cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention: Emerging Technologies

Current anticoagulant therapies aimed at stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) are increasingly challenged by a complex patient population at significant risk of bleeding. Mounting evidence shows that left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an effective strategy for reducing stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular AF, without the need for anticoagulation. Several approaches and devices have been developed in recent years, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. This article reviews these approaches, identifies pertinent aspects, and outlines necessary or ongoing research in establishing LAA closure as a safe and effective approach to stroke risk reduction.
The Bee Fauna of Residential Gardens in a Suburb of New York City (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

As suburban landscapes expand, it is critical to understand their capacity to support wildlife. Pollinators, specifically bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), are to some degree compatible with urbanization and may be able to exist in suburbs in diverse assemblages. We surveyed 21 residential gardens for bees in Westchester County, a suburban area immediately north of New York City. From a sample of 1,675 individuals, we documented 110 species, of which 95% were native, 50% were solitary, and 93% were polylectic. In terms of abundance of specimens, eusocial (50% of specimens), native (97%), and polylectic (98%) bees were dominant. Contrary to our expectation, based on previous bee surveys in urban landscapes, the bee community documented was not depauperate in either soil-nesting or parasitic species (65 and 19% of species, respectively), nor was it enriched in exotic species (6% of species). Instead, the assemblage resembled the richer bee fauna documented at a 1,520-ha research preserve (forest) located in the same region, although certain specialist (oligolectic) and/or forest-associated species were absent. These results suggest that suburban landscapes in eastern North America have the potential to host relatively diverse and intact bee communities.
Analysis of keratinocytes stiffness after desmosome disruption using Atomic Force Microscopy based nanomanipulation

Desmosomes are cell-cell junctions that provide mechanical strength for cells and maintain integrity of tissues in animal skins and hearts. Disruption of the desmosome like in some autoimmune diseases will therefore change the mechanical property of the anchoring cells and causing blistering. In the paper, we used Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to visualize the keratinocytes intercellular structure. The AFM based nanomanipulation system is employed to perform the nanoindentation experiment for measuring keratinocytes nanomechanical property under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Our demonstration of the use of AFM for in situ imaging and nanomanipulation for quantifying stiffness in nanoscale can facilitate the investigation of diseases related to blistering and development of therapeutic strategies accordingly.
A high-Q wavelength filter based on buried heterostructure ring resonators integrated with a semiconductor optical amplifier

We demonstrate a very high quality (Q) factor wavelength filter based on a buried heterostructure (BH) microresonator platform technology. A 200-/spl mu/m-radius BH ring resonator is integrated with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) using offset quantum wells for loss-cancellation. The resonator is operated near critical coupling at I/sub SOA/=29 mA, which yields a coupling-limited Q of 2.0/spl times/10/sup 5/ with an extinction of -26 dB at the resonant wavelength.
Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Differ in Their Plasma Lipoprotein Cholesterol Distribution when Fed Diets Varying in Animal Protein, Soluble Fiber, or Cholesterol Content

There were two objectives to these studies: 1) to compare the lipoprotein cholesterol distribution in two animal models in response to different dietary treatments and 2) to assess whether the hypercholesterolemia induced by high cholesterol intake could be reversed by consumption of vegetable-protein and/or dietary fiber. Guinea pigs, which carry the majority of plasma cholesterol in LDL, and hamsters, with a higher distribution of cholesterol in HDL, were evaluated in three different studies. In Study 1, animals were fed semi-purified diets for 4 wk with proportions of 60:40, 20:80 or 0:100 (w/w) of casein/ soybean protein. Hamsters and guinea pigs that consumed 100% soybean protein had lower plasma total cholesterol (TC) than those fed diets containing casein (P < 0.01). In Study 2, three doses of dietary pectin (2.7, 5.4, or 10.7 g/100g) added in place of cellulose were tested. Intake of 10.7 g/100 g pectin resulted in the lowest plasma TC concentrations for both species (P < 0.01). Although the TC lowering was similar in studies 1 and 2, the lipoprotein cholesterol distribution differed. Whereas the differences in plasma cholesterol were in LDL in guinea pigs, hamsters exhibited differences in both non-HDL and HDL cholesterol. In study 3, animals were fed 100% soybean protein, 10.7 g/100 g pectin, and three doses of dietary cholesterol: 0.04, 0.08, or 0.16 g/100 g, which is equivalent to 300, 600, or 1,200 mg/d in humans. Guinea pigs and hamsters had the highest plasma LDL and hepatic cholesterol concentrations when they consumed 0.16 g/100 g of cholesterol (P < 0.01). However, intake of 0.08 g/100 g of cholesterol resulted in lower plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations than did consuming high animal protein (60:40 casein/ soy) or low soluble fiber (2.7 g/100 g). Relatively high levels of dietary cholesterol combined with vegetable protein and soluble fiber resulted in desirable lipoprotein profiles in animal models that significantly differ in their lipoprotein cholesterol distribution.
Exogenous administration of vascular endothelial growth factor prior to human respiratory syncytial virus a2 infection reduces pulmonary pathology in neonatal lambs and alters epithelial innate immune responses

