cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ordered ATP Hydrolysis in the γ Complex Clamp Loader AAA+ Machine

The gamma complex couples ATP hydrolysis to the loading of beta sliding clamps onto DNA for processive replication. The gamma complex structure shows that the clamp loader subunits are arranged as a circular heteropentamer. The three gamma motor subunits bind ATP, the delta wrench opens the beta ring, and the delta' stator modulates the delta-beta interaction. Neither delta nor delta' bind ATP. This report demonstrates that the delta' stator contributes a catalytic arginine for hydrolysis of ATP bound to the adjacent gamma(1) subunit. Thus, the delta' stator contributes to the motor function of the gamma trimer. Mutation of arginine 169 of gamma, which removes the catalytic arginines from only the gamma(2) and gamma(3) ATP sites, abolishes ATPase activity even though ATP site 1 is intact and all three sites are filled. This result implies that hydrolysis of the three ATP molecules occurs in a particular order, the reverse of ATP binding, where ATP in site 1 is not hydrolyzed until ATP in sites 2 and/or 3 is hydrolyzed. Implications of these results to clamp loaders of other systems are discussed.
An electrochemical study of flow instability on a rotating disk

Data for the fluctuating mass-transfer coefficient to point electrodes on the surface of a rotating disk are presented for transition and turbulent flow, along with analysis of the energy spectrum. The results corroborate previous evidence of standing vortices on the surface in the transition region. It is shown that the electrochemical method gives a more sensitive probe of flow instabilities than has been possible previously; the transition region is found to be wider than has been previously thought to be and lies between roughly Re = 1·7 × 105 and 3·5 × 105, where Re = r2ω/v is the Reynolds number, ω being the angular velocity of the disk (in rad/s) and v the kinematic viscosity. As the Reynolds number is increased, the stationary vortices in the transition region propagate primarily with a frequency matching that of the disk speed. After a peak energy has been reached at Re = 2·6 × 105, the vortices break down into a fully developed turbulent flow.
Manipulation of Orthogonal Neural Systems Together in Electrophysiological Recordings: The MONSTER Approach to Simultaneous Assessment of Multiple Neurocognitive Dimensions

Event-related potentials (ERPs) are a powerful tool in understanding and evaluating cognitive, affective, motor, and sensory processing in both healthy and pathological samples. A typical ERP recording session takes considerable time but is designed to isolate only 1–2 components. Although this is appropriate for most basic science purposes, it is an inefficient approach for measuring the broad set of neurocognitive functions that may be disrupted in a neurological or psychiatric disease. The present study provides a framework for more efficiently evaluating multiple neural processes in a single experimental paradigm through the manipulation of functionally orthogonal dimensions. We describe the general MONSTER (Manipulation of Orthogonal Neural Systems Together in Electrophysiological Recordings) approach and explain how it can be adapted to investigate a variety of neurocognitive domains, ERP components, and neural processes of interest. We also demonstrate how this approach can be used to assess group differences by providing data from an implementation of the MONSTER approach in younger (18–30 y of age) and older (65–85 y of age) adult samples. This specific implementation of the MONSTER framework assesses 4 separate neural processes in the visual domain: (1) early sensory processing, using the C1 wave; (2) shifts of covert attention, with the N2pc component; (3) categorization, with the P3 component; and (4) self-monitoring, with the error-related negativity. Although the MONSTER approach is primarily described in the context of ERP experiments, it could also be adapted easily for use with functional magnetic resonance imaging.
DNA damage induced by chloramphenicol and its nitroso derivative: Damage in intact cells

We have postulated that the p-NO2 group of chloramphenicol (CAP) is the structural feature underlying aplastic anemia from this drug. In a series of studies to examine this hypothesis we have demonstrated the toxic nature of the CAP-reduction intermediate nitroso CAP (NO-CAP) and its damaging effect on isolated DNA in vitro. The present study was designed to examine the comparative effects of CAP, NO-CAP, and thiamphenicol (TAP) on the integrity of DNA in intact cells. By using the alkaline elution technique of Kohn, DNA damage in the form of single strand breaks could be readily demonstrated in cultured Raji cells and in PHA-stimulated normal human lymphocytes by small concentrations of NO-CAP (0.05-0.1 mM). A small but reproducible effect was observed from large concentrations of CAP (2 mM). In contrast, TAP, lacking the p-NO2 group, was without effect.
Unwinding of zinc finger domain of DNA polymerase I by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).

