cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Requirements for the Translational Repression of Ferritin Transcripts in Wheat Germ Extracts by a 90-kDa Protein from Rabbit Liver*

A specific repressor of ferritin mRNA translation originally detected in rabbit reticulocyte lysates has now been purified to homogeneity from rabbit liver, as described in a companion paper (Walden, W. E., Patino, M. M., and Gaffield, L. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 13765-13769). This repressor is a 90-kDa protein that binds to a sequence in the 5'-untranslated region of ferritin mRNA. In this communication we describe the molecular features of a ferritin light chain transcript that are required for the repression of its translation by this protein. Addition of small amounts of the 90-kDa ferritin repressor protein (FRP) completely inhibited translation of ferritin transcripts in a wheat germ system. This repression did not require mRNA sequences contained in the 3'-untranslated region or in the majority of the ferritin coding region. In contrast, the first 130 nucleotides of the 5'-untranslated region, which contains the 28-nucleotide "iron responsive element" (IRE), was required for the repressive effect. Moreover, repression of full length transcripts was relieved by addition of a molar excess of a 92-nucleotide transcript of the 5'-untranslated region which also contained the IRE. These results suggest that no sequence information other than a portion of the 5'-untranslated region containing the IRE sequence is required for action of the 90-kDa FRP. In addition, a quantitative comparison of the repression of transcript with that of poly(A+) RNAs indicates that no post-transcriptional modifications of the latter (other than cap addition) are involved in the action of the 90-kDa FRP.
Submandibular sonography: assessment of hyomental distances and ratio, tongue size, and floor of the mouth musculature using portable sonography.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of sonography as a tool to measure the hyomental distance ratio and tongue size in obese patients with a large neck circumference. The hyomental distance ratio is a predictor of difficult laryngoscopy that may result in difficult intubation. METHODS Five obese and 7 morbidly obese adult patients with a history of either difficult or easy intubation had a submandibular sonographic examination performed in the supine position. The hyomental distance was measured while the head was placed in the neutral position and then in a hyperextended position, and the ratio of two distances (hyomental distance ratio) was calculated. Their tongue volumes were derived from multiplication of the midsagittal cross-sectional area of the tongue by its width obtained from transverse sonograms. RESULTS The mean hyomental distance ratios ± SD in 6 patients with difficult intubation and 6 with easy intubation were 1.02 ± 0.01 and 1.14 ± 0.02 (P < .002), respectively. Tongue volumes did not differ statistically between the two groups: 137 ± 29 cm(3) (difficult intubation) and 168 ± 34 cm(3) (easy intubation). The mean body mass indices were 36.3 ± 6.0 and 43.2 ± 7.2 kg/m(2) in the difficult and easy intubation groups. The mean neck circumferences were 44.5 ± 7.4 and 46.8 ± 7.0 cm in the difficult and easy intubation groups. CONCLUSIONS Sonography allows bedside measurements of the hyomental distance ratio and tongue size in morbidly obese patients. Preoperative assessment of the hyomental distance ratio may predict difficult laryngoscopy resulting in difficult intubation.
Hsp27 inhibits IKKbeta-induced NF-kappaB activity and skeletal muscle atrophy.

Heat shock protein 25/27 (Hsp25/27) is a cytoprotective protein that is ubiquitously expressed in most cells, and is up-regulated in response to cellular stress. Previous work, in nonmuscle cells, has shown that Hsp27 inhibits TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation. During skeletal muscle disuse, Hsp25/27 levels are decreased and NF-κB activity increased, and this increase in NF-κB activity is required for disuse muscle atrophy. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to determine whether electrotransfer of Hsp27 into the soleus muscle of rats, prior to skeletal muscle disuse, is sufficient to inhibit skeletal muscle disuse atrophy and NF-κB activation. The 35% disuse muscle-fiber atrophy observed in nontransfected fibers was attenuated by 50% in fibers transfected with Hsp27. Hsp27 also inhibited the disuse-induced increase in MuRF1 and atrogin-1 transcription by 82 and 40%, respectively. Furthermore, disuse- and IKKβ-induced NF-κB transactivation were abolished by Hsp27. In contrast, Hsp27 had no effect on Foxo transactivation. In conclusion, Hsp27 is a negative regulator of NF-κB in skeletal muscle, in vivo, and is sufficient to inhibit MuRF1 and atrogin-1 and attenuate skeletal muscle disuse atrophy.—Dodd, S. L., Hain, B., Senf, S. M., Judge, A. R. Hsp27 inhibits IKKβ-induced NF-κB activity and skeletal muscle atrophy.
Statins suppress apolipoprotein CIII-induced vascular endothelial cell activation and monocyte adhesion

