cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SURFACTANT PROTEIN C BIOSYNTHESIS AND ITS EMERGING ROLE IN CONFORMATIONAL LUNG DISEASE

Surfactant protein C (SP-C) is a hydrophobic 35-amino acid peptide that co-isolates with the phospholipid fraction of lung surfactant. SP-C represents a structurally and functionally challenging protein for the alveolar type 2 cell, which must synthesize, traffic, and process a 191-197-amino acid precursor protein through the regulated secretory pathway. The current understanding of SP-C biosynthesis considers the SP-C proprotein (proSP-C) as a hybrid molecule that incorporates structural and functional features of both bitopic integral membrane proteins and more classically recognized luminal propeptide hormones, which are subject to post-translational processing and regulated exocytosis. Adding to the importance of a detailed understanding of SP-C biosynthesis has been the recent association of mutations in the proSP-C sequence with chronic interstitial pneumonias in children and adults. Many of these mutations involve either missense or deletion mutations located in a region of the proSP-C molecule that has structural homology to the BRI family of proteins linked to inherited degenerative dementias. This review examines the current state of SP-C biosynthesis with a focus on recent developments related to molecular and cellular mechanisms implicated in the emerging role of SP-C mutations in the pathophysiology of diffuse parenchymal lung disease.
Effect of High Tunnels on the Growth, Yields, and Soluble Solids of Strawberry Cultivars in Florida

Two studies were conducted to compare the effects of high tunnel and open-field production on the growth, fruit earliness, yield, and soluble solid content of Florida strawberry cultivars. Three strawberry cultivars and two production systems were tested inside high tunnels and in open fields. The cultivars were ‘Strawberry Festival’, ‘Winter Dawn’, and ‘Florida Elyana’. Production systems and cultivars significantly affected strawberry early and total yields, but the interaction between both factors was not significant. Early yields increased by up to 54% inside high tunnels in comparison with those from open fields. Strawberry total marketable yields maximized inside high tunnels in comparison with open fields, with up to 63% fruit weight increments. Fruit yields after freezing events and soluble solid contents were also increased inside high tunnels. Using high tunnels in Florida for strawberry production might benefit growers by improving earliness and providing a competitive edge in the market, reduc...
A new Jacobian formulation for general six-revolute manipulators

Conventionally, the kinematics for serial-link manipulators are formed in terms of the joint angles. The author presents an alternative formulation which uses unit vectors along the joint axes as the variables. For the task of updating the manipulator pose for an incremental change in position and orientation, it is shown that the new formulation is approximately equal in computational cost to the traditional method. Compared to the conventional approach, the joint vector formulation has a simple, but larger, sparse Jacobian. Efficiency is achieved by using a sparse matrix solver. >
Implantable sensor for intraoperative and postoperative monitoring of blood flow: A preliminary report

Abstract We have developed an implantable 20 MHz Doppler flow sensor, to monitor blood flow in patients after operation. During surgery the sensor is wrapped around a blood vessel and secured in place with a releasable tie. No tissue puncturing techniques are required. The lead wires, together with a release cable, are exteriorized through the chest wall. Several days after operation, the tie is externally released, and the sensor is pulled out. Twenty-seven sensors were implanted in 24 dogs for up to 16 days. All were extracted successfully with minimal visible behavioral reaction in the awake dogs and caused no thrombosis or vascular damage. The Doppler velocity signals had excellent linear correlations ( r = 0.99) with data from electromagnetic flow sensors and timed blood collections. In addition, the sensors were applied to coronary artery bypass grafts in 31 patients for up to 2 days after operation. High-quality signals were obtained, and intraoperatively recorded signals agreed well with simultaneous electromagnetic flow tracings. All sensors were extracted with minimal discomfort to the awake patients and with no complications. Thus, the implantable flow sensor is a safe, reliable, accurate, and simple method for intraoperative and postoperative monitoring of blood flow in vessels 2.5 to 5 mm in diameter. (J VASC SURG 1990;12:148-57.)
Human Curiosities and the Royal Society, 1699-1751

Although anatomy is primarily concerned with the structure, and physiology with the functioning of the human body, knowledge of both is essential to the surgeon and the physician. This certainly applies to the living ‘human curiosities’ in the present paper: they and post-mortem specimens have been selected to illustrate myology and osteology, two branches of anatomical science with which the Royal Society was long preoccupied. The second charter of the Royal Society made special provision for it ‘to demand and receive the bodies of executed criminals, and to anatomize them, as the College of Physicians and the Company of Surgeons of London use or enjoy’, but there is little direct evidence that this prerogative was exercised. The College of Physicians encountered practical difficulties in obtaining the bodies of the four executed criminals to which they were entitled, as seen by its president Sir Hans Sloane’s petitions to Parliament in 1721 and 1723 (when they became law). Entries in Sloane’s ‘Humana’ Catalogue suggest that he made other arrangements for his own collections: 14. The sceleton of a man made by Mr. Verier of the body of a Highwayman executed at Tiburn and bought by me 3.4.6. ... 534. The kidneys of a malefactor hang’d at Tyburn wherein appear two ureters & 2 basons in each kidney, which ureters join before their insertion into the bladder. Given me by Dr. Rutty.
Applications of Video to Light Microscopy

