cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endovascular repair of a double-lumen dissecting aneurysm

Treating dissections and dissecting aneurysms requires maintenance of flow through the true lumen and exclusion of the false lumen from the circulation. A dissecting aneurysm of the vertebral artery presented with both a true and false lumen within the aneurysmal sac. Stenting of the true lumen followed by coil embolization of both lumens was performed. Management options and decision-making are discussed for this unique situation.
CD11b+ Cells are the Major Source of Oxidative Stress in UV Radiation–irradiated Skin: Possible Role in Photoaging and Photocarcinogenesis¶

Exposure of skin to solar UV radiation induces oxidative stress and suppression of cell-mediated immune responses. These effects are associated with the greater risk of several skin disorders including photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. We have shown that UV-induced infiltrating leukocytes contribute in developing oxidative stress in UV-irradiated skin. The peak period of UV-induced infiltrating leukocytes lies between 48 and 72 h after UV exposure of the skin. In this study we demonstrated that UV (90 mJ/cm2)-induced infiltrating CD11b+ cells in C3H/HeN mice skin were the major source of oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was determined as a marker of oxidative stress. Flow cytometric analysis of viable cells revealed that the number of CD11b+H2O2+ cells were significantly higher (31.8%, P < 0.001) in UV-irradiated skin in comparison with non-UV-exposed skin (0.4%). Intraperitoneal administration of monoclonal antibodies to CD11b (rat IgG2b) to C3H/HeN mice inhibited UVB-induced infiltration of leukocytes, as evidenced by reduction in myeloperoxidase activity (64-80%, P < 0.0005), concomitant with significant reduction in H2O2 production both in epidermis and dermis (66-83%, P < 0.001-0.0005) when compared with the administration of rat IgG2b isotype of anti-CD11b. Furthermore, CD11b+ and CD11b- cell subsets were separated by immunomagnetic cell isolation technique from total epidermal and dermal single cell suspensions obtained 48 h after UV irradiation of the skin and analyzed for H2O2 production. Analytical data revealed that CD11b+ cell population from UV-irradiated skin resulted in significantly higher production of total H2O2 in both epidermis and dermis (87-89%, P < 0.0001) in comparison with CD11b- cell population (11-13% of total H2O2). These data revealed that infiltrating CD11b+ cells were the major source of oxidative stress in UV-irradiated skin and thus may contribute to photoaging and promotion of skin tumor growth within the UV-irradiated skin. Together, these data suggest that reduction in UV-induced skin infiltration of CD11b+ cells may be an alternative and effective strategy to reduce solar UV light-induced oxidative stress-mediated skin disorders including photoaging and photocarcinogenesis.
Titrated oxygen requirement and prognostication in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The supplemental oxygen flow rate is a common bedside measure of gas exchange impairment. We aimed to determine whether a titrated oxygen requirement (TOR) predicted mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We examined 104 adults with IPF enrolled in a prospective cohort study and a validation cohort of 151 adults with a variety of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). The TOR was defined as the lowest oxygen flow rate required to maintain an oxyhaemoglobin saturation of 96% while standing. Cox proportional hazards models and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were used to examine survival time. A higher TOR was associated with a greater mortality rate independent of forced vital capacity and 6-min walk test results in IPF (adjusted hazard ratio (per 1 L·min(-1)) 1.16, 95% CI 1.06-1.27). The TOR was at least as accurate as pulmonary function and 6-min walk testing at predicting 1-yr mortality. Findings were similar in other ILDs. The TOR is a simple, inexpensive bedside measurement that aids prognostication in IPF.
Sequence Composition, Organization, and Evolution of the Core Triticeae Genome

*Summary We investigated the composition and the basis of genome expansion in the core Triticeae genome using Aegilops tauschii, the D-genome donor of bread wheat. We sequenced an unfiltered genomic shotgun (trs) and a methylation‐filtration (tmf) library of A. tauschii, and analyzed wheat expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to estimate the expression of genes and transposable elements (TEs). The sampled D-genome sequences consisted of 91.6% repetitive elements, 2.5% known genes, and 5.9% low-copy sequences of unknown function. TEs constituted 68.2% of the D-genome compared with 50% in maize and 14% in rice. The DNA transposons constituted 13% of the D-genome compared with 2% in maize. TEs were methylated unevenly within and among elements and families, and most were transcribed which contributed to genome expansion in the core Triticeae genome. The copy number of a majority of repeat families increased gradually following polyploidization. Certain TE families occupied discrete chromosome territories. Nested insertions and illegitimate recombination occurred extensively between the TE families, and a majority of the TEs contained internal deletions. The GC content varied significantly among the three sequence sets examined ranging from 42% in tmf to 46% in trs and 52% in the EST. Based on enrichment of genic sequences, methylation‐filtration offers one option, although not as efficient as in maize, for isolating gene-rich regions from the large genome of wheat.
Nutrients Removal from Urban Stormwater by Different Filter Materials

