cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2211: A comparative analysis of the cis-regulatory landscape between human and mouse

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA As the premier model organism in biomedical research, the laboratory mouse shares the vast majority of protein-coding genes with humans, but significant differences exist between the two mammals, posing considerable challenges in the study and modeling of human diseases. The mouse ENCODE consortium applied the same high throughput approaches as the human ENCODE studies and produced more than1000 coordinated datasets in over 100 mouse cell types and tissues and greatly expanded the annotation of the mouse genome. By comparative analysis with the human genome, we found that although the majority of gene expression and cis-regulatory elements are conserved between the two species, a large degree of gene regulatory elements appear to be species-specific and these species-specific elements are enriched for genes involved in immune system and metabolic process, suggesting that different gene pathways evolve at distinct rates. Moreover, we found that species-specific elements are also enriched for repetitive DNA elements such LTR and SINE, which we hypothesize to be responsible generating the species-specific elements. Finally, we developed a novel computational method to study the functional conservation between two species without requiring perfectly matched cell lines or tissues. The result confirms that cis-elements with different evolutionary rates are associated distinct biological pathways and reveals the complex driving forces in the evolution of cis-regulatory landscape in mammals. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Feng Yue, Yin Shen, Zhen Ye, Bing Ren. A comparative analysis of the cis-regulatory landscape between human and mouse. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2211. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2211
Pattern control for networks of Ginzburg-Landau oscillators via Markov Decision Processes

This paper proposes a design methodology for pattern control in a network of identical oscillators. Patterns correspond to a stable equilibrium in an oscillator network over different coupling coefficients and available network topologies. We show that the discrete graph based version of the Ginzburg-Landau equation, referred to as the graph Ginzburg-Landau dynamics, exhibits n pattern equilibrium for an n-node cycle graph with the sign of the oscillator coupling coefficient dictating the stability of the pattern. The pattern control problem is cast as a discrete Markov Decision Process (MDP) whose state space is the set of patterns realizable on subgraphs of the network. Actions in the MDP correspond to the selection of coupling coefficients and edge switches in the network. Transition sampling is applied to generate the transition probabilities. Dynamic programming can then be used to calculate a stochastic policy that maximizes the expected total reward over an infinite horizon.
G-CSF Receptor Activates Lyn through an Essential Temporal-Spatial Recruitment of Gab2 and Shp2.

The Hematopoietin/Cytokine Receptors, such as the Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Receptor, signal through the Src and Janus kinases. Src activation involves the sequential regulation of positive and negative tyrosine phosphorylation sites. The C-terminal phosphotyrosine serves as a negative phosphorylation site via its interaction with an endogenous SH2 domain. How Lyn, the predominant Src kinase expressed in granulocytes, becomes activated following G-CSF Receptor engagement is not known. Because Lyn contains a negative phosphotyrosine site (pTyr507), we hypothesize that Shp2, an activating tyrosine phosphatase, might be involved. We report that G-CSF stimulation induces the dissociation of Lyn from the scaffolding protein Gab2, which leads to the dephosphorylation of pTyr507 and autophosphorylation of Tyr396. The dephosphorylation of Lyn pTyr507 was impaired in Shp2-deficient murine embryonic fibroblasts transfected with the G-CSF Receptor in response to G-CSF stimulation. Phosphorylation of Lyn Tyr 396 was impaired in cells treated with Gab2 siRNA. Gab2 constitutively associated with Shp2, and mutations of Tyr614 and Tyr643 in Gab2 abolished the recruitment of Shp2. The constitutively activated Shp2 E76A directed the dephosphorylation of Lyn pTyr507 in vitro. Based on these data, we propose that Gab2 forms a complex with Lyn and following G-CSF stimulation, Gab2 recruits Shp2, which dephosphorylates Lyn pTyr507, leading to Lyn activation. Because gain-of-function mutation in Shp2 or recruitment of Lyn in imatinib-resistant Bcr-Abl+ disease occurs in myeloid and lymphoid leukemias, aberrant pathways involving Src can now be targeted through small molecule inhibitors, such as dasatinib.
Individual and System Contributions to Race and Sex Disparities in Thrombolysis Use for Stroke Patients in the United States

Background and Purpose— Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is underutilized in ethnic minorities and women. To disentangle individual and system-based factors determining disparities in IVT use, we investigated race/sex differences in IVT utilization among hospitals serving varying proportions of minority patients. Methods— Ischemic stroke admissions were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2007 and 2011. Hospitals were categorized based on the percentage of minority patients admitted with stroke ( 50% minority patients [minority hospitals]). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between race/sex and IVT use within and between the different hospital strata. Results— Among 337 201 stroke admissions, white men had the highest odds of IVT among all race/sex groups in any hospital strata, and the odds of IVT for white men did not differ by hospital strata. For white women and minority men, the odds of IVT were significantly lower in minority hospitals compared with white hospitals (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.97, for white women; and odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.99, for minority men). Race disparities in IVT use among women were observed in white hospitals (odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.78–0.99, in minority compared with white women), but not in minority hospitals (odds ratio, 0.94, 95% confidence interval, 0.82–1.09). Sex disparities in IVT use were observed among whites but not among minorities. Conclusions— Minority men and white women have significantly lower odds of IVT in minority hospitals compared with white hospitals. IVT use in white men does not differ by hospital strata.
An assessment of low-lying excitation energies and triplet instabilities of organic molecules with an ab initio Bethe-Salpeter equation approach and the Tamm-Dancoff approximation

