cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Astragalar morphology of late Eocene anthropoids from the Fayum Depression (Egypt) and the origin of catarrhine primates.

Abstract The phylogenetic relationships of the late Eocene anthropoids Catopithecus browni andProteopithecus sylviae are currently a matter of debate, with opinion divided as to whether these taxa are stem or crown anthropoids. The phylogenetic position of Catopithecus is of particular interest, for, unlike the highly generalized genusProteopithecus , this taxon shares apomorphic dental and postcranial features with more derived undoubted catarrhines that appear in the same region 1–2 Ma later. If these apomorphies are homologous and Catopithecus is a stem catarrhine, the unique combination of plesiomorphic and apomorphic features preserved in this anthropoid would have important implications for our understanding of the crown anthropoid morphotype and the pattern of morphological character transformations that occurred during the early phases of stem catarrhine evolution. Well-preserved astragali referrable toProteopithecus , Catopithecus, and the undoubted early Oligocene stem catarrhine Aegyptopithecus have provided additional morphological evidence that allows us to further evaluate competing hypotheses of interrelationships among Eocene–Oligocene Afro-Arabian anthropoids. Qualitative observations and multivariate morphometric analyses reveal that the astragalar morphology of Proteopithecus is very similar to that of early Oligocene parapithecids and living and extinct small-bodied platyrrhines, and strengthens the hypothesis that the morphological pattern shared by these taxa is primitive within crown Anthropoidea. In contrast, Catopithecus departs markedly from the predicted crown anthropoid astragalar morphotype and shares a number of apomorphic features (e.g., deep cotylar fossa, laterally projecting fibular facet, trochlear asymmetry, mediolaterally wide astragalar head) with Aegyptopithecus and Miocene–Recent catarrhines. The evidence from the astragalus complements other independent data from the dentition, humerus and femur of Catopithecus that support this taxon's stem catarrhine status, and we continue to maintain that oligopithecines are stem catarrhines that constitute the sister group of a clade containing propliopithecines and Miocene–Recent catarrhines.
Design and performance evaluation of a digital wideband receiver on a hybrid computing platform

Design and implementation of a modern radar receiver that is capable of rapidly searching a large frequency range with maximum sensitivity in real time presents a challenge. Such a receiver not only has stringent operational requirements like high instantaneous dynamic range (IDR), multiple signal detection capability, wider bandwidth and also high frequency resolution. Currently, operating speeds of digital processors are not on par with state-of-the-art ADCs. To overcome this impediment, researchers are exploring methods of offloading the computational intensive tasks to specialized hardware accelerators. A 3 giga-sample-per-second (GSPS) wideband digital receiver system implemented on a unique hybrid computing platform, which is composed of two Tesla C2050 GPUs and a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA, is presented. Drastically improving its performance over its predecessors, the proposed receiver system detects five simultaneous signals in 1.25 GHz bandwidth (125–1375 MHz) with a maximum IDR of 42.5 dB and a frequency resolution of 0.5 MHz. The proposed receiver architecture performs a high-resolution spectral estimation and employs a hardware efficient platform for detecting multiple signals before the next set of buffered data arrives for processing.
A Weighted, Multi-Attribute, Site Prioritization and Selection Process for Brownfield Redevelopment

Michigan is widely recognized as having one of the most innovative programs for converting brownfields into productive uses. The state provides a number of financial incentives along with suspension of retroactive liability for prospective developers. Michigan also has among the greatest number of brownfields of any state. The sheer number of sites and locations throughout the state, the cost of acquisition and cleanup, and the amount of information needed to make a reasoned decision and complete the necessary permits can make the choice of candidate sites difficult. A method to differentiate among potential sites for selection is clearly necessary. In this paper, a Brownfield Site Ranking Model is proposed for selecting sites for potential redevelopment. This process identifies 11 siting criteria derived from the review of general siting factors that can be evaluated in locating a business on a formerly used site. Such factors include commercial marketing guidelines, financial incentives, environmental regulatory compliance requirements, regional infrastructure and labor resources, and local community acceptance. These factors were integrated into a conventional, step-by-step, site identification and selection process using a multi-tiered, weighted procedure. The process was developed in cooperation with the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority of Jackson County and was tested on several prospective commercial and industrial sites. Results suggest a high degree of correlation between site characteristics and likely end uses and argue for a selection process that allows participation by local governments. The complete process, which can be computerized and adapted to a geographic information system, provides a model for commercial developers, real estate brokers, siting consultants, and local communities in selecting target sites for redevelopment.
EFFECT OF LONG-TERM COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND HYPERTENSION CONTROL: THE STANFORD FIVE-CITY PROJECT

