cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential central projections of physiologically characterized horizontal semicircular canal vestibular nerve afferents in the toadfish, Opsanus tau

Anatomical and neurophysiological studies were undertaken to examine the central projection pattern of physiologically characterized horizontal semicircular canal vestibular nerve afferents in the toadfish, Opsanus tau. The variations in individual response characteristics of vestibular nerve afferents to rotational stimulus provided a means of typing the afferents into descriptive classes; the afferents fell into a broad continuum across the spectrum from low-gain, velocity-sensitive to high-gain, acceleration-sensitive responses (Boyle and Highstein [1990b] J. Neurosci. 10:1557-1569; Boyle and Highstein [1990a] J. Neurosci. 10:1570-1582). In the present study, each afferent was typed as a low-gain, high-gain, or acceleration fiber during rotational or mechanical stimulation (Rabbitt et al. [1995] J. Neurophysiol. 73:2237-2260) and was then intracellularly injected with biocytin. The axons were reconstructed, and the morphology, synaptic boutons, and projection pattern of each axon were determined. The results indicated that the three descriptive classes of vestibular nerve afferents have unique as well as overlapping central projection patterns and destinations in the vestibular nuclei, with intranuclear parcellation in the anterior octavus, magnocellularis, tangentialis, posterior octavus, and descending octavus nuclei. In general, increased sensitivity and faster response dynamics were correlated with both a more extensive central projection and a progressive increase in morphological complexity. Low-gain, velocity-sensitive fibers were the simplest morphologically, with the fewest number of branches (n = 17) and shortest length (4,282 microm), and projections were confined to the middle portions of the vestibular nuclei. High-gain, velocity-sensitive fibers were morphologically more diverse than low-gain fibers, with a greater number of branches (n = 26), longer length (6,059 microm), 29% greater volume, and a more widespread projection pattern with projections to both the anterior and the middle portions of the vestibular nuclei. Acceleration fibers were morphologically distinct from low- and high-gain fibers, with more elaborate branching (n = 41), greatest overall length (17,370 microm) and volume (16% greater than high gains), and displayed the most extensive central projection pattern, innervating all vestibular nuclei except tangentialis. Thus, there are anatomically demonstrable differential central projections of canal afferents with different response dynamics within the vestibular complex of the fish.
Reply to Dickinson and Milne

REPLY: We are pleased to respond to the Letter to the Editor of Dickinson and Milne (2014) on our recent work (Puts et al. 2014), in which they sought to “to highlight previously published work that stands counter to the findings of Puts et al. in an attempt to ensure that the work is considered in a balanced context.” We welcome this further consideration of our work. To summarize the points raised, Dickinson and Milne (2014) comment that: 1) While we find reduced tactile discrimination in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), other studies have shown increased discrimination; 2) The suggestion that our findings may be the result of reduced lateral inhibition runs counter to other work proposing increased lateral inhibition in ASD; and 3) Our findings are not direct evidence of altered real-life perceptual experience in autism, and that further work is required to establish this link. We will consider these points in turn. First, Dickinson and Milne (2014) raise the issue that our findings are in direct contrast with Blakemore and colleagues (2006) who showed increased tactile detection threshold in adults with Asperger syndrome (AS). We agree that such a clear discrepancy would be noteworthy, but Dickinson and Milne rather overstate the extent to which our findings and those of Blakemore et al. (2006) are “in direct contrast.” First, it is important to state that Blakemore et al. did not test discrimination performance as Dickinson and Milne suggest, but tested detection thresholds. Furthermore, while they found significantly reduced detection thresholds in AS in the vibration range (50 –250 Hz), they found a trend (P 0.11 with n 10 AS and 9 controls) toward increased detection thresholds in the flutter (0 –50 Hz) regime, which our experiments seek to probe. Thus, these findings, in fact, are essentially concordant with our own to the extent that the experiments overlap (flutter-range detection thresholds), given that the significant effect that we observe in a larger cohort (32 children with ASD and 67 typically developing children) would most likely only be observed as a trend in cohort sizes to match Blakemore. Second, Dickinson and Milne (2014) state that other authors have suggested increased lateral inhibition in ASD. Our results show impaired subthreshold inhibition, and worse amplitude discrimination, as well as impaired adaptation to amplitude discrimination, three results that we believe are behavioral evidence of reduced GABAergic lateral inhibition. Although there are always counter examples to be found, our results are consistent with numerous findings of GABAergic impairments in autism: sensorimotor GABA has been shown to be altered in children with ASD (Gaetz et al. 2013); short intercortical inhibition, a metric of inhibition measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation, is impaired in ASD (Enticott et al. 2013); and numerous GABAergic genes have been linked to ASD
Properties of a Cell Fraction That Repairs Damage to the Cell Division Mechanism of Escherichia coli

