cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attenuation of burn-induced changes in hemodynamics and glucose metabolism by the PAF antagonist SRI 63-675

The importance of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in producing hypotension, hemoconcentration and alterations in carbohydrate metabolism following thermal injury was investigated in chronically catheterized rats. Animals were fasted overnight, anesthetized with pentobarbital, and then injected with saline or the PAF antagonist SRI 63-675 prior to a 25% body surface area scald injury. Burned animals showed a sustained 20-30% fall in mean arterial pressure that was attenuated by the PAF antagonist. Burn also produced a prolonged increase in hematocrit. Animals pretreated with SRI 63-675 showed a similar degree of polycythemia after 1 h, but thereafter hematocrit fell and was not different from sham-burned animals. Burn increased the plasma glucose (45-52%) and lactate (5-6 fold) concentrations, and tended to produce an early increase and a later decrease in the rate of glucose appearance (Ra). These metabolic changes were associated with elevated plasma levels of glucagon and catecholamines. The PAF antagonist prevented the hyperglycemia, reduced the hyperlactacidemia, and prevented the late fall of glucose Ra. Treated animals still showed increased levels of glucagon, while catecholamine concentrations were reduced by 50%. Short-term survival (4 h) was markedly improved (86 vs. 43%). These results suggest that PAF produced following thermal injury is responsible, at least in part, for the early hemodynamic changes and hemoconcentration. However, the role of PAF as a mediator of burn-induced glucose dyshomeostasis appears secondary to its hemodynamic effects.
The 2D:4D digit ratio is not a useful marker for prenatal famine exposure: Evidence from the Dutch Hunger Winter Families Study

Objectives: Digit lengths, and in particular the ratio of the 2nd (2D) to 4th (4D) digit (2D:4D), are stable in adulthood and have been linked to characteristics thought to have developmental origins, but little research has focused on early life determinants of these measures. We examined whether exposure to acute famine during specific periods of gestation was associated with 2D, 4D or the 2D:4D ratio. Methods: We studied men and women (1) born in one of three hospitals in western Netherlands whose mothers were exposed to a limited period of famine immediately prior to or during the pregnancy (n = 337); (2) born in the same hospitals to mothers not exposed to famine during the pregnancy (n = 271) or same-sex siblings of individuals in Groups 1 and 2 (n = 295). We measured 2D and 4D on both hands using calipers and computed the 2D:4D ratio. Results: Mean 2D and 4D lengths were 73.5 (SD 5.1) and 75.0 (5.4) mm, respectively. The 2D:4D ratio was 0.981 (SD 0.030). Both 2D and 4D were associated with male gender and height (all P < 0.001), and weakly with BMI. The 2D:4D ratio was 0.0070 (95% confidence interval 0.0017, 0.0123) lower among males as compared with females, and was not significantly associated with height (0.0002 per cm; 95% −0.0001, 0.0005). The 2D:4D ratio was not significantly associated with exposure to famine, overall (−0.0010, 95% CI 0.0030, 0.0050) or within any period of gestation. Conclusions: The 2D:4D ratio is not significantly affected by prenatal exposure to famine and therefore is not a useful marker for generalized prenatal undernutrition. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Atenolol enhances nocturnal growth hormone (GH) release in GH-deficient children during long term GH-releasing hormone therapy.

The effect of the selective ft-adrenergic blocking agent atenolol (50 or 100 mg, orally) on spontaneous and GHreleasing hormone (GHRH)-stimulated GH release was evaluated in six GH-deficient children during long term therapy with GHRH. Nocturnal GH concentrations were determined every 20 min for 12 h under the following four conditions: 1) control, 2) atenolol administration only, 3) sc GHRH administration only, and 4) combined GHRH and atenolol administration. The mean 12-h nocturnal GH concentrations after administration of atenolol alone [2.4 ± 0.6 μg/L (mean ± sem)] or GHRH alone (2.7 ± 1.0 μg/L) were indistinguishable from baseline values (2.0 ± 0.5 /μg/L; P > 0.05). In contrast, the addition of atenolol to ongoing GHRH therapy caused a clear augmentation of 12-h overnight GH release compared to that during all other study periods (5.0 ± 1.3 μg/L; P < 0.05). In a subset of three subjects for whom GH pulse characteristics were determined, the primary mode of the enhanced GH release was through an incr...
Atlas-guided probabilistic diffusion-tensor fiber tractography

We demonstrate the use of a diffusion tensor atlas to perform probabilistic tractography in diffusion tensor data. The tensors from eleven subjects are normalized into a common space by optimizing the similarity between tensors explicitly. The distribution of tensor orientations in the atlas space forms a prior distribution for the fiber orientation that is defined by the local anatomy, in contrast to previous curvature priors that restrict the local curvature of all tracts equally. We demonstrate the method in a single subject and compare tracking with a uniform prior, with a curvature prior, and with the atlas prior. The atlas information allows us to track further along the fornix and cingulum than the other priors.
Effects of Reduced SAR Azimuth Processing

