cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Necrotizing enterocolitis is one disease with many origins and potential means of prevention

Abstract Background The field of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) research has been in existence for over 60 years. During the first five decades little progress in NEC prevention and no definitive progress in treatment was achieved. One of the major determinants of this ineffectiveness may have been a global propensity to lump NEC into a single disease entity rather than a spectrum of diseases with a common outcome. The driver of this philosophy was most likely statistical, in that researchers desired large cohorts to optimize statistical power. Additionally, in the past quarter century, our preterm NEC cohorts were (and in some cases still are) contaminated with spontaneous intestinal perforations (SIP). This completely different acquired neonatal intestinal disease (ANID) markedly alters clinical characteristics and outcomes in NEC cohorts and subsets if not addressed. Unfortunately, cohort size has been proven to be less important than data quality when it comes to NEC over this last decade of research. Emerging progress in NEC prevention has been greatly enhanced as a result of dividing well-defined NEC into subsets of disease origin and investigating these entities individually. Review objectives The purpose of this review is to offer the bedside clinician a concise, up-to-date review of recent advances in NEC reductionism. The reader should understand the history and basic theory behind NEC subsets, their application to NEC prevention, and comprehend that prevention of NEC requires a comprehensive quality improvement strategy that is likely best realized with a zero tolerance approach. Conclusions We are entering a new era of NEC prevention. NICUs that embrace and achieve effective NEC prevention strategies will rapidly outpace their contemporaries. Because NEC is still the major driver of morbidity and mortality in most NICUs today, those who reject or fail in this pursuit will likely face increasingly severe consequences due to growing requirements for outcomes transparency.
Is the water-tower analogy justified?

### AN INVITATION TO READERS The editors welcome readers' contributions in the form of letters about any aspect of physiology education. Please write to the Editor, Advances in Physiology Education , American Physiological Society, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814‐3991. To the Editor: I
Role of the SH3-ligand domain of simian immunodeficiency virus Nef in interaction with Nef-associated kinase and simian aids in rhesus macaques

The nef gene of the human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV) is dispensable for viral replication in T-cell lines; however, it is essential for high virus loads and progression to simian AIDS (SAIDS) in SIV-infected adult rhesus macaques. Nef proteins from HIV type 1 (HIV-1), HIV-2, and SIV contain a proline-Xaa-Xaa-proline (PxxP) motif. The region of Nef with this motif is similar to the Src homology region 3 (SH3) ligand domain found in many cell signaling proteins. In virus-infected lymphoid cells, Nef interacts with a cellular serine/threonine kinase, designated Nef-associated kinase (NAK). In this study, analysis of viral clones containing point mutations in the nef gene of the pathogenic clone SIVmac239 revealed that several strictly conserved residues in the PxxP region were essential for Nef-NAK interaction. The results of this analysis of Nef mutations in in vitro kinase assays indicated that the PxxP region in SIV Nef was strikingly similar to the consensus sequence for SH3 ligand domains possessing the minus orientation. To test the significance of the PxxP motif of Nef for viral pathogenesis, each proline was mutated to an alanine to produce the viral clone SIVmac239-P104A/P107A. This clone, expressing Nef that does not associate with NAK, was inoculated into seven juvenile rhesus macaques. In vitro kinase assays were performed on virus recovered from each animal; the ability of Nef to associate with NAK was restored in five of these animals as early as 8 weeks after infection. Analysis of nef genes from these viruses revealed patterns of genotypic reversion in the mutated PxxP motif. These revertant genotypes, which included a second-site suppressor mutation, restored the ability of Nef to interact with NAK. Additionally, the proportion of revertant viruses increased progressively during the course of infection in these animals, and two of these animals developed fatal SAIDS. Taken together, these results demonstrated that in vivo selection for the ability of SIV Nef to associate with NAK was correlated with the induction of SAIDS. Accordingly, these studies implicate a role for the conserved SH3 ligand domain for Nef function in virally induced immunodeficiency.
The role of conduction/valence bands and redox potential in accelerated mineral dissolution

The dissolution kinetics of a number of manganese oxides in acidic solutions were studied. Using a slurry reactor, rate laws were determined for each of the manganese o xides in the hydrohalogen acids. Significant variations in the reaction rates (up to five orders of magnitude over the HCI base rate) were obtained with different acids. The addition of anions as neutral salts to acidic solutions is shown to produce the same rate-accelerating effect as acids containing that anion. The effect of the different acids on the oxide dissolution rates is explained using semiconductor band theory and energy diagrams.
Microstructures and electrical properties of SrRuO 3 thin films on LaAlO 3 substrates

