cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Executive Dysfunctions Associated with the Use of Information Technology

Technology is used as a tool to perform goals in everyday life; however, for some, it can also be an agent of diverse negative consequences such as impaired impulse control, which accompanies a range of executive dysfunctions that negatively impact an individual’s ability to function. Even for individuals who have not been diagnosed with a disorder, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks of technology use, such as the difficulty to maintain control over goal-directed or stimulus-driven attention in the midst of the many interruptions that can arrive while an individual is connected to the Internet. This chapter reviews some of the current knowledge surrounding the influence of IT use on cognitive processes, particularly on those abilities involving executive functions, and presents the clinical description of newly defined psychological disorders associated with the use of IT.
Lifelong Learning in Addiction Recovery With Mobile Technology: A Phenomenological Exploration

Date Presented 04/06/19 This study examined the lived experiences of lifelong learning with mobile devices for individuals in addiction recovery. Findings include recognizing the valuable impact of education occupations on personal recovery and the positive influences of mobile technology on developing performance patterns related to lifelong learning that support personal recovery goals. Primary Author and Speaker: Brad Egan Contributing Authors: Monifa Beverly
Systemic Autoimmune Disease Among Adults Exposed to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack.

Objective Autoimmune disease is an emerging condition among persons exposed to the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center (WTC). Components of the dust cloud resulting from the collapse of the WTC have been associated with development of a systemic autoimmune disease, as has posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We undertook this study to determine whether dust exposure and PTSD were associated with an increased risk of systemic autoimmune disease in a 9/11-exposed cohort. Methods Among 43,133 WTC Health Registry enrollees, 2,786 self-reported having a post-9/11 systemic autoimmune disease. We obtained informed consent to review medical records to validate systemic autoimmune disease diagnoses for 1,041 enrollees. Diagnoses of systemic autoimmune diseases were confirmed by classification criteria, rheumatologist diagnosis, or having been prescribed systemic autoimmune disease medication. Controls were enrollees who denied having an autoimmune disease diagnosis (n = 37,017). We used multivariable log-binomial regression to examine the association between multiple 9/11 exposures and risk of post-9/11 systemic autoimmune disease, stratifying by responders (rescue, recovery, and clean-up workers) and community members (e.g., residents, area workers). Results We identified 118 persons with systemic autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis was most frequent (n = 71), followed by Sjӧgren's syndrome (n = 22), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 20), myositis (n = 9), mixed connective tissue disease (n = 7), and scleroderma (n = 4). Among 9/11 responders, those with intense dust cloud exposure had almost twice the risk of systemic autoimmune disease (adjusted risk ratio 1.86 [95% confidence interval 1.02-3.40]). Community members with PTSD had a nearly 3-fold increased risk of systemic autoimmune disease. Conclusion Intense dust cloud exposure among responders and PTSD among community members were associated with a statistically significant increased risk of new-onset systemic autoimmune disease. Clinicians treating 9/11 survivors should be aware of the potential increased risk of systemic autoimmune disease in this population.
Helical Anion Foldamers in Solution

Using anions to induce molecular structure is a rapidly growing area of dynamic and switchable supramolecular chemistry. The emphasis of this review is on helical anion foldamers in solution, and m...
Political Enactments, Controls and Intuition as Communication

In the view of this chapter, contemporary communication culture in India has to be reviewed with the philosophies of Deleuze and Bergson. Deleuze says that the control mechanisms have no variations as they represent mostly a numerical language in the form of codes, which is used for reading information or dismissing it. In India, controls operate in such a way that the state forces the customs and culture of people in a particular mould and the communication systems follow suit. This chapter examines the contemporary political enactments in India and the influence of the same on the citizens. The news, events, reports, stories and all forms of exchanges through media are not the only communicative materials subjected to controls, but the personal interchanges are also codified and enclosed in the regulations of control society. This chapter tries to establish how intuition can be a reliable state of communication and how the correspondence occurs in this state. This chapter tries to analyze the concept of intuition through Deleuzian and Bergsonian models to see how it can naturally become a method of alternative communication.
Use of Premixed Insulin, Metformin, and a Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist as a Therapeutic Approach for Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE | To explore the use of premixed insulin, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, and metformin as combination therapy for type 2 diabetes. DESIGN AND METHODS | All adult patients with type 2 diabetes who had been prescribed premixed insulin and a GLP-1 receptor agonist simultaneously at our outpatient clinic were selected for retrospective review. We reviewed A1C, weight, cumulative daily insulin dose, and adverse events over 12 months. RESULTS | A total of 72 patients received premixed insulin and a GLP-1 receptor agonist, of which 32 met inclusion criteria. The average duration of type 2 diabetes for these patients was 14.2 ± 7.1 years. Mean A1C at baseline was 10.5 ± 2.1%. At 12 months, mean A1C was 8.3 ± 1.9%. The change in mean A1C after 12 months was −2.2% (95% CI −3.433 to −1.014, P CONCLUSION | Despite a decreased cumulative daily dose of insulin, patients with historically uncontrolled type 2 diabetes using metformin, premixed insulin, and a GLP-1 receptor agonist in combination experienced improved glycemic control over 12 months. Prospective randomized trials are needed to better assess the potential benefit of this combination therapy.
Toward Rational Interactions in Multiagent Domains

