cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Situational, Partner, and Contextual Factors Associated with Level of Risk at Most Recent Intercourse Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

African American men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States bear a disproportionate burden of HIV infection and disease incidence. 178 Black MSM provided detailed situational information concerning their most recent act of anal intercourse (AI) with a male partner including condom use, partner characteristics, serostatus disclosure, and substance use. Participants completed scales assessing AIDS-related as well as broader contextual domains. Most recent AI acts occurred with same-race partners outside of main relationships. Over one-third of AI acts were unprotected, and almost half of the unprotected acts were not between known HIV-concordant partners. Nearly half of men reported substance use before sex. In a multiple regression analysis, unprotected AI with a partner not known to be concordant was predicted by low risk reduction intentions and indicators of a casual relationship. The findings highlight issues and partner contexts associated with risk for contracting HIV infection among Black MSM.
Hexosamines as mediators of nutrient sensing and regulation in diabetes

Abstract High concentrations of glucose induce insulin resistance, impair insulin secretion, and affect hepatic glucose production in a manner that mirrors Type 2 diabetes, and hexosamines mimic many of these effects. This has led to the hypothesis that cells use hexosamine flux as a glucose- and satiety-sensing pathway. The hexosamine hypothesis for glucose sensing has been validated by overexpressing the rate-limiting enzyme for hexosamine synthesis, glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFA) in several tissues including muscle, liver, fat, and beta cells. With overexpression of GFA in transgenic animals, skeletal muscle becomes insulin resistant, the liver synthesizes excess fatty acid, and the beta cell secretes excess insulin leading to hyperinsulinemia. Thus, excess hexosamine flux leads to a coordinated response whereby fuel is shunted toward long-term storage, mirroring the “thrifty phenotype.” Chronically, however, these same adaptive changes result ultimately in obesity, hyperlipidemia, beta cell failure, and Type 2 diabetes. These results suggest a mechanism by which chronic overnutrition leads to the phenotype of Type 2 diabetes.
Predictive Relationships between Plant Morphological Traits and Biomass Yield in Switchgrass

Commercial viability of switchgrass () as a biofuel will require further improvements of biomass yield to improve sustainability. Direct selection for biomass yield in switchgrass has proven difficult due to the many factors influencing biomass yield. The identification of morphological traits associated with biomass yield could increase the efficiency of breeding efforts if these traits can be used as indirect selection criteria. By allowing increased screening and greater intensity of selection for biomass yield within spaced-plant nurseries, these results may impact how phenotypic selection is used for switchgrass cultivar development. The objective of this research was to identify morphological traits in parental plants that are predictive of biomass yield in progeny swards. Results of this research demonstrate the challenges of selecting for increased biomass yield in switchgrass within spaced-plant nurseries. Limited predictive ability was observed using individual and combinations of plant morphological traits. Comparisons of models with varying subsets of traits revealed common traits among the best predictive models including plant height, single-plant dry biomass, and second leaf width. Predictions of single-plant biomass, using the same set of morphological traits, revealed a large effect for tillering related traits. The observation that different traits affect biomass yield differently in the two planting types may indicate an effect of plant competition on the relationship of these traits with biomass yield. While these traits can help guide selections for a preferred plant ideotype, additional efforts to improve selection schemes for increasing biomass yield will be necessary for sustained genetic gain in switchgrass.
Bioactive phytochemicals in wheat: Extraction, analysis, processing, and functional properties

Abstract Whole wheat provides a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals namely, phenolic acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, alkylresorcinols, benzoxazinoids, phytosterols, and lignans. This review provides information on the distribution, extractability, analysis, and functional properties of bioactive phytochemicals present in wheat. Understanding the impact of processing on wheat phytochemicals allows us to develop improved processes with higher retention of bioactive compounds in processed wheat foods. Details of extraction, analytical methodologies and processing effects on bioactive phytochemicals in wheat are presented in tabulated form.
Spin-forbidden electronic transitions in non-planar aromatic amines

Abstract Evidence is presented which indicates that the direct spin—orbit coupling between low-lying ππ* states is largely responsible for the efficient S1 → T1 intersystem crossing and T1 → S0 radiative transition in non-planar aromatic amines.
Intravascular detection of inflamed atherosclerotic plaques using a fluorescent photosensitizer targeted to the scavenger receptor

