cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Element mobilization and immobilization from carbonate rocks between CO2 storage reservoirs and the overlying aquifers during a potential CO2 leakage.

Abstract Despite the numerous studies on changes within the reservoir following CO2 injection and the effects of CO2 release into overlying aquifers, little or no literature is available on the effect of CO2 release on rock between the storage reservoirs and subsurface. This is important, because the interactions that occur in this zone between the CO2 storage reservoir and the subsurface may have a significant impact on risk analysis for CO2 storage projects. To address this knowledge gap, relevant rock materials, temperatures and pressures were used to study mineralogical and elemental changes in this intermediate zone. After rocks reacted with CO2-acidified 0.01 M NaCl, liquid analysis showed an increase of major elements (e.g., Ca and Mg) and variable concentrations of potential contaminants (e.g., Sr and Ba); lower aqueous concentrations of these elements were observed in N2 control experiments, likely due to differences in pH between the CO2 and N2 experiments. In experiments with As/Cd and/or organic spikes, representing potential contaminants in the CO2 plume originating in the storage reservoir, most or all of these contaminants were removed from the aqueous phase. SEM and Mossbauer spectroscopy results showed the formation of new minerals and Fe oxides in some CO2-reacted samples, indicating potential for contaminant removal through mineral incorporation or adsorption onto Fe oxides. These experiments show the interactions between the CO2-laden plume and the rock between storage reservoirs and overlying aquifers have the potential to affect the level of risk to overlying groundwater, and should be considered during site selection and risk evaluation.
MicroRNA-target gene responses to root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) infection in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large class of small regulatory RNA molecules, however no study has been performed to elucidate the role of miRNAs in cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) response to the root knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne incognit a) infection. We selected 28 miRNAs and 8 miRNA target genes to investigate the miRNA-target gene response to M. incognita infection. Our results show that RKN infection significantly affected the expression of several miRNAs and their targeted genes. After 10 days of RKN infection, expression fold changes on miRNA expressions ranged from down-regulated by 33% to upregulated by 406%; meanwhile the expression levels of miRNA target genes were 45.8% to 231%. Three miRNA-target pairs, miR159-MYB, miR319-TCP4 and miR167-ARF8, showed inverse expression patterns between gene targets and their corresponded miRNAs, suggesting miRNA-mediated gene regulation in cotton roots in response to RKN infection.
Impacting diabetes self-management in women with gestational diabetes mellitus using short messaging reminders.

ABSTRACT:Background and purpose:Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been associated with multiple complications, including increase risk of gestational hypertension, cesarean delivery, macrosomia, stillbirth, and preeclampsia. The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptability of text
Evaluation and Management of Dizziness in the Older Patient

The increased prevalence of dizziness with advancing age is the result of specific disease processes superimposed on normal aging physiology. The first step in evaluating dizziness in older persons is a careful clinical history, focusing on the type, temporal pattern, onset, associated symptoms, and the patient's overall physical health. Common dizziness problems in this age group are postural dizziness without postural hypotension, positional vertigo, cerebrovascular disease, a variety of acute and recurrent labyrinthine problems, neck problems, physical deconditioning, and medications. Often, multiple problems coexist, and secondary psychologic disability results. Treatment should aim at identifying and managing remediable problems.
The Far-Eastern Mountains

The Transantarctic Mountains extend to the east beyond the Ohio Range for at least 1,300 km. This far-eastern segment of the Transantarctic Mountains in Fig. 8.1 includes the Thiel Mountains, the Pensacola Moun­tains, the Argentina Range, the Wichaway Nunataks, the Shackleton Range, and the Theron Mountains. These mountain ranges are separated from each other by large distances covered by the East Antarctic ice sheet. In spite of the remote location of these far-eastern mountains, all of them have been studied in the field by teams of geologists.
Globalization of clinical trials how should we interpret differences in outcomes

Over the last 3 decades, clinical trials have become increasingly globalized. This has especially been the case for cardiovascular outcomes trials. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, but foremost is the growing size and length of clinical heart failure trials. For example, the modern era of
Neural network-based PID compensation for nonlinear systems: ball-on-plate example

In this paper, a neural network (NN)-based feedback controller is proposed in order to compensate for the errors caused by using an approximated dynamic model in controller design. The controller consists of two subcontrollers working in parallel: base linear controller and NN-based PID compensator. The former can be any controller that is easily designed based on the system’s linearized or simplified model. The latter is based on a PID controller with adjustable gains and a neural network is used to update the PID gains during control process, aiming to compensate for the nonlinear effects ignored in the base controller. The performance of the proposed controller is demonstrated with a ball-on-plate system built for this study. Approximate feedback linearization is used to design the base controller in this work and the NN-based PID compensator is used in parallel. Simulation and experimental results that achieve better stabilization and trajectory tracking performance are provided and discussed.
CHAPTER 6 – Series Resistances, Part III: Bad Grounds