The Stanford Five-City Project was initiated in 1978 to evaluate the effects of a community-wide health education program on cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure. Two treatment cities received an education program, which used the mass media, various community-based programs, and health professionals, designed to encourage individuals to learn their blood pressure levels, stay in the care of a physician if hypertensive, achieve ideal weight, exercise regularly, and reduce dietary sodium. Physicians were encouraged to follow national hypertension treatment guidelines and were provided with a range of patient education materials. To evaluate the effect of the intervention on cardiovascular risk factors, four independent cross-sectional surveys of randomly selected households and four repeated surveys of a cohort were conducted in both treatment cities and in two of the three control cities. After 5-1/3 years of intervention, blood pressure in the treatment cities exhibited an overall decline of 7.4 and 5.5 mmHg systolic and 5.0 and 3.7 mmHg diastolic in the cohort and independent surveys, respectively. These declines produced net changes between the treatment and control cities ranging from -1.1 to -3.8 mmHg. While the magnitude of these changes is not large, the results are significant from a public health perspective because they reflect changes in the overall community.
Hemicraniectomy. A Second Chance on Life for Patients With Space-Occupying MCA Infarction

See related articles, pages 2506–2517 and 2518–2525. So-called “malignant” middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarction is the most devastating form of ischemic stroke. With conventional medical therapy, including endotracheal intubation, blood pressure control, osmotherapy, hyperventilation, and barbiturate anesthesia for refractory intracranial hypertension, mortality rates of up to 80% have been reported.1–3 Death or neurological devastation results from progressive swelling of the infarct, brain tissue shifts, compartmentalized elevation of intracranial pressure, and the extention of ischemia to adjoining vascular territories. Decompressive hemicraniectomy and duroplasty for malignant MCA territory infarction is intended to prevent the death spiral by normalizing intracranial pressure, restoring compromised flow in the penumbra and adjacent vascular territories, and restoring the midline position of the brain stem and diecephalon. The procedure is not new, but was performed rarely for MCA infarction before the 1990s, primarily because of concerns that it would result in survival with overwhelming neurological impairment and handicap. With improvements in postoperative critical care, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in hemicraniectomy over the past 10 years. Several case series and nonrandomized case-control studies have suggested that hemicraniectomy can improve survival,4,5 but the evidence has been far from definitive, particularly regarding the extent of residual handicap in those who survive the procedure. Given the lack of evidence from clinical trials to date, hemicraniectomy has remained one of the most controversial and hotly debated topics in stroke care. Is it “radical surgery” that only leads to more pain and suffering, or a beneficial procedure that can give some patients a second chance on life? In this issue of Stroke , the results of 2 of the 5 recently organized trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of hemicraniectomy for MCA infarction—the DESTINY and DECIMAL trials—are reported.6,7 But before we look into the results …
Context free languages in biological systems

A set of definitions is proposed which places a dynamic model of growth and stabilization in biological systems in a formal language framework. The language of stable adult strings achievable in a system without cellular interactions is studied. It is shown that o if every string is considered to be a possible initial string in development, then the class of languages defined is properly included in the class of regular languages. However if, as is biologically reasonable, development can only start from strings drawn from a finite initial set, then the class of languages defined is exactly the class of context free languages.
The 37/67-Kilodalton Laminin Receptor Is a Receptor for Adeno-Associated Virus Serotypes 8, 2, 3, and 9

Adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) is currently emerging as a powerful gene transfer vector, owing to its capability to efficiently transduce many different tissues in vivo. While this is believed to be in part due to its ability to uncoat more readily than other AAV serotypes such as AAV2, understanding all the processes behind AAV8 transduction is important for its application and optimal use in human gene therapy. Here, we provide the first report of a cellular receptor for AAV8, the 37/67-kDa laminin receptor (LamR). We document binding of LamR to AAV8 capsid proteins and intact virions in vitro and demonstrate its contribution to AAV8 transduction of cultured cells and mouse liver in vivo. We also show that LamR plays a role in transduction by three other closely related serotypes (AAV2, -3, and -9). Sequence and deletion analysis allowed us to map LamR binding to two protein subdomains predicted to be exposed on the AAV capsid exterior. Use of LamR, which is constitutively expressed in many clinically relevant tissues and is overexpressed in numerous cancers, provides a molecular explanation for AAV8's broad tissue tropism. Along with its robust transduction efficiency, our findings support the continued development of AAV8-based vectors for clinical applications in humans, especially for tumor gene therapy.
Everolimus Versus Temsirolimus in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma After Progression With Previous Systemic Therapies.