Abstract A factor in bacterial cell extracts which induces cell division in filaments of Escherichia coli produced by irradiation was found to be associated with a heat-labile particulate fraction which sediments at about 100S. Frozen or lyophilized samples of the cell extracts were stable for considerable periods of time. Fractions purified by centrifugation contained 2% of the total protein of the extract but no measurable ribonucleic acid or deoxyribonucleic acid. The extracts were inactivated by incubation with phospholipase A, lipases, and detergents, but not by incubation with selected nucleases and proteases.
Stimulus Intensity in Left Ventricular Leads and Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Background-—Increased left ventricular (LV) stimulus intensity has been shown to improve conduction velocity and cardiac output. However, high-output pacing would shorten device battery life. Our prospective trial analyzed the clinical effects of high- versus low-output LV pacing. Methods and Results-—Thirty-nine patients undergoing initial cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation with bipolar LV leads were assigned to 3 months of either high-output LV pacing (Hi) or low-output LV pacing (Lo) in a randomized, blinded crossover fashion. Hi and Lo settings were determined with a rigorous intraoperative protocol specific to each patient. Clinical and echocardiographic data were obtained at randomization, at 3 months, and a subsequent 3 months after crossover. Mean age was 66.4±9.8 years, and mean QRS duration was 159.3±23.1 ms. Compared to baseline, both arms had significant improvements in Minnesota Living With Heart Failure score (given as mean [95% confidence interval]) (baseline versus Lo: 43.3 [35.5 to 51.1] versus 21.3 [14.6 to 28.0], P<0.01; baseline versus Hi: 43.3 [35.5 to 51.1] versus 23.6 [16.1 to 31.1], P<0.01) and 6-minute walk distance (baseline versus Lo: 692 ft [581 to 804] versus 995 ft [876 to 1114], P<0.01; baseline versus Hi: 699 ft [585 to 813] versus 982 ft [857 to 1106], P<0.01). Although both Hi and Lo arms had some echocardiographic parameters that significantly improved compared to baseline (baseline end-diastolic diameter 5.7 cm [5.5 to 6.0] versus Lo 5.5 cm [5.1 to 5.8], P<0.01; baseline end-systolic diameter 4.9 cm [4.6 to 5.3] versus Hi 4.7 cm [4.3 to 5.0], P<0.05), there were no significant differences observed when comparing the Hi- versus Lo-output arms. Conclusions-—Low-output LV pacing with a relatively narrow safety margin above capture threshold affords significant improvement from baseline and is clinically equivalent to high-output LV pacing. These data support a strategy of minimizing the programmed LV safety margin to increase battery life in cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. Clinical Trial Registration Information-—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01060449 (J Am Heart Assoc. 2012;1:e000950 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.112.000950)
Empirical Predictive Models for Earthquake-Induced Sliding Displacements of Slopes

Earthquake-induced sliding displacement is the parameter most often used to assess the seismic stability of slopes. The expected displacement can be predicted as a function of the characteristics of the slope (yield acceleration) and the ground motion (e.g., peak ground acceleration), yet there is significant aleatory variability associated with the displacement prediction. Using multiple ground motion parameters to characterize the earthquake shaking can significantly reduce the variability in the prediction. Empirical predictive models for rigid block sliding displacements are developed using displacements calculated from over 2,000 acceleration–time histories and four values of yield acceleration. These empirical models consider various single ground motion parameters and vectors of ground motion parameters to predict the sliding displacement, with the goal of minimizing the standard deviation of the displacement prediction. The combination of peak ground acceleration and peak ground velocity is the tw...
The key to winter survival: daily torpor in a small arid-zone marsupial

Mammalian hibernation, which lasts on average for about 6 months, can reduce energy expenditure by >90% in comparison to active individuals. In contrast, the widely held view is that daily torpor reduces energy expenditure usually by about 30%, is employed for a few hours every few days, and often occurs only under acute energetic stress. This interpretation is largely based on laboratory studies, whereas knowledge on daily torpor in the field is scant. We used temperature telemetry to quantify thermal biology and activity patterns of a small arid-zone marsupial, the stripe-faced dunnart Sminthopsis macroura (16.9 g), in the wild and to test the hypothesis that daily torpor is a crucial survival strategy of this species in winter. All individuals entered torpor daily with the exception of a single male that remained normothermic for a single day (torpor on 212 of 213 observation days, 99.5%). Torpor was employed at air temperatures (T (a)) ranging from approximately -1 degrees C to 36 degrees C. Dunnarts usually entered torpor during the night and aroused at midday with the daily increase of T (a). Torpor was on average about twice as long (mean 11.0 +/- 4.7 h, n = 8) than in captivity. Animals employed sun basking during rewarming, reduced foraging time significantly, and occasionally omitted activity for several days in sequence. Consequently, we estimate that daily torpor in this species can reduce daily energy expenditure by up to 90%. Our study shows that for wild stripe-faced dunnarts daily torpor is an essential mechanism for overcoming energetic challenges during winter and that torpor data obtained in the laboratory can substantially underestimate the ecological significance of daily torpor in the wild.
Medical Regimen Adherence

