cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinct effects of ketamine and acetyl l-carnitine on the dopamine system in zebrafish

Ketamine, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist is commonly used as a pediatric anesthetic. We have previously shown that acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR) prevents ketamine toxicity in zebrafish embryos. In mammals, ketamine is known to modulate the dopaminergic system. NMDA receptor antagonists are considered as promising anti-depressants, but the exact mechanism of their function is unclear. Here, we measured the levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in the zebrafish embryos exposed to ketamine in the presence and absence of 0.5 mM ALCAR. Ketamine, at lower doses (0.1-0.3 mM), did not produce significant changes in DA, DOPAC or HVA levels in 52 h post-fertilization embryos treated for 24 h. In these embryos, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression remained unchanged. However, 2 mM ketamine (internal embryo exposure levels equivalent to human anesthetic plasma concentration) significantly reduced DA level and TH mRNA indicating that DA synthesis was adversely affected. In the presence or absence of 2 mM ketamine, ALCAR showed similar effects on DA level and TH mRNA, but increased DOPAC level compared to control. ALCAR reversed 2 mM ketamine-induced reduction in HVA levels. With ALCAR alone, the expression of genes encoding the DA metabolizing enzymes, MAO (monoamine oxidase) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), was not affected. However, ketamine altered MAO mRNA expression, except at the 0.1 mM dose. COMT transcripts were reduced in the 2 mM ketamine-treated group. These distinct effects of ketamine and ALCAR on the DA system may shed some light on the mechanism on how ketamine can work as an anti-depressant, especially at sub-anesthetic doses that do not affect DA metabolism and suppress MAO gene expression.
Auditing a DRE-based election in South Carolina

Following a highly publicized and anomalous outcome in the South Carolina statewide Democratic primary South Carolina in June 2010, the authors undertook to audit the election results based on data obtainable through the Freedom of Information Act. The state votes entirely on paperless ES&S iVotronic Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines. There is thus no auditable primary data (such as paper ballots), but there are several audit trail files that are produced by the software of the ES&S system. We have analyzed these files and have been able to show that votes were not counted, that procedures that should have been checked automatically were not checked, and that vote data to support the certified counts has not been collected or stored.
Using an epiphytic moss to identify previously unknown sources of atmospheric cadmium pollution.

Urban networks of air-quality monitors are often too widely spaced to identify sources of air pollutants, especially if they do not disperse far from emission sources. The objectives of this study were to test the use of moss bio-indicators to develop a fine-scale map of atmospherically-derived cadmium and to identify the sources of cadmium in a complex urban setting. We collected 346 samples of the moss Orthotrichum lyellii from deciduous trees in December, 2013 using a modified randomized grid-based sampling strategy across Portland, Oregon. We estimated a spatial linear model of moss cadmium levels and predicted cadmium on a 50 m grid across the city. Cadmium levels in moss were positively correlated with proximity to two stained-glass manufacturers, proximity to the Oregon–Washington border, and percent industrial land in a 500 m buffer, and negatively correlated with percent residential land in a 500 m buffer. The maps showed very high concentrations of cadmium around the two stained-glass manufacturers, neither of which were known to environmental regulators as cadmium emitters. In addition, in response to our findings, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality placed an instrumental monitor 120 m from the larger stained-glass manufacturer in October, 2015. The monthly average atmospheric cadmium concentration was 29.4 ng/m3, which is 49 times higher than Oregon's benchmark of 0.6 ng/m3, and high enough to pose a health risk from even short-term exposure. Both stained-glass manufacturers voluntarily stopped using cadmium after the monitoring results were made public, and the monthly average cadmium levels precipitously dropped to 1.1 ng/m3 for stained-glass manufacturer #1 and 0.67 ng/m3 for stained-glass manufacturer #2.
Surfactant in Apical Drop of Eggs of Some Culicine Mosquitoes

The apical drop found on the posterior end of eggs of species of Culex and Culiseta , described in the recent literature as being water, exhibits high surface activity and chemically seems to be an ester of several fatty acids. The apical drop appears to play a role in returning upset egg rafts to their normal position on the water surface.
Study of the surface energy flux at the three different sites over China based on SiB2 and SiB3

