cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heteroscedastic Logistic Regression Model

Correlated binomial data can be modeled using a mean model if the interest is only on the mean, and the dispersion is considered a nuisance parameter. However, if the intraclass correlation is of interest, then one should consider to apply a joint modeling of the mean and the dispersion. Efron (Journal of the American Statistical Association 81(395):709–721, 1986) was one of the first to model both the mean and the variance. The dispersion sub-model allows extra parameters to model the variance independent of the mean, thus allowing covariates to be included in both the mean and variance sub-models. In this chapter, we present a sub-model that analyzes the mean and a sub-model that analyzes the variance. This model allows both the dispersion and the mean to be modeled. We use the MODEL statement in the SAS/ETS procedure QLIM to specify the model for the mean, and use the HETERO statement to specify the dispersion model. We fit this model in SAS. Our results and presentation are based on work done in some recent graduate research projects at Arizona State University.
The interpretation of Plato

Submitted by Mastrogianni Amalia (amastr@ekt.gr) on 2016-02-17T12:38:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 theinterpretatioofplato.pdf: 51925017 bytes, checksum: d623a55c6d7d3c56824e6f3393f428b3 (MD5)
Considerations in the development of artificial heart valve substitutes for use in infants and small children

Experimental studies carried out in our laboratory suggest that it is possible to develop a family of stent-supported tissue valve substitutes suitable for use in tissue annuli of the hearts of small children in tissue annulus sizes ranging from 12 to 22 mm. Either glutaraldehyde-preserved, stent-supported primate tissue aortic valves or tissue leaflet valves constructed from dura mater preserved in 98 per cent glycerine can be used. In both instances, hemodynamic assessment of the valve substitutes in a mock circulation indicated that function was acceptable at the cardiac outputs normal for infants and children during the first few years of life. Stent-supported dura mater valves 16 mm. in diameter have been used to replace the mitral valve in 2 infants 7 and 8 months of age with complete atrioventricular canal defects and mitral regurgitation, one of whom survives with demonstratable satisfactory hemodynamic function of the valve substitute.
Efficacy of Rituximab in Anti-MAG Neuropathy.

Abstract Background: The majority of cases of peripheral neuropathy related to monoclonal gamopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) are of the IgM type. Neuropathy associated with antibodies to myelin-associated-glycoprotein (anti-MAG) accounts for 50% of IgM-related neuropathies. Anti-MAG related neuropathies often improve after treatment with human Ig (IVIG), or a combination of cyclophosphamide (cytoxan) and plasma exchange. But this improvement is often short-lived, expensive, and the repeated doses of cytoxan may predispose patients to an increased risk of infections and secondary malignancies. Therefore, efficacious and less toxic treatment approaches are needed in anti-MAG-related neuropathies. We postulated that Rituximab treatment would eradicate the autoantibody producing B-cell lymphocyte clone in patients with IgM antibody-related neuropathies and thereby reduce the titers of neurotoxic antibodies. Methods: Two patients followed at the Kansas City Veterans Affair Medical Center neuromuscular clinic with diagnoses of MGUS and IgM antibody-related neuropathies were evaluated by history, physical examination, electrodiagnostic evaluation, and serum testing. Both patients had sensory-motor (mixed) neuropathies characterized by slowly progressive asymmetric weakness, muscle wasting, areflexia, and sensory loss. These patients also had elevated anti-MAG titers and were previously treated with plasma exchange, Cytoxan, IVIG, resulting in a good clinical improvement of their symptoms. The clinical remissions, however, were short lived (3–6 moths). Both the patients were then treated with four weekly IV infusions of Rituximab (375 mg/M2). Results: During the ensuing 12 months after Rituximab treatment, both patients had subjective and objective sensory and motor neurological improvement, however, the degree of improvement was variable. We noticed no change in the titers of anti-MAG levels despite clinical improvement. Based on our experience we postulate that the clinical improvement may not correlate with changes in the anti-MAG titers. Moreover, it could be possible that the recovery of anti-MAG titers may lag behind the clinical improvement. Results for both the patients are formulated below in the table. The graph depicts the anti-MAG titers and physical strength of one of the treated patient in relationship to the Rituximab treatment. Conclusion: Rituximab is a relatively safe and efficacious therapy for patients with IgM antibody-directed polyneuropathies. Additional large scale, prospective studies with a longer follow-up are needed to develop Rituximab as a targeted therapy against anti-MAG neuropathies. Download : Download high-res image (87KB) Download : Download full-size image
RF-sputtered Cd 2 SnO 4 for flexible glass CdTe solar cells

Cd 2 SnO 4 (CTO) is an interesting transparent conducting oxide (TCO) material for CdTe photovoltaic devices, but high quality CTO typically requires a post-deposition high temperature annealing step to promote crystallization. Wu [1] showed that deposition of the CdTe absorber layer by closed space sublimation (CSS) could provide sufficient thermal energy to achieve the desired optical and electrical properties for the CTO layer in finished devices. Here, we examine the optical and electrical properties of the CTO layer in a study of CdTe devices prepared by the CSS technique. The goal of this work is to understand the critical factors effecting the preparation of CTO layers to enable the preparation of CdTe devices on flexible glass. CdTe devices were completed on a number of substrates, with a best device efficiency of 14.4% on a Corning® Willow® Glass substrate.
Kerry Farmers and the European Community: Capital Transitions in a Rural Irish Parish:

