cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethanolaminephosphotransferase in rat lung: selectivity for endogenous and exogenous diacylglycerol.

Ethanolaminephosphotransferase (EC 2.7.8.1) activity was determined in lung microsomes using diacylglycerols generated endogenously from [ “C]glycerol 3-phosphate and different mixtures of fatty acids. Ethanolaminephosphotransferase used endogenously generated dipalmitoylglycerol better than dioleoylglycerol. The apparent K, and the reaction rates for four different endogenously generated mixtures were the same (16 nmol/mg microsomal proteins). The apparent K, values for CDP-ethanolamine were the same (0.26 mm) for endogenously generated dipalmitoylglycerol and dioleoylglycerol. The amount of diacylglycerol generated in microsomes was 2-3-times the apparent K, for diacylglycerol. Dipalmitoylglycerol, supplied exogenously as a Tween 2O/phosphatidylglycerol emulsion, was nearly twice as active as dioleoylglycerol. Both dipalmitoylglycerol and dioleoylglycerol were more active as substrates when emulsions were made with phosphatidylglycerol/Tween 20 than with Tween 20 alone. The results suggest that ethanolaminephosphotransferase in lung is relatively nonselective for molecular species of diacylglycerol. In addition, the results suggest that the concentration of diacylglycerol and the physical state in which it is presented to the enzyme can affect the apparent selectivity of ethanolaminephosphotransferase for diacylglycerols.
Hash-based proximity clustering for load balancing in heterogeneous DHT networks

DHT networks based on consistent hashing functions have an inherent load uneven distribution problem. The objective of DHT load balancing is to balance the workload of the network nodes in proportion to their capacity so as to eliminate traffic bottleneck. It is challenging because of the dynamism nature of DHT networks and time-varying load characteristics. In this paper, we present a hash-based proximity clustering approach for load balancing in heterogeneity DHTs. In the approach, DHT nodes are classified as regular nodes and supernodes according to their computing and networking capacities. Regular nodes are grouped and associated with supernodes via consistent hashing of their physical proximity information on the Internet. The supernodes form a self-organized and churn resilient auxiliary network for load balancing. The hierarchical structure facilitates the design and implementation of a locality-aware randomized load balancing algorithm. The algorithm introduces a factor of randomness in the load balancing processes in a range of neighborhood so as to deal with both the proximity and dynamism. Simulation results show the superiority of the approach, in comparison with a number of other DHT load balancing algorithms. The approach performs no worse than existing proximity-aware algorithms and exhibits strong resilience to the effect of churn. It also greatly reduces the overhead of resilient randomized load balancing algorithms due to the use of proximity information.
THE EFFECT OF EXPERIMENTAL REDUCTION OF KIDNEY SUBSTANCE UPON THE PARATHYROID GLANDS AND SKELETAL TISSUE

Reduction of renal tissue in young rats regularly leads to a marked increase in the volume of the parathyroid glands. If partially nephrectomized rats are maintained on a low calcium diet, growth is stunted, and skeletal lesions are produced, of far greater severity than can be ascribed to the dietary calcium deficiency alone. The picture closely resembles that found in cases of renal rickets in children.
Attitudinal reciprocity in food sharing among brown capuchin monkeys.

Capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) share food even if separated by a mesh restraint. Pairs of capuchins were moved into a test chamber in which one of them received apple pieces for 20 min, and the other received carrot pieces for the next 20 min. Previous research had shown a correlation between the rate of food transfer in both directions across female-female dyads. The present study confirmed this result. Reciprocity across dyads can be explained, however, by symmetry in affiliative and tolerant tendencies between two individuals, provided these tendencies determine food sharing. The present study was designed to exclude this symmetry-based explanation by testing each pair (N=16) of adult females on six separate occasions. There existed a significant covariation across tests of sharing in both dyadic directions, a result unexplained by relationship symmetry. Moreover, control procedures (i.e. testing of a food possessor without a partner, or testing of two individuals with the same food or two different foods at the same time) indicated that behaviour during food trials is not fully explained by mutual attraction or aversion. The monkeys take the quality of their own and the partner's food into account, and possessors limit transfers of high-quality foods. Instead of a symmetry-based reciprocity explanation, a mediating role of memory is suggested, and a mirroring of social attitude between partners. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Thermal effects on droplet transport in digital microfluidics with applications to chip cooling

Thermal management has emerged as a critical issue in the design of integrated circuits (ICs). As feature sizes decrease and package densities increase, current package-level cooling techniques will soon become inadequate. While a number of MEMS-based cooling solutions have been proposed to address cooling at the IC level, many are not equipped to address the problem of real-time active and "smart" cooling, where hotter thermal regions (i.e., hot areas) are detected and subsequently cooled at an increased rate. We describe an alternative cooling method, on a platform we call "digital microfluidics", where nanoliter-sized discrete liquid droplets immersed in oil are manipulated. Cooling droplets are actuated independently in user-defined patterns over an array of electrodes by electrowetting, eliminating the need for external pumps. This paper presents the effects of temperature-dependent system parameters on droplet transport in this digital
Comparison of computed and measured particle velocities and erosion in water and air flows