The accurate prediction of singlet and triplet excitation energies is an area of intense research of significant fundamental interest and critical for many applications. Most calculations of singlet and triplet energies use time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) in conjunction with an approximate exchange-correlation functional. In this work, we examine and critically assess an alternative method for predicting low-lying neutral excitations with similar computational cost, the ab initio Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) approach, and compare results against high-accuracy wavefunction-based methods. We consider singlet and triplet excitations of 27 prototypical organic molecules, including members of Thiel's set, the acene series, and several aromatic hydrocarbons exhibiting charge-transfer-like excitations. Analogous to its impact in TDDFT, we find that the Tamm-Dancoff approximation (TDA) overcomes triplet instabilities in the BSE approach, improving both triplet and singlet energetics relative to higher level theories. Finally, we find that BSE-TDA calculations built on effective DFT starting points, such as those utilizing optimally tuned range-separated hybrid functionals, can yield accurate singlet and triplet excitation energies for gas-phase organic molecules.
A meta-analysis of implant-based breast reconstruction and timing of adjuvant radiation therapy

Abstract Background Implant-based breast reconstruction is the most common type of reconstruction after postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT). The impact of the timing of PMRT to a tissue expander or permanent implant is not well understood. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate outcomes in implant-based reconstruction and the timing of PMRT. Methods A review of the English literature in the PubMed/MEDLINE database (2000-2016) was performed to identify all articles on implant-based breast reconstruction and PMRT. Cases from each study were grouped by PMRT to a tissue expander or PMRT to a permanent implant. Outcomes of interest included reconstructive failure and capsular contracture as overall rates and associations were pooled. Effect sizes (z values), risk ratios (RRs), and heterogeneity scores (I2) were calculated on meta-analysis. Results There were 20 studies meeting inclusion criteria with 2348 patients identified. Pooled analysis revealed an overall rate of reconstructive failure of 17.6% and Baker grade III/IV capsular contracture of 37.5%. PMRT applied to tissue expanders resulted in higher rates of reconstructive failure compared with PMRT applied to permanent silicone implants (20% versus 13.4%, RR = 2.33, P = 0.0083, 95% confidence interval 1.24-4.35), but lower rates of capsular contracture (24.5% versus 49.4%, RR = 0.53, P = 0.083, 95% confidence interval 0.26-1.09). Conclusions Regardless of timing, PMRT applied to implant-based breast reconstruction was associated with high risk of reconstructive failure and capsular contracture. Surgeons should consider alternative strategies, such as autologous tissue reconstructions, in patients requiring PMRT.
The moral basis of political liberalism

Soulignant la proximite des conceptions libertaire et autonomiste de la vie politique chez Habermas et Rawls, l'A. montre que les deux philosophes negligent de la meme facon la question du fondement moral de la politique. Mesurant la possibilite d'un accord raisonnable concernant l'organisation de la vie politique en fonction de principes liberaux, l'A. montre que cet engagement constitue le centre moral de la pensee liberale et qu'il incarne le principe du respect des personnes. Se referant aux premiers dialogues entre Habermas et Rawls, l'A. interroge la legitimite de l'association politique qui caracterise la democratie et qui permet de depasser les desaccords sur la question de la nature du bien humain
Developing a cellulosic aviation biofuel industry in Indiana: A market and logistics analysis

With the non-advanced portion of the US Renewable Fuel Standard having been largely met by corn ethanol, many states are looking to cellulosic crops as the next source of biofuels. In Indiana, attention is turning to biojet fuels and renewable diesel as forming the demand for these crops. This paper seeks to determine the optimal manufacturing site locations and supply chain logistics for the conversion of biomass sources to jet fuel and renewable diesel within Indiana. A sequential start-up model is developed for this application, using a mixed integer non-linear (quadratic) program, in which firms sequentially optimize unit costs by choosing the conversion site location, scale, and feedstocks. The results indicate that firms wish to locate conversion sites near biomass sources as opposed to fuel destinations, and that early entrants to the industry gravitate towards counties rich in corn stover, a less expensive residue. However, even with existing subsidies firms would barely break even. Finally, the benefits of the sequential model are elucidated in contrast to a social planner's model, with the key benefit being that the sequential model can generate supply curves independent of demand levels.
Factors Involved in the Emergence and Persistence of Food-Borne Diseases † .

