cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sterol Carrier Protein-2: New roles in regulating lipid rafts and signaling

Sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) was independently discovered as a soluble protein that binds and transfers cholesterol as well as phospholipids (nonspecific lipid transfer protein, nsLTP) in vitro. Physiological functions of this protein are only now beginning to be resolved. The gene encoding SCP-2 also encodes sterol carrier protein-x (SCP-x) arising from an alternate transcription site. In vitro and in vivo SCP-x serves as a peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase in oxidation of branched-chain lipids (cholesterol to form bile acids; branched-chain fatty acid for detoxification). While peroxisomal SCP-2 facilitates branched-chain lipid oxidation, the role(s) of extraperoxisomal (up to 50% of total) are less clear. Studies using transfected fibroblasts overexpressing SCP-2 and hepatocytes from SCP-2/SCP-x gene-ablated mice reveal that SCP-2 selectively remodels the lipid composition, structure, and function of lipid rafts/caveolae. Studies of purified SCP-2 and in cells show that SCP-2 has high affinity for and selectively transfers many lipid species involved in intracellular signaling: fatty acids, fatty acyl CoAs, lysophosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositols, and sphingolipids (sphingomyelin, ceramide, mono-di-and multi-hexosylceramides, gangliosides). SCP-2 selectively redistributes these signaling lipids between lipid rafts/caveolae and intracellular sites. These findings suggest SCP-2 serves not only in cholesterol and phospholipid transfer, but also in regulating multiple lipid signaling pathways in lipid raft/caveolae microdomains of the plasma membrane.
Postpartum contraception needs of women with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit

Postpartum contraception needs of women with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit
Novel Inheritable Caveolin-1 Mutations in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Previous genetic studies of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and heritable PAH have identified mutations in several genes related to transforming growth factor-β signaling, including bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2), activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1), endoglin (ENG), and mothers against decapentaplegic 9 (SMAD9). Furthermore, 25% of heritable PAH and 85% of idiopathic PAH cases have no identified genetic association. The study by Austin et al1 sought to identify additional genes responsible for idiopathic PAH and heritable PAH. Sequencing was performed on 2 cohorts. The first was a 3-generation family with autosomal dominant transmission of PAH and no identifiable mutations in BMPR2 by dideoxy sequencing or multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification and ALK1 , ENG , or SMAD9 by exon sequencing. Exon sequencing was then performed on samples from 4 of 12 family members to identify the presumed …
Photographs and Descriptions of Cup-Fungi—XXXVIII. The Genus Kriegeria

In 1878 Rabenhorst (Hedwigia 17: 32) established the genus Kriegeria founding it on his own species Omnbrophila ? Kriegeriana (Rab. Fungi Eur. 2315. 1878), but suggested changing the specific name to olivacea which change was unnecessary and, in fact, unwarranted under the rules. The species on which the genus was founded seems to be quite common in Europe, judging from the number of specimens in our collection. The plants occur on Abies pectinata and are characterized by their olivaceous color. In 1931 the writer established the genus Chloroscypha on Helotium Seaveri Rehm, a species which occurs on foilage of Thuja. plicata. This species is also characterized by the peculiar olive green color of the apothecia, which is more apparent when the apothecia are crushed. Both species are further characterized by the comparatively large fusoid to fusiform spores. The writer is convinced that the two genera are identical. Dr. W. Lawrence White treats Kriegeria as a synonym of his genus Rutstroemia, but the writer believes that the plants which have been placed in Kriegeria and Chloroscypha should be retained in a separate genus under the earlier name Kriegeria. All the species referred to the two genera occur on foilage, twigs or branches of coniferous trees.
Notes on Aggregation Criteria in Market Segmentation

First, the authors seek to dispel any misunderstanding that standard price discrimination theory prescribes a profit-maximizing aggregation criterion. They argue that Tollefson and Lessig misinterp...
Generalized infection in syphilitic rabbits resulting from the inadequate salvarsan therapy

In the course of study of the spirocheticidal action of salvarsan in vitro it was observed that in very low concentrations, instead of exerting inhibiting action, salvarsan markedly stimulated the growth of spirochetes.1 Later, on the bases of this observation one of us recommended the use of minute amounts of salvarsan in the medium for isolation of spirochetes in vitro.2 At the same time it was suspected that introducing minute amounts of salvarsan might also stimulate the growth of spirochetes in vivo. Accordingly a number of male rabbits with experimental syphilitic orchitis as well as two infected females were treated with varying amounts of salvarsan (from 0.004 gm. per kilo down to 0.000004 gm. per kilo) and several of them developed generalized infection, whereas controls treated with large amounts (0.03 gm. per kilo to 0.005 gm. per kilo) or those left untreated showed no tendency to generalized lues during at least 14 months following the date of the experiment. In addition to the involvement of...
Telomere Length Analysis in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

BackgroundChronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a severely disabling condition associated with multi-system symptoms including marked post-exertional malaise, fatigue, pain, unrefreshing sleep and cogn...
Prevalence of HIV,HCV and Syphilis Infection at Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinic in Liuzhou City

Objective To investigate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),hepatitis C virus(HCV) and Syphilis infection(TP) among drug users at the methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Liuzhou city,and to provide basic data for setting up proper prevention and intervention measures.Methods A total of 518 drug users from two methadone maintenance treatment clinics were tested for anti-HIV,anti-HCV and anti-Syphilis.Result The positive rate of HIV,HCV and Syphilis infections among the 518 drug users were 5.98%(31/518),85.52%(443/518) and 3.67%(19/518),respectively.The double positive rate of HIV+HCV,TP+HCV and HIV+TP were 5.79%(30/518),3.67% (19/518),0.19% (1/518) respectively.Conclusion The proprotion of HIV,HCV and Syphilis are high among drug users at the methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Liuzhou city.Direct individual intervention should be carried out among the drug users as soon as possible.
Analysis of abnormal erythrocyte proteins and the etiological relation to hemolytic anemia

Analytical procedures and diagnostic methods on abnormal proteins associated with hemolytic anemia are reviewed. Hemoglobin variants and enzymopathies are disorders of soluble proteins in erythrocytes. Electrophoretic mobilities and enzyme assay are clinically most useful to detect the disorders. Unique methods have been devised for unstable hemoglobins. Abnormal skeletal proteins are responsible for some spherocytosis and related diseases. Disorder of proteins which have penetrated into the membrane may cause similar hemolysis. Complement regulatory proteins on the surface of membrane are defective in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Flow-cytometric analysis is convenient for disclosing clonal abnormal erythrocytes. Antibodies are investigated after elution. Ultimate characterization for the erythrocyte proteins are performed on biochemical approaches, such as amino acid analysis by HPLC and determination of base sequences of cDNA.
Preservice Teachers’ Reconciliation of an Epistemological Issue in an Integrated Mathematics/Science Methods Course

Preservice teachers in six sections (n = 87) of a sequenced, methodological and process-integrated elementary mathematics/science methods course were able to reconcile an issue centered on a similar area of epistemology. Preservice teachers participated in a science inquiry lesson on biological classification and a mathematics problem-solving lesson on polyhedra. Preservice teachers were asked why it was possible to derive a mathematical formula for polyhedra and not organisms and what this implies about the similarities and differences between the epistemologies of mathematics and science. An area of epistemology known as simplicity was triangulated as “simple versus complex” emerged from the constant comparative method (28 %) and “justification and simplicity” (96 %) was coded with a content analysis. Implications include how methods course instructors can create other appropriate activities which incorporate and reconcile other areas of epistemology.
K Street on Main? How Political Institutions Cultivate a Professional Lobbying Elite

Interest groups are frequently faced with the decision of how best to communicate their interests to government oﬃcials: should they hire professional, “hired gun” lobbyists or instead call upon current employees to conduct government relations? “Hired gun” (or contract) lobbyists typically are hired on a fee basis and often represent multiple clients. Alternatively, in-house employees represent their employers before policymakers and usually register as lobbyists only for their individual employers. We propose and test a theory for where and when interest groups turn to multi-client lobbyists. We suggest that multi-client lobbying becomes more prevalent when compliance costs increase or when institutions increase the value of political connections. Using an original data set compiled from state lobbyist registration lists from 1975 to 2013, we demonstrate that groups turn more often to multi-client lobbyists when lobby law compliance costs are high, in the absence of legislative term limits, when legislatures are more professional, and when constituencies are large and diverse. We test our theories by using registration lists to generate network density measures of multi-client lobbying. This study is the ﬁrst to advance and test an institutions-level theory of lobbyist hiring.
Electrically controlled nonlinear optical generation and signal processing in plasmonic metamaterials(Conference Presentation)

Metamaterials have offered not only the unprecedented opportunity to generate unconventional electromagnetic properties that are not found in nature, but also the exciting potential to create customized nonlinear media with tailored high-order effects. Two particularly compelling directions of current interests are active metamaterials, where the optical properties can be purposely manipulated by external stimuli, and nonlinear metamaterials, which enable intensity-dependent frequency conversion of light. By exploring the interaction of these two directions, we leverage the electrical and optical functions simultaneously supported in nanostructured metals and demonstrate electrically-controlled nonlinear processes from photonic metamaterials. We show that a variety of nonlinear optical phenomena, including the wave mixing and the optical rectification, can be purposely modulated by applied voltage signals. In addition, electrically-induced and voltage-controlled nonlinear effects facilitate us to demonstrate the backward phase matching in a negative index material, a long standing prediction in nonlinear metamaterials. Other results to be covered in this talk include photon-drag effect in plasmonic metamaterials and ion-assisted nonlinear effects from metamaterials in electrolytes. Our results reveal a grand opportunity to exploit optical metamaterials as self-contained, dynamic electrooptic systems with intrinsically embedded electrical functions and optical nonlinearities. Reference: L. Kang, Y. Cui, S. Lan, S. P. Rodrigues, M. L. Brongersma, and W. Cai, Nature Communications, 5, 4680 (2014). S. P. Rodrigues and W.Cai, Nature Nanotechnology, 10, 387 (2015). S. Lan, L. Kang, D. T. Schoen, S. P. Rodrigues, Y. Cui, M. L. Brongersma, and W. Cai, Nature Materials, 14, 807 (2015).
Translingual practice in L2 Japanese: workplace narratives

