinking seems to be campus wide, but there is an understudied at-risk demographic—collegiate student-athletes. The purpose of this study is to examine student-athletes’ motives for alcohol consumption, drinking patterns, and alcohol-related negative consequences. Student-athletes (N = 283) from five Midwestern universities completed an online questionnaire assessing this behavior. Male student-athletes reported higher levels in all three categories than females. In addition, differences were found in the drinking motives of individual and team sport student-athletes. Unlike previous studies, Division I student-athletes did not differ from Division III with respect to these behaviors. Male student-athletes seem particularly at-risk for problematic alcohol consumption. Additionally, differences were found in motives experienced for alcohol consumption based on sport type (i.e., individual versus team). Level of play was not found to influence drinking motives or alcohol consumption which may signify participation in intercollegiate athletics is a greater influence than division. Differences found in gender and sport type may provide insight to help decrease dangerous drinking habits of student-athletes.
The influence of an extended Atlantic hurricane season on inland flooding potential in the southeastern United States

Abstract. Recent tropical cyclones, like Hurricane Katrina, have been some of the worst the United States has experienced. Tropical cyclones are expected to intensify, bringing about 20 % more precipitation, in the near future in response to global climate warming. Further, global climate warming may extend the hurricane season. This study focuses on four major river basins (Neches, Pearl, Mobile, and Roanoke) in the southeastern United States that are frequently impacted by tropical cyclones. An analysis of the timing of tropical cyclones that impact these river basins found that most occur during the low-discharge season and thus rarely produce riverine flooding conditions. However, an extension of the current hurricane season of June–November could encroach upon the high-discharge seasons in these basins, increasing the susceptibility for riverine hurricane-induced flooding. Our results indicate that 28–180 % more days would be at risk of flooding from an average tropical cyclone with an extension of the hurricane season to May–December (just 2 months longer). Future research should aim to extend this analysis to all river basins in the United States that are impacted by tropical cyclones in order to provide a bigger picture of which areas are likely to experience the worst increases in flooding risk due to a probable extension of the hurricane season with expected global climate change in the near future.
The Gay Rights Canon and the Right to Nonmarriage

In the line of cases from Romer v. Evans to Obergefell v. Hodges, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (“LGBT”) people went from outlaws to citizens entitled to dignity and equality. These decisions represent incredible successes for the LGBT rights movement. Some who support LGBT equality, however, argue that these victories came at a great cost: the gay rights canon, it is said, entrenches the supremacy of marriage and the marital family. Marriage equality skeptics are right to be concerned about this possibility. Marriage is increasingly a marker of privilege. Individuals who marry and stay married are disproportionately likely to be white and more affluent. It is also important, however, not to overlook the more progressive potential of the gay rights canon. This Article reclaims this potential. This Article offers two novel and important contributions. First, it identifies and gives substance to the constitutional principles of the gay rights canon. Second, this Article uses the principles of the gay rights canon to offer a rereading of Obergefell. This progressive rereading supports, rather than forecloses, the extension of constitutional protection to those living outside marriage.
Role of solvation structure in the shuttling of the hydrated excess proton

The classic Marcus electron transfer reaction model demonstrated that a barrierless electron transfer reaction can occur when both the reactant and product have almost similar solvation environment. In our recently developed proton model, we have incorporated the pre-solvation concept and showed that it indeed facilitates the proton diffusion in aqueous solution. In this work, we further quantify the degree of pre-solvation using different structural parameters, e.g., tetrahedral order parameter, average numbers of hydrogen bonds. All the above said parameters exhibit a very strong correlation with the proton share parameter. The more Zundel-like configurations have almost identical solvation environment for both the water molecules and support the pre-solvation concept. However, in the case of Eigen-like configurations, the central hydronium and “special pair” water have distinctly different solvation structures. Synopsis Hydrated excess proton transfer events in liquid water are highly coupled with local solvent orientations than previously thought. The weak hydrogen bond accepting nature of the hydronium helps to create water-like solvation environment around hydronium. This pre-solvated configuration facilitates the proton transfer process in liquid water. Proton sharing parameter-dependent radial distribution function shows the tiny intensity at 2.0 A, which arises from the $$4^{\mathrm{th}}$$ water molecule solvating the hydronium moiety.
Phenomenological and microscopic models of sublattice disorder in ionic crystals—I: phenomenological models