Aims Activation of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) contributes importantly to inflammation and atherogenesis. We previously reported that apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII), found abundantly on circulating triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, enhances adhesion of human monocytes to ECs in vitro . Statins may exert lipid-independent anti-inflammatory effects. The present study examined whether statins suppress apoCIII-induced EC activation in vitro and in vivo . Methods and results Physiologically relevant concentrations of purified human apoCIII enhanced attachment of the monocyte-like cell line THP-1 to human saphenous vein ECs (HSVECs) or human coronary artery ECs (HCAECs) under both static and laminar shear stress conditions. This process mainly depends on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), as a blocking VCAM-1 antibody abolished apoCIII-induced monocyte adhesion. ApoCIII significantly increased VCAM-1 expression in HSVECs and HCAECs. Pre-treatment with statins suppressed apoCIII-induced VCAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion, with two lipophilic statins (pitavastatin and atorvastatin) exhibiting inhibitory effects at lower concentration than those of hydrophilic pravastatin. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) mediated apoCIII-induced VCAM-1 expression, as demonstrated via loss-of-function experiments, and pitavastatin treatment suppressed NF-κB activation. Furthermore, in the aorta of hypercholesterolaemic Ldlr−/− mice, pitavastatin administration in vivo suppressed VCAM-1 mRNA and protein, induced by apoCIII bolus injection. Similarly, in a subcutaneous dorsal air pouch mouse model of leucocyte recruitment, apoCIII injection induced F4/80+ monocyte and macrophage accumulation, whereas pitavastatin administration reduced this effect. Conclusions These findings further establish the direct role of apoCIII in atherogenesis and suggest that anti-inflammatory effects of statins could improve vascular disease in the population with elevated plasma apoCIII.
The marginal valuation of fertility

Substantial theoretical and empirical evidence demonstrates that fertility entails economic, physiological, and demographic trade-offs. The existence of trade-offs suggests that fitness should be maximized by an intermediate level of fertility, but this hypothesis has not had much support in the human life-history literature. We suggest that the difficulty of finding intermediate optima may be a function of the way fitness is calculated. Evolutionary analyses of human behavior typically use lifetime reproductive success as their fitness criterion. This fitness measure implicitly assumes that women are indifferent to the timing of reproduction and that they are risk-neutral in their reproductive decision-making. In this paper, we offer an alternative, easily-calculated fitness measure that accounts for differences in reproductive timing and yields clear preferences in the face of risky reproductive decision-making. Using historical demographic data from a genealogically-detailed dataset from 19th century Utah, we show that this measure is highly concave with respect to reproductive effort. This result has three major implications: (1) if births are properly timed, a lower-fertility reproductive strategy can have the same fitness as a high-fertility strategy, (2) intermediate optima are far more likely using fitness measures that are strongly concave with respect to effort, (3) we expect mothers to have strong investment preferences with respect to the risk inherent in reproduction.
What is the role of curvature on the properties of nanomaterials for biomedical applications

The use of nanomaterials for drug delivery and theranostics applications is a promising paradigm in nanomedicine, as it brings together the best features of nanotechnolgy, molecular biology, and medicine. To fully exploit the synergistic potential of such interdisciplinary strategy, a comprehensive description of the interactions at the interface between nanomaterials and biological systems is not only crucial, but also mandatory. Routine strategies to engineer nanomaterial-based drugs comprise modifying their surface with biocompatible and targeting ligands, in many cases resorting to modular approaches that assume additive behavior. However, emergent behavior can be observed when combining confinement and curvature. The final properties of functionalized nanomaterials become dependent not only on the properties of their constituents but also on the geometry of the nano-bio interface, and on the local molecular environment. Modularity no longer holds, and the coupling between interactions, chemical equilibrium, and molecular organization has to be directly addressed in order to design smart nanomaterials with controlled spatial functionalization envisioning optimized biomedical applications. Nanoparticle's curvature becomes an integral part of the design strategy, enabling to control and engineer the chemical and surface properties with molecular precision. Understanding how nanoparticle size, morphology, and surface chemistry are interrelated will put us one step closer to engineering nanobiomaterials capable of mimicking biological structures and their behaviors, paving the way into applications and the possibility to elucidate the use of curvature by biological systems. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:334-354. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1365 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Hypospadias outcome in the first 3 years after completing a pediatric urology fellowship

