cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous lymphocyte antigen expression in benign and neoplastic cutaneous B- and T-cell lymphoid infiltrates.

Background: Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) is expressed in resident cutaneous T lymphocytes, high endothelial venules, peripheral monocytes, granulocytes and a small percentage of memory B cells. It has been postulated to be an important factor in homing of lymphocytes to the skin because of its function as a ligand for E-selectin expressed on cutaneous endothelial cells. Design: We investigated the expression of CLA using the HECA-452 antibody on paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissue in a variety of reactive, neoplastic and preneoplastic cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates of T- and B-cell derivation. Results: CLA was expressed at high levels in various types of inflammatory dermatoses with the exception of lupus erythematosus. High levels of CLA expression were seen in epidermotropic T-cell dyscrasias and epidermotropic T-cell lymphomas including mycosis fungoides (MF) and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATCLL). A loss of CLA in tumors normally positive for CLA was a feature of disease progression best exemplified by tumor-stage MF and acute ATCLL. There was a lack of CLA expression in those lymphocytic infiltrates manifesting subcutaneous localization including lupus profundus, panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma and atypical lymphocytic lobular panniculitis. CLA expression was not only observed in primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma but also seen in cases of nodal anaplastic large cell lymphoma secondarily involving the skin and was negative in cases of nodal anaplastic large cell lymphoma without any established skin involvement. An oligodot pattern defined a novel reaction pattern in those aggressive systemic dyscrasias with a proclivity to involve the skin. CLA was negative in the majority of B-cell lymphomas. Conclusions: CLA plays a role in the pattern of T-cell lymphocyte migration in the skin and subcutis in both reactive and neoplastic states. An alteration in the expression of this marker, whether it is in the context of the acquisition of expression in a cell that is normally CLA negative or its loss of expression, may define a key event in determining cutaneous and extracutaneous hematopoietic cell distribution.
The vav proto-oncogene product (p95vav) interacts with the Tyk-2 protein tyrosine kinase

Abstract The vav proto-oncogene product participates in the signaling pathways activated by various cell-surface receptors, including the type I IFN receptor. During engagement of the type I IFN receptor, p95 vav is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues, but the kinase regulating its phosphorylation has not been identified to date. Our studies demonstrate that p95 vav forms a stable complex with the IFN-receptor-associated Tyk-2 kinase in vivo, and strongly suggest that this kinase regulates its phosphorylation on tyrosine. Thus, p95 vav is engaged in IFN-signaling by a direct interaction with the functional type I IFN receptor complex to transduce downstream signals. © 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
Towards a Better Understanding of Dynamic Interaction Metrics for Wildlife: a Null Model Approach

The ability to measure dynamic interactions, such as attraction or avoidance, is crucial to understanding socio-spatial behaviors related to territoriality and mating as well as for exploring resource use and the potential spread of infectious epizootic diseases. In spite of the importance of measuring dynamic interactions, it has not been a main research focus in movement pattern analysis. With very few exceptions (see Benhamou et al. 2014), no new metrics have been developed in the past 20 years to accommodate the fundamental shift in the type of animal movement data now being collected and there have been few comparison or otherwise critical studies of existing dynamic interaction metrics (but see Long et al. 2014; Miller 2012). This research borrows from the null model approach commonly used in community ecology to compare six currently used dynamic interaction metrics using data on five brown hyena dyads in Northern Botswana. There was disconcerting variation among the dynamic interaction results depending on which metric and which null model was used, and these results highlight the need for more extensive research on measuring and interpreting dynamic interactions in order to avoid making potentially misleading inferences about socio-spatial behaviors.
Auditor Independence and the Likelihood of a GAAP Violation