Abstract The nature of phase transitions which arise from two classes of phenomenological models for the free energy of ionic crystals containing Prenkel disorder of one constitutent is examined. In one class of models, defect-produced energy and excess entropy vary quadratically with defect concentration, while in the second class the energy per added defect is damped by disorder more rapidly than in the first class. The order of phase transitions and their effect on the effective carrier concentration for electrical conductivity are discussed.
Growth factors for oral and maxillofacial regeneration applications

Abstract A literature survey was conducted to examine the available information on the potential of growth factors (GFs) for maxillofacial regeneration applications. The goal of this chapter is to evaluate the biological nature of the GFs, their molecular level of activity and their osteogenic potential in maxillofacial regeneration. All the GFs examined in this study have a crucial role in human growth and development. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have a vital role in general growth and maintenance of the body keleton. In postnatal skeletal regeneration, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a fundamental role in the inducing proliferation of the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. It is also an effective mediator for bone healing and regeneration during trauma and infection. The cooperation of IGF-I with PDGF has been beneficial in encouraging bone regeneration in maxillofacial defects. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in maxillofacial reconstruction, however, seems to be associated with uncertain results. The presence of committed cells is needed for stimulating bone creation by TGF-β. It has a biphasic influence, which represses proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation at high concentrations. Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) seem to be the most impactful GFs with regard to maxillofacial defect repair. The effectiveness of BMPs for maxillofacial defect repair is greatly dependent on the type of carrier, and because of this, has been subjected to unknown factors in the clinical possibility trials, leading to unclear results.
Phaleria stevensiana: A Distinctive New Species of Thymelaeaceae Endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia

An undescribed species of Phaleria Jack from Sulawesi has been uncovered during ongoing herbarium studies of Thymelaeaceae and is still only known from the type. The species, P. stevensiana Z. S. Rogers, is endemic to a single limestone mountain in South Sulawesi and assigned a preliminary IUCN conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR). Morphologically, it is easily distinguished from the widespread P. octandra (L.) Baill. and P. capitata Jack by its linear-lanceolate leaves (length:width ratios ca. 11–20:1) and distinctive venation pattern, composed of ca. 29 to 35 pairs of secondary veins that diverge from the midrib of the blade at ± 90° angles; the contrasted species have much broader leaves with substantially fewer secondaries. Variation in other characters related to inflorescences, flowers, and fruits is also discussed, as is their taxonomic value. Moreover, all four species of Phaleria occurring in Sulawesi are allopatric, separated geographically and ecologically. The new species, overlooked in several herbaria since 1980, raises the number of Sulawesian Thymelaeaceae species to 10 and the total number of Phaleria species to ca. 25.
Lymph node metastasis in early gastric adenocarcinoma in the United States of America.

Background and study aims Localized approaches are being increasingly used in the management of early gastric adenocarcinoma; however, there are limited data on lymph node metastasis in the US population. This study examined the incidence and predictors of lymph node involvement for early-stage gastric adenocarcinomas in the USA. Patients and methods Data were abstracted from the national SEER database from 2004 to 2013. Exclusion criteria included: cases with unknown tumor characteristics, unknown patient characteristics, metastatic disease, neoadjuvant radiation, and lack of surgical resection or lymph node evaluation. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the relationship of tumor stage, grade, and size, and patient sex, race, and age with nodal involvement. Results 43 769 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma were initially abstracted. After exclusions, 1577 patients remained for analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed that tumor stage ( P P = 0.008), and size ( P P P Conclusions Low grade T1a tumors
Localization of the human gene for μ-crystallin to chromosome 16p

The mapping of the human [mu]-crystallin gene was accomplished using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a sequence tagged site (STS) in somatic cell hybrids. Two oligonucleotides from the 3[prime]-untranslated region were synthesized and used as primers for the amplification of a 260-bp DNA sequence from genomic DNA. For localization to a specific chromosome, a commercially available panel of human-rodent somatic cell hybrids, panel 2 from NIGMS (Camden, NJ), was used. Amplification of the appropriate size STS was observed only in somatic cell hybrid GM/NA10567, which contained human chromosome 16 as the only human chromosomal material. To further define the mapping position of the [mu]-crystallin gene on human chromosome 16, DNA from another panel of mouse-human somatic cell hybrids containing portions of human chromosome 16 was used. After PCR amplification the results were consistent with localization of the [mu]-crystallin gene on the short arm of chromosome 16 between breakpoints from hybride CY175 and CY145(D)-CY13-CY123 on chromosomal bands p13.11-p12.3. 5 refs., 1 fig.
HTLV-1 and Oncogenesis

