cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life writing as a slave in Turkish hands: Georgius of Hungary’s reflections about his existence in the Turkish world

In Georgius of Hungary’s Tractatus (ca. 1480) we learn of a slave’s long-term experience in Turkey, reflected upon after his eventual escape. While Georgius provides extensive details about the culture and religion in the Ottoman Empire, he ultimately utilized his account to overcome the trauma that he had suffered when he was taken prisoner and made into a slave. The term ‘life-writing’ fits the Tractatus well because despite the brevity of the autobiographical references the author outlines to an impressive degree how much his later condemnation of Islam provided him with the necessary narrative framework to reconstitute his own identity as a Christian. Radical rejection thus becomes the epistemological tool for the rebuilding of the own self after slavery.
Crystal molecular dynamics simulations to speed up MM/PB(GB)SA evaluation of binding free energies of di-mannose deoxy analogs with P51G-m4-Cyanovirin-N.

Complexes of two Cyanovirin-N (CVN) mutants, m4-CVN and P51G-m4-CVN, with deoxy di-mannose analogs were employed as models to generate conformational ensembles using explicit water Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations in solution and in crystal environment. The results were utilized for evaluation of binding free energies with the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann (or Generalized Born) surface area, MM/PB(GB)SA, methods. The calculations provided the ranking of deoxy di-mannose ligands affinity in agreement with available qualitative experimental evidences. This confirms the importance of the hydrogen-bond network between di-mannose 3′- and 4′-hydroxyl groups and the protein binding site BM as a basis of the CVN activity as an effective HIV fusion inhibitor. Comparison of binding free energies averaged over snapshots from the solution and crystal simulations showed high promises in the use of the crystal matrix for acceleration of the conformational ensemble generation, the most time consuming step in MM/PB(GB)SA approach. Correlation between energy values based on solution versus crystal ensembles is 0.95 for both MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
On the Dynamic Response of a Saturating Static Feedback-Controlled Single Integrator Driven by White Noise

In this technical note, we fully characterize the dynamic response of a saturating static feedback-controlled single integrator driven by Gaussian white noise by solving the derived Fokker-Planck equation.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage with bilateral intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms treated by staged endovascular stenting

Bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) are an exceedingly rare and deadly clinical dilemma. Prompt intervention in the case of unilateral VADAs is advocated to prevent rebleed; however, in the case of bilateral VADAs, the optimal therapeutic intervention is unclear. We describe the case of a patient presenting with SAH with bilateral VADAs treated by staged endovascular stenting. This led to resolution of the aneurysms with patency of both vertebral arteries. Stent-based therapy of the symptomatic aneurysm followed by staged stenting of the asymptomatic, contralateral aneurysm appears to be a viable treatment option. This method allows the ability to preserve flow in both vertebral arteries with minimal changes in flow characteristics that may threaten the contralateral, asymptomatic VADA, and appears to be the ideal treatment in these rare cases.
Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with corneal involvement.

Abstract Background: Persons with ectodermal dysplasias classically have defects in hair, teeth, nails, and sweat glands. Other tissues derived from ectoderm may also be involved. Ocular involvement in ectodermal dysplasias primarily occurs in anhidrotic forms. Methods: We describe a father and son with hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Results: Both patients had recurrent corneal epithelial defects from birth, corneal neovascularization, and strabismus. The father had cataracts with crystalline and amorphous inclusions at an early age. Both patients also had alopecia and skin abnormalities. Conclusions: A father and son with a previously unreported hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and unusual corneal findings are described. (J AAPOS 1999;3:372-5)
Polymorphisms in the N acetyltransferase 1 NAT1 gene and lung cancer risk in a minority population

One of the most consistently observed exposure-disease relationship is the one between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Aromatic amines and their metabolites are found in tobacco smoke and may be a class of carcinogen involved in lung carcinogenesis. T he human N -acetyltransferase 1 (NAT 1) enzyme can activate or deactivate aromatic amines, making it a candidate genetic susceptibility gene. We evaluated the potential role of the NAT 1 gene in lung cancer risk in a hospital-based case-control study in a minority population composed of Mexican- and African-Americans. We also assessed the potential interaction between NAT 1 and other environmental exposures such as cigarette smoking. T here was no overall association between the NAT1*10 genotypes and lung cancer risk. T he adjusted odds ratio for the rapid acetylation genotypes was 0 72 (95 % CI 0 37-1 39) for NAT1 defined as the presence of at least one copy of the NAT1*10 allele when compared with all genotypes without the NAT1*10 allele. Analyses by hi...
Mutations Increasing Asexual Plasmodium Formation in PHYSARUM POLYCEPHALUM.