Urban stormwater runoff is contaminated by nutrients that wash off of roadways, parking lots and lawns during storms. In-ground permeable filter systems that consist of carefully selected filter material have the potential to remove these nutrients from the run-off. In this paper, four filter materials, calcite, zeolite, sand and iron filings, were investigated using laboratory batch tests to evaluate their efficiency in the removal of nitrate and phosphate from the simulated stormwater at different initial concentrations under the same 24-h exposure time period. The range of removal for nitrate was from 39 % to 65 % for calcite, from 42 % to 77 % for zeolite, from 40 % to 70 % for sand, and from 74 % to 100 % for iron filings. The removal of phosphate ranged from 35 % to 41 % for calcite, 59 % to 100 % for zeolite, 49 % to 100 % for sand, and 73 % to 100 % for iron filings. The removal of nitrate is mainly attributed to electrostatic adsorption, except when iron filings were used as a filter material where additional processes such as electrochemical reduction, ligand complexation and precipitation may have contributed to the higher nitrate removal. Phosphate removal is also attributed to electrostatic adsorption in all filter materials; however, at higher phosphate concentrations, the precipitation process may be the dominant process for all of the filter materials except calcite. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms fitted the observed nonlinear adsorption results, but the mechanism of removal of phosphate changed from adsorption to precipitation at concentrations higher than 1 mg/l in zeolite, sand, and iron filings; therefore, the adsorption models are valid below this concentration limit. A typical application of these batch adsorption test results is presented in the design of a field in-ground permeable filter system.
BED THICKNESS AND GRAIN SIZE: GRADED BEDS

SUMMARY Data from Ordovician and Tertiary turbidites and from the Hekla ash fall show good correlation between bed thickness and grain size. Most of the thicker beds are coarser grained. The relation between bed thickness and grain size in graded beds can be explained by a theory which uses a sedimentation formula based on the decay law of turbulence in the deposition zone of a turbidity current.
Control of Biomolecular Activity by Nanoparticle Antennas

Biological molecules are now being increasingly viewed as machines due to the remarkable complexity, accuracy, and efficiency of their functions. Consequently, there is a developing effort to harness the engineering of Nature by going beyond characterizing biological systems and investigating methods for direct manipulation. This effort has been furthered by the enormous progress in understanding the complex mechanisms and structures of biological systems. Largely fueled by the advances in biological and biochemical tools and also characterization techniques such as x-ray crystallography and NMR, this knowledge has reached a point where one can describe the structure and mechanisms of large and complex biological molecules in molecular detail. Consequently, direct manipulation of biomolecular activity is an attractive route for the development of new types of hybrid systems that utilize the engineering of Nature.
Coverage Analysis of Cognitive Femtocell Networks

In heterogeneous networks, interference is one of the critical issues. In this letter, we consider a two-tier downlink network composed of macrocell base stations (MBSs) and femtocell base stations (FBSs), where the locations of MBSs and FBSs are modeled by two independent Poisson point processes (PPPs). FBSs are assumed to be cognitive and become inactive when within a certain range of active MBSs. Due to the inactivation regions, the location distribution of active FBSs no longer follows PPP, complicating the calculation of coverage probability. To circumvent this, we propose an approximation to the coverage probability for both the open access and closed access policies.
Optimum conditions for heterodyne detection of light.

The problem of detecting a coherent light beam in the presence of unwanted background radiation by the heterodyne method is examined. For a sufficiently strong local-oscillator field, the detectability of the signal is unaffected by the presence of the background radiation. It is shown that, in general, there exists an optimum receiver size that maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio. This result is illustrated by several examples. A procedure for the detection of a light signal of unknown direction is suggested.
Technology, oil reserve depletion and the myth of the reserves‐to‐production ratio

In the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis, a multiplication of ideas and the development of novel concepts have opened the way to an entirely new oil universe made up of spectacular innovations and technological challenges, such as 3D seismic surveying, horizontal drilling, submersible platforms, offshore drilling at greater depths and enhanced recovery systems, to name but a few. Because of these advances, the global oil demand-supply picture has undergone a transformation beyond recognition. Between 1973 and 1997, the world's proven oil reserves have grown from 579 billion barrels to 1,037 bn b at the end of 1997, despite the consumption of 571 bn b during the same period. Yet, despite these great strides, technology cannot breathe new life into commercially depleted reserves, nor can it create new reserves where none exist. This paper argues that “conventional” oil will soon be approaching the last phase of its cycle, probably by 2040. It also discusses the concept of the reserves-to-production ratio and its shortcomings as a measure of the length-of-life of global oil reserves. The paper concludes that rising global oil demand and declining reserve discovery rates could lead to a radical increase in the price of oil in the near future and that chronic shortages could be predicted to develop from 2010 onwards.
Preadipocyte differentiation blocked by prostaglandin stimulation of prostanoid FP2 receptor in murine 3T3-L1 cells

Treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with arachidonic acid resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. The cells failed to accumulate fat droplets and did not express stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 mRNA, a marker for late-stage differentiation. The inhibition of differentiation was reversed by the addition of cyclooxygenase inhibitors ibuprofen or indomethacin. Inhibitors of the lipoxygenase and cytochrome P-450 epoxygenase pathways were unable to reverse the effect of arachidonic acid. Dexamethasone, one of the adipogenic agents normally used to induce differentiation, could be replaced with cyclooxygenase inhibitors in the differentiation cocktail. This implicated dexamethasone as a modulator of prostaglandin synthesis in culture. Prostaglandins F2α (ED50=0.4 nM), E2, and D2 prevented differentiation, each with a specific, dose-dependent affinity. Prostaglandin F2α was the most potent inhibitor of differentiation, suggesting that a prostanoid FP2 receptor (FP receptor) mediates the prostaglandin action. Fluprostenol (ED50=0.3 nM), a selective FP receptor agonist, prevented differentiation, confirming the involvement of an FP receptor in the inhibition of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Stimulation of the FP receptor for 1 h during the first day of differentiation was sufficient to cause substantial inhibition. Endogenous PGF2α production was lower in differentiating cells compared to unstimulated preadipocytes. These data suggest that PGF2α production by preadipocytes plays a role in maintaining the undifferentiated state.
Seismic velocity and anisotropy in mylonites and the reflectivity of deep crystal fault zones

Compressional wave-velocity anisotropy has been measured to 1 kb confining pressure in several mylonites, in one cataclasite, and in their protoliths. No significant difference in the velocity or density was found between the protolith and the tectonically altered rock. At 1 kb, strong seismic anisotropy (greater than 10%) was present in only two of nine mylonites measured. The anisotropy was due to their aphanitic texture, high content of layered silicates, and pervasive foliation. Most mylonitic rocks studied were not strongly anisotropic despite a well-developed macroscopic foliation. Where anisotropy was present, velocities usually were slowest perpendicular to the foliation and fastest parallel to both foliation and lineation. These preliminary results suggest that ductile fault zones in the crust are not strong seismic reflectors unless mylonites in the fault zone are aphanitic and contain large amounts of foliated phyllosilicates. It is also possible that anomalous environmental conditions such as high pore pressure in the fault zone in situ may explain observed seismic reflectivity.
Models of gene gain and gene loss for probabilistic reconstruction of gene content in the last universal common ancestor of life

Background The problem of probabilistic inference of gene content in the last common ancestor of several extant species with completely sequenced genomes is: for each gene that is conserved in all or some of the genomes, assign the probability that its ancestral gene was present in the genome of their last common ancestor.
Lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema: answers are beginning to accumulate.

End-stage emphysema is a devastating disease, associated with marked morbidity and mortality. The onset of dyspnoea is insidious and unrelenting. By the time medical attention is sought the disease has often progressed to severe, fixed airflow limitation. Medically, the therapeutic options for emphysema have limited efficacy because none can address the anatomical abnormalities which cause the pathophysiological changes seen in emphysema. Lung transplantation is an option for patients with severe emphysema, but advanced age and co-morbid medical conditions often preclude patients with emphysema from being candidates for lung transplantation. Lung volume reductive surgery (LVRS) has emerged as a viable alternative for these patients. Recent publications have begun to address important clinical and mechanistic questions still unanswered about this new procedure. Clearly LVRS improves dyspnoea, oxygenation, and exercise tolerance for the majority of carefully selected patients. Several centres have confirmed the improvements in respiratory function, exercise tolerance and
Phase I Study of G3139, a bcl-2 Antisense Oligonucleotide, Combined With Carboplatin and Etoposide in Patients With Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose Bcl-2 is expressed in the majority of cases of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and may contribute to chemotherapeutic resistance. Bcl-2 suppression by G3139 (oblimersen sodium), a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide complementary to the bcl-2 mRNA, has the potential to enhance the antitumor efficacy of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy. A dose-finding study was performed evaluating the combination of G3139, carboplatin, and etoposide in patients with previously untreated extensive stage SCLC. Patients and Methods Sixteen patients were treated in three consecutive cohorts. Cohort 1 (n = 5) received G3139 5 mg/kg/d on days 1 to 8 of a 21 day cycle, with carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) = 6 on day 6, and etoposide 80 mg/m2/d on days 6 to 8. In cohort 2 (n = 4), carboplatin dose was reduced to AUC = 5. In cohort 3 (n = 7), G3139 dose was escalated to 7 mg/kg/d. G3139 plasma concentrations and Bcl-2 protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were evaluated. Results Two of three assessable pati...
The geometry of linearly and quadratically constrained optimization problems for signal processing and communications