In recent years, a number of bacteria, viruses, and parasites have emerged as food-borne pathogens and resulted in numerous food-borne disease outbreaks. These outbreaks have had a major impact in terms of loss of human lives and economic costs. Genetic changes in microorganisms resulting in increased virulence, changes in social attitudes and eating habits, changes in food production and distribution systems, an increase in the number of immunocompromised individuals, and improved pathogen-detection methods are some of the factors that have contributed to the emergence/recognition and persistence of food-borne pathogens. The causes leading to the emergence of new food-borne pathogens or the reemergence of pathogens involve the interaction of several factors. This review discusses in detail factors involved in the emergence/recognition and persistence of several bacterial, parasitic, viral, and virus-like agents associated with food-borne diseases of public-health significance.
Quantitative PCR analysis of HbF inducers in primary human adult erythroid cells.

The development and evaluation of drugs to elevate fetal hemoglobin in the treatment of the genetic diseases of hemoglobin would be facilitated by the availability of reliable cell assays. We have used real-time, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of globin messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in a biphasic, erythropoietin-dependent primary culture system for human adult erythroid cells in order to assay compounds for their ability to modulate levels of adult (β) and fetal (γ) globin mRNA. Complementary DNA synthesized from total RNA extracted at timed intervals from aliquots of cells were assayed throughout the period that the culture was studied. γ-globin mRNA levels were found to be much lower (less than 1%) than β-globin mRNA levels. At concentrations of agents chosen for minimal effect on cell division, we find that the 3 drugs studied, 5-azacytidine (5μmol/L), hydroxyurea (40μmol/L), and butyric acid (0.5mmol/L), significantly increase γ-globin mRNA levels. Interestingly, hydroxyurea also had a small stimulatory effect on β-globin mRNA levels, while butyric acid caused a twofold inhibition of β-globin mRNA levels, and 5-azacytidine had little effect on β-globin mRNA levels. The net result of all 3 drugs was to increase the γ/(γ + β) mRNA ratios by threefold to fivefold. These data suggest that the mechanism is distinct for each drug. The profile of butyric-acid–induced changes on globin gene expression is also quite distinct from changes produced by trichostatin A, a known histone deacetylase inhibitor. Quantitative PCR analyses of human erythroid cells should prove useful for studying the mechanism(s) of action of known inducers of γ-globin and identifying new drug candidates.
What Is Computing with Words (CWW)

There are many misconceptions about what Computing with Words is and what it has to offer. A common misconception is that CWW and NLP (Natural Language Processing) are closely related. In fact, this is not the case. CWW and NLP have different agendas and address different problems.
Culturing Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Number of Samples, Growth Duration, and Organisms.

Abstract Background Owing to the difficulty isolating microorganisms in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), current guidelines recommend that 3-5 intraoperative samples be cultured and maintained for 3-14 days. We investigated (1) the optimal number of culture samples and growth duration to diagnose PJI and (2) the microbiology profile at our institution. Methods A retrospective review of 711 patients (329 hips, 382 knees) with PJI that met Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria from 2000 to 2014 was performed. Two thousand two hundred ninety aerobic and anaerobic cultures were analyzed. A manual chart review collected demographic, surgical, and microbiological data. Microbiology profiles were trended. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine statistical significance. Results Obtaining 5 samples provided the greatest yield positive cultures for diagnosing PJI. The percentage of positive cultures overall was 62.6% and stratified by organism type: antibiotic resistant (80.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (76.0%), gram negative (58.9%), Pseudomonas (52.0%), variant PJI organisms (28.2%), Propionibacterium acnes (20.0%), and Escherichia coli (8.0%). Although most organisms were cultured in 5 days or less, 10.8 days were needed for Propionibacterium acnes, 6.6 for variant PJI organisms, and 5.2 for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. At 3 days, only 42.2% of cultures turned positive compared with 95.0% at 8 days. There was a significant decrease in time in gram-positive PJIs and an increase in culture-negative PJIs. Conclusion The optimal number of cultures and growth duration depended on the type of organism. This study provides evidence that 5 samples should be obtained and held for at least 8 days given that the type of organisms is likely to be unknown at the time of surgery.
Learning a State Transition Model of an Underactuated Adaptive Hand

Fully actuated multifingered robotic hands are often expensive and fragile. Low-cost underactuated hands are appealing but present challenges due to the lack of analytical models. This letter aims to learn a stochastic version of such models automatically from data with minimum user effort. The focus is on identifying the dominant, sensible features required to express hand state transitions given quasi-static motions, thereby enabling the learning of a probabilistic transition model from recorded trajectories. Experiments both with Gaussian processes (GP) and neural etwork models are included for analysis and evaluation. The metric for local GP regression is obtained with a manifold learning approach, known as Diffusion Maps , to uncover the lower-dimensional subspace in which the data lies and provide a geodesic metric. Results show that using Diffusion Maps with a feature space composed of the object position, actuator angles, and actuator loads, sufficiently expresses the hand-object system configuration and can provide accurate enough predictions for a relatively long horizon. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first learned transition model for such underactuated hands that achieves this level of predictability. Notably, the same feature space implicitly embeds the size of the manipulated object and can generalize to new objects of varying sizes. Furthermore, the learned model can identify states that are on the verge of failure and which should be avoided during manipulation. The usefulness of the model is also demonstrated by integrating it with closed-loop control to successfully and safely complete manipulation tasks.
Do Party Schools Report Higher Rates of Violence Against Women in Their Clery Data? A Latent Class Analysis.

