cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A broadband 100 GHz phase switch/mixer using a uniplanar slotline transition

We have developed a broadband 180/spl deg/ phase switch using one-sided planar grounded slotline design. The design is based upon a grounded coplanar waveguide (CPW) to slotline transition acting as a balun. This design offers several advantages over existing topologies making it well suited to monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) integration. The uniplanar construction allows for simple module integration and the slot transition with a cutoff frequency serves the same function as a waveguide transition used in multipliers and mixers. We fabricated a switch using flip-chip Schottky diodes and demonstrated the circuit as a W-band phase switch and a mixer. The switch has 5 dB insertion loss and phase flatness of 10/spl deg/ from 90-110 GHz. As a mixer the circuit performs with 12 dB conversion loss from 76-112 GHz, with an IF bandwidth exceeding 25 GHz. This performance is comparable to commercially available waveguide mixers, which are incompatible with MMIC integration.
Applications of Net-Based Models

Selected applications of nets by other authors are discussed, to show a range of use of the models, and to show the modifications to nets that have been adopted for specific applications. The topics include models of a parallel algorithm for lexical analysis, net augmentation to detect and correct errors, an approach to error correction in distributed systems with no central control, and modeling aids to design of properly functioning systems.
Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies for Late-Life Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Whereas individuals can experience a range of psychopathologies in older age, late-life mood and anxiety disorders are the most common, frequently co-occur, and are associated with a range of negative health-related outcomes including worsening medical illness, disability in activities of daily living, and mortality. Yet, these psychopathologies are not normal consequences of aging. While not an exhaustive review, this chapter provides an overview of important correlates of and risk factors for late-life mood and anxiety disorders, including biological, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Furthermore, because suicide rates are particularly high among older persons, this chapter also discusses the role of late-life mood and anxiety disorders in suicide and suicidal behavior. Finally, although late-life mood and anxiety disorders are treatable with both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods, they are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. This chapter discusses potential reasons for underdiagnosis and undertreatment and also considers recent advances in their management, detection, and prevention.
Enhancement of tumor perfusion and oxygenation by carbogen and nicotinamide during single- and multifraction irradiation.

Abstract Fenton, B.M., Lord, E.M. and Paoni, S.F. Enhancement of Tumor Perfusion and Oxygenation by Carbogen and Nicotinamide during Single- and Multifraction Irradiation. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have been completed regarding the effects of carbogen and nicotinamide on tumor oxygenation and radiosensitivity. The current study incorporates three physiological measurement techniques to further define spatial variations in oxygen availability and development of hypoxia after single- and multifraction irradiation in KHT murine fibrosarcomas. Distances to anatomical and perfused blood vessels were measured using immunohistochemical and fluorescent staining, intravascular oxygen levels were determined cryospectrophotometrically, and tumor hypoxia was quantified using uptake of EF5, a marker of hypoxia. Carbogen, nicotinamide, and the combination of both all increased intravascular oxygen availability compared to controls. While nicotinamide had no effect on the number of perfused blood vessel...
From Engineering Design Research to Engineering Pedagogy: Bringing Research Results Directly to the Students*

This paper describes how inductive pedagogical methods and findings from our design research were used in interactive engineering seminars to generate students’ interest and motivation and to help students gain insight into design processes. We show how design process timelines, which are graphical representations used for mapping and analyzing individual design processes, can be effectively used as learning tools in the classroom. The activities and instruments we developed are explained, and we also relate our methods to established learning theory and pedagogical models, including topics in metacognition, project-based learning, and inductive learning.
Carotid Endarterectomy: Current Status, and Effects of Clinical Trials:

With the interim results of the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) and the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) now reported, it has been shown that carotid endarterectomy is superior to conventional medical therapy for the treatment of symptomatic patients with > 70% diameter-reducing stenosis. The Veterans' Administration trial in asymptomatic patients with a > 50% diameter-reducing stenosis has shown that endarterectomy is superior to conventional non-operative treatment for the prevention of transient ischemic attacks and strokes when these events are combined. The design, impact and potential shortcomings of these trials are reviewed.
Use of multiplex mutation genotyping to identify novel and protective mutations in breast cancer

11004 Background: We recently analyzed 590 primary invasive breast tumors for PIK3CA mutations by multiplex massARRAY genotyping. We identified a 32.5% PIK3CA mutation rate (manuscript submitted). Associations between PIK3CA mutation status and favorable pathology, such as lower grade tumors, lymph node negativity and hormone receptor (HR) positivity, were observed. Multiplex analysis allows the rapid assessment of mutations not commonly described in breast cancer. To identify activated pathways that may serve as predictive biomarkers, tissue microarrays (TMA) underwent immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Methods: 590 archival formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumors > 1 cm were used to ensure adequate tissue procurement for mutation detection and TMA construction. MassARRAY (Sequenom) genotyping was performed on native DNA to identify PIK3CA, RAS, RET, and other known mutations. IHC staining of the TMAs included assessment of steroid nuclear receptors, HER2 expression, Akt pathway activation (inclu...
ASIA - An Investigation Platform for Exploiting Open Source Information in the Fight Against Tax Evasion

