cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Support vector machine learning from heterogeneous data: an empirical analysis using protein sequence and structure

Motivation: Drawing inferences from large, heterogeneous sets of biological data requires a theoretical framework that is capable of representing, e.g. DNA and protein sequences, protein structures, microarray expression data, various types of interaction networks, etc. Recently, a class of algorithms known as kernel methods has emerged as a powerful framework for combining diverse types of data. The support vector machine (SVM) algorithm is the most popular kernel method, due to its theoretical underpinnings and strong empirical performance on a wide variety of classification tasks. Furthermore, several recently described extensions allow the SVM to assign relative weights to various datasets, depending upon their utilities in performing a given classification task. Results: In this work, we empirically investigate the performance of the SVM on the task of inferring gene functional annotations from a combination of protein sequence and structure data. Our results suggest that the SVM is quite robust to noise in the input datasets. Consequently, in the presence of only two types of data, an SVM trained from an unweighted combination of datasets performs as well or better than a more sophisticated algorithm that assigns weights to individual data types. Indeed, for this simple case, we can demonstrate empirically that no solution is significantly better than the naive, unweighted average of the two datasets. On the other hand, when multiple noisy datasets are included in the experiment, then the naive approach fares worse than the weighted approach. Our results suggest that for many applications, a naive unweighted sum of kernels may be sufficient. Availability: http://noble.gs.washington.edu/proj/seqstruct Contact: noble@gs.washington.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary Data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Alteration of deformability of the erythrocyte membrane in stored blood.

The deformability of stored erythrocytes decreases progressively with duration of storage. This change can be measured in terms of mean pressure required to deform the cells sufficiently to cause them to enter and traverse a micropipette analogue of the microcirculation. The disc shape, with relatively higher surface area to volume ratio, is more deformable than the spherical form; and mean deformability at specific time intervals correlates with reported posttransfusion survival values. Only 76 per cent of red blood cells stored for three weeks were able to pass through a pipette with a minimal dimension of 2.85 μ, a dimension through which all fresh cells pass. This dimension is of magnitude similar to that previously reported for the microcirculation of the spleen. Regeneration of cellular ATP by incubation in adenosine is associated with restoration of mean deformability toward the normal range; and the majority of cells, having regained the biconcave disc shape, has values for individual cell deformability similar to fresh cells. The remaining spherical cells retain their relatively decreased deformability.
THERMOELASTIC DAMPING IN FLEXURAL-MODE RING GYROSCOPES

This paper provides a comprehensive derivation for thermoelastic damping (TED) in flexural-mode ring gyroscopes, in light of recent efforts to design high rateresolution gyroscopes. Imposing an upper limit on the attainable mechanical noise floor of a vibratory gyroscope, thermoelastic damping in a ring gyroscope is extracted from the equations of linear thermoelasticity. By assuming that it is small and therefore has negligible effect on the flexural-mode vibrations in a ring, thermoelastic damping manifests itself through temporal attenuation, where a complex frequency is used to quantitatively evaluate this damping. The exact solution to thermoelastic damping is derived and verified with experimental data in the literature. This work not only provides significant insight to the geometrical design in high-Q ring gyroscopes, but also defines their performance limit.
Successful recruitment and retention strategies for a randomized weight management trial for people with diabetes living in rural, medically underserved counties of South Carolina: the POWER study

Abstract We evaluated the feasibility of recruiting overweight adults with diabetes, living in rural, medically underserved communities, to a weight management intervention consisting of a 12-month clinical trial of two weight management programs and usual care. The sampling frame consisted of adults ages 45 years and older with clinically diagnosed diabetes from two community health centers. The recruitment process included medical record review, prescreening telephone call, two screening visits, and a randomization visit. Over 1,400 medical records were reviewed; 78.6% met eligibility criteria; 60.1% were contacted for telephone prescreening, and 35.5% remained eligible and were interested in participating. Of these, 187 completed visit 1, 164 completed visit 2, and 143 were randomized. Forty-six people were randomized who entered the study as walk-ins at screening visit 1, resulting in 189 subjects. The final yield was 21.5%. Subject mean age was 60.4 years, mean body mass index was 36.4 kg/m 2 , 80% were African-American, and 46.6% had less than a high school education. Retention at 12 months was 81.5%. Successful strategies included partnering with community health centers, positive reinforcement and social supportiveness, monitoring progress, and free transportation. This work provides a useful example of an academic-community partnership designed to reach groups previously considered hard to reach.
Mortality, Well-Being, and Control A Study of a Population of Institutionalized Aged

Elderly nursing home residents were interviewed in order to determine the best predictors of psychological well-being. Results indicated that the most positive well-being was likely to be reported by those who perceived themselves as relatively healthy, had little education, had high perceived control, and perceived little change in control from pre-to postrelocation. Social worker's assessments of residents' health were unrelated to well-being. A follow-up of residents' mortality was conducted 30 months after the initial study. Well-being at Time I emerged as the most powerful discriminator of those who were living and those who had died; only perceived change in religiosity also differentiated between the two groups. Residents who had died had higher well-being scores at Time I than residents who were living. The implications for perceived control are discussed.
Mosaic analysis of lethal mutations in Drosophila.

