cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How to tune an enhancer

Every cell’s genome contains two main classes of functional DNA. The best understood type of DNA sequence, which was also the first to be discovered, is that which encodes RNA and protein products via the near-universal “genetic code” (1). A more mysterious but equally important class of functional DNA is cis-regulatory sequence, which does not have a physical product but, instead, encodes the conditions under which a particular RNA will be produced. Cis-regulatory DNA sequences are the primary (although not the only) determinant of gene expression: Not only the rate of RNA production but also the timing, spatial patterning, and environmental control of every gene’s activity are largely controlled by these DNA sequences, which are usually in the general vicinity of the gene they regulate. These DNA segments (often called enhancers) have no enzymatic activity on their own, but act as scaffolds for large complexes of proteins and RNAs that directly control the activity of a gene’s promoter, sometimes over distances of 1 million base pairs or more (2). Transcription factors (TFs), key protein regulators of gene expression, bind DNA in a sequence-specific manner, which means that the nature of the complex assembled at a given enhancer at a given time depends on its DNA sequence (cis information), in conjunction with the set of TFs present and active in the cell …
Practice Characteristics of Surgeons in the United States

The results are discussed of two SOSSUS studies, one a questionnaire to obtain information from a representative sample of surgeons about their practice organizations, work loads, work time, and other relevant data, and the other a comprehensive examination of surgeons’ work loads in four diverse areas of the United States.
Path reuse-aware routing for non-volatile memory based FPGAs

Abstract Non-volatile memory-based FPGAs (NV-FPGAs) are expected to replace traditional SRAM-based FPGAs to achieve higher scalability and lower power consumption. Yet the slow write performance of NVMs not only challenges FPGA reconfiguration speed and overhead but also constrains the programming cycles of FPGAs. To efficiently configure switch boxes, the majority component of an FPGA, this paper presents a routing path reuse technique. The reconfiguration cost of routing resources is first modeled mathematically and then minimized through a reuse-aware routing algorithm, which is incorporated into the standard VTR CAD tool. Experiments on standard MCNC and Titan benchmarks show that the proposed scheme is able to achieve as much as 58% path reuse rate and reduce as much as 45% configuration cost for routing resources.
Antenna miniaturization using UC-PBG for wireless communications applications

In this paper, a conventional microstrip-fed patch antenna that operates close to 10 GHz is modified to operate close to 2.5 GHz, without changing the dimensions of the antenna. First, the ground plane is replaced with a Uniplanar- Compact-Photonic-Band-Gab (UC-PBG) structure. Then, a backed conductor is placed close to the UC-PBG and connected to it through 4 vias. These two modifications are utilized to decrease the lower operating frequency of the antenna, which implicitly means decreasing the size of the antenna. Numerical study of the parameters of the UC-PBG structure is performed and presented to understand the effect of each parameter on the return loss of the antenna, and also to improve the size reduction factor. The small size of the proposed antenna makes it suitable for wireless communications applications.
Association of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with osteoporosis and pathological fractures

Background Previous studies examining the relationship between psoriasis (Pso), osteoporosis, and pathological fractures found conflicting results. Objective To determine whether Pso and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are associated with osteoporosis and fractures in US adults. Methods Cross-sectional study of 198,102,435 children and adults, including 183,725 with Pso and 28,765 with PsA from the 2006-2012 National Emergency Department Sample, including 20% of the emergency care visits throughout the United States. Results In a pooled analysis across all 7 years, patients with Pso had significantly higher odds (multivariate logistic regression; odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals) of diagnosis with osteopenia (2.86, 2.70-3.02), osteoporosis (2.97, 2.89-3.06), osteomalacia (4.40, 2.50-7.74), ankylosing spondylitis (13.34, 12.02-14.81), and pathological fractures (2.35, 2.19-2.53). Similar associations were observed for PsA. Pso was also associated with vertebral (1.17, 1.09-1.25), pelvic (1.18, 1.06-1.31), femoral (1.68, 1.60-1.78), and tibial/fibular fractures (1.28, 1.16-1.41). Whereas, PsA was associated with stress (2.87, 1.08-7.64) and vertebral (1.45, 1.24-1.70), pelvic (1.75, 1.41-2.18), femoral (2.07, 1.85-2.32), and tibial/fibular (1.60, 1.28-2.01) fractures. Limitations Data on severity and treatments of Pso were not available. Conclusion Pso and PsA were associated with osteopenia, osteoporosis, ankylosing spondylitis, and pathologic fractures.
Comparing Different Surgical Techniques for Addressing the Posterior Malleolus in Supination External Rotation Ankle Fractures and the Need for Syndesmotic Screw Fixation