Conductive SrRuO{sub 3} thin films have been deposited using pulsed laser deposition. Structure and microstructure of this system were studied using XRD, SEM, and scanning tunneling microscopy. Electrical properties of these films were measured. The film deposited at 250{degree}C is amorphous-like, showing semiconductor-like temperature dependence of electric conductivity. Film deposited at 425{degree}C is crystalline with very fine grain size (100 {approximately} 200{angstrom}), showing both metallic and semiconductor-like temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity. Film deposited at 775{degree}C shows reisistivity of 280 {mu}{Omega}{center_dot}cm at RT and resisdual resistivity ratio of 8.4. Optimized deposition conditions were determined. Possible engineering applications of SrRuO{sub 3} thin films are discussed. Bulk and surface electronic structures of SrRuO{sub 3} are calculated using a semi-empirical valence electron linear combination of atomic orbitals, and they are used to understand the electrical properties of the films.
Sustaining a creative community-based diabetes education program: motivating Texans with type 2 diabetes to do well with diabetes control.

PurposeThe purpose of the community-based diabetes education project was to evaluate participants’ knowledge and use of healthy cooking practices as they relate to controlling diabetes. In addition, an attempt was made to ascertain whether participants’ self-reported blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1C changed as a result of the educational intervention.MethodsExtension agents were trained statewide on principles of diabetes self-management education (DSME) and nutrition concepts for the programs Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes (DWBW) and Cooking Well with Diabetes (CWWD). Upon returning to their respective counties, trained extension agents established health coalitions for program delivery. In 86 counties, online data were collected on perceived knowledge and behaviors related to healthy cooking practice and were assessed before the start of the program (pretest; time 1), after the third lesson (posttest; time 2), and again after the fourth and final lesson (time 3).ResultsMost participants trained i...
Ablation of Nonmuscle Myosin II-B and II-C Reveals a Role for Nonmuscle Myosin II in Cardiac Myocyte Karyokinesis

Ablation of nonmuscle myosin (NM) II-B and II-C in mice results in a defect in cardiac myocyte karyokinesis. More than 90% of the double knockout cardiac myocytes demonstrate defects in chromatid s...
Evolution of plasticity in notched Ni-base superalloy single crystals

Numerical and experimental investigations of evolution of slip fields in notched Ni-base superalloy single crystal tensile specimens are presented as functions of load and secondary (notch) orientation. Three crystallographic orientations were investigated with the primary (load) orientation fixed along the [0 0 1] direction while the notch directions are parallel to ½ 110� =½1 10 � ; ½ 010 � =½0 10 � , and ½ 310 � =½3 10 � , respectively. A three-dimensional elastic anisotropic finite element analysis (FEA) was used to compute the triaxial stress fields in the neighborhood of the notch. The elastic solution is successful in identifying which slip systems are activated initially. Interestingly this procedure was found to be also successful in predicting slip evolution at higher loads, because of slip localization in the superalloy tested. Based on this analysis, the concept of ‘‘dominant slip system” is introduced and defined as the single slip system that experiences the highest resolved shear stress (RSS) at a given point near the notch. The dominant slip systems are seen to persist with increasing load and inhibit the activation of new slip systems, which implies that when plasticity is initiated in the dominant slip systems, either softening takes place and/ or the rate of increase in RSS on the other slip systems is reduced significantly. The distribution of dominant slip systems in the neighborhood of the notch and on the surface is used to accurately predict the evolution of activated slip sectors and sector boundaries observed experimentally. The activated stress fields are shown to vary strongly through the specimen thickness. Elastic anisotropy governs the development of the elastic stress field and controls which slip systems become initially dominant/activated. Therefore inclusion of elastic anisotropy was found to be important for the prediction of stress field evolution as functions of load and crystal orientation.
Biotech industry: simulation and beyond

The biotech industry is relatively new to the use of simulation techniques. This paper discusses an application of discrete event simulation in a continuous process biotech manufacturing facility of the Bayer Corporation at Berkeley. The SIGMA/sup (R)/ simulation model imitating demand and supply of a critical utility (water) was used to analyze the water shortage. The model has been in use for the last year and has effectively eliminated water shortages. Based on this analysis, a set of guidelines was designed to ensure better availability of this critical utility. The model initiated a project to reduce the consumption of water. The model was also used for strategic capacity analysis and to assess the impact of capital projects on future budgetary plans. This whole project was completed in two months and resulted in direct benefits worth $1,100,000.
Transient storage as a function of geomorphology, discharge, and permafrost active layer conditions in Arctic tundra streams