Surface fluxes simulated by both the Simple Biosphere Model(SiB) Version 2 and 3,respectively are compared to the eddy covariance observations at the sites of Naqu and Anduo in the Tibet Plateau and of Suzhou in the Yangtze Delta region,for analyzing the reasons of differences between SiB2/SiB3 and observations,and thus realizing the above areas surface energy budget characteristics.The results show that both SiB2 and SiB3 simulated surface energy fluxes were in very good agreements as compared to field observations.Simulation of the sensible heat fluxes at Naqu and Ando sites using SiB3 is closer to the observations than that using SiB2,but in Suzhou sites,closer using SiB2 than that using SiB3.Simulations of the diurnal variation of the latent heat fluxes using SiB3,are more consistent with the observations,comparing with SiB2.The correlation coefficients between SiB3 simulated and observed values,are above 0.8 except Suzhou site.SiB2 and SiB3 simulations of the ground heat flux were compared with the observed with the correlation above 0.8.Both SiB2 and SiB3 simulated the net radiation flux reasonably,where the correlations between simulated and observed values are generally about 1.0.Compared to SiB2,a soil representation based on the Common Land Model and the prognostic calculation of temperature,moisture and trace gases in the canopy air space have been added in SiB3,which resulted in that SiB3 simulates the latent heat flux and ground heat flux better,but not obvious in simulating the sensible heat flux and net radiation flux over the complex underlying surface.
Biological Characteristics of Seedlings Similar to Weedy Rice from Spontaneous Seedlings of Hybrid Rice

The objectives of this study were to investigate the frequency and biological characteristics of seedlings similar to weedy rice recruited as spontaneous seedlings of hybrid rice and the influence of spontaneous seedlings of hybrid rice on the yield of japonica rice,under the conditions of planting conventional japonica rice after planting indica hybrid rice for several years. Spontaneous seedlings of indica hybrid rice developed as weedy rice mimics in japonica rice fields. The outcrossing of indica and japonica might produce weedy rice. The highest density of spontaneous seedlings of hybrid rice were found in fields with continuous cultivation of hybrid rice for three years before turning into planting conventional japonica rice,and decreased the yield of conventional japonica rice significantly.
Aurintricarboxylic Acid Is a Nonspecific Enzyme Inhibitor

Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) has been previously categorized as a drug which inhibits enzymes of polynucleotide metabolism. In this paper we present evidence that ATA does not show specificity toward this class of enzymes only. Rather, the drug will bind to and inhibit most enzymes regardless of their specific catalytic function.
Characterization of nanoporous structures: from three dimensions to two dimensions.

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has revealed a colorful three-dimensional world due to its great depth of field. However, the abundance of structural information imposes tough challenges to quantitative image analysis. In the current investigation, we developed a SEM-image polishing (SIP) based quantitative SEM-image analysis (QSIA) technique. As an example, QSIA was employed to characterize nanoporous silica. The results confirmed that the nanoporous silica samples, processed via sol–gel methods, were single-parameter, with the pore size being the only variable. The QSIA technique may pave the way to fast and accurate data mining of nanoscaled materials.
Careers: "But what have you done for me lately?" - The Boss

The older engineer, outflanked by technology or undercut by mismanagement, faces special employment problems. "Technological obsolescence" used to be reserved for the chrome creations of Detroit and a host of household wonders that managed to expire surprisingly soon after their warrantees ran out. Now it seems that engineers themselves may be joining their handiwork on the road to short-term oblivion. And taking a few evening classes or reading current technical literature isn't going to keep the wolf from the door. About the best insurance is literally demanding challenging assignments rather than accepting routine tasks. Another alternative is changing careers. After all, a good engineering education can lead to a lot more than slide rules and solder.
Prognostic value of lymph node yield during nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Abstract Introduction Lymph node dissection (LND) performed during radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) remains controversial and difficult to evaluate. The aim of this study was to investigate whether removal of more lymph nodes during RNU is safe and improves oncologic outcomes. Methods We evaluated 422 patients who underwent RNU with concomitant LND for upper tract urothelial carcinoma between 1976 and 2015, assessing for an association between total nodes removed, recurrence-free survival, and cancer-specific survival using Cox proportional hazards models. We also investigated the relationship between nodal yield and perioperative metrics and intersurgeon variability using linear regression. Results In our cohort of 442 patients, 239 developed recurrences and 94 patients died of disease. Median follow-up among survivors was 3.7 years (interquartile range: 1.2, 7.4). The median nodal yield was 9 (interquartile range: 4, 16). Among patients with node-positive disease (pN1), we observed a significant improvement in recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.84 per 5 nodes removed, P = 0.039) and a nonsignificant improvement in cancer-specific survival with an increase in the nodal yield (hazard ratio = 0.90 per 5 nodes removed, P = 0.2). There was no evidence of an association between node yield and operative time, estimated blood loss, or 30-day complications on multivariable analysis. There was significant heterogeneity among surgeons regarding the extent of LND ( P Conclusions We found that a more extensive node dissection may improve oncologic outcomes in a subset of high-risk patients without significantly increasing operative time or serious complications. Additionally, we identified considerable intersurgeon heterogeneity regarding the extent of LND furthering the notion of surgeon variability as a nonstandardized factor.
FDA's Approach to Regulating Biosimilars

