cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing safer sexual behaviors in heterosexual late adolescent and young adult collegiate males.

An exploratory study examined variables characterized as predisposing to the practice of safe sexual behaviors. A sample of 227 male subjects from a state-supported university in southeastern New England returned questionnaires anonymously that contained demographic questions and instruments to measure the study variables. After removing two variables for low internal consistency reliabilities, the remaining five were entered simultaneously into a multiple regression equation. The variables captured 2 1 % of the variance. The direction and magnitude of the statistically significant standardized beta weights are as follows: attitude toward condoms, .41; internal health locus of control, .22; and self-esteem, -.16. These attitudes and characteristics can be incorporated into interventions to reduce sexual exposure to HIV.
Development of electron energy-loss spectroscopy in the biological sciences

The high sensitivity of electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) for detecting light elements at the nanoscale makes it a valuable technique for application to biological systems. In particular, EELS provides quantitative information about elemental distributions within subcellular compartments, specif c atoms bound to individual macromolecular assemblies, and the composition of bionanoparticles. EELS data can be acquired either in the f xed beam energy-filtered transmission electron microscope (EFTEM) or in the scanning transmission electron microscope, and recent progress in the development of both approaches has greatly expanded the range of applications for EELS analysis. Near single atom sensitivity is now achievable for certain elements bound to isolated macromolecules, and it becomes possible to obtain three-dimensional compositional distributions from sectioned cells through EFTEM tomography.
TLR2 signaling decreases transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae by limiting bacterial shedding in an infant mouse Influenza A co-infection model.

While the importance of transmission of pathogens is widely accepted, there is currently little mechanistic understanding of this process. Nasal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is common in humans, especially in early childhood, and is a prerequisite for the development of disease and transmission among hosts. In this study, we adapted an infant mouse model to elucidate host determinants of transmission of S. pneumoniae from inoculated index mice to uninfected contact mice. In the context of co-infection with influenza A virus, the pneumococcus was transmitted among wildtype littermates, with approximately half of the contact mice acquiring colonization. Mice deficient for TLR2 were colonized to a similar density but transmitted S. pneumoniae more efficiently (100% transmission) than wildtype animals and showed decreased expression of interferon α and higher viral titers. The greater viral burden in tlr2−/− mice correlated with heightened inflammation, and was responsible for an increase in bacterial shedding from the mouse nose. The role of TLR2 signaling was confirmed by intranasal treatment of wildtype mice with the agonist Pam3Cys, which decreased inflammation and reduced bacterial shedding and transmission. Taken together, these results suggest that the innate immune response to influenza virus promotes bacterial shedding, allowing the bacteria to transit from host to host. These findings provide insight into the role of host factors in the increased pneumococcal carriage rates seen during flu season and contribute to our overall understanding of pathogen transmission.
Design of New Materials for Methane Storage

One of the strategic goals of the modern automobile manufacturing industry is to replace gasoline and diesel with alternative fuels such as natural gas. In this report, we elucidate the desired characteristics of an optimal adsorbent for gas storage. The U.S. Department of Energy has outlined several requirements that adsorbents must fulfill for natural gas to become economically viable, with a key criterion being the amount adsorbed at 35 bar. We explore the adsorption characteristics of novel metal-organic materials (IRMOFs and molecular squares) and contrast them with the characteristics of two zeolites, MCM-41, and different carbon nanotubes. Using molecular simulations, we uncover the complex interplay of the factors influencing methane adsorption, especially the surface area, the capacity or free volume, the strength of the energetic interaction, and the pore size distribution. We also explain the extraordinary adsorption properties of IRMOF materials and propose new, not yet synthesized IRMOF structures with adsorption characteristics that are predicted to exceed the best experimental results to date by up to 36%.
Bidirectional Barbed Sutures for Wound Closure: Evolution and Applications

Traditionally, wound closure sutures have in common the need to tie knots with the inherent risk of extrusion, palpability, microinfarcts, breakage, and slippage. Bidirectional barbed sutures have barbs arrayed in a helical fashion in opposing directions on either side of an unbarbed midsegment. This suture is inserted at the midpoint of a wound and pulled through till resistance is encountered from the opposing barbs; each half of the suture is then advanced to the lateral ends of the wound. This design provides a method of evenly distributing tension along the incision line, a faster suture placement and closure time with no need to tie knots, and the possibility of improved cosmesis. Bidirectional barbed sutures, which are available in both absorbable and nonabsorbable forms, can be used for simple closures, multilayered closures, and closure of high-tension wounds in a variety of surgical settings.
Practical analysis of complex coacervate systems