Tax evasion is a widespread phenomenon confirmed by numerous European and American reports. To contrast it, governments already adopt software solutions that support tax inspectors in their investigations. However, the currently existing systems do not normally take advantage of the constant stream of data published on the Web. Instead, the ASIA project aims to prove the effectiveness of combining this kind of open source information with official data contained in Public Administration archives to fight tax evasion. Our prototype platform deals with two cases of investigation, people and businesses. Public officers have been involved throughout the project, and took part in a preliminary test phase which showed very promising results.
Structural analysis of replication protein A recruitment of the DNA damage response protein SMARCAL1.

SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A-like1 (SMARCAL1) is a recently identified DNA damage response protein involved in remodeling stalled replication forks. The eukaryotic single-strand DNA binding protein replication protein A (RPA) recruits SMARCAL1 to stalled forks in vivo and facilitates regression of forks containing leading strand gaps. Both activities are mediated by a direct interaction between an RPA binding motif (RBM) at the N-terminus of SMARCAL1 and the C-terminal winged-helix domain of the RPA 32 kDa subunit (RPA32C). Here we report a biophysical and structural characterization of the SMARCAL1–RPA interaction. Isothermal titration calorimetry and circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that RPA32C binds SMARCAL1-RBM with a Kd of 2.5 μM and induces a disorder-to-helix transition. The crystal structure of RPA32C was refined to 1.4 A resolution, and the SMARCAL1-RBM binding site was mapped on the structure on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift perturbations. Conservation of the interaction surface to other RBM-containing proteins allowed construction of a model for the RPA32C/SMARCAL1-RBM complex. The implications of our results are discussed with respect to the recruitment of SMARCAL1 and other DNA damage response and repair proteins to stalled replication forks.
ID: 130: NOVEL ROLE FOR LYSOCARDIOLIPIN ACYLTRANSFERASE (LYCAT) IN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer is the leading cause of deaths in United States and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for ∼85% of all lung cancers with a 5-year survival rate of approximately ∼16%. Therefore there is an immediate need to develop new strategies for early detection and more effective treatments options. Mitochondrial dysfunction including but not limited to defects in mitochondrial genomics and dynamics has long been implicated to play a role in human health and disease particularly in cancer initiation, progression and treatment options since it plays a pivotal role in cell death and survival. Lysocardiolipin acyltransferase (LYCAT), a Cardiolipin remodeling enzyme regulating the 18:2 linoleic acid pattern of mammalian mitochondrial cardiolipin, plays a crucial role in maintaining normal mitochondrial function and vascular development. LYCAT was shown to be up-regulated in cancers; however, the role of LYCAT in lung cancer is yet unclear. Probing the protein expression of LYCAT in lung cancer specimens, non-transformed bronchial epithelial cell lines and 5 lung cancer cell lines revealed increased LYCAT expression and activity in all the lung cancer samples and cell lines tested in comparison to the control lung tissues and non-transformed epithelial cell lines. To determine the role of LYCAT in lung cancer, NSCLC cell lines H2122 and H23 were transfected with either scrambled or LYCAT shRNA and differences in serum-induced cell proliferation, migration, clonogenecity and mitochondrial dynamics were determined. Our results demonstrated that down-regulation of LYCAT by shRNA significantly attenuated cell migration, proliferation, and invasion in NSCLC cell lines compared to control cell lines. Furthermore knockdown of LYCAT expression in NSCLC cell lines inhibited mitochondrial fragmentation and enhanced mitochondrial fusion. Taken together, these data demonstrate a strong association between increased LYCAT expression and cell proliferation, motility, invasion and mitochondrial dynamics in NSCLC cells. Thus, development of targeted therapies to reduce LYCAT expression in NSCLC should be beneficial. This work in part was supported by funds from the College of Medicine, UIC and NIH HL98050 to VN.
Utility of current sialendoscopes in the sinonasal cavity.

