cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ASCORBATE UPTAKE AND METABOLISM BY ADRENAL MEDULLARY CHROMAFFIN GRANULES

ABSTRACT Chromaffin granules of the adrenal medulla take up dehydroascorbate but not ascorbate (30°, pH 7). Since the granules can use ascorbate in the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, there must be some way of converting dehydroascorbate to ascorbate if the observed uptake is physiologically important. The presence of an NADH: dehydroascorbate oxidoreductase in chromaffin granule membranes was investigated using dehydroascorbate generated from ascorbate with Sepharose-linked cytochrome c and with ascorbate oxidase. No such enzyme was found.
Structured parallel programming with deterministic patterns

Many-core processors target improved computational performance by making available various forms of architectural parallelism, including but not limited to multiple cores and vector instructions. However, approaches to parallel programming based on targeting these low-level parallel mechanisms directly leads to overly complex, non-portable, and often unscalable and unreliable code. A more structured approach to designing and implementing parallel algorithms is useful to reduce the complexity of developing software for such processors, and is particularly relevant for many-core processors with a large amount of parallelism and multiple parallelism mechanisms. In particular, efficient and reliable parallel programs can be designed around the composition of deterministic algorithmic skeletons, or patterns. While improving the productivity of experts, specific patterns and fused combinations of patterns can also guide relatively inexperienced users to developing efficient algorithm implementations that have good scalability. The approach to parallelism described in this document includes both collective "data-parallel" patterns such as map and reduce as well as structured "task-parallel" patterns such as pipelining and superscalar task graphs. The structured pattern based approach, like data-parallel models, addresses issues of both data access and parallel task distribution in a common framework. Optimization of data access is important for both many-core processors with shared memory systems and accelerators with their own memories not directly attached to the host processor. A catalog of useful structured serial and parallel patterns will be presented. Serial patterns are presented because structured parallel programming can be considered an extension of structured control flow in serial programming. We will emphasize deterministic patterns in order to support the development of systems that automatically avoid unsafe race conditions and deadlock.
Determinants of Substance Abuse Relapse

Research on the short-term effectiveness of treatments for alcohol, cigarette, and drug abuse suggests that most individuals may expect immediate amelioration of their problem upon entering a formal treatment program (e.g., Dole & Joseph, 1978; Lichtenstein, 1982; Miller & Hester, 1980). The prognosis over the long run, however, is not so optimistic. Approximately two-thirds of individuals who successfully complete treatment programs for various substance abuse disorders relapse within 3 months after treatment. At 12 months, relapse rates often exceed 75% or more (e.g., Hunt, Barrett, & Branch, 1971; Marlatt, 1978; Schachter, 1982). These high relapse rates appear to be relatively independent of the particular addictive disorder, the type of treatment intervention, or its guiding conceptual framework. Such findings force consideration of the determinants of relapse as a core problem in substance abuse research and treatment.
Brain corticotropin‐releasing factor signaling: Involvement in acute stress‐induced visceral analgesia in male rats

BACKGROUND Water avoidance stress (WAS) induces a naloxone-independent visceral analgesia in male rats under non-invasive conditions of monitoring. The objective of the study was to examine the role of brain CRF signaling in acute stress-induced visceral analgesia (SIVA). METHODS Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically implanted with an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula. The visceromotor response (VMR) to graded phasic colorectal distension (CRD: 10, 20, 40, 60 mm Hg, 20 seconds, 4 minutes intervals) was monitored using manometry. The VMR to a first CRD (baseline) was recorded 5 minutes after an ICV saline injection, followed 1 hour later by ICV injection of either CRF (30, 100, or 300 ng and 1, 3, or 5 μg/rat) or saline and a second CRD, 5 minutes later. Receptor antagonists against CRF1 /CRF2 (astressin-B, 30 μg/rat), CRF2 (astressin2 -B, 10 μg/rat), oxytocin (tocinoic acid, 20 μg/rat), or vehicle were injected ICV 5 minutes before CRF (300 ng/rat, ICV) or 15 minutes before WAS (1 hour). KEY RESULTS ICV CRF (100 and 300 ng) reduced the VMR to CRD at 60 mm Hg by -36.6% ± 6.8% and -48.7% ± 11.7%, respectively, vs baseline (P < 0.001), while other doses had no effect and IP CRF (10 µg/kg) induced visceral hyperalgesia. Astressin-B and tocinoic acid injected ICV induced hyperalgesia and prevented the analgesic effect of ICV CRF (300 ng/rat) and WAS, while astressin2 -B only blocked WAS-induced SIVA. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES These data support a role for brain CRF signaling via CRF2 in SIVA in a model of WAS and CRD likely mediated by the activation of brain oxytocin pathway.
Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency and T‐cell lymphopenia