The current study examined violent crimes against women among 1,384 four-year private and public college campuses using Clery Act data from 2014-2016 (i.e., rape, domestic and dating violence, stal...
Altered gastric tone and motility response to brain-stem dopamine in a rat model of parkinsonism.

After paraquat treatment and induction of Parkinson’s disease, brain-stem dopamine (DA) application induces a biphasic gastric response in the majority of rats, with an initial increase in tone and...
Behavioral Health Service Utilization Among Detained Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence and Potential Moderators

Abstract Purpose Utilization of behavioral health treatment services among adolescents who have been detained or incarcerated within the juvenile justice system is poorly understood, with estimated utilization rates varying widely across studies. This meta-analysis was conducted to review and synthesize the literature on the prevalence of service utilization among this population. Methods Data from 27 studies of 28 distinct samples were abstracted and coded. A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate individual prevalence estimates of behavioral health service utilization, which were combined using random effects models. A moderator analysis was also conducted. Results Prevalence effect sizes (pr) for service utilization were low, with effect sizes pr = 33.1% for mental health services, pr = 27.95% for substance use–related services, and pr = 45.32% for unspecified services. The moderator analysis showed significant heterogeneity in prevalence of behavioral health service utilization. Conclusions The findings suggest limited service utilization by adolescents who had been detained or incarcerated, whether assessed before, during, or after confinement. Future research should focus on assessing the quality of, and youth access to, behavioral health services within and outside of juvenile justice facilities. Improved programs to ensure consistent treatment for previously detained or incarcerated adolescents are warranted.
The Glucose Control Resistance Scale

Objective While past research found family conflict, disordered eating, body image concerns and anxious self-doubts may affect adolescent diabetic glucose control, available measures of adherence mainly focus on management tasks. The current study aimed to combine measures of emotional distress and beliefs with decisions concerning management in a new measure of resistance to treatment adherence: the 12-item Glucose Control Resistance Scale (GCRS). Methods Participants included 135 adolescents and their parents from a pediatric diabetes clinic. Family conflict, body image concerns, anxious self-doubts and glucose control resistance were assessed. Results Factor analysis identified 12 items, with loadings of ≥0.40, which were used to form the GCRS. The scale had adequate reliability and there was a significant correlation between child and parent GCRS scores. One factor, family conflict, was significantly related to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, but a set of four factors explained a total of 12% of the variance in HbA1c levels. Of the demographic variables considered (gender, number of parents at home, age, body mass index z-score), only gender was significantly associated with adolescent perceptions of family conflict. Conclusion The GCRS may allow diabetic care teams to better understand the origin of family conflict perceptions and the motivational beliefs that modify behavior and contribute to independent self-management and glucose control. Each question was designed to be meaningful in interventions by addressing common items of resistance to adherence and impulsive management decisions. The GCRS may be used by providers as an initial short screening survey on an annual or semi-annual basis.
When Death With Dementia Is “A Memory Seared in My Brain”: Caregivers’ Recommendations to Health Care Professionals:

The purpose of this study is to determine family caregivers' recommendations for professional health care professionals on how to help prepare them for the death of an elder with dementia. Purposive criterion sampling was employed to identify 30 bereaved caregivers of family members aged 65 and older who died with a dementia-related diagnosis. In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted over a 12-month period, and qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Three primary themes emerged: (a) Educate Caregivers, (b) Lead Caregivers, and (c) Provide a Caring and Compassionate Presence. The results highlight the importance of various health care professionals' roles in preparing family caregivers for a death. In doing so, both the dying and their caregivers may have a better end-of-life experience with improved bereavement outcomes.
Does Vertical Integration Improve Access to Surgical Care for Medicaid Beneficiaries

