cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FACTORS INFLUENCING OCCUPANCY OF NEST CAVITIES IN RECENTLY BURNED FORESTS

Abstract Recently burned forests in western North America provide nesting habitat for many species of cavity-nesting birds. However, little is understood about the time frame and the variables affecting occupancy of postfire habitats by these birds. We studied factors influencing the occupancy and reuse of nest cavities from 1–7 years after fire in two burned sites of western Idaho during 1994–1999. Tree cavities were used for nesting by 12 species of cavity nesters that were classified by the original occupant (strong excavator, weak excavator, or nonexcavator) of 385 nest cavities. We used logistic regression to model cavity occupancy by strong excavators (n = 575 trials) and weak excavators (n = 206 trials). Year after fire had the greatest influence on occupancy of nest cavities for both groups, while site of the burn was secondarily important in predicting occupancy by strong excavators and less important for weak excavators. Predicted probability of cavity occupancy was highest during the early year...
Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center

The U.S. DOE Building America program has established a research agenda targeting market-relevant strategies to achieve 40% reductions in existing home energy use by 2030. Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs) are part of the strategy to meet and exceed this goal. DERs are projects that create new, valuable assets from existing residences, by bringing homes into alignment with the expectations of the 21st century. Ideally, high energy using, dated homes that are failing to provide adequate modern services to their owners and occupants (e.g., comfortable temperatures, acceptable humidity, clean, healthy), are transformed through comprehensive upgrades to the building envelope, services and miscellaneous loads into next generation high performance homes. These guidance documents provide information to aid in the broader market adoption of DERs.
Ultrastructural studies of the nucleoli in diploid and trisomic chickens

Chickens having a trisomic complement for the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) serve as a model for investigations on gene expression, molecular regulation, and physiological alterations resulting from extra genetic material. Of fundamental importance is the question of whether the extra set of ribosomal cistrons in trisomic chickens generates a morphologically and biochemically complete nucleolus. Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of diploid and trisomic embryonic and adult cells were undertaken. All structures identified in trisomic cells as nucleoli by gross morphology were shown to be RNA rich by acridine orange fluorescence. At the ultrastructural level, the expected granular and fibrillar components were identified in all nucleoli of trisomic cells. Fibrillar centers, indicative of NOR's, were seen in all cases. These and other results from silver staining suggest full gene activity for each of the three chromosomes in the trisomic cell at all stages of development.
The Production and Selection of a Family of Strains in Penicillium Chrysogenum

A ten-year study on spontaneous and induced variation in penicillin-producing molds has yielded, in the writers' laboratories, an assemblage of superior variants which have become well known in ind...
Electron Beam Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition of Gold in an Environmental Tem

We have used an electron cyclotron resonance enhanced plasma system to deposit films from methyl alcohol at a pressure of 1.00 Torr. Depositions occurred on silicon substrates at temperatures from 550 - 750 °C. Film morphology was examined using SEM. Structural characterization was conducted using Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. Based on these analyses, certain trends in film quality as a function of deposition temperature were determined.
Effect of initial reperfusion temperature on myocardial preservation

The effect of initial postischemic reperfusion temperature on myocardial preservation was studied in the isolated working rat heart model. After baseline measurement of aortic flow rate, coronary flow rate, and heart rate, 40 hearts were subjected to 60 minutes of ischemic arrest at 15° C induced with a single dose of cold potassium cardioplegic solution. Hearts were then revived with a 10 minute period of nonworking reperfusion at 28°, 31°, 34°, or 37° C (10 hearts each), followed by 5 minutes of nonworking reperfusion at normothermia, followed by 30 minutes of working perfusion. Repeat measurements of function were obtained and postischemic release of creatine kinase into coronary effluent was determined. Recovery of aortic flow was significantly reduced at lower initial reperfusion temperatures (75% at 28° C versus 88% at 37° C) and the effect was approximately linear throughout the range studied (p
Hypospadias: A Familial Study

The families of 177 boys with varying degrees of hypospadias were evaluated prospectively to determine the occurrence of hypospadias and other congenital anomalies within this population. A significant number of male subjects in each family member category were affected, with first degree relatives (brothers and fathers) having a 14 and 9 per cent incidence, respectively. Siblings were at a greater risk for having this anomaly when the proband had a more severe degree of hypospadias and when the abnormality also was present in other relatives. A multifactorial mode of inheritance is suggested as the basis for transmission of this congenital defect.
LYMPHATICS AND BLOOD VESSELS, LYMPHANGIOGENESIS AND HEMANGIOGENESIS: FROM CELL BIOLOGY TO CLINICAL MEDICINE