The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation (BPCI) Act, enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, created a new licensure pathway for biological products demonstrated to be biosimilar with or interchangeable with an FDA-licensed biological product (the "reference product"). The FDA's approach to the regulation of biosimilars is based on the requirements set forth in the BPCI Act. A biosimilar product is highly similar to the reference product, notwithstanding minor differences in clinically inactive components, and there are no clinically meaningful differences between products in terms of safety, purity, and potency. The foundation of a biosimilar development program is an analytic similarity assessment that directly compares the structural/physiochemical and functional properties of the proposed biosimilar with the reference product. Data from clinical studies, which include an assessment of immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, are used to assess for clinically meaningful differences and not to independently establish the safety and effectiveness of the biosimilar. Like all products that the FDA regulates, the FDA requires that biosimilar products meet the agency's rigorous standards of safety and efficacy for approval. That means patients and health care professionals are able to rely upon the safety and effectiveness of biosimilar products in the same manner as for the reference product. Clin Cancer Res; 23(8); 1882-5. ©2016 AACR.
Distinct Growth and Secretome Strategies for Two Taxonomically Divergent Brown Rot Fungi.

Brown rot fungi are wood-degrading fungi that employ both oxidative and hydrolytic mechanisms to degrade wood. Hydroxyl radicals that facilitate the oxidative component are powerful non-selective oxidants and are incompatible with hydrolytic enzymes unless they are spatially segregated in wood. Differential gene expression has been implicated in Postia placenta to segregate these reactions, but it is unclear if this two-step mechanism varies in other brown rot fungi with different traits and life history strategies, and that occupy different niches in nature. We used proteomics to analyze a progression of wood decay on thin wafers, using brown rot fungi with significant taxonomic and niche distance - Serpula lacrymans (Boletales; ‘dry rot9 lumber decay) and Gloeophyllum trabeum (order Gloeophyllales; slash, downed wood). Both fungi produced greater oxidoreductase diversity upon wood colonization and greater glycoside hydrolase activity later, consistent with a two-step mechanism. The two fungi invested very differently, however, in terms of growth (infrastructure) versus protein secretion (resource capture), with ergosterol/extracted protein ratio increased 7x with S. lacrymans than with G. trabeum . In line with their native substrate associations, hemicellulase specific activities were dominated by mannanase in S. lacrymans and by xylanase in G. trabeum . Consistent with previous observations, S. lacrymans did not produce GH 6 cellobiohydrolases (CBH) in this study, despite taxonomically belonging to the order Boletales, which is distinguished among brown rot fungi by having CBH genes. This work suggests that distantly related brown rot fungi employ staggered mechanisms to degrade wood, but that the underlying strategies vary among taxa. Importance Wood-degrading fungi are important in forest nutrient cycling and offer promise in biotechnological applications. Brown rot fungi are unique among these fungi in that they use a non-enzymatic oxidative pretreatment before enzymatic carbohydrate hydrolysis, enabling selective removal of carbohydrates from lignin. This capacity has evolved multiple times, independently, but it is unclear if different mechanisms underpin similar outcomes. Here, we grew fungi directionally on wood wafers, and we found similar two-step mechanisms in taxonomically divergent brown rot fungi. Results, however, revealed strikingly different growth strategies, with S. lacrymans investing more in biomass production than secretion of proteins, and G. trabeum showing the opposite pattern with a high diversity of uncharacterized proteins. The “simplified” S. lacrymans secretomic system could help narrow gene targets central to oxidative brown rot pretreatments, and comparing its distinctions with G. trabeum and other brown rot fungi (e.g. Postia placenta ) might offer similar traction in non-catabolic genes.
Investigation of Endocytic Pathways for the Internalization of Exosome-Associated Oligomeric Alpha-Synuclein.

Misfolding and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (αsyn) resulting in cytotoxicity is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. The recent body of evidence indicates that αsyn can be released from neuronal cells by nonconventional exocytosis involving extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes. The transfer of αsyn between cells has been proposed to be an important mechanism of disease propagation in PD. To date, exosome trafficking mechanisms, including release and cell-cell transmission, have not been fully described. To gain insight into the mechanisms involved, exosomes were purified from conditioned media of stable cells secreting αsyn oligomers. A novel bimolecular protein complementation assay was used to detect exosomes containing αsyn oligomers. Recipient cells were treated with exosomes containing αsyn oligomers or “free” non-exosome-associated αsyn oligomers and internalization was monitored. We demonstrate that cell-derived exosome-associated αsyn oligomers can be efficiently internalized by recipient cells. Interestingly exosome-free αsyn oligomers isolated from conditioned medium were not internalized but remained bound to the extracellular surface. To investigate the endocytic pathway(s) required for the exosome uptake different pharmacological inhibitors of caveolin-dependent, clathrin-dependent, and macropinocytosis pathways were utilized. Surprisingly, none of these pathways appear to play a significant role in the internalization of exosome-associated αsyn oligomers. Finally, the role of heparin sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in exosome-associated αsyn internalization was investigated using genetic approach. Despite previous studies showing HSPGs can modulate internalization of fibrillar αsyn, genetic manipulations did not attenuate internalization of exosome-associated αsyn oligomers in our hands, suggesting that exosome-associated αsyn is internalized via an alternative endocytic pathway(s) that has yet to be elucidated.
Sentiment Classification from Multi-class Imbalanced Twitter Data Using Binarization