ABSTRACTTranslingual practice is an emergent theoretical perspective which emphasizes the capacity and disposition for meaning-making across linguistic boundaries. Following on studies of globalized workplaces that have focused on lingua franca English, this article explores translingual practice as represented in interview and blog narratives recounted by multilingual, multiethnic young adults hired by Japanese schools and companies for their English proficiency. In these metapragmatic narratives of interactions with supervisors and coworkers, participants portray themselves surmounting communicative challenges through investment in L2 Japanese, and especially through pragmatic accommodation to local norms. In this way, they avoid maintaining widespread ideologies that delegitimize Japanese L2 speakers.
Human blood protein and cell interactions with cardiovascular materials

We have investigated the interaction between blood proteins and cells with clinically used cardiovascular materials and NHLBI-DTB reference materials. These studies have determined that blood proteins adsorb to the surfaces of materials as detected by immunologic methods using radioimmunoassay or immunogold labelling. Protein adsorption occurred to a greater extent on materials without the use of anticoagulant. When polymers were coated with protein, monocytes adhered and became activated. This activation resulted in the production of growth factors for thymocytes and fibroblasts. Furthermore, the respiratory burst of monocytes with superoxide anion release was modulated by polymers. These studies suggest that the initial interaction of proteins, cells and polymers is a complex situation and that the use of cardiovascular materials must consider these important interactions.
Are Two Ears Always Better than One? The Capacity Function Says No

Abstract In an application of Systems Factorial Technology (SFT), we assessed the fundamental questions of whether across-frequency (spectral) integration for the binaural and monaural auditory systems follows a parallel architecture and has similar efficiency. Using an OR task and the double-factorial design, we measured reaction times (RTs) for the detection of one vs. two pure tones presented to either one ear (monaural) or across the ears (binaural). Data revealed no substantial advantage of the binaural presentation over the monaural presentation. That is, RTs of the single targets and the dual targets were very similar for both monaural and binaural presentations. System architecture was analyzed, and generally speaking, the architecture was parallel for both monaural and binaural conditions. Capacity measures demonstrated limited capacity for all conditions as well, indicative of a small redundancy benefit for both monaural and binaural presentation contexts. Although the parallel architecture is frequently assumed for spectral integration in the auditory system, is it also generally assumed to be highly efficient. Our data obtained at high accuracy do not support an efficient integration system. One possible explanation for the different results between accuracy and RT studies could be related to an auditory mechanism that operates efficiently under low-accuracy scenarios but not at high.
Bestowing a Name on the Beautiful Unknown

Ten years ago I taught beekeeping at a state prison. As a volunteer, I had very little authority and the inmates knew it. Each season a new crop of obstreperous tattooed men, too virile to mess wit...
Reducing Antipsychotic Medication Use in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Study of Nursing Staff Perceptions.

Background and objectives The purpose of this study was to use qualitative methods to explore nursing home staff perceptions of antipsychotic medication use and identify both benefits and barriers to reducing inappropriate use from their perspective. Research design and methods Focus groups were conducted with a total of 29 staff in three community nursing homes that served both short and long-stay resident populations. Results The majority (69%) of the staff participants were licensed nurses. Participants expressed many potential benefits of antipsychotic medication reduction with four primary themes: (a) Improvement in quality of life, (b) Improvement in family satisfaction, (c) Reduction in falls, and (d) Improvement in the facility Quality Indicator score (regulatory compliance). Participants also highlighted important barriers they face when attempting to reduce or withdraw antipsychotic medications including: (a) Family resistance, (b) Potential for worsening or return of symptoms or behaviors, (c) Lack of effectiveness and/or lack of staff resources to consistently implement nonpharmacological management strategies, and (d) Risk aversion of staff and environmental safety concerns. Discussion and implications Nursing home staff recognize the value of reducing antipsychotic medications; however, they also experience multiple barriers to reduction in routine clinical practice. Achievement of further reductions in antipsychotic medication use will require significant additional efforts and adequate clinical personnel to address these barriers.
Cannabis and Sexuality