In this chapter we will survey the applications of video to various modes of light microscopy including low-light-level applications, contrast enhancement, quantitation, scanning, and three-dimensional reconstruction. Rather than limit the discussion to applications that have been published, I shall also include some ongoing developments and potential applications of video that could further improve the image or otherwise expand the utility of the light microscope. Some recent applications of video to biological light microscopy are reviewed comprehensively by Spring (1979, 1983) (see also footno te ‡ on page 397 and the Postscript).
OSTEOCHONDROMATA OF THE PELVIC BONES

This study is based on forty cases of osteochondroma observed at the Mayo Clinic from 1910 to 1943, inclusive. In each case, the diagnosis was verified by microseopic examination. A total of sixty-nine operations were performed on these patients. Nine of the patients are known to have died, and eight are known to have had one or more recurrences. In two cases, not all of the tumor was removed at the time of operation. In fifteen cases, there was no evidence of recurrence when the last follow-up data were obtained. No follow-up data were obtained in six cases. In four of the forty patients, definite malignant changes were later found in the lesions. In sixteen patients (not included among the forty), microscopic examination revealed that the lesions were malignant at the time the patients were first operated upon at the Clinic. From the foregoing review, the complexity of this problem is obvious. Chondromata of the pelvis must always be considered as serious surgical lesions. This is particularly true of those that are not well pedunculated, and of those in the more remote and inaccessible parts of the pelvis. When the tumor is purely cartilaginous in nature, the diagnosis may be extremely difficult. We have seen at least two cases in which the symptoms were referable to the hip, and, in spite of biopsies with negative findings, the symptoms continued and ultimately a chondroma was revealed. If the tumor is on the inner side of the innominate bone, particularly if it is within the true pelvis, its complete local removal is often difficult or impossible. The idea is prevalent that these tumors may go from a benign to a malignant status, and in many cases this would seem to be true. However, in some of the cases described this change has not taken place, in spite of several recurrences and operations. In other instances, the presence of both benign and malignant regions in the same tumor may explain the apparent discrepancy. The importance of complete surgical removal is evident to any one who has seen one or two of these patients in the late stage, when the tumor has reached a huge size, with a great deal of pain and discomfort, and there is little to offer in the way of relief. In those instances in which such removal cannot be accomplished by local excision, interinnomino-abdominal (hindquarter) amputations may be indicated.
Cellular and Molecular Studies of Growth, Differentiation and Neoplastic Transformation of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells in Vitro

Normal human cells in vitro appear to retain many normal phenotypic properties, remain diploid, eventually undergo senescence and rarely, if ever “spontaneously” transform to malignant cells. Retained properties may include synthesis of classes of proteins associated with specific cell types such as collagens, keratins, or melanin; responsiveness to hormones; and antigenic specificity. In addition, human cells with abnormal phenotypes such as either enzymatic deficits or malignant properties frequently maintain these phenotype in vitro. Human cells cultured in vitro have thus proven to be extremely useful to scientists studying the molecular and biochemical aspects of human carcinogenesis. Such studies have been facilitated by the recent development of improved methods for culturing normal human epithelial tissues and cells1. Chemically defined media have been developed for culturing many of these tissues and cells from normal organs, including those with a high rate of cancer in humans. Serum-free media have several advantages in studies of cultured human cells, including: (a) less experimental variability compared to serum-containing media; (b) selective growth conditions for normal cells of different types (e.g. epithelial versus fibroblastic) or for normal versus malignant cells; (c) ease of identification of growth factors, inhibitors of growth, and inducers of differentiation; and (d) ease of isolating and analyzing secreted cellular products. Advances in cell biology, including the delineation of biochemical and morphological markers of specific cell types, have also facilitated the identification of cells in vitro (including keratins as markers for epithelial cells and collagen types I and III for identifying fibroblasts). These advances have created experimental approaches to answering critical questions in human cell carcinogenesis1,2.
What's in a Name? Persuasion Perhaps