Trimalleolar ankle fractures are unstable injuries with possible syndesmotic disruption. Recent data have described inherent morbidity associated with screw fixation of the syndesmosis, including the potential for malreduction, hardware irritation, and post-traumatic arthritis. The posterior malleolus is an important soft tissue attachment for the posterior inferior syndesmosis ligament. We hypothesized that fixation of a sizable posterior malleolar (PM) fracture in supination external rotation type IV (SER IV) ankle fractures would act to stabilize the syndesmosis and minimize or eliminate the need for trans-syndesmotic fixation. A retrospective review of trimalleolar ankle fractures surgically treated from October 2006 to April of 2011 was performed. A total of 143 trimalleolar ankle fractures were identified, and 97 were classified as SER IV. Of the 97 patients, 74 (76.3%) had a sizable PM fragment. Syndesmotic fixation was required in 7 of 34 (20%) and 27 of 40 (68%), respectively, when the PM was fixed versus not fixed (p = .0002). When the PM was indirectly reduced using an anterior to posterior screw, 7 of 15 patients (46.7%) required syndesmotic fixation compared with none of 19 patients when the PM fragment was fixated with direct posterior lateral plate fixation (p = .0012). Fixation of the PM fracture in SER IV ankle fractures can restore syndesmotic stability and, thus, lower the rate of syndesmotic fixation. We found that fixation of a sizable PM fragment in SER IV or equivalent injuries through posterolateral plating can eliminate the need for syndesmotic screw fixation.
Comparative study of organic transistors with different graphene electrodes fabricated using a simple patterning method

The performance of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) can be greatly limited due to the inefficient charge injection caused by the large interfacial barrier at the metal/organic semiconductor interface. To improve this, two-dimensional graphene films have been suggested as alternative electrode materials; however, a comparative study of OFET performances using different types of graphene electrodes has not been systematically investigated. Here, we present a comparative study on the performance of pentacene OFETs using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown graphene and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as electrodes. The large area electrodes were patterned using a simple and environmentally benign patterning technique. Although both the CVD graphene and RGO electrodes showed enhanced device performance compared to metal electrodes, we found the maximum performance enhancement from CVD grown graphene electrodes. Our study suggests that, in addition to the strong π-π interaction at the graphene/organic interface, the higher conductivity of the electrodes also plays an important role in the performance of OFETs.
Dual Therapy Appears Superior to Monotherapy for Low-Income Individuals With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes:

Background: There are variable recommendations regarding initiating monotherapy or dual therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D). Clear initial strategies are of particular im...
RESPONSE: A Call to Action for Established Cardio-Oncologists: Time to Train the Future.

Although the cardiotoxic effects of anthracyclines and radiation have been known since the 1970s, and important papers were published during the late ′70s and early ′80s using radionuclide angiography monitoring, patients with concomitant cancer and cardiovascular diseases were, until recently
Stimulation of nitric oxide from muscle cells by VIP: prejunctional enhancement of VIP release

The source of nitric oxide (NO) and its role in neurally induced relaxation was examined in smooth muscle of the stomach and tenia coli. Field stimulation of gastric muscle strips was accompanied by frequency-dependent relaxation, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) release, and NO production: the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) completely inhibited NO production and partly inhibited VIP release (52-54%) and relaxation (58-88%); inhibition of all three functions was reversed by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. In isolated gastric muscle cells, VIP caused relaxation and stimulated NO production: L-NNA completely inhibited NO production and partly inhibited relaxation; the inhibition was reversed by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. Abolition of NO production with only partial inhibition of relaxation implied that NO production from muscle cells induced by the action of VIP was partly responsible for relaxation. By contrast, field stimulation of tenia coli was accompanied by relaxation and VIP release but not by NO production. Neither VIP release nor relaxation was affected by L-NNA. In isolated muscle cells of tenia coli, VIP caused relaxation but did not stimulate NO production; relaxation in these cells was not affected by L-NNA. We conclude that 1) VIP is the primary relaxant transmitter in both gastric muscle and tenia coli, 2) the release of VIP in gastric muscle but not in tenia coli stimulates NO production from target muscle cells, and 3) NO amplifies the relaxant effect of VIP in muscle cells and acts presynaptically to enhance the release of VIP.
Accuracy of internet images of ligamentous knee injuries.