The effects of various lethal mutations were studied when they were present in the hemizygous state as sectors in genetic mosaics (gynandromorphs) of Drosophila melanogaster. Sixty percent of the lethals studied can survive t3 adulthood in combination with normal tissue in mosaics, whereas the remainder cause the death of such mosaic animals. Some of the gynandromorph-viable lethals appeared to be locally active, in that they allowed the survival of only those mosaics in which the male tissue was present in the abdomen. The regions affected by these lethals were identified more precisely by analysis of the tissue distributions in the surviving gynandromorphs. most common type of genetic mutation in eukaryotes is that which leads TFlethality at some stage of development. Such mutations have been known for over 60 years and they represent a potentially rich source of experimental material for developmental biology since “each newly arisen lethal mutant sets up a highly specific experiment, shedding light on the functional relationships between individual mutational states and the processes leading to the formation of characters” (HADORN 1961 ) . However, the useful information obtained from studies of lethal mutants has usually been of a rather general nature, such as the numbers of genes necessary for normal progress through various developmental stage:. It should be possible to obtain information on more specific aspects of development by observing the secondary consequences of the primary defects in lethal mutants; this would be the “highly specific experiment” mentioned by HADORN. It would involve the use of genetics to create developmental lesions which otherwise would have to be produced mechanically, chemically, or with radiation. Then the developmental consequences of such lesions would be expected to throw some light on normal cellular and tissue interactions. Although in principle this is an excellent strategy, it must be admitted that it has, on the whole, failed. The reason for its failure is that, while it has been possible to describe a host of complex, pleiotropic syndromes of damage wrought by lethal mutations, the primary defects have, almost without exception, remained elusive at both the gross and the biochemical levels. The “classic approach” to developmental genetics (WRIGHT 1970) has been to describe the pattern of defects found at the time of developmental arrest, and then to trace the abnormalities to the * This investigation was supported by Grant AI 10527 from the National Institutes of Health to DR HOWARD A.
Antibody-Mediated Immuno-Regulation in Chick Embryos and Baby Chicks

Two- and three-week old chicks that received at hatching serum from either unimmunized birds or from chickens immunized with bovine serum albumin responded with normal hemagglutinin titers to immunization with mouse erythrocytes (MRBC). Other chicks administered at hatching or as embryos with homologous serum high in anti-MRBC activity responded poorly to MRBC immunization. When donor serum samples collected on different days after immunization were tested, the immunosuppressive capacity was negligible the first two days, increased in potency thereafter to a maximum level by the end of the week. The increase with time in the inhibiting property of the donor serum paralleled the serum anti-MRBC hemagglutinin response profile. The immune capacity of the antibody-treated recipients was severely depressed for over two weeks. By the fourth week, however, the immune responsiveness to MRBC, as measured by serum hemagglutinin titers and production of antigen sensitive units, had recovered to near normal levels.
A Conceptual Understanding of Organizational Identity in the Social Media Environment

Nonprofit organizations have increasingly adopted the use of social media over the last several years. This presents a myriad of challenges and opportunities in regards to organizational identity. This paper provides a conceptual understanding of identity as an entry point for nonprofit organizations to deliberate their own use of social media and the relative impact on organizational identity. A theoretical understanding of the formation of social identity situates the development of organizational identity and contextualizes the process in a manner suitable for conversation and strategic decision-making at the administrative level. A conceptual model is presented to illustrate the development and maintenance of organizational identity in the social media environment.
Guide to red fluorescent proteins and biosensors for flow cytometry

Since the discovery of the first red fluorescent protein (RFP), named DsRed, 12 years ago, a wide pallet of red-shifted fluorescent proteins has been cloned and biotechnologically developed into monomeric fluorescent probes for optical microscopy. Several new types of monomeric RFPs that change the emission wavelength either with time, called fluorescent timers, or after a brief irradiation with violet light, known as photoactivatable proteins, have been also engineered. Moreover, RFPs with a large Stokes shift of fluorescence emission have been recently designed. Because of their distinctive excitation and fluorescence detection conditions developed specifically for microscopy, these fluorescent probes can be suboptimal for flow cytometry. Here, we have selected and summarized the advanced orange, red, and far-red fluorescent proteins with the properties specifically required for the flow cytometry applications. Their effective brightness was calculated for the laser sources available for the commercial flow cytometers and sorters. Compatibility of the fluorescent proteins of different colors in a multiparameter flow cytometry was determined. Novel FRET pairs, utilizing RFPs, RFP-based intracellular biosensors, and their application to a high-throughput screening, are also discussed.
Adenosine Triphosphate‐Sensitive Potassium Channel Kir Subunits Implicated in Cardioprotection by Diazoxide

