cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STUDIES OF CONTROLLED REPERFUSION AFTER ISCHEMIA: V. Superiority of surgical versus medical reperfusion after regional ischemia

This study tests the hypothesis that surgical revascularization (i.e., simulating coronary artery bypass grafting) with control of reperfusion conditions (total vented bypass) and of reperfusate composition (substrate-enriched blood cardioplegic solution) produces better recovery than is possible in the non-surgical setting (i.e., normal blood in beating, working hearts to simulate streptokinase and angioplasty). Eighteen dogs underwent 2 hours of left anterior descending coronary artery ligation (35% of the left ventricle at risk) followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. In five dogs the ligature was released to simulate streptokinase thrombolysis and angioplasty in working hearts (medical). In 13 dogs, surgical reperfusion was accomplished during total vented bypass, where six dogs received normal blood and seven others received substrate-enriched blood cardioplegic solution with 1 additional hour of aortic clamping (i.e., a total of 3 hours of ischemia). Segmental shortening with ultrasonic crystals, tissue water content, and vital staining (triphenyltetrazolium chloride) were assessed. Ischemia produced severe systolic bulging (–42% of control systolic shortening, p
N omega-nitro-L-arginine selectively inhibits vasodilator responses to acetylcholine and bradykinin in cats

The effects of N omega-nitro-L-arginine (nitroarginine), an inhibitor of endothelium-dependent relaxing factor (EDRF) production, on vascular tone and responses to vasodilator and vasoconstrictor agents were investigated in the hindquarters vascular bed of the cat. Under constant flow conditions, infusion of nitroarginine into the hindquarters vascular bed caused a significant increase in systemic arterial and hindquarters perfusion pressures. During infusion of nitroarginine, hindquarters vasodilator responses to acetylcholine and bradykinin were reduced significantly whereas vasodilator responses to isoproterenol, PGE1, nitroprusside, and 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate were not altered. Infusion of nitroarginine significantly enhanced vasoconstrictor responses to the thromboxane receptor agonist U 46619 and to phenylephrine. The results of these studies are consistent with the hypotheses that EDRF production may involve the formation of nitric oxide or a nitroso compound from L-arginine, and that EDRF production may play a role in the regulation of vascular tone and in the mediation of responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators, acetylcholine and bradykinin, in resistance vessels in the hindquarters. These data support the concept that EDRF is very likely an endogenous nitrovasodilator derived from L-arginine in the hindquarters vascular bed of the cat.
Semantics-Driven DSL Design

Convention dictates that the design of a language begins with its syntax. We argue that early emphasis should be placed instead on the identification of general, compositional semantic domains, and that grounding the design process in semantics leads to languages with more consistent and more extensible syntax. We demonstrate this semantics-driven design process through the design and implementation of a DSL for defining and manipulating calendars, using Haskell as a metalanguage to support this discussion. We emphasize the importance of compositionality in semantics-driven language design, and describe a set of language operators that support an incremental and modular design process.
Quantitative assessment of SNP discrimination for computational molecular beacons

The ability to discriminate nucleic acid sequences is necessary for a wide variety of applications: high throughput screening, distinguishing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), molecular computing, differentiating biological markers, fingerprinting a specific sensor response for complex systems, etc. Hybridization-based target recognition and discrimination is central to the operation of nucleic acid microsensor systems. Therefore developing a quantitative correlation between mishybridization events and sensor output is critical to the accurate interpretation of results. Additionally, knowledge of such correlation can be used to design intelligent sensor systems that incorporate mishybridization noise into system design. Using experimental data produced by introducing single mutations (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) in the probe sequence of computational catalytic molecular beacons (deoxyribozyme gates) [Stojanovic & Stefanovic, 2003], we investigate correlations between free energy of the target-probe complex and the measured fluorescence of the deoxyribozyme gate. Experimental data for forty-five SNP-containing probe sequences are compiled and compared against the true probe sequence to determine the relationship between position, type of mutation, and the fluorescence level of the molecular beacon. The sequence set accounts for every possible SNP for a fifteen-base probe. Experiments are conducted using a 55 mul detection volume containing a modified YESiA(E6) deoxyribozyme molecular beacon (100 nM) [Stojanovic et al., 2001], TAMRA substrate (1 muM) and input sequences (2 muM). Using free energy as a first-approximation of the energetic interactions that occur during target-probe recognition, we generate empirical data for each target-probe pair using a nucleic acid hybridization thermodynamics server called HyTher (http://ozone2.chem.wayne.edu/). HyTher uses empirical fits of experimentally measured data to generate hybridization thermodynamic predictions for nucleic acid sequence pairs. Empirical data for all target-probe combinations are correlated with experimental fluorescence measurements to determine a quantitative link between target-probe hybridization free energy and molecular beacon fluorescence for each SNP-containing probe. We investigate Bayesian-based classification approaches as well as combinatorial design based methods for identifying and classifying mismatch patterns that produce similar fluorescence levels
MELAS (Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, Stroke) – a Diagnosis Not to be Missed