We describe a framework that applies the decision-theoretic principle of rationality to designing socially competent agents. By social competence we mean the agents’ ability to determine what to do in the presence of other agents, and how to communicate with them. Our framework consists of a method of representing and processing a finite amount of an agent’s knowledge to arrive at the rational choice of physical and communicative action. The representation captures the agent’s knowledge about the environment and about the other agents, including its knowledge about their states of knowledge, which can include what they know about the other agents, and so on. This reciprocity leads to a recursive nesting of models. Our framework puts forth a representation for these nested models, and uses dynamic programming to solve this representation for the agent’s rational choice of action. The same framework is used for communication. Following decision theory we postulate that a rational speaker design a speech act so as to maximally increase the benefit obtained as the result of the interaction. We quantify the gain in the quality of interaction as the expected utility, and we present a method that allows an agent to compute the expected utility of various communicative actions.
Association of Pharmacist Prescription With Dispensed Duration of Hormonal Contraception

Importance Since 2016, 11 states have expanded the scope of pharmacists to include direct prescription of hormonal contraception. Dispensing greater than 1 month’s supply is associated with improved contraceptive continuation rates and fewer breaks in coverage. Scant data exist on the practice of pharmacist prescription of contraception and its outcomes compared with traditional, clinic-based prescriptions. Objective To compare the amount of hormonal contraceptive supply dispensed between pharmacists and clinic-based prescriptions. Prescribing patterns were assessed by describing prescribing practices for women with contraindications to combined hormonal contraception. Characteristics of women seeking hormonal contraception directly from pharmacists were also described. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study surveyed women aged 18 to 50 years who presented to pharmacies in California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Oregon for hormonal contraception prescribed by a clinician or a pharmacist between January 30 and November 1, 2019. Exposures Pharmacist or clinic-based prescription of contraception. Main Outcomes and Measures Months of contraceptive supply dispensed. Results Four hundred ten women (mean [SD] age, 27.1 [7.7] years) were recruited who obtained contraception directly from a pharmacist (n = 144) or by traditional clinician prescription (n = 266). Women obtaining contraception from a pharmacist were significantly younger (82 [56.9%] vs 115 [43.2%] participants aged 18-24 years;P = .03), had less education (38 [26.4%] vs 100 [37.6%] with a bachelor degree;P = .002), and were more likely to be uninsured (16 [11.1%] vs 8 [3.0%] participants;P = .001) compared with women with a prescription from a clinician. Pharmacists were significantly more likely to prescribe a 6-month or greater supply of contraceptives than clinicians (6.9% vs 1.5%,P Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that pharmacist prescription of contraception may be associated with improved contraceptive continuation by preventing breaks in coverage through the provision of a greater supply of medication. Efforts are needed to educate prescribing providers on the importance of dispensing 6 months or greater contraceptive supply.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act: Time to Renew . . . or Rethink?

This paper summarizes the U.S. program for terrorism insurance, outlines its advantages and disadvantages, and describes the current proposals for extension of the program. The program, generally referred to as a “Federal Backstop,” functions in some ways that are similar to reinsurance, but it does not require participants to pay premiums ex ante. Instead uses an ex post recoupment mechanism to recover some or all of the Federal payments made under the program. This approach has the advantage of reducing the cost and increasing the availability of terrorism insurance. Some have criticized the program for its interference in market mechanisms, but the program facilitated the development of the market underneath the backstop. The program does not cover NBCR risk, and some types of insurance are excluded. In addition, the program does not preempt state price regulation or the mandated use of the standard fire insurance policy, which provides coverage for ensuing fires after terrorism events. These weaknesses are not addressed by current proposed legislation to extend the program for seven years without any changes. The strong, bipartisan support for the proposed legislation suggests that it is likely to pass.
Global existence and energy decay of solutions to a viscoelastic Bresse-type system with a nonlinear delay term

In this paper, we consider a viscoelastic Bresse-type system subjects to nonlinear damping, nonlinear time delay term, a finite memory and with homogeneous Dirichlet-Neumann-Neumann boundary condit...
Microbial Adaptation to High Pressure