Structures of a Zn-peptide containing 35 residues (WLQCDDSTCGIVTRQVSVFGKRCLNDGCTGVMRYK) with four cysteines were studied by NMR, CD, and fluorescence spectroscopy, and their structural perturbations and kinetics upon reaction with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) were followed. The secondary structures of the Zn-peptide are comprised of a highly distorted α-helix, β-turn, and an antiparallel β-sheet. The antiparallel β-sheet is located at the C-terminus, while the severely distorted α-helix is at the N-terminus. The reaction of Zn-peptide with cisplatin revealed severe structural perturbations due to successive coordination with all four cysteine residues. The primary reaction proceeded with the formation of two intermediates. Spectroscopic properties and the rate constant (2.2 ± 0.3 M−1 s−1) for the formation of the first intermediate support its composition as a Pt–Zn-peptide precursor adduct, held together by hydrogen bonds and comprising a conformationally relaxed peptide due to the unwinding of N-terminus. Subsequently, the precursor adduct undergoes two consecutive aquation processes (k2 = 3.3 ± 0. 4 × 10−4 s−1 and k3 = 3.0 ± 0.3 × 10−4 s−1) to form a second intermediate due to the coordination to a cysteine residue and then to the formation of a bis-cysteine platinum complex. Finally, a secondary product is formed through a slow reaction due to the dissociation of zinc from the peptide and deligation of coordinated ammonia from the platinum atom to form a Pt-peptide complex.
Pedometer accuracy for children: can we recommend them for our obese population?

OBJECTIVE. In this study, we investigated the accuracy of measuring walking steps with commercially available pedometers and an accelerometer-based step-counter in normal and overweight children. Our primary hypothesis was that commercially available pedometers are not an accurate measure of walking steps in normal and overweight children while walking. Our secondary hypothesis was that the accelerometer-based step-counter provides an accurate measure of walking steps in normal and overweight children. METHODS. Thirteen boys (11 1 years) and 14 girls (11 1 years) who ranged in BMI from 15 to 27 kg/m 2 (16 normal and 11 overweight or obese) were recruited. Each child wore 4 pedometers at the waist and 1 accelerometer-based step-counter on each ankle. Steps were manually counted and energy expenditure was measured while the child walked on the treadmill at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mph, each for 5 minutes. The step-counting devices were also validated while children walked on level ground at a self-selected pace. RESULTS. For the commercially available pedometers at the lowest speed of 0.5 mph, the percentage error approximated 100% for both of the pedometers. At the fastest speed of 2.0 mph, the percentage error approximated 60%. Conversely the accelerometer-based step-counter showed a percentage error of 24% 22% (mean SD) at 0.5 mph; however, as walking speed increased, the error declined to 5% 8% at 1.0 mph, 4% 5% at 1.5 mph, and 2% 2% at 2.0 mph. The relationship between steps counted and walking energy expenditure showed good linear correlation. CONCLUSIONS. Commercially available pedometers are less accurate for measuring walking and require discretion in their use for children. The accuracy of the accelerometer-based step-counter enables it to be used as a tool to assess and potentially promote physical activity in normal and overweight children. Pediatrics 2009;123:e127–e131
Cache and energy efficient alignment of very long sequences

We develop cache and energy efficient algorithms to align very long sequences. These algorithms were evaluated experimentally on a single node of the IBM Blue Gene/Q. We were able to reduce the run time of the classical Myers and Miller linear space alignment algorithm by up to 43%; energy consumption was reduced by up to 45% on our test data.
Root ORAM: A Tunable Differentially Private Oblivious RAM

State-of-the-art mechanisms for oblivious RAM (ORAM) suffer from significant bandwidth overheads (greater than 100x) that impact the throughput and latency of memory accesses. This renders their deployment in high-performance and bandwidth-constrained applications difficult, motivating the design of low-overhead approaches for memory access obfuscation. In this work, we introduce and formalize the notion of a differentially private ORAM that provides statistical privacy guarantees, and which to the extent of our knowledge, is the first of its kind. The formalization of differentially private ORAM opens up a large design space of low-bandwidth ORAM protocols that can be deployed in bandwidth constrained applications. We present Root ORAM, a family of practical ORAMs that provide a tunable, multi-dimensional trade-off between the desired bandwidth overhead, outsourcing ratio (ratio of the data outsourced to local storage required) and the system security, and that provide rigorous privacy guarantees of differentially private ORAMs. Root ORAM protocols can be tuned to achieve application-specific bandwidth constraints, enabling practical deployment, at the cost of statistical privacy guarantees quantified under the differential privacy framework and lower outsourcing ratios. We demonstrate the practicality of Root ORAM using theoretical analysis, simulations, as well as experiments on Amazon EC2. Our theoretical analysis rigorously quantifies the privacy offered by Root ORAM, and provably bounds the information leaked from observing memory access patterns. Our experimental analysis shows the feasibility of these protocols using realistic simulations. The simplest protocol in the Root ORAM family requires a bandwidth of mere 10 blocks, at the cost of rigorously quantified security loss and a low outsourcing ratio. This is an order of magnitude improvement over the existing state-of-the-art.
Adrenal-Directed Treatment Options for Cushing’s Disease

