cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histone Deacetylase Regulation of ATM-Mediated DNA Damage Signaling

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a major regulator of the DNA damage response. ATM promotes the activation of BRCA1, CHK2, and p53 leading to the induction of response genes such as CDKN1A (p21), GADD45A and RRM2B that promote cell cycle arrest and DNA repair. The up-regulation of these response genes may contribute to resistance of cancer cells to genotoxic therapies. Here we show that histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a major role in mitigating the response of the ATM pathway to DNA damage. HDAC inhibition decreased ATM activation and expression, and attenuated the activation of p53 in vitro and in vivo. Select depletion of HDAC1 and HDAC2 was sufficient to modulate ATM activation, reduce GADD45A and RRM2B induction, and increase sensitivity to DNA strand breaks. The regulation of ATM by HDAC enzymes therefore suggests a vital role for HDAC1 and HDAC2 in the DNA damage response, and the potential use of the ATM pathway as a pharmacodynamic marker for combination therapies involving HDAC inhibitors.
ASIC for Small Angle Neutron Scattering Experiments at the SNS

We present an ASIC for a 3He gas detector to be used in small angle neutron scattering experiments at the spallation neutron source in oak ridge. The ASIC is composed of 64 channels with low noise charge amplification, filtering, timing and amplitude measurement circuits, where an innovative current-mode peak-detector and digitizer (PDAD) is adopted. The proposed PDAD provides at the same time peak detection and A/D conversion in real time, at low power, and without requiring a clock signal. The channels share an efficient data sparsification and derandomization scheme, a 30-bit 256 deep FIFO, and low voltage differential signaling.
Severe Renal Mass Reduction Impairs Recovery and Promotes Fibrosis after AKI

Preexisting CKD may affect the severity of and/or recovery from AKI. We assessed the impact of prior graded normotensive renal mass reduction on ischemia-reperfusion-induced AKI. Rats underwent 40 minutes of ischemia 2 weeks after right uninephrectomy and surgical excision of both poles of the left kidney (75% reduction of renal mass), right uninephrectomy (50% reduction of renal mass), or sham reduction of renal mass. The severity of AKI was comparable among groups, which was reflected by similarly increased serum creatinine (SCr; approximately 4.5 mg/dl) at 2 days, tubule necrosis at 3 days, and vimentin-expressing regenerating tubules at 7 days postischemia-reperfusion. However, SCr remained elevated compared with preischemia-reperfusion values, and more tubules failed to differentiate during late recovery 4 weeks after ischemia-reperfusion in rats with 75% renal mass reduction relative to other groups. Tubules that failed to differentiate continued to produce vimentin, exhibited vicarious proliferative signaling, and expressed less vascular endothelial growth factor but more profibrotic peptides. The disproportionate failure of regenerating tubules to redifferentiate in rats with 75% renal mass reduction associated with more severe capillary rarefaction and greater tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Furthermore, initially normotensive rats with 75% renal mass reduction developed hypertension and proteinuria, 2-4 weeks postischemia-reperfusion. In summary, severe (>50%) renal mass reduction disproportionately compromised tubule repair, diminished capillary density, and promoted fibrosis with hypertension after ischemia-reperfusion-induced AKI in rats, suggesting that accelerated declines of renal function may occur after AKI in patients with preexisting CKD.
VSPIN: A framework for developing incremental sensor network reprogramming strategies

We present VSPIN, a framework for developing incremental code update mechanisms to support efficient reprogramming of wireless sensor networks. The presentation emphasizes the supporting framework rather than the reprogramming mechanisms themselves. Concretely, VSPIN provides a modular testing platform on a host desktop system to plug-in and evaluate various incremental code update algorithms. The framework supports Avrdude, among the most popular programming tools for AVR microcontrollers. VSPIN consists of a virtual serial port device driver which executes in Linux kernel space, a user space component, and a corresponding boot loader which executes on the sensing (microcontroller) core. The framework is tailored for AVR microcontrollers, which support in-system reprogramming of on-chip flash memory through a serial interface (SPI or UART). On the host side, VSPIN can function with wireless communication devices (802.11b/g/n or 802.15.4), or wired communication devices which expose a serial device interface on the Linux platform (RS-232 or USB). We describe the overall architecture and detail the individual components of VSPIN. The development of VSPIN is the first such attempt to facilitate ease of development, testing, and use of incremental code update algorithms for efficient network reprogramming.
Role of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype mGluR1 in Brief Nociception and Central Sensitization of Primate STT Cells

G-protein coupled metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are important modulators of synaptic transmission in the mammalian CNS and have been implicated in various forms of neuroplasticity and n...
Poorly Differentiated and Undifferentiated Thyroid Carcinomas

The definition of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma has been the source of great controversy in the pathology literature.1 Many definitions and schemes have been proposed, but little consensus exists about what defines a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTCA). Because of this, the clinical behavior is not well defined and the clinicopathologic features affecting prognosis remain largely unknown.
Some Directions for Mediumship Research