Twitter became one of the most dynamically developing areas of social media. Due to concise nature of messages, rapid publication and high outreach, people share more and more of their opinions, thoughts and commentaries using this medium. Sentiment analysis is a specific subsection of natural language processing that concentrates on automatically categorizing opinions and attitudes expressed in a given portion of textual information. This requires dedicated machine learning solutions that are able to handle various difficulties embedded in the nature of data. In this paper, we present an efficient framework for automatic sentiment analysis from high-dimensional and sparse datasets that suffer from multi-class imbalance. We propose to approach it by applying a one-vs-one binary decomposition and reducing the dimensionality of each pairwise class set using Multiple Correspondence Analysis. Then we apply preprocessing to alleviate the skewed distributions in reduced number of dimensions. After that, on each pair of classes we train a binary classifier and combined them using a weighted multi-class reconstruction that promotes minority classes. The proposal is evaluated on a large Twitter dataset and obtained results are in favor of the proposed solution.
Community-driven standards-based electronic laboratory data-sharing networks.

Public health laboratories (PHLs) in the United States play a key role in promoting the health and protecting the safety of the nation's communities. PHLs are integral to the health system through their provision of a wide range of essential services, including disease surveillance and the timely, accurate identification of infectious organisms associated with outbreaks of disease. These laboratories are a critical component of the disease response and readiness infrastructure and are depended upon to identify and respond to newly emerging diseases and threats associated with bioterrorism or natural disasters. PHLs are the foundation for state-based efforts to protect the population's health and safety through the testing of human specimens, food, air, water, and soil. They also provide other essential services, including newborn screening and routine, clinical diagnostic testing.
Dispersal in the Urban Matrix: Assessing the Influence of Landscape Permeability on the Settlement Patterns of Breeding Songbirds

The ability of organisms to disperse across urban landscapes is theorized to be constrained by habitat fragmentation. While previous research has shown the distribution of forest patches is a determinant of dispersal patterns among forest-obligate bird species, the impacts of habitat distribution on the dispersal of “urban-adapted” species, has yet to be examined. Here, we use capture-reencounter data of birds banded over a 9-year period at six banding stations in greater Washington, DC to assess dispersal in four species of songbirds and a translocation experiment to examine the influence of land cover on movement. Point count and land cover data were used to construct habitat suitability and landscape permeability surfaces, with the latter representing potential travels costs from the capture location to the surrounding landscape. To assess how dispersal processes are affected by urban land cover, we searched for previously banded birds at sampling locations within 1.5 km of each banding station and compared the distribution of sampling locations with and without observations of previously-banded birds. We found evidence that settlement of two of four focal species, the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), was more likely in sites with high relative permeability. To experimentally explore the consequences of the urban matrix habitat on movement, we attached radio transmitters to male Cardinals, translocated individuals 1.5 km across high-intensity urban, suburban, and forested landscapes, and recorded the time to return to their territory. Return time was dependent on land cover with Cardinals translocated across suburban habitats returning significantly faster than those moved across the other two land use classes. Combined, our findings suggest that, even among some “urban-adapted” species, dispersal within urban environments may be influenced by landscape structure and composition.
Quantification of intramyocardial blood volume with 99mTc-RBC SPECT-CT imaging: A preclinical study

Currently, there is no established non-invasive imaging approach to directly evaluate myocardial microcirculatory function in order to diagnose microvascular disease independent of co-existing epicardial disease. In this work, we developed a methodological framework for quantification of intramyocardial blood volume (IMBV) as a novel index of microcirculatory function with SPECT/CT imaging of 99mTc-labeled red blood cells (RBCs). Dual-gated myocardial SPECT/CT equilibrium imaging of 99mTc-RBCs was performed on twelve canines under resting conditions. Five correction schemes were studied: cardiac gating with no other corrections (CG), CG with attenuation correction (CG + AC), CG + AC with scatter correction (CG + AC + SC), dual cardiorespiratory gating with AC + SC (DG + AC + SC), and DG + AC + SC with partial volume correction (DG + AC + SC + PVC). Quantification of IMBV using each approach was evaluated in comparison to those obtained from all corrections. The in vivo SPECT estimates of IMBV values were validated against those obtained from ex vivo microCT imaging of the casted hearts. The estimated IMBV with all corrections was 0.15 ± 0.03 for the end-diastolic phase and 0.11 ± 0.03 for the end-systolic phase. The cycle-dependent change in IMBV (ΔIMBV) with all corrections was 23.9 ± 8.6%. Schemes that applied no correction or partial correction resulted in significant over-estimation of IMBV and significant under-underestimation of ΔIMBV. Estimates of IMBV and ΔIMBV using all corrections were consistent with values reported in the literature using invasive techniques. In vivo SPECT estimates of IMBV strongly correlated (R2 ≥ 0.70) with ex vivo measures for the various correction schemes, while the fully corrected scheme yielded the smallest bias. Non-invasive quantification of IMBV is feasible using 99mTc-RBCs SPECT/CT imaging, however, requires full compensation of physical degradation factors.
Medial temporal lobe and topographical memory