Several approaches are evaluated for reducing the large data handling and processing loads associated with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging systems. The effects of data abbreviation on SAR images were studied theoretically as well as experimentally with SEASAT-A data. Image degradation was measured in terms of azimuth resolution and signal-to-clutter ratio. It was found that the degradation of image quality to data rate reduction is graceful. With high time-bandwidth product signals, little or no azimuth resolution degradation was noticed with several data bandwidth reduction techniques that achieve data reduction factors of up to 8. The signal-to-clutter ratio was found to decrease slowly with increasing reduction in data rate.
Prolactin Regulation of Milk Secretion and Biochemical Differentiation of Mammary Epithelial Cells in Periparturient Cows

PRL involvement in periparturient mammary development and onset of milk secretion was studied in 17 multiparous, monotocous Holstein cows. Mammary glands were obtained 10 days prepartum from untreated cows and 10 days postpartum from untreated cows and cows treated with CB154 (2-Br-α-ergokryptin) or CB154 plus PRL. CB154 was administered for 12 days before expected parturition through 10 days postpartum. PRL was infused continuously for 6 days immediately before parturition in cows receiving CB154 plus PRL. Treatment with CB154 reduced basal serum PRL concentrations approximately 80% and blocked the normal surges in serum PRL concentrations at parturition and during milking. Average milk production in cows given CB154 alone was 11.4 kg/day lower than in controls. Periparturient infusion of PRL in cows treated with CB154 (CB154 plus PRL) prevented reductions in milk production. Treatment with CB154 had no effect on feed intake or periparturient serum concentrations of GH, progesterone, and glucocorticoids....
The Structure of Dimeric Apolipoprotein A-IV and Its Mechanism of Self-Association

Apolipoproteins are key structural elements of lipoproteins and critical mediators of lipid metabolism. Their detergent-like properties allow them to emulsify lipid or exist in a soluble lipid-free form in various states of self-association. Unfortunately, these traits have hampered high-resolution structural studies needed to understand the biogenesis of cardioprotective high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). We derived a crystal structure of the core domain of human apolipoprotein (apo)A-IV, an HDL component and important mediator of lipid absorption. The structure at 2.4 A depicts two linearly connected 4-helix bundles participating in a helix swapping arrangement that offers a clear explanation for how the protein self-associates as well as clues to the structure of its monomeric form. This also provides a logical basis for antiparallel arrangements recently described for lipid-containing particles. Furthermore, we propose a "swinging door" model for apoA-IV lipid association.
Serial hemodynamic measurements in post-cardiac arrest cardiogenic shock treated with therapeutic hypothermia

Aims:Mortality from cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains high despite contemporary treatment. Therapeutic Hypothermia (TH) offers cardiovascular and systemic effe...
Nominal Shear or Fracture Mechanics in the Assessment of Composite-Dentin Adhesion?

This study addresses the anticipated problem of discriminating among high-performing dentin adhesives. The simplicity of the nominal shear bond test, despite being heavily criticized, has made it a routine procedure for the determination of bonding efficacy. A fracture mechanics approach has been suggested as a better assessment of bonding efficacy (Versluis et al., 1997). However, experimental complexity is a major limitation. It is hypothesized that a new, simplified interfacial fracture toughness test (Lin, 1994) will evaluate bonding agents differently if compared with the traditional shear bond test. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the performances of six dentin bonding agents subjected to the interfacial fracture toughness test (critical plane strain energy release rate) or to the nominal shear bond test (shear bond strength). Their performances were also characterized by scanning electron micrography of the fracture surfaces for evidence of dentin cohesive failure. Statistical analyses showed only marginal differences between these determinants of the two tests. However, when the analysis was applied only to the materials that had 100% frequency of dentin cohesive failure in shear testing, which also had high bonding efficacy, the difference in adhesive strengths between the two tests became significant. The reliability of the nominal shear test is questioned when dentin cohesive failure occurs, which usually is associated with high bonding efficacy. Since it is expected that bonding efficacy will increase further, the interfacial fracture toughness test is the preferred methodology to distinguish among high-performing dentin adhesives.
Identity and the Definition of the Situation in a Mass-Mediated Context

The importance of identity and the definition of the situation for symbolic interactionist theory and research are discussed. These two concepts have been separated in much research since the 1970s, with identity being used in a variety of ways. This separation is partly attributed to paradigm shifts in social science, as well as to popular culture treatments of identity. Popular culture's emphasis on “collective” and “personal” identities is processed through entertainment formats that emphasize emotional and vicarious involvement, drama and action. Materials illustrate the presence of a mass-mediated generalized other, media communities, and the significance this has for realist and postrealist ethnography. Suggestions are offered for a reintegration of identity and the definition of the situation in ethnographic work. Sex videos are total fantasy. But people have to realize that even in a fantasy you have to deal with reality. —Pornographic film actress
Electron tomography of cells.