OBJECTIVES This study assessed the utility of current sialendoscopes in the paranasal sinuses in a cadaveric model and evaluated novel uses for sialendoscopes. METHODS Currently available sialendoscopes were used for visualisation and performing interventions in the paranasal sinuses. Ten cadaver heads were studied before and after dissection. Outcomes included ostia identification, sinus cannulation, success of mucosal biopsy collection and image clarity. RESULTS Marchal and Erlangen sialendoscopes were found to be effective for both visualising and cannulating the sphenoid sinuses before and after dissection. Both types demonstrated poor maxillary ostia visualisation without dissection, but did allow treatment after antrostomy. Larger diameter sialendoscopes were associated with the lowest image distortion during maxillary ostia assessment. Mucosal biopsy collection within the sphenoid sinus, but not in the maxillary sinus, was possible before dissection. CONCLUSION Sialendoscopes can be used for visualisation and performing interventions in the sinonasal cavity, but their utility is mainly limited to the sphenoid sinus. They may be considered a minimally invasive method for drug delivery and/or biopsy collection in the post-operative setting for all sinuses. Design improvements are suggested.
Manual hierarchical clustering of regional geochemical data using a Bayesian finite mixture model

Abstract Interpretation of regional scale, multivariate geochemical data is aided by a statistical technique called “clustering.” We investigate a particular clustering procedure by applying it to geochemical data collected in the State of Colorado, United States of America. The clustering procedure partitions the field samples for the entire survey area into two clusters. The field samples in each cluster are partitioned again to create two subclusters, and so on. This manual procedure generates a hierarchy of clusters, and the different levels of the hierarchy show geochemical and geological processes occurring at different spatial scales. Although there are many different clustering methods, we use Bayesian finite mixture modeling with two probability distributions, which yields two clusters. The model parameters are estimated with Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling of the posterior probability density function, which usually has multiple modes. Each mode has its own set of model parameters; each set is checked to ensure that it is consistent both with the data and with independent geologic knowledge. The set of model parameters that is most consistent with the independent geologic knowledge is selected for detailed interpretation and partitioning of the field samples.
Research utilization in the health administration profession.

The utilization of new research to affect treatment access, quality, and cost-effectiveness has become a major concern in the rapidly changing U.S. health care delivery system. Yet traditional health administration programs are more accustomed to focusing on the methodology of research than on its utilization. This article examines the growing interest in research utilization, presents three projects that illustrate different forms of the utilization of research findings, and offers suggestions on how health administration programs can prepare future health administrators to become more effective users of research.
Wireless materials: radio cultures in Ireland, Latin America, and the United States at the mid-century

In a 30 November 2014 article in the New York Times about the rising popularity of audiobooks and the new production of ‘straight-to-audio’ novels, Alexandra Alter comments that ‘some see the curre...
Reading Trauma and Violence in U.S. Latina/o Children’s Literature

My writing about children’s literature here is part of my larger work in trauma theory and Latina/o literary and cultural studies. In this essay, I explore the ways four writers, Luis Rodriguez, Julia Alvarez, Gloria Anzaldua, and Roberto Gonzalez, extend their engagements with matters of violence and trauma from their writing for adult audiences into their children’s literature. Reading the movement of their writing across genres illustrates the distinct ways authors dealing with matters of trauma and violence repeatedly return to certain scenes of memory and event not so much for finding resolution as for making meaning and instigating change.
Higher Activities of Defense-Associated Enzymes may Contribute to Greater Resistance of Manchurian Ash to Emerald Ash Borer Than A closely Related and Susceptible Congener

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle native to Asia that infests and kills ash (Fraxinus spp.) in North America. Previous experiments indicated that larvae feeding on co-evolved, resistant Manchurian ash (F. mandshurica) have increased antioxidant and quinone-protective enzyme activities compared to larvae feeding on susceptible North American species. Here, we examined mechanisms of host-generated oxidative and quinone-based stress and other putative defenses in Manchurian ash and the closely related and chemically similar, but susceptible, black ash (F. nigra), with and without exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to induce resistance mechanisms. Peroxidase activities were 4.6-13.3 times higher in Manchurian than black ash, although both species appeared to express the same three peroxidase isozymes. Additionally, peroxidase-mediated protein cross-linking activity was stronger in Manchurian ash. Polyphenol oxidase, β-glucosidase, chitinase, and lipoxygenase activities also were greater in Manchurian ash, but only lipoxygenase activity increased with MeJA application. Phloem H2O2 levels were similar and were increased by MeJA application in both species. Lastly, trypsin inhibitor activity was detected in methanol and water extracts that were not allowed to oxidize, indicating the presence of phenolic-based trypsin inhibitors. However, no proteinaceous trypsin inhibitor activity was detected in either species. In response to MeJA application, Manchurian ash had higher trypsin inhibitor activity than black ash using the unoxidized water extracts, but no treatment effects were detected using methanol extracts. Based on these results we hypothesize that peroxidases, lignin polymerization, and quinone generation contribute to the greater resistance to EAB displayed by Manchurian ash.
Restoring Nature Through Individualized Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery has significantly evolved in recent years. This has led to development of new technologies that facilitate the diagnosis of ACL injury and the application of state of the art methods for treatment. In particular, individualized anatomical ACL reconstruction aims to restore native ACL function. Treatment is tailored to each patient based on each individual’s characteristics. Individualized treatment approach continues after reconstruction surgery and during rehabilitation period and return to sporting activities.
Calibration of random phase rotation for multi-band OFDM UWB signals

In this paper, we investigated the random phase rotation problem for multi-band orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) ultrawide-band (UWB) systems. Random phase rotations need to be calibrated for coherent combining of MB channel information for high resolution time-of-arrival estimation. Our analysis indicates that in the presence of random phase rotations, resolution of MB-OFDM signals degrades which is reflected by increased energy leakage in the channel estimate. Based on this, we propose to calibrate random phase rotations across subbands by minimizing energy leakage. Simulation results show that the proposed technique performs well in 802.15.4a UWB channels.
Validity of self-reported fertility-threatening cancer treatments in female young adult cancer survivors.