Background The internet is an easily accessible resource for both providers and patients. Despite this, the internet is not peer reviewed, leaving searches subject to inaccuracies, especially with regards to medical information. The purpose of this study was to review internet images of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tears using two popular search engines: Google and Bing. Methods A search query was performed on both Google and Bing for the following terms: 'ACL tear', 'PCL tear', 'MCL tear' and 'LCL tear'. The first 100 images of each individual search were analyzed by three independent orthopedists. Results The inter-rater reliability was very good for PCL tear on Bing (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89) and excellent (Cronbach's alpha > 0.9) for the remainder of the search queries. When comparing Google to Bing, the only significant difference occurred in the ACL group, with Bing returning a significantly greater number of correct images 60%, 95% CI: 53.2 - 66.7%) compared to Google (45% correct, 95% CI: 38.1-51.8%), p = 0.034. With regards to the other ligaments Bing was more accurate than Google for PCL (39% versus 38%), and LCL (32% to 30%). Both sites were 48% accurate for MCL tear. Conclusion Ultimately, our study revealed that physicians should take an active role in making high quality, easy to understand medical resources and anatomic diagrams available to their patients to avoid confusion and enhance understanding when querying the internet for additional information regarding their condition.
Learning Curve of Robotic Lobectomy for Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by a Thoracic Surgeon Adept in Open Lobectomy.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to characterize the clinical outcomes and learning curve during the adoption of a robotic platform for lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer by a th...
HOME AEDS FOR CHILDREN WITH CARDIAC CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERMEDIATE RISK FOR SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH: A COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

Children at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) (>6% over 5 years) receive implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) for prevention. For those at intermediate risk (4-6% over 5 years), there are no guidelines on home automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and the cost-effectiveness (CE
Multilayer CMP hotspot modeling through deep learning

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is a critical process in Integrated Circuit (IC) manufacturing used to ensure planarity of the layers which comprise the IC. The IC design and CMP process must be optimally integrated otherwise dishing and erosion may occur on any of the various layers resulting in significant degradation impacting lithographic pattern fidelity and performance variability. Consequently, it is desirable to accurately predict if and where these hotspots (HS) will appear early in the design to ensure high manufacturing yield and predicted performance. In this work, we use a Deep Learning (DL) multilayer convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm to model CMP hotspots for full-chip multilayer layouts. The DL model consists of convolutional layers for automatic feature extraction and fully-connected CNN layers for HS classification and detection. Our implementation can learn/capture effects that go beyond traditional methods in that these effects can be discovered from previous technologies with transfer learning and the model can be trained with either simulation or topography measurement data. Further, the model is trained from multiple layers and CMP results thereby enabling modeling and prediction of hotspots resulting from complex inter-layer interactions or effects which may escape traditional methods. With the proposed DL model, we achieved a hotspot prediction accuracy of up to 98% with up to 10 metal layers. After training the model, the inference time for a full chip can be up to 10x faster than existing CMP tools. This flow enables CMP/Fill-aware design validation that can help to create optimal high-yielding customer designs.
The action of the universal modular group on certain boundary points

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the action of the universal modular group Mod = Mod(l) on the boundary ∂T = ∂T(1) of the universal Teichmuller space T = T(1). The universal Teichmuller space T = T(1) is the quotient of the group of all normalized quasiconformal self-mappings of an upper half plane U over the subgroup of self-mappings equivalent to the identity.To give a sufficient condition for the action of Mod on a boundary point, the definition of a quasicircle needs to be remembered: a quasicircle is the image of a circle under a quasiconformal automorphism of the Riemann sphere C. Every polygonal Jordan curve is a quasicircle, and so is every continuously differentiable Jordan curve. But there also are non-rectifiable quasicircles. A Jordan domain bounded by a quasicircle will be called a quasidisc.
Quantifying methane emissions in the Uintah Basin during wintertime stagnation episodes

This study presents a meteorologically-based methodology for quantifying basin-scale methane (CH4) emissions in Utah’s Uintah Basin, which is home to over 9,000 active and producing oil and natural gas wells. Previous studies in oil and gas producing regions have often relied on intensive aircraft campaigns to estimate methane emissions. However, the high cost of airborne campaigns prevents their frequent undertaking, thus providing only daytime snapshots of emissions rather than more temporally-representative estimates over multiple days. Providing estimates of CH4 emissions from oil and natural gas production regions across the United States is important to inform leakage rates and emission mitigation efforts in order to curb the potential impacts of these emissions on global climate change and local air quality assessments. Here we introduce the Basin-constrained Emissions Estimate (BEE) method, which utilizes the confining topography of a basin and known depth of a pollution layer during multi-day wintertime cold-air pool episodes to relate point observations of CH4 to basin-scale CH4 emission rates. This study utilizes ground-based CH4 observations from three fixed sites to calculate daily increases in CH4, a laser ceilometer to estimate pollution layer depth, and a Lagrangian transport model to assess the spatial representativity of surface observations. BEE was applied to two cold-air pool episodes during the winter of 2015–2016 and yielded CH4 emission estimates between 44.60 +/– 9.66 × 103 and 61.82 +/– 19.76 × 103 kg CH4 hr–1, which are similar to the estimates proposed by previous studies performed in the Uintah Basin. The techniques used in this study could potentially be utilized in other deep basins worldwide.
Expanding communication opportunities in algorithms courses