Constrained minimization problems considered in this paper arise in the design of beamformers for radar, sonar, and wireless communications, and in the design of precoders and equalizers for digital communications. The problem is to minimize a quadratic form under a set of linear or quadratic constraints. We present solutions to these problems and establish a connection between them. A majorization result for matrix trace and Poincare’s separation theorem play key roles in establishing the connection. We show that our solutions can be formulated as generalized sidelobe cancellers (GSCs), which tie our constrained minimizations to linear minimum mean-squared error (LMMSE) estimations. We then express our solutions in terms of oblique projection matrices and establish the geometry of our constrained minimizations. & 2010 The Franklin Institute. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Acetylation of the SUN protein Mps3 by Eco1 regulates its function in nuclear organization

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUN-domain protein Mps3 is required for duplication of the yeast centrosome-equivalent organelle, the spindle pole body (SPB), and it is involved in multiple aspects of nuclear organization, including telomere tethering and gene silencing at the nuclear membrane, establishment of sister chromatid cohesion, and repair of certain types of persistent DNA double-stranded breaks. How these diverse SUN protein functions are regulated is unknown. Here we show that the Mps3 N-terminus is a substrate for the acetyltransferase Eco1/Ctf7 in vitro and in vivo and map the sites of acetylation to three lysine residues adjacent to the Mps3 transmembrane domain. Mutation of these residues shows that acetylation is not essential for growth, SPB duplication, or distribution in the nuclear membrane. However, analysis of nonacetylatable mps3 mutants shows that this modification is required for accurate sister chromatid cohesion and for chromosome recruitment to the nuclear membrane. Acetylation of Mps3 by Eco1 is one of the few regulatory mechanisms known to control nuclear organization.
Five species of passerine bird differ in their ability to detect Batesian mimics

Multiple predators affect the evolution of aposematic signals in nature and these predators may substantially differ in terms of ecological and cognitive parameters. However, most experimental studies testing the evolution of Batesian mimics use only a single species of predator (usually the great tit or a domestic chick). Therefore, in the present study, we experimentally tested the responses of five passerine predators to an artificially made Batesian mimic (a cockroach equipped with the warning pattern of the red firebug) with respect to their dietary ecology. Half of the individuals of each species were fed on unmodified roaches before the experiment, whereas the other half were fed with mealworms and thus had no previous experience with roaches. We found that Batesian mimics were better protected than inconspicuous prey against inexperienced great tits and robins alone. The other three bird species showed high level of neophobia; therefore, the effect of warning coloration could not be assessed. We also found that experienced birds attacked a greater number of Batesian mimics compared to inexperienced individuals of all tested species, with the exception of blackcaps. In the great tits, robins, and blue tits, a significant number of experienced birds attacked the Batesian mimic, which was possibly the result of a learned search image for a roach. Our results suggest that using a limited array of predators to describe evolutionary processes forming the diversity of antipredatory strategies of the prey may be biased and need not describe the situation occurring in nature.
Enzymatic hydroxylation of an unactivated methylene C–H bond guided by molecular dynamics simulations

The hallmark of enzymes from secondary metabolic pathways is the pairing of powerful reactivity with exquisite site selectivity. The application of these biocatalytic tools in organic synthesis, however, remains under-utilized due to limitations in substrate scope and scalability. Here, we report how the reactivity of a monooxygenase (PikC) from the pikromycin pathway is modified through computationally guided protein and substrate engineering, and applied to the oxidation of unactivated methylene C–H bonds. Molecular dynamics and quantum mechanical calculations were used to develop a predictive model for substrate scope, site selectivity and stereoselectivity of PikC-mediated C–H oxidation. A suite of menthol derivatives was screened computationally and evaluated through in vitro reactions, where each substrate adhered to the predicted models for selectivity and conversion to product. This platform was also expanded beyond menthol-based substrates to the selective hydroxylation of a variety of substrate cores ranging from cyclic to fused bicyclic and bridged bicyclic compounds. The reactivity of a monooxygenase (P450 PikC) has been modified through protein and substrate engineering, and applied to the oxidation of unactivated methylene C–H bonds. The protein engineering was guided by using molecular dynamics and quantum mechanical calculations to develop a predictive model for substrate scope, site selectivity and stereoselectivity of the C–H hydroxylation.
The effect of presentation level on spectral weights for sentences

