cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
USDA-ARS Global Change Research on Rangelands and Pasturelands

T he topic of global change is found almost daily in newspaper and magazine articles and on television. Global change refers to large-scale changes in the Earth's biological, geological, hydrological, and atmospheric systems, whether of human or natural origin. The primary concern of global change has centered on the rapid increase in atmospheric concentrations of primary greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide [CO2], methane [CH4], and nitrous oxide [N20]) since the Industrial Revolution in the latter part of the 19th century.1 Increased concentrations of all 3 of these gases trap more of the sun's energy close to Earth's surface and lead to global warming, hence the reason that these gases are often referred to as "greenhouse gases." The concentration of CO2 has increased by about 35% compared to preindustrial times and is predicted to reach twice the preindustrial concentration within the 21st century.2 Plants convert CO2 in the air into plant tissue, so CO2 enrichment generally stimulates plant growth and improves the efficiency with which plants use water.3 These changes, in turn, influence plant nutrition and the cycling of carbon and other mineral elements through the soil/plant system4 and may have long-lasting ecological consequences for rangelands and pasturelands. For example, increased plant production with CO2 enrichment5'6 requires additional soil nitrogen, which is limiting in most rangeland and pastureland ecosystems, and this will modify nutrient cycling because less nitrogen is available for soil microorganisms to decompose plant materials. The increase in methane and nitrous oxide concentrations in the atmosphere that have occurred are also a cause for concern as their warming potential as greenhouse gases surpasses that of CO 2.' Global warming is predicted to have numerous impacts on our climate, including altered precipitation patterns and a potential rise in sea levels. As such, global warming may have profound impacts on human activities and enterprises and is thus a concern to many. Rangelands and pasturelands provide much of the world's food and fiber, and because they occupy an extensive land area, changes in how these lands function could increase or reduce the atmospheric load of greenhouse gases. For example, land management strategies that increase the storage of carbon in plant biomass and/or soil organic matter on rangelands and pasturelands, in a process termed "carbon sequestration," offer opportunities to mitigate the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations.8 To evaluate potential impacts that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases may have, the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), in its Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems program, established a Global Change
Enzyme Profile of the Cytoplasmic Droplet from Bovine Epididymal Spermatozoa

Cytoplasmic droplets have been isolated from bovine epididymal spermatozoa by centrifugation of sperm on a discontinuous sucrose gradient. Once-washed droplets are free of sperm and essentially free of contaminating soluble and particulate enzymes found in the medium which had been perfused through the distal caudal epididymis. Examination of the enzyme content of bovine cytoplasmic droplets indicates that they are rich in hydrolase enzymes which operate over a wide pH range. Droplets contain low activities of some enzymes linked to the intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates but appear to be metabolically inert organelles. High levels of hydrolase activity are also found in a particle-free supernatant of the medium which had been perfused through the epididymis. This fraction contains low levels of enzymes associated with intermediary metabolism, some of which are not observed in droplets. A light particulate fraction containing small granules, vesicles, and membrane profiles has been separated from droplets. This fraction contains hydrolase activity but no enzymes associated with intermediary metabolism. The presence of a magnesium-dependent flucleotide phosphatase of high specific activity in this fraction differentiates it from droplets and particle-free supernatant. Possible interrelationships and origins of enzyme activities in these fractions are discussed.
Nucleic Acid Aptamers for Biomaterials Development

Abstract The development of biomaterials has shifted from the development of simple, biocompatible materials to advanced biomaterials with functions to mimic biological systems. To develop these advanced materials, biomaterials are often functionalized with ligands for cell attachment or protein binding. However, many ligands lack specificity of recognizing their targets or their binding functions are difficult to control. In this chapter, nucleic acid aptamers are introduced and many of their uses in biomaterial functionalization are discussed. Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides ligands that have many advantages over other ligands. It is expected that nucleic acid aptamers can be used to develop the next generation of biomaterials.
Simulating bird's eye view

Birds have needs which are quite different from ours. These needs are reflected in an evolutionary path which results in avian vision systems being more capable than ours. In this paper we report our simulation of spatial properties of bird’s eye view by using a modified ray-tracing program. The resulting images reveal a sensory world very different from ours. Adapting human vision to duplicate the bird’s vision system may give us crucial information and perceptions about stressed environments where visual acuity is at a premium.
Temporal Dynamics of Entomophaga maimaiga After Death of Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Larval Hosts