Detailed cancer treatment information is important to fertility and pregnancy care of female young adult cancer survivors. Accuracy of self-report of treatments that impact fertility and pregnancy is unknown. This study assessed agreement between self-report and medical records on receipt of fertility-threatening treatments. A national cohort study of female young adult cancer survivors reported cancer treatments via Web-based questionnaires. Primary cancer treatment records were abstracted. Self-reported exposure to fertility-threatening therapies (alkylating chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, pelvic radiation, hysterectomy, and/or oophorectomy) was compared to medical records. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (OR) for characteristics associated with inaccurate self-report of fertility-threatening therapies. The study included 101 survivors (mean age 28.2, SD 6.3). Lymphoma (33%), breast cancer (26%), and gynecologic cancers (10%) were the most common cancers. Accuracy of self-report was 68% for alkylating chemotherapy and 92–97% for radiation, surgery, and transplant. Significant proportions of survivors who were treated with transplant (8/13, 62%), alkylating chemotherapy (18/43, 42%), pelvic radiation (4/13, 31%), or hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy (3/13, 23%) did not report undergoing these therapies. In adjusted analysis, age ≤ 25 at diagnosis (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.3–8.7) and recurrence (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.5–24.4) were related to inaccurate self-report. Female young adult cancer survivors have limited recall of fertility-threatening cancer treatment exposures. Reproductive health providers and researchers who need this information may require primary medical records or treatment summaries. Additional patient education regarding treatment-related reproductive risks is needed to facilitate patient engagement in survivorship. Obtaining a cancer treatment summary will help survivors communicate their prior treatment exposures to reproductive healthcare providers.
Regional Competition and Complementarity: Comparative Advantages/Disadvantages and Increasing/Diminishing Returns in Discrete Relative Spatial Dynamics

This paper focuses on the interplay between regional composite comparative advantages and disadvantages generating increasing or decreasing returns that, in turn, generate regional competition or complementarity. This paper has two main parts. The methodological part presents the results of modeling of comparative advantages/disadvantages and increasing/decreasing returns in regional competition or complementarity through the use of log-linear discrete relative one population/multiple location dynamics and explores the conditions of stability, periodicity, quasi-periodicity and ways to chaos in these dynamics. The numerical realization of the algorithm of linear bifurcation analysis for one population/three locations log-linear relative dynamics is considered in detail. The empirical part stresses the role of regional interaction in multiregional growth by estimating the parameters for one population (Gross National Product)/multiple location (aggregated region divisions) log-linear model using maximum likelihood methods; as a result, the patterns of competition and complementarity in the US regional system are uncovered.
Dietary Choline and Betaine and Risk of CVD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies.

Studies implicate choline and betaine metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis to quantify a summary estimated effect of dietary choline and betaine on hard CVD outcomes (incidence and mortality). Eligible studies were prospective studies in adults with comprehensive diet assessment and follow-up for hard CVD endpoints. We identified six studies that met our criteria, comprising 18,076 incident CVD events, 5343 CVD deaths, and 184,010 total participants. In random effects meta-analysis, incident CVD was not associated with choline (relative risk (RR): 1.00; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.02) or betaine (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.01) intake. Results did not vary by study outcome (incident coronary heart disease, stroke, total CVD) and there was no evidence for heterogeneity among studies. Only two studies provided data on phosphatidylcholine and CVD mortality. Random effects meta-analysis did not support an association between choline and CVD mortality (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.35), but one study supported a positive association and there was significant heterogeneity (I2 = 84%, p-value < 0.001). Our findings do not support an association between dietary choline/betaine with incident CVD, but call for further research into choline and CVD mortality.
Latino Immigrant Narratives from Maryland