Erosion equations are usually obtained from controlled experimental tests for solid particles carried in a gas or liquid flow. These equations are then applied to estimate the erosion damage resulting from solid particle impacts for cases of practical interest. It is well known that the particle impact speed and impact angle affect the erosion process and are used as parameters in most erosion equations. For a simple geometry with gas as the carrier fluid, the particle impact speed and impact angle can be accurately estimated, since the particles do not deviate greatly from their initial path. However, for complex geometries, very small particles with liquid as the carrier fluid, the particle trajectories can change significantly and determining the impact velocities can be more challenging. Furthermore, a lot of work has addressed solid particle erosion in gas flows. Many important applications in the oil and gas industry are liquid flows in complex geometries. There is a need for (1) erosion equations for liquid flow with sand and (2) a methodology for predicting erosion for complex flow geometries with liquid and sand. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), particle tracking programs and erosion equations are often used together as a tool to help predict erosion damage. However, the accuracy of the CFD based erosion modeling is yet to be determined. In the present work, the velocities of particles entrained in water approaching a target are measured using a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV). CFD simulations of the experiments were then carried out and the predicted particle velocities match the data very well, implying that CFD is a practical way to estimate the particle impact information. In this work, erosion damage of flat specimens in water or air flow and 90° standard elbows in air flow is also measured using a sensitive electrical-resistance (ER) probe under varying flow conditions. An erosion equation generated from data and several other erosion equations from the literature are applied in the CFD simulations. Predicted erosion rates from the simulations were then compared with the ER probe data. Good agreement between data and CFD predictions is demonstrated by applying a newly generated erosion equation as well as another published equation.
Drivers’ Engagement Level in Adaptive Cruise Control while Distracted or Impaired

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is designed for convenience to maintain a set speed and specified distance from a lead vehicle. However, use of ACC may change driving patterns and perceptions over time. Many drivers perceive safety benefits associated with ACC even though the safety implications are not always clear. This study examined the factors that can influence the frequency of ACC use with surveys distributed to ACC owners in Washington State. A cluster analysis was conducted to group drivers based on how often they activated and used ACC under various driving scenarios. Four clusters emerged that showed a range of use from those who rarely used ACC in any situation (low engagement group) to those who used it for almost all situations regardless of whether it is appropriate or not (high engagement group). An ordered logit model was used to predict the likelihood of being in one of the four clusters. Drivers that were less likely to use ACC in distracting or impaired situations tend to be older, were not willing to re-purchase a similar vehicle with ACC, and were generally confused on how to use the cruise speed setting. Drivers who reported higher overall use of ACC also used the system in situations that can be considered distracting or risky, which can negate the overall benefits of ACC.
Centrally Mediated Effects of Cardiac Drugs: Strophanthin-K, Quinidine and Procaine Amide

The extra-cardiac sites of action of strophanthin-K, quinidine and procaine amide have been investigated by injection of varying doses into the third ventricle of unanesthetized dogs. A profuse autonomic nervous system discharge was produced. Strophanthin-K produced a paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia resulting in death by ventricular fibrillation. Such effects could be blocked by prior intraventricular injection of either quinidine or procaine amide or by intravenous administration of hexamethonium.
Modeling the Dynamic Behavior of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

A two-phase transient model has been developed which predicts the dynamic response of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) to transients in operating power. The model uses experimentally measured Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) capillary pressure to predict the fuel cell response to changing water production rates. Permanent hysteresis observed in experimentally measured capillary pressure of GDL is examined and found to have minimal effects on the modeling results. The model also provides explanations for the difference in time constants between membrane hydration and dehydration observed in the high frequency resistance (HFR) experiments. When there is liquid water at the cathode catalyst layer, the time it takes the water content in the membrane to reach steady state is closely tied to that of liquid water saturation in the cathode catalyst layer, as the vapor is already saturated. The water content in the membrane does not reach steady state as long as the liquid water flow in the cathode catalyst layer is not at steady state. The effects of membrane thickness on membrane hydration and dehydration time constants are investigated for Nafion 112, 115, and 117.
Thricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome and severe osteoporosis: A rare association or a feature? An effective therapeutic approach with biphosphonates