The development of a T cell receptor excision circle (TREC) assay utilizing dried blood spots made possible universal newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) as a public health measure. Upon being flagged by an abnormal screening test in a SCID screening program, an infant can receive further diagnostic testing for SCID in the neonatal period, prior to onset of infectious complications, to pemit immediate institution of protective measures and definitive, life-saving treatment to establish a functional immune system. SCID screening is now the accepted standard of care in state public health departments across the USA, and it is being adopted in many countries. It has proven effective, with infants having this otherwise inapparent but serious, rare disorder achieving survival and immune reconstitution. In addition to bringing to attention infants with the primary screening target diseases, typical SCID and leaky SCID (due to hypomorphic mutations in known SCID genes), the newborn screening assay for insufficient TRECs in dried blood spots also reveals infants with non-SCID T lymphopenic conditions. Experience has accumulated regarding the range and limitations of diagnoses of newborns with low TRECs and low T cells. Previously unknown immune defects have been discovered, as well as conditions not formerly recognized to have low T cells in the neonatal period.
Determination of total and unbound ribociclib in human plasma and brain tumor tissues using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract Ribociclib is a selective, orally bioavailable inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6, which has therapeutic potential for a variety of cancer types. This study was to develop and validate a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for determining total and unbound concentrations of ribociclib in human plasma and brain tumor tissue samples. Plasma and tumor homogenate samples were extracted using protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Unbound fraction in plasma or tumor homogenate was determined by equilibrium dialysis method. Chromatographic separation was achieved based on aqueous normal-phase chromatography mechanism on a Waters XBridge™ Amide column under isocratic elution with acetonitrile-ammonium formate (10 mM, pH 3) (75:25, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Ribociclib and the internal standard ([13C6]ribociclib) were monitored at the mass transitions m/z, 435.3 > 367.2 and 441.3 > 373.2, respectively, using positive electrospray ionization mode. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 0.5 nM of ribociclib in plasma. Linear calibration curve was established at the concentration range of 0.5–1000 nM in plasma. Intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within the generally accepted criteria for bioanalytical method. The developed method was successfully applied to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics and central nervous system penetration of ribociclib in patients with malignant primary brain cancer.
Abstract WP423: Use of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants for the Treatment of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Introduction: The management of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a common problem facing vascular neurologists. AHA/ASA guidelines suggest the use of heparin followed by vitamin K antagon...
Organ donation in pediatric patients with anoxic brain injury: A case series

Introduction: Organ donation in children with anoxic brain injuries is subject to much discussion and controversy. On an average, only 50% of family members agree to donate organs of their deceased children. We have recently encountered 3 pediatric patients with anoxic brain injury who progressed to brain death within a few days of admission. Palliative care services were in place since the time of arrival in all the patients. All 3 families consented to organ donation. Case 1: A seventeen year-old girl was …
Set Theory and Infinity

Set Theory was first developed by Cantor and Dedekind to handle infinite collections. This chapter looks at their theory of countably and uncountably infinite sets. Around 1900, mathematicians were motivated by encountering some perplexing results for infinite sets to provide Set Theory with a more solid foundation. We’ll briefly explore the standard axiomatization of Set Theory, along with its relevance to Peano Arithmetic, and we’ll also look at an application of Set Theory to the theory of computation.
Experimental evidence for ‘buckle, ruck and tuck’ in neutron irradiated graphite

Abstract The current mainstream theory for radiation-induced dimensional change of nuclear graphite is based on the notion that interstitially displaced carbon atoms will coalesce into dislocation loops (i.e., additional basal planes). This standard atomic-displacement model has been challenged by theories based on first principles calculations. The so-called ‘ruck and tuck’ of basal planes has been proposed as an alternative mechanism to explain the observed c-axis expansion under irradiation; however, no such defects have been observed experimentally so far. In this study, the first experimental evidence for the presence of a ‘ruck and tuck’ defect in high-temperature neutron-irradiated nuclear graphite is presented.
Imaging Atomically Thin Semiconductors Beneath Dielectrics via Deep Ultraviolet Photoemission Electron Microscopy

The photoemission process is generally surface sensitive, and therefore is not typically applied to the examination of buried structures or interfaces. Using photoemission electron microscopy with deep-ultraviolet excitation, this study exploits the formation of optical standing waves to enable visualization of atomically thin MoS${}_{2}$ tens of nanometers below the surface of dielectric films. This approach is potentially useful for imaging buried nanostructures or nanomaterials, a keenly sought capability in diagnostics for optoelectronic components.
Subjective States Without the Completeness Axiom

Existing work has shown how an agent’s desire to defer choice may reveal the contingencies she considers relevant to her decision. We explore if this conclusion remains true when preferences are incomplete, that is, when the agent is unable to express a clear ranking among all alternatives. Remarkably we show that the incompleteness of preference does not preclude the existence of a subjective state space; rather it reflects an agent who cannot aggregate the various states she considers possible. An application to social choice and some general results concerning the representation of incomplete but transitive relations are also provided.
Is there any benefit in adding postoperative adjuvant concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy for penile cancer with regional lymph node metastasis

