cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using circulating tumor cells to advance precision medicine in prostate cancer

The field of CTC enrichment has seen many emerging technologies in recent years, which have resulted in the identification and monitoring of clinically relevant, CTC-based biomarkers that can be analyzed routinely without invasive procedures. Several molecular platforms have been used to investigate the molecular profile of the disease, from high throughput gene expression analyses down to single cell biological dissection. The established presence of CTC heterogeneity nevertheless constitutes a challenge for cell isolation as the several subpopulations can potentially display different molecular characteristics; in this scenario, careful consideration must be given to the isolation approach, whereas methods that discriminate against certain subpopulations may result in the exclusion of CTCs that carry biological relevance. In the context of prostate cancer (PC), CTC molecular interrogation can enable longitudinal monitoring of key biological features during treatment with substantial clinical impact, as several biomarkers could predict tumor response to AR signaling inhibitors (abiraterone, enzalutamide) or standard chemotherapy (taxanes). Thus, CTCs represent a valuable opportunity to personalize medicine in current clinical practice.
The missing agostomer in the fluxionality of cyclohexenylmanganese tricarbonyl

Abstract Fluxionality of the cyclohexenylmanganese tricarbonyl complex [(C6H9)Mn(CO)3], which has an Mn-H-C 3-center 2-electron agostic interaction, have been analyzed with density functional theory (DFT) computations. The fluxionality of this complex is a classic in organometallic chemistry (as highlighted by its inclusion as a study problem in the textbook by Kegley and Pinhas, Problems and Solutions in Organometallic Chemistry), and we provide new insights into its chemistry. Besides the three previously reported fluxional processes [1,3-endo fast exchange (TS-1), CO ligand equivalence (TS-2), and 1,2-metal migration via Cs η4 diene hydride species (TS-3)], two additional processes were identified: 1,2-agostic isomerization (TS-1-2), and a low-energy hydride transfer process (TS-1-9). This investigation uncovered a previously unidentified agostic interaction in the fluxionality of (C6H9)Mn(CO)3: the 1,2-agostic isomerization leads to a previously uncharacterized “closed” Cs agostomer (structure 2) with a Mn-H distance of 2.04 A, a Mn-H-C bond angle of 104.3°, and the 1H NMR chemical shift of −4.7 ppm. Energetically-similar agostic isomers have previously been defined as “agostomers”. The variable-temperature 1H NMR spectra were also simulated. Excellent agreement is observed (R2 = 0.9949) when comparing the computed and experimental 1H NMR chemical shifts. Reasonable agreements between the computed activation energies (6.1, 12.9, and 13.8 kcal mol−1) and experimental activation energies (8.3 ± 0.3, 13.1 ± 0.1, and 15.4 ± 0.3 kcal mol−1) were found.
Decoupling of plate-asthenosphere motion caused by non-linear viscosity during slab folding in the transition zone

Abstract Although most present-day subduction zones are in trench retreat, plate reconstructions and geological observations show that individual margins experience episodes of advancing, retreating or stationary trench motion with time-variable subduction rates. However, most laboratory and numerical simulations predict steady plate velocities and sustained trench retreat unless the slab experiences folding in the transition zone. Using 2D dynamical models of subduction with a mobile trench and overriding plate, we find that rapid sinking of the slab during folding causes a reduction in asthenosphere viscosity through the non-linear rheology, which allows the overriding plate to move in the opposite direction of the asthenosphere. This decoupling of the direction of plate and asthenosphere flow allows for episodes of rapid trench advance after each slab folding event. By analyzing the interaction between slab deformation (sinking direction and speed), stress-induced changes in asthenosphere viscosity, asthenosphere flow and plate motions, we show that there are three modes of slab-flow-plate interaction: 1) coupled trench retreat during rapid vertical sinking, 2) coupled trench advance during prograde sinking of the slab, and 3) decoupled, rapid trench advance during folding with prograde motion of the shallow slab and retrograde motion of the deep slab. These results show that non-linear viscosity plays an important role in determining the force balance controlling trench motion and conversely that trench motion can be used as a constraint on the asthenosphere viscosity underlying the overriding plate. In addition, cooling by several hundreds of degrees during episodes of fast subduction could lead to a reduction in slab dehydration and fluid-induced melting in the mantle wedge. Such cold episodes would also likely lead to time-variability in the water content and related geochemical tracers in erupted lavas, as well as the amount of water being transported by slabs into the deep mantle.
An Approach to Holistic Development of Serious Games and Learning Simulations

This discourse is an argument for a holistic approach to developing learning games and computer mediated experiences through the intersections of the areas of efficacy, effectiveness, and user experience in designing and developing serious games and simulated learning experiences. Some examples are explored in which reasonably effective design approaches could have been improved by a more holistic and iterative approach. The approach includes the integration of learning objectives, outcomes, usability, motivation, experience, ludus, aesthetics, cost and sustainability of the systems based on research within the fields of education, learning theory, game design theory, and simulation. These constructs explain the need for an iterative and holistic approach to designing and developing learning games. Embracing iterative and learning centered design of serious games will perpetuate development of effective educational technology.
Hormonally Defined, Serum-Free Media for Epithelial Cells in Culture

