cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4183: Differential expression of VEGF in breast cancer cells induced by gp130 cytokines

Glycoprotein 130 (gp130) is a glycosylated type 1 membrane protein and functions as a cytokine receptor modulating activity of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family cytokines, which include IL-6, IL-11, IL-27, oncostatin M (OSM), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1), cardiotrophin-like cytokine (CLC), and neuropoietin (NP). This study was designed to determine differential expression of VEGF in breast cancer cells by IL-6 family cytokines, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in cytokine-mediated VEGF induction. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 and estrogen receptor positive/progesterone receptor positive/Her2 negative (ER+/PR+/Her2-) T47D cells were treated with three cytokines (25 ng/mL), OSM, IL-6, and LIF, and analyzed. Our results showed that all three cytokines increased levels of HIF1α by Western blot analysis. OSM lead to a greater production of VEGF compared to IL-6 and LIF, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and as seen by luciferase reporter assay. Of the three cytokines, OSM alone induced VEGF in TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells, and this effect was mediated by signal transducer activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. However, both OSM and IL-6 increased VEGF secretion levels in ER+/PR+/Her2- T47D breast cancer cells, and this signaling was mediated by both HIF1α and pSTAT3, utilizing ELISA and Western blot analysis. These results implicate OSM as the key gp130 cytokine inducing VEGF secretion, and also suggest that this induction is not always HIF1α dependent and is cell-line specific. Citation Format: Danielle S. Hedeen, Ken Tawara, Madhuri Nandakumar, Ryan Fox, David Chang, Alex Ide, Andrew Oler, Dollie LaJoie, Cheryl L. Jorcyk. Differential expression of VEGF in breast cancer cells induced by gp130 cytokines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4183. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4183
Phase I trial of RAD001 (R), bevacizumab (B), and docetaxel (D) for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)

5154 Background: Targeting of mTOR and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) alone or with chemotherapy has been reported for CRPC. We report a dose finding study combining mTOR and VEGF inhibitors along with docetaxel for advanced CRPC. Methods: Eligible patients (pts) had progressive, metastatic, chemo-naive CRPC. A modified adaptive design was used to explore 3 dose levels. 3 pts were treated in each cohort, expanded by 3 pts if a dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed. If no DLT occurred after all pts completed 2 cycles in a cohort, pts were enrolled at the next dose level. If a DLT was seen in 2 pts, that dose level was closed. Dose levels included: cohort 1 (D 75 mg/m2, R 2.5 mg, B 15 mg/kg); cohort 2 (D 75 mg/m2, R 5 mg, B 15 mg/kg); and cohort 3 (D 65 mg/m2, R 5 mg, B 15 mg/kg). D+B was given IV day (d) 1 and R PO days 1–21 on a 21 d cycle. Efficacy is explored as: maximal confirmed PSA decline; partial or complete response (PR+CR) by RECIST criteria; and/or changes in bone scintigraphy. Re...
Integration of Hands-On Team Training into Existing Curriculum Improves Both Technical and Nontechnical Skills in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Objective Nontechnical skills are an essential component of surgical education and a major competency assessed by the ACGME milestones project. However, the optimal way to integrate nontechnical skills training into existing curricula and then objectively evaluate the outcome is still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect laparoscopic team-based task training would have on the nontechnical skills needed for laparoscopic surgery. Design 9 PGY-1 residents underwent an established training curriculum for teaching the knowledge and technical skills involved in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Initial training involved a didactic session, expert-led practice on a porcine model in a simulated operating room and laparoscopic skills practice on a virtual reality trainer. Residents then performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the same porcine model as a preintervention test. Three to four months following this, residents were subjected to specific nontechnical skills training involving 2 simple team-based laparoscopic tasks. They then practiced a further 4 to 6 hours on the virtual reality trainer. A repeat postintervention laparoscopic cholecystectomy was then performed 3 to 4 months after nontechnical skills training. Both the preintervention and postintervention laparoscopic cholecystectomies were audiovisually recorded and then evaluated by 2 independent surgeons in a blinded fashion. Technical skills were assessed using objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) and a technique specific rating scale (TRS) that we developed for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Nontechnical skills were assessed using nontechnical skills for surgeons (NOTSS). Residents also completed a survey at the beginning and end of the training. Setting Tertiary care, university based teaching institution. Participants A total of 9 general surgery residents at the intern level. Results The mean OSATS score improved from 13.7 ± 1.24 to 26.7 ± 0.31 (p R = 0.98) and TRS and NOTSS ( R = 0.94). The inter-rater agreement was 0.79 for NOTSS, 0.9 for OSATS, and 0.82 for TRS. Following completion of the training, residents self-reported improvements in exchanging information (p Conclusion Simple, team-based nontechnical skills training for laparoscopic cholecystectomy that was separate from technical skills training led to a sustained increase in residents' nontechnical skills 3 to 4 months after training. This was associated with a self-reported improvement in many nontechnical skills based on resident survey. Based on these results, we recommend that such designated nontechnical skills training is a valid alternative to other methods such as coaching and debriefing. We, therefore, plan to continue our efforts to develop team-based simulation tasks aimed at improving nontechnical skills for multiple surgical modalities.
Intensive Care of Pulmonary Complications Following Liver Transplantation

