cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peptide-functionalized poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] brushes on dopamine-coated stainless steel for controlled cell adhesion.

Abstract The modification of the surface of surgical implants with cell adhesion ligands has emerged as a promising approach to improve biomaterial-host interactions. However, these approaches are limited by the non-specific adsorption of biomolecules and uncontrolled presentation of desired bioactive ligands on implant surfaces. This leads to sub-optimal integration with host tissue and delayed healing. Here we present a strategy to grow non-fouling polymer brushes of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization from dopamine-functionalized clinical grade 316 stainless steel. These brushes prevent non-specific adsorption of proteins and attachment of cells. Subsequently, the brushes can be modified with covalently tethered adhesive peptides that provide controlled cell adhesion. This approach may therefore have broad application to promote bone growth and improvements in osseointegration. Statement of Significance Stainless steel (SS) implants are widely used clinically for orthopaedic, spinal, dental and cardiovascular applications. However, non-specific adsorption of biomolecules onto implant surfaces results in sub-optimal integration with host tissue. To allow controlled cell-SS interactions, we have developed a strategy to grow non-fouling polymer brushes that prevent protein adsorption and cell adhesion and can be subsequently functionalized with adhesive peptides to direct cell adhesion and signaling. This approach has broad application to improve osseointegration onto stainless steel implants in bone repair.
Combining growth factor releasing microspheres within aligned nanofibers enhances neurite outgrowth

Current treatments for peripheral nerve injuries include autografts, the gold standard, and commercially available nerve growth conduits (NGCs). Autografts have several drawbacks including donor site morbidity and nerve size mismatch, which lead to incomplete recovery. However, even with these drawbacks, autografts work better then commercially available NGCs that lack sufficient cues to promote complete regeneration. This study evaluated a combination of biomaterial components that can be added to the hollow internal space of a NGC to promote and direct nerve regeneration; specifically, mechanical, chemical, and topographical cues. Methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA, mechanical cue) is electrospun into aligned fibers (topographical cue), with poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid microspheres to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF, chemical cue). The properties of the scaffold were evaluated under physiological conditions using environmental scanning electron microscopy and mechanical testing. The resulting scaffolds have hydrated porosities of 35-55% and Young's modulus in the range of 0.43-2.86 MPa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that NGF is released from the microspheres for up to 4 weeks. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons showed that the released NGF is bioactive. DRG testing on the scaffolds also showed that the combination of NGF released from the microspheres and the aligned nanofibers significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 17-25, 2018.
Ruling out Pulmonary Embolism in Patients with High Pretest Probability.

Author(s): Akhter, Murtaza; Kline, Jeffrey; Bhattarai, Bikash; Courtney, Mark; Kabrhel, Christopher | Abstract: Introduction: The American College of Emergency Physicians guidelines recommend more aggressive workup beyond imaging alone in patients with a high pretest probability (PTP) of pulmonary embolism (PE). However, the ability of multiple tests to safely rule out PE in high PTP patients is not known. We sought to measure the ability of negative computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) along with negative D-dimer to rule out PE in these high-risk patients.Methods: We analyzed data from a previous prospective observational study conducted in 12 emergency departments (ED). Wells score criteria were entered by providers before final PE testing. PE was diagnosed by imaging on the index ED visit, or within 45 days, demonstrating either PE ordeep vein thrombosis (DVT), or if the patient died of PE during the 45-day, follow-up period. Testing threshold was set at 1.8%.Results: A total of 7,940 patients were enrolled and tested for PE, and 257 had high PTP (Wells g6). Sixteen of these high-risk patients had negative CTPA and negative D-dimer, of whom two were positive for PE (12.5% [95% confidence interval 2.2%-40.0%]). One of these patients had a DVT on CT venogram and the other was diagnosed at follow-up.Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that in patients with high PTP of PE, neither negative CTPA by itself nor a negative CTPA plus a negative D-dimer are sufficient to rule out PE. More aggressive workup strategies may be required for these patients.
Influence of a pulsed nitrogen supply on growth and nitrogen uptake in alpine graminoids

The supply of N in alpine soils is influenced by environmental factors (freeze-thaw, drying-rewetting, release of N from winter snowpack) which lead to a pulsed nature in plant N availability. To address the ability of alpine species to acquire N and grow when N is supplied in a pulsed manner, six alpine graminoid species, 3 sedges (Cyperaceae) and 3 grasses (Poaceae), were grown under 3 treatments: low and high N supply applied 3 times weekly, and a pulsed N supply applied once weekly at the same concentration as the high N treatment, but with the same total N supply as the low N treatment. Growth, biomass allocation, and N uptake were the same in all species for plants grown under a pulsed N treatment relative to a constant N supply with the same amount of total N. Root:shoot ratios and uptake of experimentally applied 15N indicated there were no adjustments in growth allocation or root uptake capacity in the plants to enhance the uptake of N when supplied in a pulsed relative to a more constant supply. The fertility of the site from which the graminoids were collected did not influence the plants' ability to respond to a high versus a low N supply, but instead growth form was more important. Grasses exhibited variation in growth, biomass allocation, and N uptake in response to changes in N supply, while sedges did not.
Intelligent cost estimation of die-castings through application of group technology

