cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetics of Wnt Signaling During Early Mammalian Development

Proper cell-cell communication is necessary to orchestrate the cell fate determination, proliferation, movement, and differentiation that occurs during the development of a complex, multicellular organism. Members of the Wnt family of secreted signaling molecules regulate these processes in virtually every embryonic tissue and during the homeostatic maintenance of adult tissues. Mammalian genetic studies have been particularly useful in illustrating the specific roles that Wnt signaling pathways play in embryonic development, and in the etiology of diseases such as cancer. This chapter will largely focus on the functional roles that Wnts, signaling through the Wnt/-catenin pathway, play during early mammalian development.
Model-based Evidence for Cyclic Phenomena in a High-Elevation, Two-Species Forest

Cyclic phenomena have been the focus of many studies in stressed conifer forests. In these systems, suppressed seedlings are released following the synchronous death of canopy trees. These cycles occur over hundreds of years, and thus studying them in the field is difficult, if not impossible in some cases. This difficulty highlights the advantages of vegetation modeling studies. We used the individual-based gap model, University of Virginia Forest Model Enhanced (UVAFME), to simulate forest dynamics over time at a high-elevation, subalpine forest (dominated by Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir) in southern Wyoming. Following model calibration, UVAFME was validated by running it up an elevation gradient to determine if it could simulate changes in species composition with elevation. UVAFME was then run exclusively at the high-elevation location for periods of 3000 years to simulate long-term forest dynamics at the site. It was found that without the intrusion of exogenous disturbances, the subalpine zone of the Rocky Mountains demonstrates cyclic phenomena, both at the plot scale and the landscape scale. By itself, Engelmann spruce demonstrates a natural periodicity of 300 years, whereas subalpine fir has a natural periodicity of 200 years. In the two-species forest, both species have a periodicity of 300 years. This output corresponds well with field data from similar high-elevation conifer sites. These results, along with other examples of cyclic phenomena in ecological systems, indicate that periodicities in ecosystems may be more common than previously thought, though they may be difficult to distinguish due to disturbances and the time- and space-scales at which they occur.
Tuberculin Reaction. III. Transfer of Systemic Tuberculin Sensitivity with Cells of Tuberculous Guinea Pigs.

SummaryThe results of the present investigations establish tlhat systemic tuberculin sensitivity can be passively transferred in the guinea pig with the cells of induced peritoneal exudates of tuberculous donors. The systemic shock produced in recipients passively sensitized in this manner is of the typical delayed tuberculin type. These findings supplement the observation of Chase1 that cutaneous tuberculin sensitivity can be passively transferred in the guinea pig with the cells of induced peritoneal exudates of donors sensitized with heat-killed tubercle bacilli by providing additional evidence that the sensitivity transferred is of the tuberculin type. In a limited number of trials it was also found that desensitization of tuberculous donors with tuberculin tends to abolish the capacity of their peritoneal cells to passively transfer tuberculin sensitivity. If this observation is confirmed it will provide strong evidence that desensitization results from the saturation of fixed cellular antibody with ...
Series Connected Battery Unitvoltage Inspects the Meter

At present,the on-line monitor is the common monitor way of industry.The technical grade emergency power supply accumulator cell then is an object which needs to monitor.With one kind which takes the monolithic integrated circuit technology as the core,using the method of V/F transforms carries on the real-time monitor to the monomer accumulator cell voltage.Using the method which the photoelectricity isolation and the transformer isolates to solve has gathered the question which the electric circuit and the monolithic integrated circuit processing electric circuit electricity isolates.Produced inspected the meter hardware architecture frame,through three kinds of mailing addresss realization data communication,and produced has gathered the electric circuit the power supply method.
Surgical management of congenital vascular rings.

Case histories of 53 patients with surgically treated vascular rings are presented. The diagnosis was strongly suggested in all patients by symptoms of tracheoesophageal obstruction and was confirmed by barium esophagogram, which showed typical bilateral and posterior indentations in the esophagus. Angiography was rarely used although it is helpful in doubtful cases. Endoscopic studies were considered unnecessary and potentially harmful. A left posterolateral thoracotomy afforded ample access for division of the ring in all patients. Two patients died who were operated upon during the early experience. There were no postoperative deaths among the last 45 consecutive patients. All survivors had excellent symptomatic relief although complete resolution of symptoms took several months in some patients. The importance of early diagnosis and prompt surgical division is emphasized.
E-051 acute ischemic stroke due to tumorigenic embolism treated with mechanical thrombectomy