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is a rare, autosomal dominant malformation syndrome characterized by hair, craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities, skin laxity, deformation of phalanges and anomalies of pelvis, femurs, and tibias. Three subtypes have been described: TRPS I, caused by mutations in TRPS1 gene on chromosome 8; TRPS II, a microdeletion syndrome affecting the TRPS1 and EXT1 genes; and TRPS III, a form with severe brachydactyly, due to short metacarpals, and severe short stature, but without exostoses. We present the case of a 7-year-old boy, affected by TRPS with a severe osteoporosis and several spontaneous bone fractures, an association described only once in the literature, successfully treated with biphosphonates. Bone mineral density (BMD) at dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) was of 0.331 g/cm(2) at lumbar spine with. He had four spontaneous femoral fractures in a year, and for this reason he was been operated for positioning intramedullary osteosynthesis and orthopedic supports. Due to the severity of the clinical and radiological pattern it was established, after approval of the Ethical Committee, to begin off-label therapy with infusions of neridronate at a dose of 2 mg/kg IV every 3 months. The treatment was, in this patient, effective both in terms of clinical (absence of new fractures) and mineralomethric (+45% BMD ath the lumbar level). We therefore suggest that treatment with biphosponates can be taken in account as a possible therapeutic option in case of bone fragility in patients with TRPSI.
Brief Four Session Cbt Group Increases Knowledge and Coping Skills in a High-Risk Bariatric Surgery Population

Surgery Program. Methods: Participants (N 1⁄4 43) were randomly assigned preoperatively to receive standard preoperative care (n 1⁄4 20) or 6 sessions of Tele-CBT (n 1⁄4 23).The Tele-CBT sessions focused on introducing the cognitive behavioral model of overeating and obesity, scheduling healthy meals and snacks at regular time intervals and recording consumption using food records, scheduling pleasurable alternative activities to overeating, identifying and planning for difficult eating scenarios, reducing vulnerability to overeating by solving problems and challenging negative thoughts, and preparing for bariatric surgery. Participants completed a questionnaire packet pre-intervention (baseline) and postintervention (or 7 weeks following baseline for the control group). The primary outcome variables included measures of binge eating (Binge Eating Scale BES; Gormally, Black, Daston, & Rardin, 1982) and emotional eating (Emotional Eating Scale EES; Arnow, Kenardy, & Agras, 1995), and secondary outcome variables included measures of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9; Spitzer et al., 1999), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 item scale GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006), and quality of life (36-item Health Survey SF-36; Ware, Kosinski, Kelle, 1994). Results: Retention was 77% at post-intervention, and the study completers did not differ from the dropouts on any demographic variables or baseline clinical variables.A 2 (Group: Tele-CBT vs. Control) x 2 (Time: baseline, post-intervention) mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed separately for each outcome variable, and Cohen’s d effect size (.2 1⁄4 small effect, .5 1⁄4 medium effect, .8 1⁄4 large effect) was computed from the F-test (Thalheimer & Cook, 2002). Changes in binge eating, emotional eating, depression, anxiety, and quality of life are reported in Table 1.The Group x Time interaction was significant for binge eating, emotional eating, depression, and anxiety.Follow-up paired-samples t-tests indicated that the Tele-CBT group reported significant improvements on the BES, t(15) 1⁄4 3.03, p 1⁄4 .008, EES, t(15) 1⁄4 3.44, p 1⁄4 .004, and PHQ-9, t(15) 1⁄4 3.20, p 1⁄4 .002, whereas the control group actually reported a significant increase on the PHQ-9, t(16) 1⁄4 2.39, p 1⁄4 .03, and GAD-7, t(16) 1⁄4 3.13, p 1⁄4 .006, over the same period. Conclusions: This 6-session pre-operative Tele-CBT intervention was efficacious in improving binge eating, emotional eating, and depression, lending further support to the growing body of literature demonstrating that CBT is a helpful tool for many bariatric surgery patients and providing an impetus to investigate other novel methods of treatment delivery.
The Empty Chair Appointment

The objective was to test an intervention to reduce failed rates for psychiatric appointments. We collected data for this study of the characteristics of patients who missed appointments from March...
Social Factors and Healthy Aging: Findings from the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study (LHAS)

Social behaviors are associated with health outcomes in later life. The authors examined relationships among social and physical activities and health in a lifespan sample of adults (N = 771) drawn from the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study (LHAS). Four age groups were compared: younger (21-44 years), middle-aged (45-64 years), older (65-84 years), and oldest-old adults (85 to 101 years). Linear regression analyses indicated that physical activity, hours spent outside of the house, and social support were significantly associated with self-reported health, after controlling for sociodemographic factors. Number of clubs was significantly associated with objective health status, after controlling for sociodemographic factors. These data indicate that social and physical activities remain an important determinant of self-perceived health into very late adulthood. Implications of these data for current views on successful aging are discussed.
Small Vestibular Schwannomas: Does Surgery Remain a Viable Treatment Option?