4. Summary Cost-estimation plays a crucial role in the die-castings industry. Its importance will continue to grow in the future as customers become increasingly sensitive to response-time, cost, flexibility, and quality. Die-castings companies, therefore, need to be provided with tools that will enable them to respond quickly to customers with accurate cost-estimates. In particular, these companies need computerized cost-estimation tools that can generate price quotes on the basis of CAD models that are destined to become the design blueprints of the future. This is precisely the focus of this research project. The proposed computer-integrated intelligent cost-estimation system would not only eliminate the errors and time-delays that result from extant manual cost-estimation practices, but will also provide companies with the ability to generate consistent and accurate quotes. In addition, the cost-estimation system can also be utilized to gain insight into opportunities for cost reduction through design modification. These strengths of the proposed computer-integrated intelligent cost-estimation system will be crucial for die-castings companies to succeed in the cost and time-based competitive business environment of the future.
Associations between Input and Outcome Variables in an Online High School Bioinformatics Instructional Program

Quantitative data from a completed year of an innovative online high school bioinformatics instructional program were analyzed as part of a descriptive research study. The online instructional program provided the opportunity for high school students to develop content understandings of molecular genetics and to use sophisticated bioinformatics tools and methodologies to conduct authentic research. Quantitative data were analyzed to identify potential associations between independent program variables including implementation setting, gender, and student educational backgrounds and dependent variables indicating success in the program including completion rates for analyzing DNA clones and performance gains from pre-to-post assessments of bioinformatics knowledge. Study results indicate that understanding associations between student educational backgrounds and level of success may be useful for structuring collaborative learning groups and enhancing scaffolding and support during the program to promote higher levels of success for participating students.
A Renewed Challenge to Anti-criterialism

In virtue of what do things persist through time? Are there criteria of their identities through time? Anti-criterialists say no. One prominent challenge to anti-criterialism comes in two steps. The first step is to show that anti-criterialists are committed specifically to the claim that there are no informative metaphysically sufficient conditions for identity through time. The second step is to show that this commitment yields absurd results. Each step of this challenge is open to objection. However, in what follows, I will refortify this challenge to anti-criterialism by offering new reasons to take each step.
Multiple mechanisms support oligoclonal T cell expansion in rheumatoid synovitis.

The synovial T cell infiltrate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is diverse but contains clonally expanded CD4+ populations. Recent reports have emphasized that RA patients have a tendency to develop CD4+ T cell oligoclonality which also manifests in the peripheral blood. Clonal dominance in the tissue may thus result from antigen specific stimulation in the synovial membrane or may reflect the infiltration of expanded clonotypes present throughout the lymphoid system. We have explored to what extent clonal populations amongst tissue CD4+ T cells display joint specificity as defined by their restriction to the joint, their persistence over time, and their expression of markers indicative for local activation. Matched samples of peripheral blood and synovial fluid or synovial tissue were collected from 14 patients with active RA and CD4+ IL-2R+ and CD4+ IL-2R− T cells from both compartments were purified. Clonal populations of CD4+ T cells were detected by RT-PCR amplification of T cell receptor (TCR) transcripts with BV and BJ specific primers followed by size fractionation and direct sequencing of dominant size classes of TCR transcripts. Clonal CD4+ T cells were detected in the synovial fluid and synovial tissue of all patients. All patients carried synovial clonotypes that were undetectable in the blood but were present in independent joints or at several non-adjacent areas of the same joint. These joint restricted CD4+ clonotypes were generally small in size, were preferentially found in the IL-2R+ subpopulation, and persisted over time. A second type of clonogenic T cells in the synovial infiltrate had an unrestricted tissue distribution and was present at similar frequencies amongst activated and nonactivated T cells in the blood and affected joints. Ubiquitous clonotypes isolated from two different patients expressed sequence homologies of the TCR β chain. Two types of expanded CD4+ clonotypes contribute to the T cell infiltrate in rheumatoid synovitis. Differences in the distribution pattern and in molecular features suggest that distinct mechanisms are supporting the clonal outgrowth of these two groups of clonotypes. Clonally expanded T cells restricted to the joint but present in several independent joints appear to respond to locally residing antigens. Clonogenic cells with an unrestricted distribution pattern and widespread activation in the blood and tissue may react to a different class of antigens which appear to be shared by multiple patients. T cell recognition in RA may be involved at several different levels and may be related to more than one pathomechanism.
Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation is associated with worse patient and graft survival following pediatric liver transplantation