Abstract Background Everolimus is an approved agent for use after disease progression with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. With recently published trials showing efficacy of nivolumab and cabozantinib in the second-line therapy setting, the use of everolimus will likely move to the third- or fourth-line therapy setting. Temsirolimus has occasionally been used instead of everolimus for many reasons, including financial considerations, assurance of patient compliance given its intravenous administration, its toxicity profile, patient performance status, and patient or physician preference. However, efficacy of everolimus and temsirolimus in this setting have not been compared in a randomized trial. The results from retrospective studies have been inconsistent. Materials and Methods We identified patients treated with a first-line VEGFR-TKI for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and then treated with either everolimus or temsirolimus on progression from the databases of 2 large academic cancer centers. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed from the initiation of second-line treatment using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results A total of 90 patients received either everolimus (n = 59; 66%) or temsirolimus (n = 31; 34%) after progression during first-line VEGFR-TKI therapy. The patient and disease characteristics were similar in both groups. The median PFS was not different, but OS was superior with everolimus compared with temsirolimus (24.2 months vs. 12.1 months; hazard ratio, 0.58; P = .047). Conclusion Our results bolster existing guidelines supporting everolimus over temsirolimus as salvage therapy after previous systemic therapies.
Thermo-piezo-electro-mechanical simulation of AlGaN (aluminum gallium nitride) / GaN (gallium nitride) High Electron Mobility Transistors

Thermo-Piezo-Electro-Mechanical Simulation of AlGaN (Aluminum Gallium Nitride) / GaN (Gallium Nitride) High Electron Mobility Transistor
A communication framework for an ad-hoc microgrid for disaster response

Natural disasters are one of the leading causes of power outages in the distribution network. The introduction of the distributed energy resources (DER) can assist the grid during these outages by providing localized supply of power. This is possible through creating a Microgrid that can island from the affected power grid and form its own network. However, due to the uncertain and often abrupt nature of natural disaster events, excessive advance planning for the formation of the Microgrid may not be possible, and as such, it may need to be formed in an ad-hoc fashion. Here, an energy resource with grid-forming capability must act as a coordinator, and detect the topology of the network as well as the type of its DER units and loads. To enable this, a communication platform is needed to facilitate the transmission of necessary information between all controllable units and the coordinator. The main purpose of this paper is to devise such a solution for creating an ad-hoc self-organized Microgrid via power line communication (PLC) media. A case study is presented using the IEEE 34-bus test distribution system to show how this scheme can support Microgrid formation and topology identification.
The mechanism of the increase in sodium excretion following dopamine infusion.

SummaryThe renal mechanism for the increased sodium excretion due to dopamine infusion was investigated. Infusion of 10 μg/kg/min of dopamine into the dog caused a mean increase in sodium excretion of 43 μeq/min. There was no change in glomerular filtration rate. Proximal tubule sodium reabsorption, as measured by tubule fluid to plasma inulin ratios and the transit time of lissamine green through the proximal tubule, was likewise unchanged. It is concluded that dopamine increases sodium excretion by a direct or indirect tubule effect at a site distal to the proximal tubule.
Domestic Individualism: Imagining Self in Nineteenth-Century America

Gillian Brown's book probes the key relationship between domestic ideology and formulations of the self in nineteenth-century America. Arguing that domesticity institutes gender, class, and racial distinctions that govern masculine as well as feminine identity, Brown brilliantly alters, for literary critics, feminists, and cultural historians, the critical perspective from which nineteenth-century American literature and culture have been viewed. In this study of the domestic constitution of individualism, Brown traces how the values of interiority, order, privacy, and enclosure associated with the American home come to define selfhood in general. By analyzing writings by Stowe, Hawthorne, Melville, Fern, and Gilman, and by examining other contemporary cultural modes--abolitionism, consumerism, architecture, interior decorating, motherhood, mesmerism, hysteria, and agoraphobia--she reconfigures the parameters of both domesticity and the patterns of self it fashions. Unfolding a representational history of the domestic, Brown's work offers striking new readings of the literary texts as well as of the cultural contexts that they embody.
Tough Economic Times—How Limiting Resources Shape the Microbial Proteome: Because resources are limited, the differential cost of amino acids across the proteome can affect the fitness of an organism

Molecular evolution can be described in terms of proteins gradually improving or gaining new properties through selection following mutations. However, function is not the only constraint on protein evolution. Because resources are limited, the cost of an organism's proteome can also affect its fitness, reflecting differences in size, complexity, and chemical characteristics among the 20 commonly used amino acids (Fig. 1).
Integrating Differentiated Knit Logics and Pre-Stress in Textile Hybrid Structures

This paper describes research in the use of machine knitting for manufacturing highly differentiated textiles and their implementation as the tensile component of a textile hybrid structural system. The fundamental concept of a textile hybrid structure is in generating form through the integration of bending- and form-active behaviours implemented in materials comprised, in some or all parts, of a fibrous nature. A prototype entitled Mobius Rib-knit explores the nature of a knitted textile as a part of such a system. Operating at the level of stitch structure, differentiated form-active properties and non-planar geometries are materialized within a seamless textile. Utilizing CNC machine knitting, a fundamental stitch structure, the rib-knit, is exploited for its elastic nature, while the ability to generate a shaped 3d textile allows for a seamless material to fit to an intensely contorted geometry. These characteristics are tailored to describe visual, spatial and tactile qualities; ones which are unique to the field of pre-stressed lightweight structures. While the rib knit is a conventional knit structure, its novel use is described in this paper as the articulator of surface dimensionality and patterning within an architectonic system.
Updated guidelines for the management of fluid and electrolytes in children