Four studies demonstrate the potential influence of name similarity on perceptions of similarity to oneself in general, liking and compliance. Some participants received a scenario in which the protagonist's name was similar to their own. These participants indicated that the character was more similar to themselves, reported greater liking for the person, and expressed more willingness to comply with a request for help, than control participants did. In addition, the persuasive influence of name similarity on questionnaire return rates indicated that both undergraduates and college professors completed and returned questionnaires more frequently if the name on the cover letter was similar to their own. The influence of name similarity was independent of name familiarity. The importance of name similarity in eliciting overt behavioral action is discussed.
Facteurs de risque de la diarrhée associée aux antibiotiques : Une revue de la littérature

Antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common adverse reaction to most types of antibiotics with frequencies ranging from 5-39%, depending upon the specific type of antibiotic and the presence of other risk factors. The pathogenesis of antibiotic associated diarrhea is mediated through the disruption of the normal flora and overgrowth of pathogens or through metabolic imbalances. Beside risk factors associated with the type and duration of antibiotic therapy, host factors include the extremes of age ( 65 years), severe underlying disease, presence of other chronic intestinal conditions, immunosuppression, prior history of AAD and exposures during recent hospitalizations (surgery, nasogastric tube feeding). Factors which have not been significantly associated with antibiotic associated diarrhea include gender, dose or route of the inciting antibiotic and inflammatory bowel disease. The clinical impact of AAD is reflected by potential severity of the illness (PMC), possible consequences of the disruption in the treatment of the primary infection, higher medical costs, increased hospital stays and increased rates of morbidity and mortality. The key to decreasing these consequences is prompt diagnosis followed by effective treatment and institution of control measures and preventive treatments in patients at risk.
The Pharmacological Basis of Cannabis Therapy for Epilepsy

Recently, cannabis has been suggested as a potential alternative therapy for refractory epilepsy, which affects 30% of epilepsy, both adults and children, who do not respond to current medications. There is a large unmet medical need for new antiepileptics that would not interfere with normal function in patients with refractory epilepsy and conditions associated with refractory seizures. The two chief cannabinoids are Δ-9-tetrahyrdrocannabinol, the major psychoactive component of marijuana, and cannabidiol (CBD), the major nonpsychoactive component of marijuana. Claims of clinical efficacy in epilepsy of CBD-predominant cannabis or medical marijuana come mostly from limited studies, surveys, or case reports. However, the mechanisms underlying the antiepileptic efficacy of cannabis remain unclear. This article highlights the pharmacological basis of cannabis therapy, with an emphasis on the endocannabinoid mechanisms underlying the emerging neurotherapeutics of CBD in epilepsy. CBD is anticonvulsant, but it has a low affinity for the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2; therefore the exact mechanism by which it affects seizures remains poorly understood. A rigorous clinical evaluation of pharmaceutical CBD products is needed to establish the safety and efficacy of their use in the treatment of epilepsy. Identification of mechanisms underlying the anticonvulsant efficacy of CBD is also critical for identifying other potential treatment options.
FACTORS AFFECTING L-LACTATE UTILIZATION BY SELENOMONAS RUMINANTIUM

Studies were conducted to evaluate factors that affect L-lactate utilization by the ruminal bacterium Selenomonas ruminantium HD4. L-Lactate uptake decreased over time both in the presence and absence of 10 mM L-malate. Compared with uptake in the absence of malate, 10 mM L-malate increased L-lactate uptake at 30 s and 45 min. Because L-malate had little effect on L-lactate uptake for cells grown on soluble carbohydrates compared to lactate-grown cells, it seems that the stimulation due to L-malate is inducible. Sodium concentrations between 25 and 100 mM stimulated long-term (45 min) L-lactate uptake in the presence of 10 mM L-malate, whereas uptake in the absence of L-malate was low regardless of the Na+ concentration. Monensin inhibited L-lactate uptake by 42%, and this is consistent with the involvement of Na+ in L-lactate utilization. Initial uptake (30 s) of L-lactate was not dependent on Na+. L-Lactate uptake was stimulated by 10 mM L-malate at extracellular pH values between 4.0 and 8.0. No inhibition of L-lactate uptake was observed in the presence of 10 mM glucose, maltose, sucrose, xylose, or D-lactate. The metabolic inhibitors carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and NaF inhibited L-lactate uptake (> 79%), suggesting that protons may be involved in L-lactate uptake by this bacterium. Collectively, these experiments show that L-lactate uptake by S. ruminantium HD4 is stimulated in the presence of 10 mM L-malate at pH values and Na+ concentrations commonly found in the rumen.
COMPLEX COLONY STRUCTURE IN SOCIAL INSECTS: I. ECOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS AND GENETIC CONSEQUENCES.

