cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A systems approach to the calibration of deterministic dynamic nonlinear simultaneous equation models with incomplete data

This paper develops an interactive three–stage systems approach for the calibration of the structural parameters and missing data within a deterministic, dynamic non–linear simultaneous equations model under arbitrary configurations of incomplete data. In Stage One, we minimize a quadratic loss function in the differences between the actual endogenous variables and the predicted solution values, relative to any feasible choice of the structural parameters. Missing exogenous variables and initial endogenous variables are treated as additional parameters to be calibrated; whereas missing current endogenous variables are treated by the missing data updating condition, in which the current solution values iteratively and sequentially replace those absent. Stage One may or may not lead to unique calibrations of the structural parameters—a fact that can be monitored a posteriori using singular value decompositions of the relevant Jacobian matrix. If not, there is an equivalence class of parameter values, all of which result in the same loss function value. If Stage Two is necessary, we attempt to exploit the non–linearity and simultaneity of the structural system to extract further information about the parameters from the same database, by minimizing the distance between the restricted and unrestricted reduced forms, while constraining the parameters also to lie within the Stage One equivalence class. This requires the use of higher–order numerical derivatives, and probably restricts its use in all but the simplest of cases to the next generation of supercomputers with massive numbers of parallel processors and much larger word–sizes. In Stage Three, various methods by which the original structural model can be simplified, given a non–unique Stage One calibration, are entertained.
Cyclic Distributed Space–Time Codes for Wireless Relay Networks With No Channel Information

In this paper, we present a coding strategy for half duplex wireless relay networks, where we assume no channel knowledge at any of the transmitter, receiver, or relays. The coding scheme uses distributed space-time coding, that is, the relay nodes cooperate to encode the transmitted signal so that the receiver senses a space-time codeword. It is inspired by noncoherent differential techniques. The proposed strategy is available for any number of relays nodes. It is analyzed, and shown to yield a diversity linear in the number of relays. We also study the resistance of the scheme to relay node failures, and show that a network with R relay nodes and d of them down behaves, as far as diversity is concerned, as a network with R-d nodes. Finally, our construction can be easily generalized to the case where the transmitter and receiver nodes have several antennas.
Desiderata for Controlled Medical Vocabularies in the Twenty-First Century

Builders of medical informatics applications need controlled medical vocabularies to support their applications and it is to their advantage to use available standards. In order to do so, however, these standards need to address the requirements of their intended users. Over the past decade, medical informatics researchers have begun to articulate some of these requirements. This paper brings together some of the common themes which have been described, including: vocabulary content, concept orientation, concept permanence, nonsemantic concept identifiers, polyhierarchy, formal definitions, rejection of "not elsewhere classified" terms, multiple granularities, multiple consistent views, context representation, graceful evolution, and recognized redundancy. Standards developers are beginning to recognize and address these desiderata and adapt their offerings to meet them.
Brain fMRI Activation Associated with Self‐Paced Finger Tapping in Chronic Alcohol‐Dependent Patients

Background: Fine and gross motor dysfunction in chronic alcoholic patients is prevalent, but not extensively studied. Brain autopsy studies of brain regions involved in motor movements indicate cerebellum and frontal lobes are particularly sensitive to alcohol-induced damage, in contrast to motor cortex. Methods: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we compared the pattern of activation of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum during repetitive, self-paced dominant (DH) and nondominant (NDH) index finger tapping in eight uncomplicated alcohol-dependent patients after approximately 2 weeks of abstinence and in nine normal controls. Results: Whereas alcoholic patients tapped significantly more slowly than normal controls, a greater percentage of pixels were activated in the ipsilateral cortex during DH tapping. Furthermore, alcoholics tapped significantly less efficiently (tapping rate divided by percent pixels activated [weighted by pixel intensity] in a given region of interest [ROI]) than normal controls in every ROI examined while using DH, but only in ipsilateral hemi-cerebellum using NDH. Finally, the alcohol-dependent patients did not demonstrate the greater mean pixel activation, percentage activated pixels, and lesser activation efficiency in the ipsilateral cortex during NDH compared to DH tapping that was observed in the normal control group. Conclusions: These findings are compatible with motor inefficiency and compensatory alterations of cortical-cerebellar circuits. Further studies are needed to determine whether these deficits recover with prolonged abstinence and how they relate to cognitive inefficiency throughout the clinical course of alcoholism.
Learning about hardiness and servant leadership by accompanying refugees at a united nations resettlement camp

The internationalization of curriculum has contributed to a number of models for study abroad programs, service learning, and global engagement. Some frameworks are intentionally grounded in program theories and objectives shared by multiple stakeholders and the mission of the sponsoring academic institution. This article describes an international program inspired by a partnership between a Jesuit University and the United Nations agency charged with the purpose of safeguarding the rights and well-being of refugees. The international program was grounded in the practice of accompaniment and theoretical frameworks of hardiness and servant leadership. These principles are described in the context of the curriculum, objectives, activities, and outcomes. The article concludes with lessons learned and future direction for design and delivery.
Role of Calcium in Stimulus-Secretion Coupling in Bovine Adrenal Medullary Cells