Rare plasmodia formed in clones of heterothallic amoebae were analyzed in a search for mutations affecting plasmodium formation. The results show that the proportion of mutants varies with both temperature (18°, 26° or 30°) and mating-type allele ( mt1, mt2, mt3, mt4 ). At one extreme, only one of 33 plasmoida formed by mt2 amoebae at 18° is mutant. At the other extreme, three of three plasmodia formed by mt1 amoebae at 30° are mutant. The mutant plasmodia fall into two groups, the GAD (greater asexual differentiation) mutants and the ALC (amoebaless life cycle) mutants. The spores of GAD mutants give rise to amoebae that differentiate into plasmodia asexually at much higher frequencies than normal heterothallic amoebae. Seven of eight gad mutations analyzed genetically are linked to mt and one ( gad-12 ) is not. The gad-12 mutation is expressed in strains with different alleles of mt . The frequency of asexual plasmodium formation is heat sensitive in some ( e.g., mt3 gad-11 ), heat-insensitive in two ( mt2 gad-8 and mt2 gad-9 ) and cold-sensitive in one ( mt1 gad-12 ) of twelve GAD mutants analyzed phenotypically. The spores of ALC mutants give rise to plasmodia directly, thereby circumventing the amoebal phase of the life cycle. Spores from five of the seven ALC mutants give rise to occasional amoebae, as well as plasmodia. The amoebae from one of the mutants carry a mutation ( alc-1 ) that is unlinked to mt and is responsible for the ALC phenotype in this mutant. Like gad-12, alc-1 is expressed with different mt alleles. Preliminary observations with amoebae from the other four ALC mutants suggest that two are similar to the one containing alc-1 ; one gives rise to revertant amoebae, and one gives rise to amoebae carrying an alc mutation and a suppressor of the mutation.
Europium-doped barium bromide iodide

Single crystals of Ba0.96Eu0.04BrI (barium europium bromide iodide) were grown by the Bridgman technique. The title compound adopts the ordered PbCl2 structure [Braekken (1932). Z. Kristallogr. 83, 222-282]. All atoms occupy the fourfold special positions (4c, site symmetry m) of the space group Pnma with a statistical distribution of Ba and Eu. They lie on the mirror planes, perpendicular to the b axis at y = +-0.25. Each cation is coordinated by nine anions in a tricapped trigonal prismatic arrangement.
Intraoperative Targeted Temperature Management in Acute Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

Acute brain and spinal cord injuries affect hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Though advances in pre-hospital and emergency and neurocritical care have improved the survival of some to these devastating diseases, very few clinical trials of potential neuro-protective strategies have produced promising results. Medical therapies such as targeted temperature management (TTM) have been trialed in traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), acute ischemic stroke (AIS), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), but in no study has a meaningful effect on outcome been demonstrated. To this end, patient selection for potential neuro-protective therapies such as TTM may be the most important factor to effectively demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials. The use of TTM as a strategy to treat and prevent secondary neuronal damage in the intraoperative setting is an area of ongoing investigation. In this review we will discuss recent and ongoing studies that address the role of TTM in combination with surgical approaches for different types of brain injury.
Abstract 227: TGF-β/Smad3 Promotes Smooth Muscle Cell De-differentiation and Proliferation Through Crosstalk with the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Introduction: Endovascular interventions are the first line treatment for patients with atherosclerotic disease. However, a significant number of these fail due to neointimal hyperplasia. The Wnt4/β-catenin pathway has been reported to play an important role in this process, but the mechanism underlying the up-regulation of this pathway after injury remains unclear. Our lab has previously demonstrated that following vascular injury, elevated TGF-β and its signaling protein, Smad3, exacerbate intimal hyperplasia in Smooth Muscle Cells (SMCs). Moreover, our Affymetrix array data revealed an upregulation (>3 fold) of several members of the Wnt family in response to TGF-β/Smad3 treatment of SMCs. Therefore, we hypothesize that the TGF-β/Smad3 axis is responsible for the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that promotes neointimal hyperplasia. Methods and Results: To mimic the injury induced up-regulation of TGF-β/Smad3 in vitro, SMCs were infected with an adenovirus to increase Smad3 and then tr...
Transepithelial transport in cell culture:d-Glucose transport by a pig kidney cell line (LLC-PK1)

The pig kidney cell line LLC-PK1 cultured on a collagen coated membrane filter formed a continuous sheet of oriented asymmetrical epithelial cells joined by occluding junctions. A transepithelial electrical potential (PD) and short-circuit current (SCC) were dependent on the presence of Na and sugar in the apical bathing solution. In the presence of 5.5mm d-glucose, a PD of 2.8 mV, apical surface negative, a SCC of 13 μA cm−2 and transepithelial resistance of 211 ohm·cm2 were recorded. The SCC was promptly reduced by the addition of phlorizin to the apical bath but unaffected when placed in the basolateral bath. The effect on SCC of various sugars was compared by the concentrations required for half-maximal SCC: 0.13mm β-methyl-d-glucoside, 0.28mm d-glucose, 0.65mm α-methyl-d-glucoside, 0.77mm 6-deoxy-d-glucose, 4.8mm d-galactose, and 29mm 3-O-methyl-glucose. When [Na] was reduced, the concentration ofd-glucose required for half-maximal SCC increased. Isotopically labeled3H and14Cd-glucose were used to simultaneously determine bidirectional fluxes; a resultant net apical-to-basolateral transport was present and abolished by phlorizin. The transported isotope cochromatographed with labeledd-glucose, indicating negligible metabolism of transported glucose. The pig kidney cell line, LLC-PK1, provides a cell culture model for the investigation of mechanisms of transepithelial glucose transport.
Automated test generation for Debugging arithmetic circuits

