cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial Damage in Traumatic CNS Injury

With over 1.5 million injuries every year, traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become an almost ubiquitous phenomenon in our country. As this disorder can be present without any outward sign of physical damage and the victims are usually cognitively impaired (i.e., not vocal), it has become a largely “silent epidemic” (Jennett 1998; Thurman et al. 1999; Jager et al. 2000; CDC 2003; Langlois et al. 2006). Current advancements in medicine have allowed patients who would have previously succumbed to their wounds, to survive long after their initial injury. Also, there is a growing population of individuals who sustain a mild to moderate TBI who do not seek treatment (∼25%), and often develop prolonged and chronic neurological symptoms (CDC 2003). The growing injured population has presented our society with an enormous economic and social burden, as these patients are commonly unable to properly reintegrate in to their previous professional and social networks. They become exceedingly dependent on family and social outreach programs to live their daily lives which cause their health care costs to total tens of billion dollars per year (Langlois et al. 2006). Although there are limited treatment options designed to allow people to survive their injuries, consisting of minimizing acute brain edema, decreasing intracranial pressure, and the prevention of peripheral complications, there is no current treatment to attenuate or recover the loss of neural tissue (Hatton 2001).
Optimal brightness patterns for 2-D optical flow

The authors describe a method for finding the optimal brightness function by formulating optical flow as an optimal linear smoothing problem and deriving an a priori performance measure based on the estimation error covariance and the effect of the temporal derivative approximation error. It is shown that the performance of optical flow is mainly a function of the curvature of the brightness function. At low curvatures, there is little variation in the spatial gradient across the image and the underlying motion is obscured by the aperture problem. At high curvatures, the numerical computation of the temporal derivative increases the measurement noise variance, and the resulting optimal estimate is oversmoothed. The optimal brightness function represents the optimal tradeoff between these two effects. >
Characterization of K-band radio frequency interference from AMSR-E, WindSat and SSM/I

An algorithm to detect radio-frequency interference in microwave radiometer brightness temperatures is developed and applied to K-band observations from AMSR-E, WindSat and SSM/I. This algorithm uses the monthly peak difference between co-polar brightness temperatures at 22 and 19 GHz to find RFI. Data from July 2005, July 2008, and January 2008 are shown. Less K-band RFI is seen in SSM/I data than in WindSat or AMSR-E data, likely due to differences in K-band center frequency and spatial resolution. A significant source of RFI is present in the 2008 and 2009 AMSR-E and WindSat data that was not present in 2005. This is likely due to transmissions from the DirecTV 10 satellite, which was launched in July of 2007. This RFI source is seen in reflection off of the Earth's surface. This reflection is strongest over ocean, but is also seen over snow where the diffuse component of the reflection creates a relatively wide swath of RFI.
Models and Transformations for Nondeterministic Extensions of Functional Programming

Linguistic support of parallelism and program transformation systems both implicitly involve nondeterminism. As a result, referentially transparent languages are insufficiently expressive for these applications unless they are augmented with nondeterministic operators. This paper introduces two operators to extend FP so that it supports committed and uncommitted nondeterminism, and specifies the semantics of these operators under both strict and lenient evaluation strategies. Equational models for the four resulting systems are given individually, and two of these are merged into a combined model which supports both forms of nondeterminism under lenient evaluation. Finally, the applicability to program transformation problems is discussed.
Biologic properties and enucleation of red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells

Human erythropoiesis is a complex multistep process that involves the differentiation of early erythroid progenitors to mature erythrocytes. Here we show that it is feasible to differentiate and mature human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into functional oxygen-carrying erythrocytes on a large scale (1010-1011 cells/6-well plate hESCs). We also show for the first time that the oxygen equilibrium curves of the hESC-derived cells are comparable with normal red blood cells and respond to changes in pH and 2,3-diphosphoglyerate. Although these cells mainly expressed fetal and embryonic globins, they also possessed the capacity to express the adult β-globin chain on further maturation in vitro. Polymerase chain reaction and globin chain specific immunofluorescent analysis showed that the cells increased expression of β-globin (from 0% to > 16%) after in vitro culture. Importantly, the cells underwent multiple maturation events, including a progressive decrease in size, increase in glycophorin A expression, and chromatin and nuclear condensation. This process resulted in extrusion of the pycnotic nuclei in up to more than 60% of the cells generating red blood cells with a diameter of approximately 6 to 8 μm. The results show that it is feasible to differentiate and mature hESCs into functional oxygen-carrying erythrocytes on a large scale.
A multivariate logistic regression equation to screen for dysglycaemia: development and validation

