cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural Vascular Changes in Hypertension: Role of Angiotensin II, Dietary Sodium Supplementation, Blood Pressure, and Time

Abstract —The dose and time dependence of angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced hypertension and structural vascular changes and the effect of dietary sodium supplementation on these relationships were investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 50, 100, or 200 ng · kg −1 · min −1 Ang II subcutaneously for 4 or 12 weeks on normal sodium diet (0.7% NaCl) or with 50 ng · kg −1 · min −1 Ang II SC for 12 weeks on high sodium diet (2% NaCl). Additional rats were sham-operated and fed normal sodium (control rats) or high sodium diet. Plasma Ang II level of rats receiving 100 ng · kg −1 · min −1 Ang II for 4 weeks was 26±5 pg/mL (mean±SEM, n=7) compared with 11±2 pg/mL (n=15) in control rats ( P −1 · min −1 Ang II for 12 weeks were examined to distinguish hypertrophy from hyperplasia of vascular muscle. Tail systolic blood pressure (BP) and W/L of resistance arteries of Ang II–treated rats increased in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 50 ng · kg −1 · min −1 Ang II for 12 weeks had no significant effect on BP but produced the same increase in W/L (+10%, n=8, P −1 · min −1 Ang II for 4 weeks (+9%, n=18, P −1 · min −1 Ang II, it increased systolic BP by 31 mm Hg ( P P −1 · min −1 Ang II for 12 weeks, arterial smooth muscle cell thickness was increased without a change in the number of cell layers (hypertrophy). There was a dissociation between the average BP load (the area under the weekly systolic BP curve) of Ang II–treated rats and the W/L of their mesenteric resistance arteries. Ang II–induced hypertension and structural vascular changes are dose- and time-dependent and synergistically enhanced by dietary sodium supplementation. Dissociation between BP and vascular structure in Ang II–treated rats suggests that a direct trophic effect of Ang II may contribute to the development of structural vascular changes.
New Technology and Digital Worlds: Analyzing Evidence of Equity in Access, Use, and Outcomes

is broad consensus among educators, communication scholars, sociologists, and economists that the development and diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT) are having a profound effect on modern life. This is due to the affordances of new digital media, which bridge the interactive features of speech and the archival characteristics of writing; allow many-to-many communication among people without regard to time and space, including mass collaborative editing of texts; facilitate the creation of a global hyper-indexed multimodal information structure; and enable content production and distribution in both writing and multimedia on a scale previously unimaginable (Jewitt, 2008; Warschauer, 1999). For all these reasons, computer-mediated communication can be considered a new mode of information (Poster, 1990), or a "fourth revolution in the means of production of knowledge" (Harnad, 1991, p. 39), following the three prior revolutions of language, writing, and print. The previous revolution, brought about through the development and diffusion of printing, took centuries to unfold, as its full impact depended on the industrial revolution that Gutenberg's printing press preceded by several centuries (Eisenstein, 1979). Today, though, the development and diffusion of computers and the Internet occur simultaneously with a new economic revolution, based on transition from an industrial to an informational economy (Castells, 1996). This helps explain both why new media have spread so fast and also why they are so crucial to enabling full social and economic participation. As Castells (1998) concludes, based on his exhaustive socioeconomic analysis of this postindustrial stage of capitalism, "information technology,
Organization of projections from olfactory epithelium to olfactory bulb in the frog Rana pipiens

One hypothesis for the coding of olfactory quality is that regions of the olfactory epithelium are differentially sensitive to particular odor qualities and that this regional sensitivity is conveyed to the olfactory bulb in a topographic manner by the olfactory nerve. A corollary to this hypothesis is that there is a sufficiently orderly connection between the epithelium and the olfactory bulb to convey this topographical coding. Thus we examined topography in the projection from epithelium to bulb in the frog, which has been the subject of numerous electrophysiological studies but has not yet been examined using modern neuroanatomical techniques. The tracer WGA-HRP was applied to the ventral or to the dorsal olfactory epithelium, or both. Anterograde transport of label to the olfactory bulb was seen after as few as 2 days; label was still present in the bulb as long as 21 days postinjection. In cases where WGA-HRP was applied to the entire epithelium, there was dense anterograde labelling of the ipsilateral olfactory bulb. In addition, a small medial portion of the contralateral bulb was labelled. Injections limited to either the ventral or dorsal epithelium produced patterns of anterograde labelling in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb, which varied with the size and location of the injection. With very large injections in either the dorsal or ventral epithelium, label appeared to be evenly distributed in the glomerular layer. With smaller injections in the ventral epithelium, there was heavier labelling in the lateral than in the medial portions of the glomerular layer, although light labelling was found in all regions of the glomerular layer. In contrast, injection sites restricted to the dorsal epithelium produced more anterograde labelling in the medial than lateral portions of the glomerular layer. These patterns extended throughout the dorsal-ventral extent of the bulb. Within the limits of the anterograde tracing technique used, we were unable to detect any systematic relationship between the pattern of labelling in the glomerular layer and the medial-lateral or rostral-caudal location of the injection site in either the ventral or dorsal epithelium. We conclude that in the frog, as in other amphibia, there is only a limited degree of topographic order between the epithelium and the olfactory bulb.
Censorship and deletion practices in Chinese social media