[1] Transient storage of solutes in hyporheic zones or other slow-moving stream waters plays an important role in the biogeochemical processes of streams. While numerous studies have reported a wide range of parameter values from simulations of transient storage, little field work has been done to investigate the correlations between these parameters and shifts in surface and subsurface flow conditions. In this investigation we use the stream properties of the Arctic (namely, highly varied discharges, channel morphologies, and subchannel permafrost conditions) to isolate the effects of discharge, channel morphology, and potential size of the hyporheic zone on transient storage. We repeated stream tracer experiments in five morphologically diverse tundra streams in Arctic Alaska during the thaw season (May–August) of 2004 to assess transient storage and hydrologic characteristics. We compared transient storage model parameters to discharge (Q), the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor (f), and unit stream power (ω). Across all studied streams, permafrost active layer depths (i.e., the potential extent of the hyporheic zone) increased throughout the thaw season, and discharges and velocities varied dramatically with minimum ranges of eight-fold and four-fold, respectively. In all reaches the mean storage residence time (tstor) decreased exponentially with increasing Q, but did not clearly relate to permafrost active layer depths. Furthermore, we found that modeled transient storage metrics (i.e., tstor, storage zone exchange rate (αOTIS), and hydraulic retention (Rh)) correlated better with channel hydraulic descriptors such as f and ω than they did with Q or channel slope. Our results indicate that Q is the first-order control on transient storage dynamics of these streams, and that f and ω are two relatively simple measures of channel hydraulics that may be important metrics for predicting the response of transient storage to perturbations in discharge and morphology in a given stream.
“One Language in Prayer”: Evangelicalism, Anti-Catholicism, and Harriet Beecher Stowe's The Minister's Wooing

The author explores antebellum America's anti-Catholic imagination, how it informed the Beecher family, and how Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel The Minister's Wooing responded to that ethos. Rejectin...
From Langdell to Law and Economics: Two Conceptions of Stare Decisis in Contract Law and Theory

In his classic monograph, The Death of Contract, Grant Gilmore argued that Christopher Columbus Langdell, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Samuel Williston trumped up the legal credentials for their classical bargain theory of contract law. Gilmore's analysis has been subjected to extensive criticism, but its specific, sustained, and fundamental charge that the bargain theory was based on a fraudulent misrepresentation of precedential authority has never been questioned. In this Essay, I argue that Gilmore's case against the classical theorists rests on the suppressed premise that the precedential authority of cases resides in the express judicial reasoning used to decide them. In contrast, I argue that the classical theorists implicitly presuppose that the precedential authority of cases consists in the best theory that explains their outcomes, even if that theory is inconsistent with the case's express judicial reasoning. The classical view of precedential authority completely defuses Gilmore's charge of fraud. In Gilmore's view, merely demonstrating the inconsistency between the proposition for which the classical theorists cited a case and the express reasoning in that case suffices as proof of misrepresentation. But in the classical theorists' view, the express reasoning in a case is simply a theory of its precedential authority, which, like any theory, can be wrong. Thus, the classical theorists simply reject Gilmore's claim that a case cannot properly be cited for a proposition inconsistent with its express reasoning. The real dispute, then, between Gilmore and the classical theorists is over the nature of precedential authority and not the content of contract law. Having reframed the classic death-of-contract debate, I then trace these competing conceptions of precedential authority through the major schools of contemporary contract theory. I argue that a contract theory's embrace of one view instead of the other can be explained by the relative priority it accords to each of the two components in a conception of adjudicative legitimacy. A conception of adjudicative legitimacy consists in a theory of what it means for a decision to be based on law and a theory of what is required for law to be justified. I explain why theories according priority to the former tend to subscribe to the precedents-as-outcomes view, while theories according priority to the latter tend to favor the express reasoning view. The Essay concludes by arguing that the economic analysis of contract law subscribes to the precedents-as-outcomes view and therefore is the contemporary jurisprudential successor to the late nineteenth-century classical theorists.
An Analysis of Drivers of Mega-Events in Emerging Economies

Developing countries that host mega-events such as the Olympic Games and World Cup invest enormous sums in stadiums and collateral infrastructure projects. The paper examines the motivations of countries to host these events and the typical economic outcome for those host sites lucky(?) enough be awarded the games. For both efficiency and equity reasons, these events are risk propositions at best, and they generally represent an even worse investment for developing countries than for industrialized nations.
Mutual Fund Conflicts of Interest in the Wake of the Short-Term Trading Scandals: Encouraging Structural Change Through Shareholder Choice

This piece contends that the way mutual funds are typically organized incentivizes fund managers to put their own interests ahead of fund shareholders. It goes on to argue that the legal regime in place to protect investors from such abuse is flawed, and that the late trading and market timing scandals that came to light several years ago, among other harms that shareholders have endured, illustrate the need for substantive reform. Investors would be best served, I argue, if mutual funds were organized in an alternate fashion - one which alleviates the conflicts of interest motivating management overreaching. The article concludes that a restructuring is possible through informed shareholder choice, but for this to occur the SEC must take steps to create a more knowledgeable investor base.
Reversible formation of aryloxenium ions from the corresponding quinols under acidic conditions