The past 15 years have witnessed an explosion of knowledge about blood vascular endothelium due in large part to in vitro growth of endothelial cells from both large blood vessels and capillaries. In contrast, little comparable information has accumulated on endothelium of lymphatics, which lie in intimate contact with parenchymal cells and drain excess fluid, macromolecules, particles, and immunocompetent cells in a continuous recirculation between tissues and bloodstream. While structural and functional differences between the two vascular systems have been described in vivo, in tissue sections, and in isolated preparations, similarities are notable in ultra-structure, biochemistry, physiology, and pharmacologic responsiveness, and these may predominate under pathologic conditions. In 1984, three separate groups described in vitro culture of lymphatic endothelial cells from collecting ducts and cavernous lymphangiomas. Lymphatic, like blood vascular, endothelium grows in confluent monolayers, "sprouts", synthesizes Factor VIII-associated antigen and fibronectin, and ultrastructurally shows Weibel-Palade bodies; overlapping intercellular junctions and anchoring filaments typical of lymphatic endothelium are also found. Genetic, congenital, and acquired disorders such as strangulating fetal nuchal cystic hygromas (Down and Turner syndromes), vascular tumors and dysmorphogenesis (Maffucci and Klippel-Trenaunay syndromes), Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphogenous and hematogenous spread of cancer, and parasitic infestations such as filariasis, share overlapping abnormalities in formation, growth, and/or neoplasia of lymphatics and blood vessels. In these and similar clinical disorders, confusion often exists as to the nature of the cell or tissue of origin, and insight into the role and control of hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis is still in its infancy. Nonetheless, with the ever widening array of investigative techniques, it is not only timely but imperative to explore the endothelial biology underlying these inborn and acquired disorders.
Comparing Multi-criteria Decision-making Programs

The explosive popularity and accessibility of microcomputers has led to a plethora of decision-aiding software. The majority of such software involves translating traditional management science and operations research techniques into user-friendly micro programs. Several reviews and evaluations of this growing body of software have appeared (see, for example, Sharda, 1984).
Stability Analysis of Curved Panels

Aerospace, mechanical and civil engineering systems extensively use curved panels as structural components. The curved panels exhibit high risk of loss of stability especially with modern requirements for increasingly lighter designs. Correct identification of the load-carrying capabilities and thorough understanding of the stability behavior under transient excitations provide necessary information to safely design such structural components. In this work we use the arclength and branch-switching methods to correctly identify the buckling load and all equilibria. Compared to other methods, prior knowledge of the bifurcation modes is not required and the same mesh is used for tracing all secondary equilibrium paths. This method can identify secondary branches that other procedures failed to retrieve. Finally, the transient behavior of curved panels is also examined; in particular we seek to identify the dynamic snap-through boundary that separates small amplitude non-snap from large amplitude post-snap vibrations. Typically, analytical solutions for such highly nonlinear behavior are not available, and extensive parametric studies are usually required leading to very high computational cost. We examine the connections between different dynamic snap-through boundaries and seek to correlate them with features of the equilibrium manifold to identify computationally more efficient ways for their estimation.
Compliance with Data Management Laws

This chapter exposes professionals to laws dealing with data management. Both positive and negative aspects of legislation are highlighted. The purpose of this chapter is to expose the reader to some of the more interesting legal issues and provide insight into how information systems professionals and businesses may protect themselves from the negative ramifications of not complying with current legislation and the related negative publicity from such non-compliance. The increased ubiquitous nature of computing, coupled with the vast quantities of data gathered, increases the need for legislation to force companies and governmental agencies to take privacy seriously.
Melanoma with gastric metastases

An 81-year-old woman with a history of malignant melanoma who presented with dyspnea and fatigue was found to have metastases to the stomach detected on endoscopy. Primary cutaneous malignant melanoma with gastric metastases is a rare occurrence, and it is often not detected until autopsy because of its non-specific manifestations.
A ‘post-honeymoon’ measles epidemic in Burundi: mathematical model-based analysis and implications for vaccination timing

Using a mathematical model with realistic demography, we analyze a large outbreak of measles in Muyinga sector in rural Burundi in 1988-1989. We generate simulated epidemic curves and age × time epidemic surfaces, which we qualitatively and quantitatively compare with the data. Our findings suggest that supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) should be used in places where routine vaccination cannot keep up with the increasing numbers of susceptible individuals resulting from population growth or from logistical problems such as cold chain maintenance. We use the model to characterize the relationship between SIA frequency and SIA age range necessary to suppress measles outbreaks. If SIAs are less frequent, they must expand their target age range.
STEM-11MECHANISMS OF CDC20-ANAPHASE-PROMOTING COMPLEX ACTION IN HUMAN GLIOBLASTOMA STEM-LIKE CELLS