The study of mediums was part of a larger program of psychi- cal research, begun in the late 19th century, intended to examine specifi cally whether human personality survives bodily death, and more generally whether the brain produces mind or consciousness, as most scientists since the late 19th century have assumed. Although a vast amount of high-quality research resulted from that effort, the study of mediumship was almost completely abandoned during the latter half of the 20th century, primarily because of the impasse reached over whether the phenomena are best-interpreted as attribut- able to deceased agents or to living agents. In this paper the author examines some types of mediumship research that have been considered particularly important for the survival question: cross-correspondences, drop-in communi- cators, and proxy cases. She argues that a revival of research on mediumship, particularly with proxy sittings, could contribute importantly to present-day psychical research and, perhaps ultimately, move us beyond the current im- passe.
The Road to Reform: A Grounded Theory Study of Parents' and Teachers' Influence on Elementary School Science and Mathematics

Though elementary teacher educators introduce new, reform-based strategies in science and mathematics methods courses, researchers wondered how novices negotiate reform strategies once they enter the elementary school culture. Given that the extent of parents' and veteran teachers' influence on novice teachers is largely unknown, this grounded theory study explored parents' and teachers' expectations of children's optimal science and mathematics learning in the current era of reform. Data consisted of semi-structured, open-ended interviews with novice teachers (n = 20), veteran teachers (n = 9), and parents (n = 28). Researchers followed three stages of coding procedures to develop a logic model connecting participants' discrete designations of the landscape, regulating phenomena, contextual orientation, and desired outcomes. This logic model helped researchers develop propositions for future research on the interactive nature of parents' and teachers' influential role in elementary science and mathematics education. Implications encourage science and mathematics teacher educators—as well as school administrators—to explicitly develop and support novice teachers' ability to initiate and sustain parent/family engagement in order to create a school climate where teachers and parents are synergistically motivated to change.
Bayesian Maximum Entropy Integration of Ozone Observations and Model Predictions: A National Application

To improve ozone exposure estimates for ambient concentrations at a national scale, we introduce our novel Regionalized Air Quality Model Performance (RAMP) approach to integrate chemical transport model (CTM) predictions with the available ozone observations using the Bayesian Maximum Entropy (BME) framework. The framework models the nonlinear and nonhomoscedastic relation between air pollution observations and CTM predictions and for the first time accounts for variability in CTM model performance. A validation analysis using only noncollocated data outside of a validation radius rv was performed and the R2 between observations and re-estimated values for two daily metrics, the daily maximum 8-h average (DM8A) and the daily 24-h average (D24A) ozone concentrations, were obtained with the OBS scenario using ozone observations only in contrast with the RAMP and a Constant Air Quality Model Performance (CAMP) scenarios. We show that, by accounting for the spatial and temporal variability in model performan...
Evaluation of Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) fletcheri (Acari: Trombiculidae) as a potential vector of Ehrlichia sennetsu.

Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) fletcheri (Womersley & Heaslip), whether naturally infected with Rickettsia tsutsugamushi (Nagayo et al.) or from a R. tsutsugamushi-free colony, failed to acquire or transmit Ehrlichia sennetsu (Misao & Kobayashi) after feeding on Institute of Cancer Research strain of mice experimentally infected with E. sennetsu by intraperitoneal injection. Presence of R. tsutsugamushi organisms in potential vector mites does not enhance establishment of E. sennetsu in mite tissues.
Effects of Two Prey Species on the Development of Hippodamia sinuate (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Larvae at Constant Temperatures

The effects of prey species and constant temperature regimes on the development of Hippodamia sinuate Mulsant were studied. H. sinuate completed larval development faster on corn leaf aphids, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), than on green bug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), at low temperatures, but no significant differences were evident at temperatures >2O°C. H. sinuate began development at a lower threshold temperature (7.05) and required more degree-days (338.63) for development when corn leaf aphids were the prey rather than green bugs (12.9O°C, 259.54). At 25 and 3O°C, H. sinuate larvae consumed significantly more corn leaf aphids than green bugs (both per day and total consumption), whereas significantly more green bugs were consumed at 20 and 35OC. The results of the studies confirm the importance of corn leaf aphids as an early-season, cool-temperature prey for H. sinuate .
Propagation of small disturbances on large deformations in a viscoelastic fluid

The propagation characteristics (i.e., wave velocity & amplitude strength) of small disturbances existing in a large base motion of a BKZ viscoelastic liquid are considered. A small motion superposed on a large deformation is taken to be a wave of small amplitude propagating across a base flow. The analysis treats a wave as a singular surface across which there is a jump discontinuity of a kinematical variable. Specific attention is directed to second order waves where the perturbed displacement and its first derivatives are continuous but higher order derivatives are not. The growth and decay of amplitude of small plane second order shear waves propagating across steady simple shearing flow is studied in detail. Using the Zapas form for the BKZ material function, it is found that the amplitude of these shear waves will always decay. The rate of decay is dependent on the rate of shear of the base flow.
On Determining Tree Query Membership Of A Distributed Query