Aims To develop and validate an empirical equation to screen for dysglycaemia [impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and undiagnosed diabetes]. Methods A predictive equation was developed using multiple logistic regression analysis and data collected from 1032 Egyptian subjects with no history of diabetes. The equation incorporated age, sex, body mass index (BMI), post-prandial time (self-reported number of hours since last food or drink other than water), systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and random capillary plasma glucose as independent covariates for prediction of dysglycaemia based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 6.1 mmol/l and/or plasma glucose 2 h after a 75-g oral glucose load (2-h PG) ≥ 7.8 mmol/l. The equation was validated using a cross-validation procedure. Its performance was also compared with static plasma glucose cut-points for dysglycaemia screening. Results The predictive equation was calculated with the following logistic regression parameters: P = 1 + 1/(1 + e –X ) = where X = − 8.3390 + 0.0214 (age in years) + 0.6764 (if female) + 0.0335 (BMI in kg/m 2 ) + 0.0934 (post-prandial time in hours) + 0.0141 (systolic blood pressure in mmHg) − 0.0110 (HDL in mmol/l) + 0.0243 (random capillary plasma glucose in mmol/l). The cut-point for the prediction of dysglycaemia was defined as a probability ≥ 0.38. The equation’s sensitivity was 55%, specificity 90% and positive predictive value (PPV) 65%. When applied to a new sample, the equation’s sensitivity was 53%, specificity 89% and PPV 63%. Conclusions This multivariate logistic equation improves on currently recommended methods of screening for dysglycaemia and can be easily implemented in a clinical setting using readily available clinical and non-fasting laboratory data and an inexpensive hand-held programmable calculator. Diabet. Med. 22, 599–605 (2005)
Population characteristics of hepatic dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity, a key metabolic enzyme in 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase is the initial rate-limiting enzyme in catabolism of 5-fluorouracil, one of the most widely used cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Previous studies have shown the clinical importance of determination of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase in patients with cancer, particularly in those with deficiency of this enzyme who experience severe 5-fluorouracil-associated toxicity (including death) after 5-fluorouracil treatment. In the present study, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity was determined in 138 donor liver samples. A normal distribution of human liver dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity was shown. The mean enzyme activity was compared across different groups by age, gender, and race, with no significant differences observed except that the mean enzyme activity in women was slightly higher than that observed in men. With use of a polyclonal antibody generated against human liver dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, Western blot analysis showed that dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase protein in the liver cytosol correlated with the activity of this enzyme.
EVALUATION OF TIME-DEPENDENT INACTIVATION OF CYP3A IN CRYOPRESERVED HUMAN HEPATOCYTES

Irreversible CYP3A inhibition by drugs constitutes one of the major causes of inhibition-based drug interactions. We evaluated time-dependent inactivation of CYP3A in cryopreserved human hepatocytes for six structurally diverse compounds known to exhibit this property. Inactivation kinetic parameters were also determined using human liver microsomes. Except for diclofenac, which did not cause CYP3A inactivation either in microsomes or in hepatocytes at concentrations up to 100 microM, time-dependent inactivation was observed in hepatocytes for amprenavir, diltiazem, erythromycin, raloxifene, and troleandomycin. The observed inactivation potency in hepatocytes (observed IC50) was compared with the potency predicted using microsomal parameters (predicted IC50). Despite satisfactory prediction for troleandomycin (1.35 and 2.14 microM for the predicted and observed IC50, respectively), over-prediction of inactivation was observed for raloxifene, amprenavir, and erythromycin (observed IC50 values 6.2-, 55-, and 7.8-fold higher, respectively, than the predicted IC50). By contrast, the observed IC50 for diltiazem in hepatocytes was approximately 4-fold lower than the IC50 predicted from microsomal data (under-prediction). After correcting for factors including nonspecific binding and inactivator consumption, prediction was significantly improved for raloxifene (the observed IC50 then became 2-fold higher than the predicted IC50) and for amprenavir to a lesser extent. A specific P-glycoprotein inhibitor, 4-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-N-[2-(3.4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-2-amine (CP-100356), modulated the observed CYP3A inactivation potency by erythromycin and troleandomycin. In summary, these studies reveal three important factors that must be considered when microsomal inactivation parameters are used to predict inhibition-based drug interactions in intact cell systems.
Competitive pulmonary flow in infancy: the effect of respiration

Superior caval flow during positive pressure mechanical ventilation and spontaneous breathing was investigated by Doppler echocardiography in a neonate with a coexisting superior cavopulmonary shunt and an aortopulmonary shunt. During positive pressure ventilation, retrograde systolic flow in the superior vena cava was recorded, with low velocity anterograde flow. This pattern was reversed during spontaneous respiration. Low intrathoracic pressure plays an important role in maintaining anterograde pulmonary blood flow in patients with this physiology.
Genome-Wide Gene Expression Effects of Sex Chromosome Imprinting in Drosophila