This paper examines whether auditor independence is compromised resulting in poor quality audit when auditors provide substantial non-audit services to their clients. Prior studies have used abnormal discretionary accruals, financial restatements, the likelihood of issuing a qualified opinion, or meeting/beating market earnings expectation as proxies for poor audit quality. The findings of these studies have been mixed and can be attributed, in part, to the inherent noise in the proxies for audit quality. This study examines the question of auditor independence by using the likelihood that a firm will violate GAAP (Beneish, 1999) as a proxy for audit quality. The finding of this study is that Fortune? 500 firms, whose auditors provide substantial non-audit services, tend to have a higher propensity to violate GAAP. These finding have policy implications for regulators considering making changes in the current regulations on outsourcing of non-audit services to independent auditors.
Five‐year risk of incident disease following a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has a broad range of comorbidities. Due to a lack of longitudinal studies, it is not known whether these comorbidities cause CRS, are promoted by CRS, or share a systemic disease process with CRS. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the risk of incident disease within 5 years after a new diagnosis of CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Methods We conducted a case–control study nested within the longitudinal cohort of primary care patients in the Geisinger Clinic using electronic health record data. We evaluated incident disease over 5 years in newly diagnosed CRSwNP and CRSsNP cases compared to controls using multivariable Cox regression models. Results CRSsNP (n = 3612) cases were at greater risk (HR, 95% confidence interval) than controls for incidence of: upper airway diseases, including adenotonsillitis (3.29, 2.41–4.50); lower aerodigestive tract diseases, including asthma (2.69, 2.14–3.38); epithelial conditions, including atopic dermatitis (2.75, 1.23–6.16); and hypertension (1.38, 1.19–1.61). CRSwNP (n = 241) cases were at greater risk for obesity than controls (1.74, 1.08–2.80), but CRSwNP was not associated with other diseases. Conclusion The risk of other diseases associated with CRS adds to the burden of an already highly burdensome condition, and suggests either that CRS promotes onset of other diseases or is an indicator of systemic disease processes. Different patterns of association with diseases by CRS phenotype may be due to CRSwNP sample size limitations or reflect a different pattern of disease onset by phenotype. These findings have implications for screening guidelines and care of CRS patients.
Severity of an uncharacteristically large wildfire, the Rim Fire, in forests with relatively restored frequent fire regimes

The 2013 Rim Fire, originating on Forest Service land, burned into old-growth forests within Yosemite National Park with relatively restored frequent-fire regimes (P2 predominantly low and moderate severity burns within the last 35 years). Forest structure and fuels data were collected in the field 3–4 years before the fire, providing a rare chance to use pre-existing plot data to analyze fire effects. We used regression tree and random forests analysis to examine the influence of forest structure, fuel, fire history, topographic and weather conditions on observed fire severity in the Rim Fire, as estimated from an initial fire severity assessment based on the relative differenced normalized burn ratio (RdNBR). Plots that burned on days with strong plume activity experienced moderate- to high-severity fire effects regardless of forest conditions, fire history or topography. Fire severity was also highly negatively associated with elevation, with lower severity observed in plots over 1700 m. Burning index (a composite index of fire weather), time since the last fire, and shrub cover had strong positive associations with fire severity. Plots that had experienced fire within the last 14 years burned mainly at low severity in the Rim Fire, while plots that exceeded that time since last fire tended to burn at moderate or high severity. This effect of time since last fire was even more pronounced on days when the burning index was high. Our results suggest that wildfire burning under extreme weather conditions, as is often the case with fires that escape initial attack, can produce large areas of high-severity fire even in fuels-reduced forests with restored fire regimes. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Structural Basis of Geriatric Voiding Dysfunction. V. Standardized Protocols for Routine Ultrastructural Study and Diagnosis of Endoscopic Detrusor Biopsies

AbstractPurpose: Previous ultrastructural and clinical studies have established criteria for distinctive ultrastructural patterns in the normal, overactive, hypocontractile and obstructed detrusor of the elderly. This study was conducted to standardize procedures of detrusor biopsy processing, identify and address pitfalls and difficulties in applying the criteria to routine evaluation of biopsies in the surgical pathology laboratory, verify reproducibility of ultrastructural observations and diagnosis in biopsies from different sites in the bladder wall, and develop a standard approach to routine ultrastructural evaluation of the biopsy.Materials and Methods: Blinded to clinical information, 25 randomly selected detrusor biopsies were evaluated by a pathologist with prior knowledge of electron microscopy but none of detrusor ultrastructure. The observations and diagnoses made were subsequently correlated with urodynamic bladder behavior evaluated comprehensively before biopsy. Biopsies from different sit...
Effect of an isotonic lubricant on sperm collection and sperm quality.

Objective To assess the influence of an isotonic lubricant used during sperm sample collection on [1] ease of collection and [2] resultant sperm quality. Design Paired randomized cross-over design. Setting Tertiary hospital. Donor(s) Healthy men over 18 years old with normal semen analysis as per World Health Organization 2010 guidelines. Intervention(s) Collection of semen sample from 22 subjects by masturbation with or without the use of Pre-Seed personal lubricant. Main Outcome Measure(s) Qualitative survey results and quantitative sperm function outcomes were measured to determine resultant sperm quality and collection experience with and without Pre-Seed lubricant. Result(s) The qualitative questionnaire results showed that 73% of donors prefer the semen collection process with the isotonic lubricant and 55% recommended the use of lubricant in their everyday collection. The motility, viability, membrane integrity, levels of reactive oxygen species, total antioxidant capacity, and percentage of DNA damage in collected semen samples were not affected by the use of the lubricant. Conclusion(s) More donors prefer, and find it easier, to collect semen samples with the use of the lubricant. The isotonic lubricant Pre-Seed did not compromise sperm quality as evaluated in an array of sperm assays, suggesting its safe use in fertility patients as required during sperm collection.
Golgi-derived Vesicles from Developing Epithelial Cells Bind Actin Filaments and Possess Myosin-I As a Cytoplasmically Oriented Peripheral Membrane Protein