Background Patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke due to intracranial occlusion of the proximal anterior circulation may benefit from intraarterial treatments, including intraarterial thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy. Recent publications have confirmed the efficacy and safety of these treatments. There are several cases in the literature in which mechanical thrombectomy was successful in treating acute stroke secondary to benign tumorigenic embolism. Methods We present a 49-year-old female with a history of peripheral nerve primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) and pulmonary brain metastases, as well as a patent foramen ovale. This patient developed acute right upper extremity weakness, right facial droop and dysarthria. She was diagnosed with occlusion of the M1 segment of the left middle cerebral artery and treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Pathology of the thrombectomy specimen was compatible with metastatic sarcoma. Results Mechanical thrombectomy was successful and the patient had resolution of her acute stroke symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of acute ischemic stroke secondary to malignant tumorigenic embolism to be successfully treated with mechanical embolectomy. Conclusion In acute stroke secondary to malignant tumorigenic embolism, mechanical thrombectomy might be a safe and effective treatment option. Disclosures B. Bell: None. A. Saad: None. K. Layton: None. S. Shamim: None. G. Snipes: None. K. Hesselrode: None.
Validity of the 6 minute walk test in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

INTRODUCTION In preparation for future clinical trials, we determined the reliability, relationship to measures of disease severity, and consistency across sites of the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). METHODS Genetically defined and clinically affected FSHD participants at 2 sites performed the 6MWT, the Timed Up and Go, and the 30 foot Go/Timed 10 meter test as measures of mobility using standard procedures. RESULTS Eight-six participants representing the full range of severity performed the 6MWT. The mean 6MWT distance was 404.3 meters (SD 123.9), with no difference between sites. The 6MWT was reliable (n = 25; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99) and demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with lower extremity strength, functional outcomes, and FSHD Clinical Score. CONCLUSIONS The 6MWT is reliable and is associated with other measures of FSHD disease severity. Future directions include assessing its sensitivity to disease progression. Muscle Nerve 55: 333-337, 2017.
Numerical Modeling of Turbulent Flow Inside the Centrifugal Blower

In this paper, turbulent flow inside the centrifugal blower has been studied numerically. The computational simulation is conducted by employing the Reynolds Averaged Navier­Stokes (RANS) approach. The standard model with enhanced wall treatment has been implemented for modeling the turbulent flow. Effects of different angular velocities have been studied on static pressure and mass flow rate. The numerical results shows that static pressure and mass flow rate significantly increase as the angular velocity of blades increases.
REVIEW OF TOROIDAL θ-PINCH THEORY

A review is given of the basic theoretical ideas which describe the evolution of the Scyllac program. Included is a current status report of MHD and microstability theory as applied to the Scyllac configuration.
Optimal non-dissipative discontinuous Galerkin methods for Maxwells equations in Drude metamaterials

Simulation of electromagnetic wave propagation in metamaterials leads to more complicated time domain Maxwells equations than the standard Maxwells equations in free space. In this paper, we develop and analyze a non-dissipative discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method for solving the Maxwells equations in Drude metamaterials. Previous discontinuous Galerkin methods in the literature for electromagnetic wave propagation in metamaterials were either non-dissipative but sub-optimal, or dissipative and optimal. Our method uses a different and simple choice of numerical fluxes, achieving provable non-dissipative stability and optimal error estimates simultaneously. We prove the stability and optimal error estimates for both semi- and fully discrete DG schemes, with the leap-frog time discretization for the fully discrete case. Numerical results are given to demonstrate that the DG method can solve metamaterial Maxwells equations effectively.
Frontier Stock Markets: Local versus Global Factors

Examining the frontier markets in the regions of Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia by using factor-mimicking portfolios based on market capitalization (SMB), book-to-market equity (HML), and momentum (WML), this study reveals significant returns to value and momentum for all size groups. Local asset pricing models that use locally derived factors and global asset pricing models that use globally derived factors are rejected in nearly all cases. Although local SMB, HML, and WML demonstrate some ability to explain average frontier portfolio returns, global SMB, HML, and WML show no such ability. The evidence suggests that frontier and developed markets are segmented. TOPICS:Frontier markets, factor-based models, portfolio theory, portfolio construction Key Findings • Local factors perform better than global factors in explaining average frontier market portfolio returns. • Frontier and developed markets are segmented. • Significant momentum and value cross-sectional return patterns are observed in frontier markets.
A linear sampling method for through-the-wall radar detection

The through-the-wall inverse scattering problem is analyzed via the linear sampling method. The reciprocity gap formulation of the linear sampling method is used to reconstruct an object within a closed-off room. In order to apply this method, a numerical method to model a point source is needed, along with knowledge of how the numerical fundamental solution differs from the analytic one. Application of the linear sampling method to the finite difference time domain solution is described and illustrated, and results to reconstruct objects in the through-the-wall setting are shown.
Swift and Certain, Proportionate and Consistent: Key Values of Urine Drug Test Consequences for Probationers