Conidial discharge by a 1984 Japanese isolate of Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu & Soper infecting gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), larvae was investigated under field conditions. On an hourly basis, levels of conidia discharged were correlated with relative humidity (RH) for the previous 2 h and with leaf wetness for the previous 3 h. Greater than 90% of cadavers discharged maximum numbers of conidia between 2000 and 0800. Increased hours of RH ≥70 or ≥90% after larval death and before sporulation began resulted in increased numbers of conidia released during the first day of sporulation. One-day-old cadavers usually sporulated within an average of 1.5–2.2 d of being placed in the field and 71.6% of cadavers produced conidia for ≤2 d during the average of 5.4 d they were monitored. Cadavers of larvae infected with E. maimaiga demonstrated the ability to sporulate, cease sporulation, and later sporulate again; however, the numbers of conidia discharged after conidial discharge resumed were much lower. Of 40 larvae infected with E. maimaiga that produced only resting spores after death, 50% persisted on tree trunks for only 2 d, although 19.7% still remained attached to tree trunks after 9 d.
Courtship Behavior and Evidence for a Sex Pheromone in the Parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron) males exhibited 4 main elements of courtship behavior when exposed to females or odor-laden air from females. The 4 courtship behavioral elements were: orientation, wing vibration, antennal touching, and attempted copulation. Odor from females lowered the threshold for the behavioral elements of courtship exhibited by males. Wing vibration may aid the male in orientating toward the odor source. Actual orientation of the male to another insect appeared to involve sight, while antennal touching was used by the male to position itself with respect to the female. Orientation and attempted copulation with males occurred as readily as with females in the presence of the female pheromone. Both virgin and mated males responded to both virgin and mated females. Multiplemated older females were less active in eliciting male courtship behavior. No region of the female could be isolated with respect to pheromone production. Ethyl acetate extracts of females were active in eliciting the courtship behavior of males.
Posttreatment Survival, Development, and Feeding of Irradiated Indianmeal Moth and Navel Orangeworm Larvae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Larvae of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), and the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), reared individually in small beakers containing artificial diet, were irradiated at doses ranging from 149 to 627 Gy. Adult emergence was prevented by all doses. Only 13% of the oldest lndianmeal moth larvae irradiated at the lowest dose were able to pupate. No pupation occurred at any other treatment level. Higher radiation doses decreased the time required for 100% larval mortality. Longevity of young larvae was reduced compared with that of controls, whereas longevity of older larvae was increased. Weight gain and food consumption of irradiated larvae were reduced, indicating that while radiation-induced larval mortality may be delayed, damage from feeding would be reduced.
Psychosis Following an Increase in Intrathecal Baclofen.

Abstract Baclofen is a commonly used medication to treat spasticity in neurologic disorders. In the traumatic brain injury (TBI) population, the intrathecal administration of baclofen is often preferred over oral administration due to cognitive side effects. Here we report on a case of a psychotic episode following an increase in intrathecal baclofen in a young man with a history of a TBI. Although intrathecal baclofen is commonly used and is generally well tolerated, this case highlights an important potential effect of intrathecal baclofen that has rarely been reported in the literature. Level of Evidence V
Why class inequality breeds coups but not civil wars

Does class inequality increase the risk of civil war? I posit that inequality between social classes affects civil wars through two pathways: (1) it heightens the risk of political violence by fueling distributive conflicts; and (2) it reduces structural coup-proofing, which, in turn, increases the capacity of the military to fight insurgents. Combining these effects implies that the net effect of class inequality on civil war is ambiguous. Although class inequality increases the propensity for violence, in unequal countries political violence rarely takes the form of wars because such countries have strong militaries. Class inequality, however, breeds other forms of political violence. In particular, it increases the likelihood of military coups. The two effects of class inequality reinforce each other in the case of coups: inequality simultaneously stirs distributional conflicts and increases the capacity of the military to mount coups by reducing coup-proofing. Using data on 128 developing countries be...
Structure and Dynamics of a ~19kD Phosphoprotein, Amelogenin, from Bovine Tooth Enamel

Structure and dynamics of a hydrophobic protein from bovine tooth enamel with a Mr ~19-20kD is derived from 2D NMR, Molecular mechanics-dynamics, and time-resolved picosecond fluorescence studies. Amelogenin is postulated to contain a hydrophobia core, β-spiral, encapsulated by a hydrophilic coat and seems to act as a Ca++ pump in the early stages of enamel mineralization.
Symptomatic Congenital Hemangioma and Congenital Hemangiomatosis Associated With a Somatic Activating Mutation in GNA11.