Abstract Introduction The requirements of hypospadias surgery today not only include the creation of a straight phallus with optimal meatal placement but also call for excellent cosmetic outcomes with minimal complications. Specialty fellowship training as well as advanced surgical materials and techniques allow for consistent, successful results. We report the outcomes of hypospadias surgeries performed by two academic Pediatric Urologists in the first 3 years of practice after completing a 2-year fellowship. Patients and methods A retrospective chart review of all patients with hypospadias treated by two surgeons (DF and JC) between July 2004 and August 2007 was performed. The two surgeons had completed a 2-year Pediatric Urology fellowship at two different institutions (Johns Hopkins and Texas Children's Hospital). Level of hypospadias, patient age, type of repair and follow up as well as complications were recorded. Midshaft and distal hypospadias were classified as distal. Results In all, 187 patients were operated on. No significant difference in numbers and complications occurred between the two surgeons. Distal hypospadias was found in 149, proximal in 29, and penoscrotal or perineal was found requiring a two-stage repair in nine patients. Distal hypospadias was repaired using either dorsal plate incision with tubularization (TIP) ( n = 112) or meatal advancement and glanuloplasty (MAGPI) ( n = 37). All proximal lesions were repaired using TIP. All patients were seen after 1–2 weeks, and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Fistulae occurred in 10 patients (three in distal, four in proximal, and three in two-stage repairs) for an overall fistula rate of 5.3%. Meatal obstruction occurred in three distal repairs and one two-stage repair, diverticulum in one proximal. No complications occurred with MAGPI repairs. All complications, except for one, were successfully repaired in a single operation. Conclusion Modern hypospadias surgical techniques pioneered through decades of surgical innovation can now be successfully transferred to the new generation of specialty-trained Pediatric Urologists. Modern pediatric fellowship training allows performing distal hypospadias repair with a minimal fistula rate of 2.8%. Proximal hypospadias remain more challenging with complication rates of 13.8% for one-stage and 33.3% for two-stage repairs.
Anisotropic coupled-field inclusion and inhomogeneity problems

We study the fields in and around inclusions and inhomogeneities in anisotropic solids exhibiting full coupled-field behaviour using Eshelby's pioneering approach. Explicit expressions are obtained for the generalized Eshelby tensors, as are a class of shape-independent relations for the Eshelby tensors. These can be used in the same manner as Eshelby's tensor for elastic inclusions.
PEER EVALUATION MODEL FOR ENHANCING WRITING PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Cooperative learning and peer coaching are popular vehicles for interactive instructional enrichment and can be fine tuned as a means for peer involvement in the assessment of the written work of classmates with learning disabilities. Factors that influence the outcome of peer participation in the process of authentic assessment are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on enriching the ability of students with learning disabilities to participate in cooperative learning experiences, structuring the peer evaluation process to enhance the input peers can provide their classmates, and identifying writing performance indicators that can be incorporated into an evaluation form that helps students improve their writing skills.
Metabolism of dimethoxymethyl phenobarbital (Eterobarb) in patients with epilepsy

The metabolism of dimethoxymethyl phenobarbital (DMMP) was investigated in 6 epileptic patients using deuterium-labeled drug measured by integrated gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Following an oral dose of 120 mg, none of the parent compound appeared in serum, urine, or saliva in spite of a measurement sensitivity of less than 0.05 nmol/ml. A metabolite, monomethoxymethyl phenobarbital (MMP), was detected in all patients, with peak serum concentrations averaging 1.96 nmol/ml at 1.3 hours. Phenobarbital was the major metabolite detected, and it reached peak levels in 6 to 12 hours. Two of the patients were continued on DMMP therapy for several months and then administered a pulse dose of deuterated drug. Again no DMMP was detectable. Steady-state drug administration had no effect on the kinetics of metabolism of either MMP or phenobarbital although peak serum concentrations were lower for both metabolites. In the urine of 5 patients an unidentified labeled fragment was detected that does not appear in urine from patients taking phenobarbital. From these pharmacokinetic studies it appears likely that the anticonvulsant activity of DMMP results from its metabolic conversion to phenobarbital.
A Single Chip Computational Sensor System for Neutron Detection Applications

This paper presents the design and test results of a standalone computational radiation sensor system based on a single chip solution. A low-power sensor front end with a charge sensitive amplifier and an event driven analog-to-digital converter is integrated on the same chip as a dedicated microcontroller to process and bin the data from the neutron detector diode heterojunction according to pulse height. This combination effectively implements a single chip multichannel analyzer with the capability to do further processing of the data in software. The design was fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology with field tests demonstrating the validity of the approaches taken. The total system power consumption is 24 μW.
Analysis of the ospC Regulatory Element Controlled by the RpoN-RpoS Regulatory Pathway in Borrelia burgdorferi

