cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arthroscopic Talar Dome Access Using a Standard Versus Wire-Based Traction Method for Ankle Joint Distraction.

Purpose To evaluate the accessibility of the talar dome through anterior and posterior portals for ankle arthroscopy with the standard noninvasive distraction versus wire-based longitudinal distraction using a tensioned wire placed transversely through the calcaneal tuberosity. Methods Seven matched pairs of thigh-to-foot specimens underwent ankle arthroscopy with 1 of 2 methods of distraction: a standard noninvasive strapping technique or a calcaneal tuberosity wire-based technique. The order of the arthroscopic approach and use of a distraction method was randomly determined. The areas accessed from both 2-portal anterior and 2-portal posterior approaches were determined by using a molded translucent grid. Results The mean talar surface accessible by anterior ankle arthroscopy was comparable with noninvasive versus calcaneal wire distraction with 57.8% ± 17.2% (range, 32.9% to 75.7%) versus 61.5% ± 15.2% (range, 38.5% to 79.1%) of the talar dome, respectively ( P = .590). The use of calcaneal wire distraction significantly improved posterior talar dome accessibility compared with noninvasive distraction, with 56.4% ± 20.0% (range, 14.4% to 78.0%) versus 39.8% ± 14.9% (range, 20.0% to 57.6%) of the talar dome, respectively ( P = .031). Conclusions Under the conditions studied, our cadaveric model showed equivalent talar dome access with 2-portal anterior arthroscopy of calcaneal wire-based distraction versus noninvasive strap distraction, but improved access for 2-portal posterior arthroscopy with calcaneal wire-based distraction versus noninvasive strap distraction. Clinical Relevance The posterior 40% of the talar dome is difficult to access via anterior ankle arthroscopy. Posterior calcaneal tuberosity wire-based longitudinal distraction improved arthroscopic access to the centro-posterior talar dome with a posterior arthroscopic approach.
Synthesis of Mg-B-C by Mechanical Alloying and Their Consolidation

Mg-10at%B, Mg-20at%B, Mg-60at%B, Mg-75at%B and Mg-20at%B-5at%C were synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) of Mg powder, boron powder and graphite powder using a vibrational ball milling in argon gas atmosphere for 720ks. Mg-10at%B, like Mg, was agglomerated into a mass by continuous rolling during MA process. Boron addition was effect to produce powder, but the contamination of Fe from the vessel and balls increased with increasing boron content in the MA powder. Since Mg-20at%B synthesized by MA was very fine powder, it was able to consolidate at 573K under a pressure of 195MPa by pulsed current sintering process. The sintered body of Mg-20at%B has a homogeneous microstructure, a density of 1.82g/cm3 and a hardness of 90Hv. In case of Mg-20at%B-5at%C, hard particles were obtained during the MA process and changed into other phase during the sintering process.
Histopathology of the Liver Following Histamine Infusion.

Summary1. The continuous infusion at sub-shock rates of histamine into the portal veins of dogs for periods exceeding 220 minutes results in the production of a definite liver lesion, distinguishable from the congestion observed after periods of histamine infusion less than 90 minutes, from the lesion of prolonged profound histamine shock, and from the cirrhosis of chronic histamine exposure. 2. The animals are not in shock and recover following discontinuance of the histamine infusion. 2. Liver lymph flow is greatly increased by histamine infusion, while brom-sulphthalein extraction is reduced only slightly. Circulatory conditions in the histamine treated liver have been discussed briefly in terms of these findings. 4. In a series of control animals receiving prolonged saline infusions into their portal veins definite histological changes were not observed in the liver.
Effect of Additional Sutures per Suture Anchor in Arthroscopic Bankart Repair: A Review of Single-loaded Versus Double-loaded Suture Anchors.

Purpose To directly compare single-loaded suture anchors (SSA) with double-loaded suture anchors (DSA) to help surgeons optimize the operative technique, time, and cost of Bankart repairs. Methods A literature review was performed using the PubMed and SCOPUS databases. Studies that directly compared SSA and DSA for Bankart repairs, or indirectly compared them by collecting relevant data despite a different objective, were included. Results A total of two studies were included, both of which were cadaveric laboratory studies. A total of 28 shoulders were tested. Tests conducted include loading to failure and cyclic loading. One study found SSA to be biomechanically equivalent to DSA, and one found DSA to be superior. Conclusions Based on limited cadaveric study, DSA are at least equivalent biomechanically to SSA, and may be superior. By using DSA, surgeons create repair constructs that are as strong as, or stronger than, those made with SSA, but with fewer anchors. This reduces the amount of holes drilled and implants placed in the glenoid, while also minimizing cost. Clinical Relevance Quantifying the benefit of additional sutures in a suture anchor can help optimize the quality of repair, time, and cost in arthroscopic shoulder repair.
Prokaryotic expression and identification of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus nucleocapsid protein