Rural communities within the European Community (EC) will be dramatically affected by the removal of most of the remaining economic barriers at the end of 1992. Of critical importance in understand...
Outcome of Patients (pts) with Therapy-Related De Novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia (t-de novo AML): Single Institution Experience

Background: Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms develop after cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The available data on the outcome of pts with t-de novo AML without antecedent history of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is limited. Methods: We reviewed the records of pts with newly diagnosed AML who presented to our tertiary care center from 1/2000 to 1/2014. t-de novo AML was defined as having at least 20% blasts in bone marrow with a history of any previous cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and without an antecedent history of MDS. Leukemia-free survival (LFS) was defined as time from achieving complete response (CR) to relapse or death. The overall survival (OS) and LFS in pts with t-de novo AML were compared to those of with de novo AML with normal karyotype (NK) and complex karyotype (CK). Results: Among 1677 pts with newly diagnosed AML, 383 had de novo NK-AML, 218 had de novo CK-AML, and 187 had t-de novo AML. The median follow-up was 9.3 months (range; 0.2-161.0). Pt characteristics and outcomes are described in Table 1. Among the 187 pts, 69 had a history of lymphoma; 63 pts breast cancer (Ca); 10 pts colon Ca; 10 pts sarcoma; 8 pts prostate; 7 pts bladder Ca; 6 pts uterine Ca; 5 pts lung Ca; 5 pts head and neck Ca; 30 pts other type of Ca. Among the pts with t-de novo AML, 15 pts (8%) had a favorable-risk karyotype by WHO, 53 pts (28%) intermediate-risk karyotype, and 119 pts (64%) poor-risk karyotype. The median LFS duration in t-de novo AML, NK-AML, and CK-AML were 7 months (95% confidence interval [CI]; 5.1-8.7), 19 months (95% CI; 13.0-25.2), and 6 months (95% CI; 9.0-13.5) ( p p 3 /µL, thrombocytopenia below 30 x10 3 /µL, non-favorable cytogenetic abnormalities, positive RAS mutation, and the absence of CR or CR with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp) as poor prognostic features related to OS. Conclusion: LFS and OS were shorter in patients with t-de novo AML than in those with NK-AML but did not differ significantly from patients with CK-AML. Disclosures Kantarjian: ARIAD, Pfizer, Amgen: Research Funding.
Propagation Effects: Neutral Medium

The neutral gas in the atmosphere has a significant effect on signals passing through it.We are concernedwith three types of effects.
The Development of an Evacuation Protocol for Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices During a Disaster.

Introduction Health care providers are on the forefront of delivering care and allocating resources during a disaster; however, very few are adequately trained to respond in these situations. Furthermore, there is a void in the literature regarding the specific care needs of patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) in a disaster setting. This project aimed to develop an evidenced-based protocol to aid health care providers during the evacuation of patients with VADs during a disaster. METHODS This is a qualitative study that used expert review, tabletop discussion, and a survey of health care professionals to develop and evaluate an evacuation protocol. The protocol was revised after each stage of review in order to reach a consensus document. RESULTS The project concluded with the finalization of a protocol which addresses evacuation and patient triage, and also includes an algorithm to determine which staff members should be evacuated with patients, transportation resources, evacuation documentation, and items patients need during evacuation. The protocol also addressed steps to be taken in the event that evacuation efforts fail and how to manage outpatient VAD patients seeking assistance. CONCLUSIONS This protocol provides guidance for the care of VAD patients in the event of a disaster and evacuation. Protocols such as this address difficult scenarios and should be created prior to a disaster to assist staff in making difficult decisions. These documents should be created using multi-disciplinary feedback via the consensus model as well as the Institute of Medicine (IOM; National Academy of Medicine; Washington, DC USA) "Crisis Standards of Care." Davis KJ , Suyama J , Lingler J , Beach M . The development of an evacuation protocol for patients with ventricular assist devices during a disaster. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(3):333-338.
Marijuana and Cannabinoids in ESRD and Earlier Stages of CKD

Marijuana is the most commonly used recreational drug in the United States, and legal recreational and medicinal use has gained public acceptance during the last decade. Twenty-nine US states have established medical marijuana programs, 8 of which have also legalized recreational marijuana, and Canada is expected to legalize recreational marijuana in 2018. Advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are chronic conditions with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Patients experience substantial symptom burden that is frequently undertreated due to adverse medication side effects. This article reviews the available evidence for the use of medical marijuana to manage chronic pain, nausea/vomiting, anorexia/cachexia, and pruritus, all of which are frequently reported by patients with advanced CKD or ESRD. Potential adverse health effects of medical and recreational marijuana use are also discussed. Regardless of personal, social, and political beliefs, marijuana use is becoming mainstream, and nephrologists should be aware of the potential impact on our patient population. Further research is warranted to investigate the renal endocannabinoid system, the impact of marijuana use on kidney disease outcomes, and the risks and benefits of medical marijuana use on symptoms of advanced CKD and ESRD.
Inflammation alters motivational processes in mice independently of its ability to activate indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase

While it is known that patients with inflammatory diseases are at increased risk for developing depression, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain elusive. This is partly due to the complexity and heterogeneity of symptom expression. While cognitive/affective symptoms of inflammation-induced depression have been linked to indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1), it is unclear whether this applies to other depression symptoms. As motivational changes are often reported in depression, the current investigation explores the role of IDO1 in motivated behavior using wild type (WT) C57BL/6J and ido1-/- mice. Multiple aspects of motivation were evaluated including reward expectation, willingness to work for a reward, and ability to associate reward to environmental cues. Inflammation was induced with 0.33 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or spared nerve injury (SNI). As previously described, ido1-/- mice were protected from inflammation-induced increased immobility in the forced swim test. LPS also suppressed food-related anticipatory activity (reward expectation) and overall effort in a decision making task (willingness to work for reward). These effects were equivalent in both WT and ido1-/- mice, indicating that inflammation-induced motivational deficits are not IDO1 dependent. Conditioned place preference measured in SNI mice treated with the analgesic, retigabine, was identical in WT and ido1-/- mice. This indicates the ability to associate environmental cues with reward is also not IDO1 dependent. These findings clearly demonstrate that IDO1 does note mediate inflammation-induced motivational processes.
A rare eicosanoid precursor analogue, sciadonic acid (5Z,11Z,14Z-20:3), detected in vivo in hormone positive breast cancer tissue.

Abstract Numerous genetic alterations of HSA 11q13 are found frequently in several cancer types, including breast cancer (BC). The 11q13 locus harbors FADS2 encoding Δ6 desaturation which is not functional in several cancer cell lines, including hormone positive MCF7 BC cells. In vitro, the non-functional FADS2 activity unmasks 18:2n−6 elongation to 20:2n−6 and Δ5 desaturation by FADS1 to yield 5Z,11Z,14Z–20:3 (sciadonic acid) rather than 5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z–20:4 (arachidonic acid). In this pilot study we aimed to determine whether 5,11,14–20:3 appears in vivo in hormone positive human BC tissue. Fatty acids were profiled in surgically removed human breast tumor and adjacent normal tissue (n = 9). Sciadonic acid was detected in three of nine breast tumor samples and was below detect limits in normal breast tissue. The internal Δ8 double bond of arachidonic acid is required for normal eicosanoid synthesis but is missing in sciadonic acid. This pilot study demonstrates for the first time in vivo sciadonic acid in hormone positive BC tissue, warranting a larger survey study to further evaluate its appearance and the functional implications.
Information, Künstliche Intelligenz und das Praxeologische

Die wachsende Relevanz der Idee der kunstlichen Intelligenz in unserer Zeit zeugt von einer unausgesprochenen Anerkennung der Macht und besonderen Auspragung moderner Technik. In einem weiteren Sinne aber bestatigt sie blos, wie anhaltend komplex die Bedeutung des menschlichen Eingreifens innerhalb der Welt ist. Dies gilt gerade auch fur den einzigartigen gattungsspezifischen Bereich, in dem auf Konsens oder dem Urteil des einzelnen beruhende Kategorien gefunden oder hergestellt werden, die zur Welt passen. Es ist diese unauflosliche Bindung zwischen der zweckgerichteten Tatigkeit und Arbeit des Menschen und dem, was als die Erkennbarkeit der Natur bezeichnet werden konnte (einschlieslich a fortiori menschlicher Kultur und Geschichte), was bei vorurteilsfreiem Blick mit dem Praxeologischen gemeint ist. So gedeutet, ist das Praxeologische vollkommen neutral gegenuber den wichtigen theoretischen Diskussionen, die von Marx, Heidegger, Lukacs, Adorno, Althusser, Dewey, Habermas bestimmt worden sind, um von Godelier, Vazquez, Markus, Eagleton und einer Reihe neuerer Theoretiker ganz zu schweigen. Das Zulassen des Praxeologischen hat jedoch (sogar in seiner neutralsten Form) zur Folge, das alle Weisen von naivem oder direktem Realismus zuruckgewiesen werden, d. h. alle Spielarten der These von der vollstandigen Erkennbarkeit der Natur, insbesondere eine essentialistische Interpretation der Naturgesetze. Denn aus unserer Annahme des Praxeologischen folgt, das die Welt als eine Funktion der kontingenten, vielfaltigen und deutlich verganglichen Formen des menschlichen Eingreifens zu verstehen ist.
Bortezomib as brief neoadjuvant therapy for localized high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) followed by radical prostatectomy (RP)

5127 Background: Neoadjuvant therapy may provide an important paradigm for the discovery of active agents for the therapy of PCa. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor with preclinical activity in P...
Experience-dependent c-Fos expression in the primary chemosensory cortices of the rat.