Despite the intensive work conducted by scholars to capture and preserve the memories of Latino immigrants in the Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Chicago metro areas, relatively little is known about the history and experiences of this immigrant group living in the Washington metro area, home to twelve of the top sixty Latino communities in the nation.62 Currently, there are 906,000 Latinos living in the region.63 This paper showcases some of the perspectives of Latino immigrants through oral history interviews conducted by students in two undergraduate history courses offer at Montgomery College (MC)64 : “History of Latinos in the US” and “Latin American History.” Students in these classes are required to identify immigrant community members and to request their cooperation for being interviewed. The process of collecting, creating, and preserving the life stories of these immigrants stimulates a keen interest in how both place of origin and historical experience inform the lives of immigrants. It gives the students too the opportunity to understand the impact of the past on immigrant experience and to gain an understanding of immigrants’ aspirations, hopes, and fears as well as their positive contributions to American society and culture. During the course of a semester, students conduct, transcribe, and construct oral histories and compose brief, one-page reflections on their interviews. Specifically, students document how their assumptions about the historical immigrant experience have changed as a result of their participation in this oral history project. The transcripts generated by these students represent original and relevant primary sources contributing an understanding of how the past is prologue for American immigrants going forward and foster an appreciation of the immigrant presence among us.
Protective Humoral Immunity in the Central Nervous System Requires Peripheral CD19-Dependent Germinal Center Formation following Coronavirus Encephalomyelitis.

B cell subsets with phenotypes characteristic of naive, non-isotype-switched, memory (Bmem) cells and antibody-secreting cells (ASC) accumulate in various models of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, including viral encephalomyelitis. During neurotropic coronavirus JHMV infection, infiltration of protective ASC occurs after T cell-mediated viral control and is preceded by accumulation of non-isotype-switched IgD+ and IgM+ B cells. However, the contribution of peripheral activation events in cervical lymph nodes (CLN) to driving humoral immune responses in the infected CNS is poorly defined. CD19, a signaling component of the B cell receptor complex, is one of multiple regulators driving B cell differentiation and germinal center (GC) formation by lowering the threshold of antigen-driven activation. JHMV-infected CD19−/− mice were thus used to determine how CD19 affects CNS recruitment of B cell subsets. Early polyclonal ASC expansion, GC formation, and virus-specific ASC were all significantly impaired in CLN of CD19−/− mice compared to wild-type (WT) mice, consistent with lower and unsustained virus-specific serum antibody (Ab). ASC were also significantly reduced in the CNS, resulting in increased infectious virus during persistence. Nevertheless, CD19 deficiency did not affect early CNS IgD+ B cell accumulation. The results support the notion that CD19-independent factors drive early B cell mobilization and recruitment to the infected CNS, while delayed accumulation of virus-specific, isotype-switched ASC requires CD19-dependent GC formation in CLN. CD19 is thus essential for both sustained serum Ab and protective local Ab within the CNS following JHMV encephalomyelitis. IMPORTANCE CD19 activation is known to promote GC formation and to sustain serum Ab responses following antigen immunization and viral infections. However, the contribution of CD19 in the context of CNS infections has not been evaluated. This study demonstrates that antiviral protective ASC in the CNS are dependent on CD19 activation and peripheral GC formation, while accumulation of early-recruited IgD+ B cells is CD19 independent. This indicates that IgD+ B cells commonly found early in the CNS do not give rise to local ASC differentiation and that only antigen-primed, peripheral GC-derived ASC infiltrate the CNS, thereby limiting potentially harmful nonspecific Ab secretion. Expanding our understanding of activation signals driving CNS migration of distinct B cell subsets during neuroinflammatory insults is critical for preventing and managing acute encephalitic infections, as well as preempting reactivation of persistent viruses during immune-suppressive therapies targeting B cells in multiple sclerosis (MS), such as rituximab and ocrelizumab.
Abstract 20932: Dynamic Regulation of Myocardial Long Noncoding RNAs in Human Heart Failure and Reverse Remodeling With Left Ventricular Assist Device Support

Introduction: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression and have been implicated in various biological processes. Modulating lncRNA levels could be a plausible strategy for the treatment of heart failure (HF), however the specific lncRNAs responsible for cardiac reverse remodeling remain largely unknown. Hypothesis: Myocardial lncRNAs mediate reverse remodeling through cis -regulation of the neighboring mRNAs Methods: RNA sequencing was performed using total RNA isolated from failing human myocardium before (n=21) and after (n=12) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation as well as from non-failing controls (n=5). Mapped reads for all GENCODE v26 lncRNAs were calculated. Differentially regulated mRNAs and lncRNAs were identified using a fold-change cut-off of 2 and a false discovery rate of 5%. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between lncRNA and neighboring mRNAs. Results: 81 incident HF and 47 reverse remodeling lncRNAs were identified (Figure 1A). 46 HF lncRNAs (56.8%) were normalized following LVAD support and showed reciprocal regulation in the pre- vs. post-LVAD myocardium (Figure 1B). Recovery lncRNAs included recently described Myheart (originating in the MYH7 locus) as well as novel lncRNAs (NPPA-AS1, RORB-AS1, lnc-TECRL). Majority of the antisense, intergenic, and intronic myocardial lncRNAs demonstrated a positive correlation with neighboring genes suggesting cis -regulation by lncRNAs during cardiac reverse remodeling (Figure 1C). Conclusions: Myocardial lncRNAs are dynamically regulated during myocardial remodeling (HF) and reverse remodeling with LVAD support. Mechanical unloading is accompanied by partial normalization of the pathological lncRNA signature. Further studies will determine mechanisms by which neighboring protein coding genes are regulated by lncRNAs in the failing human heart.
Multi-level spatial and temporal tiling for efficient HPC stencil computation on many-core processors with large shared caches