For social insect species, intraspecific variation in colony social structure provides an opportunity to relate the evolution of social behavior to ecological factors. The species Myrmica punctiventris is a cavity-dwelling forest ant that exhibits very different colony structures in two populations in the northeastern United States. Combined data from seasonal censuses, allozyme electrophoresis, and worker hostility tests showed that a population of M. punctiventris in Vermont was strictly monogynous and seasonally polydomous. The same procedures showed that a population of M. punctiventris in New York was facultatively polygynous and predominantly monodomous. Genetic relatedness among colony-mates was not different from Hamilton's expected values in the Vermont population and was consistent with little exchange of ants between colonies and single-mating of queens. In contrast, relatedness was lower in New York, and examination of nest-mate genotypes revealed exchange of ants between colonies, high rates of colony loss and replacement of queens, or multiple-mating of queens. The genetic structure of the Vermont population was consistent with no inbreeding, but in New York, the population genetic structure reflected microgeographic subdivision and inbreeding. Previous study of the ant communities at these sites implicates nest-site limitation in New York as a primary constraint on social structure.
Mesoscopic modeling of binary diffusion through microporous zeolite membranes

The mesoscopic framework describing single-component diffusion through microporous materials is extended here to characterize binary diffusion in the absence of intermolecular forces. Two diffusion mechanisms, single-file diffusion characteristic of confined pore structures and species-species exchange consistent with diffusion modes in less-confined pore topologies, are incorporated at the Master Equation level. Derived fundamentally via rigorous coarse-graining of the underlying Master Equation, the binary mesoscopic relation is validated via direct comparison to gradient continuous time Monte Carlo (G-CTMC) simulations. We further show the capability of this fundamentally derived model to capture the macroscopic diffusion phenomenon of ‘overshoot’ or ‘roll-up’ in the transient uptake and flux. Exploration of the species-species exchange mechanism reveals its strong effect on the transient ‘overshoot’ behavior through relaxation of the constrained single-file diffusion.
Pulsed Laser Deposition and Characterization of Novel Cu/TiN/Si(100) Heterostructures Grown VIA Domain Epitaxy

Laser physical vapor deposition (LPVD) has been used to study the growth morphology of copper thin films on siliconi 100) substrates with epitaxially grown titanium nitride buffer layers. The epitaxial TiN film was grown on hydrogen-terminated Si substrate at 600°C. The Cu films were grown on TiN/Si at different substrate temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600°C in vacuum (∼10-7 torr) with a pulsed KrF excimer laser (τ = 248 nm, ι = 25 ns). The pulse repetition rates were 15 and 30 Hz. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that below 200°C, the Cu film has a mosaic spread of (001) textures of about 2.3° and that a small fraction (0.05 ) is of (111) textures. But above 200°C there is only (001) textures Cu of about 0.42° to 0.40° depending on the substrate temperature (200° - 600°C). The Rutherford backscattering (RBS) spectra show that the TiN has a yield (xmin) of 13.5 % whereas that for Cu is 70 %. A detail high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was performed to reveal the growth morphology of Cu films with substrate temperature. It was observed that at 15 Hz, Cu grows three-dimensionally on TiN with the island sizes ranging from 0.3–1.5 μm depending upon the substrate temperature. All of these islands grow epitaxially on TiN giving rise to Cu ║ TiN ║ Si. At 30 Hz, there is a uniform growth of epitaxial cube-on-cube Cu film on TiN/Si. The Cu/TiN and TiN/Si interfaces are quite abrupt with absolutely no indication of interfacial reactions between them. Moire fringe spacings suggest that both TiN and Cu unit cells are completely relaxed. Although there exist a large lattice misfit between Cu and TiN (15.8%) and as well as between TiN and Si (24.6%), it has been possible to grow epitaxial Cu/TiN/Si(100) heterostructures by means of domain epitaxial growth. In this case, there are 4-to-3 match in unit cells for TiN/Si structure and 7-to-6 match for Cu/TiN structure giving rise to remaining lattice misfits of only 4.0% and 0.6% respectively.
Climate science: Water's past revisited to predict its future.

A reconstruction of 1,200 years of water's history in the Northern Hemisphere, based on proxy data, fuels the debate about whether anthropogenic climate change affected twentieth-century precipitation. See Letter p.94 Future change in hydroclimate could be one of the more societally disruptive forms of climate change, but hemispheric variations in past hydroclimate are largely unknown, especially outside of tree-ring-based reconstructions. Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist and colleagues now assemble a suite of records — including tree rings, ice cores, peat, speleothems, lake and marine sediments, and documentary evidence — to reconstruct Northern Hemisphere hydroclimate variability during the past twelve centuries. The ninth, tenth, eleventh and twentieth centuries were comparatively wet, while conditions were drier from the twelfth to the nineteenth centuries. The reconstruction generally agrees with model simulations, until the twentieth century, when models simulate a much higher frequency of both dry and wet extremes than is seen in the data. The comparison suggests that models may be missing important processes, and that projections of changes in hydroclimatic conditions remain uncertain.
Sexagesimal Fractions Among the Babylonians

(1922). Sexagesimal Fractions Among the Babylonians. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 8-10.
A Longitudinal Assessment Of Standing Balance In Healthy Adults.