Abstract MELAS is a rare mitochondrial disorder. We report two cases in Irish males where the characteristics were evident, but the diagnosis not made for a considerable period of time. In one of the cases the symptoms were presumed secondary to prematurity. In the other the symptoms were presumed secondary to epilepsy and he had three respiratory arrests secondary to benzodiazepine administration. This report wishes to highlight MELAS as a differential diagnosis in paediatric patients who present with stroke.
Pilots with missing fingers and/or foot components : Contemporary certification

When an applicant with amputations presents to the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certification several potential "gates" must be passed. The first gate is the AME's impression of the applicant's reaction and adaptation to the loss. The second gate is the operational flight performance demonstration by the applicant, and/or, further clinical evaluation of the applicant's status, if necessary. Some applicants will pass gate one and become certified. Others may need to progress through the second gate. A few applicants will be unable to transit the gates and will not become certified.
Cyclopropenium (C3H3)+ as an Aromatic Alternative A-Site Cation for Hybrid Halide Perovskite Architectures

Hybrid halide perovskites are an emerging class of photovoltaic materials, boasting high solar efficiencies from relatively simple preparations. However, the chemical diversity of the A-site organic cation is limited, generally due to steric constraints of the (PbI3)− cage. Herein we describe the use of a non-benzenoid Huckel aromatic, (C3H3)+, as a viable alternative to the readily employed methylammonium, formamidinium, and guanidinium A-site cations. (C3H3)+ may lead to greater moisture stability due to the lack of an acidic proton relative to the current (H–NR3)+-based systems while still boasting a narrow electronic band gap (Eg = 1.5 eV) and mobile holes and electrons (mh* = −1.27 and me* = 0.77, respectively).
PML: Regulation and multifaceted function beyond tumor suppression.

Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) was originally identified as a fusion partner of retinoic acid receptor alpha in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients with the (15;17) chromosomal translocation, giving rise to PML–RARα and RARα–PML fusion proteins. A body of evidence indicated that PML possesses tumor suppressing activity by regulating apoptosis, cell cycle, senescence and DNA damage responses. PML is enriched in discrete nuclear substructures in mammalian cells with 0.2–1 μm diameter in size, referred to as alternately Kremer bodies, nuclear domain 10, PML oncogenic domains or PML nuclear bodies (NBs). Dysregulation of PML NB formation results in altered transcriptional regulation, protein modification, apoptosis and cellular senescence. In addition to PML NBs, PML is also present in nucleoplasm and cytoplasmic compartments, including the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria-associated membranes. The role of PML in tumor suppression has been extensively studied but increasing evidence indicates that PML also plays versatile roles in stem cell renewal, metabolism, inflammatory responses, neural function, mammary development and angiogenesis. In this review, we will briefly describe the known PML regulation and function and include new findings.
Characterization of the pleiotropic phenotype of an ompR strain of Xenorhabdus nematophila.

Xenorhabdus nematophila is an insect pathogen that forms a symbiotic association with the nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae. Xenorhabdus is carried into the insect host by the nematode, is released into the hemolymph and participates in killing the insect. The bacteria grow to high concentrations supporting the development of the nematode in the hemolymph. OmpR is a global regulatory protein involved in the regulation of porin genes, motility, acid tolerance and virulence in several enteric bacteria. To study the role of ompR in the lifecyle of Xenorhabdus, an ompR -minus strain was constructed. The ompR strain produced markedly reduced levels of the porin protein, OpnP and was both hypermotile and exhibited a hyperhemolysis phenotype. Inactivation of flhDC, the master regulator for flagella synthesis, eliminated hemolysin production in the ompR strain, suggesting that ompR regulates hemolysin production via flhDC. The ompR mutant strain was virulent towards insect hosts. However, when nematodes were grown on a mixture of the wild-type and the ompR strain, only the wild-type strain was recovered indicating that ompR is required for competitive symbiotic interaction with the nematode. The role of ompR in the symbiosis between the bacterium and the nematode is under investigation.
The Role of the APT in the Hunt for Alpha: An Insight from Long Ago

In this article, the author, who was a research assistant of Stephen Ross as an undergraduate and later an employee of Roll and Ross Asset Management, shares his insight about the prescriptive content of the arbitrage pricing theory. This insight takes advantage of what others might see as a shortcoming of the theory and gives the practitioner, who might otherwise be overwhelmed by the onslaught of factors of dubious provenance, just one simple question to answer.
Chapter 19 Experimental Methods and Valuation