There has been interest in the idea that medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures might be especially important for spatial processing and spatial memory. We tested the proposal that the MTL has a specific role in topographical memory as assessed in tasks of scene memory where the viewpoint shifts from study to test. Building on materials used previously for such studies, we administered three different tasks in a total of nine conditions. Participants studied a scene depicting four hills of different shapes and sizes and made a choice among four test images. In the Rotation task, the correct choice depicted the study scene from a shifted perspective. MTL patients succeeded when the study and test images were presented together but failed the moment the study scene was removed (even at a 0-s delay). In the No-Rotation task, the correct choice was a duplicate of the study scene. Patients were impaired to the same extent in the No-Rotation and Rotation tasks after matching for difficulty. Thus, an inability to accommodate changes in viewpoint does not account for patient impairment. In the Nonspatial–Perceptual task, the correct choice depicted the same overall coloring as the study scene. Patients were intact at a 2-s delay but failed at longer, distraction-filled delays. The different results for the spatial and nonspatial tasks are discussed in terms of differences in demand on working memory. We suggest that the difficulty of the spatial tasks rests on the neocortex and on the limitations of working memory, not on the MTL.
Abstract 052: Direct Correlation Between Blood Pressure and Nephron Endowment in a Genetic Mouse Model of Hypertension

Blood pressure high (BPH2) mice represent a novel genetic mouse model of hypertension that was derived from an 8-way cross of common inbred strains of mice. Mice derived from the original cross were segregated by blood pressure and then inbred to establish distinct mouse lines including the BPH2 line, a normotensive genetic control (blood pressure normal; BPN3) as well as a blood pressure low (BPL1) line. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the level of blood pressure in BPH2, BPN3, BPL1, and C57Bl/6 (normotensive inbred control) mice correlates with nephron endowment. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured in male BPH2, BPN3, BPL1, and C57BL/6 mice (n=6/group) using tail-cuff plethysmography. SBP in BPH2, BPN3, BPL1, and C57BL/6 mice averaged 152±2, 117±1; 105±4; and 107±3 mm Hg, respectively. SBP was significantly greater (P 0.05) between BPL1 and C57BL/6 mice and significantly (P 0.05) in BPH2 and BPN3 mice and significantly (P
FRI0572 Identifying women and men at high fracture risk by leveraging the electronic medical records to estimate frax treatment thresholds

Background In the busy clinic, identifying individuals at high fracture (fx) risk who warrant intervention can be a challenge. There are several medical conditions that increase the risk for bone loss and falls which are recorded in the electronic medical record (EMR). Objectives We explored whether we could exploit data available in the EMR to estimate FRAX treatment thresholds to help passively identify patients who would benefit from further bone mineral density screening and management. Methods We studied 912 women and men, previously recruited for our bone health studies, in whom FRAX scores (with and without BMD) had been determined and comprehensive medical diagnoses were available through the medical linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. All diagnoses were categorized by the Clinical Classification Software (CCS) system whereby over 14,000 ICD-9-CM diagnoses are reduced to 568 clinically meaningful categories. If a subject had at least two diagnoses in a CCS category that were at least 30 days apart and within 5 years of their FRAX assessment, the subject was treated as having that CCS code. We used Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) to create models that would predict the treatment thresholds for the FRAX 10-year risk for major osteoporotic (OP) fx (>20%) and hip fx (>3%), based on available diagnoses. Models were fit using age, sex and CCS category from 80% of the data, retaining 20% for validation. Results Of the 564 (62%) women and 348 (38%) men, the mean ± SD age was 61±16 yrs. There were no significant differences in subject characteristics used for FRAX calculation or FRAX scores between the training and validation sets. The c-statistic for GBM models predicting treatment thresholds for FRAX, calculated with BMD, for major OP fx and hip fx were 0.95 and 0.96, respectively, for the training set, and 0.88 and 0.94 for the validation set. Similar results were observed for FRAX scores without BMD. Conclusions FRAX treatment thresholds may be reasonably estimated from data available in the EMR to help identify to the clinician those at highest risk for fracture who would warrant further evaluation. Further work to implement and validate these findings in the EMR system would be necessary. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Detection of Multiple Leaks in a Natural Gas Pipeline using Observer and Mixed-Integer Partial Differential Equation-Constrained Optimization

