cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation, characterization and amino acid sequence of beta-lipotropin from human pituitary glands.

β-Lipotropin has been purified to homogeneity from human pituitary glands. It consists of 89 amino acids with a molecular weight of 11 700. The lipolytic potency of the human hormone is identical to that of ovine β-LPH. The amino acid sequence has been determined as follows: H-1Glu-Leu-Thr-Gly-Gln-Arg-Leu-Arg-Gln-10Gly - Asp-Gly-Pro - Asn -Ala-Gly-Ala-Asn - Asp-20Gly-Glu-Gly-Pro-Ala-Ala-Asp - Leu-Glu-His-30Ser-Leu - Leu-Val- Ala-Ala-Glu-Lys-Lys-Asp-40Glu-Gly-Pro-Tyr-Arg - Met-Glu-His-Phe - Arg-50Trp-Gly-Ser-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-Lys-Arg-Tyr-60Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Thr-Ser-Glu-Lys-Ser-Gln-70Thr-Pro-Leu-Val-Thr-Leu-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ala-80Ile-Ile-Lys-Asn-Ala-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Gly-89Glu-OH. When compared with the structure of the ovine hormone, the sequence at the NH2-terminal 33 residues exhibits considerable variability.
A Dynamic Storage Scheme For Conflict-free Vector Access

Previous investigations into data storage schemes have focused on finding a storage scheme that permits conflict-free access for a set of frequently encountered access patterns. This paper considers an alternative approach. Rather than forcing a single storage scheme to be used for all access patterns, conflict-free accesses of any constant stride can be made by selecting a storage scheme for each vector based on the accessing patterns used with that vector. By factoring the stride into two components, one a power of 2 and the other relatively prime to 2, a storage scheme can be synthesized which allows conflict-free access to the vector using the specified stride. All such schemes are based on a variation of the row rotation mechanism proposed by Budnik and Kuck[1]. Each storage scheme is based on two parameters, one describes the type of rotation to perform and the other describes the amount of memory to be rotated as a single block. Hardware required to implement this storage scheme is efficient. The performance of the memory under access strides other than the stride used to specify the storage scheme is also considered. This models a vector being accessed with multiple strides, in particular the row/column access of a matrix, and situations when the stride can not be determined prior to initializing the vector. Simulation results show that if a single buffer is added to each memory port then the average performance of the dynamic scheme surpasses that of the interleaved scheme for arbitrary stride accesses. For dynamic storage schemes to be effective, the compiler must be able to detect information about the stride of vector accesses. In general, this is within the capabilities of current vectorizing compilers. Dynamic storage schemes also may allow more flexibility in program transformation performed by vectorizing compilers during optimization.
Practice Experience in the Treatment of Infantile Spasms at a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract Background The current treatment guidelines for treatment of infantile spasms is ambiguous regarding individuals with known etiology and is backed by limited evidence. Recently published survey data reveal diverse treatment variation for infantile spasms. We conducted a retrospective medical record review to better understand the clinical variables which affect treatment selection for new-onset infantile spasms. Methods We systematically extracted demographic data and treatment response of children with new onset infantile spasms over a 3-year period at a single institution. Treatment was divided into three groups: vigabatrin, hormone treatment, and other therapies. Results Our final cohort had 65 patients; 74% had a known etiology. Sixty-two percent were initially treated with vigabatrin. Other therapies were used more often in known etiology than in unknown etiology as initial treatment (40% versus 6%; P = 0.002). Treatment response at 3 months was not statistically different between unknown etiology and known etiology groups (71% versus 46%; P = 0.08). Overall, initial treatment choice was effective in 35% (23 of 65). Eighty-six percent (37 of 42) who failed the initial medication had subsequent medication trials within 3 months. Conclusions Etiology was strongly associated with initial treatment choice. The variation in treatment choice at our center reflects the limited evidence derived from well-designed clinical trials.
A boost or bust for democracy? How the web influenced political attitudes and behaviors in the 1996 and 2000 presidential elections

This study employed an online survey of 442 politically interested Web users during the 2000 presidential election to examine the extent to which relying on the Web for political information influe...
Making sense: Determining the parameter space of electrical brain stimulation

Conscious sensory experiences are the bountiful subject of countless works of art, music, poetry, and other creative endeavors. The subject of how these experiences emerge is no less compelling. Perceptual qualia arise from the electrical activity of one (1) or, likelier, many (2) neurons in the brain. This observation has been most widely studied in visual cortex (3), where a number of papers have described the causal relationship between neural activity and perceptual behaviors, namely, detection and discrimination of electrically activating, spatially discrete neural populations. Topographic organization, as seen not only in the retinotopy of visual cortex but in the tonotopy of auditory cortex and the somatotopy of somatosensory cortex, renders all (especially primary) sensory areas potent model systems for determining the quantitative relationship between neural activity and perception. In select human subjects, where it is possible to ascertain directly the relationship between neuronal selectivity and sensory qualia, topography (or perhaps attendant columnar microstructure) appears to be critical. Rudimentary (single electrode and brief, unpatterned pulse train) stimulation of a spatially contiguous population of neurons generates percepts in areas with exquisite retinotopy, for example, but not in areas where visual representations become more spatially diffuse (4). Electrical stimulation of clustered representations of sensory space may be more readily interpretable by the experimental subject, because it more closely mimics the natural sensory activation of neurons (but refer to 5). Similarly, in primary somatosensory cortex, it is thought that detection and discrimination of electrical pulse trains is facilitated by its modular organization and is indistinguishable from mechanical sensory stimuli (6, 7). In areas downstream of primary sensory cortices, activity may naturally be more spatially and …
Corridor Use Predicted from Behaviors at Habitat Boundaries