Abstract This chapter explores how economists use experimental methods to understand better the behavioral underpinnings of environmental valuation. Economic experiments, in the lab or field, are an attractive tool to address intricate incentive and contextual questions that arise in assessing values through direct statements of preferences. By combining empirical observation with theoretical insight, researchers use the experimental method and mindset to help explain how economic and social contexts matter to valuation. Herein we consider three themes in applying the experimental method to valuation – rational choice theory and stated values, direct value elicitation in the field and lab, and “testbedding” survey designs prior to field application. First, experimental tests of rational valuation are discussed. This lab work examines whether respondents make choices and state values in a manner consistent with standard rational choice theory. The circumstances of rational valuation are illustrated by the malleability of two classic anomalies – the WTP–WTA divergence and the preference reversal phenomenon. Second, direct experimental methods to measure actual values for public and private goods are examined. These experiments ask people to buy and sell actual goods to elicit real values, in which researchers test how alternative exchange institutions affect these values. Third, we survey testbed experiments designed to identify potential incentive problems caused by hypothetical valuation questions. Four topics are discussed: testing for hypothetical bias, calibrating real and hypothetical values, examining surrogate values (or scoping) for specific environmental preferences, and evaluating the incentive (in)compatibility of alternative elicitation mechanisms.
Regulation of p53 DNA Binding

p53 is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancers and, as a result, is also one of the most well-studied genes in the history of cancer research. Although many functions have been ascribed to p53 over the years, one of the first activities to be characterized was the ability to bind DNA sequence-specifically through its central domain (reviewed in Vogelstein & Kinzler, 1992). This domain, also frequently referred to as “the core” due to its protease resistance (Bargonetti et al., 1993; Pavletich et al., 1993), contains the most evolutionarily conserved sequences of the protein, both between p53 proteins from different species and between the different p53 family members, p63 and p73 (reviewed in Yang et al., 2002). This region is also the most frequently mutated domain of p53 in the major forms of human cancer (Hainaut & Hollstein, 2000; Olivier et al., 2002). Consequently much research has focused on understanding this crucial ability as well as its regulation. Indeed, the regulation of p53 DNA binding has generated much debate recently, specifically with regard to the role of the C-terminus. In addition to a sequence-specific DNA binding domain, p53 also contains a transactivation domain in its N-terminus and can therefore bind and transactivate targets in vivo and in vitro (reviewed in Vogelstein & Kinzler, 1992). Other well-characterized functional domains are diagrammed in Figure 1. This chapter will focus on what is known about the involvement and regulation of the individual domains of p53 in sequence-specific DNA binding.
3-Dimensional Structures of Rabbit Cytosolic and E. Coli Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase

The 3-dimensional structure of rabbit liver cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase was determined in the absence of any ligands and with the external aldimine reduced to a secondary amine by sodium borohydride. The 3-dimensional structure ofE. coliserine hydroxymethyltransferase was determined as a ternary complex with glycine and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate bound at the active site. The structures were used to elucidate the role of active site residues in the mechanism of the enzyme whose properties had previously been determined by kinetic studies of site mutants.
The History and Scope of Insect Behavior

An overview of the insect world reveals two paradoxical characteristics: great diversity and equally great constancy. On the one hand, there are over one million named insect species, with estimates ranging up to three million. How can such a great diversity be explained? Study of this basic question has become the domain of evolutionary biology. On the other hand, each kind of organism tends to reoccur in virtually the same form with the same basic features for generation after generation. Why do they tend to show such constancy, such resistance to change? The study of this question, in turn, is largely the domain of genetics. Together, these two great branches of biology—evolution and genetics—form a powerful tool for the investigation of nearly every aspect of life. This introductory chapter deals briefly with their application to the study of behavior and then turns to an overview of behavior as a field of study to provide a perspective for the chapters that follow.
Convergent Validity and Responsiveness of the SULCS.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the convergent validity and responsiveness of the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS) in comparison to the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT), the Box and Blocks Test (BBT), and the upper limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The SULCS is a relatively new measure that was designed to be easier to score and less time consuming than some existing measures. Design Prospective repeated-measures design. Setting Clinical research laboratory of a large public hospital. Participants Patients (N=61) Intervention Participants received 12 weeks of therapy that included neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the paretic finger and thumb extensors. The SULCS, AMAT, BBT, and FMA were administered at weeks 0, 6, 12 (end of therapy), 20, 28, and 36 (6mo post-therapy). Main Outcome Measures Convergent validity was evaluated with Spearman’s correlation coefficients between pairs of measures at each time point. Responsiveness from 0 to 12 weeks and 0 to 36 weeks was evaluated with the standardized response mean (SRM). Results The SULCS demonstrated strong correlation with the AMAT (ρ=0.81-0.93), BBT (ρ=0.73-0.92), and FMA (ρ=0.78-0.92), at all 6 time points. All 4 measures had moderate to large SRMs (SULCS, 0.71-0.77; AMAT, 0.83-0.97; BBT, 0.73-0.82; FMA, 0.75-0.76). There was no significant difference in responsiveness among the 4 measures. Conclusions The results support the use of the SULCS to measure upper limb capacity in patients who are less than 2 years poststroke with moderate to severe hemiplegia.
Child health care coverage and reductions in child physical abuse.

