cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cadmium, Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease

Recent epidemiological studies suggest a positive association between exposure to the environmental pollutant cadmium (Cd) and the incidence and severity of diabetes. In this review, we examine the literature suggesting a relationship between Cd exposure, elevated blood glucose levels, and the development of diabetes. In addition we review human and animal studies indicating that Cd potentiates or exacerbates diabetic nephropathy. We also review the various possible cellular mechanisms by which Cd may alter blood glucose levels. In addition, we present some novel findings from our own laboratories showing that Cd elevates fasting blood glucose levels in an animal model of subchronic Cd exposure before overt signs of renal dysfunction are evident. These studies also show that Cd reduces insulin levels and has direct cytotoxic effects on the pancreas. Together, these findings indicate that Cd may be a factor in the development of some types of diabetes and they raise the possibility that Cd and diabetes-related hyperglycemia may act synergistically to damage the kidney.
International Prosecutions and Domestic Politics: The Use of Truth Commissions as Compromise Justice in Serbia and Croatia

Since the end of the Cold War, increased efforts at international criminal justice have begun to transform transitional justice for the worst cases of atrocities from a predominantly domestic affair to an international one. I examine side-effects of international pressure for criminal justice, arguing that political elites struggling to balance conflicting international and domestic demands may launch “compromise justice” policies designed to satisfy both, but which in effect weaken mechanisms that transitional justice scholars posit make postconflict reconciliation most likely. I apply this argument to the former Yugoslavia, examining Serbian and Croatian truth commissions as a form of “compromise justice.”
Präanalytische Variable und ihr Einfluß auf die Qualität von Laboratoriumsbefunden

Zusammenfassung: Wahrend analytische Qualitatsstandards durch die Richtlinien der Bundesarztekammer wohl definiert sind, fehlen weitgehend solche Standards fur die praanalytische Phase. In den letzten Jahren sind mehrere Empfehlungen zur Definition der Qualitat von Untersuchungsmaterialien erschienen. Diese befassen sich mit Antikoagulantien und Probengefasen, der Wahl des optimalen Probenvolumens, den Stabilitatskriterien wahrend Transport und Lagerung von Untersuchungsmaterial sowie dem Umgang mit hamolytischen, lipamischen und ikterischen Proben. Technische Empfehlungen bezuglich der Probennahme, der Probenidentifikation und der praanalytischen Behandlung im Labor sind schon vor langerer Zeit in internationalen Gremien und Konsensusorganisationen definiert worden, unterliegen jedoch aufgrund technischer Weiterentwicklungen raschen Veranderungen. Die Entwicklung eines praanalytischen Qualitatsmanuals wird daher als essentieller Bestandteil zur Erreichung der Ziele des auch die extraanalytischen Phasen umfassenden Qualitatsmanagements gesehen. Anhand klinischer Beispiele wird die Bedeutung praanalytischer Fehler im Laboralltag bewust gemacht. Die Erkennung moglicher Fehler wird als kritische Voraussetzung fur die Vermeidung praanalytischer Variabler angesehen. Summary: While analytical standards have been developed by established quality control criteria, there has been a paucity in the development of standards for the preanalytical phase. Only recently, recommendations have been published regarding the quality of samples including the definition of the optimal sample size, the use of anticoagulants and stabilizers, stability criteria regarding transport and storage and handling of hemolytic, lipemic and icteric samples. Technical recommendations regarding sampling, transport and identification have been developed by national and international consensus organizations. The development of a preanalytical quality manual takes on an urgency in the goal towards achieving total quality control. Every day the laboratory is confronted with data arising out of preanalytical errors. Ability to recognize such data is critical in maintaining total laboratory quality and will be illustrated by case studies.
Autocrine Regulation of Neural Crest Cell Development by Steel Factor

Steel factor (SLF) and its cognate receptor, c-kit, have been implicated in the generation of melanocytes from migrating neural crest (NC) cells during early vertebrate embryogenesis. However, the source of SLF in the early avian embryo and its precise role in melanogenesis are unclear. We report here that NC cells themselves express and release SLF protein, which in turn acts as an autocrine factor to induce melanogenesis in nearby NC cells. These results indicate that NC cell subpopulations play an active role in the determination of their cell fate and suggest a different developmental role for the embryonic microenvironment than what has been previously proposed.
Beyond traditional risk factor analysis for coronary artery disease: the case for coronary artery calcium assessment with electron beam computed tomography.