Quinols, 1, are products of the hydration of O-aryloxenium ions, 2, and N-arylnitrenium ions, 3, and they are being investigated for medical uses. Under acidic conditions (pH 1–3) kinetics and products of Br– trapping demonstrate that 1a, 4-phenyl-4-hydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadienone, and 1b, 4-p-tolyl-4-hydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadienone, generate the corresponding oxenium ions 2a and 2b, respectively, as steady-state intermediates. Formation and trapping of the oxenium ions occurs in competition with the acid catalyzed dienone–phenol rearrangement. Because oxenium ion formation is reversible, the ion can only be detected by trapping with a nucleophile. Br– is an efficient trap under acidic conditions because, unlike N3–, it is not protonated under those conditions. Attempts to detect the oxenium ions 2a and 2b at pH 4.6 and 7.1 with N3– were unsuccessful indicating that oxenium ion formation only occurs under acidic conditions. The oxenium ion 2c could not be detected under acidic conditions from the quinol 1c, 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadienone, by Br– trapping methods, even though this ion can be detected during hydrolysis of the corresponding ester, 4c. Although the benzothiazol-2-yl group is a resonance electron donor that is capable of stabilizing an O-aryloxenium ion, it is also a strong inductive electron withdrawing group that hinders the formation of 2c from 1c by decreasing the extent of protonation of 1c to generate 1cH+ and by destabilizing the transition state for ionization of 1cH+. Generation of an oxenium ion from the corresponding quinol is feasible under acidic conditions as long as the 4-substituent of the quinol is both a resonance and inductive electron donor. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Species of Synchytrium in Louisiana I. Descriptions of Species Found in the Vicinity of Baton Rouge

Synchytrium 1 is a genus of parasitic fungi belonging in the order Chytridiales and family Synchytriaceae. The individual fungus in all species consists of a single cell which lives the greater part of its life in an epidermal cell of a higher plant and in most species causes the formation of a gall or tumor. In the species reported in this paper the infections originate in the epidermal cells. These infected cells increase in size and either become surrounded by host cells which form the galls or become embedded as a result of the growth of the surrounding tissues. The literature indicates that the species in the north temperate zone appear in the cool wet months of the spring and usually become less abundant during the warm months of summer. The Louisiana species described in this paper appear during the cool wet months of fall and disappear during the warm months of spring and summer. After infection the host cell enlarges and the fungus grows and develops a thick wall which in some species is composed of three layers. When the fungus has attained its full growth it undergoes segmentation by the formation of membranes, which arise at the periphery, extend inward and finally form the sporangia. Zoospores are formed in the sporangia, escape and infect the young
Reply: Respiratory Muscle 18F-FDG Uptake

REPLY: Thank you for your interest in our article ([1][1]). You have brought up very good and valid points we would like to address. Patterns of uptake in the respiratory muscles are secondary to labored breathing regardless of the cause. Although it is true that this is not limited to chronic
The Enlightenment: Exploration, cross-cultural contact, and the ambivalence of the Enlightenment

The eighteenth century was one of extraordinary geographical discovery. This is another way of saying that it was also an age of ever-increasing contacts between very different cultures. How those contacts took place, how they were received in Europe, and what debates they fostered, are the subjects of this chapter. Exploration in order to gain new knowledge was a characteristic of the Enlightenment. Previous centuries had regarded new geographical knowledge as merely a by-product from voyages primarily aimed at loot and booty. At most, expedition leaders went to little-known territories as a way of interesting investors in parcels of land. The eighteenth century, however, began to regard exploration as a primary source of knowledge. Exploration in the Enlightenment was the first to be centrally concerned with the gathering of information about man and the natural world. Although geopolitical incentives, including taking possession of unknown lands, still motivated much travelling to unknown regions of the world, international cooperation between national scientific institutions to solve geophysical problems came very much more to the fore. In 1768, for example, observers were sent out from Lapland to Tahiti in order to observe the rare event of the passage of the planet Venus between the earth and the sun.
Complexity and Memory: Financial Related Issues Among HBCUs

The purpose of this paper is to offer a response to Johnson’s (2013) comments. The author offers a defense of the important role Historically Black Colleges and Universities have historically played and continue to do so today.
Physical Activity Participation of Disabled Children: A Systematic Review of Conceptual and Methodological Approaches in Health Research.