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects thousands of children every year. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a regulator of vasculogenesis, pulmonary maturation, and immunity. In order to test the extent to which VEGF may alter RSV infection, 4 groups of lambs received either human recombinant VEGF (rhVEGF) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) pretreatment followed by inoculation with human RSV strain A2 or sterile medium. Lambs in each group were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 6 days post infection. Expression of surfactant protein-A (SP-A), surfactant protein-D (SP-D), sheep β-defensin-1 (SBD-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon β, and endogenous VEGF were measured to determine effect of rhVEGF pretreatment. RSV lambs pretreated with rhVEGF had reduced viral mRNA and decreased pulmonary pathology at day 6. Pretreatment with rhVEGF increased mRNA expression of SP-A, SBD-1, and TNFα, with alteration of expression in RSV lambs. Endogenous VEGF mRNA levels were increased at day 2 regardless of pretreatment. Pretreatment with rhVEGF increased pulmonary cellular proliferation in RSV lambs at day 4 post infection. Overall, these results suggest that pretreatment with rhVEGF protein may have therapeutic potential to decrease RSV viral load, decrease pulmonary lesion severity, and alter both epithelial innate immune responses and epithelial cell proliferation.
How I Learned My ABCs: Action, Back to Basics, Collaboration, Discovery

BACKGROUND Research is essential to generate the scientific evidence for critical care nursing practice, but it is challenging to conduct research in the busy critical care environment. The challenges are even greater in a setting with limited resources for research and where nurses have not typically conducted independent clinical studies. OBJECTIVES To detail a successful research trajectory for studying the ABCs of patient care in the critically ill: airway, breathing, and circulation. METHODS After initial studies on circulation were conducted, the research was narrowed to focus on airway management. Airway management may be a key factor in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia because aspiration of colonized oral, gastric, and tracheal secretions is the primary cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Multiple descriptive, pilot, and interventional studies have been conducted; findings from each have contributed to future studies. RESULTS Other ABCs were critical to this research success: action, back to basics, collaboration, and discovery. It is important for researchers to be self-motivated and to take initiative to develop skills and resources for conducting clinical studies. Several guiding principles help to promote success in research: (1) generate research ideas grounded in observation and clinical practice, (2) collaborate with others, and (3) establish affiliations and partnerships. Discovery occurs in many ways: new findings to guide practice and research, resources to conduct the study, and self-discovery. CONCLUSIONS Nursing research is not easy. However, determination and resources help nursing researchers achieve success.
Determining optimal light-trail length

Light-trails based solutions have been proposed and demonstrated as a means of traffic grooming and optical multicasting in a LAN/MAN, where multiple nodes use time division multiple access on a unidirectional optical bus. When compared to light paths or having nodes relaying traffic using optical-electronic-optical conversion there are advantages and disadvantages to light-trails in terms of bandwidth, hardware requirements and latency. Given that a light-trail of a specific length has been identified, we develop an approach to increase its capacity utilization. In particular, we show that splitting a longer light-trail in shorter segments results into more effective and efficient utilization of bandwidth. However, we do not believe that splitting a light-trail into segments of lengths one is preferable as it will increase the overall delay.
Measurement of Cl2 in coastal urban air

Measurements of Cl2 in coastal urban air were made in Irvine, California from Aug.-Nov., 2005, using negative ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization with tandem mass spectrometry. Cl2 ranged from <2.5 to 20 ppt with a two month mean of 3.5 ± 3.5 ppt (1σ) and an average noon photolysis rate of 44 ppt hr−1 Cl2. Model calculations suggest that Cl2 photochemistry results in an increase of 5–8 ppb in daily maximum O3 levels, relative to a base case scenario without Cl2.
Nondifferentiability of the steady-state function in discrete event dynamic systems

This paper suggests that expected-value performance functions in discrete-event dynamic systems can be nondifferentiable at dense sets of points in the parameter space, when the sample performance functions are convex and the distributions of events' times contain atoms. A general result is first proved for regenerative processes and then applied to simple queueing examples where nondifferentiability at dense sets is established. >
Fermi-Level Pinning in Nanocrystal Memories

The nanocrystal (NC) work-function engineering, which plays an important role on the NC memory characteristics such as memory window and retention time, were long regarded as a matter of choice on NC materials. In this letter, we report opposite polarities of charge storage in Au NC memories with different control oxides. The effective NC work function is found to be not only a bulk property of the NC, but also governed by the interface with surrounding dielectric, as a result of the Fermi-level pinning. By replacing Au NCs with C60 molecules, we also show the pinning effect generally exists at quantum-dot-based devices with high density of interface states. This fundamental interface property should be taken into account in the selection of NC and dielectric materials for the NC memory optimization
Dynein shifts into second gear.