With Twitter and Facebook blocked in China, the stream of information from Chinese domestic social media provides a case study of social media behavior under the influence of active censorship. While much work has looked at efforts to prevent access to information in China (including IP blocking of foreign Web sites or search engine filtering), we present here the first large–scale analysis of political content censorship in social media, i.e. , the active deletion of messages published by individuals. In a statistical analysis of 56 million messages (212,583 of which have been deleted out of 1.3 million checked, more than 16 percent) from the domestic Chinese microblog site Sina Weibo, and 11 million Chinese–language messages from Twitter, we uncover a set a politically sensitive terms whose presence in a message leads to anomalously higher rates of deletion. We also note that the rate of message deletion is not uniform throughout the country, with messages originating in the outlying provinces of Tibet and Qinghai exhibiting much higher deletion rates than those from eastern areas like Beijing.
East Asians' Responses to Western Health Items

A consistent disparity has been found between interview and self-report data on East Asian mental health. Two hypotheses, incomparability of item content and cultural differences in the social desirability of items, were raised as plausible explanations for the disparity. An empirical test rejected the hypothesis of cultural differences in the social desirability of questionnaire items. With somewhat less confidence, the content incomparability hypothesis was also rejected.
SPECIES HYBRIDS IN THE LABORATORY BUT NOT IN NATURE: A REANALYSIS OF PREMATING ISOLATION BETWEEN DROSOPHILA ARIZONAE AND D. MOJAVENSIS

Understanding speciation relies critically on the identification of mechanisms responsible for maintaining species integrity (i.e., reproductive isolation) especially when closely related species are sympatric in nature. Studies of reproductive isolation in Drosophila often involve laboratory mating experiments that assume that patterns of mate choice in the laboratory are similar to those in the wild. Two sibling species, Drosophila arizonae and D. mojavensis, known to exhibit low levels of interspecific hybridization in the laboratory, but not in nature, were used in multiple-choice mating trials using various mating chamber designs as well as synthetic and natural media for developing larvae and courting adults. Sympatric populations were more sexually isolated than allopatric ones, consistent with past studies, and all experimental variables tested (chamber size, host plant presence and rearing substrates) had significant effects on levels of premating isolation between these species. Flies reared on cactus showed increased premating isolation versus those reared on synthetic laboratory food as did providing fermenting host plant tissue during mating trials. Also, surprisingly, smaller mating chambers led to an increase in premating isolation versus larger containers. The design of these types of mating trials is thus critical to understanding how mating behaviors in the laboratory are related to those in natural populations.
Assessment of the magnitude of growth hormone hypersecretion in active acromegaly: reliability of different sampling models.

Context: The pulsatility of GH secretion in acromegaly poses difficulty in ascertaining true daily GH milieu in patients with this disease. Intensive GH sampling [every 10–20 (Q10–20) min for 24 h] is not practical in clinical practice. Objective: Our objective was to ascertain reliability of abbreviated sampling protocols to reflect true 24-h mean GH concentrations in patients with acromegaly. Design: An analysis of previously obtained plasma GH profiles was performed. Setting: The analysis was performed at the General Clinical Research Center at the University of Michigan. Patients: A total of 115 GH profiles obtained in 94 patients with active acromegaly were examined. Intervention: Frequent blood sampling, i.e. Q10–20 min for 24 h, was performed. Main Outcome Measures: Concordance of 24-h mean GH concentrations derived from Q10- to 20-min samplings with abbreviated GH sampling schedules was performed. The study was planned after data collection. Results: All abbreviated schedules of GH sampling correlated well with the true 24-h plasma GH means (i.e. Q10- to 20-min sampling) (R = 0.93–0.98; P < 0.0001 for all). In the GH range more than 20 μg/liter, only 5 and 9-h means had R values more than 0.9. Single GH concentrations less than 1 μg/liter had a positive predictive value of only 0.29, and those with less than 2.5 μg/liter had a positive predictive value of 0.67 vs. their corresponding 24-h mean GH values of the same magnitude. Conclusions: The intensity of GH sampling in patients with acromegaly may vary depending on the nature of the required information. Investigators and clinicians should be aware of the limitations of the abbreviated GH sampling protocols in acromegaly.
Lactic Bulk Starter Homogenization Affects Culture Agglutination