Abstract Safe intravenous fluid management in children is important and requires an understanding of the basic science of fluids and electrolytes. NICE guidelines issued in December 2015 update an NPSA alert of 2007 which aimed to reduce the serious risks of hyponatraemia. Hyponatraemia most commonly arises from the inappropriate administration of fluids with low concentrations of sodium during resuscitation or when given for the replacement of deficits or when given in inappropriately large volumes. Electrolyte abnormalities and their correction are summarized in this paper.
A study on effect of anti-tumor of extract from tetrastigma hemsleyanum diels et.gilg and its mechanisms in vivo

Objective:To investigate the changes of inhibition ratio of tumor,cellular immunity and antioxidation under extract from tetrastigma hemsleyanum diels et.gilg(TDG).Methods:Mice were randomly divided into six groups(10 mice per group): normal control group,tumor control group,two sample groups(5,15 g/kg·BW),positive control group(CTX) and combination group(15 g/kg·BW+CTX).Every mouse except normal control group's were inoculated by S180 cells.The changes of inhibition ratio of tumor,T lymphocyte subpopulations(CD3,CD4,CD8,CD4/CD8) and antioxidation(MDA,SOD,CAT) in the blood of mice were observed.Results:The extract from TDG(15 g/kg·BW) were found to improve the ratio of T lymphocyte subpopulations(CD3,CD4,CD8,CD4/CD8),decrease the contents of MDA and increase the activity of CAT compared with the tumor control group.The inhibition ratio of tumor was 36.06% under extract from TDG(15 g/kg·BW).Conclusion:These data indicated that extract from TDG could have anti-tumor effects.Their mechanisms of action might be correlated with improving of cellular immunity and activating of antioxidation in the S180-bearing mice.
The "parity" anomaly on an unorientable manifold

The ``parity'' anomaly is a potential violation of time-reversal and reflection symmetry that can occur for relativistic fermions coupled to gauge fields and/or gravity in 2+1 dimensional spacetime. It has played a role in condensed matter physics since the work of Haldane and others in the 1980's. Only recently, as a result of developments in the theory of topological superconductors, has it been understood that the extension of this anomaly to an unorientable spacetime is significant. In the present paper, a systematic description is given of the ``parity'' anomaly on an unorientable spacetime. This is used to get a fuller understanding of gapped symmetry-preserving boundary states of a topological superconductor and to resolve some questions about the world-volume path integral of M-theory membranes.
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELL OF HYBRID REGIOREGULAR POLY(3-HEXYLTHIOPHENE-2,5-DIYL) AND MOLYBDENUM DISULFIDE FILM

The photoelectrochemical cell attracts attention worldwide due to conversion of optical energy into electricity, production of hydrogen through water splitting and use in photodetector and photo-sensor applications. We have been working on the photochemical cell based on regioregular polyhexylthiophenes hybrid-structured films for photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic applications. This paper discusses the hybrid film studies on regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) with 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) for photoelectrochemical cell. The hybrid P3HT/MoS2 films deposited over indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass plate or n-type silicon substrates were characterized using FTIR, UV/vis, electrochemical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The optical measurements showed a higher absorption magnitude with low reflection properties of P3HT/MoS2 hybrid films revealing a superior photocurrent compared to both P3HT and MoS2 films. The P3HT/MoS2 hybrid-based photoelectrochemical cell yielded a short-circuit current (Isc) of 183.16μA⋅cm−2, open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.92V, fill factor (FF) of 25% and power conversion efficiency (η) of 0.18% under the light intensity of 242W⋅m−2. The estimated power conversion efficiency and fill factor are comparable to organic-based photovoltaic devices.
Sleep and meal-time misalignment alters functional connectivity: a pilot resting-state study

Delayed sleep and meal times promote metabolic dysregulation and obesity. Altered coordination of sleeping and eating times may impact food-reward valuation and interoception in the brain, yet the independent and collective contributions of sleep and meal times are unknown. This randomized, in-patient crossover study experimentally manipulates sleep and meal times while preserving sleep duration (7.05±0.44 h for 5 nights). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans (2 × 5-minute runs) were obtained for four participants (three males; 25.3±4.6 years), each completing all study phases (normal sleep/normal meal; late sleep/normal meal; normal sleep/late meal; and late sleep/late meal). Normal mealtimes were 1, 5, 11 and 12.5 h after awakening; late mealtimes were 4.5, 8.5, 14.5 and 16 h after awakening. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) was computed for a priori regions-of-interest (seeds) and contrasted across conditions. Statistically significant (P<0.05, whole-brain corrected) regionally specific effects were found for multiple seeds. The strongest effects were linked to the amygdala: increased RSFC for late versus normal mealtimes (equivalent to skipping breakfast). A main effect of sleep and interaction with meal time were also observed. Preliminary findings support the feasibility of examining the effects of sleep and meal-time misalignment, independent of sleep duration, on RSFC in regions relevant to food reward and interoception.
Clinically Relevant Concentrations of Ketamine Inhibit Osteoclast Formation In Vitro in Mouse Bone Marrow Cultures.