abstract: Through empirical studies and simulation, I demonstrate how simple behaviors can be used in lieu of detailed dispersal studies to predict the effects of corridors on interpatch movements. Movement paths of three butterfly species were measured in large (1.64 ha) experimental patches of open habitat, some of which were connected by corridors. Butterflies that “reflected” off boundaries between open patches and the surrounding forest also emigrated from patches through corridors at rates higher than expected from random movement. This was observed for two open‐habitat species, Eurema nicippe and Phoebis sennae; however, edges and corridors had no effect on a habitat generalist, Papilio troilus. Behaviorally based simulation models, which departed from correlated random walks only at habitat boundaries, predicted that corridors increase interpatch movement rates of both open‐habitat species. Models also predicted that corridors have proportionately greater effects as corridor width increases, that ...
A Comment on “A Note on the Mathematical Representation of the Source for Tubular Transmitting Antennas” by D. V. Otto

It is questioned whether differences in the method used to derive the integral equation for the current in a tubular antenna are of great importance.
The Massachusetts Way: Keeping Public Use Relevant in Stadium Eminent Domain Takings

As the sports industry has developed into a multi-billion dollar enterprise, cities are increasingly faced with the choice of funding expensive stadium projects to attract or keep franchises. These projects commonly include using public funds and the government’s eminent domain power under the public use clause of the Fifth Amendment. Unlike traditional public use such as infrastructure and utilities, however, multi-purpose stadiums present a unique challenge for courts. The Second Circuit in Goldstein v. Pataki handled the public use analysis by allowing any amount of traditional public use justification to shield the project from pretext challenges. This note argues that by broadening the public use analysis, the Goldstein court effectively foreclosed any feasible pretext claim against a stadium project, which always has a traditional public use justification. It also proposes that the Massachusetts approach to public use in stadium construction provides a stronger balance. Massachusetts does so by funding portions of a stadium project which satisfy the traditional public use analysis, while forcing teams to pay for any portions that only benefit the franchise. In doing so, the state has struck a stronger balance between protecting the public from unconstitutional takings while ensuring that stadium projects are not entirely precluded.
Study of dielectric properties of dry and saturated Green River oil shale

We measured the dielectric permittivity of dry and fluid saturated Green River oil shale samples over a frequency range of 1 MHz to 1.8 GHz. Dry sample measurements were carried out between room temperature and 146 °C; saturated sample measurements were carried out at room temperature. Samples obtained from the Green River formation of Wyoming and from the Anvil Points Mine in Colorado were cored both parallel and perpendicular to layering. The samples, which all had organic richnesses in the range of 0.04−0.19 L/kg (10−45 gal/ton), showed small variations between samples and a relatively small level of anisotropy of dielectric properties when dry. The real and imaginary part of the relative dielectric permittivity of dry rock was nearly constant over the frequency range observed, with low values for the imaginary part (loss factor). Saturation with deionized water and brine greatly increased the values of the real and imaginary parts of the relative permittivity, especially at the lower frequencies. Temp...
The Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and Immune-Mediated Inflammation

Celsus described four of the five cardinal signs of inflammation 2000 years ago, and Eustachio discovered the adrenal glands almost 500 years ago, but not until 1936 did Selye note that in rats exposed to stressors, the adrenal glands were enlarged, and the thymus and lymph nodes shrunken.1–3 Cortisone, the active principle of the adrenal glands, was isolated by Kendall and Reichstein in the late 1940s and shown to suppress immune organs. These scientists, along with Hench, received the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, after Hench and colleagues showed that cortisone could ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis.4,5 In recent . . .
Manipulation of Subsurface Carbon Nanoparticles in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ Using a Scanning Tunneling Microscope

In this study, we present evidence that subsurface carbon nanoparticles in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O8+δ can be manipulated with nanometer precision using a scanning tunneling microscope. High resolution images indicate that most of the carbon particles remain subsurface after transport observable as a local increase in height as the particle pushes up on the surface. Tunneling spectra in the vicinity of these protrusions exhibit semiconducting characteristics with a band gap of approximately 1.8 eV, indicating that the incorporation of carbon locally alters the electronic properties near the surface.
SEPTAL MYECTOMY IMPROVES SYMPTOMS MORE THAN ALCOHOL SEPTAL ABLATION IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTROPHIC OBSTRUCTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disease, affecting one in 500 people worldwide. Treatment for HCM revolves around reducing risk for sudden cardiac death, addressing heart failure, and treating symptomatic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOT). Both
Sets Thick and Thin