Through most of the 75-year history of in vitro culture of mammalian cells and tissues, investigators have found it necessary for maintenance and growth of the cells to add to basal nutrient culture media some type of undefined and often inconsistent biological fluid such as lymph, milk, plasma, or serum, amniotic or spinal fluid (Harrison, 1907; Carrel, 1913; Temin et al., 1972; Brooks, 1975). Most of the studies in the last 50 years have used serum-supplemented media for the growth of both fibroblastic and epithelial cell types in culture. Although the disadvantages of the use of undefined supplements such as serum in culture media were recognized from the beginning, progress toward replacing serum with defined components of the media was slow, and the most successful early attempts at cell culture in defined media were those in which the approach was to “adapt” cells to a predetermined serum-free medium formulation, a procedure that in most cases probably selected for a small subpopulation within the cells used to initiate the cultures (Higuchi, 1973).
Saccades in Human Infants

Fast eye movements in infants and adults were examined with a corneal reflection recording system. When viewing stimuli with high attentional value, infants make fast movements whose main sequences are comparable to those of adults. Both infant saccades and the fast phases of optokinetic nystagmus have adult-like characteristics, suggesting that the saccadic system is funtional early in life. For less arousing stimuli, infants show slower saccades, and a high proportion of saccadic oscillations.
India in the American Imaginary, 1780s-1880s

It is not uncommon for potential students in my courses on the history of British India or of India more broadly to express their concerns. “I’m new to this material,” they say. “I’ve never studied...
Stylistic variation among mobile speakers: Using old and new regional variables to construct complex place identity

This paper examines stylistic variation in the (oh), (o), (aw), and (ay) classes among native speakers of Canadian English living in or just outside either New York City or Washington, DC. Speakers show evidence of change toward US norms for all four vowels, though only (aw) shows consistent style shifting: prevoiceless (aw) is realized with higher nuclei when speakers express ambivalence about or distance from the United States, and lower nuclei when closeness to or positive affect about the United States is being conveyed. Canadians in New York also show topic- and stance-based shift in (oh): (oh)s are higher when expressing positive affect or closeness to New York City and lower when expressing negative affect or distance. These results suggest that mobile speakers continue to exploit the socioindexical links in their native dialect while learning and using new links in their adopted dialect—but only if those links are socially salient.
Construction of a Compact Low-Cost Radiation Shield for Air-Temperature Sensors in Ecological Field Studies

Low cost temperature sensors are increasingly used by ecologists to assess climatic variation and change on ecologically relevant scales. Although cost-effective, if not deployed with proper solar radiation shielding, the observations recorded from these sensors will be biased and inaccurate. Manufactured radiation shields are effective at minimizing this bias, but are expensive compared to the cost of these sensors. Here, we provide a detailed methodology for constructing a compact version of a previously described custom fabricated radiation shield, which is more accurate than other published shielding methods that attempt to minimize shield size or construction costs. The method requires very little material: corrugated plastic sheets, aluminum foil duct tape, and cable ties. One 15 cm and two 10 cm squares of corrugated plastic are used for each shield. After cutting, scoring, taping and stapling of the sheets, the 10 cm squares form the bottom two layers of the solar radiation shield, while the 15 cm square forms the top layer. The three sheets are held together with cable ties. This compact solar radiation shield can be suspended, or placed against any flat surface. Care must be taken to ensure that the shield is completely parallel to the ground to prevent direct solar radiation from reaching the sensor, possibly causing increased warm biases in sun-exposed sites in the morning and afternoon relative to the original, larger design. Even so, differences in recorded temperatures between the smaller, compact shield design and the original design were small (mean daytime bias = 0.06 °C). Construction costs are less than half of the original shield design, and the new design results in a less conspicuous instrument that may be advantageous in many field ecology settings.
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation for Determining the Association of Proteins with Specific Genomic Sequences In Vivo

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a powerful and widely applied technique for detecting the association of individual proteins with specific genomic regions in vivo. Live cells are treated with formaldehyde to generate protein-protein and protein-DNA cross-links between molecules that are in close proximity on the chromatin template in vivo. DNA sequences that cross-link with a given protein are selectively enriched, and reversal of the formaldehyde cross-linking permits recovery and quantitative analysis of the immunoprecipitated DNA. As formaldehyde inactivates cellular enzymes essentially immediately upon addition to cells, ChIP provides snapshots of protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions at a particular time point, and hence is useful for kinetic analysis of events occurring on chromosomal sequences in vivo. In addition, ChIP can be combined with microarray technology to identify the location of specific proteins on a genome-wide basis. in this unit describes the ChIP procedure for Saccharomyces cerevisiae; describes the corresponding steps for mammalian cells.
RIGHT VENTRICULAR CONTRACTILE RESERVE CHARACTERIZED BY TREADMILL EXERCISE CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may aid in assessment of right ventricular (RV) morphology and function as well as contractile reserve (RVCR). Previous data suggests that RVCR may be diminished in patients with PAH patients by bicycle ergometer (eCMR
The California Coastal Plan