Physical activity participation is widely recognized as a critical component of health and development for children with and without disabilities. Emergent literature reflects a paradigm shift in the conceptualization of childhood physical activity as a multi-dimensional construct, encompassing aspects of physical performance and self-perceived engagement. However, ambiguity remains around how participation as a health construct is integrated into physical activity research. The primary objective of the present mini-review is to critically examine current conceptual and methodological approaches to examining physical activity participation among children with disabilities. We conducted a systematic review of contemporary literature (published between 2000 and 2016). 17 articles met inclusion criteria and their research approach was classified into guiding framework, definition of the key construct, and measurement used. The primary guiding framework was the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. An explicit definition of physical activity participation was absent from all studies. Eight studies (47%) operationalized physical activity and participation as independent constructs. Measurements included traditional performance-based aspects of physical activity (frequency, duration, intensity), and alternative participation measures (subjective perception of involvement, inclusion or enjoyment). 64% of included articles were published in the past two years (2014-2016) indicating a rising interest in the topic of physical activity participation. Drawing from the broader discussion of participation in the literature we offer a working definition of physical activity participation as it pertains to active, health-associated behaviors. Further description of alternative approaches to framing and measuring physical activity participation are offered to support effective assessment of health status among disabled children.
Feeding Larval Gulf Killifish: Total Replacement of Artemia Nauplii and Co-Feeding from Hatch

AbstractLarval Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis hatching from air-incubated eggs are precocial, with well-developed mouths and eyes providing an immediate capacity for exogenous feeding. Live feeds are almost universally used in finfish and crustacean hatcheries, with newly hatched brine shrimp Artemia spp. nauplii being a standard. Across two experiments from hatch in Gulf Killifish, we evaluated the ability to replace Artemia nauplii with prepared diets. Experiment 1 measured growth and survival from hatch through 8 weeks in larval Gulf Killifish fed either Artemia nauplii or one of five commercially available diets. Experiment 2 measured survival and SL of Gulf Killifish larvae at 5, 10, and 15 d posthatch among treatments consisting of animals fed Artemia nauplii, the best-performing commercial diet from experiment 1, or an experimental microbound diet or “co-fed” the microbound diet and Artemia. In experiment 1, Gulf Killifish larvae fed live Artemia nauplii exhibited growth that significantly outperf...
Disrupted Olfactory Integration in Schizophrenia: Functional Connectivity Study

Background Evidence for olfactory dysfunction in schizophrenia has been firmly established. However, in the typical understanding of schizophrenia, olfaction is not recognized to contribute to or interact with the illness. Despite the solid presence of olfactory dysfunction in schizophrenia, its relation to the rest of the illness remains largely unclear. Here, we aimed to examine functional connectivity of the olfactory bulb, olfactory tract, and piriform cortices and isolate the network that would account for the altered olfaction in schizophrenia. Methods We examined the functional connectivity of these specific olfactory regions in order to isolate other brain regions associated with olfactory processing in schizophrenia. Using the resting state functional MRI data from the Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Brain Function and Mental Illness, we compared 84 patients of schizophrenia and 90 individuals without schizophrenia. Results The schizophrenia group showed disconnectivity between the anterior piriform cortex and the nucleus accumbens, between the posterior piriform cortex and the middle frontal gyrus, and between the olfactory tract and the visual cortices. Conclusions The current results suggest functional disconnectivity of olfactory regions in schizophrenia, which may account for olfactory dysfunction and disrupted integration with other sensory modalities in schizophrenia.
Assessing the accuracy of patient report of the 5As (ask, assess, advise, assist, and arrange) for smoking cessation counseling

Objective The 5As framework (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange) is a recommended strategy for smoking cessation counseling in primary care. This study compares patient report with direct observation to assess the degree of recall bias for each of the 5As. Methods Primary care visits by 107 adult smokers and 16 physicians were audio-recorded. Within 48 hours after the visit, patients completed a survey assessing whether or not smoking was discussed and items specific to each of the 5As. The audio recordings were evaluated to assess the presence of each A. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of patient report versus direct observation were computed. Results The frequency of the 5As based on evaluation of the audio recording ranged from 13% (arrange) to 98% (ask). The sensitivity and specificity of patient report were 92% and not applicable for ask, 90% and 50% for assess, 94% and 33% for advise, 90% and 50% for assist, and 85% and 67% for arrange follow-up. Positive predictive values ranged from 28% to 98%; negative predictive values ranged from 0% to 97%. Conclusion Compared with the gold standard of direct observation, patient report of each of the 5As is reasonably sensitive but not specific. Patients overreport the occurrence of each of the 5As.
Cryogenic positioning and alignment with micrometer precision in a magnetic resonance force microscope.