The electron microscope has contributed deep insights into biological structure since its invention nearly 80 years ago. Advances in instrumentation and methodology in recent decades have now enabled electron tomography to become the highest resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique available for unique objects such as cells. Cells can be imaged either plastic-embedded or frozen-hydrated. Then the series of projection images are aligned and back-projected to generate a 3D reconstruction or ‘tomogram’. Here, we review how electron tomography has begun to reveal the molecular organization of cells and how the existing and upcoming technologies promise even greater insights into structural cell biology.
Training for Web search: Will it get you in shape?

Given that time is money, Web searching can be a very expensive proposition. Even with the best search technology, the usefulness of search results depends on the searcher's ability to use that technology effectively. In an effort to improve this ability, our research investigates the effects of logic training, interface training, and the type of search interface on the search process. In a study with 145 participants, we found that even limited training in basic Boolean logic improved performance with a simple search interface. Surprisingly, for users of an interface that assisted them in forming syntactically correct Boolean queries, performance was negatively affected by logic training and unaffected by interface training. Use of the assisted interface itself, however, resulted in strong improvements in performance over use of the simple interface. In addition to being useful for search engine providers, these findings are important for all companies that rely heavily on search for critical aspects of their operations, in that they demonstrate simple means by which the search experience can be improved for their employees and customers.
A Human Capital Perspective On Criminal Careers

he existing economics literature has traditionally viewed crime as a choice-making process, where the potential criminal chooses among alternatives based upon the costs and benefits of each. Models by Becker, Rogers, Tullock, and Hellman, have generally portrayed the criminal choice equation as static and not allowed for the dynamic changes that may occur to the criminals aptitude, and income over long time horizons. This paper develops a dynamic choice model of criminal behavior over a criminal career including the acquisition process for both legal and criminal human capital. Psychic and monetary benefit and cost factors are discussed as well as the standard arguments concerning the probabilities of apprehension and convention. The model suggests that to alter the criminals choice pattern and, therefore, his education toward legal income-producing activities, the first instance of incarceration is the most crucial and that t(1) A learning multiplier exists for the criminal in both legal and illegal learning. (2) Greater segregation of prison populations by ordinal magnitude of offence could better separate criminal students from criminal mentors and further reduce criminal education. (3) Higher order legal skills training in the penal system may shift the education decision to legal educational pursuits. (4) Redefining the legal and constitutional rights afforded felons could increase the probability of repeat apprehension and reduce the incentive to repeat offenses.
Disruptive Testimonies: The Stakes of Surrealist Experience in Breton and Carrington

This article explores the idea of experience in Surrealism through the writings of Andre Breton and Leonora Carrington. Breton's founding manifestoes of Surrealism and novel Nadja (1928) make the claim for a revolutionary experience of the everyday world. However, the feminine tropes he uses clearly valorize an experience based on masculine perception. Additionally, in the years leading up to and following World War II, Surrealism was decried for not engaging with history or politics. Carrington's narrative Down Below (1944) addresses both Breton's concept of experience and Surrealism's historical force by demonstrating a negotiation between Surrealist aesthetics and its nefarious gender politics; further, Carrington also relocates Surreal experience into corporeal and historical registers. By choosing Carrington for inclusion in his postwar Surrealist Anthologie de l'humour noir, Breton reveals the extent to which he addressed interwar Surrealist politics and tried to shape the future of Surrealism as a ...
Distances in the Internationalization Process: The Case of Banco Santander (Las Distancias en el Proceso de Internacionalizacion: El Caso del Banco Santander)

The paper analyzes the internationalization process of service firms. The analysis of the internationalization of Banco Santander illustrates three arguments. First, the idea that the distance between home and host country determines the selection of countries where to invest varies with the type of distance analyzed (cultural, political, geographic, or economic). Second, the influence of distances on the internationalization process of service firms differs from the influence on industrial firms. Third, the impact of the distances on the process of internationalization diminishes with the expansion of the firm in multiple countries.
Calileuctra, a new genus, and two new species of stoneflies from California (Plecoptera: Leuctridae)

Calileuctra is proposed as new genus in the family Leuctridae, with Calileuctra ephemera designated as the type species. All stages of Calileuctra ephemera are descpribed. Calileuctra dobryi is described in the male and female stages. Both species inhabit Mediterranean climatic region of California. A phylogenetic analysis of the genera in the family Leuctridae is given, which places Calileuctra near the genus of Perlomyia .
The Cross and the Begging Bowl: Deconstructing the Cosmology of Violence