Aim: To construct a MBP-tag prokaryotic expression plasmid containing the nucleocapsid protein( NP) gene of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus( SFTSV) and to obtain the purified fusion protein with antigenic activity. Methods: Total RNA from the virus was extracted to synthesize cDNA. The NP gene was cloned into a pMD18-T cloning vector. After sequencing was confirmed,the NP gene digested from the pMD18-T-NP was inserted into the pMALc2 x vector. The E. coli JM109 strain was transformed with the recombinant vector and induced to express MBP-NP fusion protein through IPTG. The production was analyzed with SDS-PAGE and Western blot. An indirect ELISA method was established to detect the NP antibody from SFTSV patients serum. Results: The recombinant expression vector pMAL-c2x-NP was constructed successfully. Moreover,the purified recombinant protein with MBP-tag was acquired with optimized induction and Amylose resin. A special SFTSV antigenicity of this fusion protein was identified by western blot. The established ELISA method showed a positive rate of 40. 6% for 96 clinical samples. Compared with the real-time RT-PCR,the coincidence rate of indirect ELISA was 77. 1%( Kappa = 0. 550,P 0. 001). Conclusion: A prokaryotic expression system containing the NP gene of SFTSV was constructed and the fusion protein possessing antigenicity was efficiently expressed after induction. The established indirect ELISA provided a basis for the development of ELISA kit.
Parallel test task scheduling based on DPSO algorithm

In order to solve the complex and difficult optimization problem of parallel test task scheduling,the authors established the model of the constraint relations between tasks in parallel test task scheduling, and combined with the inertia factor DPSO(dynamic particle swarm optimization,DPSO) algorithm. The model algorithm is demonstrated. Finally,the authors verified the effectiveness and feasibility of the DPSO algorithm in parallel test task scheduling through experimental analysis.
Study on construction and application of ERIC-PCR method for typing Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Objective:To identify,type and detect the antimicrobial susceptibility of Vibrio parahaemolyticus(VP) from different sources with the method of Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Sequence-PCR(ERIC-PCR),to study the practicability of ERIC-PCR method for VP-typing and epidemical tracing,and to control the outbreak of VP infections.Methods: VP from sea foods were separated by PCR screening while VP from diarrhea patients were detected by Vibrio Chromogenic Medium.Suspected strains were preliminary screened by biochemical tests of oxidase,none-salt,6% NaCl and sucrose,and identified by VITEK-32 identical system or API 20E identical system.Strains were typed by ERIC-PCR method and tested for Antimicrobial Susceptibility by K-B method.Results: VP have typical biological features and stable biochemical reactions.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing shows that cephalosporin,aminoglycosides and Quinolone may be used for treatment,when the patients were susceptible to popular antibiotics.261 VP are divided into 42 types by ERIC-PCR,and type 18 and type 26 are prevailing types.Conclusion:The ERIC-PCR typing results show that VP from foods and environments are different and dispersive,which means their homology is very different.On the contrary,VP from patients have more centralized types,more close homology and more relativity.It indicates ERIC-PCR method may be applied for VP′s typing and tracing and its prevailing types may be relevant to its pathogenicity
Phagocytosis by Human Monocytes

Human monocytes isolated from peripheral blood phagocytized polystyrene particles, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans , and red cells coated with IgG antibody in vitro. The ingestion of fungi and bacteria required serum or serum fractions. Ingestion of antibody-coated erythrocytes was inhibited by whole serum or IgG, but not by IgM or albumin. Adherence to a surface appeared to be critical for erythrophagocytosis but not for ingestion of bacteria. Phagocytosis occurred over a broad pH range and in the presence of inhibitors of oxidative metabolism and of RNA synthesis. Phagocytosis was significantly depressed by inhibitors of glycolysis (iodoacetate and fluoride) and by chloroquine at 1 x 10-5M. Particle ingestion by monocytes was accompanied by enhanced production of C14O2 from glucose-1-C14, but was not associated with a detectable increase in total glucose utilization, incorporation of radioactive uridine into RNA, or incorporation of amino acids into protein.
Origin and development of kinetosomes in Oxytricha fallax.

Two significant features of the origin and development of kinetosomes in the ciliate, Oxytricha fallax , are indicated by electron micrography of serial sections. (1) Some kinetosomes arise in varied orientations to adjacent kinetosomes instead of in the single orientation regularly found in other material; and some kinetosomes arise in positions that are not adjacent to any kinetosome. Hence, even in ciliates, some kinetosomes arise without using existing kinetosomes or their micromilieu as nucleation sites. (2) Growth of kinetosomal microtubules appears to occur at their proximal as well as distal ends. This is indicated by proximal cross-sections with only one or two microtubules of a triplet, while more distal sections of the same incompletely grown kinetosome show the complete triplet pattern.
Photodissociation of SO2 Clusters

Clusters of SO2 have been interrogated using pump−probe spectroscopy employing a femtosecond laser system coupled to a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Upon excitation of the C state of SO2 with 397.5 nm light and 399.0 nm light, it was found that the photodissociation of SO2 clusters involves multiple reaction pathways. A mechanism is proposed where the excited cluster either follows a simple exponential decay corresponding to the dissociation of the excited moiety directly from the C state or, alternatively, the excited cluster first fragments and then the excited molecule proceeds through the dissociation process associated with the C state.
A Novel Conserved Domain Mediates Dimerization of Protein Kinase D (PKD) Isoforms: DIMERIZATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR PKD-DEPENDENT REGULATION OF SECRETION AND INNATE IMMUNITY.