Optimized and custom arithmetic circuits are widely used in embedded systems such as multimedia applications, cryptography systems, signal processing and console games. Debugging of arithmetic circuits is a challenge due to increasing complexity coupled with non-standard implementations. Existing equivalence checking techniques produce a remainder to indicate the presence of a potential bug. However, bug localization remains a major bottleneck. Simulation-based validation using random or constrained-random tests are not effective and can be infeasible for complex arithmetic circuits. In this paper, we present an automated test generation and bug localization technique for debugging arithmetic circuits. This paper makes two important contributions. We propose an automated approach for generating directed tests by suitable assignments of input variables to make the reminder non-zero. The generated tests are guaranteed to activate the unknown bug. We also propose a bug detection and correction technique by utilizing the patterns of remainder terms as well as the intersection of regions activated by the generated tests. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach can be used for automated debugging of complex arithmetic circuits.
Effect of Tongdu Tiaoshen Acupuncture on Attention Network Function in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objective To investigate the effect of Tongdu Tiaoshen Acupuncture on the attention network function in patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI).Methods Sixty MCI patients were randomly divided into control group(n=30)and treatment group(n=30).The control group received conventional acupuncture,while the treatment group received Tongdu Tiaoshen Acupuncture.The course of treatment was 8weeks for both groups.Attention network test was performed before and after treatment.Results After treatment,both groups had significantly increased efficiency of alerting and correct rate of attention network test(P0.05)and significantly reduced efficiency of executive control and total reaction time(P0.05);the treatment group had significantly more improvements in these indices than the control group(P0.05).Conclusion Tongdu Tiaoshen Acupuncture can recover the cognitive function of MCI patients to a certain degree,and its efficacy is better than that of conventional acupuncture therapy.
The Fetal Rat Gubernaculum Contains Higher Levels of Androgen Receptor than Does the Postnatal Gubernaculum

AbstractThe androgen receptor of the rat gubernaculum was measured by a sensitive immunoblotting technique from day 19 of fetal development to day 20 of postnatal development. In relative terms (densitometric units/pg. protein), it was found that the amount of the gubernacular androgen receptor decreased dramatically from fetal to postnatal development, coincident with the transition of the gubernaculum from a tissue primarily composed of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in the fetus to a tissue that is primarily made up of muscle during postnatal development. We conclude that the undifferentiated mesenchyme of the fetal gubernaculum is a primary target of androgen action.
Comment on "Matter-Wave Interferometry of a Levitated Thermal Nano-Oscillator Induced and Probed by a Spin".

In this comment, we agree with the formulas derived in Refs. [1,2] but show that the results are not due to "interference between spatially separated states of the center of mass of a mesoscopic harmonic oscillator".
Anterior disco-osteo-arterial conflict as a cause of intersegmental arterial flow impairment and spinal cord ischemia

This article describes anterior disco-osteo-arterial conflict as an insofar unsuspected mechanism of arterial flow impairment potentially leading to spinal cord ischemia and infarction. The anterior disco-osteo-arterial conflict described in this report is illustrated with angiographic observations of patients presenting with spinal cord ischemia documented by MRI, and radiculomedullary flow impairment diagnosed by spinal digital subtraction angiography and spinal CTA. Proximal intersegmental artery flow impairment was found in association with anterior disc bulging and anterior osteophytic formation, alone or in combination. Patients either presented with an initial acute medullary syndrome or with a long-standing history of spinal claudication with acute secondary pejoration. Spinal ischemia can be the result of intersegmental and radiculomedullary flow impairment caused by an anterior disco-osteo-arterial conflict.
Gender and Sexuality

Gender and sexuality have a complex relationship to one another and a profound impact on an individual's sense of self and their relationships. These concepts are influenced by many factors, including one's family unit, where understandings of gender and sexuality begin. Gender has historically influenced expectations of one's sexuality and vice versa. There are several key approaches to understanding the relationship between gender and sexuality, each worthy of understanding as they illuminate different perspectives and assumptions about these two interconnected concepts. Keywords: family; gender; sexuality
AI-20 Defective BCR induced apoptosis linked to elevated levels of 9-o-acetylated sialyl gangliosides on B cells in lupus provides a potential therapeutic target for lupus

