cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Genomic Approach to Identify Regulatory Nodes in the Transcriptional Network of Systemic Acquired Resistance in Plants

Many biological processes are controlled by intricate networks of transcriptional regulators. With the development of microarray technology, transcriptional changes can be examined at the whole-genome level. However, such analysis often lacks information on the hierarchical relationship between components of a given system. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is an inducible plant defense response involving a cascade of transcriptional events induced by salicylic acid through the transcription cofactor NPR1. To identify additional regulatory nodes in the SAR network, we performed microarray analysis on Arabidopsis plants expressing the NPR1-GR (glucocorticoid receptor) fusion protein. Since nuclear translocation of NPR1-GR requires dexamethasone, we were able to control NPR1-dependent transcription and identify direct transcriptional targets of NPR1. We show that NPR1 directly upregulates the expression of eight WRKY transcription factor genes. This large family of 74 transcription factors has been implicated in various defense responses, but no specific WRKY factor has been placed in the SAR network. Identification of NPR1-regulated WRKY factors allowed us to perform in-depth genetic analysis on a small number of WRKY factors and test well-defined phenotypes of single and double mutants associated with NPR1. Among these WRKY factors we found both positive and negative regulators of SAR. This genomics-directed approach unambiguously positioned five WRKY factors in the complex transcriptional regulatory network of SAR. Our work not only discovered new transcription regulatory components in the signaling network of SAR but also demonstrated that functional studies of large gene families have to take into consideration sequence similarity as well as the expression patterns of the candidates.
Evaluating the pedestrian realm: instrumental rationality, communicative rationality and phenomenology

Following the passage of ISTEA, increased attention to pedestrian planning has led to the development of pedestrian plans, particularly at the metropolitan and municipal levels. This has raised the issue of how cities and metropolitan areas evaluate the walkability of the pedestrian realm and identify improvement projects. Three approaches to evaluating the pedestrian realm are examined: instrumental rationality, communicative rationality, and phenomenology. Case studies demonstrating the application of these approaches to the development of pedestrian plans are examined in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Portland, Oregon, and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Bias due to missing SEER data in D'Amico risk stratification of prostate cancer.

Purpose: We examined the degree of exclusion bias that may occur due to missing data when grouping prostate cancer cases from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) database into D'Amico clinical risk groups. Exclusion bias may occur since D'Amico staging requires all 3 variables to be known and data may not be missing at random.Materials and Methods: From the SEER database we identified 132,606 men with incident prostate cancer from 2004 to 2006. We documented age, race, Gleason score, clinical T stage, PSA and geographic region. Men were categorized into D'Amico risk groups. Those with 1 or more unknown tumor variables (prostate specific antigen, T stage and/or Gleason score) were labeled unclassified. We compared the value of the other 2 known clinical variables for men with known vs unknown prostate specific antigen, Gleason score and T stage. Demographics were compared for those with and without missing data. Results were compared using chi-square and logistic regression.Results: Of th...
Decrement of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents in dentate granule cells in epileptic hippocampus

1. Inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were studied in hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs) in the pilocarpine model and human temporal lobe epilepsy, with the use of the whole cell patch-clamp recording technique in slice preparations. 2. In the pilocarpine model, hippocampal slices were prepared from rats that were allowed to experience spontaneous seizures for 2 mo. Human hippocampal specimens were obtained from epileptic patients who underwent surgical treatment for medically intractable seizures. 3. IPSCs were generated by single perforant path stimulation and recorded at a membrane potential (Vm) of 0 mV near the reversal potential of glutamate excitatory postsynaptic currents in the voltage-clamp recording. IPSCs were pharmacologically identified as gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) IPSCs by 10 microM bicuculline methiodide. 4. During low-frequency stimulation, IPSCs were not different in amplitude among non-seizure-experienced rat hippocampi, human nonsclerotic hippocampi, seizure-experienced rat hippocampi, and human sclerotic hippocampi. In the last two groups of DGCs, current-clamp recordings indicated the presence of prolonged excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) mediated by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. 5. High-frequency stimulation, administered at Vm = -30 mV to activate NMDA currents, reduced GABAA IPSC amplitude specifically in seizure-experienced rat hippocampi (t = 2.5, P < 0.03) and human sclerotic hippocampi (t = 7.7, P < 0.01). This reduction was blocked by an NMDA receptor antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) (50 microM). The time for GABAA IPSCs to recover to their original amplitude was also shortened by the application of APV. 6. I conclude that, when intensively activated, NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory transmission may interact with GABAergic synaptic inhibition in DGCs in seizure-experienced hippocampus to transiently reduce GABA(A) receptor-channel function. Such interactions may contribute to give rise to epileptic excitation in chronically seizure-prone hippocampus.
Why Do Firms Hedge? An Asymmetric Information Approach

