cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A biological model of tamponade gases following pneumatic retinopexy.

Purpose. Predict the persistence and expansion of intra-ocular tamponade gases used in retinal detachment surgery. Quantify factors that contribute to elevations in the intra-ocular pressure. Methods. We developed a non-equilibrium physiological model of intraocular gas transfer in vitreoretinal surgery. The model was calibrated using published volumetric decay measurements for four perfluorocarbon gases (CF 4 , C 2 f 6 , C 3 F 8 , C 4 f 1 0 ) injected into the New Zealand red rabbit. We validated the model by comparing predicted and experimental results at different conditions in the rabbit. Using the rabbit results, the model was scaled up to humans. Results. Predictions of gas expansion, half-life, and intra-ocular pressure in humans were found to correlate very well with clinical results. Gas transfer in the eye was controlled by diffusion through plasma and membranes. Although intraocular pressure depended on several complicating factors such as the physiological condition of the eye as well as the medications being used, prediction of conditions that favor elevations in intraocular pressure were identified based on the transport and thermodynamic properties of the gases. Conclusions. The biological model accurately predicted the dynamics of intraocular gases in the human eye. The major factor affecting the intraocular pressure was the aqueous humor dynamics, which is highly dependent on the physiological conditions in the eye. However, for long duration gases such as perfluoropropane, elevations in intraocular pressure are possible following an increase in volume and/or purity of the injected gas. By injecting a mixture of air with an expansive gas, it is possible to reduce elevations in intraocular pressure in patients with the trade off of a reduced longevity of the gas bubble. For gases that diffuse faster than perfluoropropane, there are minimal effects on intraocular pressure due to these changes.
Quantification of Lifeline System Interdependencies after the 27 February 2010 Mw 8.8 Offshore Maule, Chile, Earthquake

Data on lifeline system service restoration is seldom exploited for the calibration of performance prediction models or for response comparisons across systems and events. This study explores utili...
the sexual division of labor and the organization of family and firm in an overseas Chinese community

Scholars of the Chinese entrepreneurial ethic describe married women's primary entrepreneurial strategy as an indirect one—motivating sons to work hard for the family. Research in a community of overseas Chinese entrepreneurs, however, reveals diversity in married women's strategies. After cross-tabulating a number of variables, including family type, spatial organization, and firm size, this article concludes that firm size is the most influential factor with respect to women's strategies and roles. Its impact is explained in terms of the relationship of entrepreneurial ideology to Chinese family relationships and sex roles. [China, women, entre-preneurship, developmental cycle, sexual division of labor]
Sleep apnea – another piece of the postoperative delirium puzzle?

Cardiac surgery is associated with high rates of postoperative delirium. The development of postoperative delirium increases morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Sleep disordered breathing is highly prevalent in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and now appears likely to be an independent risk factor for postoperative delirium. If confirmed in larger controlled trials, sleep apnea may represent a risk factor for targeted intervention to reduce the rate of postoperative delirium.
Measurements and modeling of low-frequency near-surface scattering statistics

High-resolution acoustic measurements of low-frequency near-surface backscattering at low grazing angles have been made in the open ocean using vertical arrays of coherent sources. Over the range of wind speeds (4-18 m/s) encountered, the normalized data amplitudes exhibited variable non-Rayleigh behavior, from near Rayleigh in the highest sea states to near lognormal in low-to-moderate sea states. Seven probability density function (pdf) models were fit to the data, with the three-component Rayleigh mixture providing the most consistent fits and the least errors. One pdf model, the Poisson-Rayleigh, provided not only good fits to many data sets, but also physical insights into the scattering process. This model's estimates of the expected number of discrete scatterers ranged from 200/km/sup 2/ at low wind speeds to 2000/km/sup 2/ at high wind speeds, consistent with the expected densities of fish and subsurface bubble clouds, respectively. These results are encouraging with regard to developing physical models capable of using local results (such as these) to accurately predict long-range reverberation and clutter statistics.
From Sunrise to Sunset: An Ethnographyof Rural Ecuadorian Women's Perceived Health Needs and Resources

In this ethnographic study, we describe the perceived health needs and resources of women in two rural Ecuadorian communities. Nineteen women participated in semistructured interviews. Women worked 3 to 30 hours outside the home each week but described their financial resources as insufficient. Most participants perceived their health as fair to poor. Four themes emerged related to the participants' health needs: (1) lack of money, (2) “it's better to be alone,” (3) the physical burden of women's roles, and (4) suffering/self-sacrifice. Traditional medicine, local experts in traditional remedies, and nutrition emerged as resources to prevent illness. We believe our results offer valuable information in facilitating participatory health projects for social change.
Perch-height specific predation on tropical lizard clay models: implications for habitat selection in mainland neotropical lizards