Chronic liver disease has been associated with pulmonary dysfunction both before and after liver transplantation. Post-liver transplantation pulmonary complications can affect both morbidity and mortality often necessitating intensive care during the immediate postoperative period. The major pulmonary complications include pneumonia, pleural effusions, pulmonary edema, and atelectasis. Poor clinical outcomes have been known to be associated with age, severity of liver dysfunction, and preexisting lung disease as well as perioperative events related to fluid balance, particularly transfusion and fluid volumes. Delineating each and every one of these pulmonary complications and their associated risk factors becomes paramount in guiding specific therapeutic strategies.
Problem-Based Learning of Behavioral Science in a Traditional Medical School Curriculum

A course in basic behavioral science is described in which problem-based learning is implemented in small groups within a traditional preclinical curriculum. Simulated patients are utilized to provide the problem data and to allow for practice in medical interviewing. Reception of the course, based on student and faculty evaluations, has been positive over the course of eight years, lending support to the conclusion that problem-based methods can be successfully integrated into a traditional lecture-based curriculum.
Vortex-Ring Model of the Superfluid λ Transition

An initial model of the superfluid \ensuremath{\lambda} transition is constructed with use of vortex-ring excitations, as originally suggested by Onsager and Feynman. A real-space renormalization technique generates a screened vortex energy and core size, and gives rise to a transition where rings of infinite diameter are excited as the superfluid density approaches zero at ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$. Although the model satisfies the Josephson hyperscaling relation, it is not yet a complete theory: The superfluid density exponent is \ensuremath{\nu}=0.53, and does not match the known value \ensuremath{\nu}=0.67.
The origin of bidirectional DNA replication in polyoma virus.

Abstract The nucleotide locations of RNA-p-DNA covalent linkages in polyoma virus (PyV) replicating DNA were mapped in the region containing the genetically required origin of DNA replication (ori). These linkages mark the initiation sites for RNA-primed DNA synthesis. A clear transition was identified between the presence of these linkages (discontinuous DNA synthesis) and their absence (continuous DNA synthesis) on each strand of ori. This demonstrated that PyV DNA replication, like simian virus 40 (SV40), is semi-discontinuous, and thus revealed the location of the origin of bidirectional DNA replication (OBR). The transition site on the template encoding PyV late mRNA occurred at the junction of ori-core and T-antigen binding site A. This was essentially the same site as previously observed in SV40 (Hay and DePamphilis, 1982). However, in contrast to SV40, the transition site on the template encoding PyV early mRNA was displaced towards the late gene side of ori. This resulted in a 16 nucleotide gap within ori in which no RNA-p-DNA linkages were observed on either strand. A model for the initiation of PyV DNA replication is presented.
Immune cell neural interactions and their contributions to sickle cell disease.

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by hemolysis, inflammation, and pain. Mechanisms of pain manifestation are complex, and there is a major gap in knowledge of how the nervous and immune systems interact to contribute to pain and other comorbidities in SCD. Sterile inflammation in the periphery and central nervous system contributes to vascular and neural activation. Cellular and soluble mediators create an inflammatory and neuroinflammatory microenvironment contributing to neurogenic inflammation and acute and chronic pain. In this review we highlight relevant neuro-immune interactions that contribute to the pathobiology of SCD.
107 Features of neuropsychiatric lupus in Nba2 mouse model

Background Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) is a common but poorly understood manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affecting up to 80% of SLE patients. Current treatments include broad immunosuppression and symptomatic control rather than addressing pathogenesis. Current mouse models of NPSLE were developed by selective inbreeding until a complex genetic background resulted in spontaneous development of SLE. However, these models are not easily manipulated by genetic tools, which prevents elucidation of a more specific mechanism. We propose to establish the neurobehavioral phenotype of the B6.Nba2 spontaneous mouse model of SLE, known to depend on interferon (IFN)-. Interestingly, recent studies suggested that IFN- contributes to NPSLE by stimulating microglia, making it a promising potential drug target. Methods Age- and sex-matched B6.Nba2 and B6 mice were tested (n=3–5). We used open field testing as a general measure of movement and anxiety-like behavior and elevated plus maze as a more specific measure of anxiety. A novel object placement test assessed spatial memory. Rotarod testing was used to characterize motor coordination, and the forced swim test assessed for depression-like behavior. Students t-test with Welchs correction was used for statistical analysis. Results B6.Nba2 mice moved less distance and at a slower velocity and spent less time in the center of the open field than B6 mice (p=0.0005). To determine whether this was truly from anxiety or if it was a result of motor deficits, we ran elevated plus maze and rotarod tests. In the elevated plus maze, B6.Nba2 mice spent more time in the closed arms than B6 mice ( Conclusions Our data suggest that the B6.Nba2 mouse model expresses a strong anxiety phenotype, a depressive phenotype, but no deficits in spatial memory. This observation warrants further exploration of the B6.Nba2 as a mouse model of NPSLE along with analyses of brain histology and morphology and future evaluations of the relationship between IFN-, autoantibody levels and neurological disease manifestations. Funding Source(s): None
Tracking Healthy People 2020 Internet, Broadband, and Mobile Device Access Goals: An Update Using Data From the Health Information National Trends Survey.