Outer surface lipoprotein C (OspC) is a key virulence factor of Borrelia burgdorferi. ospC is differentially regulated during borrelial transmission from ticks to rodents, and such regulation is essential for maintaining the spirochete in its natural enzootic cycle. Recently, we showed that the expression of ospC in B. burgdorferi is governed by a novel alternative sigma factor regulatory network, the RpoN-RpoS pathway. However, the precise mechanism by which the RpoN-RpoS pathway controls ospC expression has been unclear. In particular, there has been uncertainty regarding whether ospC is controlled directly by RpoS (sigma(s)) or indirectly through a transactivator (induced by RpoS). Using deletion analyses and genetic complementation in an OspC-deficient mutant of B. burgdorferi, we analyzed the cis element(s) required for the expression of ospC in its native borrelial background. Two highly conserved upstream inverted repeat elements, previously implicated in ospC regulation, were not required for ospC expression in B. burgdorferi. Using similar approaches, a minimal promoter that contained a canonical -35/-10 sequence necessary and sufficient for sigma(s)-dependent regulation of ospC was identified. Further, targeted mutagenesis of a C at position -15 within the extended -10 region of ospC, which is postulated to function like the strategic C residue important for Esigma(s) binding in Escherichia coli, abolished ospC expression. The minimal ospC promoter also was responsive to coumermycin A(1), further supporting its sigma(s) character. The combined data constitute a body of evidence that the RpoN-RpoS regulatory network controls ospC expression by direct binding of sigma(s) to a sigma(s)-dependent promoter of ospC. The implication of our findings to understanding how B. burgdorferi differentially regulates ospC and other ospC-like genes via the RpoN-RpoS regulatory pathway is discussed.
2-D radiation boundary conditions on an arbitrary outer boundary

First- and second-order radiation boundary conditions applicable to any piecewise smooth outer boundary are presented. The boundary conditions are numerically implemented into an integral equation and comparison is made with exact solution to establish their validity. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Improvement in the interpersonal communication skills of dental students.

This study compared the interpersonal communication skills of seventy-eight third-year dental students when interact- ing with their patients before and after they participated in a thirty-five-hour course that addressed recognition of anxiety, interviewing techniques, patient records, behavior management, and patient relations. Students were evaluated before and after attending the course by psychology graduate students who used a behavioral observation form that measured expressive and receptive communication skills, nonverbal communication skills, professional presentation, and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity. At the conclusion of this course, students' interpersonal skills were rated significantly higher than prior to the course at the p<.0001 level. The outcomes of this study indicate that effective communication between dental students and their patients may be acquired and refined through a course that addresses basic interviewing skills.
Dietary Sulfur Amino Acid Level and Energy Utilization in Laying Hens

Effects of marginal total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) deficiency and methionine toxicity on energy utilization of laying hens were studied with 7-month-old Single Comb White Leghorn pullets housed in individual cages at constant temperatures of 15.6 and 32.2 C. Diets containing .47, .49, .51, and 3.47% TSAA were fed throughout the 4-week study. Following a 2-week acclimation period, each diet was fed at three levels of intake for 2 weeks. Voluntary feed and metabolizable energy (ME) consumption of nontoxic TSAA diets was significantly reduced at the higher housing temperature, and a further significant reduction was observed with the toxic diet at both temperatures. Energy balance increased from 79.7 to 98.7 kcal/bird per day at 32.2 C and from 117.3 to 142.0 kcal at 15.6 C as dietary TSAA increased from .47 to .51%; energy balance of hens fed 3.47% TSAA was very low at both temperatures. Maintenance ME requirements were unaffected by dietary TSAA up to .51%, ranging from 123.3 to 131.1 and 155.5 to 163.5 kcal/hen per day at 32.2 C and 15.6 C, respectively; the requirement increased about 20 kcal/day at each temperature when the toxic TSAA diet was fed. As the amino acid balance of the diet was improved with methionine supplementation up to .51%, heat increment plus activity decreased from 70.2 to 37.0 kcal/bird per day for hens housed at 32.2 C. Consequently, efficiency of conversion of dietary ME to net energy improved from 52.1% with .47% TSAA to 63.8% with .51% TSAA. Housing temperature did not influence energetic efficiency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adding Insult to No Injury: The Denial of Attorney's Fees to 'Victorious' Employment Discrimination and Other Civil Rights Plaintiffs

Most litigants involved in lawsuits in the United States are responsible for the cost of their own attorney’s fees. However, because Congress believed that certain types of claims, including employment discrimination and other civil rights claims, are important enough to encourage potential plaintiffs and their attorneys to pursue these actions, it enacted several fee-shifting statutes. These statutes provide that the prevailing party may recover a reasonable attorney’s fee. While these statutes typically do not exclude prevailing defendants from recovering their attorney’s fees, usually only prevailing plaintiffs are entitled to recover what can sometimes be a significant amount. However, a problem with these statutes occurs when a plaintiff is able to prove that a defendant violated his rights but is then awarded only nominal damages. In most of these cases, courts have denied these plaintiffs’ requests for attorney’s fees, despite the fact that they were prevailing parties. This Article will argue that the Supreme Court should revisit this issue and conclude that in employment discrimination and other civil rights cases where plaintiffs are awarded only nominal damages, such plaintiffs, as prevailing parties, should typically be awarded attorney’s fees.
Separate Nations: Two Attitudinal Dimensions of Black Nationalism