Although dynein, a microtubule-based molecular motor, has a respectable 40-plus-year research history, only recently has it begun to yield the innermost secrets of how it operates. Current efforts address how the bulky motor domains coordinate their activity to make processive steps along a cytoplasmic microtubule (1–3), suggest that the motor can vary its step size (4), and even demonstrate that dynein can run backward (5). The article by Shima et al. (6) in this issue of PNAS reveals another exceptional property of dynein, namely that the motor has more than one mode of force production. Such a discovery reinforces the view that dynein is more than a simple motor, perhaps indicating that further surprises are yet to come.
Electrophysiological basis of ventricular late potentials.

The presence of late potentials on the body surface recording was correlated with ventricular activation maps of reentrant circuits in the postinfarction canine model of reentrant excitation. Late potentials were found to correlate with delayed myocardial activation. However, during a reentrant rhythm complete diastolic activity on the body surface could not be detected if the mass of electrically active cells was too small and/or if very slow conduction in part of the reentrant circuit generated low amplitude extracellular potentials. Myocardial zones responsible for late potentials during a basic rhythm (e.g., sinus rhythm) may not necessarily be part of the critical zone of slow conduction during reentrant activation. Dynamic changes in late potentials are not amenable to temporal signal averaging techniques but could be detected by a high resolution beat-to-beat recording. A thorough understanding of the electrophysiological limitations of late potentials in the signal-averaged ECG could result in better utilization of the technique in clinical practice as well as in the development of new approaches for the detection of the arrhythmogenic substrate.
RNA interference can be used to disrupt gene function in tardigrades

How morphological diversity arises is a key question in evolutionary developmental biology. As a long-term approach to address this question, we are developing the water bear Hypsibius dujardini (Phylum Tardigrada) as a model system. We expect that using a close relative of two well-studied models, Drosophila (Phylum Arthropoda) and Caenorhabditis elegans (Phylum Nematoda), will facilitate identifying genetic pathways relevant to understanding the evolution of development. Tardigrades are also valuable research subjects for investigating how organisms and biological materials can survive extreme conditions. Methods to disrupt gene activity are essential to each of these efforts, but no such method yet exists for the Phylum Tardigrada. We developed a protocol to disrupt tardigrade gene functions by double-stranded RNA-mediated RNA interference (RNAi). We showed that targeting tardigrade homologs of essential developmental genes by RNAi produced embryonic lethality, whereas targeting green fluorescent protein did not. Disruption of gene functions appears to be relatively specific by two criteria: targeting distinct genes resulted in distinct phenotypes that were consistent with predicted gene functions and by RT-PCR, RNAi reduced the level of a target mRNA and not a control mRNA. These studies represent the first evidence that gene functions can be disrupted by RNAi in the phylum Tardigrada. Our results form a platform for dissecting tardigrade gene functions for understanding the evolution of developmental mechanisms and survival in extreme environments.
Anyon computers with smaller groups

Anyons obtained from a finite gauge theory have a computational power that depends on the symmetry group. The relationship between group structure and computational power is discussed in this paper. In particular, it is shown that anyons based on finite groups that are solvable but not nilpotent are capable of universal quantum computation. This extends previously published results to groups that are smaller and therefore more practical. Additionally, a new universal gate set is built out of an operation called a probabilistic projection, and a quasiuniversal leakage correction scheme is discussed.
RESOURCE LIMITATION DRIVES PATTERNS OF HABITAT OCCUPANCY DURING THE NONBREEDING SEASON FOR AN OMNIVOROUS SONGBIRD

Abstract. The role of food in limiting migratory birds during the nonbreeding period is poorly understood, in part because of the complexities of quantifying food availability and diet. We tracked overwinter changes in the availability of arthropods and fruits, the primary winter foods of the Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), a short-distance migrant. Fruit availability declined over the winter, and arthropod availability fluctuated with changing temperature. Concurrently, using fecal samples and stable isotopes, we tracked relative food consumption. In fecal samples fruit declined from early to mid season and δ13C and δ15N isotope signatures in blood became more enriched, consistent with a decline in fruit consumption and an increase in arthropod consumption. Larger-bodied birds, predominantly males, maintained territories in which the abundance of arthropods was higher, had a greater proportion of arthropods in their diet and less variation in δ13C (indicator of a stable diet) and fat loads over the wi...
Nonmammalian Models for the Study of Pain

Processing nociceptive information is a consistent feature of the nervous system in all vertebrate species. This chapter reviews the nonmammalian models developed for pain and analgesia research, with a special emphasis on models that were used for detecting opioid antinociception. Nociceptive pathways in nonmammalian vertebrates are reviewed and endogenous opioid systems are described. Compared to mammalian models for pain research, there are relatively few models in each vertebrate class. Details are provided for the methods and the results of using an amphibian model for the testing of opioid analgesics. The chapter ends with a case study of the comparative approach in pain and analgesia research applied to the molecular evolution of opioid receptor proteins.
Analysis of a Class of Nonlinear Sampled-Data Systems with a Gaussian Input Signal