Abstract Several theoretical treatments of complex coacervation exist: the Voorn-Overbeek theory (1–3), the Veis-Aranyi “dilute phase aggregate model” (4), the Nakajima-Sato model (5), and the Tainaka model (6, 7). These theories are contradictory on many points including the roles of electrostatic and entropy forces, the significance of Huggins interactions, and the type of charge interaction. In this paper an attempt is made to resolve these contradictions and to further characterize the coacervation process. Gelatin/acacia coacervation, the practical example on which the Voorn-Overbeek theory was based, and albumin/gelatin coacervation, which should fit the Veis-Aranyi model, are systematically evaluated. The effects of pH, ionic strength, and polyion concentration are reported. Microelectrophoretic measurements were used to determine optimum pH and ionic strength requirements for complex coacervation. Complex coacervation was suppressed at both high and low ionic strength. All of the above theories predict suppression of coacervation at high ionic strength, but not at low ionic strength. The effect of ionic strength on complex coacervation differed as the total concentration of the polyions was altered. The Voorn-Overbeek theory proved inadequate to describe gelatin/acacia coacervation under the variety of conditions studied. The Veis-Aranyi model as adapted by Tainaka explained most of this data. The albumin/gelatin system followed the Veis-Aranyi model and conformed equally well with Tainaka's adaptation of this theory.
Promise of endothelial progenitor cell for treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Progressive obliteration of the retinal microvessels is a characteristic of diabetic retinopathy. The resultant retinal ischemia leads to sight-threatening neovascularization and macular edema. Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells play a critical role in vascular maintenance and repair and forms the basis of cellular therapy for revascularization of ischemic myocardium and ischemic limbs. Emerging studies show potential of these cells in revascularization of ischemic retina and this review summarizes this possibility. We also report current pharmacological options to correct diabetes-associated defects in endothelial progenitor cells for their therapeutic transfer.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALCOHOL, LIVER DISEASE, AND TESTICULAR PATHOLOGY

Impotence, infertility and feminization have been frequently reported among male cirrhotic patients. Previous studies have suggested that liver disease was the basis of these effects. Recent clinical and laboratory experimental studies have suggested that alcohol consumption may have a direct effect on both testosterone metabolism and spermatogenesis. The effect may be mediated through the central nervous system or directly on the testes. The present study compared the pathology in the liver and testes and the estimated alcohol consumption among men who had died suddenly from a variety of causes. Of 137 men studied, 20(14%) had moderate to severe decrease in spermatogenesis. Only 9 of 19 with decreased spermatogenesis also had severe or very severe fatty infiltration of the liver. However, 17 of 19 were classified as heavy alcohol drinkers and 14 were estimated to consume at least 417 gm of alcohol per week. Finally, the alcohol history was reviewed in relation to liver and testicular pathology. Only a weak association between the liver and testes pathology was noted.
Shift Changes, Updates, and the On-Call Architecture in Space Shuttle Mission Control

In domains such as nuclear power, industrial process control, and space shuttle mission control, there is increased interest in reducing personnel during nominal operations. An essential element in maintaining safe operations in high risk environments with this `on-call' organizational architecture is to understand how to bring called-in practitioners up to speed quickly during escalating situations. Targeted field observations were conducted to investigate what it means to update a supervisory controller on the status of a continuous, anomaly-driven process in a complex, distributed environment. Sixteen shift changes, or handovers, at the NASA Johnson Space Center were observed during the STS-76 Space Shuttle mission. The findings from this observational study highlight the importance of prior knowledge in the updates and demonstrate how missing updates can leave flight controllers vulnerable to being unprepared. Implications for mitigating risk in the transition to `on-call' architectures are discussed.
Relation between Nusselt number and Rayleigh number in turbulent thermal convection

A theory is developed for the dependence of the Nusselt number on the Rayleigh number in turbulent thermal convection in horizontal fluid layers. The theory is based on a number of assumptions regarding the behaviour in the molecular boundary layers and on the assumption of a buoyancy-defect law in the interior analogous to the velocity-defect law in flow in pipes and channels. The theory involves an unknown constant exponent s and two unknown functions of the Prandtl number. For either s = ½ or s = 1/3, corresponding to two different theories of thermal convection, and for a given Prandtl number, constants can be chosen to give excellent agreement with existing data over nearly the whole explored range of Rayleigh numbers in the turbulent case. Unfortunately, comparisons with experiment do not permit a definite choice of s, but consistency with the chosen form of the buoyancy-defect law seems to suggest s = 1/3, corresponding to similarity theory.
How Far \Left" are South American Legislators?

Over the past decade, left-of-center candidates have won presidential elections throughout Latin America. This trend has led many observers to proclaim the existence of a \Left Turn" in the region. However, most of these statements are made without taking into account another critical institution: the national legislature. Therefore, in order to properly evaluate the rise of the left in Latin America, investigating two key questions will be helpful. The rst asks how far \left are Latin American legislators. A second would inquire as to
Risk factors for endometritis after low transverse cesarean delivery.