Coronary artery disease is often asymptomatic, leading to inefficient detection. Although coronary artery disease is associated with multiple risk factors, better methods for detection are needed. The quantity of coronary artery calcium as detected with electron beam computed tomography is indicative of plaque mass, and the likelihood of coronary obstruction and future coronary events is independent of other risk factors. Screening for coronary artery disease with electron beam computed tomography offers a complimentary way of detecting early atherosclerosis in asymptomatic patients.
Perspectivism as a Way of Knowing in the Zhuangzi

A perspectivist theory is usually taken to mean that (1) our knowledge of the world is inevitably shaped by our particular perspectives, (2) any one of these perspectives is as good as any other, and (3) any claims to objective or authoritative knowledge are consequently without ground. Recent scholarship on Nietzsche, however, has challenged the prevalent view that the philosopher holds (2) and (3), arguing instead that his perspectivism aims at attaining a greater level of objectivity. In this essay, I attempt a structurally similar reinterpretation of Zhuangzi’s perspectivism. I argue that while the Chinese thinker sees all knowledge as perspective-dependent, he thinks that some perspectives are broader and more accurate than others. He utilizes shifts in perspective precisely in order to attain these superior perspectives, which constitute what he calls da zhi 大知, or “greater knowledge.” Whereas Nietzsche sees his perspectivism as methodologically continuous with the sciences, Zhuangzi’s “greater knowledge” has the goal of ensuring our survival and well-being in the everyday world.
Comparison of structural domains of gp70s of ecotropic Akv and dualtropic MCF-247 MuLVs

Abstract Controlled proteolysis of MuLV gp70s results in the generation of several fragments which correspond to distinct structural domains of the molecules. The orientation of these regions in gp70 was determined by analysis of the immunoreactivities of proteolysic products generated from the MuLV PrENV polyprotein toward monoclonal αp15(E) and αgp70 antibodies, and by fragmentation analysis of gp70s specifically labeled with [35S]cysteine and [35S]methionine. These studies confirmed our previous assignment of a p15(E)-disulfide-linked 33K fragment to the carboxy terminus of Akv gp70 ( Pinter, Honnen, Tung, O'Donnell, and Hammerling, Virology 116, 345–351, 1982 ). Using similar fragmentation procedures, the sizes and structural features of gp70 domains of Akv and MCF 247 MuLV gp70s were compared. Trypsinization of MCF-247 gp70 resulted in the production of a carboxy terminal fragment which resembled that of the ecotropic gp70 in that (1) it was disulfide linked to p15(E) but not to the amino terminal fragments, (2) reacted with monoclonal antibody 35 56 , (3) contained cysteines but no methionines, and (4) carried only endo H-resistant oligosaccharide chains. Amino terminal MCF gp70 fragments were obtained with apparent molecular weights of 42K and 30K, considerably smaller than the corresponding Akv fragments of 49K and 35K. These MCF fragments were much more stable to degradation by trypsin than the Akv amino terminal components, indicating the loss or inaccessibility of several trypsin sites in the MCF amino terminal domain. These results demonstrated the Akv and MCF 247 gp70s contained highly conserved carboxy terminal domains but unique amino terminal sequences. Common features for both gp70s were the presence of an endo H-sensitive oligosaccharide chain near the amino terminus, and the presence of internal disulfide bonds in the amino terminal domains which resulted in an increased mobility for these fragments when analyzed under nonreducing conditions. Thus, while the amino terminal domains of the two gp70s are structurally different, certain aspects of glycosylation specificity and secondary conformation are conserved, suggesting that these structural features may be important for common biological properties of these molecules.
ANAEROBIC METABOLISM IN UPOGEBIA PUGETTENSIS AND CALLIANASSA CALIFORNIENSIS (CRUSTACEA, THALASSINIDEA)*

1. 1. Glycogen is the only significant substrate in the anaerobic metabolism of Upogebia pugettensis and Callianassa californiensis. Small quantities of aspartate are utilized in addition. 2. 2. l-lactate is accumulated as the main end-product and l-alanine and succinate are minor end-products. 3. 3. Striking differences between both species were found in the amounts of glycogen stored, in the rate of lactate production and in the resistance of anoxia. 4. 4. Accumulation of lactate also occurs in the natural habitat, but the levels reached are rather low. 5. 5. The results suggest that in crustaceans lactate formation is the characteristics mode of anaerobic metabolism as opposed to other invertebrates.
Irregularity and decadal variation in ENSO: a simplified model based on Principal Oscillation Patterns

A new method of estimating the decay time, mean period and forcing statistics of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has been found. It uses a two-dimensional stochastically forced damped linear oscillator model with the model parameters estimated from a Principal Oscillation Pattern (POP) analysis and associated observed power spectra. It makes use of extended observational time series of 150 years of sea surface temperature (SST) and sea level pressure (SLP) as well as climate model output. This approach is motivated by clear physical relationships that SST and SLP POP patterns have to the ENSO cycle, as well as to each other, indicating that they represent actual physical modes of the climate system. Moreover, the leading POP mode accounts for 20–50 % of the variance on interannual time scales. The POP real part is highly correlated with several Nino indices near zero lag while the imaginary part exhibits a 6–9 month lead time and thus is a precursor. The observed POP power spectra show markedly different behavior for the peak and precursor, the former having more power at ENSO frequencies and the latter dominating at low frequencies. The results realistically suggest a period of oscillation of 4–6 years and a decay time of 8 months, which corresponds to the practical ENSO prediction limit. A fundamental finding of this approach is that the difference between the observed peak and precursor spectra at low frequencies can be related to the forcing statistics using the simple model, as well as to the difference between patterns of decadal and interannual variability in the Pacific.
iSchool agenda: mobile context research and teaching