AbstractIn processing distributed relational database queries, the cost of communication between sites is the dominant cost factor. It is generally agreed that the amount of data transferred determines this communication cost to a large extent. Thus it is desirable to minimize the amount of transmitted data.Semi-join is a relational database operator which can be utilized to reduce the amount of data transmission in processing distributed queries. A class of queries, called tree queries, can always be answered using semi-joins. In this paper an algorithm is presented which decides whether or not a query involvingjoin clauses with relational operators { } is a tree query. For any tree query the algorithm also produces a tree query graph, so that the sequences of semi-joins to answer the query can immediately be determined.
Tetrins: polypeptides that form bundled filaments in Tetrahymena

The cortex of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena contains a number of fibrous elements, including a network of filaments that pervades the feeding organelle of this organism. The cluster of polypeptides (79-89K; K = 10(3) Mr) in Tetrahymena pyriformis GL-C that constitute these filaments has been purified by in vitro assembly after solubilization in 1.0 M KI. Four distinct sets of these polypeptides, designated 'tetrins', have been shown to be distinguishable from each other by immunochemical and biochemical criteria. The smallest filaments reassembled in vitro were 3-4 nm in diameter and these fine filaments were seen to be bundled together into thicker strands of varying diameters, similar to those within the cell. The thicker filament bundles were clearly distinguishable from intermediate filaments, but fine filaments in these bundles were superficially similar to the 2-5 nm filaments described as microtubule-associated proteins in other organisms. The ultrastructure of the tetrin filaments localized within the feeding organelle reveals a substantial presence of these filaments apart from microtubules. In addition, circular dichroism measurements indicate a relatively low alpha-helical content for these filaments and suggest that the tetrins may be substantially different from other fine filament proteins such as the tektins and giardins.
A comparison of nutrition knowledge and attitudes, dietary practices, and bone densities of postmenopausal women, female college athletes, and nonathletic college women.

This study evaluated the nutrition knowledge and attitudes, dietary practices, and bone densities of four groups of women: 18 postmenopausal women, 14 college-aged dancers, 13 members of a college track team, and 14 nonathletic college women. Subjects completed a personal information questionnaire, a 24-hour food recall, a food frequency questionnaire, a nutrition knowledge test, and an attitude survey; measurements of the subjects’ spinal bone density were also taken. The mean ( ± 0.5 standard error [SEM]) nutrition knowledge score of the dancers (22.5) was significantly lower than the mean scores of the postmenopausal women (28.5), the nonathletes (29.7), and the track team members (26.5). Dancers also reported eating fewer mean (±4.0 SEM) servings of high-calcium foods per month (43) than did postmenopausal women (77), nonathletes (66), or track team members (73). Track team members had a significantly higher mean (±0.2 SEM) anorexia/bulimia score (3.7) than did postmenopausal women (2.5), nonathletes (2.1), or dancers (2.2). There were no significant differences in bone mineral density among the four groups. The number of servings of high-calcium foods eaten was significantly correlated with nutrition knowledge scores (r= .38) and attitude scores (r= .32), but nutrition knowledge and attitude scores were not significantly correlated with each other. The track team members exercised significantly more than women in all other groups—mean (±40 SEM) minutes exercise time was 700 minutes/week for track team members, 79 minutes/week for postmenopausal women, 92 minutes/week for nonathletes, and 500 minutes/week for dancers—and also experienced the most amenorrhea.
Formula-Based Subject Allocation: A Practical Approach

There has long been debate in the academic library community concerning the best method of allocating funds along disciplinary, or subject-specific, lines. Central to this debate is the question of suitability of formula-driven allocation. Once a library has decided to use a mathematical formula in allocating funds, it has the responsibility of developing a fair, rigorously constructed and effective formula. This article documents the work of a subject allocation committee charged with making the allocation process more equitable at George Mason University's Fenwick Library. After a thorough literature review, a decision was made to use a formula-based procedure. The article describes how factors to be used in the formula were selected. Data collection methods are then examined and the formula itself presented.
Increasing fuel thermal management system capability via objective function design

The drive to extract greater capability from increasingly complex and constrained energy systems has led to a need for systematically specifying and synthesizing desirable control strategies. The heuristic control design scales poorly with system complexity, and there is a lack of connection to quantifiable and verifiable requirements. Similarly, objective functions used in optimal control often use generic quadratic objective functions instead of objective functions inspired by the systems' fundamental properties. As a result, this can create a large tuning problem involving the penalties for many states and inputs. This paper investigates objective functions inspired by thermodynamics as a starting point for control design of an aircraft's fuel thermal management system.
Utilizing mobile devices to enrich the learning style of students

ABSTRACTAs digital technologies evolve in education, business faculty have increased access to an extensive range of mobile devices and online applications to help them inspire students' passion for learning. Adopting new digital approaches to teaching can also enhance the learning style of students who are immersed in the use of digital devices. How can the use of these devices and associated applications (apps) help students broaden the opportunities for a more effective learning experience? In this exploratory article, the authors examine the impact of two mobile apps—Flipboard and Stitcher—on students' learning and engagement with class-assigned marketing materials. Students enjoyed Flipboard more than Stitcher in contributing to the requirements of class work.
Physical Activity Increases after an Affectively Arousing Daily Life Event.