The purpose of this study is to review the impact of cannabis use on sexual functioning. The effects of cannabis on human sexuality have been known for centuries and explored for decades. The aphrodisiac effect of acute cannabis use has been frequently promoted, while the negative effect of its chronic use, especially in higher doses, has been less recognized and appreciated. The mechanism of cannabis effect on sexual functioning is not well understood, though results of some studies suggest a possible and controversial endocrinological explanation such as lowering of testosterone levels. Cannabis has bidirectional effect on sexual functioning. Low and acute doses of cannabis may enhance sexual human sexual functioning, e.g., sexual desire and enjoyment/satisfaction in some subjects. On the other hand, chronic use of higher doses of cannabis may lead to negative effect on sexual functioning such as lack of interest, erectile dysfunction, and inhibited orgasm. Studies of cannabis effect on human sexuality in cannabis users and healthy volunteers which would implement a double-blind design and use valid and reliable instruments are urgently needed in view of expanded use of cannabis/marijuana due to its legalization and medicalization.
Cooperation induction in two player bertand markets with linear demand

We present a two player gradient play differential game in a producer market with quadratic payoff as a model of behavior in a competitive environment and show that the Nash equilibrium is not efficient. An algorithm is then presented which uses side payments to induce cooperation between firms, and rules for side payment strategies are shown. The stability of the new system at a reasonable equilibrium is proved, and it is shown that all participants are at least as well off as they would be at the non-cooperative equilibrium. Numerical examples show the existence of a reasonable equilibrium and that the basin of attraction of that equilibrium appears to cover all reasonable initial conditions.
Planning for the Elicitation of Students’ Ideas: A Lesson Study Approach with Preservice Science Teachers

ABSTRACTIn an effort to better prepare science teachers to engage in high-leverage practices, this study investigates the choices and rationales of preservice science teachers in planning elicitation strategies and describes how their understandings about the elicitation of students’ ideas changed over time. Four cohorts of preservice science teachers engaged in a cycle of modified lesson study focused on the elicitation of student ideas. Findings suggest that the participants focused on revising the elicitation task to achieve greater task clarity and student participation and to provide more opportunities for individual thinking. One notable outcome of the study is the need for a greater conceptual distinction in science teacher education between elicitation practices in which resources for student thinking are identified and assessment practices that seek students’ progress toward learning goals.
Access to Health Care and Criminal Behavior: Short-Run Evidence from the ACA Medicaid Expansions

I investigate the causal relationship between access to health care and criminal behavior following state decisions to expand Medicaid coverage after the Affordable Care Act. Many of the newly eligible individuals for Medicaid-provided health insurance are adults at high risk for crime. I leverage variation in insurance eligibility generated by state decisions to expand Medicaid and differential pre-treatment uninsured rates at the county-level. My findings indicate that the Medicaid expansions have resulted in significant decreases in annual crime by 3 percent. This estimate is driven by significant decreases in both reported violent and property crime. A within-state heterogeneity analysis suggests that crime impacts are more pronounced in counties with higher pre-reform uninsured levels. The estimated decrease in reported crime amounts to an annual cost savings of $13 billion.
Institutional culture is the key to team science

Institutional leadership in creating a culture of cooperation and pathways for multidisciplinary collaboration is critical to achieving the goals of academic translation and innovation.
Encapsulation of hydrophilic payload by PU-PMF capsule: Effect of melamine-formaldehyde pre-polymer content, pH and temperature on capsule morphology

Abstract In our earlier study, we developed a strategy to encapsulate an aqueous solution by a dual-composition capsule fabricated on the basis of a water-in-oil-in-oil Pickering emulsion template. This present contribution entails a systematic elucidation of the effect of three key synthesis parameters, specifically the concentration of the melamine–formaldehyde pre-polymer (pre-MF), the pH, and the temperature, on the synthesis and the morphology of the capsules. It was found that, the capsule with typical architecture, dense and robust shell could only be synthesized in the system with the pre-MF concentration above 75% of the pre-MF master solution, within the pH range of 4.0–6.0, and at the reaction temperature no less than 50 ℃ . The pre-MF content affects the size of the Pickering emulsion template, which further determines the size of the resultant capsule. The appropriate pH determines the formation of shell-cavity architecture via controlling the PMF precipitates out as particles and deposits on the interface. Furthermore, the release properties of the encapsulated rhodamine B aqueous solution was investigated. The novel capsule was found to exhibit good impermeability in the water solvent.
Catalyst Support Effects on Selectivity in the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

While the catalytic activity of a catalyst is important, of even more importance is catalytic selectivity. This is especially true for the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis, where much work is being done to selectively make gasoline, olefins, or other classes of hydrocarbons.
Background and Problem Specification

This chapter presents background on sequential decision making and reinforcement learning as well as the specification of the problems that this book is addressing. I begin by presenting a formal description of sequential decision making problems as Markov Decision Processes. Then I describe the reinforcement learning problem. Next, I explain the difference between model-free and model-based approaches and present example algorithms of each class. I present details on using model-based RL in factored domains. In Section 2.2.4, I present an important aspect of model-based RL, planning, along with the uct planning algorithm. In the next section, I formally define the class of domains this book is focused on: time-constrained domains where learning in very few samples is critical. Finally, I present a specific example of a domain from this class and demonstrate how each of the RL for Robotics Challenges are present in this domain.
Analysis of distributions of mutants in clones of plant-cell aggregates.