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease. We have previously shown that the targeted photosensitizerchlorin (e6) conjugated with maleylated albumin (MA-ce6) is taken up by macrophagesvia the scavenger receptor with high selectivity. In a rabbit model of inflamed plaque in New Zealand white rabbits via balloon injury of the aorto-iliac arteries and high cholesterol diet we showed that the targeted conjugate showed specificity towards plaques compared to free ce6. We now show that an intravascular fiber-based spectrofluorimeter advanced along the -iliac vessel through blood detects 24-fold higher fluorescence in atherosclerotic vessels compared to control rabbits (p < 0.001 ANOVA). Within the same animals, signal derived from the injured iliac artery was 16-fold higher than the contralateral uninjured iliac (p < 0.001). Arteries were removed and selective accumulation of MA-ce6 in plaques was confirmed using: (1) surface spectrofluorimetry, (2) fluorescence extraction of ce6 from aortic segments, and (3) confocal microscopy. Immunohistochemical analysis of the specimens showed a significant correlation between MA-ce6 uptake and RAM-11 macrophage staining (R = 0.83, p < 0.001) and an inverse correlation between MA-ce6 uptake and smooth muscle cell staining (R = –0.74, p < 0.001). MA-ce6 may function as a molecular imaging agent to detect and/or photodynamically treat inflamed plaques.
Health Risk Assessment Practices in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Abstract The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates a wide variety of consumer products. Safety issues involve chemical and microbial contaminants in food, biologics, and medical devices; side effects from prescription and nonprescription drugs; residues of animal drugs in food; and radiation from electronic devices. Because of this wide diversity, the legal standards, rules, and policies governing the regulation of these products differ considerably. Hence, risk assessment and risk management practices within the FDA are of necessity quite diverse. This paper presents a summary of risk assessment practices at each of the product centers of the FDA (Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, and Center for Veterinary Medicine) and of the development of risk assessment procedures at the National Center for Toxicological Research.
Does bilingual experience affect early visual perceptual development

Visual attention and perception develop rapidly during the first few months after birth, and these behaviors are critical components in the development of language and cognitive abilities. Here we ask how early bilingual experiences might lead to differences in visual attention and perception. Experiments 1-3 investigated the looking behavior of monolingual and bilingual infants when presented with social (Experiment 1), mixed (Experiment 2), or non-social (Experiment 3) stimuli. In each of these experiments, infants' dwell times (DT) and number of fixations to areas of interest (AOIs) were analyzed, giving a sense of where the infants looked. To examine how the infants looked at the stimuli in a more global sense, Experiment 4 combined and analyzed the saccade data collected in Experiments 1-3. There were no significant differences between monolingual and bilingual infants' DTs, AOI fixations, or saccade characteristics (specifically, frequency, and amplitude) in any of the experiments. These results suggest that monolingual and bilingual infants process their visual environments similarly, supporting the idea that the substantial cognitive differences between monolinguals and bilinguals in early childhood are more related to active vocabulary production than perception of the environment.
Circuit-size lower bounds and non-reducibility to sparse sets

As remarked in Cook (“Towards a Complexity Theory of Synchronous Parallel Computation,≓ Univ. of Toronto, 1980), a nonlinear lower bound on the circuit-size of a language in P or even in NP is not known. The best known published lower bound seems to be due to Paul (“Proceedings, 7th ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing,≓ 1975). In this paper it is shown first that for each nonnegative integer k there is a language L k in σ 2 ⌢ π 2 (of the Meyer and Stockmeyer (“Proceedings, 13th IEEE Symposium on Switching and Automata Theory,≓ 1972) hierarchy) which does not have O( n k )-size circuits. Using the same techniques, one is able to prove several similar results. For example, it is shown that for each nonnegative integer k , there is a language L k in NP that does not have O( n k )-size uniform circuits. This follows as a corollary of a stronger result shown in the paper. This result like the others to follow is not provable by direct diagonalization. It thus points to the most interesting feature of the techniques used hereby using the polynomial-time hierarchy, they are able to prove results about NP that cannot seem to proved by direct diagonalization. Finally, it is noted that existence of “small circuits≓ is in suitable contexts equivalent to being reducible to sparse sets. Using this, one is able to prove, for example, that for any time-constructible superpolynomial function f ( n ), NTIME( f ( n )) contains a language which is not many-to-one p -time reducible to any sparse set.
Aortic Valve and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Replacement Using Allograft and Autograft Valves: A Preliminary Report

A comparison of allograft and autograft (pulmonary) replacement of the aortic valve has, to our knowledge, not been done in America. Fifty-seven patients (age range, 2 to 70 years; mean age, 30 years) underwent 59 operations for replacement of the aortic valve (20) or entire left ventricular outflow tract (39) using autograft (35) or allograft (24) valves. Many had undergone a previous operation (25) or had concomitant procedures (13). Postoperative mortality was 8.5% (5/59). Two deaths occurred in the allograft group and three in the more complex pulmonary autograft group. One late death occurred. One autograft was replaced with an allograft 7 months postoperatively for severe aortic regurgitation. There have been no episodes of either endocarditis or thromboembolism. Forty-nine of 51 survivors are in New York Heart Association class I. Preliminary results suggest that congenital or acquired disease of the left ventricular outflow tract and aortic valve can be safely and effectively treated with either allograft or autograft valve transplantation.
Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of neurologic disease in dogs: a retrospective study.