Background Vertical integration is increasingly common among surgical specialties in the US; however, the effect of vertical integration on access to care for low-income populations remains poorly understood. We explored the characteristics of surgical practices associated with vertical integration and the effect of integration on surgical access for Medicaid populations. Study Design Using a survey of US office-based physician practices, we examined characteristics of 15 surgical subspecialties from 2007 to 2017, including provider sex and specialty, practice payer mix, surgical volume, and county socioeconomic status. Using multivariable logistic regression and time-series analysis, we evaluated practice and provider characteristics associated with vertical integration—our primary outcome—and practice Medicaid acceptance rates—our secondary outcome. Results Our analysis included 84,795 unique surgical practices (303,903 practice-years). The rate of vertical integration during the 10-year period was 18.0%, with 72.1% of surgical practices never integrating. Practices that integrated were more likely to accept Medicaid patients than practices that did not (81.0% vs 60.8%, p Conclusions Surgical practices caring for the underinsured are more likely to join larger health care systems, driven by market characteristics. Vertical integration is associated with future increased rates of Medicaid acceptance among practices, allowing for increased access to surgical care for vulnerable, low-income patients. The potential benefit of increased surgical access for low-income beneficiaries from vertical integration must be balanced with the potential for increased prices.
Willingness to Participate in Home Screening for Urologic Cancers in the General Population: An Online Survey of Over 1400 Adults.

Abstract Objective To assess willingness of adults to undergo home screening for urologic cancers via urine dipstick and determine the effect of an educational pamphlet on hematuria on screening willingness and knowledge of hematuria. Materials and Methods We performed an online survey of adult volunteers throughout the United States from September 25, 2018 to October 15, 2018. The primary outcome was pretest willingness to undergo home screening for hematuria with urine dipstick (4 or 5 out of 5-point Likert). Secondary outcomes included changes in willingness to screen and knowledge on hematuria after exposure to an educational pamphlet. Results Of 1442 participants, 54% were male and 87% were White. Median age was 48. Pretest willingness to home screen was high (90%). Older age was associated with an increased willingness to screen (per 10-year increase: odds ratio 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.28-1.68, P Conclusion Willingness to perform home-based screening for urologic cancers by assessing for hematuria is high in an adult population, including those with risk factors. Knowledge of hematuria improves significantly after exposure to an educational pamphlet.
Economics of Permissioned Blockchain Adoption

We construct an economic framework for understanding the incentives of the participants of a permissioned blockchain for supply chains and other related industries. Our study aims to determine whether adoption of blockchain is socially beneficial and whether such adoption arises in equilibrium. We find that blockchain unequivocally benefits consumers but that it has an ambiguous effect upon the welfare of manufacturers. We demonstrate that there exist conditions under which although the blockchain improves global welfare, blockchain adoption does not arise in equilibrium. We refer to such a scenario as an adoption failure, and we propose a system of transfers to resolve that failure.
Incorporating patient and caregiver feedback into lung transplant referral guidelines for individuals with cystic fibrosis-Preliminary findings from a novel paradigm.

Background Lung transplantation is a common therapeutic option for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and advanced lung disease, yet many individuals with CF are not appropriately referred for evaluation. The present study sought to enhance CF transplant referral guidelines by integrating patient-centered input to identify possible psychosocial barriers contributing to suboptimal referral for appropriate CF transplant candidates. Methods As a component of developing the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Lung Transplant Referral Consensus Guidelines, we convened a focus group of lung transplant recipients with CF and two spouses of CF recipients. Each session involved standardized approaches to elicit qualitative, thematic content. Results CF patients and caregivers characterized five areas for improvement, which were integrated into formal CFF referral guidelines. These included (a) timing of transplant discussion with CF providers, (b) accuracy of transplant-related knowledge and expectations, (c) stigma associated with the need for transplantation, (d) treatment team transition issues, and (e) social support and mental health concerns. Earlier introduction of transplant, greater details regarding manageable aspects of treatment, and greater provision of social support were all associated with better psychosocial experiences. Conclusions Integrating patient-centered input into guideline development yielded important and previously unknown psychosocial barriers contributing to suboptimal transplant referral.
Gross and Histological Examination of a Large Spheno-Orbital Meningioma.

Meningiomas arise from arachnoid cap cells and are the most common heavily researched intracranial tumors. Most of these neoplasms are benign and are classified as World Health Organization (WHO) grade I. They are often found in parasagittal and falx regions, over cerebral convexities, and in the sphenoid ridges. Spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOMs) occupy the cranium and the orbit and are less commonly encountered. Nonetheless, in this case study, a 9.5 cm × 5 cm SOM occurring in a 93-year-old female cadaver was identified and examined. The tumor spanned from the left middle cranial fossa, through the anterior fossa and invaded the orbit. It caused proptosis of the left eye, compression of the temporal lobe, and damage to the optic nerve. Histological examination of the tumor revealed characteristics of a WHO grade I meningothelial meningioma.
Associations among the communities of soil-borne pathogens, soil edaphic properties and disease incidence in the field pea root rot complex