The requirement of extracellular calcium for secretion of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla was first demonstrated by Douglas and Rubin in 1961 [10]. They proposed that acetylcholine stimulated secretion by promoting the influx of calcium into chromaffin cells, thus initiating intracellular events resulting in the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Evidence consistent with this hypothesis was obtained by Douglas and Poisner [9] who showed that perfused cat adrenal glands treated with acetylcholine retained more of a loading dose of 45Ca2+ than did untreated glands. Because of the limited experimental flexibility of the perfused gland system it was not possible to carry out a detailed analysis of calcium uptake, but continued studies of stimulus-secretion coupling provided evidence that entry of calcium into the cell was an early step in secretion [8]. With the advent of methods for maintaining primary cultures of adrenal medulla chromaffin cells, it became possible to determine directly the effects of stimulation on the entry of calcium as well as other ions into the cells. Several laboratories have undertaken such studies [20,23,28], and the essential features are described here.
R2P, Global Governance, and the Syrian refugee crisis

This article bridges Responsibility to Protect (R2P) with work on Global Governance (GG). Both are products of a normative shift away from state-centric conceptualizations of authority and towards collective efforts to address transnational problems where traditional (State) governance mechanisms are absent or have failed. By assessing the governance architecture of R2P and of refugee protection in the case of Syria, the article sheds light on how global structures of authority interact with national and local systems. The constraints on agents operating at multiple levels of authority and the inequalities inherent in these structures have important implications for the effectiveness of R2P outcomes. Given the power asymmetries associated with the governance architecture of R2P and the proxy war in Syria, the article argues that the use of coercive intervention under R2P's Pillar Three risks further de-legitimization of the concept itself. As an alternative, the article calls for greater emphasis on R2P a...
Can Simulation Measure Differences in Task-Switching Ability Between Junior and Senior Emergency Medicine Residents?

Author(s): Smith, Dustin; Miller, Daniel G.; Cukor, Jeffrey | Abstract: Introduction: Work interruptions during patient care have been correlated with error. Task-switching is identified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as a core competency for emergency medicine (EM). Simulation has been suggested as a means of assessing EM core competencies. We assumed that senior EM residents had better task-switching abilities than junior EM residents. We hypothesized that this difference could be measured by observing the execution of patient care tasks in the simulation environment when a patient with a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) interrupted the ongoing management of a septic shock case.Methods: This was a multi-site, prospective, observational, cohort study. The study population consisted of a convenience sample of EM residents in their first three years of training. Each subject performed a standardized simulated encounter by evaluating and treating a patient in septic shock. At a predetermined point in every sepsis case, the subject was given a STEMI electrocardiogram (ECG) for a separate chest pain patient in triage and required to verbalize an interpretation and action. We scored learner performance using a dichotomous checklist of critical actions covering sepsis care, ECG interpretation and triaging of the STEMI patient.Results: Ninety-one subjects participated (30 postgraduate year [PGY]1s, 32 PGY2s, and 29 PGY3s). Of those, 87 properly managed the patient with septic shock (90.0% PGY1s, 100% PGY2, 96.6% PGY 3s; p=0.22). Of the 87 who successfully managed the septic shock, 80 correctly identified STEMI on the simulated STEMI patient (86.7% PGY1s, 96.9% PGY2s, 93.1% PGY3s; p=0.35). Of the 80 who successfully managed the septic shock patient and correctly identified the STEMI, 79 provided appropriate interventions for the STEMI patient (73.3% PGY1s, 93.8% PGY2s, 93.8% PGY3s; p=0.07).Conclusion: When management of a septic shock patient was interrupted with a STEMI ECG in a simulated environment we were unable to measure a significant difference in the ability of EM residents to successfully task-switch when compared across PGY levels of training. This study may help refine the use of simulation to assess EM resident competencies.
Chronic hypoxia alters prejunctional α2-receptor function in vascular adrenergic nerves of adult and fetal sheep

The impact of development and chronic high-altitude hypoxia on the function of prejunctional α2-adrenoceptors was studied by measuring norepinephrine release in vitro from fetal and adult sheep mid...
Spillovers from the beer market to U.S. cigarette demand

Abstract We study the cross-effects of the beer market on U.S. cigarette demand. The extant literature has mainly focused on the cigarettes and (hard) liquor relationship with inconclusive findings on substitution or complementarity. Our results show cigarettes and beer serve as complements as supported through beer price (tax) and non-price (regulation) channels. We also find negative and elastic cigarette demand and positive income elasticity. Border effects, both intranational and international, as well as habit-formation effects are significant, while the effects of cigarette advertising and income inequality are insignificant. Policy implications are discussed.
Pre-operative Patient Education for Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Financial Benefit?

