cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation predict changes in body fat in children

Background: The hypothesis that alterations in energy metabolism predict body fat gain is controversial. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine which components of energy metabolism were most important in predicting fat gain in children aged 10.8 ± 0.6 y. Design: A 2-y longitudinal study to examine whether components of energy metabolism are predictors of body fat gain was conducted in 114 preadolescent African American and white children aged 9-11 y by measuring total daily energy expenditure on the basis of doubly labeled water (DLW), resting metabolic rate, the thermic effect of food, energy expended in physical activity, and substrate oxidation after a meal. The primary endpoint was the 2-y change in percentage body fat (%BF). Results: Individual variables of energy metabolism predicted up to 7% of the variance in changes in %BF over the 2-y interval in the whole group. Predictors of change in body fatness tended to be sex and race specific. Protein oxidation during a test meal explained a significant portion of the variance in change in %BF in the overall group and in nearly all of the subgroups. Multivariate prediction models accounted for 10-41% of the variance in change in %BF. Tanner stage at 2-y follow-up was highly predictive of change in body fatness and improved the overall prediction, accounting for 24 - 62% of the variance in change in %BF in those groups in which Tanner entered the model. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that total daily energy expenditure, resting metabolic rate, substrate oxidation, and total energy intake are predictors of gain in body fatness during late childhood in boys and girls.
Evidence of a genetic link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether endometriosis-associated genetic variation affects risk of ovarian cancer. DESIGN: Pooled genetic analysis. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Genetic data from 46,176 participants (15,361 ovarian cancer cases and 30,815 controls) from 41 ovarian cancer studies. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Endometriosis-associated genetic variation and ovarian cancer. RESULT(S): There was significant evidence of an association between endometriosis-related genetic variation and ovarian cancer risk, especially for the high-grade serous and clear cell histotypes. Overall we observed 15 significant burden statistics, which was three times more than expected. CONCLUSION(S): By focusing on candidate regions from a phenotype associated with ovarian cancer, we have shown a clear genetic link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer that warrants further follow-up. The functional significance of the identified regions and SNPs is presently uncertain, though future fine mapping and histotype-specific functional analyses may shed light on the etiologies of both gynecologic conditions.
Uptake of biotin by native Xenopus laevis oocytes

The present study examined biotin uptake by Xenopus laevis oocytes in vitro. Uptake of low (0.03 microM) and high (10 microM) concentrations of biotin was linear with time for up to 4 h of incubation and occurred with little initial binding to oocytes. Uptake of biotin was dependent on extracellular Na+ concentration [Na+]o and was severely inhibited when Na+ was replaced by other monovalent cations [choline, tetraethylammonia, Li+, and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane]. The initial rate of biotin uptake was saturable as a function of concentration with an apparent Michaelis constant of 3.9 +/- 0.5 microM and maximum velocity of 1,559 +/- 70 fmol.oocyte-1.h-1. Addition to the incubation medium of biotin structural analogues desthiobiotin and thioctic acid caused significant and concentration-dependent inhibition in the uptake of [3H]biotin. This inhibition was found to be competitive in nature with inhibition constant values of 9 and 17.5 microM. In contrast, neither the structural analogue biocytin nor biotin methyl ester (compounds in which the carboxyl group of the valeric acid moiety is blocked) showed any effect on the uptake of [3H]biotin. Biotin uptake was significantly blocked by the metabolic inhibitors dinitrophenol, cyanide, and azide and by incubation at 4 degrees C. Also, the sulfhydryl group blocker p-(chloromercuri)phenylsulfonate caused significant inhibition in biotin uptake. These results demonstrate that Xenopus oocytes possess an uptake system for biotin in its cell membrane that is Na+, energy, and temperature dependent. These characteristics of biotin uptake are similar to those reported in mammalian cells. It is suggested that Xenopus oocytes might be a useful in vitro model system to study the details of the mechanisms and regulation of biotin movement across biological membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A hypothesis regarding the function of angiotensin peptides in the brain.

Studies of the in vivo and in vitro metabolism of angiotensin peptide precursors, and of angiotensin II (Ang II) in tissues, has revealed the possibility that some of the fragments formed through specific enzymatic pathways are bioactive. There is evidence that Ang III is as potent as Ang II in stimulating thirst and causing aldosterone secretion. New findings from this laboratory have led us to reevaluate the concept that fragments of angiotensins derived from the amino (N-) terminus are devoid of biological activity. Using in vitro and in vivo techniques, we showed that Ang-(1-7) is processed from Ang I in amounts equal to or greater than Ang II. In addition, Ang-(1-7) generation is not dependent upon Ang I converting enzyme (ACE) activity in homogenates of canine brain stem. This heptapeptide promotes release of vasopressin from perifused hypothalamo-neurohypophysial explant and stimulates neural responses when microinjected into the vagal-solitary complex. The data supporting these findings are discus...
Limitations of the cognitive vigilance increment.