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is any benefit in adding postoperative adjuvant concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy (RT-CHT) for penile cancer with regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM). Methods A single institution, retrospective study was conducted for a total of 23 patients with RLNM from penile squamous cell carcinoma. All underwent a definitive surgical intervention for both primary tumor and RLNM. Of these, 11 patients received adjuvant concurrent RT and CHT within 3 months after surgery (RT-CHT group), while 12 patients received no additional treatment (Surveillance Group). Overall survival was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. The difference in survival between the two groups was tested using the log-rank test. A potential prognostic factor for survival was evaluated using a univariate Cox-proportional hazards model. Results Median follow-up for the entire group was 15.8 months (17.1 months for the RT-CHT group and 10.7 months for the Surveillance Group). Overall survival at 1 and 2 years were 54.5% and 27.2%, respectively, for the RT-CHT Group, compared to 57.1% and 28.4% for the Surveillance Group (log-rank=0.68). On a univariate analysis, the number of involved lymph nodes and the presence of pN3 disease were associated with poor prognosis (P>0.001 and P=0.049, respectively). The RT-CHT Group had more extensive RLNM with a higher median number of positive nodes (5 vs. 3) and more pN3 disease (72.7% vs. 16.7%) than the Surveillance Group. The rate of complications requiring hospitalization was higher in the RT-CHT Group (63.6% vs. 16.6%; P=0.02), as was the rate of systemic complications (34.7% vs. 0%; P Conclusions Penile cancer with extensive RLNM carries a poor prognosis. Despite having more extensive RLNM, the RT-CHT group had a similar overall survival as the Surveillance Group. This suggests a potential benefit of postoperative adjuvant concurrent RT-CHT for patients with extensive RLNM, although it carries an increased risk of complications. Further study is warranted to assess the benefit-to-risk ratio of this combined adjuvant therapy.
Chapter 10 – Coal

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the history, environment, and technology of coal. Coal is extracted from a mine and transported to a power plant where its energy is converted to steam, and eventually to electricity. The electricity is then transmitted to homes, offices, and factories. Research and development focuses on the technologies that increase efficiency and reduce emissions. For new electric generation capacity, coal cannot compete with natural gas environmentally or economically. Coal has been linked to air pollution, smog, respiratory problems, and heart disease. Coal mining and extraction also causes safety and health problems.
CHAPTER 3 – Morphometric Considerations

Publisher Summary A substantial portion of the paleontological data from the Shanidar Neandertal sample consists of linear and angular measurements of the fossils. Although the measurements alone would give a very incomplete description of the sample, morphometrics permit the systematic comparison of the Shanidar Neandertals to each other, a consideration of the ranges of variation in size and proportions within the Shanidar sample, and an evaluation of the position of the Shanidar specimens within the ranges of variation of the Neandertals and other Pleistocene hominid samples. Therefore, an effort has been made to provide as complete a set of measurements as possible for the Shanidar remains. Most of the morphometrics provided were determined personally on the original fossil remains. A number of the morphometrics provided are the estimates of the original dimensions of the fossils.
Comparison of pharmacodynamics of rocuronium in different age children

Objective To compare pharmacodynamics of rocuronium in neonates,infants,young children and children.Methods One hundred and sixty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ pediatric patients undergoing elective surgical procedures under total intravenous anesthesia(TIVA)were divided into 4 groups according to ages(n=40 each):neonate group(0-28d),infant group(28 d 0.05).Onset time of muscle relaxation.clinical duration and total duration were significantly shorter and recovery index lower in the other 3 groups than in neonate group(P 0.05).ED50,ED90 and ED95 of rocuronium were significantly higher in children group than in young children group(P<0.01).Conclusions There are significant differences in dose-effect and time-effect relationships among different age children and neonate is more sensitive to rocuronium than the other age children. Key words: Andrestanoh; Dose-response relationship,drug; Age factors; Child
COVID-19 in Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Risk Factors for Severe Infection