Background/Study Context: The study was a longitudinal assessment of age-related changes in standing balance and response strategy usage in healthy adults.Methods: Balance of 17 individuals with a ...
News From the Heart Natriuretic System

Renal and nonrenal mechanisms are involved in the long-term regulation of blood pressure that is dependent on a precise balance among humoral agents and vasoconstrictor and vasodilator hormones and other factors that act to increase or decrease renal sodium transport. These imply a complex interaction between natriuretic and antinatriuretic systems. The dysregulation of ion transport intrinsic and extrinsic to the kidney has been proposed to cause essential hypertension. See Article by Salo et al An important natriuretic system is that comprising the cardiac hormones, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), playing a critical role in the reduction of blood pressure and cardiac disorders with relevance to renal and cardiovascular homeostasis. ANP is synthesized and stored in the atrial granules as a prohormone with 126 amino acids, proANP. BNP is deglycosylated from a 108-amino acid prohormone, proBNP, and further processed into an amino …
PTENtiating CFTR for Antimicrobial Immunity

Ivacaftor is a potentiator of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) that reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture positivity in CF patients with unclear mechanisms. Riquelme et al. (2017) propose that improved CFTR trafficking could enhance P. aeruginosa clearance through activating the tumor suppressor PTEN.
Dietary salt promotes neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction through a gut-initiated TH17 response.

A diet rich in salt is linked to an increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases and dementia, but it remains unclear how dietary salt harms the brain. We report that, in mice, excess dietary salt suppresses resting cerebral blood flow and endothelial function, leading to cognitive impairment. The effect depends on expansion of TH17 cells in the small intestine, resulting in a marked increase in plasma interleukin-17 (IL-17). Circulating IL-17, in turn, promotes endothelial dysfunction and cognitive impairment by the Rho kinase–dependent inhibitory phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and reduced nitric oxide production in cerebral endothelial cells. The findings reveal a new gut–brain axis linking dietary habits to cognitive impairment through a gut-initiated adaptive immune response compromising brain function via circulating IL-17. Thus, the TH17 cell–IL-17 pathway is a putative target to counter the deleterious brain effects induced by dietary salt and other diseases associated with TH17 polarization.
Abstract 18556: Production of High Levels of PGI-M in the Kidney and Bladder Explains the Renal Origin of Urinary Markers of Prostacyclin

Introduction: Urinary measurement of PGI-M, a metabolite of the cardioprotective hormone prostacyclin, has become a gold-standard approach to assessing its systemic production. Urinary PGI-M levels are dependent on the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme, which has been taken to mean that systemic vascular prostacyclin is produced by COX-2 and that its inhibition in blood vessels by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) explains the cardiovascular side effects of these drugs. However, where tested directly, evidence shows that systemic vascular prostacyclin is synthesised via the COX-1 isoform. Importantly, however, COX-2 is expressed in the renal system. In order to consolidate these anomalies we have tested the idea that renal tissues have the ability to generate PGI-M locally and directly from endogenous and exogenous prostacyclin. Methods: COX-2 expression was analysed by bioluminescent imaging of Cox2fLuc/+ reporter mouse tissue. PGI-M generation (30 mins) was measured by ELISA in tissues stimulated with Ca 2+ ionophore to activate COX or in tissues treated with exogenous prostacyclin in which endogenous COX activity was blocked with diclofenac. Results: COX-2 was constitutively expressed in the renal medulla and bladder but was essentially absent in the liver or aorta. All tested tissues were able to convert exogenous prostacyclin to PGI-M in the following rank order: renal medulla (81±15%) > liver (33±5%) = bladder (29±6%) > aorta (8±1%). In agreement, when endogenous COX activity was stimulated, all tissues were able to synthesise PGI-M de novo with the largest production seen in the renal medulla. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the kidney and uro-renal tract contain all the machinery required for local COX-2-dependent production of PGI-M, independent of any hepatic metabolism. This supports data we presented at this meeting in 2016 showing in a patient unable to synthesise prostaglandins, transplant of a normal kidney is sufficient to normalise urinary PGI-M levels. Together, these findings mean urinary PGI-M can no longer be used as evidence of general systemic vascular COX-2 and that we must now consider alternative mechanisms, such as blocking COX-2 in the kidney, to explain NSAID cardiovascular side effects.
A culturally tailored research ethics training curriculum for American Indian and Alaska Native communities: a randomized comparison trial.