Abstract Children in the United States suffered almost 118,000 cases of physical abuse in 2015. One factor that might help decrease child physical abuse is health care coverage. This paper presents a justification for a link between health care coverage and reductions in child physical abuse and, though it does not assess specific causal mechanisms, examines evidence for such a connection. The paper uses panel data linear regression analysis to explore state level physical abuse and health care coverage rates. Findings indicate a statistically significant relationship between increases in child health care coverage rates, including both private coverage and Medicaid coverage, and decreases in child physical abuse.
The impact of statins in combination with androgen deprivation therapyin patients with advanced prostate cancer: A large observational study.

Abstract Background Statins are thought to possess antineoplastic properties related to their effect on cell proliferation and steroidogenesis. Progression to castrate resistant prostate cancer (CaP) includes de-regulation of androgen synthesis suggesting a role for statins in this setting. Our goal was to assess the role of statin use on oncologic outcomes in patients with advanced CaP being treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods The national VA database was used to identify all men diagnosed with CaP who were treated with ADT for at least 6 months between 2000 and 2008 with follow-up through May 2016. Our cohort was stratified based on statin use of at least 6 months duration during the same time. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses with inverse propensity score weighted (IPSW) adjustment were calculated to assess for primary outcomes of CaP-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS) and skeletal related events (SREs). Results A total of 87,346 patients on ADT were included in the study cohort, 53,360 patients used statins and 33,986 did not. Statin users were younger in age (median 73 vs. 76, P 3 (3.1% vs. 2.5%, P Conclusion The use of statins in men on ADT for CaP is associated with improved CSS and OS. Statins are inexpensive, well-tolerated medications that offer a promising adjunct to ADT, but require further prospective studies.
Never easy to say “sorry”: Exploring the interplay of crisis involvement, brand image, and message appeal in developing effective corporate apologies

Abstract This study examines how the interplay among crisis involvement, brand image, and message appeal impacts the effectiveness of an apology in the context of a corporate crisis. To determine apology effectiveness, a 2 (crisis involvement: high vs. low) × 2 (brand image: symbolic vs. functional) × 2 (message appeal type: emotional vs. informational) experimental design was employed. The results demonstrate that the three-way interaction is significant, especially in the low-crisis involvement condition. The study concludes with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications and directions for future research.
Selectivity, ligand deconstruction, and cellular activity analysis of a BPTF bromodomain inhibitor

Bromodomain and PHD finger containing protein transcription factor (BPTF) is an epigenetic protein involved in chromatin remodelling and is a potential anticancer target. The BPTF bromodomain has one reported small molecule inhibitor (AU1, rac-1). Here, advances made on the structure-activity relationship of a BPTF bromodomain ligand are reported using a combination of experimental and molecular dynamics simulations leading to the active enatiomer (S)-1. Additionally, a ligand deconstruction analysis was conducted to characterize important pharmacophores for engaging the BPTF bromodomain. These studies have been enabled by a protein-based fluorine NMR approach, highlighting the versatility of the method for selectivity, ligand deconstruction, and ligand binding. To enable future analysis of biological activity, cell growth analyses in a panel of cancer cell lines were carried out using CRISPR-Cas9 and (S)-1 to identify cell-based model systems that are sensitive to BPTF inhibition.
27 – Case-Based Reasoning

Publisher Summary Case-based reasoning (CBR) is both a problem-solving methodology and a theory of reasoning and memory that is based on how humans reason from experience. A CBR system is an intelligent, problem-solving system that reasons by first retrieving a relevant prior case from its memory of cases and then adapting the solution of the old case (situation) to solve the new problem. Several commercial CBR applications have been developed in recent years for internal company use and for consumer use. The technology of CBR offers new and improved methodological approaches to the creation of intelligent systems. CBR provides the developer of intelligent systems with an ease of knowledge acquisition, learning capabilities that allow the system to evolve and improve from experience, and robustness in its reasoning and problem-solving process. This chapter explores the ways in which a CBR system represents, indices, retrieves, adapts, and stores cases to learn through experience. For each of these phases, the chapter describes past and current research along with related industry applications. It also describes recent CBR research and development in areas such as decision assistance, configuration, design, electronic commerce, customer support, information retrieval, software engineering, and tutoring systems. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the the opportunities for future research and new applications.
Sustainability and Peaceful Coexistence for the Anthropocene (Foreword)