Aligning a microcantilever to an area of interest on a sample is a critical step in many scanning probe microscopy experiments, particularly those carried out on devices and rare, precious samples. We report a series of protocols that rapidly and reproducibly align a high-compliance microcantilever to a <10 μm sample feature under high vacuum and at cryogenic temperatures. The first set of protocols, applicable to a cantilever oscillating parallel to the sample surface, involve monitoring the cantilever resonance frequency while laterally scanning the tip to map the sample substrate through electrostatic interactions of the substrate with the cantilever. We demonstrate that when operating a cantilever a few micrometers from the sample surface, large shifts in the cantilever resonance frequency are present near the edges of a voltage-biased sample electrode. Surprisingly, these “edge-finder” frequency shifts are retained when the electrode is coated with a polymer film and a ∼10 nm thick metallic ground pl...
Preclinical and clinical studies on cancer-associated cachexia

Cancer cachexia is the wasting condition that is often seen in advanced stage cancer patients. This wasting is largely attributable to a systemic and progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass that greatly hinders performance of normal daily activities, resulting in reduced quality of life. Moreover, it negatively influences the prognosis of cancer patients. A general consensus in the field is that the loss of muscle mass is due both to an increase in protein degradation and a decrease in protein synthesis. Recent studies using preclinical models for studying cachexia have been useful in identifying the contribution of inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-6), and myostatin receptors (e.g. the type IIB activin receptor) to cachexia development, and have led to several clinical trials. However, many questions remain about the molecular mechanisms thought to play a role in the development of cachexia. We conducted a literature search using search engines, such as PubMed and Google Scholar to identify publications within the cancer cachexia field. We summarized our current knowledge of: 1) the driving mechanisms of cancer cachexia, 2) the preclinical models available for studying the condition, and 3) the findings of recent clinical trials. Cancer cachexia is a complex and variable condition that currently has no standard effective therapeutic treatment. Further studies are desperately needed to better understand this condition and develop effective combination treatments for patients.
Violence Against Women

can be found at: Violence Against Women Additional services and information for http://vaw.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts Email Alerts: http://vaw.sagepub.com/subscriptions Subscriptions: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav Reprints: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav Permissions: http://vaw.sagepub.com/cgi/content/refs/12/7/622 SAGE Journals Online and HighWire Press platforms): (this article cites 17 articles hosted on the Citations
Securing GPR Data for Use in Smart Cities

Mapping, assessing and monitoring underground infrastructure, i.e. the water, sewer, gas, electricity and other supply lines that are vital the modern society, are excellent applications for smart cities technologies. Aggregating ground penetration radar images is one method available for locating underground utilities, but can be challenging in urban environments due to the congestion of the underground infrastructure. Due to societies being modernized, infrastructure will need to be updated to improve a growing society’s quality of live. This research presents a system that maps underground infrastructure via a ground penetration radar, for the purpose of improving the quality of services of underground infrastructure. The radar images are securely sent to a remote server where city planners and infrastructure managers can assess the underground infrastructure by securely viewing the underground infrastructure using an augmented reality mobile device. A cyber security framework was used for risk management within the system design.
Special Session: Learning and Practice of Engineering Fundamental Principles for Long-Term Retention

This special session is an interactive experience for engineering educators to participate in learning activities for review and retention of engineering fundamental principles. It can often be a struggle to get students to recall concepts from previous courses, such as foundational physics and mathematical theory. Session leaders will describe how students learn and apply the fundamental principles in an integrated electrical, mechanical, and industrial engineering program with an entrepreneurial mindset. The use of active and collaborative learning techniques in this program make the newly acquired knowledge ”sticky,” so it is long-lasting and retrievable in the future. Participants will leave with resources to consider how they may incorporate these activities into their courses.
Peptide‐Functionalized Hydrogels Modulate Integrin Expression and Stemness in Adult Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

The extracellular matrix (ECM) controls keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and differentiation through β-integrin signaling. Wound-healing research requires expanding cells in vitro while maintaining replicative capacity; however, early terminal differentiation under traditional culture conditions limits expansion. Here, a design of experiments approach identifies poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel formulations with mechanical properties (elastic modulus, E = 20.9 ± 0.56 kPa) and bioactive peptide sequences that mimic the epidermal ECM. These hydrogels enable systematic investigation of the influence of cell-binding domains from fibronectin (RGDS), laminin (YIGSR), and collagen IV (HepIII) on keratinocyte stemness and β1 integrin expression. Quantification of 14-day keratin protein expression shows four hydrogels improve stemness compared to standard techniques. Three hydrogels increase β1 integrin expression, demonstrating a positive linear relationship between stemness and β1 integrin expression. Multifactorial statistical analysis predicts an optimal peptide combination ([RGDS] = 0.67 mm, [YIGSR] = 0.13 mm, and [HepIII] = 0.02 mm) for maintaining stemness in vitro. Best-performing hydrogels exhibit no decrease in Ki-67-positive cells compared to standards (15% decrease, day 7 to 14; p < 0.05, Tukey Test). These data demonstrate that precisely designed hydrogel biomaterials direct integrin expression and promote proliferation, improving the regenerative capability of cultured keratinocytes for basic science and translational work.
Tumour response to TRK inhibition in a patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma harbouring an NTRK gene fusion