Background: As the year 2020 approaches, there is a need to evaluate progress toward the United States government’s Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) health information technology and communication objectives to establish baselines upon which Healthy People 2030 objectives can be based. Objective: The aim of this study was to use the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to benchmark progress toward HP2020 goals related to increasing internet access using broadband, and to assess the state of the digital divide for various sociodemographic groups. Methods: We merged and analyzed data from 8 administrations of HINTS (2003-2017). Descriptive statistics were generated, and predicted marginals were calculated using interaction terms between survey year and selected sociodemographic variables of interest, including age, sex, race and ethnicity, income, education, and geography (rural versus urban), to test for differential change over time. Results: The number of users having access to the internet increased between 2003 and 2014 (63.15% [3982/6358] to 83.41% [2802/3629]); it remained relatively steady from 2014 to 2017 (81.15% [2533/3283]). Broadband access increased between 2003 and 2011 (from 32.83% [1031/3352] to 77.87% [3375/4405]), but has been declining since (55.93% [1364/2487] in 2017). Access via cellular network increased between 2008 and 2017 (from 6.86% [240/4405] to 65.43% [1436/2489]). Statistically significant disparities in overall internet access were noted in the predicted marginals for age, sex, race and ethnicity, income, and education; for age, sex, income, and geography for broadband access; and for age and sex for cellular network. Conclusions: The targets set forth in HP2020 were met for overall internet access and for internet access via cellular network; however, the target was not met for internet access via broadband. Furthermore, although the digital divide persisted by sociodemographic characteristics, the magnitude of many disparities in access decreased over time.
Tacit knowledge and university-industry technology transfer

Traditional conceptions of university-industry technology transfer typically focus on patenting and licensing of academic inventions. However, effective technology transfer often requires significant knowledge exchange between academic and commercial entities in parallel to patent licensing. Although patents on university technologies nominally disclose those inventions, a significant amount of knowledge related to practicing and commercializing them remains tacit or uncodified, residing in the mind of the faculty inventor. This chapter explores the nature of tacit knowledge and mechanisms for transferring it. It notes that the “tacit dimension” of university inventions can be quite high given the embryonic nature of such technologies. It further reveals that human and institutional connections play a critical role in transferring tacit knowledge between universities and commercial firms. In particular, networks, consulting engagements, sponsored research, proof of concept centers and incubators, and university spinoffs facilitate direct interactions between academic and commercial entities, thus promoting tacit knowledge exchange.
Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Most humans don’t live on the razor’s edge of life and death. We do not fear predators in the night nor worry about having a shelter to fend off the elements. Known locations of food and water are relatively close, and the need to actively search and hunt for the next source of nutrition isn’t required. There are populations of people around the globe where famine, war, and droughts certainly create some doubt in the veracity of that first statement. There tends to be an abundance of food on the planet, and maybe it is the distribution of this food that is the problem in these areas.
Surgical Approaches to the Pediatric Orbit

Surgical approaches to the pediatric orbit include isolated or combined intervention upon all four orbital walls. The decision to make cutaneous or transconjunctival incisions, as well as the approaches to each orbital wall, are discussed in this chapter. Additional considerations include decompression of the optic nerve sheath and bony optic nerve canal decompression.
Cluster Randomized Trial of Teens Against Tobacco Use: Youth Empowerment for Tobacco Control in El Paso, Texas.

Introduction This study examines smoke-free youth partnerships implementing the Teens Against Tobacco Use model developed by the American Lung Association. This innovative tobacco prevention strategy has not been evaluated rigorously. Students used peer teaching to educate youth about tobacco use and engaged in tobacco control advocacy activities. Participating high school and middle school youth were trained to develop and deliver tobacco prevention presentations to 4th–8th grade students in schools. Study design To evaluate the efficacy of the presentations, matched pairs of classrooms willing to have 1 presentation were randomly assigned to receive either the presentation first (intervention condition) or later in the school year (control condition). Setting/participants The study took place in a predominantly low-income Hispanic community. A total of 9 schools, 107 classes, and 2,257 students participated in the evaluation. Main outcome measures Tobacco susceptibility was assessed with a brief survey administered to students in both intervention and control classrooms in 2014 and 2015 after the completion of presentations in intervention classrooms. Analyses completed in 2019 compared intervention and control classrooms on tobacco susceptibility. Results Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that classrooms receiving a tobacco prevention presentation had significantly lower tobacco susceptibility scores than classrooms that did not receive a presentation (12% vs 17%, p Conclusions Findings suggest Teens Against Tobacco Use is an effective means of reducing tobacco susceptibility among 4th–8th graders in the immediate term. Longer-term outcome evaluations are needed to determine whether Teens Against Tobacco Use presentations can have a lasting impact on tobacco use. Trial registration This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT02443025.
Self-determination theory, internet gaming disorder, and the mediating role of self-control