The organization of plant cells (or any other genetic elements, such as organelles) into aggregates modifies the expected distribution of mutants in clones. The reason for the modification, and its effect on the use of the Luria-Delbruck fluctuation test, are discussed. The Luria-Delbriick test was used to show that the trait for chlorate resistance in cultured rose-cell aggregates appeared spontaneously and in the absence of chlorate ion.
Arrows Pointing at Arrows: Arrow Logic, Relevance Logic, and Relation Algebras

Richard Routley and Robert K. Meyer introduced a ternary relational semantics for various relevance logics in the early 1970s. Johan van Benthem and Yde Venema introduced “arrow logic” in the early 1990s and about the same time I showed how a variation of the Routley–Meyer semantics could be used to provide an interpretation of Tarski’s axioms for relation algebras. In this paper I explore the relationships between the van Benthem–Venema semantics for arrow logics, and the Routley–Meyer semantics for relevance logic, and conclude with a comparison between van Benthem’s version of the semantics for arrow logic aimed at relation algebras, and my own version of the Routley–Meyer semantics which I used to give a representation of relation algebras (but at a type level higher than Tarski’s original intended interpretation of an element as a relation, for me it is a set of relations). In the process I show how van Benthem’s semantics for arrow logic can be just slightly tweaked (just one additional constraint) so as to give a representation of relation algebras.
Association of Tumor [ 18 F]FDG Activity and Diffusion Restriction with Clinical Outcomes of Rhabdomyosarcomas

To evaluate whether the extent of restricted diffusion and 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) uptake of pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) on positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) images provides prognostic information. In a retrospective, IRB-approved study, we evaluated [18F]FDG PET/CT and diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging studies of 21 children and adolescents (age 1–20 years) with RMS of the head and neck. [18F]FDG PET and DW MR scans at the time of the initial tumor diagnosis were fused using MIM software. Quantitative measures of the tumor mass with restricted diffusion, [18F]FDG hypermetabolism, or both were dichotomized at the median and tested for significance using Gray’s test. Data were analyzed using a survival analysis and competing risk model with death as the competing risk. [18F]FDG PET/MR images demonstrated a mismatch between tumor areas with increased [18F]FDG uptake and restricted diffusion. The DWI, PET, and DWI + PET tumor volumes were dichotomized at their median values, 23.7, 16.4, and 9.5 cm3, respectively, and were used to estimate survival. DWI, PET, and DWI + PET overlap tumor volumes above the cutoff values were associated with tumor recurrence, regardless of post therapy COG stage (p = 0.007, p = 0.04, and p = 0.07, respectively). The extent of restricted diffusion within RMS and overlap of hypermetabolism plus restricted diffusion predict unfavorable clinical outcomes.
Religion, Sectarianism, and Democracy: Theory and Evidence from Lebanon

Why does religion sometimes increase support for democracy and sometimes do just the opposite? Using data from an original survey conducted in Lebanon, I present and test a theory of religion, group interest, and democracy. Focusing on communal religion, I demonstrate that the effect of communal prayer on support for democracy depends on the interests of the religious group. For groups who would benefit from democracy, communal prayer increases support for democratic institutions; for citizens whose groups would lose privileges in the event of democratic reforms, the opposite effect is present. I test these claims both observationally and experimentally, using a religious priming experiment aiming to mimic the effect of communal prayer. I find that communal religion, either through attendance at religious services or through the communal primes increases the salience of sectarian identity, and therefore pushes respondents’ regime attitudes into closer alignment with the interests of their sect.
Suppressing Mitochondrial Respiration Is Critical for Hypoxia Tolerance in the Fetal Growth Plate.

Summary Oxygen (O2) is both an indispensable metabolic substrate and a regulatory signal that controls the activity of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (Hif1a), a mediator of the cellular adaptation to low O2 tension (hypoxia). Hypoxic cells require Hif1a to survive. Additionally, Hif1a is an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration. Hence, we hypothesized that enhancing mitochondrial respiration is detrimental to the survival of hypoxic cells in vivo. We tested this hypothesis in the fetal growth plate, which is hypoxic. Our findings show that mitochondrial respiration is dispensable for survival of growth plate chondrocytes. Furthermore, its impairment prevents the extreme hypoxia and the massive chondrocyte death observed in growth plates lacking Hif1a. Consequently, augmenting mitochondrial respiration affects the survival of hypoxic chondrocytes by, at least in part, increasing intracellular hypoxia. We thus propose that partial suppression of mitochondrial respiration is crucial during development to protect the tissues that are physiologically hypoxic from lethal intracellular anoxia.
Using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder With Co-Occurring Depression