Imprinting is well-documented in both plant and animal species. In Drosophila, the Y chromosome is differently modified when transmitted through the male and female germlines. Here, we report genome-wide gene expression effects resulting from reversed parent-of-origin of the X and Y chromosomes. We found that hundreds of genes are differentially expressed between adult male Drosophila melanogaster that differ in the maternal and paternal origin of the sex chromosomes. Many of the differentially regulated genes are expressed specifically in testis and midgut cells, suggesting that sex chromosome imprinting might globally impact gene expression in these tissues. In contrast, we observed much fewer Y-linked parent-of-origin effects on genome-wide gene expression in females carrying a Y chromosome, indicating that gene expression in females is less sensitive to sex chromosome parent-of-origin. Genes whose expression differs between females inheriting a maternal or paternal Y chromosome also show sex chromosome parent-of-origin effects in males, but the direction of the effects on gene expression (overexpression or underexpression) differ between the sexes. We suggest that passage of sex chromosome chromatin through male meiosis may be required for wild-type function in F1 progeny, whereas disruption of Y-chromosome function through passage in the female germline likely arises because the chromosome is not adapted to the female germline environment.
High Order Modes Survey and Mitigation of the CEBAF C100 Cryomodules

Abstract Ten new C100 cryomodules have been fabricated and installed for the CEBAF 12 GeV upgrade project in the past few years. The dipole high order modes (HOM) of these modules need to be controlled to avoid beam breakup (BBU) instability. Over the last few years, we surveyed the HOM for all the 80 cavities of the C100 modules in the Vertical Test Area (VTA), as well as in the JLAB Cryomodule Test Facility (CMTF) and the CEBAF tunnel. Additional measures such as waveguide filters were applied to reduce the quality factor of the out of spec modes. In addition, we also measured the fundamental mode passband (a.k.a. the same passband) of all the cavities. In this paper, we will present the HOM survey methodology and results from CMTF and CEBAF survey, as well as the same passband mode results. We will also discuss the causes and mitigation measures of the high Q modes.
A Comparison of Radiation-Induced Aberrations in Human Cells Involving Early and Late Replicating X-Chromosomes

In his classical paper “Chromosome Aberrations Induced by X-rays” in 1938, Sax measured (among other things) break and exchange-point frequencies along Tradescantia chromosome arms. He found these frequencies appreciably higher in the proximal compared to the distal one-third of the arms, and concluded that “...chromosome break or exchange points do not occur at random in the chromosome” (Sax 1938). At the same time he also noted that “....the greatest frequency of chromosome aberrations is associated with greatest chromosome activity...”, and that “...the chromatin around the gene string certainly could not serve as an insulation against X-ray hits, although it might reduce the flexibility of the gene string so that broken ends could not fuse in new associations.” (Sax 1938). It is sobering to recall that more than half a century ago Sax and others had already addressed what some of us, at least, feel are among the more interesting areas being pursued today.
Facial Electromyogram Activation as Silent Speech Method

A wide variety of alternative speech-free input methods have been developed, including speech recognition, gestural commands, and eye typing. These methods are beneficial not only for the disabled, but for situations where the hands are preoccupied. However, many of these methods are sensitive to noise, tolerate little movement, and require it to be the primary focus of the environment. Morse code offers an alternative when background noise cannot be managed. A Morse code-inspired application was developed employing electromyograms. Several muscles were explored to determine potential electrode sites that possessed good sensitivity and were robust to normal movement. The masseter jaw muscle was selected for later testing. The prototype application demonstrated that the jaw muscle can be used as a Morse "key" while being robust to normal speech.
Experimental investigation of the 6 s 2 1 S 0 → 5 d 6 s 3 D 1 , 2 forbidden transitions in atomic ytterbium

We have observed the Stark-induced ${6s}^{2}{}^{1}{S}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5d6s{}^{3}{D}_{1}$ transition in Yb, and measured properties relevant to the study of atomic parity nonconservation in this transition. An atomic beam of Yb is excited by 408-nm light in the presence of an external dc electric field, resulting in cascade fluorescence at 556 nm as the excitation decays through the $6s6p{}^{3}{P}_{1}$ state. The density of the atomic beam and the fluorescence detection efficiency are calibrated by directly exciting the $6s6p{}^{3}{P}_{1}$ state with 556-nm light. Using an estimate of the ${}^{3}{D}_{1}{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}{P}_{1}$ branching fraction, we obtain a measurement of the vector transition polarizability, $|\ensuremath{\beta}|=2.18(33)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8} {\mathrm{ea}}_{0}/(\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{cm}).$ In addition, we have observed the ${6s}^{2}{}^{1}{S}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5d6s{}^{3}{D}_{2}$ transition at 404 nm. The electric quadrupole transition amplitude and tensor transition polarizability have been measured. We have also measured the dc Stark shifts, hyperfine structure, and isotope shifts for both transitions.
New State Record for Chrysomya ruffifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Mississippi