Abstract Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) suggests a sustained, problematic pattern of video gaming contributing to both physical and psychological harms. Applications of self-determination theory have revealed two correlates of IGD: (1) daily frustration of basic needs (i.e., competence, autonomy, and relatedness), and (2) stronger extrinsic gaming motivations. Theory and recent research suggests that poorer self-control (i.e., deficits in the ability to regulate emotions, behaviors, and impulses) may be one mechanism by which daily need frustration is associated with IGD and less adaptive gaming motivations. Thus, the present study explores whether self-control explains the relation between daily need frustration and IGD. A total of 487 university students (50.3% female; Mage = 19.50 years, SD = 1.90) completed the IGD Scale, the Basic Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale, the Self-Control Scale, and the Gaming Motivations Scale. Correlations showed that poorer self-control was associated with higher IGD and less adaptive video gaming motivations. Structural equation modeling further revealed that poorer self-control partially explained the relation between daily need frustration and IGD suggesting that daily need frustration undermines individuals’ self-control, which in turn contributes to greater IGD. Collectively, these findings inform theory on the development of IGD from the perspective of self-determination theory.
Linking midlatitudes eddy heat flux trends and polar amplification

Eddy heat fluxes play the important role of transferring heat from low to high latitudes, thus affecting midlatitude climate. The recent and projected polar warming, and its effects on the meridional temperature gradients, suggests a possible weakening of eddy heat fluxes. We here examine this question in reanalyses and state-of-the-art global climate models. In the Northern Hemisphere we find that the eddy heat flux has robustly weakened over the last four decades. We further show that this weakening emerged from the internal variability around the year 2000, and we attribute it to increasing greenhouse gases. In contrast, in the Southern Hemisphere we find that the eddy heat flux has robustly strengthened, and we link this strengthening to the recent multi-decadal cooling of Southern-Ocean surface temperatures. The inability of state-of-the-art climate models to simulate such cooling prevents them from capturing the observed Southern Hemisphere strengthening of the eddy heat flux. This discrepancy between models and reanalyses provides a clear example of how model biases in polar regions can affect the midlatitude climate.
Neural control of blood pressure is altered following isolated leg heating in aged humans.

There is a sustained reduction in arterial blood pressure that occurs in aged adults following exposure to acute leg heating. However, the neurovascular mechanisms mediating this response remain un...
Using NMR Spectroscopy and Chemical Synthesis to Establish Diastereoselectivity of NaBH4 and Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) Reduction of (±)-Benzoin Isopropyl Ether: A Collaborative Discovery-Based Laboratory Experiment

A discovery-based undergraduate organic chemistry lab experiment has been developed in which students establish the diastereoselectivity of hydride reduction of the α-chiral ketone (±)-benzoin isop...
Donor apoptotic cell-based therapy for effective inhibition of donor-specific memory T and B cells to promote long-term allograft survival in allosensitized recipients

Allosensitization constitutes a major barrier in transplantation. Preexisting donor-reactive memory T and B cells and preformed donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) have all been implicated in accelerated allograft rejection in sensitized recipients. Here, we employ a sensitized murine model of islet transplantation to test strategies that promote long-term immunosuppression-free allograft survival. We demonstrate that donor-specific memory T and B cells can be effectively inhibited by peritransplant infusions of donor apoptotic cells in combination with anti-CD40L and rapamycin, and this treatment leads to significant prolongation of islet allograft survival in allosensitized recipients. We further demonstrate that late graft rejection in recipients treated with this regimen is associated with a breakthrough of B cells and their aggressive graft infiltration. Consequently, additional posttransplant B cell depletion effectively prevents late rejection and promotes permanent acceptance of islet allografts. In contrast, persistent low levels of DSAs do not seem to impair graft outcome in these recipients. We propose that B cells contribute to late rejection as antigen-presenting cells for intragraft memory T cell expansion but not to alloantibody production and that a therapeutic strategy combining donor apoptotic cells, anti-CD40L, and rapamycin effectively inhibits proinflammatory B cells and promotes long-term islet allograft survival in such recipients.
Automated Design of Operational Amplifiers: A Case Study