The iSchool community has focused on curricular development in information retrieval (IR). This has traditionally centered upon users approaching a system to resolve their information needs. The technology has changed so that not only should students be aware of these theories, but also pay attention to the development of mobile search. Mobile devices are rapidly proliferating and have changed the user's information needs from traditional mediated requests to that of query-based information immediacy heavily influenced by where users are and what they are doing. Handheld information retrieval power draws upon many applications and information sources including those available on the mobile web. This has yielded a unique branch of information behavior where context is paramount in understanding mobile user behavior due to the diversity of user information environments. Context not only represents the mode of use for information retrieval but also impacts the formulation of the user's information need and motivation. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and analyze four prominent definitions of mobile context. That includes: spatial/location, temporal; social, and access/technical contexts. In order to synthesize the contexts, a new mobile action-based framework and its key component of itinerant intermittency proposed by the author will be explicated. The conclusion discusses a future teaching agenda for the iSchool community to instruct its students in mobile information behavior and context for IR.
New Evidence on Intravenous Cocaine Use and the Risk of Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

To examine whether recent intravenous use of cocaine might be associated with increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection, the authors studied 2,597 active intravenous drug users: 2,399 with recent cocaine injection and 198 with recent injection of heroin or other drugs but not cocaine. These subjects were adult residents of Baltimore City and the surrounding Maryland counties, recruited via outreach into the community between February 1988 and March 1989. In contrast to the first report on the cocaine-HIV association, the present study sample was not recruited solely from drug treatment programs. In the present study, estimated HIV seroprevalence was 26.4% for recent cocaine injectors as compared with 10.6% among all other recent intravenous drug users; the relative odds estimate was 3.03. In the untreated segment of the sample, HIV seroprevalence was 26.0% for recent cocaine injectors as compared with 8.9% among others (relative odds (RO) = 3.61). The estimated degree of association did not change appreciably when multiple logistic regression was used to hold constant potentially confounding and/or mediating variables such as receptive anal intercourse, number of sex partners, and use of injection equipment obtained at shooting galleries (RO = 2.64). Augmenting these cross-sectional data, preliminary prospective data showed excess risk of HIV seroconversion among recent cocaine injectors (estimated relative risk = 2.11). While other research has examined the cocaine-HIV association, the present study differs in that it has allowed a test for whether the association was a spurious artifact of studying drug users recruited solely from drug treatment programs, a broad array of alternative determinants of HIV infection have been held constant, and the association has been examined with seroconversion data. The results lend support to the abiding concern about the risk of HIV infection among cocaine users.
Fusing competing prediction algorithms for prognostics

Two fundamentally different approaches can be employed to estimate remaining life in faulted components. One is to model from first principles the physics of fault initiation and propagation. Such a model must include detailed knowledge of material properties, thermodynamic and mechanical response to loading, and the mechanisms for damage creation and growth. Alternatively, an empirical model of condition-based fault propagation rate can be developed using data from experiments in which the conditions are controlled or otherwise known and the component damage level is carefully measured. These two approaches have competing advantages and disadvantages. However, fusing the results of the two approaches produces a result that is more robust than either approach alone. In this paper, we introduce an approach to fuse competing prediction algorithms for prognostics. Results presented are derived from rig test data wherein multiple bearings were first seeded with small defects, then exposed to a variety of speed and load conditions similar to those encountered in aircraft engines, and run until the ensuing material liberation accumulated to a predetermined damage threshold or cage failure, whichever occurred first.
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and concurrent adenocarcinoma of the prostate

Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the prostate is a rare disease that characteristically follows an indolent course. It is believed that infection or chronic inflammation may be triggers for malignant transformation in the prostate, but it is of unknown etiology. Reports of MALT lymph omas of the prostate with other concurrent primary prostate cancers are even more limited. We present the unique case of a 67-year-old male with concurrent adenocarcinoma of the prostate and primary MALT lymphoma of the prostate. The patient was treated with stand ard therapy for prostate adenocarcinoma, which would also treat a primary MALT lymph oma. He has been disease-free for over one year for both his primary malignancies. This case confirms that MALT lymphoma can arise concurrently with adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Asymmetry between horizontal and vertical illusory lines in determining the depth of their embedded surface.

