cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract B07: Role of lysyl hydroxylases in metastatic lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death, partly due to the fact that most patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, which is the main cause of death, yet effective therapeutics are lacking. Utilizing mouse models of metastatic lung adenocarcinomas, we report that the transcription factor GATA3 and its cofactor FOG2 play critical roles in lung adenocarcinoma metastasis by promoting the expression of the lysyl hydroxylase (LH) family members, which in turn regulate the tumorigenicity and motility of lung tumor cells through both EMT and EMT-independent mechanisms. In vivo, LHs are elevated in human lung adenocarcinomas and are associated with worse patient survival. Collectively, our data suggest that targeting LHs may be useful for treating metastatic lung cancer. Citation Format: Wei Liu, Ting Zhang, Lixia Guo, Yuanyuan Wang, Yanan Yang. Role of lysyl hydroxylases in metastatic lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Modeling Cancer in Mice: Technology, Biology, and Beyond; 2017 Sep 24-27; Orlando, Florida. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B07.
Flow Simulations on Cartesian Grids Involving Complex Moving Geometries

We describe a method to solve the compressible time-dependent Euler equations using Cartesian grids for domains involving fixed or moving geometries. We describe the concept of a mirror flow extrapolation of a given solution over a reflecting wall which may be curved or moving at a fixed or varying speed. We use this mirror flow to develop a Cartesian grid method to treat the cells along a reflecting boundary avoiding the “small-cell” problem. Numerical Results are presented.
Presentation of Data for Factors Significant to Yield from Several Riverbank Filtration Systems in the U.S. and Europe

Yield in riverbank filtration (RBF) systems is affected by a variety of factors including the geology, hydraulics, site layout, and operational characteristics of each site. This paper identifies key parameters that affect yield in riverbank filtration systems and presents data for these parameters from RBF sites in the U.S. and Europe.
Normal Histologic Anatomy and Common Variations

This first chapter illustrates the components of the normal esophagus as seen in biopsies. In addition, we have been impressed with a wide range of changes in these normal structures that keep appearing and reappearing in biopsies, and these changes or variations from the norm do not seem to indicate specific diseases. In our practice, our most common diagnosis for biopsies from all gastrointestinal (GI) sites is “no significant abnormality,” which indicates that there may be some minor, clinically unimportant change but no namable disease. The variations on normal in these chapters ultimately fall into this group of “no significant abnormality.”
The Evolution of the Dorsal Thalamus in Mammals

The mammalian dorsal thalamus contains a number of nuclei that have been widely identified in extant taxa, some of which appear to have been retained from reptilian ancestors. A comparative analysis suggests that the nuclei of the dorsal thalamus were poorly differentiated in early mammals, with only slight differences in the sizes and distributions of neurons across nuclei, and that this condition has been retained in some extant mammals. However, some nuclei, such as the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and the pulvinar complex, have become more differentiated and complexly organized independently in several lines of mammalian evolution. In addition, some nuclei that have been identified in well-studied primates have no obvious homologue in other mammals. The mammalian thalamus appears to have evolved by changes in the cellular differentiation of nuclei, relative proportions of nuclei and subnuclei, connections of nuclei with neocortex, the segregation of inputs into layers of nuclei and subnuclei, and the emergence of new nuclei.
Occupational risk of infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus.

The risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for health-care workers (HCWs) is well documented. Fortunately, effective pre- and postexposure prophylaxis in the form of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin are available for the prevention of occupational HBV infection. Although the occupational risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is less well defined, it appears to be lower than the risk of HBV infection. Nevertheless, the long-term consequence of HCV infection can be serious. Effective pre- and postexposure treatments against HCV infection are needed.
Calcium Channels and SNARE Proteins

The interactions between the presynaptic Ca2+ channel synprint site and soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins provide a molecular basis for a physical and functional coupling between Ca2+ influx and subsequent exocytosis. SNARE proteins also retrogradely modulate the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation on Cav2 channels, thus providing a feedback mechanism for fine-tuning Ca2+ influx and, hence, synaptic transmission. Further regulation is imposed by the interplay between the synprint site interactions and the modulation of calcium channels through phosphorylation and G-proteins, suggesting that the mammalian brain has devised numerous pathways for the precise control of sequential events resulting in efficient neurotransmitter release.
Integration of Buprenorphine Treatment with Primary Care: Comparative Effectiveness on Retention, Utilization, and Cost.