Piezomicrobiology is one of the lesser studied areas in extremophilic microbiology, although it constitutes a significant field of research, considering that piezophilic microorganisms reside in the largest habitat on Earth—the deep sea. High-pressure microbial habitats include the abyssal and hadal deep-sea environments, which are typified by low temperatures, darkness, sporadic nutrient inputs, and high diversity (low biomass) of invertebrate and vertebrate life. The abyssal plain is commonly thought of as a barren desert, punctuated by the presence of reducing environments such as hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, and whale falls. Culture-independent analyses of microbial diversity in low-temperature deep-ocean habitats have indicated the presence of particular groups of Eukarya, Archaea, and Bacteria. One of the classic responses of mesophilic microbial cells to growth-permissive elevated pressure is the impairment of cell division. The SOS regulon includes genes whose products repair DNA damage as well as prevent cell division. In order to gain further insight into the nature of elevated pressure as a stress, the response of Escherichia coli to pressure has been examined. Many DNA-binding proteins display pressure-sensitive binding properties, and in many instances, this is due to hydration effects. Translation is another pressure-sensitive cellular process involving nucleic acid-protein interactions. Among the ribosome structures present throughout the elongation cycle the most pressure-sensitive one appears to be the posttranslocational complex. The description of genes required for high-pressure growth is now remarkably small but is likely to be greatly expanded as a result of ongoing genetic and genomic studies.
Impact of self-efficacy on daily intention to not smoke.

Abstract Background To improve cessation interventions, it is necessary to understand the factors associated with daily motivation to not smoke. One hypothesized factor is self-efficacy; however, there has been a lack of evidence investigating self-efficacy as a dynamic construct. Methods This study examined the influence of baseline and daily self-efficacy on setting daily abstinence plans in pre-quit smokers and successful plans. Participants (N = 76) completed measures of self-efficacy at baseline, and each evening during 28 days of ecological momentary assessment. Results Baseline self-efficacy was not correlated with mean daily rating of self-efficacy or variance in ratings. GLMM found that participants who had higher baseline self-efficacy than others were more likely to set an abstinence plan while participants who had a higher rating of self-efficacy on the previous night than others were more likely to set a plan on any given morning. Participants were less likely to set an abstinence plan if they had smoked on the previous day but were more likely if they had set an abstinence plan on the previous day. Participants were less likely to have a successful plan not to smoke if they smoked on the previous day. Conclusions The current data indicates that both baseline rating and day-to-day fluctuations in SE influence daily abstinence plan in pre-quit smokers. Future intervention research could examine the use of methods designed to increase and maintain a person’s daily self-efficacy and how this can be leveraged to encourage these smokers to attempt long-term cessation.
The Effect of Delayed Judgments of Learning on Retention

Evidence is mixed concerning whether delayed judgments of learning (JOLs) enhance learning and if so, whether their benefit is similar to retrieval practice. One potential explanation for the mixed findings is the truncated search hypothesis, which states that not all delayed JOLs lead to a full-blown covert retrieval attempt. In three paired-associate learning experiments, we examined the effect of delayed JOLs on later recall by comparing them to conditions of restudy, overt retrieval, and various other delayed JOL conditions. In Experiment 1, after an initial study phase, subjects either restudied word pairs, practiced overt retrieval, or made cue-only or cue-target delayed JOLs. In Experiments 2a and 2b, where conditions were manipulated within-subjects, subjects either restudied word pairs, practiced overt retrieval, made cue-only delayed JOLs, made cue-only delayed JOLs followed by a yes/no retrieval question or, in another condition, by an overt retrieval prompt. The final cued recall tests were delayed by two days. In Experiment 1, recall after cue-only delayed JOLs did not reliably differ from recall after overt retrieval or restudy. In Experiments 2a and 2b, delayed JOLs consistently produced poorer recall relative to overt retrieval. Furthermore, reaction times for delayed JOLs were shorter relative to delayed JOLs paired with overt retrieval prompts. We conclude that only some delayed JOLs elicit covert retrieval attempts, a pattern supporting the truncated search hypothesis.
A Journey of Incremental Steps for the Orang Asli

The human quest for sustainable development impacts public health and social welfare as well as the endurance of plant and animal species that humans share space with. Environmental policies designed to mitigate the negative impacts of developmental activities on the environment, more often than not emerge from critical needs rather than foresight. This paper characterizes the context of environmental law in play during implementation of the first and second Malaysian development plans (1966–1975). The paper characterizes the approach used to convert mature forest landscapes into productive palm oil and rubber tree plantations. The paper reflects incremental policy changes made to mitigate the negative impacts of development on the Orang Asli environment.
Naturalistic follow-up after a trial of medications for opioid use disorder: Medication status, opioid use, and relapse