Background Surgery for small vestibular schwannomas (Koos grade I and II) has been increasingly rejected as the optimal primary treatment, instead favoring radiosurgery and observation that offer lower morbidity and potentially equal efficacy. Our study assesses the outcomes of contemporary surgical strategies including tumor control, functional preservation, and implications of pathologic findings. Design Retrospective review. Setting/Participants Eighty consecutive patients (45 women, 35 men; mean: 47 years of age). Main Outcomes Measures Approaches included retrosigmoid approach (52%), translabyrinthine (40%), and middle fossa (8%). Operated on by the same surgical team, we analyzed presentation, radiographic imaging, surgical data, and outcomes. Results At last follow-up (mean: 34 months), 95% had good facial nerve function (House-Brackmann grade I or II); 36% who presented with serviceable hearing retained it; and 93% who presented with vestibular dysfunction reported resolution. Pathology identified two grade I meningiomas. Conclusions As one of the largest contemporary surgical series of small vestibular schwannomas, we discuss some nuances to help refine treatment algorithms. Although observation and radiosurgery have established roles, our results reinforce microsurgery as a viable, safe option for a subgroup of patients.
The measurement of visual efficiency standards for pilots in the United States Air Force.

Military aviation requires a high degree of visual skill and efficiency. The current visual standards for flying status in the United States Air Force employ static tests of visual function. Visual factors utilized in flight are continually changing to meet the demands of the situation. This study evaluates the performance of two carefully matched samples of people on a test of dynamic visual change, i.e., vergence facility. We compared the ability of a sample of military pilots to make rapid fusional movements in a base-in and base-out direction with a group of nonpilots matched for other normal visual characteristics. The number of times each subject could reestablish fusion while viewing an anaglyph target through alternating 16 delta base-out and 4 delta base-in prism lenses was recorded over a 1-minute time interval. We found the pilot's ability to initiate and sustain fusional vergence movements to be similar to that of their nonrated military counterparts. Our work does not indicate that this test of visual efficiency would discriminate between the pilots and nonpilots in our sample if it were included in a test battery to identify individuals with exceptional visual proficiency. Language: en
Electrocardiographic patterns of normal and thiamine-deficient baby pigs.

SummaryElectrocardiograms were made weekly from birth through 5 weeks of age on 35 baby pigs receiving various subminimal and adequate levels of thiamine in the diet. Typical ECG patterns of normal and thiamine-deficient baby pigs are presented and described. Statistically significant increases in PR time, QT time and cycle length occurred in deficient animals. Thiamine-deficient pigs consistently exhibited sinus arrhythmia. First and second degree auriculoventricular block were manifested. Evidence of cardiac hypertrophy occurred in deficient animals.
Influence of Different Photoperiods During Brooding and Rearing on Subsequent Productive Characteristics in Chickens

Abstract THE effect of controlled lighting of poultry has received considerable attention in the past half century. Results of early work by Shoup (1918) at the Western Washington Experiment Station were influential in stimulating the use of artificial light for increasing winter egg production. Since that time, numerous reports have appeared in the literature. Dobie et al. (1946) showed that exposing sexually mature pullets to 13 hours of light stimulated maximum egg production. However, shorter periods of light exposure per day resulted in decreased egg production. Callenbach et al. (1944), Hutt et al. (1955), and Wilson et al. (1956) reported that pullets exposed to natural daylight and artificial light during the night were delayed in sexual maturity and subsequent egg production was depressed. Callenbach et al. (1944) found that the retardation of sexual maturity in pullets exposed to excess light was counteracted by reducing light exposure 4‐5 weeks just before maturity.…
Determining Optimal Assembly Sequences for a Robotic Autonomous Assembly Task

This paper proposes a genetic algorithm to determine the optimal assembly sequence for a robotic autonomous assembly task. The coding rule of chromosomes, the selection, crossover and mutation operations are presented. In order to avoid invalid chromosomes, a modified crossover operation is suggested. In addition, a specific fitness table is created to evaluate a random assembly sequence. Some simulation results are employed to validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach.© 2013 ASME
Analyses on Quality Management of Farming Product with the Information Economics

Quality management for farming product is a new field of agricultural economic and management in our country. Analyzed through the principle of information asymmetrical to show the reason of declining quality of farming product; according to the fundamental conviction of signal transfer and incentive mechanism a credit management model and a benefit leading design based on long-term contract put foreword.
Evaluation on Independent Innovation Capability of Enterprises Based on TOPSIS and the Industrial Difference Analysis

It builds up the evaluation index system.Based on the industry statistic data,it analyses horizontally and vertically on the independent innovation capabilities of various manufacturing industries with the method of TOPSIS,and concludes their characteristics,which provides reference for enterprises to improve their independent innovation capabilities.
Study on danger and interference effects of ±800 kV DC transmission lines on telecommunication lines

It is one of important problems to be solved in the development of UHVDC transmission lines to control the electromagnetic effect on telecommunication lines to permit extent. The inductive coupling danger effects and interference effects of ±800 kV DC transmission lines on telecommunication lines were computed. The general analysis and assessment of the electromagnetic effects are were presented in the light of actuality of telecommunication lines of our country in China. The results show that the danger effects of ±800 kV DC transmission lines on telecommunication lines can be ignored. It is difficult to avoid the interference effects of ±800 kV DC transmission lines on telecommunication lines under the operation mode of mono-polar earth-return, but it can be generally ignored under the bipolar operation mode. It is necessary to consider the factors of technology development of telecommunication systems,to compare technological and economic performances,and control the amount of DC filters for saving project investment,when adopting protective measures against interference effects.
Ethical issues surrounding multifetal pregnancy reduction and selective termination.