Knowledge of blow fly species present in a given area and their hosts is important to entomologists, ecologists, and forensic scientists. There have been several studies documenting blow fly species present in Mississippi (Goddard and Lago 1983, J. Ga. Entomol. Soc. 18: 481–484; Goddard and Lago 1985, J. Entomol. Sci. 20: 312–317; Goddard et al. 2012, Midsouth Entomol. 5: 39–53), but none revealed the presence of Chrysomya ruffifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Furthermore, an inquiry to the Mississippi Entomological Museum in 1998 by Dr. Lamar Meek at Louisiana State University revealed no specimens in the collection (Meek et al. 1998, Southwest. Entomol. 23: 373–373). Over the past two decades, this species has been reported in many states surrounding Mississippi: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee (Martin et al. 1996, Southwest. Entomol. 21: 477–478; Meek et al. 1998; Shahid et al. 2000, J. Forensic Sci. 45: 896–897; Tomerlin et al. 2005, J. Forensic Sci. 50: 152–153; Wells 2000, J. Entomol. Sci. 35: 91–92). This note provides records for adult and larval C. ruffifacies from Mississippi. Adult and larval C. ruffifacies records were obtained in several ways. From 1 July 2012 through 31 December 2013, road-killed animals found on highways were surveyed for blow flies. When present, adult flies were collected by hand-netting. In some cases, fly larvae were removed from road-killed specimens and reared to the adult stage on fresh beef liver. Also, during September 2012, a small dead pig was placed in an enclosure on the Mississippi State University campus as part of a class project, and blow fly collections were made from it for approximately 4 weeks. Lastly, pinned blow flies housed in the Mississippi Entomological Museum (MEM) were examined for specimens of C. ruffifacies. In all of the above-mentioned cases,
Best (but oft-forgotten) practices: expressing and interpreting associations and effect sizes in clinical outcome assessments

This article reviews methods used to facilitate the interpretation and evaluation of group-level differences in clinical outcome assessments. These methods complement and supplement tests of statistical significance. Examples, including studies in nutrition, are used to illustrate the application of the interpretation methods for group-level comparisons from experimental or observational studies. In addition, specific pitfalls of evaluating change in meta-analysis studies are described. A set of recommendations is provided. This review is intended as an introduction for the novice and as a refresher for the experienced researcher.
Role of Angiotensin II Receptors in Tail Skin Temperature Response to Isoproterenol

The objective of these experiments was to assess the possibility that the increase in tail skin temperature (TSK) accompanying administration of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO) was mediated by angiotensin II (AngII) as a result of stimulation of renin release by ISO. Although AngII is known to be a potent vasoconstrictor in mammals, acute administration of this peptide to rats induces a vasodilation of blood vessels in the tail and an increase in TSK. The objective was approached in several (DuP 753); ways: (i) use of the nonpeptide AngII receptor antagonist losartan potassium (DuP 753); (ii) use of the peptide AngII receptor antagonist saralasin; (iii) use of the AngI-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, and (iv) chronic administration of AngII. The rationale for these experiments was that blockade of AngII receptors (Experiments 1 and 2), inhibition of the enzyme that converts AngI to AngII (Experiment 3), or down-regulation of the AngII receptors (Experiment 4) would be expected to prevent any contribution to the ISO-induced increase in TSK by AngII. The results of these experiments are consistent in revealing that the response of TSK to ISO administration is due in part (approximately 55%) to a direct effect of ISO and in part (approximately 45%) to an indirect effect resulting from the ISO-stimulated release of renin from the kidneys and the formation of AngII in the blood.
A neural signature of contextually mediated intentional forgetting

The mental context in which we experience an event plays a fundamental role in how we organize our memories of an event (e.g. in relation to other events) and, in turn, how we retrieve those memories later. Because we use contextual representations to retrieve information pertaining to our past, processes that alter our representations of context can enhance or diminish our capacity to retrieve particular memories. We designed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment to test the hypothesis that people can intentionally forget previously experienced events by changing their mental representations of contextual information associated with those events. We had human participants study two lists of words, manipulating whether they were told to forget (or remember) the first list prior to studying the second list. We used pattern classifiers to track neural patterns that reflected contextual information associated with the first list and found that, consistent with the notion of contextual change, the activation of the first-list contextual representation was lower following a forget instruction than a remember instruction. Further, the magnitude of this neural signature of contextual change was negatively correlated with participants' abilities to later recall items from the first list.
Comparison of real-time instruments and gravimetric method when measuring particulate matter in a residential building.