Software-based methods are common approaches for detecting faults in chemical processes. In this paper, new software-based methodologies were developed for locating multiple leaks in a natural gas pipeline. Two types of multiple leaks, subsequent and simultaneous multiple leaks, from a natural gas pipeline were studied, separately. For both subsequent and simultaneous leaks, case studies with two leak occurrences were demonstrated using MATLAB simulation. For detecting and locating subsequent multiple leaks, an unknown input observer was designed and applied, which was modified from our previous study. New optimization methodology for locating simultaneous multiple leaks was demonstrated. Leak locations were estimated by solving a nonlinear global optimization problem. The global optimization problem contained constraints of partial differential equations, integer, and continuous variables. A new discretization approach was proposed and demonstrated, which required significant less computation effect comp...
Multiple sclerosis: Extracranial venous angioplasty is ineffective to treat MS.

A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, Brave Dreams, has shown no clinical or radiological benefit of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to correct chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). These results finally settle the scientific debate over whether PTA can improve clinical, radiological and symptomatic outcomes in this patient population.
The Adverse Survival Implications of Bland Thrombus in Renal Cell Carcinoma With Venous Tumor Thrombus

Objective To characterize the presence of bland (nontumor) thrombus in advanced renal cell carcinoma and assess the impact of this finding on cancer-specific survival. Methods A multi-institutional database of patients treated with nephrectomy with caval thrombectomy for locally-advanced renal tumors was assembled from 5 tertiary care medical centers. Using clinicopathologic variables including patient age, body mass index, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, tumor stage, grade, nodal status and histology, and nearest-neighbor and multiple-matching propensity score matched cohorts of bland thrombus vs nonbland thrombus patients were assessed. Multivariable analysis for predictors of cancer-specific survival was performed. Results From an initial cohort of 579 patients, 446 met inclusion criteria (174 with bland thrombus, 272 without). At baseline, patients with bland thrombus had significantly worse performance status, higher tumor stage, higher prevalence of regional nodal metastases and higher nuclear grade (P Conclusion Presence of bland thrombus is associated with adverse survival outcomes in patients treated surgically for renal tumors with venous tumor thrombus. These findings may have important implications in patient counseling, selection for surgery and inclusion in clinical trials.
Sequential traumatic corneal open globe rupture in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta type I.

Abstract Purpose To report a case of sequential open globe rupture in a young patient with osteogenesis imperfecta type I following minor accidental blunt injury. This represented the patient's sole clinical manifestation of connective tissue disease, leading to a diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta type I at the age of 12 years old. Observations A 12-year-old male presented with right eye pain following accidental blunt trauma at school while wearing protective lenses. One year ago, he required surgical repair of a left open globe following blunt trauma during a middle school basketball game. His exam was significant for a full-thickness corneal laceration, necessitating open globe repair of his right eye, which was remarkably difficult given the poor tissue constitution of the cornea and sclera. He was referred to a genetics specialist, where he was found to have a pathogenic heterozygous splice site variant in the COL1A1 gene, consistent with osteogenesis imperfecta type I. Conclusions and importance Connective tissue disease should be considered in any case of open globe rupture following minor trauma, even in the absence of other clinical manifestations of the disease. The surgical management of these patients is particularly challenging due to the fragility of the connective tissue. Early diagnosis of connective tissue disease is important to preserve visual acuity and prevent further damage to the eyes.
Abstract 17002: Deficient cMyBP-C Protein Expression During Early Cardiac Differentiation Underlies Human Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Cellular Phenotypes in Disease Specific Human Es Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes

Introduction: Mutations of cardiac sarcomere genes have been identified to cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but the molecular mechanisms that lead to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and risk for sudden death are uncertain. Hypothesis: Stem cell (hESC)-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) are a useful tool to study human HCM disease mechanisms at play during human cardiac differentiation in vitro . Methods: Control or HCM specific hESC-CMs were generated using monolayer and cytokine based differentiation. Cardiomyocytes were stained against α-actinin for determination of sarcomere organization and cell size. Additionally, samples were collected during the time course of cardiac differentiation for protein expression analysis. Differentiated cardiomyocytes were purified with SIRPα-2 mediated magnetic separation for generation of cardiac monolayers for electrophysiological phenotype analysis. Results: HCM-specific hESC-CMs displayed hallmark aspects HCM including sarcomere/myocyte disarray (Figure1a), hypertrophy (Figure 1b) and impaired calcium impulse propagation (Figure 1c). During cardiomyocyte differentiation, expression of MYBPC3 in HCM ESC-CMs temporally lagged behind control hESC-CMs but by day 30 post differentiation was similar to control ESC-CMs (Figure 2a). Gene transfer of full-length MYBPC3 during early cardiac differentiation (Figure 2b) prevented sarcomere disarray (Figure 2c), hypertrophy (Figure 2d) and improved calcium impulse propagation in HCM hESC-CMs (Figure 2e). Conclusions: These findings point to the critical role of MYBPC3 during sarcomere assembly in cardiac myocyte differentiation and suggest developmental influences of MYBPC3 truncating mutations on the mature hypertrophic phenotype.
Non-ideal space division multiple access and its application