Long-term outcomes remain suboptimal following pediatric liver transplantation; only one third of children have normal biochemical liver function without immunosuppressant comorbidities 10 years posttransplant. We examined the association between an index of neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation with graft and patient survival using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We included children <19 years who underwent liver transplantation between January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2013 (n = 2868). Primary exposure was a neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation index-linked via patient home ZIP code-with a range of 0-1 (values nearing 1 indicate neighborhoods with greater socioeconomic deprivation). Primary outcome measures were graft failure and death, censored at 10 years posttransplant. We modeled survival using Cox proportional hazards. In univariable analysis, each 0.1 increase in the deprivation index was associated with a 14.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]): 3.8%-25.8%) increased hazard of graft failure and a 12.5% (95% CI: 2.5%-23.6%) increased hazard of death. In multivariable analysis adjusted for race, each 0.1 increase in the deprivation index was associated with a 11.5% (95% CI: 1.6%-23.9%) increased hazard of graft failure and a 9.6% (95% CI: -0.04% to 20.7%) increased hazard of death. Children from high deprivation neighborhoods have diminished graft and patient survival following liver transplantation. Greater attention to neighborhood context may result in improved outcomes for children following liver transplantation.
Top of Basilar Syndrome Presenting With Hyperekplexia Initially Diagnosed as a Convulsive Status Epilepticus.

Abstract Background Hyperekplexia is a rare neurologic disorder characterized by pronounced startle responses to tactile or acoustic stimuli and increase tone. Acquired hyperekplexia is usually seen in brainstem pathologies and when it develops acutely it can be easily misdiagnosed as a convulsive seizure. Case Report A 38-year-old man presented with acute onset generalized brief involuntary jerky movements and a decreased level of consciousness. He was initially diagnosed with convulsive status epilepticus for which he received multiple antiseizure medications without any improvement. Further investigations revealed abnormal oculocephalic reflex response and that his movements were in fact hyperkeplexia caused by brainstem infarction with basilar artery thrombus secondary to right vertebral artery dissection. Emergent thrombectomy was performed and he was eventually discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Emergency physicians should be aware of hyperekplexia and how to differentiate it from convulsive stats epilepticus because the pathology and the emergent treatment of these 2 serious conditions are different. An underlying acquired brainstem pathology (especially basilar artery thromboembolism) should be suspected in any patient with untypical convulsive like movements along with focal neurologic signs compatible with brain stem pathology even when computed tomography imaging is normal. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.
Analyzing the Relationship Between Altmetric Score and Literature Citations in the Dermatology Literature

Background: Standard bibliometric methods used in dermatologic research include impact factor and citations. The Altmetric score is an adjunctive measure of article impact. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the breadth of societal impact made by scientific articles in dermatology and investigate a correlation between an article’s impact factor and citations, with its Altmetric score. Methods: We reviewed 15 dermatology journals with the highest impact factors and analyzed the 10 most cited articles from 2013 and 2016 within those journals. We studied the articles’ Altmetric scores, number of citations, and social media mentions. Using Microsoft Excel, we performed statistical analysis with Pearson correlation coefficients and descriptive statistics. Results: Analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between citation count and Altmetric scores for articles published in 2013 (p=0.0009) and 2016 (p=0.003). Impact factor was also significantly associated with Altmetric scores across both years (p=0.002, p=0.0005). Conclusions: Altmetric score weakly corresponded with citation count and journal impact factor across cohorts. We conclude that Altmetric scores serve as an additional measurement of article impact in dermatology, though they are insufficient as a replacement for traditional measures at this time.
Some Drugs Slightly Improve Cognition in People with Dementia; Effects on Behavioral or Psychological Symptoms Remain Unclear.

Some treatments can improve cognition on research scales, but daily function will not be affected in a noticeable way. Managing behavioral or psychological issues with medication is not supported by current evidence
Mental health of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and evidence-based frameworks for mitigation: A rapid review

Abstract Background The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the mental health of health care workers (HCWs), and optimal strategies to provide psychological support for HCWs are not currently established. Aims To rapidly review recently-published literature on the mental health of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Query of all quantitative research through the PubMed database on the mental health of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic which utilized validated mental health instruments. 723 articles were screened and 87 articles were included. Results Nearly all included studies were cross-sectional, survey-based assessments of the prevalence of and risk factors for mental illness. Only one interventional study was identified. Prevalence of mental health outcomes varied widely: 7.0-97.3% anxiety, 10.6-62.1% depression, 2.2-93.8% stress, 3.8-56.6% post traumatic stress, 8.3-88.4% insomnia, and 21.8-46.3% burnout. Risk and protective factors were identified in personal and professional domains, including degree of COVID-19 exposure, adequacy of protective equipment, and perception of organizational support. Conclusions The myriad risk factors for poor mental health among HCWs suggests that a comprehensive psychosocial support model with individual- and organization-level interventions is necessary. Further longitudinal research on specific evidence-based interventions to mitigate adverse mental health outcomes among HCWs is urgently needed as the pandemic continues.
In vitro characterization of engineered red blood cells as viral traps against HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.