In the intestinal brush border, the mechanoenzyme myosin-I links the microvillus core actin filaments with the plasma membrane. Previous immunolocalization shows that myosin-I is associated with vesicles in mature enterocytes (Drenckhahn, D., and R. Dermietzel. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 107:1037-1048) suggesting a potential role mediating vesicle motility. We now report that myosin-I is associated with Golgi-derived vesicles isolated from cells that are rapidly assembling brush borders in intestinal crypts. Crypt cells were isolated in hyperosmotic buffer, homogenized, and fractionated using differential- and equilibrium-density centrifugation. Fractions containing 50-100-nm vesicles, a similar size to those observed in situ, were identified by EM and were shown to contain myosin-I as demonstrated by immunoblotting and immunolabel negative staining. Galactosyltransferase, a marker enzyme for trans-Golgi membranes was present in these fractions, as was alkaline phosphatase, which is an apical membrane targeted enzyme. Galactosyltransferase was also present in vesicles immuno-purified with antibodies to myosin-I. Villin, a marker for potential contamination from fragmented microvilli, was absent. Myosin-I was found to reside on the vesicle "outer" or cytoplasmic surface for it was accessible to exogenous proteases and intact vesicles could be immunolabeled with myosin-I antibodies in solution. The bound myosin-I could be extracted from the vesicles using NaCl, KI and Na2CO3, suggesting that it is a vesicle peripheral membrane protein. These vesicles were shown to bundle actin filaments in an ATP-dependent manner. These results are consistent with a role for myosin-I as an apically targeted motor for vesicle translocation in epithelial cells.
ADDITIVE‐INTERACTION MODELS OF SPATIAL AGGLOMERATION*

A wide variety of existing models of spatial agglomeration postulate additive-interaction effects among agents. In this paper, a synthesis of such models is achieved by establishing certain mathematical equivalences between them. In particular, it is shown that Rockafellar's conjugacy theory of concave functions yields a symmetric one-to-one correspondence between three classes of existing models, here designated as spatial-accessibility models, endogenous-contact models, and fixed-contact models. These correspondences not only allow the transference of results between models, but also suggest new economic interpretations of each model in terms of its conjugate model. A series of examples are drawn from the literature to illustrate these results.
Score Statistics for Current Status Data: Comparisons with Likelihood Ratio and Wald Statistics

In this paper we introduce three natural “score statistics” for testing the hypothesis that F (t0) takes on a fixed value in the context of nonparametric inference with current status data. These three new test statistics have natural intepretations in terms of certain (weighted) L2 distances, and are also connected to natural “one-sided” scores. We compare these new test statistics with an analogue of the classical Wald statistic and the likelihood ratio statistic introduced in Banerjee and Wellner (2001) for the same testing problem. Under classical “regular” statistical problems the likelihood ratio, score, and Wald statistics all have the same chi-squared limiting distribution under the null hypothesis. In sharp contrast, in this non-regular problem all three statistics have different limiting distributions under the null hypothesis. Thus we begin by establishing the limit distribution theory of the statistics under the null hypothesis, and discuss calculation of the relevant critical points for the test statistics. Once the null distribution theory is known, the immediate question becomes that of power. We establish the limiting behavior of the three types of statistics under local alternatives. We have also compared the power of these five different statistics via a limited Monte-Carlo study. Our conclusions are: (a) the Wald statistic is less powerful than the the likelihood ratio and score statistics; and (b) one of the score statistics may have more power than the likelihood ratio statistic for some alternatives.
Evaluation of Cardiovascular Stents as Antennas for Implantable Wireless Applications

In this study, we explore the use of stents as radiating structures to support transcutaneous wireless telemetry for data transfer of internal measurements from within the circulatory system. The implant location is chosen for the specific application of heart failure detection by monitoring internal pressure measurements of the pulmonary artery. The radiative properties of the single stent are quantified in free space within an anechoic chamber and compared with measurements taken while implanted in a live porcine subject. The in vivo studies of our 2.4-GHz stent-based transmitter, implanted at a depth of 3.5 cm within the chest, showed a 32-35-dB power reduction at a receive distance of 10 cm for both co- and cross-polarizations. The approximate far-field H-plane antenna pattern is quantified at a distance of 50 cm both in free space within an anechoic chamber and while implanted within a porcine chest. These results are used to explore the accuracy of a high-fidelity simulation model developed using Ansoft's High Frequency Structural Simulator and components of their Human Body Model to provide a model that is validated with empirical data. This study provides insight into the effects of tissue on high-frequency electromagnetic transcutaneous transmission and develops a high-fidelity model that can be used for further design and optimization.
Indomethacin-induced leukocyte adhesion in mesenteric venules: role of lipoxygenase products