Ketamine has been used safely in clinics for decades for analgesia and anesthesia. It is increasingly popular in clinical practice due to its new uses and importance for emergency procedures. It is known that ketamine is sequestered in the bone marrow and the major receptors for ketamine, noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), are expressed in osteoclasts (OCs) and osteoblasts. However, the impact of ketamine on OCs or osteoblasts is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of ketamine on osteoclastogenesis and regulation of NMDARs expression in vitro. Bone marrows (BMs) or bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were cultured in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) with or without ketamine for up to 6 days. OC formation peaked at day 5. On day 5 of culture, ketamine inhibited OC formation from both BM and BMM cultures at clinically relevant concentrations (3-200 µM). Ketamine inhibited RANKL-induced expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1 (NFATc1) in BMM cultures. Inhibition of ketamine on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis is associated with down-regulation of NMDARs. In addition, ketamine significantly inhibited the M-CSF induced migration of BMMs, inhibited cell fusion and significantly increased mature OC apoptosis. We conclude that clinically relevant concentrations of ketamine inhibit OC formation in both BM and BMM cultures in vitro through inhibiting migration and fusion process and enhancing mature OC apoptosis. It is likely that ketamine regulates osteoclastogenesis, at least in part, via its effects on NMDAR expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 914-923, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
More About Composites

In the previous chapter it became evident that polyphase systems were the rule, rather than the exception, in engineering materials derived from resins, polymers, and elastomers. We saw why this was so, and we considered some examples of how plastics were strengthened or stiffened or bettered by the inclusion of powders, fibers, fabrics, and films. We turn now to some more elaborate examples of composite materials which come under the survey of the resinographer, examples which call for a more detailed description.
Initial Assessment of a Newly Launched Interdisciplinary Construction Engineering Management Graduate Program

AbstractIn the fall of 2014, the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) launched a new interdisciplinary graduate program in the Department of Civil Engineering. The mission of the Construction ...
Spectral energy distributions of marginally self-gravitating quasi-stellar object discs

We calculate spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of steady accretion discs at high accretion rates, as appropriate for bright quasi-stellar objects (QSOs), under the assumption that the outer pans are heated sufficientlyto maintain marginal gravitational stability, presumably by massive stars formed within the disc. The SED is independent of the nature of these auxiliary sources if their inputs are completely thermalized. Standard assumptions are made for angular momentum transport, with an alpha parameter less than unity. With these prescriptions, the luminosity of the disc is sensitive to its opacity, in contrast to standard discs powered by the release of orbital energy alone. Compared with the latter, our discs have a broader SED, with a second peak in the near-infrared that is energetically comparable with the blue bump. The energy in the second peak increases with the outer radius of the disc, provided that the accretion rate is constant with radius. By comparing our computed SEDs with observed ones, we limit the outer radius of the disc to be less than 10 5 Schwarzschild radii (Rs), or about 1 pc, in a typical QSO. We also discuss some properties of our minimum-Q discs in the regions where auxiliary heating is dominant (10 3 -10 5 R S ).
QuaDMutEx: quadratic driver mutation explorer.

Somatic mutations accumulate in human cells throughout life. Some may have no adverse consequences, but some of them may lead to cancer. A cancer genome is typically unstable, and thus more mutations can accumulate in the DNA of cancer cells. An ongoing problem is to figure out which mutations are drivers - play a role in oncogenesis, and which are passengers - do not play a role. One way of addressing this question is through inspection of somatic mutations in DNA of cancer samples from a cohort of patients and detection of patterns that differentiate driver from passenger mutations. We propose QuaDMutEx, a method that incorporates three novel elements: a new gene set penalty that includes non-linear penalization of multiple mutations in putative sets of driver genes, an ability to adjust the method to handle slow- and fast-evolving tumors, and a computationally efficient method for finding gene sets that minimize the penalty, through a combination of heuristic Monte Carlo optimization and exact binary quadratic programming. Compared to existing methods, the proposed algorithm finds sets of putative driver genes that show higher coverage and lower excess coverage in eight sets of cancer samples coming from brain, ovarian, lung, and breast tumors. Superior ability to improve on both coverage and excess coverage on different types of cancer shows that QuaDMutEx is a tool that should be part of a state-of-the-art toolbox in the driver gene discovery pipeline. It can detect genes harboring rare driver mutations that may be missed by existing methods. QuaDMutEx is available for download from https://github.com/bokhariy/QuaDMutEx under the GNU GPLv3 license.
Ni-catalyzed two-component reductive dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes via radical cyclization