Purpose: Total knee and hip arthroplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure. As the population ages the numbers of these procedures are predicted to increase. Maximizing patient outcomes and decreasing healthcare delivery costs will be essential to creating a higher value U.S. healthcare system. The purpose of our study was to analyze the effect of a multidisciplinary preoperative education program (Joint Academy) on various outcomes that effect overall cost of primary hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods: A retrospective review of 904 patients9 charts that underwent primary total hip and knee arthroplasty from October 1, 2010 to September 31, 2011 at a single institution was performed. We then compared 102 patients who did not have preoperative education to 802 patients who did have preoperative education through the Joint Academy (JA). We looked at patient length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and internal hospital cost. Linear regression was performed on all data to look for statistical significance. Results: We found that those patients that participated in JA had a length of stay that was 2.12 days less than those that did not participate in the Joint Academy. We also found that in the JA group, patients were 62% more likely to be discharged to home versus patients in the non-JA group. We also found that the JA group had lower internal hospital costs; with the JA group on average costing $1,493 less than the non-JA group. All referenced findings were statistically significant. Conclusion: When looking at future global or episodic payment plans in the future all costs of care delivery will be scrutinized. To our knowledge internal hospital costs have not been evaluated in any other studies in regards to preoperative patient education. The decrease in variable costs seen at our institution with JA patients may help justify the benefit of allocating resources to preoperative patient education programs and in turn decrease the overall cost of hip and knee arthroplasty. Significance: The Joint Academy decreased patient length of stay, improved their chances of discharge to home, and decreased internal hospital costs. Multidisciplinary preoperative patient education may provide a cost efficient means to reduce overall healthcare cost and improve a patient9s ability to return home more quickly.
claMP Tag: a versatile inline metal-binding platform based on the metal abstraction peptide.

Molecularly targeted research and diagnostic tools are essential to advancing understanding and detection of many diseases. Metals often impart the desired functionality to these tools, and conjugation of high-affinity chelators to proteins is carried out to enable targeted delivery of the metal. This approach has been much more effective with large lanthanide series metals than smaller transition metals. Because chemical conjugation requires additional processing and purification steps and yields a heterogeneous mixture of products, inline incorporation of a peptide tag capable of metal binding is a highly preferable alternative. Development of a transition metal binding tag would provide opportunity to greatly expand metal-based analyses. The metal abstraction peptide (MAP) sequence was genetically engineered into recombinant protein to generate the claMP Tag. The effects of this tag on recombinant epidermal growth factor (EGF) protein expression, disulfide bond formation, tertiary structural integrity,...
Growth Kinetics and Morphology of Barite Crystals Derived from Face-Specific Growth Rates

We investigate the growth kinetics and morphology of barite (BaSO4) crystals by measuring the growth rates of the (001), (210), (010), and (100) surfaces using vertical scanning interferometry. Solutions with saturation indices 1.1, 2.1, and 3.0 without additional electrolyte, in 0.7 M NaCl, or in 1.3 mM SrCl2 are investigated. Face-specific growth rates are inhibited in the SrCl2 solution relative to a solution without electrolyte, except for (100). Contrarily, growth of all faces is promoted in the NaCl solution. The variation of face-specific rates is solution-specific, which leads to a change of the crystal morphology and overall growth rate of crystals. The measured face-specific growth rates are used to model the growth of single crystals. Modeled crystals have a morphology and size similar to those grown from solution. Based on the model the time dependence of surface area and growth rates is analyzed. Growth rates change with time due to surface area normalization for small crystals and large grow...
Bark Beetle Mortality in Precommercial Herbicide Thinnings of Western Hemlock

A method for preventing bark beetle survival in precommercially thinned stands of western hemlock is presented. Within a stand that had been chemically thinned with a herbicide containing cacodylic acid (dimethylarsinic acid), neither Pseudohylesinus grandis Swaine nor P. tsugae Swaine were able to survive in treated trees, even though these trees were accepted as breeding material by the attacking adults.
Dual Carfilzomib and Doxorubicin Loaded Liposomal Nanoparticles for Synergistic Efficacy in Multiple Myeloma

Here, we report the synthesis and evaluation of dual drug-loaded nanoparticles as an effective means to deliver carfilzomib and doxorubicin to multiple myeloma tumor cells at their optimal synergistic ratio. First, various molar ratios of carfilzomib to doxorubicin were screened against multiple myeloma cell lines to determine the molar ratio that elicited the greatest synergy using the Chou-Talalay method. The therapeutic agents were then incorporated into liposomes at the optimal synergistic ratio of 1:1 to yield dual drug-loaded nanoparticles with a narrow size range of 115 nm and high reproducibility. Our results demonstrated that the dual drug-loaded liposomes exhibited synergy in vitro and were more efficacious in inhibiting tumor growth in vivo than a combination of free drugs, while at the same time reducing systemic toxicity. Taken together, this study presents the synthesis and preclinical evaluation of dual drug-loaded liposomes containing carfilzomib and doxorubicin for enhanced therapeutic efficacy to improve patient outcome in multiple myeloma. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1452-9. ©2016 AACR.
Analysis of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Heze city in 2012