Many electrical circuits have one side of the power supply attached to the ground. One reason for doing this is that the device often includes some kind of a large conductor—such as a metal cabinet—and the designer might as well make use of it to be one of the two necessary conductors, just as a convenience. A second reason for using the ground is for safety. This chapter presents a case of bad grounding using a circuit and also provides preventive measures. The chapter also discusses chassis, which is usually a flat plane of aluminum metal on which many components like resistors, lamp bulbs etc. are mounted. In the recently made circuits, the chassis is more often a thin copper film attached to a plastic printed wiring board instead of being thicker self–supporting aluminum. Simultaneous switching noise (SSN) experiment and ground loops experiment are also explained in the chapter. The SSN is also known as common impedance coupling (CIC) in music recording and playback.
Multi-drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium bacteraemia in a liver transplant recipient.

Introduction. Enterococcus faecium is a commensal organism commonly colonizing the human gastrointestinal tract. Although it is generally a non-virulent organism, E. faecium can cause significant morbidity and mortality due to its inherent and acquired resistances to commonly used antimicrobials. Patients who are immunosuppressed are particularly vulnerable. Case presentation. A 65–75-year-old patient with a history of an orthotopic liver transplant for hepatitis C infection and diabetes was re-admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain and fever. The patient had several recent admissions related to the presentation reported here, which included treatment with a prolonged course of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The patient was found to have a recurrent liver abscess and blood cultures grew vancomycin-resistant E. faecium, non-susceptible to all tested agents: ampicillin, penicillin, vancomycin, daptomycin and linezolid. The patient was started initially on chloramphenicol intravenously while awaiting additional susceptibility testing, which ultimately revealed chloramphenicol non-susceptibility. Tigecycline was started but the patient ultimately decided to pursue hospice care. Conclusion. Multi-drug-resistant organisms are increasingly being recognized and are associated with poorer outcomes, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. We describe a particularly resistant organism and discuss potential therapeutic options.
Optic Nerve Head Astrocytes Display Axon-Dependent and -Independent Reactivity in Response to Acutely Elevated Intraocular Pressure.

Purpose Optic nerve head (ONH) astrocytes provide support for axons, but exhibit structural and functional changes (termed reactivity) in a number of glaucoma models. The purpose of this study was to determine if ONH astrocyte structural reactivity is axon-dependent. Methods Using rats, we combine retrobulbar optic nerve transection (ONT) with acute controlled elevation of intraocular pressure (CEI), to induce total optic nerve axon loss and ONH astrocyte reactivity, respectively. Animals were euthanized immediately or 1 day post CEI, in the presence or absence of ONT. ONH sections were labeled with fluorescent-tagged phalloidin and antibodies against β3 tubulin, phosphorylated cortactin, phosphorylated paxillin, or complement C3. ONH label intensities were quantified after confocal microscopy. Retrobulbar nerves were assessed for axon injury by light microscopy. Results While ONT alone had no effect on ONH astrocyte structural orientation, astrocytes demonstrated significant reorganization of cellular extensions within hours after CEI, even when combined with ONT. However, ONH astrocytes displayed differential intensities of actin (phosphorylated cortactin) and focal adhesion (phosphorylated paxillin) mediators in response to CEI alone, ONT alone, or the combination of CEI and ONT. Lastly, label intensities of complement C3 within the ONH were unchanged in eyes subjected to CEI alone, ONT alone, or the combination of CEI and ONT, relative to controls. Conclusions Early ONH astrocyte structural reactivity to elevated IOP is multifaceted, displaying both axon dependent and independent responses. These findings have important implications for pursuing astrocytes as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disorders with fluctuating levels of axon injury.
Leveraging a robust patient-derived xenograft platform to characterize predictors for engraftment and oncologic outcomes in renal cell carcinoma patients.

651Background: Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) preserve the biological features of patient tumors, providing a platform for biomarker identification and preclin...
The influence of plasticity-induced crack closure on creep-fatigue crack growth in two heat-resistant steels

Abstract Finite element simulations are performed to predict plasticity-induced crack closure and creep-fatigue crack growth rates in two heat-resistant steels, the austenitic 20Cr-25Ni (Alloy 709) and martensitic 9Cr-1Mo (modified 1Cr-9Mo) steels. In a creep-fatigue cycle, total crack growth rate is usually computed by the addition of the fatigue crack growth rate during cyclic loading and creep crack growth rate during hold time. Two-dimensional finite element analyses of compact tension specimens are performed to simulate crack growth under cyclic and time-dependent loading conditions, with the consideration of elastic-plastic and creep deformations of the material at the crack tip. The simulations quantify the effect of hold time on crack opening load induced by the combined action of plasticity-induced crack closure and creep-induced stress relaxation at the crack tip. It is shown that increasing hold time during a creep-fatigue cycle results in a decrease of crack-tip opening load, thus increasing crack growth rate during the next cyclic loading. Experimental results of creep-fatigue crack growth rates in Alloy 709 are presented. The finite element simulations predicted crack growth rates under creep-fatigue loading in agreement with experimental values for both Alloy 709 and modified 9Cr-1Mo steels.
Role of Cover Crops and Planting Dates for Improved Weed Suppression and Nitrogen Recovery in No till Systems