Thus far we have focused on the classic adjudicatory function of the coastal commissions, namely, the review of applications for development within the 1000-yard permit area. We have examined the general stringency of permit decisions, their consistency with statutory objectives, the major variables affecting those decisions, and the impacts of the permit process on public access, wetlands, and housing costs.
Direct Observation of Failure in Ice-Templated Ceramics Under Dynamic and Quasistatic Compressive Loading Conditions

The current study investigated the effects of porosity, microstructure, and strain rate regime on the damage evolution and failure behavior under uniaxial compressive loading conditions in ice-templated alumina materials. The compressive response was investigated in dynamic and quasistatic loading regimes. Microstructural analysis revealed that in the high porosity regime, morphology was lamellar. In the lower porosity materials processed at higher freezing front velocities (FFVs), morphology was dendritic but transitioned to lamellar structure with the decreasing FFV. Ice-templated materials with higher porosity exhibited progressive crushing type damage evolution, irrespective of the FFV and strain rate regime. The origin of progressive crushing type failure was observed to be the absence of macroscopic crack evolution in the vicinity of peak stress, and subsequent to peak stress damage evolved only in the form of minimal fragmentation that gradually increased with the increasing strain. However, at comparable strain, the extent of dynamic damage was less compared to quasistatic damage, which suggests enhanced resistance to brittle fracture at high-strain rates. With the decreasing porosity damage evolution process changed, particularly under quasistatic loading in the materials processed at higher FFVs. Up to peak stress materials were intact, whereas upon reaching peak stress significant damage evolved causing complete loss of compressive load-bearing capacity. Whereas, damage evolution under dynamic loading in the vicinity of peak stress was significantly limited and damage accumulated progressively with the increasing strain, which strongly suggests greater structural stability in the ice-templated porous ceramic materials at high-strain rates.
Tracheal permeability in rats exposed to ozone. An electron microscopic and autoradiographic analysis of the transport pathway.

Exposure of rats to ozone (O3), 0.8 ppm increases the tracheal permeability to /sup 99m/Tc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (/sup 99m/Tc-DTPA) about twofold but to /sup 125/I-bovine serum albumin (/sup 125/I-BSA) to a lesser extent. It is generally believed that exposure to air pollutants causes perturbation of tight junctions and formation of intercellular channels for the passage of molecules from airway lumen to blood. We now report that a second mechanism, vesicular transport, is operative in the transepithelial movement of molecules, that this mechanism is speeded in tracheas of O/sub 3/-exposed rats, and that there is a concurrent delay in movement of BSA from connective tissue to capillaries after O/sub 3/ exposure. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) instilled in trachea was taken up by endocytic vesicles, which could be localized in apical as well as basal regions of ciliated and nonciliated cells. A count of HRP-positive vesicles and measurement of their surface area revealed an approximate twofold increase in O/sub 3/-exposed rats over that in control animals breathing clean air; this paralleled a twofold increase in transport of 99mTc-DTPA from tracheal lumen to blood. An autophagocytic process induced in tracheal epithelial cells by O/sub 3/ is proposed. Despite the difference in the size of HRP andmore » BSA, the 2 molecules migrated through common pathways and were colocalized in the luminal membranes as well as in endocytic vesicles and intercellular spaces in double labeling experiments involving simultaneous detection of HRP by cytochemistry and 125I-BSA by autoradiography. This procedure proved particularly useful in detecting a dramatic accumulation of 125I-BSA autoradiographic grains in subepithelial connective tissue and HRP accumulation in intercellular spaces and at the basal membrane-connective tissue junction in O/sub 3/-exposed rats.« less
Modulation of the metabolic response using dexamethasone in beef steers vaccinated with a multivalent respiratory vaccine.

