cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Twenty-millimeter laparoscopic cholecystectomy: fewer ports results in less pain, shorter hospitalization, and faster recovery.

Improvements in technology offer the ability to refine operations without compromising safety. In this study, we determine whether a modified method of laparoscopic cholecystectomy using three ports and an aggregate incision length of 20 mm offers any advantage or poses increased risk. Using a 5-mm, 30° laparoscope, clip applier, and dissector, the gall bladder is removed through an extended umbilical incision. Standard safety principles were followed: achieving the critical view, lateral retraction of the fundus, double ligation of the proximal structures, and maintaining sterility for specimen removal. Forty-one consecutive standard laparoscopic cholecystectomies were used as a control group to compare complications, length of stay and surgery, pain scores, and return to work. Sixty patients have undergone the modified technique. There were no differences between the modified and standard technique with regard to cost or complications. Length of surgery was significantly shorter, as was length of stay, narcotics use, and return to work for the modified group versus the control. A modified technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy poses no increased risk to patients but offers potential for shorter surgery and hospital stays, less need for narcotic analgesia, and faster recovery.
What Do we See in Museums

I address two related questions. First: what value is there in visiting a museum and becoming acquainted with the objects on display? For art museums the answer seems obvious: we go to experience valuable works of art, and experiencing valuable works of art is itself valuable. In this paper I focus on non-art museums, and while these may house aesthetically valuable objects, that is not their primary purpose, and at least some of the objects they house might not be particularly aesthetically valuable at all. Second: to what ontological type or category do museum objects belong? What type of item should be featured on an inventory of a museum collection? I distinguish between typical objects and special objects. While these are different types of object, both, I argue, are abstracta, not concreta. The answer to the second question, concerning the ontological category of special objects, throws new light on various philosophical questions about museums and their collections, including the question about the value of museum experiences. But it also throws light on important questions concerning the preservation and restoration of museum objects.
Monoclonal Gammopathy in An African American Cohort From a VA Medical Center.

Abstract 4869 The information regarding monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) derives mainly from studies of Caucasian individuals. In contrast, this study describes the characteristics of 492 African American (AA) male patients identified with MGUS from the electronic database at the Washington VAMC. Review of their individual electronic records showed that none of the patients initially had evidence of myeloma or other symptomatic plasma cell or lymphoproliferative disorder. The median age at diagnosis of MGUS was 68 years old (range 28.5 to 95.6 years). The distribution of monoclonal immunoglobulin (M Ig) subtypes were IgG 78.1%, IgA 14.8%, IgM 6.9%; light chain only in the urine 2.9% or in the serum 1.0%, The light chain distribution of the M Igs was 60% kappa, 40% lambda. Fifty-nine patients (12%) had diclonal and 4 (0.8%) had triclonal M Igs. The median amount of M Ig was 0.26 g/dL; 47.8% were too small to quantitate. Ninety-four (25.5%) of 368 tested had Bence-Jones proteinuria, with a similar kappa:lambda distribution and 4 patients showed both light chains. Clinical characteristics were as follows: hepatitis C 15.5%, HIV 5.1%, other significant infections 26.8%, and chronic autoimmune or inflammatory disorders 10.3%. The patients were followed clinically for a median of 4.1 years (range 0.35 to 21.02 years), and the median interval between the first and last electrophoresis was 1.41 years (range 0 to 19.97 years). During this period 21 patients (4.3%) progressed to a malignant plasma cell disorder (myeloma 20, solitary plasmacytoma 1). 133 patients (27.0%) died of other causes, and in 26 (5.3%) the M protein had resolved. The actuarial risk determined by a Kaplan Meier plot of progression to a symptomatic plasma cell disorder was 13.5 % at 11 years. The initial M Ig in the patients who progressed was IgG in 15, IgA in 4, and isolated BJ proteinuria in 2. The only recognized predicting characteristic for progression was the detection of Bence-Jones proteinuria at diagnosis of MGUS: Thirteen of 20 (65%) progressing patients tested were positive as compared to 81 of 348 (23.0%) of the non-progressors (p = .0003) A number of features distinguish this AA MGUS cohort from previous series of Caucasian patients. MGUS was detected at an earlier age: 8.9% (5.2% excluding HCV and HIV patients) were under the age of 50. The percentage of AA patients with very low level M proteins was more than threefold that previously reported. The percentage of patients with IgM M Ig was less than one-half noted in previous studies. The actuarial risk of progression to a symptomatic plasma cell disorder as calculated from a Kaplan Meier plot appears to be comparable to previous reports in predominantly Caucasian series. Dr. Desai worked on this project following completion of her internal medicine residency. She is now a Hematology Oncology fellow at Montefiore Medical Center, New York NY. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Effects of hospital safety-net burden and hospital volume on failure to rescue after open abdominal aortic surgery.