Field pea production is greatly impacted by multiple soil-borne fungal and oomycete pathogens in a complex. The objectives of this research were to 1) identify the soil-borne pathogens associated with field pea in North Dakota and; 2) develop prediction models incorporating the occurrence of the soil-borne pathogen communities, soil edaphic properties and disease incidence. Soil and plants were sampled from 60 field pea fields in North Dakota during 2014 and 2015. Plants (1500 across two years) were rated for both root rot and soil-borne pathogens isolated from roots. Soils were analyzed for edaphic properties. Indicator species analysis was used to identify soil-borne pathogen communities. Logistic regression was used to determine associations and develop prediction models. Survey results from 2014 and 2015 indicated that the most prevalent soil-borne pathogens identified in field pea fields were Fusarium spp. and Aphanomyces euteiches. Five soil-borne pathogen communities were identified; three of which had statistically significant associations characterized by (1) Fusarium acuminatum, (3) A. euteiches, and (4) Fusarium sporotrichioides. The occurrence of the three communities were associated with clay content, soil pH, Fe2+, and K+. Disease incidence was associated with the presence of either community 1 or 3 and K+. The results generated from this research will contribute to the development of management strategies by providing a soil-borne pathogen community prediction tool.
Electronic Cigarette Use and Blood Pressure Endpoints: a Systematic Review

E-cigarettes (e-cigs) release toxic chemicals known to increase blood pressure (BP) levels. The effects of e-cigs on BP, however, remain unknown. Studying BP may help characterize potential cardiovascular risks of short- and long-term e-cig use. We summarized published studies on the association of e-cig use with BP endpoints. Thirteen e-cig trials (12 cross-over designs) and 1 observational study evaluated systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). All trials included at least one e-cig arm with nicotine, 6 a no-nicotine e-cig arm, and 3 a placebo arm. SBP/DBP increased in most nicotine e-cig arms, in some non-nicotine e-cig arms, and in none of the placebo arms. The observational study followed e-cig users and nonsmokers for 3.5 years with inconsistent findings. The use of e-cigs with and without nicotine may result in short-term elevations of both SBP and DBP. Prospective studies that investigate the long-term cardiovascular impact of e-cig use are needed.
Serotype Distribution and Characteristics of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated from Pediatric Patients in Kunming, China

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is the main conditional pathogen of acute respiratory infection in infants, children, and older adults worldwide. It was great significant to identify the epidemic characteristics of serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility for the prevention and treatment of S. pneumoniae diseases. This research assessed the serotype distribution and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of S. pneumoniae isolated from pediatric patients to provide information on the epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of S. pneumoniae in Kunming, China. A total of 140 S. pneumoniae isolates were collected from pediatric patients at Kunming Children’s Hospital from January 2016 to October 2017. Serotype identification was done by Quellung reaction and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. MICs were determined by E-test. 140 isolates distributed in 13 types of serotypes. The top-three prevalent serotypes were 19F, 19A, and 6B. The immunization coverage rate of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was relatively higher and should be introduced into the vaccination program in the region. MIC50 of penicillin, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin was 1 μg/mL. MIC50 for meropenem and vancomycin was 0.38 μg/mL. MIC90 of penicillin, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin was 1.5 μg/mL and that of meropenem and vancomycin was 0.5 μg/mL. The MIC90 of erythromycin was > 256 μg/mL. In summary, S. pneumoniae had low resistance rates to penicillin, ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, vancomycin, and meropenem, and these antibiotics could be the first-line agents for children with pneumococcal infections in Kunming.
Understanding How Language of Instruction Impacts Early Literacy Growth for Spanish-Speaking Children

Multitiered systems of support hold promise for dual language learners when culturally and linguistically responsive practices guide instruction. We modeled growth on Spanish and English early lite...
Key Features of Polyimide-Derived Carbon Molecular Sieves

Carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes have impressive separation properties; however, both chemical and morphology structures need to be understood better. Here we characterize CMS with the simplest polyimide (PI) PMDA/pPDA (PMDA=pyromellitic dianhydride, pPDA=p-phenylenediamine), using FTIR, solid-state 15 N-NMR and 13 C-NMR, XPS, XRD, and Raman spectra to study chemical structure. We also compare gas separation properties for this CMS to a CMS derived from a more conventional PI precursor. The detailed characterization shows the presence of aromatic pyridinic, pyrrolic rings as well as graphitic, pyridonic components and a few other groups in both CMS types derived from the very different precursors. The CMS morphologies, while related to precursor and pyrolysis temperature details, show similarities consistent with a physical picture comprising distributed molecular sieving plate-like structures. These results assist in understanding diverse CMS membrane separation performance.
Tests μ1 verses μ2, Variances Known

We have two populations: Pop I and Pop II. Pop I is normally distributed with unknown mean μ 1 and unknown variance σ 1 2 . Pop II is also normally distributed with unknown mean μ 2 and unknown variance σ 2 2 . We wish to do the following statistical test $$\mathop H\nolimits_0 :\mathop \mu \nolimits_1 - \mathop \mu \nolimits_1 = 0$$ (17.1) verses $$\mathop H\nolimits_0 :\mathop \mu \nolimits_1 - \mathop \mu \nolimits_1 \ne 0$$ (17.2) We collect a random sample of size n 1 from Pop I and let \({{\bar{x}}_{1}}\) be the mean for this data and s 1 2 is the sample variance. We also gather a random sample of size n 2 from Pop II and \({{\bar{x}}_{2}}\) is the mean for the second sample with s 2 2 the variance. We assume these two random samples are independent.
Single gender programs: do they make a difference?