Ethical reflection concerning multifetal pregnancy reduction and selective termination has evolved over the past decade from one of automatic equation with the abortion issue to realization that there are key differences in motivation, intent, and outcomes. The possible positions and approaches for this complex and controversial subject are reviewed.
Effects of Environmental Oxygen Content and Dissolved Oxygen on the Surface Tension and Viscosity of Liquid Nickel

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory has recently added an oxygen partial pressure controller. This system allows the oxygen partial pressure within the vacuum chamber to be measured and controlled in the range from approximately $$10^{-28}\,{\mathrm {to}}\,10^{-9}$$ bar, while in a vacuum atmosphere. The oxygen control system installed in the ESL laboratory’s main chamber consists of an oxygen sensor, oxygen pump, and a control unit. The sensor is a potentiometric device that determines the difference in oxygen activity in two gas compartments (inside the chamber and the air outside of the chamber) separated by an electrolyte. The pump utilizes coulometric titration to either add or remove oxygen. The system is controlled by a desktop control unit, which can also be accessed via a computer. The controller performs temperature control for the sensor and pump, has a PID-based current loop and a control algorithm. Oxygen partial pressure has been shown to play a significant role in the surface tension of liquid metals. Oxide films or dissolved oxygen may lead to significant changes in surface tension. The effects on surface tension and viscosity by oxygen partial pressure in the surrounding environment and the melt dissolved oxygen content will be evaluated, and the results will be presented. The surface tension and viscosity will be measured at several different oxygen partial pressures while the sample is undercooled. Surface tension and viscosity will be measured using the oscillating droplet method.
Arthrogryposis of the upper extremity.

SUMMARY Patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita of the upper extremities can be helped a great deal by comparatively minor procedures. At the outset it is important to decide which patients can be helped and which patients cannot owing to the severity of disease or the social situation. It is also important, of course, to decide which patients do not require surgical or other methods of treatment. Once these decisions are made, one can safely begin in most patients with nonoperative measures, which consist of serial corrective cast applications starting at birth with changes every two to five days initially and then less often as the deformity is corrected. In patients who do not respond to this treatment, surgical intervention is necessary. We feel that surgery will be necessary in a great many of these patients. Surgery most often consists of soft tissue releases about the elbow, principally posterior capsulotomy, and triceps lengthening with or without tendon transfers to gain active motion. In the shoulder, surgery is rarely indicated, and when it is, this will be an osteotomy. In the wrist and hand, bone operations are almost always indicated because soft tissue procedures usually fail. These patients have two advantages in spite of their severe problems: They have normal sensation and they are usually of average or above average intelligence. Any improvement in the position of their extemities and any decrease in deformity will improve their functioning significantly.
Transitions within the Cholesteric Mesophase of Cholesteryl Stearate

Implicit in the measurement of the thermodynamic properties of the substances which undergo phase changes is the assumption that the transitions are equilibrium phenomena, i.e., that time is not a variable. In the measurement of the freezing points of small molecules by cooling at a steady rate, supercooling invariably occurs if the crystal structure is complex. The formation of the mesophases of the monotropic esters of cholesterol, whose structures are indeed complex, requires sensible time for optimizing molecular orientations.
Laminin assembles into separate basement membrane and fibrillar matrices in Schwann cells

Laminins are important for Schwann cell basement membrane assembly and axonal function. In this study, we found that exogenous laminin-1, like neuromuscular laminins-2/4, formed two distinct extracellular matrices on Schwann cell surfaces, each facilitated by laminin polymerization. Assembly of one, a densely-distributed reticular matrix, was accompanied by a redistribution of cell-surface dystroglycan and cytoskeletal utrophin into matrix-receptor-cytoskeletal complexes. The other, a fibrillar matrix, accumulated in separate zones associated with pre-existing β1-integrin arrays. The laminin-1 fragment E3 (LG-modules 4-5), which binds dystroglycan and heparin, inhibited reticular-matrix formation. By contrast,β 1-integrin blocking antibody (Ha2/5) prevented fibrillar assembly. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that laminin treatment induced the formation of a linear electron-dense extracellular matrix ( lamina densa ) separated from plasma membrane by a narrow lucent zone ( lamina lucida ). This structure was considerably reduced with non-polymerizing laminin, fully blocked by E3, and unaffected by Ha2/5. Although it formed in the absence of type IV collagen, it was nonetheless able to incorporate this collagen. Finally, cell competency to bind laminin and form a basement membrane was passage-dependent. We postulate that laminin induces the assembly of a basement membrane on competent cell surfaces probably mediated by anchorage through LG 4-5. Upon binding, laminin interacts with dystroglycan, mobilizes utrophin, and assembles a `nascent9 basement membrane, independent of integrin, that is completed by incorporation of type IV collagen. However, the fibrillar β1-integrin dependent matrix is unlikely to be precursor to basement membrane.
A single-inductor-cascaded-stage topology for high conversion ratio boost regulator