To investigate how the visual system integrates disparity information from horizontal and vertical edges and conveys it to the regions without any depth cues, we introduce a new phenomenon of subjective surface formation in an Ehrenstein-style configuration with inducing elements at different depths, and without explicit monocular occlusion zones. Different sets of experiments by separate groups of subjects suggest that when a subjective (illusory) square forms, it is at the depth of vertical illusory sides rather than horizontal ones. When the vertical side inducers are stereoscopically behind the horizontal ones, subjective surface formation is less likely. In depth assignment, we interpret the dominance of vertical sides over horizontal ones geometrically: vertical orientation can convey the horizontal disparity––a critical factor for Wheatstone (classic) stereopsis––but horizontal orientation per se lacks horizontal disparity information. Therefore, in the disparity integration, vertical illusory sides play a dominant role and their depth information influences the embedded subjective surface as well as the horizontal illusory sides. � 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Current Concepts in the Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Improvements in neonatal intensive care technology and the ability to accurately monitor oxygen therapy have led to increased survival of severely premature infants. This has caused an increased incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in the 1980s and has renewed interest in the prevention and treatment of this disease. This article reviews current concepts in the prevention and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity as well as avenues for future investigation, vitamin E supplementation, surfactant treatment, cryotherapy, laser therapy, surgery, STOP-ROP, and Light-ROP are discussed.
Operating characteristics and extensions of the false discovery rate procedure

Summary. We investigate the operating characteristics of the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate procedure for multiple testing. This is a distribution-free method that controls the expected fraction of falsely rejected null hypotheses among those rejected. The paper provides a framework for understanding more about this procedure. We first study the asymptotic properties of the ‘deciding point’ D that determines the critical p-value. From this, we obtain explicit asymptotic expressions for a particular risk function. We introduce the dual notion of false non-rejections and we consider a risk function that combines the false discovery rate and false non-rejections. We also consider the optimal procedure with respect to a measure of conditional risk.
Optical fiber power meters: a round robin test of uncertainty

The proliferation of optical fiber systems has spawned a variety of optical power meters. These meters are important to the analysis and maintenance of fiber communication systems. One obvious attendant concern is with the uncertainty of the meter readings. In this paper, we give the results of an interlaboratory test conducted to circumscribe and define the extent of the problem. The test yielded 46 data points from 11 participants collected over a period of ∼9 months. The results indicate that the variation in power meter readings taken in different laboratories is unreasonably large. The variance improved when measurements taken with very small detectors were excluded from the data base. This suggests that errors are being made in the collection of power in typical laboratory environments.
Epidural anesthesia increases apparent leg temperature and decreases the shivering threshold.

Hypothermia during regional anesthesia is as common, and nearly as severe, as that occurring during general anesthesia. Comparable thermal lability occurs in patients with spinal cord transections (l).Hypothermia results, in part, because lower core temperatures than usual are required to trigger shivering during major conduction anesthesia (2).Typically, the shivering threshold (core temperature triggering shivering) is reduced ≈0.6°C by regional anesthesia (3), but the etiology of this impairment remains unknown. Although small compared with the inhibition produced by general anesthetics, 0.6°C far exceeds the normal sweating-to-vasoconstriction interthreshold range of 0.2°C (4).
Regulation of primate lentiviral RNA dimerization by structural entrapment

Background: Genomic RNA dimerization is an important process in the formation of an infectious lentiviral particle. One of the signals involved is the stem-loop 1 (SL1) element located in the leader region of lentiviral genomic RNAs which also plays a role in encapsidation and reverse transcription. Recent studies revealed that HIV types 1 and 2 leader RNAs adopt different conformations that influence the presentation of RNA signals such as SL1. To determine whether common mechanisms of SL1 regulation exist among divergent lentiviral leader RNAs, here we compare the dimerization properties of SIVmac239, HIV-1, and HIV-2 leader RNA fragments using homologous constructs and experimental conditions. Prior studies from several groups have employed a variety of constructs and experimental conditions. Results: Although some idiosyncratic differences in the dimerization details were observed, we find unifying principles in the regulation strategies of the three viral RNAs through long- and shortrange base pairing interactions. Presentation and efficacy of dimerization through SL1 depends strongly upon the formation or dissolution of the lower stem of SL1 called stem B. SL1 usage may also be down-regulated by long-range interactions involving sequences between SL1 and the first codons of the gag gene. Conclusion: Despite their sequence differences, all three lentiviral RNAs tested in this study showed a local regulation of dimerization through the stabilization of SL1.
Supreme Court consensus and dissent: Estimating the role of the selection screen