(1976). Sets Thick and Thin. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 83, No. 8, pp. 648-650.
PID Parameter Tuning Based on Improved DE Algorithm and the Application

By introducing PID regulation-based formulas and adaptive operators into differential evolution(DE)algorithm,an improved differential evolution(IDE)algorithm was proposed,in which PID regulation-based formulas were used to guide the production of initial population in DE algorithm,so as to reduce random optimization and improve convergence rate of DE algorithm,and subsequently to obtain PID parameters adaptively without depending on experience of tuning engineers.Simulation studies were conducted to steam temperature control system of circulating fluidized bed(CFB)boilers with substantial parameter uncertainties,frequent disturbance and large time delay,and the IDE algorithm was applied to the main steam temperature control system of a 300 MW CFB boiler.Results show that the IDE algorithm is fast in searching,simple in calculation and effective in optimization of tuning parameters.Compared with GA method,the proposed method can obtain better control quality and system robustness in PID parameter tuning,with which the steam control effect can be significantly improved.
Abstract IA11: Clinical application of next-generation sequencing as a guide to treatment selection

Profound and durable responses are often observed in early stage clinical trials of novel cancer agents in only a small minority of patients. It has long been postulated that these responses have a definable genetic basis but until now it was not feasible to perform a comprehensive genomic analysis of such patients. Rather, at best a few candidate genes were examined. Technical feasibility thus ensured that oncology trials were designed to identify agents that have a statistically significant benefit in a genetically unselected population, a paradigm that has led to the development of many agents that have modest or no benefit in the vast majority of patients. Agents with profound activity in only a small number of patients were on the other had deemed inactive and abandoned. Our preliminary experience shows that next generation sequencing methodology can now be feasibly applied in the clinical setting to identify previously unrecognized biomarkers of response for agents that show profound responses in only a minority of patients. As an example, we explored the molecular basis of an outlier phenotype, an apparent disease cure of a 51-year old woman with recurrent metastatic small cell carcinoma. The patient was treated on a phase 1 clinical trial that combined topoisomerase I inhibition with an ATP-competitive inhibitor of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1). Whole genome sequencing revealed a complex but highly clonal tumor genome with a somatic, missense mutation in the Mre11 complex gene RAD50, which functions to initiate double stranded break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination or non- homologous end joining. Through modeling in yeast, we confirmed that this heterozygous RAD50 mutation, which affects a highly conserved residue and whose wild type copy was focally deleted, conferred sensitivity to topoisomerase I inhibition. Drug sensitivity was markedly enhanced upon genetic ablation of the DNA damage checkpoint pathway, suggesting a synthetic lethal interaction between checkpoint kinase inhibition and clastogenic chemotherapy. These results and additional examples to be presented demonstrate the feasibility of using whole-genome sequencing in the clinical setting to identify previously occult biomarkers of drug sensitivity that can aid in the identification of patients most likely to respond to targeted anticancer drugs. The use of novel clinical trial designs to confirm genotype-phenotype associations will also be discussed. Citation Format: David B. Solit. Clinical application of next-generation sequencing as a guide to treatment selection. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Integrating Clinical Genomics and Cancer Therapy; Jun 13-16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(1_Suppl):Abstract nr IA11.
Current and Emerging Therapies for Lupus Nephritis

The introduction of corticosteroids and later, cyclophosphamide dramatically improved survival in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis, and combined administration of these agents became the standard-of-care treatment for this disease. However, treatment failures were still common and the rate of progression to ESRD remained unacceptably high. Additionally, treatment was associated with significant morbidity. Therefore, as patient survival improved, the goals for advancing lupus nephritis treatment shifted to identifying therapies that could improve long-term renal outcomes and minimize treatment-related toxicity. Unfortunately, progress has been slow and the current approaches to the management of lupus nephritis continue to rely on high-dose corticosteroids plus a broad-spectrum immunosuppressive agent. Over the past decade, an improved understanding of lupus nephritis pathogenesis fueled several clinical trials of novel drugs, but none have been found to be superior to the combination of a cytotoxic agent and corticosteroids. Despite these trial failures, efforts to translate mechanistic advances into new treatment approaches continue. In this review, we discuss current therapeutic strategies for lupus nephritis, briefly review recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of this disease, and describe emerging approaches developed on the basis of these advances that promise to improve upon the standard-of-care lupus nephritis treatments.
Molecular Testing for Cystic Fibrosis and CFTR -Related Conditions