Predation has been hypothesized to be a strong selective force structuring communities of tropical lizards. Comparisons of perch height and size-based predation frequencies can provide a unique window into understanding how predation might shape habitat selection and morphological patterns in lizards, especially anoles. Here I use plasticine clay models, placed on the trunks of trees and suspended in the canopy to show that predation frequency on clay models differs primarily according to habitat (canopy vs. trunk-ground), but not according to size. These data are discussed in light of observed lizard abundances in the lowland forests of Costa Rica, and are presented as partial explanation for why fewer lizards are found in tree canopies, and more lizards are found on ground-trunk habitats.
Older Married Workers and Nonstandard Jobs: The Effects of Health and Health Insurance

We examine the effects of health and health insurance coverage on older married workers’ decisions to work in temporary, contract, part-time, self-employment, and regular full-time jobs. We model the behavior of older married workers as interdependent, showing that one spouse’s health and insurance status affects the employment of the other. In general, we find that men and women are less likely to be employed in regular full-time jobs when they are in fair or poor health and are more likely to be in regular full-time employment when their spouses are in poor health.
Proton Transport Through Channels: Insights and Surprises from Molecular Simulation

The behavior of hydrated excess protons passing into and through transmembrane proton channels will be presented, based on the results of a novel multi-scale computer simulation methodology. The unique electrostatics related to the dynamic delocalization of the excess proton charge defect will be elaborated, as well as its effect on the channel proton transport and selectivity properties. The often opposing and asymptotic viewpoints related to electrostatics on one hand and Grotthuss proton shuttling on the other will be reconciled and unified into a single conceptual framework. Specific simulation results will be given for various channel systems, including the M2 channel of influenza A, proton selective mutant aquaporin-1 channels, the ClC Cl-/H+ antiporter, and models of the Hv1 voltage gated proton channel. Comparison to experimental results will be discussed where possible.
Peripheral vessel leakage (PVL): a new angiographic finding in diabetic retinopathy identified with ultra wide-field fluorescein angiography.

Purpose: To characterize the relationship between peripheral vessel leakage and other angiographic features of diabetic retinopathy. Design: Retrospective, consecutive case series. Methods: Consecutive ultra wide-field angiographs obtained at a single institution for diabetic retinopathy were graded for angiographic characteristics including macular edema, retinal neovascularization, retinal vascular perfusion abnormalities, and retinal vascular staining and leakage. Results: Angiographic characteristics of 264 eyes of 143 patients were evaluated. Findings included focal and diffuse angiographic macular edema (150/264, 57%), neovascularization (107/264, 41%), late peripheral vascular leakage (PVL) (107/264, 41%), and peripheral non-perfusion (142/264, 54%). Amongst all subjects untreated peripheral non-perfusion was associated with anterior neovascularization (78% vs. 48%, p = 0.0001, Fisher exact test) and posterior neovascularization (78% vs. 43%, p < 0.0001), but not with macular edema (p = 0.71). PVL was associated with peripheral non-perfusion (78% vs. 38%, p < 0.0001) and posterior neovascularization (53% vs. 35%, p = 0.01), but not with macular edema (p = 0.449). However, focal macular edema was strongly associated with PVL (33% vs. 13%, p = 0.008) in eyes without peripheral non-perfusion. Amongst untreated eyes with non-proliferative retinopathy and macular edema, there was a trend for association between macular edema and peripheral non-perfusion (p = 0.065).
Employee Engagement and HRD: A Seminal Review of the Foundations

The term employee engagement has gained considerable popularity in the past 20 years yet it remains inconsistently defined and conceptualized. Although much has been written on the subject, little rigorous academic research has been done. This gap has resulted in a disjointed approach to understanding and developing strategies around employee engagement within organizations. This article explores the development of employee engagement through a historical lens using an integrated literature review to define and situate the concept within the HRD field by systematically reviewing and organizing literature across various disciplines and fields of study. Seminal works on the topic were identified and reviewed to gain an understanding of the topic’s development.A working definition is proposed and implications for theory, scholarship, and organizational practice are discussed.
ASD Traits and Co-Occurring Psychopathology: The Moderating Role of Gender.

The higher prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in males, relative to that seen in females, is a well-replicated phenomenon. A growing body of research has suggested that there may be gender differences in core ASD deficits and patterns of psychiatric comorbidity among adolescents and adults with ASD. The present study sought to determine if association between psychiatric diagnoses and ASD traits differed by gender in a young adult analogue sample. Participants (n = 84) were university students, scoring either above or below a pre-determined cut-off of ASD traits. Using a structured psychiatric screening interview, ASD traits were found to more strongly predict exceeding screening threshold for mood disorders in females than in males. Future directions and clinical implications are discussed.
Back into the Unmasterable Past: Southwest Germany and the Judicial Odyssey of Mayor Reinhard Boos, 1947–1949