From 1940 to the present, the on-the-record consensus among Supreme Court justices fell precipitously relative to historical benchmarks. This paper first shows that Court consensus is closely associated with measures of consistency and stability of Court rulings. Then, an empirical model of Supreme Court consensus and dissension is estimated over 1800–2001 in which characteristics of the presidential-senatorial screen are key variables. Using OLS and controlling for several other influences, the results show that variations in consensus are linked to two components of the selection screen – the party of the confirming Senate and split party nominations and confirmations. Other than the selection screen, the size of the federal judiciary and consensus norms in the recent past are important influences. These results are also confirmed using GARCH and regime-shifting econometric methods.
Modelling and simulation of forming process of the lithographically fabricated out-of-plane microlens using a cellular automata method

Three dimensional (3D) cellular automata (CA) model has been successfully applied in photoresist etching simulation in recent years. In this paper, a simplified 3D CA model is used to simulate the etching process of out-of-plane microlens fabricated on thick SU-8 photoresist. The simulation results are compared with experimental results. This CA model can be developed as a computer-aided design tool to predict the optimum process parameters during the forming of lithographically fabricated microlens.
Two new Diastylidae (Crustacea: Cumacea) from California, collected by the R/V Velero IV

Two new species, Diastylis newberryi and Diastyloides pacifica, are described, based on specimens collected off the coast of California. Diastylis newberryi is a problematical species, falling between the definitions of the genera Diastylis Say, 1818 and Leptostylis Sars, 1869, but can be identified by the unique combination of a single pair of lateral setae on the telson, male first antenna not greatly expanded, and male second antenna extending past the pleon. Diastyloides pacifica is the first species of the genus to be collected outside the North Atlantic basin.
Detection of interleukin 1 alpha and 1 beta in rabbit tissues during endotoxemia using sensitive radioimmunoassays.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a primary mediator of a wide variety of immunologic and inflammatory responses, including reactions to microbial infections. To study this cytokine in an animal model, we ha...
Effect of central CO2 drive on lung inflation responses of expiratory bulbospinal neurons in dogs

The purpose of these studies is to better understand the nature of the reflex interactions that control the discharge patterns of caudal medullary, expiratory (E) bulbospinal neurons. We examined t...
Orthotic-Style Off-Loading Wheelchair Seat Cushion Reduces Interface Pressure Under Ischial Tuberosities and Sacrococcygeal Regions

Abstract Objective To assess the efficacy of an off-loading wheelchair seat cushion in removing pressure from high-risk ischial tuberosities and the coccyx/sacrum in wheelchair sitting. Design Repeated-measures design. Setting Private research laboratory. Participants Manual wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord injuries (N=10). Interventions Three configurations of an off-loading wheelchair seat cushion compared with a flotation style (10-cm air inflation) wheelchair seat cushion. Main Outcome Measures Outcome measures included peak pressure index (PPI), ischial tuberosity peak pressures, and the dispersion index or ratio of pressures under the ischial and sacral regions to the total of all pressures recorded. Results PPI and ischial tuberosities peak pressure ranged from a low of 39±18 and 68±46mmHg in the fully off-loaded cushion to a high of 97±30 and 106±34mmHg, respectively, for the flotation style cushion (2-way analysis of variance main effect across 4 conditions, P P Conclusions The force-removal approach of this orthotic off-loading cushion design effectively reduces a known extrinsic risk factor for pressure ulcers—interface pressure—in the high-risk ischial tuberosity and sacral/coccygeal regions of the buttocks.
N−N Bond Forming Reductive Elimination via a Mixed-Valent Nickel(II)–Nickel(III) Intermediate

Natural products containing N-N bonds exhibit important biological activity. Current methods for constructing N-N bonds have limited scope. An advanced understanding of the fundamental N-N bond formation/cleavage processes occurring at the transition-metal center would facilitate the development of catalytic reactions. Herein we present an N-N bond-forming reductive elimination, which proceeds via a mixed-valent Ni(II) -Ni(III) intermediate with a Ni-Ni bond order of zero. The discrete Ni(II) -Ni(III) oxidation states contrast with the cationic dimeric Ni analogue, in which both Ni centers are equivalent with an oxidation state of 2.5. The electronic structures of these mixed-valent complexes have implications for the fundamental understanding of metal-metal bonding interactions.
Use of lasers for meniscal repair.