Abstract Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a national crisis. Health care must achieve greater success than it has to date in helping opioid users achieve recovery. Integration of comprehensive primary ...
Factors influencing hydration status during a National Collegiate Athletics Association division 1 soccer preseason

Objectives: To investigate the roles that training load and environmental conditions have on fluid balance during a collegiate men’s soccer preseason. Design: Observational study. Methods: Twenty-eight male collegiate soccer players (mean ± SD; age, 20 ± 1.7 y; body mass (BM), 79.9 ± 7.3 kg; height, 180.9 ± 6.8 cm; body fat, 12.7 ± 3.1%; VO2max, 50.7 ± 4.3 ml·kg-1·min-1) participated in this study. Prior to (PRE) and following (POST) each team session, BM, percent BM loss (%BML) and hydration status was measured. Participants donned a heart rate and GPS enabled monitor to measure training load. For all team activities, ambient temperature (TAMB) and relative humidity (RH) were obtained from the nearest local weather station. Participants consumed 500 mL of water as part of the team-based hydration strategy before and after training session. Stepwise linear regression was used to identify the variables that predicted %BML. Significance was set a-priori p < 0.05. Results: Total distance covered predicted %BML during all preseason activities (r2 = 0.253, p < 0.001), with TAMB and RH further adding to the model (r2 = 0.302, p < 0.001). %BML never exceeded 2% of BM during any one session and daily variation in BM was <1% from baseline measures. Urine specific gravity was greater than 1.020 on 12/15 days and UCOL was above 4 on 13/15 days, indicating a state of hypohydration. Conclusions: Total distance covered was the best predictor for the extent of body water losses during a collegiate preseason. While the team-based hydration strategy during preseason was successful in minimizing fluid losses during activity, participants arrived hypohydrated 80% of the time, necessitating a greater focus on daily fluid needs.
E-126 The effect of platelet function testing on hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications following extracranial carotid artery stenting

Introduction Variability in responsiveness to conventional doses of dual antiplatelet therapy may contribute to ischemic or hemorrhagic complications seen after intracranial stenting. While there is evidence to suggest that testing reduces the rate of these complications, other data have demonstrated no improvement in outcomes. Therefore, the use of platelet function testing in neuroendovascular surgery remains controversial. Here we present the results of a retrospective analysis of 8 years of extracranial carotid artery stents, both with and without the use of platelet function testing. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing extracranial carotid artery stenting between 2010 and 2017. We recorded patient demographics, the indication for stenting, the use of P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) testing, and the associated PRU values for each patient. We reviewed these data for post procedural thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications. Results A total of 115 patients undergoing extracranial carotid artery stenting were included for retrospective review. 48 patients serve as historical controls while 67 consecutive patients since 2014 had prospective and perpetual adjustments in their dual antiplatelet regimens to obtain optimal platelet assays. A total of 1 ischemic (2%) and 0 hemorrhagic (0%) events were noted among those in whom testing was not used. A total of 3 ischemic (6%) and 1 hemorrhagic (2%) events were noted among patients with dual antiplatelet regimen adjustments. 36 of 67 (54%) patients demonstrated dynamic variability in responsiveness to clopidogrel. The use of platelet assays and management to ‘correct’ aberrant values was not associated with reduction of complications. Neither hypo nor hyper responsiveness to aspirin or clopidogrel was associated with increased risk of complications after extracranial stenting. Conclusion The incidence of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications is unrelated to variability in response to clopidogrel therapy in patients undergoing endovascular stenting of the extracranial carotid artery. This was irrespective of the indication for stent placement, patient comorbidities, or number of stents used. Disclosures M. Corriveau: None. A. Ahmed: None. D. Niemann: None. Y. Li: None.
Technoeconomic analysis of solar thermal desalination

Abstract Desalination systems are necessary in order to meet growing demands for freshwater. Coupling desalination systems with solar energy technologies is one possible route for eliminating the need for fossil fuel energy sources. Herein, we build a technoeconomic model that assesses the viability of coupling solar collectors with thermal desalination systems. The model considers the impacts of system lifetime and scale, unit price and performance parameters for each subsystems, local market and environmental factors of plant site on specific discounted water production costs and payback period. This approach eliminates technical and geographic constraints. The technoeconomic model attempts to predict the economics of a solar multi-stage flash distillation system. The specific discounted water production cost for a plant producing 1000 m3/day is $0.97/m3 if the solar collector unit cost is $100/m2 and operates at 40% efficiency. According to market and environmental factors in seven coastal cities in the United States, the most economically feasible geographic location for a solar desalination plant is Miami, Florida.
Multivariate neural signatures for health neuroscience: assessing spontaneous regulation during food choice.

