cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endothelial colony-forming cell conditioned media promote angiogenesis in vitro and prevent pulmonary hypertension in experimental bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Late-outgrowth endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), a type of circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC), may contribute to pulmonary angiogenesis during development. Cord blood ECFCs from preterm newborns proliferate more rapidly than term ECFCs but are more susceptible to the adverse effects of hyperoxia. Recent studies suggest that bone marrow-derived EPCs protect against experimental lung injury via paracrine mechanisms independent of vascular engraftment. To determine whether human umbilical cord blood ECFCs from preterm and term newborns have therapeutic benefit in experimental neonatal lung injury, we isolated cord blood ECFCs from full-term and preterm newborns and prepared ECFC-conditioned medium (CM) to test its therapeutic benefit on fetal pulmonary artery endothelial cell (PAEC) proliferation and function as well as alveolar type 2 (AT2) cell growth. PAECs and AT2 cells were isolated from late-gestation fetal sheep. Additionally, we administered both ECFCs and ECFC-CM to bleomycin-exposed newborn rats, an experimental model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Both term ECFC-CM and preterm ECFC-CM promoted cell growth and angiogenesis in vitro. However, when ECFC-CM was collected during exposure to mild hyperoxia, the benefit of preterm ECFC-CM was no longer observed. In the bleomycin model of BPD, treatment with ECFC-CM (or CM from mature EC) effectively decreased right ventricular hypertrophy but had no effect on alveolar septation. We conclude that term ECFC-CM is beneficial both in vitro and in experimental BPD. During oxidative stress, preterm ECFC-CM, but not term ECFC-CM, loses its benefit. The inability of term ECFC-CM to promote alveolarization may limit its therapeutic potential.
The bimanual lifting rehabilitator: an adaptive machine for therapy of stroke patients

Specially designed machines, which the authors call rehabilitators, could automate some of the repetitive aspects of physical and occupational therapy. Rehabilitators might also improve therapy by responding to the patient more quickly and precisely than a human therapist and by quantitatively measuring patient progress. The authors envision developing a family of inexpensive machines, each designed to retrain coordination in a specific activity of daily living, which could be used by physical and occupational therapists. To this end, the authors have built a rehabilitator for assisting hemiplegic stroke patients in bimanual lifting. In this task, subjects lift an object off a table with two hands, support it, then replace it on the table. If the disabled hand is unable to contribute to the task, the rehabilitator substitutes for it. The rehabilitator can substitute for the disabled hand well enough to lift a cafeteria tray with a cup of coffee on it without spilling it. If the disabled hand has fully recovered, the rehabilitator does not intervene. >
Design of compact adaptive RF matching circuits using Square split ring resonators

One challenge in the design of an adaptive software defined match control (SDMC) circuits at low RF frequencies is miniaturization. By integrating the SDMC system with the antenna, the impedance of the circuit and input port of the antenna can be matched automatically. Miniaturization is natural at shorter wavelengths (in the millimeter wave bands), yet quite difficult at low RF frequencies (1–2GHz). Previous designs using loaded transmission line stubs, with tuning devices placed on the stubs, have demonstrated excellent tunabilty, but are too large [1]-[4]. Moderate size reduction can be achieved by fabricating the SDMC circuits on high e r materials and by folding the stubs. This paper presents the design of SDMC circuits using square split ring resonators (SSRRs). SSRRs are highly coupled transmission line structures that consist of two coupled rings and are electrically small resonators of coupled LC elements. Varactor diodes are placed at the open ends of each coupled ring. Prior works on tunable SSRR structures have focused on adaptive filters that are designed for a 50 Ω input and output impedances. SDMCs, on the other hand, use a 50 Ω input impedance and a frequency dependent output impedance to fulfill the difficult task of matching the reactive part of the antenna impedance. The use of SDMCs with SSRRs requires innovative approaches in order to integrate and isolate the diode bias control circuits. This approach uses vertical interconnects are used to create the bias circuits.
Context-Dependent Fusion of Multiple Algorithms with Minimum Classification Error Learning

We present a novel method for fusing the decisions of multiple classification algorithms which use different features, classification methods, and data sources. The proposed method, called Context Dependent Fusion of Multiple Algorithms(CDF-MA) is motivated by the fact that the relative performance of different algorithms can vary significantly as the characteristics of the input data vary. The training part of CDF-MA has two main components: context extraction and algorithm fusion. In context extraction, the features used by the distinct algorithms are combined and clustered into groups of similar contexts. The algorithm fusion component embeds a variation of the MCE/GPD method to assigns an aggregation weight to each algorithm based on its loss function within each context. Results on real world data show that the proposed method can identify meaningful and coherent clusters, and outperform all individual classifiers and the global weighted average fusion method.
The Interplay between Affect and Engagement in Classrooms Using AIED Software