We present an asymmetric information model of hedging that has the intuition that hedging is undertaken by higher ability managers who wish to "lock-in" the higher profits that result from their higher ability. Thus, hedging is an attempt to improve the informativeness of the learning process by the higher ability manager. We analyze two models. We first analyze a model where managers care only about their reputations. In this case, we show that an intuitive equilibrium that involves hedging by higher ability managers always exists. Lower ability managers also hedge when differences in abilities are low but do not hedge when differences in abilities are high. We consider a second model where managers hold equity in the firm in addition to caring for their managerial reputations. The presence of FDIC insurance or pre-existing debt makes hedging costly to equity holders as it is a variance reducing activity. However this cost of hedging is lower for higher ability managers. This leads to both kinds of managers not hedging when the difference in ability is low. At higher differences in ability, the intuitive equilibrium in which the higher ability manager hedges exists. In this equilibrium, greater separation occurs relative to the case where managers were only concerned about their reputations.
Building an expert system for the design of spot shoes

Abstract This paper presents a module of the the framework of expert system for prototype shoe design which gives dimension setting, structural materials, form design and surface features based on user requirements. The development of inference rules for the proposed expert system is presented. Finally, problems encountered in this development process are discussed.
Access to Recovery and Recidivism Among Former Prison Inmates

Access to Recovery (ATR) is a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-funded initiative that offers a mix of clinical and supportive services for substance abuse. ATR clients choose which services will help to overcome barriers in their road to recovery, and a recovery consultant provides vouchers and helps link the client to these community resources. One of ATR's goals was to provide services to those involved in the criminal justice system in the hopes that addressing substance abuse issues could reduce subsequent criminal behaviors. This study examines this goal by looking at recidivism among a sample of clients in one state's ATR program who returned to the community after incarceration. Results suggest that there were few differential effects of service selections on subsequent recidivism. However, there are significant differences in recidivism rates among the agencies that provided ATR services. Agencies with more resources and a focus on prisoner reentry had better recidivism outcomes than those that focus only on substance abuse services.
Semi-Automatic Generation of Linear Event Extraction Patterns for Free Texts

In this paper we describe a semi-automatic approach to generating event extraction patterns for free texts. The algorithm is composed of four steps: we automatically extract possible events from a corpus of free documents, cluster them using dependency-based parse tree paths, validate random samples from each cluster and generate linear patterns using positive event clusters. We compare our algorithm with the system that uses manually created patterns.
Research on the Performance Test of Pucheng #2 Unit Modernized Retrofit

The #2 turbine of Pucheng power plant was supplied by the General Turbine Company in Bucharest Romania which was designed by Alstom France in 1960s.It had many defect such as poor economy,low availability and lots of security risks.In 2009,the turbine had been modernized retrofitted by Dongfang turbine Co.,Ltd.After the retrofit,the new turbine had higher efficiency and lower heat consumption.In this article,we analyzed the technical measures and the performance test results of the retrofit,then estimated the economic benefit.The modernized retrofit could be the reference of the same type unit in China.
The Constituent and Key Problems of the Providers of Publication by Mobile Phone

The future of publication by mobile phone depends on the content.The field of publication by mobile phone has a good users' foundation and a stable operators' support.Comparative analysis of the existing content providers of publication by mobile phone,including network media,traditional media,libraries,the internal organization of the university and the original authors,will be meaningful for the future of the publication by mobile phone.
Payer decision making for next-generation sequencing-based genetic tests: insights from cell-free DNA prenatal screening.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) prenatal screening tests have been rapidly adopted into clinical practice, due in part to positive insurance coverage. We evaluated the framework payers used in making coverage decisions to describe a process that should be informative for other sequencing tests. We analyzed coverage policies from the 19 largest US private payers with publicly available policies through February 2016, building from the University of California San Francisco TRANSPERS Payer Coverage Policy Registry. All payers studied cover cfDNA screening for detection of trisomies 21, 18, and 13 in high-risk, singleton pregnancies, based on robust clinical validity (CV) studies and modeled evidence of clinical utility (CU). Payers typically evaluated the evidence for each chromosomal abnormality separately, although results are offered as part of a panel. Starting in August 2015, 8 of the 19 payers also began covering cfDNA screening in average-risk pregnancies, citing recent CV studies and updated professional guidelines. Most payers attempted, but were unable, to independently assess analytic validity (AV). Payers utilized the standard evidentiary framework (AV/CV/CU) when evaluating cfDNA screening but varied in their interpretation of the sufficiency of the evidence. Professional guidelines, large CV studies, and decision analytic models regarding health outcomes appeared highly influential in coverage decisions. Genet Med advance online publication 22 September 2016
Allelic variation in CXCL16 determines CD3+ T lymphocyte susceptibility to equine arteritis virus infection and establishment of long-term carrier state in the stallion.

