cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in octogenarians is justified.

Objective Surgery in octogenarians with acute type A aortic dissection is commonly avoided or denied because of the high surgical morbidity and mortality reported in elderly patients. We sought to compare clinical and quality of life outcomes between octogenarians and those aged less than 80 years who underwent surgical repair at New York Medical College. Methods A total of 101 cases of acute type A aortic dissection repair between July 2005 and December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed, comparing 21 octogenarians with 80 concurrent patients aged less than 80 years. All patients underwent corrective surgery (ascending/hemiarch replacement in 71; Bentall in 22; David procedure in 2; Wheat procedure in 4; total arch replacement in 2) using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. During follow-up, the RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. Results Octogenarians (average, 85 years; range, 80-91 years) were compared with the younger group (average, 60 years; range, 30-79 years). The 2 groups had similar preoperative characteristics, but the younger group experienced more malperfusion (40% vs 9%, P = .002), were more likely to have undergone a Bentall procedure (26% vs 5%, P = .04), and had longer circulatory arrest times (20 ± 7 minutes vs 16 ± 9 minutes, P = .03). The overall hospital mortality was 9% (9/101). Among octogenarians, there were no hospital deaths, no late deaths during follow-up (mean, 17 months; range, 1-59 months), and emotional health scores were better than those of the younger patients ( P = .04). Conclusions Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection should be offered to octogenarians because excellent surgical and quality of life outcomes can be achieved even in this elderly population.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and coma: A case report of fenoprofen overdose

We present the case of a 17-year-old girl who ingested 24 to 36 g fenoprofen as a suicidal gesture. She presented with coma, hypotension, metabolic acidosis, and respiratory depression within four hours of ingestion. The most common adverse effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs occur in both therapeutic and toxic doses and include gastrointestinal upset, blood dyscrasias, and analgesic nephropathy. The propionic acid derivatives of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including fenoprofen and ibuprofen, are rarely associated with severe toxic effects. This is the first report of pure fenoprofen overdose presenting as coma and metabolic acidosis.
Clinical measurement of normal and shear stresses on a trans-tibial stump: characteristics of wave-form shapes during walking

Stresses on the surface of a stump within a prosthetic socket during walking can potentially traumatise stump tissues. To gain insight into stresses and design parameters that affect them, normal and shear interface stresses were measured on three unilateral trans-tibial amputee subjects during walking trials. During stance phase repeated characteristics in wave-form shapes from different subjects were apparent. They included “loading delays”, “high frequency events (HFE's)”, “first peaks”, “valleys”, “second peaks”, and “push-off”. Characteristics did not necessarily occur at the same time from one step to the next but their timings matched well with events in shank force and moment data which were collected simultaneously. For “plantarflexion” and “dorsiflexion” alignment changes, the above wave-form characteristics were still pesent but their timings within the stance phase changed. The physical meaning and relevance of the characteristics to stump tissue mechanics are discussed.
Multiple Taxpayers and Litigation Cost Reimbursement Rules

This study examines whether the existence of multiple taxpayers who have similar cases will affect the settlement/litigation decisions of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It also investigates whether changes in tax laws that reduce taxpayers' litigation cost burden will encourage the IRS to settle more tax cases. I find that the existence of just two taxpayers can make the IRS prefer a trial to a settlement even when the IRS would settle if there were a single taxpayer. I also find that changes in litigation cost reimbursement rules favoring taxpayers will not lead to more settlements as expected. Instead, such changes can result in more trials. Litigation cost reimbursement rules decrease taxpayers' total burden in general, but could increase that of those who have strong cases in some settings.
A RETROSPECTIVE EXAMINATION OF ANEMIA DURING INFECTION OF HUMANS WITH PLASMODIUM VIVAX

A retrospective examination was made of archival data on 98 patient episodes of infection with Plasmodium vivax occurring over a period of 4-11 weeks to document changes in hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations associated with continuing parasitemia. The mean percentage change in the Hb concentration for each of the 10 seven-day intervals was -13.4, -10.9, -4.8, 0.12, 0.94, 4.0, 0.69, 11.6, 2.4, and 8.3, respectively. An equilibrium appeared to be established between weeks 4 and 6. Decreases in Hb concentrations were greatest following the first week of parasitemia. Total restoration to preinfection levels did not occur during persistent parasitemia.
MOLECULAR GENETIC STATUS OF ALEUTIAN CANADA GEESE FROM BULDIR AND THE SEMIDI ISLANDS, ALASKA