ABSTRACTThis study used several real-time and filter-based aerosol instruments to measure PM2.5 levels in a high-rise residential green building in the Northeastern US and compared performance of those instruments. PM2.5 24-hr average concentrations were determined using a Personal Modular Impactor (PMI) with 2.5 µm cut (SKC Inc., Eighty Four, PA) and a direct reading pDR-1500 (Thermo Scientific, Franklin, MA) as well as its filter. 1-hr average PM2.5 concentrations were measured in the same apartments with an Aerotrak Optical Particle Counter (OPC) (model 8220, TSI, Inc., Shoreview, MN) and a DustTrak DRX mass monitor (model 8534, TSI, Inc., Shoreview, MN). OPC and DRX measurements were compared with concurrent 1-hr mass concentration from the pDR-1500. The pDR-1500 direct reading showed approximately 40% higher particle mass concentration compared to its own filter (n = 41), and 25% higher PM2.5 mass concentration compared to the PMI2.5 filter. The pDR-1500 direct reading and PMI2.5 in non-smoking homes...
Oblique Detonation Waves in a Laboratory Setting

An experimental technique was used to study Oblique Detonation Waves (ODW’s) at a laboratory scale. It involves the use of a normal detonation to deflect a thin film into a bounding explosive mixture and induce an oblique detonation into it. However, the film turns out to have an important effect on the flow hence the modeling of its motion was undertaken. The results of the analysis explain the experimental observations and show that only the lightest films are favorable to the formation of an ODW. The visualization of some key combustion intermediates such as C2, CH and OH radicals allow the measurement of the ODW cellular structure which is found similar to that of normal detonations under the same conditions. They also provide some useful information about the mechanism leading to the formation of the ODW. They indicate that chemical reaction induced by the precursor oblique shock is unlikely. Rather, some other phenomenon must be involved in this mechanism that is still not fully understood.
Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against the Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is an economically important pest of greenhouse production systems, and entomopathogenic fungi may be used to suppress populations of the western flower thrips. The objectives of our study were (a) to evaluate the efficacy of products containing three different entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana [BotaniGard®], Isaria fumosoroseus [NoFly™], and Metarhizium anisopliae [Met52®]) against western flower thrips larvae and adults and (b) to assess effectiveness of combinations of entomopathogenic fungi and the insect growth regulator azadirachtin against western flower thrips larvae. In two laboratory bioassays western flower thrips larvae and adults were exposed to the three entomopathogenic fungi at two label rates (maximum and minimum), and two product shelf-life conditions (unexpired and expired). Bioassay 1 involved a 120-h incubation period; bioassay 2 entailed a 216-h incubation period. A third bioassay evaluated any synergist...
Neurotrophin Signaling in Development

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with new views concerning ligand–receptor interactions, signal transduction, and retrograde transport in the nervous system, and discusses the roles of both mature and pro-neurotrophins. It reviews the role of the neurotrophin system in development. The neurotrophins, which include nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived growth factor (BDNF), NT-3, and NT-4, represent an important family of trophic factors that are essential for survival of selective populations of neurons during different developmental periods. The neurotrophic hypothesis postulates that during nervous system development, neurons approaching the same final target compete for limited amounts of target-derived trophic factors. In this way, the nervous system moulds itself to maintain only the most competitive and appropriate connections. Neurotrophins exert their cellular effects through the actions of two different receptors: the tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) receptor tyrosine kinase and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily. Finally, the role of neurotrophins and their receptors is not confined to the nervous system, but is instead increasingly recognized in non-neuronal tissues.
Why prisons are not “The New Asylums”:

This paper will offer an antidote to the axiom that jails and prisons are becoming “the new asylums” in the U.S. Without disregarding the reality of having disproportioned numbers of people with di...
Asset Price Bubbles and the Land of Oz

The conventional view in the professional finance community is that we live in a world with only rare asset price bubbles of immense magnitude. Instead, in this article the author argues that price bubbles are a common phenomenon, and that most stocks have small price bubbles representing perhaps 1% to 25% of their value. The theoretical underpinnings for this argument are based on the local martingale theory of bubbles and a recent article by the author where he derives a multiple-factor asset-pricing model with asset price bubbles. In this article, the author reviews the previous piece and uses it to support his assertion.
Operator Radiation Exposure and Physical Discomfort During a Right Versus Left Radial Approach for Coronary Interventions: A Randomized Evaluation

Objectives This study sought to assess radiation exposure and operator discomfort when using left radial approach (LRA) versus right radial approach (RRA) for coronary diagnostic and percutaneous interventions. Background The transradial approach is increasingly being adopted as the preferred vascular access for coronary interventions. Currently, most are performed using an RRA. This is in part due to the perceived increased operator physical discomforts as well increased radiation exposure with an LRA. Methods One hundred patients were randomized to an LRA or RRA. Each operator (n = 5) had an independent randomization process, and patients were stratified according to obesity status. Operator radiation was measured using separate sets of radiation dosimeter badges placed externally on the head and thyroid and internally on the sternum. Operator physical discomfort was surveyed at 2 time points: during vascular access and at the end of the procedure. Moderate to severe physical discomfort was defined as a score of >4. Results There were no significant differences in baseline and procedural variables between groups. There was a significant increase in external radiation exposure using the RRA versus LRA (head: median: 6.12 [interquartile range (IQR): 2.6 to 16.6] mRems vs. median: 12.0 [IQR: 6.4 to 22.0] mRems, p = 0.02; thyroid: median: 10.10 [IQR: 4.3 to 25] mRems vs. median: 18.70 [IQR: 11.0 to 38] mRems, p = 0.001). More discomfort was reported with the LRA during access (LRA: 22% vs. RRA: 4%; p = 0.017), but not during the procedure (LRA: 10.0% vs. RRA: 4.0%, p = 0.43). This difference was almost entirely noted in obese patients (LRA: 30.0% vs. RRA: 3.7%, p = 0.005). Conclusions LRA is as effective as RRA, showing a safer profile with decreased radiation exposure to the operator, at the expense of more operator discomfort only during vascular access and limited to obese patients.
Out of the Armchair: About Community Impact