Objective.To determine independent risk factors for endometritis after low transverse cesarean delivery.Study Design.We performed a retrospective case-control study during the period from July 1999 through June 2001 in a large tertiary care academic hospital. Endometritis was defined as fever beginning more than 24 hours or continuing for at least 24 hours after delivery plus fundal tenderness in the absence of other causes for fever. Independent risk factors for endometritis were determined by means of multivariable logistic regression. A fractional polynomial method was used to examine risk of endometritis associated with the continuous variable, duration of rupture of membranes.Results.Endometritis was identified in 124 (7.7%) of 1,605 women within 30 days after low transverse cesarean delivery. Independent risk factors for endometritis included younger age (odds ratio [OR], 0.93 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.90-0.97]) and anemia or perioperative blood transfusion (OR, 2.18 [CI, 1.30-3.68] ). Risk of endometritis was marginally associated with a proxy for low socioeconomic status, lack of private health insurance (OR, 1.72 [CI, 0.99-3.00]); with amniotomy (OR, 1.69 [CI, 0.97-2.95]); and with longer duration of rupture of membranes.Conclusion.Risk of endometritis was independently associated with younger age and anemia and was marginally associated with lack of private health insurance and amniotomy. The odds of endometritis increased approximately 1.7-fold within 1 hour after rupture of membranes, but increased duration of rupture was only marginally associated with increased risk. Knowledge of these risk factors can guide selective use of prophylactic antibiotics during labor and heighten awareness of the risk in subgroups at highest risk of infection.
A Web-based Question Answering System for Effective e-Learning

Web based question answering (QA) system is a valuable tool for improving e-learning. Many approaches use natural language processing technology to understand questions, which is incomplete and error-prone. Besides, instead of extracting detailed answer, many approaches simply return hyperlinks to potential answers, which is inconvenient for the users. In this paper we use template mapping technique to detect the type of a question, based on which an appropriate query for a specific search engine is built. We then extract detailed content blocks from relevant pages as answers. The content blocks are detected using a projection technique and clustered based on similarity. We select the answer cluster using the redundancy property of Web answers. The content blocks in the answer cluster are put into one page for easy comparison. In this way we can greatly improve the effectiveness of Web QA systems for e-learning.
Joint Physical Layer Coding and Network Coding for Bidirectional Relaying

We consider a communication system where two transmitters wish to exchange information through a central relay. The transmitter and relay nodes exchange data over synchronized, average power constrained additive white Gaussian noise channels with a real input with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of snr. An upper bound on the capacity is 1/2 log(1 + snr) bits per transmitter per use of the multiple access phase and broadcast phase of the bidirectional relay channel. We show that, using lattice codes and lattice decoding, we can obtain a rate of 1/2 log(1/2 + snr) bits per transmitter, which is essentially optimal at high SNR. The main idea is to decode the sum of the codewords modulo a lattice at the relay followed by a broadcast phase which performs Slepian-Wolf coding. We also show that if the two transmitters use identical lattices with minimum angle decoding, we can achieve the same rate of 1/2 log(1/2 + snr). The proposed scheme can be thought of as a joint physical-layer network-layer code which outperforms other recently proposed analog network coding schemes.
Development of a word recognition instrument to test health literacy in dentistry: the REALD-30--a brief communication.

Objective: This study aims to develop and pilot test a dental word recognition instrument. Methods: The development of our instrument was based on the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), an efficient word recognition instrument used to assess health literacy in the medical arena. Our instrument, Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (REALD-30), consisted of 30 common dental words with various degrees of difficulty. It was administered to 202 English-speaking adults recruited from outpatient medical clinics. We examined the instrument’s internal reliability using Cronbach’s alpha and its validity by correlating the REALD-30 score to two dental outcomes (perceived dental health status and oral health-related quality of life) and medical health literacy. Results: REALD-30 scores were significantly correlated with REALM scores. REALD-30 was significantly related to perceived dental health status in the bivariate analysis. It also was significantly related to oral health-related quality of life in a multivariate analysis. In contrast, medical health literacy was not related to either of the dental outcome measures. Conclusions: The new REALD-30 instrument displays good reliability but only partial validity. Results suggest that dental health literacy may be distinct from medical health literacy and may have an independent effect on dental health outcomes.
TeJaS: retrofitting type systems for JavaScript

JavaScript programs vary widely in functionality, complexity, and use, and analyses of these programs must accommodate such variations. Type-based analyses are typically the simplest such analyses, but due to the language's subtle idioms and many application-specific needs---such as ensuring general-purpose type correctness, security properties, or proper library usage---we have found that a single type system does not suffice for all purposes. However, these varied uses still share many reusable common elements.In this paper we present TeJaS, a framework for building type systems for JavaScript. TeJaS has been engineered modularly to encourage experimentation. Its initial type environment is reified, to admit easy modeling of the various execution contexts of JavaScript programs, and its type language and typing rules are extensible, to enable variations of the type system to be constructed easily.The paper presents the base TeJaS type system, which performs traditional type-checking for JavaScript. Because JavaScript demands complex types, we explain several design decisions to improve user ergonomics. We then describe TeJaS's modular structure, and illustrate it by reconstructing the essence of a very different type system for JavaScript. Systems built from TeJaS have been applied to several real-world, third-party JavaScript programs.
Whole slide image with image analysis of atypical bile duct brushing: Quantitative features predictive of malignancy.