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the molecular testing for cystic fibrosis and conductance regulator (CFTR)–related conditions. Classic CF is defined as a triad of progressive obstructive lung disease, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and malformation of the male reproductive tract, usually manifested as congenital absence of the vas deferens. The CF transmembrane (CFTR) gene was identified as the cause of CF 20 years ago. Since that time, over 1,500 mutations have been identified in the gene, although only a small fraction account for most of the CF-causing alleles. Molecular diagnosis of CF in a patient with suggestive clinical features involves a stepwise process of testing for common alleles and, if necessary, extensive gene analysis. Screening of healthy members of the general population for CF carriers is generally restricted to a mutation panel that detects approximately 85% of CF-causing alleles in Caucasians. CFTR genotype is predictive of pancreatic exocrine function. However, CFTR genotype is of minimal utility for predicting survival due to the prominent role of genetic and environmental modifiers for lung disease, the major cause of morbidity and mortality.
Design and Fabrication of a Full W-Band Multi-Step Waveguide 90° Twist

A compact four-step 90-degree waveguide twist is designed for operation over the full W- band. The waveguide cross section is modified from the conventional sharp-corners rectangle to comply with the fabrication constraints. The designed twist is fabricated by two processes; CNC machining of the four steps then assembling, and 3D printing through direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). Both of the realized twists measure better performance than that of the commercially-available longer and more expensive twists. Moreover, they are better suited for integrated systems and delicate machining restrictions in W band.
Characterizations of Univariate Distributions by Order Statistics

In this chapter several characterizations of univariate continuous distributions based on order statistics will be presented.
Low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of a powered NASP-like configuration in ground effect

Results are presented on the low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of a simplified NASP (for National Aerospace Plane Program)-like configuration, obtained in the NASA-Langley 14-by-22-foot subsonic tunnel. The model consisted of a triangular wedge forebody, a rectangular midsection housing the propulsion simulation system, and a rectangular wedge aftbody; it also included a delta wing, exhaust flow deflectors, and aftbody fences. Flow visualization was obtained by injecting water into the engine simulator inlets and using a laser light sheet to illuminate the resulting exhaust flow. It was found that power-on ground effects for NASP-like configuration can be substantial; these effects can be reduced by increasing the angle-of-attack to the value of the aftbody ramp angle. Power-on lift losses in ground effect increased with increasing thrust, but could be reduced by the addition of a delta wing to the configuration. Power-on lift losses also increased with use of aftbody fences.
Calibration of the DSCOVR EPIC visible and NIR channels using MODIS and EPIC lunar observations

The unique position of the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) at the Lagrange 1 point makes an important addition to the data from currently operating low orbit Earth observing instruments. EPIC instrument does not have an onboard calibration facility. One approach to its calibration is to compare EPIC observations to the measurements from polar orbiting radiometers. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is a natural choice for such comparison due to its well-established calibration record and wide use in remote sensing. We use MODIS Aqua and Terra L1B 1 km reflectances to infer calibration coefficients for four EPIC visible and NIR channels: 443 nm, 551 nm, 680 nm and 780 nm. MODIS and EPIC measurements made between June 2015 and June 2016 are employed for comparison. We first identify favorable MODIS pixels with scattering angle matching temporarily collocated EPIC observations. Each EPIC pixel is then spatially collocated to a subset of the favorable MODIS pixels within 25 km radius. Standard deviation of the selected MODIS pixels as well as of the adjacent EPIC pixels is used to find the most homogeneous scenes. These scenes are then used to determine calibration coefficients using a linear regression between EPIC counts and reflectances in the close MODIS spectral channels. We present thus inferred EPIC calibration coefficients and discuss sources of uncertainties. The Lunar EPIC observations are used to calibrate EPIC O2 absorbing channels (688 nm and 764 nm) assuming that there is a small difference between moon reflectances separated by 10 nm difference in wavelength and the calibration factors of the red (680 nm) and near-IR (780 nm) are known from comparison between EPIC and MODIS.
The Crucial but (Potentially) Precarious Position of the Chief Compliance Officer

Although the importance of internal systems geared to ensure a firm’s compliance with applicable law and regulation is widely acknowledged, as is the visibility of major compliance failures in scandal-ridden financial-services firms, the roles and status of compliance personnel are relatively unexamined by scholars. Focusing specifically on the position of Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), this Article explores the functions performed by a CCO as well as circumstances that may strengthen or limit a CCO’s effectiveness, including the implications of legal doctrine and regulation. The Article argues that a CCO’s position is distinct, drawing comparisons with the position of a firm’s general counsel or Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to illustrate. Additionally, situated within a firm, a CCO is responsible for compliance systems that the firm itself designs and implements. To be sure, internal compliance systems and personnel may be characterized as supplements to or substitutes for external regulation, whether imposed ex ante to deter problematic conduct or ex post through the imposition of legal and regulatory penalties for misconduct. Lines of demarcation between mechanisms of external regulation and internal compliance systems are not identically drawn within the financial services industry as a whole; Morgan Stanley’s transformation in 2008 to a bank holding company from a firm regulated as a securities broker-dealer led, inter alia, to the physical presence of full-time regulatory personnel within the firm. Nonetheless, in general, a CCO’s position differs from those occupied by external gatekeepers such as external auditors or rating agencies; a compliance officer’s approval is not requisite to open a point of entry so that a firm may engage in transactions or other activity. Likewise, a CCO’s position differs in fundamental ways from those of compliance monitors who are imposed on a firm following major lapses in compliance
Life-Space Predicts Health Care Utilization in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objective: To determine whether decline in life-space mobility predicts increased health care utilization among community-dwelling older adults. Method: Health care utilization (number of emergency...
Societal burden of cluster headache in the United States: a descriptive economic analysis.

