cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Meta-Analysis of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with higher health care costs. Although omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids have been associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease, their effects on the risk of AF are inconsistent. We therefore sought to review the relation between n-3 fatty acids and the risk of AF.Methods: Using an extensive online search, we conducted a meta-analysis of new onset incident/recurrent AF following exposure to fish/fish oil or long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. A random-effect model was used and between-studies heterogeneity was estimated with I2. The quality of studies was assessed using Jadad and United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) scoring systems. All analyses were performed with RevMan (version 5.0.20).Results: Seven cohort studies and 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.56–1.12; p = 0.19) for RCTs and 0.83 (95% CI = 0.59–1.16; p...
Capture Effects in Opportunistic Slotted ALOHA over Rayleigh Fading Channels

This paper studies the throughput, average packet delay and average power consumption for opportunistic slotted ALOHA (OS-ALOHA) in Rayleigh fading channels. The basic idea of the opportunistic transmission is to control the transmission probability of each user based on the channel quality. If the channel is good, a user transmits the packet; otherwise it holds the packet. A finite state Markov chain (FSMC) channel is modeled and the capture effect is considered in this paper. The channel fading is assumed to be correlated from slot to slot and channel state transition is incorporated into the analysis of system performance. The system performance for OS-ALOHA is investigated considering packet traffic statistics. Compared to conventional slotted ALOHA, OS-ALOHA systems show a higher throughput, smaller average delay and higher power efficiency.
Toward a Better Understanding and Application of the Principles of Visual Communication

Graphic designers have excelled at conveying visual messages for decades. We take their work for granted: the back of a Wheaties box, an informative poster, a newspaper front page (Fig. 1), slides and web pages. One of graphic design’s primary goals is to create a “visual hierarchy” that gives structure to text and imagery, and improves viewer understanding. However, while graphic design methods have clearly been successful, there has been little work examining the reasons for that success, and few tools that help users apply those methods well. This is particularly surprising when we consider the ubiquity and indeed importance of this sort of visual communication in our lives. In this chapter, we lay the foundations for a research agenda that begins addressing these problems. We begin with a review of related research. In psychology, the Gestalt laws of visual grouping are clearly fundamental to the communication of knowledge structure, however little is known about how Gestalt laws work together to create complex hierarchies. Obviously design practice has a great deal to tell us, but the accepted theory of visual hierarchy is quite limited. We also examine pertinent research in human-computer interfaces and information visualization, especially of any related tools. We then propose a paradigm for studying the effective communication of complex visual structure, including possible measures of such effectiveness, and our own initial work along those lines. We conclude by discussing open questions in this line of research.
iRest Yoga-Nidra on the College Campus: Changes in Stress, Depression, Worry, and Mindfulness

Objectives: There is evidence that yoga practice is associated with dec r eased stre s s, worry, and depre ss i o n, and with improved mindfulness-based skills. These findings had not been previously replicated for a sample of college students. This study evaluated whether iRest yoga-nidra practice was associated with reduced perceived stress, worry, and depression, and i nc r eased mind f ul n e s s in a sample of coll e g e stu d e nt s . Methods: Sixty-six students age 18‐56 completed an 8-week iRest yoga-nidra intervention that was offered for 8 semesters. Assessment occurred 1 week prior to intervention onset and during the class period following the intervention. Qualitative data were collected at Weeks 4 and 8. Results: Statistically significant pre- to posttest improvements in perceived stress, worry, and depre ss i on we re fou nd. Pree x isti ng depre s s i o n accounted for most of the change in worry and perceived stress scores. Pre- to posttest improvements in mindfulness-based skills were also detected. Conclusions: iRest yoga-nidra practice may reduce symptoms of perceived stress, worry, and depression and increase mindfulness-based skills.
Strength in small numbers

Complex traits such as height and weight are influenced by multiple genes and by environmental factors. Because of this complexity, genetic studies of these traits often involve hundreds of thousands of individuals. These studies typically focus on urban populations, for which large sample sizes are readily available. For example, the GIANT consortium recently reported 697 genetic variants that explain 20% of the heritability of adult height (1), and 97 loci that account for just 2.7% of phenotypic variation in body mass index (BMI) (2). These discoveries required a staggering 250,000 to 300,000 individuals in total. And yet, on page 1343 of this issue, Fumagalli et al. report the identification of genetic variants influencing height and BMI based on data from just a few thousand Inuit individuals (3). These results exemplify how modern humans have adapted to diverse climates and diets.
AIDJEX Results on Arctic Ice Mechanics

Over the last decade the Arctic Ice Dynamics Joint Experiment (AIDJEX) at the University of Washington has been modeling the air-ice-water regime of the Arctic and checking the results by field observations. As a product of this work extensions to the understanding of ice mechanics and the interaction of ice on structures have resulted. These results are scattered in the scientific literature but those that may be of practical value are reported in this paper. The particular areas dealt with using elastic and plastic material models, are the failure modes of ice sheets, fracture theory force, the mechanics of ridging and ridge dimensions, the prediction of pressure fields and their effects on structures and the onset of ridging.
Disability and the Context of Boys' First Sexual Intercourse.