Abstract We conducted genetic analyses of Aleutian Canada Geese (Branta canadensis leucopareia) from Buldir Island in the western Aleutians and the Semidi Islands in the eastern portion of their breeding range. We compared data from seven microsatellite DNA loci and 143 base pairs of the control region of mitochondrial DNA from the two populations of Aleutian Canada Geese and another small-bodied subspecies, the Cackling Canada Goose (B. c. minima) which nests in western Alaska. The widely separated island-nesting Aleutian geese were genetically more closely related to each other than to mainland-nesting small-bodied geese. The populations of Aleutian geese were genetically differentiated from one another in terms of mitochondrial DNA haplotype and microsatellite allele frequencies, suggesting limited contemporary gene flow and/or major shifts in gene frequency through genetic drift. The degree of population genetic differentiation suggests that Aleutian Canada Goose populations could be considered separa...
Influencing Outcomes: Ethical Dilemmas in the Course of Doing Business

Under the ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), an attorney is required to provide "zealous representation" to her client. Generally, that is interpreted to mean guarding the client's legal and constitutional rights in any proceeding as well as doing everything lawfully allowed to achieve a "favorable" outcome. In the case of family law, in particular, the "zealous" admonition has begun to give way to an understanding of the larger and lasting concerns in court proceedings, specifically the effects of contentious litigation on the children of the relationship not just at the time of the dissolution, but long into the future.Although it would be difficult to find many rational persons (read: family law attorneys) who would admit to it, many litigators have a difficult time reconciling the goals of a collaborative system with the ingrained (and still frequently taught) aim of "winning" at all costs. While the pursuit of a "gentler" form of family law has led to changes in litigation and negotiation techniques, attorneys in all fields of law remain constrained to find ways to accomplish theirclient's wishes.Part I of this Article presents the introduction, while Part II discusses some of the ways attorneys seek success for their clients, specifically shedding light on the oft-used but seldom discussed idea of forum, or more specifically, judge-shopping. Part III examines the methods employed in judge-shopping, including the use of petitions for recusal, and how such motions differ from the accepted procedural processes related to venue, or forum shopping. The focus is, if not on the acceptance in principle of such tactics, on the de facto success of them in trying to secure a "favorable" judge, and on the harm done to the practice of law by the use of the maneuver. Part IV of the Article deals with the role of the judiciary in such ploys, attempting to shed light on the difference between "activism" on the bench for personal and public agendas. The discussion focuses on concerns about judicial impartiality, including theorizing why attorneys persist in the belief and practice of seeking the "best" judge for the case, rather than assuming all jurists are equal. Part V, the conclusion, examines some of the recommendations for ensuring appropriate use of forum shopping while limiting the detrimental effects of judge shopping, and specifically the ethical concerns raised by attempts to control the selection of judges for specific cases. This Article intentionally does not delve into jury selection, another contentious area of case control. That is in and of itself a subject for in-depth discussion better left to other days (and authors).
Spatial variability of geomechanical parameter estimation via ensemble kalman filter

Geomechanical parameters have structural and stochastic properties on spatial variability,which causes the uncertainty of geomechanical parameters.Geostatistics is used as the theoretical foundation for analyzing the spatial variability of geomechanical parameters;and geomechanical parameters distributing in region of interest are considered as zonal variables.Variogram function can not only describe the integral spatial structural variety,but also describe the local stochastic variety.Therefore,theoretical model of variogram function is employed as the mathematical model for depicting the spatial variability law of geomechanical parameters.The ensemble Kalman filter method is introduced to estimate the spatial variability of geomechanical parameters using the observation data with temporal and spatial variation.Demonstrated by numerical example,the EnKF can effectively incorporate the observation data and successfully provide the spatial variability estimation of geomechanical parameters.
Delayed Retrograde Ascending Aortic Dissection After Endovascular Repair of Descending Dissection

We report the case of a 34-year-old woman who developed delayed retrograde ascending aortic dissection after previous endovascular repair of her descending thoracic aorta. Preoperative computed tomography imaging specifically highlights the interaction of endograft springs with the dissection flap and surrounding aortic tissues. Intraoperative findings are presented for comparison and further discussion.
The Potential Application of Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality in Neurourology

The application of virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) in medicine and healthcare has been evolving more actively than we are aware. Roven et al. [1] reported the application of VR to plan and perform surgery in 1996 and explained 3 areas such as using virtual humans for training, the fusion of virtual humans with real humans for performing surgery, and virtual telemedicine-based environments for training multiple players.
PPAR-γ regulates pharmacological but not physiological or pathological osteoclast formation

PPAR-γ regulates pharmacological but not physiological or pathological osteoclast formation
Mononuclear phagocyte subpopulations in the mouse kidney

Mononuclear phagocytes are the most common cells in the kidney associated with immunity and inflammation. Although the presence of these cells in the kidney has been known for decades, the study of mononuclear phagocytes in the context of kidney function and dysfunction is still at an early stage. The purpose of this review is to summarize the present knowledge regarding classification of these cells in the mouse kidney and to identify relevant questions that would further advance the field and potentially lead to new opportunities for treatment of acute kidney injury and other kidney diseases.
Disrupting transmission theory: Genre as social action in the professional communication classroom