Objective:To know epidemic characteristics of hand-foot-and-mouth(HFMD) in Heze city in 2012 and provide a scientific basis for making intervention measures.Methods:Descriptive epidemiological analysis was employed on all the cases of HFMD collected from the regular report system of infectious diseases.Results:A total of 3595 cases of HFMD were reported in Heze City in 2012,including 21 severe cases.The incidence of HFMD was 43.22/100000 for all,with 59.11/100000 for men and 27.12/100000 for women.The incidence of men was higher than that of women(P = 0.00).The incidence rate from April to July accounted for 61.70% of the total,the children under the age of five(3510 cases) accounted for 97.64% and the scattered children(3500 cases) accounted for 97.64%.The cases with positive EV71 accounted for 26.90%,and those with positive CoxA16(76 cases) accounted for 44.44%,The other enterovirus(49 cases) accounted for 28.65%.Conclusions:The incidence of HFMD is high in Heze city,2012.It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of the prevalence of the disease,especially the scattered children.
Abstract 104: Sex-specific Impact Of S-nitrosoglutathione Reductase (gsnor) On Ventricular Remodeling And Function Following Myocardial Infarction In Mice.

Introduction: Female hearts are less susceptible to myocardial injury following myocardial infarction (MI) and estrogen working through the nitric oxide (NO) pathway is thought to play a role. S-nitrosylation of cysteine thiols is a major signaling pathway through which NO exerts its action and mice with targeted deletion of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), a denitrosylase that regulates S-nitrosylation, show increased levels of nitrosylated proteins. Male GSNOR-/- mice show a more favorable outcome after MI as compared to wild-type (WT), including reduced myocardial infarct size, improved ejection fraction and preserved left ventricular volumes. Whether female GSNOR-/- mice show gender-related cardiac protection following MI was not known and thus investigated. Methods & Results: MI was induced in male and female GSNOR-/- mice and their respective controls, C57Bl/6J, at 3-5 months via left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. Serial echocardiography was performed prior to MI and after 1-...
Correlation of Histopathological, Cytological and Flow Cytometric Findings in Neoplastic and Nonneoplastic Lesions of the Bladder

AbstractBiopsy diagnosis, urine cytology and flow cytometry features of urine and bladder washings were compared in 81 cases of benign and malignant bladder disease. Some patients were followed by urine cytology and flow cytometry during treatment of tumors. There was a good correlation of the 3 parameters in relatively high grade tumors (II and III) but an inconsistent appearance of cells in the urine diagnosable by either urine cytology or flow cytometry for low grade lesions.High grade flat neoplasms may be detectable by urine cytology and flow cytometry before they are visible on endoscopy. Flow cytometry may indicate urothelial proliferation before it is apparent on urine cytology. Exfoliative benign lesions are diagnosed readily by the combination of urine cytology and flow cytometry. In benign and malignant lesions shedding of viable cells and, therefore, accessibility to urine cytology and flow cytometry are inconsistent. The need for repeated examinations in the case of low grade lesions suggests...
Storage of Energy for Vehicle Propulsion

Most vehicles are propelled by internal combustion motors that consume liquid fuels, either gasoline or diesel fuel. In those cases, the energy storage mechanism is a simple tank to hold the liquid fuel.
Localized Mechanical Stress Induced Ionic Redistribution in a Layered LiCoO2 Cathode.

Controlling the transport of ions within electrodes is highly desirable for the operation of rechargeable ion batteries. Here, for the first time, we report the role of mechanical stress in controlling the redistribution of lithium ions in a layered LiCoO2 electrode at a resolution of ∼100 nm. Under a higher stress field, more active redistribution of lithium ions was observed along the grain boundaries than the interiors of the layered LiCoO2. The dynamic force ramping test proved the external stress field (<100 nN) is capable of inducing the resistive-switching effect of the layered LiCoO2. The comparison test on the highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrate further demonstrated the improved current responses from the layered LiCoO2 resulted from the deficiency of lithium ions, rather than the increase of tip–sample contact area. Our findings will pave the road for a full understanding of how mechanical stimulus can affect the distribution of ions in the layered electrodes of rechargeable ion b...
Two new PPX2 mutations associated with resistance to PPO‐inhibiting herbicides in Amaranthus palmeri

BACKGROUND Resistance to herbicides that inhibit protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) is a widespread and growing problem for weed managers across the midwestern and midsouthern United States. In Amaranthus spp., this resistance is known to be conferred by a glycine deletion at the 210th amino acid (ΔG210) in PPO2. Preliminary analysis indicated that the ΔG210 mutation did not fully account for observed resistance to PPO inhibitors in two Amaranthus palmeri populations from Tennessee and one from Arkansas. RESULTS Sequencing PPX2 cDNA from six resistant plants uncovered two new mutations at the R98 site (R98G and R98M), a site previously found to endow PPO-inhibitor resistance in Ambrosia artemisiifolia. Sequencing of this region from additional plants sprayed with 264 g fomesafen ha−1 showed the presence of one or both R98 mutations in a subset of the resistant plants from all three populations. No plants sensitive to fomesafen contained either mutation. A derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (dCAPS) assay to test for the presence of these mutations in A. palmeri was developed. CONCLUSION Two new mutations of PPX2 (R98G, R98M) likely confer resistance to PPO-inhibitors in A. palmeri, and can be rapidly identified using a dCAPS assay. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Retina and Posterior Segment Injuries