Abstract Purpose The context in which first sexual intercourse takes place has lasting implications for subsequent sexual behavior. This study examines how adolescent disability associates with boys' age of sexual debut, relationship at first sexual intercourse, degree of discussion about birth control before first sexual intercourse, and contraceptive use at first sexual intercourse. Methods Data were used from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, a nationally representative survey collected annually in the United States. Multinomial logistic regression of a base sample of 2,737 boys examines the likelihood of (1) sexual debut at ages 12–14, 15–17, or ≥18 years; (2) first intercourse with a stranger, casual acquaintance, dating partner, in a committed relationship, or in an undefined relationship; (3) level of discussion about birth control; (4) contraception; and (5) condom use among those who contracept. Results Compared to boys without disability, those with learning or emotional conditions are more likely—and those with sensory conditions are less likely—to report very early sexual debut. Boys with chronic illness are both more likely to have sex in a committed relationship and in an undefined relationship and also more likely to contracept at first intercourse. Boys with learning or emotional conditions are more likely to discuss birth control but less likely to use condoms if they do contracept. Conclusions Boys with and without disabilities—and boys with different types of disabilities—vary significantly in multiple aspects of their first sexual experiences. It is pertinent that sexual health interventions are tailored to address this diversity.
Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, N.A. (B): Supplement

This case provides an explanation of a Lotus worksheet built to implement exponential smoothing for the data in "Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, N.A. (B): Piedmont Operations Center Scheduling" (UVA-OM-0664).
A Two-Part Tale: The WLF Equation and Beyond Linear Viscoelasticity

Abstract In this description of my work, I will first share some behind-the-scenes events in the discovery of the WLF. Then, I'll indicate why and how going to the Caltech/Jet Propulsion Laboratory led to our investigations of, and some results for, both large deformation uniaxial and biaxial responses in rubbers.
The Internet of Platforms and Walled Gardens: Implications for Openness and Neutrality

This paper will examine developments in the Internet marketplace that limit and condition access in light of growing incentives to offer prioritized interconnection at a premium price. Commercially-driven interconnection and compensation arrangements support biased networks rather than open ones. Single ventures, such as Amazon, Facebook, Google and Netflix have exploited, “winner take all” networking externalities resulting in the creation of dominant platforms and walled gardens. Advocates for network neutrality claim that limited and “pay to play” access will threaten a competitive marketplace of ideas by imposing higher costs on unaffiliated, disfavored and cash-poor content providers. Opponents argue that Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) should have the flexibility to customize services and accrue marketplace rewards for superior products and services.The paper identifies four types of government responses to price and quality of service discrimination that can exploit, or remedy choke points within the Internet ecosystem where large volumes of traffic have to traverse a single ISP network, or service provider platform. Governments can refrain from regulating access and accept aspects of market concentration as proper rewards to ventures offering desirable content and carriage services. Alternatively, they can impose access neutrality requirements to offset market-driven concentration and dominance. Between these poles, governments can apply antitrust/competition policy remedies, or rely on expert regulatory agencies to respond to complaints. The paper examines case studies where ventures have created walled gardens and platforms as an intermediary between consumers and content providers. In some instances, government-imposed remedies offered a solution to a transitory, or possibly nonexistent problem. In other instances, governments have created an administrative process for responding to complaints and resolving valid disputes.The paper concludes that governments have a duty to consumers for remedying marketplace distortions generated by firms engaging in anticompetitive practices. Rather than anticipate such an outcome, governments should offer remedies when and if they receive valid complaints documenting harm to consumers and competitors. Additionally, regulators should implement muscular transparency and truth in billing safeguards that possibly can prevent most conflicts, or help identify practices that harm consumers and competitors.
Advantages to Miniaturized Cardiopulmonary Bypass for Adult Cardiac Surgery

The development of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and open heart surgery in the 1950s has benefited millions of people around the world over the last half century. However, it has been recognized since the beginning that there are detrimental effects to CPB. In an effort to minimize the effects of CPB, a miniaturized CPB (M-CPB) closed circuit system also known as closed circuit extracorporeal circulation (CCECC) has been developed as a strategy. In this review, we will look at the rationale behind the development of the miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass circuits, the published results in comparison to both conventional CPB (C-CPB), and off pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (OPCAB), and the surgical and perfusion strategies to incorporate this technique into everyday adult cardiac surgical practice.
Charge-Enhanced Dry Impregnation: A Simple Way to Improve the Preparation of Supported Metal Catalysts