Background: Diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities in dogs can be challenging antemortem. Historically, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis has been used for routine diagnostic evaluation of animals with suspected neurologic disease; however, with increasing availability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the need for concurrent CSF analysis may be questioned. Objective: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess and compare the diagnostic information contributed from MR imaging and CSF analysis in a population of dogs presenting with neurologic disease. Methods: Results of concurrent MR imaging and CSF analysis were evaluated in dogs presented for neurologic diseases. Based on clinical diagnosis, the sensitivity of CSF analysis and MR imaging for detecting a nervous system abnormality was calculated. Dogs with diagnoses confirmed by other diagnostic modalities were also evaluated separately. Results: A total of 256 dogs were included in the study. For clinical diagnoses in which abnormalities were expected, MR imaging abnormalities were found in 89% and CSF abnormalities in 75% of dogs; CSF abnormalities were more common than MR imaging abnormalities only in inflammatory CNS disease. The majority of CSF abnormalities were nonspecific; an etiologic diagnosis was determined in only 2% of CSF samples. MR imaging excelled in detecting structural disorders, revealing 98% of vertebral abnormalities. In confirmed cases (n555), 76% of MR images and 9% of CSF samples were diagnostic. When intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) and vertebral malformation were excluded from analysis (n516 remaining), 25% of MR images and 6% of CSF cytology results were highly indicative of the confirmed diagnoses; CSF titer results provided the diagnosis in 25% of these cases. Conclusion: CSF analysis may not be necessary when MR findings of IVDD or vertebral malformation/instability are obvious; however, when the cause of neurologic disorder is uncertain, concurrent MR imaging and CSF analysis provides the greatest assistance in establishing a clinical diagnosis. (Vet Clin Pathol. 2006;35:315‐320) � 2006 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Reduced Heart Rate Variability Among Youth With Type 1 Diabetes The SEARCH CVD study

OBJECTIVE This study compared heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in youth with and without type 1 diabetes and explored potential contributors of altered HRV. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS HRV parameters were measured among 354 youth with type 1 diabetes (mean age 18.8 years, diabetes duration 9.8 years, and mean A1C 8.9%) and 176 youth without diabetes (mean age 19.2 years) participating in the SEARCH CVD study. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between diabetes status and HRV parameters, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS Compared with control subjects, youth with type 1 diabetes had reduced overall HRV (10.09 ms lower SD of NN intervals [SDNN]) and markers of parasympathetic loss (13.5 ms reduced root mean square successive difference of NN intervals [RMSSD] and 5.2 normalized units (n.u.) reduced high frequency [HF] power) with sympathetic override (5.2 n.u. increased low frequency [LF] power), independent of demographic, anthropometric, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Older age, female sex, higher LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and presence of microalbuminuria were independently associated with lower HRV but did not account for the observed differences between youth with and without diabetes. Youth with type 1 diabetes and A1C levels ≥7.5% had significantly worse HRV parameters than control subjects; however, in youth with optimal glycemic control (A1C <7.5%), HRV parameters did not differ significantly from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Youth with type 1 diabetes have signs of early cardiac autonomic neuropathy: reduced overall HRV and parasympathetic loss with sympathetic override. The main driver of these subclinical abnormalities appears to be hyperglycemia.
Moderate hypothermia induces marked increase in levels and nuclear accumulation of SUMO2/3‐conjugated proteins in neurons

Deep hypothermia protects the brain from ischemic damage and is therefore used during major cardiovascular surgeries requiring cardiopulmonary bypass and a period of circulatory arrest. Here, we demonstrated that small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO1-3) conjugation is markedly activated in the brain during deep to moderate hypothermia. Animals were subjected to normothermic (37°C) or deep to moderate (18°C, 24°C, 30°C) hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, and the effects of hypothermia on SUMO conjugation were evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Exposure to moderate 30°C hypothermia was sufficient to markedly increase levels and nuclear accumulation of SUMO2/3-conjugated proteins in these cells. Deep hypothermia induced nuclear translocation of the SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9, suggesting that the increase in nuclear levels of SUMO2/3-conjugated proteins observed in brains of hypothermic animals is an active process. Exposure of primary neuronal cultures to deep hypothermia induced only a moderate rise in levels of SUMO2/3-conjugated proteins. This suggests that neurons in vivo have a higher capacity than neurons in vitro to activate this endogenous potentially neuroprotective pathway upon exposure to hypothermia. Identifying proteins that are SUMO2/3 conjugated during hypothermia could help to design new strategies for preventive and therapeutic interventions to make neurons more resistant to a transient interruption of blood supply.
Link availability modeling for routing algorithms to reduce the link break time in MANETs