Although the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying indomethacin-induced mucosal injury remain undefined, the results from recent studies suggest that leukocyte adherence in gastric microvessels may be an important component of this injury process. The objective of this study was to determine whether clinically relevant plasma concentrations of indomethacin promote leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesive interactions in postcapillary venules. Erythrocyte velocity, vessel diameter, leukocyte rolling velocity, and the number of adherent (stationary for greater than or equal to 30 s) and emigrated leukocytes were measured in rat mesenteric venules. Repeat measurements of all parameters were obtained within 20 min after addition of either 2.5 or 25 micrograms/ml indomethacin to the mesenteric superfusate. In some experiments, rats were pretreated with either a leukotriene (LT) synthesis inhibitor (L 663,536), an LTD4 (MK-571) or LTB4 (SC 41930) receptor antagonist, misoprostol, or prostacyclin (PGI2). Indomethacin alone increased the number of adherent leukocytes, reduced both leukocyte rolling velocity and venular shear rate, but did not promote leukocyte emigration. L 663,536 and SC 41930 prevented all of the adhesive and hemodynamic alterations induced by indomethacin; misoprostol and PGI2, but not MK-571, exerted similar beneficial effects. These results indicate that indomethacin promotes leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venules through an LTB4-dependent mechanism.
Population Ecology: First Principles

John E. Banks, J. H. Vandermeer, D. E. Goldberg Population Ecology: First Principles 2003 Princeton University Press Princeton NJ 304 0-691-11441-2 $35.00 In this latest addition to the growing number of texts aimed at life scientists interested in learning about population ecology, Vandermeer and Goldberg make a strong case for the necessity of mathematical literacy for practicing ecologists of any ilk. What is especially nice about their treatment of the material is that they include liberal doses of examples from up-to-date field experiments, with all of the appropriate caveats and emphasis on the difficulty of getting data that is "clean" enough for most worthwhile mathematical analyses. Students and professionals alike should come away from reading this book with a renewed or continued appreciation of the challenges and power of the application of mathematical models to ecological field data. Vandermeer and Goldberg write in an easy style, friendly but technically sound and precise. Apart from a few typographical errors early on, the equations and examples are clearly explained and easy to … 3Corresponding author: Department of Entomology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University; No.2 West Yuan-Ming-Yuan Road, Beijing 100094, China (e-mail: zhangqingwen{at}263.net).
Utilization of Blue-Green Algae by Larvae of Shore Flies

Twelve species of shore flies have larvae that can utilize blue-green algae (Cyanophyceae) as food. Setacera atrovirens (Loew) and S. pacifica (Cresson) were reared from Nostoc and Anabaena , respectively. Scatella stagnalis (Fallen) was obtained from Nostoc colonies. Larvae of 3 species of Hyadina , 4 species of Lytogaster , and Pelina truncatula Loew were reared from colonies of soil-inhabiting species of Cylindrospermum . Larvae of Axysta cesta (Haliday) were found in a colony of Lyngbya growing on moist tree leaves near a shaded pond. Species of Hyadina, Lytogaster , and Axysta appear to be trophic specialists, as they have been reared only from colonies of blue-green algae. In contrast, the 2 Setacera species and S. stagnalis are polyphagous, having been found to ingest a wide mix of cells belonging to several different algal classes.
S-P Coupling Induced Unusual Open-Shell Metal Clusters

Metal clusters featuring closed supershells or aromatic character usually exhibit remarkably enhanced stability in their cluster series. However, not all stable clusters are subject to these fundamental constraints. Here, by employing photoelectron imaging spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we present experimental and theoretical evidence on the existence of unexpectedly stable open-shell clusters, which are more stable than their closed-shell and aromatic counterparts. The stabilization of these open-shell Al-Mg clusters is proposed to originate from the S-P molecular orbital coupling, leading to highly stable species with increased HOMO–LUMO gaps, akin to s-p hybridization in an organic carbon atom that is beneficial to form stable species. Introduction of the coupling effect highlighted here not only shows the limitations of the conventional closed-shell model and aromaticity but also provides the possibility to design valuable building blocks.
Determination of soil available boron by using microwave assisted extraction and ICP-MS

A new method was established for the determination of soil available boron by using microwave assisted extraction and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Compared with NY/T148-1990和NY/T1121.8-2006,the recommended method was not only simple and rapid but also showed satisfying precision and accuracy.The relative standard deviation was 3.5%,and the recovery was 94.0%～107.3%.The detection limit of the method was 1.13 ng·g-1.
A technique for the classification of tissues by combining mechanics based models with Bayesian inference