Recent studies have shown that the major mitotic regulator CDC20-Anaphase Promoting Complex (APC) is required for the maintenance of human glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), a clinically important subpopulation of glioblastoma cells that are believed to underlie tumor recurrence. We have previously shown that CDC20-APC operates through pluripotency transcription factor SOX2 to promote GSC self-renewal and invasion in vitro (Mao, Gujar et al. Cell Reports. 2015). Using patient-derived GSCs, we herein show that APC co-activator CDC20 is required for GSC tumorigenicity in an orthotopic xenograft model. We further demonstrate through in vivo epistasis experiments that CDC20 acts through SOX2 to control GSC tumorigenicity. To test if CDC20-APC activity might dictate GSC responsiveness to standard-of-care chemotherapy agent temozolomide (TMZ), we utilized pharmacological and genetic approaches to inhibit CDC20-APC activity. Intriguingly, both APC inhibitor ProTAME and lentiviral CDC20 RNA interference augmented TMZ cytotoxicity in human GSCs. Collectively, these data suggest that CDC20-APC controls the tumor-initiating potential of GSCs in vivo through SOX2 and that CDC20-APC inhibitory strategies may not only disrupt the GSC state but also enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy.
Permanent Bulbar Urethral Ligation: Emerging Treatment Option for Incontinent Men With End-stage Urethra

Objective To report our experience with permanent urethral ligation for severe incontinence among men with end-stage urethra. Materials and Methods From our institutional artificial urinary sphincter database of 512 patients from 2010 to 2016, 10 men underwent permanent urethral ligation with concurrent suprapubic tube diversion following recurrent artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. Quality of life was assessed using the Michigan Incontinence Symptom Index and the Patient Global Index of Improvement. Results Urethral ligation resulted in resolution of incontinence in 8 men (80%), including 7 (70%) after 1 surgery and in 1 (10%) after a single revision. The average American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status rating was 2.7 (range 2-3). Seven patients (70%) experienced postoperative complications (4 Clavien-Dindo grade II complications [1 Clostridium difficile infection, 3 refractory bladder spasms) and 5 grade III complications (2 abscesses, 2 urethrocutaneous fistula, and 1 bladder stone formation]). Overall, satisfactory Michigan Incontinence Symptom Index urinary scores were reported in 8 (80%) men. On the Patient Global Index of Improvement, 6 (60%) men reported improvement in overall condition following surgery. All men (10/10) stated that they would recommend this procedure to others. Conclusion For debilitated men with end-stage urethra and severe refractory stress urinary incontinence, permanent urethral ligation with chronic suprapubic tube drainage can restore continence and improve quality of life without the need for more invasive formal urinary diversion, though with a high risk of complication.
Facilitating Fresh: State Laws Supporting School Gardens Are Associated With Use of Garden-Grown Produce in School Nutrition Services Programs.

Abstract Objective To examine whether state laws are associated with the presence of school gardens and the use of garden-grown produce in school nutrition services programs. Design Nationally representative data from the School Health Policies and Practices Study 2014 were combined with objectively coded state law data regarding school gardens. Main Outcome Measures Outcomes were: (1) the presence of a school garden at each school (n = 419 schools), and (2) the use of garden-grown items in the school nutrition services program. Analysis Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine each outcome. Contextual covariates included school level, size, locale, US Census region, student race/ethnic composition, and percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-priced meals. Results State law was not significantly associated with whether schools had a garden, but it was associated with whether schools used garden-grown items in nutrition services programs (odds ratio, 4.21; P Conclusions and Implications State laws that support school gardens may facilitate the use of garden-grown items in school nutrition service programs. Additional research is needed regarding the types of messaging that might be most effective for motivating school administrators to appreciate the value of school gardens. In addition, another area for further research pertains to scaling garden programs for broader reach.
Centralizers of full injective transformations in the symmetric inverse semigroup

Let $$\mathcal {I}(X)$$ be the symmetric inverse semigroup of partial injective transformations on a set X (finite or infinite). For $$\alpha \in \mathcal {I}(X)$$ , let $$C(\alpha )=\{\beta \in \mathcal {I}(X):\alpha \beta =\beta \alpha \}$$ be the centralizer of $$\alpha $$ in $$\mathcal {I}(X)$$ . Consider $$\alpha \in \mathcal {I}(X)$$ with $${{\mathrm{dom}}}(\alpha )=X$$ . For each Green relation $$\mathcal {G}$$ , we determine $$\alpha $$ such that $$\mathcal {G}$$ in $$C(\alpha )$$ is the restriction of the corresponding relation in $$\mathcal {I}(X)$$ ; $$\alpha $$ such that all Green relations in $$C(\alpha )$$ are the restrictions of the corresponding relations in $$\mathcal {I}(X)$$ ; $$\alpha $$ for which $$\mathcal {D}=\mathcal {J}$$ in $$C(\alpha )$$ ; $$\alpha $$ for which the partial order of $$\mathcal {J}$$ -classes in $$C(\alpha )$$ is the restriction of the corresponding partial order in $$\mathcal {I}(X)$$ ; and finally $$\alpha $$ for which the $$\mathcal {J}$$ -classes in $$C(\alpha )$$ are totally ordered. The descriptions are in terms of the cycle-ray decomposition of $$\alpha $$ , which is a generalization of the cycle decomposition of a permutation.
Consumer distributed file systems