Background Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that may contribute to lupus susceptibility in humans and mouse models are of interest especially if they provide enzymes that could function as potential therapeutic targets. We have discovered an enzymatically mediated O -acetylation event found prominently in B cells in humans with lupus and in MRL/+ mice. Detailed studies in MRL/+ mice indicate that this modification may allow for a break in B cell tolerance and may be a major component of lupus susceptibility in these mice as well as possibly in humans as well. Materials and methods We have used a catalytically dead Influenza C hemagglutinin esterase Ig fusion protein and a bovine coronavirus hemagglutinin esterase – Ig fusion protein as tools to respectively identify and remove 9- O -acetylated silaic acid on B cells in humans and in MRL/+ mice. Enzymatic approaches were used to identify the type of glycoconjugate that exhibits enhanced 9- O -acetylation of sialic acid moieties. We created a CasD1 knockout mouse to examine the role of this enzyme in O -acetylating sialic acid moieties in vivo. Genetics, whole genome sequencing and RNA-seq approaches are being used to identify the mechanism underlying ths lateration and its link to lupus susceptibility. Results Increased 9- O -acetylation of sialic acid on naive B cells is observed on approximately two-thirds of subjects with active SLE. Markedly increased levels of 9- O- acetyl sialic acid are also observed in the earliest B lineage cells in lupus prone MRL/+ mice and this high level is maintained throughout B cell development and well before these mice exhibit any features of disease. This increased 9- O -acetylation of sialic acid was not observed on glycoproteins or mucins on MRL/+ B cells but was restricted to gangliosides. Acetylated gangliosides protected these B cells from BCR-dependent apoptosis. Deacetylation of sialic acid on MRL/+ B cells restored anti-IgM mediated apoptosis to wild type levels. We used a CasD1 knockout mouse to establish that this enzyme is required for the 9- O -acetylation of sialic acid in vivo. Increased 9- O -acetylation of sialic acid in MRL/+ mice is dominantly inherited and the molecular basis of this striking change is being investigated using genetics and whole genome sequencing. Conclusions Enhanced 9- O -acetylation of sialic acid on B cells in lupus prone mice and in humans may represent a potential mechanism by which B cell tolerance is abrogated in lupus subjects and in lupus-prone mice. The CasD1 acetyltransferase may be a therapeutic target of relevance in lupus. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grants from the NIH and the Mizutani Foundation
A Nude Mouse Model as an in vivo Infectivity Assay for Cryptospomdiosis

Cryptosporidium parvum is an important patliogen of diarrlieal disease which has been implicated in several outbreaks associated with contamination of surface waters. In monitoring for C. parvum in drinking water sources, it is important to asce tain the viability, and more importantly, the infectivity of low numbers of recovered oocysts. Groups of 10 Balb/C nude (nu/nu) mice, 4-8 weeks old at time of inoculation, were infected with C. parvum oocysts from naturally infected calves and purified using Sheather's sucrose gradients. Oocysts were counted using the Merifluor IFA kit (Meridian). Each group of 10 mice were infected with 1,10,100 and 1000 oocysts respectively. Numbers of oocysts per inoculation were determined by limiting dilution, and parallel inocula were counted microscopically to ascertain the accuracy of the dilutions. Two uninfected nude mice were kept in each cage to serve as controls. Mouse stools were collected every 4 days, concentrated using the Fekal Kontrate Concentration Kit (Meridian) and oocysts were counted with a UV microscope using the Merifluor IFA Kit (Meridian). Oocyst counts were expressed in terms of number of oocyst/g feces. Mice inoculated with 1000 oocysts began to shed oocysts on day 32, mice inoculated with 100 oocysts began to shed on days 44-48, mice inoculated with 10 oocysts began to shed on days 56-60, and mice inoculated with 1 oocyst shed on days 68-88. All infected mice continued to shed oocysts intermittently and with variable oocyst counts until day 180 when the experiment was terminated. This study established that it is possible to infect nude mice with very low numbers, down to a single oocyst. We are currently in the process of correlating the nude mouse assay with other viability assays.
Two - three loci control scleral ossicle formation via epistasis in the cavefish Astyanax mexicanus.

The sclera is the protective outer layer of the eye. In fishes, birds, and reptiles, the sclera may be reinforced with additional bony elements called scleral ossicles. Teleost fish vary in the number and size of scleral ossicles; however, the genetic mechanisms responsible for this variation remain poorly understood. In this study, we examine the inheritance of scleral ossicles in the Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, which exhibits both a cave morph and a surface fish morph. As these morphs and their hybrids collectively exhibit zero, one, and two scleral ossicles, they represent a microcosm of teleost scleral ossicle diversity. Our previous research in F2 hybrids of cavefish from Pachon cave and surface fish from Texas suggested that three genes likely influence the formation of scleral ossicles in this group through an epistatic threshold model of inheritance, though our sample size was small. In this study, we expand our sample size using additional hybrids of Pachon cavefish and Mexican surface fish to (1) confirm the threshold model of inheritance, (2) refine the number of genes responsible for scleral ossicle formation, and (3) increase our power to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for this trait. To answer these three questions, we scored surface fish and cavefish F2 hybrids for the presence of zero, one, or two scleral ossicles. We then analyzed their distribution among the F2 hybrids using a chi-square (χ2) test, and used a genetic linkage map of over 100 microsatellite markers to identify QTL responsible for scleral ossicle number. We found that inheritance of scleral ossicles follows an epistatic threshold model of inheritance controlled by two genes, which contrasts the three-locus model estimated from our previous study. Finally, the combined analysis of hybrids from both crosses identified two strong QTL for scleral ossicle number on linkage groups 4.2 and 21, and a weaker QTL on linkage group 4.1. Scleral ossification remains a complex trait with limited knowledge of its genetic basis. This study provides new insight into the number and location of genes controlling the formation of scleral ossicles in a teleost fish species.
Severe Mucositis Adversely Affects Survival after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ABMT) for Lymphoid Malignancies.