Abstract Objective Failure to rescue (FTR) is defined as the inability to rescue a patient from major perioperative complications, resulting in operative mortality. FTR is a known contributor to operative mortality after open abdominal aortic surgery. Understanding the causes of FTR is essential to designing interventions to improve perioperative outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the relative contributions of hospital volume and safety-net burden (the proportion of uninsured and Medicaid-insured patients) to FTR. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2001-2011) was analyzed to investigate variables associated with FTR after elective open abdominal aortic operations in the United States. FTR was defined as in-hospital death following postoperative complications. Mixed multivariate regression models were used to assess independent predictors of FTR, taking into account the clustered structure of the data (patients nested into hospitals). Results A total of 47,233 elective open abdominal aortic operations were performed in 1777 hospitals during the study period. The overall incidences of postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality, and FTR in the whole cohort were 32.7%, 3.2%, and 8.6%, respectively. After adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics, safety-net burden was significantly associated with increased likelihood of FTR (highest vs lowest quartile of safety-net burden, odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-1.91; P P = .897). Conclusions After adjusting for patient- and hospital-level variables, including hospital volume, safety-net burden was an independent predictor of FTR after open aortic surgery. Future investigations should be aimed at better understanding the relationship between safety-net hospital burden and FTR to design interventions to improve outcomes after open abdominal aortic surgery.
Cytochrome c Oxidase Activity Is a Metabolic Checkpoint that Regulates Cell Fate Decisions During T Cell Activation and Differentiation

T cells undergo metabolic reprogramming with major changes in cellular energy metabolism during activation. In patients with mitochondrial disease, clinical data were marked by frequent infections and immunodeficiency, prompting us to explore the consequences of oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction in T cells. Since cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is a critical regulator of OXPHOS, we created a mouse model with isolated dysfunction in T cells by targeting a gene, COX10, that produces mitochondrial disease in humans. COX dysfunction resulted in increased apoptosis following activation in vitro and immunodeficiency in vivo. Select T cell effector subsets were particularly affected; this could be traced to their bioenergetic requirements. In summary, the findings presented herein emphasize the role of COX particularly in T cells as a metabolic checkpoint for cell fate decisions following T cell activation, with heterogeneous effects in T cell subsets. In addition, our studies highlight the utility of translational models that recapitulate human mitochondrial disease for understanding immunometabolism.
Heliophysics at total solar eclipses

Total solar eclipses are a unique opportunity to study the lower solar corona where the solar wind originates. This review presents the recent advancements in coronal science from eclipses and the scientific and outreach plans for this year's totality.
A Challenging State of Affairs: Public Administration in the Republic of Lebanon

This article highlights Lebanon’s administrative challenges and reform efforts, since the end of its Civil War (1975–1990). In recent years, Lebanon and international donors have worked to improve ...
Youth participation in foster youth advisory boards: Perspectives of facilitators

Abstract Foster youth advisory boards (YAB) have the objective of promoting foster youth participation in decisions that are made about their lives. There is currently little known about how youth participation is conceptualized or implemented within or across boards. This qualitative study explored youth participation from the perspectives of 42 primary YAB facilitators in 34 states. The study's findings are derived from telephone interviews. A thematic analysis identified four primary approaches to youth participation, which we labeled as being, ‘Adult-Led’ (n = 2); ‘Adult-Driven Youth Input’ (n = 14); ‘50–50 Youth-Adult Partnership’ (n = 16); and ‘Youth-Led’ (n = 2). Within each of these approaches to youth participation, we present findings that explore facilitators' conceptualizations of youth participation, the strategies and program activities they use to enact youth participation, and the strengths and limitations of each of the approaches. Our discussion explores implications for YAB program activities, youth participation in child welfare systems, and future research.
How Do Patients Respond to Genetic Testing for Age-related Macular Degeneration?

SIGNIFICANCE The American Academy of Ophthalmology currently recommends against routine genetic testing for complex diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The results of this study demonstrate that patients are very interested in predictive genetic testing for AMD, find the information useful, and make behavioral changes as a result of the information. PURPOSE The goal of this project was to conduct a pilot AMD genomic medicine study. METHODS Eligible patients were aged 50 to 65 years with no personal history of AMD. DNA samples were genotyped for five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CFH gene, one SNP in the ARMS-2 gene, one SNP in the C3 gene, and one SNP in the mitochondrial ND2 gene. A risk score was calculated utilizing a model based on odds ratios, lifetime risk of advanced AMD and known population prevalence of genotype, haplotype, and smoking risk. The study optometrist provided the patient's risk score and counseling for personal protective behaviors. Telephone interviews were conducted 1 to 3 months after the counseling visit. RESULTS One hundred one subjects (85%) participated in the genetic testing; 78 (77.2%) were female. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 94 participants (93.1%). More than half (n = 48) of the participants said that they were motivated to participate in the study because they had a family member with AMD or another eye or genetic disorder. Despite low risk levels, many participants reported making changes as a result of the genetic testing. Twenty-seven people reported making specific changes, including wearing sunglasses and brimmed hat and taking vitamin supplements. Another 16 people said that they were already doing the recommended activities, including wearing glasses, quitting smoking, and/or taking vitamins. CONCLUSIONS Interest in genetic testing for future risk of AMD was high in this population and resulted in support to continue current health behaviors or incentive to improve behaviors related to eye health.
Technotes: The Internet Archive: An End to the Digital Dark Age