Background ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers provide cardioprotection in multiple models. Ion flux at an unidentified mitochondrial KATP channel has been proposed as the mechanism. The renal outer medullary kidney potassium channel subunit, potassium inward rectifying (Kir)1.1, has been implicated as a mitochondrial channel pore‐forming subunit. We hypothesized that subunit Kir1.1 is involved in cardioprotection (maintenance of volume homeostasis and contractility) of the KATP channel opener diazoxide (DZX) during stress (exposure to hyperkalemic cardioplegia [CPG]) at the myocyte and mitochondrial levels. Methods and Results Kir subunit inhibitor Tertiapin Q (TPN‐Q) was utilized to evaluate response to stress. Mouse ventricular mitochondrial volume was measured in the following groups: isolation buffer; 200 μmol/L of ATP; 100 μmol/L of DZX+200 μmol/L of ATP; or 100 μmol/L of DZX+200 μmol/L of ATP+TPN‐Q (500 or 100 nmol/L). Myocytes were exposed to Tyrode's solution (5 minutes), test solution (Tyrode's, cardioplegia [CPG], CPG+DZX, CPG+DZX+TPN‐Q, Tyrode's+TPN‐Q, or CPG+TPN‐Q), N=12 for all (10 minutes); followed by Tyrode's (5 minutes). Volumes were compared. TPN‐Q, with or without DZX, did not alter mitochondrial or myocyte volume. Stress (CPG) resulted in myocyte swelling and reduced contractility that was prevented by DZX. TPN‐Q prevented the cardioprotection afforded by DZX (volume homeostasis and maintenance of contractility). Conclusions TPN‐Q inhibited myocyte cardioprotection provided by DZX during stress; however, it did not alter mitochondrial volume. Because TPN‐Q inhibits Kir1.1, Kir3.1, and Kir3.4, these data support that any of these Kir subunits could be involved in the cardioprotection afforded by diazoxide. However, these data suggest that mitochondrial swelling by diazoxide does not involve Kir1.1, 3.1, or 3.4.
Laparoscopic Gastric Ischemic Conditioning Prior to Esophagogastrectomy: Technique and Review

Esophagectomy can be associated with significant peri-operative morbidity such as leaks and strictures. Gastric ischemia as a result of gastric devascularization is one of the several contributing factors that may play a role in development of these complications. In an attempt to improve gastric tissue perfusion, a technique of gastric ischemic conditioning was proposed. For patients with esophageal cancer and at the time of laparoscopic staging, partial gastric devascularization is achieved by division of the left gastric vessels. Esophagectomy is subsequently performed several days after the gastric ischemic conditioning procedure. Our experience showed that preoperative ligation of left gastric vessels prior to esophagogastrectomy is technically feasible and safe and may decrease ischemic complications such as leaks and strictures.
On the road to invariant recognition: Explaining tradeoff and morph properties of cells in inferotemporal cortex using multiple-scale task-sensitive attentive learning

Visual object recognition is an essential accomplishment of advanced brains. Object recognition needs to be tolerant, or invariant, with respect to changes in object position, size, and view. In monkeys and humans, a key area for recognition is the anterior inferotemporal cortex (ITa). Recent neurophysiological data show that ITa cells with high object selectivity often have low position tolerance. We propose a neural model whose cells learn to simulate this tradeoff, as well as ITa responses to image morphs, while explaining how invariant recognition properties may arise in stages due to processes across multiple cortical areas. These processes include the cortical magnification factor, multiple receptive field sizes, and top-down attentive matching and learning properties that may be tuned by task requirements to attend to either concrete or abstract visual features with different levels of vigilance. The model predicts that data from the tradeoff and image morph tasks emerge from different levels of vigilance in the animals performing them. This result illustrates how different vigilance requirements of a task may change the course of category learning, notably the critical features that are attended and incorporated into learned category prototypes. The model outlines a path for developing an animal model of how defective vigilance control can lead to symptoms of various mental disorders, such as autism and amnesia.
Aerial assessment of ephemeral gully erosion from agricultural regions in the pacific Northwest

Soil erosion from agricultural areas continues to be problematic in terms of both financial and environmental measures. Ephemeral gullies contribute to the soil loss both by the volume of sediment eroded from the gullies and because they act as delivery channels for surface erosion. High resolution aerial imagery was used to quantify the amounts and locations of ephemeral gullies in the subbasins of the Potlatch River system. Areal ephemeral gully erosion rates varied from 33.6 mt∕ km2 (0.15 U.S. t/acre) in the Big Bear Creek Subbasin to 88.4 mt∕ km2 (0.39 U.S. t/acre) in the Middle Potlatch Creek Subbasin representing 2.3–7.7% of the total surface sediment load. An erosion potential index was proposed to assist resource managers predict gully locations at the watershed scale using readily available remote sensing and geographic information system layers.
Remote Antimicrobial Stewardship in Community Hospitals.