This paper describes the creation of and experience with a communication-focused project for an undergraduate algorithms course. The project was designed to provide students with a communication-based project, help students develop an understanding of algorithms in a practical context, and provide a way to discuss some algorithms that fall outside the scope of the course. Students chose an algorithm to research and delivered their findings via a paper and an in-class presentation. Papers and presentations focused on the historical, functional, and complexity details of the chosen algorithm. An example course schedule, assignment details, and algorithm list are provided. We also reflect on student outcomes and discuss potential changes for future semesters.
Acute Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE cell-mediated gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity that has become better understood and characterized in the past two decades. FPIES is considered a heterogeneous disorder that can vary dramatically in terms of symptomatology and natural history based on a patient’s nationality, age of symptoms onset, duration of symptoms, and association with IgE-mediated food allergy.
Factors Associated with Amputation after Peripheral Vascular Intervention for Intermittent Claudication.

Background The natural history of intermittent claudication (IC) is that only 25% of patients will experience worsening of their claudication symptoms, and only approximately 1–3% will progress to major amputation. The impact of increasing use of endovascular therapies on the natural history of IC has not been well established. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence and identify predictors of major and minor amputations after peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) for IC. Methods A retrospective cohort of patients treated for IC was derived from the national PVI Vascular Quality Initiative database evaluating both preoperative and intraoperative variables from 2003 to 2017. We examined rates of major or minor amputations after ipsilateral PVI for IC. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to identify predictors of amputation along with Kaplan-Meier (KM) plots to estimate amputation-free survival. Results We identified 11,887 PVI procedures for patients undergoing elective treatment for IC without a previous history of lower extremity PVI or bypass. Major and minor amputations occurred at a combined rate of 1.08% (n = 128). Minor amputations occurred in 0.56% (n = 67) of patients at 1 year, whereas major amputations were reported in 0.51% (n = 61) of cases. KM plots of amputation-free survival revealed that patients with preoperative ankle brachial indexes (ABIs) 1.3) had significantly higher rates of any amputation compared with subjects with ABIs between 0.20–0.49, 0.50–0.89, and 0.90–1.30 (log rank, Conclusions With relation to amputation, the natural history of IC does not appear to be impacted by PVI sicker patients with higher ASA or symptomatic CHF, and those with isolated tibial interventions are at higher risk for amputation, and we cannot determine if this is due to patient substrate, presentation, or the intervention itself. Importantly, there are key prognostic preoperative and intraoperative indicators that can assist the clinician with predicting patients who are at a higher risk of amputation.
Maternal Stress Reduces the Susceptibility of Root-Knot Nematodes to Pasteuria Penetrans .

Pasteuria penetrans is an obligate parasite of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Endospores of P. penetrans attach to the cuticle of second-stage juveniles (J2) and complete their life cycle within the nematode female body. Infected females will be filled with spores and will be sterilized. Studies with Daphnia magna and its parasite Pasteuria ramosa showed that a poor maternal environment can lead to offspring resistant to P. ramosa. Therefore, we hypothesized that Meloidogyne arenaria females raised under a stressed environment would produce offspring that were more resistant to P. penetrans. Females were exposed to a stressed environment created by crowding and low-food supply, or a non-stressed environment and their offspring evaluated for endospore attachment and infection by P. penetrans. No difference in spore attachment was observed between the two treatments. However, infection rate of P. penetrans in the stressed treatment was significantly lower than that in the non-stressed treatment (8 vs 18%). Mothers raised under stressed conditions appeared to produce more resistant offspring than did mothers raised under favorable conditions. Under stressful conditions, M. arenaria mothers may provide their progeny with enhanced survival traits. In the field, when nematode populations are not managed, they often reach the carrying capacity of their host plant by the end of the season. This study suggests that the next generation of inoculum may be more resistant to infection by P. penetrans.
“Living More Through Knowing More”: College Education in Prison Classrooms:

A growing national focus on prison reform has led to a resurgence of interest in carceral education. However, and although college education prison is different from college education in the commun...
Computational perspectives on forebrain microcircuits implicated in reinforcement learning, action selection, and cognitive control