Protein kinase D (PKD) isoforms are protein kinase C effectors in signaling pathways regulated by diacylglycerol. Important physiological processes (including secretion, immune responses, motility, and transcription) are placed under diacylglycerol control by the distinctive substrate specificity and subcellular distribution of PKDs. Potentially, broadly co-expressed PKD polypeptides may interact to generate homo- or heteromultimeric regulatory complexes. However, the frequency, molecular basis, regulatory significance, and physiological relevance of stable PKD-PKD interactions are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that mammalian PKDs 1–3 and the prototypical Caenorhabditis elegans PKD, DKF-2A, are exclusively (homo- or hetero-) dimers in cell extracts and intact cells. We discovered and characterized a novel, highly conserved N-terminal domain, comprising 92 amino acids, which mediates dimerization of PKD1, PKD2, and PKD3 monomers. A similar domain directs DKF-2A homodimerization. Dimerization occurred independently of properties of the regulatory and kinase domains of PKDs. Disruption of PKD dimerization abrogates secretion of PAUF, a protein carried in small trans-Golgi network-derived vesicles. In addition, disruption of DKF-2A homodimerization in C. elegans intestine impaired and degraded the immune defense of the intact animal against an ingested bacterial pathogen. Finally, dimerization was indispensable for the strong, dominant negative effect of catalytically inactive PKDs. Overall, the structural integrity and function of the novel dimerization domain are essential for PKD-mediated regulation of a key aspect of cell physiology, secretion, and innate immunity in vivo.
CLAYS IN THE CRITICAL ZONE: AN INTRODUCTION

The Earth’s Critical Zone (CZ) is described as the permeable near-surface layer from the tops of the trees to the bottom of the groundwater. It is a living, breathing, and constantly evolving boundary layer where rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms interact. These complex interactions regulate the natural habitat and determine the availability of life-sustaining resources, including food production and water quality. Clays and clay minerals are the most abundant and reactive components of the CZ. It was for this reason that a thematic session entitled ‘Clays in the Critical Zone’ was convened at the 2015 EuroClay Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. The keynote speaker, Dan Richter, started the session with an admittedly oblique reference to Arthur O. Lovejoy’s 1936 book The Great Chain of Being by quoting “There are not many differences in mental habit more significant than that between thinking in discrete, well defined class concepts and that of thinking in terms of continuity, of infinitely delicate shading of everything into something else, of overlapping of essences, so that the whole …
Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Therapy in a Murine Model of Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract 1527 Poster Board I-550 We previously demonstrated that increases in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its products, carbon monoxide and biliverdin, inhibit inflammation and vasoocclusion in mouse models of sickle cell disease (SCD). In this study, an albumin promoter driven Sleeping Beauty transposase plasmid with a wild type rat hmox-1 gene (wt-HO-1) transposable element (289 amino acids) was delivered by hydrodynamic tail vein injections to SCD mice. Eight weeks after injection, SCD mice had 3-fold increases in HO-1 activity in their livers, similar to hemin-treated mice. mRNA transcription of the transposable element was confirmed by qRT-PCR RFLP analysis. HO-1 overexpressing mice had marked activation of the phospho-p38 MAPK and phospho-Akt proteins and decreased NF-kB p65 in liver nuclear extracts. Hypoxia-induced stasis, a characteristic of SCD but not normal mice, was inhibited in dorsal skin fold chambers in wt-HO-1 SCD mice. None of these effects were seen in SCD mice injected with Sleeping Beauty containing a nonsense rat hmox-1 gene (ns-HO-1) that encodes for amino acids 1-241 with little or no enzymatic activity. Immunohistochemistry of HO-1 in livers demonstrated perinuclear HO-1 staining in both hepatocytes and sinusoidal Kupffer cells in wt- and ns-HO-1-treated mice. We conclude HO-1 gene therapy targeted to the liver is beneficial in SCD by activating cytoprotective signaling pathways and inhibiting vascular stasis at sites distal to transgene expression. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Effects of Curtailed Juvenile State on Cardiac Structure and Function in Adulthood: The Fels Longitudinal Study.