Abstract This paper deals with a key issue in diagnostics and classification of tissue: given a few samples of tissue which are known to belong to certain categories (such as “healthy” and “diseased”) how to categorize a new sample? This is a well known and analyzed problem and very powerful purely data driven approaches have been developed. However, in situations with limited experimental data with a large spread that is typical of biomaterials, a purely data driven approach to classifying the samples is inadequate, since it can suffer from serious bias due to scant data. Here we propose an approach that uses our understanding of the mechanics of the behavior of tissues to transform the problem from the high dimensional space of raw data to a probability distribution on a low dimensional parameter space and then use a Bayesian technique for the classification based on the parameters. A key point in the paper is that the mapping from the raw data to the parameters is not a deterministic mapping (as would be obtained from a lest squares or maximum likelihood approach) but a probabilistic one based on Bayes rule. To apply this rule, there is a need for hypothesis on the prior probability distributions of the parameters themselves and a way to systematically update the hypothesis as more data is obtained. Such a framework should be able to (1) capture prior knowledge that we have about the parameters (such as for example minimum and maximum values for the parameters, likely mean values etc.) ; (2) provide a means for incorporating the knowledge gained from experiments and (3) gradually evolve towards a purely data driven approach as large amounts of data become available. We utilize a “max-ent” approach to the prior distribution: i.e. we select a distribution that incorporates any available statistical information about the data while being maximally indifferent to all other information. this probability distribution is updated by Bayesian inference where the posterior distributions are obtained by a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling method combined with a continuum mechanics based exact solution of a boundary value problem. We illustrate this approach by considering the “soft” classification (i.e we computer the probability of belonging to a class or category) of nominally similar sheep arteries (from two different sheep) based on the probability distribution of the parameters corresponding to each class This is an alternative to a logistic regression type approach in situations where there is high uncertainty or limited data distribution.
Suppression of superconductivity in UPt 3 single crystals

High-quality single crystals of ${\mathrm{UPt}}_{3}$ have been prepared by vertical float-zone refining in ultrahigh vacuum. We find that the superconducting transition temperature can be varied systematically by annealing, revealing that the transition temperature intrinsic to ${\mathrm{UPt}}_{3}$ is $563\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5 \mathrm{mK}.$ The suppression of the superconducting transition from defects is consistent with a modified Abrikosov-Gor'kov formula that includes anisotropic pairing, Fermi-surface anisotropy, and anisotropic scattering by defects.
Sulfidation of Nano Zerovalent Iron (nZVI) for Improved Selectivity During In-Situ Chemical Reduction (ISCR)

The high reactivity of nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) leads to inefficient treatment due to competition with various natural reductant demand (NRD) processes, especially the reduction of water to hydrogen. Here we show that this limitation can be alleviated by sulfidation (i.e., modification by reducing sulfur compounds). nZVI synthesized on carboxylmethylcelluose (CMC-nZVI) was sulfidated with either sulfide or dithionite. The reactivity of the resulting materials was examined with three complementary assays: (i) direct measurement of hydrogen production, (ii) reduction of a colorimetric redox probe (indigo disulfonate, I2S), and (iii) dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE). The results indicate that sulfidation at S/Fe molar ratios of ≥0.3, effectively eliminates reaction with water, but retains significant reactivity with TCE. However, sulfidation with sulfide leaves most of the nZVI as Fe(0), whereas dithionite converts a majority of the nZVI to FeS (thus consuming much of the reducing capacity origin...
Microsegregation in High Pressure Die Cast AM70

High pressure die casting (HPDC) is the predominant manufacturing method for magnesium alloy automotive components. Cooling rates during HPDC may reach 300°C/s; however, the phase transformation kinetics in this regime are poorly understood. In this study, a description of microsegregation in HPDC AM70 is obtained by electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) mapping. It has been found that the solute profiles are in good agreement with a Scheil solidification model at mid-thickness, but diverge from Scheil solidification at the edges of the plate. The skin is Al-rich compared to the bulk of the plate; this macrosegregation persists through solution treatment. As a consequence, less Al is available in the bulk for strengthening.
Emerging infection and sepsis biomarkers: will they change current therapies?