Recent interest in and awareness of laser technology applications have developed in the field of orthopedic surgery. This article presents a review of the literature relevant to the use of lasers for meniscal repair and discusses techniques such as vaporization and removal of tissue using laser heat transfer to tissue as well as laser tissue “welding.”
Recovery Versus Remission: Clinical Insights

Adverse myocardial remodeling can be reversed by medical, surgical, and device therapies leading to reduced heart failure (HF) morbidity and mortality and significant improvements in the structure and function of the failing heart. The growing population of HF patients who experience a degree of myocardial improvement should be better studied in terms of long-term outcomes and underlying biology to more clearly define the difference between recovery and remission. These investigations should also be focused in determining whether in chronic HF patients complete myocardial recovery is achievable at a meaningful rate and help us better understand, predict, and manipulate cardiac recovery.
Making Health Care Decisions

When an individual chooses to participate in innovative medical research, there are many options available. The lay person is confronted by many alternatives of treatment. This chapter deals with an approach taken to evaluate various treatment protocols based on a variety of criteria. The Best Choice program has been useful in helping to make one’s thinking manifest. Simply making the choices of what values were important helped to clarify the analysis. The Best Choice software permits one to list the various alternatives on the rows, which in this case were the various treatment protocols. The program also makes it possible to list the criteria for judging the alternatives along the columns of the matrix. Next, the Best Choice program permits one to show how each alternative relates to each column or criterion. Most significantly, the program permits a sensitivity analysis to give one a second opportunity to re-evaluate one’s choices.
Reye Syndrome and Aspirin

Twenty-six cases of Reye syndrome occurring between 1973 and 1982 have been reviewed in relation to aspirin ingestion at the Children’s Hospital, Camperdown, Australia (formerly the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney), where Reye first described his syndrome of encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera in 1963.
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Antibodies Do Not Predict Adverse Outcomes in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Dialysis.

Introduction: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a syndrome in which anti-platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies (HITab) and thrombocytopenia develop after heparin exposure. While HIT is an established risk factor for arterial and venous thromboses, HITab, in the absence of thrombocytopenia, may also be a prothrombotic risk factor. As patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis are chronically exposed to heparin, we hypothesized that the presence of HITab may contribute to the high rates of thrombotic disease and mortality in these patients. Patients and methods: We analyzed data from the CHOICE study, a prospective cohort study of incident dialysis patients. Clinical data were available from medical record review. Arterial cardiovascular events and events of vascular access occlusion were validated by chart review and adjudication. Venous thromboembolic events were defined by ICD-9 codes. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count 50% decline from a previous platelet count. Median duration of follow-up is 2.7 years. We measured HITab using a commercial ELISA assay in stored serum obtained 6 months after cohort enrollment of 740 participants (596 on hemodialysis, 144 on peritoneal dialysis). ELISA results were corrected for inter-plate variability. A positive HITab test associated with thrombocytopenia in the subsequent three months was considered compatible with HIT. We used techniques of logistic regression and of survival analysis with adjustment for potential confounders in our analyses. Results: 10.3% of all patients were positive for HITab at six months. HITab positivity was not associated with thrombocytopenia. HITab did not predict subsequent outcomes including cardiovascular (hazard ratio (HR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–1.41), vascular access occlusive (HR 0.82, CI 0.40–1.71), or venous thromboembolic events (HR 1.39, CI 0.17–11.5) and did not predict mortality (HR 1.00, CI 0.66–1.53). 9 patients (1.2%) had results compatible with HIT (thrombocytopenia + HITab). 1 patient with HIT (0.13%) had venous thrombosis yielding a hazard ratio of 13.7 (CI 1.63–115.5) for HIT and thrombosis. Conclusions: HITab seropositivity after six months of dialysis is frequent, but is not associated with thrombocytopenia. In end-stage renal disease patients treated by dialysis HITab seropositivity in the absence of thrombocytopenia is not an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. However, HIT may occur in this patient population and is associated with thrombosis.
The Interrelationship of Common Clinical Movement Screens: Establishing Population-Specific Norms in a Large Cohort of Military Applicants

Context: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSK-Is) are a leading cause of missed duty time and morbidity in the military. Modifiable risk factors for MSK-Is, such as inadequate core stability, poor movemen...
Genomic Characterization of Renal Medullary Carcinoma and Treatment Outcomes

Abstract Background Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a rare and aggressive type of kidney cancer that primarily affects young adults with sickle cell trait; outcomes are poor despite treatment. Identifying molecular features of this tumor could provide biologic rationale for novel targeted therapies. The objective was to report on clinical outcomes with systemic therapy and characterize molecular features. Patients and Methods This was a retrospective analysis on 36 patients given a pathologic diagnosis of RMC at one institution from 1995 to 2015. Tumors were analyzed for expression of SWI/SNF Related, Matrix Associated, Actin Dependent Regulator Of Chromatin, Subfamily B, Member 1 (SMARCB1) through immunohistochemistry and for genomic alterations with fluorescence in situ hybridization for SMARCB1, and targeted next-generation sequencing. Time from initiation of therapy to progression of disease and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results The median age in the cohort was 28 (range, 12-72) years, and all patients tested had sickle cell trait. Overall survival was 5.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1-10.9) and for 12 patients who received platinum-based therapy, median progression-free survival was 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.2-not reached). A total of 10 available tumors underwent analysis with fluorescence in situ hybridization for SMARCB1; this revealed loss of heterozygosity with concurrent translocation in 8, and biallelic loss in 2. Next-generation targeted sequencing showed no recurring mutations. Conclusions Outcome was generally poor in this cohort of patients with RMC. Uniform loss of SMARCB1 is a key molecular feature in this tumor and mechanism of loss appears to be mostly through translocations and deletions.
Bet Hedging against Demographic Fluctuations.