Available energy plays a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of an immune response to a pathogen, a process that is further altered by activation of the stress system. This study was designed to determine the effect of an acute vs chronic stress model on the metabolic response to vaccination in naive beef steers. Steers (n = 32; 209 ± 8 kg) were blocked by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) Chronic stress (CHR), 0.5 mg/kg BW dexamethasone (DEX) administered i.v. at 1000 h on day 3 to day 0; 2) Acute stress (ACU), 0.5 mg/kg BW DEX administered i.v. at 1000 h on day 0 only; or 3) Control (CON), no DEX. On day -4, steers were fitted with jugular vein catheters and moved into individual bleeding stalls in an environmentally-controlled facility. Blood samples were collected at -74, -50, and -26 h, at 0.5-h intervals from -4 to 6 h, and at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h relative to vaccination with a combination vaccine (Pyramid 5 + Presponse SQ, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Duluth, GA) at 1200 h on day 0. Data were analyzed by the MIXED procedure of SAS specific for repeated measures. There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.001) for serum glucose concentrations. Specifically, glucose concentrations increased at -50 h in CHR steers and at 1200 h in ACU steers and remained elevated through 72 h postvaccination period in these two treatments compared to CON steers. The change in nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations relative to baseline values was affected by treatment and time (P < 0.001) such that the change in NEFA was greater in CHR (0.06 ± 0.01 mmol/L), followed by CON (-0.01 ± 0.01 mmol/L) and ACU steers (-0.04 ± 0.01 mmol/L). There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for a treatment × time interaction for change in serum NEFA concentrations. Serum urea nitrogen (SUN) was affected by treatment and time (P < 0.001) such that SUN concentrations were greatest in CHR (12.0 ± 0.1 mg/dL) followed by ACU (10.4 ± 0.1 mg/dL) and CON steers (9.6 ± 0.1 mg/dL); however, the treatment × time interaction was not significant (P = 0.12). These data demonstrate that activation of the stress and immune axes using an acute or chronic stress model can increase energy mobilization prior to and following vaccination in naive steers, potentially affecting available energy needed to mount an adequate antibody response to vaccination.
Optimal distribution feeder reconfiguration with optimal planning of distributed generation for loss reduction and voltage improvement using differential evolution algorithm

In the late years, there has been a noticeable influx of DGs onto the grid. This shift alters the manner in which electricity is being generated, transmitted, and managed. DGs conflicts have already risen between distribution systems designed for one-way power flow and DGs that want to force power flow in the opposite direction. Screening methods exist to avoid adverse impacts due to DGs, but this addressing the abundance of DGs interconnection requests and can result in higher overall costs if the resource is not fully integrated and located appropriately. A method to determine the optimal feeder reconfiguration and optimal allocation and size of DGs is proposed. The DG location is determined using the sensitivity of power losses. Then, the proposed differential evolution algorithm (DEA) is used to obtain the optimal size of the DG unit. The proposed algorithm is validated using the revised version of IEEE 33-bus radial distribution system.
The Center-Center Technique for the Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Precise Femoral Canal Preparation to Optimize Implant Fit and Fill.

Background The use of the direct anterior approach has been criticized as a significant risk factor for subsidence, perioperative fracture, and thigh pain. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to evaluate the outcome of using the center-center technique via the direct anterior approach. Materials and methods Consecutive elective primary total hip arthroplasties performed using the center-center technique were retrospectively reviewed from May 2015 to February 2017. All cases were performed by a single surgeon at a high-volume, large academic center. The technique focuses on central alignment of the implant on both anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Standardized objective radiographic measurements were taken at the first two-week follow-up visit to determine the fit and fill at the proximal and distal anatomic segments. Subsidence was measured by comparing the implant position at final follow up to the initial two-week postoperative visit. Other complications: intra- or postoperative fracture, infection, revision, and patient-reported thigh pain were further assessed. Functional postoperative outcomes were assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS). Results A total of 138 patients with a mean age of 65 years and average follow up of 2.8 years were assessed. The mean postoperative HHS was 90 points (59-100). Mean implant subsidence was 1mm. A total of 90% (124) of implants had acceptable radiographic fit and fill in both proximal and distal segments. A majority 74% (102) of implants subsided less than 1mm, and 91% (126) subsided less than 2mm. One implant had radiographic subsidence of 9mm, which was treated with a shoe lift. There were no intraoperative fractures. One postoperative lateral cortex fracture three weeks after surgery due to mechanical fall was treated conservatively. No patients required revision arthroplasty for any reason or reported postoperative thigh pain. Conclusion The center-center technique can be used to consistently aid in proper femoral stem placement in both coronal and sagittal planes. Optimal fit and fill can be achieved safely using this technique.
National Trends in Mental Health Care for US Adolescents

Importance The prevalence of adolescent depression and other internalizing mental health problems has increased in recent years, whereas the prevalence of externalizing behaviors has decreased. The association of these changes with the use of mental health services has not been previously examined. Objective To examine national trends in the care of different mental health problems and in different treatment settings among adolescents. Design, Setting, and Participants Data for this survey study were drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual cross-sectional survey of the US general population. This study focused on adolescent participants aged 12 to 17 years interviewed from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2018. Data were reported as weighted percentages and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and analyzed from July 20 to December 1, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Time trends in 12-month prevalence of any mental health treatment or counseling in a wide range of settings were examined overall and for different sociodemographic groups, types of mental health problems (internalizing, externalizing, relationship, and school related), and treatment settings (inpatient mental health, outpatient mental health, general medical, and school counseling). Trends in the number of visits and nights in inpatient settings were also examined. Results A total of 47 090 of the 230 070 adolescents across survey years (19.7%) received mental health care. Of these, 57.5% were female; 31.3%, aged 12 to 13 years; 35.8%, aged 14 to 15 years; and 32.9%, aged 16 to 17 years. The overall prevalence of mental health care did not change appreciably over time. However, mental health care increased among girls (from 22.8% in 2005-2006 to 25.4% in 2017-2018; aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.19;P = .001), non-Hispanic white adolescents (from 20.4% in 2005-2006 to 22.7% in 2017-2018; aOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.14;P = .004), and those with private insurance (from 19.4% in 2005-2006 to 21.2% in 2017-2018; aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.18;P = .002). Internalizing problems, including suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms, accounted for an increasing proportion of care (from 48.3% in 2005-2006 to 57.8% in 2017-2018; aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.39-1.66;P Conclusions and Relevance This study’s findings suggest that the growing number of adolescents who receive care for internalizing mental health problems and the increasing share who receive care in specialty outpatient settings are placing new demands on specialty adolescent mental health treatment resources.
Impact of the Arrival Distribution of Primary User Traffic in Dynamic Spectrum Access