Importance Congenital hemangiomas are uncommon benign vascular tumors that present fully formed at birth. They are rarely associated with transient hematologic abnormalities, which are typically less severe than the Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon associated with kaposiform hemangioendotheliomas. Congenital hemangiomas are typically solitary and have not been reported to occur in a multifocal, generalized pattern. Objective To describe a male infant born with an unusual, large vascular mass complicated by anemia, thrombocytopenia, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, as well as innumerable small vascular papules in a generalized cutaneous distribution. Design, Setting, and Participant This case report is a descriptive observation of the results of clinical, pathologic, and genetic studies performed in a single male infant observed for 2 years (May 2013 to June 2015) for vascular anomalies at a tertiary care referral center. Main Outcomes and Measures Histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and genetic study results of tumor specimens and saliva. Results Careful pathologic study of 3 tumor specimens revealed similar lobular proliferations of bland endothelial cells. Lesional vessels did not express GLUT1 or the lymphatic marker D2-40, whereas WT1 was expressed. A somatic c.A626C, p.Q209P mutation in the GNA11 gene was identified in tumoral tissue. Conclusions and Relevance These findings support a unifying diagnosis of congenital hemangioma for these vascular tumors. To date, this is the first-reported case of a hemangiomatosis presentation of congenital hemangioma. In addition to highlighting this novel phenotype, this case indicates the rare association of congenital hemangioma with hematologic abnormalities and verifies somatic activating mutations as the underlying cause of congenital hemangioma.
Discordance Between Intraoperative Consultation by Frozen Section and Final Diagnosis: A Classification Model to Guide Quality Improvement.

Discrepancies between intraoperative consultations with frozen section diagnosis and the final pathology report have the potential to alter treatment decisions and affect patient care. Monitoring these correlations is a key component of laboratory quality assurance, however identifying specific areas for improvement can be difficult to attain. Our goal is to develop a standardized method utilizing root cause analysis and a modified Eindhoven classification schematic to identify the source of discrepancies and deferrals and subsequently to guide performance improvement initiatives. A retrospective review of intraoperative consultations performed at a tertiary level hospital and cancer center over a 6-month period identified deferrals and discrepancies between the intraoperative consult report and the final pathology report. We developed and applied a classification tool to identify the process errors and cognitive errors leading to discrepant results. A total of 48 (4.6%) discrepancies and 24 (2.3%) deferrals were identified from the 1042 frozen sections. Within the entire data set of frozen sections, the process errors (n = 26, 54.2%) were due to gross sampling (n = 16, 33.3%), histologic sampling (n = 8, 16.7%), and surgical sampling (n = 2, 4.2%). Interpretation errors (n = 22, 45.8%) included undercalls/false negatives (n=8, 16.7%), overcalls/false positives (n = 10, 20.8%), and misclassification errors (n = 4, 8.3%). Application of our classification tool demonstrated that the root cause of discrepancies and deferrals varied both between organ systems and by specific organs and that classification models may be utilized as a standardized method to identify focused areas for improvement.
Visualization of ionizing-radiation and hot-carrier stress response of polysilicon emitter BJTs

Process and device simulation software tools are used to produce an animated visualization of the mechanisms involved in the ionizing-radiation and hot-carrier stress responses of BJTs. A physically-based model is presented, which compares ionizing-radiation response with hot-carrier response in poly-silicon-emitter BJTs. During ionizing radiation, positive charge accumulates along the oxide-silicon interface. The accumulated charge causes excess base current to flow, characterized by an ideality factor between one and two for low total doses of ionizing radiation, and an ideality factor of two for high total doses of ionizing radiation. During hot-carrier stress, the oxide damage is localized near the emitter-base junction, and the excess base current has an ideality factor of two. >
HGAL Directly Interacts with Both Myosin and Actin and Increases the Binding of Myosin to Actin

Abstract Abstract 3097 HGAL is a recently identified germinal center (GC)–specific gene whose expression by tumor cells correlates with a favorable prognosis in patients with diffuse large B-cell and classical Hodgkin lymphomas. HGAL is involved in negative regulation of lymphocyte migration, thus potentially constraining lymphocytes to the GC and decreasing lymphoma cell migration and dissemination. The latter effect may contribute to the less aggressive clinical behavior of HGAL-expressing lymphomas. Actin filaments, usually in association with myosin, are responsible for many types of cell movements. The interaction between myosin and actin is responsible for muscle contraction, migration of nonmuscle cells and also plays a role in cell division. The movement of cells appears to be driven directly by actin polymerization and by actin-myosin interactions. In our previous work (Lu et al, Blood 2007), we demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization studies that HGAL interacts with myosin II and actin. However, the mechanistic consequences of this interaction are unknown. Because the interaction of actin with myosin is the key factor in cell motility and HGAL negatively regulates lymphocyte migration, we hypothesized that HGAL may decelerate cell migration by affecting the binding of myosin to actin. To confirm the direct and not interdependent interaction between myosin-HGAL and actin-HGAL, we performed in vitro co-sedimentation experiments with recombinant HGAL protein and purified actin and myosin, respectively. These studies demonstrated direct and independent binding of HGAL to both myosin and actin. We next demonstrated that the N terminal portion of the HGAL protein (aa 1–118) can bind the head region of myosin II (S1) that contains the actin and ATP binding sites, and to the rod part of the myosin molecule that is responsible for filament formation. While no effect of the HGAL on the actomyosin ATPase activity was observed, it reduced the rate of actin polymerization from G-actin to F-actin. Further binding studies using pyrene-labeled F-actin showed that HGAL increases the binding of myosin to F-actin. Taken together, our results indicate that HGAL is a cellular regulator of actin assembly that can also regulate the actin-myosin interaction. This in turn may explain the role of HGAL as a favorable prognosis marker for patients with diffuse large B-cell and classical Hodgkin lymphomas. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Signal-to-interference-plus- noise-ratio analysis for constrained radar waveforms