The problem treated here is the analysis of a class of nonlinear sampled-data systems with a Gaussian input signal. The nonlinear element is a symmetrical limiter (memoryless device) that feeds the linear element. Preceding the limiter is a sampler and zero-order hold unit for data reconstruction. The analysis is predicated on finding an equivalent gain for the nonlinear element such that the mean-square error is a minimum. The nonlinearity is thus replaced by a linear component and the system is then analyzed by conventional techniques. It is also shown that for appropriate sampling rates the sampled-data system is equivalent to a continuous system due to the action of the sampler-hold combination. All calculations pertaining to the limiter input signal require the use of a transfer function that is interior to the feedback loop. However, in developing this transfer function, the overall system is considered so that the system output may be evaluated after the value of equivalent gain has been found.
The effect of lattice compressibility on the thermodynamics of gas sorption in polymers

A compressible lattice model with holes, the glassy polymer lattice sorption model (GPLSM), was used to model the sorption of carbon dioxide, methane, and ethylene in glassy polycarbonate and carbon dioxide in glassy tetramethyl polycarbonate. For glassy polymers, an incompressible lattice model, such as the Flory–Huggins theory, requires concentration-dependent and physically unrealistic values for the lattice site volumes in order to satisfy lattice incompressibility. Rather than forcing lattice incompressibility, GPLSM was used and reasonable parameter values were obtained. The effect of conditioning on gas sorption in glassy polymers was analyzed quantitatively with GPLSM. The Henry's law constant decreases significantly upon gas conditioning, reflecting changes in the polymer matrix at infinite dilution. Treating the Henry's law constant as a hypothetical vapor pressure at infinite dilution, gas molecules in the conditioned polymer are less “volatile” than those in the unconditioned polymer. Flory–Huggins theory was used to model the sorption of carbon dioxide, methane, and ethylene in silicone rubber. Above the glass transition temperature, the criterion of lattice incompressibility for Flory-Huggins theory was satisfied with physically realistic and constant values for the lattice site volumes. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
No effect of donepezil on neurocognition and social cognition in young persons with stable schizophrenia

Introduction. Cognitive dysfunction is common in schizophrenia and linked with psychosocial dysfunction. We examined the possible effect of a 16-week trial of donepezil on cognition in young persons with stable schizophrenia. Method. Twenty-six outpatients who met criteria for age, duration of illness, clinical stability, and medications were randomly assigned to 16-week treatment with donepezil or placebo using a double blind design. At beginning and conclusion of the trial, participants completed standardised computerised assessment of neurocognition and social cognition. Symptomatology and functioning were assessed using standard rating scales for negative and positive symptoms, depression and mania, and quality of life. Results. No treatment effects were found on any cognitive functions or clinical symptoms in placebo or donepezil groups. Conclusion. Similar to other studies using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in more heterogeneous and symptomatic groups of patients with schizophrenia, donepezil does not appear to enhance cognitive abilities. Persistent cognitive impairment in schizophrenia with pervasive effects on psychosocial functioning and outcome, urge the search for agents that may offer improvement.
Some approaches to solving a multihour broadband network capacity design problem with single-path routing

In this paper, we consider solution approaches to a multihour combined capacity design and routing problem which arises in the design of dynamically reconfigurable broadband communication networks that uses the virtual path concept. We present a comparative evaluation of four approaches, namely: a genetic algorithm, a Lagrangian relaxation based subgradient optimization method, a generalized proximal point algorithm with subgradient optimization, and, finally, a hybrid approach where the subgradient based method is combined with a genetic algorithm. Our computational experience on a set of test problems of varying network sizes services) shows that the hybrid approach often is the desirable choice in obtaining the minimum cost network while the genetic algorithm based approach has the most difficulty in solving large scale problems.
Isolation of a Minireplicon of the Virulence Plasmid pXO2 of Bacillus anthracis and Characterization of the Plasmid-Encoded RepS Replication Protein

A minireplicon of plasmid pXO2 of Bacillus anthracis was isolated by molecular cloning in Escherichia coli and shown to replicate in B. anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus subtilis. The pXO2 replicon included (i) an open reading frame encoding the putative RepS replication initiation protein and (ii) the putative origin of replication. The RepS protein was expressed as a fusion with the maltose binding protein (MBP) at its amino-terminal end and purified by affinity chromatography. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that the purified MBP-RepS protein bound specifically to a 60-bp region corresponding to the putative origin of replication of pXO2 located immediately downstream of the RepS open reading frame. Competition DNA binding experiments showed that the 5' and central regions of the putative origin were important for RepS binding. MBP-RepS also bound nonspecifically to single-stranded DNA with a lower affinity.
The Influence of Positive and Negative Outcomes on Force Model Expectancy Predictions: Mixed Results from Two Samples