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Sepsis is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by both immune hyperactivity and relative immune suppression. Biomarkers have the potential to improve recognition and management of sepsis through three main applications: diagnosis, monitoring response to treatment, and stratifying patients based on prognosis or underlying biological response.Areas covered: This review focuses on specific examples of well-studied, evidence-supported biomarkers, and discusses their role in clinical practice with special attention to antibiotic stewardship and cost-effectiveness. Biomarkers were selected based on availability of robust prospective trials and meta-analyses which supported their role as emerging tools to improve the clinical management of sepsis.Expert commentary: Great strides have been made in candidate sepsis biomarker discovery and testing, with the biomarkers in this review showing promise. Yet sepsis remains a dynamic illness with a great degree of biological heterogeneity – hetero...
Interventions in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: An International Perspective

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are present across countries and cultures, with prevalence rates threatening to rise in the coming years. In order to support children and families with FASD around the world, researchers must work to disseminate and implement evidence-based interventions. However, each cultural context presents unique elements and barriers to the implementation process. This review considers the challenges of addressing FASD in an international context. It summarizes existing FASD interventions that have empirical support in the domains of parenting and education, attention and self-regulation, adaptive functioning, and nutrition and medication. It then outlines cultural barriers pertaining to FASD that may impede the implementation process and makes suggestions for using purveyors as cultural liaisons between researchers and local stakeholders. The review concludes with recommendations for moving forward with international dissemination and implementation of FASD interventions.
Membrane-associated guanylate kinase scaffolds organize a horizontal cell synaptic complex restricted to invaginating contacts with photoreceptors.

Synaptic processes and plasticity of synapses are mediated by large suites of proteins. In most cases, many of these proteins are tethered together by synaptic scaffold proteins. Scaffold proteins have a large number and typically a variety of protein interaction domains that allow many different proteins to be assembled into functional complexes. As each scaffold protein has a different set of protein interaction domains and a unique set of interacting partners, the presence of synaptic scaffolds can provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that regulate synaptic processes. In studies of rabbit retina, we found SAP102 and Chapsyn110 selectively localized in the tips of B-type horizontal cell processes where they contact cone and rod photoreceptors. We further identified some known SAP102 binding partners, kainate receptor GluR6/7 and inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1, closely associated with SAP102 in photoreceptor invaginations. The kainate receptor occupies a position distinct from that of the majority of AMPA receptors that dominate the horizontal cell post-synaptic response. GluR6/7 and Kir2.1 presumably are involved in synaptic processes that govern cell-to-cell communication, and could both contribute in different ways to synaptic currents that mediate feedback signaling. Notably, we failed to find evidence for the presence of Cx57 or Cx59 that might be involved in ephaptic feedback signaling in this complex. The presence of SAP102 and its binding partners in both cone and rod invaginating synapses suggests that whatever mechanism is supported by this protein complex is present in both types of photoreceptors. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Treatment of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease.

When coronary arteriography was developed in the early 1960s, the very high risk associated with obstructive left main coronary artery disease became evident; this risk was related to the large volume of myocardium supplied by this vessel. Among patients receiving the medical therapy available at the time, the 5-year mortality approached 60%, and the survivors usually had severe symptoms, including angina, heart failure, or both.1 Several years later, after coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) became available, two multicenter, randomized trials that compared medical treatment with surgical treatment showed that surgical treatment was strikingly superior.2,3 Since then, there has been general . . .
Functionalized Carbon Nanotube and Graphene Oxide Embedded Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Synergistically Stimulates Nerve Cell Differentiation

Nerve regeneration after injury is a critical medical issue. In previous work, we have developed an oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) hydrogel incorporated with positive charges as a promising nerve conduit. In this study, we introduced cross-linkable bonds to graphene oxide and carbon nanotube to obtain the functionalized graphene oxide acrylate (GOa) and carbon nanotube poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate (CNTpega). An electrically conductive hydrogel was then fabricated by covalently embedding GOa and CNTpega within OPF hydrogel through chemical cross-linking followed by in situ reduction of GOa in l-ascorbic acid solution. Positive charges were incorporated by 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium chloride (MTAC) to obtain rGOaCNTpega-OPF-MTAC composite hydrogel with both surface charge and electrical conductivity. The distribution of CNTpega and GOa in the hydrogels was substantiated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and strengthened electrical conductivities were determined. Excell...
An active learning curriculum improves fellows' knowledge and faculty teaching skills.

OBJECTIVES Traditional didactic lectures are the mainstay of teaching for graduate medical education, although this method may not be the most effective way to transmit information. We created an active learning curriculum for Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) gastroenterology fellows to maximize learning. We evaluated whether this new curriculum improved perceived knowledge acquisition and knowledge base. In addition, our study assessed whether coaching faculty members in specific methods to enhance active learning improved their perceived teaching and presentation skills. METHODS We compared the Gastroenterology Training Exam (GTE) scores before and after the implementation of this curriculum to assess whether an improved knowledge base was documented. In addition, fellows and faculty members were asked to complete anonymous evaluations regarding their learning and teaching experiences. RESULTS Fifteen fellows were invited to 12 lectures over a 2-year period. GTE scores improved in the areas of stomach (p 0.05). All fellows believed the lectures were helpful, felt more prepared to take the GTE, and preferred the interactive format to traditional didactic lectures. All lecturers agreed that they acquired new teaching skills, improved teaching and presentation skills, and learned new tools that could help them teach better in the future. CONCLUSION An active learning curriculum is preferred by GI fellows and may be helpful for improving transmission of information in any specialty in medical education. Individualized faculty coaching sessions demonstrating new ways to transmit information may be important for an individual faculty member's teaching excellence.
The Re-education of Conversos in 17th Century Amsterdam