previously unimaginable (Giffords, 1998; Holden, Rosenberg, & Weissman, 1996). In creasing amounts of data and information are being placed into an electronic format and are often only available through the World Wide Web. According to Lyman and Varian (2000), printed documents of all kinds currently com prise only 0.003% of the total information being generated, and magnetic storage de vices are rapidly becoming the universal medium for information storage. As a result, researchers are increasingly citing Internet sources, including aggregated databases, online journals, websites, newsgroups, Internet-based discussion groups, and Internet-only newsletters (American Psycho logical Association, 2001). Although there is a general expectation that this electronically stored information will last forever, the truth is that much of this information is quickly lost. As electronic archivist Brewster Kahle
Experience with 425 Subfertile Male Patients

AbstractSubfertility was evaluated in 425 men. Varicoceles were diagnosed in 37.4 per cent of these patients and surgical correction of the varicocele in 68 men resulted in a 65 per cent improvement in semen quality. Idiopathic abnormalities were found in 25.4 per cent of the patients. Since the study group was heterogenous stereotyped or empirical treatment cannot hope to be successful if uniformly applied. Other specific causes of male subfertility are identified and therapeutic options are discussed.
Large Scale Production of Secondary Metabolites

Several new in vitro plant products have now reached the stage of semi-commercial or pilot scale production, patents for production have escalated, and biotransformation is a premier approach for promising plant derivatives such as chemoprotective alkaloids. The research community still has only an incomplete picture of actual commercial progress, since most current industrial investigations fall under the realm of proprietary research. Strong collaborations between plant scientists and engineers have resulted in: 1) a new appreciation for the physical and chemical microenvironmental factors required to promote secondary metabolite production, and 2) more sophisticated technologies for controlling those factors. These events presage the imminent introduction of a wider range of new in vitro-produced plant products in the global marketplace.
Variablen mit oberen Grenzen

Wir wollen nun kurzgefaste Reehenmethoden zur Losung einer wichtigen Klasse von Systemen entwickeln, bei denen die Variablen durch obere Grenzen beschrankt sind.
The Sorbent Suspension Reciprocating Dialyzer for Use in Peritoneal Dialysis

The greatest cost of peritoneal dialysis is in the preparation, packaging, and shipping of sterile dialysis fluid. CAPD and CCPD represent attempts to support patients on the minimal volumes of such dialysis fluid. Sorbent chemicals which regenerate dialysate could decrease the shipping weight of disposables, while allowing much higher dialysate flows.
Time and Subjectivity

The previous chapter attempted to reveal Hume’s relevance for Husserl’s turn from static intentional analysis to genetic intentional analysis. Static analysis undertakes to clarify eidetically the various forms and types of noetic-noematic correlations as well as the varied horizontal levels on which they are found. Genetic analysis seeks to clarify the genetic constitution of these noetic-noematic correlations in concrete intentional consciousness. This “history” of consciousness is not factual but eidetic: “...with eidetic genesis there is given only the mode of genesis in which some apperception or other of this type must have come originally into being in an individual stream of consciousness...”1
Acid-Induced Membrane Fusion by the Hemagglutinin Protein and Its Role in Influenza Virus Biology

Membrane fusion is not spontaneous. Therefore, enveloped viruses have evolved membrane-fusion mediating glycoproteins that, once activated, refold, and release energy that fuses viral and cellular membranes. The influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein is a prototypic structural class I viral fusion glycoprotein that, once primed by proteolytic cleavage, is activated by endosomal low pH to form a fusogenic “leash-in-grooves” hairpin structure. Low-pH induced HA protein refolding is an irreversible process, so acid exposure in the absence of a target membrane leads to virus inactivation. The HA proteins of diverse influenza virus subtypes isolated from a variety of species differ in their acid stabilities, or pH values at which irreversible HA protein conformational changes are triggered. Recently, efficient replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses such as H5N1 in avian species has been associated with a relatively high HA activation pH. In contrast, a decrease in H5N1 HA activation pH has been shown to enhance replication and airborne transmission in mammals. Mutations that alter the acid stabilities of H1 and H3 HA proteins have also been discovered that influence the amantadine susceptibilities, replication rates, and pathogenicities of human influenza viruses. An understanding of the role of HA acid stability in influenza virus biology is expected to aid in identifying emerging viruses with increased pandemic potential and assist in developing live attenuated virus vaccines. Acid-induced HA protein activation, which has provided a paradigm for protein-mediated membrane fusion, is now identified as a novel determinant of influenza virus biology.
Predicting the State of the Upper Atmosphere

Present capabilities for predicting upper atmosphere conditions are reviewed briefly. The principal prediction methods are contrasted with the methods of forecasting employed in tropospheric meteorology. Standard model atmospheres can be considered analogous to synoptic weather maps, but the principal tools of the upper atmosphere forecaster are indices of solar activity, resulting in basic differences of approach. True synoptic analysis of the upper atmosphere above the mesopause is still in the future, but significant progress is being made toward this objective.
Constructing and Pilot Testing a Novel Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy Phantom.