Adrenal-directed treatment for Cushing’s disease should be considered when pituitary-directed treatment has not been successful. Bilateral adrenalectomy in this setting, although a secondary option, is a good treatment to decrease morbidity and mortality. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is one of the most clinically important advances in the past two decades for the treatment of adrenal disorders. When compared to open adrenalectomy, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is equally safe, effective, and curative; it is more successful in shortening hospitalization and convalescence and has less long-term morbidity. The keys to successful laparoscopic adrenalectomy are appropriate patient selection, knowledge of anatomy, delicate tissue handling, meticulous hemostasis, and experience with the technique of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Focus on Teacher Education: Culturally Relevant Instruction by Student Teachers: A Case Study Approach: Lois Christensen, Editor

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”—Margaret MeadChanging demographics and growing diversity necessita...
Implications of Recent Changes in United States Farm Price Support Policies

AYEAR ago there was widespread concern, in the United States at least, that the world was running out of food. Most news relating to current food production and supplies was unfavorable. The monsoons in India were failing for the second successive year. Short grain crops in the Communist countries had required large purchases from Western exporters. The disappearance of excess stocks in the United States and an unfavorable wheat yield outlook contributed to the uncertainty. After a careful assessment of probable world needs in the 18 months ahead, the national wheat acreage allotments for the 1967 crop were increased sharply. Within a few weeks after announcement of the larger allotment for the 1967 wheat crop, the world outlook turned more favorable. Canada, Australia, and the Soviet Union harvested record wheat crops. Argentina and western Europe harvested good crops of both wheat and feed grains. Feed grain harvests in eastern Europe were good, and a few months later South Africa produced a record corn crop. These excellent crops increased world export availabilities and also reduced the import demands in some of the deficit areas. As a result, United States exports of feed grains, soybeans, and wheat in the past six months have been lower than anticipated. We in the United States appear to have met the 1966 food emergency with our reserve production capacity not fully tested. We brought some 20 million acres back into production this year, increasing wheat, feed grains, and soybean acreages. On the basis of current yield estimates, we expect to supply all available commercial and concessional export outlets from the 1967 crops, add modestly to our 426-million-bushel wheat stocks and our 100-millionbushel soybean carry-over, and maintain a 40to 45-million-ton feed grain carry-over.
Keeping Logistics Under Wraps

T paper describes a teaching case that integrates logistics network design with an ethical decision-making process. The ethical issues center on a proposed network design strategy for parcel transportation known as zone skipping, whose implementation in this setting would require the disguising of the identity of freight. The paper describes the case, discusses its pedagogical goals and provides some recommendations for using the case successfully in a logistics or optimization course.
The Continuum of Coaching: Opportunities for Surgical Improvement at All Levels.

In this issue of Annals of Surgery appear two important papers to advance our understanding of surgical coaching. Bonrath and colleagues report on their randomized controlled trial comparing surgical coaching to standard surgical training for residents on a minimally invasive surgery rotation, using Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as the index procedure.1 In the second study, a survey of attending surgeons by Mutabdzic, et al. explored perceptions of surgical coaching as an approach to performance improvement.2 These two papers highlight a number of key points about the current state of surgical coaching such as identifying defining characteristics and steps to operationalizing coaching, including barriers to and facilitators of success.
“I’m White Trying to Play a Black Dude”: The Construction of Race, Identities, and Emotions in Actual and Virtual Spaces

Abstract This chapter draws from a four-year critical qualitative study of one English class at an alternative high school that for many was the last stop before incarceration or expulsion. A teacher invited her students to read Monster ( Myers, 1999 ), about an African-American young male who is incarcerated and waiting for trial. Afterwards, students were to create multimodal texts on iPads and post them as Vine videos on Google +. One group of three white students responded by painting a white male in blackface to match the face on the book cover. After seeing their video, Shelly explained that she was horrified at the blackface specter, but pleased to see students finally engaged in a classroom activity; however, the blackface created a pedagogical dilemma for her. This chapter explores the emotional, political, and cultural valences of Shelly’s possible options for responding to a twenty-first century blackface incident.
Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Rates with Subfascial Epidural Drain Placement after Intentional Durotomy in Spine Surgery