Abstract Mucositis is a well known short term complication of ABMT. Many studies of mucositis in ABMT, however, are flawed due to heterogeneity of both mobilizing regimens and high-dose preparative regimens. There is also sparse data on the long term consequences of mucositis after ABMT. This study retrospectively reviews all patients with lymphoid malignancies undergoing ABMT from 5/2000 to 2/2005 at our institution that received a uniform mobilizing regimen of VP-16 plus G-CSF and a uniform high dose preparative regimen of busulfan, cyclophosphamide and VP-16. 191 patients fit the entry criteria into this study. Mucositis was graded using the OMAS mucositis grading scale, which has a scoring range of 0–2.0. Severe mucositis for the purposes of this study was designated as having a maximal OMAS scale of ≥ 1.0. 87 patients experienced severe mucositis and 104 did not. Median age for patients was 52 years; underlying diagnoses were non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (n=155) and Hodgkin's Disease (n=36). The two groups (developing severe mucositis vs not) were balanced with respect to disease status at transplant, number of courses of prior chemotherapy, prior exposure to radiation therapy of any kind, and elevated LDH at the time of transplant. Median CD34+ cell dose collected for the entire group was 8.5 x 106 /kg; there was no difference between the 2 groups. Severe mucositis correlated with mortality within 100 days of transplant. Patients with a maximal OMAS scale of Download : Download high-res image (95KB) Download : Download full-size image One of the key drivers of this difference in survival was the fact the patients with severe mucositis were more likely to experience pulmonary or multi-organ failure as a cause of death: 8 patients with severe mucositis died of these toxicities, as compared to zero in the less severe mucositis group. Multivariable Cox analysis was performed to analyze risk factors for mortality. Three variables were found to be significant: elevated LDH at transplant (p=0.03), number of prior chemotherapy regimens (for one regimen increase, p=0.024) and severe mucositis (p=0.003). In conclusion, patients that develop severe mucositis have a higher risk of mortality after ABMT. The etiology is likely multi-factorial; mucositis may directly contribute to mortality risk, and may also be a surrogate marker of other organ toxicities.
Effects of Mentorship on Graduating Vascular Surgery Trainees

Background Mentorship within surgery, particularly vascular surgery, has not been extensively evaluated. This study sought to examine mentorship experiences in graduating vascular trainees (VTs). Methods An anonymous electronic survey examining current mentor relationships, ideal characteristics, academic productivity, and operative comfort level was emailed to all US graduating 2015 (n = 141) and 2016 (n = 144) VTs during their last year of training. A parallel survey was emailed to program/associate program directors (PDs) of all US vascular training programs (n = 169). Results Surveys were completed by 65 (38%) PDs and 62 (22%) VTs. Forty-three (69%) VTs identified a mentor with no difference in frequency of having a mentor noted among gender, type of training (fellowship/residency), or geographical region. The majority (41/43, 95%) recognized a vascular surgeon as their mentor; the mentor was assigned to 10 of 43 (23%) trainees and was their PD to 9 of 43 (21%). Ideal mentor characteristics, identified by VTs using 4-point Likert scales, were approachability, supportiveness, and accessibility (3.94, 3.76, and 3.74, respectively), while those of a good mentee were enthusiasm, ethical work, and commitment (3.79, 3.69, and 3.45, respectively). Trainees scored accessibility, approachability, compassion, and same gender significantly higher than PDs as characteristics of ideal mentors (P Conclusions There is no difference in academic productivity or case comfort level between surgical trainees with mentors and those without. Possible benefits identified by PDs and trainees include professional networking and increased research and job opportunities. Mentors should be approachable, accessible, supportive, and ethical, while mentees should be enthusiastic, ethical, committed, and approachable. Vascular fellows feel more comfortable with open vascular operations than residents, and nether group feels comfortable with complex endovascular cases. More research is warranted.
Single Chain Polymeric Nanoparticles to Promote Selective Hydroxylation Reactions of Phenol Catalyzed by Copper

Metal-containing single chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) can be used as synthetic mimics of metalloenzymes. Currently, the role of the folded polymer backbones on the activity and selectivity of metal sites is not clear. Herein, we report our findings on how polymeric frameworks modulate the coordination of Cu sites and the catalytic activity/selectivity of Cu-containing SCPNs mimicking monophenol hydroxylation reactions. Imidazole-functionalized copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-3-imidazolyl-2-hydroxy propyl methacrylate) were used for intramolecular Cu-imidazole binding that triggered the self-folding of polymers. Polymer chains imposed steric hindrance which yielded unsaturated Cu sites with an average coordination number of 3.3. Cu-containing SCPNs showed a high selectivity for the hydroxylation reaction of phenol to catechol, >80%, with a turnover frequency of >870 h–1 at 60 °C. The selectivity was largely influenced by the flexibility of the folded polymer backbone where a more flexible...
Using Linked Survey Paradata to Improve Sampling Strategies in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