Many individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) also experience co-occurring depression, which may complicate OCD treatment. Some data suggest that OCD patients with comorbid depression experience less improvement with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the recommended psychotherapy for OCD. In particular, depression may interfere with an individual's adherence to the tasks of CBT, particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP). However, successful interventions exist for depression within CBT, including both cognitive therapy and behavioral activation, which can be added in treating OCD patients with depression. This article reviews the literature on the impact of comorbid depression on OCD treatment and then describes the treatment of an adult with both conditions. This case history demonstrates how depression-specific interventions can be incorporated into standard ERP to maximize OCD treatment gains. We also review important practice points for treating clinicians and areas for future research.
TMPRSS2-ERG transcript heterogeneity in human prostate cancers: Insights from a prospective prostate biopsy series

2175 Introduction: The discovery that the majority of human prostate cancers contain a recurrent genomic rearrangement involving one of the ETS family oncogenes has introduced an important new class of biomarkers for this disease. Most commonly, a chromosome 21q22.2-3 rearrangement places ERG expression under the control of a prostate-specific, androgen regulated TMPRSS2 promoter. TMPRSS2-ERG fusions show considerable variability, and it9s been proposed that specific TMPRSS2-ERG transcript structure(s) may be directly associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness. We have analyzed TMPRSS2-ERG at the mRNA and genomic levels in prostate cancer patients from a prospectively collected needle biopsy cohort. Using high quality RNA samples, we found that only a subset of TMPRSS2-ERG positive cases produce fusion transcripts that are long enough to contain the complete coding sequence of the truncated ERG oncogene. In this study, our objective was to assess the relative contribution of these potentially “full length” TMPRSS2-ERG transcripts to this pivotal molecular event in prostate cancer pathobiology. Experimental methods: Prostate biopsy patients were enrolled in a protocol in which tissue print micropeel “touch preps” were collected from each biopsy core (12 cores/patient). Tissue cores were processed as usual for pathology; after a histological diagnosis had been established, additional sections were obtained for FISH analysis of chromosome 21q22-3 rearrangements. Tissue prints were snap frozen upon collection; purified RNA and DNA fractions were prepared from each print for molecular analysis. Rt-PCR and direct sequencing were used to determine the detailed molecular characteristics of specific TMPRSS2-ERG transcripts. Results: In our biopsy series, approx 50% of the prostate cancer patients who were positive for TMPRSS2-ERG expressed relatively long forms of the fusion transcript (1-2 Kb from TMPRSS2 exon 1 to 3’UTR of ERG). Comparable wild type ERG transcripts containing the full coding sequence of the oncogene are approx 1.4 Kb. Interestingly, in the subset of patients positive for 1-2 Kb TMPRSS2-ERG transcripts, approx 80% showed Gleason 7 or higher grade cancer on biopsy, suggesting a predisposition for more aggressive tumors among patients whose prostate cancer(s) express longer forms of this fusion mRNA. Conclusions: The characteristics of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusions found at biopsy may provide insight into the molecular etiology of a patient’s tumor(s). Moreover, our data suggest that patients with TMPRSS2-ERG transcripts that are long enough to contain all of the coding sequence of the truncated ERG oncogene are more likely to have higher Gleason score tumors, providing a potential molecular marker for more aggressive disease. (supported by NIH/NCI funding through the IMAT and EDRN programs and by a research grant from New England Baptist Hospital)
Investigating the Detection of Bimanual Haptic Retargeting in Virtual Reality

Haptic retargeting is a virtual reality (VR) interaction technique enabling virtual objects to be ”remapped” to different haptic proxies by offsetting the user’s virtual hand from their physical hand. While researchers have investigated single-hand retargeting, the effects of bimanual interaction in the context of haptic retargeting have been less explored. In this study, we present an evaluation of perceptual detection rates for bimanual haptic retargeting in VR. We tested 64 combinations of simultaneous left- and right-hand retargeting ranging from − 24° to + 24° offsets and found that bimanual retargeting can be more noticeable to users when the hands are redirected in different directions as opposed to the same direction.
Neuromechanical Mantis Model Replicates Animal Postures via Biological Neural Models

A neuromechanical model of a mantis was developed to explore the neural basis of some elements of hunting behavior, which is very flexible and context-dependent, for robotic control. In order to capture the complexity and flexibility of insect behavior, we have leveraged our previous work [1] and constructed a dynamical model of a mantis with a control system built from dynamical neuron models, which simulate the flow of ions through cell membranes. We believe that this level of detail will provide more insight into what makes the animal successful than a finite state machine (FSM) or a recurrent neural network (RNN). Each of the model’s walking legs has six degrees of freedom. Each joint is actuated by an antagonistic pair of muscles, controlled by a custom designed variable-stiffness joint controller based on insect neurobiology. The resulting low-level control system serves as the groundwork for a more complete behavioral model of the animal.
Instabilities of Thin Films on a Compliant Substrate: Direct Numerical Simulations from Surface Wrinkling to Global Buckling