Those of us who consider ourselves practitioner-scholars in our field are mostly preoccupied with facilitating learning and inquiry through community-engaged practice. It is hardly surprising then that our work to develop and steward collaborations with communities and organizations leads us to view outcomes through a lens that asks foremost and at times exclusively whether we have advanced knowledge and capacities among our students, our faculty and staff colleagues. We may also ask whether community-engaged practices have enhanced the programs our institutions treasure. Like me, I’m sure many of us frequently remind community partners, often to explain or excuse this inward focus, that we who do this work on college campuses are typically marginal and under resourced in our contexts. And that faculty colleagues who undertake that work are often unrewarded or at least under-valued for these particular efforts. Because that’s all true, and speaks to our preoccupation with these results, in part, as a matter of addressing our institutional contexts.
Comparison of Breast Density Between Synthesized Versus Standard Digital Mammography.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate perceptual difference in breast density classification using synthesized mammography (SM) compared with standard or full-field digital mammography (FFDM) for screening. Materials and Methods This institutional review board–approved, retrospective, multireader study evaluated breast density on 200 patients who underwent baseline screening mammogram during which both SM and FFDM were obtained contemporaneously from June 1, 2016, through November 30, 2016. Qualitative breast density was independently assigned by seven readers initially evaluating FFDM alone. Then, in a separate session, these same readers assigned breast density using synthetic views alone on the same 200 patients. The readers were again blinded to each other's assignment. Qualitative density assessment was based on BI-RADS fifth edition. Interreader agreement was evaluated with κ statistic using 95% confidence intervals. Testing for homogeneity in paired proportions was performed using McNemar's test with a level of significance of .05. Results For patients across the SM and standard 2-D data set, diagnostic testing with McNemar's test with P = 0.32 demonstrates that the minimal density transitions across FFDM and SM are not statistically significant density shifts. Taking clinical significance into account, only 8 of 200 (4%) patients had clinically significant transition (dense versus not dense). There was substantial interreader agreement with overall κ in FFDM of 0.71 (minimum 0.53, maximum 0.81) and overall SM κ average of 0.63 (minimum 0.56, maximum 0.87). Conclusion Overall subjective breast density assignment by radiologists on SM is similar to density assignment on standard 2-D mammogram.
The Intersection of Design, Manufacturing, and Surface Engineering

Publisher Summary This chapter begins with a broad look at a few areas of manufacturing needs and then focuses on categories of surface engineering technology that have broad applicability or that by their nature demonstrate how research and development is leading to advances toward an ideal surface treatment. It discusses three essential issues when considering the way surface engineering process or system is developed to meet design needs: critical design knowledge, critical system components, and the critical actions, which describe how the system reacts or protects the substrate. Some of the elements corresponding to these different issues are presented. The chapter describes traditional and emerging surface engineering technologies, including chromate conversion coatings, interaction of chromates with aluminum, phosphate treatments, composite paint coatings, self-healing coatings, thermal spray methods, ion beam treatment of surfaces and ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), pulsed laser deposition, and functionalized nanostructured coatings development.
The effect of processing variables on the microstructures and properties of aluminum brazed joints

Aluminum brazed joints are used extensively in the automotive and aircraft industries. In order to insure the integrity of the bond, the effects of processing variables on the quality of the bond must be understood. The effects of brazing period and joint thickness on the microstructure, tensile properties, microhardness and micromechanisms of failure of two aluminum alloy 3003 plates connected by a layer of 4047 aluminum filler material were investigated. It was found that the amount of aluminum-silicon eutectic microstructure in the reaction zone decreased with increasing brazing period and decreasing joint thickness. This was attributed to silicon diffusion from the joint material and dissolution of base metal and its entrance into the liquid joint. The amount of shrinkage porosity in the reaction zone was found to increase with increasing brazing period due to base material solutioning. The ultimate tensile strength of joints decreased with increasing brazing period and decreasing joint thickness. This was attributed to the joint microstructure and shrinkage porosity formed in the joint. Shrinkage porosity was found to be the primary cause of decreased joint strength. Joints with 10 minutes brazing period failed within the base material, while for brazing periods greater than 10 minutes, joints failed within the aluminum-silicon eutectic microstructure of the reaction zone. This indicated that the joint strength was greater than the base material for joint with brazing period of 10 minutes. Finite element analysis was performed to determine the effect of joint material yield strength and joint thickness on the stress and strain field in the brazed joint. Finite element analysis results supported experimental observations.
Circadian and epigenetic control of depression-like behaviors