Abstract Importance Multiple sclerosis patients have been considered a higher-risk population for COVID-19 due to the high prevalence of disability and disease-modifying therapy use; however, no study has identified clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes. Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis, including staging, degree of disability, and disease-modifying therapy use that are associated with worse outcomes from COVID-19. Design Prospective cohort study looking at the outcomes of multiple sclerosis patients with COVID-19 between March 1st and May 18th 2020. Setting This is a multicenter study of three distinct hospital systems within the U.S. Participants The study included 40 consecutive patients with nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection. Exposures Multiple sclerosis staging, severe disability (based on baseline-extended disability status scale equal to or greater than 6.0) and disease-modifying therapy. Main Outcomes and Measure Severity of COVID-19 infection was based on hospital course, where a mild course was defined as the patient not requiring hospital admission, moderate severity was defined as the patient requiring hospital admission to the general floor only, and most severe was defined as requiring intensive care unit admission and/or death. Results For the 40 patients, the median age was 52(45.5-61) years, 16/40(40%) were male, and 21/40(52.5%) were African American. 19/40(47.5%) had mild courses, 15/40(37.5%) had moderate courses, and 6/40(15%) had severe courses. Patients with moderate and severe courses were significantly older than those with a mild course (57[50-63] years old and 66[58.8-69.5] years old vs 48[40-51.5] years old, P=0.0121, P=0.0373). There was differing prevalence of progressive multiple sclerosis staging in those with more severe courses (severe:2/6[33.3%]primary-progressing and 0/6[0%]secondary-progressing, moderate:1/14[7.14%] and 5/14[35.7%] vs mild:0/19[0%] and 1/19[5.26%], P=0.0075, 1 unknown). Significant disability was found in 1/19(5.26%) mild course-patients, but was in 9/15(60%, P=0.00435) of moderate course-patients and 2/6(33.3%, P=0.200) of severe course-patients. Disease-modifying therapy prevalence did not differ among courses (mild:17/19[89.5%], moderate:12/15[80%] and severe:3/6[50%], P=0.123). Conclusions and Relevance Multiple sclerosis patients with more severe COVID-19 courses tended to be older, were more likely to suffer from progressive staging, and had a higher degree of disability. However, disease-modifying therapy use was not different among courses.
Predicting human design decisions with deep recurrent neural network combining static and dynamic data

Computational modeling of the human sequential design process and successful prediction of future design decisions are fundamental to design knowledge extraction, transfer, and the development of artificial design agents. However, it is often difficult to obtain designer-related attributes (static data) in design practices, and the research based on combining static and dynamic data (design action sequences) in engineering design is still underexplored. This paper presents an approach that combines both static and dynamic data for human design decision prediction using two different methods. The first method directly combines the sequential design actions with static data in a recurrent neural network (RNN) model, while the second method integrates a feed-forward neural network that handles static data separately, yet in parallel with RNN. This study contributes to the field from three aspects: (a) we developed a method of utilizing designers’ cluster information as a surrogate static feature to combine with a design action sequence in order to tackle the challenge of obtaining designer-related attributes; (b) we devised a method that integrates the function–behavior–structure design process model with the one-hot vectorization in RNN to transform design action data to design process stages where the insights into design thinking can be drawn; (c) to the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that two methods of combining static and dynamic data in RNN are compared, which provides new knowledge about the utility of different combination methods in studying sequential design decisions. The approach is demonstrated in two case studies on solar energy system design. The results indicate that with appropriate kernel models, the RNN with both static and dynamic data outperforms traditional models that only rely on design action sequences, thereby better supporting design research where static features, such as human characteristics, often play an important role.
In Memoriam: Richard “Dick” V. Dietrich (1924–2020)

Born and raised in upstate New York, Richard “Dick” Vincent Dietrich graduated from Colgate University and went on to earn graduate degrees in petrology from Yale University. In 1951 he accepted a ...
Objective Comparison of FDA-Approved Breast Implant Products in the USA: 5-Year Update

There are currently four companies offering FDA-approved breast implants: Allergan, Sientra, Mentor, and Ideal Implant. In 2015, our paper “Objective Comparison of Commercially Available Breast Implant Devices” sought to provide a unique conceptual framework to better understand the similarities and differences between FDA-approved breast implant products and tissue expanders. This paper uses the same variables, such as fill material, shape, relative dimensions, and surface coating, to aid understanding of both the surgical trainee and the operating surgeon of what devices each company offers, with a focus on how the market has evolved over the ensuing 5 years. The product catalogs of each FDA-approved company were carefully explored to determine the current available breast implants and tissue expanders. Subsequently, flow charts were created to provide a clear and objective survey of each companies’ offerings, highlighting where there are overlap and deficiencies, and where there has been contraction or growth. Disruptions to the industry, including both technological innovation and the recognition of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), have caused a significant shift in the details of the available permanent breast implants, breast tissue expanders, sizers, and warranty programs. As it has been in 2015, company jargon and brand names continue to make it challenging to discern the similarities and differences between company devices and programs. This project remained independent of any company’s funding, support, or input, making it a uniquely objective and informative survey of the current breast implant market that should assist surgeons in decision-making regarding the breast implant procedures. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Contingency Management for Patients Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is efficacious, but comorbid stimulant use and other behavioral health problems often undermine efficacy. Objective To examine the association of contingency management, a behavioral intervention wherein patients receive material incentives contingent on objectively verified behavior change, with end-of-treatment outcomes for these comorbid behavioral problems. Data sources A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and reference sections of articles from inception through May 5, 2020. The following search terms were used: vouchers OR contingency management OR financial incentives. Study selection Prospective experimental studies of monetary-based contingency management among participants receiving MOUD. Data extraction and synthesis Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline, 3 independent investigators extracted data from included studies for a random-effects meta-analysis. Main outcomes and measures Primary outcome was the association of contingency management at end-of-treatment assessments with 6 clinical problems: stimulant use, polysubstance use, illicit opioid use, cigarette smoking, therapy attendance, and medication adherence. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used to compute weighted mean effect size estimates (Cohen d) and corresponding 95% CIs separately for each clinical problem and collapsing across the 3 categories assessing abstinence and the 2 assessing treatment adherence outcomes. Results The search identified 1443 reports of which 74 reports involving 10 444 unique adult participants met inclusion criteria for narrative review and 60 for inclusion in meta-analyses. Contingency management was associated with end-of-treatment outcomes for all 6 problems examined separately, with mean effect sizes for 4 of 6 in the medium-large range (stimulants, Cohen d = 0.70 [95% CI, 0.49-0.92]; cigarette use, Cohen d = 0.78 [95% CI, 0.43-1.14]; illicit opioid use, Cohen d = 0.58 [95% CI, 0.30-0.86]; medication adherence, Cohen d = 0.75 [95% CI, 0.30-1.21]), and 2 in the small-medium range (polysubstance use, Cohen d = 0.46 [95% CI, 0.30-0.62]; therapy attendance, d = 0.43 [95% CI, 0.22-0.65]). Collapsing across abstinence and adherence categories, contingency management was associated with medium effect sizes for abstinence (Cohen d = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.47-0.69) and treatment adherence (Cohen d = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40-0.84) compared with controls. Conclusions and relevance These results provide evidence supporting the use of contingency management in addressing key clinical problems among patients receiving MOUD, including the ongoing epidemic of comorbid psychomotor stimulant misuse. Policies facilitating integration of contingency management into community MOUD services are sorely needed.
Community Development in Tall Residential Buildings