To fully appreciate the benefits of arbitrary waveform design capability for transmit adaptive systems, the trade space between constraints (employed to increase the measure of practicality for radar) and the usual performance driver (signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio) needs to be better defined and understood.We address this issue by developing performance models for radar waveforms with cumulative-modulus and energy constraints. Radar waveforms typically require a constant-modulus (constant-amplitude) transmit signal to efficiently exploit the available transmit power. However, recent hardware advances and the capability for arbitrary (phase and amplitude) designed waveforms have forced a reexamination of this assumption in order to quantify the impact of the nonconstant modulus property.We develop performance models for the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio as a function of the cumulative modulus for a random colored interference environment and validate the models against measured data.
Less Than Ideal Cardiovascular Health Is Associated With Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999–2002

Background The associations between individual cardiovascular disease risk factors and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) have been inconclusive. We investigated the association between LTL and overall cardiovascular health (CVH) as defined by the American Heart Association and whether the association is modified by sex and race/ethnicity. Methods and Results We included 5194 adults (aged ≥20) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002. CVH was defined as a composite score of the 7 metrics (smoking, physical activity, diet, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose) and categorized as “poor,” “intermediate,” and “ideal.” LTL was assayed from whole blood using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method relative to standard reference DNA. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the association between CVH and log‐transformed LTL. We found strong graded association between CVH and LTL in the overall sample, with evidence of dose‐response relationship ( P for trend=0.013). Individuals with poor and intermediate CVH had significantly shorter LTL than individuals with ideal CVH (−3.4% [95% CI=−6.0%, −0.8%] and −2.4% [−4.4%, −0.3%], respectively), after adjustment for demographic variables, socioeconomic status, and C‐reactive protein. The association was stronger in women (−6.6% [−10.2%, −2.9%] for poor vs ideal CVH) and non‐Hispanic whites (−4.3% [−7.1%, −1.4%] for poor vs ideal CVH). Conclusions The findings suggest that less‐than‐ideal CVH is associated with shorter LTL, but this association varies by sex and race/ethnicity. Future longitudinal research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the association between CVH and LTL.
Observational study of haemostatic dysfunction and bleeding in neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

Objective Evaluate the relationship between initial haemostatic parameters and the frequency and severity of bleeding in neonates with hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). Design Retrospective observational cohort study. Setting 2 academically affiliated level III neonatal intensive care units in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants 98 neonates with moderate-to-severe HIE who underwent haemostatic testing within 12 hours of birth and were born from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013. Primary and secondary outcome measures Initial haemostatic dysfunction was defined as one or more of the following: prothrombin time (PT) ≥18 s, platelet count 3 /μL or fibrinogen Results Among the 98 neonates evaluated, the prevalence of initial haemostatic dysfunction was 69% (95% CI 59% to 78%). 27 neonates (28%; 95% CI 19% to 38%) had abnormal bleeding events and 56 (57%) received at least 1 blood product transfusion. 3 neonates died from bleeding complications. The most common products transfused were fresh-frozen plasma (71%), followed by packed red blood cells (24%) and platelets (21%). In multivariable analysis, fibrinogen 3 /μL (adjusted relative risk 2.59, 95% CI 1.30 to 5.16), but not initial PT, were associated with an increased risk of bleeding. The most severe bleeding occurred in neonates with a fibrinogen Conclusions Among neonates with moderate-to-severe HIE, haemostatic dysfunction is prevalent and associated with an increased risk of bleeding and high transfusion burden. Further studies are needed to determine the appropriate transfusion approaches in this population to prevent bleeding.
Saving the sea, socially: measuring the relationship between content and gesture on Facebook

This article explores the relationship between gesture and content on the social media platform Facebook. Analyzing the results of a digital content analysis of more than 1,600 posts from the Roatan Marine Park's Facebook page, this study reports the significant correlations found between various types of content, media, and engagement gestures. Findings suggest there is a relationship between content and gesture on Facebook, but what triggers stakeholders to "like" and "comment" on content is different from what triggers them to share content. The study concludes with six applications of these findings relevant to practitioners working with nonprofit organizations on Facebook.
Carbonic anhydrase XII functions in health and disease