Abstract Background Although rare, NTRK gene fusions are known to be oncogenic drivers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We report the response of a metastatic CTRC-NTRK1 gene fusion-positive PDAC to targeted treatment with the oral tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor larotrectinib and the eventual development of resistance to treatment. Patient, methods and results A 61-year-old woman presented with a 2.5-cm mass in the body of the pancreas and a 1.2-cm liver lesion on routine follow-up for endometrial cancer that was in complete remission. Liver biopsy confirmed a primary PDAC unrelated to the endometrial cancer. The patient was treated with gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel and ADI-PEG 20 for 12 months until disease progression and toxicity emerged [best overall response (BOR): partial response (PR)]. The patient switched to a modified regimen of folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan and oxaliplatin for 4 months until neuropathy occurred. Oxaliplatin was withheld until disease progression 6 months later (BOR: stable disease). Despite recommencing oxaliplatin, the disease continued to progress. At this time, somatic profiling of the liver lesion revealed a CTRC-NTRK1 gene fusion. Treatment with larotrectinib 100 mg twice daily was commenced with BOR of PR at 2 months. The patient progressed after 6 months and was re-biopsied. Treatment was switched to the investigational next-generation TRK inhibitor selitrectinib (BAY 2731954, LOXO-195) 100 mg twice daily. After 2 months, the disease progressed and dabrafenibtrametinib combination therapy was initiated due to existence of a BRAF-V600E mutation. However, the cancer continued to progress and the patient died 2 months later. Conclusions Targeted TRK inhibition with larotrectinib in PDAC harbouring a CTRC-NTRK1 gene fusion is well tolerated and can improve quality of life for the patient. However, acquired resistance to therapy can emerge in some patients. Next-generation TRK inhibitors such as selitrectinib are currently in development to overcome this resistance (NCT02576431; NCT03215511).
Surviving and Thriving: Fundamental Social Motives Provide Purpose in Life

Purpose in life (PIL) is often associated with grand achievements and existential beliefs, but recent theory suggests that it might ultimately track gainful pursuit of basic evolved goals. Five stu...
Agricultural management and plant selection interactively affect rhizosphere microbial community structure and nitrogen cycling

Rhizosphere microbial communities are key regulators of plant performance, yet few studies have assessed the impact of different management approaches on the rhizosphere microbiomes of major crops. Rhizosphere microbial communities are shaped by interactions between agricultural management and host selection processes, but studies often consider these factors individually rather than in combination. We tested the impacts of management (M) and rhizosphere effects (R) on microbial community structure and co-occurrence networks of maize roots collected from long-term conventionally and organically managed maize-tomato agroecosystems. We also explored the interaction between these factors (M × R) and how it impacts rhizosphere microbial diversity and composition, differential abundance, indicator taxa, co-occurrence network structure, and microbial nitrogen-cycling processes. Host selection processes moderate the influence of agricultural management on rhizosphere microbial communities, although bacteria and fungi respond differently to plant selection and agricultural management. We found that plants recruit management-system-specific taxa and shift N-cycling pathways in the rhizosphere, distinguishing this soil compartment from bulk soil. Rhizosphere microbiomes from conventional and organic systems were more similar in diversity and network structure than communities from their respective bulk soils, and community composition was affected by both M and R effects. In contrast, fungal community composition was affected only by management, and network structure only by plant selection. Quantification of six nitrogen-cycling genes (nifH, amoA [bacterial and archaeal], nirK, nrfA, and nosZ) revealed that only nosZ abundance was affected by management and was higher in the organic system. Plant selection interacts with conventional and organic management practices to shape rhizosphere microbial community composition, co-occurrence patterns, and at least one nitrogen-cycling process. Reframing research priorities to better understand adaptive plant-microbe feedbacks and include roots as a significant moderating influence of management outcomes could help guide plant-oriented strategies to improve productivity and agroecosystem sustainability.
Abstract TP308: Fatalism or Realism? Racial Differences in the Beliefs of Stroke Survivors

Introduction: Fatalistic beliefs which contribute to worse health outcomes are believed to be more common in African Americans (AA). Hypothesis: AA stroke survivors exhibit more fatalistic beliefs ...
Endosomal Trafficking in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders of early life, Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of midlife, while Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of late life. While they are phenotypically distinct, recent studies suggest that they share a biological pathway, retromer-dependent endosomal trafficking. A retromer is a multimodular protein assembly critical for sorting and trafficking cargo out of the endosome. As a lysosomal storage disease, all 13 of NCL's causative genes affect endolysosomal function, and at least four have been directly linked to retromer. PD has several known causative genes, with one directly linked to retromer and others causing endolysosomal dysfunction. AD has over 25 causative genes/risk factors, with several of them linked to retromer or endosomal trafficking dysfunction. In this article, we summarize the emerging evidence on the association of genes causing NCL with retromer function and endosomal trafficking, review the recent evidence linking NCL genes to AD, and discuss how NCL, AD, and PD converge on a shared molecular pathway. We also discuss this pathway's role in microglia and neurons, cell populations which are critical to proper brain homeostasis and whose dysfunction plays a key role in neurodegeneration.
Ambulatory Reflux Monitoring Guides Proton Pump Inhibitor Discontinuation in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms: A Clinical Trial.