This paper contrasts the positive evidence for a cognitive vigilance increment with several unsuccessful attempts at replication and reports three further experiments. Experiment 1 employs six different levels of task complexity involving the use of auditory cues, finding a weak overall decrement over time. Experiment 2 obtains similar results using the original simple and complex tasks in conditions of cuing. Experiment 3 compares three uncued conditions, finding a slight improvement in response times on the most complex task. Reviewing the evidence suggests three groups of reasons for nonreplication: differences in tasks and presentation variables, possible sex differences, and the presence of cue tones. Making allowance for these variables, it is concluded that fixed-range tasks produce an increment whereas variable-range tasks do not, although all the cognitive versions are relatively resistant to decrement.
Effect of Nicotinic Acid, Its Isomers and Related Compounds upon Nutrition of Staphylococcus aureus.

SummaryNeither of the 2 isomers of nicotinic acid was able to replace nicotinic acid itself in the nutrition of S. aureus. when tested in concentrations up to 20 gamma per 10 cc of medium. Reduction in the activity of nicotinic amide was brought about by introduction of an ethyl group. Complete loss of activity was evident by introduction of 2 ethyl groups into nicotinic amide. Pyridine 2-3:dicarboxylic acid was inactive as a factor in the growth of S. aureus.
Modification of the Friend virus disease by splenectomy.

SummaryThe Friend Virus syndrome in Ha/ICR Swiss is fundamentally modified by splenectomy either 3 days before or 4, 19, 21 and 27 days after inoculation of the virus. Peripheral erythroblastosis and erythrocytosis only occur in presence of the spleen. The characteristic leukocytosis is not seen up to 48 days after infection in splenectomized mice; however, leukocytosis appears again after gross hepatomegaly. Although the hemopoietic syndrome of the Friend Virus Disease is modified by splenectomy, the virus induced reticulum cell leukemia eventually appears.We acknowledge the assistance of Andre Bulba, Edward Dywinski, Helen Fox, and A. G. Mirand.
Hepatic uptake and metabolism of chylomicron retinyl esters: probable role of plasma membrane/endosomal retinyl ester hydrolases

Previous studies have indicated the presence of both neutral and acid, bile salt-independent retinyl ester hydrolases associated with plasma membrane and endosome fractions of rat liver homogenates. In the present studies, chylomicrons containing tritium-labeled retinyl esters were injected intravenously into rats in order to study the initial metabolism of retinyl esters during and after uptake into the liver. At various times after chylomicron injection, plasma was obtained and the liver was homogenized and subjected to analytical subcellular fractionation. Labeled retinyl esters were rapidly cleared from plasma (half-time approximately 10 min) and appeared in the liver. Within the liver, label first appeared in plasma membrane/endosomal fractions that were also enriched in both neutral and acid, bile salt-independent retinyl ester hydrolase activities. At no time were the labeled esters significantly associated with fractions enriched in lysosomes. Rather, it appeared that the labeled esters were hydrolyzed and/or transferred to fractions enriched in endoplasmic reticulum. These studies demonstrate the co-localization of newly delivered retinyl esters and bile salt-independent retinyl ester hydrolase enzyme activities and thus, suggest a probable role for these enzymes in the initial hepatic metabolism of chylomicron retinyl esters. This conclusion was further supported by the observation that plasma membrane/endosomal fractions were active in catalyzing the hydrolysis of chylomicron remnant retinyl esters in vitro.
Research on the Relationship Between Cloud Temperature and Optical Depth Using Rotational and Vibrational Raman Lidar

Clouds play a key role in the climate system, for they can result in a warming or a cooling effect according to their characteristics and altitudes. Raman Lidars have been proven to be a very useful remote sensing tool to characterize cloud properties and locations. In this paper, cloud temperature and optical depth are obtained using rotational Raman (RR) and vibrational Raman techniques. Results of cloud temperature and optical depth (OD) observed by the Hampton University (HU) Rotational-Vibrational Raman Lidar are presented. The paper discusses the influence of cloud OD on temperature of the cloud base and top. From these measurements, the relation of low-altitude cloud OD and temperature is summarized. These analyses are unique in that they combine simultaneous measurements of these quantities that can lead to an improvement in the understanding of cloud radiation transfer and effects.
Lean Six Sigma in Service : Applications and Case Studies

In real life, data is messy and doesn't always fit into normal statistical distributions. This is especially true in service industries where the variables are, well, variable and directly related to and measured by the constantly changing needs of customers. As the breadth and depth of tools available has increased across the integrated Lean Six S
Examining plant physiological responses to climate change through an evolutionary lens.

