cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A04 Session 1: Translational Hibernation

A transient hypometabolic state can be induced in mammals by 5′-AMP administration. During the hypometabolic state, core body temperature (Tb) of the animal can be readily reduced from euthermia. For example, at ambient temperature (Ta) of 15 °C, the Tb of mice can be reduced to 1–2 °C above Ta for 6–9 h until they spontaneously returned to euthermia. We have observed that several species of non-hibernating mammals, from mice to dogs, are responsive to 5′-AMP induced hypometabolism suggesting that the underlying biochemical and physiological mechanism is highly conserved among mammals. The mechanism for this induced hypometabolic state remains to be fully elucidated. We have shown that mice deficient in A1, A2A, A2B or A3 adenosine receptors does not response differently to 5â€™-AMP induced hypometabolism from wild type. Upon 5′-AMP administration, the A1 adenosine receptor deficient mice enter into the hypometabolic state similar to wild type mice without displaying bradycardia. This observation rules out a severe heart rate reduction by adenosine as an underlying cause for the observed hypometabolism. In addition, mice deficient in extracellular 5′-Ecto-nucleotidase (CD73) have an enhanced hypometabolic response to 5′-AMP. These observations show that dephosphorylation of 5′-AMP into adenosine reduced the efficacy of 5′-AMP to induce hypometabolism. Our studies further show that radiolabeled 5′-AMP is taken up by the erythrocytes and administrations of 5′-AMP enhanced the level of deoxyhemoglobin. We proposed that this hypometabolism is caused by a reduced erythrocyte oxygen transport due to the altered cellular adenylate equilibrium upon 5′-AMP uptake by erythrocytes. To further test the role of erythrocytes in mediating this behavior, we created a genetically modified mouse model deficient in adenosine monophosphate deaminase 3 (AMPD3), the key 5′-AMP catabolic enzyme in erythrocytes. We have observed that the loss of AMPD3 significantly enhanced the efficacy of 5′-AMP to induce hypometabolic response in mice.
Finite Element Study of Shock Induced Cavitation

Explosively generated underwater shock waves may interact with a compliant submerged structure or with the free surface to induce cavitation. A finite element analysis of the former case is described. Discretised equations are derived using a displacement potential as the dependent variable. Formulations for a variety of boundary conditions are described. Computational strategy is discussed. A one-dimensional example is presented and results are shown to be in good agreement with those obtained by the method of characteristics.
Trends in 30-Day Readmission Rates for Medicare and Non-Medicare Patients in the Era of the Affordable Care Act

Abstract Background Temporal changes in the readmission rates for patient groups and conditions that were not directly under the purview of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) can help assess whether efforts to lower readmissions extended beyond targeted patients and conditions. Methods Using the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2010-2015), we assessed trends in all-cause readmission rates for 1 of the 3 HRRP conditions (acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, pneumonia) or conditions not targeted by the HRRP in age-insurance groups defined by age group (≥65 years or Results In the group aged ≥65 years, readmission rates for those covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance decreased annually for acute myocardial infarction (risk-adjusted odds ratio [OR; 95% confidence interval] among Medicare patients, 0.94 [0.94-0.95], among Medicaid patients, 0.93 [0.90-0.97], and among patients with private-insurance, 0.95 [0.93-0.97]); heart failure (ORs, 0.96 [0.96-0.97], 0.96 [0.94-0.98], and 0.97 [0.96-0.99], for the 3 payers, respectively), and pneumonia (ORs, 0.96 [0.96-0.97), 0.94 [0.92-0.96], and 0.96 [0.95-0.97], respectively). Readmission rates also decreased in the group aged Conclusions There appears to be a systematic improvement in readmission rates for patient groups beyond the population of fee-for-service, older, Medicare beneficiaries included in the HRRP.
A data-driven modeling approach to zonal isolation of cemented gas wells

Abstract Gas leakage through the cemented section of a gas well, from a producing zone to other zones or to the open air, poses serious threats to safety and the environment. A number of design variables during drilling and cementing jobs may possibly contribute to such leakage. Decisions on these variables are best made during the design and well construction phase, as remedial operations after the well begins production have limited success rate. Therefore an approach that avoids the problem by ensuring robust zonal isolation during well construction jobs is more suitable. Such an approach involves decisions on a fairly large number of design variables. Building a model based on first principles to predict the effect of all of these variables on leakage is a formidable task. An alternative examined in this paper relies on using multivariate statistics to build an empirical model from available data. The model can then be used to make decisions on design variables such that leakage is avoided. The proposed approach is explained using data from 105 gas wells. The model built predicts leakage with about 75% accuracy in cross-validation tests. In addition, it ranks decision variables in the order of importance and suggests which ones need to receive more attention. The approach presented can be extended to include additional variables for which data is available.
Investigation of Dominant Transverse Electric Mode in Microstrip Patch Antennas