We study the performance of space division multiple access (SDMA) under a non-ideal engineering situation. When the SDMA channel is of high inter-layer correlation and the condition number is large, the multiple user multiple input and multiple output user equipment (MUMIMOUE) grouping should be optimized, and in some cases further dimension-reduction should be applied. As the channel measuring is always non-ideal, we use two methods, feedback mode and non-feedback mode, in terms of performance and overhead. It is proposed that the non-feedback mode is preferable even for some non-reciprocal channels. Principle analysis and test results are given.
Enhanced central venous catheter bundle for pediatric parenteral-dependent intestinal failure.

Background Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) cause substantial morbidity and increase antimicrobial use and length of stay among hospitalized children in the United States. CLABSI occurs more frequently among high-risk pediatric patients, such as those with intestinal failure (IF) who are parenteral nutrition (PN) dependent. Following an increase in CLABSI rates, a quality improvement (QI) initiative was implemented. Methods Using QI methodology, an enhanced central venous catheter (CVC) maintenance bundle was developed and implemented on 2 units for pediatric PN-dependent patients with IF. CLABSI rates were prospectively monitored pre- and postimplementation, and bundle element adherence was monitored. Enhanced bundle elements included chlorhexidine-impregnated patch, daily bathing, ethanol locks, 2 nurses for CVC care in a distraction-free zone, peripheral laboratory draws, bundling routine laboratory tests, and PN administration set changes every 24 hours. Results Adherence to enhanced bundle elements increased to >90% over 3 months. CLABSI rates averaged 1.41 per 1,000 central line days preimplementation compared with 0.40 per 1,000 device days postimplementation (P = .003), an 85% absolute reduction in CLABSI rates over 12 months. Conclusions Patients with IF are at an increased risk for CLABSI. Enhanced CVC maintenance bundles that specifically target prevention practices in this population may be beneficial.
The Effects of Anxiety and Preparation on Performance in Technical Interviews for HBCU Computer Science Majors

Interview anxiety affects us all and research suggests that it can have a negative impact on interview performance. For that reason, a better understanding of how interview anxiety is affecting underrepresented minorities in computing should be a goal of academic institutions and companies who plan to hire these students. Technical computing interviews often require more than just knowing how to code, and students are not always aware of this. The current study investigates interview anxiety, interview performance among African-American students at Historically Black Institutions and the tools they use to prepare for interviews. Findings suggest that interview performance decreases as interview anxiety increases, supporting past research. Also, results suggest that experience going through interviews have a positive impact on interview anxiety. The major contributions of this work include: further understanding of the research literature for interview anxiety in relation to African American students in computing; incite in how this group of students prepare for interviews.
Brave New World: The Intrauterine Environment as the Biological Foundation for the Lifespan

It is widely recognized that Sir Joseph Barcroft (1872–1947) laid the modern methodological foundation for the study of the mammalian fetus. After studying high-altitude physiology for decades, Barcroft, at age 60, turned his attention to the physiology of the mammalian fetus to learn how it develops in an environment of extremely low oxygen tension, or as he put it, “while living on Mt. Everest in-utero.” Although his focus was on fetal physiology, he never lost sight of the fact that “…one day, the call will come and the fetus will be born. Not only has the fetus to develop a fundamental life… [to withstand] the shock of birth, but to [also survive in] its new environment [1].” Thus, he implied that physiological processes in the fetus need to be interpreted with a perspective for long-term survival.
Public Pensions in Turkey: Reforming the System to Achieve Fiscal Balance

In this article, I show how pension reform has contributed to the development of capital markets and strengthened the country’s balance sheet.
The double-edged sword - prosthetic joint infection following BCG treatment for bladder cancer: a case report

Prosthetic joint infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and are frustrating for patients and physicians alike. Unusual causes of infection may be seen in selected circumstances and a high index of suspicion and a careful history are required to ensure an accurate and timely diagnosis can be made. We present a case of Mycobacterium bovis prosthetic joint infection secondary to intravesicular Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment for prior bladder cancer definitively identified by spoligotyping. A favorable clinical outcome was observed following surgical intervention and a 12-month course of anti-mycobacterial therapy. BCG therapy, a live attenuated strain of M. bovis, has become the mainstay of adjunctive therapy for bladder cancer and infectious complications, including those affecting the musculoskeletal system, may be seen years after initial therapy. An awareness of this complication and appropriate discussions with the institution’s microbiology laboratory may allow for an accurate and timely identification.
What Kind of Polity