In professional communication service courses, students are often taught with textbooks or assignments that embody tensions between Shannon and Weaver's transmission model of communication versus more rhetorical concepts of purpose, audience, and context. I present three introductory business communication assignments designed to teach students to consider their writing choices and the functions of genre as social action as a richer way of learning to communicate in professional contexts: an analysis memo, an ESL messages packet, and an instructions and presentation assignment. Asking students to analyze their own professional communication practices and connect these practices to larger issues of purpose, audience, and context provides opportunities for students to go beyond merely transmitting information into a richer understanding of their own writing choices.
Some Aspects of the Structure and Assembly of Bacterial Membranes

Bacteria offer many advantages in studies of biological membranes, not the least of which is the absence of the complicated internal membrane structures of eukaryotic cells.
A Magnetic Resonance Study of Native and Modified Illinois Coal

Several experimental techniques, including electron paramagnetic resonance, electron spin echo spectroscopy, solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, were applied to a series of coal chars of an Illinois #6 coal in order to develop a method of following correlations between sulfur and iron chemistry in low-temperature charring processes.
A promoter directing epidermal expression in transgenic alfalfa.

We describe the isolation, cloning and expression of a 2.8 kb promoter fragment of the Blec4 gene from pea (Pisum sativum cv. Alaska) and demonstrate that it is capable of directing the expression of the β-glucuronidase coding region to the developing epidermal tissue of vegetative and floral shoot apices of transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. RegenSY). The Blec4 promoter represents a useful tool with which to target the expression of foreign genes to the epidermal layer of actively growing shoots. The activity of the Blec4 promoter in the epidermis of the shoot apex makes it particularly suitable for genetically engineering defense against insects and diseases that attack the growing shoot apex.
ON THE STABILITY OF A CURVED MIXING LAYER

It has been shown experimentally that curved mixing layers can be more unstable than their corresponding planar counterparts. We shall describe the effect that the curvature of the centreline of the mixing layer has on the stability of disturbances present in the problem. We intend to model the flow in this layer using a hyperbolic tangent. Two distinct types of modes are discussed; two dimensional waves satisfying Rayleigh’s equation and longitudinal vortices governed by the inviscid Taylor/Gortler vortex equation. Some comment will also be made regarding three dimensional Rayleigh modes.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Carbon Dioxide Adsorption on HiPco Nanotubes

We present the results of a combined experimental and computational study of CO2 adsorption on purified HiPco nanotubes. Isotherms were measured at six temperatures between 147 and 207 K, below the bulk triple point for CO2. Unlike the case of other adsorbates on HiPco nanotube bundles, adsorption isotherms at corresponding temperatures do not reveal the presence of any resolvable substeps. The isosteric heat values derived from the measured isotherms are lower than the latent heat of sublimation for most of the loadings, with the exception of a narrow range at very low coverage. Results from grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations show that this is due to the much larger contribution of the CO2–CO2 interactions (owing mostly to the presence of the electrostatic component) that greatly exceeds the size of the gas–surface interaction as the coverage increases beyond the monolayer. Measurements of the kinetics of adsorption show that the equilibration time increases with sorbent loading, which is typical of...
Cytomegalovirus promotes intestinal macrophage-mediated mucosal inflammation through induction of Smad7

Intestinal macrophages in healthy human mucosa are profoundly down-regulated for inflammatory responses (inflammation anergy) due to stromal TGF-β inactivation of NF-κB. Paradoxically, in cytomegalovirus (CMV) intestinal inflammatory disease, one of the most common manifestations of opportunistic CMV infection, intestinal macrophages mediate severe mucosal inflammation. Here we investigated the mechanism whereby CMV infection promotes macrophage-mediated mucosal inflammation. CMV infected primary intestinal macrophages but did not replicate in the cells or reverse established inflammation anergy. However, CMV infection of precursor blood monocytes, the source of human intestinal macrophages in adults, prevented stromal TGF-β-induced differentiation of monocytes into inflammation anergic macrophages. Mechanistically, CMV up-regulated monocyte expression of the TGF-β antagonist Smad7, blocking the ability of stromal TGF-β to inactivate NF-κB, thereby enabling MyD88 and NF-κB-dependent cytokine production. Smad7 expression also was markedly elevated in mucosal tissue from subjects with CMV colitis and declined after antiviral ganciclovir therapy. Confirming these findings, transfection of Smad7 antisense oligonucleotide into CMV-infected monocytes restored monocyte susceptibility to stromal TGF-β-induced inflammation anergy. Thus, CMV-infected monocytes that recruit to the mucosa, not resident macrophages, are the source of inflammatory macrophages in CMV mucosal disease and implicate Smad7 as a key regulator of, and potential therapeutic target for, CMV mucosal disease.
Radiochemical separations and experimental measurements of short-lived fission products from 14 MeV irradiation of depleted uranium

This work focused on the experimental analysis of depleted uranium irradiated with 14 MeV neutrons to obtain fission yields for 20 fission products with half-lives ranging from 16.8 h to 30.1 years. Several analytes were identified where improvements to the available nuclear data would be beneficial. The results obtained from this experiment could be used to make improvements to cumulative fission yield data once confirmatory measurements are made. The required separations will be described along with a comparison to the reported Evaluated Nuclear Data File fission yields and other experimental measurements.
A case of aneurysmal dilation of a brachial artery after venous outflow resection.