A single-inductor-cascaded-stage boost regulator topology is presented that time-multiplexes a single inductor using one-nFET-two-pFET power stage and a bias-gated Pulse-Frequency Modulation controller to achieve high conversion ratio. A test-chip in 130nm CMOS demonstrates 120× conversion using a single inductor while consuming 140nA bias current.
The Search for the Missing Heritability of Prostate Cancer

Scientists and clinicians at Johns Hopkins have been working since 1987 to uncover the genetic pathogenesis of prostate cancer. A patient query about the hereditary nature of the disease led to data collection on family history, followed by segregation and linkage analyses. Collaborative investigations using next-generation sequencing to identify genetic variants associated with prostate cancer risk have revealed the significance of HOXB13, BRCA 1/2, and DNA repair mutations.
Adequately Addressing Pediatric Obesity: Challenges Faced by Primary Care Providers.

Objective To assess the challenges primary care providers encounter when providing counseling for pediatric patients identified as obese. Methods A survey assessed the current challenges and barriers to the screening and treatment of pediatric obesity for providers in northwest Arkansas who provide care to families. The survey consisted of 15 Likert scale questions and 4 open-ended questions. Results Time, resources, comfort, and cultural issues were reported by providers as the biggest barriers in screening and the treatment of pediatric obesity. All providers reported lack of time as a barrier to providing the care needed for obese children. Cultural barriers of both the provider and client were identified as factors, which negatively affect the care and treatment of obese children. Conclusions Primary care providers continue to experience challenges when addressing pediatric obesity. In this study, a lack of adequate time to address obesity was identified as the most significant current barrier and may likely be tied to physician resources. Although reimbursement for obesity is increasing, the level of reimbursement does not support the time or the resources needed to treat patients. Many providers reported their patients' cultural view of obesity influenced how they counsel their patients. Increasing providers' knowledge concerning differences in how weight is viewed or valued may assist them in the assessment and care of obese pediatric patients. The challenges identified in previous research continue to limit providers when addressing obesity. Although progress has been made regarding knowledge of guidelines, continuing effort is needed to tackle the remaining challenges. This will allow for earlier identification and intervention, resulting in improved outcomes in pediatric obesity.
Migration politics: Mobilizing against economic insecurity in the United States and South Africa:

From the mid-2000s, the United States and South Africa, respectively, experienced significant pro-migrant and anti-migrant mobilizations. Economically insecure groups played leading roles. Why did ...
Immunotherapy in metastatic urothelial carcinoma: Focus on immune checkpoint inhibition

Immunotherapy has been used in localized urothelial carcinoma for decades, especially in the treatment of superficial disease, in which instillation of BCG is a commonly used treatment option. Clinical investigations based on new insights into the immunogenic potential of metastatic urothelial carcinoma have led to the accelerated FDA approval of the immune checkpoint inhibitors atezolizumab, nivolumab, durvalumab, avelumab, and pembrolizumab. Preliminary findings suggest additional benefits of combinations of immunotherapeutic agents as a future treatment approach in metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Treatment experience with immunotherapy suggests that these drugs are associated with a unique spectrum of immune-related adverse events and specific immune-related patterns of response, including cases of pseudoprogression, which could impede the optimal use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the clinic. Appropriate management of immune-related adverse events and a greater awareness of immune-mediated response patterns will help to inform treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes; predictive biomarkers of response might facilitate selection of patients who are most likely to respond to and benefit from these exciting new treatments.
Corporate social responsibility as a determinant of long-term orientation

ABSTRACTPredictors for developing long-term orientation are of great interest to researchers and practitioners in the franchise industry since long-term orientation is a significant driver of succe...
Soft unveiling of communities via egonet tensors

The task of community detection over a network pertains to identifying the underlying groups of nodes whose often-hidden association has manifested itself in dense connections among the members, and sparse inter-community links. The present work aims at improving the robustness of the traditional matrix-based community detection algorithms via capturing multi-hop connectivity patterns through tensor analysis. To this end, a novel tensor-based network representation is advocated in this contribution, and the task of community detection is cast as a constrained PARAFAC decomposition. Subsequently, the proposed tri-linear minimization is handled via alternating least-squares, where intermediate subproblems are solved using the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) to ensure convergence. The framework is further broadened to accommodate time-varying graphs, where the edgeset as well as the underlying communities evolve through time. Numerical tests corroborate the increased robustness provided through the novel representation as well as the proposed tensor decomposition.
SigMat: a classification scheme for gene signature matching.