Transverse electric (TE) modes of microstrip patch antennas are investigated by applying proper boundary conditions. Conventional patch antennas are made of perfect electric conductors (PECs), exciting the transverse magnetic modes. As per the duality theorem, TE modes will be excited if the patch and the ground plane are replaced by perfect magnetic conductors. In particular, the TE10 mode is studied using artificial magnetic conductors (AMC) consisting of unipolar compact photonic bandgap unit cells. They are placed on the top and bottom walls of the cavity, enforcing the tangential component of the magnetic field intensity to zero and thus supporting the TE mode. It is shown that the AMC patch antenna excited at the TE10 mode is 44% smaller in size than the conventional PEC patch antenna. The effect of the ground plane size on gain, cross polarization, and −3 and −6 dB beamwidths is investigated and compared. The AMC antenna shows symmetric radiation patterns and improved cross polarization with reduced ground plane sizes, outperforming its PEC counterparts.
SAT-LB027 Does Diabetes Education Influence Glycosylated Hemoglobin?

Background: Even though patient education is considered an essential component of diabetes management, little is known about the effectiveness of formal diabetes management classes. Methods: Our institution offers a four-week class in self-management of diabetes. The classes are free, taught by certified diabetes educators, and are offered at times believed to be convenient for members of our community. The curriculum addresses diabetes pathophysiology, self-management of glucose, healthy eating, medications, healthy coping, and the benefits of exercise. We evaluated the impact of diabetes education on a cohort of patients who attended diabetes classes between 2015 and 2018. Patients had glycosylated hemoglobin (Hgba1c) measured before and after classes as part of routine care. We limited our analysis to patients who had recorded Hgba1c before and 3-6 months after taking the classes. We used a paired t-test to determine statistical significance. Results: Of 296 patients completed diabetes education between 2015 and 2018, 139 patients (46%) met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 58, and 58% were female. The mean Hgba1c was 7.2±1.4 prior to the class and 6.6±1.1 at the next measured Hgba1c at least 3 months after taking the class (p < .001 for change). No significant difference was seen in impact of intervention between men (-0.57±1.4) or women (-0.59±1.1). Conclusions: In this patient population, diabetes education classes produced a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in Hgba1c. Our findings are limited by our inclusion criteria for patients with pre- and post-education Hgba1c; this population had a relatively low baseline Hgba1c and the impact of the behavioral intervention may be exaggerated by unmeasured confounders that also led to adherence with lab monitoring. Future research should be done to assess the impact of diabetes education classes on other populations. Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO are embargoed until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. Abstracts presented at a news conference are embargoed until the date and time of the news conference. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.
Behavior and Molecular Genetic Approaches to Comorbidity

This review provides an overview of studies that used behavioral genetic methods to understand the genetic and environmental influences that lead to comorbidity, the co-occurrence of two or more developmental disorders in the same individual. Comorbidity is primarily explained by shared genetic influences for most pairs of disorders that have been studied, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities, conduct disorder and ADHD, anxiety and depression, and anxiety and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Molecular genetic studies indicate that the etiologies of developmental disorders are highly multifactorial, with dozens or even hundreds of genes acting in combination with environmental risk factors to lead to each individual disorder and the extensive comorbidity between disorders. Due to this complexity, current state-of-the-art studies are now combining molecular genetic data from multiple large samples to begin to achieve adequate statistical power to identify the specific genetic polymorphisms that lead to comorbidity. An extensive literature demonstrates the pervasiveness and potential importance of comorbidity between developmental disorders, and results of family, twin, and molecular genetic studies indicate that these comorbidities may be largely explained by shared genetic influences. Additional studies are ongoing to identify the specific genetic polymorphisms that increase risk for each developmental disorder and comorbidity between disorders.
Numerical Evaluation of Candidate Wavefunctions for High-Temperature Superconductivity

This article reviews the variational Monte Carlo approach to the Hubbard model and the problem of high-temperature superconductivity. An historical introduction to the conceptual background of the problem is given, and the basic technical details of the method are summarized. The chief physical results, particularly the prediction of antiferromagnetic fluctuations in almost localized Fermi liquids, are outlined. The consequences for high-temperature superconductivity are drawn, and future prospects are speculated upon.
Reducing Hexavalent Chromium to Trivalent Chromium with Zero Chemical Footprint: Borohydride Exchange Resin and a Polymer-Supported Base.