Engineered red blood cells (RBCs) expressing viral receptors could be used therapeutically as viral traps, as RBCs lack nuclei and other organelles required for viral replication. However, expression of viral receptors on RBCs is difficult to achieve since mature erythrocytes lack the cellular machinery to synthesize proteins. Herein, we show that the combination of a powerful erythroid-specific expression system and transgene codon optimization yields high expression levels of the HIV-1 receptors CD4 and CCR5, as well as a CD4-glycophorin A (CD4-GpA) fusion protein in erythroid progenitor cells, which efficiently differentiated into enucleated RBCs. HIV-1 efficiently entered RBCs that co-expressed CD4 and CCR5, but viral entry was not required for neutralization, as CD4 or CD4-GpA expression in the absence of CCR5 was sufficient to potently neutralize HIV-1 and prevent infection of CD4+ T cells in vitro due to the formation of high-avidity interactions with trimeric HIV-1 Env spikes on virions. To facilitate continuous large-scale production of RBC viral traps, we generated erythroblast cell lines stably expressing CD4-GpA or ACE2-GpA fusion proteins, which produced potent RBC viral traps against HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Our in vitro results suggest that this approach warrants further investigation as a potential treatment against acute and chronic viral infections.
The Impact of Global Demand Spillovers Near the Zero Lower Bound

This paper revisits the Zero Lower Bound (ZLB) irrelevance hypothesis from a multi-country perspective, investigating country-specific adjustment to external world shocks across a panel of 17 advanced economies from 1979 to 2019. To quantify world shocks, a broad set of real commodity prices are used to proxy global demand pressures. I then document a robust threshold in policy rates lying between 2.5% and 3.5%, below which global demand spillovers to domestic financial markets and economic activity rise substantially. These magnified spillovers near the ZLB persist after controlling for the post-2008 period, economic boom-bust cycles, secular time trends, and commodity exporters. Estimates from a threshold-augmented VAR further show that global demand shocks near the ZLB induce magnified financial and real adjustment along with rising real interest rates. Meanwhile, the economic expansion associated with a 1 percentage point drop in idiosyncratic long-term bond yield innovations offsets completely the average impact of global demand spillovers near the ZLB. This suggests that magnification near the ZLB is relevant, yet potentially countered by endogenous unconventional monetary policies targeting long-term yields over the same period.
Courtroom Broadcasting in China and Its Effects on Judicial Legitimacy

Existing literature on rule of law in non-democratic regimes argues that governments deploy laws and courts as instruments of authoritarian governments. In this paper, I study courtroom live broadcasting, a reform on judicial transparency by arguing that the legal institution does not necessarily bolster acceptance of court decision. I conduct a survey experiment on 212 Chinese college students to test the effect of courtroom broadcasting and propose a supplementary theory to explain the relationship between transparency in judicial process and public trust of the judiciary. Preliminary results show that giving the information of courtroom broadcasting generally improves the acceptance of unfavored court decisions. However, this information negatively associates with people’s trust of the court. The conditional effect of preexisting personal belief of justice is inconclusive.
LESSONS FROM THE BAN OF TWITTER IN NIGERIA: A TALE OF TWO WRONGS AND A “LOSE-LOSE” SITUATION

Freedom of expression suffered a major setback in Nigeria when the federal government placed an indefinite suspension on twitter in the country, much to the displeasure and criticism of many from within and without. Even though Nigerians found an alternative means of accessing the social media application through the use of virtual private networks (VPN), the rippling effect of the ban from the social, political and economic viewpoint leaves much to be desired. After a prolonged tussle between the Nigerian government and the American based company which lasted over 100 days, the government finally agreed to have the ban lifted. This study through the use of secondary data investigates the emerging and contending issues surrounding the suspension. Findings reveal that the entire fiasco was quite avoidable had either of the parties not attempt to test waters.
The Role of the Chief Resident in Promoting Health Equity

Drawing on recent experiences as a Chief Resident, the author proposes several strategies for promoting health equity. Challenges to this task are highlighted. The Chief Resident's ability to bypass these obstacles and construct experiences that promote long-term change is explored through the framework of the formal, informal, and hidden curricula. The strategic use of didactic conferences, role-modeling, and personnel decisions are emphasized.
Medical mistrust among women with intersecting marginalized identities: a scoping review.