A simple variation in the method of incipient wetness can dramatically improve metal dispersion in supported metal catalysts. This very common method, also known as dry impregnation or pore filling, often suffers from the absence of metal precursor-support interaction during metal deposition, which usually leads to extensive sintering and poor distribution of the metal phase after pretreatment. In past work, our group has demonstrated the synthesis of ultrasmall nanoparticles in tight size distributions by inducing strong electrostatic interactions between the dissolved metal precursor and support. We have normally employed “wet impregnation” involving thin solution-support slurries, but now show that electrostatic interactions can be induced at incipient wetness. This is done by acidifying or basifying the impregnating solution to the (surprisingly) great extent needed to charge up the surface. With this simple variation we have demonstrated vast improvements in Pt dispersion over carbon, silica, and alu...
Hybrid semiconductor nanoparticles: π-conjugated ligands and nanostructured films

Hybrid inorganic–organic colloidal nanoparticles can be designed to achieve specific and complementary optoelectronic properties different from their sole organic and inorganic counterparts. The efficient coupling between organic and inorganic moieties facilitates optimization of these optoelectronic properties as single particles. Simply dispersing inorganic nanoparticles in an organic (polymer) matrix permits nanocomposite formation, but are usually prone to phase segregation. To achieve more-efficient energy transfer, charge carrier transport, and correspondence between energy levels of the inorganic and organic moieties, direct coupling is necessary. Ligand exchange with highly π-conjugated organic ligands or polymerization of optoelectronically active organic polymer on the surface of the inorganic nanoparticles, results in core–shell-like structures. This increases the surface-area-to-volume ratio contact between organic and inorganic moieties. Because of this advantage, energy transfer mechanism in...
Tuberculosis in the 21st century: DOTS and SPOTS. Plenary lecture given at the 29th World Conference of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Bangkok, Thailand, 23-26 November 1998. Directly observed therapy.

Les enquetes sur la charge mondiale de la maladie ont determine que de formidables problemes de sante se dessinent a l'approche du nouveau millenaire. La maladie pulmonaire pose des problemes particuliers, a la fois dans les pays developpes et en developpement. La tuberculose fournit un exemple concret de la capacite d'interventions existantes comme le traitement directement supervise (DOTS) de sauver des millions de vie dans le futur immediat et meme des potentialites pour les nouvelles connaissances et les nouveaux instruments d'arriver en fin de compte a eliminer la maladie. L'epidemiologie moleculaire demontre la capacite des nouvelles technologies a renforcer les approches bien etablies pour repondre aux questions centrales en matiere de sante publique. Notre connaissance de la sequence genomique complete de M. tuberculosis nous amene au bord d'une nouvelle ere. Les technologies nouvelles, comme les rangees microscopiques constituees de milliers de points (SPOTS) de DNA fourniront des connaissances qui vont modifier de maniere fondamentale notre approche de la lutte contre la maladie. La synergie d'un portefeuille equilibre incorporant un engagement mondial en matiere de sante publique et une recherche fondamentale creatrice nous fourniront l'infrastructure et les instruments necessaires pour eliminer la tuberculose avant la fin du 21eme siecle.
Microinjection of Rap2B protein or RNA induces rearrangement of pigment granules in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract Rap2B, a member of the ras superfamily of low-molecular-mass GTP-binding proteins, induced a characteristic rearrangement of the pigment granules in Xenopus oocytes following its microinjection, resulting in numerous unpigmented spots on the animal hemisphere. This phenomenon, termed 'mottling', was also induced by microinjection of in vitro-transcribed Rap2B RNA or of purified recombinant Rap2A. Following the microinjection of Rap2B, more than 90% of the oocytes showed signs of mottling within 10 h. The time course of mottling paralleled the association of the recombinant Rap2B with an oocyte membrane fraction. Like other members of the ras superfamily, Rap2B possesses a C-terminal CAAX motif that serves as a signal for post-translational processing. Mutation of the cysteine residue in the CAAX motif to serine prevents the association of Rap2B with oocyte membranes, and also prevents mottling. This result suggests that post-translational processing of Rap2B is required for the observed effect. Mottling was blocked by boiling Rap2B prior to its microinjection or by co-injection of the cytoskeletal reagent phalloidin.
TU-AB-209-00: Model Observer Design and Its Validation for Task-Based Evaluation of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), a limited-angle tomographic technique by its nature has multiple optimal system configurations, which can lead to many potential changes to the existing and new DBT systems entering the US market. With the availability of computational tools such as for modeling imaging physics, it is becoming increasingly important to conduct virtual trials for a rigorous, preclinical and task-based assessment of DBT. For such virtual assessment to be successful, it is critical to: (1) develop model-observer approaches that can account for patient data statistics stemming from realistic or real breast backgrounds as well as lesion characteristics, thereby performing given tasks effectively and (2) validate the model-observer approaches and their performance trends/levels with physical measurements from a prototype or real DBT system and a physical phantom ensemble. It is also important to understand trade-offs between patient (phantom) sample/effect size and observer performance reliability for gaining knowledge on how to choose appropriate model observers for the given tasks. In this session, a variety of model-observer approaches associated with currently available breast phantoms (either physical or virtual) and their sample size will be discussed. The presenters in this session will also discuss the limitations of each model observer approach to provide an understanding of the circumstances where each of these approaches can be more suitable than the others. The session is organized as follows: First, the development of virtual and physical phantoms that mimic breast anatomy will be presented. This will be followed by two presentations on model observers for DBT, one on the designing of model observers for signal-known-exactly (SKE) tasks and another on the development of visual search based model observers with the intent of identifying useful image features. Finally, this will be followed by practical examples where such model observers are applied to digital breast tomosynthesis.
Sparsity-Assisted Signal Smoothing