Affect has been hypothesized to play a significant role in triggering engagement/disengagement during learning. In this paper, we study the inter-relationships between students’ affect (boredom, confusion, frustration, engaged concentration) and their engaged and disengaged behaviors (off-task, on-task solitary, on-task conversation, gaming the system). We study these relationships in the context of four different software programs, involving students of different ages, in order to increase confidence in the generalizability of the findings. Understanding these relationships might assist in maintaining students’ engagement over time.
Entre el dolor y la utopía: España en el corazón de Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez

Este trabajo presenta las reflexiones del filosofo Adolfo Sanchez Vazquez sobre el problema de Espana, las cuales son reconstruidas aqui a partir de su biografia. Para mostrar la evolucion, pero tambien la constancia de sus principales preocupaciones a lo largo de su vida, se desarrolla aqui un ejercicio comparativo entre algunos textos que escribio antes del exilio de 1939 y los que compuso ya en su etapa de madurez intelectual como profesor emerito en Mexico. En suma, se trata de mostrar como Adolfo Sanchez Vazquez plasmo su propia vision sobre la condicion humana y los problemas concretos de la existencia, a traves de sus inquietudes por el problema historico y politico de Espana.
A 0.7V 194µW 31dB FOM 2.3–2.5 GHz RF frontend for WBAN with mutual noise cancellation using passive coupling

A low power low noise 0.7V mixer first RF frontend for an IEEE 802.15.6 narrowband receiver is presented which uses passive coupling based frequency translated mutual noise cancellation. Unlike traditional noise cancelling techniques we perform symmetrical noise cancellation of a fully differential structure where each path cancels the noise of the other at IF. This paper tackles the noise figure and power consumption problems of sub 1V mixers. The FOM is 10dB higher and power consumption is 194µW which is 0.5X lower than the state of the art. The LO power used is −14dBm.
Personal Character or Social Expectation: A Formal Analysis of 'Suzhi'

The concept of suzhi (素质), which roughly means human quality or character, features prominently in public and intellectual discourses in China on the country’s social and political development including democratization. While the previous literature treats the suzhi discourse as an ideology or discursive reality, this study analyzes suzhi from the way Chinese society think about it, i.e., a descriptive reality, in order to see if suzhi is really the root cause of the many social issues that have been attributed to it, and whether raising citizens’ suzhi will necessarily solve the relevant problems. Through game-theoretic analyses of Han Han's influential high beam light argument and the frequent phenomenon of “good Samaritans” being sued, the paper shows that the current predominant focus on suzhi or individual morality is misguided and misses the crucial role of social expectations in multiple-equilibria social interactions. In fact, without good social expectations even “high-suzhi” people would behave as if they were of “low suzhi”, which perhaps best characterizes many social phenomena in contemporary China. The study thus generates theoretical insights with critical policy implications for a successful social transition.
Terrorism, Islam and America: In Search of a Disarming Narrative

If anything is uncontroversial in the envenomed setting of contemporary American political debate, it is the proposition that the struggle to protect the United States against violent Muslim extremists is in part a struggle to influence “hearts and minds.” Though it has deployed the nation’s resources as if terrorism were essentially a nail that could be flattened by the military hammer, the Bush Administration itself has conceded the importance of ideas, for instance, by sending one of the President’s closest political advisors to the State Department in a misconceived hence futile effort to invigorate its essays in public diplomacy.1 Intellectual fellow travelers of the Administration, like the writers Paul Berman2 and Jean Bethke Elshtain,3 even as they vilify a notional “left” for seeking to “understand” Muslim rage, note the risk of multiplying recruits to terrorist networks faster than we can unravel them. In doing so they display a kind of schizophrenia. On the one hand, they call for merciless war against a phenomenon they variously characterize as Islamic fundamentalism or Islamo-Fascism and vituperatively indict as naive or worse anyone who proposes to explain the ferocious militancy of groups like Al Qaeda in part as a reaction to U.S. policies. On the other hand, they concede that there is a hierarchy of militancy with suicide bombers and their handlers at the narrow top and below them broad layers of persons experiencing various degrees of antagonism toward the United States in particular or Western governments and peoples in general. More importantly they seem to concede that violent measures alone, at least measures of the kind they are willing to countenance, are unlikely to block movement of a dangerous number of people into the top level where the armed and intractable militants reside.
Study of Some Variables Affecting the Prothrombin Time.

SummaryThe addition of various substances to normal plasma caused a prolongation of the coagulation time as measured by the Quick reaction. Therefore prolonged coagulation time by this method does not always indicate a deficiency of prothrombin in the plasma.
Compensatory Hypertrophy of the Intact Adrenal of Fetal Rats Subjected to Unilateral Adrenalectomy.