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA), a respiratory, systemic, and reproductive disease of horses and other equid species. Following natural infection, 10–70% of the infected stallions can become persistently infected and continue to shed EAV in their semen for periods ranging from several months to life. Recently, we reported that some stallions possess a subpopulation(s) of CD3+ T lymphocytes that are susceptible to in vitro EAV infection and that this phenotypic trait is associated with long-term carrier status following exposure to the virus. In contrast, stallions not possessing the CD3+ T lymphocyte susceptible phenotype are at less risk of becoming long-term virus carriers. A genome wide association study (GWAS) using the Illumina Equine SNP50 chip revealed that the ability of EAV to infect CD3+ T lymphocytes and establish long-term carrier status in stallions correlated with a region within equine chromosome 11. Here we identified the gene and mutations responsible for these phenotypes. Specifically, the work implicated three allelic variants of the equine orthologue of CXCL16 (EqCXCL16) that differ by four non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions (XM_00154756; c.715 A → T, c.801 G → C, c.804 T → A/G, c.810 G → A) within exon 1. This resulted in four amino acid changes with EqCXCL16S (XP_001504806.1) having Phe, His, Ile and Lys as compared to EqCXL16R having Tyr, Asp, Phe, and Glu at 40, 49, 50, and 52, respectively. Two alleles (EqCXCL16Sa, EqCXCL16Sb) encoded identical protein products that correlated strongly with long-term EAV persistence in stallions (P<0.000001) and are required for in vitro CD3+ T lymphocyte susceptibility to EAV infection. The third (EqCXCL16R) was associated with in vitro CD3+ T lymphocyte resistance to EAV infection and a significantly lower probability for establishment of the long-term carrier state (viral persistence) in the male reproductive tract. EqCXCL16Sa and EqCXCL16Sb exert a dominant mode of inheritance. Most importantly, the protein isoform EqCXCL16S but not EqCXCL16R can function as an EAV cellular receptor. Although both molecules have equal chemoattractant potential, EqCXCL16S has significantly higher scavenger receptor and adhesion properties compared to EqCXCL16R.
Maternal Pertussis Vaccination with a Mono-component Pertussis Toxoid Vaccine is Sufficient to Protect Newborns

Bordetella pertussis is a highly infectious human pathogen causing serious illness in infants, children and adults. The first pertussis vaccination is administered at two months of age, therefore, infants under two months of age are most vulnerable to infection. Rising incidence of pertussis resulted in the 2012 recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to immunize all pregnant women to protect infants from birth until their first vaccination. Using a baboon model, we demonstrated that maternal vaccination with the three or four component acellular pertussis vaccines protected newborn baboons from the disease but not from the colonization. We hypothesized this protection was due to the transfer of maternal anti-PT antibodies to the infant. Therefore we evaluated the protection conferred by maternal vaccination with a pertussis toxoid (PTx) only vaccine. Infant baboons born to mothers vaccinated with the PTx-only vaccine were free from disease and had low WBC counts following exposure to B. pertussis at five weeks of age. In contrast, infants born to unvaccinated mothers experienced severe disease with high WBC counts. Our results demonstrate that vaccination of baboons during pregnancy with a PTx-only vaccine is sufficient to protect newborn baboons from disease following exposure to pertussis. Because pertussis toxin is a secreted protein that can be purified from bacterial supernatants, a single-component vaccine comprised of pertussis toxoid is very likely the most cost-effective acellular pertussis vaccine possible. The development and use of mono-component PTx vaccines may enable the extension of maternal vaccine programs to low and middle income countries.
A systematic review of factors influencing human papillomavirus vaccination among immigrant parents in the United States

To critically appraise factors influencing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among immigrant parents in the United States, a comprehensive search of electronic databases and reference lists was conducted. The findings from 22 articles were ordered based on a socioecological model. About 30% of children initiated and 14% completed a three-dose series. Correlates of HPV vaccine initiation rates included lack of information, concerns about vaccine safety and promiscuity, providers' recommendations, school mandates, financial issues, immigration laws, and living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Upstream initiatives embracing cultural descriptors could facilitate HPV vaccination, reducing HPV-related disparities in cancer among immigrants in the US.
From the Calculus to Set Theory, 1630–1910: An Introductory History. Edited by I. Grattan-Guinness

(1985). From the Calculus to Set Theory, 1630–1910: An Introductory History. Edited by I. Grattan-Guinness. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 92, No. 3, pp. 225-227.
Penile Wobble Effect: Proximal Corporal Deformities as a Cause of Penile Prosthesis Failure.