The article examines a series of trials involving the November 1938 destruction of the synagogue in Lorrach, Germany, held between 1947 and 1949. The alleged ringleader of the pogrom was acquitted, as were some of his codefendants. These acquittals, together with the probationary terms offered to several of the defendants, suggest that the South Baden authorities had found they could censure Nazi violence toward Jews through criminal indictment and conviction, while simultaneously reintegrating compromised individuals – some of them now burdened with a criminal record for crimes of violence against Jews – into the new West German polity. The article examines the case in light of Emil Durkheim’s normative-integrative theory of criminal law/criminal deviance, suggesting that the history of the trials requires qualification of Durkheim’s theory as applied to human rights abuses by agents of the nation-state.
Remarks on climatology

It is obviously impossible to draw any clear and absolute line of demarkation between climatology and meteorology; the two subjects occupy too much ground in common. Until a very few years ago most of us, nevertheless, had a perfectly clear idea of what we meant when we spoke of climatology as a separate and special field of study. We knew it as we know a path we have followed for years, without being able to reduce it to an equation in geographic coordinates—perhaps even without being able to describe it. But still we were able to follow it again and again without any danger of getting lost. Today our path to climatological knowledge has been confused by a number of newly erected road signs all bearing the same name and all pointing in different directions. One might almost suspect that it had been done deliberately, in order to confuse the “invading” sciences which come in search of the knowledge they need for the solution of their own problems.
Magnetic field measurements in a 345 kV substation

While much has been written about magnetic field measurements from high voltage transmission lines, magnetic field measurements in high voltage substations have been neglected. The large variations in geometry and ever-increasing prevalence in residential and commercial area make this an area of increasing interest.
Four-wave parametric interaction in potassium vapor

Two simultaneous laser pulses incident on a cell of potassium vapor at 350°C generate an intense (1-kW) beam of violet light at about 4000 A. The incident pulses are a 2-MW ruby beam and a 300-kW ruby-generated Stokes beam nearly resonant with the potassium 4P3/2- 4S1/2transition. A simplified theory is presented which treats the problem as a four-wave parametric interaction, and accounts for such experimental details as the doublet stucture of the violet light and the fact that the components of the doublet have different intensities.
AVA analysis after velocity-independent DMO and imaging

A common midpoint (CMP) gather usually provides amplitude variation with offset (AVO) information by displaying the reflectivity as the peak amplitude of symmetrical deconvolved wavelets. This puts a reflection coefficient R at every offset h, giving a function R(h). But how do we link h with the angle of incidence, θ, to get the reflectivity function, R(θ)? This is necessary for amplitude versus angle-of-incidence (AVA) analysis. One purpose of this paper is to derive formulas for this linkage after velocity-independent dip-moveout (DMO), done by migrating radial sections, and prestack zero-offset migration. Related studies of amplitude-preserving DMO in the past have dealt with constant-offset DMO but have not given the connection between offset and angle of incidence after processing. The results in the present paper show that the same reflectivity function can be extracted from the imaged volume whether it is produced using radial-trace DMO plus zero-offset migration, constant-offset DMO plus zero-off...
EFFECT OF THE AMINO ACIDS AND DIALYZABLE CONSTITUENTS OF EMBRYONIC TISSUE JUICE ON THE GROWTH OF FIBROBLASTS

The ultrafilterable constituents of embryonic tissue extract are unable to support cell life in vitro. They stimulate cell migration and possibly multiplication, without increasing the mass of the tissue. Embryonic tissue extract freed from amino acids by dialysis still retains a considerable part of its growth-promoting properties. The area of growth of tissues in embryonic tissue extract free from amino acids is appreciably less than that with the whole extract, probably owing to the denaturation of part of the protein, or perhaps to the inactivation or loss of an enzyme. The addition of either the ultrafilterable components or an artificial mixture of amino acids to this dialyzed extract increases the area of cell migration but does not restore all the activity lost on dialysis. The observed differences in growth of tissue, due to the addition or removal of dialyzable and ultrafilterable constituents of the extract, prove that the amino acids produce a more active cell migration and possibly multiplication, but no building up of new protoplasm.
Astrophysics: Growing planet brought to light

Thousands of extrasolar planets have been discovered, but none is a planet in its infancy. Observations have finally been made of a young planet growing in its birthplace — opening the way to many more such discoveries. See Letter p.342 None of the nearly 1,900 exoplanets so far discovered and confirmed are still in the process of formation. LkCa 15, a star system in the constellation of Taurus, has attracted much attention since infrared sources were detected in ring-like gaps or clearings in its protoplanetary disk: they indicate the presence of accreting planets. In search of planets in the act of formation, Stephanie Sallum et al. used adaptive optics to directly detect Hα emission from the innermost companion of the LkCa 15 system (LkCa 15 b), showing hot (∼10,000 K) gas falling deep into the potential well of an accreting protoplanet. The authors suggest that, combined with infrared data, these findings show the unambiguous formation of a planet, and conclude that the LkCa 15 system provides an ideal opportunity to study planet formation and disc–planet interactions.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Review: Critical Role of Chest Compressions