Establishing links between neural systems and health can be challenging since there isn't a one-to-one mapping between brain regions and psychological states. Building sensitive and specific predictive models of health-relevant constructs using multivariate activation patterns of brain activation is a promising new direction. We illustrate the potential of this approach by building two 'neural signatures' of food craving regulation using multivariate machine learning and, for comparison, a univariate contrast. We applied the signatures to two large validation samples of overweight adults who completed tasks measuring craving regulation ability and valuation during food choice. Across these samples, the machine learning signature was more reliable. This signature decoded craving regulation from food viewing and higher signature expression was associated with less craving. During food choice, expression of the regulation signature was stronger for unhealthy foods and inversely related to subjective value, indicating that participants engaged in craving regulation despite never being instructed to control their cravings. Neural signatures thus have the potential to measure spontaneous engagement of mental processes in the absence of explicit instruction, affording greater ecological validity. We close by discussing the opportunities and challenges of this approach, emphasizing what machine learning tools bring to the field of health neuroscience.
Mechanisms of Insulin Action

Insulin-like signaling integrates the storage and release of nutrients with somatic growth during development and in adult life. It is a feature of all metazoans, revealing a common mechanism used by animals to integrate metabolism and growth with environmental signals [1, 2]. Lower animals have a wide array of insulin-like peptides—seven in fruit flies and 38 in Caenorhabditis elegans—that bind apparently to a single insulin-like receptor tyrosine kinase to control metabolism, growth, reproduction, and longevity [3]. The human genome also encodes a superfamily of structurally related insulin-like peptides. Insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) activate a family of receptor tyrosine kinases [4]. However, the other structurally similar peptides, which are related to relaxin, are functionally distinct and activate G-protein-coupled receptors [5, 6].
Timing of Surgery for Thoracolumbar Spine Trauma: Patients With Neurological Injury.

Study design Large multicenter retrospective cohort study. Objective The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of fusion timing on inpatient outcomes in a nationally representative population with thoracolumbar fracture and concurrent neurological injury. Summary of background data Among thoracolumbar trauma admissions, concurrent neurological injury is associated with greater long-term morbidity. There is little consensus on optimal surgical timing for these patients; previous investigations fail to differentiate thoracolumbar fracture with and without neurological injury. Materials and methods We analyzed 19,136 nonelective National Inpatient Sample cases (2004-2014) containing International Classifications of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes for closed thoracic/lumbar fracture with neurological injury and procedure codes for primary thoracolumbar/lumbosacral fusion, excluding open/cervical fracture. Timing classification from admission to fusion was same-day, 1-2-, 3-6-, and ≥7-day delay. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, complications, and infection; secondary outcomes included total and postoperative length of stay and charges. Logistic regressions and generalized linear models with gamma distribution and log-link evaluated the effect of surgical timing on primary and secondary outcomes, respectively, controlling for age, sex, fracture location, fusion approach, multiorgan system injury severity score, and medical comorbidities. Results Patients undergoing surgery ≤72 hours (n=12,845) had the lowest odds of in-hospital cardiac [odds ratio (OR)=0.595; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.357-0.991] and respiratory complications (OR=0.495; 95% CI, 0.313-0.784) and infection (OR=0.615; 95% CI, 0.390-0.969). No differences were observed between same-day (n=4724) and 1-2-day delay (n=8121) (P>0.05). Lowest odds of hemorrhage or hematoma was observed following 3-6-day delay (OR=0.467; 95% CI, 0.236-0.922). A ≥7-day delay to fusion (n=2,002) was associated with greatest odds of hemorrhage/hematoma (OR=2.019; 1.107-3.683), respiratory complications (OR=1.850; 95% CI, 1.076-3.180), and infection (OR=3.155; 95% CI, 1.891-5.263) and greatest increases in mean postoperative length of stay (4.26% or 35.3% additional days) and charges (163,562 or 71.7% additional US dollars) (P Conclusions Patients with thoracolumbar fracture and associated neurological injury who underwent surgery within 3 days of admission experienced fewer in-hospital complications. These benefits may be due to secondary injury mechanism avoidance and earlier mobilization. Level of evidence Level III.
Sinogenic Intracranial Suppuration in Children: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate temporal trends in the management of sinogenic intracranial suppuration and its outcomes in children.Data SourcesA systematic search of databases was performed (Medline, Embase...
In Reply: Trends in AIDS Epidemic

Andrew Shorr9s letter addresses the question of the appropriate methods for describing trends in the HIV epidemic among adolescents. Although we stand by the statement that cumulative AIDS cases among adolescents aged 13 to 19 years increased 77% from the end of 1989 (n = 449) through the end of 1991 (n = 787), we agree that annual trend data are also important in understanding epidemics and disease transmission. It should be noted that there is both a lag in reporting AIDS cases and undereporting, so the decrease in 1991 may be artifactual. However, the important fact is that relying only on incident AIDS case data among adolescents may be misleading and underestimate the problem.
Plasma Membranes Contain Half the Phospholipid and 90% of the Cholesterol and Sphingomyelin in Cultured Human Fibroblasts*