Since the Industrial Revolution began approximately 200 years ago, global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) has increased from 270 to 401 µL L−1, and average global temperatures have risen by 0.85°C, with the most pronounced effects occurring near the poles ([IPCC, 2013][1]). In
SOI technology for power management in automotive and industrial applications

Abstract Semiconductor on Insulator (SOI) technology offers an assortment of opportunities for chip manufacturers in the Power Management market. Recent advances in the automotive and industrial markets, along with emerging features, the increasing use of sensors, and the ever-expanding “Internet of Things” (IoT) are providing for continued growth in these markets while also driving more complex solutions. The potential benefits of SOI include the ability to place both high-voltage and low-voltage devices on a single chip, saving space and cost, simplifying designs and models, and improving performance, thereby cutting development costs and improving time to market. SOI also offers novel new approaches to long-standing technologies.
87. Towards Renal-Targeted Gene Delivery: Identification of Clades A, B, E and F Adeno-Associated Virus Sequences from Human Urine Samples

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been successful in gene therapy for a range of inherited and acquired diseases. However, the development of efficient AAV-based gene delivery systems to treat renal diseases is lagging behind, mainly due to the unavailability of highly kidney-tropic AAV serotypes. To identify novel AAV capsid mutants with a natural renal tropism, we tested human urine samples for the presence of AAV sequences. We treated a combination of 293T, HeLa and Vero cells with 93 individual clinical urine samples, followed by one day of infection with high titer adenovirus 5 for AAV expansion. The majority of samples, 69%, were positive for AAV DNA by capsid specific, N-terminus nested PCR. Out of these samples 63% were AAV2-like (Clade B), 27% AAV8-like (Clade E), 1.6% AAV1-like (Clade A) and 8.7% had chimeric cap sequences (Clades B-E, B-F, F-B-E, F-E and E-B hybrids). In characterizing the AAV rep-cap junction region from DNA samples that were not uniquely AAV2 cap positive, the sequences were most closely related to the following: AAV1 rep-AAV1 cap, AAV2 rep-AAV2cap, AAV9 rep-AAV9 cap and AAV2 rep-AAV8 cap. Analysis of full length capsid sequences from overlapping PCRs revealed AAV8-like sequences, AAV2-like sequences and chimeric sequences of AAV8, AAV9 and rhesus isolates. We have cloned these AAV variants into the pXR plasmid and are currently testing their tissue tropisms in vivo. This study is the first to report frequent detection of AAV sequences in human urine. AAV vectors with novel AAV capsid variants may accelerate renal-targeted AAV gene therapy applications.
Abstract 145: Dietary Fish and Omega-3 Intake and Risk of Ischemic Stroke: The REGARDS Study

Background: We previously reported that persons living in the Stroke Belt were more likely than non-Belt persons to consume ≥2 weekly servings of fried fish but less likely to meet the AHA recommen...
Making America Great Again? An Essay on “The Weightier Matters of The Law: Justice and Mercy and Faith”

The author of this work argues that North American evangelicals support of or opposition to Donald Trump’s presidency attests to what they value politically even more so than their faith in a preexistent Creator. Moreover, a Black theologian’s acceptance of the possibility that “God” is an image of what one values helps him or her stay focused on liberating praxis for the wellbeing of the African-American community.
Effect of short-term and long-term ageing on dynamic modulus of foamed warm mix asphalt

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effect of short-term and long-term ageing on the dynamic modulus of foamed warm mix asphalt (WMA) produced by water injection and traditional hot mix asphalt (HM...
Hämoglobin: Porträt eines Proteins in Aktion

Der Ubergang von einer anaeroben zu einer aeroben Lebensweise war ein bedeutender Schritt in der Evolution, weil er ein reiches Energiereservoir nutzbar machte. Aus Glucose kann in Anwesenheit von Sauerstoff 15-mal mehr Energie gewonnen werden als in seiner Abwesenheit. Einzeller und andere kleine Organismen konnen Sauerstoff direkt aus der Luft oder dem umgebenden Wasser in Zellen aufnehmen, die aktiv Stoffwechsel betreiben. Bei Wirbeltieren haben sich zwei grundlegende Mechanismen entwickelt, um Zellen adaquat mit Sauerstoff zu versorgen. Der erste Mechanismus ist ein Kreislaufsystem, das Sauerstoff aktiv an die Zellen des gesamten Korpers verteilt, der zweite ist die Verwendung der Proteine Hamoglobin und Myoglobin fur den Transport und die Speicherung von Sauerstoff. Das in den Erythrocyten (rote Blutkorperchen) enthaltene Hamoglobin ist ein faszinierendes Protein: Es sorgt fur einen effizienten Transport von Sauerstoff von der Lunge zu den Geweben und tragt zudem zum Rucktransport von Kohlendioxid und Wasserstoffionen zur Lunge bei. Das in den Muskeln enthaltene Myoglobin enthalt Sauerstoffreserven.
An Adaptive Framework for the Online Optimal Periodic Control of Feedback Linearizable Systems with Unknown Parameters