Abstract Aim This report examined naturalistic opioid use outcomes and utilization of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) 36 weeks post-randomization in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Extended-Release Naltrexone (XR-NTX) versus Buprenorphine-Naloxone (BUP-NX) for Opioid Treatment trial (CTN-0051, X:BOT). Design X:BOT was a multisite, randomized, 24-week comparative effectiveness trial of BUP-NX (N = 287) and XR-NTX (N = 283). Study medications were discontinued following treatment completion, relapse, or dropout. Participants were encouraged to continue MOUD. This report examined opioid use outcomes in 428 (75%) of the 570 participants who attended the 36-week follow-up visit. Setting and participants Adults with opioid use disorder recruited from 8 community treatment programs across the United States. Measurements Outcomes included medication status (on/off MOUD), type of MOUD (BUP-NX, XR-NTX, or methadone), abstinence from non-prescribed opioids, opioid use days, relapse, and other substance use 30 days prior to the 36-week visit. Relapse was defined as opioid use for 4 consecutive weeks or 7 consecutive days in the past month. Baseline and clinical variables included opioid use severity, intravenous drug use, study medication assignment, and induction status. Findings Of the 428 participants who completed the 36-week visit, 225 (53%) of participants were receiving MOUD and 203 (47%) were not. Compared to those off medication, participants on medication had fewer opioid use days (4.4 days (SD 9.0) versus 9.8 days (SD 12.1)), fewer met relapse criteria (37 (16.4%) versus 79 (38.9%)), and reported less stimulant use (34 (15.2%) versus 56 (27.7%)) and sedative use (14 (6.3%) versus 31 (15.3%)). There was no difference in abstinence rates between those on or off MOUD. A greater proportion of participants on XR-NTX (47 (53.4%) of 88 participants) were abstinent from non-prescribed opioids compared to those on buprenorphine (28 (23.3%) of 120 participants). Conclusions Naturalistic outcomes data showed that despite potential barriers to continuing treatment in the community, about half of individuals were on opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy at follow-up and those on medication generally had better outcomes. Future research should explore barriers and facilitators to treatment retention in community settings; and developing interventions tailored to improve treatment engagement and adherence.
Impact of tacrolimus variability on pediatric heart transplant outcomes.

BACKGROUND Tacrolimus is a narrow therapeutic index drug, requiring consistent levels to maximize transplant success while reducing adverse effects. Elevated tacrolimus level variability (ETLV) is associated with poor outcomes in both pediatric and adult solid organ transplant recipients. We sought to describe the prevalence of ETLV and identify associations with patient-specific factors and poor outcomes. METHODS Tacrolimus levels were evaluated from 118 patients at our single center. As a marker of variability, standard deviations (SD) were calculated for each patient from their entire tacrolimus level data set (global SD), and 1-2 years and 1-5 years post-HT (prediction window SDs). SD ≥3 denoted ETLV. RESULTS There was large variability in tacrolimus levels (median global SD 3.1; IQR 2.3, 4; SD ≥3, n = 64, 54%). Patients with elevated SD (≥3) vs lower SD (<3) were more likely to have poor outcomes including rejection (73% vs 46%), cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV, 22% vs 9%), and death (20% vs 6%). The prediction window analysis noted ETLV was associated with a 40% greater risk of CAV, re-HT, or death (p = .024) and increasing age at transplantation was associated with a 12% increase in the risk of rejection (p = <.001) and a 19% increase in the risk of a composite event (p = .021). CONCLUSION ETLV is prevalent in the pediatric HT population with increased frequency of poor outcomes in those with SD ≥3. ETLV is an easily accessible marker with which to risk-stratify patients.
Common Considerations in Male Breast Cancer Survivors

Male breast cancer (MaBC) is a rare disease, and as such, recommendations for its management are often extrapolated from the female breast cancer literature. However, given the differences between men and women in tumor and host biology, therapeutic choices and their toxicities, psychosocial issues, and recurrence risk, survivorship guidelines designed for women may not be entirely appropriate for MaBC patients. Therefore, a more nuanced approach to survivorship care in MaBC, taking these differences into account, is required. A personalized survivorship plan for MaBC patients addressing their unique needs is likely to lead to a better quality of life and improve treatment compliance in MaBC survivors.
Researching Local History: The Human Journey

The why and how of studying history given in evidence that which is written notes, notebooks and archives one society at one particular time - Caerleon in the Great War the matter of population labelled for posterity - using surnames as tracers of family movement tracing the Welsh getting it together but what is it all for?.
Towards the mechanism of the accelerated corrosion of decorative nickel–chromium coatings in the presence of metals and their salts

Microscopic studies suggested accelerated nickel corrosion to account for the extensive failure of decorative nickel chromium coatings. Electrochemical experiments further confirmed the crucial role of chloride, cupric, and ferric ion containing salts, which were found before on the corroded surface. Density functional theory calculations were used in the following to explain experimental observations and to obtain a detailed understanding of the mechanism of the accelerated corrosion under specific corrosive environments on the molecular level. The results of the calculations were discussed taking into account literature known models for pitting corrosion.
The Ancestry of Whales

Whales are mammals that moved to the sea some 50 million years ago. The question of who their ancestors were has vexed scientists for years. In his Perspective, [Rose][1] highlights the report by [ Gingerich et al .][2], who report unusually well-preserved primitive whale fossils. Rose explains that these fossils reconcile morphological and molecular data for the first time, indicating that whales evolved from even-toed ungulates (hoofed animals) rather than mesonychians (an extinct group of carnivorous ungulates). However, inconsistencies remain, and it is not yet clear whether whales are the sister group of hippopotami or not. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/293/5538/2216 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/293/5538/2239
Counting on the Neuron