Four commercial lactococcal cultures (three agglutinating, one nonagglutinating) grown in an internal pH-controlled medium were homogenized at various pressures to determine the effect of homogenization on bulk starter agglutination. Severity of agglutination was determined in skim milk that had been inoculated with these bulk starters. As homogenization pressure increased, bacterial agglutination decreased. Homogenization decreased culture agglutination by breaking chains and clumps of cells apart. A pressure of 176 kg/cm2 was optimal for two of the agglutinating cultures, but 246 kg/cm2 was required for the third culture. Homogenization of the nonagglutinating culture at 246 kg/cm2 decreased rate of acid production in skim milk, suggesting that cellular damage had occurred.
Alterations in the C-Terminal Region of the HIV-1 Accessory Gene vpr Do Not Confer Clinical Advantage to Subjects Receiving Nucleoside Antiretroviral Therapy

The C terminus of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory protein vpr acts in viral cell cycle arrest, nuclear localization, and apoptosis. Polymorphisms in this region are described in series of long-term nonprogression cases. We determined vpr sequences of archived baseline specimens from 96 participants in a historical trial of single- versus double-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. These sequences were then analyzed by study-entry and -outcome characteristics such as baseline absolute CD4(+) T cell count, prior treatment, CD4(+) T cell response, and clinical endpoints. Frequency of C-terminal mutations did not correlate to any measures of disease intensity. Changes in that portion of vpr did not attenuate disease.
A Comprehensive Bibliography Of Professional Journal Articles On Accounting Information Systems

This paper lists and organizes 280 articles on a wide range of contemporary accounting system trends, issues and technologies. The articles have been selected from issues of eight leading professional accounting journals that have been published during the past five years. They are listed alphabetically within publication, and are then grouped by topic. In addition, the articles are referenced to the top ten accounting system technolo-gies, applications and issues identified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA, 2000). This bibliography should be of interest to accounting sys-tem professors who wish to update their instructional material, and to accounting sys-tem researchers and practitioners who are seeking current explanations and analyses of the many recent developments in accounting systems design, implementation and operation.
Role of Left Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Heart Failure Syndrome and the Future of the Replacement Heart

The first attempts to artificially sustain the circulation in modern times occurred with the development of the cardiopulmonary bypass machine by John Gibbon and later modified by John Kirklin in the mid-1950s 1 ,2. These early machines revolutionized the field of cardiac surgery, allowing complex repairs to be done while sustaining the circulation with cardiopulmonary bypass. About a decade later, the first pulsatile pumps were being used to assist the failing left ventricle, especially in patients with cardiogenic shock postcardiotomy3,4. These early reports encouraged scientists of the time, like Dr. Michael DeBakey, in a crusade to produce a device intended for long-term ventricular support5. By the late 1960s, with the birth of heart transplantation6, interest in mechanical assist devices waned. As the limitations of heart transplantation became apparent, especially the lack of adequate immunosuppression early on, renewed interest in mechanical ways of supporting the failing heart surged in the mid-1970s.
Optical modulation and manipulation of neurons and cells with high efficiency through quantum dots and photonic crystals

Nanomaterials such as semiconductor quantum dots and nanostructures such as photonic crystals can interact with light in unique ways due to their nm's to sub-μm feature size. This enables versatile applications with high efficiencies. In this paper, we focus on biological applications, specifically, photostimulation and optical manipulation of cells. We report photostimulation and activation of neurons with very low optical intensity (0.0036 mW/mm2) through colloidal quantum dots. We also demonstrate efficient optical manipulation of cells and nanoparticles on a 2-D photonic crystal platform. Particles as small as 100 nm can be trapped with ∼16 μW/μm2 optical intensity.
PEDF inhibits pancreatic tumorigenesis by attenuating the fibro-inflammatory reaction

// Daniel R. Principe 1 , Brian DeCant 2 , Andrew M. Diaz 2 , Riley J. Mangan 2 , Rosa Hwang 3 , Andrew Lowy 4 , Brandon B. Shetuni 5 , Bharath K. Sreekumar 6 , Chuhan Chung 6 , David J. Bentrem 7 , Hidayatullah G. Munshi 7 , Barbara Jung 2 , Paul J. Grippo 2, * , Faraz Bishehsari 8, * 1 University of Illinois College of Medicine, Champaign, IL, USA 2 Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA 3 Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 4 Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA 5 Northwestern Medicine, Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, IL, USA 6 Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA 7 Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA 8 Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA * Paul J. Grippo and Faraz Bishehsari contributed equally to this manuscript and serve as joint senior authors Correspondence to: Faraz Bishehsari, email: Faraz_Bishehsari@rush.edu Paul J. Grippo, email: pgrippo@uic.edu Keywords: pancreatic cancer, PEDF, inflammation, fibrosis, KRAS Received: November 02, 2015 Accepted: March 17, 2016 Published: April 5, 2016 ABSTRACT Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a pronounced fibro-inflammatory reaction that has been shown to contribute to cancer progression. Previous reports have demonstrated that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) has potent tumor suppressive effects in pancreatic cancer, though little is known about the mechanisms by which PEDF limits pancreatic tumorigenesis. We therefore employed human specimens, as well as mouse and in vitro models, to explore the effects of PEDF upon the pancreatic microenvironment. We found that PEDF expression is decreased in human pancreatic cancer samples compared to non-malignant tissue. Furthermore, PEDF-deficient patients displayed increased intratumoral inflammation/fibrosis. In mice, genetic ablation of PEDF increased cerulein-induced inflammation and fibrosis, and similarly enhanced these events in the background of oncogenic KRAS. In vitro , recombinant PEDF neutralized macrophage migration as well as inhibited macrophage-induced proliferation of tumor cells. Additionally, recombinant PEDF suppressed the synthesis of pro-inflammatory/pro-fibrotic cytokines both in vivo and in vitro , and reduced collagen I deposition and TGFβ synthesis by pancreatic stellate cells, consistent with reduced fibrosis. Combined, our results demonstrate that PEDF limits pancreatic cancer progression by attenuating the fibro-inflammatory reaction, and makes restoration of PEDF signaling a potential therapeutic approach to study in pancreatic cancer.
Elastomers from Polymeric Chelates