Abstract Introduction Penile structural defects can contribute toward penile prosthesis (PP) surgical complications and suboptimal outcomes. Despite modern improvements in techniques of inflatable PP (IPP) surgeries, suboptimal outcomes arise secondary to unrecognized proximal corporal abnormalities. Aim To describe a new observation of IPP failure (wobbly penis) secondary to proximal corporal deformities. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the Johns Hopkins institutional database of patients who had IPP surgery from May 2006 to March 2017. All cases requiring surgical revisions secondary to proximal corporal deformities were identified. Exclusion criteria included patients who had incidentally discovered proximal corporal deformities intraoperatively or were documented preoperatively to have had a corporal defect. Main Outcome Measures Successful reimplantation of a functionally intact PP device. Results On clinical grounds, we identified 5 patients with properly cycling but unstable prosthetic devices that were associated with proximal corporal dilatation (proximally from the penoscrotal junction). All patients underwent reduction corporoplasty with prosthesis replacements consisting of controlled expansion IPPs. 3 patients had undergone previous device replacements because of intact cycling but unstable and unusable IPP devices, whereas 2 had a single previous device insertion. Mean age at revision was 67 years. Median IPP duration was 17 years. Median number of previous IPP surgeries was 3. All patients reported IPP stability and satisfaction after revision (median follow-up = 6 months). Conclusions Proximal corporal deformities could account for IPP failure. This condition can be under-recognized as observed in the present cases of multiple revisions with a normally cycling device that was not usable. Proper recognition of this problem allows the opportunity for surgical correction with reduction corporoplasty. Rajih E, Burnett AL. Penile Wobble Effect: Proximal Corporal Deformities as a Cause of Penile Prosthesis Failure. Sex Med 2018;6:267–271.
No rationality through brute-force

All reasoners described in the most widespread models of a rational reasoner exhibit logical omniscience, which is impossible for finite reasoners (real reasoners). The most common strategy for dealing with the problem of logical omniscience is to interpret the models using a notion of beliefs different from explicit beliefs. For example, the models could be interpreted as describing the beliefs that the reasoner would hold if the reasoner were able reason indefinitely (stable beliefs). Then the models would describe maximum rationality, which a finite reasoner can only approach in the limit of a reasoning sequence. This strategy has important consequences for epistemology. If a finite reasoner can only approach maximum rationality in the limit of a reasoning sequence, then the efficiency of reasoning is epistemically (and not only pragmatically) relevant. In this paper, I present an argument to this conclusion and discuss its consequences, as, for example, the vindication of the principle ‘no rationality through brute-force’. Keywords: finite reasoning, logical omniscience, efficient reasoning, asymptotic analysis, computational complexity.
Firepower to the People! Gun Rights and the Law of Self-Defense to Curb Police Misconduct

This Article represents a polemic against the most harmful aspects of the policing status quo. At its core, the work asserts the right of civilians to defend against unlawful deadly police conduct. It argues that existing gun and self-defense laws provide a practical and principled basis for curbing police misconduct. It also examines legislative trends in gun laws to show that much of most recent liberalizing of gun rights is a direct response to self-defense concerns sparked by mass public shootings. The expansion of gun rights and self-defense comes at a time when ongoing police killings of Black civilians menace public opinion of the police and killings that result from ambush-style execution of a warrant. This Article posits that expanded gun rights and self-defense law can lead to greater police accountability such that civilians are empowered in the streets, in their homes, and in courts, with knowledge of their rights against police. The central thrust of the work is that expanded lawful gun possession by educated carriers increases the potential for legal gun possessors and carriers to intervene — not only to prevent mass killings, but also to counter unlawful bodily harm by police. Hence, this Article contemplates how existing law can be used to achieve more just outcomes, underscores that gun rights are at the core a self-defense issue, and maintains that sometimes police are the trigger for the use of self-defense.
The Significance of Asymptomatic Microhematuria in Men 50 or More Years Old: Findings of a Home Screening Study Using Urinary Dipsticks

In an ongoing home screening study 231 men 50 or more years old without known causes of hematuria have tested their urine each week with a chemical reagent strip for the presence of blood. After 3 months of testing 23 patients have had hematuria at least once. Of these men 5 have had urinary cancers and 5 have had other serious underlying diseases requiring immediate treatment. In only 3 of these 10 men (only 1 with cancer) did hematuria occur in more than a third of the testings or on subsequent microscopic urinalysis. The degree of hematuria was unrelated to the seriousness of its cause. We conclude that in this population hematuria occurs so intermittently that when found on routine urinalysis, regardless of quantity, serious underlying pathological conditions must be ruled out aggressively. Furthermore, regular hematuria home testing appears to offer promise as an economical means to detect urinary cancers and other serious diseases in asymptomatic men 50 or more years old.
Die Organisation des Bluttransfusionsdienstes

Die Bluttransfusion hat in den letzten Jahren eine sehr grose Ausbreitung erfahren, die durch die erweiterte Anzeigestellung und die Vereinfachung der Technik bedingt war.
Itch: Mechanisms and Treatment