Abstract Eating a new food is a unique event that guides future food choices. A key element for these choices is the perception of flavor (odor-taste associations), a multisensory process dependent upon taste and smell. The two primary cortical areas for taste and smell, gustatory cortex and piriform cortex, are thought to be crucial regions for processing and responding to odor-taste mixtures. To determine how previous experience impacts the primary chemosensory cortices, we compared the expression of the immediate early gene, c-Fos, between rats presented with a taste, an odor, or an odor-taste mixture for the first-time with rats that had many days of prior experience. Compared to rats with prior experience, we found that first-time sampling of all three chemosensory stimuli led to significantly greater c-Fos expression in gustatory cortex. In piriform cortex, only the novel chemosensory stimuli containing odors showed greater c-Fos expression. These results indicate that prior experience with taste, odor, or odor-taste stimuli habituates responses in the primary chemosensory cortices and adds further evidence supporting gustatory cortex as a fundamental node for the integration of gustatory and olfactory signals.
Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an atopic disease that is characterized by an isolated infiltration of eosinophils into the epithelium of the esophagus and is triggered by specific allergens. Patients should undergo an upper endoscopy with biopsy after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment with a proton pump inhibitor in order to make the diagnosis of EoE. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a pathologic eosinophilic infiltration of any portion of the gastrointestinal tract, and eosinophilic proctocolitis is an eosinophilic infiltration in the colon alone.
A Plan for Academic Success: Helping Academically Dismissed Students Achieve Their Goals.

This article describes a unique process which allows a select few students who have been dismissed for academic deficiency the opportunity to create a Plan for Academic Success (Plan), which, if accepted, reverses the academic dismissal for one semester. If the Plan is accepted, the individual student assumes responsibility for taking action to complete the required steps which will ultimately bring the Plan to fruition. The findings based on data from Fall 2002—Fall 2007 indicate that students whose Plans were accepted were academically successful and were retained at a rate consistent with the retention rate of the institution as a whole. The College of Charleston (College) is a public liberal arts college with an undergraduate enrollment of 10,000 students. The College requires students to maintain minimum scholastic attainment standards in order to avoid being placed on academic probation; failure to meet these standards within 15 credit hours of being placed on academic probation may result in academic dismissal. Oversight of the academic probation process and decisions regarding continued probation or academic dismissal are centralized in the office of Undergraduate Academic Services. Students who have been dismissed for academic deficiency have the opportunity to meet with the director of Undergraduate Academic Services to discuss the circumstances that led to their dismissal. Most students Dismissed for Academic Deficiency (DAD) are required to leave the College for one or more semesters before they can re-apply and be readmitted. However, each semester a small number of students is given the opportunity to write a Plan for Academic Success (Plan), with the possibility of having their dismissal status changed to probation status. The Plan is unique to the College of Charleston, both in terms of its composition and the high level of selfadvocacy and responsibility that is placed upon the student. The Plan has proven to be effective in terms of retention and graduation of students. For more information contact: Lynn Cherry| College of Charleston| 66 George St. | Charleston, SC 29424 |CherryL@cofc.edu 22 | TLAR, Volume 15, Number 2
Nutrition and Healthy Aging

Hippocrates is credited with saying, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Although important throughout the life span, nutrition is foundational for healthy aging. Consequences of inadequate nutrition include decreased immune function, poor skin integrity, and loss of independence. Physiological and psychosocial barriers to good nutrition tend to arise with advancing age. Polypharmacy can also increase nutritional risk with the potential for food-drug interactions and unintended side effects.
The association of postnatal urinary tract dilation risk score with clinical outcomes.

Summary Background There are limited data on the predictive value of the consensus urinary tract dilation (UTD) score with respect to subsequent clinical diagnoses. We sought to define the relationship between postnatal UTD risk score and clinical outcomes during childhood. Methods Complete ultrasound image sets from a random selection of infants aged 0–90 days undergoing initial ultrasound at a single institution for prenatal hydronephrosis between 2012 and 2014 were assigned a UTD score by 1 pediatric urologist and 1 pediatric radiologist. Urinary tract dilation risk score was analyzed for association with a composite outcome comprising urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), ureteropelvic junction obstruction, non-refluxing megaureter (NRM), ureterocele, bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), and chronic kidney disease. Surgical intervention and resolution of UTD were evaluated separately. Descriptive and survival analyses were performed. Results Urinary tract dilation scores for 494 subjects were P0 in 23.5%, P1 in 26.5%, P2 in 23.5%, and P3 in 26.5%. Seventy-four percent were male. Median age at initial imaging was 28 days; median follow-up was 19.8 months. The composite outcome occurred in 138 of 494 patients (27.9%) and varied significantly (p Discussion Urinary tract dilation risk score is associated with clinical events, although ascertainment bias may influence some of the differences in outcomes, particularly for VUR, because VCUG utilization varied by the UTD group. The lack of any significant difference in outcomes between patients with UTD P0 versus P1 suggests that the P1 category could be eliminated as it does not meaningfully distinguish between outcome risk. Conclusions Higher UTD risk scores are strongly associated with genitourinary diagnoses during the first two years of life. Download : Download high-res image (81KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Fig. . Composite event-free survival (in months) based on Cox proportional hazards model, for UTD grades P0-P3. Composite event included any of the following: urinary tract infection, diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) grade > II, diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (MAG3 halftime >20 mins or function 7m or “moderate” dilation in absence of VUR), bladder outlet obstruction, ureterocele, or chronic kidney disease. P-value from Cox model corresponds to association of risk groups with event-free survival.
Mathematical creativity: A vehicle to foster equity