Motivation Several large-scale efforts have been made to collect gene expression signatures from a variety of biological conditions, such as response of cell lines to treatment with drugs, or tumor samples with different characteristics. These gene signature collections are utilized through bioinformatics tools for 'signature matching', whereby a researcher studying an expression profile can identify previously cataloged biological conditions most related to their profile. Signature matching tools typically retrieve from the collection the signature that has highest similarity to the user-provided profile. Alternatively, classification models may be applied where each biological condition in the signature collection is a class label; however, such models are trained on the collection of available signatures and may not generalize to the novel cellular context or cell line of the researcher's expression profile. Results We present an advanced multi-way classification algorithm for signature matching, called SigMat, that is trained on a large signature collection from a well-studied cellular context, but can also classify signatures from other cell types by relying on an additional, small collection of signatures representing the target cell type. It uses these 'tuning data' to learn two additional parameters that help adapt its predictions for other cellular contexts. SigMat outperforms other similarity scores and classification methods in identifying the correct label of a query expression profile from as many as 244 or 500 candidate classes (drug treatments) cataloged by the LINCS L1000 project. SigMat retains its high accuracy in cross-cell line applications even when the amount of tuning data is severely limited. Availability and implementation SigMat is available on GitHub at https://github.com/JinfengXiao/SigMat. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Aerobic And Anaerobic Changes In Collegiate Male Runners Across A Cross-County Season

The purpose of this study was to assess the physiological characteristics of trained NCAA Division III male runners across a competitive season of cross-country. Eight male distance runners (age 20.6±1.4 y) were administered a battery of aerobic and anaerobic laboratory tests at the beginning and end of an 8–10 week racing season. Aerobic testing included maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), running economy (RE), ventilatory threshold (VT) and the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). Anaerobic testing consisted of the vertical jump (VJ) and the Wingate test. Final testing revealed anaerobic Wingate peak power significantly declined (11.8±1.1 to 10.7±1.0 W·kg−1) (P = 0.006), while no significant changes were seen in VJ or any aerobic parameters (P > 0.05). These results indicate that a competitive cross-country season of training and racing diminished anaerobic peak power and failed to elicit quantifiable aerobic adaptations in previously trained collegiate distance runners.
Abstract 15057: Vitamin D Deficiency is Independently Associated With Subclinical Interstitial Lung Disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and interstitial lung disease (ILD) have both been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, the relationship between vitamin D and ILD is not well known. ...
ICOSL-augmented adenoviral-based vaccination induces a bipolar Th17/Th1 T cell response against unglycosylated MUC1 antigen.

Cellular immunity established via immunotherapy holds the potential to eliminate solid tumors. Yet, cancer vaccines have failed to induce tumor-reactive T cells of sufficient quality to control disease. The inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS) pathway has been implicated in both the selective induction of immunity over tolerance as well as licensing of IL-17-polarized cellular immunity. Herein, we evaluated the ability of ICOS ligand (ICOSL) to augment the immunogenicity of adenoviral-based vaccination targeting the unglycosylated MUC1 peptide antigen. Vaccination disrupted immunotolerance in a transgenic mouse model recognizing human MUC1 as a self-antigen, inducing robust MUC1-specific immunity. Augmenting vaccination with ICOSL induced a bipolar Th17/Th1 effector profile, marked by increased MUC1-specific IL-17A production and RORγt expression in CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells which predominantly expressed IFNγ/IL-2 and T-bet. The polarization and maintenance of Th17 cells established following ICOSL augmented vaccination was highly durable, with elevated IL-17A and RORγt levels detected in CD4+ T cells up to 10 months after initial immunization. Furthermore, provision of ICOSL significantly enhanced MUC1-specific IgG antibody in response to immunization. ICOSL signaling dramatically influenced CD4+ T cell phenotype, altering gene expression of transcription factors and regulators of effector function following immunization. Interestingly, ICOSL augmentation failed to alter the transcriptional profile of CD8+ T cells following immunization, affecting the magnitude, but not distribution, of gene expression. Collectively, ICOSL supports the induction of durable, antigen-specific Th17/Th1-mediated immunity in vivo, establishing a vaccination platform to enhance CD4+ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity and providing a crucial component of an effective cancer vaccine.
Community pharmacy interventions to improve antibiotic stewardship and implications for pharmacy education: A narrative overview.