Cover crops improve the recovery and recycling of nitrogen and impart weed suppression in crop production. A two-year study with six weekly plantings of cover crops including non-winterkilled species (hairy vetch, Vicia villosa L.; winter rye Secale cereale L.) and winterkilled species (oat, Avena sativa L.; forage radish, Raphanus sativus L.) were assessed for effects on growth of forage rape (Brassica napus L.) and weed suppression. Early planting of cover crops gave the highest biomass and highest nitrogen accumulation. Delaying planting from early-September to mid-October suppressed cover-crop biomass by about 40%. Forage radish produced more biomass in the fall than other cover crops but was winter killed. Spring biomass was highest with rye or vetch. All cover crops suppressed weeds, but suppression was greatest under rye or hairy vetch. Hairy vetch accumulated the largest nitrogen content. Forage rape plants yielded more biomass after a cover crop than after no-cover crop.
The Protective Role of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 2 against High Salt Injury in the Renal Papilla.

Mutations in natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (Npr2) gene cause a rare form of short-limbed dwarfism, but its physiological effects have not been well studied. Human and mouse genetic data suggest that Npr2 in the kidney plays a role in salt homeostasis. Herein, we described anatomic changes within renal papilla of Npr2 knockout (Npr2-/-) mice. Dramatic reduction was found in diuresis, and albuminuria was evident after administration of 1% NaCl in drinking water in Npr2-/- and heterozygous (Npr2+/-) mice compared with their wild-type (Npr2+/+) littermates. There was indication of renal epithelial damage accompanied by high numbers of red blood cells and inflammatory cells (macrophage surface glycoproteins binding to galectin-3) and an increase of renal epithelial damage marker (T-cell Ig and mucin domain 1) in Npr2-/- mice. Addition of 1% NaCl tended to increase apoptotic cells (cleaved caspase 3) in the renal papilla of Npr2-/- mice. In vitro, genetic silencing of the Npr2 abolished protective effects of C-type natriuretic peptide, a ligand for Npr2, against death of M-1 kidney epithelial cells exposed to 360 mmol/L NaCl. Finally, significantly lower levels of expression of the NPR2 protein were detected in renal samples of hypertensive compared with normotensive human subjects. Taken together, these findings suggest that Npr2 is essential to protect renal epithelial cells from high concentrations of salt and prevent kidney injury.
Kidnapping by Cesarean Section and State-Sponsored Abduction of Newborns

Individuals may kidnap a pregnant mother and steal her baby by performing a cesarean section (CS) (Geberth 2006; Burgess et al. 2002). Just like offenders who steal a baby from a newborn nursery or other setting, perpetrators who commit fetal kidnapping may be motivated to strengthen or “cement” a relationship with a partner (Burgess et al. 2002; Geberth 2006). Female offenders may seek to fulfill a childbearing and delivery fantasy (Geberth 2006). These female kidnappers become a mother by proxy by acting out a fantasy in which they deliver a baby. Offenders also may commit fetal kidnapping for financial motives. In other instances, fetal and newborn kidnapping may be perpetrated for political reasons (Avery 2004). Regimes may seek to erase the biological identities of the pregnant mothers and their children. In addition, those in power may want to profit from the illegal sale of these newborn babies to couples and families.
A 1-norm regularized linear programming nonparallel hyperplane support vector machine for binary classification problems

Abstract This research proposes a 1-norm regularized linear programming nonparallel hyperplane support vector machine (LNSVM) model to solve binary classification problems and enhance the robustness performance. Numerous nonparallel support vector machine (SVM) models have been studied with outstanding performance on classification tasks. However, most nonparallel SVM models require two independent models to determine hyperplanes. In addition, due to the involvement of the 2-norm terms, traditional SVM models may suffer from the lack of robustness to outliers and irrelevant features. Therefore, the LNSVM model is proposed by reformulating a typical nonparallel SVM model through the 1-norm regularization. By applying the exterior penalty theory, the proposed LNSVM model is converted to the dual exterior penalty problem, which is solved by the Newton–Armijo algorithm. The essential differences that distinguish the LNSVM model from other nonparallel SVM models are: (1) Different from typical nonparallel SVM models, which solve two quadratic programming (QP) problems, the proposed LNSVM model determines two nonparallel hyperplanes simultaneously by solving a single linear programming (LP) model; (2) The robustness performance of the proposed LNSVM model has been enhanced to tolerate noisy data through the involvement of 1-norm loss function, which can also eliminate redundant features by generating sparse solution during the training procedure. The performance of the proposed LNSVM model is tested through a comparison with state-of-art SVM-based classifiers using a synthetic dataset and 11 practical benchmark datasets. The experimental results show the superiority of the proposed LNSVM model, by achieving better classification performance regarding accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and removing redundant features synchronously.
Seeking Inclusion Excellence: Understanding Racial Microaggressions as Experienced by Underrepresented Medical and Nursing Students.