In the design of mobile ad hoc networks, a challenging problem is how to route information reliably and efficiently from one node to another in moderate to high level of mobility. In this paper, we propose a new routing protocol, called link effective available time (LEAT) routing. First, we propose a method to find the link available time during an epoch by measuring the distances between the two nodes of a mobile link, instead of using complete localization information. Second, in order to reduce the link breakage, we propose a new link cost for routing, i.e., the product of the available time and availability of a link. Based on the new cost, the routing is formulated as an optimal routing problem, for which a heuristic algorithm is developed. Simulation results have demonstrated that LEAT significantly reduces link breakages while maintains network performance in delay, hopcounts and throughput, as compared to the existing routing algorithms.
Extended Fourth-Order Depth-Integrated Model for Water Waves and Currents Generated by Submarine Landslides

In this paper, a preexisting higher-order depth-integrated wave propagation model is extended to include a moving seabed. As a result, the extended model can be applied to both wave propagation and the dynamic process of wave generation by a seabed disturbance such as a submarine landslide. The model has the linear dispersion relation in a form of (4,4) Pade approximant, and approximates the water velocity profiles along the water depth with a fourth-order polynomial of the vertical coordinates. The fourth-order model is aimed at extending the validity of the lower-order depth-integrated models from long waves to both long and shorter waves, as well as improving the approximation of the velocity field from the second order to the fourth order. Laboratory experiments are carried out in a wave flume to study wave generation by a submerged landslide model. Both water waves and water velocities are measured by using resistance-type wave gauges and a particle image velocimetry. The experimental data are then compared with the predicted wave height and water current based on the new model and two existing lower-order Boussinesq-type models. The results clearly show that the new model predicts the fluid velocity more accurately and is also able to predict the shorter trailing waves very well where the traditional Boussinesq model may be inadequate, thus validating the improvement provided by the fourth-order model.
Evaluating porcelain color match of different porcelain shade-matching systems.

Purpose: This in vitro study was designed to evaluate the new ShadeEye-EX Chroma Meter and a new visual porcelain shade-matching system (Vitapan 3-D Master, Omega 900) in comparison to the traditionally used visual porcelain shade-matching system (Vita Lumin Vacuum, VMK 68). Materials and Methods: Shade matches and porcelain fabrications on individualized shade tabs were carried out. The fabricated porcelain tabs were evaluated against the respective natural tooth using the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria to determine clinically acceptable match. The tabs also were ranked according to the final-color match to the corresponding natural tooth. Results: The percentage of clinically acceptable color matches were as follows: Vita Lumin Vacuum (46.67%), ShadeEye-EX (40%), and Vitapan 3-D Master (56.67%). The generalized estimating equation (α= 0.5) showed no statistically significant difference between systems in obtaining a clinically acceptable match (p= .5729). The chi-squared test (α= 0.5) showed no statistically significant difference between systems in terms of rank order (p= .5017). The two new systems do not produce color match that is better than the conventional visual porcelain shade-matching system. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Both the shade-matching environment and communication between dentist and technician should be optimized with use of visual and instrumental shade-matching systems.
Exercise testing early after myocardial infarction: Historic perspective and current uses

Abstract Exercise testing performed earlier than six weeks post-MI is accepted as “standard” medical practice. Although both heart rate-limited and symptom-limited exercise protocols are used with nearly equal frequency, the latter appears more valuable because the prognostic yield is greater without sacrificing patient safety. Treadmill or cycle ergometers are the preferred modes of testing because of higher exercise work loads imposed and increased sensitivity and specificity or results. The physiologic exercise responses to graded work loads among these acute MI survivors include a mean maximal heart rate range of 118 to 136 beats/min, a peak systolic blood pressure between 137 and 170 mmHg, a mean peak double product from 16,000 to 22,400, and a mean maximal work load between 4.8 and 7.0 METS. Exercise findings which are most clinically useful are (1) greater than 1 mm ST segment depression from rest level, (2) presence of angina pectoris during exercise, (3) decrease in systolic blood pressure with increasing work, (4) presence of complex or frequent VEBs, and (5) exercise tolerance less than 4 METS. These exercise findings identify, in recent post-MI survivors, groups of patients that have significantly different estimated future cardiac morbidity and mortality rates. The most consistent indices of multi-vessel coronary heart disease are ST segment depression, angina pectoris, and poor exercise tolerance. The most important role of stress testing in this period post-MI is identification of individuals who urgently need evaluation for coronary bypass surgery. In addition to risk stratification, exercise testing provides valuable information regarding exercise prescription for cardiac rehabilitation, direct psychologic benefit for resuming an active lifestyle, and motivation for exercise participation. Although safety of the early post-MI stress test has not been systematically studies, reports from individual studies indicated low morbidity and mortality. Attesting to this is the frequency with which it is performed as a routine office procedure. Finally, there has been a growing use of this procedure not only among cardiologists but also among internists and family practice physicians.
Convergence and Plasticity of Monoaminergic Systems in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex during the Postnatal Period: Implications for the Development of Psychopathology