Computational models have been used effectively to design new drugs, understand protein folding, and parse vast amounts of genome sequence data. In his Perspective, Cassman describes a recent meeting that discussed the burgeoning field of computational cell biology and its promise for dissecting the idiosyncratic behavior of neurons and other cells.
Neighbourhood truncation scheme for disordered alloys with clustering: I. General formualtion

Abstract A scheme for the study of the electronic density of states in disordered alloys with arbitrary composition and clustering correlation is presented. The approach is developed within the framework of the effective medium-multiple scattering formalism, but differs in motivation from the diagrammatical and cluster-hierarchical methods in which the system T-matrix is analyzed at the outset in terms of elementary scattering processes. Instead, the present scheme is rooted in the Butler and Kohn locality principle, which states that the electronic density of states can be usefully approximated by the effects of the constituent occupations in a suitably large, but finite, compact neighbourhood of any site in the lattice. When taken over to the self-consistent multiple-scattering formalism, the principle leads to a spatial decay of the fluctuations of the Wannier matrix elements of the system T-matrix with increasing intersite separation. The required T-matrix elements can then be obtained from a spatially truncated set of equations. Within this context, the development of a systematic approximation scheme based on a range truncation of the system T-matrix is given. It is shown that at a given T-matrix truncation range, the scattering processes associated with lower-order cluster-hierarchical schemes are incorporated in the present approach. The formulation of the scheme in the Wannier model is not restricted by the parametric details of the hamiltonian, making it particularly well-suited to the case of a random-hopping integral.
Storm deposition induced by hurricanes in a rapidly subsiding coastal zone

ABSTRACT Naquin, J.D., Liu, K.B., McCloskey, T.A., Bianchette, T.A., 2014. Storm Deposition Induced by Hurricanes in a Subsiding Coastal Zone. In: Green, A.N. and Cooper, J.A.G. (eds.), Proceedings 13th International Coastal Symposium(Durban, South Africa), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 70, pp. 308–313, ISSN 0749-0208. To understand the geological processes induced by tropical cyclones, geochemical and sedimentological analyses were performed on a 3 m sediment core (basal 14C date of 940 +/− 50 years BP) extracted from a marsh adjacent to a backbarrier lake along Louisiana's Gulf of Mexico coast (USA). This study was conducted in order to identify the geologic changes within a subsiding coastal region in the light of coastal recession and past hurricane activity. Previous studies show that Bay Champagne, a semi-circular lake near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, is subjected to subsidence rates between 1.0 and 1.2 cm year−1, the highest rate of retreat within the entire northern Gulf of Mexico. ...
Effectiveness of plastic matrix lures and traps against Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera cucurbitae in Hawaii

Trapping trials were conducted in two locations on the island of Hawaii with plastic-matrix formulations of methyl eugenol (ME) (1-2-dimethoxy-4-allylbenzene) and cuelure (CL) [4-(p-acetoxyphenyl)-2-butanone] in traps with or without a toxicant (2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, DDVP) against wild fly populations of oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) respectively. Both 5 g disks and 10 g cones of ME and 2 g plugs of CL caught flies for >9 months which varied relative to the population fluctuations. In all of these trials a one-way entrance design trap caught more flies than the toxicant-baited trap. The similar-sized entrance holes (0.70 cm) of the latter may have slowed the dispersal of the toxicant vapour, thus causing flies to be repelled or killed outside the entrance to the trap when DDVP vapour was evolving at a maximum rate. The effect decreased as the toxicant aged. One-way entrance traps are appropriate where toxicant traps are not allowed (e.g. organic farms), present a health hazard (e.g. yards with children), or would need to be replaced more frequently than lures. The results of these studies are discussed in relation to areawide fruit fly suppression programs where large populations of these flies are persistent, as well as to detection programs in areas where fruit flies have not established.
A WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/EDGE receiver front end without interstage SAW filter

A dual mode RF receiver for DCS band in 90 nm CMOS is presented. The receiver uses direct conversion for WCDMA mode and uses 100 kHz low IF for GSM/GPRS/EDGE (GGE) mode. The receiver does not use an interstage SAW filter between LNA and mixer. The mixer stage is followed by a variable gain amplifier. Two times LO clock is provided from external source and a divide by two is used to generate quadrature clocks. The receiver has a NF of 2.9 dB and meets all the out of band and in band linearity requirements for both WCDMA and GGE modes.
SOD2 genetic variant associated with treatment-related ototoxicity in cisplatin-treated pediatric medulloblastoma.