As the number of devices which can be included on a single integrated circuit (IC) increases, the trend is to implement application specific systems in one, or a few, ICs (ASICs). The fraction of the total number of IC designs which are developed for a single application has been steadily increasing in recent years. Many board-level systems have begun to migrate toward single chip implementations, and many of these applications require analog circuits as well as digital ones. In order to be economically competitive, the time between the definition of a profitable application and completion of the design of a working ASIC chip must be minimized. Therefore, the use of computer-aided design (CAD) techniques is an absolute necessity for ASIC design. While sophisticated CAD techniques have been developed to automate the design of digital circuitry, limited progress has been made toward automating the analog circuit design task in general. For example, even for an ASIC design on which 90% of the devices are used in digital circuitry and only 10% of the devices are used in analog circuitry, the analog circuit design task might well be the limiting factor in the overall design time. Because of the sensitive economic environment for ASIC designs, any delay is extremely expensive due to the loss of potential sales.
The antimicrobial peptide DGL13K is active against resistant gram-negative bacteria and subinhibitory concentrations stimulate bacterial growth without causing resistance

Abstract Antimicrobial peptides may be alternatives to traditional antibiotics with reduced bacterial resistance. The antimicrobial peptide GL13K was derived from the salivary protein BPIFA2. This study determined the relative activity of the L-and D-enantiomers of GL13K to wild-type and drug-resistant strains of three gram-negative species and against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. DGL13K displayed in vitro activity against ESBL and KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (MICs 16-32 μg/ml), MDR and XDR P. aeruginosa, and XDR Acinetobacter baumannii carrying metallo-beta-lactamases (MICs 8-32 μg/ml). P. aeruginosa showed low inherent resistance to DGL13K and the increased metabolic activity and growth caused by sub-MIC concentrations of GL13K peptides did not result in acquired bacterial resistance. Daily dosing for approximately two weeks did not increase the MIC of DGL13K or cause cross-resistance between LGL13K and DGL13K. These data suggest that DGL13K is a promising candidate antimicrobial peptide for further development.
Einfluss der Reihenfolge von Items auf die diagnostische Qualität von Vorsichtungsalgorithmen hinsichtlich der Vergabe der Sichtungskategorie I

Grosschadenslagen stellen den Rettungsdienst vor die Herausforderung, vielen Patienten mit begrenzten Ressourcen das Uberleben zu sichern. Um hier eine Fehlverteilung von Ressourcen zu verhindern, ist eine genaue Vorsichtung essenziell. Aktuelle Studien zeigen, dass bei den verwendeten Vorsichtungsalgorithmen weiterhin Verbesserungsbedarf besteht. In dieser Arbeit untersuchten wir, welchen Einfluss eine veranderte Reihenfolge der Abfragen/Items auf die Qualitat der Vorsichtungsalgorithmen hat. Wir verwendeten eine Datenbank von 492 Luftrettungseinsatzen. Allen Patienten wurde durch eine Gruppe von Notarzten eine Referenzsichtungskategorie (SK) vergeben. Die Vorsichtungsalgorithmen mSTaRT, ASAV und PRIOR wurden in Excel-Befehle ubersetzt und die SK fur jeden Patienten berechnet. Anschliesend rotierte die Reihenfolge der Items. Die berechneten SK wurden hinsichtlich Sensitivitat, Spezifitat, Unter‑/Ubertriage und Youden-Index fur die SK I (rot) ausgewertet. mSTaRT zeigte keinerlei Veranderung der Qualitat. Die Originalvariante von ASAV erreichte die beste Performance. Eine Rotation der Items fuhrte zu einer Zunahme der Ubertriage um 15 % bei sinkender Qualitat. PRIOR profitierte am meisten von den Rotationen, wobei insbesondere die Variante mit einer initialen Abfrage der Gehfahigkeit zu einer Abnahme der Ubertriage von 22 % fuhrte. Dies fuhrte zur starksten Verbesserung des Youden-Index (+0,12). Wir konnten demonstrieren, dass eine Rotation der Items innerhalb der Vorsichtungsalgorithmen ASAV und PRIOR einen Einfluss auf Uber- und Untertriage hat. Insbesondere die Position der Abfrage der Gehfahigkeit hat einen bedeutenden Einfluss auf die Spezifitat der Algorithmen.
Peri-ictal Brainstem-Driven Posturing and Its Meaning.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) accounts for an estimated 5.2% of all epilepsy-related deaths, and the risk for patients 21 to 40 years of age is almost 24 times that in general population.1 Patients with severe treatment-resistant epilepsy face an exponentially increased risk with an incidence at 1 in 100 person-years.2 The presence and annual burden of generalized convulsive seizures (GCS) in the year preceding death are the biggest risk factors, posing a 27-fold increased risk.3 The Mortality in Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Study (MORTEMUS), an international retrospective review of witnessed SUDEP in epilepsy monitoring units, demonstrated that SUDEP occurred in a close proximity to GCS after which a transient cardiorespiratory dysfunction progressed to terminal apnea and cardiac arrest.4 Respiratory monitoring of patients admitted to epilepsy monitoring units identified a postictal central apnea (PCCA) in 31.2% of GCS, and a prolonged postictal generalized EEG suppression (PGES) especially seemed to facilitate PCCA.5 In addition, PCCA co-occurred with asystole at an incidence rate of 10.2 per 1,000 patient-years. PGES has been variably associated with SUDEP and linked to the presence and duration of the tonic phase of GCS and to a delayed administration of supplemental oxygen.6 Because not all convulsive seizures lead to PCCA, PGES, or SUDEP, there is a need for bedside biomarkers of PGES, dangerous respiratory dysfunction, and ultimately SUDEP risk.
Attorneys’ Fees and Chapter Choice: Exploring 'No Money Down' Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