The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize knowledge about medical mistrust and health among women who occupy other marginalized identities; namely women who also belong to one or more of ...
Candidate gene modifiers of dystrophinopathy identified by the uniform application of genome-wide datasets to novel GWAS-identified loci

Although the major determinant of disease severity in patients with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or milder Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is whether their dystrophin gene (DMD) mutation disrupts the mRNA reading frame or allows expression of a partially functional protein, other genes have been proposed or demonstrated to modify the severity of disease progression. In a companion paper to this one, we describe our novel approaches to genome-wide association study (GWAS) of loss of ambulation (LOA) in the largest genome-wide search to date for loci influencing disease severity in DMD patients. Candidate regulatory SNPs that modify disease progression were identified using an evidential statistical paradigm and here we present a uniform application of recent functional genomic datasets to explore the potential functional impact of the top six candidate regions with PPLD scores of ≥0.4. The results of this analysis of the largest DMD GWAS survey to date elucidate recurrent and potentially new pathways for intervention in the dystrophinopathies.
Avi Friedman, Planning Small and Mid‐Sized Towns: Designing and Retrofitting for Sustainability (New York, NY: Routledge, 2014).

While much of the professional and scholarly work in urban affairs focuses on the metropolitan environment, Avi Friedman’s book takes a rare but valuable look at the places where 20% to 40% of Amer...
Partial characterization of β-damascenone precursors and toxicity studies of free β-damascenone in cell cultures ofVitis xlabruscana cv. Concord grapes

Abstract Cell cultures of ‘Concord’ grapes producing acid hydrolyzable precursors to β-damascenone were analyzed to partially characterize the bound forms of this important aroma compound in callus tissue initiated from immature fruit and petioles. Exogenous free β-damascenone was added to the medium of cell suspensions to determine toxic levels of this compound to ‘Concord” fruit cells. Multiple forms of the acid hydrolyzable precursors to β-damascenone were present in the callus tissue and levels of free β-damascenone over 1 mg/l were toxic to the cell suspensions.
A joint theorem generalizing the criteria of Montel and Miranda for normal families

We give a joint normality theorem, which simultaneously generalizes Montel's criterion and Miranda's criterion for normal families.
Modifying the kinematic structure of an anthropomorphic arm to improve fault tolerance

It is well known that anthropomorphic manipulators, such as the PA-10, are intolerant to a single locked joint failure of the elbow. This is because the elbow is the only joint that can change the distance between the spherical shoulder joint and the spherical wrist. In this work, it is shown how such arms can be made significantly more fault tolerant by a minor modification to the kinematic structure of the arm. We quantify the degree of fault tolerance to locked joint failures as the minimum of the smallest singular value of the resulting seven Jacobians over all possible single failures. The DH parameters for the modified arm are designed so that the corresponding fault tolerant properties are close to those of a robot with an optimally failure tolerant Jacobian. The fault tolerance of the designed robot is evaluated for two different classes of applications, i.e., point-to-point motions and specified end-effector trajectories.
Perceived ejaculatory latency and pleasure in different outlets.

ABSTRACT Introduction Ejaculatory latencies have been studied in coitus and with masturbation, but not with oral or manual stimulation by a partner. Aim The present study extended research on ejaculatory latency to these outlets, and investigated the effect of perceived pleasure on self‐reported ejaculatory latency. Method A convenience sample of male college students, not selected for sexual dysfunction, completed questionnaires assessing the outcome measures. Main Outcome Measures Self‐report measures of latency to ejaculation in, and perceived pleasure associated with, four different outlets (vaginal intercourse, oral intercourse, manual stimulation by a partner, and masturbation). Results Ejaculatory latencies in partnered activities were predictive of each other. Masturbatory latencies were predictive of coital latencies but not oral or manual stimulation latencies; all the partnered activities were predictive of each other. There was no difference in time to ejaculation among any of the partnered outlets, although ejaculation occurred more quickly with masturbation than with coitus or manual stimulation. In terms of pleasure associated with the outlets, vaginal and oral intercourse were perceived as equally pleasurable, and both were rated as more pleasurable than manual stimulation or masturbation, which did not differ from each other. Conclusions These results suggest that rapidity of ejaculation is consistent across outlets for the partnered sexual activities, and that there is little unique—in terms of ejaculatory latency—about vaginal intercourse compared with oral or manual stimulation by a partner. Masturbation, however, does differ from the partnered activities. Although the average correlation, for individuals, between latency and pleasure for the different outlets is near zero, there are subgroups of men who have (i) a negative relation, (ii) a positive relation, or (iii) no relation. Results show that men, for whom greater pleasure is associated with shorter latency, are more likely to be dissatisfied with their intravaginal ejaculatory latencies, regardless of actual latency. Corty EW. Perceived ejaculatory latency and pleasure in different outlets. J Sex Med 2008;5:2694–2702.
Chapter 10 Caveolae and Caveolins in the Vascular System: Functional Roles in Endothelia, Macrophages, and Smooth Muscle Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the two main cell types in the vasculature: endothelia and smooth muscle cells. These cell types are implicated in most homeostatic, as well as pathological, conditions of the vascular system. The chapter also focuses on the importance of macrophages in this system. The vascular system transports blood through the body in hollow tubular structures called blood vessels. The blood vessel is a dynamic structure that provides necessary “irrigation” to all the organs and tissues. The vessel wall is composed of three inter-connected layers: the intima, the media, and the adventitia. The intima contains a monolayer of endothelial cells (ECs) that is attached to a basement membrane formed by extracellular matrix proteins. In contrast, the medial layer is composed mainly of smooth muscle cells surrounded by extracellular matrix. The adventitial layer consists of fibroblasts, collagen, and elastic fibers, and is irrigated by the vasa vasora in the case of larger vessels.
Ticagrelor shift from PLATO to PEGASUS: Vanished mortality benefit, excess cancer deaths, massive discontinuations, and overshooting target events