Accumulating evidence illustrates that disruption of circadian rhythms may lead to depression-like behaviors. Recent studies demonstrate that neuronal and synaptic gene induction is under epigenetic control, and robust epigenetic remodeling is observed under depression and related psychiatric disorders. Notably, intertwined links between the circadian clock and epigenetics may point to novel approaches for antidepressant treatments, epigenetic therapy and chronotherapy. Indeed, clock components directly or indirectly coordinate cyclic epigenetic modifications and cyclic histone modifications are required for rhythmic gene expression. Here we propose that potential strategies for antidepressant therapy should incorporate epigenetic rewiring of neuronal gene regulation through circadian genomic and epigenetic variation.
Absence of miR-223-3p ameliorates hypoxia-induced injury through repressing cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress by targeting KLF15.

Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and oxidant stress are considered essential processes in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. A hypoxic stress which causes apoptosis of cardiomyocytes is the main problem in ischemic heart disease. The aim of the present study was to explore the functional role and potential mechanisms of miR-223-3p in hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress. Here, we observed a increment of miR-223-3p level accompanied by the decrease of Kruppel-like zinc-finger transcription factor 15 (KLF15) expression in response to hypoxia. Additionally, absence of miR-223-3p manifestly dampened hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury in H9c2 cells, including improving cell viability, attenuating the LDH leakage and preventing cardiomyocyte apoptosis accompanied by an increase in the expression of Bcl-2 and a decrease in the expression of Bax and C-caspase 3 in the setting of hypoxia. Moreover, depletion of miR-223-3p evidently retarded oxidant stress by inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation, as well as enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity in H9c2 cells following exposure to hypoxia. More importantly, KLF15 was a direct and functional target of miR-223-3p. Further data validated that miR-223-3p negatively regulated the expression of KLF15. Mechanistically, deletion of KLF15 partly abrogated the suppressive effects of miR-223-3p deletion on hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress. Taken all data together, our findings established that our study defines a novel mechanism by which miR-223-3p protects against cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress by targeting KLF15, suggesting that the miR-223-3p/KLF15 may be a potential therapeutic target for ischemic heart conditions.
A Retrospective Analysis of Pain Burden in Hospitalized Young Adult Cancer Patients Compared with Their Older Adult Counterpart.

Abstract Context: Research shows an increased symptom burden in young adult (YA) cancer patients compared with their older adult counterpart. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify d...
A NOTE ON TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT IN THE BABCOCK TEST CENTRIFUGE

Many publications recommend a definite temperature range for the Babcock centrifuge, but do not state how this temperature should be measured, A thermometer placed in the shell of the centrifuge ma...
Not “That Kind of Cop”: Exploring How Officers Adapt Approaches, Attitudes, and Self-concepts in School Settings

Prior research indicates school resource officers (SROs) perform an array of nontraditional police tasks and work in settings culturally distinct from street patrols. To thrive in SRO programs, pol...
Length scales in the many-body localized phase and their spectral signatures

We compute and compare the decay lengths of several correlation functions and effective coupling constants in the many-body localized (MBL) phase. To this end, we consider the distribution of the logarithms of these couplings and correlators: In each case, the log coupling follows a normal distribution with mean and variance that grow linearly with separation. Thus, a localization length is asymptotically sharply defined for each of these quantities. These localization lengths differ numerically from one another, but all of them remain short up to the numerically observed MBL transition, indicating stability of the MBL phase against isolated ergodic inclusions. We also show how these broad distributions may be extracted using interferometric probes such as double-electron-electron resonance and the statistics of local spin precession frequencies.
LBP30: THE SPECIFICITY OF HLA-DP ANTIBODIES ARE DEFINED BY TWO DIMORPHIC EPITOPES