ConclusionsSubjection of the fetal rat to unilateral adrenalectomy causes a compensatory hypertrophy of the intact adrenal. Manifestations of this include an increased volume of the gland and an increased size of cells of all cortical zones. Those cells at both borders of the intermediate zone show an increased vacuolation, suggesting that the zone had been widened by the metamorphosis of cells at these borders.
Molecular Dissection of Chromatin Maturation via Click Chemistry

DNA synthesis and chromatin assembly are the two most critical processes of eukaryotic cell division. It is well known that their coordination is tightly regulated. Although the interplay between DNA and its higher-order chromatin state is integral for many processes, including cell survival and genome stability, little is known about the re-establishment of chromatin structure during the cell cycle. Moreover, the extent to which the fidelity of the newly synthesized chromatin plays a role in the maintenance of cellular identity is still under debate. Here, we present a novel approach to purify nascent chromatin from the replication fork. In this protocol, we take advantage of click chemistry, a method that allows efficient conjugation of azide-containing biotin molecules to ethynyl-labeled nucleic acids. Using this approach, we selectively enrich biotin-nucleic acid conjugates via streptavidin affinity purification to pull down and assess chromatin states as well as chromatin-bound complexes from newly replicated DNA fragments.
Hormonal Regulation of Development and Reproduction

The two major insect hormones ecdysterioids (the most active form is the 20-hydroxyecdysone, 20E), sequiterpenoids (juvenile hormones, JH) regulate almost every aspect of insect life including embryogenesis, molting, metamorphosis and reproduction. The physiological and biological processes regulated by these hormones have been studied over the last century and well documented in several reviews. After the advent of genomic technologies, the molecular processes that are regulated by these hormones and the genes targeted by receptors and transcription factors that transduce signals of these hormones are being actively investigated. With the sequencing of genomes and transcriptomes of many pest insects, we began to identify key players involved in action of these hormones in pest insects. Insulin-like peptides have been identified in Drosophila melanogaster and shown to play key roles in regulation of growth, development of nervous system, reproduction and lifespan. Recently, insulin-like peptides have been identified in several insect pests and disease vectors and shown to play key roles in regulation of growth, development and reproduction.
Review: extended-duration prophylaxis with heparin prevents deep venous thrombosis in hip or knee replacement.

Source Citation Eikelboom JW, Quinlan DJ, Douketis JD. Extended-duration prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism after total hip or knee replacement: a meta-analysis of the randomised trials. La...
Adaptation of For-profit Practices in a Nonprofit Foundation: Role of Isomorphic Pressures

Nonprofit organizations are increasingly adopting for-profit business practices in hopes of achieving greater organizational effectiveness. However, these practices have mixed results, given the li...
A Guide to Types of Non Potable Water and the Potential for Reuse in Urban Systems

Agriculture in urban areas in the US and much of the developed world is protected by secure and reliable sources of water for irrigation. Garden hoses have always provided safe and potable water for plants and people. However, there are multiple reasons to look towards other sources in urban areas. Centralized systems have aging infrastructure. Leaks in pipes that both bring potable water to homes as well as collect used water from homes result in significant quantities of wasted water (Ghimire et al. 2014). Treating water to potable standards requires energy and depletes fossil resources. While this is necessary for potable water, water for irrigation does not need to meet the same rigorous standards. Decentralized water collection and use was once commonplace (Van Meter et al. 2014). It is again being looked at as a more sustainable alternative to centralized systems and groundwater irrigation around the world (Van Meter et al. 2014). While much of the focus has been on agricultural systems in rural areas, there are many reasons to apply these approaches for urban agriculture as well.
Bioinformatics for Copy Number Variation Data

Copy number variation is known to be an important component of structural variation in the human genome. Greater than 1 kb in size, these gains and losses of genetic material are known to confer risk to many human diseases, both Mendelian and complex. Therefore, the technologies used to detect copy number variation have been quickly improving in both throughput and cost. From comparative genomic hybridization to synthetic high-density oligonucleotide arrays to next-generation sequencing methods, algorithms used to estimate copy number are plentiful. Here we describe a practical introduction to the copy number variation technology and available analysis methods, and demonstrate the analysis flow on an example case.
“REST FIT” SURGICAL TECHNIQUE IN NON-CEMENTED HIP ARTHROPLASTY FOR DISPLACED TYPE OF FEMORAL NECK FRACTURE