Abundant new information about signaling pathways in forebrain microcircuits presents many challenges, and opportunities for discovery, to computational neuroscientists who strive to bridge from microcircuits to flexible cognition and action. Accurate treatment of microcircuit pathways is especially critical for creating models that correctly predict the outcomes of candidate neurological therapies. Recent models are trying to specify how cortical circuits that enable planning and voluntary actions interact with adaptive subcortical microcircuits in the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia are strongly implicated in reinforcement learning, and in all behavior and cognition over which the frontal lobes exert flexible control. The persisting role of the basal ganglia shows that ancient vertebrate designs for motivated action selection proved adaptable enough to support many "modern" behavioral innovations, including fluent generation of language and speech. This paper summarizes how recent models have incorporated realistic representations of microcircuit features, and have begun to trace their computational implications. Also summarized are recent empirical discoveries that provide guidance regarding how to formulate the rules for synaptic modification that govern learning in cortico-striatal pathways. Such efforts are contributing to an emerging synthesis based on an interlocking set of computational hypotheses regarding cortical interactions with basal ganglia and thalamic nuclei. These hypotheses specify how specialized microcircuits solve learning and control problems inherent to the brain's parallel design.
Rhetorical legacies of the National Woman's Party: Shuttling rhetorics, endurance, and survival

This contribution explores “shuttling rhetorics” to help explain why the story of the National Woman's Party (NWP) framed many suffrage centennial celebrations. Drawing parallels between the tactic...
Sepsis Alerts in Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review of Accuracy and Quality Measure Impact.

INTRODUCTION: For early detection of sepsis, automated systems within the electronic health record have evolved to alert emergency department (ED) personnel to the possibility of sepsis, and in some cases link them to suggested care pathways. We conducted a systematic review of automated sepsis-alert detection systems in the ED. METHODS: We searched multiple health literature databases from the earliest available dates to August 2018. Articles were screened based on abstract, again via manuscript, and further narrowed with set inclusion criteria: 1) adult patients in the ED diagnosed with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock; 2) an electronic system that alerts a healthcare provider of sepsis in real or near-real time; and 3) measures of diagnostic accuracy or quality of sepsis alerts. The final, detailed review was guided by QUADAS-2 and GRADE criteria. We tracked all articles using an online tool (Covidence), and the review was registered with PROSPERO registry of reviews. A two-author consensus was reached at the article choice stage and final review stage. Due to the variation in alert criteria and methods of sepsis diagnosis confirmation, the data were not combined for meta-analysis. RESULTS: We screened 693 articles by title and abstract and 20 by full text; we then selected 10 for the study. The articles were published between 2009-2018. Two studies had algorithm-based alert systems, while eight had rule-based alert systems. All systems used different criteria based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) to define sepsis. Sensitivities ranged from 10-100%, specificities from 78-99%, and positive predictive value from 5.8-54%. Negative predictive value was consistently high at 99-100%. Studies showed some evidence for improved process-of-care markers, including improved time to antibiotics. Length of stay improved in two studies. One low quality study showed improved mortality. CONCLUSION: The limited evidence available suggests that sepsis alerts in the ED setting can be set to high sensitivity. No high-quality studies showed a difference in mortality, but evidence exists for improvements in process of care. Significant further work is needed to understand the consequences of alert fatigue and sensitivity set points.
Pandora's pandemic

Fifty years ago, the blockbuster du jour was The Andromeda Strain, a film based on a new kind of biomedical thriller that depicted a plague of putatively extraterrestrial origins. The film would in time be hailed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America as the "most significant, scientifically accurate, and prototypic of all films of this genre."
Curiosity-Inspired Learning: Insitu versus Post-Event Approaches to Recall and Reflection

We often get questions about the processes and things that we observe in our surroundings, but there exists no practical support for exploring these questions. Exploring curiosity can lead to learning new science concepts. We propose using a post-event recall and reflection approach to support curiosity-inspired learning in everyday life. This approach involves capturing contextual cues during the curiosity moment with wearables that can capture these contextual cues in daily life, and later using them for recall and focused reflection. Firstly, we conducted a preliminary study to explore different cues and their effectiveness in recalling these curiosity moments. Further, we conducted a virtual study to evaluate the amount of exploration through post-event recall and reflection and compared it with insitu recall and reflection. Results show a significant increase in questions and reflections made with the post-event recall and reflection approach, providing evidence for better learning outcomes from everyday curiosity.
Analysis of homosexual behavior characteristics and influencing factors of male college students in Zhejiang Province.