This paper proposes an online adaptive control framework for tracking Optimal Periodic Control (OPC) trajectories of feedback linearizable plants with unknown parameters. The literature already offers different online solution algorithms for solving OPC problems. However, the existing algorithms either assume perfectly known plant models or allow for the appearance of unknown parameters in the plant model, but rely on the plant's open-loop stability for implementation of the optimal solution. This paper, in contrast, develops an adaptive feedback linearizing algorithm to simultaneously estimate and track the optimal OPC orbit. Using Lyapunov analysis, the paper shows that the system trajectories always remain bounded and asymptotically approach the periodic solution corresponding to an estimate of the unknown plant parameter vector. Furthermore, when the regressor vector of the parameter estimation law is persistently exciting, global convergence to the true periodic solution trajectory is guaranteed. The paper concludes with a numerical implementation of its adaptive optimal control algorithm for a periodic drug delivery application, commonly used as a benchmark in the OPC literature.
Supercomputing-Enabled First-Principles Analysis of Radio Wave Propagation in Urban Environments

Wireless communications are expected to take place in increasingly complicated scenarios, such as dense urban, forest, tunnel, and other cluttered environments. A key emerging challenge is to understand the physics and characteristics of wave propagation in these environments, which is critical for the analysis, design, and application of advanced mobile and wireless communication systems. In this paper, we present a full-wave field-based computational methodology for radio wave propagation in complex urban environments. Both transmitting/receiving antennas and propagation environments are modeled by first-principles calculations. A system-level, large scene analysis is enabled by the scalable, ultraparallel algorithms on the emerging high-performance computing platforms. The proposed computational framework is verified and validated with semianalytical models and representative measurements.
Risk Adjustment In Medicare ACO Program Deters Coding Increases But May Lead ACOs To Drop High-Risk Beneficiaries.

The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) adjusts savings benchmarks by beneficiaries’ baseline risk scores. To discourage increased coding intensity, the benchmark is not adjusted upward if benef...
Distributed Newton and Quasi-Newton methods for formation control of autonomous vehicles

This paper presents a distributed approach based on a Newton-type method for solving the fast formation problems of a group of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in the plane. Each AUV of this g...
A TaqMan Probe-Based Real-Time PCR Assay for the Rapid Identification of the Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Pathogen Candida auris on the BD Max System.

ABSTRACT Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that has been associated with nosocomial bloodstream and deep wound infections causing a high mortality rate mainly in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Laboratories currently rely on phenotypic testing using commercial automated systems for identification of yeasts; however, this technique has often led to misidentification of C. auris to other closely related species. We developed and validated a TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay on the BD Max platform targeting ribosomal DNA (rDNA) region nucleotide sequences to quickly and accurately test for C. auris infection from culture and clinical specimens. The assay is highly specific, reproducible, and sensitive, allowing detection of as low as 1 C. auris CFU per reaction within 3 h.
Experimental Demonstration of Rapid Adiabatic Couplers

We experimentally demonstrate rapid adiabatic coupling (RAC), a novel design concept that harnesses the benefits and addresses the disadvantages of adiabatic photonic structures. The 31µm long 2×2 coupler shows 3±0.3dB splitting over 130nm bandwidth. © 2019 The Author(s)
Rhodopsin Oligomerization and Aggregation

Rhodopsin is the light receptor in photoreceptor cells of the retina and a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor. Two types of quaternary structures can be adopted by rhodopsin. If rhodopsin folds and attains a proper tertiary structure, it can then form oligomers and nanodomains within the photoreceptor cell membrane. In contrast, if rhodopsin misfolds, it cannot progress through the biosynthetic pathway and instead will form aggregates that can cause retinal degenerative disease. In this review, emerging views are highlighted on the supramolecular organization of rhodopsin within the membrane of photoreceptor cells and the aggregation of rhodopsin that can lead to retinal degeneration.
The Single Point of Failure

The patent system is just one example of how government institutions create single points of failure by concentrating decision-making power in the hands of the few, whether legislators in Congress, cabinet officials in the executive branch, or bureaucrats in agencies. Administrative practices are constructed around the belief that government professionals know best how to translate broad legislative mandates into specific regulatory decisions in the public interest. Governance, the theory goes, is best entrusted to a bureaucracy operating at one removed from the pressure of electoral politics and the biased influence of the public at large
Towards a mechanistic understanding of the synergistic response induced by bivalent Marek's disease vaccines to prevent lymphomas.