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), encoded by the SOD2 gene, is involved in the detoxification of superoxide anion. Superoxide is likely a source of oxidative stress in the cochlea following treatment with platinum agents and radiation. Therefore, we examined SOD2 variants in association with ototoxicity among cisplatin-treated childhood medulloblastoma patients. Blood samples were obtained from 71 eligible patients treated for pediatric medulloblastoma at Texas Children’s Cancer Center (1987–2010). Ototoxicity was defined as requiring the use of a hearing aid sometime after the initiation of therapy. DNA was genotyped on the Illumina HumanOmni-1 Quad BeadChip. A linkage disequilibrium (LD)-based single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selection strategy was used to identify a minimal set of informative variants. Associations between SNPs and ototoxicity were assessed using logistic regression. Of the 71 eligible patients, 26 (37%) suffered from cisplatin-related ototoxicity. Study participants were primarily male (73%) and non-Hispanic white (42%). Five SOD2 variants (rs7855, rs5746151, rs5746136, rs2758331, and rs4880) identified by the LD-based selection strategy were genotyped. After correcting for multiple comparisons, the C-allele of the rs4880 variant was significantly associated with ototoxicity (odds ratio = 3.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.30–7.20) in adjusted models. The rs4880 T > C substitution results in a Val > Ala amino acid change at position 16 of the MnSOD mitochondrial targeting sequence. The Ala variant, which has been associated with increased MnSOD activity, was associated with hearing damage in this study. Platinum-based therapies increase the expression of MnSOD, which may result in an abundance of hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species. Therefore, oxidative stress may be an important mechanism in therapy-related cochlear damage.
Predictors and consequences of unplanned hospital readmission within 30 days of carotid endarterectomy

Objective In the United States, vascular surgeons frequently perform carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Given the resource burden of unplanned readmission (URA), we sought to identify the predictors and consequences of URA after this common vascular surgery procedure to identify potential points of intervention. Methods Using a prospective single-institution database, we retrospectively identified consecutive patients undergoing CEA (2001-2011). Demographic and perioperative factors were prospectively collected. The primary end point was 30-day postdischarge URA after CEA. The secondary end point was 1-year survival. We performed a univariable analysis for URA followed by a multivariable Cox model. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for 1-year survival. Results During the study period, 840 patients underwent 897 CEAs. The 30-day postdischarge overall readmission rate and URA rate were 8.6% and 6.5%, respectively. Most URA patients (n = 42; 73.4%) were readmitted for a CEA-related reason (headache, cardiac, hypertension, surgical site infection, bleeding/hematoma, stroke/transient ischemic attack, dysphagia, or hyperperfusion syndrome). Seventeen patients (29.3%) had more than one reason for URA. Median time to URA was 4 days (interquartile range, 1-9 days). Postoperative length of stay, indication for CEA, and discharge destination were not associated with URA. In multivariable analysis, in-hospital occurrence of congestive heart failure (hazard ratio [HR], 15.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.7-48.8; P P P = .003), and prior coronary artery bypass grafting (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.5; P = .01) were significantly associated with URA. Patients in the URA group also had decreased survival during 1 year (91% vs 96%; P = .01, log-rank). Conclusions The 30-day URA rate after CEA is low (6.5%). Prior coronary artery bypass grafting and in-hospital postoperative occurrence of stroke, bleeding/hematoma, and congestive heart failure identify those at increased risk of URA, and URA signals increased long-term risk of postoperative mortality.
Expression, purification and characterization of soluble red rooster laforin as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli

Background: The gene that encodes laforin, a dual-specificity phosphatase with a carbohydrate-binding module, is mutated in Lafora disease (LD). LD is an autosomal recessive, fatal progressive myoclonus epilepsy characterized by the intracellular buildup of insoluble, hyperphosphorylated glycogen-like particles, called Lafora bodies. Laforin dephosphorylates glycogen and other glucans in vitro, but the structural basis of its activity remains unknown. Recombinant human laforin when expressed in and purified fromE. coli is largely insoluble and prone to aggregation and precipitation. Identification of a laforin ortholog that is more soluble and stable in vitro would circumvent this issue. Results: In this study, we cloned multiple laforin orthologs, established a purification scheme for each, and tested their solubility and stability. Gallus gallus (Gg) laforin is more stable in vitro than human laforin, Gg-laforin is largely monomeric, and it possesses carbohydrate binding and phosphatase activity similar to human laforin. Conclusions: Gg-laforin is more soluble and stable than human laforin in vitro, and possesses similar activity as a glucan phosphatase. Therefore, it can be used to model human laforin in structure-function studies. We have established a protocol for purifying recombinant Gg-laforin in sufficient quantity for crystallographic and other biophysical analyses, in order to better understand the function of laforin and define the molecular mechanisms of Lafora disease.
Templating Organosilicate Vitrification Using Unimolecular Self‐Organizing Polymers Prepared from Tandem Ring Opening and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations

A unimolecular templating star-shaped polymer with a compatibilizing outer corona, prepared by tandem ROP/ATRP procedures, was dispersed into a thermosetting organosilicate. The organic polymer was thermalized to leave behind its latent image in the matrix with a pore size that reflected the size of the polymer molecule, and provided the expected reduction in dielectric constant.
Mass-dependent z-excitation of ions in cubic traps used in FTMS