On 27 October 2005, two young males, aged 15 and 17, accidentally electrocuted themselves in Clichy-sous-Bois, a Paris suburb, while allegedly being chased by police. Nearby youths vented their anger at perceived police persecution in what has come to be seen as a small riot. A larger one followed the next evening. Within a few days, disturbances had broken out in several areas of greater Paris and they spread to other French and European cities. The French government declared an emergency and the police enforced a curfew. More than 7,000 automobiles were burned before the before the disturbances subsided
Verifying the betweenness axiom with questionnaire evidence, or not: Take your pick☆

Abstract Data are presented from questionnaires about preferences over hypothetical lotteries. The answers either support or reject the betweenness axiom, depending on which questions are picked.
Risk of mortality for ventricular arrhythmia in ambulatory LVAD patients.

Risk of Mortality for Ventricular Arrhythmia. Background: There are limited data regarding the incidence and prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in ambulatory continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients. Methods: Sixty-one consecutive patients from November 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010 with an LVAD and implantable cardioverter defibrillator that survived to discharge from the LVAD implantation admission were studied. Follow-up began from date of discharge with both devices in situ and ended with death, transplant, on June 1, 2011. Pre-LVAD VA history was related to the primary endpoints of post-LVAD VA, mortality, and the combined endpoint of post-LVAD VA/mortality. Results: During a mean follow-up of 622 days 19 patients (31%) experienced VA (14 episodes of VT, 5 episodes of VF). Pre-LVAD VA was predictive of post-LVAD VA (hazard ratio [HR] 2.91, P = 0.026) and the combined post-LVAD VA/mortality endpoint (HR 2.70, P = 0.021) but only displayed a nonsignificant association with mortality (HR 2.30, P = 0.11). In multivariate analysis, pre-LVAD VA remained a significant predictor of post-LVAD VA (HR 2.84, P = 0.03) and the combined post-LVAD VA/mortality endpoint (HR 2.65, P = 0.025). Post-LVAD VA was the strongest univariate predictor of mortality (HR 13.92, P < 0.001) and remained so after multivariate adjustment (HR 9.69, P = 0.001). Post-LVAD VA occurred at a mean of 1 year from mortality events with 45% within 1 month. Conclusions: Pre-LVAD VA is a significant predictor of post-LVAD VA but not of mortality. VA in the continuous flow LVAD population carries a significant risk of mortality often within the first month. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 515-520, May 2012)
Mode-locked and repetition-rate-tunable comb generation using dual coupled microrings

A method incorporating controllable mode interaction is proposed for Kerr frequency comb generation in normal-dispersion microresonators. Repetition-rate-tunable combs and broadband mode-locking transitions are demonstrated by using dual silicon nitride microrings.
Genome-wide differentially methylated genes in prostate cancer tissues from African-American and Caucasian men