This short piece summarizes our findings based on Consumer Bankruptcy Project data that we detailed in "No Money Down" Bankruptcy, 90 S. Cal. L. Rev. 1055 (2017). In addition to noting the increasingly common practice of consumer debtors filing chapter 13 bankruptcy without paying anything in attorneys' fees prior to filing, in this piece, we also discuss the law that influenced the creation of “no money down” chapter 13s, which households are more likely to file with “no money down,” and why this type of chapter 13 case might be less than optimal for the consumer bankruptcy system. The piece ends by highlighting our suggestions for reforms to correct some of the inefficiencies resulting from the circumstances that create “no money down” bankruptcy.
Synthesis and redox properties of heterobimetallic Re(bpyCrown-M)(CO)3Cl complexes, where M = Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Ba2+

Abstract The operational electrochemical potential of a molecular electrocatalyst is typically pinned to the reduction potential of the parent complex. The predominant strategy for minimizing the overpotential is to modify the ligand with electron withdrawing functional groups to anodically shift the reduction potential. However, these changes often result in decreased catalytic rates. Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl is a well-known electrocatalyst for selective CO2 reduction to CO. In this work, the synthesis of Re(bpyCrown-M)(CO)3Cl is described, where bpyCrown-M is a bipyridine ligand containing a cyclic ether cavity, and M is a Na+, K+, Ca2+, or Ba2+ ion encapsulated within that cavity. Addition of these cations results in anodic shifts in reduction potential, and the magnitude of the shifts correlate with overall cationic charge. However, electrolysis under catalytic conditions for CO2 reduction results in precipitation of carbonate salts, diminishing overall catalytic activity.
Analysis of Environmental Variables and Carbon Input on Soil Microbiome, Metabolome and Disease Control Efficacy in Strawberry Attributable to Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation

Charcoal rot and Fusarium wilt, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, respectively, are major soil-borne diseases of strawberry that have caused significant crop losses in California. Anaerobic soil disinfestation has been studied as an industry-level option to replace soil fumigants to manage these serious diseases. Studies were conducted to discern whether Gramineae carbon input type, incubation temperature, or incubation duration influences the efficacy of this disease control tactic. In experiments conducted using 'low rate' amendment applications at moderate day/night temperatures (24/18 °C), and carbon inputs (orchard grass, wheat, and rice bran) induced an initial proliferation and subsequent decline in soil density of the Fusarium wilt pathogen. This trend coincided with the onset of anaerobic conditions and a corresponding generation of various anti-fungal compounds, including volatile organic acids, hydrocarbons, and sulfur compounds. Generation of these metabolites was associated with increases in populations of Clostridium spp. Overall, carbon input and incubation temperature, but not incubation duration, significantly influenced disease suppression. All Gramineae carbon inputs altered the soil microbiome and metabolome in a similar fashion, though the timing and maximum yield of specific metabolites varied with input type. Fusarium wilt and charcoal rot suppression were superior when anaerobic soil disinfestation was conducted using standard amendment rates of 20 t ha-1 at elevated temperatures combined with a 3-week incubation period. Findings indicate that anaerobic soil disinfestation can be further optimized by modulating carbon source and incubation temperature, allowing the maximum generation of antifungal toxic volatile compounds. Outcomes also indicate that carbon input and environmental variables may influence treatment efficacy in a target pathogen-dependent manner which will require pathogen-specific optimization of treatment protocols.
Is a 'guideline-compliant' primary cesarean delivery associated with a modified risk for maternal and neonatal morbidity?: a clinical evaluation of the 2014 ACOG/SMFM obstetric care consensus statement.

It is currently unknown whether primary CDs performed in compliance with the 2014 ACOG/SMFM Obstetric Care Consensus Statement guidelines (“guideline-compliant”) are associated with a modified risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity, when compared to primary CDs performed outside the guidelines (“guideline-noncompliant”). Our primary objective was to determine if a guideline-compliant primary CD is associated with a modified risk for maternal or neonatal morbidity, when compared to guideline-noncompliant primary CD. A retrospective cohort study of all primary CDs at one tertiary referral center in the calendar year following publication of the Consensus Statement. Logistic regression was performed to calculate the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes for guideline-compliant primary CDs, when compared to guideline-noncompliant and guideline-not addressed, and when adjusted for maternal age, BMI, hypertension, gestational age at delivery, insurance carrier, and provider practice. Eight hundred twenty-seven primary CDs were included during the study period, of which 34.8, 26.0, and 39.2% were guideline compliant, guideline-noncompliant, and guideline-not addressed. No statistically significant differences in the frequency of adverse maternal outcomes across these three groups were observed with the exception of maternal ICU admission, which was significantly associated with a guideline-not addressed primary CD (p = 0.0002). No statistical difference in rates of NICU admissions, 5 min APGAR < 5, or umbilical artery cord pH < 7 were observed between guideline-compliant and guideline-noncompliant primary CDs. Women undergoing guideline-compliant primary CDs were not significantly more likely to experience a maternal or neonatal morbidity when compared to guideline-noncompliant primary CDs.
Interlayer Structural Engineering of 2D MXene for Electrochemical Energy Storage