Abstract Dilation throughout the brachial artery in the setting of an arteriovenous fistula is a common occurrence, but focal aneurysmal dilation is not often visualized. Progressive enlargement of a focal arterial segment warrants intervention before negative sequelae. We present the case of a 38-year-old man with history of left upper extremity brachiocephalic fistula who had an enlarged brachial artery and progressive aneurysmal dilation of the distal aspect after ligation and excision of a dilated venous outflow component. The patient was successfully treated with resection and end-to-end reconstruction of the brachial artery, with resolution of pain and improvement in the functionality of his extremity. This case highlights the possible challenges encountered in such situations, when the anatomy is so distorted that it is difficult to clearly delineate on preoperative imaging.
“We’re All in this Together”: Peer-specialist Contributions to a Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for People with Serious Mental Illness

This qualitative study explored peer specialists’ contributions to a healthy lifestyle intervention for obese/overweight individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) living in supportive housing. Intervention participants, peer specialists, and supervisors were interviewed and a grounded model emerged from the data identifying essential interpersonal attributes of the peer specialist-participant relationship. Peer specialists’ disclosure of their own experiences making health behaviors changes was critical for building participants’ motivation and ability to try lifestyle changes. Findings can inform peer specialist training and practice standards and facilitate the expansion of peer-delivered interventions to improve the physical health of people with SMI.
Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in dogs with stable or progressive kidney disease.

Background Active kidney injury may play a role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in dogs. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a novel tubular kidney injury biomarker, may help differentiate progressive CKD from stable CKD in dogs. Objectives To determine if urinary NGAL : creatinine ratio (UNCR) differentiates stable and progressive CKD in dogs. We hypothesized that UNCR would be higher in dogs with progressive CKD versus stable CKD. Animals Twenty-one healthy control dogs, 22 with prerenal azotemia, 19 with stable CKD, 30 with progressive CKD, and 27 with acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods Prospective study. Azotemic (serum creatinine concentration >1.6 mg/dL) dogs or nonazotemic AKI dogs were enrolled and classified into 4 groups: (1) prerenal azotemia, (2) stable CKD, (3) progressive CKD, and (4) AKI. Urinary NGAL was measured by ELISA and UNCR compared among groups. Urine protein : creatinine ratio (UPC) in dogs with stable and progressive CKD was compared to UNCR for differentiating CKD groups. Results UNCR was significantly higher in dogs with progressive CKD than stable CKD. UNCR of the prerenal azotemia group was significantly lower than that of the progressive CKD and AKI groups. No significant difference was found in UNCR between stable CKD and prerenal azotemia groups. ROC curve analysis of UNCR for differentiating progressive CKD from stable CKD resulted in an AUC of 0.816 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.673-0.959), greater than that of UPC (0.696; 95% CI, 0.529-0.863). Conclusions and clinical importance Urinary NGAL could be helpful to predict the risk of progression in dogs with CKD.
Three Rival Versions of Moral Reasoning: Interpreting Bonhoeffer's Ethics of Lying, Guilt, and Responsibility

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s unfinished and posthumously published Ethics was intended to be his magnum opus. However, its incomplete structure and the distinct ethical approaches evident in its unfinished essays have allowed for considerable debate about its overall coherence and contours, as well as the hermeneutics appropriate to the text. This essay reconsiders prior interpretations of Bonhoeffer’s Ethics through close readings that disclose three rival versions of moral reasoning operative in three manuscripts from Bonhoeffer’s Ethics. Retracing his reasoning regarding the ethics of lying, the place of guilt, and the relation between the law of God and God’s will, I argue that Bonhoeffer’s detractors and defenders alike have misconstrued the controversial ethic of “actively embracing guilt” (Schuldubernahme). Far from the paradigmatic expression of Bonhoeffer’s Ethics, its organizing theme, or the basis for his participation in the tyrannicide plot against Hitler, Bonhoeffer’s reflection on Schuldubernahme is properly understood as an outlier—a short-lived thought experiment that he critiques and reconceives in two alternative versions of moral reasoning in later chapters.
Direct Lung Sampling Indicates That Established Pathogens Dominate Early Infections in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Culture and sequencing have produced divergent hypotheses about cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections. Culturing suggests that CF lungs are uninfected before colonization by a limited group of CF pathogens. Sequencing suggests diverse communities of mostly oral bacteria inhabit lungs early on and diversity decreases as disease progresses. We studied the lung microbiota of CF children using bronchoscopy and sequencing, with measures to reduce contamination. We found no evidence for oral bacterial communities in lung lavages that lacked CF pathogens. Lavage microbial diversity varied widely, but decreases in diversity appeared to be driven by increased CF pathogen abundance, which reduced the signal from contaminants. Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Veillonella DNA was detected in some lavages containing CF pathogens, but DNA from these organisms was vastly exceeded by CF pathogen DNA and was not associated with inflammation. These findings support the hypothesis that established CF pathogens are primarily responsible for CF lung infections.
Using the Synthetic Control Method to Determine the Effect of Ultrasound Laws on State-Level Abortion Rates