Abstract Objective To describe the design and build of a novel phantom for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/ultrasound (US) fusion biopsy and present pilot testing results from a multicenter urology resident training session. Methods We cast our phantom from polyvinylchloride-plastisol that features 10 mm and 5 mm blue clay tumors, a urethral lumen, and an echogenic capsule. T2-weighted images were acquired with a 3T MR750 scanner (GE Healthcare, Boston, MA). Fusion testing was performed on the bkFusion system (BK ultrasound, Peabody, MA) with MIM Symphony software (MIM, Cleveland, OH) and an 18-gauge Bard Monopty disposable gun (Bard, Murray Hill, NJ). Twenty residents from 6 urology programs in Chicago performed proctored user testing. Results The per phantom material cost was $12. The phantom was compatible with all necessary equipment to create a MRI/US fusion data set. MRI and US imaging characteristics were excellent with hypointense lesions. Image fusion was achieved through both end and side fire ultrasound probes. The phantom allowed for biopsies to be performed, and target lesion hits were confirmed by visual inspection of core samples. 38% (8/21) of urology resident pilot testing participants had previously performed a fusion biopsy. The mean postsession survey scores were (1-10 [best]): realism 9.0, usefulness 9.4, ease of use 9.1, ease of orientation 8.9, and overall experience 9.3. Conclusion This simple and inexpensive phantom allows for training and accuracy testing of MRI/US fusion biopsy hardware and software platforms.
Automatically Generating Questions about Novel Metaphors in Literature

The automatic generation of stimulating questions is crucial to the development of intelligent cognitive exercise applications. We developed an approach that generates appropriate Questioning the Author queries based on novel metaphors in diverse syntactic relations in literature. We show that the generated questions are comparable to human-generated questions in terms of naturalness, sensibility, and depth, and score slightly higher than human-generated questions in terms of clarity. We also show that questions generated about novel metaphors are rated as cognitively deeper than questions generated about non- or conventional metaphors, providing evidence that metaphor novelty can be leveraged to promote cognitive exercise.
Forensic mental health evaluations in the Guantánamo military commissions system: An analysis of all detainee cases from inception to 2018.

Even though the Bush Administration opened the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in 2002 in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, little remains known about how forensic mental health evaluations relate to the process of detainees who are charged before military commissions. This article discusses the laws governing Guantanamo's military commissions system and mental health evaluations. Notably, the US government initially treated detainees as "unlawful enemy combatants" who were not protected under the US Constitution and the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, allowing for the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques." In subsequent legal documents, however, the US government has excluded evidence obtained through torture, as defined by the US Constitution and the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Using open-source document analysis, this article describes the reasons and outcomes of all forensic mental health evaluations from Guantanamo's opening to 2018. Only thirty of 779 detainees (~3.85%) have ever had charges referred against them to the military commissions, and only nine detainees (~1.16%) have ever received forensic mental health evaluations pertaining to their case. Of these nine detainees, six have alleged mental torture while in US custody. This paper shows that leaders in the United States and Europe should consider whether counterterrorism policies that supersede traditional health and human rights complicate the ability of future governments to prosecute cases when successive leaders change laws, a pertinent consideration as North American and European states grapple with the return of foreign fighters.
Religiosity and Premarital Sexual Behaviors Among Adolescents: An Analysis of Functional Form

While numerous studies show a persistent inverse association between religion variables and adolescents' sexual behaviors, the nature of this relationship is not well understood. Specifically, many previous studies presuppose that the associations between adolescent religiosity and sexual behaviors are linear. However, a number of studies have also identified important nonlinearities of religious influence during adolescence, with highly religious individuals being distinct from their peers. Incorporating this knowledge into a theoretically-motivated modeling approach, this article provides a comparative analysis of functional forms describing the relationships between religiosity and adolescent sexual behaviors. Using data from two waves of the National Study of Youth and Religion, a linear functional form is compared with nonlinear alternatives that link multiple religion measures to outcomes of sexual activity. Results show that the majority of these relationships are best defined by nonlinear functional forms, suggesting that the influence of religiosity increases as individuals become more religious.
Is positive airway pressure therapy underutilized in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