AbstractAim: To estimate direct and indirect costs in patients with a diagnosis of cluster headache in the US.Methods: Adult patients (18–64 years of age) enrolled in the Marketscan Commercial and Medicare Databases with ≥2 non-diagnostic outpatient (≥30 days apart between the two outpatient claims) or ≥1 inpatient diagnoses of cluster headache (ICD-9-CM code 339.00, 339.01, or 339.02) between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2014, were included in the analyses. Patients had ≥6 months of continuous enrollment with medical and pharmacy coverage before and after the index date (first cluster headache diagnosis). Three outcomes were evaluated: (1) healthcare resource utilization, (2) direct healthcare costs, and (3) indirect costs associated with work days lost due to absenteeism and short-term disability. Direct costs included costs of all-cause and cluster headache-related outpatient, inpatient hospitalization, surgery, and pharmacy claims. Indirect costs were based on an average daily wage, which was estimate...
Low dose chemotherapy combined with attenuated Salmonella decreases tumor burden and is less toxic than high dose chemotherapy in an autochthonous murine model of breast cancer.

Abstract Background Immunotherapies for cancer treatment have demonstrated substantial promise even though toxicities and development of tumor resistance limit their effectiveness. A combinatorial approach using immunotherapy with other treatment modalities may decrease side effects while maintaining maximal therapeutic effect. We aimed to determine if bacterial immunotherapy in combination with a chemotherapeutic would be efficacious and less toxic than conventional chemotherapy in an established, preclinical, autochthonous tumor model. Methods BALB-neuT mice develop autochthonous mammary neoplasms that resemble closely the aggressive Her2-driven cancer found in human patients. Virulence-attenuated S. Typhimurium was used for bacterial immunotherapy. Doxorubicin was the chemotherapeutic agent used at the maximum tolerated dose (5 mg/kg) and low dose (1.25 mg/kg). S. Typhimurium was administered intravenously on day 0 and doxorubicin on days 0, 7, and 14. Experiments concluded on day 35. Mammary pad tumors were measured weekly to ascertain efficacy, and mice were weighed weekly to evaluate toxicity. Results Mice administered maximum tolerated dose doxorubicin (5 mg/kg) demonstrated a 1.4-fold increase in tumor size by day 35 and showed a nearly 25% weight loss by day 14 revealing severe toxicity. When mice were administered a single dose of S. Typhimurium combined with a low dose of doxorubicin (1.25 mg/kg), tumors increased Conclusion Bacterial immunotherapy combined with low dose chemotherapy decreased the tumor burden when compared with low dose chemotherapy alone and was less toxic than maximum tolerated dose chemotherapy in an established, autochthonous murine model of breast cancer.
Pacifying uncooperative carbon: examining the materiality of the carbon market

This paper scrutinizes how greenhouse gases are ‘pacified’ so that they can become tradable in the carbon markets. To advance the economization programme and other materialist frameworks, I argue t...
Network+ certification for the computer science or electrical engineering undergraduate

A two course sequence that comprises a basis for Network+ certification has been added to the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Curriculums at a small undergraduate only college. This paper details why Network+ certification is appropriate for the college curriculum, course details and supporting evidence as to why it may be important to institutions, students, and the industry.
NMR assignments for monomeric phage L decoration protein

Phage L encodes a trimeric 43 kDa decoration protein (Dec) that noncovalently binds and stabilizes the capsids of the homologous phages L and P22 in vitro. At physiological pH Dec was unsuitable for NMR. We were able to obtain samples amenable for NMR spectroscopy by unfolding Dec to pH 2 and refolding it to pH 4. Our unfolding/refolding protocol converted trimeric Dec to a folded 14.4 kDa monomer. We verified that the acid-unfolding protocol did not perturb the secondary structure, or the capsid-binding function of refolded Dec. We were able to obtain complete 1H, 15N, and 13C assignments for the Dec monomer, as well as information on its secondary structure and dynamics based on chemical shift assignments. The assigned NMR spectrum is being used to determine the three-dimensional structure of Dec, which is important for understanding how the trimer binds phage capsids and for the use of the protein as a platform for phage-display nanotechnology.
Six Month Outcomes of Heart Failure Patients Followed at a Newly Established Multidisciplinary Program in the Middle East