A variety of observations have suggested that the dopamine and serotonin systems may play a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of major mental disorders of childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. A recent triple immunofluorescence study has demonstrated a convergence of serotonin and dopamine fibers onto both pyramidal cells and GABAergic interneurons in the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFCx). These findings are consistent with the results of an electrophysiological study conducted in another laboratory that suggested such a relationship exists in the pyriform cortex of the rodent brain. During postnatal development, the dopamine system shows a progressive ingrowth of fibers into this region that continues until the early adult period. In contrast, GABAergic neurons appear to complete their postnatal maturation by the fourth postnatal week (the early post-weanling period). As dopamine fibers infiltrate the rat mPFCx, they progressively increase their interaction with neural elements within the neuropil and with the cell bodies of both pyramidal cells and GABAergic interneurons. This process appears to be influenced by the serotonin system, since lesioning of the nucleus raphe dorsalis during the neonatal period results in a significant increase of dopamine fibers. This finding suggests that lesions of the serotonin system induce plasticity of the cortical dopamine system; however, it is not known whether this inferred suppressive effect of serotonin fibers occurs at brainstem levels or within the mPFCx itself. Taken together, these various studies suggest that the convergence of dopamine and serotonin fiber systems on intrinsic cortical neurons shows considerable plasticity during postnatal life that could theoretically contribute to the development of ‘miswired’ circuits in individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders.
Site identification challenges in dermatologic surgery: a physician survey.

Background Previous single-institution studies have shown that patients and physicians struggle to identify biopsy sites requiring surgery on the day of treatment. To date no studies have been done to assess if this is a widespread challenge faced by many dermatologic surgeons. Objective We sought to determine if site identification is an issue among Mohs surgeons, and to determine which practice environments have the best supplementary data available to surgeons for site localization. Methods We conducted an online survey of 722 members of the American College of Mohs Surgery inquiring about site identification and documentation typically received from referring physicians. Results Of 325 surveys completed (45% response rate), 71% reported that more than 5% of their patients have difficulty identifying their surgery site. The majority (89%) responded that a photograph is most useful for identifying biopsy sites. Surgeons in academic centers and multispecialty group practices were more likely to receive a photograph versus those in private practice. Limitations Individual survey responses may be subject to recall bias. Conclusion Difficulty identifying biopsy sites needing surgery is a common challenge faced by Mohs surgeons. The majority of Mohs surgeons surveyed find photographs the most useful documentation for decreasing the risk of wrong-site dermatologic surgery.
Action-oriented community diagnosis: a health education tool.

Health education research and practice have found individuals' health decisions and behaviors to be related to their perceptions of need. It has also been found that physical, social, and political conditions generated by one's community can exert important influences on individuals' ability to act on the basis of need. It appears that conducting a needs assessment is a necessary component of program planning, but the information is not sufficient for designing sustainable interventions. An Action-Oriented Community Diagnosis procedure has been developed over several years to: 1) identify normative and comparative needs determined by service agencies as well as expressed and perceived needs experienced by clients; 2) assess community conditions contributing to collective competence as well as the barriers and gaps contributing to disease and illness; and 3) increase collective competence of communities and agencies to collaborate in defining problems and needs. One of the many health education projects th...
Heterogeneity of Peer‐rejected Girls

Heterogeneity within a sample of 46 peer-rejected 8–10-year-old girls was investigated using cluster analysis procedures. Rejected girls were identified using rating sociometrics, and peer and teacher behavior rating measures were obtained. 2 large clusters emerged from the analysis, with one of these being more deviant than the other. The more deviant group was characterized by withdrawal, anxiety, and low academic functioning. In contrast to findings previously reported for boys, aggression scores did not differentiate the 2 clusters. Thus, it does not appear that the use of a combination of aggression and rejection criteria identifies the most deviant group of girls.
Childhood Family Adversity and the Quality of Marital Relationships in Young Adulthood

This article examines the intervening pathways linking parental marital disruption and childhood family conflict with the quality of early adult marriages, using data from a panel study of young adults in the Boston metropolitan area (N = 230). Although parental divorce during childhood was not significantly related to the quality of marital relationships in young adulthood, childhood family conflict was strongly related to several measures of later marital quality. The early adult consequences of childhood family conflict were explained to some extent by the level of conflict in adolescent dating relationships, suggesting considerable continuity in relationships over time.
MicroRNA in Cardiovascular Calcification: Focus on Targets and Extracellular Vesicle Delivery Mechanisms