Increasing evidence suggests that aberrant DNA methylation changes may contribute to prostate cancer (PCa) ethnic disparity. To comprehensively identify DNA methylation alterations in PCa disparity, we used the Illumina 450K methylation platform to interrogate the methylation status of 485,577 CpG sites focusing on gene-associated regions of the human genome. Genomic DNA from African-American (AA; 7 normal and 3 cancers) and Caucasian (Cau; 8 normal and 3 cancers) was used in the analysis. Hierarchical clustering analysis identified probe-sets unique to AA and Cau samples, as well as common to both. We selected 25 promoter-associated novel CpG sites most differentially methylated by race (fold change > 1.5-fold; adjusted P < 0.05) and compared the β-value of these sites provided by the Illumina, Inc. array with quantitative methylation obtained by pyrosequencing in 7 prostate cell lines. We found very good concordance of the methylation levels between β-value and pyrosequencing. Gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR in a subset of 8 genes after treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine and/or trichostatin showed up-regulation of gene expression in PCa cells. Quantitative analysis of 4 genes, SNRPN, SHANK2, MST1R, and ABCG5, in matched normal and PCa tissues derived from AA and Cau PCa patients demonstrated differential promoter methylation and concomitant differences in mRNA expression in prostate tissues from AA vs. Cau. Regression analysis in normal and PCa tissues as a function of race showed significantly higher methylation prevalence for SNRPN (P = 0.012), MST1R (P = 0.038), and ABCG5 (P < 0.0002) for AA vs. Cau samples. We selected the ABCG5 and SNRPN genes and verified their biological functions by Western blot analysis and siRNA gene knockout effects on cell proliferation and invasion in 4 PCa cell lines (2 AA and 2 Cau patients-derived lines). Knockdown of either ABCG5 or SNRPN resulted in a significant decrease in both invasion and proliferation in Cau PCa cell lines but we did not observe these remarkable loss-of-function effects in AA PCa cell lines. Our study demonstrates how differential genome-wide DNA methylation levels influence gene expression and biological functions in AA and Cau PCa.
Performance bounds of algorithms for scheduling advertisements on a web page

Consider a set of n advertisements (hereafter called "ads") A = {A1,...,An} competing to be placed in a planning horizon which is divided into N time intervals called slots. An ad Ai is specified by its size si and frequency wi. The size si represents the amount of space the ad occupies in a slot. Ad Ai is said to be scheduled if exactly wi copies of Ai are placed in the slots subject to the restriction that a slot contains at most one copy of an ad. In this paper, we consider two problems. The MINSPACE problem minimizes the maximum fullness among all slots in a feasible schedule where the fullness of a slot is the sum of the sizes of ads assigned to the slot. For the MAXSPACE problem, in addition, we are given a common maximum fullness S for all slots. The total size of the ads placed in a slot cannot exceed S. The objective is to find a feasible schedule A' ⊆ A of ads such that the total occupied slot space ΣAi∈A WiSi is maximized. We examine the complexity status of both problems and provide heuristics with performance guarantees.
Synchronization of coupled maps and stable windows.

Synchronization among globally coupled, chaotic map lattices can be related to stable periodic windows in isolated chaotic maps. This relation provides a simple predictive tool for the understanding of complicated behavior in coupled physical, chemical and biological systems.
The intraductal approach to the breast: raison d'être

Opportunities for the detection, prediction, and treatment of breast cancer exist at three biological levels: systemically via the blood, at the whole organ level, and within the individual ductal lobular structures of the breast. This review covers the evaluation of approaches targeted to the ductal lobular units, where breast cancer begins. Studies to date suggest the presence of 5 to 12 independent ductal lobular systems per breast, each harboring complex cellular fluids contributed by local and systemic processes. New techniques for accessing and interrogating these systems offer the potential to gauge the microenvironment of the breast and distill biological risk profiles.
Hybrid Proofs of the q-Binomial Theorem and other identities

We give “hybrid” proofs of the q-binomial theorem and other identities. The proofs are “hybrid” in the sense that we use partition arguments to prove a restricted version of the theorem, and then use analytic methods (in the form of the Identity Theorem) to prove the full version. We prove three somewhat unusual summation formulae, and use these to give hybrid proofs of a number of identities due to Ramanujan. Finally, we use these new summation formulae to give new partition interpretations of the Rogers-Ramanujan identities and the Rogers-Selberg identities.
Round of Replication Mutant of a Drug Resistance Factor

A derivative of the R factor NR1 (called R12) has been isolated which undergoes an increased number of rounds of replication each division cycle in Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium. The alteration resulting in the increased number of copies (round of replication mutation) is associated with the transfer factor component of the R factor. R12 has the same drug resistance pattern as NR1, is the same size as shown by sedimentation in a sucrose gradient and electron microscopy (63 × 106 daltons), and has the same partial denaturation map. The level of the R factor gene product chloramphenicol acetyltransferase has been examined in P. mirabilis and was found to be consistent with gene dosage effects. The plasmid to chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid ratio of NR1 increases several fold after entry into stationary phase, whereas this ratio for R12 remains approximately constant. Individual copies of R12 are selected at random for replication from a multicopy plasmid pool. A smaller percentage of R12 copies replicate during amino acid starvation than has previously been found for NR1 in similar experiments.
Influence of Sperm Concentration, Initial Fructose Level, and Initial Per Cent Motility on the Fructolytic Activity of Bovine Semen