Local file systems file systems are no longer sufficient to manage consumer data due to the emergence of consumer electronics (CE) devices such as cell phones and digital cameras and the rapid increase of multimedia data. CE devices are a problem for local file systems because they store user data outside the purview of the local file system on heterogeneous devices. This dissertation demonstrates techniques to connect CE devices to a distributed file system with the goal of bringing all of a user's storage devices into a single distributed storage system to ease management. This work also demonstrates ensembles, groups of disconnected devices that can band together to provide each other with data and updates, improving data consistency and availability. New, higher level management techniques are also needed to help manage the growing multimedia data. This work introduces persistent queries, a reliable notification mechanism for applications that allows them to provide type-specific behavior across the distributed file system. To allow the addition of type-aware features in the file system itself, we designed sprockets, a technique that allows code to be safely loaded and run in the address space of a distributed storage system. Finally, we built TrapperKeeper, a system that simplifies the extraction of file metadata by reusing the file parsing and display behavior of existing applications instead of requiring the special-purpose file-parsing code be built. By combining these contributions, we have extended the reach of distributed file systems to cover all of a user's storage and we have simplified data management by providing mechanisms to extract and use type information to handle distributed data.
Neutrophil FcγRIIA promotes IgG-mediated glomerular neutrophil capture via Abl/Src kinases

The kidney glomerular capillaries are frequent sites of immune complex deposition and subsequent neutrophil accumulation in post-infectious and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. However, the mechanisms of neutrophil recruitment remain enigmatic, and there is no targeted therapeutic to avert this proximal event in glomerular inflammation. The uniquely human activating Fc receptor FcγRIIA promotes glomerular neutrophil accumulation and damage in anti-glomerular basement membrane-induced (anti-GBM-induced) glomerulonephritis when expressed on murine neutrophils. Here, we found that neutrophils are directly captured by immobilized IgG antibodies under physiological flow conditions in vitro through FcγRIIA-dependent, Abl/Src tyrosine kinase-mediated F-actin polymerization. Biophysical measurements showed that the lifetime of FcγRIIA-IgG bonds increased under mechanical force in an F-actin-dependent manner, which could enable the capture of neutrophils under physiological flow. Kidney intravital microscopy revealed that circulating neutrophils, which were similar in diameter to glomerular capillaries, abruptly arrested following anti-GBM antibody deposition via neutrophil FcγRIIA and Abl/Src kinases. Accordingly, inhibition of Abl/Src with bosutinib reduced FcγRIIA-mediated glomerular neutrophil accumulation and renal injury in experimental, crescentic anti-GBM nephritis. These data identify a pathway of neutrophil recruitment within glomerular capillaries following IgG deposition that may be targeted by bosutinib to avert glomerular injury.
EFFECT OF GAMMA RADIATION ON RHIZOGLYPHUS ECHINOPUS (FUMOUZE AND ROBIN) AND ALEUROGLYPHUS OVATUS (TROUPEAU) (ACARI: ACARIDAE)

Eggs, inert deutonymphs and young, virgin adults of Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze and Robin) and Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Troupeau) were treated with 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 krad of gamma...
Serological Screening for Fungal Viruses

Infectivity tests cannot readily be used to detect mycoviruses, and the basic method of screening for them is electron microscopy. Indeed, by definition this must clearly be the criterion for establishing the presence of viruslike particles (VLP’s) in fungi. However, though electron microscopy must play a key role in any screening program for mycoviruses it presents difficulties, and the use of serological testing can provide valuable supplementary information.
Determination of sample size for validation of allergen-screening methods.

For various levels of confidence (i.e., 80 and 90%) and ratios (K = sigmap2/sigmaN2, where sigmap2 and sigmaN2 are the analyte variances for the positive and negative distributions, respectively), sample sizes sufficient to test the requirements that a given method detects > or = 90% of the positives (> or = 5 ppm of a given analyte) while misclassifying < or = 10% of the negatives (implying a specificity rate, true negatives that will be correctly classified, of 90%) were estimated by using a rationale that minimizes the cost of sampling.
nNOS phosphorylatability Presages NANC Inhibition: Investigation with a Novel Phosphorylation-deficient nNOS Mutant Mouse

Phosphorylation of the C-terminal Akt/PKA consensus site activates endothelial NOS (eNOS) and decreases its calcium/calmodulin requirement, but no definite physiological role for phosphorylation of the homologous site in neuronal NOS (nNOS) has been described. Therefore, we created a knock-in mouse in which nNOS Serine-1412 (S1412) is mutated to non-phosphorylatable alanine (nNOSS1412A). We tested whether nNOSS1412A ileal rings have altered nitrergic inhibitory non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) signaling in a physiological organ bath. Under NANC conditions, electrical field stimulation (EFS; 20V, 2msec, 1Hz, 30sec train) relaxed WT to a greater degree than nNOSS1412A ileum (73 ± 20% inhibition vs 31 ± 17%; N=3). Similarly, pharmacological treatment with forskolin (FSK) also relaxed WT more effectively than nNOSS1412A ileum (IC50 95% CI 35-44nM; N=42 vs 78-107nM; N=29). Application of selective nNOS (NANT) or pan-NOS antagonists (L-NAME) reduced FSK dependent relaxation identically in WT and nNOSS1412A ilea (IC50 ~150nM for both genotypes), confirming that a portion of FSK relaxation was due to nNOS activity. Akt and PKA are putative nNOS S1412 kinases. While there was no difference between WT and nNOSS1412A relaxation with FSK using the Akt inhibitor MK-2206, PKA inhibitors (H-89, Myr-PKI, and Rp-cAMPs) only decreased FSK relaxation in WT ileum (~3-fold increase in IC50) but not in nNOSS1412A ileum, suggesting a critical link between PKA and nNOS. Together, our data identify a novel NANC neuroinhibitory mechanism in which PKA phosphorylation of nNOS S1412 leads to calcium independent neuronal NO production and smooth muscle relaxation. This previously unrecognized NO physiology might be important in other cell types and organ systems as well.
Membrane-type Matrix Metalloproteinase 6