Abstract Stencil computation is an important class of algorithms used in a large variety of scientific-simulation applications, especially those arising from finite-difference numerical solutions to differential equations representing the behavior of physical phenomenon such as seismic activity. The performance of stencil calculations is often bounded by memory bandwidth, and such code benefits from vectorization and tiling techniques to reuse data as much as possible once it is loaded from memory. These tiling algorithms are especially crucial for many-core CPU products that contain caches local to the individual cores, and this work provides a review of the use of techniques such as vector-folding and spatial tiling to maximize per-core cache resources. Recent many-core products also include special memory with much higher bandwidth than traditional DDR memory that is intended to provide additional performance for bandwidth-limited applications. On such platforms that also include DDR, the high-bandwidth RAM may be configurable either as separately addressable memory or as a large shared cache for the DDR. Examples of platforms with this feature include those containing products in the Intel® Xeon Phi™ x200 processor family (code-named Knights Landing), which use Multi-Channel DRAM (MCDRAM) technology to provide the higher bandwidth memory resources. In traditional sequential time-step stencil algorithms, the additional bandwidth can most easily be exploited when the stencil data fits into the faster memory, restricting the problem sizes that can be undertaken and under-utilizing the larger DDR memory on the platform. As stencil problem sizes become significantly larger than the fast-memory capacity, the sequential time-step algorithms create an overwhelming number of misses from the fast-memory shared cache, and the effective bandwidth approaches that of the DDR, significantly degrading performance. This paper illustrates this effect and explores the application of temporal wave-front tiling to alleviate it, simultaneously leveraging both the large cache’s bandwidth and the DDR capacity. Two example applications are used to illustrate the optimizations: a single-grid isotropic approximation to the wave equation and a staggered-grid formulation for earthquake simulation. Details of the various tiling algorithms are given for both applications, and results on a Xeon Phi processor are presented, comparing performance across problem sizes and among four experimental configurations. Analyses of the bandwidth utilization and MCDRAM-cache hit rates are provided for one of the example applications, illustrating the correlation between these metrics and performance. It is demonstrated that temporal wave-front tiling can provide up to a 2.4x speedup compared to using the fast-memory cache without temporal tiling and 3.3x speedup compared to only using DDR memory for large problem sizes on the isotropic application. Respective speedups of 1.9x and 2.8x are demonstrated for the staggered-grid application.
Mitoprotection attenuates myocardial vascular impairment in porcine metabolic syndrome.

The present study shows that chronic mitoprotection preserved coronary endothelial cell mitochondria and decreased vascular injury, subendocardial microvascular loss, coronary retention of endothel...
Early postoperative remodelling following repair of tetralogy of Fallot utilising unsedated cardiac magnetic resonance: a pilot study.

IntroductionThe right ventricular adaptations early after surgery in infants with tetralogy of Fallot are important to understand the changes that occur later on in life; this physiology has not been fully delineated. We sought to assess early postoperative right ventricular remodelling in patients with tetralogy of Fallot by cardiac MRI.Materials and methodSubjects with tetralogy of Fallot under 1 year of age were recruited following complete surgical repair for tetralogy of Fallot. Protocol-based cardiac MRI to assess anatomy, function, and flows was performed before hospital discharge using the feed and sleep technique, an unsedated imaging technique. RESULTS MRI was completed in 16 subjects at a median age of 77 days (interquartile range 114). There was normal ventricular ejection fraction and indexed right ventricular end-diastolic volume (48±13 cc/m2), but elevated right ventricular mass (z score 6.2±2.4). Subjects requiring a transannular patch or right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit had moderate pulmonary insufficiency (regurgitant fraction 27±16%).DiscussionEarly right ventricular remodelling after surgical repair for tetralogy of Fallot is characterised by significant pulmonary regurgitation, right ventricular hypertrophy, and lack of dilation. Performing cardiac MRI using the feed and sleep technique is feasible in infants younger than 5 months. These results might open new avenues to study longitudinal right ventricular changes in tetralogy of Fallot and to further explore the utility of unsedated MRI in patients with other types of CHDs.
Improved Design and Space Vector Modulation of a Z-Source Ultrasparse Matrix Converter: Analysis, Implementation, and Performance Evaluation