Abstract In dynamic spectrum access (DSA) a primary user shares the spectrum with one or more secondary users, with or without the primary user knowing the existence of the secondary users and offering assistance to the secondary users. When the primary user is inactive in the channel, the secondary users use the spectrum for data communication. When the primary user becomes active, the secondary users back off to return the spectrum back to the primary user. It is therefore that an arrival of the primary user traffic interrupts the ongoing communication among the secondary users. The arrivals of the primary user traffic are, in general, random, and thus secondary users cannot predict the arrivals accurately. However, when the primary user engages in non-interactive communications, it has a degree of flexibility in distributing its transmissions of data in the time domain. The paper studies the impact of the arrival distribution of primary user traffic on secondary users in terms of the secondary user network performance. Based on a state conservation scheme in DSA, the paper studies how the change of the arrival distribution of primary user traffic may affect the average network throughput, packet delay, and network power consumption of the secondary user network.
“No, Professor, That Is Not True”: First Attempts at Introducing Translanguaging to Pre–service Teachers

This chapter considers the complexities of conceptualizing and introducing translanguaging to pre-service teachers by analyzing the first author’s experiences as a teacher educator in her initial effort at discussing translanguaging and its pedagogical implications in a second language learning course. Discussions about translanguaging were marked by respectful but contentious debate, in which students differed strongly from their teacher in their responses and opinions related to translanguaging and its relationship to code-switching. This study’s purpose, conducted in the spirit of teacher inquiry, is to examine the reflections of both the instructor and her students in seeking to understand and interpret the literature on translanguaging. We found that this process can pose significant challenges for teacher educators and their students and raises important questions about the relationship between scholarly and practitioner communities in the language education field.
Cost-Effectiveness of Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery.

Study Design:Review article.Objective:A review of the literature evaluating the cost-effectiveness of undergoing adult spinal deformity surgery and potential avenues for reducing costs.Methods:A re...
The Potential for SARS-CoV-2 to Evade Both Natural and Vaccine-induced Immunity

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 attaches to the surface of susceptible cells through extensive interactions between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of its spike protein and angiotensin converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) anchored in cell membranes. To investigate whether naturally occurring mutations in the spike protein are able to prevent antibody binding, yet while maintaining the ability to bind ACE2 and viral infectivity, mutations in the spike protein identified in cases of human infection were mapped to the crystallographically-determined interfaces between the spike protein and ACE2 (PDB entry 6M0J), antibody CC12.1 (PDB entry 6XC2), and antibody P2B-2F6 (PDB entry 7BWJ). Both antibody binding interfaces partially overlap with the ACE2 binding interface. Among 16 mutations that map to the RBD:CC12.1 interface, 11 are likely to disrupt CC12.1 binding but not ACE2 binding. Among 12 mutations that map to the RBD:P2B-2F6 interface, 8 are likely to disrupt P2B-2F6 binding but not ACE2 binding. As expected, none of the mutations observed to date appear likely to disrupt the RBD:ACE2 interface. We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 with mutated forms of the spike protein may retain the ability to bind ACE2 while evading recognition by antibodies that arise in response to the original wild-type form of the spike protein. It seems likely that immune evasion will be possible regardless of whether the spike protein was encountered in the form of infectious virus, or as the immunogen in a vaccine. Therefore, it also seems likely that reinfection with a variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 may occur among people who recover from Covid-19, and that vaccines with the ability to generate antibodies against multiple variant forms of the spike protein will be necessary to protect against variant forms of SARS-CoV-2 that are already circulating in the human population.
Immediate angiographic residual shunt using the Nit-Occlud device for patent ductus arteriosus closure