2D MXenes have been widely applied in the field of electrochemical energy storage owing to their high electrical conductivity, large redox-active surface area, rich surface chemistry, and tunable structures. However, electrodes made from pristine MXene with small interlayer spacing exhibit unsatisfied electrochemical performance. Significantly, MXene with expanded and engineered interlayer structures for excellent storage capability is confirmed. In this chapter, we summarize the recent advances in the interlayer structural engineering of MXene-based nanomaterials for electrochemical energy storage applications. Moreover, we provide a deep discussion on the relationship between interlayer structure and electrochemical performance from the view of energy storage mechanisms. Finally, the challenges and prospects for the future research of interlayer structural engineering of MXenes are outlined.
Hydrodynamics and Load Shedding Behavior of a Variable Geometry Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter (OSWEC)

In order to improve their long-term viability, wave energy converters (WEC) need to be able to shed loads when a threshold wave condition is exceeded. As shown by Tom et al. [1], provision of adjustable flaps within the body of an Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter (OSWEC) allows wave energy to pass through the device. A control system may then be able to open and close the flaps when waves approaching the device exceed preset thresholds. The variable geometry OSWEC concept studied in this paper is a bottom-hinged rectangular wave paddle with five flaps of elliptical cross-section embedded into the face of the paddle. System ID tests were conducted on this VG-OSWEC device at 1:14 scale in a wave basin. Free decay tests showed that the damping was distinctly nonlinear when the flaps were fully open, and the natural frequency was increased by 40% when compared with the flaps fully closed configuration.
Single-stranded DNA binding proteins influence APOBEC3A substrate preference

The cytidine deaminase, APOBEC3A (A3A), is a prominent source of mutations in multiple cancer types. These APOBEC-signature mutations are non-uniformly distributed across cancer genomes, associating with single-stranded (ss) DNA formed during DNA replication and hairpin-forming sequences. The biochemical and cellular factors that influence these specificities are unclear. We measured A3A’s cytidine deaminase activity in vitro on substrates that model potential sources of ssDNA in the cell and found that A3A is more active on hairpins containing 4 nt ssDNA loops compared to hairpins with larger loops, bubble structures, replication fork mimics, ssDNA gaps, or linear DNA. Despite pre-bent ssDNAs being expected to fit better in the A3A active site, we determined A3A favors a 4 nt hairpin substrate only 2- to fivefold over linear ssDNA substrates. Addition of whole cell lysates or purified RPA to cytidine deaminase assays more severely reduced A3A activity on linear ssDNA (45 nt) compared to hairpin substrates. These results indicate that the large enrichment of A3A-driven mutations in hairpin-forming sequences in tumor genomes is likely driven in part by other proteins that preferentially bind longer ssDNA regions, which limit A3A’s access. Furthermore, A3A activity is reduced at ssDNA associated with a stalled T7 RNA polymerase, suggesting that potential protein occlusion by RNA polymerase also limits A3A activity. These results help explain the small transcriptional strand bias for APOBEC mutation signatures in cancer genomes and the general targeting of hairpin-forming sequences in the lagging strand template during DNA replication.
Three-Week-Old Rabbit Ventricular Cardiomyocytes as a Novel System to Study Cardiac Excitation and EC Coupling

Cardiac arrhythmias significantly contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The rabbit heart serves as an accepted model system for studying cardiac cell excitation and arrhythmogenicity. Accordingly, primary cultures of adult rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes serve as a preferable model to study molecular mechanisms of human cardiac excitation. However, the use of adult rabbit cardiomyocytes is often regarded as excessively costly. Therefore, we developed and characterized a novel low-cost rabbit cardiomyocyte model, namely, 3-week-old ventricular cardiomyocytes (3wRbCMs). Ventricular myocytes were isolated from whole ventricles of 3-week-old New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes by standard enzymatic techniques. Using wheat germ agglutinin, we found a clear T-tubule structure in acutely isolated 3wRbCMs. Cells were adenovirally infected (multiplicity of infection of 10) to express GFP and cultured for 48 h. The cells showed action potential duration (APD90 = 253±24 ms) and calcium transients similar to adult rabbit cardiomyocytes. Freshly isolated and 48 h cultured cells expressed critical ion channel proteins: calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (Cavα1c), sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 5 (Nav1.5), potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily D member 3 (Kv4.3) and subfamily A member 4 (Kv1.4), as well as subfamily H member 2 (RERG. Kv11.1), KvLQT1 (K7.1) protein and inward-rectifier potassium channel (Kir2.1). The cells displayed an appropriate electrophysiological phenotype including fast sodium current (INa), transient outward potassium current (Ito), L-type calcium channel peak current (ICa,L), rapid and slow components of the delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr and IKs), and inward rectifier (IK1). Although expression of the channel proteins and some currents decreased during the 48 h of culturing, we conclude that 3wRbCMs are a new, low-cost alternative to the adult-rabbit-cardiomyocytes system, which allows the investigation of molecular mechanisms of cardiac excitation on morphological, biochemical, genetic, physiological, and biophysical levels.
Automaticity and expressive behavior in virtual actors: notes on the organization of mammalian behavior systems