Space vector modulation (SVM) of a Z-source ultrasparse matrix converter (ZSUSMC) can be realized by either using or not using a zero state in the space vector rectification. In this paper, these two modulation schemes are investigated for a cascaded ZSUSMC. It is demonstrated that the input current under the modulation scheme without a zero state is nonsinusoidal, and its harmonics content depends on the output and impedance network inductor currents. In addition, restrictions on operation of the ZSUSMC with low voltage gains are unveiled. Next, aiming at improving the input current quality and suppressing the harmonics content to an acceptable level, an approach for design of the cascaded Z-source network is proposed. Furthermore, an optimal switching pattern, which results in minimum possible number of changes in the switching states of the ZSUSMC, is developed. Using the developed switching pattern, an approach for digital implementation of the SVM schemes on a single conventional digital signal processor (DSP) without employing an additional field programmable gate array is proposed. Hardware-in-the-loop studies of the ZSUSMC modulated under the proposed SVM schemes are carried out to verify their digital implementation feasibility on a conventional single DSP, as well as effectiveness in producing high-quality input/output currents.
Abstract 154: Hemodynamic Regulation of Tie1 in Aortic Valve Endothelial Cells

During the cardiac cycle, the ventricular side of the aortic valve (ventricularis) is exposed to high shear pulsatile flow, while the aortic side (fibrosa) is exposed to low shear recirculatory flow. The two sides have different transcriptional profiles, likely due to their distinct flow patterns. Tie1 is a mechanically sensitive orphan tyrosine kinase receptor found in endothelial cells (ECs). Tie1 is often found associated with Tie2, a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in EC survival. Tie1 prevents ligand binding to Tie2 until Tie1 is cleaved, via shear stress or other signals. Although studies have shown shear stress cleaves Tie1, none have been done in the aortic valve. Mechanically induced changes in Tie1 expression in the valve may be crucial to understand the effects of the hemodynamics of each side. ECs were isolated from the fibrosa and ventricularis of excised porcine aortic valves. The Flexcell 4000 Tension System was used for strain, and an insert for the Flexcell plates ( A, B, C ) was designed to apply shear stress at the same time. Full length Tie1 protein expression in porcine aortic valvular endothelial cells (pAVECs) decreased ~40% after 15% strain for 24 hours, while cleaved Tie1 endodomain levels increased ( D ). Additionally, qPCR results showed that Tie1 mRNA levels did not decrease as dramatically, also supporting Tie1 cleavage. Full length Tie1 protein expression in pAVECs also decreased ~60% after 7 hours of 10 dynes/cm 2 pulsatile bidirectional shear stress and decreased ~90% after 24 hours of 15% strain combined with 2 dynes/cm 2 pulsatile bidirectional shear stress ( E, F ). Akt, a protein kinase phosphorylated by activated Tie2, showed increased phosphorylation after 15 minutes of strain ( G ), providing evidence that cleaved Tie1 may be activating Tie2. These results show the varying responses in Tie1 expression to different shear stresses and strains and demonstrate that mechanical regulation plays an important role in its signaling in the aortic valve.
On Bayesian and Decision-Theoretic Approaches to Statistical Prediction

Let Y and Z be two random vectors with joint density f(y, z|θ), where θ∈Θ is an unknown parameter vector, and consider predicting Z based on y, the observed value of Y. We investigate Bayesian and decision-theoretic approaches to this problem, taking into account the loss function and the prior distribution of θ. Exploring connections between statistical prediction and decision theory, we find that a prediction problem can be reduced to a standard decision theory problem if the induced loss function is allowed to depend on the observed data y in addition to the unknown parameter θ and the decision d. In general, the predictive posterior density f(z|y) may not contain all information necessary for obtaining optimum predictions, but the posterior density f(θ|y) is adequate for that purpose. Some admissibility results are also discussed.
CANONICAL REPRESENTATION OF LINEAR STRUCTURAL ECONOMETRIC MODELS, RANK TESTS FOR IDENTIFICATION AND EXISTENCE OF ESTIMATORS' MOMENTS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the canonical representation of linear structural econometric models, rank tests for identification and existence of estimators' moments. It also presents several canonical representations of a linear structural econometric model in which structural coefficients are expressed as ratios of underlying parameters. These ratios have latent roots in their denominators that are associated with rank conditions for identification. Estimators considered conditional upon favorable outcomes of tests of rank conditions possess finite moments and, hence, finite mean-squared errors. However, it is not necessary that such pretest estimators are optimal even though they possess finite mean-squared errors. The chapter describes the risk functions of the pretest estimators and presents a comparison of them with those of other estimators that possess finite mean-squared error.
Does Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenic Protein 2 Affect Perioperative Blood Loss after Lumbar and Thoracic Spinal Fusion