The relative validity of valence-instrumentality-expectancy (VIE) force model predictions of performance, based on positive and negative outcome lists, was examined. Using an open-ended questionnaire, Army and Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets generated positive and negative outcomes associated with participation in ROTC. VIE predictions were tested separately for the two samples using both self and supervisor ratings of performance. VIE composites based on the combined lists of outcomes significantly predicted both self and supervisor performance ratings in the Navy sample, and self-ratings in the Army sample. Limited support was obtained for the hypotheses that (1) positive outcome based VIE composites would correlate greater with performance than negative-based composites, and (2) VIE correlations with self-ratings would exceed those with supervisor ratings. The results were discussed in terms of how individuals process positive and negative outcome information related to high performan...
Design, fabrication, and testing of micromachined silicone rubber membrane valves

Technologies for fabricating silicone rubber membranes and integrating them with other processes on silicon wafers have been developed. Silicone rubber has been found to have exceptional mechanical properties including low modulus, high elongation, and good sealing. Thermopneumatically actuated, normally open, silicone rubber membrane valves with optimized components have been designed, fabricated, and tested. Suspended silicon nitride membrane heaters have been developed for low-power thermopneumatic actuation. Composite silicone rubber on Parylene valve membranes have been shown to have low permeability and modulus. Also, novel valve seats were designed to improve sealing in the presence of particles. The valves have been extensively characterized with respect to power consumption versus flow rate and transient response. Low power consumption, high flow rate, and high pressure have been demonstrated. For example, less than 40 mW is required to switch a 1-slpm nitrogen flow at 33 psi. Water requires dose to 100 mW due to the cooling effect of the liquid.
A Mechanism Design Approach to Financial Frictions

In a thought-provoking article ‘Can a “Credit Crunch” Be Efficient?’ Edward Green and Soo Nam Oh use a mechanism design approach to present a model of financial intermediation in which phenomena qualitatively resembling a ‘credit crunch’ occur but are efficient. In this short chapter, we extend and modify the model of Green and Oh in order to examine how different environments of private information and limited commitment generate different financial frictions. Following a tradition of mechanism design, which considers the market structure as an equilibrium outcome of the underlying environment, we ask questions such as: Which markets are open? Which contracts are used? Which institutions arise? We find that the model of Green and Oh is a useful benchmark to explain the recent literature on the mechanism design approach to financial frictions.
A stochastic mixed integer program to model spatial wildfire behavior and suppression placement decisions with uncertain weather

Wildfire behavior is a complex and stochastic phenomenon that can present unique tactical management challenges. This paper investigates a multistage stochastic mixed integer program with full recourse to model spatially explicit fire behavior and to select suppression locations for a wildland fire. Simplified suppression decisions take the form of “suppression nodes”, which are placed on a raster landscape for multiple decision stages. Weather scenarios are used to represent a distribution of probable changes in fire behavior in response to random weather changes, modeled using probabilistic weather trees. Multistage suppression decisions and fire behavior respond to these weather events and to each other. Nonanticipativity constraints ensure that suppression decisions account for uncertainty in weather forecasts. Test cases for this model provide examples of fire behavior interacting with suppression to achieve a minimum expected area impacted by fire and suppression.
Occurrence and characterization of everolimus adverse events during first and subsequent cycles in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose Endocrine therapy remains the standard therapy for patients with metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. The novel combination of everolimus and exemestane has been shown to prolong progression-free survival but with increased adverse events compared to exemestane alone. In this study, we aimed to describe the frequency and timing of everolimus dose reductions and/or interruptions due to adverse events.
Comparative Life Histories and Predation Types: Are Neoseiulus californicus and N. fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Similar Type II Selective Predators of Spider Mites?

Both Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and N. fallacis (Garman) have been rated a type II selective predator of spider mites that feeds more on spider mites than pollen or insects. We assessed this predation rating or an alternative hypothesis that N. californicus is more of a generalist predator than N. fallacis. In tests, reproduction was equal or greater for N. californicus than N. fallacis when each was held separately with excess Tetranychus urticae Koch, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergrande), or maize pollen, but it was less when with Aculus schlectendali Nalepa or Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor). N. californicus had other traits more like those of a generalist predator—adult females had shorter dorsocentral setae and moved farther on a plant but less often and for less distance between plants. N. californicus nymphs fed more either intraspecifically and interspecifically on phytoseiid eggs, but adult females of both species fed similarly on eggs of either phytoseiids. Larval feeding was less for N. californicus but nymphal feeding drive was alike for both species. Of 17 traits that were tested, 11 indicated more of a generalist role for N. californicus; 6 traits did not differ between species, and none indicated that N. californicus was more of a specialist predator of spider mites than N. fallacis. N. fallacis clearly is a specialist type II species, but a rating between specialist II and generalist III is needed for N. californicus. Traits of immatures were more discriminating than traits of female adults in this study; both trait types should be included in predation rating systems.
Kleine-Levin Syndrome: An Autoimmune Hypothesis

Clinical, polysomnographic, CSF, CT, and MRI records and genotype data of 30 unrelated patients with Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) and their families were studied at Hopital Gui-de-Chauliac, Montpellier, France, and other sleep centers.
Establishing a Research Center: The Minority Male Community College Collaborative (M2C3).