The previous chapters have detailed the examination of the anterior segment of the eye. Here, we will discuss how to approach the examination of the posterior eye and retina.
A System-Wide Approach to Physician Efficiency and Utilization Rates for Non-Operating Room Anesthesia Sites

There has been little in the development or application of operating room (OR) management metrics to non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) sites. This is in contrast to the well-developed management framework for the OR management. We hypothesized that by adopting the concept of physician efficiency, we could determine the applicability of this clinical productivity benchmark for physicians providing services for NORA cases at a tertiary care center. We conducted a retrospective data analysis of NORA sites at an academic, rural hospital, including both adult and pediatric patients. Using the time stamps from WiseOR® (Palo Alto, CA), we calculated site utilization and physician efficiency for each day. We defined scheduling efficiency (SE) as the number of staffed anesthesiologists divided by the number of staffed sites and stratified the data into three categories (SE 1). The mean physician efficiency was 0.293 (95% CI, [0.281, 0.305]), and the mean site utilization was 0.328 (95% CI, [0.314, 0.343]). When days were stratified by scheduling efficiency (SE 1), we found differences between physician efficiency and site utilization. On days where scheduling efficiency was less than 1, that is, there are more sites than physicians, mean physician efficiency (95% CI, [0.326, 0.402]) was higher than mean site utilization (95% CI, [0.250, 0.296]). We demonstrate that scheduling efficiency vis-a-vis physician efficiency as an OR management metric diverge when anesthesiologists travel between NORA sites. When the opportunity to scale operational efficiencies is limited, increasing scheduling efficiency by incorporating different NORA sites into a "block" allocation on any given day may be the only suitable tactical alternative.
What is New in the Ising Model

We give a brief review of some recent developments and discuss some open questions for Ising spin systems with ferromagnetic pair interactions.
Understanding arrest in rural police–juvenile interactions: A factorial designed survey approach

ABSTRACTUsing a factorial designed survey instrument, this study represents one of the first attempts to comprehensively assess situational, officer, organisational, and neighbourhood factors effecting the decision of officers to arrest juveniles in the rural U.S. Findings suggest that situational, officer, and organisational characteristics affect the decision to arrest in rural communities. Officers were more likely to arrest juveniles who were older, disrespectful, under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and committed a more serious offence. Officers who were white, better educated, had children, had more juvenile case experience, had more frequent juvenile training, showed less favourable attitudes towards rehabilitation, and showed more favourable attitudes towards court sanctions at younger ages were more likely to arrest juveniles. Additionally, officers from smaller departments, state agencies, and non-watchman style departments were significantly more likely to arrest. Overall, the strongest indica...
Time to Surgery: a Misguided Quality Metric in Early Stage Pancreatic Cancer

Longer time to surgery is associated with worse outcomes in several cancers. We sought to identify disparities in time from diagnosis to surgery in pancreatic cancer and whether delays to surgery correlated with worse survival. The US National Cancer Database (2003–2011) was reviewed for patients with clinical stages I–II pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. Linear regression, Kaplan-Meier analyses, and Cox regression were performed as 3-month landmark analyses. Of the 14,807 patients included, 37.8% underwent resection ≤ 1 week, 13.7% 1–2 weeks, 25.4% 2–4 weeks, 19.5% 4–8 weeks, and 3.7% 8–12 weeks. Older age, Medicare coverage, greater distance from hospital, treatment at an academic center, and greater comorbidities were associated with increased time. After excluding patients treated within 1 week of diagnosis and controlling for patient, disease, and treatment characteristics, greater time was not associated with worse survival (2–4, HR 1.03, P = 0.399; 4–8, HR 0.98, P = 0.529; 8–12, P = 0.123). For patients with stages I–II pancreatic adenocarcinoma, there are disparities in surgical wait times. However, earlier initiation of surgical resection within 12 weeks of diagnosis is not associated with a survival benefit. This suggests that allowing time for confirmatory testing and optimization in preparation for surgery may not negatively impact survival.
Analysis of the effects of adaptive cruise control on driver behavior and awareness using a driving simulator

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems assist drivers by automatically adjusting vehicle speed with respect to the driver selected time-gap to the lead vehicle and maximum desired speed. Although AC...
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release: 7-year experience from a single tertiary care center