Antimicrobial stewardship has become standard practice at university medical centers, but the practice is more difficult to implement in remote community hospitals that lack infectious diseases trained practitioners. Starting in 2011, six community hospitals within the Vidant Health system began an antimicrobial stewardship program utilizing pharmacists who reviewed charts remotely from Vidant Medical Center. Pharmacists made recommendations within the electronic medical record (EMR) to streamline, discontinue, or switch antimicrobial agents. Totals of charts reviewed, recommendations made, recommendations accepted, and categories of intervention were recorded. Linear regression was utilized to measure changes in antimicrobial use over time. For the four larger hospitals, recommendations for changes were made in an average of 45 charts per month per hospital and physician acceptance of the pharmacists’ recommendations varied between 83% and 88%. There was no significant decrease in total antimicrobial use, but much of the use was outside of the stewardship program’s review. Quinolone use decreased by more than 50% in two of the four larger hospitals. Remote antimicrobial stewardship utilizing an EMR is feasible in community hospitals and is generally received favorably by physicians. As more community hospitals adopt EMRs, there is an opportunity to expand antimicrobial stewardship beyond the academic medical center.
Effects of area postrema/caudal medial nucleus of solitary tract lesions on food intake and body weight

Lesions of the area postrema/caudal medial nucleus of the solitary tract (AP/cmNTS), located on the surface of the dorsal medulla of the rat, cause a transient syndrome of hypophagia and body weight loss, with the establishment of a new growth curve at a lower body weight set point. The regulatory responses to prolonged food deprivation, glucoprivic stimulation, and chronic access to a palatable diet are left largely intact. However, there is an overconsumption of highly palatable foods during acute exposure to supermarket and high-fat diets. Intestinal transit and gastric retention are unaffected by the lesion, indicating normal motor function within the gastrointestinal system. The hypophagia and chronic depression of body weight by the AP/cmNTS lesion demonstrate that this area is an important part of the larger neurocircuitry subserving feeding behavior and energy balance.
Female sterilization. I. The vaginal approach.

Abstract Three hundred and forty cases of vaginal tubal ligation performed over a 5 year period were analyzed. The indication for sterilization was medical in 143 cases and elective in 197. Most procedures were bilateral fimbriectomy. The mean operating time was 38 minutes and the mean hospitalization 3.8 days for elective sterilization. Immediate morbidity of all types occurred in 71 cases (20.9 per cent) while the incidence of standard morbidity was 5 per cent (17 cases). Morbidity was significantly more frequent in the early years of the study, when the operating time was greater than 30 minutes, and when the estimated blood loss was greater than 100 c.c. Two pregnoncies are known to have occurred as a result of failure of the method, giving a pregnancy rate of 1:170.
Long Range Order in Ultra-Thin SiO2 Grown on Ordered Si(100)

In this paper, we investigate the correlation of electrical properties and structure of 1-4 nm thick SiO2 grown on H-passivated Si(100) for ultra-thin gate applications. Ordered (1×1) Si(100) stable in ambient air is obtained at room temperature by wet chemical cleaning. Ion Beam Analysis using a combination of ion channeling and16O(α, α)16O nuclear resonance yields Si areal densities lower than that of a bulk-terminated Si crystal as calculated by Monte-Carlo simulations. This result indicates shadowing of Si substrate atoms by Si atoms in the thermally grown oxide. Detection of order by ion channeling is supported by Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED). C-V and I-V measurements are generally inconclusive for ultra-thin (1-2 nm) oxides because of leakage and breakdown. Surface charge analysis enables a comparison between ordered oxides and conventional oxides. The results are promising.
Phenotype of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia with ALS (FTD/ALS) Associated with the GGGGCC Repeat Expansion in C9ORF72 (c9FTD/ALS) (IN9-1.004)