The literature suggests that cholesterol and sphingomyelin might be essentially confined to plasma membranes in mammalian cells; however, this premise has thus far escaped a direct test. We explored the issue in three ways. First, we fractionated whole homogenates of cultured human fibroblasts by equilibrium sucrose density gradient centrifugation. We found that the profiles of cholesterol and sphingomyelin were indistinguishable from those of two plasma membrane markers, 5′ nucleotidase and [3H]galactose, which was conjugated to the surface of intact cells from an exogenous donor by galactosyltransferase. Second, we determined the relative surface areas of intact cells from their uptake of 1-(4-trimethyl-amino)phenyl-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-triene, a cationic fluorescent dye which partitions into but does not cross plasma membranes. Relative to human red cell ghosts, the apparent surface area of the fibroblasts was 17,500 em2/cell while for canine hepatocytes, the value was 11,500 em2/cell. The relative ratios of cell cholesterol to dye binding (hence, surface area) were quite similar in ghosts, fibroblasts, and liver cells; namely 1.0, 1.12, and 0.67, respectively. Finally, we found that the specific ratios of both cholesterol and sphingomyelin to 5′ nucleotidase were only 10% less in gradient-purified plasma membranes than in whole homogenates. Similar results were obtained using an entirely different method of purification: two-phase aqueous partition. The cholesterol and sphingomyelin in fractions rich in other membranes was closely proportional to their 5′ nucleotidase content, suggesting that the presence of these lipids reflected contamination by plasma membrane fragments. The 5′ nucleotidase/phospholipid ratio in the purified plasma membrane fraction was roughly twice that in whole cells. We conclude that the compartment marked by 5′ nucleotidase in cultured human fibroblasts contains approximately 90% of the two named lipids and half the cell phospholipid phosphorus.
Identifying health-related topics on twitter: an exploration of tobacco-related tweets as a test topic

Public health-related topics are difficult to identify in large conversational datasets like Twitter. This study examines how to model and discover public health topics and themes in tweets. Tobacco use is chosen as a test case to demonstrate the effectiveness of topic modeling via LDA across a large, representational dataset from the United States, as well as across a smaller subset that was seeded by tobacco-related queries. Topic modeling across the large dataset uncovers several public health-related topics, although tobacco is not detected by this method. However, topic modeling across the tobacco subset provides valuable insight about tobacco use in the United States. The methods used in this paper provide a possible toolset for public health researchers and practitioners to better understand public health problems through large datasets of conversational data.
On the Identification of Nonparametric Structural Models

In this paper we study the identification of nonparametric models, that is, models in which both the functional forms of the equations and the probability distributions of the disturbances remain unspecified. Identifiability in such models does not mean uniqueness of structural parameters but rather uniqueness of policy-related predictions that such parameters would normally support.
To get the best new CEO, must the old CEO go? Power distribution in external CEO successions

When chief executive officers (CEOs) are replaced by external successors, they frequently retain high levels of power. We found that outgoing CEOs' announced post-succession involvement is negatively related to their successors' power. Additionally, we found that the magnitude of the stock market reaction to succession announcements is greater when the outgoing CEOs are allowed to continue to retain significant influence, and diminished when the new CEOs are awarded significant position power when they become CEO. These results suggest that to improve long-term performance, companies should keep outgoing CEOs around and not grant new CEOs too much power. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lymphocyte Accumulation in the Spleen of Retinoic Acid Receptor-Related Orphan Receptor γ-Deficient Mice

The hormone nuclear receptor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma (RORgamma) plays important roles in thymocyte development and lymphoid organogenesis. RORgamma and its thymus-specific isoform RORgammat are expressed in the thymus, but not in the spleen and bone marrow (BM). However, RORgamma(-/-) mice have 2- to 3-fold more splenocytes than wild-type controls due to an accumulation of conventional resting B lymphocytes. The increase in B lymphocytes in RORgamma(-/-) mice is caused neither by abnormal B cell development in the BM nor by an obvious defect in the peripheral T cell compartment. Furthermore, analyses of BM chimeras using either RORgamma(-/-) or recombinase-activating gene-2(-/-) mice as recipients and wild-type or RORgamma(-/-) mice as donors, respectively, demonstrate that the splenic microenvironment of RORgamma(-/-) mice is defective, since wild-type T and B lymphocytes accumulated in these chimeric mice. In addition, T lymphocyte homeostasis was altered due to a lowered thymic output in RORgamma(-/-) mice. Collectively, these results suggest that RORgamma regulates lymphocyte homeostasis at multiple levels.
Gelsolin-polyphosphoinositide interaction. Full expression of gelsolin-inhibiting function by polyphosphoinositides in vesicular form and inactivation by dilution, aggregation, or masking of the inositol head group.