Previous research has often treated the ideology of Black Nationalism as a singular, uniform set of beliefs. We explore the attitudinal complexity of African-American support for Black Nationalism and discover two distinct dimensions of Black Nationalism, which we label community nationalism and separatist nationalism. While the former dimension enjoys support among several black subgroups, including more affluent blacks, the latter dimension is distinctly supported by blacks who are either younger, male, or less affluent. Furthermore, community and separatist nationalists generally agree upon a core set of nationalist tenets, although they diverge on the definition and breadth of the black struggle.
Critical Thresholds in a Convolution Model for Nonlinear Conservation Laws

In this work we consider a convolution model for nonlinear conservation laws. Due to the delicate balance between the nonlinear convection and the nonlocal forcing, this model allows for narrower shock layers than those in the viscous Burgers' equation and yet exhibits the conditional finite time breakdown as in the damped Burgers' equation. We show the critical threshold phenomenon by presenting a lower threshold for the breakdown of the solutions and an upper threshold for the global existence of the smooth solution. The threshold condition depends only on the relative size of the minimum slope of the initial velocity and its maximal variation. We show the exact blow-up rate when the slope of the initial profile is below the lower threshold. We further prove the L1 stability of the smooth shock profile, provided the slope of the initial profile is above the critical threshold.
Determination of the optimal number of features for quadratic discriminant analysis via the normal approximation to the discriminant distribution

Given the joint feature-label distribution, increasing the number of features always results in decreased classification error; however, this is not the case when a classifier is designed via a classification rule from sample data. Typically, for fixed sample size, the error of a designed classifier decreases and then increases as the number of features grows. The problem is especially acute when sample sizes are very small and the potential number of features is very large. To obtain a general understanding of the kinds of feature-set sizes that provide good performance for a particular classification rule, performance must be evaluated based on accurate error estimation, and hence a model-based setting for optimizing the number of features is needed. This paper treats quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) in the case of unequal covariance matrices. For two normal class-conditional distributions, the QDA classifier is determined according to a discriminant. The standard plug-in rule estimates the discriminant from a feature-label sample to obtain an estimate of the discriminant by replacing the means and covariance matrices by their respective sample means and sample covariance matrices. The unbiasedness of these estimators assures good estimation for large samples, but not for small samples. Our goal is to find an essentially analytic method to produce an error curve as a function of the number of features so that the curve can be minimized to determine an optimal number of features. We use a normal approximation to the distribution of the estimated discriminant. Since the mean and variance of the estimated discriminant will be exact, these provide insight into how the covariance matrices affect the optimal number of features. We derive the mean and variance of the estimated discriminant and compare feature-size optimization using the normal approximation to the estimated discriminant with optimization obtained by simulating the true distribution of the estimated discriminant. Optimization via the normal approximation to the estimated discriminant provides huge computational savings in comparison to optimization via simulation of the true distribution. Feature-size optimization via the normal approximation is very accurate when the covariance matrices differ modestly. The optimal number of features based on the normal approximation will exceed the actual optimal number when there is large disagreement between the covariance matrices; however, this difference is not important because the true misclassification error using the number of features obtained from the normal approximation and the number obtained from the true distribution differ only slightly, even for significantly different covariance matrices.
Remembering James Alan Bassham (1922–2012)

James Alan Bassham, known to many as Al, was born on November 26, 1922, in Sacramento, California (CA), USA. He died on November 19, 2012, in El Cerrito, CA. To celebrate his life at his 3rd death anniversary, we present here a brief biography, comments on his discoveries, but most importantly, remembrances from family and friends; we remember this wonderful and modest person who had played a major pivotal role in the discoveries that led to what he would like to call the P(hotosynthetic) C(arbon) R(eduction) cycle, known to many as the Calvin Cycle, the Calvin-Benson Cycle, or the Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle. Based on a personal request by Bassham himself to one of us (Govindjee), we refrain from including his name in the cycle-in recognition of his many students and associates he would have liked to honor.
Late Gothic in the sixteenth-century Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, completed by the early 1540s for the Caribbean city of Santo Domingo, was the first cathedral in the Americas. An examination of its forms reveals a confluence of artistic styles characteristic of early sixteenth-century Spain and Portugal. The Gothic manner also referred to herein as Hispano-Flemish and Isabelline played a significant role in the cathedral’s structure, ornamentation and symbolism. The building’s location, in the heart of Spain’s first colonial city in the Americas, along with the history of Antillean conquest and colonization, raises questions about audience as well as the operation of symbolic forms in colonial power structures.
Proprioception, Non-Law, and Biolegal History: The Dunwody Distinguished Lecture in Law

This Article explores several advantages of incorporating into law various insights from behavioral biology about how and why the brain works as it does. In particular, the Article explores the ways in which those insights can help illuminate the deep structure of human legal systems. That effort is termed "biolegal history."
Theory of Complex Angular Momentum: Past and Future