Evidence that structured physical activity can help to regulate affective state has spurred interest in identifying associations between unstructured physical activity and affective states during daily life. The present study examined whether stressful daily life situations that elicit affective arousal also elicit increased physical activity in the form of restless movement. The study compared the physical activity of professors (n = 25) after presenting a classroom lecture to their physical activity at the same time of day on a non-lecture workday. The expectation was that lecturing would increase affective arousal, leading to greater restless movement following the lecture compared to the non-lecture control day. The study assessed subjective arousal to confirm that arousal was higher during the lecture. The primary outcome measures were actigraphy-measured standing and stepping times and number of steps and posture transitions. Results indicate that energetic and tense arousal were higher during the lecture than during the control period. Mean (± SE) up time (standing & stepping) for the first minute of the 20 minute post lecture period was double that of the last minute (32.8 ± 5.73 s to 16.5 ± 5.41 s), while it remained low throughout the comparison period on the control day (p = .01). Subjects also took more steps (p = .006) and engaged in more transitions between sitting and standing (p = .02) after the lecture than after the control period. These results support the conclusion that stressful daily life situations that elicit affective arousal also elicit increased physical activity in the form of restless movement and suggest that affective responses to stressful situations may be important determinants of physical activity during daily life.
ESTIMATING THE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF LATE WILT OF CORN (HARPOPHORA MAYDIS) INCURSIONS INTO THE UNITED STATES

This analysis estimates the economic impacts of late wilt of corn; a seed- and soil-borne pathogen affecting corn. The assumed infestation originates in central Illinois in crop year 2012/13 and spreads through the 2017/18 crop year. The infestation triggers a loss in U.S. coarse grains exports. With no trade regionalization the export loss dominates the output loss so prices for corn and other crops fall. From 2012/13 to 2017/18 losses in returns to U.S. agricultural producers total $41.3 billion. Coarse grains producers lose $21.8 billion. That loss consists of a $20.1 billion loss to uninfested producers combined with a loss to infested growers of $1.7 billion. Losses to infested growers are concentrated on a few producers in central Illinois while the larger loss to uninfested grower is spread among growers throughout the United States. Land owners are a separate group and lose $9.9 billion. Competing crops experience reduced returns. Lower commodity prices mean gains in consumer surplus. If the export market is regionalized, the output reduction and the export loss offset. Infested corn growers continue to experience losses but higher corn prices generate gains to uninfected growers to balance the loss to infested growers.
Senior Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident Confidence in Performing Invasive Temporomandibular Joint Procedures.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of confidence that senior-level oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents have in the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, determine their exposure to various invasive TMJ procedures during training, and assess their confidence in performing those procedures on completion of residency. Materials and Methods A questionnaire was designed, and a link to a University of Illinois at Chicago Qualtrics Survey platform (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) was e-mailed to all program directors at Commission on Dental Accreditation–accredited OMS training programs in the United States. The program directors were asked to forward the 20–multiple-choice question anonymous survey to their senior-level residents for completion. The survey included the program's demographic characteristics, resident's confidence in assessing and managing patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), resident's experience performing various invasive TMJ procedures, and whether the resident believed he or she had received sufficient education and clinical experience in the management of TMJ disorders. The data were collected and summarized by use of a standard spreadsheet analysis, as well as appropriate descriptive and analytical statistical tests. Results The response rate was 28.0%. Of the 56 respondents, 52 (92.9%) reported having received instruction in nonsurgical management of TMDs. All respondents confirmed that invasive TMJ procedures were performed in their program. The most commonly performed procedure was TMJ arthrocentesis (mean rating, 3.11), followed by open TMJ surgery (mean rating, 2.82). The least-performed invasive surgical procedure was autogenous total TMJ replacement surgery (mean rating, 1.39). Eighty percent of residents reported being comfortable managing the TMD patient. The only procedure with which the respondents were highly confident was TMJ arthrocentesis (mean rating, 3.89). Conclusions This study suggests that confidence levels in the management of the TMD patient are related directly to the invasive TMJ procedure experience obtained during residency. This finding may have implications on the practice patterns of OMS surgeons as it relates to access to care for the TMD patient.
SCP4: A Small Nuclear Phosphatase Having a Big Effect on FoxOs in Gluconeogenesis.