Abstract In the previous work, we demonstrated that gels may be formed from polymeric acetylacetonate chelates. Now it has been shown that useful elastomers can be prepared from these derivatized polymers as well. Stress-strain measurements have been performed on these Pd(II) crosslinked SIR elastomers, and the results demonstrate that the materials are useful for physical testing. Because of unforeseen complications, we do not yet have a perfectly ideal system to solve fully the problems mentioned in the Introduction. The observations reported here are more than sufficient to encourage us to pursue this research vigorously. The difficult synthesis of ACAC-endcapped PDMS that has been achieved provides a viable route to model networks. What is required now is that we focus attention on the inorganic chemistry in an effort to better understand such things as the kinetics of ligand exchange reactions and the structure of ACAC complexes in low polarity media.
Content and Turnover of Rat Intestinal Microvillus Membrane Aminopeptidase: Effect of Methylprednisolone

The reasons for the difference in aminopeptidase activity between jejunum and ileum and the changes in enzyme activity after corticosteroid administration were investigated in rat small intestine. The aminopeptidase activity of microvillus membrane in jejunum was higher than in ileum. Methylprednisolone treatment enhanced the enzyme activity in both regions. The amount of enzyme as measured by a competitive radioimmunoassay was higher in jejunum than in ileum, and methylprednisolone administration increased the content of aminopeptidase in both regions. The kinetic parameters of aminopeptidase from both regions showed no difference and were not affected by methylprednisolone treatment. The maximum incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into immunoprecipitable aminopeptidase in jejunum was greater than in ileum, and methylprednisolone administration increased the incorporation in both regions. The degradation rate of aminopeptidase in jejunum was higher than in ileum, and methylprednisolone administration had no effect on the rate of degradation in either region. It was concluded that jejunum has a greater content of aminopeptidase than ileum due to a higher rate of enzyme synthesis, and that methylprednisolone administration increases the enzyme content by increasing the synthetic rate.
Removable Partial Denture Components and Applications: A Team-Based Learning Module.

Abstract Introduction The process of learning the removable partial denture (RPD) requires that students first acquire fundamental concepts and then use critical thinking skills to apply that knowl...
Physical examination of children and adolescents

This article describes the differences in the physical examination of the child and adolescent from that of the adult. A system-by-system approach is used, and only variations in history and physical examination of the child and adolescent are given. It is vital that the nurse practitioner understand these differences when providing health care services to children and adolescents.
Thoracotomy and Pulmonary Resection

This section contains descriptions of machinery and procedures related to the respiratory care of surgical patients. Positive-pressure devices and ventilators come in a variety of types, each with its own bedazzling set of knobs, gauges, alarms, and blinking lights. Drinker and Berryman’s description of ventilators is written from the viewpoint of the bioengineer. The principles they outline will help the surgeon to feel at home with any mechanical ventilator in current or future use. Gallagher and coauthors divide monitoring methods into pulmonary mechanics, gas exchange, and systemic oxygen delivery. In addition to these specific techniques, they present the practical pitfalls that are commonly encountered. The next four articles could be subtitled "Surgical Care of the Respiratory Patient." The articles by Orringer, Gazzaniga, and Connolly form a mini-atlas of techniques and procedures. All surgeons will benefit from a review of these often neglected details. Bronchoscopy should be as routine to general and thoracic surgeons as cystoscopy is to the urologist, yet this important technique is often neglected in residency training. Ratliff leaves description of bronchoscopic techniques to existing atlases and on-site training and devotes his discussion to when, why, and how bronchoscopy should be used in respiratory care. Eric Milne is noted for his studies of chest radiography in acute lung disease. His clear descriptions and examples provide a useful bridge between dynamic physiology and the static shadows on the celluloid.
TH-EF-204-05: Application of Small-Field Treatment: The Promises and Pitfalls of SBRT