This chapter describes a method for one-dimensional signal denoising that simultaneously utilizes both sparse optimization principles and conventional linear time-invariant (LTI) filtering. The method, called ‘sparsity-assisted signal smoothing’ (SASS), is based on modeling a signal as the sum of a low-pass component and a piecewise smooth component. The problem is formulated as a sparse-regularized linear inverse problem. We provide simple direct methods to set the regularization and non-convexity parameters, the latter if a non-convex penalty is utilized. We derive an iterative optimization algorithm that harnesses the computational efficiency of fast solvers for banded systems. The SASS approach performs a type of wavelet denoising, but does so through sparse optimization rather than through wavelet transforms. The approach is relatively free of the pseudo-Gibbs phenomenon that tends to arise in wavelet denoising.
Predictive Success and Non-Individualist Models in Social Science

The predictive inadequacy of the social sciences is well documented, and philosophers have sought to diagnose it. This paper examines Brian Epstein’s recent diagnosis. He argues that the social sciences treat the social world as entirely composed of individual people. Instead, social scientists should recognize that material, non-individualistic entities determine the social world, as well. First, I argue that Epstein’s argument both begs the question against his opponents and is not sufficiently charitable. Second, I present doubts that his proposal will improve predictive success for the social sciences, which I support with Edith Penrose’s resource-based theory of the firm.
Absence of IQGAP1 Protein Leads to Insulin Resistance

Insulin binds to the insulin receptor (IR) and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), leading to activation of the PKB/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways. IQGAP1 is a scaffold protein that interacts with multiple binding partners and integrates diverse signaling cascades. Here we show that IQGAP1 associates with both IR and IRS-1 and influences insulin action. In vitro analysis with pure proteins revealed that the IQ region of IQGAP1 binds directly to the intracellular domain of IR. Similarly, the phosphotyrosine-binding domain of IRS-1 mediates a direct interaction with the C-terminal tail of IQGAP1. Consistent with these observations, both IR and IRS-1 co-immunoprecipitated with IQGAP1 from cells. Investigation of the functional effects of the interactions revealed that in the absence of IQGAP1, insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and ERK, as well as the association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with IRS-1, were significantly decreased. Importantly, loss of IQGAP1 results in impaired insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis in vivo. Collectively, these data reveal that IQGAP1 is a scaffold for IR and IRS-1 and implicate IQGAP1 as a participant in insulin signaling.
The Hair Cell Synapse

The sensory cells of the auditory/vestibular system rely on two highly specialized structures to transmit information to the brain: hair bundles and ribbon synapses. Hair bundles transduce sound and head movements into changes in membrane potential, which in turn stimulate ribbon synapses to release neurotransmitter. As opposed to the all-or-none firing of neurons, both mechanotransduction and release of neurotransmitter occur in a graded fashion. When hair bundles are deflected, cations flow through transduction channels, initiating a change in membrane potential. Stronger deflections result in greater changes in receptor potential, which in turn lead to graded gating of L-type calcium channels. These basally located channels mediate calcium influx and subsequent fusion of synaptic vesicles. After vesicle release, sufficient amounts of neurotransmitter cause an action potential to fire in afferent neurons.
The Impact of Increased State Regulation of Campus Sexual Assault Practices: Perspectives of Campus Personnel

ABSTRACTSeeking to improve university accountability and compliance with federal mandates, states are considering new reforms including mandating reporting of campus sexual assault allegations. These new policies remain an empirical “black box.” To address these gaps, the current exploratory study draws upon a recent survey that examines the extent of awareness, perceptions, concerns, and policy practices of victim advocates and other personnel concerning new legislation. Virginia is chosen as the state for this case study given its recent implementation of a controversial mandated reporting law, as well as other initiatives, across institutions of higher education. Findings suggest that campus personnel are aware and largely supportive of the new reforms, but they also share concerns. Implications for research and policy development are discussed.
Future of clinical leadership: saving our greatest intensity for human beings