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the activity, specificity and structural chemistry of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 6 (MT6-MMP). MT6-MMP can cleave a number of extracellular matrix molecules including fibronectin, proteoglycans, and denatured collagens. It can also cleave synthetic substrates preferred by gelatinases and stromelysins. On zymography, MT6-MMP is a very strong gelatinase. There are conflicting reports regarding the ability of MT6-MMP to activate proMMP-2. Initially, MT6-MMP was reported to activate proMMP-2 when expressed in COS cells. It is found that when recombinant MT6-MMP was expressed and purified from bacteria, it apparently has little activity towards proMMP-2. On the other hand, the characterization of the bacterially derived MT6-MMP provided kinetic data arguing for a degree of similarity between MT6-MMP and stromelysins. The enzyme appears to be active at pH 7.5 at 25°C or 37°C. The expression of MT6-MMP has been exclusively localized to peripheral blood leukocytes. The separation of the leukocytes into granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes allowed the determination that MT6-MMP is expressed only in granulocytes, mostly neutrophils. Subcellular fractionation suggested that the protein of MT6-MMP is primarily sorted to gelatinase granules, secretory vesicles and plasma membrane.
The prognostic value of the relationship between right atrial and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in diverse cardiovascular conditions.

Abstract Background Physical examination of jugular venous pressure is used to estimate right atrial (RA) pressure and infer left-sided filling pressure to assist volume management. Previous studies in advanced heart failure patients showed about 75% concordance between RA and pulmonary capillary wedge (PCW) pressures. We sought to determine the relationship between mean RA and mean PCW pressure and assess the clinical significance in a broad population of patients undergoing invasive right heart catheterization (RHC). Methods We examined 4135 RHC cases at a single academic medical center from February 2007 to December 2014, analyzing baseline variables, hemodynamic data, and in-hospital mortality. Results The overall Pearson correlation for mean RA and PCW pressures was 0.68 with 70% concordance between dichotomized pressures (RA ≥10 and PCW ≥22 mmHg). Results were similar in subgroups with heart failure (r = 0.67, 72%), STEMI/NSTEMI (r = 0.60, 69%), unstable angina (r = 0.78, 69%), stable/no angina (r = 0.72, 67%), and valvular disease (r = 0.61, 72%; Chi-square P = .15). Mean RA pressure was independently associated with in-hospital mortality in multivariate analysis (OR 1.12 [95% CI 1.081-1.157] per 1 mmHg increase, P Conclusion In patients undergoing right catheterization for diverse indications, the mean RA and PCW pressures correlated moderately well, but there was discordance in a sizable minority, in whom assessment of left-sided filling pressures using estimated jugular venous pressure may be misleading. Elevated right atrial pressure is a marker for in-hospital mortality.
Establishing minimum clinically important difference values for the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function, hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint reconstruction, and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint reconstruction in orthopaedics

Establishing minimum clinically important difference values for the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function, hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint reconstruction, and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint reconstruction in orthopaedics
Comparison of basiliximab and antithymocyte globulin as induction agents after lung transplantation

Background Interleukin-2 receptor antagonists have supplanted polyclonal antibody preparations as the most frequently used induction agents after lung transplantation, but the relative efficacy of these agents has not been firmly established. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of basiliximab compared with antithymocyte globulin among 157 adult lung transplant recipients at our center. Results At 3, 6, and 12 months after transplantation, the median cumulative acute rejection A scores for the basiliximab group (2, 2, and 3, respectively) were significantly higher than those for the anti-thymocyte globulin group (1, 1, and 2, respectively; p = 0.003, 0.004, and 0.033, respectively). In addition, basiliximab recipients were more likely to develop acute rejection grade > or = A2 than anti-thymocyte globulin recipients; in fact, 60% of basiliximab recipients compared with 38% of anti-thymocyte globulin recipients developed their first episode of acute rejection grade > or = A2 in the first 100 days after transplantation (log-rank p = 0.04). Furthermore, basiliximab recipients were more likely to develop bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome than anti-thymocyte globulin recipients (log-rank p = 0.036). Two years after transplantation, 36% of basiliximab recipients and 26% of anti-thymocyte globulin recipients developed bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. However, there were no significant differences in the incidences of cytomegalovirus viremia and pneumonitis between the 2 groups (p = 0.86 and 0.89, respectively). Conclusions Induction with anti-thymocyte globulin is associated with a lower burden of acute rejection and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome compared with basiliximab, without a significant difference in the incidence of cytomegalovirus infections.
Short-Circuit Fault Detection Observer Design in a PMSM