50-year-old man suddenly collapsed while standing in the waiting area of a local hospital. A physician walking by promptly determined, by the absence of carotid pulses, that cardiac activity had ceased. He then quickly removed a Swiss Army knife that he kept in his trouser pocket, made several chest wall precordial incisions to expose the heart, which he found to be in standstill, and initiated hand compression cardiac massage (all within 3 minutes of the event). Cardiac contractions promptly returned and the patient started to breathe. The patient was immediately taken to surgery and the chest wounds were cleansed and repaired. Subsequent chest wall and pericardial infections were treated using drains and intensive parenteral antibiotics: the patient recovered and was discharged 3 weeks after the event. This was the state of cardiac resuscitative measures in the “1950s” when it was not uncommon for physicians to carry folding knives to be used in sudden death emergencies. It was not until 1959 that Kouwenhoven and Jude 1 first reported on the success of external chest compression as a procedure that could safely and effectively massage the heart and reverse sudden cardiac death. This was the stimulus for the birth of modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Radiosensitization of anoxic Escherichia coli mutants by diamide.

SummaryThe glutathione oxidant, diazenedicarboxylic acid bis (N, N′-diethylamide) (‘diamide’), sensitizes anoxic, but not euoxic, cells of several repair-deficient strains of Escherichia coli, but some strains are sensitized to a lesser extent than others. The degree to which each mutant is sensitized does not correlate in any obvious way with its oxygen enhancement ratio (o.e.r.) or with the absence of specific repair functions. Intracellular non-protein sulphydryl (NPSH) content of each strain is also unrelated to the o.e.r. Since the extent of NPSH oxidation by diamide is the same for all the strains, it does not account for the different degrees of sensitization. These results indicate that, at the level of cellular DNA, diamide enhances the effective yield of lethal lesions (e.g. strand breaks) and that the mechanism of action is at least partly different from that of oxygen.
Approaches to Program Correctness

At the beginning of the computer age programs were verified primarily by spot checking them against precomputed values. Except for programmed diagnostics, which detect only specific classes of errors, this is till the only verification technique is general use today. A great deal of research is being devoted to new approaches. Generally speaking, these fall into three broad categories: systematic program testing, mathematical proofs of program correctness, and writing programs so that they are known to be correct in the first place. The last of these, writing programs that are known to be correct, appears to be already developed and ready for use. The first, systematic program testing, has reached the computer assisted stage. The extent of its usefulness in this form and the prospects for extending it to a fully automatic technique remain to be seen. The second, mathematical proofs of program correctness, will be restricted in its application to relatively trivial problems until at least one serious fundamental difficulty is overcome — the development of more powerful theorem provers.
Comparative International Law, Foreign Relations Law and Fragmentation: Can the Center Hold?

This chapter represents my contribution to a book provisionally entitled Comparative International Law, scheduled for publication by Oxford University Press in 2017. It describes the emerging field of foreign relations law and discusses critiques of this field as an assault on international law, especially international human rights. It explores the ways in which this new field resembles both comparative international law and concerns about fragmentation in international law. All three pursuits challenge the traditional conception of general international law as uniform and universal and shift the focus of legitimating international law away from moral persuasion to falsifiable empirical claims.The chapter argues that rather than threatening international law, foreign relations law and its intellectual siblings point to a strategy for bolstering the field. They serve as a means of identifying the functionally discrete dimensions of international law, as opposed to a unified and homogenous conception. Given the risks entailed in a universal, values-based international enterprises, as exhibited by past dystopias, an empirically grounded functionalism holds the most promise for protecting the field’s relevance and value.
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production from Noncovalent Biohybrid Photosystem I/Pt Nanoparticle Complexes

A photocatalytic hydrogen-evolving system based on intermolecular electron transfer between native Photosystem I (PSI) and electrostatically associated Pt nanoparticles is reported. Using cytochrome c6 as the soluble mediator and ascorbate as the sacrificial electron donor, visible-light-induced H2 production occurs for PSI/Pt nanoparticle biohybrids at a rate of 244 μmol H2 (mg chlorophyll)−1 h−1 or 21 034 mol H2 (mole PSI)−1 h−1. These results demonstrate that highly efficient photocatalysis of H2 can be obtained for a self-assembled, noncovalent complex between PSI and Pt nanoparticles; a molecular wire between the terminal acceptor of PSI, the [4Fe−4S] cluster FB, and the nanoparticle is not required. EPR characterization of the electron-transfer reactions in PSI/Pt nanoparticle biohybrids shows blocked electron transfer to flavodoxin, the native acceptor protein of PSI, and presents evidence of low-temperature photogenerated electron transfer between PSI and the Pt nanoparticle. This work demonstrate...
NEW EXAMPLES OF CONTINUOUS SPATIAL SEMIGROUPS OF *-ENDOMORPHISMS OF ${\mathfrak B} ({\mathfrak h})$

This paper concerns the structure of continuous spatial semigroups of *-endomorphisms of . These are semigroups of *-endomorphisms of for which there exist a strongly continuous one parameter semigroup of intertwining isometries. New examples of such semigroups are constructed. Unlike all previous examples these semigroups are not cocycle conjugate to semigroups constructed using the CAR or CCR algebras.
Effect of dibenamine and pyribenzamine on hypothermia of chlorpromazine.