Using paradata from a prior survey that is linked to a new survey can help a survey organization develop more effective sampling strategies. One example of this type of linkage or subsampling is between the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). MEPS is a nationally representative sample of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population based on a complex multi-stage sample design. Each year a new sample is drawn as a subsample of households from the prior year’s NHIS. The main objective of this article is to examine how paradata from a prior survey can be used in developing a sampling scheme in a subsequent survey. A framework for optimal allocation of the sample in substrata formed for this purpose is presented and evaluated for the relative effectiveness of alternative substratification schemes. The framework is applied, using real MEPS data, to illustrate how utilizing paradata from the linked survey offers the possibility of making improvements to the sampling scheme for the subsequent survey. The improvements aim to reduce the data collection costs while maintaining or increasing effective responding sample sizes and response rates for a harder to reach population.
Associations of Physician Empathy with Patient Anxiety and Ratings of Communication in Hospital Admission Encounters.

Objective To assess the association between the frequency of empathic physician responses with patient anxiety, ratings of communication, and encounter length during hospital admission encounters. Design Analysis of coded audio-recorded hospital admission encounters and pre- and postencounter patient survey data. Setting Two academic hospitals. Patients Seventy-six patients admitted by 27 attending hospitalist physicians. Measurements Recordings were transcribed and analyzed by trained coders, who counted the number of empathic, neutral, and nonempathic verbal responses by hospitalists to their patients' expressions of negative emotion. We developed multivariable linear regression models to test the association between the number of these responses and the change in patients' State Anxiety Scale (STAI-S) score pre- and postencounter and encounter length. We used Poisson regression models to examine the association between empathic response frequency and patient ratings of the encounter. Results Each additional empathic response from a physician was associated with a 1.65-point decline in the STAI-S anxiety scale (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-2.82). Frequency of empathic responses was associated with improved patient ratings for covering points of interest, feeling listened to and cared about, and trusting the doctor. The number of empathic responses was not associated with encounter length (percent change in encounter length per response 1%; 95% CI, -8%-10%). Conclusions Responding empathically when patients express negative emotion was associated with less patient anxiety and higher ratings of communication but not longer encounter length.
Unlocking the Educational Value of Large-Scale, Coastal-Ecosystem Restoration Projects: Development of Student-Centered, Multidisciplinary Learning Modules

ABSTRACT Habib, E.; Deshotel, M., and Williams, D., 2018. Unlocking the educational value of large-scale, coastal-ecosystem restoration projects: Development of student-centered, multidisciplinary learning modules. Recent decades have witnessed the development and implementation of several regional-scale, coastal-restoration planning projects that deal with human–natural coupled ecosystems. With their rich contexts, societal importance and preavailable data and modeling resources, these projects offer unique, multidisciplinary learning opportunities that are yet to be tapped into, especially at the undergraduate level. The current study presents an effort to capitalize on these regional-scale projects and use their resources in undergraduate educational settings. The study describes the development of a set of Web-based learning modules that are situated in the Chenier Plain coastal ecosystem in Louisiana. Going through a comprehensive. coast-wide restoration-planning effort, coastal Louisiana is a unique...
Extracellular matrix remodeling in 3D: implications in tissue homeostasis and disease progression

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in regulating cell behavior during tissue homeostasis and in disease progression. Through a combination of adhesion, contraction, alignment of ECM proteins and subsequent degradation, cells change the chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of their surrounding matrix. Other contributing factors to matrix remodeling are the de novo synthesis of ECM proteins, post-translational modifications and receptor-mediated internalization. In this review, we highlight how each of these processes contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis and in disease conditions such as cancer and liver fibrosis. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement.
Association of Frailty With Recovery From Disability Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results From Two Large U.S. Cohorts.

Background Disability in activities of daily living (ADLs) is a dynamic process and transitions among different disability states are common. However, little is known about factors affecting recovery from disability. We examined the association between frailty and recovery from disability among nondisabled community-dwelling elders. Methods We studied 1,023 adults from the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) and 685 adults from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), who were ≥65 years and had incident disability, defined as having difficulty in ≥1 ADL (dressing, eating, toileting, bathing, transferring, walking across a room). Disability recovery was defined as having no difficulty in any ADLs. Frailty was assessed by slowness, weakness, exhaustion, inactivity, and shrinking. Persons were classified as "nonfrail" (0 criteria), "prefrail" (1-2 criteria), or "frail" (3-5 criteria). Results In total, 539 (52.7%) CHS participants recovered from disability within 1 year. Almost two-thirds of nonfrail persons recovered, while less than two-fifths of the frail recovered. In the HRS, 234 (34.2%) participants recovered from disability within 2 years. Approximately half of the nonfrail recovered, while less than one-fifth of the frail recovered. After adjustment, prefrail and frail CHS participants were 16% and 36% less likely to recover than the nonfrail, respectively. In the HRS, frail persons had a 41% lower likelihood of recovery than the nonfrail. Conclusions Frailty is an independent predictor of poor recovery from disability among nondisabled older adults. These findings validate frailty as a marker of decreased resilience and may offer opportunities for individualized interventions and geriatric care based on frailty assessment.
The Adrenal Medulla and Pheochromocytoma