Summary Three semen characteristics–sperm concentration, initial fructose level, and initial per cent motility–were measured in 262 semen specimens collected by electroejaculation from ten Hereford bulls, and fructose utilizations were determined after 20, 40 and 60 min. of incubation at 37° C. The zero-, first- and second-order partial and multiple correlations were calculated from the data on total, among-bulls, and ejaculates-within-bulls bases. Each of the three semen characteristics, independent of the other two, was correlated (P
PHOTOPRODUCTION OF K+ HYPERON FROM HYDROGEN AND DEUTERIUM AT 11-GeV

Abstract Using an 11-GeV bremsstrahlung beam and the SLAC 20-GeV spectrometer, we have measured K+ missing mass spectra from hydrogen and deuterium at five angles with momentum transfer squared ranging from 0.025 to 0.46 GeV2. Steps in the spectra as a function of missing mass were found corresponding to production of Λ, Σ, Σ1385 + Λ1405 and Λ1520. The ratio Σ− and Σ0 production is not consistent with pure isotopic spin 1 2 in the t-channel for the reaction γN→K+Σ. The cross sections for γN → K+Σ1385 compared with γN→πΔ violate an SU(3) prediction.
On the maximal number of pairwise orthogonal Steiner triple systems

Abstract For some time it has been known that for prime powers pk = 1 + 3 · 2st there exists a pair of orthogonal Steiner triple systems of order pk. In fact, such a pair can be constructed using the method of Mullin and Nemeth for constructing strong starters. We use a generalization of the construction of Mullin and Nemeth to construct sets of mutually orthogonal Steiner triple systems for many of these prime powers. By using other techniques we show that a set of mutually orthogonal Steiner triple systems of any given size can be constructed for all but a finite number of such prime powers.
Evidence of immune dysregulation to cat allergen in sensitized patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract Rationale Titers of cat-specific IgE ab in sensitized patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are markedly elevated compared to sensitized subjects without AD. In addition, T cells from patients with AD show weak proliferation to IL-10- and IFN-γ-inducing chain 2 epitopes of the cat allergen, Fel d 1. The implication is that immune control mechanisms are deficient in AD patients. We examined the relationship between IgE ab to cat and the role of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, in AD. Methods IgE ab to cat were assayed (Pharmacia CAP) in sensitized patients with and without AD. PBMC responses (day 7) to Fel d 1 and chain 2 epitopes were measured in the presence or absence of anti-IL-10 mAb in patients expressing HLA-DR alleles predicted to bind to chain 2 epitopes. Results The mean IgE ab titer to cat was increased in sensitized patients with AD (20.9IU/ml, n=9) compared to sensitized patients without AD (4.4IU/ml, n=14)(p 28.5IU/ml). Furthermore, allergen avoidance was associated with diminished production of IL-10 to Fel d 1 peptides (p 61.7IU/ml). Conclusion High titer IgE ab to cat is associated with a diminished capacity for IL-10 to influence T cell responses to Fel d 1, supporting a role for T-cell immune dysregulation in AD.
Data-centric anomalies in sensor network deployments: analysis and detection

Recent real-world sensor network deployments have helped decision makers and sensor data analysts draw highly precise conclusions by relying on finer-grained raw sensory data. A small number of anomalous sensor readings, however, lead to misinterpretations and false conclusions. Hence, detecting and eliminating anomalies in sensor network deployments play a major role during the decision making process by assuring sensor data quality, integrity, and trustworthiness. A sensor network should be able to accurately identify malicious and faulty observations in a timely manner while maintaining a low communication overhead. In this work, we first perform an analysis of anomalies prevalent in sensor network deployments and then propose a distributed data-centric anomaly detection framework for sensor networks where each node in the collection tree is asked to maintain a statistical data summary over a specified period of time. Rather than transmitting raw sensory data, each node only communicates the behavioral summary to the base station. The base station, in turn, learns the behavior of each sensor node and instructs parent `intermediate' nodes in the tree to stop forwarding readings of misbehaving nodes. Given the summaries obtained from all sensor nodes, learning can be performed using existing machine learning techniques. We show that boosting is a good candidate for data classification in sensor networks over a short period of time compared to SVM.
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC PATTERN QUANTIFICATION AND THE AROUSAL CONIINIUM