Introduction Femoral neck fracture is a common injury in elderly patients. To restore the activity with an acceptable morbidity and to decrease of mortality, surgical procedures are thought to be superior to conservative treatments. Osteosynthesis with internal fixation for nondisplaced type, and hemiarthroplasty or total hip replacement (hip arthroplasties) for displaced type are commonly performed. Cemented arthroplasty has been preferred over non-cemented arthroplasty because of less postoperative pain, better mobility and excellent initial fixation of the implant, especially for osteoporotic and stove-pipe bones. However, pressurizing bone cement may cause cardiorespiratory and vascular complications, and occasionally death, which has been termed as “bone cement implantation syndrome”. To avoid the occurrence of this syndrome, non-cemented implants have been developed. However, most implants with the press fit concepts and flat wedge taper designs have a risk of intraoperative and early postoperative periprosthetic fracture. Recently, we have employed a non-cemented femoral component, which has a lateral expansion to the proximal body as compared to a conventional hip stem. Because of this shape, which is called a “lateral flare”, this stem provides a physiological loading on both the medial and lateral endosteal surfaces of the femur. This is in contrast to conventional hip stem which prioritizes loading on the medial and metaphyseal /dyaphyseal surfaces of the femur. Moreover, the cross section of this stem is trapezoid with the flat posterior surface. This shape provides the stem with rotational stability along the long axis of the femur, and maximizes loading transfer to the posterior aspect of the proximal femur. These mechanical features avoid the need for aggressive impaction of the stem at the time of insertion. It is necessary to only tap gently to achieve the secure initial implant fixation by a “rest fit”. Thus, this technique reduces the risk of fracture. Patients and methods We employed this technique using a non-cemented lateral flare design device for displaced femoral neck fractures since 1996. Surgical procedures were performed with posterior approach under the spinal or epidural anesthesia. Full weight bearing ambulation with a walker was allowed on post-op day one. Results and discussion Since that time, we have had no femoral fracture, no dislocation of the hip, nor severe complications intraoperatively and post operatively. There has been no evidence of radiographic aseptic loosening or axial migration of the stems during this time period. Conclusions “Rest fit” surgical technique avoids complications associated with cemented and traditional non-cemented arthroplasties for displaced femoral neck fractures. It however requires specific geometric features to be included the designs of the femoral component to assure secure initiate fixation at the time of arthroplasty. Therefore, this lateral flare implants are effective for the treatment of the displaced type of femoral neck fracture.
Design of high precision analog modules and system architectures to maximize testability and long-term system reliability

To achieve cutting edge performance in measurement and control systems, it is often necessary to execute many high-accuracy and high-speed system functions in the analog domain. Including custom analog hardware in complex long lifecycle defense or aerospace systems presents challenges in integration, reliability, and maintainability of the system. Examples of these issues include: sub-system test of Analog Modules, system calibration, drift of analog component bounds, and the effect of temperature on analog measurements. This paper presents best practices and novel methods to increase the practicality of designing custom analog system solutions, and discusses trade-offs between designing custom Analog Modules versus procuring equivalent commercial off the shelf components. In addition, the design of system architectures to minimize the risks and costs associated with the use of custom modules is discussed.
MULTIPLE ETORPHINE BINDING PROTEINS FROM BRAIN

CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate) has been used to solubilize two etorphine binding fractions from rat brain. One fraction is stereospecific and has properties similar to the membrane bound opiate receptor. A second fraction, tentatively designated as o (phi) protein, is not stereospecific and the Kd for etorphine is approximately 200 nM. o protein is present in large quantities, approximately 50,000 pmoles/mg protein, in a CHAPS solubilized preparation which has been dialyzed.
Practice variability in management of infectious issues in heterotaxy: A survey of pediatric cardiologists.

Background Splenic dysfunction is common in heterotaxy syndrome, and increases the risk of bacteremia and bacteremia related mortality. Despite the risks associated with bacteremia in this setting, best practice guidelines for management of infectious concerns are lacking. We conducted a survey of pediatric cardiologists to characterize practice regarding the diagnosis of splenic dysfunction, approach to antibiotic prophylaxis, and management of possible bacterial infection. Methods A 22-item web-based survey was distributed via email to pediatric cardiologists in North America. Results We received 230 responses from 63 centers, for a response rate of 22%. The majority (83%) always obtain abdominal ultrasound to define splenic anatomy in the neonate with heterotaxy. Despite a normal ultrasound result, 43% perform additional splenic functional testing. In addition, 21% report prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis regardless of testing results. There was wide variability in timing of stopping of prophylaxis, with 36% responding "never" and 24% "not sure." Those with more years in practice were more likely to obtain functional testing, to indefinitely continue antibiotic prophylaxis once started, and to recommend the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccination. Conclusion In a survey of North American cardiologists, significant variability exists in the management of infectious issues in heterotaxy syndrome. The development of practice guidelines for diagnosis of splenic dysfunction, indications for and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis, and management of possible bacterial illness may lead to improved outcomes in this complex patient population.
Differential Biological Properties and Signaling Effects of Different JAK2 Alleles