INTRODUCTION The role of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the home-setting remains controversial. Despite studies suggesting potential benefits, there is an apparent underutilization of such therapy in patients with stable COPD in a domiciliary setting. Areas covered: The reasons for underutilization in the home-setting are multifactorial, and we provide our perspective on the adequacy of scientific evidence and implementation barriers that may underlie the observed underutilization. In this article, we will discuss continuous PAP, bilevel PAP, and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation using a home ventilator (NIPPV). Expert commentary: Many patients with stable COPD and chronic respiratory failure do not receive NIPPV therapy at home despite supportive scientific evidence. Such underutilization suggests that there are barriers to implementation that include provider knowledge, health services, and payor policies. For patients with stable COPD without chronic respiratory failure, there is inadequate scientific evidence to support domiciliary NIPPV or CPAP therapy. In patients with stable COPD without chronic respiratory failure, studies aimed at identifying patient characteristics that determine the effectiveness of domiciliary NIPPV therapy needs further study. Future implementation and health-policy research with appropriate stakeholders are direly needed to help improve patient outcomes.
Comparing the accuracy of estimated terrain elevations across spatial resolution

Terrain is modelled in Geographic Information Science on a grid, assuming that elevation values are constant within any single pixel of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Pixels are considered flat a...
Spatial Zadoff-Chu Modulation for Rapid Beam Alignment in mmWave Phased Arrays

Compressed sensing (CS) algorithms can be used to perform beam alignment in mmWave phased arrays with fewer channel measurements by exploiting the sparsity of mmWave channels. Unfortunately, several efficient CS matrices cannot be realized in phased arrays due to hardware constraints. In this work, we propose to use shifted Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequences in the antenna domain to realize efficient CS matrices for channel estimation or beam alignment. We prove that the shifted ZC-based CS matrix satisfies the restricted isometry property with high probability. Furthermore, CS algorithms that use the proposed training can exploit the fast Fourier transform and are computationally efficient over those that use pseudo-random phase shifts. Using simulations, we show that the proposed CS matrix achieves better beam alignment performance than the commonly used random phased shift-based CS matrices.
Frailty and outcomes in older adults undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

9530 Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic cancer. Studies show older adults are at higher risk for poor outcomes. The Balducci Frailty ...
Abstract 877: Novel role of truncated HMGA2 in regulating reactive oxygen species in prostate cancer cells

High mobility group A (HMGA2), a non-histone protein, is up-regulated in several cancers. Due to chromosomal rearrangement of HMGA2 gene, full-length or wild-type HMGA2 can be truncated leading to loss of the C-terminus and the 3’UTR. Both wild-type and truncated isoforms have been detected in uterine leiomyoma patients. However, the functional role of truncated HMGA2 has not been investigated. We hypothesize that truncated HMGA2 plays a role in prostate cancer progression. We analysed expression of wild-type vs truncated HMGA2 in a panel of prostate cancer cell lines using real-time PCR and western blot analyses. We utilized LNCaP cells stably overexpressing wild-type HMGA2 or truncated HMGA2 in LNCaP cells to detect the basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels using DCFDA dye. We analysed Jun-D expression, a putative downstream effector of HMGA2, by western blot analysis, and utilized siRNA to knockdown Jun-D. We performed migration and cell viability assays following Jun-D knockdown. Additionally, we performed proteomic analysis following immunoprecipitation with HMGA2 antibody in nuclear extracts from LNCaP cells overexpressing wild-type HMGA2 WT or cytoplasmic extracts from cells overexpressing truncated HMGA2. Finally, we utilized tissue microarray to analyse expression of HMGA2 by immunohistochemisty. Our results showed that prostate cancer cell lines expressed varying amounts of wild-type and truncated HMGA2. LNCaP cells overexpressing truncated HMGA2 exhibited increased nuclear expression of Jun-D, as well as increased ROS compared to LNCaP cells overexpressing wild-type HMGA2 or empty vector Neo control. Knockdown Jun-D in LNCaP cells overexpressing truncated HMGA2 abrogated ROS induction and cell migration with no effect on cell proliferation. Additionally, truncated HMGA2 interacted with a number of proteins, including Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding protein 1(G3BP1), a cytoplasmic stress granule protein that responds to oxidative stress. Truncated HMGA2 is mainly localized to the cytoplasm, and interestingly we also observed cytoplasmic HMGA expression in prostatic tissue with chronic inflammation. Therefore, truncated HMGA2 may promote prostate cancer progression via Jun-D-mediated ROS. GRANT SUPPORT: NIH 1P20MD002285 and NIH/NCRR/RCMI G12RR003062-22 Citation Format: Ohuod Hawsawi, Veronica Henderson, Liza Burton, Jodi Dougan, Ana Cecillia Millena, Vanessa Adams, Elshaddai Z. White, Guang Di Wang, Qiang Zhang, Cimona Hinton, Shafiq Khan, Valerie Odero-Marah. Novel role of truncated HMGA2 in regulating reactive oxygen species in prostate cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 877.
Necrosignaling: Cell death triggers antibiotic survival pathways in bacterial swarms