The topic of ‘Anthopocene’ is part of a larger narrative, which is shedding light on the underpinnings of the problem: human beings and their value systems. The concept of ‘narrative’ is crucial in this regard. Narratives convey certain values, translate complex rational or irrational theories and policies into comprehensible forms, and contribute to their acceptance by public at large. The narrative of constant growth, never-ending economic and technological progress, and dominance of humans over nature is slowly confronted with its limitations. According to Vaclav Havel, it is a paradox: humans in the age of science and technology believe they are improving their lives by mastering the laws of nature and exploiting nature. However, it is the contrary: it is these natural laws that prevail over humans and will penalize them for wrongdoing. Humans wanted to conquer nature, and as a result they destroyed it. A change of the narrative is inevitably needed: Civilization needs to be based on a revived and recreated responsibility of the humankind, respecting the boundaries of the natural world. The narratives of science need to serve this cause as well, otherwise, even the bold visions of Elon Musk and other visionaries of colonizing Mars would only be escapes from the primary task of humans, which is taking over the responsibility for our lives and lives of future generations on the planet. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has referred to climate change as ‘a change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. It refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.’ The wording is slightly different from the one used by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which refers to climate change as ‘a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and that is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.’ What is important to note here is that IPCC is more cautious than UNFCCC in terms of blaming humans for climate change. This chapter briefly examines these theoretical aspects and its impact in the international negotiations.
Association of BMI, Fitness, and Mortality in Patients With Diabetes: Evaluating the Obesity Paradox in the Henry Ford Exercise Testing Project (FIT Project) Cohort.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of fitness on the association between BMI and mortality among patients with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We identified 8,528 patients with diabetes (self-report, medication use, or electronic medical record diagnosis) from the Henry Ford Exercise Testing Project (FIT Project). Patients with a BMI RESULTS Patients had a mean age of 58 ± 11 years (49% women) with 1,319 deaths over a mean follow-up of 10.0 ± 4.1 years. Overall, obese patients had a 30% lower mortality hazard (P CONCLUSIONS Among patients with diabetes, the obesity paradox was less pronounced for patients with the highest fitness level, and these patients also had the lowest risk of mortality.
"Dual-gene" malaria-resistance: Therapeutically-rational exchange (T-REX) of group-O sickle trait and group-O C-traittrait red blood cells can be evaluated in Benin and Nigeria.

Abstract Background Using indicators of disease severity, clinicians can predict which Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria patients being treated with artesunate or quinine are likely to die despite these drugs. Effective “rescue adjuncts” are needed when drugs alone are inadequate. “Therapeutically-rational exchange” (T-REX) of special malaria-resistant red blood cells (RBCs) has been proposed to optimize adjunctive exchange transfusion. Methods Studies were reviewed that (1) quantified how group-O status and “sickle-trait” (HbAS) and “C-trait” (HbAC) hemoglobins affect Pf mortality, risk of thrombosis, or birth outcomes for women with pregnancy associated malaria (PAM), (2) reported prevalences of “dual-gene” malaria-resistant RBCs, or (3) reflected the level of exchange-transfusion and malaria-related expertise in Benin and Nigeria. Results Data show that the malaria- and thrombosis-resistance of RBCs depend on specific genes and the patient’s clinical status and medical history. In malaria-endemic Benin and Nigeria, prevalences of “dual-gene” malaria-resistant group-O HbAS and group-O HbAC RBCs are substantial, and both malaria- and exchange-related expertise are outstanding. Conclusions T-REX of “dual-gene” malaria-resistant RBCs is feasible in Benin and Nigeria and warrants evaluation as a rescue adjunct for 3 subsets of Pf-malaria patients. For therapeutic use, group-O HbAS RBCs are likely to be more effective than non-O HbAS RBCs for Pf-infected patients who (1) have a history of thrombosis or (2) are taking birth-control hormones while group-O HbAC RBCs may substantially improve birth outcomes for women with PAM. Studies suggest it is prudent to assume – until proven otherwise – that T-REX of “dual-gene” malaria-resistant RBCs can improve (“personalize”) rescue of these patient subsets.
Assessing the Short-Term Association Between Rural Hospitals' Participation in Accountable Care Organizations and Changes in Utilization and Financial Performance.

Purpose Although much research has been done on accountable care organizations (ACOs), little is known about their impact on rural hospitals. We examine the association between rural hospitals' participation in an ACO and their performance on utilization and financial measures. Methods This quasi-experimental study estimates the relationship between voluntary ACO participation and hospital metrics using propensity score-matched, longitudinal regression models with year and hospital fixed effects. Regression models controlled for secular trends and time-varying hospital and county characteristics. Hospital measures were from the American Hospital Association, RAND Hospital Data, and Leavitt Partners. The initial population comprises 643 rural hospitals that participated in an ACO for at least one year during the 2011 to 2018 study period and 1,541 rural hospitals that did not participate in an ACO. From this population we created a sample of propensity score-matched hospitals consisting of 525 ACO-participating and 525 comparable non-ACO hospitals. Results Rural hospitals' participation in an ACO is not associated with changes in hospital utilization or financial measures, nor is there an association between these performance metrics and whether another within-county hospital participated in an ACO. A secondary analysis limited to Critical Access Hospitals provides some evidence that inpatient utilization increases in the second year of ACO participation, though the increases are not significant in year 3 and beyond. Conclusion We find no evidence that rural hospitals experience substantive changes in outpatient visits, inpatient utilization, or operating margin in the years immediately after joining an ACO.
The Dream Experience: A Systematic Exploration: By Milton Kramer, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group (New York); 2007.