Purpose To describe how racial microaggressions may affect optimal learning for under-represented health professions students. Method The authors conducted focus groups and individual interviews from November 2017 to June 2018 with 37 students at University of California, Davis and Yale University who self-identified as underrepresented in medicine or nursing. Questions explored incidence, response to, and effects of racial microaggressions, as well as students' suggestions for change. Data were organized and coded, then thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes. Results The data showed consistent examples of microaggressions across both health professions and schools, with peers, faculty, preceptors, and structural elements of the curricula all contributing to microaggressive behavior. The 3 major themes were: students felt devalued by microaggressions; students identified how microaggressions affected their learning, academic performance, and personal wellness; and students had suggestions for promoting inclusion. Conclusions The data indicated that students perceived that their daily experiences were affected by racial microaggressions. Participants reported strong emotions while experiencing racial microaggressions including feeling stressed, frustrated, and angered by these interactions. Further, students believed microaggressions negatively affected their learning, academic performance, and overall well-being. This study shows the need for leadership and faculty of health professions schools to implement policies, practices, and instructional strategies that support and leverage diversity so that innovative problem-solving can emerge to better serve underserved communities and reduce health disparities.
Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Cerebral Microbleeds in Moyamoya Disease and Syndrome in the American Population.

Background and purpose Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) are reported to be frequent in moyamoya disease (MMD) and moyamoya syndrome (MMS) in the Asian population. It is associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. The significance of CMB in MMD/MMS in non-Asian populations has not been well established. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CMB in MMD/MMS in a moymoya cohort with a majority of non-Asians and to identify risk factors for developing a CMB and its predictive value for subsequent vascular events. Methods The moyamoya database was compiled by screening for MMD/MMS among patients admitted to the Zale-Lipshy University Hospital at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. We identified and analyzed data of 67 patients with MMD or MMS. Patients were characterized as CMB+ or CMB- based on MRI findings. In CMB+ patients, the total number and location of CMB were identified. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for developing CMB and whether CMB are associated with the development of subsequent vascular events. Results Out of a total of 67 patients, 11 (16%) had CMB. Males had significantly higher odds of having CMB as compared to females (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.40-24.3, p = 0.021). The incidence of CMB was also associated with age at diagnosis (mean age of CMB+ patients vs. CMB- patients: 44 vs. 34 years, respectively, p = 0.024), smoking (p = 0.006), and hemorrhagic stroke at presentation (p = 0.034). Logistic regression with multivariate analysis found that gender and age at diagnosis remained statistically significant. New ischemic events occurred in 2 (20%) out of 10 CMB+ patients and 13 (23%) out of 55 CMB- patients, respectively (p = 0.79). While 2 (3%) CMB- patients had a new cerebral hemorrhage during follow-up, none of the CMB+ patients did. Conclusions CMB are less prevalent in MMD/MMS in the USA than in Asia. An older age at diagnosis and male gender were associated with CMB. The presence of CMB was not associated with an increased risk of a subsequent ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
Free electron laser in magnetars/Fast Radio Bursts

We discuss coherent free electron laser (FEL) operating during explosive reconnection events in magnetized pair plasma of magnetar magnetospheres. The model explains many salient features of Fast Radio Bursts/magnetars' radio emission: temporal coincidence of radio and high energy bursts, high efficiency of conversion of plasma kinetic energy into coherent radiation, presence of variable, narrow-band emission features drifting down in frequency, high degree of linear polarization. The model relies on magnetar-specific drifting $e^\pm$ plasma components (which generate wiggler field due to the development of the firehose instability) and the presence of reconnection-generated particle beam with mild Lorentz factor of $\gamma_b \sim$ few hundred.
Broadband Frequency Study of the Zero Sound Attenuation Near the Quantum Limit in Normal Liquid 3He Close to the Superfluid Transition

The zero sound attenuation, α0(ω,T, P), of normal liquid 3 He has been studied over a broad range of frequency (ω/2π = 8 – 50 MHz). Data has been collected at a constant temperature (T ≈ 1.1 mK) which is just above the superfluid transition temperature, T c , when the liquid is near a pressure, P, of 1 bar. The results are compared to Landau's prediction in the quantum limit, k B T ≪ ħω ≪ k B T F , where α0(ω,T,P) = α′(P) T 2[l + (ħω/2πk B T)2]. Deviations from Landau's prediction are compared to the results of other workers and are discussed with respect to additional (unidentified) extrinsic background effects and (possible) intrinsic scattering mechanisms due to fluctuations in the liquid.
A miniaturized radial Langmuir trough for simultaneous dilatational deformation and interfacial microscopy