Advances in itch research have elucidated differences between itch and pain but have also blurred the distinction between them. There has been a long debate about how somatic sensations including touch, pain, itch, and temperature sensitivity are encoded by the nervous system. Research suggests that each sensory modality is processed along a fixed, direct-line communication system from the skin to the brain.Itch: Mechanisms and Treatment presents a timely update on all aspects of itch research and the clinical treatment of itch that accompanies many dermatological conditions including psoriasis, neuropathic itch, cutaneous t-cells lymphoma, and systemic diseases such as kidney and liver disease and cancer.Composed of contributions from distinguished researchers around the world, the book explores topics such as Neuropathic itch Peripheral neuronal mechanism of itch The role of PAR-2 in neuroimmune communication and itch Mrgprs as itch receptors The role of interleukin-31 and oncostatin M in itch and neuroimmune communication Spinal coding of itch and pain Spinal microcircuits and the regulation of itch Examining new findings on cellular and molecular mechanisms, the book is a compendium of the most current research on itch, its prevalence in society, and the problems associated with treatment.
Development and Field Evaluation of Data-driven Whole Building Fault Detection and Diagnosis Strategy

Faults, i.e., malfunctioned sensors, components, control, and systems, in a building have significantly adverse impacts on the building’s energy consumption and indoor environment. To date, extensive research has been conducted on the development of component level fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) for building systems, especially the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. However, for faults that have multi-system impacts, component level FDD tools may encounter high false alarm rate due to the fact that HVAC subsystems are often tightly coupled together. Hence, the detection and diagnosis of whole building faults is the focus of this study. Here, a whole building fault refers to a fault that occurs in one subsystem but triggers abnormalities in other subsystems and have significant adverse whole building energy impact. The wide adoption of building automation systems (BAS) and the development of machine learning techniques make it possible and cost-efficient to detect and diagnose whole building faults using data-driven methods. In this study, a whole building FDD strategy which adopts weather and schedule information based pattern matching (WPM) method and feature based Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) for fault detection, as well as Bayesian Networks (BNs) based method for fault diagnosis is developed. Fault tests are implemented in a real campus building. The collected data are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed whole building FDD strategies.
Instigators of Cyber-Bullying: A New Strategy for New Players

Cyber-bullying rates are rising around the world due to the rapid growth of technology. Victims, bullies, by-standers, and instigators of cyber-bullying utilize numerous platforms such as Snapchat,...
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Abstract Panic disorder is defined as “recurrent, unexpected panic attacks,” including at least two panic attacks that are not a result of an identifiable trigger, and is associated with significant distress and functional impairment. It is present in 2%–3% of adolescents and is closely associated with a diagnosis of Agoraphobia, which is avoidance of places and situations where one fears experiencing panic without being able to escape. This chapter describes the phenomenology, epidemiology, assessment, and treatment of panic disorder in youth. There are efficacious, evidence-based interventions for youth with panic disorder, however this chapter also provides suggestions for future research to improve treatment options and outcomes.
Early Neurotrauma Rehabilitation

Recovery and repair begin with injury. This continues during the acute care stay and onward to the rehabilitation floor or hospital, as the environment and surrounding expertise adapt to the changing medical and functional needs of the patient. Just as early resuscitation and treatment of trauma patients has advanced the field of trauma surgery, early rehabilitation is of key importance in reducing morbidity and improving functional outcome. Emphasis on early rehabilitation intervention strategies in acute care has been studied in traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), and stroke rehabilitation, showing the great need for these services following acute trauma or disease. The injuries and impairments that affect the trauma patient are of broad scope. This chapter will highlight the two main categories of neurotrauma rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.
Whole exome sequencing reveals the maintained polyclonal nature from primary to metastatic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in two patients with NF1.

Author(s): Godec, Abigail; Jayasinghe, Reyka; Chrisinger, John SA; Prudner, Bethany; Ball, Tyler; Wang, Yuxi; Srihari, Divya; Kaushal, Madhurima; Dietz, Hilary; Zhang, Xiaochun; Pekmezci, Melike; Dahiya, Sonika; Tao, Yu; Luo, Jinqin; Van Tine, Brian A; Ding, Li; Gutmann, David H; Hirbe, Angela C | Abstract: BackgroundMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas with high metastatic rates and poor overall patient survival. There are currently no effective therapies, underscoring the pressing need to define the molecular etiologies that underlie MPNST progression. The aim of this study was to examine clonal progression and identify the molecular events critical for MPNST spread.MethodsIn two patients with temporally and spatially distinct metastatic lesions, we employed whole exome sequencing (WES) to elucidate the genetic events of clonal progression, thus identifying the molecular events critical for MPNST spread.ResultsFirst, we demonstrated shared clonal origins for the metastatic lesions relative to the primary tumors, which were maintained throughout the course of MPNST progression, supporting the conclusion that cancer cells with metastatic potential already exist in the primary neoplasm. Second, we discovered TRIM23, a member of the Tripartite Motif family of proteins, as a regulator of MPNST lung metastatic spread in vivo.ConclusionsThe ability to track the genomic evolution from primary to metastatic MPNST offers new insights into the sequence of genetic events required for tumor progression and has identified TRIM23 as a novel target for future study in this rare cancer.
Current controversies in pre-participation cardiovascular screening for young competitive athletes