Background Patients with heart failure (HF) are best managed within specialized programs in order to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life. Such programs are very rare in the Middle East. The objective of this observational study is to describe the experience at our centre following the establishment of an advanced HF program in October 2015. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients first seen at our HF clinic between Oct 2015 and Nov 2016. Patients included were adults with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) defined as LVEF ≤ 40%. Patients were excluded if no 6-month follow up data were available. Data collected included clinical characteristics, LVEF, and pharmacotherapy both at baseline and at 6 months. In addition, survival and hospital re-admission rates were captured. Chi-square and paired t-test comparisons were performed to compare changes from baseline to the 6-month follow up point. Results Out of a total of 174 patients screened, 95 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Six patients expired prior to the follow up (6-month survival rate of 93.7%). Most (69.5%) were males with an average age of 57.8 ± 14.5 years and 61.8% had an ischemic etiology. More than half (56.8%) had an improvement in their LVEF (mean increased from 26.5 ± 7.7% to 34.5 ± 13.1; p figure 1 ). 25.8% of patients had an HF-related admission during the 6-months, with a subsequent 30-day re-admission occurring in 17.4% of them ( Table 1 ). More patients were on target doses of beta blockers and ACEI/ARBs, although this did not reach statistical significance. A significant proportion of patients were switched to sacubitril/valsartan at 6-months follow up compared to baseline (36% vs. 11.6% p Conclusion Close follow up of patients with HFrEF was associated with symptomatic improvement, low 6-month HF hospitalizations, and higher doses of HF pharmacotherapy. These findings warrant more studies comparing patients followed in advanced HF programs to those followed by general cardiology and internal medicine providers, especially in developing countries.
Telegraphic switching signals by magnet tunnel junctions for neural spiking signals with high information capacity

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) operating in the superparamagnetic regime produce telegraphic signals that emulate neural spiking signals. Previous studies have characterized the random spiking signals produced by MTJs in terms of the percentage of time spent in the anti-parallel (AP) magnetization state (referred to as the “AP rate”) but ignore the switching rate of the MTJ. In this work, we demonstrate that with proper tuning of both an external bias field and a bias voltage, we can control the average dwell time in the AP-state and P-state pulses separately. Our data show that the AP rate can be tuned with bias voltages ranging from 310 mV to 460 mV and bias fields from −200 Oe to −230 Oe. The average dwell times in each state ranged from 225 ns to 285 μs and could be controlled separately. This suggests that neural spiking signals produced by MTJs can be decoded by both the spike rate and the spike count, which creates the possibility for increasing the information capacity in the rate coding scheme.
Periacetabular Osteotomy: Groin Incision-Assisted Approach

Acetabular dysplasia is a common cause of osteoarthritis. The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) as described by Ganz is a powerful tool that enables correction of inadequate femoral head coverage due to acetabular dysplasia. In addition to decreasing pressure forces on hip cartilage by increasing contact surface area, it can decrease joint reactive forces through medialization of the hip joint. Also, the osteotomy allows for correction of acetabular version. Since its inception in the mid-1980s, multiple modifications have been described. In this chapter, we will highlight a modification that utilizes a groin incision to perform the ischial and pubic cuts.
Risk Factors for Delayed Antimicrobial Treatment in Febrile Children with Urinary Tract Infections.

Objectives To identify factors associated with delayed antimicrobial treatment in febrile children with urinary tract infection (UTI). Study design We reviewed data from 802 children with UTI enrolled in 2 previously conducted prospective studies (Randomized Intervention for Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux and Careful Urinary Tract Infection Evaluation) and extracted data on possible predictors of delayed treatment including age, sex, history of UTI, ethnicity, race, primary caregiver's education level, insurance, and income. We used univariate and multivariable analyses to investigate the relationship between these predictors and treatment delay. Results We included 660 febrile patients with a mean age of 17.0 months old. Older age and commercial insurance were associated with delayed treatment on univariate analysis. Compared with younger children, treatment was delayed by an average of 26.2 hours in children ≥12 months of age. This relationship remained significant on multivariable analysis. Treatment also was delayed by an average of 12.6 hours in patients with commercial insurance. Race, ethnicity, primary caregiver's education level, and income were not associated with delayed treatment. Conclusions Older age was a consistent predictor of delayed antimicrobial treatment. Delays in the initiation of antimicrobial therapy for UTI has previously been associated with renal scarring. Educating parents with older children regarding the management of fever as well as providers regarding prompt evaluation and management may help to reduce renal scarring.
E-153 Efficacy of the adapt technique with evolving ACE aspiration catheter technology as first-line treatment in patients with acute ischemic strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy: the first pass effect with adapt