MILTON KRAMER, A PSYCHIATRIST AND SLEEP PHYSICIAN WHO BEGAN HIS CAREER DURING WHAT CAN BE CALLED THE “PIONEERING EARLY DAYS,” HAS BEEN A dedicated and enthusiastic dream researcher for decades. He has now written a book primarily for mental health professionals, as he stated in the preface, in order to provide them “a systematic scientific basis for understanding the dream as a psychological event…and a method for examining the dream text to extract a figurative meaning for the reported dream.” In the final chapter he states that “the central message of this exploration is that the dream report is a highly organized and well constructed rendering of an experience that occurred during sleep.”
Systemic sclerosis biomarkers detection in the secretome of TGFβ1-activated primary human lung fibroblasts.

Abstract TGFβ1 is a profibrotic mediator that contributes to a broad spectrum of pathologies, including systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary fibrosis (SSc-PF). However, the secretome of TGFβ1-stimulated primary human normal lung (NL) fibroblasts has not been well characterized. Using fluorescent 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) followed by Mass Spectrometry, we identified 37 differentially secreted proteins in the conditioned media of TGFβ1-activated NL fibroblasts and generated a protein-protein association network of the TGFβ1 secretome using STRING. Functional enrichment revealed that several biological processes and pathways characteristic of PF were enriched. Additionally, by comparing the TGFβ1 secretome of NL fibroblasts to proteomic biomarkers from biological fluids of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, we identified 11 overlapping proteins. Together our data validate the TGFβ1-induced secretome of NL fibroblasts as a valid in vitro model that reflects SSc biomarkers and identify potential therapeutic targets for SSc-PF. Significance All proteins secreted by fibroblasts into the extracellular space, representing the secretome, promote cell-to-cell communication as well as tissue homeostasis, immune mechanisms, developmental regulation, proteolysis, development of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell adhesion. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how TGFβ1, a well-known profibrotic cytokine, modulates the secretome of pulmonary fibroblasts, and how the TGFβ1-induced secretome resembles biomarkers in SSc. Using functional enrichment analysis, key pathways and hub proteins can be identified and studied as potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis.
Political Economies of Acute Childhood Illnesses: Measuring Structural Racism as Mesolevel Mortgage Market Risks.

Objectives: Health studies of structural racism/discrimination have been animated through the deployment of neighborhood effects frameworks that engage institutional­ist concerns about sociopolitical resources and mobility structures. This study high­lights the acute illness risks of place-based inequalities and neighborhood-varying race-based inequalities by focusing on access to and the regulation of mortgage markets. Design: By merging neighborhood data on lending processes from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act with individual health from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, this article evalu­ates the acute childhood illness risks of four mutually inclusive, political economies using multilevel generalized linear models. Setting: Chicago, IL, USA Participants: Youth aged 0 to 17 years Methods: Multilevel logistic regression Main Outcome Measures: The prevalence of 11 acute illnesses (cold/flu, sinus trouble, sore throat/tonsils, headache, upset stom­ach, bronchitis, skin infection, pneumonia, UTI, fungal disease, mononucleosis) and the past-year frequencies of 6 acute illnesses (cold/flu, sinus trouble, sore throat/tonsils, headache, upset stomach, bronchitis) are evaluated. Results: The most theoretically consistent predictor of illness is a measure identifying neighborhoods with above-city-median levels of racial disparities in the regulation of loans – a mesolevel measure of structural racism. In areas with high levels of Minority- White differences in less regulated credit, youth are more likely to have a range of acute illnesses and experience them at more frequent intervals in the past year. Conclusions: This article highlights the substantive and methodological importance of focusing on multidimensional representa­tions of institutionalized political economic inequalities circumscribed and traversed by the power relations established by institu­tions and the state. Ethn Dis. 2021;31(Suppl1):319-332; doi:10.18865/ed.31.S1.319
Distance-Based Sampling Methods for Assessing the Ecological Effects of Offshore Wind Farms: Synthesis and Application to Fisheries Resource Studies