This chapter describes the establishment of the Minority Male Community College Collaborative (M2C3), a research and practice center at San Diego State University. M2C3 partners with community colleges across the United States to enhance access, achievement, and success among men of color. This chapter begins with a description of the national trends and concerns that led to the center's focus on supporting the capacity of community colleges to address challenges facing historically underrepresented and underserved men, particularly men of color. Next, the chapter describes the concepts of “equity-mindedness” and “institutional responsibility” that informed the conceptualization of the center's intervention approach. Guided by these concepts, partnerships advanced by institutional assessment tools such as the Community College Survey of Men (CCSM), the Community College Insights Protocol (CCIP), and the Community College Student Success Inventory (CCSSI) are described.
Cartesian Set Product

The Cartesian product of two sets is the set of all pairs of elements such that the first element of the pair is in one input set and the second element is in the other input set. We discuss derivations of algorithms to find Cartesian set products from Manna and Waldinger [42] and from Smith [53].
Documents Used in Home Trade

The simplest way to understand the paper records and documentary routine in general use is to follow the execution and sequence of a single order for the purchase of goods.
Bacterial Spheroplasts as a Model for Visualizing Membrane Translocation of Antimicrobial Peptides

Studies attempting to characterize the membrane translocation of antimicrobial and cell-penetrating peptides are frequently limited by the resolution of conventional light microscopy. This study shows that spheroplasts provide a valuable approach to overcome these limits. Spheroplasts produce less ambiguous images and allow for more systematic analyses of localization. Data collected with spheroplasts are consistent with studies using normal bacterial cells and imply that a particular peptide may not always follow the same mechanism of action.
Evolution in Action

I can safely say that evolution is a familiar thing to me. After growing up with many visits to the museum and after gathering a small personal collection of fossil fish and insects trapped in amber, I can easily imagine a world very different from ours, with dinosaurs roaming through a forest of giant ferns and giant dragonflies. With the help of ancient pot shards and stone knives, I can imagine hairier versions of myself discovering fire and hunting mammoths. I can even imagine tiny cells, newly minted, colonizing the early Earth and gradually, over millennia, flooding it with oxygen to create the world we live in today.
Moderating risk of Alzheimer's disease through the use of anxiolytic agents

Objectives Anxiety diagnoses occur in 17.1% in people age 65 years and older. Individuals with anxiety may be at a higher risk of the development of probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous literature has suggested that anxiolytic medications may exacerbate the risk of AD development. This study explored anxiolytic medication as a potential moderator of AD risk in older adults. Methods A secondary data analysis of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set was undertaken, analyzing observations from 12,083 participants with normal cognition at the first visit. Survival analysis was utilized to examine if anxiolytic medication use by those with anxiety and/or APOE ɛ4 moderates the hazard of AD and/or MCI development. Results The hazard of probable AD (HR = 3.50, [2.77 – 4.44], p < .0001) or MCI (HR = 2.13, [1.85–2.44], p < .0001) development was statistically significant for those with anxiety. This hazard was no longer statistically significant when specific anxiolytics were used. ɛ4 carriers experienced a statistically significant hazard of AD (HR = 1.92, [1.52–2.41], p < .001) and MCI (HR = 1.17, [1.04–1.32], p < .05) development. This effect was moderated by the use of anxiolytics. Discussion The results of this study suggest that anxiolytics may moderate the effect of anxiety on MCI and AD development, specifically indicating a neutralized hazard for those with ɛ4 carriers with anxiety. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Text message intervention improves objective sleep hours among adolescents: the moderating role of race-ethnicity

Abstract Objectives This 10-day study aimed to (1) assess the effectiveness of a text message–based sleep intervention and (2) determine whether the intervention was equally effective for non-Hispanic whites and racial-ethnic minority adolescents. Participants Participants were 46 (50% female) adolescents (13-18 years; mean=15.75 years old, SD=0.98) from a public high school in the Midwest. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to a control or text message intervention condition. Only participants in the intervention condition received 2 text messages outlining individualized bedtime goals daily, for 8 weekdays. Measurements All participants attended a sleep lecture, wore a sleep monitor, and completed baseline and exit surveys that assessed demographics, subjective sleep, lifestyle, and psychosocial adjustment variables. Results Results of a 2 (intervention, control) × 2 (pre-intervention, postintervention) analysis of variance test revealed no significant intervention × time interaction effect (F 1,38 =0.020, P =.889) in the full sample. This effect, however, was significantly moderated by race-ethnicity: Results indicated a significant intervention × time × race interaction (F 1,36 =8.050, P =.007, partial η 2 =.183) such that the intervention significantly improved sleep hours (by approximately 1 hour) only among non-Hispanic whites (and not among adolescents of racial-ethnic minority status). Conclusions Adolescents from racial-ethnic minority groups may face significant barriers that interfere with their ability to successfully alter their sleep-wake patterns and maximize sleep hours.
Advanced Reactor Passive System Reliability Demonstration Analysis for an External Event