Traditionally, urine drug testing (UDT) in the correctional population (both prison and community corrections) has been infrequent, is scheduled, and has a high possibility of delayed results. Of practical relevance is that scheduled testing is ineffective for identifying drug misuse. Of ethical relevance is that consequences of positive scheduled tests can be unpredictable-in the form of overly severe punishment or a lack of treatment options-and that the scheduled testing paradigm is a poor way to change behaviors. More innovative programs now use a UDT paradigm with more frequent, random testing providing rapid results and certain, swift consequences and addiction treatment when warranted or requested. Studies have shown these new programs-the foundation of which is frequent, random UDTs-to significantly reduce drug use, criminal recidivism, and incarceration.
Endothelial glycocalyx degradation is more severe in patients with non-pulmonary sepsis compared to pulmonary sepsis and associates with risk of ARDS and other organ dysfunction

Disruption of the endothelial glycocalyx contributes to acute lung injury in experimental sepsis but has not been well studied in humans. To study glycocalyx degradation in sepsis-induced ARDS, we measured plasma levels of syndecan-1, a marker for glycocalyx degradation. The present study is a retrospective observational study of 262 ventilated medical ICU patients at risk of ARDS due to severe sepsis and APACHE II ≥ 25. Plasma syndecan-1 was measured at study enrollment. Primary analysis focused on the association between syndecan-1 levels and the development of ARDS, other organ dysfunction (Brussels criteria), or in-hospital mortality. Overall, 135 (52%) patients developed ARDS. In patients with non-pulmonary sepsis, syndecan-1 levels were associated with ARDS (p = 0.05). Regardless of etiology of sepsis, higher syndecan-1 levels were associated with hepatic (p < 0.001), renal (p = 0.003), coagulation (p = 0.001), and circulatory (p = 0.02) failure as well as in-hospital mortality (p = 0.001), and there was a significant association between syndecan-1 levels and the number of vasopressors required in the first 24 h (p < 0.001). In addition, elevated syndecan levels were independently predictive of mortality in multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age and APACHE II score (odds ratio 1.85 per log increase in syndecan-1, 95% CI 1.056–3.241, p = 0.03). The extent of endothelial glycocalyx degradation is associated with non-pulmonary organ dysfunction in subjects with sepsis and is associated with ARDS but only in the subgroup with non-pulmonary sepsis. Measurement of syndecan-1 levels in sepsis patients might be useful for identifying patients at high risk of organ dysfunction and mortality as well as those who could benefit from therapies targeted at protecting or restoring the glycocalyx.
Water Quality Assessment of Submerged Tire-Derived Aggregate Fills

AbstractFor many of its intended civil engineering applications, tire-derived aggregate (TDA) comes into contact with water and may leach organic and inorganic compounds. The primary objective of t...
Cardiac PET Imaging: Current Status and Limitations

Since the birth of the first commercial Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner in 1975, PET scan technology has come a long way, and entered the era of clinical applications in the late 1980s. Various clinical applications continue to evolve. Currently, PET imaging plays an important role in the clinical evaluation of patients with known or suspected ischemic heart disease. It produces images of molecular-level physiological function, which can be used to measure many vital processes, including glucose metabolism, blood flow and perfusion, and oxygen utilization. This exciting technology extends the capabilities of other advanced imaging modalities such as echocardiogram, MRI and CT. For example, it uses proven tomographic algorithms to display data as cross-sectional images in any plane. These images represent the distribution of internal radiotracers (Fig. 33.1). Unlike anatomical imaging modalities such as CT and MRI, PET permits the assessment of chemical and physiological changes related to metabolism. This is important because a functional change often predates structural changes in tissues. PET images may therefore demonstrate pathological changes long before they would be revealed by CT and MRI.
Marijuana use among US tobacco users: Findings from wave 1 of the population assessment of tobacco health (PATH) study

Abstract Background With an increase in marijuana use among adults in the United States (US), understanding the potential impact of marijuana use on tobacco use and associated behavioral and health consequences, including respiratory conditions, is necessary. Method Survey responses from Wave 1 of the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study were used to assess tobacco use and marijuana use among non-current tobacco users (n = 17,952) and current established tobacco-users classified as: cigarette only users (n = 8689), e-cigarette only users (n = 437), cigar only (traditional, cigarillo, or filtered) users (n = 706), hookah only users (n = 461), smokeless tobacco only users (n = 971), cigarette + e-cigarette users (n = 709), and users of multiple tobacco products (n = 2314). Results When compared to non-current tobacco users, each tobacco user group except smokeless only users had higher odds (odds ratios ranging from 3.86–8.07) of reporting current marijuana use. Among current tobacco users, higher levels of tobacco dependence did not explain the relationship between tobacco use and marijuana use. Additionally, concurrent marijuana use was associated with lower odds of attempts to quit tobacco (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.79, 0.94, p Conclusions The association between concurrent use of tobacco and marijuana and higher tobacco dependence and lower rates of quit attempts suggests the potential for sustained tobacco use and deleterious health effects. Further, marijuana use may represent an additive risk for respiratory harm among concurrent users of tobacco and marijuana.
Cannabis regulatory science: risk–benefit considerations for mental disorders