Three fundamental subjects on Regge poles are discussed in this paper. They are: (i) the relationship between the Mandelstam representation and the theory of complex angular momentum; (ii) the validity of the Regge asymptotic form for a general, complex s, (which includes the physical region of the t channel as a special case); (iii) a major obstacle in the future of Regge poles as a complete scheme of dynamical calculations.
Sex Differences in Demographics, Risk Factors, Presentation, and Noninvasive Testing in Stable Outpatients With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From the PROMISE Trial

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether presentation, risk assessment, testing choices, and results differ by sex in stable symptomatic outpatients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Background Although established CAD presentations differ by sex, little is known about stable, suspected CAD. Methods The characteristics of 10,003 men and women in the PROMISE (Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain) trial were compared using chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Sex differences in test selection and predictors of test positivity were examined using logistic regression. Results Women were older (62.4 years of age vs. 59.0 years of age) and were more likely to be hypertensive (66.6% vs. 63.2%), dyslipidemic (68.9% vs. 66.3%), and to have a family history of premature CAD (34.6% vs. 29.3) (all p values Conclusions Patient sex influences the entire diagnostic pathway for possible CAD, from baseline risk factors and presentation to noninvasive test outcomes. These differences highlight the need for sex-specific approaches for the evaluation of CAD.
Coordination of Converging Construction Equipment in Disaster Response

During disaster response, it is imperative to timely provide the rescuers with the adequate equipment to facilitate lifesaving operations. However, in the case of the 911 terrorist attacks for example, supply of high demand equipment was insufficient during the initial phase of disaster response, challenging lifesaving operations. Prioritization of limited resources is one of the greatest challenges in decision making. Meanwhile, management of geographically distributed resources has been recognized as one of the most important but difficult tasks in large scale disasters. Additionally, resource outside of the disaster affected zone converges into the disaster affected area to assist the response efforts, which is the effect of resource convergence that often made the already complex task of resource coordination even more challenging. Although there are difficulties on managing the converging volunteers and groups, such as the ability to be deployed immediately to the incidents without their appropriate skills and training, construction equipment and its professional operators are specialized entities. The effectiveness of their collaboration in the disaster response operations could be improved through regular participation in drills. As a result, the convergence of construction equipment could be efficiently utilized to facilitate Urban Search and Rescue (US&R). This paper proposes a mobile application that could potentially guide and coordinate the volunteering construction equipment in collaboration with the emergency command and control structure.
Insecticide Applications Based on Codlemone® Trap Catches vs. Automatic Schedule Treatments for Codling Moth Control in North Carolina Apple Orchard

During 1973–77, insecticide applications based on a trap catch within an apple orchard of >;2 moths/trap during 2 consecutive wk showed a significant reduction in treatments when compared to an automatic spray schedule for control of Laspeyresia pomonella (L.). The number of postbloom sprays for the automatic spray schedule ranged from 3–11, while the number of sprays for the trap catch program ranged from 3–6. Even with the variability in the number of sprays, the avg percent fruit damage by codling moth was not greater than 1%. Fruit damage by the codling moth was too low to correlate fruit damage with number of sprays. Variability of damage to the fruit by insects other than the codling moth was not associated with number of sprays. Lack of significant association between 3 or more postbloom insecticide sprays and fruit damage by insects indicated 3–4 postbloom sprays in most apple orchards in North Carolina would give economic insect control.
Edith Wharton and Henry James: The Literary Relation

In the landscape of Edith Wharton's life the figure of Henry James is of almost too-distracting importance. He was the greatest man she knew. James himself had many friends and acquaintances such as Howells and Stevenson who stood equal beside him—he moved accustomedly among his peers from youth to old age—tout Edith Wharton had few intimates who were her creative equals, and none who towered into that eminence where James stood. Consequently, no discussion of her work can avoid contemplating the effect of his example and association; the danger, really, is that we will assume more effect than is there.
A snapshot of the adult spina bifida patient - high incidence of urologic procedures.

Introduction To describe the urologic outcomes of contemporary adult spina bifida patients managed in a multidisciplinary clinic. Material and methods A retrospective chart review of patients seen in our adult spina bifida clinic from January 2004 to November 2011 was performed to identify urologic management, urologic surgeries, and co-morbidities. Results 225 patients were identified (57.8% female, 42.2% male). Current median age was 30 years (IQR 27, 36) with a median age at first visit of 25 years (IQR 22, 30). The majority (70.7%) utilized clean intermittent catheterization, and 111 patients (49.3%) were prescribed anticholinergic medications. 65.8% had urodynamics performed at least once, and 56% obtained appropriate upper tract imaging at least every other year while under our care. 101 patients (44.9%) underwent at least one urologic surgical procedure during their lifetime, with a total of 191 procedures being performed, of which stone procedures (n = 51, 26.7%) were the most common. Other common procedures included continence procedures (n = 35, 18.3%) and augmentation cystoplasty (n = 29, 15.2%). Only 3.6% had a documented diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and 0.9% with end-stage renal disease. Conclusions Most adult spina bifida patient continue on anticholinergic medications and clean intermittent catheterization. A large percentage of patients required urologic procedures in adulthood. Patients should be encouraged to utilize conservative and effective bladder management strategies to reduce their risk of renal compromise.
The Significance of Atypia in Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of the Prostate