Despite previous reports of robotic-assisted laparoscopic release for median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), the safety and efficacy profile of this approach has been difficult to establish due to the rarity of this diagnostic entity. We aim to present our experience from a tertiary minimally invasive surgery referral center. A case series was performed whereby all patients who underwent robotic-assisted MAL release from July 2010 to July 2017 at our institution were included. Diagnosis of MALS was made based on consideration of symptom presentation, celiac artery duplex ultrasound, and corresponding findings on Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). Outcomes up until the most recent clinic follow-up were reviewed. A total of 13 patients underwent robotic-assisted MAL release. Patients’ age ranged from 16 to 71 years (mean 38 years) and consisted primarily of females (76.9%). Most common presenting symptoms included postprandial pain (76.9%), weight loss (76.9%), nausea and vomiting (76.9%). Mean symptom duration was 3 years (range 1–10 years). No intraoperative complications. None required conversion to open surgery. One case required a conversion back to laparoscopy due to anatomical complexity. The mean operative time for successfully completed robotic cases was 94.6 min (range 52–120 min), and for all cases including converted case was 103.5 min (52–210 min). Mean follow-up duration was 19.7 months (range 1–77 months). During subsequent follow-up, a 30-day readmission rate of 23.1% was observed. All but one of the patients experienced prompt symptom improvement. Four patients had symptom recurrence during follow-up. Our experience demonstrates that the robotic-assisted approach to MAL release may be safe and efficacious in selected patients. Prospective comparative studies are required to further evaluate its outcomes against conventional laparoscopic approach, the current gold standard.
Doing Business in Indian Country: Introduction to American Indian Law Concepts Affecting Taxation

This article describes some of the issues that will affect whether national, state, and tribal governments can tax investors who do business, or who invest in doing business, within Indian country (a term generally meaning American Indian reservations, although it can be broader than that). Absent treaty language or express statutory language to the contrary, tribal members are subject to federal taxes of general application, such as the income tax. The Internal Revenue Code does contain some specific provisions exempting certain sorts of income, such as that from fishing-rights related activities, from taxation. In general, nonmembers of a tribe who do business within Indian country and who are subject to U.S. taxation will be subject to federal taxes just as they would be for transactions entered into elsewhere. The Code includes specific incentives, however, like accelerated depreciation, for investment in Indian country.The tribes themselves, and tribal corporations formed under the Indian Reorganization Act, are exempt from federal income taxation. This exemption makes it possible to structure transactions so as to economically transfer the benefits of the tribal exemption to non-Indian investors. Although the tribes are exempt from income taxation, they may be subject to federal excise taxes, as Chickasaw Nation v. U.S., dealing with federal wagering taxes, shows. But there is no generally applicable principle at work here. Some excise taxes clearly apply to Indian tribes, some don't, and some have uncertain application to the tribes.
Does the initial biopsy type affect clinically important outcomes in malignant melanoma? A meta-analysis.

e21041Background: Malignant melanoma continues to have an increasing incidence worldwide without a decline in mortality, despite advances in treatment and early detection which have led to improved...
Assaying Circuit Specific Regulation of Adult Hippocampal Neural Precursor Cells

Adult neurogenesis is a dynamic process by which newly activated neural stem cells (NSCs) in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG) generate new neurons, which integrate into an existing neural circuit and contribute to specific hippocampal functions. Importantly, adult neurogenesis is highly susceptible to environmental stimuli, which allows for activity-dependent regulation of various cognitive functions. A vast range of neural circuits from various brain regions orchestrates these complex cognitive functions. It is therefore important to understand how specific neural circuits regulate adult neurogenesis. Here, we describe a protocol to manipulate neural circuit activity using designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) technology that regulates NSCs and newborn progeny in rodents. This comprehensive protocol includes stereotaxic injection of viral particles, chemogenetic stimulation of specific neural circuits, thymidine analog administration, tissue processing, immunofluorescence labeling, confocal imaging, and imaging analysis of various stages of neural precursor cells. This protocol provides detailed instructions on antigen retrieval techniques used to visualize NSCs and their progeny and describes a simple, yet effective way to modulate brain circuits using clozapine N-oxide (CNO) or CNO-containing drinking water and DREADDs-expressing viruses. The strength of this protocol lies in its adaptability to study a diverse range of neural circuits that influence adult neurogenesis derived from NSCs.
Dysregulation of PP2A-Akt Interaction Contributes to Sucrose Non-Fermenting Related Kinase (SNRK) deficiency Induced Insulin Resistance in Adipose Tissue