Summary Swarming is form of collective bacterial motion enabled by flagella on the surface of semi-solid media1. Many bacterial species exhibit non-genetic adaptive resistance to a broad range of antibiotics only when swarming (SR)2-4. While the swarming population as a whole survives antibiotic challenge, it nonetheless sustains considerable cell death5. In this study focused mainly on E. coli, an initial analysis of antibiotic-induced killing patterns of swarm vs planktonic cells indicated that death of a sub-population is beneficial to the swarm in promoting SR. Introduction of pre-killed cells into a swarm indeed enhanced SR, allowing us to purify the SR factor from killed cells, and to establish that cell death is directly involved in SR. The SR-enhancing factor was identified to be AcrA, a periplasmic component of a tripartite RND efflux pump6, of which the outer membrane component TolC is shared by multiple drug efflux pumps7. We show that AcrA stimulates drug efflux in live cells by interacting with TolC from the outside. This stimulus acts as a signal to activate efflux in the short term, and to induce the expression of other classes of efflux pumps in the long term, amplifying the response and establishing SR. We call this phenomenon ‘necrosignaling’, and show the existence of species-specific necrosignaling in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Our results have implications for the adaptive resistance of other surface-associated bacterial collectives such as biofilms. Given that such resistance is known to be an incubator for evolving genetic resistance8, our findings may also be relevant to chemotherapy-resistant cancers.
35. A SCOPING REVIEW ON RESIDENT POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION BOOT CAMPS

Background Studies have shown that brief learning experiences, or boot camps, may effectively improve residents to function at a basic level and improve confidence in early postgraduate training and are much more prominently published in the procedural specialties. In those studies, investigators have primarily focused on evaluating whether the boot camp improved clinical skills, knowledge, or confidence levels however, this focus on a survey evaluation methodology, limits the application of these findings in patient care outcomes. Therefore, we sought to assess differences in the setting, size, length, specialty and Kirkpatrick level of evaluation used in boot camps. Methods In consultation with a librarian, we conducted a scoping review on postgraduate boot camps published from 2008 to 2019. Inclusion criteria included boot camps focused on residents and in English language. Exclusion criteria included manuscripts describing boot camps for medical students, fellows, attending faculty, or interdisciplinary health care professionals. Investigators divided the articles equally. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results 62/136 articles met criteria for inclusion. 44/62 (70.9%) occurred at a single site. The mean number of participants was 44.5 and the mean length of boot camp was 8.4 days (median = 3 days). Only one published article assessed pediatric residents (see Table 1 frequency of specialty). The highest level of Kirkpatricks level of evaluation that was assessed is as followed: Reaction, 15/62 (24.2%); Learning, 25/62 (40.3%); Behavior, 22/62 (35.5%); Results, 0/62. Conclusion Boot camps continue to primarily be published in procedural specialties, with only one article assessing pediatric residents. Also, investigators continue to report at Kirkpatrick evaluation levels of reaction, learning and behavior while never reporting at the level of results, or actual patient care outcomes. Our data stresses the importance of pediatric investigators to conduct, evaluate, and publish boot camps while striving to design these experiences to assess whether patient care is ultimately improved.
Near-Complete Genome Sequences of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Isolates from the 2020 Outbreak in Kansas

Here, we report the near-complete genome sequences of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) serotype Indiana isolates from the 2020 U.S. outbreak. The sequences were obtained from swabs collected from Kansas horses in July and August. The four genome sequences help improve our understanding of VSV outbreak dynamics in the United States.
PDF Data Extractor (PDE) - A Free Web Application and R Package Allowing the Extraction of Tables from Portable Document Format (PDF) Files and High-Throughput Keyword Searches of Full-Text Articles

The PDF Data Extractor (PDE) R package is designed to perform comprehensive literature reviews for scientists at any stage in a user-friendly way. The PDE_analyzer_i() function permits the user to filter and search thousands of scientific articles using a simple user interface, requiring no bioinformatics skills. In the additional PDE_reader_i() interface, the user can then quickly browse the sentences with detected keywords, open the full-text article, when required, and convert tables conveniently from PDF files to Excel sheets (pdf2table). Specific features of the literature analysis include the adaptability of analysis parameters and the detection of abbreviations of search words in articles. In this article, we demonstrate and exemplify how the PDE package allows the user-friendly, efficient, and automated extraction of meta-data from full-text articles, which can aid in summarizing the existing literature on any topic of interest. As such, we recommend the use of the PDE package as the first step in conducting an extensive review of the scientific literature. The PDE package is available from the Comprehensive R Archive Network at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=PDE.
Design of Helical Antennas for Full-duplex Communication Systems

With the continuing progress of RF technologies and capabilities, multifunction is a key paradigm allowing for efficient use of space and low-cost systems. A critical factor to fully take advantage of multifunction is the use of true full-duplex simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) without any traditional forms of multiplexing (spatial, time, frequency, polarization). An important consideration for true STAR systems is the first layer of transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) isolation provided by the antenna front-end. These front-ends can be realized in bistatic configurations where the physical separation and/or high-impedance surfaces separating the Tx and Rx antennas provide the necessary isolation [1] ; a more desirable configuration, however, is the so-called quasi-monostatic configuration where the Tx and Rx antennas share the same footprint.
Aeration and dissolution behavior of oxygen nanobubbles in water.