Over the last two decades much work has been done to address the needs of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas and to develop interventions that encourage girls to pursue careers in these areas. A popular solution seems to be "single-gender" education but whether or not the positive results of these programs can be attributed to the single-gender environment is questionable. The Center for Pre-college Programs at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJlT) has offered a "girls-only" Women in Engineering and Technology program (FEMME) since 1981. To test the hypothesis that the positive results of FEMME may be due to good educational methodologies, rather than due to the single-gender environment, NJIT developed the pre-engineering program (PrEP). The PrEP and one of the FEMME programs are identical in every way, except for the inclusion of male students in PrEP. This paper summarizes the current research on single-gender education in STEM and the results of our study.
Erratum for ‘Geometric Height Inequalities and the Kodaira–Spencer Map’

(1) Reference [2] on p. 44, line 2, should be [3]; reference [4] on p. 45, beginning of last paragraph, should be [5]; reference [5] on p. 46, line 7, should be [6]; reference [6] in the beginning of section 3 should be [7]. (2) Two points in Section 4 of the above paper need clari¢cation. Firstly, the base change to B that occurs at the beginning needs to be a separable one if the assumption about the Kodaira^Spencer map is to be preserved. Secondly, the descent argument near the bottom of p. 52 only works when the map Y!XB is also separable. Therefore, the proof from the beginning of Section 4 up to the italicized statement on p. 53 is incomplete. We need to correct as follows: If the map Y!X is separable, so is the base change B!S and the map Y!X 0 and the argument is correct as it stands. If Y!X is inseparable, we can factor it (after blowing up, if necessary) to Y!Y 0!X where r : Y!Y 0 is purely inseparable and g : Y 0!X is separable. The map P : T!X lifts to tP : T!Y ; let t0 : T!Y 0 denote the composition r tP. Now, since r : Y!Y 0 is purely inseparable, there is a non-trivial kernel for the map OY 0!r OY . Let L0 OY 0 be a saturated line subsheaf contained in this kernel. Then the map t0 OY 0!OT factors through t0 r OY : t0 OY 0  t Pr OY 0!t Pr r OY!t POY!OT : In particular, t0 L0,!t0 OY 0!OT is zero. But since Y 0!X is separable, so that OY 0 and g OX are generically equal, there is also a line subsheaf Q g OX  which also vanishes when pulled-back to T and mapped down to OT . Now we can apply the descent of the proof in Section 4.
Estrogen excretion during the first 24 hours of life. Estrogen-creatinine ratio.

Summary 1. Estrogen and creatinine levels were measured in each voided urine specimen during the first 24 hours of life of 10 neonates. 2. Determination of the estrogen/creatinine ratio appeared to be superior to determination of estrogen levels alone for the evaluation of excretion of estrogen by newborn infants.
Endothelial-dependent dilation is lower in males compared to females on a controlled sodium diet (1156.6)

Excess dietary sodium has been linked to the development of high blood pressure (BP) and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and recently shown to effect endothelial function independently of BP. H...
Learning a Set of Primitive Actions with an Uninterpreted Sensorimotor Apparatus

Abstract We demonstrate a learning method by which a mobile robot may analyze an initially uninterpreted sensorimotor apparatus and produce a useful characterization of its set of actions. We apply the method to the case of a simulated robot with an array of 16 range finders and a “tank-style― motor apparatus. The robot learns a set of primitive actions allowing it to make pure turn and travel actions.
Dynamic Connectivity Detection: an algorithm for determining functional connectivity change points in fMRI data

Recently there has been an increased interest in using fMRI data to study the dynamic nature of brain connectivity. In this setting, the activity in a set of regions of interest (ROIs) is often modeled using a multivariate Gaussian distribution, with a mean vector and covariance matrix that are allowed to vary as the experiment progresses, representing changing brain states. In this work, we introduce the Dynamic Connectivity Detection (DCD) algorithm, which is a data-driven technique to detect temporal change points in functional connectivity, and estimate a graph between ROIs for data within each segment defined by the change points. DCD builds upon the framework of the recently developed Dynamic Connectivity Regression (DCR) algorithm, which has proven efficient at detecting changes in connectivity for problems consisting of a small to medium ( 100). The newly proposed DCD method is faster, requires less user input, and is better able to handle high-dimensional data. It overcomes the shortcomings of DCR by adopting a simplified sparse matrix estimation approach and a different hypothesis testing procedure to determine change points. The application of DCD to simulated data, as well as fMRI data, illustrates the efficacy of the proposed method.
A Fast Convergent Error Bound for Gaussian Interpolation