Objective: Previous studies have shown associations between body mass index and cardiac structure in both childhood and adulthood. Using Fels Longitudinal Study measurements, we investigate the relationships between a curtailed juvenile state and both adult cardiac structure and function. Methods: A linear mixed-effect repeated measure analysis of variance model is used to test if there is a relationship between juvenile state and each echocardiographic measurement. Results: The curtailed juvenile state is significantly associated with adult left ventricular mass index for both males and females. It is also significantly associated with the interventricular septal wall thickness index and relative wall thickness index for females. In both cases, early juvenile states led to more abnormal structural estimates in adulthood than did late juvenile states. Among cardiac function measurements such as left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular shortening fraction, left ventricular ejection fraction is significantly associated with the juvenile state for females. Conclusion: The curtailed juvenile state at the childhood may have a long-term adverse effect on adult cardiac structure and function abnormalities.
Photoconductive behavior of binary porphyrin crystalline assemblies

The mechanism of photoconductivity in a crystalline photoconductor synthesized from 1:1 ratio of meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TPyP) and meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TSPP) ionic tectons was examined. The rod-like crystals of TPyP:TSPP insulate in the dark but become photoconducting on illumination and a portion of the photoinduced current persists after the laser light is turned off. This persistent photoconductivity (PPC) is investigated as a function of laser illumination wavelength, laser power, and sample temperature. The primary charge carriers in the TPyP:TSPP upon photoexcitation are electrons and the charge recombination mechanism follows monomolecular kinetics. The number of electrons contributing to the photocurrent is directly proportional to the number of photons absorbed thus, the mechanisms of the photoconductivity resulting from excitations within the Soret band and the Q-band are the same. The PPC is interpreted to be the result of the formation of photoinduced metastable defe...
Technical Parameters, Artifacts, and Quality Assessment of Intraoperative Evoked Potentials

Monitoring personnel should consider techniques to be flexible. A variety of options are available for specific evoked potential (EP) techniques. Somewhat different techniques should be applied whenever monitoring situations require such variation in technique. Informed users should understand the various ways in which such flexibility of technique can be helpful.
SOME ASPECTS OF SEARCH STRATEGIES FOR WIENER PROCESSES

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights a few aspects of search strategies for Wiener processes. The chapter presents the search problem considered by Posner and Rumsey for highlighting a few serious errors in their optimality arguments and a few aspects of the search problem which were not considered by Posner and Rumsey. The chapter discusses specifically the difficulty with Posner and Rumsey's argument for optimality. They used weak limits of the class of lattice time strategies for which they claimed optimality and weak limits of another class of strategies called δ perturbed strategies, for which computations were more tractable, to determine the optimal expected search time. Neither the class of lattice time nor the class of δ perturbed strategies is tight and hence, weak limits do not exist. The chapter describes δ perturbed strategies.
Shared Ventilatory Drive as a Measure of Social Physiological Compliance During Team Decision Making

According to the social cybernetic model of behavior that is rooted in control theory, the ability of individuals to establish mutual control over their behaviors is an essential part of teamwork, and this becomes even more important during periods of intense collaboration. We investigated the efficacy of using ventilatory drive to assess social physiological compliance (SPC) associated with mutual control of social behaviors during a joint decision-making task. SPC can be scored in numerous ways but generally involves calculating the extent that physiological changes among participants are shared or synchronized. SPC based on ventilatory drive was considered a good candidate for scoring the extent of mutual control during teamwork because ventilatory drive is known to closely track changes in body metabolism and an individual’s bioenergetic state. Ventilatory drive, or the urge to breathe, can be estimated on a breath-by-breath basis by dividing the volume of one breath by the time it takes to inhale that breath.
Ultra-High Speed Imaging for DIC Measurements in Kolsky Bar Experiments

Full-field, stereo DIC were applied to measure the dynamic deformations for a series of compression Kolsky bar experiments at strain rates from 102/s to 103/s. A pair of Specialised Imaging’s Kirana cameras were configured in a stereo configuration which helps to account for the large radial deformation. Key specifications for these CMOS-based cameras are the ability to record at a max frame rate of two million frames per second at full sensor resolution of 924 × 768 with a total of 180 frames. Common challenges that are associated with high speed imaging are adequate lighting throughout the duration of test and accurate triggering to ensure the event is properly captured in the allotted record time. In our setup, continuous, high-intensity LED lighting provided the needed light source. Combination of location of the strain gages and knowing the incident bar wave speed, the trigger is established by a delay time until the loading pulse reaches the test sample. In this work, the DIC methodologies and results for two class of materials, a set of formulated epoxy blends and steel alloy FeMnAl, are presented and discussed.
Simulation of 3D Printed Antenna System using Liquid Metal Antenna Elements

This paper describes the construction and simulation of a 3D-printed multi-element two-dimensional antenna array using Eutectic Gallium-Indium (EGaIn) liquid metal components. This proof-of-concept system validates the use of liquid metal for highly adaptable antenna patterns that are configurable in frequency, directivity, gain, and/or polarization via changes in the effective antenna lengths/volume. Moreover, this adaptability is achieved within a single shared volume, enabling system-relevant extensions via additive manufacturing and/or modular pre-formed antenna structures within a chosen radome. Overall performance of this aggregated adaptive antenna system closely resembles that of distinct apertures, save for minimal parasitic effects from the feed structures of non-utilized apertures.
Topology optimization for refractory plasmonic applications (Conference Presentation)