Abstract Objective We previously identified Sucrose non-fermenting related kinase (SNRK) as a regulator of adipose inflammation and energy homeostasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of SNRK in insulin signaling in white (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). Methods Adipose tissue specific (SNRK deficiency in both WAT and BAT) and BAT specific knockout mouse models were employed. Phosphoproteomic studies were conducted to identify the novel SNRK pathway regulating insulin signaling in adipose tissue. Results SNRK ablation is sufficient to inhibit insulin-stimulated AKT phosphorylation and glucose uptake in both WAT and BAT. Phosphoproteomic study using SNRK deficient versus wild type BAT samples revealed 99% reduction of phosphorylation on Serine 80 of PPP2R5D, the regulatory subunit of Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Drastic (142.5-fold) induction of phosphorylation on Serine 80 of PPP2R5D was observed in SNRK-deficient primary brown adipocytes overexpressing SNRK compared to control protein. In vitro phosphorylation reaction followed by targeted phosphoproteomic detection further confirms that human recombinant SNRK is able to phosphorylate human recombinant PPP2R5D. Dephosphorylated PPP2R5D promotes constitutive assembly of PP2A-AKT complex, therefore inhibits insulin-induced AKT phosphorylation and subsequent glucose uptake in both BAT and WAT. Knockdown of PPP2R5D in adipocytes can improve insulin sensitivity in adipocytes without SNRK expression. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that SNRK regulates insulin signaling through controlling PPP2R5D phosphorylation, which subsequently impacts PP2A activity and then AKT phosphorylation in both WAT and BAT. SNRK may represent a promising potential target for treating insulin resistance-related metabolic disorders.
Treatment With Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Fails To Ameliorate Pathology In Cockatiels Experimentally Infected With Parrot Bornavirus-2

Purpose Parrot bornavirus is the etiological agent of Parrot bornavirus syndrome, also referred to and comprising proventricular dilatation disease or PDD, macaw wasting disease, enteric ganglioneuritis and encephalitis, and avian ganglioneuritis. It has been suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be able to ameliorate this disease. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of two commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, celecoxib and meloxicam, on cockatiels experimentally inoculated with Parrot bornavirus-2 (PaBV-2). Materials and methods Twenty-seven cockatiels were randomized into 3 groups of 9 birds, matched with respect to historical PaBV shedding, weight, and sex. The cockatiels were inoculated with cell culture-derived PaBV-2 by the intranasal and intramuscular routes. Beginning at 23 days post-inoculation, birds in each group received oral treatment once daily with placebo, meloxicam (1.0 mg/kg), or celecoxib (10.0 mg/kg). Results Within 33-79 days post-inoculation, 2 birds died and 6 birds were euthanized based on neurological or gastrointestinal signs consistent with Parrot bornavirus syndrome: 2 birds were euthanized in the placebo group, 1 bird died and 1 bird was euthanized in the meloxicam-treated group, and 1 bird died and 3 birds were euthanized in the celecoxib-treated group. Of these 8 birds, black intestinal contents were found upon necropsy in 2 birds of the meloxicam-treated group and 2 birds of the celecoxib-treated group. At day 173 (±2) post-inoculation, the remaining 19 birds were euthanized. Necropsy and histopathology showed lesions characteristic of Parrot bornavirus syndrome in 23 cockatiels. Histopathologic lesions were present in birds of all 3 groups. There was no statistical difference between the groups nor was there a statistical difference among the 3 treatment groups in the detection of PaBV RNA and PaBV nucleoprotein using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Conclusion Meloxicam and celecoxib treatments do not appear to alter the clinical presentation, viral shedding, gross lesions, histopathology, or viral distribution. Treatment with NSAIDs may cause gastrointestinal toxicity in cockatiels experimentally inoculated with PaBV-2.
Christology From Below: Methodological Issues, Global Trends, and Contextual Proposals:

Christians, from Jerusalem to Jakarta and from the 1st to the 21st century, worship the same Jesus. However, the way that Jesus has been depicted throughout history and throughout different culture...
Revisiting Patent Generation in U.S. Metropolitan Areas: 1990–2015

This paper re-examines the shifting pattern of (utility) patents across the American metropolitan landscape during the recent period 1990–2015. Patent volumes and densities (per capita volumes) are both analyzed at five-year intervals. All results reflect a reconstituted data base that addresses the demographic, economic, and geographic conditions prevailing among the nation’s n = 377 metropolitan areas. Standard multivariate analysis is used to distill nearly twenty input variables down to six orthogonal factors. Using the underlying factor scores, performance scores for patenting are calculated across the metropolitan areas at regular points in time. When assembled in order, these cross-sectional scores trace out the performance trends of the various metropolitan economies over the 25-year study period. Linear regression procedures, adjusted for spatial dependency, indicate that two factors—human capital and human-created amenities—have become increasingly important determinants of patenting activity across U.S. metropolitan areas during recent times. A few straightforward policy prescriptions follow from the analysis.
Creating Measurable Learning Objectives

This essay argues for the articulation of learning goals at all levels of teaching in music theory, from the curriculum to the individual lesson plan. It summarizes the use of cognitive-process verbs from the field of learning theory and acknowledges a confusing overlap between common music theory tasks and cognitive-process verbs. It suggests a model for stating learning goals in music theory that blends our current terminology with more universal and established terms. It concludes with a detailed discussion of several models of learning goals at the assignment, course, and curricular levels.
MRI findings in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Abstract Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is a rare cause for developmental delay and seizures that results in neurodegeneration. Presented here is a case of a 5-year-old male who presented for MRI following a delay in achieving developmental milestones and epilepsy. MRI was performed demonstrating a thinned corpus callosum and generalized low parenchymal volume with periventricular gliosis. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed glutamate/glutamine accumulation and diminished N-acetylaspartate. The diagnosis of neuronal ceroid lipofusciosis was revealed following genetic testing. This case is useful in showing findings of this rare disorder.
A new analysis method for evaluating bacterial growth with microplate readers