Abstract Innovation Interfacial rheological properties of complex fluid-fluid interfaces are strongly influenced by the film microstructure. Experimental investigations for correlating interfacial morphology and rheology are notoriously challenging. A miniaturized radial Langmuir trough was developed to study complex fluid-fluid interfaces under purely dilatational deformations that operates in tandem with a conventional inverted microscope for simultaneous interfacial visualization. Experiments Two materials were investigated at an air-water interface: poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (PtBMA) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Surface pressure measurements made in the radial Langmuir trough were compared with a commercial rectangular Langmuir trough. Interfacial in situ visualization for each material was performed during the compression cycle in the radial trough. Challenges associated with the small size of the radial Langmuir trough, such as the influence of capillary deformation on the measured surface pressure, are also quantified. Findings Measured surface pressures between the newly developed radial trough and the rectangular Langmuir trough compare well. Micrographs obtained in the radial Langmuir trough were used to obtain film properties such as Young’s modulus. The new advance in colloid and interface science is the ability to capture structure-property relationships of planar interfaces using microscopy and purely dilatational deformation. This will advance the development of constitutive modeling of complex fluid-fluid interfaces.
Peptide Inhibitors of Viral Membrane Fusion

Lipid-enveloped viruses, including HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, infect their host cells by fusion either directly with the plasma membrane or with the endosome membrane following endocytosis. Biophysical insights into the conformational changes of viral fusion proteins have led to the development of peptide inhibitors of these changes, and hence of membrane fusion. The peptide T-20 (Enfuvirtide) inhibits HIV-1-cell fusion and is being used clinically. The cholesterol-conjugated C34 peptide has an IC50 of 4 pM for inhibiting HIV-1 infectivity, much lower than that of plain C34 and T-20. A peptide (P155-185-chol) corresponding to a segment of the post-fusion structure of influenza virus hemagglutinin, also coupled to cholesterol, inhibits infection by the A/H3N2 subtype with an IC50 of 0.4 μM. Myrcludex B, a myristoylated lipopeptide, inhibits the entry of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus into hepatocytes with an IC50 of 80 pM. Dimer peptides (HRC2 and HRX4) derived from the measles virus F-protein and coupled to cholesterol inhibit measles virus infection at IC50 values of less than 1 nM to 2 nM. Peptides derived from the E protein of Japanese encephalitis virus inhibit infection at nanomolar IC50 values. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted numerous studies to design peptide inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated membrane fusion. The coupling of a lipidic anchor like cholesterol to some of these peptides enhances the antiviral effect of the peptides, lowering the IC50 to low nanomolar concentrations. It is highly likely that peptides against SARS-CoV-2 will soon be evaluated in clinical trials.
Significantly reduced thermal conductivity in β-(Al0.1Ga0.9)2O3/Ga2O3 superlattices

β-Ga2O3 has emerged as a promising candidate for electronic device applications because of its ultrawide bandgap, high breakdown electric field, and large-area affordable substrates grown from the melt. However, its thermal conductivity is at least one order of magnitude lower than that of other wide bandgap semiconductors such as SiC and GaN. Thermal dissipation in electronics made from β-Ga2O3 will be the bottleneck for real-world applications, especially for high power and high frequency devices. Similar to AlGaN/GaN interfaces, β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3/Ga2O3 heterogeneous structures have been used to form a high mobility two-dimensional electron gas where joule heating is localized. The thermal properties of β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3/Ga2O3 are the key for heat dissipation in these devices, while they have not been studied before. This work reports the temperature dependent thermal conductivity of β-(Al0.1Ga0.9)2O3/Ga2O3 superlattices from 80 K to 480 K. Its thermal conductivity is significantly reduced (5.7 times reduction) at room temperature compared to that of bulk Ga2O3. Additionally, the thermal conductivity of bulk Ga2O3 with (010) orientation is measured and found to be consistent with literature values regardless of Sn doping. We discuss the phonon scattering mechanism in these structures by calculating their inverse thermal diffusivity. By comparing the estimated thermal boundary conductance (TBC) of β-(Al0.1Ga0.9)2O3/Ga2O3 interfaces and Ga2O3 maximum TBC, we reveal that some phonons in the superlattices transmit through several interfaces before scattering with other phonons or structural imperfections. This study is not only important for Ga2O3 electronics applications, especially for high power and high frequency applications, but also for the fundamental thermal science of phonon transport across interfaces and in superlattices.
The Effect of State Legislation on Opioid Prescribing Practices Following Gynecologic Surgery

Objective: To compare the quantity in morphine milligram equivalent (MME) of opioids prescribed at hospital discharge after gynecologic surgery before and after passage of comprehensive New Hampshi...
Effect of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels on Overall Survival and Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events.