Psychophysical data indicate that spectral weights tend to increase with increasing presentation level at high frequencies. The present study examined whether spectral weights for speech perception are similarly affected by presentation level. Stimuli were sentences filtered into five contiguous frequency bands and presented at each of two levels (75 and 95 dB sound pressure level [SPL]). For the highest band (2807–10 000 Hz), normal-hearing listeners' weights were higher for the higher presentation level. Weights for the 95-dB-SPL level resembled those previously estimated for hearing-impaired listeners tested at comparably high levels, suggesting that hearing loss itself may not play a large role in spectral weighting for a sentence recognition task.
Abstract 2832: Fibroblast growth factors in head and neck cancer: Genetic alterations and therapeutic targeting with ponatinib

Background: FGF signaling plays an important role in cancer. Little is known about its involvement in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). FGFR1 focal amplification and high expression (Freier, Schwaenen et al.), expression of FG-BP (Li et al.) and FGF2 autocrine signalling loops (Marshall et al.) have been described in connection with HNSSC. We therefore examined copy number alterations for several FGFR and FGF-related Genes in 159 patient tissues and cell lines as well as expression levels in 116 patient tissues and 40 cell lines. Based upon our findings we tried a combined FGFR-inhibiton with ponatinib in 5 head and neck cancer-cell lines alone and in combination with gefitinib. Methods: Copy Number Data analysis for 144 patient tissues and cell lines (Nanostring) as well as for 20 cell lines (aCGH) of which 5 were covered by both techniques and showed comparable results. Expression data analysis for 116 tissues and 40 cell lines (Agilent). Viability for 5 cell lines treated with gefitinib and ponatinib alone and in combination. Immunoblotting was performed to deterimed PI3K-AKT and MAPK signaling. Results: Frequent copy number increase could be detected for FGF19 in tissues and cell lines. FGFR1 copy number increase could be seen in only 1 tissue sample, but appeared to be deleted in several samples. High relative expression could be detected for FGFBP1 in tissues and cell lines. Viability testing showed high efficacy in 5/5 cell lines tested for ponatinib but was not solely mediated by AKT or MAPK signaling. Combined treatment with ponatinib and gefitinib was more effective than treatment with either agent alone and synergy was present. Conclusions: FGF signaling is important in Head and Neck Cancer. FGF19 amplification is frequent. We were unable to replicate FGFR1 amplification with only one tissue showing FGFR1 copy number increase. High expression levels could be shown for FGFBP1, providing an alternative hypothesis for explaining the efficacy of FGF2 inhibition as previously shown (Marshall et. al.). Ponatinib is effective as a single agent on HNSSC cell line models and shows synergistic effect in combination with gefitinib. It is promising to evaluate FGF pathway inhibition (e.g. with ponatinib) in its ability to overcome EGFR-inhibitor resistance. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2832. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2832
Rapid Cystometry and Sacral-Evoked Response in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Bladder and Sphincter Denervation

AbstractRapid cystometry and sacral-evoked responses were used in 25 patients presenting with peripheral nerve lesions affecting the bladder. Type A contractions were found on rapid cystometry in 87 per cent of the patients, while these waves were only occasional and inconsistent in 79 controls. The efficiency of this test to demonstrate sacral denervation was 88 per cent. Sacral-evoked response showed an increased latency or absence of response in 95 per cent of the patients. These tests are proposed as useful clinical tools for the diagnosis of a peripheral sacral nerve lesion.
Retroperitoneal Drainage of Ureterointestinal Conduits

AbstractRecords of 132 patients undergoing ileal or colonic conduit urinary diversion were reviewed.Drains were placed retroperitoneally in all cases. Urinary leakage occurred most frequently in patients with malignancies and was associated with previous pelvic irradiation or simultaneous cystectomy. Most leaks closed spontaneously with non-operative management.
Comparison of serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone in healthy dogs, hypothyroid dogs, and euthyroid dogs with concurrent disease.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate use of an assay for measuring serum concentration of canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (cTSH) as an aid for diagnosing thyroid disease in a population of dogs suspected of having hypothyroidism. DESIGN Case-cohort study. ANIMALS 62 healthy dogs and 49 dogs with clinical signs consistent with hypothyroidism (16 were hypothyroid and 33 were euthyroid with concurrent disease). PROCEDURE Samples from healthy dogs were used to establish a reference range for serum cTSH concentration. The 49 dogs were categorized as hypothyroid or euthyroid with concurrent disease on the basis of clinical signs, results of additional diagnostic and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response tests, and response to administration of levothyroxine sodium. Function of the thyroid gland was considered normal when serum total thyroxine (T4) concentration 6 hours after TSH administration was > 2.5 micrograms/dl. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed when serum T4 concentration after TSH administration was < or = 1.5 microgram/dl. RESULTS Serum cTSH concentration differed significantly among all 3 groups. Four of 33 (12%) euthyroid dogs had cTSH concentrations that were greater than the reference range, whereas 6 of 16 (38%) hypothyroid dogs had cTSH concentrations within the reference range. Specificity for serum cTSH concentration was 0.88 and sensitivity was 0.63. When interpreted in combination with serum T4 concentration, specificity increased to 1.0. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS cTSH assay had good specificity for use in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs. Because this assay had low sensitivity, a diagnosis of hypothyroidism could not be excluded on the basis of a serum cTSH concentration that was within the reference range.
Getting New Drugs Approved in Portal Hypertension: Problems and Proposals