Advanced nanophotonic concepts, such as photonic crystals, metamaterials and metasurfaces, have enabled unique functionalities including, negative refraction, hyperbolic dispersion, optical magnetism, control of quantum emitters, epsilon-near-zero phenomena, and enhanced light-matter interactions. With the recent development of new plasmonic/photonic materials and nano-fabrication techniques, nanophotonic devices are now capable of providing novel solutions to global challenges including world energy consumption, rapid and accurate chemical/biological detection, quantum computing/security, telecom information densities, and space exploration. These problems are inherently complex due to their multi-disciplinary nature, requiring a manifold of stringent constraints in conjunction with optical performance. Topology optimization has emerged as a successful architect for the systematic design of photonic structures and provide solutions for aforementioned the problems. In this talk, we will highlight recent progress in the field of topology optimization for nanophotonics, share our ongoing results and observations, and discuss future research challenges and directions. In particular, we will discuss our progress in developing solar- thermophotovoltaics components using topology optimization. One of the main aspects of our current work is expanding and streamlining conventional meta-device design methodology to a global optimization space by 1) advancing topology optimization via artificial-intelligence-assisted algorithms and 2) by extending the optimization parameter space into materials domain through optical materials development and multiphysics simulations.
A hedonic valuation of sanitation services in Guatemala

Many developing countries lack universal sanitation services for residents. Years of inappropriate disposal of solid waste and wastewater have increased the potential for devastating environmental and health issues. An economic valuation of sanitation services may help in planning investment projects by demonstrating the benefits that households derive from having access to improved sanitation. We examine Guatemala as a case study and employ a series of hedonic models to estimate the value that households in Guatemala assign to the sanitation services of solid waste collection and connections to sewer infrastructure. Findings indicate that residents are willing to pay higher rents for both wastewater and solid waste removal. Policy implications are discussed.
Area-selective chemical vapor deposition of cobalt from dicobalt octacarbonyl: Enhancement of dielectric-dielectric selectivity by adding a coflow of NH3

The authors describe the enhancement of the area-selective chemical vapor deposition of cobalt films on one oxide surface over another from the precursor Co2(CO)8 by addition of the nucleation inhibitor ammonia (NH3). In the absence of an NH3 coflow, the Co2(CO)8 precursor exhibits a weak intrinsic selectivity: at 70 °C, Co nucleates quickly on Al2O3 but more slowly on SiO2. The addition of an NH3 coflow, however, greatly amplifies the selectivity between different oxide surfaces. Thus, NH3 significantly inhibits nucleation on acidic oxides such as SiO2 and WO3 but has little effect on more basic oxides such as Al2O3, HfO2, and MgO. Comparison of growth on fully hydroxylated and dehydroxylated SiO2 suggests that hydroxyl groups are the nucleation sites that are affected by the addition of NH3. The mechanism of nucleation appears to be disproportionation of Co2(CO)8 to Co2+ (the intermediate that leads to nucleation) and Co(CO)4−: this disproportionation occurs readily on basic oxides but not on acidic oxides. The addition of NH3 has little effect on Co nucleation on basic oxides, probably because ammonia binds poorly to such surfaces, but NH3 greatly retards nucleation on acidic oxides such as SiO2; the authors propose that the latter result is either a site blocking effect or the result of conversion of Co2+ to inactive Co(NH3)x2+ species. Nucleation of cobalt is facile on gold (a very unreactive metal) even in the presence of NH3. The authors have found, however, that the deposition of Co on tungsten can be inhibited by exposing the surface briefly to ozone; no deposition occurs on the resulting thin tungsten oxide overlayer from Co2(CO)8 in the presence of NH3. In other words, this thin oxide overlayer affords the same selective inhibition behavior as seen on bulk WO3. In this way, both metal-on-metal and metal-on-oxide selectivity can be achieved. Cobalt films grown in the absence and presence of ammonia have resistivities of 11–20 and 15–25 μΩ cm, respectively.
Pulse wave imaging for the mechanical assessment of atherosclerotic plaques

Abstract Arterial stiffening has been linked to a variety of diseases spanning from cardiovascular disease and dementia to Parkinson's, diabetes, and end-stage renal disease. Yet, in sharp contrast with the clear universality and significance of pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a biomarker, is the lack of such measurements, let alone imaging thereof, in the clinic; that is, there is currently no technique that yields a regional PWV or maps the PWV along a detected pathology to evaluate risk. This is because current methodology assumes a single stiffness value over the entire circulation obtained through a carotid-to-femoral pressure measurement. Clearly, this single stiffness value is not sufficient to localize or characterize focal disease such as aneurysms or atherosclerotic plaques. In this chapter, we introduce ultrasound-based methodologies that are based on inferring to the mechanical and electrical properties of the myocardium as well as mechanical properties of the vascular wall in order to better image the onset and progression of the aforementioned diseases.
The application of omic technologies to research in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill children and adults, and sepsis-associated AKI (SA-AKI) is the most frequent cause of AKI in the ICU. To date, no mechanistically targeted therapeutic interventions have been identified. High-throughput "omic" technologies (e.g., genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc.) offer a new angle of approach to achieve this end. In this review, we provide an update on the current understanding of SA-AKI pathophysiology. Omic technologies themselves are briefly discussed to facilitate interpretation of studies using them. We next summarize the body of SA-AKI research to date that has employed omic technologies. Importantly, omic studies are helping to elucidate a pathophysiology of SA-AKI centered around cellular stress responses, metabolic changes, and dysregulation of energy production that underlie its clinical features. Finally, we propose opportunities for future research using clinically relevant animal models, integrating multiple omic technologies and ultimately progressing to translational human studies focusing therapeutic strategies on targeted disease mechanisms.
Kierkegaard’s Later Critique of Political Rationalism