Human CAXII was initially identified as a cancer marker in different cancers and tumors. Expression of CAXII is regulated by hypoxia and estrogen receptors. CAXII expression has been also detected in several tissues, whereas in cancer and tumor tissues its expression is several fold higher. In brain tumors, an alternatively spliced form of CAXII is expressed. Higher expression of CAXII in breast cancer is indicative of lower grade disease. CAXII plays a key role in several physiological functions. Mutation in the CAXII gene causes cystic fibrosis-like syndrome and salt wasting disease. CAXII is also seen in nuclear pulposus cells of the vertebrae. Aging dependent stiffness or degeneration of backbone correlates with CAXII expression level. This finding suggests a possible implication of CAXII as a biomarker for chronic back pain and a pharmacological target for possible treatment of chronic back pain.
Black LGB Health and Well-Being

Two landmark publications during the mid-1970s, Thomas McKeown’s The Modern Rise of Population (1976) and John Cassel’s “The contribution of the social environment to host resistance” (1976), helped rekindle interest in how social factors influence health. Realization that communities and social structures affect the health of populations and affect them differentially was not new. Associations between poverty and ill health are centuries old and were key to the activist-oriented U.S. public health movement at the turn of the twentieth century. However, the ascendancy of the germ theory during the last decades of the nineteenth century dampened interest in poverty and other socially constructed conditions as significant pathways to ill health. However “wrong” the theory of miasma—that disease was caused by the fetid air produced by the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions of the urban poor—the theory at least focused public health initiatives on improving the lives of economically marginalized people. With its decline, health initiatives moved from living conditions to the laboratory.
Geometric phases in dissipative systems with symmetry

Abstract Classical dissipative systems with symmetry can exhibit a geometric phase effect wherein an adiabatic variation of a parameter drives a shift in the symmetry direction. Viewing the parameter as a control variable, the effect may be useful in the parametric control of dissipative systems, many of which exhibit pattern-forming solutions. Earlier work by A.S. Landsberg developed a theory for this effect in systems admitting an abelian symmetry. In this paper we present a generalization allowing for arbitrary continuous symmetries. This generalization is achieved by defining a new principal connection, here called the Landsberg connection, on an appropriate principal fiber bundle. A simple example is presented to illustrate the theory.
Accumulation of dsRNA in endosomes contributes to inefficient RNA interference in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.

RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency varies among insects studied. The barriers for successful RNAi include the presence of double-stranded ribonucleases (dsRNase) in the lumen and hemolymph that could potentially digest double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and the variability in the transport of dsRNA into and within the cells. We recently showed that the dsRNAs are transported into lepidopteran cells, but they are not processed into small interference RNAs (siRNAs) because they are trapped in acidic bodies. In the current study, we focused on the identification of acidic bodies in which dsRNAs accumulate in Sf9 cells. Time-lapse imaging studies showed that dsRNAs enter Sf9 cells and accumulate in acidic bodies within 20 min after their addition to the medium. CypHer-5E-labeled dsRNA also accumulated in the midgut and fat body dissected from Spodoptera frugiperda larvae with similar patterns observed in Sf9 cells. Pharmacological inhibitor assays showed that the dsRNAs use clathrin mediated endocytosis pathway for transport into the cells. We investigated the potential dsRNA accumulation sites employing LysoTracker and double labeling experiments using the constructs to express a fusion of green fluorescence protein with early or late endosomal marker proteins and CypHer-5E-labeled dsRNA. Interestingly, CypHer-5E-labeled dsRNA accumulated predominantly in early and late endosomes. These data suggest that entrapment of internalized dsRNA in endosomes is one of the major factors contributing to inefficient RNAi response in lepidopteran insects.
Investigation of Amide Bond Formation during Dehydrophos Biosynthesis

Dehydrophos is a tripeptide phosphonate antibiotic produced by Streptomyces luridus. Its biosynthetic pathway involves the use of aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) for amide bond formation. The first amide bond during biosynthesis is formed by DhpH-C, a peptidyltransferase that utilizes Leu-tRNALeu. DhpH-C is a member of a burgeoning family of natural product biosynthetic enzymes that make use of aa-tRNA outside of canonical translation activities in the cell. Here, we used site-directed mutagenesis of both DhpH-C and tRNALeu to investigate the enzyme mechanism and substrate specificity, respectively, and analyzed the substrate scope for the production of a set of dipeptides. DhpH-C appears to recognize both the amino acyl group on the tRNA and the tRNA acceptor stem, and the enzyme can accept other hydrophobic residues, in addition to leucine. These results contribute to a better understanding of enzyme-aa-tRNA interactions and the growing exploration of aa-tRNA usage beyond translation.
Control of the minimum action reasoning: Soft computing by multi dimension optic geometry