Do the qualities that distinguish good doctors always lead to success in the operational space? The few studies that have explored this question suggest they can, though it’s not a guarantee, and there may be a tension. This article looks at the studies and suggests that with the global healthcare landscape changing so rapidly—politically, economically and technologically—introducing physicians to the craft of leadership in the operational space may be more important than ever. It can also be more rewarding than ever, so long as clinicians don’t lose sight of what it is they can uniquely offer as physician leaders. The article concludes that clinicians may be uniquely positioned to connect important points being raised about the healthcare ecosystem back to the reason it exists in the first place: to support caregivers in the sacred act of healing the sick, of preserving human life and human potential. ‘Saving our greatest intensity for human beings’ is ultimately what must distinguish clinical leaders.
Crystallization and Device Shaping

Most of the more sophisticated semiconductor devices are made from high quality single crystals, shaped into a form as required by the device. For some classes of devices, however, polycrystalline or amorphous layers are sufficient to obtain respectable performance.
Performance of Early Instar Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus L.) on Nine Milkweed Species Native to Iowa

Over the past two decades, the population of monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains has experienced a significant decline. Habitat restoration that includes milkweed plants is crucial to boost population numbers in the breeding range. Monarch butterfly larvae use milkweeds as their only host plant, but larval performance on different milkweed species is not well documented. We examined early instar survival and growth on nine milkweed species native to Iowa. These included Asclepias exaltata (poke milkweed), A. hirtella (tall green milkweed), A. incarnata (swamp milkweed), A. speciosa (showy milkweed), A. sullivantii (prairie milkweed), A. syriaca (common milkweed), A. tuberosa (butterfly milkweed), A. verticillata (whorled milkweed), and Cynanchum laeve (honey vine milkweed). In laboratory and greenhouse experiments, larval survival on all nine milkweed species did not differ. Larvae that fed on C. laeve plants were an instar behind larvae that fed on any other species, while larvae that fed on A. verticillata weighed more than larvae that fed on any other species. Our results show that early instar larvae can survive on all nine milkweed species.
The shadow rule: a simple method for sun protection

The intensity of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun is directly related to the angle of the sun or altitude above the horizon. Solar altitude at any given clock time varies with season and latitude-longitude. The shadow rule indirectly determines the sun's altitude by observing the length of a person's shadow during the time course of a day. When the shadow on a horizontal surface in the sun is equal in length to height of the person casting the shadow, then the altitude of the sun above the horizon is 45 degrees. The tangent of 45 degrees altitude (tan alt) equals 1 or the ratio of the height of the person casting a shadow (y) to the length of the person's shadow (x). In middle latitudes, the intensity of UVR is approximately inversely proportional to the length of the person's shadow. Thus, when a person's shadow is shorter than the person is tall, the intensity of UVR from the sun is more likely to cause sunburn.
Pacific lamprey recolonization of a Pacific Northwest river following dam removal

Recolonization of Pacific lampreys Entosphenus tridentatus into historically used freshwater habitats in the United States Pacific Northwest was evaluated in the White Salmon River basin after removal of Condit Dam. Pacific lamprey population declines are of concern, and passage barrier removal is often recommended for conservation. Condit Dam on the White Salmon River in Washington was a complete barrier to fish migrating upstream for nearly 100 years, was breached in 2011, and was removed by 2012. Distribution of larval Pacific lampreys was estimated before and after removal of Condit Dam using either backpack or deepwater electrofishing. Larval detection probabilities were calculated for the basin, and sample efforts were refined to ensure at least 80% confidence that larvae were absent when not detected. Pacific lampreys were not present upstream of Condit Dam before it was removed but were present in areas downstream of the dam. After dam removal, Pacific lamprey larvae were collected upstream of the former dam site from four reaches of the mainstem White Salmon River, indicating a recent recolonization event. Pacific lampreys were absent from the river mouth area before the dam was removed but were found in newly created habitat at the mouth after dam removal. Pacific lampreys naturally recolonized the White Salmon River basin within a few years after dam removal. Removing dams and providing passage opportunity can allow Pacific lampreys to distribute into vacant areas and may help reverse population declines.
Ipsilateral versus contralateral placement of the pancreas allograft in pancreas after kidney transplant recipients.