AbstractOf 411 fine needle aspirates of the prostate 208 could be matched with conventional pathological material. Cytological diagnosis had a complete sensitivity of 94 per cent, specificity 99 per cent and efficiency 74 per cent. Corresponding figures for 36 patients who underwent total prostatectomy were complete sensitivity 100 per cent, specificity 100 per cent and efficiency 78 per cent. Atypical cytology results not amounting to frank malignancy were the main reasons for reduced efficiency and, therefore, analysis of the significance of atypia was performed.In 50 aspirates from 43 patients atypia of varying degree was noted but the degree of atypia did not allow for a diagnosis of malignancy. Subsequent diagnosis of carcinoma was made by cutting needle biopsy or transurethral resection in 7 of 14 specimens (50 per cent) of severe, 3 of 9 (33 per cent) moderate, 3 of 7 (43 per cent) mild and 3 of 16 (19 per cent) reactive atypia. Thus, specific cytological diagnoses have a high degree of accuracy bu...
Distributed Greedy Algorithm for Satellite Assignment Problem with Submodular Utility Function

Abstract Recent advances in spacecraft technology allow a large number of smaller and cheaper satellites to fulfill useful Earth monitoring roles. An emerging challenge is to coordinate those satellites to monitor the Earth's surface and atmosphere. In this paper, we study the satellite assignment problem for a large constellation of Earth observing satellites, where a set of satellites assign themselves to observe a set of locations. The objective is to maximize a global utility function that is associated with the assignment profile. Due to the communication constraints of the space system, we develop a distributed assignment algorithm where each satellite makes its choice based on local information and local communication. We show that the efficiency ratio of the distributed solution to the optimal one is lower bounded by 1/2. Moreover, this bound is proven to be tight in the sense that there exist scenarios where the bound 1/2 is approached as close as possible.
Abstract B57: Premenopausal plasma ferritin levels, HFE polymorphisms, and risk of breast cancer in the Nurses' Health Study II

Background: Evidence from the Nurses9 Health Study II (NHSII) suggests that red meat consumption is associated with increased breast cancer risk in premenopausal women. Iron may be responsible by contributing to oxidative stress or effects on immune function. Methods: We conducted a case-control study nested within the NHSII examining prediagnostic plasma ferritin (n=795 cases, 795 controls), 15 hemochromatosis gene ( HFE ) SNPs (n=772 cases, 1,368 controls), and breast cancer risk. Cases were diagnosed with cancer after providing blood samples between 1996 and 1999. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for ferritin levels by conditional logistic regression and for HFE SNPs by unconditional logistic regression. Results: We did not observe a significant association between ferritin levels and breast cancer (top vs. bottom quartile multivariate OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.77-1.45, P-value for trend: 0.77). Results did not change when restricted to women who were premenopausal at blood draw, and were similar when cases were examined by hormone receptor status and menopausal status at diagnosis. No HFE SNPs were significantly associated with breast cancer in a log-additive manner. Among controls, ferritin levels were nominally associated with SNPs rs9366637 (P-value for trend: 0.04), rs6918586 (P-value for trend: 0.06) and rs13161 (P-value for trend: 0.07), but results did not remain significant after adjusting for multiple testing. Conclusions: Ferritin levels and HFE SNPs were not associated with breast cancer risk in this population. Components of red meat other than iron are likely responsible for its positive association with breast cancer in premenopausal women. Citation Format: Rebecca E. Graff, Cho Eunyoung, Sara Lindstrom, Peter Kraft, Walter C. Willett, A Heather Eliassen. Premenopausal plasma ferritin levels, HFE polymorphisms, and risk of breast cancer in the Nurses9 Health Study II. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr B57.
Analysis and prediction on wind power in provincial grid

Along with the increasing of the capacity of wind power, load-following regulation has become the main factor that restricts the power grid's acceptance ability of the wind power. This paper presents a method and model for predicting the acceptance of wind power energy from the aspect of load-following regulation, aiming to provide an intuitive demonstration of the power grid's acceptance ability of the wind power and guidance for the planning and dispatching of wind power. Based on the present condition of the gird, composition of power source and the actual operational data of 2010 of the Northern Provinces of China with a rich wind power resource, this paper calculate and predict the provinces' acceptance of wind power energy in 2011 in detail under different scenarios. Suggestions for increasing the wind power in the system are presented.
The Battle for the Secession: Catalonia Versus Spain