AbstractThe primary aim of this study was to develop an American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) tailored research with human subjects curriculum that would increase the participation of AIAN members in research affecting their communities. We used a community-engaged research approach to co-design and evaluate a culturally tailored online human subjects curriculum among a national sample of AIAN community members (n = 244) with a standard nationally used online curriculum (n = 246). We evaluated pre- and post-test measures to assess group differences in ethics knowledge, perceived self-efficacy to apply such knowledge to protocol review, and trust in research. Analysis of regional tribal differences assessed curriculum generalizability. Using an 80% correct item cut-off at first attempt as passing criterion, the tailored curriculum achieved a 59.3% passing rate versus 28.1% in the standard curriculum (p < .001). For both arms, participants reported a significant increase in trust in research and in resea...
Optimizing Financing Cost in Construction Projects with Fixed Project Duration

AbstractAlthough a few studies have considered financing cost in the construction project, no research has been conducted to select the optimal financing alternatives out of those offered by financ...
Regulation of angiogenesis by microRNAs in cardiovascular diseases

Non-coding RNAs are functional RNA molecules comprising the majority of human transcriptome. Only about 1.5% of the human genome is transcribed into messenger RNAs (mRNA) that are translated into proteins. Among the non-coding RNAs, miRNAs are extensively studied and miR targets in endothelial cells, perivascular cells, and angiogenic signaling are relatively well defined. MicroRNAs not only regulate transcripts in situ but also function as paracrine mediators in affecting angiogenesis at distant sites. Exosomal miRs are implicated in modulating endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. Thus miRs have been shown to affect tissue microenvironment in a multitude of ways. A comprehensive analysis of the role of miRs in modulation of angiogenesis and their impact on cardiovascular diseases is presented in this review.
Understanding and analysing microblogs

Microblogging is a form of blogging where posts typically consist of short content such as quick comments, phrases, URLs, or media, like images and videos. Because of the fast and compact nature of microblogs, users have adopted them for novel purposes, including sharing personal updates, spreading breaking news, promoting political views, marketing and tracking real time events. Thus, finding relevant information sources out of the rapidly growing content is an essential task.In this paper, we study the problem of understanding and analysing microblogs. We present a novel 2-stage framework to find potentially relevant content by extracting topics from the tweets and by taking advantage of submodularity.
A Generic Model for Creep Rupture Lifetime Estimation on Fibrous Ceramic Composites

Because of their high strength and toughness at elevated temperatures, fiber reinforced ceramic composites (e.g. SiCf/SiC, SiCf/Si3N4) have become potential candidates for the next generation of turbine engine materials for aerospace applications. A generic model is proposed for assessing lifetime of this class of materials when subjected to long-term creep rupture conditions. This two-dimensional model consists of interfacial cracks growing between square grains and rectangular fibers in the direction normal to the principal tensile stress axis. Neglecting transient effects, the total lifetime is derived based on the criterion that rupture is due to coalescence of adjacent cracks. It is found that lifetime is inversely proportional to crack growth rate, volume fraction, and aspect ratio of the fibers; but extremely sensitive to the applied stress owing to the high power of the V-KI, law. This lifetime estimation seems to be in fair agreement with the creep rupture data of SiCW/Si3N4 composite with 0 and 30 vol% reinforcement tested at 1250°C in air. Furthermore, TEM performed on the post crept specimens revealed that creep damage is predominantly in the form of microcracks at matrix/matrix as well as fiber/matrix interfaces, approximately in accord with the model simulation.
Turn of the Carousel - What Does Edge Computing Change for Distributed Applications?

Over the years, developments such as cloud computing, Internet of Things, and now edge and fog computing, have probably caused paradigm fatigue among practitioners. The question arises whether adopting a specific paradigm has a fundamental effect on the development and deployment of applications. This talk will examine this question in the context of edge computing, through the lens of developing and deploying an visual inference application.
Domestic three stage water-treatment option for harvested rainwater in water-stressed communities

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) practice can be traced back millennia, the degree of its modern implementation varies greatly across the world. And is the best option for water-stressed communities. A harvested rainwater quality monitoring study was undertaken at 3 lakes constructed in NUST Islamabad, Pakistan for a period of 10 months over two seasons i.e. wet and dry periods. Overall, harvested rainwater was of good quality, falling within the recreational water quality as per WHO standards with the exceptions for pH, color, turbidity, total coliforms and total bacterial count. A large number of samples tested positive for the total bacterial count and total coliforms, showing that disinfection of harvested rainwater is mandatory prior to use and its direct consumption without treatment may pose a health risk. For its treatment, an indigenously designed (SwissPak) water filter employing physicochemical methods were tested for making harvested rainwater fit for potable use. This filter contains silica sand for pre-filtration, granulated chlorine for disinfection and charcoal for removal of taste, odor and dissolved organic while alum was used as coagulant initially. This filter successfully improved the harvested rainwater quality and proved itself a suitable option for water treatment.
Black Panther and black agency: constructing cultural nationalism in comic books featuring Black Panther, 1973–1979

This study looks at ways cultural nationalism manifests in comic books featuring the character Black Panther between 1972 and 1978. As politics and agency became goals for the African-American coll...
Sensory thresholds among construction trade painters: a cross-sectional study using new methods for measuring temperature and vibration sensitivity.