Portal hypertension is a critical complication of cirrhosis and is a major cause for morbidity and mortality and yet there are no approved medications. Reinvigorated due to recent successes with anti-hepatitis C medications, both pharmaceutical and academic investigators are starting to pay increasing attention to portal hypertension as an indication for which approvable drugs can be developed and marketed. In this commentary, selected challenges specific to this patient population are discussed and proposals are made with regard to move the field forward.
Fundamentals of Dislocation Dynamics Simulations

Dislocation dynamics (DD) is a modeling approach for the study of crystal plasticity wherein individual dislocation lines are discretized and their motion in the crystal is simulated. This chapter provides an overview of the basic features of the DD methodology and a guide for how to run DD simulations. Each of the basic building blocks, in terms of both dislocation physics and numerics, is first discussed. Three case studies are then presented, showing how to set up a simulation, ensure solution convergence, and extract key outputs. The major DD codes are briefly reviewed, discussing their major features and differences. Finally, the relation of DD to material models at other length and time scales is discussed, along with current challenges and research topics.
Visual Perceptual Learning and Models

Visual perceptual learning through practice or training can significantly improve performance on visual tasks. Originally seen as a manifestation of plasticity in the primary visual cortex, perceptual learning is more readily understood as improvements in the function of brain networks that integrate processes, including sensory representations, decision, attention, and reward, and balance plasticity with system stability. This review considers the primary phenomena of perceptual learning, theories of perceptual learning, and perceptual learning's effect on signal and noise in visual processing and decision. Models, especially computational models, play a key role in behavioral and physiological investigations of the mechanisms of perceptual learning and for understanding, predicting, and optimizing human perceptual processes, learning, and performance. Performance improvements resulting from reweighting or readout of sensory inputs to decision provide a strong theoretical framework for interpreting perceptual learning and transfer that may prove useful in optimizing learning in real-world applications.
A rolling-horizon unit commitment framework with flexible periodicity

Abstract In this work, we develop a mathematical model and framework to represent rolling-horizon unit commitment (UC) processes with multiple periodicities. In control center operations, UC is solved repeatedly to adjust device commands based on new information about load, generation availability, renewable energy production, and other aspects of system state as uncertain conditions are realized. We develop a three-level model including 24-h UC, rolling-horizon UC (RHUC), and economic dispatch (ED) and give formulations for the three problems including interdependencies. This framework allows for evaluation of, among other things, different periodicities of the rolling horizon problem and the benefits of more accurate forecasting information. Experimental results are shown for a 6-bus system and a 3012-bus system with wind generation in two wind scenarios. Although the generation costs are very similar, the deviation between RHUC schedules and actual deployment is noted to be superior for a 20-min periodicity compared to a 30-min periodicity. Additionally, less reserve is deployed in the 20-min RHUC case.
A structural protein extracted from the trichocyst of Paramecium aurelia.

Trichocysts of Paramecium aurelia were isolated in the extruded or fired form. Electron microscopy reveals a banding pattern consisting of four zones of varying density which make up a 550 A repeating unit. These bands appear to be formed by the lateral aggregation of filamentous structures. The trichocyst is composed of protein which contains no detectable carbohydrate or nucleic acid moieties. When analyzed by acrylamide disc electrophoresis in gels containing Na dodecyl sulfate, two components are detected. These two forms are estimated to have molecular weights of 17,000 and 36,000 respectively. Reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol results in a single unit of 17,000 molecular weight.
Resource Criticality in Modern Economies: Agent-Based Model Demonstrates Vulnerabilities from Technological Interdependence