It's well known that there is a so-called exponential-type error bound for Gaussian interpolation which is the most powerful error bound hitherto. It's of the formj f (x) s(x)j c1(c2d) c3 dk fk h where f and s are the interpolated and interpolating functions respectively, c1; c2; c3 are positive constants, d is the fill distance which roughly speaking measures the spacing of the data points, andk fkh is the h-norm of f where h is the Gaussian function. The error bound is suitable for x 2 R n ; n 1, and gets small rapidly as d ! 0. The drawback is that the crucial constants c2 and c3 get worse rapidly as n increases in the sense c2! 1 and c3! 0 as n! 1. In this paper we raise an error bound of the form j f (x) s(x)j c 0 (c 0 d) c0 d p dk fk h; where c 0 and c 0 are independent of the dimension n. Moreover, c 0 << c2; c3 << c 0 , and c 0 is only slightly di erent from c1. What's important is that all constants c 0 ; c 0 and c 0 can be computed without slight di culty.
Cytokine‐induced cell death in immortalized Schwann cells: roles of nitric oxide and cyclic AMP

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma are pleiotropic cytokines that regulate Schwann cell responses during injury and inflammatory demyelination. We have previously shown that cyclic AMP (cAMP)-elevating agents decrease the demyelination and Wallerian degeneration in experimental allergic neuritis. In this study, we examined the role of cAMP in cytokine-mediated signaling in a spontaneously immortal Schwann cell clone (iSC). We found that tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma exert synergistic inhibitory action on Schwann cell viability via the production of nitric oxide (NO) and ceramide (cer). Furthermore, we found that: (i) NO synthase inhibitors attenuate the cytokine-induced cer accumulation and cell death indicating that NO acts upstream of cer; and (ii) cytokine-induced cell death is decreased in iSCs pretreated continuously for 48-72 h with forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase. Although forskolin modulates the phosphorylation of ERKs and Akt, it decreases the susceptibility of iSC to cytokines via a separate mechanism operating after NO induction and before cer accumulation. We propose that the protective effect of cAMP-elevating agents in experimental allergic neuritis may be mediated in part via modulation of Schwann cell responses to cytokines.
Renin inhibition with aliskiren in hypertension: focus on aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide combination therapy

Hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular and renal disease. The incidence of hypertension is increasing globally and the rate of blood pressure control remains inadequate. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a crucial role in volume regulation and maintenance of blood pressure. Pathological activation of RAAS results in chronic hypertension and consequent end organ damage. Most patients with hypertension require combination therapy using agents with complimentary mechanisms of action. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) together with an agent blocking the RAAS such as an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) are widely used effective anti-hypertensive therapy. Aliskiren is an orally effective direct renin inhibitor that blocks the generation of angiotensin I from angiotensinogen, the rate limiting step of RAAS activation. Studies have shown equivalent antihypertensive efficacy of aliskiren when compared to existing medications such as HCTZ, ACE inhibitors and ARBs. Aliskiren has also been tested in combination therapies. The current review aims to look at the efficacy of aliskiren therapy in hypertension and the evidence for using aliskiren in combination with HCTZ.
Concurrent carboplatin with pelvic radiation therapy in the primary treatment of cervix cancer.

Abstract Objectives The objectives were to determine the acute toxicities of concurrent carboplatin and radiation therapy in the primary treatment of cervix cancer and to ascertain the antitumor activity of this regimen. Methods Patients with stage IB-1 to IVA untreated primary cervix cancers were eligible for enrollment into this study. Carboplatin was administered on a weekly basis with external radiation therapy (ERT). Low-dose brachytherapy was given after completion of ERT. Acute toxicities and response to treatment were assessed. Results Thirty-one evaluable patients were enrolled. The majority of patients had early stage disease. Carboplatin was successfully administered in 175 out of 186 (94%) planned treatments. All patients completed the prescribed course of radiation therapy. The mean treatment time was 50 days (36–73). There were no treatment delays for neutropenia or gastrointestinal toxicity. No patient was hospitalized for treatment related toxicities. Gastrointestinal toxicity equivalent to grade 3 or 4 was not reported. The objective tumor response based on physical exam findings and computed tomography measurements was 90%. Conclusion Patients with cervix cancer can be treated on schedule with concurrent carboplatin and pelvic radiation therapy. This regimen is well tolerated and produces excellent response rates.
Inactivation of hepatitis C virus in low pH intravenous immunoglobulin.

Abstract Abstract. The safety from hepatitis C virus of intravenous immunoglobulin prepared by the cold ethanol method of Cohn-Oncley is demonstrated by clearance through the manufacturing process of 9 × 10 6 plaque-forming units of bovine viral diarrhea virus used as a surrogate for hepatitis C virus. Incubation of the intravenous immunoglobulin in its final formulation at pH 4.25 for 21 days at 21°C caused a 10 000-fold decrease in bovine viral diarrhea virus intentionally added and complete inactivation of 1000 chimpanzee infectious doses per ml of hepatitis C virus.