Aqueous hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is rapidly reduced to trivalent chromium, Cr(III), by exposure to (polystyrylmethyl)trimethylammonium borohydride and with Amberlite-supported mild bases in a h...
Inertial particle velocity and distribution in vertical turbulent channel flow: A numerical and experimental comparison

Abstract This study is concerned with the statistics of vertical turbulent channel flow laden with inertial particles for two different volume concentrations ( Φ V = 3 × 10 − 6 and Φ V = 5 × 10 − 5 ) at a Stokes number of S t + = 58.6 based on viscous units. Two independent direct numerical simulation models utilizing the point-particle approach are compared to recent experimental measurements, where all relevant nondimensional parameters are directly matched. While both numerical models are built on the same general approach, details of the implementations are different, particularly regarding how two-way coupling is represented. At low volume loading, both numerical models are in general agreement with the experimental measurements, with certain exceptions near the walls for the wall-normal particle velocity fluctuations. At high loading, these discrepancies are increased, and it is found that particle clustering is overpredicted in the simulations as compared to the experimental observations. Potential reasons for the discrepancies are discussed. As this study is among the first to perform one-to-one comparisons of particle-laden flow statistics between numerical models and experiments, it suggests that continued efforts are required to reconcile differences between the observed behavior and numerical predictions.
Shane Vogel, Stolen Time: Black Fad Performance and the Calypso Craze

Shane Vogel’s Stolen Time explores calypso, in the United States, as a constellation of activities that produced counterfeit performances on stage, in recordings, on television, and in films. It ar...
Urban Aerosol Size Distributions: A Global Perspective

Abstract. Urban aerosol measurements are necessary to establish associations between air pollution and human health outcomes and to evaluate the efficacy of air quality legislation and emissions standards. The measurement of urban aerosol particle size distributions (PSDs) is of particular importance as they enable for characterization of size-dependent processes that govern a particle’s transport, transformation, and fate in the urban atmosphere. PSDs also improve our ability to link air pollution to health effects through evaluation of particle deposition in the respiratory system and inhalation toxicity. To provide guidance for the evolution of urban aerosol observations, this paper reviews and critically analyzes the current state-of-knowledge on urban aerosol PSD measurements by synthesizing n = 793 PSD observations made between 1998 to 2017 in n = 125 cities in n = 51 countries around the globe. Significant variations in the shape and magnitude of urban aerosol number and mass PSDs were identified among different geographical regions. In general, number PSDs in Europe (EU), North America, Australia, and New Zealand (NAAN) are dominated by nucleation and Aitken mode particles. PSDs in Central, South, and Southeast Asia (CSSA) and East Asia (EA) are shifted to larger sizes, with a meaningful contribution from the accumulation mode. Urban mass PSDs are typically bi-modal, presenting a dominant peak in the accumulation mode and a secondary peak in the coarse mode. Most PSD observations published in the literature are short-term, with only 14 % providing data for longer than six months. There is a paucity of PSDs measured in Africa (AF), CSSA, Latin America (LA), and West Asia (WA), demonstrating the need for long-term aerosol measurements across wide size ranges in many cities around the globe. Inter-region variations in PSDs have important implications for population exposure, driving large differences in the urban aerosol inhaled deposited dose rate received in each region of the human respiratory system. Similarly, inter-region variations in the shape of PSDs impact the penetration of urban aerosols through filters in building ventilation systems, which serve as an important interface between the outdoor and indoor atmospheres. Geographical variations in urban aerosol effective densities were also reviewed. Size-resolved urban aerosol effective density functions from 3 to 10 000 nm were established for different geographical regions and intra-city sampling locations in order to accurately translate number PSDs to mass PSDs, with significant variations observed between near-road and urban background sites. The results of this critical review demonstrate that global initiatives are urgently needed to develop infrastructure for routine and long-term monitoring of urban aerosol PSDs spanning the nucleation to coarse modes. Doing so will advance our understanding of spatiotemporal trends in urban PSDs throughout the world and provide a foundation to more reliably elucidate the impact of urban aerosols on atmospheric processes, human health, and climate.
The p factor and dimensional structural models of youth personality pathology and psychopathology

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is a developing dimensional nosology which provides a joint framework for study of psychopathology and personality pathology. Dimensional structural models of psychopathology often include an overarching dimension of psychopathology (p factor) representing covariation among all forms of psychopathology. The p factor can be recovered in youth and adult samples, and has been found to relate to personality traits in similar ways in youth and adults. However, placement of personality pathology in an overarching psychopathology structure has almost exclusively been investigated in adults. We review evidence for the relationships between normal-range and pathological personality traits and psychopathology in adults and youth, ultimately making the case for study of a joint personality - psychopathology framework in youth.
Late-Holocene hydroclimate inferences for the northern Great Basin from Little Lake, Elko County, Nevada, USA