Abstract Fourier transform mass spectrometric ion excitation methods such as rapidly scanned radio frequencies (chirps) are intended to put momentum into the ion cyclotron mode only. However, momentum will also be transferred to the trapping oscillation mode of the ions, as is shown from both ion trajectory simulations and experimental data. Momentum transfer occurs because of a synchronization between ion motion and temporal changes of the z -component of the excitation field to produce a net average force toward the nearest trap plate. Because a stronger excitation field is associated with chirp excitation relative to rf bursts, the phenomenon is particularly apparent with chirps. To a rough approximation, the synchronization effect increases with decreasing mass, decreasing trap voltage, and increasing excitation amplitude. When the excitation amplitude is increased to accommodate higher magnetic fields, the effect is expected to increase also. The most troublesome manifestation of this effect is mass-dependent ejection of ions from the cell. Methods for reducing z -excitation are proposed.
Alternate Pathways of Glucose Metabolism in Azotobacter agilis.

SummaryFractions from Azotobacter agilis reduce TPN in the presence of 6-phosphoglu-conate. This reduction is due largely although perhaps not entirely, to oxidation of glycer-aldehyde-3-phosphate formed by the splitting system described by Mortenson, Hamilton, and Wilson. This organism possesses a TPN-linked triose-phosphate dehydrogenase, similar to that found in green leaves. The reduced TPN is reoxidized via the TPN-DPN trans-hydrogenase system.
A concise and selective synthesis of novel 5-aryloxyimidazole NNRTIs.

A concise and efficient route to the construction of a 5-aryloxyimidazole has been developed. The key step was the selective O-arylation of a 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl-protected imidazolone. The final compound is a potent inhibitor of HIV reverse transcriptase.
Multinodular pulmonary fibrosis, pancytopenia and equine herpesvirus-5 infection in a Thoroughbred gelding

Summary A 21-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was examined for intermittent fever, lethargy, inappetance and weight loss. Initial diagnostic evaluation revealed pancytopenia (anaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia), hyperfibrinogenaemia and multifocal pulmonary nodules. Bacterial and fungal culture and viral isolation on transtracheal aspirate samples were negative, consistent with either pulmonary neoplasia, idiopathic granulomatous pneumonia or equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF). Bone marrow evaluation was consistent with pancytopenia due to a combination of peripheral consumption/destruction and suppression/destruction of progenitor cells at the level of the marrow. Pancytopenia resolved and clinical signs improved transiently with immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy, but the horse deteriorated rapidly one month after presentation and was subjected to euthanasia. Necropsy findings were consistent with EMPF, and equine herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) DNA was found in both the lung and bone marrow. The specific role of EHV-5 in the development of the pulmonary pathology in EMPF and the pancytopenia in this horse is unclear, but an aberrant host immune/inflammatory response to EHV-5 infection may be important.
Copper-catalyzed Protein Oxidation and Its Modulation by Carbon Dioxide ENHANCEMENT OF PROTEIN RADICALS IN CELLS

It is well known that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced copper-catalyzed fragmentation of proteins follows a site-specific oxidative mechanism mediated by hydroxyl radical-like species (i.e. Cu(I)O, Cu(II)/*OH or Cu(III)) that ends in increased carbonyl formation and protein fragmentation. We have found that the nitrone spin trap DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide) prevented such processes by trapping human serum albumin (HSA)-centered radicals, in situ and in real time, before they reacted with oxygen. When (bi)carbonate (CO2, H2CO3, HCO3- and CO3(-2)) was added to the reaction mixture, it blocked fragmentation mediated by hydroxyl radical-like species but enhanced DMPO-trappable radical sites in HSA. In the past, this effect would have been explained by oxidation of (bi)carbonate to a carbonate radical anion (CO3*) by a bound hydroxyl radical-like species. We now propose that the CO3* radical is formed by the reduction of HOOCO2- (a complex of H2O2 with CO2) by the protein-Cu(I) complex. CO3* diffuses and produces more DMPO-trappable radical sites but does not fragment HSA. We were also able, for the first time, to detect discrete but highly specific H2O2-induced copper-catalyzed CO3*-mediated induction of DMPO-trappable protein radicals in functioning RAW 264.7 macrophages. We conclude that carbon dioxide modulates H2O2-induced copper-catalyzed oxidative damage to proteins by preventing site-specific fragmentation and enhancing DMPO-trappable protein radicals in functioning cells. The pathophysiological significance of our findings is discussed.
Conceptual problems in identifying risk factors for functional decline in the elderly: A commentary☆