This chapter offers up a number of theoretical approaches, including conceptual vocabulary, which will help in the examination of different governance systems that have emerged in northern Cyprus in post-1974 period. The chapter introduces the notions of de facto and de jure states, their impact on governance regime in the north and questions of international non-recognition of the state in the north. More significantly for the analysis, though, the main political and economic motivations and mechanisms of wealth transfer by those in power, namely, clientelism, rentierism and rent-seeking, are highlighted. These concepts, together with those of colonialism and neo-colonialism, are presented as useful analytics for the whole book, including analysis of the relationship with Turkey.
Soil Health Assessment: Past Accomplishments, Current Activities, and Future Opportunities

Abstract Global interest in soil health has increased exponentially during the past decade, with many different government, non-government, and private sector groups striving to develop monitoring and assessment protocols. This brief review focuses on developments in the United States (U.S.) with some references to activities in other countries. It also documents how the soil health concept evolved and projects what is needed to scientifically advance monitoring and assessment with a particular focus on activities in the U.S. Recommendations emphasize improving the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) and/or Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH) assessment tools, developing protocols for national soil health monitoring, identifying and calibrating better indicators of soil biological, chemical, and physical health, and developing sensors and other tools for more rapid and in-situ assessments. Collectively, these and other research and technology transfer activities will help achieve what we suggest should be a universal goal – striving for healthy soils, healthy landscapes, and vibrant economies.
Beyond Multiculturalism: Ethnic Studies, Transnationalism, and Junot Díaz’s Oscar Wao

This paper places Junot Diaz’s 2007 novel The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao within the context of transnational American Studies to illustrate that the use of the transnational as a category of critique, as Laura Briggs, Gladys McCormick, and J.T. Way suggest American Studies Scholars do, leads to a reconsideration of the accomplishments and the limitations of multiculturalism and its academic manifestation, ethnic studies. By highlighting new migratory patterns, intercultural exchanges, and inter-national dependencies, Diaz’s work can be read as a response to uncritical celebrations of difference and multiculturalism’s narrative of the integration of ethnic subjects. These depictions, I argue, are central to a challenge of concepts of nationhood that persist in forming the basis of multiculturalism
Long-term milrinone therapy as a bridge to heart transplantation: Safety, efficacy, and predictors of failure

Abstract Background Studies of long-term inotrope use in advanced HF have previously provided limited and conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term milrinone use and identify predictors of failure to bridge to orthotropic heart transplant (OHT) in a cohort of end-stage heart failure (HF) patients listed for heart transplantation and receiving inotrope therapy. Methods The study included 150 adults listed for OHT at a single center from 2001 to 2017 who received milrinone therapy for ≥30 days. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors associated with “failure” (left ventricular assist device, intra-aortic balloon pump, status downgrade due to instability, death) vs. “success” (OHT, recovery) during bridging to OHT. Results “Failure” occurred in 33 (22%) patients. Factors independently associated with failure included male sex (HR = 7.6; p = 0.004), no implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (HR = 3.8; p = 0.009), and lack of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) with a beta-blocker (HR = 7.8; p = 0.002) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (HR = 6.3; p Conclusions Our findings suggest that long-term milrinone therapy in selected patients is associated with a high rate of successful bridging to OHT and a low rate of adverse events. Patients intolerant of GDMT are more likely to fail to bridge to OHT without mechanical support. Sex differences in outcomes associated with milrinone therapy should be explored.
A Critical Look at the Efficacy and Costs of Biologic Therapy for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis

Purpose of review Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a highly prevalent disease that results in significant healthcare-related costs as well as costs to society with lost productivity and time. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of patients who suffer with this disease will not find relief from current standard of care medications and surgery. With ongoing efforts to understand the pathophysiology of CRSwNP has come the introduction of monoclonal antibodies, or "biologics," targeting specific elements of the inflammatory pathway in CRSwNP. Despite efficacy, these come at significant cost and, to date, no studies on the cost-efficacy of these biologics in CRSwNP have been published. Recent findings Multiple studies have now demonstrated efficacy for biologics in the treatment of CRSwNP as a primary indication. However, the gains in quality of life and objective measures, while consistent, are small and, arguably, the clinical significance is still unclear. In addition, the high cost of these medications may be hard to justify when evaluated in cost-efficacy studies against standard of care therapy in CRSwNP. Furthermore, while the current literature is most robust in showing the benefit of the biologics in asthma, it does not fully support cost-efficacy for biologics. This review evaluates the current literature regarding efficacy of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of CRSwNP and considers this efficacy in light of the cost implications to individuals and society.