Objective: To review the phenotype of patients with ALS and FTD/ALS in c9FTD/ALS. Background A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 recently reported as a major cause of familial ALS, FTD/ALS and FTD, designated c9FTD/ALS, also was found in sporadic ALS and FTD patients (doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2011.09.010; doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2011.09.011). Few data regarding the c9FTD/ALS phenotype in ALS and FTD/ALS are available. Design/Methods: 231 patients with ALS or FTD/ALS identified at the Mayo Clinic Florida ALS Center were screened for the c9FTD/ALS mutation. Patients completed a standard ALS diagnostic evaluation including EMG, and neuropsychological testing where indicated. Autopsy was performed in 5 mutation carriers. Results: Eighteen patients (15 ALS (9 male); 3 FTD/ALS (1 male; cognitive dysfunction preceded ALS in 2) representing 17 independent pedigrees had a c9FTD/ALS mutation. FTD suspected in 2/15 ALS patients was not confirmed owing to motor impairment. Nine probands reported first/second degree relatives with ALS or FTD/ALS; 5 probands reported relatives with FTD/dementia only and 2 probands reported no family history of ALS or FTD/dementia. One proband was adopted. All patients had El Escorial possible/probable/definite ALS except for a male with suspected ALS. Onset was bulbar in 2 patients (1 ALS; 1 FTD/ALS) and spinal in 16. Median onset age was 56 years (41-72yr). Median survival was 2.3 years (1-6.3yr) in 11 deceased; brain/spinal cord in 5 demonstrated TDP-43 pathology typical of ALS, with extramotor brain pathology in 2 FTD/ALS. Conclusions: The c9FTD/ALS phenotype of our patients was predominantly classical ALS with spinal onset. Frontotemporal cognitive impairment antedated motor signs in 2/3 FTD/ALS. Survival ranged from 1 to >6 years. c9FTD/ALS in 2 sporadic ALS patients may represent incomplete penetrance, incomplete ascertainment or new mutations and requires further study. Occurrence of FTD alone in family members supports consideration of FTD in first or second degree relatives of ALS patients as a potential marker of c9FTD/ALS. Supported by: ALS Association, Mayo Foundation and MCF ALS Center donor funds, NIH R01 NS065782 and R01 AG026251, NIH/NINDS 1RC2NS070276, NS057567, P50NS072187-01S2, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, and a gift from Carl Edward Bolch, Jr., and Susan Bass Bolch. Disclosure: Dr. Boylan has nothing to disclose. Dr. DeJesus-Hernandez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rush has nothing to disclose. Dr. Desaro has nothing to disclose. Dr. Johnston has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kryston has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rutherford has nothing to disclose. Dr. Baker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wszolek has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Parkinsonism and Realted Disorders and European Journal of Neurology. Dr. Dickson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rademakers has nothing to disclose.
Nature in the neighbourhood: rethinking the urban environment

Urban environmental thought should begin at the neighbourhood level. Conceiving urban neighbourhoods as environments requires thinking differently about neighbourhoods and their functions. An expanded concept of a neighbourhood environment recognises and encompasses urban nature, in a physical and a social sense, and creates conceptual and actual space for building connections between humans and non-humans in urban contexts. With appropriate support and encouragement, these connections can grow into relationships that motivate human neighbours to respect non-human nature in their neighbourhoods. This provides a possible starting point for the development of moral concern and the recognition of ethical obligation for the neighbourhood environment - the groundwork for a neighbourhood-centred urban environmental ethics.
Concentration and detection of hepatitis A virus and its indicator from artificial seawater using zeolite.

Abstract Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is the leading worldwide cause of acute viral hepatitis, and outbreaks caused by this virus often occur in fecal polluted waters. Rapid concentration and detection of viral contamination in water environments can prevent economic loss and can identify the source of contamination within a short time. However, conventional methods for virus concentration are often laborious, time consuming, and subject to clogging. Furthermore, most methods require a secondary concentration step to reduce the final volume of samples. We developed a method to concentrate HAV from seawater using zeolite in aid of rapid detection. In this method,artificial seawater was inoculated with HAV (7–8 log TCID50) and filtered with zeolite. The viruses were then eluted from zeolite with sodium dodecyl sulfate and detected via real-time PCR (qPCR). Zeolite was able to concentrate HAV from artificial seawater with ∼99% efficiency in less than 5 min and was more efficient in seawater than in fresh water. The entire concentration and detection can be done in approximately 2 h. Compared to existing methods, this method eliminated the need for a secondary concentration step as well as the necessity to modify the pH or salinity of the seawater during concentration, and was simple and inexpensive.
Establishment and Supervision of Experiment of Cell Sensitivity Test in Polio Laboratory of Jiangsu

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the sensitivity of cell lines to poliovirus used in Jiangsu Provincial Polio Laboratory(JSPPL) and to prepare standard strain under the Quality Control(QC) of JSPPL. METHODS 96-microwells plate's culture and titration was used. RESULTS In the QC of JSPPL, the fluctuation of titre was ±0.5 ㏒10CCID50 in 3 independent cellular sensitivity tests. At the same time, China Sabin Test Reference Strain(CSTRS) provided by the National Polio Laboratory in viral disease control and prevention station in the National CDC was used as parallel contrast. The fluctuation of titre were also ±0.5 ㏒10CCID50 in 3 independent cellular sensitivity test comparing with its own standard provided by CSTRS. CONCLUSIONS The result of QC in JSPPL was in accordance with experimental requirement. And the sensitivity of the cell line to poliovirus used in JSPPL was not dropping, which was sensitive and efective.
Serial measurement of serum C-reactive protein facilitates evaluation in alcoholic hepatitis.