Given a n + 1 dimensional space S with (y, x1, x2, … , xn) ∈ S, we use the model (hyper-plane) in S y = β1f1(x1, x2, … , xn) + ⋯ + βqfq(x1, x2, … , xn) to control the transformation of the points Y = {(y1, x1, x2, … , xn), (y2, x1, x2, … , xn), … , (yk, x1, x2, … , xn)} into Y′=y1′,x1,x2,…,xn,y2′,x1,x2,…,xn,…,yk′,x1,x2,…,xn where the values y′ have the minimum distance from y. The algorithm to compute the parameters (β1, β2, … , βq) and the values y′ is denoted minimum action reasoning. The operation is the geometric projection of y into the hyper-plane in S. With the different models or hyper-planes we can control many different geometric transformations as reflection, rotation, refraction. With a chain of transformations we generate the minimum path in S that joins one point to another (geodesic). One ray in the space S is controlled by models as a special environment that guides the ray to have the task with minimum distance. The minimum action reasoning can be used to create software by models for different applications The coordinates of the space S can be real numbers, logic values, fuzzy sets or any other set that we can define. Classical linear or non-linear regression is part of this minimum action reasoning. Also classical logic, many value logic and fuzzy logic are included in the minimum action reasoning.
Research progress on high risk sexual behavior among men who have sex with men under antiretroviral treatment

MSM是指与男性发生性行为的男性,主要包括四类人群:男性同性恋者、男性双性恋者、男性变性欲者和男性异性恋者.MSM以同性恋者居多,其次为双性恋者.处于性活跃期的MSM占性活跃期男性的2％～4％,2007年中国疾病预防控制中心公布的数字估计我国MSM超过1 000万人.从全球来看,近年来MSM的HIV感染率快速上升,在拉丁美洲MSM已经成为艾滋病流行主要人群,2012年多米尼加HIV新发感染者中MSM占33％,秘鲁占56％[1];在美国及东南亚、非洲等地MSM的HIV感染率为14％～ 18％[2]. 关键词：艾滋病;男男性行为者;抗病毒治疗;高危行为
A Rare Complication of Endovascular Embolization: Extruded Onyx on Trigeminal Nerve.

Objectives To demonstrate a rare complication of endovascular tumor embolization with onyx. Design Operative video. Setting Department of neurological surgery in a university hospital. Participants A 39-year-old male who was diagnosed with a right sided hemangioblastoma. Main Outcome Measures Surgical resection of the tumor, preservation of the cranial nerves and extruded embolization material on trigeminal nerve. Results The tumor was embolized with onyx the day before surgery. Patient woke up with no sensation in the right side of his face. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a small restricted diffusion area within the right superior cerebellar vermis. Microsurgical resection of the tumor was uneventful and complete resection was achieved (Fig. 1). After the resection was completed, the trigeminal nerve was identified. Some of the capillaries overlying the nerve as well as the cerebellum and brain stem had extruded onyx-embolic material (Fig. 2). Some of the onyx over the cerebellum was removed; however, the ones on the trigeminal nerve and brain stem were not removed due to the risk of injury to the nerve. Postoperative MRI confirmed total resection. Patient made excellent recovery except he continued to have no sensation in the right side of his face. Conclusion Preoperative embolization is an important adjunct to resection of large hemangioblastomas in selected cases because it may facilitate circumferential dissection and debulking of the tumor. Although extrusion of the embolization material is relatively common, immediate extrusion of onyx and its transfixion on a cranial nerve has not been reported before. Judicial selection of preoperative embolization is required in hemangioblastomas. The link to the Video can be found at: https://youtu.be/s0DjD26Xkas .
Tunable Metal-Organic Frameworks Enable High Efficiency Cascaded Adsorption Heat Pumps

Rising global standards of living coupled to the recent agreement to eliminate hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants are creating intense pressure to develop more sustainable climate control systems. In this vein, the use of water as the refrigerant in adsorption heat pumps is highly attractive, but such adsorption systems are constrained to large size and poor efficiency by the characteristics of currently employed water sorbents. Here we demonstrate control of the relative humidity of water uptake by modulating the pore size in a family of isoreticular triazolate metal–organic frameworks. Using this method, we identify a pair of materials with stepped, nonoverlapping water isotherms that can function in tandem to provide continuous cooling with a record ideal coefficient of performance of 1.63. Additionally, when used in a single-stage heat pump, the microporous Ni2Cl2BBTA has the largest working capacity of any material capable of generating a 25 °C difference between ambient and chiller output.
A novel mechanism for immune regulation after human lung transplantation.