Much of the most expressive behavior in humans -expressions of shock or alarm, gaze aversion, or explosive rage - are the result of automatic processes that engage before deliberative processing can respond. In some cases, such as weeping, the deliberative system may have only limited ability to override the automatic system. These processes are implemented by a network of phylogenetically old, special purpose, somewhat redundant systems that give rise to the particular idiosyncratic behavior we associate with automatic reactions to emotional events. In this paper, I'll review some of the ethological and neuropsychological results on low-level systems related to threat response, and their relation to the simulation of virtual characters. I will also discuss work in progress on building a medium-fidelity simulation of these systems.
Denial Among Cardiac Patients with the Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Despite numerous approaches for managing patients with ventricular arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States today [1]. The psychological reactions to such episodes, namely, fear, anxiety and depression, as well as personality variables which may have contributed to the etiology or exacerbation of coronary heart disease, have been well documented [1–9]. However, the psychological aspects among cardiac patients whose lives have been prolonged by artificial devices, e.g., the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) is an area that remains relatively unexplored [10].
Sexual fatalities: behavioral reconstruction in equivocal cases.

A few sexual fatalities show ambiguous or conflicting evidence of manner of death or, in cases involving partners, of the partner's intent. In such equivocal cases, postmortem behavioral analysis and reconstruction aid in understanding what happened and provide an explanable basis for expert judgment and opinion, even though some eases can never be resolved with certainty. Behavioral analysis and reconstruction are enhanced by experience with related cases that have been solved, detailed investigation of the death scene and other relevant settings, and interviews with survivors.
“Subverting Administrative Oversight: Campaign Contributions and Nursing Home Inspections"

I study the consequences of interest group campaign contributions for administrative oversight. Unlike the few previous studies in this area, however, I study the influence in state bureaucracies a...
Richard Freedman, Music in the Renaissance

Music in the Renaissance, part of the series Western Music in Context, offers an alternative to the comprehensive, total package approach to teaching music history, offering instead a research-based textbook, selective in both content and musical repertory. Viewing music as a part of culture rather than as stylistic end in itself allows learners to comprehend not only what music was like, but why it existed and how it functioned. Accompanying websites enrich the text with links to scholarship, primary sources for both music and culture, and traditional study tools, such as worksheets and listening lists.
An Entropy-based Approach to Visualizing Database Structure

This paper explores the use of entropy for visualizing database structure. In particular, we show how visualizing the entropy of a relation provides a global perspective on the distribution of values and helps to identify areas within the relation where interesting relationships may be discovered. The type of structure we are interested in discovering is related to functional dependencies. Our approach is not dependent on the underlying domain of the data, providing a view of the dependency landscape within a relation. Using these techniques, we describe comparative results for a wide variety of synthetic and real data.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence During an Emotionally Difficult Decision-Making Task

Emotional intelligence (EI) can be defined as the ability to understand, perceive, and manage emotions. However, there is little research investigating how EI influences decision-making during emotionally difficult situations. We hypothesized that higher EI would correlate with greater utilization of socially relevant facial cues during emotional decision-making. Sixty-two 18–45 year olds completed a decision-making task simulating an airport security screening during a credible terrorist threat. Participants viewed a series of facial photographs of potential passengers (white men and women) and selected which passengers to detain for further interrogation. The face photographs were previously rated for a set of character traits (e.g., aggression) by independent judges. Participants completed measures of trait (self-perceived) and ability (performance-based) EI and cognitive intelligence (IQ). With higher ability EI, participants were more likely to detain only individuals judged to be particularly high in negative traits (e.g., “aggression”) and especially low in positive traits (e.g., “trustworthy”), suggesting greater acuity in decision choices. These associations were driven primarily by the facilitating and understanding branches of EI (i.e., the ability to generate and use emotion to facilitate decision making, and the ability to understand factors that generate and modify emotions). No association between trait EI or IQ and detainment decisions was found. Findings suggest that individuals with higher ability EI were more likely to utilize the available but limited social information (i.e., facial features) when completing an emotional decision-making task than those with lower EI. These findings have implications for real-life situations involving similarly difficult emotional decision-making processes.