Abstract Mathematical creativity can be viewed as a necessary vehicle to foster an equitable learning environment for all students (Luria et al., 2017). When students from diverse backgrounds or cultures enter the mathematics classroom, their perspective is often not valued (Taylor & Sobel, 2011). These students have experienced operational strategies, heuristic patterns, or problem-solving approaches that may be undermined or even prohibited due to traditional ideologies (Apple, 2009) around mathematics. This experience may leave students feeling undermined and devalued due to the forced abandonment of their preferred mathematical solution paths. This forced adherence to traditional mathematical solutions and algorithms promulgates a learning environment that can harbor inequity for students. Considering this, there is one psychological construct that has been shown to foster equity amongst diverse populations. This equalizing psychological construct is creativity (Kaufman, 2016). If all students were given the opportunity to solve mathematical problems using creative solutions, equity could flourish. Unlike standardized tests and IQ tests – which show significant disparity between groups of people – creativity tests reveal almost no differences between these same groups of people (Luria et al., 2017). This evidence suggests that creativity is an equalizing construct that promotes equity amongst individuals. Mechanisms that influence creativity may be the same mechanisms that promote equity (Luria & Kaufman, 2017). This piece has three main purposes: (a) examine equity in the mathematics classroom and expose some existing threats, (b) evaluate relevant research in mathematical creativity as it relates to mathematics education, and (c) propose creativity-based mathematics instruction (CBMI) as a possible vehicle to foster a more equitable mathematics learning environment.
Time-Resolved Fluorescence in Biology and Biochemistry

A number of articles and books have appeared in recent years describing in varying detail the theory and application of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in the chemical and biological sciences (Badea and Brand, 1979; Demas, 1983; Lakowicz, 1983; Cundall and Dale, 1983; Gratton et al., 1984a; Jameson et al., 1984; Taylor et al., 1987; Jameson and Reinhart, 1989). Our goal in this chapter is thus not to treat the subject exhaustively but rather to reiterate the fundamental considerations and to provide the reader with a feeling for the practical aspects that must be apprehended before time-resolved methods can be profitably applied to complex biological systems.
A Decentralized Three-Level Optimization Scheme for Optimal Planning of a Prosumer Nano-Grid

Rapid improvement in efficiency of renewable energy sources (RESs), increased concerns about carbon emission, substantial power-flow losses, and the emergence of smart grid have all contributed to increased interest toward customers’ contribution in electricity generation in RES-based prosumer nano-grids (PNGs). Such contributions within a PNG can be effectively controlled using dynamic pricing tariffs (DPTs) that hold customers accountable for their electric power exchange behaviors. Prosumer customers optimize their internal power grid based on utility-provided DPT and expect to surpass the break-even point within an anticipated period of time. However, their expected payback period may not be met, as the DPT changes over time as more customers join the market. Therefore, the joint design of PNG and DPT is necessary to give the customers the opportunity to revisit their investment plans, and, at the same time, the utility the opportunity to adjust the pricing scheme. We propose an iterative decentralized three-level optimization scheme to achieve both objectives. The proposed scheme can be applied to a large system for planning of optimal PNGs, while providing a reliable payback period on investment for customers that are involved. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified numerically using a large historical data set.
Prevalence, characteristics and mortality outcomes of obese, nonobese and lean NAFLD in the United States, 1999-2016.

BACKGROUND Updated prevalence and outcome data for nonobese NAFLD for the multi-ethnic US population is limited. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and mortality of obese and nonobese individuals with NAFLD in the United Sates. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted using the 1999-2016 NHANES databases. We determined hazard ratio stratified by obesity status in NAFLD individuals using Cox regression and log-rank test. RESULTS Overall NAFLD prevalence was 32.3%: 22.7% were obese and 9.6% were nonobese, with increasing trend over time for obese NAFLD, but not nonobese NAFLD. Amongst those with NAFLD, 29.7% (95% CI: 27.8%-31.7%) were nonobese, of which 13.6% had lean NAFLD. Nonobese NAFLD was more common in older (40.9% if ≥ 65 vs. 24.2% if < 65 years), male (34.0% vs. 24.2%) and foreign-born Asian people (39.8% vs. 11.4%) and uncommon in black (11.5% vs 30-35% in other ethnicities, P < 0.001). Metabolic comorbidities were common in nonobese NAFLD individuals who also had more advanced fibrosis. Nonobese NAFLD individuals had higher 15-year cumulative all-cause mortality (51.7%) than obese NAFLD (27.2%) and non-NAFLD (20.7%) (P < 0.001). However, DM and fibrosis, but neither obese nor nonobese NAFLD compared to non-NAFLD was independently associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSION Nonobese NAFLD makes up about one-third of the NAFLD in the United States (even higher in older, male and foreign-born individuals) and carries higher mortality than obese NAFLD. Screening for NAFLD should be considered in high-risk groups even in the absence of obesity.
Choline supplementation prevents the effects of bilirubin on cerebellar-mediated behavior in choline-restricted Gunn rat pups