The evolving legal cannabis landscape in the US continues to present novel regulatory challenges that necessitate the development of a Cannabis Regulatory Science. Two specific issues of concern within Cannabis Regulatory Science are (1) the impact that cannabis use has on the incidence, prevalence, and severity of mental disorders, and (2) how cannabis laws and regulations modify this impact. This paper first provides several conceptual points that are useful for evaluating the relationship between cannabis use and mental disorders. Second, it selectively reviews and comments on data relevant to the relationship between cannabis use and depression, several forms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Next, regulatory and public health parallels between the nascent cannabis industry and the pharmaceutical, tobacco, and alcohol industries are discussed. The focus is on specific types of industry practices that may harm those with or at risk for mental disorders. Recommendations are then offered for legal cannabis regulations that could mitigate this harm. Last, future research goals are discussed for building the field of Cannabis Regulatory Science and addressing the potential negative impact of cannabis on those with mental disorders.
On maps characterized by action on equal products

Abstract Let D be a division ring with characteristic different from 2. In this paper we will describe an additive map f satisfying the identity f ( x ) y + x f ( y ) = l for every x , y ∈ D such that x y = a , where l , a ∈ D and a is nonzero. Additionally, for nonzero m , k ∈ D , we will describe the additive bijection f satisfying the identity f ( x ) f ( y ) = m for every x , y ∈ D such that x y = k ; this description is the solution to a problem posed by Chebotar, Ke, Lee, and Shiao in 2005.
Epigenetic Influence of the Social Environment

Social experiences occurring during infancy have been demonstrated to exert persistent effects on neurobiological and behavioral outcomes. This social modulation of the developing brain has been observed in humans and animal models of abuse, neglect, and variation in parental style. Although the mechanisms through which these effects are achieved likely involve diverse cellular and molecular pathways, there is emerging evidence supporting the hypothesis that epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, may mediate the effects of early life variations in the social interactions between mothers and infants. Moreover, there may be plasticity within these epigenetic pathways at later developmental time points, such that the social experiences of juveniles and adults may also induce epigenetic change. These findings have implications for behavioral variation observed both within and across generations and highlight the dynamic interactions occurring between genes and environments during the course of development.
Book review: Drawing Lithic Artefacts

Drawing Lithic Artefacts By Yannick Raczynski-Henk Sidestone Press, 2017, pp. 50. ISBN 978-908-890-530-8 https://www.sidestone.com/books/drawing-lithic-artefacts
Fourier Transform-Ion Mobility-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer: A Next-Generation Instrument for Native Mass Spectrometry

A new instrument configuration for native ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) is described. Macromolecule ions are generated by using a static ESI source coupled to an RF ion funnel, and these ions are then mobility and mass analyzed using a periodic focusing drift tube IM analyzer and an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The instrument design retains the capabilities for first-principles determination of rotationally averaged ion-neutral collision cross sections and high-resolution measurements in both mobility and mass analysis modes for intact protein complexes. Operation in the IM mode utilizes FT-IMS modes (originally described by Knorr (Knorr, F. J. Anal. Chem. 1985, 57(2), 402−406)), which provides a means to overcome the inherent duty cycle mismatch for drift tube (DT)-IM and Orbitrap mass analysis. The performance of the native ESI-FT-DT-IM-Orbitrap MS instrument was evaluated using the protein complexes Gln K (MW 44 kDa) and streptavidin (MW 53 kDa) bound to small molecules (ADP and biotin, respect...
A modified choice experiment to examine willingness to participate in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program among low-income parents

There is a need to improve geographical and financial access to healthy foods for limited resource populations in rural areas. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs can improve access to healthy foods in rural and limited-resource populations. However, research is needed to discern the most appealing conditions for a CSA (e.g. price, frequency, food quantity) among rural, low-income customers. The goal of this study was to understand low-income consumers' preferences related to participation in a CSA program, considering price, frequency, food quantity and accessibility (e.g. distance) conditions. A modified exploratory choice experiment exercise was embedded within in-depth interviews to examine willingness to participate in CSA under a variety of conditions among 42 low-income adults with at least one child in the household in North Carolina, New York, Vermont and Washington. Willingness to participate in a CSA under each condition was summed and compared across conditions. Results were stratified by race, number of children and household members and McNemar's test and Student's t-test were used to examine differences in willingness between conditions. Salient quotes were extracted to support themes related to each condition. Our analysis suggests that the ideal CSA would be a full-sized share of eight to nine items of mixed variety, distributed every other week, priced at less than US$15, no more than 10 min further than the supermarket (SM) from their home and preferably less expensive but no more than 20% more expensive than SM prices. CSAs interested in reaching rural low-income populations may benefit from considering these consumer-level preferences.
TCJA: Teaching a Code Just Adopted