Background/Aims : An ability to measure inflammatory activity in alcoholic hepatitis is desirable for assessing its natural history and therapeutic responses, but convenient and simple parameters are lacking. To determine whether acute phase proteins could be useful for this purpose, we studied serum CRP and several other acute phase proteins in a series of patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Materials and Methods : We examined sequential sera from 72 patients with serum bilirubin greater than 5 mg/dl. Results : The short-term mortality during the approximately 30 day study period was 18%. There was moderate to marked elevation of serum c-reactive protein at initial testing in all patients with alcoholic hepatitis. In consecutive sera within the first week of testing, a further rise in c-reactive protein was noted significantly more frequently among patients that did not survive subsequently. Serum c-reactive protein levels gradually declined in recovering patients but were still abnormal at the end of the study period. In contrast, serum haptoglobin levels were subnormal initially, as well as throughout the subsequent short-term course. Among other acute phase proteins, serum ceruloplasmin, transferrin, a-1 acid glycoprotein and a-2 macroglobulin re- mained in the normal range. Conclusions : These results suggest that the expression of c-reactive protein but not haptoglobin is upregulated in alcohol-induced acute liver injury. Serial measurements of serum c-reactive protein should be useful in assessing the clinical activity of alcoholic hepatitis.
Healthcare inequality issues among immigrant elders after neoliberal welfare reform: empirical findings from the United States.

Even with the increasing importance being placed on research into immigrant elders’ healthcare use as countries change their policies to reflect their increasing immigrant and aging populations, little research has examined changes in healthcare use disparities between immigrant and native elders in relation to these policy changes. To fill this gap in the literature, this study examined healthcare disparities in relation to the welfare reform that the US implemented in 1996 and then compared significant indicators of immigrants’ healthcare use during the pre- and post-reform periods. The difference-in-difference (DD) analyses and post hoc probing of the DD analyses were used in multivariate logistic regression of the National Health Information Survey data that were pooled for the pre- and post-reform periods. The results revealed that while inequalities in healthcare existed before the reform, they significantly increased after the reform. A further test showed that the changes in the inequalities were significant among relatively long-stay immigrants, but not significant among immigrants who entered the US before the reform and thus were exempted from the reform restrictions. During the pre-reform period, insurance, employment, sex, and race/ethnicity were related to healthcare use; however, the enabling factors (i.e., insurance, income, and education) and social structural factors (i.e., marital status, family structure, length of US residency, race/ethnicity, and geographical region) explained the post-reform immigrants’ healthcare use, while controlling for healthcare needs factors. These findings suggest that welfare reform may be the driving force of inequalities in healthcare.
Role of Tethered Ion Placement on Polymerized Ionic Liquid Structure and Conductivity: Pendant versus Backbone Charge Placement

The role of ion placement was systematically investigated in imidazolium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (ImTFSI) polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) containing pendant charges and charges in the backbone (sometimes called ionenes). The backbone PILs were synthesized via a facile step growth route, and pendant PILs were synthesized via RAFT. Both PILs were designed to have nearly identical charge density, and the conductivity was found to be substantially enhanced in the backbone PIL systems even after accounting for differences in the glass transition temperature (Tg). Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) revealed an invariance in the location of the amorphous halo between the two systems, while the anion–anion correlation peak was shifted to lower scattering wavevector (q) in the backbone PILs. This indicates an increase in the correlation length of ions and is consistent with charge transport along a more correlated pathway following the polymer backbone. Due to the linear nature of the backbone PILs, crys...
Matching public support for private product-innovating R&D: a theoretical analysis

ABSTRACTThis paper develops a theoretical model of product innovation where research and development (R&D) effort by a monopolist firm is endogenous and its outcome uncertain. The government attempts to aid such efforts with a matching grant. We consider different scenarios depending on whether two parties act simultaneously, act sequentially, or take part in a dynamic cooperative game with a trigger strategy. We also consider cases (i) when the products are exported, (ii) when the firm lobbies for R&D subsidy, and (iii) when the firm is foreign owned. We characterize situations when government intervention increases the chances of product innovation and when it does not.
Patients Attending Shared Medical Appointments for Metabolic Stone Prevention Have Decreased Stone Risk Factors

Abstract Introduction: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) have decreased patients' wait time to initial stone clinic appointment, standardized education, and increased exposure to nutrition therapy. We assessed the effectiveness of SMAs in reducing patients' urinary stone risk factors. Materials and Methods: Patients who established care in our stone clinic in an SMA between March 2012 and August 2015 were sequentially identified. After eliminating those without follow-up urine collections or whose urinary creatinine excretion between the two collections varied by >40%, 113 patients were included (M:F 63:50; 54 ± 15 years; body mass index [BMI] 30.6 ± 6.7). Results from before and after the SMA were compared with those from a similar cohort of patients who attended individual patient appointments (IPAs) for their first stone clinic visit (n = 63; M:F 37:26; 54 ± 14 years; BMI 30.1 ± 8.2). All patients received individualized medical therapy for stone prevention. Results: After medical and nutritional ther...
Abstract 5258: Expression analysis of STEAP1 in breast cancer patients as therapeutic target