JAK2, a member of the Janus family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases, acts as an important mediator of cytokine receptor signaling and plays a critical role in hematopoiesis. Somatic mutations in JAK2 have been identified in a spectrum of myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). A specific point mutation (V617F) in the pseudokinase domain (JH2) of JAK2 has been identified in most patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and 50–60% patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). Although JAK2V617F is the predominant allele associated with PV, ET and PMF, other activating alleles of JAK2 also have been identified in distinct MPD. Somatic mutations in the exon 12 (linker region between JH2 and JH3) of JAK2 are associated with a distinct type of PV characterized by isolated erythrocytosis. Another activating mutation (T875N) in the kinase domain (JH1) of JAK2 has been identified in a cell line derived from acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) patient, and expression of JAK2T875N in murine bone marrow induces a MPD with features of AMKL. Thus, different activating JAK2 alleles are associated with different disease phenotypes. The basis for the differences in the in vivo effects of different JAK2 alleles remains unclear. To understand the biological and signaling effects of these JAK2 mutants, we have generated Ba/F3-EpoR cell lines expressing JAK2WT, JAK2V617F, JAK2 exon 12 mutant K539L or JAK2T875N. Expression of JAK2V617F, JAK2K539L or JAK2T875N in Ba/F3-EpoR cells resulted in IL-3 independence, whereas JAK2WT failed to grow in absence of IL-3. We observed significantly increased proliferation of JAK2T875N expressing cells compared to cells expressing either JAK2V617F or JAK2K539L in the absence of cytokine. Moreover, expression of JAK2T875N caused increased transformation of Ba/F3-EpoR cells in a colony assay. Biochemical analysis revealed that the kinase activity of JAK2K539L was higher than JAK2V617F but comparable to JAK2T875N. More importantly, significant differences in signaling downstream of these JAK2 mutants were observed. Expression of JAK2T875N resulted in increased phosphorylation of Stat3, Stat5, Gab2, Akt, and Erk/MAPK and induction of Pim1 and Pim2 compared to JAK2V617F and JAK2K539L mutants. Although JAK2K539L exhibited more kinase activity than JAK2V617F but it was less potent in activation of downstream signaling molecules, such as Stat5, Gab2, Erk/MAPK. Variable association of mutant JAK2 with EpoR was also observed, with JAK2K539L being the most and JAK2T875N being the least associated with EpoR. These results strongly suggest that the biological properties and signaling effects of JAK2 alleles are different, and they may interact differentially with cytokine receptor, which might contribute to the differences in the disease phenotype.
Bridging the gap in Spanish instructional pragmatics: from theory to practice/Acortando distancias en la enseñanza de la pragmática del español: de la teoría a la práctica

The development of learners’ pragmatic competence is considered one of several components of communicative competence (Hymes 1971) and represents an important goal in Spanish language teaching and ...
Lung Ultrasound Surface Wave Elastography: A Pilot Clinical Study

A lung ultrasound surface wave elastography (LUSWE) technique is developed to measure superficial lung tissue elastic properties. The purpose of this paper was to translate LUSWE into clinical studies for assessing patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and present the pilot data from lung measurements on 10 healthy subjects and 10 patients with ILD. ILD includes multiple lung disorders in which the lung tissue is distorted and stiffened by tissue fibrosis. Chest radiography and computed tomography are the most commonly used techniques for assessing lung disease, but they are associated with radiation and cannot directly measure lung elastic properties. LUSWE provides a noninvasive and nonionizing technique to measure the elastic properties of superficial lung tissue. LUSWE was used to measure regions of both lungs through six intercostal spaces for patients and healthy subjects. The data are presented as wave speed at 100, 150, and 200 Hz at the six intercostal spaces. As an example, the surface wave speeds are, respectively, 1.88 ± 0.11 m/s at 100 Hz, 2.74 ± 0.26 m/s at 150 Hz, and 3.62 ± 0.13 m/s at 200 Hz for a healthy subject in the upper right lung; this is in comparison to measurements from an ILD patient of 3.3 ± 0.37 m/s at 100 Hz, 4.38 ± 0.33 m/s at 150 Hz, and 5.24 ± 0.44 m/s at 200 Hz in the same lung space. Significant differences in wave speed between healthy subjects and ILD patients were found. LUSWE is a safe and noninvasive technique which may be useful for assessing ILD.
An Element of Unsteadiness

A 61-year-old woman presented with a 3-day history of increasingly unsteady gait and an inability to stand. She had a history of numbness and tingling in her hands and feet over the previous year.
A Comparison of Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Renal Cryoablation Using Cryoprobes with and without Heat-Based Track Ablation