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort design. PURPOSE This study aimed to determine whether recombinant human bone morphogenic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) reduces total perioperative blood loss during lumbar and thoracic fusion. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE Previous studies on rhBMP-2 versus iliac crest bone grafting in thoracic and lumbar fusions have yielded mixed results regarding reductions in blood loss and have largely neglected the postoperative period when analyzing total blood loss. Additionally, these studies have been limited by heterogeneity and sample size. METHODS We analyzed the blood loss patterns of 617 consecutive adult patients undergoing lumbar and/or thoracic fusions requiring subfascial drain placement at a single institution from January 2009 to December 2016. Patients were divided into BMP and non-BMP cohorts, and a propensity score analysis was conducted to account for the differences between cohorts. RESULTS At a per-level fused basis, the BMP group exhibited a significant reduction in the intraoperative (66.1 mL per-level fused basis; 95% confidence interval [CI], 127.9 to 4.25 mL; p =0.036) and total perioperative blood loss (100.7 mL per-level fused basis; 95% CI, 200.9 to 0.5 mL; p =0.049). However, no significant differences were observed in an analysis when not controlling for the number of levels or when examining the postoperative drain output. CONCLUSIONS RhBMP-2 appears to reduce both intraoperative and total blood loss during lumbar and thoracic fusions on a per-level fused basis. This total reduction in blood loss was achieved via intraoperative effects because RhBMP-2 had no significant effect on the postoperative drain output.
Correction for Diaz et al., "Specialized Proresolving Mediators Rescue Infant Mice from Lethal Citrobacter rodentium Infection and Promote Immunity against Reinfection".

Volume 85, no. 10, e00464-17, 2017, [https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00464-17][1]. Page 1: This article was published on 20 September 2017 without the middle initial for author Wasif N. Khan in the byline. The byline was updated in the current version, posted on 25 July 2018. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1128/
Probability and relative frequency

Abstract This chapter defines probability and then gives the few mathematical rules necessary to work with it. While probability is a mathematical concept, we deal with real data. The properties of observed data are explained, and a method of obtaining the distribution of relative frequencies of observed values is given. Then the relationship of relative frequency distributions to probability distributions is explained and illustrated.
Penetrating Colon Trauma Outcomes in Black and White Males

Introduction Racial disparities have been both published and disputed in trauma patient mortality, outcomes, and rehabilitation. In this study, the objective was to assess racial disparities in patients with penetrating colon trauma. Methods The National Trauma Data Bank was searched for males aged ≥14years from 2010 through 2014 who underwent operative intervention for penetrating colon trauma. The primary outcomes for this study were stoma formation and transfer to rehabilitation; secondary outcomes were postoperative morbidity and mortality. Analyses were performed in 2016–2018. Results There were 7,324 patients identified (4,916 black, 2,408 white). Black and white patients underwent fecal diversion with stoma formation at a similar rate (19.6% vs 18.5%, p=0.28). Black patients were more likely than white patients to be uninsured (self-pay; 37.1% vs 29.9%) and more likely to be injured by firearms (88.3% vs 70.2%, p Conclusions Black patients experienced similar rates of stoma formation and transfer to rehabilitation as white patients with penetrating colon trauma. Multivariate analysis confirmed expected findings that trauma severity increased the odds of receiving an ostomy and rehabilitation placement. The protocol-based management approach to emergency trauma care potentially decreases the risk for the racial biases that could lead to healthcare disparities. Supplement information This article is part of a supplement entitled African American Men's Health: Research, Practice, and Policy Implications, which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
CONTROL SOBRE TIERRAS, SISTEMAS DE CAMELLONES, CANALES Y MANO DE OBRA DURANTE EL PERIODO PREHISPÁNICO EN LA SABANA DE BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA

En este articulo se evaluan dos aproximaciones arqueologicas relacionadas con el control de recursos economicos basicos como un componente central en el surgimiento de la complejidad social durante el periodo prehispanico en la Sabana de Bogota, Colombia. La vision “de arriba hacia abajo” propone que los caciques Muiscas derivaron su poder del control sobre recursos economicos, principalmente derechos sobre la tierra, mano de obra, mejores suelos agricolas y sistemas de camellones y canales. La vision “de abajo hacia arriba” plantea que las unidades domesticas fueron las que controlaron los derechos sobre la tierra, mejores suelos agricolas, sistemas de camellones y canales. Para evaluar ambas aproximaciones, se analizaron los datos de un reconocimiento regional de 235 km2 en la Sabana de Bogota a traves de un programa de Sistema de Informacion Geografica para establecer la relacion entre la distribucion de la poblacion y la calidad de suelos, camellones y canales. Los resultados apoyan la coexistencia de ambas situaciones. Los grupos locales y las unidades domesticas individuales tuvieron control directo sobre los derechos sobre la tierra y la infraestructura agricola. Sin embargo, el nucleo del cacicazgo de Bogota presento mas centralizacion demografica y politica y mayor grado de control directo sobre derechos de tierras, mano de obra, suelos de mejor calidad e infraestructura agricola que otros cacicazgos locales.