Background: Whole slide images (WSIs) involve digitally capturing glass slides for microscopic computer-based viewing and these are amenable to quantitative image analysis. Bile duct (BD) brushing can show morphologic features that are categorized as indeterminate for malignancy. The study aims to evaluate quantitative morphologic features of atypical categories of BD brushing by WSI analysis for the identification of criteria predictive of malignancy. Materials and Methods: Over a 3-year period, BD brush specimens with indeterminate diagnostic categorization (atypical to suspicious) were subjected to WSI analysis. Ten well-visualized groups with morphologic atypical features were selected per case and had the quantitative analysis performed for group area, individual nuclear area, the number of nuclei per group, N: C ratio and nuclear size differential. Results: There were 28 cases identified with 17 atypical and 11 suspicious. The average nuclear area was 63.7 µm2 for atypical and 80.1 µm2 for suspicious (+difference 16.4 µm2; P = 0.002). The nuclear size differential was 69.7 µm2 for atypical and 88.4 µm2 for suspicious (+difference 18.8 µm2; P = 0.009). An average nuclear area >70 µm2 had a 3.2 risk ratio for suspicious categorization. Conclusion: The quantitative criteria findings as measured by image analysis on WSI showed that cases categorized as suspicious had more nuclear size pleomorphism (+18.8 µm2) and larger nuclei (+16.4 µm2) than those categorized as atypical. WSI with morphologic image analysis can demonstrate quantitative statistically significant differences between atypical and suspicious BD brushings and provide objective criteria that support the diagnosis of carcinoma.
New Antimicrobial Nitrofuran, trans-5-Amino-3-[2-(5-Nitro-2-Furyl)Vinyl]-Δ2 -1,2,4-Oxadiazole: Antimicrobial Efficacy in Mice, Rats, and Guinea pigs

A new antimicrobial nitrofuran designated SQ 18,506 showed some therapeutic activity when administered orally to mice infected with Escherichia coli, Salmonella schottmuelleri, Shigella flexneri, or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Animals infected parenterally with Streptococcus pyogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Candida albicans, or topically with Trichophyton mentagrophytes, did not respond to therapy with the drug at the dosage levels used. The compound was as effective as metronidazole in the topical treatment of experimental trichomonal infections in mice and in guinea pigs and as effective as nystatin, candicidin, or a sulfanilamide-aminacrine hydrochloride cream in the treatment of a candidal vaginal infection in rats. The chemotherapeutic efficacy of SQ 18,506 in experimental vaginitis caused by Escherichia coli in the rat surpassed that shown by four commercial products available for the treatment of bacterial vaginitis.
The anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin, causes oxidant stress-induced endothelial dysfunction.

The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) is toxic to target cells, but also causes endothelial dysfunction and edema, secondary to oxidative stress in the vascular wall. Thus, the mechanism of action of this drug may involve chemotoxicity to both cancer cells and to the endothelium. Indeed, we found that the permeability of monolayers of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) to albumin was increased by ∼10-fold above control, following 24-h exposure to clinically relevant concentrations of DOX (up to 1 μM). DOX also caused >4-fold increases in lactate dehydrogenase leakage and large decreases in ATP and reduced glutathione (GSH) in BPAECs, which paralleled the increases in endothelial permeability. A large part of the ATP loss could be attributed to DOX-induced hydrogen peroxide production which inhibited key thiol-enzymes, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Depletion of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) appeared to be a major factor leading to DOX-induced GSH depletion. At low concentrations, the sulfhydryl reagent, iodoacetate (IA), inhibited GAPDH, caused a decrease in ATP and increased permeability, without inhibiting G6PDH or decreasing GSH. These results, coupled with those of previous work on a related quinone, menadione, suggest that depletion of either GSH or ATP may lead independently to endothelial dysfunction during chemotherapy, contributing to the cardiotoxicity and other systemic side-effects of the drug.
Endoscopic transethmoidal sphenoidotomy