Renewable energy, sustainable seafood, and a healthy marine ecosystem are integral elements of a sustainable blue economy. The rapid global advancement of offshore wind coupled with its potential to affect marine life compels an urgent need for robust methodologies to assess the impacts of this industry on fisheries resource species. Basic Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) and Control-Impact (CI) designs are the most common experimental designs used to study the effects of offshore wind development on fisheries resources. These designs do not account for spatial heterogeneity despite empirical evidence showing that impact gradients occur at wind farms, with larger effect sizes close to turbine foundations that attenuate with increasing distance. Combining the before-after sampling design with distance-based methods could provide a powerful approach for characterizing both the spatial and temporal variance associated with wind development. Toward enhancing future monitoring designs for fisheries resource species at offshore wind farms, this paper aims to: 1) examine distance-based sampling methods that have been or could potentially be used to study impacts on fisheries resources at offshore wind farms including distance-stratified BACI, distance-stratified CI, Before-After-Gradient (BAG), and After-Gradient (AG) methods; 2) synthesize the methods and findings of studies conducted to date that have used distance-based methods to examine ecological impacts of offshore wind development for benthic macroinvertebrates, finfish, birds, and small mammals; 3) examine some of the central methodological elements and issues to consider in developing distance-based impact studies; and 4) offer recommendations for how to incorporate distance-based sampling methods into monitoring plans at offshore wind farms.
Multipole Resonances for Directional Lasing and Wavefront Shaping

The ultra-thin high-refractive-index nanostructures can be designed for amplitude and phase modulation in light-emitting devices. We analyze the gallium arsenide nanopillars to establish a guideline for the desired phase modulation in the metasurfaces.
Serial homology: the crests and cusps of mammalian teeth

I discuss the nature of serial homology. Mammalian teeth have a relatively dense fossil record, which permits an often close reconstruction of the evolution of patterns of serial homology. I identify the main crests of mammalian teeth, summarize their evolution, and provide new names where necessary. Serial homologies can change in evolution, originate, and disappear. They can be partial, unlike historical homologies. Teeth exemplify these phenomena, and their patterns can be viewed topologically as well as in other ways. Some, but not all, crests and cusps of upper teeth appear to be homologous to structures of lower teeth. The pure morphology of Goethe is a living science.
PROUD FLESH Inter/Views: Sylvia Wynter

Welcome to the house of Sylvia Wynter. For this interview conversation, she received us physically and intellectually at her new home somewhere in Oakland, California. Was it this visit or another when we were met with the most amazing meal--to eat--as well as a monumental plate of ideas? It was a few moons ago but you’d never know. This talk was so fully, so completely engaging that it seemed like only a few minutes had passed by once we were done for the day, a perception which this record of it clearly belies. She covers so much material with each answer to each question prepared, often in advance of the asking. She strains to have us meet the call of her words with a response of understanding (“You see?” “You understand what I’m saying?” “The point that I’m trying to make is . . .”). She thinks and urges us to think and re-think as if our very lives depend on it--because they do!
Coupled Oscillator Models for a Set of Communicating Cells

We investigate how the structure of cell to cell interaction may affect the periodic behavior of a system of coupled oscillatory gene networks. Using the cellular circadian clock model of Goldbeter '95 as a cellular model, we propose a general model for coupling these cellular models via transfer of substrate from cell to cell.We proposes a system of coupled oscillators whose dynamics are determined by multiple independent cellular models and a network of cell-cell communication links acting as perturbation forces on neighboring cell states. We will assume that no production or consumption occurs other than through the mechanisms of each individual cell; hence our model is a closed system without external stimuli. We are interested in the how the cell-cell communication network may contribute to the stability of the composite system. Under the assumption of conserved concentration levels found in the system, the nature of cell-cell interactions may be summarized by geometric properties of stochastic matrices.The assumption of conservation of substrate allows us to describe an affine condition on the coupling model; a subclass of the affine condition is connected to stochastic matrices and finite state Markov Chains and suggests how the transient states of the Markov Chain act as pumps and work to entrain the system.In the paper we demonstrate the diversity of dynamics which the general model for coupled oscillator system is capable.
Fine-needle aspiration is superior to needle core biopsy as a sample acquisition method for flow cytometric analysis in suspected hematologic neoplasms.

Background Common minimally invasive methods for acquiring samples for flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) include fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and needle core biopsy (NCB). FCI requires a sufficient quantity of viable cells for adequate evaluation. Methods We collected patient data from our files of all FCI cases sampled via FNA or NCB from January 1, 2003 and June 1, 2012. Total Viable Cells (TVC) was calculated by multiplying the volume, viability, and concentration and then converted to logarithmic scale as “Log TVC.” Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results Five hundred seventy-one FCI cases at our institution were reviewed covering the period from 2003 to 2012 and 456 total cases were analyzed. One hundred sixteen cases were sampled by NCB and 340 were sampled by FNA. Comparing FNA to NCB subgroups demonstrated FNA to be superior in mean specimen viability, TVC, and cases with a final FCI interpretation. The cellularity of the sample (in Log TVC) correlates with the likelihood of achieving a FCI interpretation. The point where at least 50% of cases have a diagnostic FCI interpretation occurs between Log TVC of 5.0–5.25. However, FNA based cases had a higher proportion of samples with an indeterminate final diagnosis. Conclusions FNA was found to be significantly superior to NCB in obtaining material for FCI. However, NCB resulted in fewer indeterminate final diagnoses due to benefit of histologic correlation. In our opinion, NCB for histology combined with dedicated FNA material for FCI may yield the best results for a minimally invasive approach to the diagnosis of hematologic neoplasms. © 2014 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Efficient Branch and Bound Search with Application to Computer-Aided Design