Abstract Prominent lunette dunes 500–800 m long, 50–80 m wide, and up to 5 m tall are present on the floor of the Independence Valley in northeast Nevada, USA. These dunes border the downwind margins of circular playas at the end of a drainage descending from the East Humboldt Mountains, which terminates in an ephemeral water body named Little Lake. Gastropod shells from the Little Lake playa yield radiocarbon ages of ∼400 cal yr BP, after correction for a hard-water effect. A similar age was obtained for shells from the crest of one of the lunettes. Deeper sediment in this lunette yielded shell ages clustering around 600 cal yr BP. This pattern suggests two intervals of relatively persistent water at Little Lake, both of which ended with lake desiccation and deflation of sediment and shells to the adjacent lunette. Shells from the crest of another lunette yielded radiocarbon ages between 3800 and 1750 cal yr BP. This dune, therefore, is considerably older and accumulated over a much longer stretch of time. Using the Global Surface Water Explorer, years between 1984 and 2018 were identified in which Little Lake contained water in most of the available summer imagery. These years form three clusters: 1984–1987, 1997–2000, and 2017–2018. Snow water equivalent (SWE) is greater in the mountains, snow makes up a greater percent of total annual precipitation, and Palmer Drought Severity Index is more positive in this region, in years when water is present in Little Lake compared with those in which the lake remains dry. Values of the PDO are also higher in years when Little Lake holds water. Although the hydrology of Little Lake may be influenced to an unknown degree by upstream water diversions, this overall pattern implies that the lake and its associated lunettes are a sensitive recorder of late Holocene hydroclimate variability in the northern Great Basin.
Damage Modeling for the Tree-Like Network with Fractional-Order Calculus.

In this paper, we propose that a tree-like network with damage can be modeled as the product of a fractional-order nominal plant and a fractional-order multiplicative disturbance, which is well structured and completely characterized by the damage amount at each damaged component. Such way of modeling brings us insights about that damaged network's behavior, helps us design robust controllers under uncertain damages and identify the damage. Although the main result in this paper is specialized to one model, we believe that this way of constructing a well-structured disturbance model can be applied to a class of damaged networks.
Disorders of Calcium Metabolism: Hypocalcemia and Hypercalcemia

Calcium (Ca+2) is a divalent cation that plays a critical role in numerous body functions such as skeletal mineralization, signal transduction, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and blood coagulation. Ca+2 metabolism is linked to magnesium (Mg+2) and phosphate metabolism. Ca+2 homeostasis is dependent on intestinal absorption, bone turnover, and renal reabsorption. The hormonal regulators of these processes are the parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitriol {1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]}, and serum ionized Ca+2. Cloning of the Ca+2-sensing receptor (CaSR) has greatly advanced the understanding of Ca+2 metabolism. Disorders of Ca+2 metabolism are easily recognized because Ca+2 is included in routine chemistry panels. Measurement of ionized Ca+2 is the preferred way to ascertain the diagnosis of hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia.
Ultrahigh tribocorrosion resistance of metals enabled by nano-layering

Abstract Tribocorrosion damage on metal surfaces imposes a great challenge to their reliable long-term performance in corrosive environment. In the present work, we showed that nanostructured metallic multilayers (NMMs) exhibited ultrahigh tribocorrosion resistance owing to abundant interfaces and nanoscale chemical modulation that effectively restricted plastic deformation, reduced micro-galvanic corrosion and surface reactivity. Specifically, the tribocorrosion behaviors of equal-spaced Al/X (X = Ti, Mg and Cu) NMMs with ~ 3 nm individual layer thickness were studied in 0.6 M NaCl aqueous solution under room temperature. Nanomechanical and electrochemical measurements were coupled with advanced material characterization tools to study the effects of constituting materials on the deformation and degradation mechanisms. It was found that while corrosion dominated in Al/Mg and Al/Cu NMMs, severe plastic deformation dominated in Al/Ti during tribocorrosion due to sustained surface passivity. A finite element (FE) based computational model was developed and validated to quantify the tribocorrosion behavior of all NMMs, which showed accelerated material loss at layer interfaces as well as wear track edge resulting from the synergistic effects of wear and corrosion. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to uncover the origin of corrosion resistance in NMM. It was found that via nanolayering, the surface work function of Al was increased while Cl adatoms adsorb less strongly than that on pure Al, thus reducing the surface reactivity and pitting susceptibility. The combined experimental and computational study provides a guideline for future material selection and design of multilayered and multi-phase metals for use under extreme environment.
Calcineurin: A star is reborn

The protein phosphatase calcineurin has long been familiar to the calcium community, but the definition of its physiological substrates has been far from complete. A new study rectifies this deficiency and sets the stage for new insights into the role of calcineurin in diverse cellular processes.
Two Person Zero-Sum Sequential Stochastic Games with Imperfect and Incomplete Information — Game Matrix with Saddle Point in Pure Strategies