Introduction The Nit-Occlud PDA device is a newer coil-type device with a high degree of efficacy and safety. There are concerns about the high incidence of immediate angiographic residual shunt with this device. Aim To compare immediate angiographic residual shunts and their outcomes following PDA device closure with the Nit-Occlud device. Material and methods A single-institution, retrospective chart review of PDA closures was performed. Thirty patients who underwent Nit-Occlud PDA closure were compared with 34 patients who underwent PDA closure with an Amplatzer Duct Occluder-1 (ADO-1) and 25 patients who underwent PDA closure with coils. Results The three groups were similar in age, weight, and procedural characteristics. The PDA dimensions were smaller in the coils group. Technical success in the ADO-1 and Nit-Occlud groups was 100%. A small angiographic residual shunt was seen more often in the Nit-Occlud group (70%) than in the ADO-1 (59%) and coils (26%) groups (p = 0.005). Most residual shunts in the Nit-Occlud group disappeared in the echocardiogram performed 4 h later (90% echocardiographic closure). Echocardiographic closure (100%) was seen at 2 months and 6 months in the Nit-Occlud group. No correlation was noted between the angiographic residual shunt and Nit-Occlud device orientation with respect to the ductus, the device-ductal angle or the number of loops at the pulmonary artery end. Conclusions Despite the higher immediate angiographic residual shunt rate in the Nit-Occlud group than the other groups, high echocardiographic closure rates were seen within hours after device closure, which persisted at follow-up. The angiographic residual shunt is not related to the device orientation and should not be a deterrent in using this device.
In-Plane Cation Ordering and Sodium Displacements in Layered Honeycomb Oxides with Tetravalent Lanthanides: Na2LnO3 (Ln = Ce, Pr, and Tb).

The detailed structural characterization of "213" honeycomb systems is a key concern in a wide range of fundamental areas, such as frustrated magnetism, and technical applications, such as cathode materials, catalysts, and thermoelectric materials. Na2LnO3 (Ln = Ce, Pr, and Tb) are an intriguing series of "213" honeycomb systems because they host tetravalent lanthanides. "213" honeycomb materials have been reported to adopt either a cation-disordered R3m subcell, a cation-ordered trigonal (P3112), or monoclinic (C2/c or C2/m) supercell. On the basis of analysis of the average (synchrotron diffraction) and local [pair distribution function (PDF) and solid-state NMR] structure probes, cation ordering in the honeycomb layer of Na2LnO3 materials has been confirmed. Through rationalization of the 23Na chemical shifts and quadrupolar coupling constants, the local environment of Na atoms was probed with no observed evidence of cation disorder. Through these studies, it is shown that the Na2LnO3 materials adopt a C2/c supercell derived from symmetry-breaking displacements of intralayered Na atoms from the ideal crystallographic position (in C2/m). The Na displacement is validated using distortion index parameters from diffraction data and atomic displacement parameters from PDF data. The C2/c supercell is faulted, as evidenced by the increased breadth of the superstructure diffraction peaks. DIFFaX simulations and structural considerations with a two-phase approach were employed to derive a suitable faulting model.
Renaissance of sickle cell disease research in the genome era

Sickle Cell Disease: Demystifying the Beginnings (C Reid & G Rodgers) Sponsorship of Sickle Cell Disease Research by the National Institutes of Health: A Brief History and Projections for the Future (G L Evans & D G Badman) The Human Genome Project (B S Pace) Sickle Cell Disease: A Phenotypic Patchwork (K Smith-Whitley & B S Pace) Preventive Care and Advances in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease (C T Quinn & G R Buchanan) Sickle Cell Disease in Adults (J Haynes, Jr. & A Pack-Mabien) Pain in Sickle Cell Disease: A Multidimensional Construct (L J Benjamin & R Payne) Transfusion Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease (C Hoppe et al.) Hemoglobin S Polymerization, Just the Beginning (F A Ferrone) Damage to the Red Blood Cell Membrane in Sickle Cell Disease (S R Goodman & C Joiner) Fetal Hemoglobin for What Ails Sickle Hemoglobin (S F Ofori-Acquah & B S Pace) Genetic Modulation of Sickle Cell Disease (M H Steinberg & L T Swee) Molecular Framework of Hemoglobin Switching (S Fiering) Dynamic Nucleoprotein Structure of the s-Globin Locus: Establishing a Rational Molecular Basis for the Therapeutic Modulation of Hemoglobin Switching (E Bresnick et al.) Vertebrate Models for Sickle Cell Disease Research (B H Paw et al.) Stem Cell Biology (W Li & A W Flake) Bone Marrow Transplantation (R I Raphael & M C Walters) Genetically Engineered Cures: Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (P Malik & P Leboulch) Sickle Cell Disease: The Past, Present and Future Social and Ethical Dilemmas (V L Bonham, Jr. et al.) It Takes a Village to Cure Sickle Cell Disease (R Peterson & D Davis-Maye) Beyond National Borders: A Global Perspective on Advances in Sickle Cell Disease Research and Management, and New Challenges in the Genome Era (S F Ofori-Acquah & K Ohene-Frempong).
Splitter Blades for Passive Turbomachine Flutter Control