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Objective: The six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate (STEAP1) is predominantly overexpressed in human prostate cancer. STEAP1 was first identified as a prostate-specific cell-surface antigen and found to be up-regulated in multiple cancer cell lines and in various cancers, including lung, bladder, colon and ovarian cancers. However no significant expression in normal tissue has been reported suggesting its potential use as a target for anti-STEAP1 immunotherapy. An anti-STEAP1 monoclonal antibody linked to an antimitotic agent is in Phase I clinical trials for prostate cancer patients. Microarray data from our lab suggested that STEAP1 is also highly expressed in human breast cancers. In this study we evaluate expression STEAP1 in primary tumors and the bone marrow from breast cancer patients as a therapeutic target for minimal residual disease. Experimental procedures: RNA was isolated from primary tumor and non-malignant breast tissue. RNA was also isolated from bone marrow of state II and III breast cancer patients, healthy volunteers and breast cancer cell lines. STEAP1 expression was analyzed by nanostring nCounter and real time qRT-PCR using human specific probes. STEAP1 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of human tissue was performed using standard IHC Protocol. Results: STEAP1 mRNA was up-regulated in 77% of tumors (28/36) compared to the corresponding normal tissue. STEAP1 protein was expressed in 100% of tumors (8/8) and was absent in non-malignant breast tissue (7/7) by IHC staining. STEAP1 mRNA was not expressed normal BM, but was detected in 8% (6/74) of BM from patients with early stage breast cancer. Of patients with STEAP1 positive BM, 50% (3/6) had triple negative disease and 66% (4/6) developed recurrent disease (p = .028). Conclusion: STEAP1 is expressed in human breast tumors and the BM of breast cancer patients. Expression of STEAP1 in the BM is significantly associated with the development of metastatic disease. Our data indicate that STEAP1 could serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of minimal residual disease in breast cancer. Citation Format: Chidananda Mudalagiriyappa, Sreeraj Pillai, Mark Watson, Rebecca Aft. Expression analysis of STEAP1 in breast cancer patients as therapeutic target. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5258. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5258
Contribution of canonical nonhomologous end joining to chromosomal rearrangements is enhanced by ATM kinase deficiency

A likely mechanism of chromosomal rearrangement formation involves joining the ends from two different chromosomal double-strand breaks (DSBs). These events could potentially be mediated by either of two end-joining (EJ) repair pathways [canonical nonhomologous end joining (C-NHEJ) or alternative end joining (ALT-EJ)], which cause distinct rearrangement junction patterns. The relative role of these EJ pathways during rearrangement formation has remained controversial. Along these lines, we have tested whether the DNA damage response mediated by the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) kinase may affect the relative influence of C-NHEJ vs. ALT-EJ on rearrangement formation. We developed a reporter in mouse cells for a 0.4-Mbp deletion rearrangement that is formed by EJ between two DSBs induced by the Cas9 endonuclease. We found that disruption of the ATM kinase causes an increase in the frequency of the rearrangement as well as a shift toward rearrangement junctions that show hallmarks of C-NHEJ. Furthermore, ATM suppresses rearrangement formation in an experimental condition, in which C-NHEJ is the predominant EJ repair event (i.e., expression of the 3' exonuclease Trex2). Finally, several C-NHEJ factors are required for the increase in rearrangement frequency caused by inhibition of the ATM kinase. We also examined ATM effectors and found that H2AX shows a similar influence as ATM, whereas the influence of ATM on this rearrangement seems independent of 53BP1. We suggest that the contribution of the C-NHEJ pathway to the formation of a 0.4-Mbp deletion rearrangement is enhanced in ATM-deficient cells.
Fast-Most Information Extraction by Retinal Y-X Cells

In mammalian retina, the Y (or M) ganglion cells respond more transiently, have larger receptive fields, and are less spectral selective than the X (or P) cells. A “fast-most” model is introduced to show that the differences between the cells can be explained by assigning different functional goals to them. The goal of the Y cells is to extract as fast as possible the minimum amount of information necessary for quick responses. In contrast, the X cells are to extract as much information as possible.
Sediment deposition and sources into a Mississippi River floodplain lake; Catahoula Lake, Louisiana

Floodplain lakes are important wetlands on many lowland floodplains of the world but depressional floodplain lakes are rare in the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley. One of the largest is Catahoula Lake, which has existed with seasonally fluctuating water levels for several thousand years but is now in an increasingly hydrologically altered floodplain. Woody vegetation has been encroaching into the lake bed and the rate of this expansion has increased since major human hydrologic modifications, such as channelization, levee construction, and dredging for improvement of navigation, but it remains unknown what role those modifications may have played in altering lake sedimentation processes. Profiles of thirteen 137Cs sediment cores indicate sedimentation has been about 0.26 cm y− 1 over the past 60 years and has been near this rate since land use changes began about 200 years ago (210Pb, and 14C in Tedford, 2009). Carbon sequestration was low (10.4 g m− 2 y− 1), likely because annual drying promotes mineralization and export. Elemental composition (high Zr and Ti and low Ca and K) and low pH of recent (<~60 y) or surface sediments suggest Gulf Coastal Plain origin, but below the recent sediment deposits, 51% of sediment profiles showed influence of Mississippi River alluvium, rich in base cations such as K+, Ca2 +, and Mg2 +. The recent shift to dominance of Coastal Plain sediments on the lake-bed surface suggests hydrologic modification has disconnected the lake from sediment-bearing flows from the Mississippi River. Compared to its condition prior to hydrologic alterations that intensified in the 1930s, Catahoula Lake is about 15 cm shallower and surficial sediments are more acidic. Although these results are not sufficient to attribute ecological changes directly to sedimentological changes, it is likely the altered sedimentary and hydrologic environment is contributing to the increased dominance of woody vegetation.
Novel Three-Dimensional Image Fusion Software to Facilitate Guidance of Complex Cardiac Catheterization : 3D image fusion for interventions in CHD.