Rene Girard's work on the origins of violence as it relates to Christian symbolism is an ideal consruct by which to compare the teachings of the Gautama Buddha and Jesus Christ. Both Jesus and Gautama eschew violence, but take different paths toward doing so. Much of the more recent discussion of the historical Jesus has centered on his ministry as a form of social criticism.1 Although casting Jesus of Nazareth as social critic has led to exaggerations, the conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment of his day is reminiscent of the conflict between the historical Buddha and the Brahmans witnessed to in the Pali Canon of early Buddhism. Even a cursory reading of the New Testament and the Nikaya literature is enough to recommend the issue of sacrifice as a common point for comparison. As Siddhartha Gautama clashed with Brahmans over the efficacy and morality of Vedic sacrifices, so also Jesus was clearly a critic of the cultic sacrifice offered in the Jerusalem Temple of his day. Among contemporary interpreters of religion, Rene Girard's theory of sacrifice suggests a fruitful way of comparing the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Buddha. Rene Girard has devoted his scholarly career to locating the origins of violence within the broadest possible anthropological and religious framework. By linking violence with desire, Girard has also sought to uncover "things hidden since the foundation of the world": the nature of social structures as institutionalizations of violence and sacrificial rituals as legitimations of these structures. Girard's intellectual itinerary has led him from the roots of the modern novel to inquiries into archetypal themes in Greek tragedy and ethnographic accounts of sacred narrative, to an original and controversial reading of the New Testament.2 This essay will attempt no comprehensive study of Girard's work, especially the global claims he makes for his theory of sacrificial violence.3 Instead, I hope to outline a few of Girard's basic ideas regarding violence, Buddhist-Christian Studies 18 (1998). ? by University of Hawai'i Press. All rights reserved. This content downloaded from 157.242.202.216 on Mon, 25 Apr 2016 23:43:29 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Management of ipsilateral shoulder pain after thoracotomy with phrenic nerve infiltration using ropivacaine

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of phrenic nerve infiltration in managing ipsilateral shoulder pain after thoracotomy,and also to postulate a reasonable mechanism concerning this kind of pain.Methods Sixty-three patients,undergoing selective lateroposterior thoracotomy(lung surgery:n=35;esophageal surgery:n=28) were randomly divided into two groups:patients in treatment group were given phrenic nerve infiltration with 0.25% ropivacaine just before thoracic closure,while those in control group were given the same volume of saline.Surgery was taken under standard epidural block combined with general anesthesia.Any pain in the ipsilateral shoulder unrelated with incision pain was recorded and assessed with VAS(visual analogues score) at the time of extubation,0.5 hour after extubation,then with one hour interval until 4 hours after extubation.At the same time,arterial blood gas was analyzed to see if any CO2 retention occurred as the side effect of phrenic nerve infiltration.Results Sixty patients accomplished the experiment,among which 22/31(71.0%) patients in the control group developed ipsilateral shoulder pain compared with 5/29(17.2%) in the treatment group(P0.001).There was significant difference on the overall tendency of VAS in the whole investigation period,with the control group had a much higher VAS(P0.01).Postoperative PaCO2 was not increased in treatment group compared with control group(P0.05).Conclusions We conclude that phrenic nerve infiltration with ropivacaine is an effective and safe way to manage post-thoracotomy ipsilateral shoulder pain.Surgery type has no significant influence on the efficacy of phrenic nerve infiltration.This study implicates that nociceptive signals from the pericardium,pleural surface or diaphragm by surgery or drainage tubes might be transmitted via phrenic nerve and referred to the ipsilateral shouder.
Database System of Rice Varieties Based on ASP.NET

This paper mainly presents the structure of database system for Rice Varieties on Internet and describes the function model and program designing. As a result,the system proves to be safer,quicker and easier to maintain.
Myocardial Infarction and Ischemia

Heart attacks and myocardial ischemia can be diagnosed by electrocardiogram (EKG). Some of the changes are typical, others are more subtle, and none of the changes are completely sensitive or specific. Additionally, myocardial infarctions demonstrate typical changes over time, or “evolve” in characteristic ways.
Elliptic Functions with Disconnected Julia Sets

In this paper, we investigate elliptic functions of the form fΛ = 1/(1 + (℘Λ)2), where ℘Λ is the Weierstrass elliptic function on a real rhombic lattice. We show that a typical function in this family has a superattracting fixed point at the origin and five other equivalence classes of critical points. We investigate conditions on the lattice which guarantee that fΛ has a double toral band, and we show that this family contains the first known examples of elliptic functions for which the Julia set is disconnected but not Cantor.
Chapter 6 – High-altitude cusps

Publisher Summary The Earth's magnetospheric high-altitude cusp is a region of weak magnetic fields with a funnel-shaped geometry, one in the north and one in the south centered around noon where the fields converge. The magnetospheric cusps are located where magnetosheath plasma and momentum enters into the magnetosphere. The magnetospheric cusps permit for the most direct entry of shocked solar wind plasma into the magnetosphere. For decades the cusp was considered as only a sink of energy. No significant energetic particle fluxes were expected to be detected. Therefore, it came as a big surprise when Polar spacecraft measured cusp energetic particles (CEP) in the high-altitude cusp region. Recent satellite measurements reveal that the Earth's magnetospheric cusp is in fact a broad and dynamic region having a size of several RE with charged particles of high energies from 20 keV up to 20 MeV. The increased intensities of the charged particles were associated with the deep diamagnetic cavities. In order to maintain a pressure balance with adjacent magnetospheric regions, the magnetic pressure in the exterior cusp must decrease to account for the increase in thermal pressure from the newly injected plasma. The result is a diamagnetic cavity in the exterior cusp; in some cases this can bring the magnetic field strength close to zero nT. The density, temperature, and velocity distributions establish the presence of three distinct boundaries surrounding the exterior cusp region: with the lobes, the dayside plasma sheet, and the magnetosheath. This external boundary is characterized by a density decrease and a temperature increase from the magnetosheath to the exterior cusp.
Optical Phased Array with Small Spot Size, High Steering Range and Grouped Cascaded Phase Shifters