Abstract Background Marek’s disease (MD) is a lymphoproliferative disease of chickens caused by Marek’s disease virus (MDV), an oncogenic α-herpesvirus. Since 1970, MD has been controlled by widespread vaccination; however, more effective MD vaccines are needed to counter more virulent MDV strains. The bivalent vaccine combination of SB-1 and herpesvirus of turkey (HVT) strain FC126 has been widely used. Nonetheless, the mechanism(s) underlying this synergistic effect has not been investigated. Methods Three experiments were conducted where SB-1 or HVT were administered as monovalent or bivalent vaccines to newly hatched chickens, then challenged five days later with MDV. In Experiment 1, levels of MDV replication in PBMCs were measured over time, and tumor incidence and vaccinal protection determined. In Experiment 2, MDV and vaccine strains replication levels in lymphoid organs were measured at 1, 5, 10, and 14 days post-challenge (DPC). In Experiment 3, to verify that the bursa was necessary for HVT protection, a subset of chicks were bursectomized and these birds plus controls were similarly vaccinated and challenged, and the levels of vaccinal protection determined. Results The efficacy of bivalent SB-1 + HVT surpasses that of either SB-1 or HVT monovalent vaccines in controlling the level of pathogenic MDV in PBMCs until the end of the study, and this correlated with the ability to inhibit tumor formation. SB-1 replication in the spleen increased from 1 to 14 DPC, while HVT replicated only in the bursa at 1 DPC. The bursa was necessary for immune protection induced by HVT vaccine. Conclusion Synergy of SB-1 and HVT vaccines is due to additive influences of the individual vaccines acting at different times and target organs. And the bursa is vital for HVT to replicate and induce immune protection.
Radiographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Symptomatic Synthetic Cartilage Implant.

Background:Synthetic Cartilage Implantation (SCI; Cartiva) is a treatment of hallux rigidus associated with mixed clinical outcomes in the United States. Patients with persistent pain typically und...
Atypical Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy with Hypokinetic Left Mid-ventricle and Apical Wall Sparing: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an uncommon cause of acute reversible ventricular systolic dysfunction in the absence of obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Typically manifesting as apical wall ballooning, TTC can rarely present atypically with apical wall sparing. Case report A 62-year-old female presented with complaints of chest pain and features mimicking acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiogram revealed no obstructive CAD and left ventriculogram showed reduced ejection fraction, normal left ventricular apex and hypokinetic mid-ventricles consistent with atypical TTC. The patient was discharged home on heart failure medications and a follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated improved left ventricular function with no wall motion abnormality. Conclusion This case report provides an insight into the diagnosis and management of TTC in the absence of pathognomic features.
Whither Research Domain Criteria

In 2010, the National Institute of Mental Health launched the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDoC) as a research framework aimed at advancing research into the etiology of mental disorders, the development of clinically actionable biomarkers, and the eventual development of precision medications. The foundation of RDoC in that first phase rested in the assumption that mental disorders are brain disorders that originate in aberrant neural circuitry, and that therapeutic advances could flow from alterations in that circuitry. RDoC proposed a matrix of psychological constructs with seven levels of analysis ranging from the cell to self-report, but with neural circuitry at the center. In 2016, another model was proposed in which neural circuitry became equivalent to other units of analyses. With the advent of a new Director of the NIMH, the emphasis returned to neural circuitry as a priority, along with computational psychiatry. Have these shifts undermined the RDoC project?
Using mHealth in postpartum women with pre-eclampsia: Lessons learned from a qualitative study.

Objective To explore perceptions and attitudes of postpartum women with pre-eclampsia towards remote monitoring (mHealth) and communication with the call center. Methods A non-randomized cohort study was conducted in postpartum hypertensive women, recruited from a tertiary hospital between October 2015 and February 2016. Participants were categorized into users (using mHealth) and non-users (not using mHealth) to monitor vital signs at home over a 2-week period after discharge. Non-users were informed about functionality of mHealth. Both groups participated in a 30-minute phone interview at the end of the study. Directed content analysis of interview transcripts was conducted. Results In total, 21 users and 16 non-users participated in the interview. Both groups perceived that mHealth helped manage their condition. However, non-users were concerned about the challenge of incorporating mHealth into their routine, whereas users mentioned that they liked using mHealth on a daily basis. They also stated that communication with nurses in the call center was helpful. Barriers identified by users included size of the blood pressure cuffs, size of the equipment set, wireless connection, and stress associated with mHealth monitoring. Users stated that they would have preferred using mHealth during pregnancy. Conclusion The findings provide useful insights to inform a successful remote monitoring program among perinatal and postpartum women.
Uncovering Leishmania–macrophage interplay using imaging flow cytometry

Host–pathogen interaction is an area of considerable interest. Intracellular parasites such as Leishmania reside inside phagocytes such as macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils. Macrophages can be activated by cytokines such as IFN-γ and Toll like receptor (TLR) agonists resulting in enhanced microbicidal activity. Leishmania parasites hijack the microbicidal function of macrophages, mainly by interfering with intracellular signaling initiated by IFN-γ and TLR ligands. Here we used transgenic Leishmania donovani parasites expressing the red fluorescent protein DsRed2 and imaging-flow cytometry technology to evaluate parasitic loads inside the macrophage in vitro. Further, this methodology enables us to visualize impairment in NFκB translocation to the nucleus in L. donovani infected macrophages. Additionally we show that uninfected bystander macrophages have a similar impairment in NFκB translocation as in L. donovani infected macrophages in response to the TLR4 agonist LPS. This evidence suggests a possible immunosuppressive role for infected macrophages in regulating the activation of uninfected bystander macrophages.
Autophagy under construction: insights from in vitro reconstitution of autophagosome nucleation.