This paper explores detecting interturn short-circuit (ITSC) faults in surface permanent magnet synchronous machines (SPMSM) while simultaneously estimating the (typically large) fault current to determine if operation is within thermal limits. ITSC faults are caused by electrical insulation failures in the stator windings and can lead to shorts to ground resulting in oscillations in torque, localized heating, and even fires. This paper proposes a moving horizon observer methodology for detecting such faults, the level of fault, the motor state, and a thermally sensitive parameter in SPMSM. Theoretical verification of the observability and detection of fault levels and currents is also set forth. Fault detection, fault current estimation, and parameter estimation are verified via simulation for a set of ITSC faults using noisy measurements.
Protein Ladder Sequencing: Towards Automation

Publisher Summary This chapter explains protein ladder sequencing. In this method, a controlled stepwise chemical degradation is performed on one terminus of a polypeptide in the presence of a small amount of terminating reagent. The reaction yields a set of sequence-defining peptides, each differing from the next by a single amino acid residue. This protein sequencing ladder is read out rapidly in a one-step operation by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry. Each amino acid is identified from the mass difference between successive peaks in the mass spectrum of the sequencing ladder, and the position in the data set defines the sequence of the original peptide chain. The experimental results indicate that ladder sequencing has the potential for providing extremely rapid, sensitive sequence analysis of polypeptides with high sample throughput. In addition, the method can be used to directly identify the sites and nature of post-translationally modified amino acid residues in proteins.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff Appendicovesicostomy: Technique and Initial Experience

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic reconstructive procedures have a definite role in the treatment of congenital urological anomalies. They bridge the gap between open and conventional laparoscopic surgeries. The 6° freedom of movement has overcome the technical difficulty of suturing in reconstructive surgery; this is the most important reason for embracing this technology in addition to its magnification and precision.
THE SPECTRUM OF COMPLICATIONS OF HEREDITARY PANCREATITIS: Is This a Model for Future Gene Therapy?

Hereditary pancreatitis is an important pancreatic disease. Individuals affected with this disorder often suffer recurrent attacks of severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and other complications of acute pancreatitis beginning in early childhood. By early teens or young adulthood, these individuals begin suffering from maldigestion, diabetes, and the constant pain of chronic pancreatitis. Finally, they face a striking risk of pancreatic cancer, reaching 40% or more by age 70. Regardless, hereditary pancreatitis is important because it provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and the development of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to test the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions designed to prevent or limit pancreatic diseases. Now that the genes responsible for some forms of hereditary pancreatitis are known, the issue of gene therapy must be considered. Thus, careful consideration of hereditary pancreatitis is warranted to help patients who suffer from this disease, to prevent disease expression in their offspring, and to learn new principles that are applicable to nonhereditary acute and chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. This article reviews the clinical spectrum of hereditary pancreatitis, the molecular defects associated with this disease, and a mechanistic hypothesis of disease pathogenesis. The discussion expands to the protective mechanisms employed by the pancreas to prevent pancreatitis. Knowledge of these protective mechanisms provides the basis for considering new therapeutic strategies, including gene therapy.
Do Corporate Insiders Prefer Nasdaq

This paper contributes to the corporate governance literature and bears implications for the regulation of insider trading. I examine whether the double-counting of reported trading volume on Nasdaq plays a role in insiders’ decisions to move their firms. Specifically, since volume on Nasdaq is exaggerated and SEC Rule 144 ties the limit on insider selling to total volume, insiders of troubled firms may be able to use private information to take advantage of other shareholders by switching to Nasdaq and unloading more stock. Consistent with the hypothesis, I find that insiders engage in heavy selling of company stock in the months following the move. Post-announcement abnormal returns are strongly negative.
Assessing spousal support and health in an aging population: support and strain amidst changing social dynamics

This study examined the role of relationship quality on physical and psychological health among older adults. It included 2,298 adults aged 50 and older who participated in the Midlife in the US national longitudinal study of health and well-being. We assessed the effect of spousal support and strain on psychological and physical health, controlling for age, education, income, depression levels and prior health. Results indicated that spousal support and strain affected psychological health but not physical health. Despite prior research showing an association between marital quality and physical health, this study did not support the conceptualization that relationship quality measured by spousal support or strain has a direct effect on long-term health in this sample of older adults. This study does not preclude the presence of a mediated or moderated association between relationship quality and physical health. Higher levels of spousal support are associated with positive psychological health among adults over age 50 while spousal strain is associated with negative psychological health. This study supports the premise that relationship quality has an ongoing impact on the psychological health of mature adults, bolstering arguments to include psychological health screening and couples relationship education among health services provided to older adults.
Notes on a Multi-Mode Communication System

Present design philosophy for ionospheric scatter and meteor burst systems tends to optimize these facilities for a single mode of propagation. Typically, observations of signals over these circuits reject identifiable periods of sporadic E (Es) mode propagation and the equipment is not designed to operate efficiently during these occurrences.
Mediating Role of Bone Marrow Lesions, Synovitis, Pain Sensitization, and Depressive Symptoms on Knee Pain Improvement Following Substantial Weight Loss.