Background Bilirubin is produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin and is normally catabolized and excreted. Neurotoxic accumulation of serum bilirubin often occurs in premature infants. The homozygous Gunn rat lacks uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1), the enzyme needed to biotransform bilirubin. This rodent model of hyperbilirubinemia emulates many aspects of bilirubin toxicity observed in the human infant. We demonstrate that choline supplementation in early postnatal development is neuroprotective in the choline-restricted Gunn rat, when hyperbilirubinemia is induced on postnatal day 5. Methods We first compared behaviors and cerebellar weight of pups born to dams consuming regular rat chow to those of dams consuming choline-restricted diets. Second, we measured behaviors and cerebellar weights of pups born to choline-restricted dams, reared on a choline-restricted diet, supplemented with or without choline, and treated with or without sulfadimethoxine (SDMX). Results A choline-restricted diet did not change the behavioral outcomes, but cerebellar weight was reduced in the choline-restricted group regardless of genotype or SDMX administration. SDMX induced behavioral deficits in jj pups, and choline supplementation improved most behavioral effects and cerebellar weight in SDMX-treated jj rats. Conclusions These results suggest that choline may be used as a safe and effective neuroprotective intervention against hyperbilirubinemia in the choline-deficient premature infant. Impact This article investigates the effect of neonatal jaundice/bilirubin neurotoxicity on cerebellar-mediated behaviors. This article explores the potential use of choline as an intervention capable of ameliorating the effect of bilirubin on the choline-restricted developing brain. This article opens the door for future studies on the action of choline in the presence of hyperbilirubinemia, especially in preterm neonates.
Outcomes of convalescent plasma transfusion for SARS-CoV2 patients in the intensive care unit

Background: SARS-CoV2 is a grave illness and few therapeutic agents have yielded benefit or reduced mortality Administration of convalescent plasma (CP) in viral illnesses in the past, including SARS, before day 14, has been associated with a shorter hospital course In the present study, we are interested in determining the benefit of administering CP to critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, and the impact on mortality and other clinical markers Methods: 5 critically ill patients with confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection were observed in the uncontrolled case series study Mechanically ventilated patients with severe ARDS (PaO2/FiO2 < 100) were eligible to receive CP transfusion We reviewed daily vital signs, inflammatory markers, PaO2/FiO2 ratio and SOFA scores before and after CP transfusions SARS-CoV2 PCR viral load testing was completed on day 0 of transfusion and repeated on day 3 and 6 Complications during the hospitalization and 30-day mortality were assessed Results: All 5 patients were mechanically ventilated at the time of transfusion and between day 7 to 31 of their illness Following plasma transfusion, body temperature and inflammatory markers remained elevated in four patients (figure 1) SOFA score and PaO2/FiO2 ratios continued to worsen in three and four patients respectively (figure 2) SARS-CoV2 PCR remained positive in 4 patients 4 of the 5 patients had died at the end of the follow up period One patient was successfully extubated on day 29 (table 1) and discharged after a long hospital course Conclusion: In our patient cohort, the administration of CP did not improve laboratory markers or clinical outcomes Some notable limitations of this study are the small sample size, and that the patients received CP late in their disease course Further investigation is necessary to draw definitive conclusions about the utility of CP in the treatment of SARS-CoV2 (Table Presented)
The Cyclical Fluctuation of U.S. Public Higher Education Institutions Establishment Impact by the Kandretieff Cyclical Wave

In the past several centuries, 566 public four-years higher education institutions were founded in the United States. Meanwhile, the expansion of higher education and economic development has been apparent across the U.S. higher education history. This study provided a detailed comparative look at Braudel’s (1972) long term theory that explores the relationship between the cycle of public colleges’ and universities’ establishments and socio-economic environments. The result shows that the rise and fall trends of public higher education development are closely associated with the economic environment in the U.S. It is expected that this research could help higher education policymakers and administrators better understand the functions of the economic environment on higher education development and encourage them to make feasible decisions of higher education development to adapt to the economic environment.
Trefoil Factor Family: A Troika for Lung Repair and Regeneration.