Abstract Purpose To determine if the use of heat-based track ablation with new-generation cryoprobes is associated with decreased renal cryoablation bleeding complications. Materials and Methods Eighty-nine patients who underwent percutaneous cryoablation for treatment of a solitary renal mass with the use of cryoprobes with track ablation (CwTA) from October 29, 2015, to May 18, 2017, were compared with a propensity score–matched control group of 178 patients who underwent treatment with the use of cryoprobes without track ablation (Cw/oTA) from January 5, 2012, to October 28, 2015. Bleeding complications were assessed with the use of the Clavien-Dindo classification system and compared between the matched patient groups by means of conditional logistic regression, both univariately and in a multivariate model to adjust for imbalanced covariates. Change in patient hemoglobin was evaluated as a secondary measure of periprocedural bleeding. Results Seven of the 89 patients (7.9%) who underwent percutaneous renal cryoablation with the use of CwTA developed major (grade ≥3) bleeding complications, versus 13 of the 178 patients (7.3%) treated with the use of Cw/oTA. Conditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders showed that major, minor, and overall bleeding complications were not associated with the type of cryoprobes used for treatment ( P values .727, .370, and .733, respectively). There was also no significant difference in postprocedural change in hemoglobin for patients treated with the use of CwTA compared with Cw/oTA ( P = .909). Furthermore, total duration of track ablation in patients with bleeding complications (mean 169 seconds, SD 68, range 60–240) was not significantly different than in patients without bleeding complications (mean 171 seconds, SD 86, range 30–360; P = .940). Conclusions The use of cryoprobes with heat-based track ablation did not decrease the incidence of bleeding complications after renal cryoablation compared with procedures performed without track ablation.
Characteristics of Genital Dissatisfaction Among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Women

Abstract Background Female genital self-image is an important aspect of psychosocial and sexual health. The Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) is a validated instrument that has been used to characterize women’s level of genital dissatisfaction. Aim In this report, we assess genital dissatisfaction using the FGSIS in a nationally representative sample of U.S. women. Methods We conducted a nationally representative survey of non-institutionalized adults aged 18–65 years residing in the United States. The survey included questions about demographics, sexual behavior, and the FGSIS. Outcomes Demographic characteristics were found to significantly correlate to women's perceived genital dissatisfaction. Results In total, 3,372 women completed the survey and 3,143 (93.2%) completed the FGSIS. The mean age was 46 years, and there was broad representation across the United States in terms of age, education, and location. On bivariate analysis, women’s genital dissatisfaction was significantly correlated to their age, race, location, and education. Women who were sexually active were less likely to report genital dissatisfaction than women who were not sexually active (76% vs 62%, respectively, P Clinical Translation Female genital dissatisfaction may be related to age, race, education, and geography. Conclusions This is the first nationally representative sample of U.S. women focusing on genital and self-image and dissatisfaction. These data may not apply outside the United States. These data may help providers who provide information for women and manage concerns related to genital self-image. Rowen TS, Gaither TW, Shindel AW, et al. Characteristics of Genital Dissatisfaction Among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Women. J Sex Med 2018;15:698–704.
Tumor Markers in Testicular Cancer: A Review of 12 Years Experience at the NCI

Among the tumor systems, testicular cancer is unique in having a number of reliable tumor markers. This tumor system has both placental and embryonic components, therefore, any marker protein found in the embryonic or placental portion may also be detected in the blood. A number of such markers have been found in testicular cancer (Table 1) among which, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) have been found to be the most useful. Other tumor markers such as placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) gamma-gutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) are also of value especially in seminoma where other markers are not commonly present.
Analysis of Variance II

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is a statistical procedure for comparing means of two or more populations. In Chap. 8 we considered one-way ANOVA models, which help to analyze differences in the mean response corresponding to the levels of a single group variable or factor. In this chapter we consider randomized block designs and two-way ANOVA models. Randomized block designs model the effects of a single group variable or factor while controlling for another source of variation using blocks. Two-way ANOVA models explain differences in the mean response corresponding to the levels of two group variables (factors) and their possible interaction.
Perturbations of carbon cycles in closed ecological systems

The impact of human activities on the global biosphere is currently a topic of much debate. While the increasing carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere of earth and mankind's role in this increase is not in doubt, the impact of these changes is in considerable dispute. To begin to address this issue a number of experiments were conducted to determine the effect of perturbations in environmental variables such as temperature and atmospheric composition on the carbon cycles of closed ecological systems. In this report I will review the results from some of the experiments conducted in my laboratory. The results of these experiments will be discussed in relation to changes in earth's atmosphere caused by both the activity of man and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics.
Full length article: Optimal design of phase function in Generalized DFT

Recently, a theoretical framework for Generalized DFT (GDFT) with nonlinear phase functions exploiting the phase space to design various constant modulus orthogonal transforms was introduced. This paper extends prior work to design longer bases widely used in real world communications systems. GDFT provides flexibilities in phase space yielding performance improvements over other code families including DFT in correlation metrics. GDFT phase functions are optimally designed in order to reduce inter carrier interference (ICI) and inter-symbol interference (ISI) that dictate the performance of a multiuser channel. It is presented in the paper that superior correlation of GDFT over DFT manifests itself in improved BER performance in direct sequence CDMA based multi-user communications systems
On Lifting Operators and Regularity of Nonsmooth Newton Methods for Optimal Control Problems of Differential Algebraic Equations