Joanna E. Cygler, Jan Seuntjens, J. Daniel Bourland, M. Saiful Huq, Josep Puxeu Vaque, Daniel Zucca Aparicio, Tatiana Krylova, Yuri Kirpichev, Eric Ford, Caridad Borras Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) utilizes small static and dynamic (IMRT) fields, to successfully treat malignant and benign diseases using techniques such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). SRT is characterized by sharp dose gradients for individual fields and their resultant dose distributions. For appropriate targets, small field radiotherapy offers improved treatment quality by allowing better sparing of organs at risk while delivering the prescribed target dose. Specialized small field treatment delivery systems, such as robotic-controlled linear accelerators, gamma radiosurgery units, and dynamic arc linear accelerators may utilize rigid fixation, image guidance, and tumor tracking, to insure precise dose delivery to static or moving targets. However, in addition to great advantages, small field delivery techniques present special technical challenges for dose calibration due to unique geometries and small field sizes not covered by existing reference dosimetry protocols such as AAPM TG-51 or IAEA TRS 398. In recent years extensive research has been performed to understand small field dosimetry and measurement instrumentation. AAPM, IAEA and ICRU task groups are expected to provide soon recommendations on the dosimetry of small radiation fields. In this symposium we will: 1] discuss the physics, instrumentation, methodologies and challenges for small field radiation dose measurements; 2] review IAEA and ICRU recommendations on prescribing, recording and reporting of small field radiation therapy; 3] discuss selected clinical applications and technical aspects for specialized image-guided, small field, linear accelerator based treatment techniques such as IMRT and SBRT. Learning Objectives: 1.To learn the physics of small fields in contrast to dosimetry of conventional fields 2.To learn about detectors suitable for small fields 3.To learn about the role of Monte Carlo simulations in determination of small field output factors 4.To provide an overview of the IAEA small field dosimetry recommendations 5.To provide an overview of the content of the ICRU report on Prescribing, Reporting and Recording of Small Field Radiation Therapy. 6.To learn about special technical considerations in delivering IMRT and SBRT treatments 7.To appreciate specific challenges of IMRT implementation J. Seuntjens, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Candidates Use a New Teacher Development Process, Transformative Reflection, to Identify and Address Teaching and Learning Problems in Their Work With Children

This article has two aims: (a) to offer a new model for a teacher preparation course that features reflection and teaching as integral, inseparable actions and (b) to provide empirical evidence from an exploratory ethnography to demonstrate teacher development possibilities with this model. The model, termed Transformative Reflection, was founded on principles from cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) and empirical work on reflection. This study examines two CHAT-based mediation practices that became a focus of 12 childhood education masters students inquiry during reflection sessions: (a) posture as a tool for working with students and (b) open questions as a tool to re/orient learners. Based on analysis of observations, interviews, journals, and video, we found candidates took action individually and collectively to interrogate and, in many cases, change how they planned learning activities, how they re/oriented learners to the learning object, and how they viewed students as agents.
Emerging Nonsurgical Treatments for Hyperhidrosis

A variety of available treatment options are available for primary focal hyperhidrosis, and some can be combined to obtain maximum effective results. Most treatment options have only been studied in patients with axillary hyperhidrosis, and more studies are needed to develop therapies for other body regions. Several clinical trials are underway with promising preliminary results; however, there is still a large need for new therapies.
Imaging of cartilage and osteochondral injuries. A case-based review

Current high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques provide a sensitive and reliable diagnostic tool for the evaluation of cartilage and osteochondral injury. This article summarizes technical factors for optimal MRI evaluation of articular cartilage of the knee. There is emphasis on the important correlation of the MRI signal to the structure of the type II collagen matrix in normal cartilage, with an understanding that alterations in this signal pattern can be an important sign of cartilage injury. Finally, specific patterns of cartilage injury and application of MRI in evaluating cartilage repair are illustrated through a series of selected cases.
Abstract 323: Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Is Upregulated in Profibrotic States of Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Not Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Introduction: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the adult population. Both DCM and HCM arise from structural perturbations and remodeling of the heart, and many cases have been found to result from underlying familial mutations. The signaling pathways by which these mutations lead to pathological ventricular remodeling, fibrosis, and heart failure remain unknown. Methods: In this study we attempt to identify molecular pathways in a DCM mouse model and compare and contrast the results with those previously observed in HCM mouse models. We use a transgenic mouse expressing an arginine-to-cysteine (R9C) mutation in phospholamban (PLN), previously identified in DCM patients. To define molecules involved in disease progression, we generated expression profiles using high-throughput sequencing and assessed genes of interest by immunostaining. Results: PLNR9C/+ hearts exhibit increasing fibrosis, with proliferation of non-myocyte cells occurring throughout the disease spectrum. Losartan treatment, which effectively blocks the HCM phenotype, does not block the emergence of DCM and neither reduces fibrosis nor increases lifespan in PLNR9C/+ mice. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) RNA and protein levels are significantly upregulated in the left ventricles of PLNR9C/+ mice during DCM and heart failure. GDF15 is predominantly expressed in non-myocytes in WT mice, but in PLNR9C/+ mice, is upregulated almost 25-fold in myocytes and less than 1.5-fold in non-myocytes. Conclusion: Both fibrosis and the proliferation of non-myocytes in PLNR9C/+ mouse hearts increase as the DCM phenotype worsens, similar to that observed in HCM mouse models. However, losartan has no effect on the DCM phenotype suggesting that the molecular pathways of DCM and HCM may be different. This study identifies GDF15 as a signaling molecule that may play a unique role in DCM. GDF15 is upregulated in myocytes during DCM, but remains relatively unchanged in HCM. Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying the progression of disease and fibrosis in both DCM and HCM will help us to characterize the distinct pathways of both diseases, as well as identify new, more specific targets for therapy.
Herbaceous invaders in temperate forests: a systematic review of their ecology and proposed mechanisms of invasion