The spring 2018 semester at many law schools started approximately three weeks after the Tax Cuts Jobs Act (TCJA) passed. This essay reflects on the experience of teaching tax law in a semester when all textbooks and statutory supplements were outdated and tax scholars scrambled to make sense of the new law while simultaneously teaching it to our students. It concludes, paradoxically, that teaching the TCJA so soon after it passed offered some huge advantages from a pedagogical perspective: it proved to students that they must rely primarily on the statute, rather than secondary sources, and must develop strong statutory interpretation skills to understand tax; highlighted the importance of the first rule of statutory interpretation, to “keep reading”; and increased the already high marketability of tax law expertise. While it hit many tax law professors—including this Author—hard to see our beloved subject hastily rewritten in ways that will do real, irreparable damage outside our classrooms, many impacts of the TCJA inside our classrooms were positive.
Yeast Sirtuin Family Members Maintain Transcription Homeostasis to Ensure Genome Stability.

Summary The mammalian sirtuin, SIRT6, is a key tumor suppressor that maintains genome stability and regulates transcription, though how SIRT6 family members control genome stability is unclear. Here, we use multiple genome-wide approaches to demonstrate that the yeast SIRT6 homologs, Hst3 and Hst4, prevent genome instability by tuning levels of both coding and noncoding transcription. While nascent RNAs are elevated in the absence of Hst3 and Hst4, a global impact on steady-state mRNAs is masked by the nuclear exosome, indicating that sirtuins and the exosome provide two levels of regulation to maintain transcription homeostasis. We find that, in the absence of Hst3 and Hst4, increased transcription is associated with excessive DNA-RNA hybrids (R-loops) that appear to lead to new DNA double-strand breaks. Importantly, dissolution of R-loops suppresses the genome instability phenotypes of hst3 hst4 mutants, suggesting that the sirtuins maintain genome stability by acting as a rheostat to prevent promiscuous transcription.
Monomorphic B-Cell (Including Plasmacytic) Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder

Monomorphic post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) of B-cell lineage is a lesion that fulfills criteria for the diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma or plasma cell neoplasm and arises in a patient who has received a solid organ or stem cell transplant.
Abstract 470: Reactivation of Fetal MicroRNAs Contribute to Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common cardiomyopathies that often leads to heart failure worldwide. MicroRNAs have emerged as an integral player in regulating diverse biologic...
It's Complicated: Having a Family Member Die on Hospice Not-of-COVID-19.

As the world has rightfully focused on COVID-19 people have continued to die of other things, and their needs and the needs of their loved ones have been overshadowed by the pandemic. My mother die...
Gray-Scale Sonography of the Spinal Cord in Postlaminectomy Patient:

Laminectomy, a common neurosurgical procedure that decompresses the spinal cord, is the definitive surgical treatment for spinal epidural abscesses. Although complications after laminectomy occur i...
Synergy between Customer Segmentation and Personalization

Personalized pricing is on the rise in the retail industry, and it’s been used in many service platforms. Personalized pricing assumes that the platform has an idea of who the customer is, and allows the platform to incentivize the customers based on their characteristics and actions. In this work, we consider a personalized pricing problem with revisiting customers. We assume a customer’s utility depends on some feature information and some unobserved personal shock. For the case where customer utilities are unknown, we propose a heuristic that combines the idea of binary search and feature-based pricing, and show that it outperforms common benchmarks. We also demonstrate that if we have some information about either the customer utility or the dependence on the feature information, then we can learn the other much faster, and this is what we mean by the synergy between customer segmentation and personalization. This observation can help managers make better personalized decisions for customers that repeatedly interact with the platform.
The Medical Examination of Lady Competitors: Sex Control in Skiing, 1967–2000

The International Ski Federation (FIS) instituted sex testing protocols in 1967. In doing so, it followed the example set by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) and became the seco...
HST Image Restoration: Current Capabilities and Future Prospects

The spherical aberration in the primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope causes more than 80% of the light from a point source to be spread into a halo of radius of 2–3 arcsec. The point spread function (PSF) is both time variant (resulting from spacecraft jitter and desorption of the secondary mirror support structure) and space variant (owing to the Cassegrain repeater optics in the Wide Field/Planetary Camera). A variety of image restoration algorithms have been utilized on HST data with some success, although optimal restorations require better modeling of the PSF and the development of efficient restoration algorithms that accommodate a space-variant PSF. The first HST servicing mission (December 1993) will deploy a corrective optics system for the Faint Object Camera and the two spectrographs and a second generation WF/PC with internal corrective optics. As simulations demonstrate, however, the restoration algorithms developed now for aberrated images will be very useful for removing the remaining diffraction features and optimizing dynamic range in post-servicing mission data.
Unilateral Hearing Impairment in Children