The purpose of the present study is to determine if laws requiring ultrasounds prior to an abortion being performed have any effect on the demand for abortions. Using state-level data, a synthetic control model (SCM) and a fixed effects model, results of the present study suggest that ultrasound laws have no statistically-significant effects on state-level abortion rates. In the SCM analysis, 21 states were in the treatment group (state had enacted an ultrasound law) and 22 states were in the potential control group. Results also suggest that states with lower per capita incomes, more non-Whites, and more abortion providers had higher abortion rates. This study is important because it is the first to use an SCM analysis to examine the effects of any type of restrictive abortion law on the demand for abortions.
Black Violence and Crime in the 21st Century: A Socio-Historical Structural Analysis

Although a number of perspectives have been represented as frameworks for analyzing crime and violence perpetuated by African Americans, no analysis can replace a socio-historical perspective. By carefully studying the works of W.E.B. Du Bois a sharper analysis of black crime and violence can be clearly delineated.
Teaching Forensic Concepts to Residents Using Interactive Online Modules

Psychiatrists without specialty forensic training routinely encounter forensic questions and treat justice-involved patients, which underscores the importance of adequate forensic training in general psychiatry residency. Some programs may face challenges providing adequate forensic instruction due to a lack of local forensic psychiatrists or other forensic resources. Novel training approaches are needed to fill this gap. This article describes the development, dissemination, and preliminary impact of two online learning modules designed to teach general psychiatry residents about basic forensic psychiatry principles: confidentiality and the duty to third parties. The modules are based on adult learning theory and synthesize clinically relevant vignettes from historically significant legal cases. We disseminated the modules nationally with built-in pre-tests and post-tests. The module responses demonstrate three significant themes: the modules reached learners across the United States; even advanced residents had relatively low subject matter knowledge prior to module completion; and module completion was associated with a significant improvement in resident learners9 knowledge of these two topics. This work shows one potential avenue for filling gaps in forensic education within general psychiatry training, although further studies are needed to appreciate the impact of such educational interventions on clinical practice.
Repair of Thin Face Sheet Sandwich Structure with Small Holes and Impact Damage

This manuscript presents experimental results of compression tests of repaired sandwich structure typical of a launch vehicle Payload Adapter Fitting (PAF) that is being considered for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Space Launch System (SLS) launch vehicle. Specimens with 8-ply quasi-isotropic carbon/epoxy face sheets and aluminum honeycomb core were damaged with representations of misdrilled holes, barely visible impact damage (BVID) or visible impact damage (VID). A patch repair technique not requiring removal of any material is presented and assessed for residual in-plane compressive load-carrying capability on each of the three types of damage. Edgewise compression tests on specimens demonstrated the repairs could recover all measured undamaged compressive load-carrying capability of the misdrilled hole and BVID specimens. For the specimens with VID, an average of about 91% of the average measured undamaged compressive load carrying capability was recovered indicating that larger patches, or perhaps removal and replacement of the damaged material, may be needed for more severe damage if all the measured undamaged compression strength needs to be regained.
Identification of the viral RNA promoter stem loop A (SLA)-binding site on Zika virus polymerase NS5.

Zika virus has recently emerged as an important human pathogen that has spread to more than 60 countries. Infection of a pregnant woman with Zika virus can cause severe brain malformations in the child such as microcephaly and other birth defects. Despite the medical importance of Zika virus infection, the mechanism of viral replication, a process commonly targeted by antiviral therapeutics, is not well understood. Stem-loop A (SLA), located in the 5′ untranslated region of the viral genome, acts as a promotor for viral replication and thus is critical for recognition of the viral genome by the viral polymerase NS5. However, how NS5 engages SLA is not clear. We have quantitatively examined the intrinsic affinities between Zika virus SLA and NS5, and identified the SLA-binding site on NS5. Amino acid substitutions in the thumb subdomain of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the methyltransferase (MTase) domain reduced SLA-binding affinity, indicating that they each are part of the SLA-binding site. Furthermore, stopped-flow kinetic analysis of Zika NS5-, RdRp- and MTase–SLA interactions identified distinct intermediates during NS5 and SLA complex formation. These data suggest a model for SLA recognition and the initiation of flaviviral replication by NS5.
Feasibility Study of Combining Direct Air Capture of CO2 and Methanation at Isothermal Conditions with Dual Function Materials