Abstract Background Antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most pressing public health problems, resulting in over 23,000 deaths per year. One of the main contributing factors to antimicrobial resistance is antibiotic misuse and overuse. Community pharmacists can play a role in reducing antibiotic resistance, since they are one of the most accessible healthcare professionals. Objective The purpose of this paper is to describe community pharmacy interventions and strategies to reduce antibiotic misuse and overuse and to discuss the implications for pharmacy training. Methods A narrative overview strategy was employed to identify papers on antibiotic stewardship and the role of the community pharmacist. Our review examined potential stewardship strategies and interventions within community pharmacy practice that provide opportunities for pharmacists to engage or lead in the reduction of antimicrobial resistance. Results We describe five promising community pharmacist-led intervention strategies: Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs), point-of-care (POC) testing, patient consultations, academic detailing and serving as an advocate for patients and other healthcare providers Conclusions This review highlights topics that may warrant increased attention in pharmacy school curricula. Pharmacy schools may want to consider modifying their curricula to address the shifts in practice of the community pharmacist – emphasizing the expanded role of the pharmacist in patient care and public health issues such as outpatient antibiotic stewardship.
Abstract WP318: Mortality Among Newly Certified Stroke Centers and Other Hospitals in the U.S.

Introduction: Primary Stroke Center (PSC) certification was established to improve stroke care. The numbers of PSCs have significantly increased in the past decade. However, it remains unclear whet...
How to Have 4 Kids in 8 Months: Big Boy Brendan + 3

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph. "Bringing a child into your life is one of the hardest things. Things change drastically, but for the better. Your life revolves around the needs, wishes and ―wants‖ of a child. You give all you can give to your child and all they give back to you is a messy house, whining and loads dirty of laundry. Children also give something that you cannot touch, see, feel, hear or smell; they give you their unconditional love." This alumni corner is available in Verbum: http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/verbum/vol9/iss1/11 Nicole Hough Velazquez Class of 2010 How to Have 4 Kids in 8 Months: Big Boy Brendan + 3 Bringing a child into your life is one of the hardest things. Things change drastically, but for the better. Your life revolves around the needs, wishes and ―wants‖ of a child. You give all you can give to your child and all they give back to you is a messy house, whining and loads dirty of laundry. Children also give something that you cannot touch, see, feel, hear or smell; they give you their unconditional love. Last time I wrote for the Verbum, I wrote about Baby Brendan. Baby Brendan is now Big Boy Brendan and is a very rambunctious and happy 2-year old. Since then, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl Anadelia in February. Life was difficult raising a newborn and still having to care for a 16 month old. Not too long after Anadelia was born, Brendan went home. It was a very hard adjustment even though life was easier with one child. While I still had Anadelia, I lost Brendan. People were constantly telling me that it would be okay because ―I have my own kid now‖. It doesn‘t matter if he was my biological son or foster son; I had lost a very important person in my life. I had to grieve his absence while still being there for my daughter. There is no difference in how much I love my daughter and how much I love Brendan. Love doesn‘t discriminate. In the past month, I became a mother again. I know what you are thinking, ―Didn‘t you just have a baby in February?‖ and the answer is yes. I have 4 children now. Three of them are not my biological children. I have Big Boy Brendan and his siblings. Love is endless so there is always love to give. I treat Anadelia and her new siblings each the same. She loves interacting with the kids and watching them play. It is a difficult transition from the life we used to lead and the life we now lead. It has taken its toll on everyone mentally, emotionally and physically, but that‘s what parenthood does to you regardless of the circumstances.
It’s All in Your Head: Stress Mindset Explains the Effect of Stress Appraisals on Work Engagement

Stress has been largely portrayed as a destructive force in life in general, and in the workplace in particular. Following the tenets of Lazarus’s (1966) process-oriented transactional theory of st...
Imaging of urachal anomalies

Urachal anomalies are classified into four types depending on the level of persistence of the embryonic urachal remnants between the urinary bladder and the umbilicus: patent urachus, umbilical-urachal sinus, urachal cyst, and vesico-urachal diverticulum. Due to the increasing use of cross-sectional imaging, urachal anomalies are frequently detected as incidental findings. Imaging plays a pivotal role in the initial diagnosis, evaluation of complications, treatment follow-up, and long-term surveillance of patients with urachal anomalies. Different urachal anomalies demonstrate characteristic imaging features that aid in a timely diagnosis and guide treatment. A patent urachus is visualized as an elongated tubular structure between the umbilicus and the urinary bladder. While umbilical-urachal sinus appears as focal dilatation at the umbilical end of the urachal remnant, the vesico-urachal diverticulum presents as a focal outpouching of the urinary bladder at anterosuperior aspect. Urachal cysts are identified as midline fluid-filled sacs most frequently located near the dome of the urinary bladder. Untreated urachal anomalies could progress into potential complications, including infection and malignancy. Knowledge regarding imaging features of urachal anomalies helps in timely diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and early detection of complications.