I Theory.- 1 Introduction.- 1.1 Branch-and-Bound Search.- 1.2 Efficient Branch-and-Bound Search.- 1.3 Justification with Branch-and-Bound.- 1.4 Why Use Justification Equivalence?.- 1.5 Prior Work.- 1.6 Organization of the Book.- 2 Justification Equivalence.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Justification Decomposition.- 2.3 Properties.- 2.4 Identification of Shared Justification Decisions.- 2.5 Justification Equivalence.- 2.6 Efficient Representation.- 2.7 An ATPG Example.- 2.8 Summary.- 3 Justification in Finite State Space.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 What is State Justification?.- 3.3 Justifiability of States.- 3.4 State Justification Equivalence.- 3.5 Covering Properties.- 3.6 An Example.- 3.7 Summary.- II Applications.- 4 Sequential Circuit Test Generation.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 What is Sequential Circuit Test Generation?.- 4.3 Complexity of Test Generation.- 4.4 How Can Justification Equivalence Help?.- 4.5 Prior Work.- 5 Fault Effects.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Fault Effect Analysis.- 5.3 Summary.- 6 The Sest Algorithm.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 The Control Flow.- 6.3 Complexity of Retrieval.- 6.4 Implementation.- 6.5 Summary.- 7 Experimental Results.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Experimental Procedures.- 7.3 ATPG Time Proportions.- 7.4 SEST Efficiency Evaluation.- 7.5 Benchmark Results.- 7.6 Summary.- 8 Redundancy Identification.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Why is Redundancy Identification Needed?.- 8.3 Prior Work.- 8.4 Efficient Redundancy Identification.- 8.5 Summary.- 9 Logic Verification.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Prior Work.- 9.3 Logic Verification via Test Generation.- 9.4 Summary.- 10 Conclusion.- A Sest User's Guide.- A.1 Introduction.- A.2 Command Synopsis.- A.3 Options.- A.4 Inputs and Outputs.- A.5 Output Files.- A.6 Example.- A.7 Down-Loading SEST from the Disk.- A.8 Reporting Bugs.- A.9 Author.- References.
Metabolic responses of fresh-water sunfish to seasonal photoperiods and temperatures

1. Metabolic compensations by pumpkinseed sunfish,Lepomis gibbosus, to photoperiods of 9 and 15 hours and to acclimation temperatures ranging between 5° and 25° C have been examined. Respiration rates of whole fish, their brain, gill and muscle tissues, and opercular frequencies were used as indices of adaptation. Techniques for the determination of respiration rates and opercular frequencies have been outlined and discussed. 2. A range in thermal homeostasis has been found forL. gibbosus over which thermal acclimation of respiration is nearly perfect (Q 10 about 1), but which is modifiable by alterations in day length above 10° C. Although less obvious, a relative thermal homeostasis has been detected for opercular frequency as well. Perfection of acclimation appears to be best with both indices in the groups of sunfish which have been adapted to the 15-hour photoperiod. 3. Significant differences in rates of respiration, but not in opercular frequencies, have been observed between the long and short-day groups of fall and winter sunfish above 10° C. During spring and with sunfish in breeding condition, these differences were not detected. Both short and long-day fish showed the same higher level of respiration found to be related to short photoperiod adaptation (9 hrs.). It is suggested that the photoperiodic effect of inducing changes in metabolic rates, most directly relates to some process of conditioning the fish for their primary biological function, reproduction. 4. Because the characteristics and photoperiod sensitivity of metabolic compensations for temperature byL. gibbosus are not apparent below 10° C, this temperature is considered to be critical ecologically for the species in western Massachusetts. The existence of a lower critical temperature for thermal homeostasis of metabolic functions (capacity adaptation) in sunfish is stressed because of its potential as a sensitive indicator of physiological variations for climate and latitude. 5. No indications of compensation for photoperiod (9 and 15 hrs.) and temperatures (7.5° and 20° C) have been detected in the respiration of brain and gill tissues ofL. gibbosus at 25° C except after uncoupling with dinitrophenol. The response of brain respiration with the drug appears to be greatest in sunfish adapted to a 9-hour day and 20° C. In contrast, the dinitrophenol effect upon respiratory change of gill filaments appears to be reversed with respect to the thermal history of the donor fish (highest with acclimation to 7.5° C), but unrelated to the length of the adaptation photoperiod. It is apparent that metabolic systems in different tissues of the same animal or the same tissues in different species, contrast greatly in compensatory responses to temperature and photoperiod. Therefore, the suggestion is offered that the resultant of systemic integration often may be more significantly reflected in responses of whole fishes to changing environmental factors than the possible direct effects of temperature sometimes seen in isolated tissues.