Several studies designed to augment high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels have so far been unsuccessful in reducing rates of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). In this study, we report the effect of HDL-C levels on overall survival outcomes and rates of MACCE following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We reviewed patients who underwent PCI at the Cleveland Clinic from 2005 to 2017 and followed them through the end of 2018. Restricted cubic splines incorporated into Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess the outcomes. The HDL-C level associated with the lowest mortality was used as a reference value.15,633 patients underwent PCI during the study period, of which 70% were male, 81% were white, and 73% were on statins. The mean age at the time of procedure was 65.8 ± 11.8 years. After adjusting for demographics, co-morbidities, lipid profile, statin use, and date of procedure, our model demonstrated a U-shaped association between HDL-C and overall mortality, with HDL-C levels of 30-50 mg/dl associated with the most favorable outcomes, and HDL-C levels 50 mg/dl associated with worse outcomes. A sensitivity analysis in men yielded a similar U-shaped association. In conclusion, our study shows that both low and high levels of HDL-C are associated with worse overall survival, with no effect on rates of MACCE in PCI patients. Further studies are required to understand the mechanism of this association between elevated HDL-C levels with increased overall mortality in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Brain metastases

Metastatic tumors to the brain are an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic cancers. Many new therapies used to treat systemic cancers do not penetrate the central nervous system (CNS) and do not protect patients from the development of brain metastases. Surgery, radiosurgery, and radiation therapy are all used to treat brain metastases. It is in our opinion a mistake to use only one or two of these modalities to the exclusion of other(s). The role of systemic chemotherapy is still limited, due to both the issues of drug delivery caused by the blood brain barrier and to the relative resistance of many of these tumors to chemotherapy. Traditionally, brain metastases have been grouped together regardless of the origin of the tumor and have been treated with a single algorithm. As we encounter more patients for whom treatment of the brain metastases is an important determinant of survival, we must tailor our treatment strategies to individual tumor types. Also, we must recognize differences in each tumor’s sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and differences in their biology.
Materia Americana. El cuerpo de las imágenes hispanoamericanas (siglos XVI a mediados del XIX): editado por Gabriela Siracusano y Agustina Rodríguez Romero, Buenos Aires: Editorial de la Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero, 2020, 467 pp. (9789878359243) – También en versión en inglés por la misma editorial.

Esta obra, que se centra en la dimension material de las obras de arte virreinales en Hispanoamerica, representa la culminacion de varios anos de trabajo por parte de las editoras. Durante siete an...
Prospective comparison of dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with and without rhBMP-2.

Abstract Background Context Previous studies have called into question the safety of using rhBMP-2 in anterior cervical fusion due to the possibility of airway compromise and dysphagia. A retrospective chart review identified a significant increase in the severity of dysphagia after 2-level ACDF with rhBMP-2 compared to patients who did not receive rhBMP-2. To date, this topic has not been studied prospectively. Purpose Compare the incidence of dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) when recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is used with allograft compared to allograft alone. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Patient Sample A total of 114 patients completed a baseline SWAL-QOL survey and met the inclusion criteria. 39 patients underwent 1- or 2-level ACDF with allograft plus 0.5mg rhBMP-2/level. 44 patients underwent ACDF with allograft alone. 31 patients undergoing a lumbar decompression were enrolled in a third cohort to control for dysphagia secondary to intubation. Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was the 14-point SWAL-QOL dysphagia questionnaire. Other patient factors obtained from anesthesia and operative records were examined to evaluate their potential relationship to postoperative dysphagia. Methods The 14-point SWAL-QOL questionnaire was administered at multiple time points (pre-op, post-op 7 days, 6 weeks, 6 months, and at least 1 year). Multivariable repeated-measures analysis was applied to data. Results Baseline adjusted SWAL-QOL means 7 days after surgery were significantly different between the three study groups. These differences resolved by 6 weeks postoperative, beyond which point there were no differences. At final follow-up, baseline adjusted SWAL-QOL means at 1 year were similar for the three study groups. Conclusions This single-center study of anterior cervical surgery demonstrated that the addition of rhBMP-2 to an ACDF increased postoperative dysphagia at 7 days after surgery, but these patients recover to levels comparable to those who underwent ACDF without rhBMP-2 or lumbar surgery within 6 weeks.
‘There are only monsters’: an interview with Emil Ferris

Before her keynote address at the Michigan State University Comics Forum in February 2020, Emil Ferris and Whitney Porter met to talk about monsters, comics, and creativity. In addition to sharing ...
Tetra­methyl­ammonium (Z)-N′-cyano­carbamimidate

In the structure of the tetra­methyl ammonium salt of cyano­urea, C4H12N+·C2H2N3O−, the N—C and O—C bond distances in the cyano and keto groups are in the normal range for such a moieties at 1.1641 (18) and 1.2550 (16) A. However, the bonds about the central C and N atoms are much shorter than would be expected for single bonds and indicate that there is considerable electron delocalization in the anion as was also found in the silver salt. The NH2 group is coplanar with the central N2CO core, in contrast with the nitrile group where the dihedral angle between the N—C—N and N2CO planes is 36.5 (3)°. The packing of the cations and anions in the unit cell involves N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between anions characterized by an R22(8) motif, as well as N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between anions and C—H⋯O inter­actions between both cations and anions, forming an R33(14) pattern.
A viral RNA hijacks host machinery using dynamic conformational changes of a tRNA-like structure.