SummaryThe hypothermic effect of dibenamine and pyribenzamine was observed but was found to be of small intensity and short duration compared to that of chlorpromazine. Individually these drugs were found to potentiate the hypothermic effect of chlorpromazine to an extent far greater than could be predicted. Indeed, whereas dibenamine or pyribenzamine caused a drop in rectal temperature of less than 1°C, these drugs injected individually with chlorpromazine potentiated the effect of chlorpromazine on body temperature by 3 to 4°C. However, dibenamine and pyribenzamine antagonize one another when given simultaneously to animals treated with chlorpromazine; this antagonism further illustrates the complexity of action of these drugs.
Quantifying the Effect of Orbit Altitude on Mission Cost for Earth Observation Satellites

The ever-increasing cost of space missions leads to longer schedules and fewer missions. This leads to a demand for higher reliability, which, in turn, leads to higher cost, longer schedules, and fewer missions. This process is known as the space spiral. Space missions today are costing too much, and within today’s budget environment, it has become a national problem. In recent times, small commercial startups companies such as Skybox Imaging and Planet Labs have broken this trend and are now designing and flying smaller low-cost spacecraft at lower altitudes to provide world-wide imaging capabilities; however, with lower performance (resolution). Given a fixed set of performance requirements (resolution, coverage, and lifetime) for an Earth observation mission, what orbit altitude will provide the lowest cost option? What is the relationship between mission cost and orbit altitude? This paper aims to explore various sets of performance requirements for Earth observation missions and answering these questions by quantifying the effect orbit altitude has on total mission cost. This is an interdisciplinary effort that combines systems engineering, physics, and cost modeling. Preliminary results indicate that flying multiple small satellites at lower altitudes compared to traditional large systems has the potential for much lower mission costs for Earth observation missions with fixed performance requirements. A positive result from this research has the potential to have a major impact on the way business is done in space and effectively start reversing the space spiral.
The Effect of Wing Spacing on Tandem Wing Aerodynamics

This paper investigated the effect of wing spacing between fore and hind wings on a tandem wing configuration. The aerodynamics of flapping wings in tandem configuration was investigated numerically at Reynolds number of 5000. The flow field simulation was obtained by solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations on overlapping grids. Both convection and diffusion terms were discretized with second-order accurate central difference schemes. The tandem wing motion was handled with an overlapping moving grid. The tandem configuration was tested with four different wing gap spacings: 1.0, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 of the chord length. Aerodynamic force and power results as well as flow visualizations were shown. Adjusting the wing spacing had a noticeable effect on the resulting flow field and aerodynamic forces. As the wing spacing was decreased, vortex structures around the hind wing became elongated and spread out due to interactions with the fore wing. Total lift by tandem wings was maximized at a wing spacing of 1.0 while thrust was maximized at a spacing of 0.5. Power consumption was minimized at the closest wing spacing, 0.1. Surprisingly, the resultant force and propulsive efficiency of the tandem wings remained nearly constant across all wing spacings.
Thyroid iodine metabolism in the alloxanized rat.

SummaryRats rendered diabetic by a prolonged series of alloxan injections suffer an impairment of ability to metabolize iodine, as manifested by reduced iodine trapping capacities and a subnormal thyroid hormone release rate. These effects are countered by insulin injections. Observed responses to thyroid stimulating hormone suggest that inadequate supplies of this hormone are being produced in the pituitaries of alloxan-diabetic rats.
Frankliniella occidentalis and Scars on Table Grapes

The dispersal peak of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), occurred during the spring grape bloom period and the insects were attracted to the flowers. The thrips oviposited in the young berries and eggs were dissected from the wounds. The insects were very prolific when 25, 75, and 100 adults were caged on Thompson Seedless clusters at either 0, 50, or 100% bloom. The thrips scarred the rachis, laterals, and berry pedicels of Thompson Seedless and Calmeria grapes but did not cause necrotic scars on the surface of the fruit. Clusters that supported up to 1,582 adults and nymphs did not have a greater amount of surface scars than non-infested clusters. Total berry to rachis length ratios indicated that exposure to thrips may have improved fruit set. Surface scars were mechanically induced with a platinum wire. The light halo around an ovipositional scar was unique to a deposited egg. The amount of ovipositional scars on Calmeria grapes was proportional to the number of thrips introduced on the clusters and the amount of time the clusters were exposed to natural infestations.
Hyperinflation and its effects on upper and lower extremities exercise in patients with COPD and controls. A longitudinal study