Instruments that measure quantitatively sensory threshold to vibration and temperature difference were used to test 93 construction trade painters and a reference group of 105 healthy construction and industrial workers who were not painters. A ''forced-choice'' testing procedure, and an algorithm for threshold estimation (the ''Best PEST''), was used for the Temperature Sensitivity Tester and the Vibratron. The method of limits procedure was used for the Biothesiometer. When measured with the Vibratron, painters in the older age stratum were found to have significantly higher vibration thresholds than the reference group. Painters had significantly more temperature sensitivity thresholds classified as ''high'' than the reference group. Among painters, exposure intensity and cumulative exposure over the past year was positively associated with vibration thresholds estimated using the Vibratron. Lifetime cumulative exposure, cumulative exposure over the previous month, and exposure intensity were positively associated with vibration thresholds estimated using the Biothesiometer.
The role of low-level image features in the affective categorization of rapidly presented scenes.

It remains unclear how the visual system is able to extract affective content from complex scenes even with extremely brief (< 100 millisecond) exposures. One possibility, suggested by findings in machine vision, is that low-level features such as unlocalized, two-dimensional (2-D) Fourier spectra can be diagnostic of scene content. To determine whether Fourier image amplitude carries any information about the affective quality of scenes, we first validated the existence of image category differences through a support vector machine (SVM) model that was able to discriminate our intact aversive and neutral images with ~ 70% accuracy using amplitude-only features as inputs. This model allowed us to confirm that scenes belonging to different affective categories could be mathematically distinguished on the basis of amplitude spectra alone. The next question is whether these same features are also exploited by the human visual system. Subsequently, we tested observers’ rapid classification of affective and neutral naturalistic scenes, presented briefly (~33.3 ms) and backward masked with synthetic textures. We tested categorization accuracy across three distinct experimental conditions, using: (i) original images, (ii) images having their amplitude spectra swapped within a single affective image category (e.g., an aversive image whose amplitude spectrum has been swapped with another aversive image) or (iii) images having their amplitude spectra swapped between affective categories (e.g., an aversive image containing the amplitude spectrum of a neutral image). Despite its discriminative potential, the human visual system does not seem to use Fourier amplitude differences as the chief strategy for affectively categorizing scenes at a glance. The contribution of image amplitude to affective categorization is largely dependent on interactions with the phase spectrum, although it is impossible to completely rule out a residual role for unlocalized 2-D amplitude measures.
A Look at the Effect of Sample Design on Generalization through the Lens of Spectral Analysis

This paper provides a general framework to study the effect of sampling properties of training data on the generalization error of the learned machine learning (ML) models. Specifically, we propose a new spectral analysis of the generalization error, expressed in terms of the power spectra of the sampling pattern and the function involved. The framework is build in the Euclidean space using Fourier analysis and establishes a connection between some high dimensional geometric objects and optimal spectral form of different state-of-the-art sampling patterns. Subsequently, we estimate the expected error bounds and convergence rate of different state-of-the-art sampling patterns, as the number of samples and dimensions increase. We make several observations about generalization error which are valid irrespective of the approximation scheme (or learning architecture) and training (or optimization) algorithms. Our result also sheds light on ways to formulate design principles for constructing optimal sampling methods for particular problems.
A 1-day simulation-based boot camp for incoming general surgery residents improves confidence and technical skills.

Abstract Background For surgery residents, opportunities to systematically learn about surgical equipment are limited. Our facility holds a simulation-based boot camp for incoming, first-year general surgery residents. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this boot camp at increasing resident confidence and improving technical skills. Methods Boot camp for incoming surgery residents is held annually and provides hands-on simulation relating to endoscopy, laparoscopy, bronchoscopy, and abdominal access. Before the boot camp, participants completed a pretest, which includes self-confidence, experience, and a skills-assessment. Identical assessments of self-confidence and skills were completed after the boot camp as a posttest. Data was accrued from 2016 to 2018. Results A total of 26, first-year, general surgery residents participated in the boot camp. Most participants had never used an endoscopic simulator (61.5%), handled a colonoscope (57.7%), a gastroscope (80.8%), or gained operative access to the abdomen (76.9%). The assessments of self-confidence and skills demonstrated a mean increase in all 4 topics. All differentials demonstrated statistical significance (P Conclusion A 1-day, simulation-based boot camp for incoming surgery residents with a focus on endoscopy, laparoscopy, and abdominal access increases resident confidence as well as several basic aspects of technical skill.
Risk Factors for Attrition From Pediatric Trauma-Focused Treatment.