Study Design Retrospective chart review. Objective Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a known complication of intraoperative durotomy. Intraoperative placement of subfascial epidural drains following primary dural repair has been proposed as a potential management strategy to prevent formation of CSF cutaneous fistula and symptomatic pseudomeningocele. Here we describe our experience with subfascial drain after intentional durotomy. Methods Medical records of patients who underwent placement of subfascial epidural drains during spinal procedures with intentional intraoperative durotomies over a 4-year period at two institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Primary outcomes of interest were postoperative CSF cutaneous fistula or symptomatic pseudomeningocele formation. Results Twenty-five patients were included. Mean length of follow-up was 9.5 months. Twelve patients (48%) underwent simultaneous arthrodesis. The average duration of the drain was 5.3 days with average daily output of 126.5 mL. Subgroup analyses revealed that average drain duration for the arthrodesis group was 6.33 days, which is significantly greater than that of the nonfused group, which was 3.7 days ( p = 0.016). Similarly, the average daily drain output for the arthrodesis subgroup at 153.1 mL was significantly higher than that of the nonfused subgroup (86.8 mL, p = 0.04). No patient developed postoperative CSF cutaneous fistula or symptomatic pseudomeningocele or had negative sequelae associated with overdrainage of CSF. One patient had a delayed wound infection. Conclusions The intraoperative placement of subfascial epidural drains was not associated with postoperative development of CSF cutaneous fistula, symptomatic pseudomeningocele, overdrainage, or subdural hematoma in the cases reviewed. Subfascial closed wound drain placement is a safe and efficacious management method after intentional spinal durotomies. It is particularly helpful in those who undergo simultaneous arthrodesis, as those patients have statistically higher daily drain output and longer drain durations.
The use of docetaxel (Taxotere) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer previously treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens.

Several phase II studies have evaluated docetaxel (Taxotere; Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Antony, France) at a dose of 100 mg/m2 administered as a 1-hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks in the second-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Two early phase II studies conducted at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center enrolled NSCLC patients who had failed prior platinum-containing regimen, and response rates of 22% and 17%, respectively, were observed in evaluable patients. The estimated 1-year survival rate for both studies was 40%. In the later phase II studies, patients who had received prior NSCLC treatment were enrolled and response rates ranged from 15% to 22% in evaluable patients. A phase III randomized study was conducted based on these encouraging data. In this first randomized phase III trial of second-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC, patients who had been previously exposed to at least one course of platinum-containing chemotherapy received docetaxel at 100 mg/m2 or 75 mg/m2 versus a control regimen of vinorelbine or ifosfamide. This is the first phase III study that has compared the benefits of different chemotherapies in the second-line treatment of NSCLC. Data from this phase III study are forthcoming. These results may provide important objective indications of the quality of life benefits that can be achieved in patients with NSCLC in the second-line setting with an active agent such as docetaxel.
Human endometrial interleukin-6 (IL-6): in vivo messenger ribonucleic acid expression, in vitro protein production, and stimulation thereof by IL-1β* †

Objective To investigate human endometrial interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression and effects thereon by IL-1 β . Design Prospective. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) Endometrial biopsy specimens from normal volunteers (n=20) at four specific menstrual stages were used for in vivo study. Endometrial specimens for in vitro study were obtained from patients (n=19) undergoing gynecologic surgery. Intervention(s) Time and dose-response treatment of endometria with IL-1 β in tissue culture. Main Outcome Measure(s) In vivo IL-6 messenger RNA expression by Northern analysis and in vitro endometrial IL-6 protein production by assay of the conditioned media. Result(s) Midsecretory and late secretory phase endometria expressed more IL-6 messenger RNA than late proliferative phase endometria in vivo. Similarly in vitro, in pg/mg endometrium per hour secretory endometria IL-6 protein production, 25.7±7.1 (mean±SEM), exceeded that of proliferative endometria, 4.7±1.0. With IL-1 β treatment, secretory endometria IL-6 protein production exceeded that of proliferative endometria. Interleukin-1 β stimulated endometrial IL-6 protein production in time- and dose-dependent manners. Conclusion(s) Human endometrial IL-6 expression varies with the menstrual cycle, occurs more highly in secretory endometria, and in vitro is stimulated by interleukin-1 β. Human endometrial IL-6 may therefore mediate some actions of IL-1 β involving the endometrium and trophoblast.
Systems optimization of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles

The large advances in new battery technology has made Electric Vehicles (EV) more attractive and feasible. As the cost and weight of batteries decreases, and the EV range increases, more individuals and companies will consider investing in these vehicles. However, one potential obstacle is the lack of ubiquitous charging locations. Many individuals would be uncomfortable purchasing a vehicle which limits longer trips and constrains their travel close to charging stations. To overcome this obstacle, a specific market segment, taxi drivers, which make many shorter trips typically near large cities, could be early adopters of EV technology and help justify and establish the charging infrastructure which could be used by others later on. With a large potential investment, this system and infrastructure needs to be analyzed and optimized for performance, cost, and other stakeholder objectives. This paper investigates the location and number of charging stations that would be required to meet the demands of a subset of the New York City taxi cab system. An operations model is developed applying the fare data available from the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission to evaluate the impact on the schedule and performance of individual taxi drivers with EVs. Next, thousands of taxi driver shifts are simulated within the system defined by various numbers and locations of charging stations. Following the initial exploratory assessment, optimization of the system is implemented, from which the result could be used to inform city officials and stakeholders on key decisions during a system implementation phase.
Early mother-infant contact: effects on breastfeeding.