Introduction: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a decreased inspiratory/total lung capacity ratio (IC/TLC), is associated with dynamic hyperinflation (DH) and poor exercise capacity. The association to upper extremity force measured by handgrip strength (HGS) and 6 minute walk distance has not been described. We hypothesized that IC/TLC affects muscle strength of upper and lower extremities affecting HGS and the six minute walk test (6MWD) performance. Methods: We prospectively measured lung function, HGS and 6MWD in 27 patients with COPD and 12 healthy nonsmoking individuals twice, 1 year apart. The patients were classified according to level of hyperinflation in 2 groups, IC/TLC > or ≤ 25%. Results: Patients with COPD had reduced lung function, static hyperinflation, reduced HGS and 6MWD compared to the controls on both evaluations ( p p p p Conclusion: Handgrip strength and 6MWD are reduced in patients with COPD, particularly in patients with hyperinflation with evidence of longitudinal deterioration not seen in controls. This suggests that resting hyperinflation may exert a detrimental effect on cardiac function and play a role in the reduced exercise performance in COPD patients.
37 IMPROVING THE SPECIFICITY OF ADENO-ASSOCIATED VIRUS VECTOR GENE TARGETING BY NEGATIVE SELECTION USING SHORT-INTERFERING RIBONUCLEIC ACID CASSETTES

Gene therapy has the potential to treat many diseases, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in particular have shown great promise for gene delivery. AAV is a parvovirus with a single-stranded, linear DNA genome of 4.7 kb, and vectors can package up to ˜4.5 kb of foreign DNA between the viral terminal inverted repeats. AAV can function as a gene targeting vector by introducing modifications in endogenous genetic loci at their normal chromosomal locations by homologous recombination. However, these vectors can integrate randomly, with the potential of insertional mutagenesis or proto-oncogene activation, complicating the recovery of gene-targeted cells. In theory, the frequency of random integrations can be reduced by adding a negative selection marker in the form of a short-interfering RNA (siRNA) cassette to the gene targeting vector, just outside the vector homology arms utilized in homologous recombination. The siRNA cassette, then, should only be included in randomly integrated proviruses. To this end, six siRNA vectors were constructed, three of which contained unique RNA-interference (RNAi) sequences to target the nuclear lamin gene LMNB1, and three of which contained unique RNAi sequences to target the cell cycle gene CDK2. The efficacy of the RNAi constructs was tested by transfecting 293D and HeLa cells, and preliminary data suggests that these novel DNA constructs have the potential to reduce the frequency of AAV vector random integration in gene targeting. Given that AAV vectors are already being used in several clinical gene-therapy trials, improving the specificity of gene targeting is an important area of investigation.
Wind energy assessment for Ningxia region by applying WAsP model

Wind parameters of daily time series from Jan.,1,1991 to Apr.,30,2007 for certain four times for the four stations in Ningxia region were selected in order to do wind energy assessment of 16 sectors on Ningxia region by applying WAsP model.The results showed wind direction frequency of the zero angle was 33.3% and reached the Max,the Max power density was 402W/m2,average wind speed was 6.32m/s,Weibull A parameter was 7.0m/s at 14 p.m at the Shitangjing station;wind direction frequency of the zero angle was 21.9% and reached the Max,the Max power density was 315W/m2,average wind speed was 5.40m/s at 02 a.m at the Yinchuan station;wind direction frequency of the zero angle was 15.4% and reached the Max,the Max power density was 192W/m2,average wind speed was 3.79m/s at 02 a.m at the Yanchi station;wind direction frequency of the zero angle was 11.7% and reached the Max,the Max power density was 165W/m2,average wind speed was 3.59m/s at 02 a.m at the Xiji station for the certain four times.In the four stations total power density of all sectors was the Max and reached 152 W/m2,average wind speed was 3.36m/s at 14 p.m at Shitanjing.Time series analysis showed the Max wind speed record was 15m/s,the calm occupied 1.27% at 14 p.m.at Shitangjing station;the Max wind speed record was 18m/s,the calm occupied 2.23% at 14 p.m.at Yinchuan station;the Max wind speed record was 18m/s,the calm occupied 1.46% at 14 p.m.at Yanchi station;the Max wind speed record was 12m/s,the calm occupied 3.54% in the available observation data at 14 p.m.at Tongxin station of the certain four times.In the four stations the rate of calm in available observation data was the Min in the certain four times at 14 p.m.In the two phases the total assessment result on the certain four times showed wind speed and power density were more degressive in the later stage than in the first stage at 14 and 20 p.m.,but stronger than in Yinchuan.
Heavy Metal Contamination in Agricultural Products and Food Safety

Heavy metal contamination is a major risk for the food safety of agricultural products.In this paper,Toxity,control,and origin of heavy metal contamination in agricutral products were described,and the biological effects of metal contaminated agricultral products were analyzed.
Neuroprotective effects of the immunomodulatory drug FK506 in a model of HIV1-gp120 neurotoxicity