After the successful PLATO, failed both PHILO and ATLANTIC, PEGASUS trial assessed efficacy and safety of ticagrelor (120 mg/day and 180 mg/day) on top of aspirin versus aspirin alone beyond 1 year in patients with stable coronary disease. Similar to PLATO, PEGASUS revealed reduction of composite primary endpoint after ticagrelor at expense of extra bleeding. However, there were major fundamental differences between the trial outcomes. Hence, the shift of evidence with ticagrelor from PLATO to PEGASUS trials has been comprehended. In contrast to PLATO, in PEGASUS there were more premature permanent ticagrelor discontinuations (PPTD): RR=1.35; 95%CI 1.29-1.42, p<0.0001; significant excess of cancer deaths (RR=1.46; 95%CI 1.02-2.06,p=0.034), trend to more sepsis deaths (RR=1.29; 95%CI 0.76-2.20), and most importantly identical all-cause mortality (RR=1.00; 95%CI 0.86-1.16, p=0.99) versus placebo. Applied conservative TIMI bleeding classification in PEGASUS did not correspond with PPTD rate, with potential heavy underreporting of hemorrhagic events. Finally, unexplained late addition of 198 primary events in PEGASUS is concerning. PEGASUS failed to confirm ticagrelor mortality benefit reported in PLATO, but rather discover additional shortcomings.
Potential trophodynamic and environmental drivers of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) productivity in the North Pacific Ocean

Information on prey availability, diets, and trophic levels of fish predators and their prey provides a link between physical and biological changes in the ecosystem and subsequent productivity (growth and survival) of fish populations. In this study two long-term data sets on summer diets of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in international waters of the central North Pacific Ocean (CNP; 1991–2009) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA; 1993–2002) were evaluated to identify potential drivers of steelhead productivity in the North Pacific. Stable isotopes of steelhead muscle tissue were assessed to corroborate the results of stomach content analysis. We found the composition of steelhead diets varied by ocean age group, region, and year. In both the GOA and CNP, gonatid squid (Berryteuthis anonychus) were the most influential component of steelhead diets, leading to higher prey energy densities and stomach fullness. Stomach contents during an exceptionally warm year in the GOA and CNP (1997) were characterized by high diversity of prey with low energy density, few squid, and a large amount of potentially toxic debris (e.g., plastic). Indicators of good diets (high proportions of squid and high prey energy density) were negatively correlated with abundance of wild populations of eastern Kamchatka pink salmon (O. gorbuscha) in the CNP. In conclusion, interannual variations in climate, abundance of squid, and density-dependent interactions with highly-abundant stocks of pink salmon were identified as potential key drivers of steelhead productivity in these ecosystems. Additional research in genetic stock identification is needed to link these potential drivers of productivity to individual populations.
BioMEMS: Building with cells.

New ways to interact with biological cells in vitro offer greater levels of control over their location and milieu — much as they would experience in real tissues in vivo. Such microscale control reveals new insights into their biology and may lead to new technologies.
Epigenetics and T-cell immunity

Epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modifications are critically involved in immune responses. Antigen stimulation along with a specific cytokine milieu drives helper T-cell differentiation into specific subsets with distinct functional capacities. This process occurs by inducing chromatin remodeling and altering transcriptional accessibility of key cytokine genes such as IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17. These epigenetic changes, by definition, are carried over throughout cell division to ensure selective survival of a cell lineage. Over the past decade, a growing body of literature mechanistically uncovered the central role for epigenetic regulation in immunity. In this review, we focus on epigenetics in T helper cell differentiation, regulatory T-cell function, and IL-2 production.
Nonthermal plasma applications to the environment: gaseous electronics and power conditioning