Several studies strongly suggest that there is a period shortly after childbirth which may be called a sensitive period that may be optimal for the development of a mothers affectional bond to her infants and which appears to significantly increase maternal breastfeeding and in developing countries subsequent infant health and weight gain. The hypothesis that during this early sensitive period reciprocal interactions occur between mother and infant that interlocks them and ensures the further development of attachment was tested in Guatemala using 1 basic study design in three different hospital samples consisting of a total of 168 poor urban primiparous mothers and their infants. Results indicated the infants whose mothers had early contact had gained significantly more weight by six months and 1 year. Although 100% of the mothers in both groups were breast-feeding at discharge differences were apparent at 1 month. The percentage of early contact mothers who were still breast-feeding was significantly greater than the control group at 6 and 12 months. The man length of breast-feeding for the experimental mothers was nearly twice as long as the controls. A review of other studies indicates that 5 of 6 separate studies reveal that early intimate contact between the mother and her infant is associated with significantly increased breast-feeding. These findings compel reconsideration of hospital practices that briefly separate mother and infant.
Going Paperless with Custom-Built Web-Based Patient Occurrence Reporting

Article-at-a-Glance Background Baylor University Medical Center (Dallas) converted patient occurrence reporting from a paper form to a custom-built Web-based system that used the medical center's intranet. Developing the Web-based system Nonmedication patient occurrences were documented manually on paper forms known as incident reports, and medication variances were entered electronically. The medical center had used the same paper form for many years, without any interim updates or revisions. With a delay of more than a week in receiving forms, the process was not efficient or timely. In addition, paper forms were sometimes illegible or incomplete. Launching the project The project team, representing the Center for Quality and Care Coordination and information services, decided that the best approach would be a phased implementation based on development of system functionality and a facility's readiness for conversion. Reporting was to be conducted in terms of 10 standardized patient occurrence reporting categories. Results and evaluation Comparison of quarterly data pre- and post-Web forms showed an 83.5% increase in number of submissions and a 79.5% reduction in event-to-submission time. Web forms also eliminated paper form limitations of legibility, completeness, and security. Conclusion It is still an individual responsibility to report and then transform collected data into usable information, which will drive process improvement. Technology can make an important contribution to these efforts, but the culture of the organization must have a complete program strategy. The focus must shift to reporting as a cornerstone to quality and safety and away from traditional notions of error and blame.
The Analysis of Time Series Collected in an Experimental Design

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the frequency analysis of stretches of time series resulting from runs made in accordance with an experimental design. The analyses proposed may be viewed as extensions of the familiar ANOVA procedures employed when each run of a design leads to the measurement of a real-valued variate. The chapter presents an approach that consists of the application of a complex version of the computations of ANOVA to the components of the discrete Fourier transforms of the observed stretches of series. It presents a case where the observed series form sections of stationary point processes. It also discusses two different procedures available for effectively increasing the number of observations; one can evaluate the finite Fourier transform at a number of frequencies in the neighborhood of λ, or one can evaluate the finite Fourier transform for a number of disjoint stretches of the series.
LITMUS MILK REACTION AS A DISTINGUISHING FEATURE BETWEEN STREPTOCOCCUS FAECALIS OF HUMAN AND NON-HUMAN ORIGINS

More than 90% of 1618 cultures of Streptococcus faecalis obtained from plants, wild animals, and insects produced a soft, reduced, rennet-like curd which underwent stratiform digestion in litmus milk, or else produced no reaction. Cultures of human origin produced a reduced, hard, acidic curd which sometimes was followed by acid-proteolytic digestion. Ten percent of the cultures commensal in nature fermented lactose in litmus milk to produce the hard, acidic curd which sometimes underwent acid-proteolytic digestion. One-third of this group of organisms failed to follow the typical pattern of fermentation by S. faecalis of human origin, that is fermentation of melezitose but not of melibiose. It is suggested that for cultures obtained during analytical procedures the reaction in litmus milk and the fermentation of melezitose and melibiose may be employed to distinguish between contamination representing recent pollution of human origin and the presence of S. faecalis as a member of the microflora of plants...
Modeling Paired Objects and Their Interaction

Object categorization and human action recognition are two important capabilities for an intelligent robot. Traditionally, they are treated separately. Recently, more researchers started to model the object features, object affordance, and human action at the same time. Most of the works build a relation model between single object features and human action or object affordance and uses the models to improve object recognition accuracies [16, 21, 12].
Urban reconnaissance planning: Discovering new applications with tactical high performance computing

High performance computing (HPC) has been a key enabler for discovery in science, engineering, and business. HPC being a catalyst for innovation, new capabilities are anticipated for the concept of tactical HPC. The goal of tactical HPC project is to advance computational capabilities of individual Soldiers at the tactical edge by leveraging mobile HPC systems. Since tactical edge is complex, dynamic, and uncertain, significant opportunities exist for real-time computing. As an example of enabling new capabilities at the tactical edge, compute-intensive urban reconnaissance planning application is presented. With GPU accelerator augmented systems, this computationally expensive algorithm was solved at interactive speeds. We demonstrate enhancing situational awareness and tactical intelligence by deploying HPC-in-a-box technology to the tactical edge.
Examining trends in prediabetes and its relationship with the metabolic syndrome in US adolescents, 1999-2014.