Rates of attrition from pediatric trauma-focused treatments are high, yet few studies have examined predictors of dropout. The aim of the study was to investigate whether higher levels of caregiver...
Cardiac Devices: Pacemaker, AICD, and IABP

A broad variety of cardiac devices are defined and discussed, including those related to both cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. The specific imaging findings for each type of device are noted, as are device-specific complications. Salient imaging features are emphasized across imaging modalities.
III-V-on-CMOS Devices and Circuits: Opportunities in Quantum Infrastructure

In this work, we present a sequentially 3D integrated III-V-on-CMOS RF MOSFET technology with state-of-the-art RF performance. This platform is particularly promising for cryogenic applications where cooling power and space is limited, as the III-V devices offer reduced power dissipation while the 3D architecture enables small form-factors and reduced latencies. The unique features of III-V materials also enable novel devices. Here, we propose and show key experimental results of a quantized LNA, a cryogenic III-V nanowire amplifier that can significantly outperform standard HEMT technology. As heat dissipation is a key limitation in 3D architectures, we explore self-heating effects in CMOS using integrated temperature sensors. These results show the promise of III-V-on-CMOS for cryogenic applications such as integrated electronics for HPC, quantum computing and space.
How much dissatisfaction is too much for transit? Linking transit user satisfaction and loyalty using panel data

Abstract Transit use in many major US cities has recently been declining, often entailing shifts from transit to less sustainable modes of travel, such as private automobiles or ride-hailing. To address this challenge, it is critical to reduce the attrition of existing riders, which requires understanding the determinants of transit user satisfaction and the link between dissatisfaction and attrition. To date, few studies have examined the effect of satisfaction on observed transit use over time. We use a unique panel data set where satisfaction with various factors and changes in transit use were measured one year apart, allowing us to quantify revealed behavior changes and determine which aspects of satisfaction were most predictive. We present two integrated choice and latent variable models (a panel model and a predictive model) to describe the relationship between satisfaction and transit user loyalty, measured as transit use frequency and retention rate over a year. We found that satisfaction with operations significantly affect the level of transit use, but satisfaction with the travel environment and life event do not have a significant impact. Users’ self-reported reasons for attrition corroborates the above findings and offers additional insights on observed mode shifts, such as the effect of competing ride-hailing services and bicycling on transit use. Our predictive model, together with an accompanying sensitivity analysis, can be used to forecast attrition as a function of satisfaction. We conclude by recommending strategies to increase user retention and reduce shifts to less sustainable modes.
Surface Tension of Dielectric-Air Interfaces.

Analytical and semi-analytical expressions for the surface tension of dielectric-air interfaces are presented after considering local and non-local dielectric effects near interfaces. It is shown t...
Can Governments Deal with Pandemics

While few economists dispute that governments should have some role in dealing with pandemics, the relevant institutional question is whether governments can deal with pandemics. In this article, we argue that there are trade-offs embedded with the provision of public health measures. States that are better able to effectively deal with pandemics require a great deal of capacity to implement coercive measures such as economic lockdowns or quarantines. Such capacity is associated with a lesser ability to generate economic growth and harness its palliative effects with regards to other health dimensions. As a nation’s institutions are “bundles” (i.e. one takes the wheat with the chaff), there are nations doomed to deal poorly with pandemics, at least in the short run. Despite the positive and normative case for government-involvement in public health, effective involvements may be outside the range of institutional possibilities.
Hybrid models of chemotaxis with application to leukocyte migration

Many chemical and biological systems involve reacting species with vastly different numbers of molecules/agents. Hybrid simulations model such phenomena by combining discrete (e.g., agent-based) and continuous (e.g., partial differential equation- or PDE-based) descriptors of the dynamics of reactants with small and large numbers of molecules/agents, respectively. We present a stochastic hybrid algorithm to model a stage of the immune response to inflammation, during which leukocytes reach a pathogen via chemotaxis. While large numbers of chemoattractant molecules justify the use of a PDE-based model to describe the spatiotemporal evolution of its concentration, relatively small numbers of leukocytes and bacteria involved in the process undermine the veracity of their continuum treatment by masking the effects of stochasticity and have to be treated discretely. Motility and interactions between leukocytes and bacteria are modeled via random walk and a stochastic simulation algorithm, respectively. Since the latter assumes the reacting species to be well mixed, the discrete component of our hybrid algorithm deploys stochastic operator splitting, in which the sequence of the diffusion and reaction operations is determined autonomously during each simulation step. We conduct a series of numerical experiments to ascertain the accuracy and computational efficiency of our hybrid simulations and, then, to demonstrate the importance of randomness for predicting leukocyte migration and fate during the immune response to inflammation.