We present a systematic literature review of exotic understory forest herbaceous invasions with a focus on the forests of East Asia (EAS) and Eastern North America (ENA), two dominant regions of the north temperate deciduous forest biome. We examined the biogeographic origins of herbaceous invaders in EAS and ENA forests, summarized their life histories and ecology, and compiled the relevant literature on the 10 leading mechanistic hypotheses proposed for these invasions. We asked whether invasions of EAS and ENA forests by herbs are shared between regions, and whether a common suite of ecological traits unite these invaders into a functionally distinct group. In a focused summary of the empirical literature, we investigated if leading hypothesized mechanisms for biological invasions at large are also invoked and supported for this ecologically important, but relatively understudied, group of species. In contrast to ENA, forest invaders in EAS are overwhelmingly herbaceous (78% of forest invasions vs. 34% for ENA) and originate from different regions. Plant families represented and species traits between regions differed. Within a single species, multiple invasion mechanisms were often supported, highlighting the need for future research that simultaneously investigates multiple mechanistic hypotheses. Further, because results for a single invader often differed across space and time, a shift in focus to incorporate the complex dynamics across temporal and spatial scales with the consideration of spatial heterogeneity and the interplays among natural and anthropogenic factors to study exotic invasions is needed.
Energy Expenditure in Children: The Role of NEAT (Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis)

By the law of conservation of energy, body fat increases when energy intake is consistently greater than energy expenditure. Excess body fat and obesity are the result of sustained positive energy balance. The pandemic of obesity has spread from the United States to Europe and is now emerging in middle- and even low-income countries. In the United States, for example, since the 1970s the weight of the average person has increased by ~12 kg; importantly this trend affects all ages, races, and socio-economic groups.
ENDO ECHO IMPROVES PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER AND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER SELF-EFFICACY IN COMPLEX DIABETES MANAGEMENT IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

Objective: To determine whether participation in a multidisciplinary telementorship model of healthcare delivery improves primary care provider (PCP) and community health worker (CHW) confidence in managing patients with complex diabetes in medically underserved regions. Methods: We applied a well-established healthcare delivery model, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), to the management of complex diabetes (Endo ECHO) in medically underserved communities. A multidisciplinary team at Project ECHO connected with PCPs and CHWs at 10 health centers across New Mexico for weekly videoconferencing virtual clinics. Participating PCPs and CHWs presented de-identified patients and received best practice guidance and mentor-ship from Project ECHO specialists and network peers. A robust curriculum was developed around clinical practice guidelines and presented by weekly didactics over the ECHO network. After 2 years of participation in Endo ECHO, PCPs and CHWs completed self-efficacy surveys...
Knowledge and Risks of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission among Veterans with Severe Mental Illness

ABSTRACT This study is among the first to examine knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and behavioral risks for HIV transmission among veterans with severe mental illness (SMI), a group at high risk for HIV infection. This study examined associations between accuracy of HIV knowledge, risk behaviors, and clinical and demographic characteristics in a sample of male veteran psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with SMI (N = 353). Results showed high rates of inaccurate HIV knowledge, with >40% of patients demonstrating some inaccuracies, particularly those related to the progression and symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Inaccurate HIV knowledge was associated with older age, minority status, education level, marital status, no homelessness within the previous 6 months, and no reported history of illicit intranasal drug use. There is a need for more effective HIV prevention interventions for persons with SMI.
Pattern Formation during Crystal Growth: Theory

These lectures will focus on two different versions of the problem of pattern formation during crystal growth. We shall look first at the free growth of dendrites and, next, at directional solidification of cellular structures and eutectics. In the first case, a study of the stability of the dendrite tip and related sidebranching deformations leads naturally to an hypothesis that the dendrite operates at or near a point of marginal instability. This hypothesis seems to be in agreement with experimental observations. The second case is a direct analog of the Benard problem in hydrodynamics. Again, a marginal instability seems to play some role in pattern selection; but the situation is unclear at the moment. We shall see that there are possibilities for a variety of kinds of interesting behavior in these systems.
Stability of interconnected systems having slope-bounded nonlinearities

Improved stability criteria are obtained for systems having multiple nonlinearities. The key result (lemma 2) identifies a class of frequency dependent scaling factors d(s) such that, for any time-invariant slope-bounded nonlinearity f(x), the "scaled" operator dfd−1 is in the same L2 conic sector as f(x). Previous results admit only constant scaling factors d.
Dietary protein and(or) energy restriction in mares: plasma growth hormone, IGF-I, prolactin, cortisol, and thyroid hormone responses to feeding, glucose, and epinephrine.