An overview and update are offered on difficulties experienced by children with monaural sensorineural deafness. It is the general consensus that children with unilateral hearing loss experience few, if any, communication and/or educational problems. The medical and educational status of a group (N = 60) of children with unilateral, hearing impairment are described. In addition, the auditory, linguistic, and behavioral manifestations of unilateral hearing impairment were studied in considerable detail for a subsample of these 60 children. The results revealed that approximately one third of the children with unilateral hearing loss had failed at least one grade. Nearly 50% of the group had either failed a grade and/or needed resource assistance in the schools. The small subsample of children with unilateral hearing loss performed much poorer than a matched group of children with normal hearing on both a localization and a syllable recognition task. Finally, the data on behavioral and linguistic manifestations of monaural hearing loss indicate that children with unilateral hearing impairment are experiencing more problems than previously supposed.
Sparse inverse covariance estimation with the lasso

We consider the problem of estimating sparse graphs by a lasso penalty applied to the inverse covariance matrix. Using a coordinate descent procedure for the lasso, we develop a simple algorithm| the Graphical Lasso| that is remarkably fast: it solves a 1000 node problem (» 500; 000 parameters) in at most a minute, and is 30 to 4000 times faster than competing methods. It also provides a conceptual link between the exact problem and the approximation suggested by Meinshausen & B˜ uhlmann (2006). We illustrate the method on some cell-signaling data from proteomics.
Changes in dietary intake, urinary nitrogen, and urinary volume across the menstrual cycle

The effect of four menstrual cycle phases on changes in dietary intake, urinary nitrogen excretion, and urinary volume was examined in nine women confined to a metabolic unit, maintained at a constant activity level, and fed an ad libitum, rotating, staff-weighed diet. No significant changes in intakes of energy, protein, and fat occurred throughout the menstrual cycle although significant changes were found for intakes of ascorbic acid and water in food. A significant increase in consumption of carbonated, sugar-containing beverages was found in the luteal phase as was a significant increase in urine volume. Results suggest food choices and urine volume may be responsive to physiological regulators associated with hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle. Findings also suggest that energy intake is not altered across the menstrual cycle when physical activity is controlled and an accurate dietary assessment method is employed.
Microbiome changes associated with sustained eradication of Clostridium difficile after single faecal microbiota transplantation in children with and without inflammatory bowel disease

SummaryBackground Little data are available regarding the effectiveness and associated microbiome changes of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children, especially in those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with presumed underlying dysbiosis. Aim To investigate C. difficile eradication and microbiome changes with FMT in children with and without IBD. Methods Children with a history of recurrent CDI (≥3 recurrences) underwent FMT via colonoscopy. Stool samples were collected pre-FMT and post-FMT at 2–10 weeks, 10–20 weeks and 6 months. The v4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. C. difficile toxin B gene polymerase chain reaction was performed. Results Eight children underwent FMT for CDI; five had IBD. All had resolution of CDI symptoms. All tested had eradication of C. difficile at 10–20 weeks and 6 months post-FMT. Pre-FMT patient samples had significantly decreased bacterial richness compared with donors (P = 0.01), in those with IBD (P = 0.02) and without IBD (P = 0.01). Post-FMT, bacterial diversity in patients increased. Six months post-FMT, there was no significant difference between bacterial diversity of donors and patients without IBD; however, bacterial diversity in those with IBD returned to pre-FMT baseline. Microbiome composition at 6 months in IBD-negative patients more closely approximated donor composition compared to IBD-positive patients. Conclusions FMT gives sustained C. difficile eradication in children with and without IBD. FMT-restored diversity is sustained in children without IBD. In those with IBD, bacterial diversity returns to pre-FMT baseline by 6 months, suggesting IBD host-related mechanisms modify faecal microbiome diversity.
Transforming Places: Lessons from Appalachia

While other authors have focused on environmental justice, few have narrated the topic through the lens of diverse authorship. In Transforming Places, Fisher and Smith utilize the voices of many to capture the magnitude of environmental challenges in Appalachia. Beyond this, they extend these challenges nationally and globally. In their definition of Appalachia, they evoke the reader to think beyond Appalachian stereotypes. Fisher and Smith define Appalachia as a geographical region that comprises areas in the states of West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Although their definition is specific to an easily visualized central location, the definition restricts the social construct of the comprehensive Appalachia region.
Current American Medical Association Guidelines for Evaluating Musculoskeletal Impairment at Maximum Medical Improvement

Physicians, regardless of their specialty, from time to time may face a request from their patients to fill out a form or write a letter certifying an impairment or disability and resulting in some benefits including absence from work. However, the practice of impairment and disability assessment is rarely, if ever, a part of their formal medical or postgraduate training. Indeed, most physicians feel unprepared when asked to perform these evaluations, and a majority of them write their opinions on a subjective basis with little or no objective foundation.
Standoff detection of large organic molecules using Rydberg fingerprint spectroscopy and microwave Rayleigh scattering.