We report initial experience with novel three-dimensional (3D) image fusion software for guidance of transcatheter interventions in congenital heart disease. Developments in fusion imaging have facilitated the integration of 3D roadmaps from computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging datasets. The latest software allows live fusion of two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopy with pre-registered 3D roadmaps. We reviewed all cardiac catheterizations guided with this software (Philips VesselNavigator). Pre-catheterization imaging and catheterization data were collected focusing on fusion of 3D roadmap, intervention guidance, contrast and radiation exposure. From 09/2015 until 06/2016, VesselNavigator was applied in 34 patients for guidance (n = 28) or planning (n = 6) of cardiac catheterization. In all 28 patients successful 2D-3D registration was performed. Bony structures combined with the cardiovascular silhouette were used for fusion in 26 patients (93%), calcifications in 9 (32%), previously implanted devices in 8 (29%) and low-volume contrast injection in 7 patients (25%). Accurate initial 3D roadmap alignment was achieved in 25 patients (89%). Six patients (22%) required realignment during the procedure due to distortion of the anatomy after introduction of stiff equipment. Overall, VesselNavigator was applied successfully in 27 patients (96%) without any complications related to 3D image overlay. VesselNavigator was useful in guidance of nearly all of cardiac catheterizations. The combination of anatomical markers and low-volume contrast injections allowed reliable 2D-3D registration in the vast majority of patients.
Ethnic Differences for Public Health Knowledge, Health Advocacy Skills, and Health Information Seeking Among High School Students: Community Agents of Change.

Although adult health advocacy programs have been examined in communities, little is known about integrated adolescent health advocacy programs in high schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the health advocacy program impact and ethnic differences among high school students. Using a cross-sectional study, high school students participating in the school-based program completed evaluation surveys. The program domains included upstream causes of health, community assets, and public health advocacy. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine ethnic differences for public health knowledge, health advocacy skills, and health information seeking behaviors. Using thematic analysis, open-ended survey item responses were coded to identify themes for students’ perceptions of community health. Non-Hispanic (n = 72) and Hispanic high school students (n = 182) in ten classes reported owning smartphones (95%) and laptops (76%). Most students (72%) reported seeking online health information. Non-Hispanic students reported significantly higher health advocacy skills for speaking with the class about health issues, identifying community services, or creating health awareness at school than Hispanic students. Non-Hispanic students were more likely to seek health information from fathers and television than Hispanic students. Hispanic students were more likely to seek health information from hospital or clinic staff than non-Hispanic students. Emergent themes included health advocacy skills, community awareness, and individual and community health changes. High schools benefit from integrating health advocacy programs into the core curriculum. Adolescents gain important skills to improve their individual health and engage in changing community health.
Case 63: A High Glucose Concentration in an Epidural Catheter Aspirate: Should One Be Concerned?

A 62-year-old man had undergone an uneventful colostomy surgery for bowel obstruction. He received a routine GA and epidural infusion. His past history was significant for colon cancer, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Of note was that he did not have diabetes mellitus.
Utilizing a Global Cancer Center Network for Tobacco Control: Baseline Survey of MD Anderson´s Global Academic Program´s Sister Institution

Background: Globally, tobacco can be attributed to more than 7 million deaths each year. To address this potentially avoidable mortality, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has engag...
Drawing Attention to Potentially Inappropriate Medications for Older Adults Receiving Dialysis

This Editorial comments on the Clinical Investigation by Julie H. Ishida et al. in this issue
Forced autoionisation in the Yb 6snd series

We have observed the conversion of a level perturbing the Yb 6snd 1D2 series into a forced autoionisation resonance by the application of a static field. The perturbing level is barely visible in t...
Determining Sources of Systemic Risk: A Case Study of Nigeria and Its Dependence on Oil

I develop a toolkit that examines potential sources of systemic risk in countries. Using the Nigeria as a case study, I examine the effect of volatility in oil price on its economy given its perceived degree of dependence on oil. I find that there seems to have been a diversification away from oil revenue, implying a much lower dependence on oil. This toolkit can be adapted to any country and any variable can be investigated giving governments, regulators, businesses, and potential investors insights into economy wide performance so that decisions made can be as accurate as possible.