The view that the EEG shows a continuum correlated with behavioral arousal was subjected to experimental test. A simple model of the expected results from five experimental states of arousal was used as a criterion against which to evaluate various parameters of EEG data after they had been processed by electronic analysis systems. Eighteen normal young adults were the Ss. Occipital and parietal recordings were taken during relaxation, attention, arousal, recovery, and relief states. Sample epochs of the records were analyzed by amplitude distribution, frequency spectrum, power spectrum, wavelength distribution, autocorrelation, and cross correlation. No single parameter matched the predicted model in a convincing manner. However, correlograms of occipital recordings after interpretation by relative power ratios did support the hypothesis with statistically significant differences. It was concluded that behavioral arousal is inversely related to the scaled continua of (1) the proportion of total power to be found at the dominant frequency, and (2) rhythmicity of the dominant wave.
DNA is a potent immunogen for spleen cells and for guanosine-binding B lymphocytes

The production of antibodies to nucleic acids, and in particular to DNA, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, little is known about the conditions under which DNA is immunogenic, particularly in well-characterized in vitro systems. Therefore, we examined whether a source of cytokines, in conjunction with D-DNA, permitted a polyclonal or antigen-specific B-cell response. Spleen cells from MRL +/+ SLE-prone mice were incubated with supernatant from concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cells (Con A SN, a source of cytokines) and D-DNA. A potent antibody response developed to guanosine (GU) and D-DNA but not to fluorescein (FL), using as little as 10 ng D-DNA in conjunction with Con A SN. In order to further examine the cellular requirements for D-DNA to be immunogenic, populations of B cells which bound GU (an immunodominant epitope of DNA) or an irrelevant FL-binding population were purified and incubated with DNA and Con A SN. Interestingly, GU-binding, but not FL-binding B cells could be triggered by D-DNA derived from calf thymus, a result suggesting that DNA was not acting simply as a polyclonal B-cell activator. D-DNA optimally triggered GU+ B cells within a narrow dose range similar to many thymus-independent Type II antigens with repetitive determinants. If DNA were truly an autoantigen, then DNA derived from the MRL +/+ mouse should be capable of triggering GU-binding B cells. When this hypothesis was tested, D-DNA, but not N-DNA, functioned as a potent immunogen. These experiments document the ability of DNA to act as a specific immunogen and suggest that, under appropriate conditions, nucleic acid may induce autoantibody production in vivo.
Family interventions with child physical abuse and neglect: A critical review

Abstract This article critically reviews the research on family treatments for child physical abuse and neglect. Studies are organized according to the theoretical orientation of the intervention and include behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, family therapy, social network, and atheoretical treatments. After discussion of findings, a critique is offered, as well as suggestions for strengthening future research. Finally, service delivery recommendations are explored.
METEOROID STREAMS AS SOURCES FOR METEORITE FALLS : A STATUS REPORT

Abstract From their circumstances of fall (year, day, and, sometimes, petrographic type) five clusters of H4–6 chondrites have been identified statistically as deriving from separate meteoroid streams. Using another criterion, the meteorites' contents of volatile trace elements (Ag, Bi, Cd, Cs, In, Rb, Se, Te, Tl, Zn) determined using radiochemical neutron activation analysis, and treated by multivariate statistical analysis techniques, three of the five clusters are distinguishable from the random background of observed falls. These data indicate that distinct H chondrite sources with primary thermal histories distinguishable from those of random sources provided H4–6 chondrites that fell in May, 1855–1895, and in September–October, 1812–1992. Thus, both in the short-term, and the long-term (> 50 kyr) as evidenced by Antarctic H4–6 chondrites, time-dependent variations occur in the Earth's sampling of common meteorites. The source-variations indicated by our data apparently reflect the existence of meteoroid streams which complete the hierarchy of comet streams, asteroid streams and fireball streams of asteroidal origin established by others.
THE PRESENCE OF A WEAK HEMOLYSIN IN THE HOOK WORM AND ITS RELATION TO THE ANEMIA OF UNCINARIASIS.

1. The hook worm of man—both the Old and New World types—contains a weak hemolytic agent active in vitro. It is soluble in salt solution, is easily destroyed by heat and acts slowly. 2. The hemolysin is present in all parts of the worm and probably is associated with the intestinal tract. 3. The hook worm of the dog contains a similar hemolysin. 4. These hemolysins are not specific, but will act on human blood as well as on that of the dog and rat. They are only demonstrable in concentrated extracts. 5. Concentrated extracts of the human whip worm may be hemolytic to some bloods. 6. The round worm of man contains no hemolytic principle in any part of its body. 7. It seems very unlikely that this weak hemolysin found in the hook worm can have any relation to the anemia of uncinariasis. 8. Study of the "blood cysts" in the human intestine shows that the hook worm may live in a small amount of the host's blood for days without causing any marked hemolysis.
When the Going Gets Tough, Memory T Cells Check Out

Memory CD8+ T cells proliferate faster than naive cells to rapidly control an infectious challenge, but West et al. (2011) in this issue of Immunity report that this superiority is lost in the face of a high dose or chronic viral challenge.
Society for Pediatric Research presidential address 2008: can pediatric research benefit from global warming?

Society for Pediatric Research Presidential Address 2008: Can Pediatric Research Benefit from Global Warming?