OBJECTIVE Massive weight loss leads to marked knee pain reduction in individuals with knee pain, but the reason for the reduction in pain is unknown. This study was undertaken to quantify the contribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-evidenced changes in pain-sensitive structures, bone marrow lesions (BMLs), and synovitis, and changes in pain sensitization or depressive symptoms, to knee pain improvement after substantial weight loss. METHODS Morbidly obese patients with knee pain on most days were evaluated before bariatric surgery or medical weight management and at 1-year follow-up for BMLs and synovitis seen on MRI, the pressure pain threshold (PPT) at the patella and the right wrist, depressive symptoms (using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale [CES-D]), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain survey. Natural-effects models were used to quantify the extent that achieving a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of ≥18% on the WOMAC pain scale could be mediated by weight loss-induced changes in BMLs, synovitis, PPT, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Of 75 participants, 53.3% lost ≥20% of weight by 1 year. Of these, 75% attained the MCID for pain improvement, compared with 34.3% in those who had <20% weight loss. Mediation analyses suggested that, in those with at least 20% weight loss, the odds of pain improvement increased by 62%, 15%, and 22% through changes in patella PPT, wrist PPT, and CES-D, respectively, but pain improvement was not mediated by MRI changes in BMLs or synovitis. CONCLUSION Weight loss-induced knee pain improvement is partially mediated by changes in pain sensitization and depressive symptoms but is independent of MRI changes in BMLs and synovitis.
Community-Centered Urban Sensing: Smart Engaged Planning and Design in a Dysfunctional Urban Context

The authors examine the problem of integrating urban sensing into engaged planning. The authors ask whether enhanced urban data and analysis can enhance resident engagement in planning and design, ...
Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in India: Is Empowerment a Protective Factor?

This paper explores if women’s empowerment is a protective factor against intimate partner violence (IPV) using a nationally representative, cross-sectional sample of 45,211 ever-married women in India. Descriptive statistics were used to examine women’s empowerment, and differences in individual-level and household-level characteristics among the sample. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the contribution of the indicators of women’s empowerment in predicting past-year and lifetime physical and sexual IPV. Women who possessed a secondary education or higher, owned property, and had high intrahousehold decision-making power were less likely to experience IPV. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Barriers and Facilitators of Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Palliative care has potential to improve quality of life and goal-concordant care for patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). However, it is rarely employed prior to critical illness because the best methods for implementation are not well-defined. We qualitatively evaluated ACHD patients' understanding of and opinions regarding palliative care and advance care planning (ACP) to better define the needs of this population. We conducted a thematic analysis of 25 semistructured interviews with patients with ACHD in which we assessed participants' perspectives on the need for, and barriers and facilitators to, the use of palliative care and ACP. In a group of participants with ACHD (mean age 38, 48% male) classified as simple (24%), moderate (32%), or complex (44%), we identified 4 major themes: (1) using knowledge to combat future uncertainties; (2) unfamiliarity with and limited exposure to palliative care and ACP; (3) facilitators and barriers to engaging in palliative care and ACP; and (4) importance of timing and presentation of ACP discussions. In conclusion, participants expressed a desire for knowledge about ACHD progression and treatment. They supported routine incorporation of palliative care and ACP and identified related facilitators and barriers to doing so. Importantly, timing and format of these discussions must be individualized using shared decision-making between clinicians, patients, and their families.
Cyclin G2 Contributes to the Cell Cycle Arrest Response of Breast Cancer Cells to Estrogen Signaling-Antagonists and the AMPK Agonist, Metformin

Resistance to estrogen (E2) receptor (ER) antagonists limits long-term abatement of ER+ breast cancer (BC). Defining cell cycle control proteins that modify tumor cell resistance to ER-antagonists ...
CRISPR-based enrichment strategies for targeted sequencing