For structures consisting of a thin film bonded to a compliant substrate, wrinkling of the thin film is commonly observed as a result of mechanical instability. Although this surface undulation may be an undesirable feature, the development of new functional devices has begun to take advantage of wrinkled surfaces. The wrinkled structure also serves to improve mechanical resilience of flexible devices by suppressing crack formation upon stretching and bending. If the substrate has a reduced thickness, buckling of the entire structure may also occur. It is important to develop numerical design tools for predicting both wrinkle and buckle formations. In this paper we report a comprehensive finite element-based study utilizing embedded imperfections to directly simulate instabilities. The technique overcomes current computational challenges. The temporal evolution of the wrinkling features including wavelength and amplitude, as well as the critical strains to trigger the surface undulation and overall structural buckling, can all be predicted in a straightforward manner. The effects of model dimensions, substrate thickness, boundary condition, and composite film layers are systematically analyzed. In addition to the separate wrinkling and buckling instabilities developed under their respective geometric conditions, we illustrate that concurrent wrinkling and buckling can actually occur and be directly simulated. The correlation between specimen geometry and instability modes, as well as how the deformation increment size can influence the simulation result, are also discussed.
Small Aneurysms with Low PHASES Scores Account for Most Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Cases

Background Management of small unruptured aneurysms is controversial. Small aneurysms and those with low PHASES scores are often observed. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether the PHASES score classified the patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage as high risk for rupture. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 628 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage neurosurgical cases over a 10-year period between 2008 and 2018. We collected patient and aneurysm characteristics and calculated PHASES scores. Results The median aneurysm size was 5.3 mm (interquartile range, 3.5–7). Of the aneurysms, 75% (473/628) were less than 7 mm in size. Nearly half of the aneurysms were less than 5 mm (48%, 302/628). The median PHASES score was 5 (interquartile range, 4–6), corresponding to a 5-year risk of rupture of only 1.3%. Most ruptured aneurysms in our series were small with low PHASES scores, suggesting a low risk of rupture. Many of these patients would have been conservatively managed. Conclusions PHASES is inadequate in management of unruptured aneurysms because it fails to identify many patients at risk for subarachnoid hemorrhage. A more nuanced assessment of rupture risk should be undertaken.
PdCu Single Atom Alloys for the Selective Oxidation of Methanol to Methyl Formate at Low Temperatures

The selective catalytic oxidation of methanol to methyl formate (MF) has been considered as an attractive route to produce MF, an important precursor in the chemical industry. Although supported Pd nanoparticles are active for the selective oxidation of methanol to MF, the relatively low MF selectivity and yield remains an unsolved issue. Herein, we show that adding a small amount of Pd into Cu forming PdCu single atom alloy (SAA) catalysts can catalyze the oxidation of methanol to MF selectively at low temperatures, with a high catalyst stability. The atomic dispersion of Pd atoms in the Cu matrix was confirmed by various in-situ characterization techniques. The activity and selectivity of PdCu SAA catalysts were compared to monometallic Cu and Pd catalysts, in a flow reactor at similar conditions. This work may guide the design of new SAA based catalysts for selective oxidation reactions.
Gunshot Injuries in American Trauma Centers: Analysis of the Lethality of Multiple Gunshot Wounds

IntroductionTrauma center care and survival have been improving over the past several years. However, yearly firearm-related deaths have remained near constant at 33 000. One challenge to decreasin...
A Roadmap to Establishing a Community Engagement Partnership between a University PETE Program and a Homeschool Community

The purpose of this article is to highlight one unique program at a university in the upper midwest and how its PETE program formed a partnership with the homeschool community in the area. Seven ke...
Group II GBCM can be used safely for imaging in stage 4/5 CKD patients: CON

Gadolinium is an optimal contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, gadolinium is a lanthanide metal that is toxic in its free form (1). To counteract this toxicity, gadolinium-based contrast media (GBCMs) utilize different chelating ligands to enhance stability of gadolinium and are classified according to the type of chelating agent used (2). The most well-known adverse effect of GBCMs is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a debilitating condition associated with GBCM exposure that was first recognized in the early 2000s. Most likely due to the kidney’s role in clearing GBCMs, the presence of kidney disease is a strong risk factor for NSF, and almost all cases have occurred in patients with advanced kidney disease (2). Although not universally fatal and relatively rare, the disease is severely debilitating, and there remains no cure to date. The recognition of a causal relationship between GBCMs and NSF led the Food and Drug Administration to issue a black box warning in 2007 that advised avoiding GBCM administration to patients at risk (3); since then, there has been a near-complete prohibition of gadolinium-enhanced imaging for patients with advanced CKD. Additionally, innovative use of nongadolinium-containing contrast agents, such as iron-based agents (4), has been developed to improve the diagnostic yield of some MRI procedures among patients at risk. Collectively, these measures have largely led to a disappearance of new NSF cases, although given the long latency of disease occurrence after exposure (up to 5 years after exposure), some sporadic cases have been reported (5). The strength and stability of the ligand-gadolinium complex is thought to be a key factor in the risk of GBCM toxicity, and newer GBCM compounds that provide greater stability of the ligand bond theoretically afford increased protection against adverse effects. Indeed, experimental models comparing the tissue effects of older versus …
Risk Here vs. Risk There: Intention to Seek Information About Gulf Coastal Erosion

The Gulf coast is losing land to erosion at a rapid rate. Applying the planned risk information seeking model (PRISM; Kahlor, L. (2010). PRISM: A planned risk information seeking model. Health Comm...
Did the Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 Assistance Go to the Hard Hit Firms and Bring the Desired Relief?