Hyperglycemia has detrimental effects on normal organ functions in people with diabetes, chiefly contributing to the development of diabetic complications in both central and peripheral organs (1). Hyperglycemia, a hallmark of diabetes, results from dysregulation of both glucose intake/production and uptake/utilization. In type 1 diabetes, due to pancreatic β-cell death and insulin deficiency, glucose uptake and disposal decrease significantly while endogenous glucose production increases. In type 2 diabetes, due to insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, glucose homeostasis is similarly dysregulated. With regard to the endogenous glucose production, there are two metabolic processes—gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. The liver is the major organ responsible for both processes (2). Thus, the control of hepatic glucose production is highly relevant to the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Hepatic gluconeogenesis is regulated at multiple levels, including expression of key gluconeogenic genes, enzymatic activity, and substrate flux. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) are two of the key enzymes that are involved in gluconeogenesis. Expression of these two genes is reciprocally controlled by insulin and glucagon (3). Upon insulin binding to insulin receptor (IR), the IR is activated and initiates the insulin signaling cascade through insulin receptor substrates (IRS), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), 3-phosphoinositide–dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), and AKT/PKB kinase (4). Multiple metabolic processes are regulated by the AKT kinases, including gluconeogenesis and synthesis of glycogen, lipid, and protein (5). Forkhead box O transcription factors (FoxOs) are key regulators for hepatic gluconeogenesis (6–8). There are four FoxO genes in mammals—FoxO1/3/4/6 (9). The transcriptional activity of FoxOs is tightly controlled by protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. AKT is a major …
Personalized printing for stroke prevention, hand in glove

3D-printed patient-specific left atrial appendage occluders overcome anatomic variability to personalize stroke prevention.
Analysis and Evaluation of a Dual-Variable Closed-Loop Control of Power Converter With Wireless and Nonwireless Power Transfer

This paper presents a closed-loop controller that regulates the voltage or current at both wireless power transfer (WPT) output and nonwireless power transfer (non-WPT) output simultaneously while using the same set of components. First, a power converter topology that has two types of outputs, a WPT output and a non-WPT wired output, is introduced. This dual-type output (DTO) power converter uses the same set of power components for the two outputs in order to eliminate the transmitter-side circuit in a WPT system, which results in reduced cost and size. Second, a method is presented in order to independently control and regulate each of the two outputs (voltage and/or current) by using two variables, the duty cycle and the switching frequency. The dual-variable DTO controller regulates the non-WPT output by modulating the duty cycle of the switches and regulates the WPT output by modulating the switching frequency of the same switches of the DTO power converter. The theoretical basis and experimental prototype results, including those with dual battery charging, are provided in order to illustrate and validate the presented method.
Language and Number Values: The Influence of Number Names on Children’s Understanding of Place Values

In recent years, the idea of language influencing the cognitive development of an understanding of place value has received increasing attention. This study explored the influence of using explicit number names on prekindergarten and kindergarten students’ ability to rote count, read two-digit numerals, model two-digit numbers, and identify the place value of individual digits in two-digit numerals. Through individual student interviews, pre and post assessments were administered to evaluate rote counting, reading five two-digit numerals, modeling five two-digit numbers, and identifying place value in two two-digit numerals. Chi-square tests for independence showed two significant relations: (a) the relationship between the traditional and explicit group membership on the post assessment of modeling twodigit numbers, and (b) the relationship between place value identifications and group membership. Analysis of the children’s performance and error patterns revealed interesting differences between c...
Toward Understanding Nucleosynthesis Patterns in Intermediate-Mass Stars: C, S, and Ar in PNe

We report on our project to re-evaluate carbon and other abundances in PNe spanning the expected PN progenitor mass range. The ultimate goal of this work is three-fold: (i) to determine the abundance of carbon in this sample; (ii) to assess the abundances of sulfur and argon as metallicity indicators in intermediate-mass stars; and (iii) to incorporate our metallicity results into stellar evolution models to predict nucleosynthesis yields as a function of mass and metallicity.
Multiband and Multidimensional Analysis of Quantum Transport in Ultrasubmicron Devices

Mechanisms leading to negative differential resistance in double-barrier resonanttunneling structures (DBRTS) have been investigated extensively. While simple one- dimensional, one-band models can explain the qualitative behavior of DBRTS (Tsu and Esaki 1973, Ricco and Azbel 1983), they are less successful at reaching quantitative agreement with experimental results, particularly in predicting peak-to-valley current ratios. The discrepancy has been attributed to band structure effects, and various scattering processes, such as electron-phonon scattering, electron-electron interactions, impurity scattering, and interface roughness. In this work, we focus on a theoretical method that can effectively incorporate realistic band structures, and also treat reduced dimensionality and structural inhomogeneities.
Association between Visual Acuity and Retinal Layer Metrics in Diabetics with and without Macular Edema