Background In a diabetic, uremic kidney transplant recipient that may receive a future pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplant, the kidney is typically implanted on the left side in anticipation of the subsequent pancreas transplant on the right side. In this study, we sought to determine if ipsilateral PAK (iPAK) is as safe as contralateral PAK (cPAK). Methods The 115 PAK transplants (iPAK n = 57, cPAK n = 58) were performed from 1997-2010 and results were compared between the groups. Results Kidney graft survival and pancreas graft survival was similar between the two groups. Kidney graft function according to serum creatinine and eGFR was not different between the cPAK and the iPAK groups and there were no episodes of kidney graft thrombosis in either group. Subgroup analyses focusing on donor source also did not show worse outcomes for graft survivals in iPAK group when compared to cPAK group. Conclusions Pancreas and kidney graft survival in PAK transplants is unaffected by the surgical procedure and iPAK is safe.
Abstract 15233: Exercise Reverses Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Associated Vascular Dysfunction in Mesentery Arteries in Atherosclerosis

Introduction: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, known as a disruption of ER homeostasis resulting in an accumulation of misfolded and unfolded protein response (UPR) is linked to cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. Underlying mechanisms for mesenteric arterial dysfunction in atherosclerosis, major cause of chronic mesenteric ischemia, is unclear and no study has been done to investigate the effect of exercise on mesenteric arterial dysfunction in atherosclerosis. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that ER stress aggravates endothelial dysfunction in mesenteric arteries in atherosclerosis and exercise ameliorate those endothelial dysfunction. Methods: We used wild type (WT), wild type with exercise training, running on the treadmill for 12 weeks (WT-EX), apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) and ApoE KO with exercise training (ApoE KO-EX) mice. To test mesenteric artery function, endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine, ACh) vasodilation and endothelium-independent nitroprusside (SNP) vasodilation of isolated and pressurized mesenteric arteries were measured by a concentration-dependent manner. The vessels were incubated with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor, N G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), ER stress inducer tunicamycin, ER stress inhibitor, Tudca, caspase-1 inhibitor (AC-YVARD-cmk) and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) inhibitor, Genepin were incubated and ACh-induced dilation was measured to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results: ACh-induced vasodilation was attenuated in ApoE KO compared to WT but exercise training improved the ACh-induced vasodilatation in ApoE KO-EX while endothelium-independent SNP-induced vasodilation was not different among the groups. Incubation of Tudca and AC-YVARD-cmk improved ACh-induced vasodilation in ApoE KO. ACh-induced vasodilation in the presence of L-NAME, tunicamycin and Genepin were reduced in WT, WT-EX and ApoE KO-EX, but not in ApoE KO. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ER stress plays a significant role in vascular endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerotic mesenteric arteries and exercise restores it through ER stress and its downstream signaling pathways including NOS, UCP-2 and caspase-1.
Concentration-Controlled Trials: Basic Concepts, Design, and Implementation

A Concentration-Controlled Trial (CCT) is one where subjects are assigned to predetermined levels of average plasma drug concentration. These target concentrations are achieved (within reasonable ranges) by an individualized pharmacokinetically (PK) controlled dosing scheme. In a recent paper (Sanathanan and Peck, 1991), we have investigated the sample size efficiency of the Randomized CCT (RCCT) design in comparison to the traditional Randomized Dose-Controlled Trial (RDCT). We have pointed out that in addition to safety concerns which strongly suggest the use of CCTs for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, sample size considerations favor the choice of CCTs in many situations. In particular, substantially smaller sample sizes are possible with CCTs which are designed to minimize the interindividual PK variability within comparison groups and consequently decrease the variability in clinical response within these groups. In a subsequent paper (Sanathanan and co-workers, 1991), we proposed a Phase II randomized concentration-controlled titration design with the objective of streamlining the drug development process. In this chapter we present a brief overview of the basic concepts underlying the design and implementation of CCTs.
University Entrepreneurship: A Survey of US Experience

The rise in the commercialization of academic research achieved in the United States has sparked a heated debate to determine the components in the fuel of this success. As U.S. universities expand their patenting, licensing, and commercializing of research, their potential to drive domestic innovation and economic growth increases. However, there is a balancing act to be achieved: creating new innovations while not decreasing the university’s primary role of education, research, and community outreach.
Dynamic sampling with governed neural networks

The process of training neural networks online for robot control suffers from catastrophic forgetting. Long sequences of repetitive sensory inputs corresponding to slowly changing environmental stimuli tend to dominate the learning process of neural network controllers. In robot control tasks, however, short critical periods of sensory data are often more vital to the learning process. Traditionally, to enhance the importance of these short critical periods of sensory information, sensory data from the required task is collected and balanced before being used as a training set for an offline neural network. Using vector quantization techniques, we have developed a neural network governor that dynamically samples the input data online so as to excise long sequences of repetitive data that would otherwise prevent shorter critical sequences from being properly learned.
Dependence of Coronal Loop Temperature on Loop Length and Magnetic Field Strength