For nearly two decades, interest in gas-phase pollution control has greatly increased, arising from a greater respect for the environment, more attention to the effects of pollution, and a larger body of regulations and laws. Nonthermal plasma (NTP) technology shows promise for destroying pollutants in gas streams and cleaning contaminated surfaces, using plasma-generated reactive species (e.g., free radicals). NTPs can generate both oxidative and reductive radicals, showing promise for treating a variety of pollutants, sometimes simultaneously decomposing multiple species. In this paper, some applications of NTP processing for the environment, associated discharge physics and plasma chemistry, and power conditioning systems for driving the NTP reactors will be discussed.
Direct-to-Consumer Genomics Companies Should Provide Guidance to Their Customers on (Not) Sharing Personal Genomic Information

their perspective fails to fully contrast the U.S. broader GD context and to integrate a number of national and international privacy implications concerning online data sharing. First, while stakeholders will have to work in concert nationally and internationally, they will need to adhere to a broader perspective of the type of health information that needs to be protected online beyond just genetic data. Second, DTC and social networking companies should be motivated and equipped to play a more significant role in educating their users; employers should refrain from requesting access to candidate or employees’ online accounts; and Internet users should be aware that third parties may come across the information they share online. We content that it is a combination of legal, policy, and privacy approaches beyond GINA and at both the national and international levels that will serve to prevent GD based on information shared online (and the fear thereof). Such an approach may in turn contribute to foster a broader dialogue about a more equitable access to health care and the expected benefits that personalized medicine may offer. &
Analysis of coating defects in cavity mirrors for the IR Upgrade FEL

Noncontact optical profilometry was used to characterize the surface flaws on cavity mirrors used in the IR Upgrade FEL at the Tomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab). The FEL exposes the cavity mirrors, which have multilayer dielectric coatings, to a unique pulse format. To date, when lasing at 6 mirons at a PRF of 37.4 MHz, the circulating cw power is in excess of 100 kW, the peak cw irradiance exceeds 30 kW/cm 2 , and the peak irradiance of each pulse is of order 1 GW/cm 2 . While state-of-the-art, these coatings are far from defect-free, yet have survived those operating conditions without damage after hours of use. The use of noncontact profilometry and the latest software allows us to characterize the size, depth, and distribution of defects in the area covered by the beam footprint in a way that is far more useful than a scratch-dig value. These data provide benchmarks for what defects can be tolerated for lasers having similar irradiances.
Extensive aerosol optical properties and aerosol mass related measurements during TRAMP/TexAQS 2006 – Implications for PM compliance and planning

Extensive aerosol optical properties, particle size distributions, and Aerodyne quadrupole aerosol mass spectrometer measurements collected during TRAMP/TexAQS 2006 were examined in light of collocated meteorological and chemical measurements. Much of the evident variability in the observed aerosolrelated air quality is due to changing synoptic meteorological situations that direct emissions from various sources to the TRAMP site near the center of the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) metropolitan area. In this study, five distinct long-term periods have been identified. During each of these periods, observed aerosol properties have implications that are of interest to environmental quality management agencies. During three of the periods, long range transport (LRT), both intra-continental and intercontinental, appears to have played an important role in producing the observed aerosol. During late August 2006, southerly winds brought super-micron Saharan dust and sea salt to the HGB area, adding mass to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) measurements, but apparently not affecting secondary particle growth or gas-phase air pollution. A second type of LRT was associated with northerly winds in early September 2006 and with increased ozone and sub-micron particulate matter in the HGB area. Later in the study, LRT of emissions from wildfires appeared to increase the abundance of absorbing aerosols (and carbon monoxide and other chemical tracers) in the HGB area. However, the greatest impacts on Houston PM2.5 air quality are caused by periods with low-wind-speed sea breeze circulation or winds that directly transport pollutants from major industrial areas, i.e., the Houston Ship Channel, into the city center.
Optic neuropathy in McCune-Albright syndrome: effects of early diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone excess.

Context: GH excess is a serious complication of McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) and has been associated with craniofacial morbidity. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether early diagnosis and treatment of MAS-associated GH excess prevents optic neuropathy and hearing impairment, the major morbidities associated with GH excess. Design and Setting: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted at a clinical research center. Patients: Twenty-two subjects with MAS-associated GH excess and 21 control MAS subjects without GH excess were included in the study. Intervention: Biochemical testing included random GH, nadir GH after glucose load, nadir GH on frequent sampling, and IGF-I Z-score. Subjects underwent imaging, ophthalmological, audiological, and otolaryngological assessment. Treatment included octreotide, pegvisomant, transphenoidal surgery, and/or radiotherapy as indicated. Main Outcome Measure: Association of optic neuropathy and hearing impairment to age at GH excess diagnosi...
Performance Testing of the Wireless Sensor Network System for Hurricane Monitoring