Abstract The feasibility of employing dual function materials (DFM) for combined direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 followed by methanation is reported. Originally developed for point-source (i.e. power plant effluent) CO2 capture, the DFM is comprised of an alkaline adsorbent and catalytic metal supported on the same Al2O3 carrier. The DFM allows the capture and conversion of CO2 to occur using a single material and reactor at one temperature. Successful cyclic capture and methanation of 400 ppm CO2 at isothermal conditions (320 °C) has been demonstrated. Desorption of CO2 from the DFM at isothermal conditions was also explored; however, hydrogenation of the adsorbed CO2 more efficiently regenerates capture sites, enabling the DFM to maintain high CO2 capture capacity and produce methane through multiple cycles. Cyclic operation with the DFM is also possible in the presence of moisture, proving that DFM has further potential to be used for DAC scenarios.
Upsurge of conjugate vaccine serotype 4 invasive pneumococcal disease clusters among adults experiencing homelessness in California, Colorado, and New Mexico.

After 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in the US in 2000, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) due to serotype 4 greatly decreased in children and adults. Starting in 2013, serotype 4 IPD incidence increased among adults >18 years old within three of ten Active Bacterial Core surveillance sites. Of 325 serotype 4 cases among adults in 2010-2018, 36% were from persons experiencing homelessness (PEH); incidence of serotype 4 IPD among PEH was 100-300 times higher than in the general population within these 3 areas. Genome sequencing for isolates recovered during 2015-2018 (n=246), revealed that increases in serotype 4 IPD were driven by lineages, ST10172, ST244, and ST695. Within each lineage, clusters of near-identical isolates indicated close temporal relatedness. Increases in serotype 4 IPD were limited to Colorado, California, and New Mexico, with highest increases observed among PEH, who were at increased risk for exposure to and infections caused by these strains.
A database framework for rapid screening of structure-function relationships in PFAS chemistry

This paper describes a database framework that enables one to rapidly explore systematics in structure-function relationships associated with new and emerging PFAS chemistries. The data framework maps high dimensional information associated with the SMILES approach of encoding molecular structure with functionality data including bioactivity and physicochemical property. This ‘PFAS-Map’ is a 3-dimensional unsupervised visualization tool that can automatically classify new PFAS chemistries based on current PFAS classification criteria. We provide examples on how the PFAS-Map can be utilized, including the prediction and estimation of yet unmeasured fundamental physical properties of PFAS chemistries, uncovering hierarchical characteristics in existing classification schemes, and the fusion of data from diverse sources.
The industrial solvent trichloroethylene induces LRRK2 kinase activity and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Gene-environment interaction is implicated in the majority of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) risk, and some of the most widespread environmental contaminants are selectively toxic to dopaminergic neurons. Pesticides have long been connected to PD incidence, however, it has become increasingly apparent that other industrial byproducts likely influence neurodegeneration. For example, organic solvents, which are used in chemical, machining, and dry-cleaning industries, are of growing concern, as decades of solvent use and their effluence into the environment has contaminated much of the world's groundwater and soil. Like some pesticides, certain organic solvents, such as the chlorinated halocarbon trichloroethylene (TCE), are mitochondrial toxicants, which are collectively implicated in the pathogenesis of dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Recently, we hypothesized a possible gene-environment interaction may occur between environmental mitochondrial toxicants and the protein kinase LRRK2, mutations of which are the most common genetic cause of familial and sporadic PD. In addition, emerging data suggests that elevated wildtype LRRK2 kinase activity also contributes to the pathogenesis of idiopathic PD. To this end, we investigated whether chronic, systemic TCE exposure (200 mg/kg) in aged rats produced wildtype LRRK2 activation and caused nigrostriatal dopaminergic dysfunction. Interestingly, we found that TCE not only induced LRRK2 kinase activity in the brain, but produced a significant dopaminergic lesion in the nigrostriatal tract, elevated oxidative stress, and caused endolysosomal dysfunction and α-synuclein accumulation. Together, these data suggest that TCE-induced LRRK2 kinase activity contributed to the selective toxicity of dopaminergic neurons. We conclude that gene-environment interactions between certain industrial contaminants and LRRK2 likely influence PD risk.
Low-level variant calling for non-matched samples using a position-based and nucleotide-specific approach

The widespread use of next-generation sequencing has identified an important role for somatic mosaicism in many diseases. However, detecting low-level mosaic variants from next-generation sequencing data remains challenging. Here, we present a method for Position-Based Variant Identification (PBVI) that uses empirically-derived distributions of alternate nucleotides from a control dataset. We modeled this approach on 11 segmental overgrowth genes. We show that this method improves detection of single nucleotide mosaic variants of 0.01–0.05 variant allele fraction compared to other low-level variant callers. At depths of 600 × and 1200 ×, we observed > 85% and > 95% sensitivity, respectively. In a cohort of 26 individuals with somatic overgrowth disorders PBVI showed improved signal to noise, identifying pathogenic variants in 17 individuals. PBVI can facilitate identification of low-level mosaic variants thus increasing the utility of next-generation sequencing data for research and diagnostic purposes.
Sildenafil administration improves right ventricular function on 4D flow MRI in young adults born premature.