In this and the next chapter we present an application of the learning algorithms developed in the previous chapters to two person zero sum games: Let A and B be the two players. Both are allowed to use mixed strategies. At any instant each player picks a pure strategy as a sample realization from his mixed strategy. As a result of their joint action they receive a random outcome which is either a success or failure. Since the game is a zero-sum game A’s success is B’s failure and vice-versa. The following assumptions are fundamental to our analysis: Either player has no knowledge of the set of pure strategies available to the other player or the pure strategy actually chosen by the other player at any stage of the game or the distribution of the random outcome as a function of the pure strategies chosen by them. Just based on the pure strategy chosen by him and the random outcome he receives both the players individually update their mixed strategies using a learning algorithm. This cycle continues and thus the game is played sequentially. In short we consider a zero-sum game between two players in which the players are totally decentralized, there is no communication or transfer of information between them either before or during the course of the play of the game and in fact they may not even know that they are involved in a game situation at all. In this set-up our aim is to find conditions on the learning algorithms such that both the players in the long run will receive an expected payoff as close to the well established game theoretic solutions (Von Neumann value) as desired.
Foreword to Latcrit 2017 Symposium: What's Next? Resistance Resilience and Community in the Trump Era

In this Foreword, we strive to contextualize “LatCrit XXI: What’s Next?” against the backdrop of two crises: the current political crisis in the United States and the continuing crisis of scarcity that impacts the legal academy. Through an examination of these crises, we will reveal how LatCrit scholars, in their efforts to build community and in their commitment to critical outsider scholarship, are part of the constellations of resistance that struggle against el mundo malo. We will argue that LatCrit has become a necessary institution for those seeking to engage in persistent resistance and dissent in the critical and progressive community of scholars at home and abroad. While there are many real material improvements in the lives of subordinated persons in the United States, there is no doubt that the Presidential Election of 2016, with its embrace of a candidate who spoke what dog whistles only alluded to, is part of a violent and destructive backlash against minorities who have long been subject to the violence of exclusion and disenfranchisement.
Consideration on Efficient Recombinant Protein Production: Focus on Substrate Protein-Specific Compatibility Patterns of Molecular Chaperones

Expression of recombinant proteins requires at times the aid of molecular chaperones for efficient post-translational folding into functional structure. However, predicting the compatibility of a protein substrate with the right type of chaperone to produce functional proteins is a daunting issue. To study the difference in effects of chaperones on His-tagged recombinant proteins with different characteristics, we performed in vitro proteins expression using Escherichia coli overexpressed with several chaperone ‘teams’: Trigger Factor (TF), GroEL/GroES and DnaK/DnaJ/GrpE, alone or in combinations, with the aim to determine whether protein secondary structure can serve as predictor for chaperone success. Protein A, which has a helix dominant structure, showed the most efficient folding with GroES/EL or TF chaperones alone, whereas Protein B, which has less helix in the structure, showed a remarkable effect on the DnaK/J/GrpE system alone. This tendency was also seen with other recombinant proteins with particular properties. With the chaperons’ assistance, both proteins were synthesized more efficiently in the culture at 22.5 °C for 20 h than at 37 °C for 3 h. These findings suggest a novel avenue to study compatibility of chaperones with substrate proteins and optimal culture conditions for producing functional proteins with a potential for predictive analysis of the success of chaperones based on the properties of the substrate protein.
Less Invasive Pediatric Spinal Deformity Surgery: The Case for Robotic-Assisted Placement of Pedicle Screws:

Introduction: Pediatric spinal deformity involves a complex 3-dimensional (3D) deformity that increases the risk of pedicle screw placement due to the close proximity of neurovascular structures. To increase screw accuracy, improve patient safety, and minimize surgical complications, the placement of pedicle screws is evolving from freehand techniques to computer-assisted navigation and to the introduction of robotic-assisted placement. Purpose: The aim of this review was to review the current literature on the use of robotic navigation in pediatric spinal deformity surgery to provide both an error analysis of these techniques and to provide recommendations to ensure its safe application. Methods: A narrative review was conducted in April 2021 using the MEDLINE (PubMed) database. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed retrospective or prospective studies, included pediatric patients, included a primary diagnosis of pediatric spine deformity, utilized robotic-assisted spinal surgery techniques, and reported thoracic or lumbar pedicle screw breach rates or pedicle screw malpositioning. Results: In the few studies published on the use of robotic techniques in pediatric spinal deformity surgery, several found associations between the technology and increased rates of screw placement accuracy, reduced rates of breach, and minimal complications. All were retrospective studies. Conclusions: Current literature is of a low level of evidence; nonetheless, the findings suggest the accuracy and safety of robotic-assisted spinal surgery in pediatric pedicle screw placement. The introduction of robotics may drive further advances in less invasive pediatric spinal deformity surgery. Further study is warranted.
Quantifying cumulative phenotypic and genomic evidence for procedural generation of metabolic network reconstructions