Abstract Hypothesis Nanobubbles (NBs) in water elicit unique physicochemical and colloidal properties (e.g., high stability and longevity). Aeration kinetics and dissolution behavior of oxygen (O2) NBs are assumed to be bubble size dependent. Experiments As an indicator for aeration efficiency, volumetric mass transfer coefficient (KL·a) was assessed by measuring the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels during aeration using O2 NBs with different sizes. Mass transfer coefficient (KL) was estimated by correlation analysis. Moreover, a modified Epstein-Plesset (EP) model was developed to predict the dissolution behavior by monitoring the DO and size changes during the dissolution of O2 NBs in water. Findings A higher rate of DO increase and a higher equilibrium DO level were both observed after aeration with NBs that present higher surface areas for the mass transfer of O2 and a higher vapor pressure of O2 to drive the partitioning equilibrium. Dissolution kinetics of O2 NBs were highly dependent on the initial bubble size as indicated by the changes of bubble size and DO. Smaller NBs raised up DO faster, whereas larger NBs could lead to higher equilibrium DO levels. Moreover, the rate of DO decline and the quasi-steady DO levels both decreased when the dilution ratio increased, confirming that O2 NBs dictates the DO level in water. Finally, the dissolving NBs may either swell or shrink according to the model prediction.
Communication, Dynamics, and Renormalization

This paper explores a general strategy for analyzing network-based dynamical systems. The starting point is a method for parsing an arbitrary sequence of graphs over a given set of nodes. The technique is then harnessed to carry out a dynamic form of renormalization for averaging-based systems. This analytical framework allows us to formulate new criteria for ensuring the asymptotic periodicity of diffusive influence systems.
Culture and Propagation of Microsporidia

Isolation in culture should always be attempted even when a presumptive diagnosis has been made. This is particularly important for the purpose of establishing a bank of isolates to be used for antigenic, molecular, and biochemical analyses. The first attempt to culture microsporidia was made in 1937 by Trager, who was partially successful in establishing Nosema bombycis infection of a cell culture developed from the ovarian tube lining cells of the silkworm (Bombyx mori). Cultures of Encephalitozoon cuniculi were initiated in several different ways: by adding infected tissue explants to cultured cells, by allowing infected cells in explanted cells to grow, by allowing germination of spores in the presence of cells and thereafter infecting cells, and by scraping infected cells from infected cultures and adding them to fresh cell cultures. The first microsporidian isolated from a human, Vittaforma corneae (Nosema corneum) was cultured from a corneal biopsy that was shipped to the laboratory overnight in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS). Only a few attempts have been made to isolate microsporidia into culture from feces because enteric bacteria and yeast usually overgrow the rich culture medium that is used, which impedes isolation of the fastidious microsporidia, especially Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Inoculated cell cultures should be examined frequently with an inverted microscope preferably equipped with phase-contrast or differential interference-contrast optics. One great advantage of obtaining spores from in vitro cultures is the absence of bacterial and fungal contaminants.
Placental transfer of iron

Abstract The placental transfer of iron together with the uterine blood flow and oxygen consumption of the uterus and its contents were determined in pregnant rabbits in the latter third of gestation. The data demonstrate that the maternal plasma iron turnover is greatly increased in the last days of gestation and, in large measure, is directed to the developing fetuses. The placental transfer of iron proceeds at a constant rate, is independent of the concentration of iron in the maternal plasma, and depends on an active fetal circulation. The increase in iron transfer to the fetus occurs at a time when the fetuses are being subjected to a progressive decrease in available oxygen.
Cell wall‐inhibitory antibiotics activate the alginate biosynthesis operon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: roles of σ22 (AlgT) and the AlgW and Prc proteases