The temperature characteristics of solar coronal loops over a wide range of lengths and magnetic field strengths are investigated by means of numerical simulations. A very high correlation between magnetic field strength (B 0) and maximum temperature (T max) is found. Shorter loops rooted at stronger fields are those that reach higher maximum temperatures. High temperatures constitute a small part of the loop volume. For loops of equal length, those with stronger magnetic fields have broader emission measure distributions. The conditions underlying the variety of loops observed in the solar corona are discussed, an explanation of why both cold and hot loops exist is provided, and suggestions are given as to what observations need to be made to confirm the results. Data in the analysis are provided by numerical simulations using HYPERION, an explicit massively parallel Fourier collocation–finite-difference code. In the simulations footpoints are convected with a randomized large-scale flow. This produces a Poynting flux which leads to the buildup of magnetic energy in the loop. The magnetic energy is then transformed into thermal energy by a magnetic reconnection process occurring within current sheets formed locally by an energy cascade toward small scales.
Evaluation of Post-blast Re-entry Times Based on Gas Monitoring of Return Air

Blasting is the main method of production in many non-coal underground mining operations and produces multiple toxic gases as a result. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires mine operators to measure the level of toxic gases in mines as frequently as necessary to ensure they are below regulatory safety limits. The current practice uses portable gas monitors to check the concentrations of toxic gases after a fixed post-blast time. This paper studies the application of a gas monitoring system in the return entry of a limestone mine to determine a safe re-entry time. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted such a monitoring program in a limestone mine from September 2016 through May 2018. NIOSH/PMRD (Pittsburgh Mining Research Division) is endeavoring to develop workplace solutions to improve detection of and reduce the risk of hazardous conditions. This study showed that the use of gas monitoring in the return air can be a useful tool at the mine operator’s disposal to detect and reduce the risk of hazardous conditions and also to reliably estimate the re-entry time.
The Collaborative Identity Project: A Shared Transmedia Experience in Digital Representation.

In an effort to move students beyond their typical understanding of social media, “the collaborative identity project” requires that they collectively contribute to one single, pseudonymous, online...
Hydrophobic ion pairing: encapsulating small molecules, peptides, and proteins into nanocarriers

Hydrophobic ion pairing has emerged as a method to modulate the solubility of charged hydrophilic molecules ranging in class from small molecules to large enzymes. Charged hydrophilic molecules are ionically paired with oppositely-charged molecules that include hydrophobic moieties; the resulting uncharged complex is water-insoluble and will precipitate in aqueous media. Here we review one of the most prominent applications of hydrophobic ion pairing: efficient encapsulation of charged hydrophilic molecules into nano-scale delivery vehicles - nanoparticles or nanocarriers. Hydrophobic complexes are formed and then encapsulated using techniques developed for poorly-water-soluble therapeutics. With this approach, researchers have reported encapsulation efficiencies up to 100% and drug loadings up to 30%. This review covers the fundamentals of hydrophobic ion pairing, including nomenclature, drug eligibility for the technique, commonly-used counterions, and drug release of encapsulated ion paired complexes. We then focus on nanoformulation techniques used in concert with hydrophobic ion pairing and note strengths and weaknesses specific to each. The penultimate section bridges hydrophobic ion pairing with the related fields of polyelectrolyte coacervation and polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexation. We then discuss the state of the art and anticipated future challenges. The review ends with comprehensive tables of reported hydrophobic ion pairing and encapsulation from the literature.
Insights Into Veterans’ Perspectives on a Peer Support Program for Glycemic Management:

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the mentor-mentee relationship in veterans with type 2 diabetes and gain insight into successful pairings.MethodsQualitative semistructured interview...
Arctic Soil Governs Whether Climate Change Drives Global Losses or Gains in Soil Carbon

Author(s): Wieder, WR; Sulman, BN; Hartman, MD; Koven, CD; Bradford, MA | Abstract: Key uncertainties in terrestrial carbon cycle projections revolve around the timing, direction, and magnitude of the carbon cycle feedback to climate change. This is especially true in carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems, where permafrost soils contain roughly one third of the world's soil carbon stocks, which are likely vulnerable to loss. Using an ensemble of soil biogeochemical models that reflect recent changes in the conceptual understanding of factors responsible for soil carbon persistence, we quantify potential soil carbon responses under two representative climate change scenarios. Our results illustrate that models disagree on the sign and magnitude of global soil changes through 2100, with disagreements primarily driven by divergent responses of Arctic systems. These results largely reflect different assumptions about the nature of soil carbon persistence and vulnerabilities, underscoring the challenges associated with setting allowable greenhouse gas emission targets that will limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Optimal bait density for delivery of acute toxicants to vertebrate pests