An optical phased array with a record spot size of 0.85°×0.18° and steering range of 46°×36° is demonstrated. Grouped cascaded phase shifters are utilized. Beam powers of 1mW and a free-space data link are achieved.
A 540 µW RF wireless receiver assisted by RF blocker energy harvesting for IoT applications with +18 dBm OB-IIP3

This paper introduces a wireless receiver system that harvests energy from the out-of-band RF blockers which enables sustainable operation and extends battery life for IoT applications. Operating at 900 MHz band and fabricated in CMOS 180 nm, the proposed RF receiver system architecture can operate at the presence of unavoidable high out-of-band blockers (≈0 dBm) yet consumes 534 µW. Moreover, 46% of this dc power is extracted from existing blockers via RF energy harvesting techniques.
Abstract 24: Loss of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18) causes cold sensitive mice by destabilizing the critical regulator of thermogenesis: uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1)

USP18 is the major ISG15 (Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15) deconjugase that removes ISG15 from substrate proteins. We recently reported that USP18 null mice spontaneously develop leiomyosarcomas. Intriguingly, these USP18 null mice are also markedly cold sensitive as compared to their wild-type littermates. When briefly exposed to cold stimuli, USP18 null mice significantly (P Citation Format: Xi Liu, Yun Lu, Lin Zheng, David J. Sekula, Sarah J. Freemantle, Ethan Dmitrovsky. Loss of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18) causes cold sensitive mice by destabilizing the critical regulator of thermogenesis: uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 24.
IMPACT OF EBR-II TESTS AND OPERATIONAL DATA ON ANALYSES

ABSTRACT The importance of EBR-II irradiation test and operational data impact on analysis is discussed and some recent advances and problems are reviewed.
Extreme makeover: Engineering the activity of a thermostable alcohol dehydrogenase (AdhD) from Pyrococcus furiosus

Alcohol dehydrogenase D (AdhD) is a monomeric thermostable alcohol dehydrogenase from the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily of proteins. We have been exploring various strategies of engineering the activity of AdhD so that it could be employed in future biotechnology applications. Driven by insights made in other AKRs, we have made mutations in the cofactor-binding pocket of the enzyme and broadened its cofactor specificity. A pre-steady state kinetic analysis yielded new insights into the conformational behavior of this enzyme. The most active mutant enzyme concomitantly gained activity with a non-native cofactor, nicotinamide mononucleotide, NMN(H), and an enzymatic biofuel cell was demonstrated with this enzyme/cofactor pair. Substrate specificity was altered by grafting loop regions near the active site pocket from a mesostable human aldose reductase (hAR) onto the thermostable AdhD. These moves not only transferred the substrate specificity of hAR but also the cofactor specificity of hAR. We have added alpha-helical appendages to AdhD to enable it to self-assemble into a thermostable catalytic proteinaceous hydrogel. As our understanding of the structure/function relationship in AdhD and other AKRs advances, this ubiquitous protein scaffold could be engineered for a variety of catalytic activities that will be useful for many future applications.
Complex Sources of Variation in Tissue Expression Data: Analysis of the GTEx Lung Transcriptome.

The sources of gene expression variability in human tissues are thought to be a complex interplay of technical, compositional, and disease-related factors. To better understand these contributions, we investigated expression variability in a relatively homogeneous tissue expression dataset from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) resource. In addition to identifying technical sources, such as sequencing date and post-mortem interval, we also identified several biological sources of variation. An in-depth analysis of the 175 genes with the greatest variation among 133 lung tissue samples identified five distinct clusters of highly correlated genes. One large cluster included surfactant genes ( SFTPA1 , SFTPA2 , and SFTPC ), which are expressed exclusively in type II pneumocytes, cells that proliferate in ventilator associated lung injury. High surfactant expression was strongly associated with death on a ventilator and type II pneumocyte hyperplasia. A second large cluster included dynein ( DNAH9 and DNAH12 ) and mucin ( MUC5B and MUC16 ) genes, which are exclusive to the respiratory epithelium and goblet cells of bronchial structures. This indicates heterogeneous bronchiole sampling due to the harvesting location in the lung. A small cluster included acute-phase reactant genes ( SAA1 , SAA2 , and SAA2–SAA4 ). The final two small clusters were technical and gender related. To summarize, in a collection of normal lung samples, we found that tissue heterogeneity caused by harvesting location (medial or lateral lung) and late therapeutic intervention (mechanical ventilation) were major contributors to expression variation. These unexpected sources of variation were the result of altered cell ratios in the tissue samples, an underappreciated source of expression variation.
High-Selectivity Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Ethanol using a Copper Nanoparticle/N-Doped Graphene Electrode