The ability to easily produce or procure sequencing data has expanded to be within the reach of most clinics and research laboratories, but the complexity of sequence analysis remains a hurdle for many scientists, and a decline in sequencing cost means that the generation of gratuitous information in a given experiment is a challenge that is more and more often being encountered. To address this issue, methods have been present, some dating to the advent of nucleic acid sequencing, for capturing, targeting, or otherwise enriching specific nucleic acids in order to obtain greater depth of reads from a small portion of sequences within a complex sample. However, many of these methods have been complicated and laborious, relying on the design of hundreds to thousands of oligonucleotide probes, fabrication of microarray chips, and long hybridization times. Here, we review these methods, their benefits and uses, and catalog and discuss the implications of a recent development that has enabled a more efficient and expanded set of tools for enriching nucleic acids - the application of CRISPR technology. This introduction and analysis of the capabilities of new CRISPR-based enrichment strategies shows that it has the potential to expand the scope of enrichment to new possibilities, including the coupling of DNA and RNA targeting with long-read, portable sequencing platforms. Moreover, there are several areas where CRISPR-enrichment is a logical next step to more powerful and simplified sequencing for applications such as diagnostics and environmental monitoring.
Input-selective adenosine A 1 receptor-mediated synaptic depression of excitatory transmission in dorsal striatum.

The medial (DMS) and lateral (DLS) dorsal striatum differentially drive goal-directed and habitual/compulsive behaviors, respectively, and are implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. These subregions receive distinct inputs from cortical and thalamic regions which uniquely determine dorsal striatal activity and function. Adenosine A1 receptors (A1Rs) are prolific within striatum and regulate excitatory glutamate transmission. Thus, A1Rs may have regionally-specific effects on neuroadaptive processes which may ultimately influence striatally-mediated behaviors. The occurrence of A1R-driven plasticity at specific excitatory inputs to dorsal striatum is currently unknown. To better understand how A1Rs may influence these behaviors, we first sought to understand how A1Rs modulate these distinct inputs. We evaluated A1R-mediated inhibition of cortico- and thalamostriatal transmission using in vitro whole-cell, patch clamp slice electrophysiology recordings in medium spiny neurons from both the DLS and DMS of C57BL/6J mice in conjunction with optogenetic approaches. In addition, conditional A1R KO mice lacking A1Rs at specific striatal inputs to DMS and DLS were generated to directly determine the role of these presynaptic A1Rs on the measured electrophysiological responses. Activation of presynaptic A1Rs produced significant and prolonged synaptic depression (A1R-SD) of excitatory transmission in the both the DLS and DMS of male and female animals. Our findings indicate that A1R-SD at corticostriatal and thalamostriatal inputs to DLS can be additive and that A1R-SD in DMS occurs primarily at thalamostriatal inputs. These findings advance the field's understanding of the functional roles of A1Rs in striatum and implicate their potential contribution to neuropsychiatric diseases.
How Property and Civil Rights Help Forest Tribes Modernize and Prosper

Do historically isolated forest tribes need protection from modernization? Critics claim that modernization, especially through dams and mining, is disastrous for tribes and that tribes-people cannot handle commercial life, are easily duped, and end up destitute. Some modernization projects have fueled Maoist insurrections. However, other examples show that tribes can join mainstream society and prosper if empowered with property rights and civil rights. We researched the displacement of tribes-people by the Sardar Sarovar Dam in India in the 1980s and early 1990s and found that forced displacement using eminent domain should only be implemented where the public interest is exceptionally strong, as it was in this case. The Sardar Sarovar Dam project had a good rehabilitation package for the tribes-people: those who were displaced are much better off than their former forest neighbors in land ownership, consumer durables, and access to schools and hospitals. However, 54 percent of displaced people wished to return to their old habitat, showing that nostalgia for ancestral land can matter more than material goods. By contrast, a majority (56 percent) of displaced people under age 40 did not want to return. Nearby forest dwellers were asked if they would like to be “forcibly” resettled with the full compensation package. In two forest groups, 31 percent and 52 percent said yes. Clearly many, though not all, tribes-people yearn to leave the jungle. Land in reserved forests is legally considered government property, and laws treat forest tribes in their ancestral lands as encroachers. The Indian Forest Rights Act of 2006 provided legal title to forest dwellers for land they had been cultivating as of December 2005. With nongovernmental organization assistance, tribes in Gujarat state used global positioning system devices to map their boundaries, superimposed these on Google maps from 2005, and thus claimed title. After getting title, tribes started using tractors. Many grow genetically modified cotton. They have quickly modernized. The 2006 act also gave tribes property rights over bamboo in forests; other trees belong to state forest departments. Some tribes in Gujarat now supply bamboo to a paper mill and have earned $4.5 million in five years. With property rights, once penniless tribes have become prosperous plantation owners.
Parallel Data Indexing and Storage on a COTS Cluster

In this paper, a data transfer, indexing and storage system on a commodity-off-the-shelf cluster using parallel processing, asynchronous file Input/Output, direct memory access and asynchronous User Datagram Protocol sockets is proposed. Also, a performance evaluation framework for the system is described. There are two main considerations in developing the system. First, as data communication networks support increased data rates due to fiber optical cables and more efficient network devices, better data transfer and storage methods are required to exploit the speed of the networks. Second, applications in particle physics, climate modeling and weapon systems simulation generate petabytes of data from a single experiment. The challenge is to index and store the data as soon as it is produced and preprocessed by several instruments.