Abstract Calcium activates, and the polyphosphoinositides phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) inhibit the mechanical severing of actin filaments by gelsolin. Previous work indicated that the physical state of the two phospholipids is important for their effects in this system. This study correlates tests of gelsolin's severing function with quasielastic light scattering measurements of the size of mixed lipid particles and shows that the previously demonstrated diminution of the maximal effect of PIP2 in micellar form by aggregation of the micelles or mixing with other phospholipids is not the result of an absolute requirement for small lipid particles, but rather the masking of critical sites by aggregation, by sequestration in multilamellar vesicles, or by dilution of the polyphosphoinositides below a critical concentration. Large unilamellar vesicles of PIP and, importantly, PIP2 at low molar ratios (less than 3%) in mixed lipid vesicles of composition similar to plasma membranes are as active as PIP2 micelles. Aggregation or masking of polyphosphoinositide head groups by neomycin or profilin, respectively, blocked inhibition of gelsolin. Experiments with bilayer-forming phospholipids or with Triton X-100 indicate that a critical number of PIP2 molecules may be required for incipient effects on a gelsolin molecule. The actin and polyphosphoinositide binding protein profilin competed with gelsolin for binding PIP2 with a stoichiometry also suggesting binding to multiple PIP2 molecules. The membrane constituents sphingosine and cholesterol blocked the effect of PIP2 on gelsolin when added alone, but did not affect PIP2 when incorporated into mixed lipid bilayers containing phosphatidylinositol. The results suggest that profilin, small changes in membrane lipid composition, and, especially, membrane PIP2 concentration could have large effects on the modulation of gelsolin function in vivo.
The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are

1. Mind, Brain, and Relationships: The Interpersonal Neurobiology Perspective 2. Memory 3. Attachment 4. Emotion 5. States of Mind: Cohesion, Subjective Experience, and Complex Systems 6. Representations: Modes of Processing and the Construction of Reality 7. Self-Regulation 8. Interpersonal Connection 9. Integration Epilogue: A Framework for Cultivating Integration Glossary
Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Refractory Mood and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an invasive therapy in which electrodes are surgically placed into the brain and deliver continuous electrical stimulation. It was originally developed for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. As evidence emerged that certain mental disorders involved abnormal function of specific brain nuclei, multiple investigators launched trials of DBS for mental disorders, particularly major depression (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While open-label results were promising, recent large well-designed clinical trials in MDD have failed. We review the result of major DBS studies to date in psychiatry and what they have taught us about DBS’ safety and efficacy. We further review a variety of animal and human neuroscience studies that have started to shed light on DBS’ mechanisms of action at multiple brain targets. From these, we identify major trends that are likely to drive psychiatric DBS development in the coming decade, including “closed-loop” responsive stimulation, biomarker-based patient selection, and a better modeling of phenotypic heterogeneity within mental disorders. We conclude that on balance, DBS remains promising as a psychiatric treatment, but recent evidence highlights a clear need for further development and a better understanding of mechanisms.
MR high-resolution blood oxygenation level-dependent venography of occult (low-flow) vascular lesions.

Summary: A new technique for detecting vascular malformations, high-resolution BOLD venography (HRBV), is described. This technique relies on the BOLD principle for detecting deoxygenated blood in low-flow malformations. HRBV images are acquired using a modified 3D gradient-echo with voxel volumes of 0.5 × 0.5 × 2 mm3. The magnitude data are masked with the phase images to enhance visibility of the venous structures and are displayed using the minimum intensity projection. Preliminary results for 10 patients show that HRBV is more sensitive in detecting cavernomas than is T2*-weighted imaging, and lesions that are presumed to be telangiectasias are detected only with this technique.
Rotational modes of Ca2+-liganded calmodulin, as determined by time-domain fluorescence.

Abstract The time decay of fluorescence anisotropy was monitored as a function of pH and temperature for complexes of 2,6-toluidinyl-naphthalenesulfonate with calmodulin, with its proteolytic fragments, and with the 1 : 1 complex of calmodulin and melittin. For all the conditions examined the anisotropy decay of native calmodulin involved at least two rotational modes. These corresponded to a short correlation time of 2–3 ns, reflecting a localized motion in the vicinity of the binding site and a longer correlation time which arises from the rotation of a major portion of the molecule. The relative amplitudes of the two rotational modes were dependent upon temperature in the range 11–40°C, the contribution of the more rapid mode increasing with temperature. The maximum immobilization of the probe occurred at pH 5.0 and 12°C. While these results indicate the presence of internal rotations in Ca 2+ -liganded calmodulin, the magnitude of the longer correlation time is consistent with the crystallographic structure.
Monocyte infiltration and kidney allograft dysfunction during acute rejection