During the early 17th Century, the Jewish community in Amsterdam had already developed a complex social infrastructure. As such, when Conversos from Spanish-Portuguese controlled territories moved ...
“We all Come Together to Learn About Music”1: A Qualitative Analysis of a 5-Year Music Program in a Juvenile Detention Facility:

The purpose of this long-term qualitative study was to uncover evidence that might support components of positive youth development (PYD) in a music composition program at an urban youth detention ...
Double safety reins in wayward B cells

Two regulatory proteins suppress IRF5 transcription factor in age-associated B cells to prevent systemic autoimmune disorders.
A review and reappraisal of information technologies within a conceptual framework for individuals with disabilities

With over thirty million individuals with disabilities being reported in the United States, and with information systems permeating nearly every aspect of society, there is a growing urgency to ensure that everyone has equal access to technology. To render information technologies universally accessible, researchers must have at their disposal an accurate and reliable user model. Through the use of the conceptual framework presented here, accurate assumptions can be generated from knowledge of an individual’s impairments, and functional abilities to influence the creation of a user profile. Ultimately, user profiles serve as a vital attribute of user models applied to the design of technology in an effort to achieve universal access.
Complexity in land use change; the case of the Dutch dairy sector.

Land use systems determine our well-being to a considerable extent, and therefore many policies have been formulated to regulate them. If land use systems are not fully understood, policies may fail or have unexpected consequences or even lead to sudden transitions in the land use system. This PhD research investigates the causes of potential sudden transitions in land use systems and more specifically in the Dutch dairy sector. In the thesis I show that certain system properties in combination with certain policies have the potential to cause sudden transitions in the Dutch dairy sector and more general in land use systems. An example could be the abrupt stop in maintaining landscape elements -such as hedgerows- in a specific region as a consequence of a change in agri-environmental policy.
What Have We Wrought? An Explication of the Consequences of Segregation

The purpose of this chapter is to identify and elucidate the primary consequences of segregation in America. The research of Wilson (The Truly Disadvantaged: The Inner City, the Underclass, and Public Policy. Chicago University Press, Chicago, 1987), Anderson (Streetwise: Race, Class, and Change in the Urban Community. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1993/Code of the Street: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the Inner City. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, 1999), Bullard and Johnson (Sprawl City: Race, Politics, and Planning in Atlanta. Island Press, Washington, DC, 2000), Bobo (Locked In and Locked Out: The Impact of Urban Land Use Policy and Market Forces on African Americans. Praeger Publishers, Westport, CT, 2001), Taylor (Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility. New York University Press, New York, 2014), Purnell (For the Sake of All. Washington University in St. Louis, 2015), Kryson and Crowder (The Cycle of Segregation: Social Processes and Residential Segregation. Russell Sage Foundation, New York, 2017), and Rooks (Cutting School: Privatization, Segregation, and the End of Public Education. The New Press, New York, 2017) inform the focus group agenda. The main consequences that the literature has identified stemming from segregation include disparities in housing options, wealth accumulation, educational opportunities, and health care access; disproportional crime rates in black communities; intergenerational poverty in low-income black communities; environmental racism; and suburban sprawl. While the participants acknowledged these consequences of segregation for African Americans, the conversation focused on the negative impacts on society, in particular for post-industrial cities like St. Louis. The discussants identified three main regional dysfunctions that segregation has produced. The first is geo-spatial and the acceleration of suburban sprawl. The second is political and the fragmentation of the metropolitan governance. The third is economic and the inability of post-industrial cities to respond to globalization. In the accompanying essay, “Reconciliation Through Art, Culture and Planning: Designing the Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable City for the Twenty-first Century,” Jasmin Aber suggests that segregation has produced a fourth dysfunction in the American city. She argues that segregation has distorted the culture of the city by denying the value of the African American heritage. She further suggests that the acknowledgment of the value of African American culture may be a way of partially mitigating the effects of segregation.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of imipenem and the incidence of toxicity and failure in hospitalized patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract Objectives Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of beta-lactam antibiotics is increasingly employed to ensure adequate antibiotic exposure and slow emergence of resistance. Imipenem's therapeutic range has not been defined; we report plasma concentrations and clinical outcomes of patients receiving imipenem for bacterial infections. Methods All hospitalized adult patients undergoing imipenem TDM during therapy for suspected or confirmed bacterial infections between 1 January 2013 and 28 February 2017 were included in this single-centre retrospective cohort. The primary outcome was incidence of clinical toxicity; secondary outcomes included incidence of clinical failure and median imipenem concentrations in those with and without toxicity and/or failure. Total imipenem concentrations were measured via high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Results A total of 403 imipenem levels were drawn from 300 patients. Fifteen (5%) patients experienced an adverse event considered at least possibly related to imipenem. Eighty-eight (29%) patients had clinical failure; augmented renal clearance appeared to emerge as a protective factor against failure (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.20–0.89). Median first-measure trough concentration was 3.2 mg/L (IQR 1.7–6.5). Patients with suspected toxicity did not have higher concentrations. Patients whose dose was not increased after a trough level Conclusions Toxicity was rare and clinical failure frequent in this cohort of patients whose imipenem concentrations were generally low and occasionally undetectable. Larger trials are needed to define optimal imipenem exposure.
Energy Efficient Power Allocation for Downlink NOMA Heterogeneous Networks With Imperfect CSI