The focus of this chapter is on HTLV-1 and its role in causing adult T cell leukemia (ATL). A special emphasis is placed on two viral regulatory proteins, Tax and HBZ, especially Tax, and their role in viral replication and leukemogenesis. Readers are referred to recent reviews and book chapters for topics on HTLV-1 structural proteins, new HTLV retroviruses, and efforts on the therapies for ATL and HAM/TSP. A large body of evidence suggests that the activities of the HTLV-1 Tax protein are crucial for the development of ATL. However, the loss of Tax expression from most ATL cells presents a conundrum and indicates that Tax is not essential for the maintenance of leukemia growth. With the finding that HBZ, the antisense gene of HTLV-1, is expressed in most if not all ATL cells, a revised view of how Tax interacts with the infected cells in the context of HBZ expression is needed to address fully the mechanisms of HTLV-1 replication and leukemogenesis. Attempts are made to integrate published literature on the properties of ATL cells, the development of ATL, T cell transformation by HTLV-1 in cell culture, the unique biological properties of HTLV-1 replication cycle, and the activities of Tax and HBZ to provide a more current view of how HTLV-1 infection impacts leukemogenesis.
Discrete Linear Hamiltonian Systems

This chapter is an introduction to Martin Bohner’s approach to the discrete linear Hamiltonian system $$\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {\Delta y\left( t \right) = A\left( t \right)y\left( {t + 1} \right) + B\left( t \right)z\left( t \right)} \\ {\Delta z\left( t \right) = C\left( t \right)y\left( {t + 1} \right) - A*\left( t \right)z\left( t \right)} \\ \end{array}$$ (9.1) .
Wind Instrument Playing Humanoid Robots

Since the golden era of automata (17th and 18th centuries), the development of mechanical dolls served as a mean to understand how the human brain is able of coordinating multiple degrees of freedom in order to play musical instruments. A particular interest was given to wind instruments as a research approach since this requires the understanding of human breathing mechanisms. Nowadays, different kinds of automated machines and humanoid robots have been developed to play wind instruments. In this chapter, we will detail some issues related to the development of humanoid robots and the challenges in their design, control and system integration for playing wind instruments.
Releasing Factors and LH in the Plasma of Intact and Hypophysectomized Chickens

One of the more interesting problems of reproductive endocrinology lies in the mechanism of control of the ovulatory cycle of birds. An indeterminate layer like the domestic hen must have a mechanism which assures her that not more than one ovum is matured and ovulated on each successive day while the polytocous mammal must be able to mature groups of eggs at genetically predetermined intervals which are then ready for simultaneous ovulation. The daily ovulation of a single ovum clearly calls for a hypothalamo-hypophysial control mechanism which is distinctly different from the one which must prevent such an event and assure a much wider chronological spacing between single or multiple ovulations. It is now clear that in mammals a neurohumoral hypothalamo-hypophysial feed-back system operates in controlling the long interval ovulatory sequences. In the chicken it appears probable but not yet certain that a hypothalamic releasing factor system exists similar to the one in mammals. It is also well established that in mammals the gonadal steroids form an important link in the hypothalamo-hypophysial-gonadal (HHG) feed-back system. In some mammals, such as the reflex ovulators, a neural component also participates in the HHG system.
Cash-for-Passports and the End of Citizenship

Investor citizenship programmes are becoming increasingly commonplace in state practice. What was once the province of outlier Caribbean microstates is gaining traction among more substantial states. Cash-for-passports, as Ayelet Shachar labels the phenomenon, clashes with our received understandings of citizenship as a marker of social solidarity in a Walzerian sense. The emerging market for citizenship literally commodifies the status.But where Shachar sees investor citizenship programmes as a threat to robust citizenship ties, I see them more as a manifestation of citizenship that is already being hollowed out. In the old world, investor citizenship programmes would have been inconceivable.Today, far from inconceivable, they are becoming an accepted element of strategic immigration policy.
Characterizing surface finish and fatigue behavior in binder-jet 3D-printed nickel-based superalloy 625