Purpose To report the efficacy of A Direct Aspiration first-Pass Thrombectomy (ADAPT) technique with evolving ACE aspiration catheter technology as first-line treatment for anterior circulation emergent large vessel occlusions (ELVOs) and assess for the presence of a first pass effect with ADAPT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 152 consecutive patients with anterior circulation ELVOs treated with the ADAPT technique as first-line treatment using ACE 60, 64 or 68 at our institution. Baseline characteristics, procedural variables, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days were recorded. Results Fifty-seven patients were treated with ACE 60 (37.5%), 35 with ACE 64 (23%) and 60 with ACE 68 (39.5%). Median groin puncture to reperfusion time was 30 min with ACE 60, 26 min with ACE 64, and 19.5 min with ACE 68. Successful reperfusion after the first ADAPT pass was 33% with ACE 60% and 53% with ACE 68 (p=0.04). Of note, successful reperfusion after the first ADAPT pass was achieved in 23 of 33 patients with M1 occlusions treated with ACE 68 in our cohort (69.7%). The stent-retriever rescue rate was 26% with ACE 60, 3% with ACE 64% and 10% with ACE 68 (p=0.004). The rate of embolus to a new territory was 5.3% with ACE 60, 2.9% with ACE 64% and 1.7% with ACE 68 (p=0.5). The rate of intracranial vascular injury was 1.8% with ACE 60, 5.7% with ACE 64% and 5% with ACE 68 (p=0.5). The symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate was 1.8% with ACE 60, 5.7% with ACE 64% and 6.7% with ACE 68 (p=0.4). At 90 days, a good clinical outcome, mRS 0–2, was achieved in 70 patients (46.1%), while 27 patients had mRS 3 (17.8%), 22 mRS 4–5 (14.5%), and 33 expired (21.7%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, use of the ACE 68 aspiration catheter was an independent predictor of successful reperfusion after the first ADAPT pass (p-value 0.016, OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.1–2.54), while successful reperfusion after the first ADAPT pass was an independent predictor of good clinical outcome at 90 days (p-value 0.0004, OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.27–16.8). Conclusion Use of the ACE 68 aspiration catheter was associated with shorter groin puncture to reperfusion times, higher rates of successful reperfusion after the first ADAPT pass, and lower rates of stent-retriever rescue. Further, a first pass effect was demonstrated in our ADAPT patient cohort. Disclosures J. Delgado Almandoz: 2; C; Penumbra, Inc. Y. Kayan: 2; C; Penumbra, Inc. A. Wallace: None. R. Tarrel: None. J. Fease: None. J. Scholz: None. A. Milner: None. P. Roohani: None. M. Mulder: None. M. Young: None.
Modeling Metacognition and Providing Background Knowledge via Guided Reading Videos

This article addresses well-known and difficult problems involving reading comprehension and compliance in college courses, using a lower-level philosophy course as a case study. It draws upon both...
Comments on ‘ Identification and testing of a term structure relationship for country and currency risk premia in an emerging market ’ by Ian Domowitz, Jack Glen and Ananth Madhavan

This study analyzes the term structure of interest rates in Mexico.1 Domowitz, Glen and Madhaven (DGM) find that, during the 18 months leading up to the devaluation in December 1994, the term structure was broadly consistent with the expectations hypothesis. In addition, they find that market expectations of default on Mexican securities were fairly stable, and currency risk premia were actually declining immediately preceding the devaluation.
Generalized violence as a threat to health and well-being: a qualitative study of youth living in urban settings in central America's "northern triangle"

El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras rank among the top 10 countries experiencing violence in the world, despite not being at war. Although there is abundant literature on generalized violence in this "northern triangle" of Central America as a driver of out-migration to the United States, very little is known about the perspectives and experiences of youth who do not migrate. This study aimed to elicit the emic perspectives of youth residing in the region on how the day-to-day generalized violence produces a pervasive threat to the overall health and human security of youth as well as the key protective factors and resiliencies at work. We conducted two separate waves of qualitative research in 2015 and 2018 over a 6-month period, which included 60 in-depth interviews and six focus groups among Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Honduran youth living in urban areas. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed two meta-themes: (1) 'Lack of health,' defined as not experiencing peace within the family, the community, and the country' and (2) 'Resilience.' Thematic clusters that reflect the first meta-theme are: (1) violence as a common occurrence; (2) living in fear and insecurity; (3) victimization; and (4) lack of state protection and services. Thematic clusters for the second meta-theme are: (1) a positive future outlook and a commitment to education; (2) transnational and local family network support; and (3) engagement in community-based youth groups. To interpret the findings, we adopt the Latin American Social Medicine and Collective Health (LASM-CH) approach that prioritizes perspectives from the region. Generalized violence is conceptualized as a systemic phenomenon that is generated and reproduced through the complex interactions of structural inequities and unequal power relations. The findings of this study provide new insights into the implementation of a different approach to address the generalized violence, insights that may guide multi-sectoral health policies and interventions both in the region and transnationally.
Grade 1 Acute on Chronic Liver Failure Is a Predictor for Subsequent Grade 3 Failure