Oral baiting is a fundamental method for delivering toxicants to pest species. Planning baiting strategies is challenging because bait-consumption rates depend on dynamic processes including space use and demographics of the target species. To determine cost-effective strategies for optimizing baiting, we developed a spatially explicit model of population dynamics using field-based measures of wild-pig (Sus scrofa) space use, bait consumption, and mortality probabilities. The most cost-effective baiting strategy depended strongly on the population reduction objective and initial density. A wide range of baiting strategies were cost-effective when the objective was 80% population reduction. In contrast, only a narrow range of baiting strategies allowed for a 99% reduction. Cost-effectiveness was lower for low densities of wild pigs because of the increased effort for locating target animals. Bait avoidance due to aversive conditioning from sub-lethal dosing had only minor effects on cost-effectiveness when the objective was an 80% reduction, whereas the effect was much stronger when the objective was 99% population reduction. Our results showed that a bait-based toxicant could be cost-effective for substantially reducing populations of wild pigs, but for elimination it may be most cost-effective to integrate additional management techniques following initial toxicant deployment. The nonlinear interaction of cost-effectiveness, initial population size, and reduction objective also emphasized the importance of considering the dynamics of space use and bait consumption for predicting effective baiting strategies. Although we used data for an acute toxicant and wild-pig consumption rates, our framework can be readily adapted to other vertebrate pest species and toxicant characteristics.
Editorial Commentary: Can We Derive Any Practical Information From a Study of "The Top 50 Most Influential Papers in Hip Arthroscopy," or Are We Tooting Our Own Horns?

Abstract Orthopaedic literature on hip arthroscopy has become more robust primarily from the advent and transformation in the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome from an open surgical dislocation to an ambulatory arthroscopic procedure. Numerous studies have reviewed the frequency of authors and subjects in particular areas of arthroscopy, but until this article, none had been performed on the most influential in hip arthroscopy. The question to be answered is, Do such studies contribute significantly to our knowledge by suggesting future topics to clinicians and training programs?
The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases: Estimation and Application.

Using news reports and press releases from provinces, regions, and countries outside Wuhan, Hubei province, China, this analysis estimates the length of the incubation period of COVID-19 and its pu...
Coupled Cluster Study of the Interactions of AnO2, AnO2+, and AnO22+ (An = U, Np) with N2 and CO.

Thermochemical and spectroscopic properties for actinyl complexes involving UO22+/1+/0 and NpO22+/1+/0 with N2 and CO, together with the UO2-O2, UO2+-O2, and UO2+-NO complexes, have been studied for the first time using an accurate composite coupled cluster approach. Two general bonding motifs were investigated, end-on (η1) and side-on (η2) relative to the metal center of the actinyls. For end-on CO complexes, both C-coordinated (An-C) and O-coordinated (An-O) structures were examined, with the former always being lower in energy. All of the η1 complexes were calculated to be stable, with dissociation energies ranging from 2 to 36 kcal/mol, except for that of UO2+-O2 (the η1 orientation for UO2+-NO was not amenable to single reference coupled cluster). In agreement with a previous study, the η2 structure for UO2+-O2 was calculated to be relatively strongly bound, by 22.3 kcal/mol in this work. The closely related NO complex, however, had a calculated dissociation energy of just 4.0 kcal/mol. The binding energy of O2 to neutral UO2 in a η2 orientation was calculated to be very strong, 75.4 kcal/mol, and strongly resembled a UO2+(O2-) complex at equilibrium. The N-N and C-O bonds were found to be somewhat activated for all the side-on (η2) neutral An(IV) complexes, with stretching frequencies of N2 or CO being red-shifted by as much as 480 cm-1 with a 0.06 A bond length elongation. Dissociation energies for the η1 complexes are strongly correlated with the extent of electron transfer from ligand to actinyl. The nature of bonding in the actinyl complexes is examined using natural resonance theory (NRT). The correlation between bonding motif and small molecule activation is in agreement with experiments in condensed phases.
Rethinking Federal Bail Advocacy to Change the Culture of Detention

The federal bail system is in crisis, with three out of every four people locked in a cage despite the presumption of innocence. Disheartening as the numbers are, we defense attorneys have the power to free our clients through zealous advocacy at bail hearings. Bond advocacy is all the more important now. As the COVID-19 pandemic ravages federal jails, pretrial release has become a matter of life or death. All of us who represent clients in federal court have a responsibility to redouble our efforts to defend our clients’ fundamental right to liberty. To change the culture of detention, we need to radically rethink our advocacy and ensure that all of the players follow the Bail Reform Act’s defense-friendly rules. This article provides statistics to illustrate the contours and costs of the federal pretrial detention crisis and action steps for bringing federal pretrial detention practices back in line with the law. We can change the culture of detention by using the action steps, tethering our arguments to the statute and the data, and filing more bond motions.