Industrialized society will transition away from dependence on non-renewable resources (fossil fuels, in particular) sometime in the foreseeable future. How disruptive this transition will be to the economy and societal well-being is unknown, particularly if there are any sudden resource supply constraints. However, the effects of resource supply constraints on an economy, or models of the interdependent relationship between the economy and natural capital overall have not been thoroughly developed. One problem is that traditional models of the economy assume linear growth, while highly interdependent industrialized economies may behave more like a complex adaptive system with non-linear, path-dependent, and unexpected growth trajectories. Agent-based models have been shown to successfully model important aspects of a complex adaptive economy. This paper uses an agent-based model to demonstrate potential economic impacts for industrialized economies in the face of a sudden resource supply constraint. Economic “agents” mine resources and invent technology. Through trade and specialization, the economy evolves from a collection of self-sustaining, resource-poor agents to a society with a high degree of interdependence and wealth. Economic growth, however, comes with a cost; the interdependence that arises from specialization and trade also leads to a less resilient economy. Unexpected, large economic collapse can arise from a shock to even a single resource, due to each resource’s interdependent role in the economy.
Detection of driver engagement in secondary tasks from observed naturalistic driving behavior

Abstract Distracted driving has long been acknowledged as one of the leading causes of death or injury in roadway crashes. The focus of past research has been mainly on the impact of different causes of distraction on driving behavior. However, only a few studies attempted to address how some driving behavior attributes could be linked to the cause of distraction. In essence, this study takes advantage of the rich SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study (NDS) database to develop a model for detecting the likelihood of a driver’s involvement in secondary tasks from distinctive attributes of driving behavior. Five performance attributes, namely speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and throttle position were used to describe the driving behavior. A model was developed for each of three selected secondary tasks: calling, texting, and passenger interaction. The models were developed using a supervised feed-forward Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architecture to account for the effect of inherent nonlinearity in the relationships between driving behavior and secondary tasks. The results show that the developed ANN models were able to detect the drivers’ involvement in calling, texting, and passenger interaction with an overall accuracy of 99.5%, 98.1%, and 99.8%, respectively. These results show that the selected driving performance attributes were effective in detecting the associated secondary tasks with driving behavior. The results are very promising and the developed models could potentially be applied in crash investigations to resolve legal disputes in traffic accidents.
Defining and Ensuring Multidisciplinary High-Quality Patient-Centered Shared Decision-Making for Procedures: a Brief Review of the Current State

Defining and ensuring the quality of surgical decision making is extremely complex. This manuscript will provide a review of current state in this evolving area and a conceptual framework to help clinicians understand how to approach this issue. Recent reports support the hypothesis of the existence of significant decisional deficits. There are a number of factors identified that contribute to this: among these are lack of adequate metrics to define decisional quality, lack of training in this area for providers, and lack of compensation for the additional time it might take. A conceptual framework can assist the clinician having these discussions. The importance of decisional quality is increasingly being recognized. As we strive in the current health care environment to provide the right procedure for the right patient, ensuring the elimination of unnecessary and unwanted care that is not aligned with patient values and goals will become even more important. The constrained economics of health care and the increasing desire for patient advocacy, engagement, and high-quality communication with care givers lend support to this work.
Where You Age Matters: Individual- and County-Level Predictors of Formal and Informal Care in Rural Appalachia.

Objective: Despite overall improvements in the U.S. health care, older adults living in rural counties, such as Appalachian Virginia, continue to be underserved. Method: Multinomial regression mode...
Pulsed Laser Systems

Pulsed lasers are becoming a common optical source in analytical spectroscopy. Three attributes of pulsed lasers have been principally responsible for this development: the ease of gain generation in pulsed systems, the pulsed radiation waveform for time-resolution, and the concomitant peak optical power for observing nonlinear effects.
Riot Control Agents, Tasers, and Other Less Lethal Weapons

Less lethal weapons have become increasingly popular for law enforcement use when confronting dangerous, combative individuals in the field. On the use-of-force continuum, these technologies occupy an intermediate level between verbal and physical control methods and lethal force such as actual firearms. Less lethal weapons include riot control agents, electric stun devices such as tasers, and other blunt projectile weapons. Use of these less lethal technologies has been felt to increase both the safety of the intended target subject by supplanting the use of lethal force, as well as of the user by controlling and subduing dangerous, combative individuals. However, deaths have occurred in individuals following the use of such weapons, which were previously known as “less than lethal.” A causal link between these various technologies and case fatalities remains controversial.
Predicting Phyllaplysia taylori (Anaspidea: Aplysiidae) presence in Northeastern Pacific estuaries to facilitate grazer community inclusion in eelgrass restoration