The adrenal medulla synthesizes and releases catecholamines. Although this property is shared by sympathetic nervous tissue throughout the entire length of the sympathetic chain, the adrenal medulla differs in two important respects. First, the rate of production and release of catecholamines by the adrenal medulla are several hundredfold greater in comparison to the tissue of the sympathetic nervous system elsewhere. In this regard, the medulla can be regarded as a large “master ganglion” of the sympathetic system. Second, although norepinephrine can be secreted by the tissues of sympathetic nervous system as well as by the medulla, the enzymatic machinery required to produce epinephrine is possessed only by the adrenal medulla and the organ of Zuckerkandl, a structure composed of chromaffin-staining cells situated near the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery and often extending alongside the aorta until its bifurcation.
Neighborhood design for walking and biking: physical activity and body mass index.

Background Neighborhood designs often relate to physical activity and to BMI. Purpose Does neighborhood walkability/bikeability relate to BMI and obesity risk and does moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) account for some of the relationship? Methods Census 2000 provided walkability/bikeability measures—block group proportions of workers who walk or bike to work, housing age, and population density—and National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES 2003–2006) provided MVPA accelerometer measures. Regression analyses (2011–2012) adjusted for geographic clustering and multiple control variables. Results Greater density and older housing were associated with lower male BMI in bivariate analyses, but there were no density and housing age effects in multivariate models. For women, greater proportions of neighborhood workers who walk to work (M=0.02) and more MVPA was associated with lower BMI and lower obesity risk. For men, greater proportions of workers who bike to work (M=0.004) and more MVPA was associated with lower BMI and obesity risk. For both effects, MVPA partially mediated the relationships between walkability/bikeability and BMI. If such associations are causal, doubling walk and bike-to-work proportions (to 0.04 and 0.008) would have −0.3 and −0.33 effects on the average BMIs of adult women and men living in the neighborhood. This equates to 1.5 pounds for a 64-inch-tall woman and 2.3 pounds for a 69-inch-tall man. Conclusions Although walking/biking to work is rare in the U.S., greater proportions of such workers in neighborhoods relate to lower weight and higher MVPA. Bikeability merits greater attention as a modifiable activity-friendliness factor, particularly for men.
An Example of a Compiler

This chapter contains an example of a small compiler that compiles programs written in a subset of Pascal into instructions for a stack machine, plus a program that acts like the stack machine. The latter is called an interpreter for the stack-machine.
Analysis of Predecisional Information Search Patterns

Abstract Recent interest in complex and varied decision strategies has highlighted the need for more sophisticated process tracing analyses, e.g., in analyzing information gathering patterns. Earlier studies have classified strategies as high/low proportion of available information used, constant/variable amount of search across alternatives, and intra-/interdimensional direction of search. However, more powerful analyses are needed, since the search characteristics of a given strategy may be variable and highly task-dependent. Two major means of improving search analysis are discussed: (a) the use of task-specific simulations to establish the search characteristics expected from different strategies; and (b) the analysis of additional search characteristics, such as the extent to which future information search is controlled by prior information (contingency), and different types of search variability. An experimental example of the use of these techniques is presented. Applications are proposed in three areas: (a) the study of sequential combinations of decision rules, and multi-phase decision making; (b) exploration of the possibility that there exists continuous variation among strategies along various parameters, rather than a set of discrete rules; and (c) the investigation of how decision makers adapt strategy to task.
KLVFF peptide functionalized nanoparticles capture Aβ42 by co-assembly for decreasing cytotoxicity

Abstract The accumulation of extracellular senile plagues of amyloid β-proteins (Aβ) in the patient brain is one of most important facture in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is resulted from abnormal self-assembly of Aβ peptide. Nanoparticles show greatly potential for therapeutic studies due to the sophisticated surface which can mimic the functionality of protein. Herein, we design the bis(pyrene)-Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe-Gly-poly ethylene glycol (BP-KLVFFGPEG) based nanoparticles, which capture Aβ42 through recognition and co-assembly of KLVFF. The resulting co-assemblies show different morphologies, such as large aggregates, nanoparticles and nanofibers corresponding to the different length chain of PEG, leading to different capture efficiencies. The co-assembly strategy shows a decrease of cytotoxicity, potentially for AD treatment.
Fixed-Parameter Extrapolation and Aperiodic Order: Open Problems