Tissue damage in the upper and lower airways caused by mechanical abrasion, noxious chemicals or pathogenic organisms must be followed by rapid restorative processes, otherwise persistent immunopathology and disease may ensue. This review will discuss evidence for the important role served by Trefoil Factor Family (TFF) members in healthy and diseased airways of humans and rodents. Collectively, these peptides serve to both maintain and restore homeostasis through their regulation of the mucous layer, control of cell motility, differentiation, and immune function in upper and lower airways. We will also discuss important differences between which Trefoil member tracks with homeostasis and disease between humans and mice, which poses a challenge for research in this area. Moreover, we discuss new evidence supporting newly identified receptor binding partners in the Leucine rich repeat and Immunoglobulin-like domain-containing NoGo (LINGO) Family in mediating the biological effects of TFF proteins in mouse models of epithelial repair and infection. Recent advances in our knowledge regarding TFF peptides suggest that they may be reasonable therapeutic targets in the treatment of upper and lower airway diseases of diverse etiologies. Further work understanding their role in airway homeostasis, repair and inflammation will benefit from these newly uncovered receptor-ligand interactions.
The Role of ExoS in Dissemination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa during Pneumonia.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and dissemination to the bloodstream is a recognized risk factor for particularly poor outcomes. Yet the mechanism by which bacteria in the lungs gain access to the bloodstream remains poorly understood. In this study, we used a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia to examine this mechanism. P. aeruginosa uses a type III secretion system to deliver effector proteins such as ExoS directly into the cytosol of eukaryotic cells. ExoS, a bi-functional GTPase activating protein (GAP) and ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT), inhibits phagocytosis during pneumonia but has also been linked to a higher incidence of dissemination to the bloodstream. We used a novel imaging methodology to identify ExoS intoxicated cells during pneumonia and found that ExoS is injected into not only leukocytes but also epithelial cells. Phagocytic cells, primarily neutrophils, were targeted for injection with ExoS early during infection, but type I pneumocytes became increasingly injected at later time points. Interestingly, injection of these pneumocytes did not occur randomly but rather in discrete regions, which we designate ““fields of cell injection” (FOCI). These FOCI increased in size as the infection progressed and contained dead type I pneumocytes. Both of these phenotypes were attenuated in infections caused by bacteria secreting ADPRT-deficient ExoS, indicating that FOCI growth and type I pneumocyte death were dependent on the ADPRT activity of ExoS. During the course of infection, increased FOCI size was associated with enhanced disruption of the pulmonary-vascular barrier and increased bacterial dissemination into the blood, both of which were also dependent on the ADPRT activity of ExoS. We conclude that the ADPRT activity of ExoS acts upon type I pneumocytes to disrupt the pulmonary-vascular barrier during P. aeruginosa pneumonia, leading to bacterial dissemination.
Dryden Flight Research Center: Presentation to Portland State Aerospace Society

The presentatons provides an overview of Flight Programs at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.
Differential Regulation of the Adh1 Gene in Maize: Facts and Theories

All genes are differentially regulated in the sense that each gene is expressed at different levels in different tissues and times during development and senescence. A gene that was expressed to the same extent in every cell at all times would be highly unusual: even such basic housekeeping genes as those specifying the histones are differentially regulated over the cell cycle. Tissue and temporal specificity is thus a fundamental property of genes in higher organisms.
Energy-driven aspartate efflux from heart and liver mitochondria.

Abstract The efflux of aspartate from rat heart and liver mitochondria is facilitated by energy derived from the electron transport chain or from adenosine triphosphate. The metabolic significance of this finding resides in the fact that aspartate efflux from mitochondria is required for operation of the malate-aspartate cycle, which is a major pathway for the energy-requiring transport of reducing equivalents from the cytosol to the mitochondrial matrix. The experiments described represent an attempt to elucidate the mechanism by which provision of a source of metabolic energy interacts with the transport system. In order to study efflux rates, aspartate was generated inside the mitochondria from glutamate and malate. Transport constants were estimated by measuring both intra- and extramitochondrial aspartate. The ionophore, valinomycin, inhibited transport in the presence of high concentrations of K+ but stimulated transport in the absence of K+ while the ionophore nigericin had no effect. Extramitochondrial phosphate stimulated transport of aspartate in the absence of measurable phosphate movement across the membrane. The data indicate that aspartate transport is facilitated by the presence of an electrical potential gradient across the mitochondrial membrane.
Slavery Reparations and Race Relations in America: Assessing How the Restitutions Debate Influences Public Support for Blacks, Civil Rights, and Affirmative Action

The subject of slavery reparations has received considerable attention from both the popular press and the research community. Yet while some speculate that the reparations movement may be increasing racial hostility, to date there has been no systematic study of the impact of reparation arguments on white attitudes toward blacks. Using a simple priming experiment incorporated within a statewide survey, we examine public reactions to the slavery reparations debate by measuring its impact on support for blacks, civil rights and affirmative action. Using a question as an experimental treatment, half of survey respondents were randomly asked whether or not they support payment of reparations by the US government to compensate for its past support of slavery. Despite the innocuous treatment, economically vulnerable subjects responded to the reparations treatment with less favorable attitudes toward blacks and a greater propensity to characterize blacks as “willing to get ahead at the expense of others.” From a policy perspective, this cooling of relations resulted in a drop in support for affirmative action.
Second-Order Theory of Error Propagation on Motion Groups