Genome-scale metabolic network reconstructions (GENREs) are valuable tools for understanding microbial community metabolism. The process of automatically generating GENREs includes identifying metabolic reactions supported by sufficient genomic evidence to generate a draft metabolic network. The draft GENRE is then gapfilled with additional reactions in order to recapitulate specific growth phenotypes as indicated with associated experimental data. Previous methods have implemented absolute mapping thresholds for the reactions automatically included in draft GENREs; however, there is growing evidence that integrating annotation evidence in a continuous form can improve model accuracy. There is a need for flexibility in the structure of GENREs to better account for uncertainty in biological data, unknown regulatory mechanisms, and context specificity associated with data inputs. To address this issue, we present a novel method that provides a framework for quantifying combined genomic, biochemical, and phenotypic evidence for each biochemical reaction during automated GENRE construction. Our method, Constraint-based Analysis Yielding reaction Usage across metabolic Networks (CANYUNs), generates accurate GENREs with a quantitative metric for the cumulative evidence for each reaction included in the network. The structure of a CANYUN GENRE allows for the simultaneous integration of three data inputs while maintaining all supporting evidence for biochemical reactions that may be active in an organism. CANYUNs is designed to maximize the utility of experimental and annotation datasets and to ultimately assist in the curation of the reference datasets used for the automatic reconstruction of metabolic networks. We validated CANYUNs by generating an E. coli K-12 model and compared it to the manually curated reconstruction iML1515. Finally, we demonstrated the use of CANYUNs to build a model by generating an E. coli Nissle CANYUN GENRE using novel phenotypic data that we collected. This method may address key challenges for the procedural construction of metabolic networks by leveraging uncertainty and redundancy in biological data.
In vivo assessment of OXPHOS capacity using 3 T CrCEST MRI in Friedreich’s ataxia

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by decreased expression of frataxin, a protein involved in many cellular metabolic processes, including mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Our objective was to assess skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism in vivo in adults with FRDA as compared to adults without FRDA using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CrCEST) MRI, which measures free creatine (Cr) over time following an in-magnet plantar flexion exercise. Participants included adults with FRDA (n = 11) and healthy adults (n = 25). All underwent 3-Tesla CrCEST MRI of the calf before and after in-scanner plantar flexion exercise. Participants also underwent whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to measure body composition and completed questionnaires to assess physical activity. We found prolonged post-exercise exponential decline in CrCEST (τCr) in the lateral gastrocnemius (LG, 274 s vs. 138 s, p = 0.01) in adults with FRDA (vs. healthy adults), likely reflecting decreased OXPHOS capacity. Adults with FRDA (vs. healthy adults) also engaged different muscle groups during exercise, as indicated by muscle group-specific changes in creatine with exercise (∆CrCEST), possibly reflecting decreased coordination. Across all participants, increased adiposity and decreased usual physical activity were associated with smaller ∆CrCEST. In FRDA, CrCEST MRI may be a useful biomarker of muscle-group-specific decline in OXPHOS capacity that can be leveraged to track within-participant changes over time. Appropriate participant selection and further optimization of the exercise stimulus will enhance the utility of this technique.
Strategies for Behavioral Research in Neurology: Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Applications for the Future.

Behavioral therapies are proven treatments for many neurologic conditions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for conducting behavioral research. This article aims to (1) highlight the challenges of running behavioral clinical trials during the pandemic, (2) suggest approaches to maximize generalizability of pandemic-era studies, and (3) offer strategies for successful behavioral trials beyond the pandemic. Thousands of clinical trials have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, from undergoing protocol revisions to suspension altogether. Furthermore, for ongoing trials, recruitment of diverse populations has suffered, thereby exacerbating existing inequities in clinical research. Patient adherence and retention have been affected by a myriad of pandemic-era restraints, and medical, psychiatric, and other complications from the pandemic have the potential to have long-term effects on pandemic-era study results. In the development of post-pandemic study protocols, attention should be given to designing studies that incorporate successful aspects of pre-pandemic and pandemic-era strategies to (1) broaden recruitment using new techniques, (2) improve access for diverse populations, (3) expand protocols to include virtual and in-person participation, and (4) increase patient adherence and retention.
The Refractive Index Of Cd x Hg 1-x Te

The refractive index n of the ternary compound CdxHgl-xTe is calculated as a function of frequency and mole fraction x in terms of known experimental parameters. The theoretical result for n is obtained from a quantum mechanical calculation of the dielectric constant of a compound semiconductor, which has been successfully applied to a number of III V and II VI binary and ternary compounds for which experimental data are available. It is given in terms of basic material parameters only, with no adjustable constants. These material parameters consist of band gap energy, effective electron mass and effective heavy hole mass at the band edge, the spin-orbit splitting energy, the lattice constant and the carrier concentration for n-type or p-type materials. If these parameters are known as functions of mole fraction x, the refractive index is completely determined as a function of frequency below the fundamental absorption edge.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transplant immuno-diagnostics: crossmatch and antigen detection