Aim The presence of HLA-DP antibodies may cause AMR. It has been reported that serologic epitopes of HLA-DP are defined by two sequence dimorphisms based on a small cohort of patients. Our aim was to determine whether the specificity of DP antibodies we identified in a much larger study were explained by these two serologic epitopes, and to characterize their reactivity patterns. Methods Among 2821 renal patients who were analyzed by SAB class II testing, 486 patients displayed HLA-DP antibodies. The association between DP antibody specificities was analyzed by hierarchical clustering to identify potential epitope patterns. 4 Sera displaying strong DP antibodies were then adsorbed by cells carrying the related epitope, the bound antibodies were eluted with acid, placed in a buffered solution and reanalyzed by SAB testing to identify which antigens remained reactive. Results Based on hierarchical clustering analysis, HLA-DP antibodies were categorized into 4 clusters (Fig. 1). These 4 clusters are largely consistent with the serologic groups as described by Cano et al. dependent on the presence of epitopes GPM or EAV at positions 85–87 or the presence of A or E at position 56. Antibodies against cluster 3 (DP6, 3, 14, 9, 17) are most common and were found in 160 patients. In contrast, antibodies against cluster 2 (DP401, 402, 2, 18, 28) are least common. Only 44 patients developed antibodies against cluster 2. This is likely due to the high frequency of this cluster (>60%) in the population. To confirm whether antibodies within each group recognize the same epitope, we performed the cell adsorption-elution assay. For example, we found cells carrying homologous HLA-DP2 can bind antibodies that are against cluster 2 and 4 antigens which share the epitope GPM 85–87 with HLA-DP2. Conclusion DP antibodies recognize two major dimorphic epitopes. HLA-DP epitope matching between the donor and recipient at these two critical epitopes should reduce post-transplant sensitization and improve transplant outcome.
Defining the Historical Northeastern Forested Boundary of the Great Plains Grasslands in the United States

The Great Plains is the grasslands of the central United States, but precise delineation of this region has evaded agreement due to the transition between Great Plains grasslands and forests of the...
Jonathan Shandell. The American Negro Theatre and the Long Civil Rights Era.

As the first sustained examination of the Harlem-based American Negro Theatre (active from 1939–49), this book offers thoughtful analysis and provides a provocative foundation for future research. ...
Carrier recombination mechanism at defects in wide band gap two-dimensional materials from first principles

The identification and design of defects in two-dimensional (2D) materials as promising single photon emitters (SPEs) requires a deep understanding of the underlying carrier recombination mechanisms. Yet, the dominant mechanism of carrier recombination at defects in 2D materials has not been well understood, and some outstanding questions remain: How do recombination processes at defects differ between 2D and 3D systems? What factors determine defects in 2D materials as excellent SPEs at room temperature? In order to address these questions, we developed first-principles methods to accurately calculate the radiative and nonradiative recombination rates at defects in 2D materials, using $h$-BN as a prototypical example. We reveal the carrier recombination mechanism at defects in 2D materials being mostly dominated by defect-defect state recombination in contrast to defect-bulk state recombination in most 3D semiconductors. In particular, we disentangle the nonradiative recombination mechanism into key physical quantities: the zero-phonon line and Huang-Rhys factor. At the end, we identified that strain can effectively tune the electron-phonon coupling at defect centers and drastically change the nonradiative recombination rates. Our theoretical development serves as a general platform for understanding carrier recombination at defects in 2D materials, while providing pathways for engineering of quantum efficiency of SPEs.
A patient-centered composite endpoint weighting technique for orthopaedic trauma research.

This study aimed to address the current limitations of the use of composite endpoints in orthopaedic trauma research by quantifying the relative importance of clinical outcomes common to orthopaedic trauma patients and use those values to develop a patient-centered composite endpoint weighting technique. A Best-Worst Scaling choice experiment was administered to 396 adult surgically-treated fracture patients. Respondents were presented with ten choice sets, each consisting of three out of ten plausible clinical outcomes. Hierarchical Bayesian modeling was used to determine the utilities associated with the outcomes. Death was the outcome of greatest importance (mean utility = − 8.91), followed by above knee amputation (− 7.66), below knee amputation (− 6.97), severe pain (− 5.90), deep surgical site infection (SSI) (− 5.69), bone healing complications (− 5.20), and moderate pain (− 4.59). Mild pain (− 3.30) and superficial SSI (− 3.29), on the other hand, were the outcomes of least importance to respondents. This study revealed that patients’ relative importance towards clinical outcomes followed a logical gradient, with distinct and quantifiable preferences for each possible component outcome. These findings were incorporated into a novel composite endpoint weighting technique.
BaTiO3/Al0.58Ga0.42N lateral heterojunction diodes with breakdown field exceeding 8 MV/cm

In this Letter, we demonstrate a Pt/BaTiO3/Al0.58Ga0.42N lateral heterojunction diode with enhanced breakdown characteristics. By using BaTiO3, a high-k material, as a dielectric material between the anode and semiconductor, the peak electric field at the anode edge near the cathode was significantly reduced and an average breakdown field exceeding 8 MV/cm was achieved for devices with an anode to cathode spacing of <0.2 μm. In contrast, Pt/Al0.58Ga0.42N control Schottky diodes displayed an average breakdown field of ∼4 MV/cm for devices with similar dimensions. The use of a high-k dielectric can more effectively utilize the high breakdown fields in ultra-wide bandgap materials by proper management of the electric field. This demonstration thus provides a framework to realize ultra-scaled lateral devices with improved breakdown characteristics.