Cardiovascular calcification is a prominent feature of chronic inflammatory disorders-such as chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis-that associate with significant morbidity and mortality. The concept that similar pathways control both bone remodeling and vascular calcification is widely accepted, but the precise mechanisms of calcification remain largely unknown. The central role of microRNAs (miRNA) as fine-tune regulators in the cardiovascular system and bone biology has gained acceptance and has raised the possibility for novel therapeutic targets. Additionally, circulating miRNAs have been proposed as biomarkers for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, but knowledge of miRNA biology in cardiovascular calcification is very limited. This review focuses on the role of miRNAs in cardiovascular disease, with emphasis on osteogenic processes. Herein, we discuss the current understanding of miRNAs in cardiovascular calcification. Furthermore, we identify a set of miRNAs common to diseases associated with cardiovascular calcification (chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis), and we hypothesize that these miRNAs may provide a molecular signature for calcification. Finally, we discuss this novel hypothesis with emphasis on known biological and pathological osteogenic processes (eg, osteogenic differentiation, release of calcifying matrix vesicles). The aim of this review is to provide an organized discussion of the known links between miRNA and calcification that provide emerging concepts for future studies on miRNA biology in cardiovascular calcification, which will be critical for developing new therapeutic strategies.
Variations in Internal Color of Cooked Beef Patties

Seventeen commercially prepared patty formulations were cooked to internal temperature 71°C. Pink cooked color occurred in eight of the products and was due to incomplete denaturation of myoglobin. Although there was some relation between pH and cooked color, other factors seemed to be involved. When products were re-analyzed after 1 yr storage at -27°C, sixteen products were red/pink when cooked to 71°C. This increase in redness after frozen storage could not be explained. Cooking to internal temperatures between 81 and 87°C was necessary for complete disappearance of red/pink color. Premature browning, where a product looks well-done at temperatures lower than 71°C, occurred in one formulation.
A network-based telemetry architecture developed for the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory

Underwater observatories with real-time data and virtually unlimited power transmission capabilities compared to traditional oceanographic moorings are beginning to provide scientists with continuous access to the coastal and open ocean. However, for any coastal observatory to serve as a cost-effective system for the collection of long-term scientific and environmental data, it must have a simple, upgradeable power and telemetry system and an instrument interface that is compatible with existing standards. It must be designed for extended environmental exposure and ease of service to avoid high maintenance costs. Most importantly, the observatory must be accessible to all potential users, including students, scientists, engineers, and policy makers. This strategy was applied to the design of the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory on the south shore of the island of Martha's Vineyard. The new facility, and in particular its system architecture, as developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution with support from the National Science Foundation, are described.
SELECTIVE FORAGING AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION OF HIGH-ELEVATION YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOTS (MARMOTA FLAVIVENTRIS )

We examined diet composition, choice of foraging areas, and distribution of food (vegetation) of a high-elevation (3,800 m) population of yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) in the White Mountains of California. Marmots overwhelmingly ingested forbs over graminoids (grasses, sedges, and rushes) and particularly ingested clover (Trifolium andersonii) despite its rarity. Although suitable marmot habitat is continuous at this site, marmot food plants were distributed in clumps. Areas in which marmots concentrated their foraging contained a disproportionate amount of clover compared with its abundance in the study site. Possible explanations for the choice of forbs over graminoids included the higher water content of forbs. Clumped food distribution has implications for foraging strategies and social behavior.
Velocity Overshoot Dynamics in GaAs up to 200 kV/cm Observed Using Terahertz Radiation

Transient velocity overshoot dynamics in GaAs have been studied at electric fields up to 200 kV/cm using a terahertz radiation technique.
Standing Wave Design and Optimization of Nonlinear Four-Zone Thermal Simulated Moving Bed Systems

The standing wave design (SWD) and optimization method are developed for the first time for nonlinear thermal simulated moving bed (SMB) systems with significant mass-transfer effects. The design method was verified using computer simulations for two systems. The adsorption isotherms of fructose/glucose and p-xylene/toluene systems have weak and strong temperature dependence, respectively. The results show that nonlinear thermal SMB systems can simultaneously produce pure solvent as well as concentrated, high-purity products from dilute feeds. The condition that allows for production of pure solvent is determined from local equilibrium analysis. Optimization of ten decision variables to achieve minimum solvent consumption and maximum productivity takes less than 5 min using a laptop computer. The fructose/glucose thermal SMB system products are increased by >25% with solvent consumption decreased 2-fold. The p-xylene/toluene thermal SMB system product concentrations can be increased 10-fold while simultan...
Dimensional analysis in mathematical biology I. General discussion