This chapter explores the critique of the rationality of political discourse in Soren Kierkegaard’s Two Ages. Kierkegaard argues that participants in the emerging newspaper public of the 1840s lack the passion to match their words with deeds. He can be credited with identifying a new separation between political speech and political action among participants in the mediated public sphere. Kierkegaard then attempts to unmask ulterior motives like envy and status competition that belie the surface-level rationality of mediated political discourse. The chapter aims to clarify the sense in which Kierkegaard is a critic of political rationalism, to trace the limits of his critique, and to argue for its continuing relevance today.
Neuropalliative care essentials for the COVID-19 crisis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is profoundly affecting neurology patients, families, and providers through direct neurologic complications,1 indirect consequences of COVID-19 on healthcare delivery,2 and the consequences of social distancing.3 As frontline providers, neurologists see both the medical consequences of COVID-19 and its toll in heightening personal suffering ranging from interruptions or changes in standard therapies4 to patients facing isolation in the hospital and even the prospect of dying without the family being present.5 Almost instantly, the calculus of risks and benefits have changed to include concerns of COVID-19 during routine office visits, procedures, and hospital admissions. This affects patients desire to seek medical care and may explain the dramatic drop in acute hospitalizations and outpatient referrals. Neurologists also face challenges in providing ongoing care for persons with chronic illness, responding to novel clinical situations and hosting an increasing number of difficult conversations, often via telehealth.6
Estimation of measurement uncertainty including surrogate recoveries in the study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine sediments.

Abstract We examine the use of surrogates in the measurement of concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in marine sediment, consider shortcomings of current interpretations of the results from this widely used approach, and propose an alternative data treatment. We focus on the current common practice of accepting all data within a predefined range of acceptable recoveries as equally valid and propose treating surrogate recovery data as one component of measurement uncertainty. Our analysis leads us to conclude that the more uniform surrogate recoveries are, the more justified the assumption that they reveal measurement bias and appropriately can be used as corrections; but that the less uniform recoveries are, the greater the need to treat them as a source of measurement uncertainty. We recognize that acceptance of the ideas presented here will require much thought and refinement by the environmental analytical community. We welcome a thorough discussion.
When Does Information Disclosure Help Innovation? Evidence from Blue Sky Laws

Using historical firm-level patent and accounting data, we analyze how information disclosure affects firm innovation. To establish a causal link, we use the enactment of blue sky laws, the first form of investor protection laws, across some U.S. states at the beginning of the 20th century, when there was no federal regulation. These laws required firms to disclose information before selling their securities and increased penalties in case of financial fraud. Using archival records, we document that young innovative firms (startups) had a large share of intangible assets and relied heavily on equity financing (venture capital). In a difference-in-differences setting, we show that following the enactment of these laws, innovative firms that previously had limited access to external finance raised more funds and increased their innovation activity. Our results suggest that disclosure requirements help innovation when the information environment is weak to begin with.
Evidence for placental-derived iron-nitrosyls in the circulation of the fetal lamb and against a role for nitrite in mediating the cardiovascular transition at birth

Circulating metabolites of nitric oxide, such as nitrite, iron nitrosyls (FeNO), and nitrosothiols, have vasodilatory bioactivity. In both human and sheep neonates, plasma concentrations of these NO metabolite (NOx) concentrations fall >50% within minutes after birth, raising the possibility that circulating NOx plays a role in maintaining low fetal vascular resistance and in the cardiovascular transition at birth. To test whether the fall in plasma NOx concentrations at birth is due to either ligation of the umbilical cord or oxygenation of the fetus to newborn levels, plasma NOx concentrations were measured during stepwise delivery of near-term fetal lambs. When fetal lambs were intubated and mechanically ventilated with 100% O2 to oxygenate the arterial blood while still in utero with the umbilical circulation still intact, there was no change in plasma NOx levels. In contrast, when the umbilical cord was ligated while fetal lambs were mechanically ventilated with O2 levels that maintained fetal arterial blood gases, plasma NOx levels decreased by nearly 50%. Characterization of the individual NOx species in plasma revealed that the overall fall in NOx at birth was attributable mainly to FeNO compounds. Finally, when the typical fall in NOx after birth was prevented by intravenous nitrite infusion, birth-related changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and carotid flow changes were little affected, suggesting the cardiovascular transition at birth is not dependent on a fall in plasma NOx. In conclusion, this study shows FeNO is released from the placenta and that its decline accounts for most of the measured fall in plasma NOx at birth.
Adaptive weighting of taste and odor cues during flavor choice