Error propagation on the Euclidean motion group arises in a number of areas such as and in dead reckoning errors in mobile robot navigation and joint errors that accumulate from the base to the distal end of manipulators. We address error propagation in rigid-body poses in a coordinate-free way. In this paper we show how errors propagated by convolution on the Euclidean motion group, SE(3), can be approximated to second order using the theory of Lie algebras and Lie groups. We then show how errors that are small (but not so small that linearization is valid) can be propagated by a recursive formula derived here. This formula takes into account errors to second-order, whereas prior efforts only considered the first-order case [8,9].
Comparison of machine learning classifiers for influenza detection from emergency department free-text reports

Display Omitted ML classifiers performed better than an expert constructed classifier.ML classifiers can detect influenza cases from ED reports processed by a NLP tool.Missing clinical data marked as missing improved the ML classifiers performance.ML classifiers performance was not affected by class imbalance given abundant data. Influenza is a yearly recurrent disease that has the potential to become a pandemic. An effective biosurveillance system is required for early detection of the disease. In our previous studies, we have shown that electronic Emergency Department (ED) free-text reports can be of value to improve influenza detection in real time. This paper studies seven machine learning (ML) classifiers for influenza detection, compares their diagnostic capabilities against an expert-built influenza Bayesian classifier, and evaluates different ways of handling missing clinical information from the free-text reports. We identified 31,268 ED reports from 4 hospitals between 2008 and 2011 to form two different datasets: training (468 cases, 29,004 controls), and test (176 cases and 1620 controls). We employed Topaz, a natural language processing (NLP) tool, to extract influenza-related findings and to encode them into one of three values: Acute, Non-acute, and Missing. Results show that all ML classifiers had areas under ROCs (AUC) ranging from 0.88 to 0.93, and performed significantly better than the expert-built Bayesian model. Missing clinical information marked as a value of missing (not missing at random) had a consistently improved performance among 3 (out of 4) ML classifiers when it was compared with the configuration of not assigning a value of missing (missing completely at random). The case/control ratios did not affect the classification performance given the large number of training cases. Our study demonstrates ED reports in conjunction with the use of ML and NLP with the handling of missing value information have a great potential for the detection of infectious diseases.
Microgravity Research on the NASA Lewis Learjet Test Facility

Results from preliminary performance tests conducted in an aircraft low-G testbed for nonfree-floating experimental packages have identified several operational variables that directly influence the duration and quality of each trajectory. Flight test measurements were made to identify and quantify the presence of higher-frequency airborne and structureborne noise that may affect the correlation of research data with acceleration levels recorded on trajectory traces.
Efficiency of the LigaSure Vessel Sealing System for Recipient Hepatectomy in Liver Transplantation

Background. Although the LigaSure device is widely used, its use in liver transplantation, where compounding factors of portal hypertension, coagulopathy, and thrombocytopenia exist, is poorly described. Methods. From October 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011, 6 patients underwent liver transplantation with recipient hepatectomy utilizing the LigaSure device. Outcomes using the device were compared with 6 contemporaneous patients in whom the device was not used. Results. Patient demographics, preoperative laboratory values, and Model for EndStage Liver Disease scores were not different. Recipient hepatectomy was performed, on average, 43 minutes faster using the LigaSure device (P .02). Although total operative time and intraoperative blood product usage were lower when the LigaSure was used, these differences did not attain statistical significance. Duration of stay and recipient readmission rates were similar. Conclusions. LigaSure vessel sealing is an efficient method for recipient hepatectomy in liver transplantation. Vessel sealing of caval, portal, and other structures can be safely performed in the setting of end-stage liver disease.
19F multiple region selected 2D NMR correlation experiments

Abstract The fundamental problem with observation of 19 F in many 2D NMR sequences is that the bandwidth over which signals occur (approximately 100 kHz at 376 MHz) greatly exceeds the 90° excitation bandwidth of most liquids probes. Here we report a method that permits the acquisition of 2D 19 F – 13 C HMQC experiments on compounds that have 19 F signals separated by many times the actual 90° excitation bandwidth of the probe. The normal observe hard 90° and 180° pulses are replaced with region selected shaped pulses. The shaped pulses are convoluted to include excitation of a narrow region around each 19 F signal while leaving the large signal-less regions unexcited. This method produces accurate 90° and 180° pulses on widely separated resonances.
An Economic Analysis of Regulated Taxicab Markets

The literature on taxicab markets has provided theoretical insights regardingthe peculiarities of taxicab markets. A key finding is the positive effect thatexcess capacity, in the form of vacant taxicabs, has on the demand for taxicabservice. Lack of data on taxicab markets has made estimating these modelsdifficult. This paper models a taxicab market in which entry and fares areregulated. It estimates the model using data from meter inspections of NewYork City taxicabs. It finds a positive, inelastic relationship between vacanttaxicabs and demand for taxicab service. The estimates of the parameters ofthe model are used to evaluate the effects of policy changes such as increasesin the regulated fare and in the number of taxicab medallions.