Pre-participation cardiovascular screening (PPCS) in athletes is recommended by numerous medical and sporting societies. While there is consensus that young athletes should be screened prior to par...
Additional notes on the South African Acrocerid fauna,with descriptions of new specis of Acrocera Meigen and Psilodera Gray (Diptera)

This paper is essentially an addendum to a recent article presented by the author on the South African Acroceridre (1960a), and was brought about by the receipt of several large collections (representing 165 specimens). Keys, figures, important synonymy and diagnoses of the African acrocerids south of the equator were presented in the previous paper by the writer (1960a). Further distributional data and notes on twenty species concerned with the collections noted above are given at this time. All species discussed in this article were reviewed in the previous paper with the exception of two new ones descriptionbed herein.
Identification of the Most Effective Position for Ustekinumab in Treatment Algorithms for Crohn’s Disease

Abstract : Background & Aims Ustekinumab is a monoclonal antibody against interleukin 12 and interleukin 23 that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD). We sought to identify the ideal position for ustekinumab in treatment algorithms for CD. Methods We constructed a Markov model to identify an optimal treatment sequence for CD that included ustekinumab for 1 year or more. The base case was a 35-year old male with moderate to severe CD who had not previously received biologic or immunomodulator therapy. The standard of care treatment algorithm was defined as initial therapy with infliximab and azathioprine, followed by adalimumab and azathioprine, vedolizumab, and lastly surgical resection. The model assessed positions for ustekinumab before standard of care, ustekinumab after infliximab and azathioprine but before the remaining treatments, after infliximab, azathioprine, and adalimumab but before vedolizumab and surgery, or after the other biologics but before surgery. We derived transition probabilities and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) from relevant trials, observational studies, and time trade-off analyses. Primary analyses consisted of first order Monte Carlo simulation of 100 trials of cohorts of 100,000 individuals. Results Ustekinumab as first-line therapy yielded the greatest QALYs (incremental effectiveness, 0.016–0.020 QALYs), resulting in 10% more patients in remission or response, and 2% fewer surgeries at 1 year, compared with other algorithms. The model was not sensitive to 25% variation in transition probabilities. Conclusions In a simulation based on a 35-year old male patient with moderate to severe CD, we found that ustekinumab as the first-line biologic therapy yields greater QALYs at the end of 1 year than compared with use later in the CD treatment algorithm.
Lifestyle and Environmental Approaches for the Primary Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Patients with chronic liver disease are at increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most patients diagnosed with HCC have limited treatment options and a poor overall prognosis, with a 5-year survival less than 15%. Preventing the development of HCC represents the most important strategy. However, current guidelines lack specific recommendations for primary prevention. Lifestyle factors may be central in the pathogenesis of HCC, and primary prevention strategies focused on lifestyle modification could represent an important approach to the prevention of HCC. Both experimental and epidemiologic studies have identified promising chemopreventive agents for the primary prevention of HCC.
The Silence of Food Insecurity: Disconnections Between Primary Care and Community Organizations

Purpose Food insecurity is a prominent issue in the United States, and it is well established that food insecurity is linked to health and chronic illnesses. Studies show that screening for food insecurity is not yet part of standardized practice among all primary care physicians, nor are care providers comfortable with how to proceed with a patient who presents with this issue. Food insecurity is often handled by community-based organizations (CBOs) such as food pantries. Family medicine and pediatric clinics (FMPC) and CBOs hold unique relationships with their clients and can benefit from partnerships with each other to improve health in their community. The goal of this research was to better understand the connections between primary care and community organizations in addressing food insecurity. Methods Focus groups and key informant interviews with FMPC providers and members of local CBOs (2 food pantries) were held from 2018 to 2019. Perceptions of participants regarding food insecurity were collected and analyzed concurrently using a grounded theory approach. Focus groups were transcribed and data analyzed for theme emergence. Results A total of 39 participants took part in 4 focus groups (each with 8-10 participants) and 4 individual key informant interviews. The following themes emerged in both FMPC and CBO, in parallel yet separate ways: meaningful relationships; stigma; conversation starters; having the answers; safe spaces; and purposeful training. Conclusions There is a disconnect between primary care and community organizations in regard to addressing food insecurity. FMPC and CBO could work together to create intentional intersections to address food insecurity and health in their shared populations.
Venc Design and Velocity Estimation for Phase Contrast MRI

In phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI), the velocity of spins at a voxel is encoded in the image phase. The strength of the velocity encoding (venc) gradient offers a trade-off between the velocity-to-noise ratio (VNR) and the extent of phase aliasing. In the three-point encoding employed in traditional dual-venc acquisition, two velocity-encoded acquisitions are acquired along with a third velocity-compensated measurement; their phase differences result in an unaliased high-venc measurement used to unwrap the less noisy low-venc measurement. Alternatively, the velocity may be more accurately estimated by jointly processing all three potentially wrapped phase differences. We present a fast, grid-free approximate maximum likelihood estimator, Phase Recovery from Multiple Wrapped Measurements (PRoM), for solving a noisy set of congruence equations with correlated noise. PRoM is applied to three-point acquisition for estimating velocity. The proposed approach can significantly expand the range of correctly unwrapped velocities compared to the traditional dual-venc method, while also providing improvement in velocity-to-noise ratio. Moreover, its closed-form expressions for the probability distribution of the estimated velocity enable the optimized design of acquisition.
Blood Flow Assessment Using Wavelet Transform Based Cross-Correlation Technique

In this paper we present a wavelet transform based cross-correlation (WTCC) technique for assessment of blood flow velocity. Unlike the conventional windowed cross-correlation (WCC) technique, the proposed method has varying time-frequency resolutions by performing cross-correlation in the wavelet-domain; Because of this unique feature the WTCC has advantages over the WCC in performance. In particular, it has better performance for low signal-to-noise cases and is less sensitive to window size and system parameters in comparison with the WCC technique. Two simulation examples are used to show that the WTCC technique has a smaller failure rate and more accurate time- shift estimation in a single-cluster-of-scatterers case and provides a better estimation of the blood flow velocity profile in a simulated case of parabolic blood flow assessment.
In Vivo Multi-Tissue Efficacy of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Therapy on Glucose and Fatty Acid Metabolism in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Objective To identify the disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus, we examined the interaction and contribution of multiple tissues (liver, heart, muscle, and brown adipose tissue) and monitored the effects of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonist rosiglitazone (RGZ) on metabolism in these tissues. Design and Methods Rates of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) and [11C]Palmitate uptake and utilization in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat were quantified using noninvasive positron emission tomography imaging and quantitative modeling in comparison to lean Zucker rats. Furthermore, we studied two separate groups of RGZ-treated and untreated ZDF rats. Results Glucose uptake is impaired in ZDF brown fat, muscle, and heart tissues compared to leans, while RGZ treatment increased glucose uptake compared to untreated ZDF rats. Fatty acid (FA) uptake decreased, but FA flux increased in brown fat and skeletal muscle of ZDF rats. RGZ treatment increased uptake of FA in brown fat but decreased uptake and utilization in liver, muscle, and heart. Conclusion Our data indicate tissue-specific mechanisms for glucose and FA disposal as well as differential action of insulin-sensitizing drugs to normalize substrate handling and highlight the role that preclinical imaging may play in screening drugs for obesity and diabetes.
Miniaturised multi-band substrate integrated waveguide filters using complementary split-ring resonators

A novel method for designing miniaturised multi-band filters using the complementary split-ring resonators (CSRRs) is proposed and demonstrated on the basis of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology. By loading different types of CSRRs on the waveguide surface, multiple passbands propagating below the waveguide cutoff frequency can be generated separately. The proposed structures allow relatively independent control over the centre frequency and the coupling coefficient. The working principle is illustrated by the equivalent circuit and the filter coupling methodology is introduced for design purpose. Two types of dual-passband filters, a triple-band and a quadruple-band filter are designed and fabricated to validate the proposed concept. These filters are showing advantages in terms of compact size, good selectivity and stopband rejection, as well as the easy integration capability with other circuits.
US-Malaysia Trade at Commodity Level and the Role of the Real Exchange Rate

Abstract Previous studies that were concerned with the impact of depreciation of the ringgit on the Malaysian trade balance employed data either between Malaysia and rest of the world or between Malaysia and each of her major trading partners. Specifically, the bilateral trade balance between Malaysia and the US is shown to be insensitive to the real bilateral ringgit–dollar rate. In this article we wonder if disaggregating trade flows between Malaysia and the US by commodity could help us to discover any significant effects that the real exchange rate could have. We consider 101 industries that export from US to Malaysia and 17 industries that import from Malaysia. While majority of the industries showed short-run sensitivity to the real bilateral exchange rate, short-run effects lasted into the long run almost in half of the industries in both group.
Unlimited Potential: A Catalyst to Creating Digital Inclusion

Editors’ Introduction With this essay, we are delighted to formally launch a new section in the ITID Forum titled “Notes from the Field.” Our goal with this section is to help facilitate a more “personal” dialogue about the promises, problems, and successes in our work. We anticipate publishing mostly arst-person accounts overviewing notable experiences and andings. These are not research papers, and as with all Forum material, they are not formally peer-reviewed. Instead, they are opinion pieces, which we welcome personal accounts, provocations, and pitches. In the essay here, by Akhtar Badshah of Microsoft, we hear about the Unlimited Potential program which he directs. From Dr. Badshah, we get an account of a set of recent aeld visits he made to a few of his program projects. He offers us a pitch of his program, some speciac case experiences, and his broad observations. We are delighted to offer our readers Dr. Badshah’s own Notes from the Field and welcome your feedback on this speciac contribution, as well as your comments and submissions to this new Forum section. Finally, we should note that Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential has been the principle anancial supporter of ITID and provided the initial funds that allowed us to transition to Open Access.
Anwendungsorientiertes Archivieren in Datenbanksystemen — vertieft am Beispiel von EXPRESS und SDAI