Splitter blades as a passive flutter control technique is investigated by developing a mathematical model to predict the stability of an aerodynamically loaded splattered-rotor operating in an incompressible flow field. The splitter blades, positioned circumferentially in the flow passage between two principal blades, introduce aerodynamic and/or combined aerodynamic-structural detuning into the rotor. The two-dimensional oscillating cascade unsteady aerodynamics, including steady loading effects, are determined by developing a complete first-order unsteady aerodynamic analysis together with an unsteady aerodynamic influence coefficient technique. The torsion mode flutter of both uniformly spaced tuned rotors and detuned rotors are predicted by incorporating the unsteady aerodynamic influence coefficients into a single-degree-of-freedom aeroelastic model. This model is then utilized to demonstrate that incorporating splitters into unstable rotor configurations results in stable splittered-rotor configurations.
Immunity to Trypanosoma cruzi.

The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi infects many different hosts and host cell types within those hosts. Chronic infection in humans can culminate in Chagas disease, a result of parasite-dependent damage to the heart and other tissues wherein T. cruzi persists. Immune control of T. cruzi is quite good, involving highly potent and effect humoral and cellular immune responses that contain, but usually fail to eliminate this systemic infection. Our understanding of how T. cruzi evades immune control is still evolving, but likely includes among other mechanisms, the modest triggering of pathogen sensors in and on host cells during the invasion process and the expansion of multigene families that present a confusing set of targets for the immune response.
The Wiberg estimator: continuous-time case

The continuous-time optimal nonlinear filter for online parameter estimation is approximated by its first three moments and the Gaussian formula for fourth-order moments. Equations are developed for the general case in continuous time, including pole, zero, and variance parameters. Comparison is made to the recursive prediction error method in continuous time. Simulations are developed for estimating the pole parameter in a scalar system. >
Rejecting a ‘fortress Europe’: how German borderland films of the early 2000s foreshadowed trajectories at European borders today

This article revisits German borderland films made in the early 2000s to investigate how they anticipate today’s migration politics in a transformed European Union with constantly shifting borders. The contribution focuses on Vanessa Jopp’s Vergiss Amerika/Forget America (2000) and Hans-Christian Schmid’s Lichter/Distant Lights (2003) in an analysis of cinematic representations of borderlands, Germany and Europe during a time when the EU prepared its expansion into the East in 2004. From a temporal distance of more than a decade, these films exemplify early self-reflective and critical views of a Europe that has become a fortress with heavily patrolled borders despite today’s heavy migration flows in a transnational era. Both films are cinematic reflections of socio-political, economic and aesthetic trajectories in the new Europe. This article argues that, in spatial terms, Vergiss Amerika and Lichter depict the idea of modern Germany as the EU’s emerging powerhouse and Europe’s image as Eldorado for migr...
Studies of Baker's yeast metabolism: I. Pyridine nucleotide reduction and oxygen utilization during alcohol oxidation

Abstract The time course of oxygen utilization and pyridine nucleotide reduction during the oxidation of various alcohols by baker's yeast has been investigated. Four distinct phases of metabolism are defined. The fluorometric measurement of pyridine nucleotide reduction was found to reflect qualitatively the state of reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide produced by the action of ethanol in the cell. This has been assessed by comparative spectrophotometric and direct chemical analysis of pyridine nucleotides. These studies also indicate a fourfold fluorescence enhancement for reduced pyridine nucleotide presumably associated with its binding to some cellular constituent. Differences in the steady-state pattern of pyridine nucleotide reduction with saturated and unsaturated alcohols are attributed in part to the subsequent oxidation of aldehyde. In general, the rate of oxygen utilization parallels the extent of pyridine nucleotide reduced during the aerobic steady state. A concentration of 1.2 mm ethanol is necessary to give a half-maximal stimulation of respiration and pyridine nucleotide reduction. Measurements of CO2 evolution during alcohol oxidation indicate a delay in the production of CO2. The measurement of aldehyde formation with the unsaturated alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, shows a stoichiometric formation of aldehyde with oxygen utilized. Determination of aldehyde concentration during ethanol oxidation, in short-term experiments (less than 5 minutes), suggests that 70% of the oxygen utilized is attributable to oxidation of alcohol to acetaldehyde, and the remaining 30% associated with the oxidation of alcohol, to acid. Ethanol appears to be completely oxidized, however, in long-term experiments.
Comparison of Chloroplast and Mitochondrial Genome Evolution in Plants

Plants are unique among eukaryotes in possessing two DNA-containing organelles—the plastid and the mitochondrion. Moreover, the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has recently been shown to contain a third extranuclear genome—that of the basal body (Hall et al., 1989). Nothing is known about the origin, phylogenetic distribution and evolution of basal body DNA, and therefore this genome will not be considered in this chapter. In contrast, we now possess a rather detailed picture of the tempo and mode of evolution of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in land plants. Review of this topic will form the heart of this chapter, as presented in Sects. III–V. Data for both genomes will be presented in an integrated format in order to highlight the striking contrasts in their evolution in land plants. The much more limited evolutionary data base available for algal organelle genomes will be discussed in Sect. VI. All plastid and mitochondrial genomes are of endosymbiotic, bacterial origin. However, as discussed in the next section, considerable uncertainty remains as to the precise number and nature of endosymbioses that have taken place.
Simple and Bias-Corrected Matching Estimators for AverageTreatment Effects