This paper focuses on nonsmooth Newton methods of optimal control problems governed by mixed control–state constraints with differential algebraic equations. In contrast to previous results, we analyze lifting operators involved in nonsmooth Newton methods and establish corresponding convergence results. We also give sufficient conditions for regularity of generalized derivatives of systems of nonsmooth operator equations associated with optimal control problems.
Mental health, empowerment, and violence against young women in lower-income countries: a review of reviews

Abstract Gender-based violence (GBV) against women is a pervasive global human-rights violation. This systematic review of reviews synthesized research about the mental health and empowerment outcomes of GBV for adolescent girls and young women (ages 10–24) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). GBV exposures included child maltreatment, female genital mutilation/cutting, child marriage, intimate partner violence (IPV), and non-partner sexual violence. PubMed and PsycINFO searches were supplemented with expert consultations and searches of reference lists and key organizational websites. Sixteen systematic reviews were quality rated and summarized. Study-level data were extracted from the five highest quality reviews (N = 25 unique studies) and results from 41 samples were synthesized. Empowerment studies were too few to synthesize. Reviews and extracted studies were predominantly from Asia and Africa and addressed child maltreatment, IPV, and non-partner sexual violence. We included combined samples with adolescent girls and adult women (ages 9–60 years) and found consistent associations between GBV and composite measures of mental health, suicidal ideation and behavior, and symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress, and eating disorders. Findings suggest that GBV must be addressed to cultivate mental health for adolescent girls and young women globally.
Inflammatory cardiac fibroblast phenotype underlies chronic alcohol-induced cardiac atrophy and dysfunction

Abstract Aims The purpose of this study was to investigate mechanisms of chronic alcohol-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. We also sought to determine the role of cardiac fibroblasts, which play a dynamic role in cardiac remodeling, in mediating these effects. Main methods Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to ethanol (EtOH) vapor inhalation for 16 weeks. Echocardiography was performed to assess terminal cardiac structure and function. Cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from the left ventricle (LV) for both ex vivo and in vitro analysis. Cultured H9C2 cells were also exposed to conditioned media from alcohol-exposed cardiac fibroblasts. Gene expression in whole LV tissue, isolated cardiac fibroblasts, or cultured H9C2 cells was determined by real-time PCR, and protein expression was determined by Western blot. Key findings EtOH led to LV wall thinning and impaired systolic function, and decreased contractile protein mRNA levels. EtOH increased LV inflammatory markers, JNK and Akt activation, and decreased mTOR expression. EtOH induced myofibroblast activation as assessed by flow cytometry, and increased LV collagen III expression. EtOH increased expression of several inflammatory mediators in cardiac fibroblasts both ex vivo and in vitro. Administration of conditioned media from EtOH-treated fibroblasts decreased contractile protein mRNA levels and impaired Akt and mTOR signaling in differentiated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Significance Our results indicate that EtOH-induced cardiac atrophy and dysfunction is associated with activation of inflammatory pathways. Furthermore, EtOH may induce a pro-inflammatory cardiac fibroblast phenotype, leading to aberrant fibroblast-myocyte cross-talk. Thus, EtOH may promote cardiac muscle wasting in part by activation of pro-inflammatory fibroblasts.
Pandemics and the future of human-landscape interactions

Abstract Pandemics have accelerated in frequency in recent decades, with COVID-19 the latest to join the list. Emerging in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread quickly through the world, affecting billions of people through quarantine, and at the same time claiming more than 800,000 lives worldwide. While early reflections from the academic community have tended to target the microbiology, medicine, and animal science communities, this article articulates a viewpoint from a perspective of human interactions with Earth systems. We highlight the link between rising pandemics and accelerating global human impacts on Earth, thereby suggesting that pandemics may be an emerging element of the “Anthropocene.” Examples from Denver, Colorado, USA, show how policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic changed human-environment interactions and created anomalous landscapes at the local scale, in relation to the quality of air and patterns of acquiring and consuming food. In recognizing the significance of novel infectious diseases as part of understanding human-landscape interactions in the Anthropocene, as well as the multi-scale interconnectedness between environment and health, this viewpoint converges toward an urgent need for new paradigms for research and teaching. The program required extends well beyond the already broad interdisciplinary scholarship essential for addressing human-landscape interactions, by integrating the work of health scientists, disease specialists, immunologists, virologists, veterinarians, behavioral scientists, and health policy experts.
Estimating the net costs of brine production and disposal to expand pressure-limited dynamic capacity for basin-scale CO2 storage in a saline formation