The purpose of this study was to understand the homosexual behavior characteristics and influencing factors of male college students and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention of HIV infection in college students. A self-made online questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic characteristics, sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and interventions of the respondents. The χ2 test was performed on the constituent ratios of different groups, and whether homosexual behavior occurred was the dependent variable. Logistic regression was subsequently used to analyze the influencing factors of male homosexual behavior. A total of 2665 students were surveyed, including 219 men who have sex with men, accounting for 8.22% of the sample population. Multivariate analysis revealed the following independent influencing factors of homosexual behavior among male college students: the student's household registration was Zhejiang Province, the hometown was in the city, accepted male homosexual sex, had temporary sex in the last year, and awareness that the correct use of condoms can reduce the spread and risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Various measures should be enacted to promote human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome education and intervention among college students, especially emphasizing making friends and advocating safe sex to prevent the spread of the disease.
Translational Upregulation of an Individual p21Cip1 Transcript Variant by GCN2 Regulates Cell Proliferation and Survival under Nutrient Stress

Multiple transcripts encode for the cell cycle inhibitor p21Cip1. These transcripts produce identical proteins but differ in their 5’ untranslated regions (UTRs). Although several stresses that induce p21 have been characterized, the mechanisms regulating the individual transcript variants and their functional significance are unknown. Here we demonstrate through 35S labeling, luciferase reporter assays, and polysome transcript profiling that activation of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) kinase GCN2 selectively upregulates the translation of a p21 transcript variant containing 5’ upstream open reading frames (uORFs) through phosphorylation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2α. Mutational analysis reveals that the uORFs suppress translation under basal conditions, but promote translation under stress. Functionally, ablation of p21 ameliorates G1/S arrest and reduces cell survival in response to GCN2 activation. These findings uncover a novel mechanism of p21 post-transcriptional regulation, offer functional significance for the existence of multiple p21 transcripts, and support a key role for GCN2 in regulating the cell cycle under stress.
Outcomes of cranial repair after craniectomy.

Object Hemicraniectomy is a commonly practiced neurosurgical intervention with a wide range of indications and clinical data supporting its use. The extensive use of this procedure directly results in more cranioplasties to repair skull defects. The complication rate for cranial repair after craniectomy seems to be higher than that of the typical elective craniotomy. This finding prompted the authors to review their experience with patients undergoing cranial repair. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of 212 patients who underwent cranial repair over a 13-year period at their institution. A database tracking age, presenting diagnosis, side of surgery, length of time before cranial repair, bone graft material used, presence of a ventricular shunt, presence of a postoperative drain, and complications was created and analyzed. Results The overall complication rate was 16.4% (35 of 213 patients). Patients 0–39 years of age had the lowest complication rate of 8% (p = 0.028). For patients 40–5...
Chapter 6 CO combustion promoters: past and present

Abstract It has been over 30 years since the use of Pt-metal containing CO combustion promoters were introduced for commercial use in catalytic cracking processes. Their use has revolutionized fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) operations, allowing yield optimization through use of both partial and complete CO combustion operating modes. It is likely that most, if not all, cracking units throughout the world are using CO promoters. In the 1940s and 1950s, afterburning in regenerators was a major problem. Catalytic solutions involving the use of transition metals were proposed, and Cr TCC catalysts were eventually adopted for commercial use, with moderate success. In the early 1970s, a small program was initiated to develop a catalyst to promote CO combustion at Mobil's Paulsboro, N. J. laboratory. The desirable characteristics of such a promoter were as follows: (1) sufficient activity to provide complete CO combustion in the catalyst dense bed; (2) no (or little) production of contaminant products usually associated with metals (excessive coke and hydrogen); (3) sufficient stability to withstand both the reducing conditions of the riser and reactor, and the hydrothermal conditions in the regenerator; and (4) acceptable incremental cost. In late 1972, the concept that economically small amounts of Pt, perhaps 1–10ppm, would not increase the cost of the catalyst unacceptably, and might still have sufficient activity for complete CO combustion, was proposed and tested in laboratory zeolite catalysts. The results were excellent: the regeneration gas contained only CO 2 , no CO; and cracking yields were acceptable. Testing of other noble metals showed that all had activity, but Pt, Pd and Ir seemed the best. The first actual commercial demonstration was done in a TCC unit in 1974; the catalyst contained 5 ppm Pt added by exchange. Results were excellent with complete CO combustion attained at a kiln temperature of 1160°F. Commercial use in FCCs began in 1975 in units with proper metallurgy. By the end ofthat year, at least 19 FCC units were using promoted catalyst routinely. A test in a Mobil refinery demonstrated both partial and complete combustion and the increased yields that result from the lower catalyst circulation rates and higher temperatures. By 1979, several different modes of Pt addition had been tried and the preferred method was the use of additives containing concentrates (100–1000 ppm) of Pt on a support, usually alumina. Subsequent developments, such as the higher NO x levels associated with Pt, will also be discussed.
GEMS tabulation database design issues in relation to voting systems certification standards