A reductive dicarbofunctionalization reaction of alkenes has been developed and applied to the preparation of substituted carbo- and heterocycles. The reaction conditions avoid the use of air-sensitive organometallic reagents, and are compatible with a broad range of bromo-electrophiles and a wide variety of substituents to give cyclic products in excellent yields.
Prevention Strategies to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Children in Resource-Limited Settings

This review summarizes major antimicrobial-resistant pathogens emerging globally, including mechanisms of resistance and factors leading to acquisition of drug resistance in children. It further seeks to answer what steps should be taken in resource-limited settings to curb spread of these resistant pathogens. Prevalence of drug resistance bacteria is increasing in children. Resistance is primarily driven by antibiotic overuse and misuse, amplified in developing countries by poor regulation and limited treatment options. The World Health Organization has outlined a comprehensive approach to reduce antimicrobial resistance. Data among children in the developing world are incomplete, but suggest this is a problem with huge healthcare costs. Prevention methods include classic sanitation, infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, as well as development of new technologies and improved surveillance. Future research should focus on population benefits, cost effectiveness of different approaches, and applying new technologies in a regulated way to the developing world.
Calculation of radiative corrections to E1 matrix elements in the neutral alkali metals

Radiative corrections to E1 matrix elements for ns-np transitions in the alkali-metal atoms lithium through francium are evaluated. They are found to be small for the lighter alkali metals but significantly larger for the heavier alkali metals, and in the case of cesium much larger than the experimental accuracy. The relation of the matrix element calculation to a recent decay rate calculation for hydrogenic ions is discussed, and application of the method to parity nonconservation in cesium is described.
Lipid metabolism in cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia, characterized by losses in muscle and adipose tissue (AT), is associated with poor quality of life and prognosis, and lacks effective therapies. Both tumor- and host- derived factors disrupt normal metabolism and are vital to the catabolic drive in cancer cachexia. While muscle loss has long dominated cachexia research, recent work conducted predominantly in rodent models has begun to recognize the significance of AT lipid metabolism alterations in the development and progression of cancer cachexia. AT losses are mainly attributed to the activation of lipolytic pathways. An important recent discovery has been in the demonstration of white AT (WAT) "browning" conferring thermogenic properties to adipocytes that results in wasteful energy expenditure. Collectively, both elevated lipolysis and WAT thermogenesis play an important role in AT depletion in cancer. The purpose of this review is to highlight current knowledge related to the regulation of AT function in cancer cachexia.
What Is the Utility of ESR and CRP in the Evaluation of Acute IBD Presentations

Use of laboratory testing to predict complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an enticing idea. Common targets for risk stratification tools include common markers of inflammation such as white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. This chapter discusses the role of these markers in risk stratification for decision-making in the acute care setting.
Reflectance structured illumination imaging of internalized cerium oxide nanoparticles modulating dose-dependent reactive oxygen species in breast cancer cells.

Abstract Cerium oxide nanoparticles have been shown to sensitize cancer cells to radiation damage. Their unique redox properties confer excellent therapeutic potential by augmenting radiation dose with reactive oxygen species mediating bystander effects. Owing to its metallic properties, cerium oxide nanoparticles can be visualized inside cells using reflected light and optical sectioning. This can be advantageous in settings requiring none or minimal sample preparation and modification. We investigated the use of reflectance imaging for the detection of unmodified nanoceria in MDA MB231 breast cancer cells along with differential interference contrast imaging and fluorescent nuclear labeling. We also performed studies to evaluate the uptake capability, cellular toxicity and redox properties of nanocaria in these cells. Our results demonstrate that reflectance structured illumination imaging can effectively localize cerium oxide nanoparticles in breast cancer cells, and when combining with differential interference contrast and fluorescent cell label imaging, effective compartmental localization of the nanoparticles can be achieved. The total number of cells taking up the nanoparticles and the amount of nanoparticle uptake increased significantly in proportion to the dose, with no adverse effects on cell survival. Moreover, significant reduction in reactive oxygen species was also observed in proportion to increasing nanoceria concentrations attesting to its ability to modulate oxidative stress. In conclusion, this work serves as a pre-clinical scientific evaluation of the effective use of reflectance structured illumination imaging of cerium oxide nanoparticles in breast cancer cells and the safe use of these nanoparticles in MDA MB231 cells for further therapeutic applications.
Band-to-Band Tunneling by Monte Carlo Simulation for Prediction of MOSFET Gate-Induced Drain Leakage Current

Gate induced drain leakage (GIDL) current caused by band-to-band tunneling is studied by Monte Carlo simulation with ballistic least-action trajectory integration. Together with weak inversion and early subthreshold simulation by drift-diffusion formalism, the entire range of the OFF-state drain current can be predicted for technology evaluation. The methodology is demonstrated by a case study for source/drain asymmetry super-halo design.
In vivo and ex vivo assessment of bladder hyper-permeability and using molecular targeted magnetic resonance imaging to detect claudin-2 in a mouse model for interstitial cystitis.