Sixteen light horse mares were fed diets of bermudagrass hay and a corn/cottonseed hull-based supplement formulated to contain either 100% (control) or 50% (restricted) of the protein and(or) energy requirements for maintenance in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Plasma IGF-I, prolactin, cortisol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine were monitored for 33 d. On the 27th d, frequent blood samples were drawn throughout the day for the measurement of growth hormone (GH), and on the 29th d, an epinephrine challenge and an i.v. glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) were performed in the morning and afternoon, respectively. Restriction of protein and(or) energy reduced (P .1) by restriction of protein and(or) energy. Plasma prolactin concentrations were low throughout the experiment and after the IVGTT, but they increased (P = .003) after feeding. Protein restriction increased (P = .09) the occurrence of GH episodes during the 14-h feeding period on d 27; the greatest effect occurred in the mares restricted in both nutrients. In contrast, energy restriction reduced (P = .05) the GH response to epinephrine injection. We conclude that 1) protein deficiency in mares increases GH secretion, whereas energy restriction alone does not, 2) a deficiency in energy and(or) protein reduces IGF-I secretion, and 3) prolactin concentrations increase after feeding, even at a time of year when secretion rates are naturally low.
Mutant p53-driven tumorigenesis

Most tumors inactivate the p53 tumor suppressor pathway via single nucleotide changes of the TP53 gene itself, which produces proteins with missense mutations. p53 mutant proteins clearly lose normal p53 activities. Some are partial loss of function mutations that retain some activities and probably cooperate with other changes in the p53 pathway to initiate tumor development. Many p53 mutants also exhibit gain-of-function and dominant negative properties. Several mouse models with p53 missense mutations have been generated and these now offer opportunities to study the effects of chemotherapeutic modalities.
Force and flowfield measurements to understand unsteady aerodynamics of cycloidal rotors in hover at ultra-low Reynolds numbers:

This paper provides a fundamental understanding of the unsteady fluid-dynamic phenomena on a cycloidal rotor blade operating at ultra-low Reynolds numbers (Re ∼ 18,000) by utilizing a combination o...
Outbreak of Murine Infection with Clostridium difficile Associated with the Administration of a Pre- and Perinatal Methyl Donor Diet

Between October 2016 and June 2017, a C57BL/6J mouse colony that was undergoing a pre- and perinatal methyl donor supplementation diet intervention to study the impact of parental nutrition on offspring susceptibility to disease was found to suffer from an epizootic of unexpected deaths. Necropsy revealed the presence of severe colitis, and further investigation linked these outbreak deaths to a Clostridium difficile strain of ribotype 027 that we term 16N203. C. difficile infection (CDI) is associated with antibiotic use in humans. Current murine models of CDI rely on antibiotic pretreatment to establish clinical phenotypes. In this report, the C. difficile outbreak occurs in F1 mice linked to alterations in the parental diet. The diagnosis of CDI in the affected mice was confirmed by cecal/colonic histopathology, the presence of C. difficile bacteria in fecal/colonic culture, and detection of C. difficile toxins. F1 mice from parents fed the methyl supplementation diet also had significantly reduced survival (P < 0.0001) compared with F1 mice from parents fed the control diet. When we tested the 16N203 outbreak strain in an established mouse model of antibiotic-induced CDI, we confirmed that this strain is pathogenic. Our serendipitous observations from this spontaneous outbreak of C. difficile in association with a pre- and perinatal methyl donor diet suggest the important role that diet may play in host defense and CDI risk factors.IMPORTANCE Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals worldwide, owing its preeminence to the emergence of hyperendemic strains, such as ribotype 027 (RT027). A major CDI risk factor is antibiotic exposure, which alters gut microbiota, resulting in the loss of colonization resistance. Current murine models of CDI also depend on pretreatment of animals with antibiotics to establish disease. The outbreak that we report here is unique in that the CDI occurred in mice with no antibiotic exposure and is associated with a pre- and perinatal methyl supplementation donor diet intervention study. Our investigation subsequently reveals that the outbreak strain that we term 16N203 is an RT027 strain, and this isolated strain is also pathogenic in an established murine model of CDI (with antibiotics). Our report of this spontaneous outbreak offers additional insight into the importance of environmental factors, such as diet, and CDI susceptibility.
Discussing Alternative Login Methods and Their Advantages and Disadvantages