Abstract Assessment of risk factors for chronic disease and disability among the elderly is a complex issue. Findings may be affected by the age at which the putative risk factor was measured, interval between the time of measurement of risk and outcome, possibility of changing patterns of exposure throughout the life span, and selective survival. We illustrate the complexity of risk assessment with findings from the Iowa 65 + Rural Health Study on the relationship between body mass and changing physical function. In baseline cross-sectional analyses, both high and low body mass were associated with poorer function. In 6-year longitudinal analyses limited to persons who were functionally intact at baseline, high body mass was associated with poorer lower-extremity function but relatively preserved upper-extremity function. High body mass was also associated with elevated rates of transient impairments. Extremes of teenage body habitus were associated with impaired physical function in old age. Function was poorest among those with a lifetime history of high body mass, and changes in body mass were complexly associated with subsequent function. Thus conceptual and analytic models of chronic illness and disability need to consider multiple, changing exposures over the lifetime, as well as the impact of illness, disability, and their treatment on subsequent risk factor exposure.
Assignment of the human MARS gene, encoding methioninyl-tRNA synthetase, to chromosome 12 using human X Chinese hamster cell hybrids.

We have isolated interspecific somatic cell hybrids between a temperature-sensitive Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell methioninyl -tRNA synthetase mutant and human peripheral leukocytes. The hybrids were selected at 39 degrees C which requires the retention and expression of the human gene, MARS , which complements the defective CHO gene. In vitro heat-inactivation experiments on the methioninyl -tRNA synthetase activity in cell-free extracts from heat-resistant hybrids indicate that the human form of this enzyme and, therefore, the human MARS gene is present in hybrid cells. Cytogenetic analysis of three independent temperature-resistant hybrids revealed the presence of a single human chromosome, number 12. Two other independent hybrids examined contained human chromosome 12 as well as a second human chromosome. Electrophoretic analysis of extracts from hybrid cell lines for a human chromosome 12 marker isozyme, LDH-B, showed a pattern of heterotetrameric bands consistent with the presence of the human form of this enzyme in these cells. The correlation between the presence of the human form of methioninyl -tRNA synthetase and human chromosome 12 in temperature-resistant hybrids indicates that the human MARS locus is located on this chromosome.
A 2 × 2 hyperbolic traffic flow model

A new traffic flow model is presented. It accounts for various qualitative features of the evolution of the density and speed of cars along a crowded road. The model consists of a 2 x 2 system of nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws generating a Cauchy problem which is well posed for all reasonable initil data. A similar result can be proved for the initial boundary value problem. The presence of a speed limit is also considered.
Convection electric field effects on outer radiation belt electron precipitation

A model is presented for the possible diurnal modulation of outer radiation belt electron precipitation by considering the effect of the convection electric field on geomagnetically trapped electrons. The modulation flux is the flux due to electrons in the drift loss cone, i.e., those which drift into the bounce loss cone. The electron flux in the drift loss cone is related to the time allowable for diffusion from the stably trapped population to the drift loss cone for precipitation at a specific geographic location. This time, which is termed the maximum L-shell lifetime, is obtained by computing electron trajectories, using a realistic magnetic field model and a simple model for the electric field. The maximum L-shell lifetimes are taken to be the times between successive entries into the bounce loss cone. Conservation of the first two adiabatic invariants, as electrons are slowly energized by the convection electric field, leads to variations in pitch angle, maximum L-shell lifetimes, and, consequently, to changes in the electron flux in the drift loss cone. These results are compared with observations of precipitating electrons made with sounding rocket payloads.
Design of Product Grading Procedures

Consider a situation in which the items produced by a production process are sorted into two grades according to predetermined specifications and sold at two different prices. A loss is incurred by the producer when an item is classified into a grade and its quality does not meet the consumer's requirement of that grade. A loss in selling price is also incurred when an item is classified into a lower quality grade when it can meet the consumer's requirement of a higher grade. Consequently, the producer's profit is determined by sale prices and losses due to consumer dissatisfaction. The optimal grading specifications are determined to maximize the expected profit. Design of product grading procedures can be based on the performance variable of interest or a surrogate variable correlated with the performance variable. The practice of using correlated variables in product grading is common in industry. We develop product grading models for both the performance variable and a correlated variable.
The effects of prolonged low level radiation on the coronary vessels of the developing chick embryo.

Microcurie amounts of p32, Na22, Fe59, and Cl36 in normally occurring compounds were injected directly into the vitelline vessels of developing chick embryos at stage 24 (Hamburger and Hamilton, '51). The surviving embryos were sacrificed at stage 41. Hearts were removed and examined intact or sectioned for later examination. Coronary vessels were identified, classified according to size (large, diameter = > 80 μ; medium, diameter = 40–80 μ; small, diameter < 40 μ) and counted. There was a significant increase in the numbers of small and medium vessels which had developed in the presence of gamma radiation emitted by Na22- and Fe59-compounds. The p32- and Cl36-containing compounds did not affect the numbers of vessels of any size. The resulting increased vascularity is shown to be a matter of a distinct increase in numbers of blood vessels as opposed to a simple alteration of the normally occurring vessels.