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a promising emerging technology that can significantly improve the utilization of spectrum and system capacity in heterogeneous wireless networks. Power allocation plays a key role in the successful deployment of NOMA. In the most prior power allocation schemes, the perfect channel state information (CSI) is assumed to be known which is difficult to obtain in a realistic environment. In this paper, we propose a power allocation scheme to maximize energy efficiency for downlink NOMA heterogeneous networks based on imperfect CSI. The system model for imperfect CSI is built, in which the optimization problem is a probabilistic non-convex problem with the constraint of outage probability. To solve the optimization problem, the probabilistic problem is transformed to a non-probabilistic problem through relaxation. The power allocation for each small cell is achieved via bisection search algorithm based on gradient value, where the trend of energy efficiency as a function of the power of the small cell is analyzed. The sequential convex programming is adapted to transform the non-convex problem to a convex problem. The closed-form solutions of power allocation factors are derived by the Lagrangian multiplier method. The simulation results show the superiority and efficiency of the proposed scheme compared with the traditional algorithms.
Incorporating user feedback in the design of a genetics analysis tool: A two-part approach.

Abstract While general usability assessment models for websites have been developed for a wide variety of contexts, research literature on incorporating user feedback in the design of online scientific tools is lacking. In this article, we present an approach that we developed and illustrate how it was used to elicit user feedback of the AnalyzeMyVariant tool, which enables geneticists to use family pedigree data to calculate pathogenicity likelihood ratios for variants of unknown significance. We reviewed existing usability literature and developed a survey instrument emphasizing concepts of importance to online, data-driven, scientific tools. The items on the survey instrument were grouped in four categories: usability, quality, privacy and security, and satisfaction. We performed a two-part evaluation using the survey and a semi-structured interview protocol. The survey instrument was used to collect data about the use experience of AnalyzeMyVariant from 57 genetic experts and trainees who were recruited via email invitations. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with six genetics experts to explore work contexts in which users might use the tool and further delve into issues faced in tool use. Interviews were inductively coded and major themes identified using the constant comparative method. We found that the needs of genetics professionals vary for research- and clinically-focused work. These differences can inform the design of tools to serve their needs. The major contribution of this work is the description of a two-part method to elicit user feedback to inform the design of online, data-driven, scientific tools, which focuses on constructs of particular relevance to these tools such as usability, quality, privacy, security, and satisfaction. The survey instrument that we developed, coupled with contextual interviews, may serve as an example that can be used by others conducting usability studies of similar tools. In addition, our results emphasize the importance of considering contextual factors such as background knowledge, situational factors, and the intended application of results, in the usability evaluation of scientific software. It is our hope that this two-part approach might be adapted to assess the usability of other online scientific tools and facilitate the design of tools to meet the needs of their target audiences.
Lactate response during acute exercise in cancer survivors undergoing exercise rehabilitation.

e23047Background: Cancerous cells express a markedly different metabolic profile characterized by lactate production even when oxygen is plentiful. Lactate accumulation is a common marker for energ...
The Comfort of Home: Why Peruta v. County of San Diego ’s Extension of Second Amendment Rights Goes Beyond the Scope Envisioned by the Supreme Court

On February 13, 2014, in Peruta v. County of San Diego, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit extended the scope of the Second Amendment to cover the public carry of handguns. Extending the scope of the Second Amendment caused the Ninth Circuit to apply the incorrect standard of scrutiny in analyzing the challenged gun regulation. This Comment argues that the Ninth Circuit’s overzealous extension of the scope of the Second Amendment is inconsistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, its own precedent in United States v. Chovan, and the approach taken by its sister circuits.