A wireless pressure monitoring system was developed by Florida Institute of Technology to measure wind induced pressure on low-rise structures during hurricanes. This study presents tests made to evaluate the performance of the sensors and their ability to measure accurate pressure variations. To test the reliability of the pressure sensors, a series of tests were designed. The resulting measurements were then compared to secondary references. The measurements were also compared to the basic Bernoulli theory. Further, the wind tunnel measurement allowed for the development of the first comparative computational fluid dynamics simulation and experimental results. Due to the components packaging in the remote, the sensor case cannot be completely streamlined. The resulting shape caused some aerodynamic disturbances. In order to study the sensor shape’s influence on the pressure measurements, different experiments were set up. Specifically, by using a roof shaped ramp model mounted on a van, a highway test was performed, allowing examination of the error caused by the sensor’s shape. Another test was performed at the University of Florida Hurricane Simulator to study the gust (unsteady) effects. This test revealed that the sensors were sensitive to mechanical vibrations. The paper addresses the sensor network systems topic of the conference.
Optimal graphs for chromatic polynomials

Let F(n,e) be the collection of all simple graphs with n vertices and e edges, and for G@?F(n,e) let P(G;@l) be the chromatic polynomial of G. A graph G@?F(n,e) is said to be optimal if another graph H@?F(n,e) does not exist with P(H;@l)>=P(G;@l) for all @l, with strict inequality holding for some @l. In this paper we derive necessary conditions for bipartite graphs to be optimal, and show that, contrarily to the case of lower bounds, one can find values of n and e for which optimal graphs are not unique. We also derive necessary conditions for bipartite graphs to have the greatest number of cycles of length 4.
PHOTORESPONSES OF SEMICONDUCTOR POLYCRYSTALLITES SEPARATING TWO AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Solar cells using polycarbonate membranes, with CdS deposited on them, were made by a very simple way; the CdS-containing membrane separates a Lucite cell into two compartments. On illumination, about 150 mV photovoltage (Vop) and 0.5 μA cm-2 photocurrent (Isc) could be produced; one side of the membrane acted as photoanode, and the other side as photocathode. By means of coating Victoria Blue B (VBB) onto the membrane before CdS deposition, the maximum Vop and Isc of the CdS-deposited membrane could reach 500 mV and 3.0 (μA cm-2, respectively. A mixture of CdS and CdSe deposited membrane has also been tested and found to have both the advantages of high photovoltage (over 400 mV) and good stability after modification. Even more interesting results were also obtained with CdSe pellets in place of the CdS-deposited membrane, in which Vop and Isc of the cell were 1.2 V and 6 mA cm-2, respectively. The essential aspect of the system, modelled after the photosynthetic thylakoid membrane, contains an asymmetrical, ultrathin semiconductor crystallite layer separating two aqueous solutions.
Acid Thunder: Acid Rain and Ancient Mesoamerica.

(2006). Acid Thunder: Acid Rain and Ancient Mesoamerica. The Social Studies: Vol. 97, No. 3, pp. 134-136.
Rationale for Effective Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia

The primary objective of treating hypercholesterolemia is to reduce the patient's risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). Reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels to achieve National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) goal lipid levels greatly reduces this risk. Treatment of additional risk factors for CAD (high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking) should be addressed and modified as part of appropriate patient management, but a high LDL cholesterol level is a major risk factor. Therefore, to effectively modify morbidity and mortality, reaching and maintaining NCEP target lipid levels should be the goal of lipid-lowering therapy. Epidemiologic data indicate that most adults in the United States need <30% reduction in LDL cholesterol level to achieve their NCEP goal. Regardless of the intervention or therapeutic agent used, the results of numerous studies have demonstrated that reducing LDL cholesterol levels to NCEP goals will result in significant reduction of CAD risk.
Application of Dempster-Shafer theory to a novel control scheme for sensor fusion

The combination of imperfect evidence contributed by different sensors is a basic problem for sensor fusion in autonomous mobile robots. Current implementations of sensor fusion systems are restricted to fusing only certain classes of evidence because of the lack of a general framework for the combination of evidence. The authors approach to this problem is to first develop a model of the sensor fusion without committing to a particular theory of evidence, then to formulate a combination of evidence framework based on the requirements of the model. Their previous work has proposed such a model. This paper discusses the evidential demands of the model and one possible implementation using Dempster-Shafer theory. Three drawbacks of DS theory (computational intractability, weak assumptions of statistical independence, and counterintuitive averaging of strongly biased evidence) are eliminated by applying DS theory within the constraints of the model. An example based on simulated sensor data illustrates this application of Dempster-Shafer theory.
Laser-modified electron scattering from a slowly ionising atom

When an electron scatters from an atom in the presence of a laser field which is resonant with an atomic transition, off-shell effects enter into the cross section. These only become significant at higher laser intensities where the atom may also be ionised by the laser. Cross-sections are obtained for electron-atom scattering in which these off-shell effects appear and in which the slow ionisation of the atom by the laser is included. Experiments are suggested in which simplifications can occur and which still retain these 'exotic' effects.