Multiple cell types infiltrate acutely rejecting renal allografts. Typically, monocytes and T cells predominate. Although T cells are known to be required for acute rejection, the degree to which monocytes influence this process remains incompletely defined. Specifically, it has not been established to what degree monocytes impact the clinical phenotype of rejection or how their influence compares to that of T cells. We therefore investigated the relative impact of T cells and monocytes by correlating their presence as measured by immunohistochemical staining with the magnitude of the acute change in renal function at the time of biopsy in 78 consecutive patients with histological acute rejection. We found that functional impairment was strongly associated with the degree of overall cellular infiltration as scored using Banff criteria. However, when cell types were considered, monocyte infiltration was quantitatively associated with renal dysfunction while T-cell infiltration was not. Similarly, renal tubular stress, as indicated by HLA-DR expression, increased with monocyte but not T-cell infiltration. These data suggest that acute allograft dysfunction is most closely related to monocyte infiltration and that isolated T-cell infiltration has less acute functional impact. This relationship may be useful in assigning acute clinical relevance to biopsy findings.
Fiscal Implications of Multilateral Tariff Cuts

The paper contributes to the discussion about the revenue implications of trade reform by assessing the approximate fiscal revenue impact of different liberalization formulae under consideration in multilateral trade negotiations for a group of low- and middle-income countries. The study applies a linear optimization framework to data for bound tariffs, applied tariffs, and imports at the HS-6 digit level for 58 developing countries, and simulates results for different sets of import demand elasticities and developing country "flexibilities". While only a small number of countries face a significant impact, results point toward the need for complementary fiscal measures in the countries most affected by revenue loss.
Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler: Her life and work

Abstract This article describes the life, career, and research of the American mathematician Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler (1883–1966).
A Cosmological Postulate

The Inflationary Universe. The Quest for a New Theory of Cosmic Origins. ALAN H. GUTH. Helix (Addison-Wesley), Reading, MA, 1997. xviii, 358 pp., illus. $25 or C$33.95. ISBN 0-201-14942-7.
More than just a workforce issue Teaching geoscience for the future

A few years ago, I attended a meeting about the environmental studies program at our college, and I had the occasion to ask a group of six or seven of my non-geoscientist colleagues to make a list of all of the environmental issues that they could. I intended to use their lists to point out how central the geosciences are to the critical environmental issues facing society so that I could argue that all students who major in environmental studies should be required to take at least one geoscience course.
Customer Productivity: A Measure for Product and Process Development With Customers

Although workforce productivity is widely used today, production is quickly moving toward product and process development with customers. Creative customers would like to get more and more involved in product development and furthermore, they would like to get satisfaction not only from the final product but from the processes as well. So we have to introduce a new measure for productivity, which focuses more on how much satisfaction a customer obtains from production. So the new definition of productivity in this sense will be:Customer productivity = Amount of satisfaction / Customer’s psychological time and money (physical and virtual involvement in production)This is different from the current customer satisfaction. Current one is focused on how much satisfaction a customer will have for a final product. This is a definition from the standpoint of the producer. The new definition is from the standpoint of the customer.This paper points out that if we introduce Mahalanobis Taguchi System, such a measure can be established and we can introduce a new metric for measuring customer’s satisfaction for the new type of prosumer system or co-production.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Identification of a far-red reflectance response to ectomycorrhizae in slash pine

Spectral reflectances were measured for the canopies of Pinus elliottii seedlings that were inoculated versus noninoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius. Reflectances of the less vigorous, noninoculated seedlings increased substantially at visible and near-IR wavelengths compared to the more vigorous, inoculated seedlings. An algorithm was developed to indicate the spectral regions in which reflectance was most sensitive to ectomycorrhizae. The reflectance curve of the more vigorous seedlings was used as a standard of comparison. The spectral regions defined by this algorithm are denoted as regions of maximum reflectance sensitivity. Far-red and near-IR photography filtered to the region of maximum sensitivity (700 nm) were used to enable visualization of a 'blue shift' reflectance response to decreased vigor in the noninoculated seedlings in response to these differences of mycorrhizal development.
Constructing gene expression-based diagnostic rules for understanding individualized etiology of heart failure

Summary Gene expression profiling has the potential to improve individualized etiology diagnosis. A statistical approach based on a multidimensional scaling (MDS) vector model is introduced to construct patient-specific rules for individualized diagnosis based on gene expression profiles. The method has a dual function of discovering new disease classes/subclasses as well as constructing patient-specific diagnostic rules without prior knowledge of class distinction. The diagnostic rule consists of two components: (1) diagnostic gene expression pattern that suggests a critical etiological condition associated with a disease category, and (2) patient-specific correlations to the diagnostic pattern. The method is applied to construct the diagnostic rule for heart failure by which the heart failure etiology has been successfully discerned with gene expression profiles. The diagnostic rule for two potential heart failure sub-classes has been constructed to further classify heart failure patients and exploit related molecular pathogenesis. Furthermore, the diagnostic gene expression patterns reveal molecular mechanisms relevant to heart failure, and facilitate biomarker identification. The method provides an approach to exploring feasibility of gene expression profiling in individualized etiology diagnosis for therapeutic decision-making.
Placement of esophageal stethoscope by acoustic criteria does not consistently yield an optimal location for the monitoring of core temperature.