Many modern devices use login methods different from the standard username and password or PIN number systems. Biometrics are being used to identify and authorize specific users while combating cyber criminals. Methods like voice recognition, fingerprint scanning, and facial recognition have evolved and become implemented in many devices, personal and public alike. Yet, these methods are not without their own problems; the likes of which the username and password systems of old never had to account for. In this paper, these methods will be discussed and compared. A system will also be proposed using Cheiloscopy (the forensic study of lip prints)as its primary means of authorization. The system will combine some of the processes used in the previously mentioned methods, to create a system that applies security, convenience, and user interaction.
Ancestry, Place[s], and Identity in Spiritual Direction Narratives

In this 2017 John McKendy Memorial Lecture, Dr. Janet Ruffing, RSM, discussed spiritual direction as a narrative process, recognized or not, in which the directee tells his or her sacred tale in the interaction with a spiritual director who significantly affects the unfolding of this serial narrative of lived faith. At a time, when directees have unprecedented access to genealogical information and also live in or make retreats in a variety of places, how do these new experiences affect their identity spiritually and socially? Do they become integrated into the ongoing narrative of identity or not?
Consistent Technique Limits Suspension Laryngoscopy Complications

Introduction Suspension laryngoscopy (SL) is a commonly performed procedure among otolaryngologists. Several studies have shown that adverse effects occur regularly with SL. Objective To evaluate the postoperative complications of SL, and to determine if protecting the dentition and the oral mucosa and limiting suspension times decrease the overall incidence of oral cavity and pharyngeal complications of SL. Methods All of the cases of SL performed by 1 surgeon from November 2008 through September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. A consistent technique for dental and mucosal protection was utilized, and suspension times were strictly limited to 30 consecutive minutes. The incidence of postoperative complications was calculated and analyzed with respect to gender, smoking status, dentition, laryngoscope type, and suspension system. Results A total of 213 consecutive SL cases were reviewed, including 174 patients (94 male, 80 female). The overall postoperative complication rate was of 3.8%. Four patients experienced tongue-related complications, two experienced oral mucosal alterations, one had a dental injury, and one experienced a minor facial burn. The complication incidence was greater with the Zeitels system (12.5%) compared with the Lewy suspension system (3.3%), although it was not significant (p = 0.4). Likewise, the association of complications with other patient factors was not statistically significant. Conclusion Only 8 out of 213 cases in the present series experienced complications, which is significantly less than the complication rates observed in other reports. Consistent and conscientious protection of the dentition and of the oral mucosa and limiting suspension times to 30 minutes are factors unique to our series that appear to reduce complications in endolaryngeal surgery.
An Electrochemical and Spectroelectrochemical Analysis of the Oxide/p‐Indium Phosphide Semiconductor Surface Using Fourier Transform IR and Raman Scattering Spectroscopies.

The thin anodic oxid film grown on p-InP in tartaric acid solutions at pH 6 is found to consist primarily of indium dihydrogen phosphate.
From Color-Blind to Color-Conscious: Advancing Racial Discourse in Dance Education

ABSTRACTDrawing from social science, educational, and legal scholarship, this article examines color-blind and color-conscious ideologies and their impact on dance education. It demonstrates that c...
Broadening the Mandate of the Incident Command System to Address Community Mental and Behavioral Health Effects as Part of the Federal Response to Disasters

In the United States, the Federal Incident Command System (ICS) directs response to major oil spills. Its initial imperative is to prevent immediate impacts on human health and safety. Subsequently, the ICS primarily turns its attention to environmental concerns, including considering vulnerable ecosystems. There is a growing body of evidence that disasters such as major oil spills lead to adverse psychosocial effects; yet, preventing such effects has not been formally incorporated into ICS disaster mitigation considerations. Community mental and behavioral effects are increasingly recognized as a significant impact of disasters. Standardized ecosystem analytical frameworks are key to ICS responses to its mandate for environmental protection. Similar frameworks have only begun to be developed for mental and behavioral effects. Providing the ICS with a formal mandate would likely lead to the prevention of community mental and behavioral effects being more systematically incorporated into ICS disaster responses.
8 Tor-signaling and Tor-interacting proteins in yeast

The Tor (target of rapamycin) signaling pathway is an important mechanism used by eukaryotic cells to regulate their growth in response to nutrient-related environmental cues. Recent studies have revealed that the two Tor kinases in S. cerevisiae, Tor1p and Tor2p, regulate gene expression at several levels, including transcription, translation, intracellular protein trafficking, as well as protein stability. How the activity of each kinase is controlled remains to be elucidated, however, as does the nature of potential upstream regulatory signals. Here we review recent efforts to address these issues by focusing on two areas related to Tor signaling: (1) transcriptional control of genes required for the de novo biosynthesis of glutamate and glutamine and (2) characterization of interacting partners of Tor1p and Tor2p. These studies have converged in unanticipated ways to yield new insights into how these kinases may function both to receive as well as transmit nutritional information in yeast.