Purpose. Diabetes is known to cause alterations in retinal microvasculature and tissue that progressively lead to visual impairment. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is useful for assessment of total retinal thickening due to diabetic macular edema (DME). In the current study, we determined associations between visual acuity (VA) and retinal layer thickness, reflectance, and interface disruption derived from enface OCT images in subjects with and without DME. Materials and Methods. Best corrected VA was measured and high-density OCT volume scans were acquired in 149 diabetic subjects. A previously established image segmentation method identified retinal layer interfaces and locations of visually indiscernible (disrupted) interfaces. Enface thickness maps and reflectance images of the nerve fiber layer (NFL), combined ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCLIPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), photoreceptor outer segment layer (OSL), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were generated in the central macular subfield. The associations among VA and retinal layer metrics were determined by multivariate linear regressions after adjusting for covariates (age, sex, race, HbA1c, diabetes type, and duration) and correcting for multiple comparisons. Results. In DME subjects, increased GCLIPL and OPL thickness and decreased OSL thickness were associated with reduced VA. Furthermore, increased NFL reflectance and decreased OSL reflectance were associated with reduced VA. Additionally, increased areas of INL and ONL interface disruptions were associated with reduced VA. In subjects without DME, increased INL thickness was associated with reduced VA, whereas in subjects without DME but with previous antivascular endothelium growth factor treatment, thickening of OPL was associated with reduced VA. Conclusions. Alterations in retinal layer thickness and reflectance metrics derived from enface OCT images were associated with reduced VA with and without presence of DME, suggestive of their potential for monitoring development, progression, and treatment of DME.
Nonimmune hydrops fetalis: identifying the underlying genetic etiology.

Numerous etiologies may lead to nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF), and the underlying cause often remains unclear. We aimed to determine the proportion of NIHF cases in which the etiology was clearly determined in a large, contemporary, and diverse cohort, as well as to describe the etiologies with a focus on genetic causes. Retrospective review of NIHF cases between 2015 and 2017 from the five University of California Fetal–Maternal Consortium sites. Singleton pregnancies with prenatally diagnosed NIHF were included, and cases with maternal alloimmunization were excluded. Cases were categorized as being of confirmed, suspected, or unknown etiology. Sixty-five NIHF cases were identified. Forty-six percent (30/65) remained of unknown etiology, while 9.2% (6/65) had a suspected etiology and 44.6% (29/65) were of confirmed etiology. Among confirmed cases, 11 resulted from aneuploidy; 7 from fetal structural anomalies; 2 each from fetal arrhythmia, Noonan syndrome, and generalized lymphatic dysplasia; and 1 each from arthrogryposis, parvovirus, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, fetal goiter, and Kasabach–Merritt syndrome. In this contemporary, multicenter study, the cause of prenatally diagnosed NIHF was confirmed in only 44% of cases, and a genetic etiology was found in only 25% of those that received standard of care genetic testing.
Inferring Interactions in Molecular Networks via Primary Decompositions of Monomial Ideals

Abstract Discrete models such as logical or Boolean networks are popular choices for modeling biological systems, especially in molecular biology. Examples include gene regulatory networks, protein-protein interaction networks, signaling networks, and more. Chapter 4 introduced a general framework for these types of models called local models, and this includes logical and Boolean networks as special cases. We encourage the reader to read Chapter 4 first. In the current chapter, we will study a particular mathematical problem that arises in modeling which we can tackle using computational algebra. Specifically, suppose we wish to understand a biological system from “partial data.” That is, we know some input and output values, and the goal is simply to determine which update functions depend on which variables. Moreover, sometimes we wish to determine which nodes are activators and which nodes inhibitors. Such data might arise from gene silencing or gene knockout experiments. Our approach to this problem involves constructing a square-free monomial or pseudo-monomial ideal that encodes the data, and then extracting the dependencies from the primary decomposition.
The Role of Fungi in C. Difficile Infection: An Underappreciated Transkingdom Interaction

Abstract Novel culture independent technologies have further elucidated the composition of the human mycobiome, though the role of fungi in human health and disease remains largely unknown. Recent studies have suggested conflicting roles for fungi in the gastrointestinal tract, underscoring the complexity of the interactions between the mycobiome, its bacterial counterpart, and the host. One key example is the observation that fungal taxa are overrepresented in patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), suggesting a role for fungi in this disease. Recent studies in murine models have demonstrated the ability of the commensal fungus Candida albicans to alter the course of CDI, supporting the notion that fungi play a role in this infection. This review summarizes current data on fungi and CDI, and shows that views of the dysbiotic state that is central to the pathogenesis of CDI are incomplete without consideration of the mycobiome.
Risks of cognitive detriments after low dose heavy ion and proton exposures.