The authors demonstrate that rats make choices about which flavor solution (i.e., taste-odor mixture) to consume by weighting the individual taste and odor components according to the reliability o...
A National Survey of U.S. Social Studies Teacher Educators’ Professional Habits and Preferences

Social studies teacher educators represent a small subset of higher education faculty in the United States. However, within this small subset exist a great deal of diversity in terms of habits and preferences of social studies educators. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the types of research studies most commonly being conducted by social studies teacher educators, preferred research methods, professional organization affiliations, and preferred publication outlets. Findings revealed that social studies teacher educators in the U.S. most commonly conduct qualitative research studies focusing on the secondary (6-12) level. Additionally, insights are provided into which national organizations and journals are most popular among social studies teacher educators in the United States. This study will provide teachers, educators, and scholars from around the world with valuable information regarding the current state of social studies teacher educators’ professional preferences in the United States.
Capillary forces drive buckling, plastic deformation, and break-up of 3D printed beams.

Capillary forces acting at the interfaces of soft materials lead to deformations over the scale of the elastocapillary length. When surface stresses exceed a material's yield stress, a plastocapillary effect is expected to arise, resulting in yielding and plastic deformation. Here, we explore the interfacial instabilities of 3D-printed fluid and elastic beams embedded within viscoelastic fluids and elastic solid support materials. Interfacial instabilities are driven by the immiscibility between the paired phases or their solvents. We find that the stability of an embedded structure is predicted from the balance between the yield stress of the elastic solid, τy, the apparent interfacial tension between the materials, γ′, and the radius of the beam, r, such that τy > γ′/r. When the capillary forces are sufficiently large, we observe yielding and failure of the 3D printed beams. Furthermore, we observe new coiling and buckling instabilities emerging when elastic beams are embedded within viscous fluid support materials. The coiling behavior appear analogous to elastic rope coiling whereas the buckling instability follows the scaling behavior predicted from Euler–Bernoulli beam theory.
Accelerated design and discovery of perovskites with high conductivity for energy applications through machine learning

We use machine learning tools for the design and discovery of ABO3-type perovskite oxides for various energy applications, using over 7000 data points from the literature. We demonstrate a robust learning framework for efficient and accurate prediction of total conductivity of perovskites and their classification based on the type of charge carrier at different conditions of temperature and environment. After evaluating a set of >100 features, we identify average ionic radius, minimum electronegativity, minimum atomic mass, minimum formation energy of oxides for all B-site, and B-site dopant ions of the perovskite as the crucial and relevant predictors for determining conductivity and the type of charge carriers. The models are validated by predicting the conductivity of compounds absent in the training set. We screen 1793 undoped and 95,832 A-site and B-site doped perovskites to report the perovskites with high conductivities, which can be used for different energy applications, depending on the type of the charge carriers.
Empirical Evidence of a Postive Inflation Premium Being Incorporated into Stock Prices

This study demonstrates that, in contrast to prior research findings on short-term stock returns, long-term stock returns are positively correlated with inflation. In addition, within the context of a more complete explanatory model, long-term stock returns are found to be negatively related to changes in long-term interest rates, negatively related to changes in required risk premiums on stocks, and negatively related to beginning P/E ratios. The significance of these variables in explaining almost all the time-series variation in long-term stock returns demonstrates that changes in stock values are well-explained by theory.
The mechanical behavior of single crystal and polycrystalline pure magnesium

Abstract We present a simplified constitutive model, based on the dominant deformation mechanisms, to capture the mechanical behavior of magnesium. This approach takes into account (1) the accumulation and annihilation of 〈 a 〉 and 〈 c + a 〉 dislocations, (2) the volume fraction of extension twins, and (3) two material domains — the parent region and the twinned region. We first show that the model successfully captures the material responses of single crystal magnesium under different loading conditions. We then extend the model for application to a polycrystalline magnesium alloy. The results provide a simple and straightforward approximate model for magnesium and its alloys under various loading conditions.
Arginine methylation helps SepIVA balance regulation of septation and elongation in Mycobacterium smegmatis

Growth of mycobacterial cells requires successful coordination between elongation and division of the cell wall. However, it is not clear which factors directly mediate this coordination. Here, we studied the function and post-translational modification of an essential division factor, SepIVA, in Mycobacterium smegmatis. We find that SepIVA is arginine methylated, and that these modifications alter both division and polar elongation of Msmeg. Furthermore, SepIVA impacts the localization of MurG. Polar localization of MurG correlates with polar elongation in arginine methylation mutants of sepIVA. These results establish SepIVA as a regulator of both elongation and division, and characterize a physiological role for protein arginine methylation for the first time in bacteria.
Chigno/CG11180 and SUMO are Chinmo-Interacting Proteins with a Role in Drosophila Testes Stem Cells