Background HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) continue to be a common morbidity associated with chronic HIV infection. It has been shown that HIV proteins (e.g., gp120) released from infected microglial/macrophage cells can cause neuronal damage by triggering inflammation and oxidative stress, activating aberrant kinase pathways, and by disrupting mitochondrial function and biogenesis. Previous studies have shown that FK506, an immunophilin ligand that modulates inflammation and mitochondrial function and inhibits calcineurin, is capable of rescuing the neurodegenerative pathology in models of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. In this context, the main objective of this study was to evaluate if FK506 could rescue the neuronal degeneration and mitochondrial alterations in a transgenic (tg) animal model of HIV1-gp120 neurotoxicity.
DNA hypermethylation of CD3(+) T cells from cord blood of infants exposed to intrauterine growth restriction.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with increased susceptibility to obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Although the mechanisms underlying the developmental origins of metabolic disease are poorly understood, evidence suggests that epigenomic alterations play a critical role. We sought to identify changes in DNA methylation patterns that are associated with IUGR in CD3+ T cells purified from umbilical cord blood obtained from male newborns who were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or who had been exposed to IUGR. CD3+ T cells were isolated from cord blood obtained from IUGR and AGA infants. The genome-wide methylation profile in eight AGA and seven IUGR samples was determined using the HELP tagging assay. Validation analysis using targeted bisulfite sequencing and bisulfite massARRAY was performed on the original cohort as well as biological replicates consisting of two AGA and four IUGR infants. The Segway algorithm was used to identify methylation changes within regulatory regions of the genome. A global shift towards hypermethylation in IUGR was seen compared with AGA (89.8% of 4,425 differentially methylated loci), targeted to regulatory regions of the genome, specifically promoters and enhancers. Pathway analysis identified dysregulation of pathways involved in metabolic disease (type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin signalling, mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling) and T cell development, regulation and activation (T cell receptor signalling), as well as transcription factors (TCF3, LEF1 and NFATC) that regulate T cells. Furthermore, bump-hunting analysis revealed differentially methylated regions in PRDM16 and HLA-DPB1, genes important for adipose tissue differentiation, stem cell maintenance and function and T cell activation. Our findings suggest that the alterations in methylation patterns observed in IUGR CD3+ T cells may have functional consequences in targeted genes, regulatory regions and transcription factors. These may serve as biomarkers to identify those at ‘high risk’ for diminished attainment of full health potential who can benefit from early interventions. HELP tagging data: Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE77268), scheduled to be released on 25 January 2019.
Characterization of Intact Protein Conjugates and Biopharmaceuticals Using Ion-Exchange Chromatography with Online Detection by Native Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Top-Down Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Characterization of biopharmaceutical products is a challenging task, which needs to be carried out at several different levels (including both primary structure and conformation). An additional difficulty frequently arises due to the structural heterogeneity inherent to many protein-based therapeutics (e.g., extensive glycosylation or “designer” modifications such as chemical conjugation) or introduced postproduction as a result of stress (e.g., oxidation and deamidation). A combination of ion-exchange chromatography (IXC) with online detection by native electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) allows characterization of complex and heterogeneous therapeutic proteins and protein conjugates to be accomplished at a variety of levels without compromising their conformational integrity. The IXC/ESI MS measurements allow protein conjugates to be profiled by analyzing conjugation stoichiometry and the presence of multiple positional isomers, as well as to establish the effect of chemical modification...
Case 33: Multicenter Trials

You, as an assistant professor, are invited to participate in a multicenter trial evaluating a new antiemetic. You are not aware of all the advantages and disadvantages of multicenter trials. But you do know that if you are the principal investigator (PI) in a multicenter trial, you have full control of the study execution and you will be the first author. It is well known that these trials generate a lot of research dollars. The funds go mainly to pay several research nurses to help do the study. The excess money is often used for other unfunded studies.
Differences in the recovery of four different nitrogen containing fertilizers after two application seasons in pine plantations across the southeastern United States

Abstract The ecosystem recovery of four nitrogen (N) containing fertilizers (urea and three enhanced efficiency fertilizers [EEFs]) enriched with 15N were compared at five different sites with single treatment replication per site for both a spring and summer application in mid-rotation loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands across the southeastern United States. Total ecosystem fertilizer N recovery was greater for all EEFs (78–84%) compared to urea (52%) with no differences among individual EEFs or between seasons. Fertilizer N recovery in the soil (forest floor + 0–30 cm) was greater for EEFs (36–43%) compared to urea (21%), with no significant treatment differences in fertilizer N recovery in the canopy (14–22%), stem (5–8%), or roots (11–14%). When individual ecosystem components were analyzed, the greatest difference in fertilizer N recovery occurred in the 0–15 cm mineral soil for EEFs (27–31%) compared to urea (13%). Differences for the same fertilizer treatment between the season of application were generally minor. Despite these minor differences between season of application, there was a general trend for higher fertilizer N recovery in the crop trees for all treatments for the spring fertilization compared to a higher fertilizer N recovery in the soil after the summer fertilization. Numerous treatment differences also occurred in individual ecosystem components for δ15N values (‰) and N concentrations within the same season, but only occasional differences between seasons. This research highlights an increased fertilizer N recovery and ecosystem partitioning of fertilizer N using EEFs compared to urea in southeastern pine plantations, regardless of the application season, and potentially translate to an increase in the fertilizer N use efficiency of these pine plantations.
Anthelmintics: From discovery to resistance II (San Diego, 2016).