Purpose: Heavy ion and proton brain irradiations occur during space travel and in Hadron therapy for cancer. Heavy ions produce distinct patterns of energy deposition in neuron cells and brain tiss...
Synthesis and characterization of polyacrylonitrile grafted with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)

Free radical copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN, M1) with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)-ω-vinylbenzyl ether (PPO-VBE, M2, \(\overline {\text{M}}\)n + 4200g/mol, \(\overline {\text{M}}\)w/\(\overline {\text{M}}\)n + 1.04) was performed at 60°C in either a mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide/toluene or tetrahydrofuran, using 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. The characterization of the resulting polyacrylonitrile grafted with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PAN-g-PPO) was performed by 200 MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy and solubility.
The Macro-Political Economy of the Housing Market Through an Agent-Based Model

Both, the housing bubble and financial crisis, are prime examples of complex events. Complex in the sense that there were several interconnected and interdependent root causes. This paper presents an agent-based model (ABM) to model the housing market from 1986 to 2017. We provide a unique approach to simulating the financial market along with analyzing the phenomenon of emergence resulting from the interactions among consumers, banks and the Federal Reserve. This paper specifically focuses on the emergence of “underwater mortgages” and the macroeconomics of the housing market. The market value of a property is heavily influence by the value of a neighboring property; therefore, individuals are able to gauge the probable value of a property that has not been developed yet. The blend of available financial products to consumers (i.e., ARM versus Fixed-Rate) certainly influences demand within the housing market given that ARM products are more affordable than fixed-rate products. Policymakers and financial institutions should work together to develop programs, which monitor the supply of these historically easy to access financial products and prevent the risk of underwater mortgages and crashes.
Experimental Infection of Pregnant Female Sheep with Zika Virus During Early Gestation

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a vertically and sexually transmissible virus resulting in severe congenital malformation. The goal of this study was to develop an ovine model of ZIKV infection. Between 28–35 days gestation (DG), four pregnant animals were infected with two doses of 6 × 106 PFU of ZIKV; four control animals received PBS. Animals were evaluated for 45 days (D) post-infection (PI) and necropsies were performed. Viral RNA was detected in infected ewe peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) during the first week PI; however, all fluids and tissues were negative upon culture. Anti-ZIKV IgM (1:400) and neutralizing antibodies were detected in all infected animals. Clinical disease, virus, or ZIKV antibodies were not detected in control ewes. After two weeks PI, fetal loss occurred in two infected animals, and at necropsy, three infected animals had placental petechiation and ecchymosis and one had hydramnion. Fetal morphometrics revealed smaller cranial circumference to crown-rump length ratios (p < 0.001) and relative brain weights (p = 0.038) in fetuses of infected animals compared with control fetuses. Immunophenotyping indicated an increase in B cells (p = 0.012) in infected sheep. Additionally, in vitro experiments using both adult and fetal cell lines demonstrated that ovine cells are highly permissive to ZIKV infection. In conclusion, ZIKV infection of pregnant sheep results in a change in fetal growth and gestational outcomes.
Perioperative Guidelines in Anesthesia

Agreement between surgical and anesthesia teams regarding appropriate perioperative management strategies is vital to delivering safe and effective patient care. Perioperative guidelines serve as a valuable reference in optimizing patients for surgery. The article provides a broad set of guidelines related to cardiovascular evaluation, medication reconciliation, and preoperative fasting and includes a framework for the care of patients with comorbidities, such as coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
Single Center Snapshot Experience of dd-cfDNA in Lung Transplantation

Purpose Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is the primary etiology of graft failure and associated with poor survival post lung transplantation (LT). Risk factors for the development of CLAD include antibody mediated rejection (AMR), acute cellular rejection (ACR), donor specific antibodies (DSA), GERD, and infection. With clinical and histological assessment having poor reproducibility, earlier identification of high-risk patients for graft failure remains challenging. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a biomarker for tissue damage. The determination of thresholds for clinical utilization of dd-cfDNA in LT have yet to be defined. The aim of this pilot study was to provide insight into allograft injury using dd-cfDNA (AlloSure) and determine its relationship to various pathologies as well as characterize its natural history. Methods 23 LT recipients with various pathologies had single-point testing using AlloSure dd-cfDNA for initial assessment. Diagnoses were confirmed following full assessments with other investigations, imaging and medical history reviewed. Results All patients with stable graft function had dd-cfDNA Conclusion Stable LT patients appear to have a baseline dd-cfDNA of
The utility of PROMIS domain measures in dermatologic care