Growth curve measurements are commonly used in microbiology, while the use of microplate readers for such measurements provides better temporal resolution and higher throughput. However, evaluating bacterial growth with microplate readers has been hurdled by barriers such as multiple scattering. Here, we report our development of a method based on the time derivatives of the optical density (OD) and/or fluorescence (FL) of bacterial cultures to overcome these barriers. First, we illustrated our method using quantitative models and numerical simulations, which predicted the number of bacteria and the number of fluorescent proteins in time as well as their time derivatives. Then, we systematically investigated how the time derivatives depend on the parameters in the models/simulations, providing a framework for understanding the FL growth curves. In addition, as a demonstration, we applied our method to study the lag time elongation of bacteria subjected to treatment with silver (Ag+) ions and found that the results from our method corroborated well with that from growth curve fitting by the Gompertz model that has been commonly used in the literature. Furthermore, this method was applied to the growth of bacteria in the presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at various concentrations, where the OD curve measurements failed. We showed that our method allowed us to successfully extract the growth behavior of the bacteria from the FL measurements and understand how the growth was affected by the AgNPs.
Reflections on the HUPO Human Proteome Project, the Flagship Project of the Human Proteome Organization, at 10 Years.

Abstract We celebrate the 10th anniversary of the launch of the HUPO Human Proteome Project (HPP) and its major milestone of confident detection of at least one protein from each of 90% of the predicted protein-coding genes, based on the output of the entire proteomics community. The Human Genome Project reached a similar decadal milestone 20 years ago. The HPP has engaged proteomics teams around the world, strongly influenced data-sharing, enhanced quality assurance, and issued stringent guidelines for claims of detecting previously “missing proteins.” This invited perspective complements papers on “A High-Stringency Blueprint of the Human Proteome” and “The Human Proteome Reaches a Major Milestone” in special issues of Nature Communications and Journal of Proteome Research, respectively, released in conjunction with the October 2020 virtual HUPO Congress and its celebration of the 10th anniversary of the HUPO HPP.
Collaborative Cross Founder Expression Analysis (CCFEA)

To understand the role of host genetic variation in infection by SARS-CoV and influenza A virus we developed the Collaborative Cross Founder Expression Analysis (CCFEA), a shiny visualization tool using public RNAseq data from the collaborative cross (CC) founder strains (A/J, C57BL/6J, 129s1/SvImJ, NOD/ShILtJ, NZO/HILtJ, CAST/EiJ, PWK/PhJ, and WSB/EiJ) that underwent infection by either virus, linked with genetic analyses to define loci linked to infection, immunity, and disease phenotypes. Individual gene expression data is displayed across founders, viral infections and days post infection. Resource Table O_TBL View this table: org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@4a284borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9b6168org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@11831baorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@168e351org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@123e9ec_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_TBL C_TBL
Red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) fire history and management implications in the Mississippi River headwaters, Minnesota, USA

Abstract We used dendrochronological methods and remnant fire-scarred red pines (Pinus resinosa Ait.) to reconstruct historical fire regime characteristics and relate these findings to past climate, human land use changes, and vegetation for a landscape in northern Minnesota, USA. A total of 314 fire scars were dated, representing 56 unique fire events from 1565 to 1967. In the period prior to fire exclusion (1535–1935), fire intervals ranged from 1 to 40 years across the landscape and the mean fire interval was 6.6 years. The majority of fire scars (74%) occurred in the dormant season. Climate analyses showed that conditions two years before fire events were significantly wet and, in the year of fires, conditions were significantly dry. Overall, our study reveals complex interactions among climate, humans, and physiographic factors and how these have varied through time. For fire and forest management of red pine specifically, the results point to the use of silvicultural systems with high levels of retention, including non-stand replacing disturbances.
Beckett and Buddhism

Beckett and Buddhism undertakes a twenty-first-century reassessment of the Buddhist resonances in Samuel Beckett's writing. These reverberations, as Angela Moorjani demonstrates, originated in his early reading of Schopenhauer. Drawing on letters and archives along with recent studies of Buddhist thought and Schopenhauer's knowledge of it, the book charts the Buddhist concepts circling through Beckett's visions of the 'human predicament' in a blend of tears and laughter. Moorjani offers an in-depth elucidation of texts that are shown to intersect with the negative and paradoxical path of the Buddha, which she sets in dialogue with Western thinking. She brings further perspectives from cognitive philosophy and science to bear on creative emptiness, the illusory 'I', and Beckett's probing of the writing process. Readers will benefit from this far-reaching study of one of the most acclaimed writers of the twentieth century who explored uncharted topologies in his fiction, theatre, and poetry.