Abstract In this study, the fatigue properties of binder-jet 3D-printed nickel-base superalloy 625 were evaluated. Standard fatigue specimens were printed and sintered, then half of the samples were mechanically ground, while the other half were left in their as-sintered state. They were then characterized using micro-computed x-ray tomography, metallographic sample examination, and optical and stylus profilometry for surface topography. The micro-computed tomography observations showed that density of the as-printed sample was ∼50%, while the sintered sample neared full densification (98.9 ± 0.3%) upon sintering at 1285 °C for 4 h in a vacuum atmosphere. The metallographic examination showed equiaxed grains. The roughness of the as-sintered samples was significant with an RMS roughness of Rq = 1.39 ± 0.20 μm as measured over a line-scan of 5 mm, but this was reduced to Rq = 0.47 ± 0.02 μm after mechanical grinding. All samples were tested to failure in fatigue, under fully-reversed tension-compression conditions. While the as-sintered samples showed poor fatigue properties compared to prior reports on cast and milled parts, the ground samples showed superior performance. Scanning electron microscopy observation was conducted on the fractured surfaces and showed that the samples underwent transgranular crack initiation, followed by intergranular crack growth and final failure. In the mechanically ground sample, hardness increased nearly two-fold up to 75 μm beneath the sample’s surface, and X-ray diffraction indicated an in-plane compressive stress, grain refinement, and micro-strain on the mechanically ground sample. The reduced roughness, surface hardening, and compressive stress resulted in increased fatigue life of the binder-jetted alloy 625.
Twenty classic signs in oral and maxillofacial radiology

Teachers of radiology often employ the use of classic signs to help learners identify the typical appearance of various pathologies. This article is a compendium of simply-described classic signs in oral and maxillofacial radiology, including their use in differential diagnoses.
Cathepsin S Alters the Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and MMP-9, Partially through Protease—Activated Receptor-2, in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells

Cathepsin S (CTSS) activity is increased in tears of Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) patients. This elevated CTSS may contribute to ocular surface inflammation. Human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-T cells) were treated with recombinant human CTSS at activity comparable to that in SS patient tears for 2, 4, 8, and 24 h. Acute CTSS significantly increased HCE-T cell gene and protein expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) from 2 to 4 h, while matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), CTSS, and protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) were increased by chronic CTSS (24 h). To investigate whether the increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteases were induced by CTSS activation of PAR-2, HCE-T cells were transfected with PAR-2 siRNA, reducing cellular PAR-2 by 45%. Cells with reduced PAR-2 expression showed significantly reduced release of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MMP-9 into culture medium in response to acute CTSS, while IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9 were reduced in culture medium, and IL-6 and MMP-9 in cell lysates, after chronic CTSS. Moreover, cells with reduced PAR-2 expression showed reduced ability of chronic CTSS to induce gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteases. CTSS activation of PAR-2 may represent a potential therapeutic target for amelioration of ocular surface inflammation in SS patients.
A phase I trial of dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and pazopanib in BRAF-mutated advanced malignancies.

TPS2628 Background: BRAF inhibitor therapy is associated with an impressive albeit short-lived response rate in the treatment of malignant melanoma. Mechanisms of resistance include upregulation of...
The clinical and economic burden of perioperative complications of radical cystectomy

Radical cystectomy (RC) is the gold standard treatment and most effective method for local control of muscle invasive and high risk, non-invasive bladder cancer (1,2). RC is, unfortunately, a major surgery with significant attendant morbidity. Notwithstanding improvements in surgical technique and pre-, peri-, and postoperative care, 27–64% of patients experience at least one complication with a 26–43% 90-day readmission rate and a 1.5–3% 30-day mortality rate (3-6). These numbers also bespeak the relative frailty and poor baseline physiologic reserve of patients frequently in consideration for RC. Thus, the decision to proceed with surgery should involve a careful and thoughtful weighing of risks to benefits as well as a thorough discussion with the patient on their individualized risks.
Size effects in lattice-structured cellular materials: material distribution