Abstract The posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses often have significant anatomic variation resulting in operative challenges for the endoscopic surgeon. The hazards of surgery in this region are serious. Complications such as optic nerve and/or orbital trauma, and cerebrospinal fluid leak still occur despite increasing training and experience. Factors that lead to surgical complications include the lack of orientation within the dissection field and/or impaired visualization. Because minimally invasive sinus surgery is now being performed more frequently, surgical techniques designed to reduce the risk of complications are more important than ever. Anatomic landmarks that reliably orient the dissection within the posterior ethmoids and guide the surgeon to the sphenoid sinus could reduce such adverse outcomes. As with any surgical approach, it is better to rely on consistent anatomic landmarks within the operative field to perform the surgery safely, rather than rely on a range of measurements or adjunctive radiographic techniques, as described in many prior reports. The superior meatus and superior turbinate, skull base, and medial orbital wall are relatively reliable landmarks within the dissection field that can orient the surgeon. These anatomic landmarks allow safe dissection within the posterior ethmoid and a reliable approach to the sphenoid sinus, especially in patients undergoing revision surgery or in those with anatomic variations. The authors present their technique for the transethmoidal approach to the sphenoid sinus and discuss its advantages.
Mechanism of activation by cGMP-dependent protein kinase of large Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in mesangial cells.

The patch clamp method was employed to establish the mechanism of regulation by guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) of large Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels (BKC...
Topological Effects on Quantum Phase Slips in Superfluid Spin Transport

We theoretically investigate effects of quantum fluctuations on superfluid spin transport through easy-plane quantum antiferromagnetic spin chains in the large-spin limit. Quantum fluctuations result in the decaying spin supercurrent by unwinding the magnetic order parameter within the easy plane, which is referred to as phase slips. We show that the topological term in the nonlinear sigma model for the spin chains qualitatively differentiates the decaying rate of the spin supercurrent between the integer versus half-odd-integer spin chains. An experimental setup for a magnetoelectric circuit is proposed, in which the dependence of the decaying rate on constituent spins can be verified by measuring the nonlocal magnetoresistance.
Treatment of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Twelve patients who underwent 26 episodes of lower respiratory tract infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa were treated with aztreonam. Infectious episodes were severe in 11 patients, moderate in 10 patients, and mild in five patients. In 85% of the episodes, significant clinical improvement occurred, but in four severe episodes, the clinical response was unsatisfactory. The mean interval between initiation of treatment and improvement was seven days. Aztreonam was as clinically effective in the treatment of infections due to organisms susceptible to penicillins active against Pseudomonas as it was in the treatment of infections due to organisms resistant to these agents. P. aeruginosa was not permanently eradicated from the sputum of any of the patients treated with aztreonam. It did not cause any major adverse effects, and the only laboratory abnormality found was an increase in alkaline phosphatase, which occurred during 12 (46%) courses of therapy. Levels of alkaline phosphatase returned to normal after conclusion of treatment. Aztreonam was shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of lower respiratory infections due to P. aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Analysis on public health emergencies in Xinyang City from 2008-2012

[Objective]To understand the epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies in Xinyang City and provide scientific basis for developing prevention and control measurements.[Methods]Descriptive epidemiology was adopted to analyze the data of public health emergencies from National public Health Emergency Reporting System from 2008-2012 in Xinyang City.[Results]A total of 21 incidents of public health emergencies were reported in Xinyang City from 2008-2012. The major types of emergencies were respiratory infectious diseases including chickenpox and mumps,and there were 2 peak seasons in spring and in winter. It was shown that most public health emergencies occurred in school of rural area.[Conclusion]The main causes of public health emergencies are vaccine-associated respiratory diseases. Strengthening the implementation of immunization programs,do well in school health work,adopting comprehensive prevention measures such as strengthening public health emergency monitoring and reporting are very important.
Simulation of Inducted Voltage and Circulation on Overhead Ground Wire of 750 kV Guandong I Line

Currently common ground wire of EHV transmission lines is grounded by graded insulation and OPGW is grounded by stem tower. Inducted voltage and circulation on overhead ground wire of 750 kV Guandong I line is simulated by EMTP program. The influence of wire load, general overhead ground wire length, soil resistivity and short-circuit current on the inducted voltage of common ground wire and the circulation of OPGW is analyzed.
Effect Analysis on Implementation of TB Control Project for Six Years in Zhongshan County

[Objective]To analyze the implementation status of DOTS and its effect in Zhongshan county from 2004 to 2009,summarize the experience and shortcomings,and put forward the measures for improvement.[Methods]The report,treatment and outcome of tuberculosis cases in Zhongshan county from 2004 to 2009 were analyzed.[Results]From 2004 to 2009,8 709 TB suspects were examined,and the consultation rate was increased from 2.64‰ in 2004 to 3.65‰ in 2009.Among 2 913 cases of register TB,there were 885 cases of smear positive TB and 793 cases of initial smear positive TB,and the average cure rate of new smear positive TB was 90.67%.During 2004-2009,the referral arrival rate and the traced arrival rate of TB patients and suspects reported by internet-based infectious disease reporting system was 53.45% and 42.54% respectively,and the overall arrival rate was 71.05%.[Conclusion]The implementation of TB control project in Zhongshan county has made the remarkable effect,and it plays an important role in the discovery and cure of TB patients.
217 Proof-of-concept method to sanitize a feed mill contaminated with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus.