We assessed the effect of right ventricular afterload reduction with sildenafil and heart rate reduction with metoprolol on cardiac hemodynamics and function in young adults born premature using 4D...
Decoupling between propagating acoustic waves and two-level systems in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Specific heat measurements of hydrogenated amorphous silicon prepared by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition show a large density of two-level systems at low temperature. Annealing at 200 ${}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}\mathrm{C}$, well below the growth temperature, does not significantly affect the already-low internal friction or the sound velocity, but irreversibly reduces the non-Debye specific heat by an order of magnitude at 2 K, indicating a large reduction in the density of two-level systems. Comparison of the specific heat with the internal friction suggests that the two-level systems are uncharacteristically decoupled from acoustic waves, both before and after annealing. Analysis yields an anomalously low value of the coupling constant, which increases upon annealing but still remains anomalously low. The results suggest that the coupling constant value is lowered by the presence of hydrogen.
Bayesian Inference using the Proximal Mapping: Uncertainty Quantification under Varying Dimensionality

In statistical applications, it is common to encounter parameters supported on a varying or unknown dimensional space. Examples include the fused lasso regression, the matrix recovery under an unknown low rank, etc. Despite the ease of obtaining a point estimate via the optimization, it is much more challenging to quantify their uncertainty -- in the Bayesian framework, a major difficulty is that if assigning the prior associated with a $p$-dimensional measure, then there is zero posterior probability on any lower-dimensional subset with dimension $d<p$; to avoid this caveat, one needs to choose another dimension-selection prior on $d$, which often involves a highly combinatorial problem. To significantly reduce the modeling burden, we propose a new generative process for the prior: starting from a continuous random variable such as multivariate Gaussian, we transform it into a varying-dimensional space using the proximal mapping. This leads to a large class of new Bayesian models that can directly exploit the popular frequentist regularizations and their algorithms, such as the nuclear norm penalty and the alternating direction method of multipliers, while providing a principled and probabilistic uncertainty estimation. We show that this framework is well justified in the geometric measure theory, and enjoys a convenient posterior computation via the standard Hamiltonian Monte Carlo. We demonstrate its use in the analysis of the dynamic flow network data.
Habeas in Indian Country Syllabus

Habeas corpus is revered for its function as a guarantor of individual liberty against an overreaching sovereign. The Great Writ has served this function in Indian Country, but it is most often invoked in debates over the extent of tribal sovereignty and how much control the U.S. federal government has over tribes. To what sovereign a habeas petition should be submitted is a critical question, especially when two possible answers exist. This class investigates questions that revolve around this central theme of how habeas has functioned as a tool of expanding and curtailing tribal sovereignty: how have tribal members used habeas corpus throughout history? How did changing views of Indian jurisdiction over criminal matters affect the use of habeas? Is it right to place so much emphasis on habeas corpus as the only available remedy under one of the most significant pieces of federal Indian legislation, the Indian Civil Rights Act? How are tribes currently using habeas to shape debates on pressing issues such as tribal banishment, child welfare and custody, and domestic violence? How do restrictions on non-tribal habeas affect Indians in the that justice system? How do tribal courts facilitate habeas corpus petitions within the tribal justice system? This course is structured as a weekly seminar for a 13-week semester, with one class reserved for guest speakers and one reserved either for student presentations or a review session, depending on the assessment method chosen.
An Evaluation of Expedited Transcription Methods for School-Age Children's Narrative Language: Automatic Speech Recognition and Real-Time Transcription.