This work presents a novel mechanism that causes stiffness size effects in periodic cellular materials in bending, but is absent in other boundary conditions. The work begins by demonstrating that in certain circumstances, a single set of micropolar elastic material properties can predict size effects accurately for either bending or shear but not both. This suggests that, for periodic cellular materials, size effects in shear and bending arise from different mechanisms. This work then presents a novel mechanism causing size effects in bending, called a material distribution effect. A sample with only a few unit cells can have its material concentrated close to the neutral axis, or far away, depending on topology and choice of unit cell. A sample with many cells must have its material spread more evenly. This can cause either a stiffening or softening size effect. This work derives formulas to predict the magnitude and direction of these size effects and shows that these formulas are able to predict size effects for a variety of different periodic cellular materials in different types of bending boundary conditions.
Prescribed fire effects on Pinus palustris woodland development after catastrophic wind disturbance and salvage logging

Abstract Scientifically informed strategies to manage naturally disturbed forests are critical to support the sustained provisioning of ecosystem goods and services. In fire-adapted ecosystems, catastrophic canopy removal can disrupt surface fuel continuity and challenge the continued use of low-intensity prescribed fire. Although salvage logging is used globally after natural disturbance events, little information is available on how salvage logging interacts with subsequent use of prescribed fire. This study investigated the impacts of operational-scale prescribed fire on Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) stand development in areas differentially impacted by an April 2011 EF3 tornado and a subsequent salvage logging operation. Twenty 0.04-ha nested plots were systematically established in mature, wind-disturbed, and salvage-logged sites (n = 60) to measure seedlings, saplings, woody fuels, organic litter, and mineral soil before and after prescribed fire. Prescribed fire-induced fine fuel consumption, mineral soil exposure, and substantial sapling density reductions were observed throughout the treatment area. Prescribed fire effects were not apparently impacted by salvage logging, which did not alter the amount of fine fuels available for prescribed fire consumption. Despite overall sapling density reductions, fire-resistant P. palustris saplings exhibited increased densities on wind-disturbed and salvage-logged sites. Pinus palustris seedlings, however, exhibited marked post-fire reductions, which contrasted with a strong resprouting response observed among top-killed hardwood species. Concerning woody plant recovery, this study indicated that salvage logging was not detrimental to P. palustris stand development and that prescribed fire effectively enhanced recovery in unlogged and logged wind-disturbed sites.
Carbon ablator areal density at fusion burn: Observations and trends at the National Ignition Facility

For inertial confinement fusion experiments, the pusher is composed of a high-density deuterium tritium cyrogenic fuel layer and an ablator, often made of carbon. In an ideal, no-mix implosion, increasing the areal density of the pusher transfers more pressure to the hot spot and increases the hot spot confinement time. There has been a lack of knowledge about the final compressed state of the ablator for implosions at the National Ignition Facility. 14 MeV fusion neutrons inelastically scattering on the remaining carbon ablator excites a nuclear metastable state that emits a prompt 4.4 MeV gamma ray. The gamma reaction history diagnostic data, when reduced by a new data analysis technique, can isolate and measure the carbon gamma rays, which are proportional to the areal density of the ablator during fusion burn. The trends over many National Ignition Facility campaigns show that the ablator areal density is weakly sensitive to the maximum shell velocity, the cold fuel radius, the ablator mass remaining, or the laser picket intensity. Controlled parameter scans reveal that, for specific campaigns, ablator compression has a strong dependence on laser coast time, high Z dopants, and the laser drive foot duration. Using a model of the compressed ablator density profile reveals that the greatest variation of the ablator areal density comes from its thickness, with highly compressed, thin layers having high areal density values. The compression and thickness of the ablator are other metrics that designers should understand to differentiate the types of capsule degradation and maximize the inertial confinement fusion performance.
From leads to leadless: A convoluted journey.