We sought to investigate temporal trends in prediabetes prevalence among US adolescents using two definitions and evaluate relationships with obesity and a MetS-severity score. We evaluated data from 5418 non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic adolescents aged 12–19 participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2014 with complete data regarding MetS and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Prediabetes status was defined by American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria: fasting glucose 100–125 mg/dL or HbA1c 5.7%–6.4%. MetS severity was assessed with a MetS-severity Z-score. Prevalence of prediabetes as defined by HbA1c abnormalities significantly increased from 1999–2014, while prevalence of prediabetes as defined by fasting glucose abnormalities showed no significant temporal trend. There were variations in these trends across different racial/ethnic groups. MetS Z-score was overall more strongly correlated with HbA1c, fasting insulin, and the homeostasis model of insulin resistance than was BMI Z-score. These correlations were true in each racial/ethnic group with the exception that in non-Hispanic white adolescents, in whom the MetS Z-score was not significantly correlated with HbA1c measurements. We found conflicting findings of temporal trends of US adolescent prediabetes prevalence based on the ADA’s prediabetes criteria. The increasing prevalence of prediabetes by HbA1c assessment is concerning and raises the urgency for increased awareness and appropriate measures of prediabetes status among physicians and patients.
A quantitative framework for the analysis of multimodal optical microscopy images

Background: Multimodal optical microscopy, a set of imaging techniques based on unique, yet complementary contrast mechanisms and spatially and temporally co-registered data acquisition, has emerged as a powerful biomedical tool. However, the analysis of the dense, high-dimensional datasets acquired by these instruments remains mostly qualitative and restricted to analysis of each modality individually. Methods: Using a custom-built multimodal nonlinear optical microscope, high dimensional datasets were acquired for automated classification of functional cell states as well as identification of histopathological features in tissues slices. Supervised classification of cell death modes was performed through support vector machines (SVM) and semi-supervised classification of tissue slices was performed through the use of the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. Results: Applications of these techniques to the automated classification of cell death modes as well as to the identification of tissue components in fixed ex vivo tissue slices are presented. The analysis techniques developed provide a direct link between multimodal image contrast and biological structure and function, resulting in highly accurate classification in both settings. Conclusions: Quantification of multimodal optical microscopy images through statistical modeling of the high dimensional data acquired gives a strong correlation between biological structure and function and image contrast. These methods are sensitive to the identification of diagnostic, cellular-level features important in a variety of clinical settings.
Conjugate Harmonic Components of Monogenic Functions

A function valued in a Euclidean Clifford algebra naturally decomposes into even and odd parts. When such a function is in the kernel of the Cauchy–Riemann Dirac operator, so called monogenic, these components serve as generalizations of the conjugate harmonic components of an analytic function as well as Stein–Weiss systems. Our results are in the upper half space. We show that the even and odd parts simultaneously have non-tangential boundary values almost everywhere. Moreover, we show that the even part is in the harmonic Hardy space, for $$p > 1$$ , if and only if the odd part is as well. With extra assumptions, this result also holds for $$p = 1$$ .
BIOLOGY EDUCATION: ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISES TO ENGAGE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

I taught students both at High School and College level which were actively engaged in classroom and laboratory. These active learning exercises improved students’ remembrance, comprehension, understanding, analytics and creativity.
An in silico proteomics screen to predict and prioritize protein-protein interactions dependent on post-translationally modified motifs.

Motivation The development of proteomic methods for the characterization of domain/motif interactions has greatly expanded our understanding of signal transduction. However, proteomics-based binding screens have limitations including that the queried tissue or cell type may not harbor all potential interacting partners or post-translational modifications (PTMs) required for the interaction. Therefore, we sought a generalizable, complementary in silico approach to identify potentially novel motif and PTM-dependent binding partners of high priority. Results We used as an initial example the interaction between the Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of the adaptor proteins CT10 regulator of kinase (CRK) and CRK-like (CRKL) and phosphorylated-YXXP motifs. Employing well-curated, publicly-available resources, we scored and prioritized potential CRK/CRKL-SH2 interactors possessing signature characteristics of known interacting partners. Our approach gave high priority scores to 102 of the >9000 YXXP motif-containing proteins. Within this 102 were 21 of the 25 curated CRK/CRKL-SH2-binding partners showing a more than 80-fold enrichment. Several predicted interactors were validated biochemically. To demonstrate generalized applicability, we used our workflow to predict protein-protein interactions dependent upon motif-specific arginine methylation. Our data demonstrate the applicability of our approach to, conceivably, any modular binding domain that recognizes a specific post-translationally modified motif. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Coral Research in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