Viruses require multifunctional structured RNAs to hijack their host’s biochemistry, but their mechanisms can be obscured by the difficulty of solving conformationally dynamic RNA structures. Using...
The Use of Piracy in Malayan Waters

The concept of “piracy” meaning acts of depredation on the high seas not licensed by a political power with which normal intercourse was at least from time to time maintained is to be found in ancient writings known to Medieval and Renaissance Europe.1 It is not clear that all, or, indeed, any such acts were considered violations of law in the ancient world,2 although, of course, punitive or suppressive expeditions were sent against freebooters from time to time.
Sensitization of Immune-Resistant Tumor Cells to CTL-Mediated Apoptosis via Interference at the Dysregulated NF-κB/Snail/YY1/PI3K/RKIP/PTEN Resistant Loop

Cancer cells respond initially to various cytotoxic therapies (chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy), however, a subset of cancer cells is unresponsive or develops resistance as a consequence of the therapy. Immunotherapy has gained a significant momentum recently by the positive clinical response rates achieved with either anti-tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) or anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies-based therapies that are more specific and less toxic than chemotherapy. A prerequisite of CTL-mediated successful immunotherapy is that the tumor cells, following recognition by the CTL, have to be sensitive to CTL-mediated cell death. This prerequisite is not being encountered in many cancers and is a major factor for the clinical failure of immunotherapy. Tumor cells develop several mechanisms to escape cell death, hence, for successful immunotherapy, one must interfere with these resistance mechanisms in an effort to sensitize the tumor cells to CTL-mediated cell death. This review discusses one mechanism by which tumor cells developed resistance to CTLs, namely, via a dysregulated NF-κB/Snail/YY1/RKIP/PTEN loop. This loop has been shown to regulate tumor cell resistance to cytotoxic agents, including CTLs. Various examples are provided to discuss the roles each of the gene products in this loop and, also, examples of various agents that have been shown to interfere with expression of factors of this loop and resulting in the reversal resistance when used in combination with CTL/death ligands. It is proposed that the combination of agents that target the resistant gene product that regulates resistance in this loop in tumors with anti-tumor CTL death ligands should result in a more successful response to immunotherapy.
Histophysiological studies on the corpus allatum of Leucophaea maderae

The structural differences between active and inactive corpora allata, visible under the light microscope, become more pronounced under the electron microscope. Aside from differences in cellular and nuclear diameters, and nuclearcytoplasmic ratios, there are qualitative characteristics in ultrastructural organization.
Economics of bioseparation processes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the economics of bioseparation processes. Valuable products are being produced increasingly by biotechnological methods. One needs to separate the biological macromolecule of interest; and herein lies a very significant cost of the entire process. It is indicated that the purification and recovery costs may be as high as 80% of the total manufacturing costs. These costs may be higher if ultrahigh purity of DNA-involved products are manufactured. Recognize that during processing one may have to purify products at 99.9% levels with virtual complete removal of DNA, viruses, and endotoxins. The key to cutting production costs is to emphasize improvements in downstream processing. Traditionally all the steps occurring in the fermentor that result in the production of the desired biological macromolecule can be considered as upstream processes. All the other processes occuring after the fermentation and which result in the separation, purification, concentration, and conversion of the biomolecule to a form suitable for its intended final use can be classified under downstream processes. Thus, it is helpful to better analyze and understand the different facets involved during downstream processing. Better physical insights are required and are continuously being obtained in downstream processes, and these will eventually lead to a more efficient and economical process.
DRUG USE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL: ASSESSING ATTITUDINAL AND BEHAVIORAL PREDICTORS

Generally speaking, theories of adolescent drug use emphasize either attitudinal variables, such as self-esteem or self-control, or behavioral variables, such as interactions with delinquent peers. This research uses variables such as self-esteem, impulsiveness, parental attachment, commitment to education, and peer drug use to predict adolescent substance usc. The analysis is conducted on a sample of 312 middle-school children from South Carolina. Results indicate that while attitudinal variables are important for predicting use, behavioral variables are superior predictors of adolescent drug use. Involvement in non-drug related crimes, associating with drug-using peers, and involvement in a recreational routine activity pattern, all behavioral variables, were the best predictors of adolescent drug use. Attachment was the best attitudinal predictor of drug use. This research implies that dynamic models are needed to adequately explain the variation in adolescent drug usc, Researchers and theorists are reminded that recreational drug use among adolescents is often a behavior that conforms to sub-group norms and not simply behavior that deviates from the dominant culture's norms.
Asparagine-linked oligosaccharides on lutropin, follitropin, and thyrotropin. II. Distributions of sulfated and sialylated oligosaccharides on bovine, ovine, and human pituitary glycoprotein hormones.