Pacemaker infections are one of the most distressing and morbid complications for patients and can present a challenging management problem for physicians. Pacemaker leads, especially those that dwell in the venous system and inside the cardiac chambers, are prone to becoming colonized with bacteria owing to their sizeable surface area, the nature of their external exposed materials (usually silicone or polyurethane) that are prone to biofilm formation, and their close association with the skin surface at the level of the pacemaker pocket.1 Leads that cross the tricuspid valve (TV) may be at additional risk for lead-associated endocarditis owing to contact with infected valvular structures, and the local environment of turbulent, high-velocity jets. Leadless pacemakers, on the other hand, have features that may reduce their risk of becoming infected, including a smaller surface area, a metal-only exposed surface, no interaction with the TV, and no component that has proximity to the skin surface. Micra (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) is a battery-operated leadless intracardiac pacemaker that was designed to stay anchored inside the right ventricle, thus reducing the infection risk of conventional pacemakers. The cylindrical device is 26 mm long, about the size of a large pill (a volume of 1 cm3), occupying clinically insignificant space within the right ventricular chamber. The Micra leadless pacemaker is placed with a transvenous implantation catheter via the right femoral vein, so no thoracotomy is required for this procedure.2 We present a case where a Micra leadless pacemaker was used to manage a challenging patient with a history of TV endocarditis, complete heart block, and multiple pacemaker system infections. Key Teaching Points • Standard pacemaker leads are prone to bacterial adherence and chronic colonization in the setting of bacteremia and endocarditis. Full extraction of the pacing system is needed as part of curative treatment when lead-associated endocarditis is present. • Multiple episodes of endocarditis over time can mandate sequential removal of transvenous hardware (including pacemaker leads) in order to achieve definitive control of these infections. The need for multiple lead extractions does not preclude the possibility of long-term cure from relapsing endocarditis. • The Micra (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) leadless pacemaker has a lower risk of bacterial colonization than standard transvenous pacemaker leads for several reasons, and may be an appropriate choice for chronic pacing in patients at high risk for bacterial endocarditis.
End of the Line

The use of underlining in legal citation is outdated and doesn't conform to accepted stylistic norms. As a result, this practice should end in the practice of law as well as in the teaching of citation in legal education.
The Identity Triangle: toward a unified framework for teacher identity

The Identity Triangle model is proposed as a framework for unifying and advancing research on teacher identity, countering the prevailing approach to teacher education rooted in the language of acc...
AIDing contraception: HIV and recent trends in abortion

Using a difference-in-differences estimation framework and state-level data, we investigate the potential role of HIV/AIDS in contributing to declining abortion utilization in the United States. Our results suggest that the perceived risk of HIV contraction negatively affected unwanted pregnancies. Specifically, a 10% increase in HIV incidence is associated with 0.34–1.1% fewer abortions per live births, an effect that can account for at least one-tenth of the sharp decline in abortions observed from the early 1980s to mid-1990s.
Ageing in Australia: Challenges and Opportunities: edited by Kate O’Loughlin, Colette Browning and Hal Kendig, New York, NY, Springer Science+Business Media, 2017, 290 pp., $124.00 (hardcover)

Australia, like other developed countries, faces a shift to an ever-increasing average age of its population. This reality is often met with trepidation as governments deal with the funding dilemma...
Polyunsaturated fatty acid structure determines the strength of potentiation of Acid-sensing ion channels

Abstract Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are thought to be endogenous sensors of acidic pain in inflammatory pathways. It has previously been demonstrated that arachidonic acid (AA), a pain and inflammation promoting molecule, potentiates ASICs. However, a mechanistic understanding of how AA regulates ASICs is lacking. Furthermore, little is known regarding modulation by other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Here we show that PUFAs stabilize the open state of the channel by shifting the pH dependence of activation to more alkaline values, increasing max conductance, and slowing channel desensitization. We examine the effects of 35 PUFAs/PUFA derivatives and show that ASICs can be more strongly potentiated by these lipids than was originally seen for AA. In fact, arachidonoyl glycine (AG) can act as a ligand and activate the channel in the absence of acidic pH. We find that the strength of potentiation is critically dependent upon a negatively charged PUFA head group as well as both the length and the number of doubles bonds in the acyl tail. PUFA-induced shifts in the pH dependence of activation could be eliminated upon mutation of a highly conserved, positively charged arginine in the outer segment of TM1 (R64). Combined our results suggest a hypothesis whereby an electrostatic interaction between the charged PUFA head group and the positively charged arginine side chain potentiates ASIC currents by stabilizing the open state of the channel. This work uncovers a novel putative lipid binding site on ASICs and provides the structural basis for future development of compounds targeting ASICs. Significance Statement The Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) have emerged as potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory pain. Inflammatory mediators like the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), arachidonic acid (AA), have been shown to potentiate ASICs and partially mediate ASIC-derived pain. However, the mechanistic understanding of AA and other PUFAs interaction with ASICs is lacking. Here, we demonstrate PUFAs stabilize the open state of ASICs, a mechanism that is dependent on both the flexibility of the PUFA tail as well as the charge of the PUFA head group. Further, we uncover a putative PUFA binding site on ASICs governing potentiating. This work provides insights into the molecules regulating ASICs in inflammation, as well as provide a basis for therapeutic targeting of ASIC-derived pain.
Faraway-Frustum: Dealing with Lidar Sparsity for 3D Object Detection using Fusion