This chapter summarizes the scientific knowledge of scleractinian corals in the Galapagos Archipelago. A general introduction to coral biology is followed by a brief history of coral research in the islands. Subsequent sections discuss responses of corals to broad-scale impacts, anthropogenic stress on Galapagos corals, and recommendations for management of this important resource. Following an initial period (1835–1960s) of cataloging the species present in the Galapagos Islands, research on coral ecology was initiated by Wellington in the 1970s. Glynn and Wellington more thoroughly examined the surprising abundance and distribution of corals and reef frameworks in the 1980s. Glynn and other workers then documented mass mortalities of corals due to the 1982–1983 ENSO disturbance. Subsequent research focused upon this natural phenomenon and its effect on coral distribution, ecology, and physiology. Most recently, resilience and recovery of coral populations were reported. Compared to most other regions, there is little anthropogenic impact to corals in the Galapagos Islands. However, climate change and ocean acidification have effects, and there is evidence of impacts associated with fisheries and tourism. Recommendations for management decisions conclude this chapter.
Synthesis of proteins in cells infected with herpesvirus. IX. Sulfated proteins.

The major glycoprotein (designated 3a) synthesized by pseudorabies virus-infected rabbit kidney cells incorporates 35SO42− and is acid soluble; it is considered to be a mucopolysaccharide. It is the major excretion product of the virus-infected cells. Prelabeling studies with 35SO42− showed that (1) cell-specific mucopolysaccharide degradation is not altered by viral infection and that (2) the sulfated portion of the 3a protein is not derived from degradation products of cellular mucopolysaccharide. The 3a mucopolysaccharide is virus-specific, as shown by its characteristic low content of [3H]lysine relative to that of [14C]leucine, as well as by the fact that it is synthesized by different mouse and rat cell lines infected with pseudorabies virus. The possible role of the 3a protein (mucopolysaccharide) in the infective process is discussed.
Controversies in periocular reconstruction for facial nerve palsy

Purpose of review Periocular rehabilitation of the patient with a facial nerve palsy has evolved over time. Although protection of the ocular surface is paramount, application of disfiguring tarsorrhaphies should be utilized only in special situations. The purpose of this review is to discuss current surgical and medical strategies in treatment of the periocular area in patients with facial nerve palsy to give maximal functional and cosmetic results. Recent findings Upper lid lagophthalmos is preferentially treated with upper eyelid weights. Platinum has distinct advantages over gold. A supratarsal position of the upper lid weight is preferred over a pretarsal location. Lower lid malposition should be treated as a retraction, rather than an ectropion. Recalcitrant ocular surface disease can be effectively managed with a scleral lens. Tearing in the patient with a facial nerve palsy is often multifactorial; small lumen Jones tubes and botulinum toxin injection to the lacrimal gland should be considered to treat epiphora in these patients. Summary A facial nerve palsy can be devastating for patients from both a functional and cosmetic perspective. Although seismic shifts in treatment of the periocular subunit have not occurred, there are a number of small, yet significant, changes in treatment that should be adopted in taking care of these patients.
The Collegiate Hackathon Experience

Collegiate hackathons are marathon-style, project building competitions where students can learn computing in an informal environment, build community, network with members of the technology industry, and be more productive members of the workforce. I am interested in understanding the social climate of hackathons and how it affects hackathon participants, particularly women and non-binary students, who only make up 23% of collegiate hackathon attendees. I will be exploring two lines of inquiry: (1) to explore the experiences of hackathon attendees to gain a deeper understanding about why participants do (or do not) participate in hackathons, what motivates them to attend, and what engages them at these events; and (2) to explore the ways collegiate hackathons can adapt their design practices to create an inclusive and equitable events for marginalized and minority students.
Baseball 4 All: Providing Inclusive Spaces for Persons with Disabilities

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influenced participation in a community program designed to enhance leisure participation among children and young adults with disa...
The “Unfraction” Reaction

An 8-year-old boy with congenital heart disease is admitted to the hospital for a planned mitral valve repair and revision. The patient has had multiple admissions to the hospital for surgery and complications relating to the congenital heart condition, most recently 1 month ago, and has required support with multiple transfusions of blood products over the years. His prior blood bank tests show that he is group A-positive with a negative antibody screen. A type and screen sample (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA] anticoagulant) is submitted to the blood bank along with a request for crossmatch of two units of red blood cells (RBCs).
An Ultrafast Ultrasound Microvessel Imaging Technique for Assessing Patients with Unilateral Papilledema