We have elucidated the structures of the anionic asparagine-linked oligosaccharides present on the glycoprotein hormones lutropin (luteinizing hormone), follitropin (follicle-stimulating hormone), and thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone). Purified hormones, isolated from bovine, ovine, and human pituitaries, were digested with N-glycanase, and the released oligosaccharides were reduced with NaB[3H]4. The 3H-labeled oligosaccharides from each hormone were then fractionated by anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) into populations differing in the number of sulfate and/or sialic acid moieties. The anionic oligosaccharides were further purified as well as structurally characterized using a variety of preparative and analytical techniques, including HPLC, endo- and exoglycosidase digestions, and lectin affinity chromatography. The sulfated, sialylated, and sulfated/sialylated structures, which together comprised 67-90% of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides on the pituitary glycoprotein hormones, were highly heterogeneous and displayed hormone- as well as animal species-specific features. The sulfated oligosaccharides consisted of hybrid and complex type oligosaccharides with one or two branches terminating in SO4-4GalNAc beta 1,4. In contrast, the sialylated oligosaccharides consisted of a wide array of differing structures containing two or three peripheral branches as well as one, two, or three sialic acid moieties. A previously uncharacterized dibranched oligosaccharide, bearing one residue each of sulfate and sialic acid, was found on all of the hormones except bovine lutropin. In this study, we describe the purification and detailed structural characterizations of the sulfated, sialylated, and sulfated/sialylated oligosaccharides found on lutropin, follitropin, and thyrotropin from several animal species. In the accompanying paper (Green, E.D., and Baenziger, J.U.(1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 36-44) we demonstrate the marked quantitative differences among the pituitary glycoprotein hormones in terms of sulfation, sialylation, and underlying oligosaccharide structures, as well as provide evidence for site-specific synthesis of oligosaccharides on individual hormones.
Nano and Giga Challenges for Information Technology

The primary technology driver for the integrated circuit industry and all of the information technology supported by that industry has been Moore’s law, the observation that the number of transistors on a chip has roughly doubled every 18months over the past four decades. In concert with this exponential increase in transistors has come the dramatic increase in performance of integrated circuits while the cost of a single chip has remained fairly constant. This astounding improvement in a basic technology over a many-decade-long period is unprecedented and has led to a huge industry with a major economic footprint and enabled major increases in productivity and functionality for a wide variety of other sectors of society. There have been many eras in the past when pundits have predicted the end of Moore’s scaling for a variety of excellent technical and engineering reasons. In all those cases, motivated engineers have overcome the barriers foreseen by the experts and kept the industry on the path to fulfilling the promise of more transistors for less money. However, in the twenty-first century we are quickly running up against a very fundamental obstacle, the granularity of matter. We will not be able to build device components with sizes that are a fraction of a single atom. Thus, we know that there is an end to ‘‘traditional’’ scaling of transistor sizes, but we cannot predict exactly when that will occur. This is because it is not just a physics or engineering issue, but also an economic question. If we invest enough money in a system, we can eventually achieve the ultimate performance that the laws of nature will allow, but the cost of doing so may be much larger than any possible return on that investment. Thus, the quest to continue functional scaling, e.g., the continued increase in performance of integrated circuits at fixed cost per chip, is a scientific and engineering exercise that is constrained by economics. Perhaps the greatest challenges facing the integrated circuit industry as we approach fundamental limits are manufacturability, reliability and resiliency.
Lack of vincristine infiltrates in patients with retinoblastoma receiving chemotherapy by peripheral intravenous lines.

The delivery route of chemotherapy for intraocular retinoblastoma has become controversial. One objection to systemic delivery is the need for central venous access. We cross-referenced a hospital vascular access database with our tumor registry to determine the incidence of chemotherapy infiltrates. Sixty-five patients received 270 cycles of chemotherapy via peripheral intravenous access. Vincristine infiltration was 0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0–0.16%) while that of non-vesicant chemotherapy was 0.7% (95%CI 0.1–2.6%). Giving chemotherapy via peripheral access to patients with retinoblastoma is safe. It can decrease therapy costs and prevent central line associated blood stream infections. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1859–1861. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Body ECU (Airbag)

An airbag is a device that protects the occupants of a vehicle at the time of a collision. The airbag ECU (electronic control unit) determines when a collision is occurring and deploys the airbags in the vehicle. This chapter describes the phenomena behind collision determination, details of crash testing, and explains the relevant sensing technologies. This chapter also presents details about sensors for airbags, the ECU, the component parts of the airbag ECU, and the collision determination algorithm. Keywords: airbag; passive safety; occupant protection system; sensing bus