We present a technique for nonintrusive and standoff detection of large organic molecules using coherent microwave Rayleigh scattering from plasma produced by structure sensitive photoionization through Rydberg states. We test the method on 1,4-diazobicyclooctane. Transitions between the 3s Rydberg state and higher lying Rydberg states are probed using two-color photoionization with 266 nm photons and photons in the range of 460−2400 nm. Photoionization is detected using microwave radiation, which is scattered by the unbounded electrons. Highly resolved Rydberg spectra are acquired in vacuum and in air.
Overweight and obesity trends among active duty military personnel: a 13-year perspective.

Background The U.S. population has shown increasing rates of overweight and obesity in recent years, but similar analyses do not exist for U.S. military personnel. It is important to understand these patterns in the military because of their impact on fitness and readiness. Purpose To assess prevalence and trends in overweight/obesity among U.S. servicemembers and to examine the associations of sociodemographic characteristics, exercise, depression, and substance use with these patterns. Methods Analyses performed in 2013 used five large population–based health-related behavior surveys conducted from 1995 to 2008. Main outcome measures were overweight and obesity among active duty military personnel based on BMI. Results Combined overweight and obesity (BMI≥25) increased from 50.6% in 1995 to 60.8% in 2008, primarily driven by the rise in obesity (BMI≥30) from 5.0% to 12.7%. For overweight, military women showed the largest increase. For obesity, all sociodemographic groups showed significant increases, with the largest among warrant officers, senior enlisted personnel, and people aged 36–45 years. Adjusted multinomial logit analyses found that servicemembers aged 26 years and older, men, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics, enlisted personnel, married personnel, and heavy drinkers had the highest risk both for overweight and obesity. Conclusions Combined overweight and obesity in active duty personnel rose to more than 60% between 1995 and 2008, primarily because of increased obesity. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity needs attention and has implications for Department of Defense efforts to improve the health, fitness, readiness, and quality of life of the Active Forces.
Temperature dependent protein removal by large pore membrane filtration.

The high cost and clinically associated side-effects of plasma exchange treatment warrant development of on-line plasma fractionation techniques. Cryoglobulin removal from cryoglobulinemic plasma is particularly amenable to membrane filtration in the cold (cryofiltration). Temperature effects on filtration were studied in vitro using a large pore (nominal average size, 3 microns), low surface area (0.14 m2) filter. Plasmas with high concentrations of cryoprecipitable proteins (CPP; greater than 1.1 micrograms/ml) and immune complexes (IC; greater than 400 U/ml) were obtained from consenting cryoglobulinemic patients by plasma exchange. Removals of IC and CPP were highly temperature dependent, and high ratios of IC, CPP, and albumin removal were achieved (e.g., sieving coefficient [SC] = 0.05 and 0.91 for CPP, and SC = 0.94 and 0.95 for albumin at 4 degrees C and 23 degrees C, respectively). Clinically required volumes of plasma (greater than 2L) were processable. Cryofiltration with this new, high performance cryoglobulin filter is selective and may substantially reduce the clinical need for plasma replacement products.
Time Delayed Negative Velocity Feedback Design for Active Control of Structures

In this paper, we present velocity feedback control design with significant time delays for the active control of structures. Because of the presence of significant time delays, we study the infinite dimensionality of the system with time-delayed control and introduce the concept of the so-called non-system poles. Analytical results related to performance and stability analysis of the new control design are provided. The non-system poles are shown to influence both system stability and system performance and cannot therefore be ignored in time-delayed control systems. We then apply the time delayed negative velocity feedback control methodology to a single-degree-of-freedom system subjected to random ground acceleration. The numerical results show good stability characteristics and effective behavior of the proposed control methodology.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Adiabatic coherent control in the anharmonic ion trap: Numerical analysis of vibrational anharmonicities

Anharmonicity of the quantized motional states of ions in a Paul trap can be utilized to address the state-to-state transitions selectively and control the motional modes of trapped ions coherently and adiabatically [Zhao and Babikov, Phys. Rev. A 77, 012338 (2008)]. In this paper we study two sources of the vibrational anharmonicity in the ion traps: the intrinsic Coulomb anharmonicity due to ion-ion interactions and the external anharmonicity of the trapping potential. An accurate numerical approach is used to compute energies and wave functions of vibrational eigenstates. The magnitude of the Coulomb anharmonicity is determined and shown to be insufficient for successful control. In contrast, anharmonicity of the trapping potential allows one to control the motion of ions very efficiently using the time-varying electric fields. Optimal control theory is used to derive the control pulses. One ion in a slightly anharmonic trap can be easily controlled. In the two- and three-ion systems the symmetric stretching mode is dark and cannot be controlled at all. The other two normal modes of the three-ion system can be controlled and used, for example, to encode a two-qubit system into the motional states of ions. A trap architecture that allows the necessary amount of vibrational anharmonicity to be achieved is proposed.
Alteration of secretion of parathyroid hormone-related peptide and expression of its mRNA in a human hepatoma cell line (HEP G2) treated with agents that affect cell growth.