Abstract Objective Lung transplantation is therapeutic for end-stage lung disease, but survival is limited due to bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and restrictive chronic lung allograft dysfunction. We sought a common denominator in lung transplant recipients, analyzing risk factors that trigger immune responses that lead to bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Methods We collected blood from patients who underwent lung transplant at our institution. Exosomes were isolated from the sera of recipients with risk factors for chronic rejection and from stable recipients. Exosomes were analyzed with western blot, using antibodies to lung self-antigens K alpha 1 tubulin and collagen-V, costimulatory molecules (costimulatory molecule 80, costimulatory molecule 86), transcription factors (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex Transactivator), and 20S proteasome. Results Of the 90 patients included, we identified 5 with grade 3 primary graft dysfunction, 5 without, 15 with respiratory viral infection, 10 with acute rejection, 10 with donor-specific antibodies (DSA), 5 without DSA, and 10 who were stable for exosome isolation. Recipients with grade 3 primary graft dysfunction, respiratory viral infection, acute rejection, and DSA had exosomes containing self-antigens; exosomes from stable recipients did not. Exosomes from recipients with grade 3 primary graft dysfunction, acute rejection, and DSA also demonstrated costimulatory molecule 80, costimulatory molecule 86, major histocompatibility complex class II, transcription factor, and 20S proteasome. Conclusions Transplanted lungs with grade 3 primary graft dysfunction, symptomatic respiratory viral infection, acute rejection, and immune responses induce exosomes that contain self-antigens, costimulatory molecules, major histocompatibility complex class II, transcription factors, and 20S proteasome. Release of circulating exosomes post-transplant from the aforementioned stress-inducing insults augment immunity and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.
Assessing subsistence and its relationship to cultural complexity in the late prehistoric upper Midwest: A new perspective provided by dental health.

Objective Previous researchers have assumed that the Late Prehistoric Oneota were less reliant on maize agriculture than their Middle Mississippian neighbors to the south. This assumption is based on the idea that intensive maize agriculture is related to sociopolitical complexity, and that the climate of the Great Lakes region was less conducive to full-scale agriculture than that of the American Bottom. Here, we assess the diet of the Oneota using dental pathology to test the hypothesis that the Oneota in Eastern Wisconsin were highly reliant on maize agriculture. Materials and methods To test our hypothesis, skeletal remains representing 187 individuals and 1,102 teeth were examined from nine Oneota sites from the Middle Fox and Koshkonong Localities, as well as the Late Woodland/Middle Mississippian site of Aztalan. Dental caries, antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), and dental abscesses were assessed for each individual in the sample. Dental pathologies in the Oneota groups were compared to each other based on Locality and to the Aztalan population using chi-squared tests. Results Dental caries rates for the Oneota, based on the tooth count approach, were observed at 16.8% for the Middle Fox Locality, and 49% for the Koshkonong Locality. Comparatively, the Late Woodland/Middle Mississippian population from Aztalan had a tooth count rate of 19.5%. AMTL rates were similar across samples. Dental abscessing was universally low. Discussion The relatively high rate of dental caries among the Oneota is comparable to Middle Mississippian populations from throughout the Midwest, suggesting similar reliance on maize between the groups.
33 TESTICULAR MICROLITHIASIS: OUR 10-YEAR EXPERIENCE.

Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is a condition that has traditionally been considered uncommon, characterized at sonography by multiple microcalcifications in the testes. Currently, the correlation between TM and testicular malignancies is variable in different series. Thus, the management for incidentally discovered TM is still in debate, ranging from no follow-up to complete workups. The purpose of this study is to review our data regarding the prevalence of TM, its association with testicular malignancies, and the value of follow-up at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center. This is a retrospective study in which 3,254 testicular sonograms over a 10-year period identified 137 patients with TM. TM was divided into two groups of either classic TM or limited TM. Associations with testicular cancers and other findings were then noted, as well as the extent of follow-up with each patient; 137 (4.6%) of the 2,957 individual patients with scrotal sonograms had TM; 8 (5.8%) of the 137 patients with TM had testicular cancers. All eight patients with testicular malignancies presented with classic TM. There were nine testicular tumors in eight patients. This included three patients with bilateral classic TM, three patients with unilateral classic TM and ipsilateral malignancy, and two patients with unilateral classic TM and contralateral malignancy. In one patient with bilateral CTM there were bilateral malignancies. In the two cases with unilateral classic TM and malignancy in the contralateral testis, the tumors were very large (1.1 and 1.2 kg). None of the 30 TM patients who did not have a testicular cancer at the time of the first sonogram developed testicular malignancies on our follow-up (average follow-up time of 19 months; range 1-90 months, SD 19.7 months). We conclude that TM does not independently increase the risk of testicular malignancy; however, in patients with TM and other known risk factors for testicular cancer, follow-up is warranted. Furthermore, testicular tumors are associated with classic TM and not with limited TM.
Key Constraint Variable Identification, Transient Stability Assessment and Feasible Region Generation of Power Grid Operation Based on Machine Learning Method