Though carbon dioxide is a waste product of combustion, it can also be a potential feedstock for the production of fine and commodity organic chemicals provided that an efficient means to convert it to useful organic synthons can be developed. Herein we report a common element, nanostructured catalyst for the direct electrochemical conversion of CO2 to ethanol with high Faradaic efficiency (63 % at −1.2 V vs RHE) and high selectivity (84 %) that operates in water and at ambient temperature and pressure. Lacking noble metals or other rare or expensive materials, the catalyst is comprised of Cu nanoparticles on a highly textured, N-doped carbon nanospike film. Electrochemical analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest a preliminary mechanism in which active sites on the Cu nanoparticles and the carbon nanospikes work in tandem to control the electrochemical reduction of carbon monoxide dimer to alcohol.
The Value of Financial Flexibility: Equilibrium Liquidation Values and Endogenous Capital Structure Heterogeneity

Firms with lower leverage are not only less likely to experience financial distress but are also better positioned to acquire assets from other distressed firms. With endogenous asset sales and values, each firm’s debt choice then depends on the choices of its industry peers. With indivisible assets, otherwise identical firms may adopt different debt policies — some choosing highly levered operations (e.g., to take advantage of tax benefits), others choosing more conservative policies to wait for acquisition opportunities. Moreover, the acquisition channel induces firms to reduce debt when assets become more redeployable. Finally, our paper highlights a simple pitfall: theoretical implications for debt do not always map into empirically measured implications for debt-to-value ratios, because value is also endogenous.
First-principles study of the Cu-Pd phase diagram

Abstract The equilibrium phase diagram of a Cu-Pd alloy has been computed using cluster expansion and Monte Carlo simulation methods combined with density functional theory. The computed phase boundaries show basic features that are consistent with the experimentally reported phase diagram. Without vibrational free energy contributions, the order-disorder transition temperature is underestimated by 100 K and the critical point is inconsistent with experimental result. The addition of vibrational free energy contributions yields a more qualitatively correct Cu-Pd phase diagram in the Cu rich region.
One-shot multivariate covering lemmas via weighted sum and concentration inequalities

New one-shot bounds for multivariate covering are derived via a weighted sum technique and a one-sided concentration inequality which is stronger than the McDiarmid inequality. The new bounds are more compact and sharper than known bounds in the literature. In particular, the covering error can be shown to decay doubly exponentially in the blocklength. Implications for the error exponent in broadcast channels are discussed.
Direct groundwater discharge and vulnerability to hidden nutrient loads along the Great Lakes coast of the United States

Abstract Direct groundwater discharge delivers nutrients from land and lakebed sediments to the Great Lakes, which impacts lake water quality. Broad spatial distributions of discharging groundwater are often difficult to measure directly. We present high resolution estimates of direct groundwater discharge across 43% of the Great Lakes coastline based on a water budget approach that uses hydroclimatic models and high-resolution hydrographic data available within the United States. We also integrate land use data to identify coastal areas vulnerable to high groundwater-borne nutrient loads. Estimated rates of direct groundwater discharge along the Great Lakes coast are highly variable, but generally are greatest for Lake Erie and Lake Michigan. Almost one-third of Lake Erie’s United States coastline is vulnerable to groundwater sources of nutrients. To assess uncertainties and limitations in our vulnerability analysis, a vulnerable site along Lake Erie was selected for detailed field measurements of direct groundwater discharge rates and nutrient fluxes. Measured discharge rates were significantly lower than water budget-based estimates (354 ± 25 m 3 y −1 m −1 compared to 588 ± 181 m 3 y −1 m −1 ). Dissolved phosphorous concentrations in the lakebed were elevated compared to onshore groundwater, while nitrate concentrations were lower, indicative of a highly reactive sediment-water interface. Some of the measured phosphorus may be locally sourced from desorption of legacy P or mineralization of organic matter in the lakebed, which our vulnerability framework does not include. Much of the land-derived nitrogen may be transformed along groundwater flow paths prior to discharge. While model-based estimates of direct groundwater discharge and vulnerability to nutrient loading are important for managing Great Lakes water quality, direct field observations remain essential for quantifying fluxes.
Andrews, George Reid. Blackness in the White Nation: A History of Afro-Uruguay . Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 2010