Abstract The second scientific meeting in the series: “Anthelmintics: From Discovery to Resistance” was held in San Diego in February, 2016. The focus topics of the meeting, related to anthelmintic discovery and resistance, were novel technologies, bioinformatics, commercial interests, anthelmintic modes of action and anthelmintic resistance. Basic scientific, human and veterinary interests were addressed in oral and poster presentations. The delegates were from universities and industries in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The papers were a great representation of the field, and included the use of C. elegans for lead discovery, mechanisms of anthelmintic resistance, nematode neuropeptides, proteases, B. thuringiensis crystal protein, nicotinic receptors, emodepside, benzimidazoles, P-glycoproteins, natural products, microfluidic techniques and bioinformatics approaches. The NIH also presented NIAID-specific parasite genomic priorities and initiatives. From these papers we introduce below selected papers with a focus on anthelmintic drug screening and development.
Gut commensal dependence of autoreactivity and Th17 cells in systemic autoimmunity (MUC9P.740)

Infectious triggers have been implicated in transient antiphospholipid antibody production but the cause of chronic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is unknown. We disrupted the gut microbiota composition in the (NZWxBXSB)F1 model of APS using antibiotics after maturation of the immune system. Targeting the microbiota with broad-spectrum antibiotics (ABX), vancomycin or ampicillin, but not neomycin or metronidazole, lowered pathogenic autoantibodies and mortality (p=0.014). On histology, manifestations of the autoimmune clotting disorder, i.e. myocardial infarctions, pulmonary emboli and strokes, were prevented. 16S rDNA sequencing on the MiSeq platform revealed preliminarily depletion of similar gram-positive anaerobic communities with vancomycin and ampicillin as were enriched in longitudinally collected human APS samples compared to controls. Systemic Th17 cells were detectable in our cohort in the absence of Th17-inducing segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) but were reduced with ABX. IL-17 and Th17-differentiating factors IL-1b and IL-21 were diminished in serum whereas regulatory IL-10 was increased. Autoantigen- but not global anti-CD3-induced splenocyte proliferation was blunted after ABX (p=0.0012) supporting antigen-specific effects of the gut microbiota in systemic autoimmunity. In summary, gram-positive anaerobic gut microbiota are fundamentally involved in the pathogenesis of murine APS and systemic Th17 responses with broad implications for systemic autoimmunity.
The social inefficiency of regulating indirect land use change due to biofuels.

A Low Carbon Fuel Standard seeks to regulate indirect land use change by including its related carbon emissions in the carbon intensity of biofuels. Khanna et al . show the economic cost of abatement achieved by including this factor is much larger than the social c…
Getting to Average Life Expectancy: It Takes Commitment

An editorial is presented which addresses the author's views about an average life expectancy target, and it mentions another article which appears in the same issue of the journal and deals with the challenges that are associated with the U.S. Institute of Medicine's life expectancy goal. Per capita health spending and health inequities in the U.S. are examined, along with America's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and medical care costs in the country.
FROST∗: Fast robot optimization and simulation toolkit

This paper presents FROST, an open-source MATLAB toolkit for modeling, trajectory optimization and simulation of hybrid dynamical systems with a particular focus in dynamic locomotion. The design objective of FROST is to provide a unified software environment for developing model-based control and motion planning algorithms for robotic systems whose dynamics is hybrid in nature. In particular, FROST uses directed graphs to describe the underlying discrete structure of hybrid system models, which renders it capable of representing a wide variety of robotic systems. Equipped with a custom symbolic math toolbox in MATLAB using Wolfram Mathematica, one can rapidly prototype the mathematical model of robot kinematics and dynamics and generate optimized code of symbolic expressions to boost the speed of optimization and simulation in FROST. In favor of agile and dynamic behaviors, we utilize virtual constraint based motion planning and feedback controllers for robotic systems to exploit the full-order dynamics of the model. Moreover, FROST provides a fast and tractable framework for planning optimal trajectories of hybrid dynamical systems using advanced direct collocation algorithms. FROST has been successfully used to synthesize dynamic walking in multiple bipedal robots. Case studies of such applications are considered in this paper, wherein different types of walking gaits are generated for two specific humanoid robots and validated in simulation.