Abstract Many advanced reactor designs rely on passive systems to fulfill safety functions during accident sequences. These systems depend heavily on boundary conditions to induce a motive force, meaning the system can fail to operate as intended because of deviations in boundary conditions, rather than as the result of physical failures. Furthermore, passive systems may operate in intermediate or degraded modes. These factors make passive system operation difficult to characterize within a traditional probabilistic framework that only recognizes discrete operating modes and does not allow for the explicit consideration of time-dependent boundary conditions. Argonne National Laboratory has been examining various methodologies for assessing passive system reliability within a probabilistic risk assessment for a station blackout event at an advanced small modular reactor. This paper provides an overview of a passive system reliability demonstration analysis for an external event. Considering an earthquake with the possibility of site flooding, the analysis focuses on the behavior of the passive Reactor Cavity Cooling System following potential physical damage and system flooding. The assessment approach seeks to combine mechanistic and simulation-based methods to leverage the benefits of the simulation-based approach without the need to substantially deviate from conventional probabilistic risk assessment techniques. Although this study is presented as only an example analysis, the results appear to demonstrate a high level of reliability of the Reactor Cavity Cooling System (and the reactor system in general) for the postulated transient event.
Relation of Intensity of Statin Therapy and Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Statin therapy is associated with improved survival in patients at high risk for cardiovascular mortality, but the impact of statin therapy in patients treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is unknown. We reviewed 294 consecutive cases of TAVR performed at a single tertiary care medical center. We defined high-intensity statin therapy as atorvastatin 40 to 80 mg/day or rosuvastatin 20 to 40 mg/day. Study outcomes included post-TAVR adverse events, 30-day mortality, and overall survival. At the time of TAVR, 14% (n = 41) were on high-intensity statin therapy, 59% (n = 173) were on low- or moderate-intensity statin therapy, and 27% (n = 80) were not on statin therapy. There was no association between statin therapy and the rate of post-TAVR stroke, myocardial infarction, acute kidney injury, in-hospital mortality, or 30-day mortality. At 2 years, 83% of patients in the high-intensity statin group were alive, 70% in the low/moderate-intensity statin group were alive, and 57% in the no statin group were alive (log-rank p = 0.016). In a risk-adjusted model, high-intensity statin therapy was associated with a 64% reduction in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.90, p = 0.029) compared with no statin therapy. In conclusion, statin therapy is associated with improved overall survival after TAVR in a dose-dependent manner.
Regulation of Cellular Redox Signaling by Matricellular Proteins in Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Cancer

Abstract Significance: In contrast to structural elements of the extracellular matrix, matricellular proteins appear transiently during development and injury responses, but their sustained expression can contribute to chronic disease. Through interactions with other matrix components and specific cell surface receptors, matricellular proteins regulate multiple signaling pathways, including those mediated by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and H2S. Dysregulation of matricellular proteins contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases and cancer. Defining the molecular mechanisms and receptors involved is revealing new therapeutic opportunities. Recent Advances: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) regulates NO, H2S, and superoxide production and signaling in several cell types. The TSP1 receptor CD47 plays a central role in inhibition of NO signaling, but other TSP1 receptors also modulate redox signaling. The matricellular protein CCN1 engages some of the same receptors to regulate redox signaling, and ADA...
Endoscopy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Western Perspectives-North America

Endoscopy is essential for the diagnosis and management of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Endoscopic procedures are used to make the initial diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), distinguish Crohn’s disease from ulcerative colitis, evaluate disease extent and disease activity, assess response to therapy, survey for dysplasia, and provide endoscopic treatment. This review focuses on the purpose of different endoscopic procedures including upper and lower endoscopy, and capsule endoscopy as well as balloon enteroscopy in the evaluation and management of patients with IBD in the United States.
Cyanide Ligand Assembly by Carbon Atom Transfer to an Iron Nitride

The new iron(IV) nitride complex PhB(iPr2Im)3Fe≡N reacts with 2 equiv of bis(diisopropylamino)cyclopropenylidene (BAC) to provide PhB(iPr2Im)3Fe(CN)(N2)(BAC). This unusual example of a four-electron reaction involves carbon atom transfer from BAC to create a cyanide ligand along with the alkyne iPr2N-C≡C-NiPr2. The iron complex is in equilibrium with an N2-free species. Further reaction with CO leads to formation of a CO analogue, which can be independently prepared using NaCN as the cyanide source, while reaction with B(C6F5)3 provides the cyanoborane derivative.
FcRL4 Expression Identifies a Pro-inflammatory B Cell Subset in Viremic HIV-Infected Subjects