The existing machine learning methods for the decision-making of power grid operation lack sufficient interpretability and focus on transient stability assessment. In response to this deficiency, this paper analyzed the process of humankind learning and decision-making in the field of power grid operation. To further speed up the decision making process, a model which combines correlation analysis, deep learning and decision tree used for key constraint variable identification, transient stability assessment and feasible region generation is proposed. This model is able to take advantage of feature extraction and fitting effect of deep learning, good interpretability of correlation analysis and decision tree. Experiment results on a subsystem in China Southern Power Grid demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the model.
Serology Is More Sensitive Than Urea Breath Test or Stool Antigen for the Initial Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Gastritis When Compared With Histopathology

Objectives To assess the concordance and performance characteristics of Helicobacter pylori laboratory tests compared with histopathology and to propose algorithms for the diagnosis of H pylori that minimize diagnostic error. Methods H pylori diagnostics were reviewed from a 12-year period within a health system (2,560 cases). Analyses were performed to adjust diagnostic performance based on treatment and consensus histopathologic diagnoses among pathologists. Markers of access to care, including test cancellation frequency and turnaround time, were assessed. Costs and performance of candidate noninvasive testing algorithms were modeled as a function of disease prevalence. Results Serum H pylori IgG demonstrated a higher sensitivity (0.94) than urea breath and stool antigen tests (0.64 and 0.61, respectively). Evidence of an advantage in access to care for serology included a lower cancellation rate. Interobserver variability was higher (κ = 0.34) among pathologists for cases with a discordant laboratory test than concordant cases (κ = 0.56). A model testing algorithm utilizing serology for first-time diagnoses minimizes diagnostic error. Conclusions Although H pylori serology has modestly lower specificity than other noninvasive tests, the superior sensitivity and negative predictive value in our population support its use as a noninvasive test to rule out H pylori infection. Reflexive testing with positive serology followed by either stool antigen or urea breath test may optimize diagnostic accuracy in low-prevalence populations.
Dosimetric Predictors of Genitourinary Toxicity From a Phase I Trial of Prostate Bed Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

Abstract Purpose Our purpose was to analyze dose-volume parameters associated with genitourinary (GU) toxicity from a phase I clinical trial of prostate bed stereotactic body radiation therapy. Methods and Materials Patients were treated in escalating dose levels of 35, 40, and 45 Gy, over 5 fractions. Data from all 26 patients enrolled in the protocol were analyzed using multiple dose-volume cut points for multiple GU organs at risk. Univariate logistical regression and Fisher exact test were used to assess statistical significance associated with incidence of toxicity. Results The median follow-up was 36 months for all patients. Acute GU toxicity was mild and resolved spontaneously. Eight out of 26 patients (30.7%) developed late GU toxicity of grade 2 or higher. Two patients developed grade 3 ureteral stenosis, 1 in the 35 Gy arm and the other in the 45 Gy arm. Three patients developed grade 2 or higher hematuria/cystitis, and 3 developed grade 2 or higher incontinence. Incidence of grade 3 ureteral stenosis was related to the absolute volume of bladder wall receiving greater than 20, 25, and 30 Gy (P Conclusions This is the first analysis to report dose-volume thresholds associated with late GU toxicity in patients receiving prostate bed stereotactic body radiation therapy. We recommend limiting the bladder wall receiving 25 Gy to less than 18 cubic centimeters to reduce the risk for late grade 3 ureteral stenosis.
Abstract IA29: Global proteomics reveals the context-dependence of K-Ras signaling

KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in cancer. In the absence of direct inhibitors for most K-Ras mutants, therapeutic strategies focus on targeting downstream pathways that mediate its oncogenic properties. This approach is limited, however, by an incomplete understanding of the contextual cues that modulate the signaling output of activated K-Ras. To determine how tissue context, genetic background, and KRAS allele modulate oncogenic signaling on a global level, we performed multiplexed mass spectrometry on mouse tissues expressing wild-type or mutant K-Ras. Different mutant forms of K-Ras dramatically altered the proteomes and phosphoproteomes of colons, pancreases, and spleens, even when a given mutant allele did not alter tissue homeostasis. The vast majority of changes were context specific (i.e., not conserved between tissues or KRAS alleles), leading to several unique K-Ras-regulated network architectures. We developed an approach to integrate proteomic data from mouse models with proteomic and mutational data from human cancers, identifying key nodes in the K-Ras network that are conserved between primary tumors and a model organism. Comparison of the integrated K-Ras signaling networks to genetic screening data identified several genes that are synthetic lethal with mutant K-Ras. Altogether, these studies demonstrate the extreme context-dependent plasticity of K-Ras signaling and identify noncanonical mediators of K-Ras oncogenicity that lie within the K-Ras-regulated signaling network. Citation Format: Kevin Haigis. Global proteomics reveals the context-dependence of K-Ras signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting RAS-Driven Cancers; 2018 Dec 9-12; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(5_Suppl):Abstract nr IA29.