A bioassay was developed to identify stimuli that promote the transcriptional induction of the algD operon for alginate biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Strain PAO1 carried the algD promoter fused to a chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase cartridge (PalgD-cat), and > 50 compounds were tested for promoting chloramphenicol resistance. Most compounds showing PalgD-cat induction were cell wall-active antibiotics that blocked peptidoglycan synthesis. PalgD-cat induction was blocked by mutations in the genes for sigma22 (algT/algU) or regulators AlgB and AlgR. Anti-sigma factor MucA was the primary regulator of sigma22 activity. A transcriptome analysis using microarrays verified that the algD operon undergoes high induction by D-cycloserine. A similar sigma(E)-RseAB complex in Escherichia coli responds to envelope stress, which requires DegS protease in a regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) cascade to derepress the sigma. Mutant phenotypic studies in P. aeruginosa showed that AlgW (PA4446) is likely to be the DegS functional homologue. A mutation in algW resulted in a complete lack of PalgD-cat induction by D-cycloserine. Overexpression of algW in PAO1 resulted in a mucoid phenotype and alginate production, even in the absence of cell wall stress, suggesting that AlgW protease plays a role in sigma22 activation. In addition, a mutation in gene PA3257 (prc), encoding a Prc-like protease, resulted in poor induction of PalgD-cat by D-cycloserine, suggesting that it also plays a role in the response to cell wall stress.
A reappraisal of bridge piers scour vulnerability: a case study in the Upper Tiber River basin (central Italy)

The issue of bridge piers vulnerability to scour is addressed by comparing two procedures. The first method quantifies the Scour Vulnerability Index (SVI) considering the combined effects of local and contraction scour. The method requires that a scale factor, for taking account of the scour depth overestimation provided by empirical formulae, is quantified for the selected case study through inspection campaigns. The second approach identifies a vulnerability index to vertical instability depending on several indicators. The study is carried out for a sample of 46 bridges in the Tiber River basin, central Italy, and shows that the two methods identify the same number of piers affected by ‘high’ vulnerability. Results are supplemented by outcomes of inspections that identified, through the scale factor, a high correlation between measured scour depth and SVI value. SVI, simpler and most practical, seems useful for an expeditious estimate of scour vulnerability in large areas and can be adopted by decision makers to identify the structures requiring attention in terms of maintenance and control. The presented results do not provide a general rule for a correct estimate of scour. They refer to solely the investigated case study and need to be verified in other rivers context.
The ability of conditioned Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to distinguish between odors of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic fungal strains

The parasitic wasp Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) learns to associate odors with food resources and subsequently exhibits a characteristic food-seeking behavior when encountering the learned odor. Wasps so conditioned, learned and subsequently demonstrated an ability to distinguish among aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus strains. The effects of fungal species, strain, age (5, 10-12, 20, and 30 d) and growth media (potato dextrose agar, peanut agar and corn agar) on the learning and recognition responses of the conditioned wasps were examined. The level of differentiation between fungal strains by conditioned wasps was lowest when working with 5-d-old fungal cultures but increased with age and generally peaked with 20-d-old fungi. Wasps responded generally stronger to the fungal strain conditioned to independent of growth media. This ability of parasitic wasps to learn and distinguish fungal odors can open new avenues in insect learning.
Transfer of entomopathogenic fungi among formosan subterranean termites and subsequent mortality.

Strains of the entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo)Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff)Sorokin were screened for effectiveness against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki). Biological control methods are being considered to augment current integrated pest management schemes that involve chemical baits and nonrepellent termiticides. In this study Formosan subterranean termites selected from four colonies in the field were exposed in the laboratory to three strains of Beauveria bassiana and two strains of Metarhizium anisopliae. The exposed termites were then allowed to mingle with an equal number of unexposed termites from the same nest and mortality of the combined group was determined. One week after exposure, B. bassiana strains, ATCC 26037 and ATCC 90519, had caused significantly higher mortality than the two M. anisopliae strains, ESC 1 and II B and the remaining strain of B. bassiana, ATCC 90518. The LT50 measurement for strains 26037 and 90519 was comparable at 1.8 and 2.0 days, respectively. Strains ESC 1 and 90518 caused 50% mortality at 6.5 and 11.0 days, respectively. Termites exposed to strain II B and the control group of termites did not reach 50% mortality during the 21 day experimental period. Exposure of termites to all fungal strains resulted in mortality in excess of that seen in the control groups of unexposed termites.
Investigation of layered elastic theory prediction accuracy for asphalt concrete pavement design using micromechanical viscoelastic finite element modeling

In this study, predictions of full-scale micromechanical (MM) finite element (FE) models, developed from X-ray computed tomography images of asphalt concrete samples that were sawn from the accelerated pavement test sections, were used to evaluate the accuracy of layered elastic theory (LET) models that are used in pavement design today. First, MM FE and LET models were both calibrated using the measured strain gauge responses. Predictions of calibrated models were compared to evaluate the reasonableness of LET model outputs at high temperatures. Second, asphalt concrete stiffnesses measured in the laboratory were directly used for LET model development without performing any strain gauge calibration to evaluate the actual predictive capability of LET models in pavement design by using the calibrated MM FE model outputs as the ground truth. Recommendations were also made for future use of the MM FE models to improve the predictive capability of LET models.