Objectives To determine if the URO-MCP-1 mouse model for bladder IC/BPS is associated with in vivo bladder hyper-permeability, as measured by contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI), and assess whether molecular-targeted MRI (mt-MRI) can visualize in vivo claudin-2 expression as a result of bladder hyper-permeability. Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic, painful condition of the bladder that affects primarily women. It is known that permeability plays a substantial role in IC/BPS. Claudins are tight junction membrane proteins that are expressed in epithelia and endothelia and form paracellular barriers and pores that determine tight junction permeability. Claudin-2 is a molecular marker that is associated with increased hyperpermeability in the urothelium. Materials and methods CE-MRI was used to measure bladder hyper-permeability in the URO-MCP-1 mice. A claudin-2-specific mt-MRI probe was used to assess in vivo levels of claudin-2. The mt-MRI probe consists of an antibody against claudin-2 conjugated to albumin that had Gd-DTPA (gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate) and biotin attached. Verification of the presence of the mt-MRI probe was done by targeting the biotin moiety for the probe with streptavidin-horse radish peroxidase (SA-HRP). Trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was also used to assess bladder permeability. Results The URO-MCP-1 mouse model for IC/BPS was found to have a significant increase in bladder permeability, following liposaccharide (LPS) exposure, compared to saline-treated controls. mt-MRI- and histologically-detectable levels of the claudin-2 probe were found to increase with LPS -induced bladder urothelial hyper-permeability in the URO-MCP-1 IC mouse model. Levels of protein expression for claudin-2 were confirmed with immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence imaging. Claudin-2 was also found to highly co-localize with zonula occlidens-1 (ZO-1), a tight junction protein. Conclusion The combination of CE-MRI and TEER approaches were able to demonstrate hyper-permeability, a known feature associated with some IC/BPS patients, in the LPS-exposed URO-MCP-1 mouse model. This MRI approach could be clinically translated to establish which IC/BPS patients have bladder hyper-permeability and help determine therapeutic options. In addition, the in vivo molecular-targeted imaging approach can provide invaluable information to enhance our understanding associated with bladder urothelium hyper-permeability in IC/BPS patients, and perhaps be used to assist in developing further therapeutic strategies.
Exercise Electrocardiographic Stress Testing

Exercise electrocardiography (EECG) remains one of the most frequently utilized, highly informative, and safest of cardiac tests. This noninvasive method provides information essential to diagnosis, prognosis, and management of cardiac disease through its evaluation of symptoms, detection of myocardial ischemia, quantitation of cardiac reserve, and the clinical implications of these features. The outstanding safety record of EECG is attributable to appropriate patient referral, meticulous test implementation, and expert interpretation of results. Based on both its ECG and non-ECG data, exercise testing has furthered understanding of normal and abnormal cardiovascular responses to physical stress and unmasked symptoms and provided objective evidence of the potential presence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of mortality in our society. Physiological investigations have demonstrated that characteristic exercise-induced deviation of the electrocardiographic ST segment is a hallmark of ischemia reflecting an imbalance between myocardial oxygen demand and supply typically related to ≥70% coronary artery diameter narrowing which impairs coronary blood flow reserve. Thus, the exercise laboratory provides a controlled setting for exercise stress testing with continuous monitoring of patient, ECG, heart rate, and blood pressure in which ischemia and other abnormalities can be safely induced, observed, and interpreted. These findings importantly complement the clinical evaluation. It is emphasized that recognition of the value of EECG also requires appreciation of its limitations. Posttest probability of CAD based on results of EECG is closely related to an individual’s pre-test probability of CAD. This relationship is the basis for continuing concerns regarding the use of EECG as a screening test for CAD in healthy, asymptomatic individuals in which the rate of false positive results is inordinately high. Although ECG data have dominated clinical interest in exercise testing, recognition has increased regarding the unique non-ECG prognostic information derived from this method. The clinical utility of EECG for detection of CAD is comparable in men and women 10 years beyond menopause, especially if non-ECG variables are included. However, if localization of myocardial ischemia is the goal or the baseline ECG is abnormal, a stress imaging study is indicated. Finally, despite the array of clinical information obtainable from EECG, it remains underutilized in both women and men with adequate functional capacity, in favor of stress imaging tests, which are costly, some of which use ionizing radiation.
Fundamental Improvement to the Efficiency of On-Chip mmWave Phased Arrays Using MEMS Suspension