This paper analyzes the Diebold Election Systems, Inc. election management software (GEMS) using publicly accessible postings of GEMS election databases. It finds that the GEMS architecture fails to conform to fundamental database design principles and software industry standards for ensuring accurate data. Thus, in election tabulations, aspects of the GEMS design can lead to, or fail to protect against, erroneous reporting of election results. Further, GEMS's dependence on Microsoft's JET technology introduces additional risks to data accuracy and security. Despite these technical and systemic deficiencies, GEMS received approval as complying with Federal Voting System 2002 standards. Questions then arise concerning the adequacy of the 2002 and 2005 regulatory standards. The paper concludes that the standards structurally encourage and reward election system vendors for using less exacting database design standards.
The Criminal Time Bomb: An Examination of the Effect of the Russian Mafia on the Newly Independent State of the Former Soviet Union

In 1989, the Western world celebrated the apparent triumph of democracy and capitalism over communism. Overnight, the "evil empire"1 became a potential partner. In fact, some Western thinkers were so overcome that Francis Fukuyama maintained the fall of communism signaled "the end of history."2 Unfortunately, the optimistic predictions of 1989 have not come to pass. The Russian economy has responded slowly to reform.3 Communists and ultranationalists are regaining strength in the Russian government.4 More ominously, organized crime is threatening to overwhelm Russian politics, economics, and society. On February 12,1993, President Boris Yeltsin stated that "organized crime has become a direct threat to Russia's strategic interests and national security."5 One year later, Yeltsin again recognized the threat when he declared that "organised crime is trying to take [Russia] by the throat and has become the number one problem for Russia today."6 Despite Yeltsin's recognition of the problem, organized crime in Russia and the other Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union is gaining strength.7
Employee Assistance Programs in Context: An Application of the Constructive Broker Role

This article describes how practitioners in employee assistance programs (EAPs) can adopt the role of constructive broker to achieve the goal of providing humane treatment to troubled workers. The ...
Descriptive Analysis: Survey of Direct and Indirect Interventions for Persons With Dementia-Based Communication Disorders

Results of a survey made available to SIG 2 and SIG 15 affiliates via the SIG listservs revealed information on direct and indirect interventions utilized for persons with dementia-based communication disorders. Fifty-eight practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs) participated and reported using the following direct interventions most frequently: specific verbal instruction, cognitive stimulation, memory wallet, spaced retrieval, and errorless learning. The overwhelming majority of participants utilized caregiver training as the most frequent indirect technique. Barriers and facilitators to providing intervention for persons with dementia-related communication disorders were identified.
Typing of Histoplasma capsulatum by restriction fragment length polymorphisms in a nuclear gene

We previously described yps-3, a Histoplasma-specific nuclear gene probe useful in the identification of Histoplasma capsulatum. By using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of DNA detected by the yps-3 gene and mitochondrial DNA, 76 clinical and soil isolates of H. capsulatum were classified. The majority of North American isolates obtained from endemic regions of the midwestern United States were members of the previously characterized class 2, although four clinical isolates from different patients with AIDS from that region were grouped in class 1 with the temperature-sensitive Downs strain. A Florida soil isolate (FLS1) was placed in class 4 on the basis of RFLP with both probes. Two American Type Culture Collection strains (G184B and G186B) from Panama were grouped into class 3 by this analysis. A group of five H. capsulatum isolates obtained from patients with AIDS in New York City were typed into a new class 5 on the basis of yps-3 polymorphisms; those organisms fell into two broad mitochondrial DNA patterns, designated 5b and 5c. Two new isolates from Panama were also members of this broad yps-3 class 5 group, but they exhibited a distinct mitochondrial DNA profile (class 5a). A sixth class was detected in DNA obtained from a patient with AIDS from Panama; that DNA had unique RFLP profiles with respect to both probes. These observations suggest that the Histoplasma-specific yps-3 gene probe is a sensitive tool for typing H. capsulatum in clinical specimens. Additionally, these studies provide molecular support for the hypothesis that AIDS-associated histoplasmosis in nonendemic areas is due to reactivation of a previously acquired infection. Images
Thyrotropic and “Long-Acting Thyroid Stimulator” Effects from Certain Polypeptides1

Bio-assay responses resembling those elicited by “long-acting thyroid stimulator” (LATS) of Graves' disease have been obtained in the thyroxine-suppressed mouse with alpha MSH, human MSH, arginine and lysine vasopressins, and serotonin. Responses like those from TSH were given by beta MSH and ACTH administered in saline, but became like that of LATS when the materials were injected in normal human serum. The synthetic and natural oxytocins were inactive. The kinin, bradykinin, also was inert, but its decapeptide derivative, kalhdin, produced an LATS-type of response. Anterior pituitary hormones contaminated with TSH gave a typical TSH-type response both in saline and in human serum; those not containing TSH gave no assay response.
Simple steps for improving multiple-reader studies in radiology.