Matching estimators for average treatment effects are widely used in evaluation research despite the fact that their large sample properties have not been established in many cases. In this article, we develop a new framework to analyze the properties of matching estimators and establish a number of new results. First, we show that matching estimators include a conditional bias term which may not vanish fast enough for the estimators to be root-N-consistent. Second, we show that even after removing the conditional bias, matching estimators with a fixed number of matches are mnot efficient, although the efficiency loss may be small. Third, we propose a bias-correction that removes the conditional bias asymptotically, making matching estimators root-N-consistent. Fourth, we provide a new estimator for the conditional variance that does not require consistent nonparametric estimation of unknown functions. We carry out a small simulation study based where a simple implementation of the bias-corrected matching estimator performs well compared to both simple matching estimators and to regression estimators in terms of bias and root-mean-squared-error. Software for implementing the proposed estimators in STATA and Matlab is available from the authors on the web.
Irradiation of the Porphyrin Causes Unfolding of the Protein in the Protoporphyrin IX/β-Lactoglobulin Noncovalent Complex

Porphyrins such as protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) are known to occasionally cause conformational changes in proteins for which they are specific ligands. It has also been established that irradiation of porphyrins noncovalently intercalated between bases or bound to one of the grooves can cause conformational effects on DNA. Conversely, there is no evidence reported in the literature of conformational changes caused by noncovalently bound PPIX to globular proteins for which the porphyrin is not a specific ligand. This study shows that the irradiation of the porphyrin in the PPIX/lactoglobulin noncovalent complex indeed causes a local and limited (~7%) unfolding of the protein near the location of Trp19. This event causes the intrinsic fluorescence spectrum of the protein to shift to the red by 2 nm and the average decay lifetime to lengthen by approximately 0.5 ns. The unfolding of lactoglobulin occurs only at pH > 7 because of the increased instability of the protein at alkaline pH. The photoinduced unfolding does not depend on the presence of O2 in solution; therefore, it is not mediated by formation of singlet oxygen and is likely the result of electron transfer between the porphyrin and amino acid residues.
Algebraic structure and integration maps in cocycle models for differential cohomology

of cohomology theories for the graded coefficient vector space V D E R. We always assume E to be rationally even, meaning V 2nC1 D 0 for all n 2 Z. Definition 1.1 A differential extension [4] of E consists of a contravariant functor y E from the category of manifolds to graded abelian groups along with natural linear transformations I;R; a as in the following commutative diagram, which is required to have an exact upper horizontal row.
The effect of penicillin on dental caries in rats fed on a coarse corn diet.

THIS experiment was undertaken in conjunction with studies at this University on the effect of penicillin on human caries. Rat caries is sufficiently similar to this disease in man so that, experimentally, some light can be focused on the problem.' Previous information as to the effect of this antibiotic has been reported.2 McClure and Hewitt used rats on a caries-producing diet, and added 75 units of penicillin per gram of diet to the experimental group. The drinking water also contained 75 units per milliliter. It was felt that this amount of penicillin was maximal; therefore the present study was undertaken to determine the minimal amount of penicillin in water which could reduce caries incidence in the presence of a caries-producing diet alone, as well as with sucrose in the drinking water.
A Discourse Theory of Citizenship

This essay calls for a reorientation in scholarly approaches to civic engagement from asking questions of what to asking questions of how. I advance a discourse theory of citizenship as a mode of public engagement. Attending to modalities of citizenship recognizes its fluid and quotidian enactment and considers action that is purposeful, potentially uncontrollable and unruly, multiple, and supportive of radical but achievable democratic practices. Citizenship engagement may be approached through potential foci of generativity, risk, commitment, creativity, and sociability. A discourse theory reformulates the relationship between citizenship and citizen, reveals differences in enactments of citizenship, and calls attention to hybrid cases of citizenship.
Prazosin and renal hemodynamics: arteriolar vasodilation during therapy of essential hypertension in man.

Summary: Renal hemodynamic effects of chronic prazosin therapy were studied in 10 men with essential hypertension. Successful antihypertensive therapy was accompanied by diminution in total renovascular resistance, probably at the level of the afferent arteriole. The resistance change was unexplained by alterations in intravascular volume, the vasodilatory renal kallikrein-kinin system, or sympathetic nervous system activity, but was associated with a diminution in plasma renin activity. Potential mechanisms for the resistance decrement are discussed, including renal perfusion auto-regulation, diminished activity of the vasoconstrictive renin-angiotensin system, and direct intrarenal afferent arteriolar alpha adrenergic blockade.