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a complex process that involves over 40 proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. How these proteins are organized, and their activities orchestrated to facilitate an effici...
A review on tribological performance of ionic liquids as additives to bio lubricants

All the moving components in an internal combustion engine require a lubricant that allows smooth sliding and/or rolling of interacting surfaces. Lubricant not only minimizes the friction and wear ...
A Perspective on the Larger World: Newspaper Coverage of National and International Events in Three Small US Cities, 1870–1920

This article explores one of the principal channels through which residents of a small US city became knowledgeable about the world beyond their community—the newspaper. This exploratory study examines and compares newspaper coverage in three small cities in the United States—one from the South (Galveston, Texas), one from the Western Expansion (Boise, Idaho), and one from the more established East Coast (Fitchburg, Massachusetts). This study examines news events from 1870 (the post–Civil War Reconstruction era) to 1920 (just after the First World War and prior to the economic boom that followed the war, often known as the Roaring Twenties).
On the extremal structure of the unit balls of Banach spaces of weakly continuous functions and their duals

A sufficient and then a necessary condition are given for a function to be an extreme point of the unit ball of the Banach space C(K, (X,w)) of continuous functions, under the supremum norm, from a compact Hausdorff topological space K into a Banach space X equipped with its weak topology w. Strongly extreme points of the unit ball of C(K, (X,w)) are characterized as the norm-one functions that are uniformly strongly extreme point valued on a dense subset of K. It is shown that a variety of stronger types of extreme points (e.g. denting points) never exist in the unit ball of C(K, (X,w)). Lastly, some naturally arising and previously known extreme points of the unit ball of C(K, (X,w))∗ are shown to actually be strongly exposed points.
Learning by weakly-connected adaptive agents

In this paper, we examine the learning mechanism of adaptive agents over weakly-connected graphs and reveal an interesting behavior on how information flows through such topologies. The results clarify how asymmetries in the exchange of data can mask local information at certain agents and make them totally dependent on other agents. A leader-follower relationship develops with the performance of some agents being fully determined by other agents that can even be outside their immediate domain of influence. This scenario can arise, for example, from intruder attacks by malicious agents or from failures by some critical links. The findings in this work help explain why strong-connectivity of the network topology, adaptation of the combination weights, and clustering of agents are important ingredients to equalize the learning abilities of all agents against such disturbances. The results also clarify how weak-connectivity can be helpful in reducing the effect of outlier data on learning performance.
Frailty models and rank tests

Connections are established between the theories of weighted logrank tests and of frailty models. These connections arise because omission of a balanced covariate from a proportional hazards model generally leads to a model with non-proportional hazards, for which the simple logrank test is no longer optimal. The optimal weighting function and the asymptotic relative efficiencies of the simple logrank test and of the optimally weighted logrank test relative to the adjusted test that would be used if the covariate values were known, are expressible in terms of the Laplace transform of the hazard ratio for the distribution of the omitted covariate. For example if this hazard ratio has a gamma distribution, the optimal test is a member of the “G ρ ”class introduced by Harrington and Fleming (1982). We also consider positive stable, inverse Gaussian, displaced Poisson and two-point frailty distribution. Results are obtained for parametric and nonparametric tests and are extended to include random censoring. We show that the loss of efficiency from omitting a covariate is generally more important than the additional loss due to misspecification of the resulting non-proportional hazards model as a proportional hazards model. However two-point frailty distributions can provide exceptions to this rule. Censoring generally increases the efficiency of the simple logrank test to the adjusted logrank test.
Clinical Application of Multigene Panels: Challenges of Next-Generation Counseling and Cancer Risk Management

Background: Multigene panels can be a cost- and time-effective alternative to sequentially testing multiple genes, especially with a mixed family cancer phenotype. However, moving beyond our single-gene testing paradigm has unveiled many new challenges to the clinician. The purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with some of the challenges, as well as potential opportunities, of expanded hereditary cancer panel testing. Methods: We include results from 348 commercial multigene panel tests ordered from January 1, 2014, through October 1, 2014, by clinicians associated with the City of Hope’s Clinical Cancer Genetics Community of Practice. We also discuss specific challenging cases that arose during this period involving abnormalities in the genes: CDH1, TP53, PMS2, PALB2, CHEK2, NBN, and RAD51C. Results: If historically high risk genes only were included in the panels (BRCA1, BRCA2, MSH6, PMS2, TP53, APC, CDH1), the results would have been positive only 6.2% of the time, instead of 17%. Results returned with variants of uncertain significance (VUS) 42% of the time. Conclusion: These figures and cases stress the importance of adequate pretest counseling in anticipation of higher percentages of positive, VUS, unexpected, and ambiguous test results. Test result ambiguity can be limited by the use of phenotype specific panels; if found, multiple resources (the literature, reference laboratory, colleagues, national experts, and research efforts) can be accessed to better clarify counseling and management for the patient and family. For pathogenic variants in low and moderate risk genes, empiric risk modeling based on the patient’s personal and family history of cancer may supersede gene-specific risk. Commercial laboratory and patient contributions to public databases and research efforts will be needed to better classify variants and reduce clinical ambiguity of multigene panels.
Spam detection on twitter using traditional classifiers