In autoimmune diseases, toll-like receptor (TLR)-stimulated pro-inflammatory IL-6-secreting B cells exert pathogenic roles. Similarly, B cell Fc receptor-like 4 (FcRL4) expression amplifies TLR stimulation, and in rheumatoid arthritis patients, FcRL4 expression identifies a pro-inflammatory B cell subset. B cells from HIV-infected subjects also express heightened levels of FcRL4 and secrete high levels of IL-6: a critical mediator of HIV disease progression. In this study, we sought to determine if FcRL4 identifies a pro-inflammatory B cell subset in HIV-infected subjects and further elucidate the mechanisms underlying FcRL4 amplification of TLR stimulation. We determine that tissue-like memory B cells express the highest endogenous levels of FcRL4 positively correlating with IL-6 expression (p = 0.0022, r = 0.8667), but activated memory B cells exhibit the highest frequency of FcRL4hiIL-6hi cells. FcRL4hi B cells exhibit an activated TLR-signaling pathway identified by elevated phosphorylation levels of: pERK (p = 0.0373), p38 (p = 0.0337), p65 (p = 0.1097), and cJUN (p = 0.0239), concomitant with significantly elevated expression of the TLR-signaling modulator hematopoietic cell kinase (HcK, p = 0.0414). Compared to FcRL4neg B cells from healthy controls, TLR9-stimulated FcRL4pos B cells express significantly higher levels of lL-6 (p = 0.0179). Further, TLR9-stimulated B cells also upregulate the expression of FcRL4 (p = 0.0415) and HcK (p = 0.0386). In B-cell lines, siRNA-mediated HcK knockdown downmodulates TLR9-induced FcRL4-mediated activation quantified by CD23 upregulation (p = 0.0553). We present data suggesting that, in viremic HIV-infected individuals, FcRL4 expression identifies unique IL-6 producing pro-inflammatory B-cell subsets. Further, TLR stimulation likely modulates FcRL4 expression and FcRL4 expression is associated with Hck, potentially enhancing the activation of TLR-signaling associated transcription factors. Pathogenic B-cells have been identified in other disease settings, and this study represents a novel report describing a pro-inflammatory B cell subset in HIV-infected patients.
The Belshazzar Allusion in Charles Dickens's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

First published in December 1843, A Christmas Carol is arguably Charles Dickens's most beloved work. By the author's admission, it is the one that caused him the most emotional ups and downs while ...
Breaking New Ground: McHenry County College Developmental Mathematics Approach.

Focusing on the Developmental Mathematics program installed by McHenry County College (MCC), this case study examines an integrative approach to reducing student dependency on developmental math. F...
Protecting Podocytes: A Key Target for Therapy of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Background Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a histologic pattern of injury demonstrated by renal biopsy that can arise from a diverse range of causes and mechanisms. It has an estimated incidence of 7 per 1 million and is the most common primary glomerular disorder leading to end-stage renal disease in the United States. This review focuses on damage to the podocyte and the consequences of this injury in patients with FSGS, the genetics of FSGS, and approaches to treatment with a focus on the effects on podocytes. Summary The podocyte is central to the glomerular filtration barrier and is particularly vulnerable because of its highly differentiated post-mitotic phenotype. The progressive structural changes involved in the pathology of FSGS include podocyte foot process effacement, death of podocytes and exposure of the glomerular basement membrane, filtration of nonspecific plasma proteins, expansion of capillaries, misdirected filtration at points of synechiae, and mesangial matrix proliferation. Although damage to and death of podocytes can result from single-gene disorders, evidence also suggests a role for soluble factors, such as soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, cardiotrophin-like cytokine-1, and anti-CD40 antibodies, that promote FSGS recurrence post transplant. Several classes of medications, including corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and rituximab, have been shown to be effective for the treatment of FSGS and have been demonstrated to have significant protective effects on podocytes. Key Messages: Greater understanding of podocyte biology is essential to the identification of new treatment targets and medications for the management of patients with FSGS.
Beyond Cell Death: New Functions for TNF Family Cytokines in Autoimmunity and Tumor Immunotherapy

Originally discovered as an inducer of apoptosis, the TNF-family receptor Fas (CD95, APO-1, TNFRSF6) has more recently been found to have functions beyond cell death, including T cell co-stimulation and promoting terminal differentiation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Other TNF family members also discovered as apoptosis inducers, such as TRAIL (APO-2L, TNFSF10), can promote inflammation through caspase-8. Surprisingly, non-apoptotic signaling through Fas can protect from the autoimmunity seen in Fas deficiency independently from the cell death inducing functions of the receptor. Non-apoptotic Fas signaling can induce tumor cell growth and migration, and impair the efficacy of T cell adoptive immunotherapy. Blocking of non-apoptotic functions of these receptors may be a novel strategy to regulate autoimmunity and inflammation, and enhance antitumor immunity.