Dimensional analysis is discussed from the viewpoint of its basic group properties and shown to be an algebraic Abelian group that is useful for analysis of physical measurements. The application of the method to various types of equations and the formulation of previously unclassified dimensions are discussed. Functional dimensional analysis is applied to the problems of cell size and biomass proliferation; future applications are also noted. A number of dimensionless terms have been formulated for cellular physiochemical phenomena. They apparently represent the first systematic study of biological dimensionless numbers recorded in the literature. A dimensionless proliferation law is suggested. A brief analysis of the physical dimensionality associated with information measures is carried out. Entropy and “information” are shown to be completely different in their dimensional meaning; other informational measures of possible interest in biology are proposed. The dimensional coding and computor analysis of biomathematical equations is suggested.
Thinking Big When Funding Is Local: Assessing the Potential of Local Option Transportation Funding in a Multi-Jurisdictional Context

Insufficient federal transportation funds have forced counties and cities to propose local taxes to fund new transportation, meaning poor coordination across jurisdictions. This article examines si...
Reactions of Group 3 Metals with OF2: Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Investigations of the Group 3 Oxydifluoride OMF2 and Oxyfluoride OMF Molecules

The oxidifluoride molecules, OYF2 and OLaF2, are produced via the reactions of laser ablated metal atoms with OF2 in solid argon. The product structures are characterized using matrix isolation inf...
Optical Mammography: Imaging breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Optical mammograms were obtained on 7 patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. When therapy was 30% complete, patients achieving a high pathologic response had a lower oxy-hemoglobin decrease compared to those with extensive disease remaining.
Municipal solid waste landfills harbor distinct microbiomes

Landfills are the final repository for most of the discarded material from human society and its "built environments." Microorganisms subsequently degrade this discarded material in the landfill, releasing gases (largely CH4 and CO2) and a complex mixture of soluble chemical compounds in leachate. Characterization of "landfill microbiomes" and their comparison across several landfills should allow the identification of environmental or operational properties that influence the composition of these microbiomes and potentially their biodegradation capabilities. To this end, the composition of landfill microbiomes was characterized as part of an ongoing USGS national survey studying the chemical composition of leachates from 19 non-hazardous landfills across 16 states in the continental U.S. The landfills varied in parameters such as size, waste composition, management strategy, geography, and climate zone. The diversity and composition of bacterial and archaeal populations in leachate samples were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and compared against a variety of physical and chemical parameters in an attempt to identify their impact on selection. Members of the Epsilonproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridia, and candidate division OP3 were the most abundant. The distribution of the observed phylogenetic diversity could best be explained by a combination of variables and was correlated most strongly with the concentrations of chloride and barium, rate of evapotranspiration, age of waste, and the number of detected household chemicals. This study illustrates how leachate microbiomes are distinct from those of other natural or built environments, and sheds light on the major selective forces responsible for this microbial diversity.
Seismic illumination analysis and its applications in seismic survey design

Given the subsurface background velocity,seismic illumination analysis simulates the detecting capability of a specific acquisition system to subsurface targets.Based on the wave theory,we present the basic concept and detailed algorithms for illumination analysis.To quantify the problem,all major factors affecting the illumination,i.e.,acquisition geometry,overburden structure,and the target dipping angle,are included into consideration.We start from decomposing both incident and scattering waves into local angle domain and formulating the local illumination matrix,which is composed of illumination contributions from all possible incidence/scattering directions at the target location.Based on the illumination matrix,we investigate interactions between incident/scattering waves and the target in local angle domain,and derive illuminations for various purposes,including the volumetric illumination,target oriented illumination,target illumination angle coverage,and the visibility calculation.A group of numerical examples are presented to demonstrate how illuminations are actually calculated along with their wide applications.Finally,the application of illumination analysis in seismic survey design is discussed.
Informatics for Translation: A Semiotic Analysis of AMIA 2008 Papers

Translation has two phases: (a) the generation of information, and (b) its application. These phases are reflected in the vision of AMIA 2008 and 2009 Annual Symposia: From Foundations to Applications to Policy. They are also the two phases of the semiotic cycle, each consisting of morphologics, syntactics, semantics, and pragmatics. The resulting eight semiotic steps are necessary for effective translation. The author analyzed the loci of all the 180 papers in the AMIA 2008 Annual Symposium Proceedings in these eight steps. He found that more papers emphasized generation than application. Within generation, most papers focused on syntactics followed by morphologics, semantics, and pragmatics. This distribution represents the state-of-informatics-research if the AMIA 2008 papers are representative of that research. Interpreted in the context of the theme of the symposium the most frequent focus is on the foundations with significantly less frequent focus on applications and policy. These foci will have to be evaluated and rebalanced if informatics has to become an effective tool for translation.
Abstract IA16: SWI/SNF (BAF) complex mutations in cancer