Citation: Huss, A. R., Schumacher, L. L., Cochrane, R. A., Poulsen, E., Bai, J. F., Woodworth, J. C., . . . Jones, C. K. (2016). Proof-of-concept method to sanitize a feed mill contaminated with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. Journal of Animal Science, 94, 102-103. doi:10.2527/msasas2016-217
Neurologic dysfunction following cardiac operation with low-flow, low-pressure cardiopulmonary bypass.

A prospective 6 month study of all patients undergoing cardiac operation with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was undertaken to determine the incidence of neurologic and neuropsychological dysfunction following low-flow, low-pressure CPB. Among 204 patients who underwent cardiac operation with CPB, there were seven deaths (3.4%), six who developed new motor deficits (2.9%), and 35 (17.2%) who exhibited some neurologic or neuropsychological dysfunction at discharge. When compared to the 169 patients with no evidence of neurologic or neuropsychological dysfunction at discharge, these 35 were older (65 ± 10 versus 55 ± 12 years), had a lower incidence of coronary artery bypass grafting as the sole surgical procedure (29% versus 55%), a higher mortality rate (11.4% versus 1.8%), and prolonged CPB (140 ± 45 versus 107 ± 38 minutes). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) during CPB was similar in the two groups (51 ± 7 versus 49 ± 7 torr), and an index of time at low pressure, torr × minutes below 50 (TM
Tracking art historians: on information needs and information-seeking behaviour

The information-gathering activities of art historians have been studied from three different perspectives: in terms of the books they use; through their own accounts of their working processes; and by informal, systematic observation, written up as ‘user studies’, by art librarians. While observation implies objectivity, a distance between observer and observed, in practice art librarians are very much involved with the art historian in the work of art history and in the development of its methodologies.
Social Disparity, Policy, and Sharing in Public Health

In formulating dynamic hypotheses of what is happening in the system, a distinction must be made between endogenous and exogenous factors to a system. Systems are based on structure but this whole book serves to continue to remind the reader that social systems cannot help but be framed with the “outside” in mind. To this end, the question that must be asked is how race and gender fit into the qualified model. The state of gaping disparities in healthcare access has placed a time-based premium on access to patient care, often tying reimbursement to a preexisting cost-saving market. There are social costs that policy balances with great care. A disparity essentially means that in the whole scheme of things, some individuals that tend to share certain characteristics are left behind disproportionately. It is wise investing our policy efforts that leverage the most return for limited resources and effort. This chapter frames systems structure in light of health-related disparities found in appropriate housing policy to uplift struggling urban populations.
PHARMACODYNAMICS AND PHARMACOKINETICS OF BENZYLISOQUINOLINIUM (CURARE-LIKE) NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING DRUGS

SUMMARY Benzylisoquinolinium-based neuromuscular blocking drugs are an established segment of the anesthetic practice pattern. They are nondepolarizing relaxants that do not block the vagus nerve, nor do they cause blockade of sympathetic ganglia. Less potent and older compounds in the series such as d-tubocurarine readily cause the syndrome of release of histamine at dosage below the ED95 for neuromuscular blockade. Newer, more potent compounds such as atracurium or mivacurium may cause this syndrome when doses larger than 2 to 3 x ED95 are injected rapidly. Doxacurium, the most potent substance, does not cause release of histamine. Although the latter side effect seems generic in the general class of compounds, opportunities may exist for further reduction of its prominence. The most striking feature of this class of blocking drugs is the opportunity to design short, intermediate, or long half-lives into the various materials. This can be done by appropriately adjusting the rate of degradation and/or metabolism of benzylisoquinolinium esters. Two routes of breakdown are available: Hofmann elimination (eg, atracurium) and plasma cholinesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis (eg, mivacurium).
PLEURAL EFFUSIONS | Malignant Pleural Effusions

Malignant pleural effusions result from neoplastic infiltration of the pleural surface. Malignant pleural effusions most commonly arise from lung carcinoma, breast carcinoma, and lymphoma. The true incidence of malignant pleural effusion is unknown but up to 15% of patients with lung cancer and 11% of patients with breast cancer will have a malignant effusion at some time during the course of disease. Most patients will have varying degrees of dyspnea at presentation, which is the main symptom related to the effusion. On chest radiograph and computed tomography, there will be evidence of an effusion as well as potential parenchymal lesions consistent with a lung primary tumor or parenchymal metastases. Diagnosis is established by demonstration of malignant cells in the pleural fluid or pleural tissue. Malignant pleural effusions result from metastases to the visceral pleural surface with secondary seeding of the partial pleural surface. In addition to treatment of the primary tumor, management consists primarily of palliation of dyspnea via pleurodesis by means of a chest tube-administered sclerosant agent or talc poudrage by way of medical thoracoscopy.
Novel Thrombotic Function of a Human SNP in STXBP5 Revealed by CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing in Mice