A major shortcoming of current silicon-based millimeter-wave (mmWave) on-chip antennas is the low radiation efficiency ( 80% at 60 GHz. The proposed array addresses the issues of on-chip air-suspension using micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) processes, thus elevating the hovering radiating elements on a substrate at the height of 35 μm (0.007 λ0). The micofabricated SU-8 posts serve as the vertical support, ensuring mechanical stability and monolithic integration. The simulated −10 dB fractional bandwidth of this array is 5.5% or 3.4 GHz at 60 GHz. Further, the designed array is capable of scanning of ±55° in the E plane and ±58° in the H -plane. The noncontact backscattering method is proposed and employed to derive the radiation efficiency from measured radar cross-section (RCS) data. RCS measurements are performed using a precision six-axis robotic arm with the spatial repeatability of 20 μm (λ0/250). The measured radiation efficiency is 82% at 60 GHz. The measured peak gain of 9 × 9 array is 23.3 dBi versus simulated 23.6 dBi. Fundamental enhancement in suspended array efficiency is achieved by eliminating unwanted radiation in the silicon substrate. Compared to other on-chip integration approaches, the proposed array can be monolithically integrated on a silicon substrate while maintaining high radiation efficiency.
Effectiveness of Contact Precautions to Prevent Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Intensive Care Units.

Background Contact precautions for endemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are under increasing scrutiny, in part due to limited clinical trial evidence. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from the Strategies to Reduce Transmission of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Intensive Care Units (STAR*ICU) trial to model the use of contact precautions in individual intensive care units (ICUs). Data included admission and discharge times and surveillance test results. We used a transmission model to estimate key epidemiological parameters, including the effect of contact precautions on transmission. Finally, we performed multivariate meta-regression to identify ICU-level factors associated with contact precaution effects. Results We found that 21% of admissions (n = 2194) were placed on contact precautions, with most for MRSA and VRE. We found little evidence that contact precautions reduced MRSA transmission. The estimated change in transmission attributed to contact precautions was -16% (95% credible interval, -38% to 15%). VRE transmission was higher than MRSA transmission due to contact precautions, but not significantly. In our meta-regression, we did not identify associations between ICU-level factors and estimated contact precaution effects. Importation and transmission were higher for VRE than for MRSA, but clearance rates were lower for VRE than for MRSA. Conclusions We found little evidence that contact precautions implemented during the STAR*ICU trial reduced transmission of MRSA or VRE. We did find important differences in the transmission dynamics between MRSA and VRE. Differences in organism and healthcare setting may impact the efficacy of contact precautions.
Cardiovascular disease prevention in individuals with underlying chronic inflammatory disease.

Purpose of review Patients with chronic inflammatory disease have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This article reviews the current evidence of cardiovascular prevention in three common systemic inflammatory disorders (SIDs): psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Recent findings General population cardiovascular risk assessment tools currently underestimate cardiovascular risk and disease-specific risk assessment tools are an area of active investigation. A disease-specific cardiovascular risk estimator has not been shown to more accurately predict risk compared with the current guidelines. Rheumatoid arthritis-specific risk estimators have been shown to better predict cardiovascular risk in some cohorts and not others. Systemic lupus erythematosus-specific scores have also been proposed and require further validation, whereas psoriasis is an open area of active investigation. The current role of universal prevention treatment with statin therapy in patients with SID remains unclear. Aggressive risk factor modification and control of disease activity are important interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk. Summary A comprehensive approach that includes cardiovascular risk factor modification, control of systemic inflammation, and increased patient and physician awareness is needed in cardiovascular prevention of chronic inflammation. Clinical trials are currently underway to test whether disease-specific anti-inflammatory therapies will reduce cardiovascular risk.
Development of Breathable Pebax®/PEG Films for Optimization of the Shelf-Life of Fresh Agri-Food Products.

In this work, thin transparent breathable films were prepared for food packaging applications. The films were obtained by the solvent casting method from both the binary blends Pebax® MH1657 copolymer/ hydroxyl-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEGOH) and Pebax® MH1657/polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PEGDME) as well as the ternary blend Pebax® MH1657/PEGOH/PEGDME with a 50/50 and 37.5/62.5 PEGOH/PEGDME weight ratio for additive amounts comprised between 0 and 50 wt.%. The microstructure of these materials was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) analyses. Regardless of the PEG’s nature, for a PEG amount inferior to 30 wt.%, the Pebax® and PEG phases were totally miscible. For higher amounts, a phase separation was obtained. In the presence of PEG, a decrease in crystallinity was obtained. The effects of the nature and amount of PEG on the thermo-mechanical, hydration, and gas (CO2, O2) transport properties were investigated. A study of the film’s stability in terms of composition over time was also performed. From this work, a wide range of films could be proposed with a stable composition over time and adjustable mechanical and gas transport properties for the prolongation of the shelf-life of highly breathable fresh products.