The esophageal stethoscope has evolved into a device for both acoustic and core temperature monitoring. To test whether routine placement according to acoustic criteria results in placement of the core temperature sensor in the region of contiguity between the esophagus and the heart, we determined the depth of placement electrocardiographically. All patients were undergoing nonthoracic elective operations requiring general anesthesia and tracheal intubation. First, we established that different observers selected the same esophageal depth within ±1 cm electrocardiographically, using the criterion of a symmetric biphasic P wave of maximal amplitude (7 patients). Then, in 30 more patients, we compared routine acoustic placements with the depths of the maximalamplitude biphasic P wave. Stethoscopes placed according to acoustic criteria were within ±3 cm of P-wave depths in 15 of 30 patients. In the remaining patients, measured discrepancies ranged up to 13.5 cm. We conclude that the prevailing stethoscope design, with a thermistor at the tip, below the acoustic window, does not ensure placement of the thermistor within the optimal region for monitoring of core temperature. A modification in design that would take advantage of the reliability of electrocardiographic positioning is suggested.
A fluorescence sensor for quantifying pH in the range from 6.5 to 8.5

A sensor for quantifying pH values in the physiological range has been prepared by immobilizing the trisodium salt of 8-hydroxyl-1,3,6-pyridine trisulfonic acid (HOPSA) on an anion-exchange membrane. Because electronically excited HOPSA undergoes rapid deprotonation, both acid and base forms of HOPSA lead to fluorescence from the excited state of OPSA−. However, the acid and base forms of HOPSA can be selectively detected by appropriate choice of excitation wavelengths. The ratio of fluorescence intensities resulting from excitation at 470 and 405 nm can be used to quantify pH values between 6 and 9. The ratio is unaffected by variables such as temperature and ionic strength which affect abslute intensities. At coverages below 15 μg cm−2, the ratio varies only slightly with the amount of HOPSA immobilized on the membrane. Membranes treated with HOPSA can be stored for extended periods of time without changing characteristics. However, they undergo slow photodegradation which will limit their useful lifetimes.
Mechanisms of anoxia-induced depolarization in brainstem neurons: in vitro current and voltage clamp studies in the adult rat

Abstract To determine the mechanisms underlying the depolarization induced by anoxia in brainstem neurons, we studied single neurons in brainstem slices using conventional micro-electrodes and freshly dissociated hypoglossal and vagal cells using patch clamp techniques (whole-cell configuration). Since glutamate concentration increases in the extracellular space during O2 deprivation, we first tested whether N-methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors are involved in this anoxia-induced depolarization. APV, MK-801, CNQX and KYN (NMDA and non-NMDA blockers), which bathed slices after control anoxia runs, did not affect the depolarization trajectory. Decreasing extracellular Na+ (Nao+) from 150 mM to 5 mM attenuated markedly and significantly the depolarization observed during anoxia (15–20% of control). The relation between intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the anoxia-induced depolarization was also investigated in the slice and in dissociated single brainstem neurons. In the slice, iontophoresis of ATP did not give consistent results. Since we could not ascertain that ATP was actually ionophoresed through high resistance (50–80 MΩ) microelectrodes, we patched single neurons and studied the effect of clamping intracellular ATP levels on the hyperpolarizing holding current (IH) in the voltage clamp mode. The increase in IH with anoxia (or cyanide) was markedly attenuated in cells patched with pipettes containing ATP. We conclude that in brainstem neurons, the anoxia-induced depolarization: (a) is not a function of an increase in extracellular glutamate concentration; and (b) depends on Na+ and ATP-mediated processes.
Natural history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a parenchymal lung disease characterized by progressive interstitial fibrosis. IPF has a poor prognosis, with a median survival time of 2-3 years from diagnosis, but varying from a few months to a decade. The natural history of IPF is highly variable and the course of disease in an individual patient is difficult to predict. Some patients with IPF experience rapid decline, others progress much more slowly, and some patients show periods of relative stability interspersed with acute deteriorations in respiratory function. Many clinical, radiographic, serologic, and histopathologic variables have been shown to predict mortality in IPF. However, the accuracy of these predictors varies due to the retrospective nature of some of the studies and variations in study design. The ability to identify clinical characteristics that predict disease progression and survival would be useful for counseling patients, treatment decision-making, and prompt consideration for lung transplantation. A number of indices for predicting mortality in patients with IPF are available, but they require further validation. As high-resolution computed tomography scans become more widely available and patients with IPF are diagnosed earlier, survival times following diagnosis will improve. Early referral to interstitial lung disease specialty centers is important for accurate diagnosis and may be associated with improved outcomes. The goal of this review is to examine the natural history of IPF, discuss predictors of mortality, and highlight the importance of prompt diagnosis and referral for patients with IPF.
Graphene based heterostructure tunnel-FETs for low-voltage/high-performance ICs