Data emerging over the last several years implicate the SWI/SNF (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex as a major tumor suppressor as frequent inactivating mutations in at least eight SWI/SNF subunits have been identified in a variety of cancers. These include inactivating mutations of the gene encoding the ARID1A (BAF250a) subunit in ovarian, endometrioid, bladder, stomach, colorectal and pancreatic cancers; of the PBRM1 (BAF180) subunit in renal carcinomas; of the ARID2 subunit in hepatocellular, lung, and pancreas carcinomas as well as melanomas; of the BRD7 subunit in breast cancers; and of the BRG1 (SMARCA4) subunit in non-small cell lung cancers, medulloblastomas and ovarian small cell carcinomas. The SWI/SNF complex includes both core and lineage-specific subunits and utilizes the energy of ATP to modulate chromatin structure and regulate transcription. My laboratory began studying the SWI/SNF complex when the SNF5 (SMARCB1/INI1/BAF47) subunit was first identified as a tumor suppressor over a decade ago when it was found to be recurrently and specifically inactivated in a highly aggressive type of pediatric cancer called malignant rhabdoid tumor. We now study the complex using mouse models, cell lines and primary human tumor samples. Our goals are to elucidate the normal function of the complex, identify the mechanisms by which subunit mutations drive cancer formation, and utilize this insight to identify and develop novel therapeutic approaches. Insights into the normal function of SWI/SNF complexes, the mechanisms by which mutation of the complexes drive cancer formation, and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities created by mutation of the complex will be presented. Citation Format: Charles W. M. Roberts. SWI/SNF (BAF) complex mutations in cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Developmental Biology and Cancer; Nov 30-Dec 3, 2015; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(4_Suppl):Abstract nr IA16.
Documentation of time expenditures of clinical dietitians: results of a statewide time study in Texas.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to establish a profile of the amount of time expended by clinical dietitians in providing nutrition services. One hundred twenty-seven dietitians in 49 hospitals in Texas collected time data according to nutrition care activity, diet order classification, care level, and diagnosis. Frequency, mean time, standard deviation, and percentage of time were computed for each of the variables. Data were analyzed to ascertain relationships among the variables. The dietitians expended 50.7% of their time performing client-related activities, 9.8% in administrative/managerial functions, 1.0% in professional activities, 5.1% in non-professional activities, 14.0% in delay activities, and 19.5% in transit time. The diet order classification that required the largest amount of the dietitians' time according to selected components of the nutrition care process was the calorie-controlled diabetic diet. Among the four nutrition care levels, dietitians expended the greatest percentages of time providing services for patients requiring intermediate (35.4%) and advanced intermediate care (30.4%). Dietitians expended more time providing client-related activities to patients diagnosed with diseases and disorders of the endocrine and excretory systems than to other patients. Mean times provide the clinical manager with documentation for determining staffing needs and costs of services. J Am Diet Assoc 88:38, 1988.
Acute Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction (Ogilvie’s Syndrome) Complicating Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

AbstractWe report 3 cases of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction in the immediate post-radical retropubic prostatectomy patient. We have not found this syndrome reported in this clinical setting, and suggest that it results from an imbalance in the autonomic innervation of the distal colon secondary to noxious afferent parasympathetic stimulation from the region of the prostate gland. Treatment guidelines are summarized stressing early recognition and conservative management of this potentially fatal complication.
Collagen Metabolism Biomarkers and Health Related Quality of Life in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Collagen Metabolism Biomarkers and Health Related Quality of Life in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the association between collagen metabolism biomarkers and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in PAH patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 68 stable idiopathic, anorexigen-associated, and hereditary PAH subjects and 37 healthy controls. Serum samples were analyzed for N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), c-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CITP), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLWHF), EQ-5D (EQ-5D), Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR) and Short Form (SF-36) general health survey were administered at the time of blood draw. General linear models, as well as logistic regression models were used to assess associations between variables. Results: CITP, PIIINP, MMP9, and TIMP1 levels, and all HRQoL domains were significantly different between controls and PAH patients (p<0.001 for each). Interestingly, PIIINP levels were significantly associated with MLWHF physical (coef=1.63, and p=0.02), SF-36 physical (coef=-2.93, p=0.004), and EQ-5D aggregate (coef=0.34, p=0.001) scores. Several of the CAMPHOR scores strongly linearly associated with PIIINP. The odds of obtaining a walk distance ≥330 meters decrease by 38% per unit increase in PIIINP (OR=0.62; 95% CI=0.43, 0.90) and a PIIINP cutoff of 5.53 μg/L provided 81% sensitivity and 82% specificity. Conclusions: PIIINP is the best predictor of disease severity, and is strongly related to HRQoL scores in PAH patients. These relationships suggest PIIINP as a promising tool for PAH clinicians to determine or confirm the level of disease severity.