Purpose This study examined the accuracy and potential clinical utility of two expedited transcription methods for narrative language samples elicited from school-age children (7;5–11;10 [years;mon...
Development of a Sequential Sampling Plan using Spatial Attributes of Cercospora Leaf Spot Epidemics of Table Beet in New York

Sampling strategies that effectively assess disease intensity in the field are important to underpin management decisions. To develop a sequential sampling plan for the incidence of Cercospora leaf...
A Comparison of Some Recent Iterative Methods for the Numerical Solution of Nonlinear Programs

In this paper we wish to survey some recent algorithms for constrained minimization on Rn and, in particular, for nonlinear programs. Our emphasis will be on the numerical difficulties associated with these methods, along with some discussion of that can be done about overcoming such computational problems.
The Nephropathy of Experimental Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis

The glomerular lesions induced in 10 chimpanzees infected with variable numbers of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae were studied by means of light and electron microscopy and fluorescent antibody technic. Ten animals served as controls; 5 were uninfected and 5 were only lightly infected. The animals were observed for periods ranging from 3 to 17 months, and by the time of sacrifice, all had developed advanced liver fibrosis. In general, the degree of glomerular injury was related to infection intensity and degree and duration of portal liver fibrosis. Some animals had terminal BUN elevation and slight proteinuria. By light and electron microscopy, in the initial stages, only part of the glomeruli were involved and exhibited mesangial matrix expansion and mesangial cell proliferation with intracellular hyaline droplets. At later stages, a larger number of glomeruli were affected and exhibited diffuse hypercellularity, glomerular basement thickening, mesangial sclerosis and less often, focal necrosis, crescent formation, synechiae and global hyalinization. In addition, there were discrete electron-dense deposits localized in the mesangial area in some glomeruli. Immunofluorescent studies utilizing antisera to chimpanzee gamma-globulin and complement (C3) and to human properdin disclosed only faint deposits of C3, apparently in mesangial areas. The association of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and nephropathy, the possible role of schistosomal antigen and the mechanism(s) of such glomerular injuries are reviewed and compared with the disease in humans and other host species infected with Schistosoma.
Presidential Success in Congress: Factors that Determine the President's Ability to Influcence Congressional Voting

This study examines the factors that contribute to presidential success in Congress. Results show that, overall, presidential popularity, the president's party's margin of control in Congress and the misery index positively and significantly affect presidential success in Congress, whereas party unity,·presidential effort and saliency are, overall, not significant determinants of success. The study also demonstrates that the honeymoon period does not increase a president's success rate. The results indicate that these variables interact differently within foreign policy than domestic policy and in the Senate than the House. April 15, 2009 Advisor Greg Shaw Research Honors Introduction: The President's Unique Responsibilities and Powers The President is the only elected official in the United States that has the mandate of the entire nation; he is the only figure that is elected by and represents the whole nation. As the burden falls on the president to serve the interests of those that elected him "it is the president's job to seek out public opinion and be responsive to it" (Crockett 2003, 470). John Kennedy stated in 1962 that '''it is a responsibility of the President of the United States to have a program and to fight for it'" (Mayhew 2005, 2). It has become expected that the President initiate an agenda for each Congress. The president's attempt to pass legislation that is the by-product of his agenda, or that is concurrent with his policy preferences, has been at the heart of the responsibilities and the difficulties of the president. Following the "tidal wave of New Deal bills, the president was dubbed 'chief legislator' and the Congress deemed a very junior partner in the ignition of public policy" (Mayhew 2005, 42). Understanding how Congress responds to the President's demands and preferences is essential to understanding how the government is responsive to popular demand. As Stephen Skowronek explains, "the president becomes the lightening rod of national politics, attracting and objectifying contending interpretations of the existing state of affairs" (Skowronek 1994, 20). The President, as the central figure of representation for the American people, has the sole ability to focus attention to work to respond to the needs, expectations and demands of the American electorate. In addition to the mandate from the people, the president is also armed with several other powers. The annual State of the Union address, budget message and economic report all enable the president to set "a comprehensive legislative program" (Pika, Thomas and Watson 1994, 202). Equipped with the ability to initiate action on legislative issues, the president is able to 1
Genetic analysis of NOS isoforms using nNOS and eNOS knockout animals.

Abstract All three major isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are expressed in the brain. Because of complex and overlapping expression patterns (Marletta, 1994; Nathan and Xie, 1994), the particular NOS isoform involved in many processes is not clear. In fact, NO generated by separate isoforms may have different roles and potentially opposing effects (ladecola et al., 1994). We have taken a genetic approach, to disrupt or knockout the genes for NOS isoforms to circumvent some of the limitations of pharmacologic agents. This approach allows the study of each individual NOS isoform in physiologic processes in the context of intact animals. It gives insights into possible developmental roles for NO and parallel processes that may compensate for the absence of each NOS isoform. We have made nNOS and eNOS knockout mice, as well as double knockout mice that lack both nNOS and eNOS isoforms (Huang et al., 1993; Huang et al., 1995; Son et al., 1996). In this chapter, we review some of the physiologic roles for NO that have been elucidated making use of these mice, including regulation of cerebral blood flow, response to cerebral ischemia, regulation of neurotransmitter release in the brain, and development of synaptic plasticity. Other chapters will discuss results using NOS knockout animals in studies of long term potentiation (see Hawkins, this volume), neuronal development (see Mize, this volume), and potential mechanisms for protection in nNOS knockout mice (Moskowitz, M.A.; Dawson, V.L, this volume).