Previously, using human hepatoma cells (HepG2), we found that immunoneutralization of secreted PTHrP increased cell growth. Here we asked whether PTHrP production was affected by agents that alter growth of Hep G2 cells. Immunoreactive PTHrP in medium and PTHrP mRNA expression were examined. Treatment of cells with 10 μM hydrocortisone or 1 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 72 h inhibited cell growth by 28±6 and 36±2% and increased PTHrP in medium by 128±10 and 525 ±27%, respectively. The increase in PTHrP produced by both agents was dose-and time-dependent, and the increased PTHrP was accompanied by dose-and time-dependent enhanced expression of PTHrP mRNA. In contrast, 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 72 h increased cell growth by 38±6% (vs serum-free medium) and decreased PTHrP production by 49±4% whereas culture in high glucose (3–4g/L) increased cell growth by 43±1% (vs 1 g/L glucose) and decreased PTHrP by 55±0.4%. Inhibition of PTHrP by both FBS and glucose was dose-dependent; FBS also inhibited PTHrP mRNA. The results show that increased cell growth was associated with decreased PTHrP production, while decreased growth was accompanied by increased PTHrP production. The findings imply that PTHrP may help mediate growth effects of these agents on Hep G2 cells.
Corticospinal and intracortical excitability of the quadriceps in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Deficits in voluntary activation of the quadriceps muscle are characteristic of knee osteoarthritis (OA), contributing to the quadriceps weakness that is also a hallmark of the disease. The mechanisms underlying this central activation deficit (CAD) are unknown, although cortical mechanisms may be involved. Here, we utilize transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to assess corticospinal and intracortical excitability in patients with knee OA and in a comparably aged group of healthy older adults, to quantify group differences, and to examine associations between TMS measures and pain, quadriceps strength, and CAD. Seventeen patients with knee OA and 20 healthy controls completed testing. Motor evoked potentials were measured at the quadriceps by superficial electromyographic recordings. Corticospinal excitability was assessed by measuring resting motor threshold (RMT) to TMS stimulation of the quadriceps representation at primary motor cortex, and intracortical excitability was assessed via paired-pulse paradigms for short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF). No statistically significant differences between patients with knee OA and healthy controls were found for RMT, SICI or ICF measures (p > 0.05). For patients with knee OA, there were significant associations observed between pain and RMT, as well as between pain and ICF. No associations were observed between CAD and measures of corticospinal or intracortical excitability. These data suggest against direct involvement of corticospinal or intracortical pathways within primary motor cortex in the mechanisms of CAD. However, pain is implicated in the neural mechanisms of quadriceps motor control in patients with knee OA.
Characterization of Na+-independent GABA and flunitrazepam binding sites in preparations of synaptic membranes and postsynaptic densities isolated from canine cerebral cortex and cerebellum.

: The binding of [3H]GABA and [3H]flunitrazepam was performed with synaptic membranes and postsynaptic densities (PSDs) isolated from canine cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Two GABA binding sites were found with cerebral cortex membranes but only one with cerebellar membranes. PSDs isolated from these showed only single binding sites, with cerebellar PSDs exhibiting lower KD values and a larger concentration of sites than did cerebral cortex PSDs. In the case of flunitrazepam, only one binding site was found for all four preparations, with cerebellar PSDs having twice the concentration of sites of cerebral PSDs. Photoaffinity labeling of the flunitrazepam receptor in PSDs resulted in the binding to a 51,000 Mr protein in both cases, with cerebellar PSDs again showing an increased concentration over that found in cerebral cortex PSDs. Based on this work, and on earlier work of ourselves and of others, we conclude that both populations of isolated PSDs contain inhibitory sites, but that the intact PSDs in both preparations are derived from Gray type I, probably excitatory, synapses, and that the inhibitory sites are found in the broken-up material in the PSD fractions which are derived from Gray type II, probably inhibitory, synapses.
Writing the History of the Mind: Philosophy and Science in France, 1900–1960s

Cristina Chimisso: Writing the History of the Mind: Philosophy and Science in France, 1900–1960s, Cornwall, Great Britain: Ashgate, 2008, Series: Science, Technology and Culture, 1700–1945, pp. 209...
Laser microsurgery in cell and developmental biology

New applications of laser microbeam irradiation to cell and developmental biology include a new instrument with a tunable wavelength (217- to 800-nanometer) laser microbeam and a wide range of energies and exposure durations (down to 25 X 10(-12) second). Laser microbeams can be used for microirradiation of selected nucleolar genetic regions and for laser microdissection of mitotic and cytoplasmic organelles. They are also used to disrupt the developing neurosensory appendages of the cricket and the imaginal discs of Drosophila.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor activation produces PKA- and PKC-dependent mechanical hyperalgesia and central sensitization.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), acting through CGRP receptors, produces behavioral signs of mechanical hyperalgesia in rats and sensitization of wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the spin...