Objective— To identify and characterize the effect of a SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) in the STXBP5 locus that is associated with altered thrombosis in humans. GWASs (genome-wide association studies) have identified numerous SNPs associated with human thrombotic phenotypes, but determining the functional significance of an individual candidate SNP can be challenging, particularly when in vivo modeling is required. Recent GWAS led to the discovery of STXBP5 as a regulator of platelet secretion in humans. Further clinical studies have identified genetic variants of STXBP5 that are linked to altered plasma von Willebrand factor levels and thrombosis in humans, but the functional significance of these variants in STXBP5 is not understood. Approach and Results— We used CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9) techniques to produce a precise mouse model carrying a human coding SNP rs1039084 (encoding human p. N436S ) in the STXBP5 locus associated with decreased thrombosis. Mice carrying the orthologous human mutation (encoding p. N437S in mouse STXBP5) have lower plasma von Willebrand factor levels, decreased thrombosis, and decreased platelet secretion compared with wild-type mice. This thrombosis phenotype recapitulates the phenotype of humans carrying the minor allele of rs1039084 . Decreased plasma von Willebrand factor and platelet activation may partially explain the decreased thrombotic phenotype in mutant mice. Conclusions— Using precise mammalian genome editing, we have identified a human nonsynonymous SNP rs1039084 in the STXBP5 locus as a causal variant for a decreased thrombotic phenotype. CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing facilitates the rapid and efficient generation of animals to study the function of human genetic variation in vascular diseases.
Sellar and clival plasmacytomas: case series of 5 patients with systematic review of 65 published cases

Parasellar plasmacytomas are rare tumors localized to the sellar region arising from plasma cells. Knowledge of clinical, imaging, surgical, and pathological characteristics is limited to single case reports. A retrospective analysis of five primary cases was conducted, followed by systematic review of English language articles using PubMed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five primary case patients include four men and one woman, ages 60–77, followed up to 3 years. A systematic review identified 65 additional patients, of whom 65% presented with cranial nerve palsies and 15% with hypopituitarism. Sixteen percent had history of known multiple myeloma (MM) while 37% were diagnosed concurrently with MM on presentation of parasellar plasmacytoma. Imaging showed median tumor size of 38 mm (range, 4–70 mm), with MRI intensity similar to that of other sellar masses. Surgical biopsy with immunohistochemical studies confirmed plasmacytoma diagnosis. Eighty-one percent underwent parasellar radiotherapy, and chemotherapy initiated in 59% of the 69 patients with MM. Overall survival rate was 74% at follow-up (median 12 months), with 18% having parasellar recurrences and 38% progressing to systemic MM after presentation of a solitary plasmacytoma (median 3 months). Parasellar plasmacytomas are rare tumors that should be considered in the differential diagnosis for lesions involving the sella and arising from the clivus, especially when cranial nerve paresis is apparent, even in the absence of known MM. Although recurrence rates for parasellar plasmacytoma is low, patients should be monitored for progression to MM. Treatment depends on the presence of systemic disease at diagnosis.
BBC Persian Service: The BBC and British Interests in Iran

You don't have to be British to listen to the BBC. Some tune in because they trust it to be more “objective” than other stations. Some tune in because they are convinced Britain still rules the wav...
Condensed-matter physics: Magnetism in flatland

A pair of two-dimensional materials have been shown to exhibit ferromagnetism — the familiar type of magnetism found in iron bar magnets. Such materials could have applications from sensing to data storage. See Letters p.265 & p.270 The question of what happens to the properties of a material when it is thinned down to atomic-scale thickness has for a long time been a largely hypothetical one. In the past decade, new experimental methods have made it possible to isolate and measure a range of two-dimensional structures, enabling many theoretical predictions to be tested. But it has been a particular challenge to observe intrinsic magnetic effects, which could shed light on the longstanding fundamental question of whether intrinsic long-range magnetic order can robustly exist in two dimensions. In this issue of Nature, two groups address this challenge and report ferromagnetism in atomically thin crystals. Xiang Zhang and colleagues measured atomic layers of Cr2Ge2Te6 and observed ferromagnetic ordering with a transition temperature that, unusually, can be controlled using small magnetic fields. Xiaodong Xu and colleagues measured atomic layers of CrI3 and observed ferromagnetic ordering that, remarkably, was suppressed in double layers of CrI3, but restored in triple layers. The two studies demonstrate a platform with which to test fundamental properties of purely two-dimensional magnets.
Degrees of Acceptance: Variation in Public Attitudes toward Segments of the LGBT Community