Recent work in Latin American History has uncovered some surprising new insights on nation and identity, especially African identity within traditionally self-identified white nations. George Reid Andrews, Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Pittsburgh, was one of the founders of this line of research, and continues to be a major contributor to this growing field. His first monograph, The Afro-Argentines of Buenos Aires, 1800-1900 (University of Wisconsin Press, 1980) paved the way for a whole generation of scholars interested in exploring the African past of Latin America outside of Brazil and the Caribbean. His general history, Afro-Latin America, 1800-2000 (Oxford University press, 2004) offered a comparative look at the history of blackness in Latin America, and became an important text in classrooms exploring the topic. Andrews’ new work, Blackness in the White Nation: A History of Afro-Uruguay , published by The University of North Carolina Press, provides another important contribution to this emerging field. This monograph explores the history of Africans and their descendents, and their interface with the increasingly self-identified “white” nation of Uruguay, from 1830 to the present. His main argument is that although the Afro-Uruguayan cultural expression called Candombe has helped Uruguayans be aware of the presence of an African past, it has done little to lessen racial stereotypes and break down discriminatory practices in that nation.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery-Induced Weight Loss and Metabolic Improvements Are Similar in TGR5-Deficient and Wildtype Mice.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) remains one of the most effective treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Despite this, the mechanisms through which it acts are still not well understood. Bile acid signaling through the transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor TGR5 has been shown to have significant effects on metabolism and has recently been reported to be necessary for the full effects of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), a bariatric surgery with similar effects to RYGB. The goal of the current study is therefore to investigate the role of bile acid signaling through TGR5 to see if it is necessary to obtain the full effects of RYGB. High-fat diet-induced obese TGR5−/− and wildtype mice (WT) were subjected to RYGB, sham surgery, or weight matching (WM) to RYGB mice via caloric restriction. Body weight, body composition, food intake, energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and liver weight were measured. Although the difference in fat mass 20 weeks after surgery between RYGB and sham-operated mice was slightly reduced in TGR5−/− mice when compared to wildtype mice, loss of body weight and fat mass from preoperative levels, reduction of food intake, increase of energy expenditure, and improvement in glycemic control were similar in the two genotypes. Furthermore, improvements in glycemic control were similar in non-surgical mice weight-matched to RYGB. We conclude that bile acid signaling through TGR5 is not required for the beneficial effects of RYGB in the mouse and that RYGB and VSG may achieve their similar beneficial effects through different mechanisms.
Satisfaction with and effectiveness of medical care in relation to anxiety and depression: Patient and physician ratings compared

This study examined 1) patient ratings of satisfaction with and effectiveness of medical care, and 2) physician ratings of treatment effectiveness, taking into account personal characteristics, health and mental health of 75 clinic attenders who scored below a cutoff on a screening questionnaire for hypochondriasis. Patients above the cutoff on this instrument, and a random sample of all those below the cutoff, then returned at a later date to undergo a research battery consisting of self-report questionnaires, and structured and semistructured interviews, including the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). About three-fourths of the patients were very satisfied with their medical care, and over half considered the medical care they received effective. Patients and physicians did not concur on the effectiveness of care (r = 0.029, p = 0.81; Kappa = 0.025). Depression was negatively correlated with satisfaction with medical care, r = -0.42, p = 0.0001; anxiety negatively correlated with perceived effectiveness of care, r = -0.41, p = 0.003. Physician rating of effectiveness of care correlated with physician rating of depression, age, and gender (more effective for older and male), (R2 = 0.27, p = 0.0388). We conclude that the lack of agreement between patients and physicians on effectiveness of care suggests the need for better communication. The finding that a depressive diagnosis is associated with dissatisfaction suggests more generally that psychiatric disorder may be an important determinant of patient satisfaction with medical care.
Image reconstruction from zero-crossings

In the computational theory of human vision, developed by D. Marr and his school, zero-crossings detection is proposed as one of the first stages of human visual information processing. The justification of this theory reguires that the zero crossings are rich in information about the original image. In a paper, T. Poggio, H.K. Nishihara and K.R.K. Nielsen stated that a successful extension of B. Logan's analysis to two-dimensional images represents one of the critical unsolved steps of this computational theory. Moreover, such an extension is crucial to the question of spatiotemporal interpolation in vision. In this paper, we shall provide a solution to this problem using a theory of spherical perspective and spherical harmonics.
Current Visceral Leishmaniasis Research: A Research Review to Inspire Future Study

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), one of the deadliest parasitic diseases in the world, causes more than 50,000 human deaths each year and afflicts millions of people throughout South America, East Africa, South Asia, and Mediterranean Region. In 2015 the World Health Organization classified VL as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), prompting concentrated study of the VL epidemic using mathematical and simulation models. This paper reviews literature related to prevalence and prevention control strategies. More than thirty current research works were reviewed and classified based on VL epidemic study methods, including modeling approaches, control strategies, and simulation techniques since 2013. A summarization of these technical methods, major findings, and contributions from existing works revealed that VL epidemic research efforts must improve in the areas of validating and verifying VL mathematical models with real-world epidemic data. In addition, more dynamic disease control strategies must be explored and advanced simulation techniques must be used to predict VL pandemics.
The higher order structure of the WISC–IV Italian adaptation using hierarchical exploratory factor analytic procedures