The characteristics of the wide-narrow GNR T-FET were studied. The proposed device utilizes the small bandgap of wide-GNR to achieve high I ON and the high bandgap of narrow-GNR to attain low I OFF . The design space for the bandgap/width of the two regions was studied. The design parameters can be optimized to achieve I ON as high as 1.3 mA/µm, I ON /I OFF ratio as high as 109, and S as small as 10 mV/dec at V DD =0.5 V. Compared to the HP MOSFET with L g =25 nm [6], the wide-narrow GNR T-FET exhibits 2X and 104X improvement in I ON and I ON /I OFF ratio at V DD =0.5 V, which makes it suitable for HP/LP applications.
Fitness consequences of cotyledon and mature-leaf damage in the ivyleaf morning glory

To understand the evolutionary and ecological consequences of natural enemy damage to plants, it is essential to determine how the fitness effects of damage differ depending on the tissues damaged and the subsequent pattern of damage. In a field experiment with the ivyleaf morning glory, the direct and indirect effects on fitness of herbivore damage to cotyledons and mature leaves was evaluated. Damage to mature leaves had negligible direct effects on fitness and no indirect effects on fitness through other correlated traits. Damage to cotyledons also did not directly affect fitness, but did so indirectly through its effects on plant size. These findings suggest that increased resistance to cotyledon damage or increased compensatory growth following cotyledon damage could be effective strategies for plants of this species to counteract the negative effects of herbivory.
A Century of Tradeoffs: Defense and Growth in Japan and the United States

1990. We find that the impacts of defense spending on economic growth were different in each country during the last century. Further, we find that impacts within each country change dramatically over time. These results suggest that the defense-growth tradeoff is neither universal nor constant. The findings further cast doubt on the notion that the costs of providing public goods is the primary factor in explaining the rise and fall of hegemonic predominance. The results also suggest thatJapan can take advantage of spinoffs from government and military spending and further that higher military expenditures are unlikely to be deleterious to Japan's economic performance. In the U.S. case, the results suggest reduced military spending will help the economy. A greater burden sharing between the U.S. and Japan may be mutually beneficial.
Fully General Relativistic Simulations of Black Hole-Neutron Star Mergers

Black hole-neutron star (BHNS) binaries are expected to be among the leading sources of gravitational waves observable by ground-based detectors, and may be the progenitors of short-hard gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) as well. We discuss our new fully general relativistic calculations of merging BHNS binaries, which use high-accuracy, low-eccentricity, conformal thin-sandwich configurations as initial data. Our evolutions are performed using the moving puncture method and include a fully relativistic, high-resolution shock-capturing hydrodynamics treatment. Focusing on systems in which the neutron star is irrotational and the black hole is nonspinning with a 3 ratio 1 mass ratio, we investigate the inspiral, merger, and disk formation in the system. We find that the vast majority of material is promptly accreted and no more than 3% of the neutron star's rest mass is ejected into a tenuous, gravitationally bound disk. We find similar results for mass ratios of 2 ratio 1 and 1 ratio 1, even when we reduce the neutron stars (NS) compaction in the 2 ratio 1 mass ratio case. These ambient disks reach temperatures suitable for triggering SGRBs, but their masses may be too small to produce the required total energy output. We measure gravitational waveforms and compute the effective strainmore » in frequency space, finding measurable differences between our waveforms and those produced by binary black hole mergers within the advanced LIGO band. These differences appear at frequencies corresponding to the emission that occurs when the NS is tidally disrupted and accreted by the black hole. The resulting information about the radius of the neutron star may be used to constrain the neutron star equation of state.« less
Another Look at the Refractive Index Structure Function

AbstractThis paper discusses the derivation of the refractive index structure function. It shows that the traditional formulation, which is based on the hydrostatic assumption, leads to increasing errors with height when compared with a formulation that is based on the potential temperature. The paper corrects a long-standing problem of extrapolating the traditional boundary layer approximation beyond its region of validity (i.e., to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere). The new derivation may have applications in observational work to measure and seeing and in numerical modeling efforts. A preliminary analysis of the influence of the new formulation in numerical modeling of seeing suggests that impact on seeing will be small in general, because the largest contribution to seeing generally comes from the lower troposphere. However, an accurate profile is needed because other astroclimatic parameters, such as the isoplanatic angle, can suffer from the lack of accuracy at high altitude. This work m...
Stem Cells Need Chemical Solutions

Stem cell research finds itself at a critical juncture, having presented a promise and potential that has thus far gone substantially unrealized. Chemical science has technology and expertise that can solve some of these shortcomings. Recruiting chemical scientists to collaborate with stem cell biologists will advance significantly efforts to understand normal development of and achieve therapeutic applications using stem cells.