For a number of years we have been investigating the geometric and algebraic properties of a family of discrete sets of points in Euclidean space generated by a simple binary operation: pairwise affine combination by a xed parameter, which we call xed-parameter extrapolation. By varying the parameter and the set of initial points, a large variety of point sets emerge. To our surprise, many of these sets display aperiodic order and share properties of so-called \quasicrystals" or \quasilattices." Such sets display some ordered crystal-like properties (e.g., generation by a regular set of local rules, such as a nite set of tiles, and possessing a kind of repetitivity), but are \aperiodic" in the sense that they have no translational symmetry. The most famous of such systems are Penrose's aperiodic tilings of the plane [16]. Mathematically, a widely accepted way of capturing the idea of aperiodic order is via the notion of Meyer sets, which we de ne later. Our goal is to classify the sets generated by xed-parameter extrapolation in terms of a number of these properties, including but not limited to aperiodicity, uniform discreteness, and relative density. We also seek to determine exactly which parameter values lead to which types of sets.
Probing pathways of adaptation with continuous evolution

Abstract Directed evolution is a powerful strategy for studying the basic principles of adaptation, but difficulties in traditional methods limit the types of evolutionary questions that can be addressed. By enabling the rapid traversal of long mutational pathways with extensive experimental replication, continuous evolution systems promise to extend the reach of directed evolution in studying how biomolecules evolve.
Optimizing Weight Mapping and Data Flow for Convolutional Neural Networks on RRAM Based Processing-In-Memory Architecture

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) based array architecture has been proposed for on-chip acceleration of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), where the array could be configured for dot-product computation in a parallel fashion by summing up the column currents. Prior processing-in-memory (PIM) designs unroll each 3D kernel of the convolutional layers into a vertical column of a large weight matrix, where the input data will be accessed multiple times. As a result, significant latency and energy are consumed in interconnect and buffer. In this paper, in order to maximize both weight and input data reuse for RRAM based PIM architecture, we propose a novel weight mapping method and the corresponding data flow which divides the kernels and assign the input data into different processing-elements (PEs) according to their spatial locations. The proposed design achieves ∼65% save in latency and energy for interconnect and buffer, and yields overall 2.1× speed up and ∼17% improvement in the energy efficiency in terms of TOPS/W for VGG-16 CNN, compared with the prior design based on the conventional mapping method.
P50 Whole Grain Intake is Low Among Ethnically Diverse, Low-Income Youth in California

Background Many low-income youth are burdened by food insecurity, unhealthy dietary patterns, and obesity. Whole grain consumption is associated with better diet quality, nutrient intake, and lower risk of obesity. Research indicates modest gains in whole grain intake among high-income adolescents in the US but no gains observed in low-income adolescents. Objective Explore whole grain intake of low-income, ethnically diverse youth (10-18 years) in California to identify potential behaviors to target for intervention development. Study Design, Settings, Participants Random sample of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-eligible (130% of FPL) households with children across 30 California counties. Youth age 10 to 18 years of age (n = 2,231) completed an interviewer administered 24-hour dietary recall (ASA24) in English or Spanish in 2016. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Intake of whole grains was compared to recommendations, gender, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). Means were analyzed using independent sample t-tests and ANOVA (with Tukey's HSD). Results Youth participating in the study were 13.7 ± 2.3 years old (51% female) and ethnically diverse (71% Latino). Forty percent were categorized as either overweight or obese. Males consumed 0.95 ± 1.4 ounce equivalents (oz. eq.) of whole grains per day and females consumed 0.72 ± 1.0 oz. eq. (P Conclusion Low-income youth in this sample are burdened by overweight/obesity and are far below the whole grain recommendations. Intervention is needed targeting whole grain consumption that is appropriate for ethnically diverse youth in low-income communities such as making more whole grain rich options available in school. Funding USDA.
Ettringite-Related Dimensional Stability of CO2-Cured Portland Cement Mortars

Carbonation curing, where cement is cured in a CO2-rich environment, is an emerging technology in the precast industry that promotes CO2 sequestration in construction materials. It demonstrates goo...
Analysis of the effect of hydrogen-evolving side reaction in the aqueous aluminum-air battery

Abstract In this study, aqueous aluminum-air battery is revisited to analyze the effect of parasitic hydrogen generation which is one of challenging issues preventing it from full application even though it has outstanding benefits such as high theoretical energy density, low cost of system, environmental friendly and safe operation. The effect of hydrogen-evolution is studied systematically through component-level experiment to measure H2 evolution and ionic conductivity in the various electrolyte concentrations, and also through physics-based mathematical modeling to analyze the cell behavior coupled with electrochemical reaction and bubble dynamics. It is found that dominant loss in the aqueous aluminum-air battery is associated with kinetic loss affected by the parasitic hydrogen-evolving side reaction and the bubble shielding effect on the electrode, and the loss is found to be controlled by electrolyte velocity and concentration of OH−. The results of this study provide physical insight to understand the nature of generation, growth, and departure of gas bubbles from the electrode. Moreover, this research elucidates the effect of bubbles on the electrochemical reaction and factors to control their impact on the cell performance. Therefore, it is expected that the results of this study will act as key information to advance the understanding of characteristic electrochemical reactions in gas evolving electrodes.