Post-initiation chlorophyllin exposure does not modulate aflatoxin-induced foci in the liver and colon of rats

Chlorophyllin (CHL) is a promising chemopreventive agent believed to block cancer primarily by inhibiting carcinogen uptake through the formation of molecular complexes with the carcinogens. However, recent studies suggest that CHL may have additional biological effects particularly when given after the period of carcinogen treatment. This study examines the post-initiation effects of CHL towards aflatoxin B1 (AFB(1))-induced preneoplastic foci of the liver and colon. The single concentration of CHL tested in this study (0.1% in the drinking water) had no significant effects on AFB(1)-induced foci of the liver and colons of rats

The Dwarf Spheroidal Companions to M31: Variable Stars in Andromeda VI

We have surveyed Andromeda VI, a dwarf spheroidal galaxy companion to M31, for variable stars using F450W and F555W observations obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. A total of 118 variables were found, with 111 being RR Lyrae, 6 anomalous Cepheids, and 1 variable we were unable to classify. We find that the Andromeda VI anomalous Cepheids have properties consistent with those of anomalous Cepheids in other dwarf spheroidal galaxies. We revise the existing period-luminosity relations for these variables. Further, using these and other available data, we show that there is no clear difference between fundamental and first-overtone anomalous Cepheids in a period-amplitude diagram at shorter periods, unlike the RR Lyrae. For the Andromeda VI RR Lyrae, we find that they lie close to the Oosterhoff type I Galactic globular clusters in the period-amplitude diagram, although the mean period of the RRab stars, = 0.588 d, is slightly longer than the typical Oosterhoff type I cluster. The mean V magnitude of the RR Lyrae in Andromeda VI is 25.29+/-0.03, resulting in a distance 815+/-25 kpc on the Lee, Demarque, & Zinn distance scale. This is consistent with the distance derived from the I magnitude of the tip of the red giant branch. Similarly, the properties of the RR Lyrae indicate a mean abundance for Andromeda VI which is consistent with that derived from the mean red giant branch color.Comment: 23 pages, including 13 figures and 6 tables, emulateapj5/apjfonts style. Accepted by the Astronomical Journal. We recommend the interested reader to download the preprint with full-resolution figures, which can be found at http://www.noao.edu/noao/staff/pritzl/M31dwarfs.htm

Phenomenological Models of Socio-Economic Network Dynamics

We study a general set of models of social network evolution and dynamics. The models consist of both a dynamics on the network and evolution of the network. Links are formed preferentially between 'similar' nodes, where the similarity is defined by the particular process taking place on the network. The interplay between the two processes produces phase transitions and hysteresis, as seen using numerical simulations for three specific processes. We obtain analytic results using mean field approximations, and for a particular case we derive an exact solution for the network. In common with real-world social networks, we find coexistence of high and low connectivity phases and history dependence.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Thermionic Properties of Carbon Based Nanomaterials Produced by Microhollow Cathode PECVD

Thermionic emission is the process in which materials at sufficiently high temperature spontaneously emit electrons. This process occurs when electrons in a material gain sufficient thermal energy from heating to overcome the material's potential barrier, referred to as the work function. For most bulk materials very high temperatures (greater than 1500 K) are needed to produce appreciable emission. Carbonbased nanomaterials have shown significant promise as emission materials because of their low work functions, nanoscale geometry, and negative electron affinity. One method of producing these materials is through the process known as microhollow cathode PECVD. In a microhollow cathode plasma, high energy electrons oscillate at very high energies through the Pendel effect. These high energy electrons create numerous radical species and the technique has been shown to be an effective method of growing carbon based nanomaterials. In this work, we explore the thermionic emission properties of carbon based nanomaterials produced by microhollow cathode PECVD under a variety of synthesis conditions. Initial studies demonstrate measureable current at low temperatures (approximately 800 K) and work functions (approximately 3.3 eV) for these materials

Enhanced phenotypes for identifying opioid overdose in emergency department visit electronic health record data

Background Accurate identification of opioid overdose (OOD) cases in electronic healthcare record (EHR) data is an important element in surveillance, empirical research, and clinical intervention. We sought to improve existing OOD electronic phenotypes by incorporating new data types beyond diagnostic codes and by applying several statistical and machine learning methods. Materials and Methods We developed an EHR dataset of emergency department visits involving OOD cases or patients considered at risk for an OOD and ascertained true OOD status through manual chart reviews. We developed and validated prediction models using Random Forest, Extreme Gradient Boost, and Elastic Net models that incorporated 717 features involving primary and second diagnoses, chief complaints, medications prescribed, vital signs, laboratory results, and procedural codes. We also developed models limited to single data types. Results A total of 1718 records involving 1485 patients were manually reviewed; 541 (36.4%) patients had one or more OOD. Prediction performance was similar for all models; sensitivity varied from 94% to 97%; and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 98% for all methods. The primary diagnosis and chief complaint were the most important contributors to AUC performance; primary diagnoses and medication class contributed most to sensitivity; chief complaint, primary diagnosis, and vital signs were most important for specificity. Models limited to decision support data types available in real time demonstrated robust prediction performance. Conclusions Substantial prediction performance improvements were demonstrated for identifying OODs in EHR data. Our e-phenotypes could be applied in surveillance, retrospective empirical applications, or clinical decision support systems

Vitamin D receptor ChIP-seq in primary CD4+ cells: relationship to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and autoimmune disease

PMCID: PMC3710212This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Contextual factors influencing the urban mobility infrastructure interventions and policies for older adults in low- and middle-income countries: A realist review

Transportation is among the key aspects that influence active ageing. This realist review intends to understand the mechanisms of urban mobility infrastructure interventions and policies in low- and middle-income countries for older adults and to identify factors, which influenced the success or failure of interventions. We followed the steps suggested by Pawson and colleagues for a realist review. Electronic databases were searched from inception until August 2020. Studies were screened based on titles, abstracts and full text. The quality of included studies was assessed based on rigour and relevance. The evidence was obtained from 36 articles with diverse study designs conducted in 36 low- and middle-income countries. Findings were validated through stakeholder consultations from three low- and middle-income countries. Of the various individual factors identified, behaviour change communication interventions were low-cost, had a long-term impact and were efficient in increasing awareness among users to improve safety, social inclusion and about transport schemes for older adults. Improved transport infrastructure resulted in a shift from private to public transportation. For a sustainable urban transport infrastructure, good governance and involvement of stakeholders for planning and implementing transport interventions were considered necessary. Lack of evaluation, experience of transport planners, and inter-sectoral coordination were key challenges to successful interventions. The review highlighted a lack of older adult-specific transportation policies, and gender-targeted interventions for older women, suggesting a need for interventions and policies based on the contextual factors existing in a region