Learned pointcloud representations do not generalize well with an increase in distance to the sensor. For example, at a range greater than 60 meters, the sparsity of lidar pointclouds reaches a point where even humans cannot discern object shapes from each other. However, this distance should not be considered very far for fast-moving vehicles: a vehicle can traverse 60 meters in under two seconds while moving at 70 mph. For safe and robust driving automation, acute 3D object detection at these ranges is indispensable. Against this backdrop, we introduce faraway-frustum: a novel fusion strategy for detecting faraway objects. The main strategy is to depend solely on the 2D vision sensor for recognizing and classifying an object, as object shape does not change drastically with an increase in depth, and use pointcloud data for object localization in the 3D space for faraway objects. For closer objects, we use learned pointcloud representations instead, following state-of-the-art practices. This strategy alleviates the main shortcoming of object detection with learned pointcloud representations. Experiments on the KITTI dataset demonstrate that our method outperforms state-of-the-art methods by a considerable margin for faraway object detection in bird's-eye view and 3D. Our code is open-source and publicly available: https://github.com/dongfang-steven-yang/faraway-frustum.
MECHANISMS OF ANTIOXIDANT DECAY IN GASOLINE ENGINES: INVESTIGATIONS OF ZINC DIALKYLDITHIOPHOSPHATE ADDITIVES

Selected engine oils and zinc dialkyldithiophosphate additive concentrates have been added to used oils in various engines and subjected to engine testing. Oil samples obtained as a function of mileage accumulation have been analyzed using the peroxy radical titration method and **3**1P NMR. The engine studies were supplemented by laboratory investigations of antioxidant behavior of pure neutral and basic zinc dialkyldithiophosphates, dialkyldithiophosphoric acid, tetraalkylthioperoxydiphosphate (disulfide), and of neutral zinc dialkyldithiophosphate in combination with a hindered phenol antioxidant, 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-ditert-butylphenol). The results obtained from engine and laboratory studies were used to assess the role and chemical changes of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate additives in radical scavenging processes in the engine.
The Role Of Alcohol in Severe Pneumonia and Acute Lung Injury

Alcohol is the most frequently abused drug in the world (1). In the United States, approximately 50% of the adult population regularly consume alcohol, and 15 to 20 million individuals are alcoholic’s (1). The effects of alcohol abuse on our health care system are concerning. Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable mortality and is associated with an estimated 100,000 deaths per year. The annual economic cost of alcohol use in 1990 was $100 billion in the United States, and greater than 10% of this cost was directly related to medical services (2, 3, 4). In addition, 20-40% of patients admitted to general hospitals have alcohol-related disorders, and hospitalizations due to alcohol abuse are as common in the elderly as those due to myocardial infarctions (2).
Global Existence with Small Initial Data for Three-Dimensional Incompressible Isotropic Viscoelastic Materials

Global existence for a system of nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE) modeling an isotropic incompressible viscoelastic material is proved. The structure of the PDE is derived through constitutive assumptions on the material. Restriction on the size of the initial displacement and velocity for the model is specified independent of the size of the viscosity of the material. The proof of global existence combines use of vector fields, local energy decay estimates, generalized Sobolev inequalities, and hyperbolic energy estimates.
Proper: privileged operations in a virtualised system environment

Virtualised systems have experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, particularly in supporting a large number of independent services on a single host. This paper describes our work designing and implementing Proper, a service running on the PlanetLab system, that allows other services to perform privileged operations in a safe, controlled manner. We describe how implementing such a system in a traditional UNIX environment is non-trivial, and discuss the practical use of Proper.