Abstract The paper uses newly released Small Business Pulse Survey data on small business’ response to questions about overall COVID-19 impact, federal aid request, federal aid receipt, and subsequent changes in revenue and employee hours to evaluate the efficacy of three federal aid programs: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and Small Business Administration (SBA) loan forgiveness programs. The paper finds no evidence that the severity of COVID-19 impact is related to the application and approval rate of any of the SBA assistance programs, implying that the relief funds did not reach the firms that need the liquidity injection the most. But the firms that did receive the relief funds were less likely to report revenue decrease and employee hours decline during the subsequent weeks. This result provides preliminary support to the social insurance value of the relief programs in boosting small businesses’ economic activities during the COVID-19 crisis.
Area Available for Atrial Fibrillation to Propagate Is an Important Determinant of Recurrence After Ablation

Abstract Objectives This study sought to evaluate atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcomes based on scar patterns and contiguous area available for AF wavefronts to propagate. Background The relevance of ablation scar pattern acting as a barrier for electrical propagation in recurrence after catheter ablation for persistent AF is unknown. Methods Three-month post-ablation atrial cardiac magnetic resonance was used to determine post-ablation scar. The left atrium (LA) was divided into 5 areas based on anatomical landmarks and scar patterns. The length of gaps in scar on the area boundaries was used to calculate fibrillatory areas (FAs) by adding the weighted contribution of adjacent areas. Cylindrical as well as patient-specific computational models were used to further confirm findings. Results A total of 75 patients that underwent an initial ablation for AF with 2 years of follow-up were included. The average maximum FA was 7,896 ± 1,988 mm2 in patients with recurrence (n = 40) and 6,559 ± 1,784 mm2 in patients without recurrence (n = 35) (p Conclusions This data provides mechanistic insights into AF recurrence, suggesting that post-ablation scar pattern dividing the atria into smaller regions is an important and better predictor than LA volume and total scar, with improved long-term outcomes in persistent AF.
Women with peripartum cardiomyopathy have normal ejection fraction, but abnormal systolic strain, during pregnancy

We report a case series of six women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) who incidentally underwent echocardiography prior to the clinical presentation of PPCM. For comparison, we identified controls, matched 2:1 on age, race, body mass index, gestational age, and hypertensive disorder. Among the six cases, all were diagnosed with PPCM during the post-partum period. Pre-PPCM echocardiograms were performed between 17.7 weeks of gestation and 13 days post-partum. Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction and size were normal and similar to the 12 matched controls (60% ± 6.6% vs. 61.4% ± 6.3%, P = 0.63) or left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (4.6 cm ± 0.2 cm vs. 4.5 cm ± 0.4 cm, P = 0.689). There was a trend towards a less negative (more abnormal) mean global longitudinal strain in cases compared with controls (-14% ± 4% vs. -18.3% ± 4.5%, P = 0.0658). Mean global circumferential strain was significantly less negative (more abnormal) in cases compared with controls (-21.5% ± 5% vs. -29.3% ± 7.6%, P = 0.0329). We conclude that women who develop PPCM have normal left ventricular ejection fraction during gestation preceding PPCM, indicating that the disease develops acutely in the peripartum period. Abnormal strain can be detected, however, suggesting that strain imaging could represent a screening method in populations at high risk for PPCM if confirmed in future studies.
The Origins of the EPRDF and the Prospects for the Prosperity Party

This paper presents the historical development of the authoritarian Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) with particular attention to its origins in civil war and its use of mu...
Extracellular circular RNA profiles in plasma and urine of healthy, male college athletes.

Circular RNA (circRNA) are a recently discovered class of RNA characterized by a covalently-bonded back-splice junction. As circRNAs are inherently more stable than other RNA species, they may be detected extracellularly in peripheral biofluids and provide novel biomarkers. While circRNA have been identified previously in peripheral biofluids, there are few datasets for circRNA junctions from healthy controls. We collected 134 plasma and 114 urine samples from 54 healthy, male college athlete volunteers, and used RNASeq to determine circRNA content. The intersection of six bioinformatic tools identified 965 high-confidence, characteristic circRNA junctions in plasma and 72 in urine. Highly-expressed circRNA junctions were validated by qRT-PCR. Longitudinal samples were collected from a subset, demonstrating circRNA expression was stable over time. Lastly, the ratio of circular to linear transcripts was higher in plasma than urine. This study provides a valuable resource for characterization of circRNA in plasma and urine from healthy volunteers, one that can be developed and reassessed as researchers probe the circRNA contents of biofluids across physiological changes and disease states. Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14991822