Zunehmend mussen Daten aus wirtschaftlichen und juristischen Grunden langfristig, kostengunstig und wiederverwendbar aufbewahrt werden. Wahrend die elektronische Archivierung von Dokumenten eine etablierte Technik ist, wurde ein adaquater Datenbank- service bislang kaum untersucht. Auch in Datenbanksystemerf belasten die Daten, mit denen langere Zeit nicht gearbeitet wird und die von „aktiven“ Daten unterschieden werden sollen, unnotig das Sekundarspeichersystem. Tertiarspeicher werden nur unzureichend unterstutzt. Dieser Beitrag stellt einen auf Datenbanksysteme bezogenen Archivierungsansatz vor, bei dem die zu archivierenden Daten auf der konzeptuellen Ebene der Datenbankanwendung (hier exemplarisch STEP/EXPRESS) bestimmt werden. Im Kontext der ISO-Norm EXPRESS bedeutet anwendungsorientiertes Archivieren eine Erweiterung der Zugriffsschnittstelle SDAI (Standard Data Access Interface). Aus unserer Spezifikation von SDAI-integriertem Archivieren leiten wir Anforderungen an Datenbanksysteme ab und zeigen verschiedene Implementierungsansatze auf.
Dating small fresh lunar craters with Mini-RF radar observations of ejecta blankets

[1] The ages of large impact craters on the Moon can be estimated by measuring the size-frequency distribution of smaller craters superimposed on their ejecta, but applying this method to individual craters under ∼3 km in diameter remains difficult due to their limited areal extent. The ejecta blankets of fresh lunar impact craters are expressed as halos of optical and radar bright material that gradually fade with time. Although compositional differences make inferring crater ages from optical albedo problematic, radar is less sensitive to composition and thus may provide a more reliable means of estimating age. In this work, we use radar data from the Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to characterize the radar backscatter of large numbers of ejecta blankets. By analyzing the size-frequency distribution of these craters, we show that the lifetime of the radar-bright discontinuous ejecta blanket varies with crater diameter in a predictable way for craters with diameters between 0.45 and 5 km. Absolute ages of individual craters can then be estimated by combining this empirically derived model with estimates of the relative degradation state of each individual crater. The lifetimes of radar-bright discontinuous ejecta blankets are significantly shorter in the highlands than the maria, although this is likely due to local topography, creating difficulties in applying the method to the highlands. The cosmic ray exposure age of South Ray Crater, a fresh crater visited by Apollo 16, provides confirmation of these results. This method therefore provides a new way to accurately date small, fresh craters using the Mini-RF data set.
A micropower envelope detector for audio applications [hearing aid applications]

A low-power envelope-detecting circuit for analog audio applications is implemented using a wide-linear-range transconductor (WLR OTA), a class-B mirror, and a simple current-mode peak detector. A DC-offset correction loop ensures insensitivity to DC input conditions. In a 1.5 /spl mu/m BiCMOS technology, and over most of the 100 Hz-10 kHz audio frequency range, an experimental implementation yielded almost 60 dB of linear operation while consuming less than 5.3 /spl mu/W of power from a 2.8 V supply.
Failure to detect binding of Trypanosoma brucei SNAPc to U2 and U6 snRNA gene sequences by in vitro transcription competition and pull-down assays

The small nuclear RNA (snRNA)-activating protein complex (SNAP(c)) is a multi-subunit transcription factor characterized in humans and Drosophila melanogaster. It binds to an upstream sequence element (USE) of snRNA gene promoters and activates both RNA polymerase (pol) II and III-mediated transcription of snRNA genes. The first identified and partially characterized transcription factor in a trypanosomatid organism appears to be a SNAP(c) homologue. It was identified in Leptomonas seymouri and shown to specifically interact with the USE of the RNA pol II-transcribed spliced leader (SL) RNA gene. Recently, chromatin immunoprecipitation and a gel shift assay suggested that L. seymouri SNAP(c) also interacts with RNA pol III-transcribed U2 and U6 snRNA genes. Previously, we have characterized and epitope-tagged the Trypanosoma brucei homologue of the SNAP50 subunit. Here, we show by in vitro transcription competition and promoter pull-down assays that TbSNAP50 binds to the SL RNA gene promoter and parasite-specifically to the ribosomal RNA gene promoter. Conversely, we did not detect binding of the factor to U2 and U6 snRNA gene sequences. Since U snRNA gene promoters are structurally conserved among trypanosomatids, our findings contrast those obtained in L. seymouri and suggest that trypanosomatid SNAP(c) is not involved in RNA pol III-mediated transcription of U snRNA genes.