ABSTRACTThe factor structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fourth Edition, Italian adaptation (WISC-IV Itaian; Orsini, Pezzuti, & Picone, 2012; Wechsler, 2012) standardization sam...
Modified pullout test for indirect characterization of natural fiber and cementitious matrix interface properties

Abstract Fiber-matrix interfacial bond characterization using conventional fiber pullout test is unsuitable for natural fiber based cementitious composites. Therefore, a modified pullout test method is proposed in this study for the indirect characterization of interfacial properties of natural fiber and cementitious matrix interface. To this end, a cementitious matrix medium is prepared by mixing Type I Portland cement, clay and water in a specific ratio such that suitable consistency is obtained and setting time is delayed with the purpose of avoiding the formation of adhesive chemical bond between fiber and matrix interface. For experimentation, wheat straw natural fibers are chosen in this study and pullout test specimens are prepared by embedding the fibers in cementitious matrix medium for lengths of 10 and 20 mm. Pullout tests are carried out at 1 mm/min displacement rate, and load-displacement curves are obtained. While the peak pullout load and pullout energy obtained from modified pullout tests are observed to increase by 93.2% and 304% with an increase in embedment length from 10 to 20 mm, the interfacial sliding shear strength remained constant for wheat straw fibers at 2.63 KPa. Slip softening is observed to be the governing pullout mechanism for wheat straw natural fiber in the modified pullout test. For indirect validation of the proposed method, the trends of peak pullout load and interfacial sliding shear strength for polypropylene and steel fibers are obtained from both modified and standard pullout test and are compared. Similar trends are observed for polypropylene and steel fibers in both the tests which to a certain extent confirms the validity of the proposed method.
Appendix B: Example for a Measure on a Ball in Hilbert Space

The functional integrals, that are the limits of Riemann/Lebesgue integerals as \(n\rightarrow \infty \), are zero for bounded functionals; hence, it is instructive to design examples of unbounded functionals, that integrate to non-zero values.
Diagnosis of depression and other patient factors impacts length of stay after total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The length of in-hospital stay (LOS) is an important measure of efficiency in the use of hospital resources and care quality outcomes after orthopaedic surgery. This study investigated the influence of patients' characteristics including demographic factors and the presence of comorbid preoperative depression on LOS after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Data were extracted from the California Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database for hospital discharges after primary TKA for adults aged 50 years and older from 2007 to 2010 (n = 133,603). LOS was defined as the difference in days between the date of admission and the date of discharge. We included demographic data (age, sex, race), comorbidity of depression, and years of admission as covariates in the multivariable model. Negative binomial regression was used to model the effect(s) of covariates on the LOS. As a secondary analysis, the association of covariates with the extended LOS (>9 days) was also investigated using logistic regression. Results Our study showed that female sex, age, Medicaid insurance, and race were associated with a longer LOS. Most importantly, a diagnosis of depression was associated with a significantly longer LOS (1.05 times longer: 95% CI: 1.04-1.06) and was independently associated with 1.83 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.50-2.23) of belonging to the extended LOS group. Compared to 2007, significant reductions of both LOS and a longer LOS were noted throughout all later years from 2008 to 2010. Conclusions Our study revealed that a diagnosis of depression and patient's characteristic such as age, female sex, Medicaid, nonwhite race resulted in a statistically significant increased LOS. These findings can be useful for planning and resource allocation for total knee replacement programs.
Immunotherapies Targeting α-Synuclein in Parkinson Disease.

Background Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Pathologic diagnosis of PD relies on loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra and accumulation of the abnormal protein α-synuclein in the form of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Alteration in aggregation properties of this protein is believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of PD. Observations Huge interest has developed in antibody-based therapies for PD. Several studies have tested immunotherapies in PD animal models with the aim of targeting α-synuclein. Immunotherapies can be instituted in 2 ways: active immunization in which the immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies against α-synuclein or passive immunization in which antibodies against α-synuclein are directly administered. Conclusions Immunotherapy against α-synuclein has provided a new therapeutic avenue in neuroprotection. Results from the first human clinical trial are promising, but despite these results, more work is needed to clarify the role of α-synuclein in the pathogenesis of PD in humans.
Ambulatory Rehabilitation of Patients Hospitalized with SARS CoV-2 Infections: Early Pandemic Experience in New York City and Boston

The current COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly affected a large number of people across the world In the US, New York and Massachusetts were two states significantly affected early on in the pandemic Many individuals infected with COVID-19 require hospitalization and following discharge, a subset develop longer-term rehabilitation needs To address the ongoing rehabilitation needs in this growing population, multidisciplinary teams at academic centers in NYC and Boston designed and implemented post-COVID outpatient clinical recovery programs In this report, we describe the local development of the outpatient programs and characteristics of the initial patient cohort referred for evaluation This article is protected by copyright All rights reserved