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) results in extremely high short-term mortality in patients with underlying cirrhosis. The European Association for the Study of the Liver criteria grade ACLF severity from 1 (least severe) to 3 (most severe) based on organ failures (OFs) that develop after an acute decompensation (AD). However, the implications of surviving low-grade ACLF in terms of risk of subsequent high-grade ACLF are unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with compensated cirrhosis in the Veterans Health Administration database from January 2008 to June 2016. Propensity matching for grade 1 (G1) ACLF, followed by Cox regression, was used to model risk of subsequent grade 3 (G3) ACLF. Stratified analyses of different ADs and OFs were also performed. We identified 4,878 patients with well-matched propensity scores. G1 ACLF events conferred a significantly increased risk of subsequent G3 ACLF relative no previous G1 ACLF (hazard ratio, 8.69; P < 0.001). When stratified by AD, patients with ascites or hepatic encephalopathy were significantly more likely to develop G3 ACLF relative to those with gastrointestinal bleed or infection as an AD (P < 0.001). Risk of G3 ACLF also varied significantly by type of OF characterizing previous G1 ACLF, with liver, coagulation, and circulatory failure posing the highest increased risk. CONCLUSIONS Patients who recover from G1 ACLF have substantially increased risk of later developing G3 ACLF as compared to those who never have G1 ACLF. Moreover, reversible decompensations for G1 ACLF have a lower risk of G3 ACLF, and liver-intrinsic OFs confer a much higher risk of G3 ACLF. These findings have implications for prognosis, future surveillance, and triaging early transplant evaluation.
Admissions for orthostatic hypotension: an analysis of NHS England Hospital Episode Statistics data

Objectives To determine whether admissions for orthostatic hypotension (OH) and its consequences, such as falls, have changed over the past 10 years in the National Health Service (NHS) England. Setting Data from NHS England Hospital Episode Statistics, a database containing details of all admissions, accident and emergency attendances and outpatient appointments at NHS hospitals in England, were obtained and analysed. Participants Data on hospital admissions in NHS England, as defined by finished consultant episodes (FCEs), were examined between 2008 and 2017. Main outcome measures FCEs for the following International Classification of Disease codes were examined: OH (I95.1), tendency to fall (R29.6), epilepsy (G40) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (J44). The total number of FCEs was also examined. Results Between 2008 and 2017, FCEs for OH rose from 14 658 to 30 759, a 110% increase. The greatest increase was in the over 75 years age group where FCEs went from 10 639 to 22 756, a 114% rise. The number of falls related FCEs in this age group rose from 61 841 to 89 622 (45%). Admissions for epilepsy and COPD rose by 7% and 35%, respectively. Conclusions The number of admissions for OH has risen dramatically over the past 10 years, as have admissions for falls and related disorders. This rise is out of proportion with admissions for other conditions such as epilepsy and COPD. We postulate that this relates to tighter blood pressure (BP) targets. This suggests caution in the application of recent BP targets to older, frailer adults.
The timing of fasting leads to different levels of food consumption and PYY3–36 in nocturnal mice

The daily circadian cycle is known to modulate both feeding behavior and metabolism. As such, the timing of food consumption can play a role in regulating overall health. The purpose of this study is to determine whether fasting at different times of the day alters subsequent food consumption and levels of PYY3–36, a hormone secreted after a meal which inhibits appetite. Separate groups of mice were fasted at different times of the day: (1) start of the day, (2) middle of the day, (3) start of the night, and (4) middle of the night, and either injected with vehicle or PYY3–36 to assess their subsequent food consumption patterns, PYY3–36 levels, and glucose and insulin levels. We also investigated whether light exposure during the night would alter food consumption and PYY3–36 levels after fasting. Mice fasted during the start of the daytime exhibited increased food consumption post-fast compared to mice fasted during the night. Injections of PYY3–36 during the night were more effective in reducing food consumption compared to PYY3–36 administration during the day. Constant light exposure suppressed food consumption after fasting and increased fasting PYY3–36 levels. These results indicate that mice exhibit distinct food consumption patterns after being presented with a fast at different times of the day. Light exposure also modulates both food consumption after a fast and levels of PYY3–36.
Fitness Effects of Somatic Mutations Accumulating during Vegetative Growth

Abstract The unique life form of plants promotes the accumulation of somatic mutations that can be passed to offspring in the next generation, because the same meristem cells responsible for vegetative growth also generate gametes for sexual reproduction. However, little is known about the consequences of somatic mutation accumulation for offspring fitness. We evaluate the fitness effects of somatic mutations in Mimulus guttatus by comparing progeny from self-pollinations made within the same flower (autogamy) to progeny from self-pollinations made between stems on the same plant (geitonogamy). The effects of somatic mutations are evident from this comparison, as autogamy leads to homozygosity of a proportion of somatic mutations, but progeny from geitonogamy remain heterozygous for mutations unique to each stem. In two different experiments, we find consistent fitness effects of somatic mutations from individual stems. Surprisingly, several progeny groups from autogamous crosses displayed increases in fitness compared to progeny from geitonogamy crosses, indicating that beneficial somatic mutations were prevalent in some stems. These results support the hypothesis that somatic mutations accumulate during vegetative growth, but they are filtered by different forms of selection that occur throughout development, resulting in the culling of expressed deleterious mutations and the retention of beneficial mutations.