Social networking sites have become very popular in recent years. Users use them to find new friends, updates their existing friends with their latest thoughts and activities. Among these sites, Twitter is the fastest growing site. Its popularity also attracts many spammers to infiltrate legitimate users' accounts with a large amount of spam messages. In this paper, we discuss some user-based and content-based features that are different between spammers and legitimate users. Then, we use these features to facilitate spam detection. Using the API methods provided by Twitter, we crawled active Twitter users, their followers/ following information and their most recent 100 tweets. Then, we evaluated our detection scheme based on the suggested user and content-based features. Our results show that among the four classifiers we evaluated, the Random Forest classifier produces the best results. Our spam detector can achieve 95.7% precision and 95.7% F-measure using the Random Forest classifier.
Nanoshells for Integrated Cancer Imaging and Therapy

A104 This purpose of this study was to investigate the use of nanoshells for a combined imaging application and cancer therapy using commercially available optical coherence tomography (OCT). Gold nanoshells are a new class of nanoparticles with tunable optical absorption that can be designed in the near infrared where penetration of light through tissue is maximal. Nanoshells consist of a dielectric core of silica with an ultrathin shell of gold. It has been previously shown that gold nanoshells can sufficiently accumulate in tumors due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect thus allowing ablation of tumors using an external NIR laser source. This led to complete tumor regression. In the current studies, we have designed nanoshells to both provide optical contrast for OCT to enhance diagnostic capabilities and also to then to generate localized heating under the appropriate illumination conditions to allow for ablation of the tumor.Murine colon carcinoma cells, CT-26, were grown subcutaneously in BALB/c mice. Tumors were allowed to grow to ~5 mm diameter. The surfaces of the nanoshells were modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG-SH) to enhance circulation. For the treatment group PEGylated nanoshells were injected into the tail vein of the animals 20 hours prior to imaging and treatment. PBS injected animals and untreated controls were also used in the study. The tumors were imaged using the Niris Imaging System OCT by applying glycerol for index matching and placing the probe directly on the skin. Images were captured at several locations on each tumor. After imaging the tumors were exposed to a NIR laser. Tumor size and animal survival following treatment was monitored for 8 weeks after treatment.OCT images of the tumors prior to irradiation shows substantially higher contrast, indicative of higher scattering, in the tumors of mice that received systemic nanoshell injections compared to the mice receiving saline injections. Silver stained images show the presence of nanoshells in the tumors of mice injected with nanoshells compared to PBS injected mice. There was a greater than 80% survival rate of the nanoshell therapy mice after 8 weeks, compared to 14% for the Saline + laser group and zero for the control group. Kaplan-Meier statistical analysis on the survival data showed a median survival of 14 days for the PBS + laser treatment group and 10 days for the Untreated Control group. At 21 days and to the end of the 8 week study period, the nanoshell therapy group survival rate was significantly higher than either control group, p
A public health policy approach to reducing economic and health costs of obesity in the USA

Obesity is rapidly increasing in the USA. It is one of the most serious public health problems that significantly increase the risk of many chronic illnesses. Obesity disproportionately affects people with lower incomes and minority groups and imposes a heavy financial burden on the healthcare system in the USA. Thus, there is a critical need for healthcare policies that are designed to stem the growth of obesity. The aims of this paper are to discuss the cost of obesity to the national healthcare expenditure, and to present and discuss various policies and strategies adopted by several states across the country to prevent the growth of obesity. Additionally, the role of interest groups and political will with respect to formulating healthcare policies on preventing obesity are discussed. A multifaceted approach that incorporates market and cultural forces is recommended to prevent obesity and reduce healthcare costs.
Effects of Mutual Gaze and Touch on Attraction, Mood, and Cardiovascular Reactivity

Unacquainted men and women (n = 60) were randomly paired and instructed to engage in one of four combinations of mutual gaze/no gaze, mutual touch/no touch. Participants identified on the Romantic Beliefs Scale as being romantic expressed increased romantic attraction for their partner when they had shared mutual gaze. Mutual gaze did not influence ratings of romantic attraction given by low romantic participants. When sharing mutual gaze and touch, high romantics expressed greater desire to be paired with the same partner in the future and more positive affect (MAACL-R) than did low romantics. High romantics also expressed significantly more dysphoria when they did not have the opportunity to engage in mutual touch. The experience of mutual gaze resulted in significantly elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The experience of mutual touch resulted in significantly elevated heart rates during the middle of the experiment. Results were integrated with studies of expressive behavior and interpersonal attraction and with limited published data on physiological responses to gaze and touch.
Global theorems for boundary‐free viscous incompressible fluid flows of finite energy