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop an ultrafast ultrasound microvessel imaging technique for assessing patients with unilateral papilledema or choroidal folds. Methods: Two patients with unilateral papilledema were enrolled in this study. An ultrasound probe was used to evaluate the hemodynamic properties in the eye structures noninvasively. Results: For patients with unilateral papilledema, the magnitudes of blood volume of the optic disc are statistically lower in the eye with papilledema than a normal eye. Conclusion: significant differences in power Doppler intensity were found between the eye with papilledema and control eye for patients with unilateral papilledema. Significance: Ultrafast ultrasound microvessel imaging provides a noninvasive technique to measure the hemodynamic properties of the optic disc, which is useful for assessing patients with unilateral papilledema.
Characterization of a pseudo-DRAM Crossbar Computational Memory Array in 55nm CMOS : (Invited Paper)

As computational needs increase in relation to the growing fields of Internet of Things and Deep Learning, energy-efficient, computational units are needed to bypass DSP units within Von Neumann architectures. A charge-mode vector matrix multiplier (VMM) with compute-in memory capabilities was fabricated in the Global Foundries 55nm LP process. The array is comprised of a 156 row by 512 column crossbar where each row computes a 512 element binary dot product in the charge domain. This normalized analog multiply and accumulate (MAC) is carried out by charge-injection devices who compute a 1-bit multiplication in the charge domain. Preliminary test results show successful, linear output computation in the analog domain to various input vectors that are both digital and multi-level analog. The 156 × 512 compute-in memory, CID array has been simulated to achieve an efficiency of 1.8 TOPs per mW.
Peptoid microsphere coatings: The effects of helicity, temperature, pH, and ionic strength.

Peptoids are peptidomimetic oligomers that predominantly harness similarities to peptides for biomimetic functionality. They have potential for use in biomedical applications and biosensors due to resistance to proteolytic degradation and low immunogenicity. The incorporation of chiral, aromatic side chains in the peptoid sequence allows for the formation of distinct secondary structures and self-assembly into supramolecular assemblies, including microspheres. Peptoid microspheres can be coated onto substrates for potential use in biosensor technologies, tissue engineering platforms, and drug-delivery systems. In order to be useful for these applications, the peptoid coatings must be robust under physiological conditions. In this study, we report the effects of various conditions on the peptoid microsphere coatings, including (i) helicity, (ii) temperature, (iii) pH, and (iv) ionic strength. These studies show that microsphere size decreases with increasing peptoid helicity and the positively charged side chains are positioned on the outside of the microspheres. The peptoid microsphere coatings are robust under physiological conditions but degrade in acidic conditions (pH < 7) and at low ionic strengths (<150 μM).
Facebook,hand it over

We are still waiting for promised data to help us determine how social media influences elections, says Timothy Revell
3D Cubic Bezier Curves for Multi-target Path Planning for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

This paper presents a new method to design the shortest smooth 3D path for multiple Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) to visit multiple targets. This path planning method can be separated into the target assignment problem and path designing problem. For the target assignment problem, we compare the genetic algorithm and ant colony optimization algorithm to get target sequence for each AUV with less distance cost. For the given target sequence for each AUVs, the path designing problem is to design shortest smooth path for visiting each target with constraint of G1 continuity. This paper designs 3D Bezier curves by selecting the control points along the incoming and out-going heading direction. Each two-target segment has a set of discrete in-coming and out-going heading direction. For multi-target path planning, the in-coming heading direction and the out-going heading direction at each target have to be the same and the shortest path is selected via back propagation algorithm. It is proved that the combined 3D cubic Bezier curves ensure G1 continuity along the entire multi-target path. Back propagation algorithm is applied to find the shortest curve sequence for multiple targets.
Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome Secondary to Anorexia Nervosa and Methamphetamine Use

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, or Wilkie syndrome, is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction due to compression of the duodenum between the SMA and aorta. Patients most at risk of SMA syndrome include those with rapid weight loss due to a variety of conditions including chronic illness, malignancy, trauma, HIV, eating disorders, substance abuse, or bariatric surgery. Characteristic radiologic findings include an aortomesenteric angle less than 25 degrees and an aortomesenteric distance of less than 8 mm. Symptoms are typically postprandial and notably include abdominal fullness, voluminous emesis, and abdominal pain. Here we present a case of SMA syndrome in a 19-year-old cachectic female who initially presented with sudden-onset nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain. Imaging revealed a severely distend stomach and proximal duodenum with a transition point in the third portion of the duodenum consistent with SMA syndrome. Her symptoms resolved with nasogastric decompression in addition to fluid and electrolyte management. She later endorsed restrictive eating patterns consistent with anorexia nervosa as well as methamphetamine use for weight loss. She underwent close outpatient follow-up for her anorexia nervosa and substance abuse.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Anatum Strains Isolated from Papaya.

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica is a major global foodborne pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and, in some cases, death. Salmonella serovar Anatum has been increasingly associated with foodborne salmonellosis outbreaks. In this report, we announce two complete genome sequences of Salmonella Anatum isolated from papaya fruit.