Multiple-reader study designs have become popular in the radiology literature. We reviewed the major papers published in the American Journal of Roentgenology in the first 4 months of each of the years 1990 and 1995. The review was restricted to prospective studies of image interpretation. In the 1990 literature, we noted eight multiple-reader and 18 single-reader studies; in contrast, in the 1995 literature, we found 29 multiple-reader and eight single-reader studies. This trend reflects an increased awareness of the importance of multiple-reader studies. We examined the Results sections of the 29 multiple-reader studies from 1995 to assess the authors' motives for incorporating such a design. In 16 studies (55%), readers independently interpreted all images. However, the authors usually reported only the average interpretation of the readers; in only seven of the 29 studies (24%) did the authors describe differences among readers' interpretations. In 13 studies, interpretations were performed exclusivel...
The development of estrogen receptor systems in the rat brain: Perinatal development

Abstract The estrogen receptor system of the rat brain is not detected at 15 and 19 days of gestation, even though estrogen receptors can be measured in the maternal hypothalamus. Estrogen receptors are first detected around the 21st day of gestation after which they increase rapidly in the perinatal period and reach a plateau around postnatal day 6. Estrogen receptors are found predominantly in the limbic brain (hypothalamus, preoptic area, amygdala) and in the cerebral cortex, and they are present in very low levels in a sample consisting of the midbrain, brain stem and cerebellum. Development of cortical estrogen receptors is retarded by a few days compared to those in the limbic brain, but then is extremely rapid so that cortical receptor levels are equal to those in the limbic block on or about postnatal day 6. As early as estrogen receptors can be detected in the fetus (day 21 of gestation), they are occupied by endogenous estradiol in male but not in female fetuses. This is measured by the occurrence of cell nuclear estrogen receptor complexes which can be detected by an exchange assay. The presence of such complexes in male limbic brain tissue is consistent with the presence of testicular androgen in the calculation and with the existence in the brain of aromatizing enzymes capable of converting testosterone to estradiol. The absence of such complexes from the female limbic brain is consistent with the protective role of alpha-fetoprotein in scavenging circulating maternal estradiol and keeping it from reaching intracellular receptor sites. The results are discussed with respect to the timing of the critical period for brain sexual differentiation and related maturational events.
Development of clinical tests of vision: initial data on two hyperacuity paradigms.

Many basic psychophysical functions offer promise as clinical tests of vision. Here, we discuss problems that one encounters in the clinical setting, how one identifies a psychophysical test for potential clinical development, and an orderly approach to development of suitable test paradigms. Parameters are selected which are relatively insensitive to variables encountered in the field (clinic) in a normal population, but which are sensitive to changes in the response system being studied. Initial data on two hyperacuity tests are presented. These tests are adaptations of hyperacuity paradigms (Westheimer, 1979) to a clinical environment. This particular test set offers promise because it exhibits a unique threshold which is dependent upon neural data processing and is relatively independent of retinal image degradation.
Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of pristine poly (sodium poly[2-(3-thienyl)-ethoxy-4-butylsulfonate) (PTEBS) and doped with perylene tetracarboxylicdiimide (PTCDI) nanobelts

We investigated the possibility of doping poly (sodium poly[2-(3-thienyl)-ethoxy-4-butylsulfonate) (PTEBS) with perylene tetracarboxylicdiimide (PTCDI) nanobelts through ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) measurements. For our experiment, PTEBS was tuned to absorb maximum light in the range of 450 nm to 550 nm which corresponds to the maximum solar irradiance of the Earth’s atmosphere. Nanobelts of PTCDI were synthesized by gas phase self assembly process. Doping PTEBS with PTCDI nanobelts causes a shift in the Fermi level of the composite material with respect to the vacuum level as observed in the photoemission spectrum. With increased PTCDI doping, PTCDI does not act much like an electron donor, but more like an electron acceptor. The peaks corresponding to the sigma bonds shift towards the vacuum level with higher concentrations of the dopant. Using angled resolved photoemission spectra from a 3m toroidal grating monochromator, PTEBS displays change in the highest occupied molecular orbital in respect to its Fermi level when the side groups were substituted by H+ or OH- groups. The results confirm that the binding energy decreases with increase in activity of the dissolved hydrogen ions. It is evident that there is an increase in the density of states near the Fermi level and shifts to lower binding energies of the occupied molecular orbitals with pH level decrease, which is in agreement with the published optical absorption characteristics of PTEBS. Since UPS data confirm that PTCDI nanobelts dope PTEBS, along with its tunable absorption characteristics, this composite might be a promising material for optoelectronic application.
Cytogenetic and other Aspects of Transvestism and Transsexualism

(1967). Cytogenetic and other Aspects of Transvestism and Transsexualism. The Journal of Sex Research: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 141-143.