Identifying and monitoring donor-directed anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies are a rapidly evolving area of solid organ transplantation. Donor-specific antibodies dictate pre-transplant donor choice and donor–recipient matching and underlie much acute and chronic allograft rejection and loss. The evolution of available technology has driven this progress. Early, labor-intensive, whole-cell assays based on complement-dependent cytotoxicity suffered from poor sensitivity and specificity, technical challenges and lack of precision. Sequential improvement in assay performance included anti-human immunoglobulin-enhanced, complement-dependent cytotoxicity techniques followed by cell-based flow cytometry. However, variable specificity and sensitivity inherent in cell-based testing continued to limit flow cytometry. The introduction of solid-phase assays led to a second revolution in histocompatibility testing with the use of purified antigens bound to artificial surfaces rather than whole cells. These techniques augmented sensitivity and specificity to detect even low-titer antibodies to previously undetected antigens. Identification of complement-activating antibodies is being introduced, but current technology is in the developmental stage. While the detection of alloantibodies has improved dramatically, our comprehension of their importance remains imperfect. Variability in methodology and a lack of standardization limits the clinical application of these tests. In spite of the hurdles that remain, antibody-mediated rejection has become a key target to improve graft survival.
Transdifferentiation of hepatocytes to biliary epithelial cells requires expression of reprogramming factor Oct3/4 (398.8)

Transdifferentiation of liver epithelial cells (hepatocytes and biliary cells) into each other provides a rescue mechanism in liver disease under situations where either cell compartment fails to r...
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Control Strategy: Comparison between EV and Charge-Depleting Options

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has invested considerable research and development (R&D) effort into Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) technology because of the potential fuel displacement offered by the technology. DOE’s PHEV R&D Plan [1], which is driven by the desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil by diversifying the fuel sources of automobiles, describes the various activities required to achieve the goals. The U.S. DOE will use Argonne’s Powertrain Systems Analysis Toolkit (PSAT) to guide its analysis activities, stating, “Argonne’s Powertrain Systems Analysis Toolkit (PSAT) will be used to design and evaluate a series of PHEVs with various 'primary electric' ranges, considering all-electric and charge-depleting strategies.” PSAT was used to simulate three possible chargedepleting (CD) PHEV control strategies for a power split hybrid. Trip distance was factored into the CD strategies before the cycle was started. The results are examined in this paper to determine if any of the three strategies could reduce the power split configuration’s fuel consumption beyond what a simple all-electrical strategy followed by a charge-sustaining (CS) strategy could afford. The results show that the improvements for this configuration are small and depend on the ratio of the engine efficiency when operating in CS mode to the engine efficiency when operating in CD mode.
A proof-theoretic approach to tactics

Tactics and tacticals, programs that represent and execute several steps of deduction, are fundamental to theorem provers providing automated tools for creating proofs quickly and easily. The language used for tactics is usually a full-scale programming language, separate from the language used to represent proofs. Consequently, there is also a separation between the use of theorems in proofs and the use of tactics. Our goal is to represent tactics in a way that allows them to be treated at the same level as proofs and theorems. We also want a representation that allows us to formally translate tactics into the proof steps they represent. We extend a system presented in [1,2] to represent tactics at the same level as theorems and move freely from tactics to proof steps and provide an example of its usefulness.
Near-infrared light photoacoustic ophthalmoscopy

We achieved photoacoustic ophthalmoscopy (PAOM) imaging of the retina with near-infrared (NIR) light illumination. A PAOM imaging system with dual-wavelength illumination at 1064 nm and 532 nm was built. We compared in vivo imaging results of both albino and pigmented rat eyes at the two wavelengths. The results show that the bulk optical absorption of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is only slightly higher than that of the retinal vessels at 532 nm while it becomes more than an order of magnitude higher than that of the retinal vessels at 1064 nm. These studies suggest that although visible light illumination is suitable for imaging both the retinal vessels and the RPE, NIR light illumination, being more comfortable to the eye, is better suited for RPE melanin related investigations and diagnoses.
Polymerization of pyromellitic dianhydride with 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine in aprotic solvents II. Dilute solution studies

Solution properties were determined for the poly(amide acid amine) obtained from the room-temperature polymerization of pyromellitic dianhydride with 3,3,-diaminobenzidine in aprotic solvents. Membrane osmometry data, viscosity studies, solution aging studies, and pH–viscosity relationships were given. Anomalous upswings in viscosity–concentration plots were attributed to absorption or capillary wall effects and not to polyelectrolyte effects, such as were induced by addition of strong bases. Similar absorption effects were found with polyamic acid solutions, in contrast to earlier reports that these polyimide precursors were polyelectrolytes. Unfavorable storage characteristics of the polymer solutions were explained by aging studies which showed that at 25°C dilute solutions exhibited a rapid drop in viscosity; in concentrated solution a slow increase to gelation was observed.
DNA Content of Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma by Flow and Image Cytometry