Abstract If carbon capture and storage (CCS) needs to be deployed at basin- or larger-scale, it is likely that multiple sites will be injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into the same geologic formation. This could lead to excessive pressure buildup, overlapping induced pressure fronts, and pressure interference with neighboring uses of the subsurface. Extracting the in situ brine from the storage formation could be necessary to relieve pressure constraints; control migration of the CO2 plume, displaced brine, and the induced pressure front; and sequester more CO2 while reducing potential risks. Such active pressure management could be very costly, and it could present a formidable economic constraint on the feasible scale of deployment of CCS. Alternatively, there may be high-injectivity zones (“storage sweet spots”) where a significant volume of CO2 could be stored without producing brine. For simulated deployment of CO2 storage sites across the Illinois Basin, the results of this study suggest that brine production could be required to sequester 20 % or more of the regional CO2 emissions of major stationary sources in the Mount Simon Sandstone saline formation. In some cases, brine production could expand pressure-limited CO2 storage capacity enough to more than compensate for the additional costs of pressure management, but only if produced brine could be cheaply reinjected onsite for disposal in an overlying geologic formation. With or without brine production, this study found that the lowest-cost deployment option was to inject CO2 only into a potential storage sweet spot of the Mount Simon Sandstone.
Immigration Status and College Students’ Psychosocial Well-Being:

Differences in psychosocial well-being were examined between college students with abject immigration status (i.e., undocumented, other temporary documentation), students with permanent status (i.e...
Modeling & Simulation of Grid Tied Phototvoltaic/Wind Electric Power Systems

This article describes the operating principle of two non-conventional energy sources (NCES) crossbred system comprises of wind and solar photovoltaic (SPV) which are linked to the grid system and the load demand. A fine designed hybrid power system mayhap worthwhile can enhance the quality of living and higher reliability in far-flung rural areas. The monetary constraints can be satisfied, when these arrangements are fundamentally adequately designed, use pertinent technology and apply efficient dispatch control approach. In this article the performance of the electric power system is calculated for different wind speeds and numerous insolation levels using machine load.
Fostamatinib Inhibits Neutrophils Extracellular Traps Induced by COVID-19 Patient Plasma: A Potential Therapeutic.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to immunothrombosis and have been associated with mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We stimulated donor neutrophils with plasma from patients with COVID-19 and demonstrate that R406 can abrogate the release of NETs. These data provide evidence for how fostamatinib may mitigate neutrophil-associated mechanisms contributing to COVID-19 immunopathogenesis.
How Much Do Outside Options Matter? The Effect of Subsidized Health Insurance on Social Security Disability Insurance Benefit Receipt

New government health insurance programs may affect participation in existing safety-net benefits that provide health insurance as a secondary aim. We examine whether the outside options for health insurance made available by the Affordable Care Act affected Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) application decisions. Using the universe of U.S. individual income tax records spanning 2007-2016, we first estimate the effect of Medicaid expansions using a state difference-in-differences identification strategy, but find small and statistically insignificant estimates. However, when we estimate the effect of being eligible for high vs. low Marketplace subsidies based on geography, we find some evidence consistent with subsidies increasing DI claiming among those with prior access to Employer Sponsored Insurance, and decreasing DI claiming otherwise. Overall, we find suggestive evidence that outside options for health insurance do matter, though magnitudes are small and results are statistically precise only for Marketplace coverage.
Off-topic verbosity: Relationships between verbal abilities and speech characteristics among young and older adults.

Off-topic verbosity (OTV) refers to extended speech lacking in relevance and focus. Previous research has found that older adults have higher levels of OTV, and some contend that OTV is indicative ...
Biophysical characterization of full-length oleosin in dodecylphosphocholine micelles.

Oleosin is a hydrophobic protein that punctuates the surface of plant seed lipid droplets, which are 20 nm-100 μm entities that serve as reservoirs for high-energy metabolites. Oleosin is purported to stabilize lipid droplets, but its exact mechanism of stabilization has not been established. Probing the structure of oleosin directly in lipid droplets is challenging due to the size of lipid droplets and their high degree of light scattering. Therefore, a medium in which the native structure of oleosin is retained, but is also amenable to spectroscopic studies is needed. Here, we show, using a suite of biophysical techniques, that dodecylphosphocholine micelles appear to support the tertiary structure of the oleosin protein (i.e., hairpin conformation) and render the protein in an oligomeric state that is amenable to more sophisticated biophysical techniques such as NMR.
The Anatomy of Programming Languages

About language. The nature of language. Representation and abstraction. Elements of language. Formal description of language. Describing computation. Primitive types. Modelling objects. Names and binding. Expressions and evaluation. Functions and parameters. Control structures. Globalcontrol. Application modelling. Functional languages. Logic programming. The representation of types. The semantic of types. Modules and object classes. Generics. Dispatching with inheritance.