It is shown that the action for boundary‐free incompressible fluid flow (i.e., the time‐integral of the kinetic energy of the motion) is an absolute minimum with respect to all velocity‐field transformations u→u* if u* is structured suitably in terms of u and an arbitrary solenoidal test field f. As suggested by this physical minimum principle, inequality analysis is applied to obtain an upper bound on the time derivative of the dissipation integral, from which there follow sufficient conditions for a monotone‐decreasing dissipation integral and a monotone‐decreasing global Reynolds number. The latter result provides an experimentally consistent necessary condition for passage from laminar to turbulent flow. Finally, inequality analysis is employed to derive a time‐dependent lower bound on the maximum velocity gradient in a generic boundary‐free flow of finite energy.
Emergency department repair of hand lacerations using absorbable vicryl sutures

The use of absorbable suture material has a number of potential advantages when compared to nonabsorbable suture. We conducted a 5-year retrospective study of 102 patients with hand lacerations and compared the quality of scar formation and healing in these patients. Those patients who did not have tendon, nerve, or bone injury were included in the study. Lacerations were repaired with either 5-0 Vicryl or nylon. There were no reported complications or infections in any study group patient. The quality of scar, when compared visually and by palpation, was the same at the end of 6 months. In addition, there was no difference in the incidence of scar retraction. We conclude that the use of absorbable suture material is an acceptable alternative in the repair of hand lacerations.
The effects of dietary protein level on growth, feed efficiency and survival of juvenile Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus)

Florida pompano is considered a suitable candidate for mariculture due to its ready adaptation to culture systems, acceptance of formulated feeds, and rapid growth rates. Little information on the nutritional requirements or growth rates under controlled conditions have been reported. A seven week feeding experiment was conducted with juvenile fish (mean wt. 4.5 g) to evaluate the effect of dietary protein level on growth, feed intake, feed utilization and survival. Four practical diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and to contain increasing levels of protein (30, 35, 40 or 45% crude protein). Although total feed intake was not significantly different among treatments, feed intake expressed as amount consumed per unit of body weight was significantly different among treatments. Fish fed the highest protein diet had lower percentage daily feed consumption values than did fish fed the lowest protein diet. Growth and feed efficiency ratios increased with dietary protein level and were highest for fish fed the diet containing 45% protein. The results obtained in the present study indicate that juvenile Florida pompano required a minimum of 45% protein for maximum growth and feed efficiency ratio when fish meal and soybean meal are the primary sources of protein.
Dermatopathologic effects of taxane therapy.

Background Taxane drugs block cell-cycle progression via centrosomal impairment, induction of abnormal spindles, and suppression of spindle microtubule dynamics. Affected cells experience aberrant mitosis or mitotic slippage, which may trigger apoptosis. Objective The aim was to characterize the histopathologic changes due to taxane therapy in skin biopsy specimens. Methods Three examples were identified of benign skin biopsy specimens of patients receiving paclitaxel or docetaxel therapy for breast carcinoma or leiomyosarcoma. All specimens were studied by light microscopy after routine histopathologic processing. Results All cases exhibited numerous apoptotic and mitotic figures including atypical forms, changes consistent with cytotoxic effects of taxane. The first case had been provisionally considered by the referring pathologist to be a malignant melanoma; however, when reviewed in consultation, it was ultimately diagnosed as an atypical nevus; the second and third cases were diagnosed as reactive epidermal hyperplasia and ecthyma, respectively, in addition to showing background taxane effects. Limitations This study is limited by the relatively small number of cases examined. Conclusion Taxane therapy has profound cytopathic effects in skin biopsy specimens, and in difficult cases these changes may raise consideration of possible malignancy. Dermatopathologists should use caution when interpreting biopsy specimens of patients receiving taxane therapy.
Distributed data provenance for large-scale data-intensive computing

It has become increasingly important to capture and understand the origins and derivation of data (its provenance). A key issue in evaluating the feasibility of data provenance is its performance, overheads, and scalability. In this paper, we explore the feasibility of a general metadata storage and management layer for parallel file systems, in which metadata includes both file operations and provenance metadata. We experimentally investigate the design optimality-whether provenance metadata should be loosely-coupled or tightly integrated with a file metadata storage systems. We consider two systems that have applied similar distributed concepts to metadata management, but focusing singularly on kind of metadata: (i) FusionFS, which implements a distributed file metadata management based on distributed hash tables, and (ii) SPADE, which uses a graph database to store audited provenance data and provides distributed module for querying provenance. Our results on a 32-node cluster show that FusionFS+SPADE is a promising prototype with negligible provenance overhead and has promise to scale to petascale and beyond. Furthermore, FusionFS with its own storage layer for provenance capture is able to scale up to 1 K nodes on BlueGene/P supercomputer.