Biological organisms have to cope with stochastic variations in both the external environment and the internal population dynamics. Theoretical studies and laboratory experiments suggest that population diversification could be an effective bet-hedging strategy for adaptation to varying environments. Here we show that bet hedging can also be effective against demographic fluctuations that pose a trade-off between growth and survival for populations even in a constant environment. A species can maximize its overall abundance in the long term by diversifying into coexisting subpopulations of both ``fast-growing'' and ``better-surviving'' individuals. Our model generalizes statistical physics models of birth-death processes to incorporate dispersal, during which new populations are founded, and can further incorporate variations of local environments. In this way, we unify different bet-hedging strategies against demographic and environmental variations as a general means of adaptation to both types of uncertainties in population growth.
Trap height considerations for detecting two economically important forest beetle guilds in southeastern US forests

Wood-infesting beetles continue to be introduced into new areas at high rates through global trade. Once established, these species can be difficult or impossible to eradicate and can be extremely damaging to both ecosystems and economies. Efforts to detect newly arrived species before they become widespread represent an important early line of defense against these threats. There is considerable interest in optimizing trapping methods to best detect taxa of greatest concern. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of trap height in influencing detection rates for two economically important guilds of forest Coleoptera [phloem/wood feeders (Buprestidae, Cerambycidae and some scolytine Curculionidae) and ambrosia beetles (scolytine Curculionidae)]. We examine this question using three datasets from southeastern US forests. In general, we found phloem/wood feeders and ambrosia beetles to exhibit contrasting vertical distribution patterns. Whereas phloem/wood feeders generally became more species-rich and abundant with increasing trap height, the opposite pattern was found for ambrosia beetles. Moreover, all species found to be significantly associated with the highest traps were phloem/wood feeders, whereas all but one of the species significantly associated with the lowest traps were ambrosia beetles. It is clear from these findings that detection efforts targeting both guilds will be most effective when traps are deployed at multiple heights in southeastern US forests.
Cognitive Training in Schizophrenia

Cognitive deficits are a prominent symptom in individuals with schizophrenia that have clear neural correlates and have been receiving an increasing focus for developing new interventions due to their impact on social and occupational functioning. While pharmacological interventions have been limited, behavioral interventions like cognitive training have shown more promise. This chapter reviews the history of cognitive training interventions in schizophrenia and the evidence for improved cognition, transfer of improvements to real-world functioning and associated neural changes. In particular, neuroscience-informed, neuroplasticity-based targeted cognitive training has been shown to be an effective treatment for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and also show promise for prevention and early intervention in individuals at clinical high risk for developing psychosis. Important areas of ongoing research are highlighted, especially with regards to further optimizing treatment in order to most effectively treat the disabling cognitive deficits that impact many individuals with schizophrenia.
Diagnostic Reasoning: An Endangered Competency in Internal Medicine Training.

In this essay, the authors describe several initiatives at their institution to foster the development of diagnostic reasoning skills among internal medicine residents.
Fabrication and performances of pHEMT Ka-band 3-stage amplifiers for phased-array applications

A 100-200-400A‚Âµm pHEMT amplifier has been developed for Ka-Band operation. This amplifier has achieved the state-of-the-art efficiency of 40% with 235 mW output power and 20.7 dB gain at 31 GHz. Production of variations of this amplifier in quantity of 100 to 200 has been made possible by the advance of new fabrication techniques such as Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) dry recess with etch-stop layer which insures uniformity across full three-inch wafers. Amplifiers of this type are being used in a prototype phased-array antenna.
Explorations of Plant’s Chemodiversity: Role of Nitrogen-Containing Secondary Metabolites in Plant Defense

In nature, plants are surrounded by a number of biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. Biotic ecosystems contain a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, mites, insects, mammals, and other herbivorous animals, greatly responsible for heavy reduction in crop productivity. Henceforth, to cope up from these biotic stresses, the plant defense mechanism increasingly requires the availability of large numbers of phytochemicals. Chemodiversity in plants offers a valuable source; for example, nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites, previously regarded as waste products, are now recognized for their resistant activity against herbivores, pests, pathogens, and diseases. In this chapter, I have described the increasing role of nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites during plant defense. These metabolites impose their effects by acting as deterrence/antifeedant, toxicity, or precursors to physical defense systems. Many specialized herbivores and pathogens do not merely circumvent the deterrent or toxic effects of secondary metabolites but actually utilize these compounds as host recognition signals and/or nutrients. This is true for both cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates which are discussed in detail. Their biochemical and molecular mechanism of action is compared and contrasted.
Evolution of irradiation defects in Ti2AlC ceramics during heavy ion irradiation