Maintenance of sexual identity on the cellular level ensures the proper function of sexually dimorphic genes expressed in the brain and gonads. Disruption of genes that regulate sex maintenance alters the cellular structure of these tissues and leads to infertility and diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and gonadal cancers. Sex maintenance in the testis of Drosophila melanogaster depends on the previously identified gene chinmo (Chronologically inappropriate morphogenesis). Chinmo9s effect on testis differentiation has been investigated in detail, but there is still much to be elucidated about its structure, function, and interactions with other proteins. Using a two-hybrid screen, we find that Chinmo interacts with itself, the small ubiquitin-like modifier SUMO, the novel protein CG11180, and four other proteins (CG4318, Ova (Ovaries absent), Taf3 (TBP-associated factor 3), and CG18269). Since both Chinmo and CG11180 contain sumoylation sites and SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs), we analyzed their interaction in more detail. Using site-directed mutagenesis of a unique SIM in CG11180, we demonstrate that Chinmo9s interaction with CG11180 is SUMO-dependent. Furthermore, to assess the functional relevance of both SUMO and CG11180, we performed RNAi-mediated knockdown of both proteins in somatic cells of the Drosophila testis. Using this approach, we find that CG11180 and SUMO are required in somatic cells of adult testes, and that reduction of either protein causes formation of germ cell tumors. Overall, our work indicates that SUMO functionally links Chinmo and CG11180 in somatic cells of the adult Drosophila testis. Consistent with the CG11180 knockdown phenotype in male testes, and to underscore its connection to Chinmo, we propose the name Childless Gambino (Chigno) for CG11180.
From Agamben to Žižek : contemporary critical theorists

Acknowledgements Notes on Contributors Introduction, Jon Simons 1. Giorgio Agamben (1942 -), Paul Hegarty 2. Alain Badiou (1937 -), Benjamin Robinson 3. Zygmunt Bauman (1925 -), Peter Beilharz 4. Homi K. Bhabha (1949 -), David Huddart 5. Judith Butler (1956 -), Moya Lloyd 6. Cornelius Castoriadis (1922-1997), Caroline Williams 7. Green critical theorists, David Kidner 8. Donna J. Haraway (1944 -), Joan Faber McAlister 9. Ernesto Laclau (1935 -) and Chantal Mouffe (1943 -), Simon Tormey 10. Bruno Latour (1947 -), Ilana Gershon 11. Antonio Negri (1933 -), Arianna Bove 12. Jacques Ranciere (1940 -), Samuel A. Chambers 13. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak (1942 -), Stephen Morton 14. Paul Virilio (1932 -), John Armitage 15. Slavoj ae'iae'ek (1949 -), Matthew Sharpe Index.
Medical diagnoses associated with substance dependence among inpatients at a large urban hospital.

Background There are limited data on reasons for hospital admission among patients dependent on substances other than alcohol. We compared primary discharge diagnoses for heroin- or cocaine-dependent patients to non-dependent patients.
Historical Syntax in Cross-Linguistic Perspective

In this major new work Alice Harris and Lyle Campbell set out to establish a general framework for the investigation of linguistic change. Systematic cross-linguistic comparison of syntactic change across a wide variety of languages is used to construct hypotheses about the universals and limits of language change more generally. In particular, the authors seek to move closer towards describing the range of causes of syntactic change to develop an understanding of the mechanisms of syntactic change, and to provide an understanding of why some languages undergo certain changes and not others. The authors draw on languages as diverse as Pipil and French, Georgian and Estonian, and the data presented is one of the book's great strengths. Rigor and precision are combined here with a great breadth of scholarship to produce a unique resource for the study of linguistic change, which will be of use to scholars and students alike.
Optimal Signal Extraction with Stable Shocks: The Case of U.S. Inflation

Most economic time series indicate non-normality in the form of either occasional big shocks or marked changes in the level of the series. In this paper, a univariate state-space model with infinite variance symmetric stable shocks is used to model the U.S. inflation rate via the Sorenson-Alspach recursions. Even after removing state-contingent heteroskedasticity, normality is rejected in favor of a stable distribution with exponent 1.81. Relative to the Gaussian model, the stable model accounts for outliers and level shifts better, provides tighter estimates of trend inflation, and gives more realistic assessment of uncertainty associated with it during confusing episodes.
Autonomous lane-change controller

This paper focuses on the design of a model that can be used for high-level decision making and low-level maneuver control, to achieve safe, optimal and stable lane-change maneuvers of autonomous vehicles. The objective of the controller optimized for lane change maneuvers is to minimize the travel time, maintain safety distances between the target vehicle and neighboring ones, satisfy the operational constraints of the target vehicle, and comply with the speed limit. In particular, the overall control problem is formulated with three sub-controllers. The high-level decision making algorithm is constructed as a mixed logic dynamic system and solved by Cplex. Secondly, the lane tracking problem is handled by a PD-controller. Lastly, the dynamic game theory approach is adopted to deal with safety design. After the modeling of the overall system is established at the three levels, the effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated by simulated scenarios.