Abstract Estuarine biodiversity is impacted by climate change and anthropogenic use due to the high productivity of estuarine ecosystems and convenient human use of nearshore areas. Human use of estuaries (e.g. with dredging, filling, and invasive species introductions) has decimated subtidal and marsh ecosystems, thus making them the focus of major restoration efforts. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) such as eelgrass beds, and their associated communities, fall under these restoration efforts, especially in San Francisco Bay. Diverse eelgrass communities that include grazers, such as Phyllaplysia taylori, have been shown to maintain eelgrass health and promote increased biodiversity. This study addresses the need for simple, predictive models based on field data for use in SAV restoration that incorporates grazer diversity. Predictive models with ecological, abiotic, and landscape variables were generated that explained the presence of P. taylori in eelgrass beds along the coast of the western United States and seasonal patterns in population density. While surprising, the exclusion of abiotic factors in presence/absence model selection suggested that non-point source runoff promotes P. taylori populations via increased food and turbidity, resulting in decreased predation. P. taylori presence within eelgrass beds was best predicted by the positive impacts of nearshore irrigated land, vegetated land, and bare soil land. P. taylori abundance over time within one site was best described by the positive effects of eelgrass density and eelgrass length and the negative effects of epiphytic coverage and average temperature. These models were used to predict habitat suitability for P. taylori in seventeen San Francisco Bay eelgrass restoration areas in various phases of completion, indicating a 53% P. taylori success rate. Incorporating population persistence knowledge from the SAV-associated invertebrate perspective is a step towards grazer community-minded restoration tactics.
Height Measures: Evaluating Alternatives to Standing Height in the Ambulatory Setting.

Background Height measurement is a key clinical component to measure body mass index and body surface area used for patient care, including calculating chemotherapy doses. Some patients cannot feasibly or safely stand for height measurement because of a number of diseases and disabilities. The literature is unclear regarding alternatives to standing height for patients unable to stand. Objectives The purpose of this research study was to test equivalence of a number of measurements to find a reliable alternative to standing height for ambulatory oncology clinic patients who are unable to or cannot safely stand. Methods A repeated-measures design was used to measure the height of 60 volunteer adult participants using a convenience sample of 30 men and 30 women. Standing height was compared to self-reported height, recumbent length, arm span, half-arm span, demispan, and knee height measurements. Findings Results indicated that demispan was equivalent to standing height with a mean difference of -0.69. A practice change to use demispan in patients who cannot stand has been proposed and accepted at the authors' organization. The use of demispan was a feasible alternative to standing height in cost of supply and technique.
Status quo and strategy of disposing and recycling waste composite insulators

Composite insulators that have been in service for over 10 years account for more than half of the total number of composite insulators in China. Due to the aging of materials, some composite insulators have to be phased out of the power grid when they approach their service deadline. As the running time increases, the number of waste composite insulators grows year by year. If not disposed properly, the waste composite insulators will cause serious damage to ecological environment. The disposal of waste composite insulators has become an issue that needs to be addressed urgently, so as to ensure the safe, economical and efficient operation of the grid and maintain the healthy and sustainable development of the composite insulator industry. This paper summarizes the status quo of disposing waste composite insulators through a large number of investigations and statistics, and explores the recycling methods of waste composite insulators based on the existing problems. Finally, solutions are provided to recycle waste composite insulators from four perspectives, namely pretreatment before recycling, advanced treatment of silicon rubber, development and verification of recycling products, and recycling and disposal strategy. The recycling and disposal strategy of waste composite insulators is further improved by providing policy guidance, strengthening management and establishing a sound recycling mechanism. The findings can promote the "recycle, decrease and decontamination" of waste from the power grid, and help China build a new green and eco-friendly grid.
A UNIQUE PRESENTATION OF METASTATIC DISEASE IN A PATIENT WITH AN OCCULT HISTORY OF BREAST CARCINOMA

Metastatic disease to the oral cavity is relatively rare and constitutes approximately 1% of all oral cavity malignancies. Skeletal involvement predominates over soft tissue presentations and the posterior region of the mandible is frequently affected. Pain, swelling and sensory alterations have been reported and may mimic periodontal or periapical disease or osteomyelitis. We present a case of a 63-year-old female with a complaint of progressive dysthesia for three months. Panoral and 3D imaging revealed widening of the PDL and loss of lamina dura affecting most of the mandibular teeth, which all tested vital. The patient's medical history was significant for osteoporosis, but there was no history of anti-resorptive drug use. Upon examination, a gingival alveolar swelling was noted. Biopsy revealed high-grade adenocarcinoma, with immunohistochemical features most consistent with a breast primary. Subsequently, it was learned that the patient had a history of breast cancer, treated by total mastectomy of the left breast over three years previously with no previous evidence of metastases. The rarity of metastatic lesions to the jaw makes diagnosis particularly challenging. This case emphasizes the importance of assembling a thorough medical history as part of a complete patient work-up, especially in the presence of atypical symptoms or radiographic findings
Civic Organizations and Digital Technologies in an Age of Distrust

How are civic organizations using new and emerging technologies to adapt to a new context of distrust? This editorial contextualizes new research on trust and organizations in civic life and identifies a number of key factors contributing to the urgency of the work. As publics grow increasingly suspicious of the institutions that mediate civic life, including news, government and civil society, organizations are adopting new tactics to accommodate this new reality.