The battle for Catalan secession in Spain is likely to attract much attention in the coming years. Beyond simple reconstruction or interpretation of particular events, this analysis empowers game theory for empirical purposes to generate new testable and falsifiable predictions about the world. If the strategies, strategic rationality, and payoffs assumed throughout this essay are correct, then my findings should accurately predict the outcome.
Parathyroid Physiology and Molecular Biology

The parathyroid hormone gene has been sequenced in more than ten different species. Phylogenetic analysis has identified an array of homologous domains associated with the synthesis, secretion, and degradation of parathyroid hormone (PTH). These studies are advancing our understanding of the molecular signaling and feedback mechanisms involved in the hormonal control of calcium and phosphate metabolism. This chapter reviews these physiologic processes at the molecular level, which serves as a solid conceptual framework for understanding the pathology discussed in later chapters.
The Design, Development, and Evaluation of BACE1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a very serious public health problem. Currently, there is no effective treatment for AD. Among the many biochemical targets for AD drug development, β-secretase (BACE1, memapsin 2) continues to be a promising drug discovery target for AD therapy. This proteolytic enzyme is a membrane-anchored aspartic acid protease that is responsible for the initial step of amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleavage, leading to the production of neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Since its identification and structural elucidation in 1999, extensive research efforts have led to the development of many promising classes of inhibitors against this protease. Structure-based design strategies led to the evolution of many small-molecule, peptidomimetic, and nonpeptide BACE1 inhibitors that have now overcome the key development challenges including selectivity and brain penetration. To date, 13 BACE1 drug candidates have been brought to clinical trials, and a number of them have advanced to phase II/III human trials. This chapter illustrates structure-based evolution of various classes of BACE inhibitors. Also, it provides a perspective on BACE1 inhibitor drugs for the treatment of AD patients.
Prognosis in glioblastoma: insight gained from recent prospective trials

Gittleman et al . report on the creation and independent validation of a nomogram estimating the survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) following chemoradiation therapy (CRT) (1). The nomogram was developed using three statistical approaches (cox proportional hazards regression, random survival forests, and RPA) from available data points of patients accrued to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0525, a clinical trial evaluating the benefit of dose-intensified temozolomide (TMZ) in patients with newly diagnosed GBM (2). The algorithm was validated in an independent population of patients who completed therapy on the RTOG 0825 clinical trial (2,3), which asked if the addition of bevacizumab to standard therapy for GBM improved survival. Neither of these randomized trials demonstrated a statistically significant difference in their primary endpoint (survival), so the inclusion of all patients in both cohorts is valid. The resultant nomogram provides an individualized tool for predicting 6, 12, and 24-month survival in patients with newly diagnosed GBM based on age, sex, performance status, extent of surgical resection, and O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferaase (MGMT) methylation status.
Association of Variation in Contrast Volume With Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Importance Acute kidney injury (AKI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is common, morbid, and costly; increases patients’ mortality risk; and can be mitigated by limiting contrast use. Objective To examine the national variation in AKI incidence and contrast use among US physicians and the variation’s association with patients’ risk of developing AKI after PCI. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used the American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) CathPCI Registry to identify in-hospital care for PCI in the United States. Participants included 1 349 612 patients who underwent PCI performed by 5973 physicians in 1338 hospitals between June 1, 2009, and June 30, 2012. Data analysis was performed from July 1, 2014, to August 31, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was AKI, defined according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria as an absolute increase of 0.3 mg/dL or more or a relative increase of 50% or more from preprocedural to peak creatinine. A secondary outcome was the mean contrast volume as reported in the NCDR CathPCI Registry. Physicians who performed more than 50 PCIs per year were the main exposure variable of interest. Hierarchical regression with adjustment for patients’ AKI risk was used to identify the variation in AKI rates, the variation in contrast use, and the association of contrast volume with patients’ predicted AKI risk. Results Of the 1 349 612 patients who underwent PCI, the mean (SD) age was 64.9 (12.2) years, 908 318 (67.3%) were men, and 441 294 (32.7%) were women. Acute kidney injury occurred in 94 584 patients (7%). A large variation in AKI rates was observed among individual physicians ranging from 0% to 30% (unadjusted), with a mean adjusted 43% excess likelihood of AKI (median odds ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.41-1.44) for statistically identical patients presenting to 2 random physicians. A large variation in physicians’ mean contrast volume, ranging from 79 mL to 487 mL with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.23 (interquartile range, 0.21-0.25), was also observed, implying a 23% variation in contrast volume among physicians after adjustment. There was minimal correlation between contrast use and patients’ AKI risk ( r = −0.054). Sensitivity analysis after excluding complex cases showed that the physician variation in AKI remained unchanged. Conclusions and Relevance Acute kidney injury rates vary greatly among physicians, who also vary markedly in their use of contrast and do not use substantially less contrast in patients with higher risk for AKI. These findings suggest an important opportunity to reduce AKI by reducing the variation in contrast volumes across physicians and lowering its use in higher-risk patients.