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community includes a diverse set of groups, including distinct groups based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, but it is not clear whether ...
Abstract 3359: TET1 mediated hypomethylation activates oncogenic signaling pathways in triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that occurs in 15-20% of patients, and is defined by tumors that do not overexpress the estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. This aggressive subtype has a significantly worse overall survival compared to non-TNBC and importantly, these patients lack options for targeted therapy. To identify novel subtype-specific therapeutic targets, we must first understand the biological underpinnings of the disease. DNA methylation is a hallmark of cancer, as it can regulate gene expression of both tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. We have found that TN tumors have widespread genome-wide hypomethylation when compared to other breast cancer subtypes and normal breast controls. TET1 is a DNA demethylase that converts 5-methyl cytosine into 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, which can be further oxidized into un-methylated cytosine. To determine if TET1 could possibly play a role in TNBC hypomethylation, we analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation, DNA mutation and RNA-seq datasets from the TCGA breast cancer cohort. We identified a subset of TN patients that upregulate TET1 and display DNA hypomethylation. To identify the hypomethylated TET1 target genes, we computed Spearman correlations between TET1 expression and methylation % for 450,000 sites (450K array) across 67 TNBC patients. Filtering for sites with r Citation Format: Charly Ryan Good, Andrew Kelly, Jozef Madzo, Jaroslav Jelinek, Jean-Pierre Issa. TET1 mediated hypomethylation activates oncogenic signaling pathways in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3359. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3359
In-vivo transcranial ultrasound imaging of induced Substantia Nigra hyperechogenicity using adaptive sparse Third Order Volterra Filter

The difference between the early stages of Parkinson's Disease (PD) and other diseases with similar symptoms is quite difficult to discern. Thus, hyperechogenicity of the Substantia Nigra (SN) revealed in ultrasound imaging has become a standard diagnostic marker for accurately diagnosing PD, as it is only common in PD patients. This has resulted in Transcranial B-mode Ultrasound Imaging (TCUI) becoming a widely used tactic for diagnosis of PD, as ultrasound is naturally well-suited to detect echogenicity. The accepted cutoff for hyperechogenicity is an echogenic area of 0.2cm2. Currently, clinician outline the echogenic area manually with a cursor, which naturally leaves room for ambiguity and human error. Unfortunately standard B-mode images of the SN are noisy enough that determining the boundaries of the echogenic area are typically quite ambiguous. This is why we suggest the use of the Third Order Volterra Filter (ToVF), which can separate an image into its linear, quadratic, and cubic components with no spectral overlap. One common method of implementing the Volterra filter is with an adaptive Least Mean Squares (LMS) algorithm. This paper examines Zero-Attracting variants of LMS algorithms, which take advantage of the sparse nature of ultrasound data for improved performance. We found that the Zero-Attracting algorithms converged to lower steady state errors, and also performed better in terms of dynamic range and boundary definition.
Colonial Factors Hidden in City Center Revitalization: Chernivtsi as an Imperial Formation

The 1990s not only changed the map of Europe; it was a time of rediscovering “lost” memory and “white holes” in the pre-Soviet history of Central and East Europe. During socialist times Chernivtsi, a city in Western Ukraine, was a highly industrialized center with many state-owned factories, entrepreneurships and Soviet-style suburbs. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Chernivtsi became a national frontier on the intersection of Ukrainian, Romanian and Moldovan interests. The author analyzes the two-fold process of nationalization and heterogeneity demonstrated through the process of city center revitalization that took place in 2008. The author argues that the revitalization highlights not only tensions between differently oriented local politics but also various strategies of creating urban memory and identity in relation to subjugated and dominant cultures.
Effect of surfactant tail length and ionic strength on the interfacial properties of nanoparticle-surfactant complexes.

Mixed nanoparticle–surfactant systems are effective foam stabilizing agents, but the lack of colloidal stability of the bulk dispersions makes interfacial characterization challenging. This study investigates the adsorption of CnTAB/SiO2 complexes at air/water interfaces through surface tension and interfacial rheology measurements. The effects of surfactant tail length, ionic strength, and interfacial processing on the surface properties are measured utilizing a bulk reservoir exchange methodology to avoid bulk destabilization. The surfactant structure controls the surface tension of the system, but has minimal impact on particle surface coverage or interfacial mechanics. Once adsorbed, nanoparticles remain pinned at the surface, while the surfactant is able to desorb upon bulk exchange with deionized water. Particle packing on the interface governs the interfacial mechanics, which can be modified by increasing the ionic strength of the bulk solution. Fully rigid interfaces can be generated at low particle coverages by controlling the ionic strength and interfacial processing. These findings contribute to the understanding of mixed particle–surfactant systems and inform formulation and process design to achieve the desired interfacial mechanical properties.