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures play an important role in clinical care. Currently, a broad-spectrum, validated PRO measure suitable for all dermatology patients, as part of clinical care, does not exist. Patient-reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS) measures track specific domain outcomes across all diseases. To assess the relevance and utility of a computer-adaptive health assessment consisting of three PROMIS domains in routine dermatologic care. This retrospective study evaluated a PROMIS health assessment, consisting of three computer-adaptive test domains (pain interference, anxiety, and depression), administered as part of routine clinical care in three dermatology clinics at an academic medical center. The primary objective was to identify clinically significant associations between high PROMIS domain scores (i.e., t score > 55) and dermatologic disease, as well as change in PROMIS domain scores in response to treatment. The majority of patients who initiated the assessment completed all domains (88.7%). In patients with atopic dermatitis, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and psoriasis, high PROMIS scores correlated with clinically relevant outcomes, such as severe disease, unsuccessful treatment, uncontrolled disease, and the presence of a mental health condition. PROMIS Pain Interference, anxiety and depression identified patients with severe disease, unsuccessful treatment regimens, poorly-controlled disease, and/or mental health comorbidities for multiple skin conditions. Further utilization of PROMIS domains in routine clinical care will promote patient-centered care and improve quality of care.
Novel treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma in situ with docetaxel in BCG refractory patients.

Abstract Introduction Patients with upper-tract carcinoma in situ (UT-CIS) that have failed treatment with BCG are recommended for radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We describe a cohort of patients with BCG-refractory UT-CIS that were treated with docetaxel, a novel agent in the approach to topical therapy. Methods Patients with pathologically proven UT-CIS from 2012 to 2020 with an imperative indication for organ preservation and history of BCG-refractory disease were included. Each patient underwent ureteroscopy with biopsy and selective cytology pre- and postinduction, and after each maintenance course. Complete response (CR) was defined as the absence of visualized lesions on ureteroscopy, negative selective cytology, and absence of clinical progression. No response (NR) was defined as persistence of lesions after induction or absence of visualized lesions with persistently positive cytology. Results Seven patients and 10 renal units were treated. Six of the 10 renal units had initial CR (60%). Three patients with NR went on to have RNU, one of which subsequently died due to cancer-specific mortality. One patient with bilateral disease had NR in 10 renal unit and cure in the other. This patient subsequently developed recurrence in his remaining renal unit. A second patient had CR in both kidneys for 6 years, but 1 year after finishing maintenance regimen developed HG disease in 1 ureter. Average follow-up was 33 months. Conclusion This study demonstrates efficacy of docetaxel as a treatment option for patients with UT-CIS with a contraindication to RNU after failing BCG. Response rates of 60% appear to be similar to those of BCG-refractory bladder CIS.
Regional variation in the incidence and prevalence of Peyronie's disease in the United States-results from an encounters and claims database.

In recent years there have been more studies dedicated to Peyronie's disease (PD). However, prevalence and incidence are likely underestimated, with limited information on regional variation in the rate of diagnosis. In this study, we sought to estimate age and regional variation of the annual incidence and prevalence of PD in the United States. We reviewed data from the IBM MarketScan™ Claims and Encounters database between 2008-2017 for men ≥18 years. Inclusion required ≥1 medical claim with PD, identified by ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes or ≥1 claim for intralesional injection for PD, identified by Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) code. Overall average annual incidence was estimated at 20.9 cases per 100,000, with the highest rate of 41.6 cases per 100,000 observed in men 55-64 years (RR = 8.2; p < 0.0001). Geographically, the highest incidence rate was observed in the South (23.9 cases per 100,000 men; RR = 1.30; p < 0.0001). Across all ages, overall prevalence of PD showed a general upward trend, from 0.052% in 2008 to 0.096% in 2017. Our findings suggest men in the southern U.S. are diagnosed more with PD compared to other regions. Identification of associated factors may allow for a more proactive approach to diagnosis and management.
Dynamic trend or static variable: Shock Index Pediatric-Adjusted (SIPA) in warzone trauma.

Abstract Background: Civilian studies suggest that trending Shock-Index Pediatric Adjusted(SIPA) values can prove useful in the prediction of trauma outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between trends in SIPA and outcomes in pediatric warzone trauma. Methods: Retrospective review of the Department of Defense Trauma Registry from 2008 to 2015, including all patients age ≤17years. SIPA was calculated both pre-hospital and upon arrival, then classified as “normal” or “abnormal” based upon previously validated thresholds. Patients were stratified into groups based on the trend of their SIPA (1-normal to normal, 2-normal to abnormal, 3-abnormal to normal, 4-abnormal to abnormal). Key outcomes including ICU admission, severe injury, mechanical ventilation, and mortality were then compared between groups. Results: 669 patients were included, mean ISS 12 ± 10. The most common mechanism of injury was blast (46.5%). Overall, 43% were stratified into Group 1, 13.9% into Group 2, 14.8% into Group 3, and 28.0% into Group 4. Those patients with a persistently abnormal SIPA (Group 4) had significantly increased incidence of severe injury, ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and mortality. Conclusion: Trends in SIPA may be used to predict trauma outcomes for children injured in warzones, with persistently abnormal values associated with worse outcomes overall.