Objective: To compare the measurement of quantitative DNA in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck by flow cytometry and image cytometry. Design: Comparison of image cytometry to the more commonly used flow cytometry using paraffin-embedded tissues. Setting: University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento. A 472-bed university teaching hospital. Patients: Records of 26 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, base of tongue, and larynx were obtained from the case files of an otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon. They were reviewed for staging and follow-up. Results: We demonstrated a 96% concordance rate between the methods. A solitary discrepant case was aneuploid by image cytometry and diploid by flow cytometry. The specimen involved tumor infiltrated by lymphocytes that may have masked the aneuploid population to measurement by flow cytometry. Quantitative DNA analysis correlated moderately well with tumor grade, tumor stage, and patient outcome with a minimum of 6 years of follow-up. All patients with diploid tumors were long-term survivors. Conclusions: Both methods provide accurate quantitative DNA analyses in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The methods are highly correlative and yield similar predictive data regarding tumor behavior and prognosis. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994;120:294-297)
From archive to awards ceremony: An approach for engaging students in historical research

Recent literature on history teaching has emphasized ‘doing history’ – whether as ‘active learning’, cognitive science, or with simple photocopies of primary sources. This article extends the discussion of a ‘signature pedagogy’ of history to include all aspects of the work of historians, from archival research through public presentation. It presents an approach for engaging undergraduates in historical research by identifying a public need, introducing the tasks to the students, teaching them to research and write historical work, and guiding them in the planning and execution of a public poster session and awards ceremony. Evidence for increased student engagement and understanding comes from classroom assessment and observation and both formal and informal student feedback gathered in upper-level college classes taught in Indiana (fall 2007) and Texas (spring 2009). By placing student learning outside of the context of the classroom, the approach promotes deep engagement with historical knowledge and ...
Characterization of a Stat-like DNA Binding Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract The cytokine signaling pathways that activate the Janus family of tyrosine kinases (Jaks) and the “signal transducers and activators of transcription” (Stats) have been well characterized in mammalian systems. Work shown here provides evidence that an analogous signaling pathway exists in Drosophila melanogaster. Because many of the ligand-receptor pairs in Drosophila have not been fully characterized, it was necessary to bypass the receptor stimulation event that normally triggers intracellular Jak/Stat activation. This was done by treating Drosophila Schneider 2 cells with vanadate/peroxide, which has been shown to closely mimic some signaling events triggered by interferon , including the activation of Jak1, Jak2, and the Stat1α protein. Evidence presented here demonstrates that vanadate/peroxide can induce a response region binding complex in Drosophila Schneider 2 cells. This complex contains two phosphoproteins of 100 and 150 kDa, respectively, and shares many features with the vanadate/peroxide-stimulated binding complex in the mammalian system. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA using the src homology domain 2 (SH2) of Stat1α confirms the presence of a related gene in the Drosophila genome.
Extruded polystyrene foams with bimodal cell morphology

Extrusion foaming using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) as the blowing agent is an economically and environmentally benign process. However, it is difficult to control the foam morphology and maintain its high thermal insulation comparing to the conventional foams based on fluorocarbon blowing agents. In this study, we demonstrated that polystyrene (PS) foams with the bimodal cell morphology can be produced in the extrusion foaming process using CO2 and water as co-blowing agents and two particulate additives as nucleation agents. One particulate is able to decrease the water foaming time so both CO2 and water can induce foaming simultaneously, while the other increases the CO2 nucleation rate with little effect on the CO2 foaming time. Our experimental results showed that a dual particulate combination of nanoclay and activated carbon provided the best bimodal structure. The bimodal foams exhibited much better compressive properties and slightly better thermal insulation for PS foams.
Differences in macromolecular binding between cyclic AMP and its dibutyryl derivative in vitro

Abstract Rat liver cytosol binds 3H-cAMP and 3H-DBcAMP in vitro . Fractionation of bound radioactivity by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography shows that 3H-cAMP is associated with a different cytosolic protein than is 3H-DBcAMP. The pI's of the cAMP-protein and the 3H-DBcAMP-protein complexes are 6.7 and 3.9, respectively. Competition studies between 3H-cAMP and its structural analogues have shown the following order of effectiveness in competing for binding sites in rat liver cytosol: cAMP > N6-MBcAMP > O2′-MBcAMP. No inhibition of 3H-cAMP binding was observed with 5′-AMP, adenosine, cGMP or DBcAMP. In vitro binding experiments with rat serum has shown that only 3H-DBcAMP binds to any significant extent.