Abstract The evolution of irradiation defects in Ti2AlC under Kr ion irradiation at room and elevated temperatures has been investigated. The dependence of defect size and density on the irradiation dose and temperature was characterized by in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) irradiation experiments. At 25–800 °C, interstitial-type dislocation loops with several nanometers in diameter form on the basal plane of Ti2AlC mostly with a Burgers vector of 1/2[0 0 0 1], and no voids have been observed. The number density of dislocation loops approaches saturation at a level of about 2 dpa at 800 °C. Ti2AlC samples remain crystalline in structure without amorphization or phase transformation. However, the localized disorder of atomic positions on the basal plane of the irradiated Ti2AlC was revealed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies, which increases with irradiation dose while decreases with elevated temperatures.
Do Corporate Managers Trade Against Short Sellers

Motivated by the significant capital allocated to repurchasing stock and its potential affect on price discovery, we develop an empirical model of changes in corporate stock repurchases. We find that share price, capital availability, dividend policy, firm size, and operating profitability significantly influence quarterly stock repurchases, but our novel discovery is that managers trade against shorts by increasing (decreasing) repurchases in response to an increase (decrease) in short sales. This practice appears to violate SEC regulations that stock price be set by “independent market forces without undue influence by the issuer.” We also empirically model insider trading, finding that insiders buy and sell with the shorts, with little attention to the amount of shares being repurchased. Managers therefore trade with shorts when using their personal capital, but against them with corporate capital.
Coupling of PWAS Transducers to the Monitored Structure

This chapter analyzes how surface-mounted PWAS transducers couple with the structure through the bonding adhesive. Shear layer analysis is conducted for 1-D linear PWAS transducers and for 2-D circular PWAS transducers. Closed-form solutions for the shear lag distribution are derived. Effective pin-force and line-force models that simplify the analysis are established for 1-D and 2-D, respectively. These models yield an effective PWAS size that it is usually smaller than the physical PWAS size due to transmission losses in the shear layer. Ideal bonding conditions in which the shear layer is either very thin or very stiff (or both) are also studied. The chapter shows that, for ideal bonding conditions, the effective PWAS size and the physical PWAS size coincide, thus justifying the pin-force and line-force approximations used in later chapters. The analysis is conducted in both rectangular and circular coordinates.
Missionary hydrography and the invention of early modern Amazonia

Amazonia became an important laboratory of inquiry and evangelization for Franciscans and Jesuits in the early modern Spanish Empire. The missionary endeavours depended upon knowledge friars acquir...
Infusing computational thinking into middle grade science classrooms: lessons learned

There is a growing need to present all students with an opportunity to learn computer science and computational thinking (CT) skills during their primary and secondary education. Traditionally, these opportunities are available outside of the core curriculum as stand-alone courses often taken by those with preparatory privilege. Researchers have identified the need to integrate CT into core classes to provide equitable access to these critical skills. We have worked in a research-practice partnership with two magnet middle schools focused on digital sciences to develop and implement computational thinking into life sciences classes. In this report, we present initial lessons learned while conducting our design-based implementation research on integrating computational thinking into middle school science classes. These case studies suggest that several factors including teacher engagement, teacher attitudes, student prior experience with CS/CT, and curriculum design can all impact student engagement in integrated science-CT lessons.
Communicating information on nature-related topics: Preferred information channels and trust in sources.

How information is communicated influences the public’s environmental perceptions and behaviors. Information channels and sources both play an important role in the dissemination of information. Trust in a source is often used as a proxy for whether a particular piece of information is credible. To determine preferences for information channels and trust in various sources for information on nature-related topics, a mail-out survey was sent to randomly selected U.S. addresses (n = 1,030). Diverse groups of people may have differing communication preferences. Therefore, we explored differences in channel preferences and trust by demographics using regression models. Overall, the most preferred channels were personal experience, reading online content, and watching visual media online. The most trusted sources were science organizations, universities, and friends/family. Channel preferences varied the most by education level and age, while source trust was most influenced by education, race, age, and size of current residence (rural-urban). The influence of demographics varied depending on the individual channel and source, with some groups preferring certain channels or sources but not others. Results are useful to consider when disseminating information on nature-related topics to a general public audience. More broadly, results also suggest spreading information using different channels and sources depending on the specific audience being targeted.
Abstract MP41: A Diet High in Carbohydrate and Low in Fat Alters the HDL Proteome and Metabolism of 9 HDL Proteins in Humans

Introduction: When dietary carbohydrate replaces fat, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and the primary HDL protein apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) decrease. The proportion in plasma of large HDL2 decreases while ...