Background and Aims Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy fails to provide adequate symptom control in up to 50% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Although a proportion do not require ongoing PPI therapy, a diagnostic approach to identify candidates appropriate for PPI cessation is not available. This study aimed to examine the clinical utility of prolonged wireless reflux monitoring to predict the ability to discontinue PPIs. Methods This double-blinded clinical trial performed over 3 years at 2 centers enrolled adults with troublesome esophageal symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, and/or chest pain and inadequate PPI response. Participants underwent prolonged wireless reflux monitoring (off PPIs for ≥7 days) and a 3-week PPI cessation intervention. Primary outcome was tolerance of PPI cessation (discontinued or resumed PPIs). Symptom burden was quantified using the Reflux Symptom Questionnaire electronic Diary (RESQ-eD). Results Of 128 enrolled, 100 participants met inclusion criteria (mean age, 48.6 years; 41 men). Thirty-four participants (34%) discontinued PPIs. The strongest predictor of PPI discontinuation was number of days with acid exposure time (AET) > 4.0% (odds ratio, 1.82; P 4.0% had a 10 times increased odds of discontinuing PPI than participants with 4 days of AET > 4.0%. Reduction in symptom burden was greater among the discontinued versus resumed PPI group (RESQ-eD, –43.7% vs –5.3%; P = .04). Conclusions Among patients with typical reflux symptoms, inadequate PPI response, and absence of severe esophagitis, acid exposure on reflux monitoring predicted the ability to discontinue PPIs without symptom escalation. Upfront reflux monitoring off acid suppression can limit unnecessary PPI use and guide personalized management. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT03202537)
SCC-DFTB Parameters for Fe-C Interactions.

We present an optimized density-functional tight-binding (DFTB) parameterization for iron-based complexes based on the popular trans3d set of parameters. The transferability of the original and opt...
Soil dissipation of sugarcane billet seed treatment fungicides and insecticide using QuEChERS and HPLC.

Chemical treatment of sugarcane seed with fungicides and insecticides prior to planting increases yields of cane and sugar for the perennial, annually harvested crop. However, the fate of the appli...
Centrifugation Removes a Population of Large Vesicles, or “Macroparticles,” Intermediate in Size to RBCs and Microvesicles

Microparticles or microvesicles (MPs/MVs) are sub-cellular vesicles with a growing number of known biological functions. Microvesicles from a variety of parent cells within the vascular system increase in numerous pathological states. Red blood cell-derived MVs (RMVs) are relatively less studied than other types of circulating MVs despite red blood cells (RBCs) being the most abundant intravascular cell. This may be in part due the echoes of past misconceptions that RBCs were merely floating anucleate bags of hemoglobin rather than dynamic and responsive cells. The initial aim of this study was to maximize the concentration of RMVs derived from various blood or blood products by focusing on the optimal isolation conditions without creating more MVs from artificial manipulation. We found that allowing RBCs to sediment overnight resulted in a continuum in size of RBC membrane-containing fragments or vesicles extending beyond the 1 µm size limit suggested by many as the maximal size of an MV. Additionally, dilution and centrifugation factors were studied that altered the resultant MV population concentration. The heterogeneous size of RMVs was confirmed in mice models of hemolytic anemia. This methodological finding establishes a new paradigm in that it blurs the line between RBC, fragment, and RMV as well as suggests that the concentration of circulating RMVs may be widely underestimated given that centrifugation removes the majority of such RBC-derived membrane-containing particles.
Facing Change: Human Subjects in Climate Photojournalism

This chapter explores the prevalence of humans as subjects of environmental, and more specifically climate change photojournalism in recent years. As climate communicators have moved from a deficit model of climate communication to a model based on engagement and targeting affective as well as behavioral connection with the issue, photojournalism has taken on a greater role in conveying the urgency of climate change. However, a legacy of using human-free nature photos or devastating catastrophe photos almost exclusively in environmental journalism makes it challenging to move toward a more human-centered model. The chapter invites scholars and photo editors alike to carefully consider the ways that humans can be included and the various implications of their depiction as individuals versus masses, and as victims versus agents of change.