Medical regimen adherence has been defined as the extent to which a patient’s behavior coincides with medical advice. Poor patient adherence is common, costly, and exacerbated by providers’ frequent failure to provide appropriate medical recommendations. Characteristics of the medical regimen, patient characteristics, provider characteristics, and the quality of the patient–provider communication and interaction have been associated with nonadherence. Adherence assessment should be disease-specific, address unintentional as well as intentional nonadherence, and focus on relevant disease management behaviors. Health status indicators should not be used to measure adherence. A variety of intervention strategies can be used to improve adherence.
The Law and Economics of Employee Information Exchange in the Knowledge Economy

In the new economy, knowledge has become both the key production process component and an important object of exchange itself. While knowledge always has been a component of economic activity, it has become "the one factor of production" capable of increasing the productive capacity of both capital and labor. As it was the case in years past, the interests of employers and employees do not necessarily coincide when it comes to allocating rights regarding the ownership and exchange of knowledge. Interestingly, this transition towards a "knowledge economy," and the implications that it has in resolving the inherent conflict between management and labor, has gone almost totally unnoticed by courts, legislatures, and legal scholars alike. The laws that regulate U.S. labor markets are based on a value system reflective of the industrial economy of the 1900s. In particular, the laws regulating the ability of employees to own and share information about their jobs are based on the premises underlying last century's industrial economy. A disconnect thus has developed between the legal regime and the actual operation of labor markets, making our employment laws ineffective in handling the demands created by the shift towards the knowledge economy. This article expands current research by identifying the various implications of the transition towards a knowledge economy on the right of employees to exchange information about their jobs. We believe that the dynamics of the knowledge economy demand a better appreciation of the importance of information exchanges in the workplace. This greater appreciation requires that legal rules be made clear and strengthened regarding a possible general workplace right to information.
Phase 2 study of cobimetinib in combination with vemurafenib in active melanoma brain metastases (coBRIM-B).

TPS9088 Background: Significant advances in the management of melanoma have improved the prognosis and overall survival of patients (pts) with metastatic disease. However, pts with active melanoma ...
Honestamente contraditória: uma visão latino-americana do fascismo

As Origens do fascismo, a collection of short articles by Jose Carlos Mariategui, edited and translated into Portuguese by Luiz Bernardo Pericas, is a series of intellectual portraits of Italian political leaders in the 1920s. During his two year stay in Italy Mariategui witnessed key events that led to the rise of fascism, a movement at once aimed at co-opting ranks from socialist workers’ movements and combating the lib-eral-democratic order. In this article I highlight his idiosyncratic sympathy for both socialist reformism and the friend-versus-foe view politics that was gaining ground at the time.
Yuri's Night: Linking the World Together with an International Space Celebration

Yuri’s Night, “The World Space Party,” is an annual global celebration of the history, present, and future of human spaceflight. Since 2001, Yuri's Night events have been celebrated around April 12, the date of the first human space launch of Yuri Gagarin in 1961 and the first launch of the Space Shuttle in 1981. Over 1,800 independently organized Yuri's Night events have been held across all seven continents, with attendance figures ranging from over 12,000 (NASA Ames Research Center) to small groups of friends at backyard barbecues. Yuri’s Night events are all-inclusive happenings that connect space enthusiasts of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds. In this paper, we discuss the methods that have made Yuri's Night a global success, including the use of cutting-edge web-based technologies, the role of the Global Executive Team in encouraging event organizers’ creativity and originality, developing communication among independent events (highlighted by a global webcast), and outreach to a global community of artists, astronauts, scientists, students, engineers, and educators. Additional areas of discussion include public endorsements by well-known aerospace figures and celebrities, support from national space agencies such as NASA, JAXA, and ESA, and reaching orbit with video messages from both Space Shuttle Columbia and the International Space Station. We conclude with a brief overview of plans to continue the growth of events and spread Yuri's Night as a means to inspire and link humanity during its expansion into the cosmos.
Phytophagous Insects Collected on Musk Thistle, Carduus nutans , in Southeastern South Dakota

Phytophagous insects of Carduus nutans L. (Compositae) in South Dakota are reported. Ninety-eight species are noted, including 3 which have endophagous habits; i.e., Papaipema nebris Guenee (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Platyptila carduidactlys Riley (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) and Homoeosoma ellectellum Hulst (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Nearly half of the species were collected only once in the samples and are therefore considered rare or transient. Comparisons with European thistle insects indicate musk thistle in South Dakota has not been thoroughly exploited by native insects.
Childhood trauma predicts antidepressant response in adults with major depression: data from the randomized international study to predict optimized treatment for depression

Few reliable predictors indicate which depressed individuals respond to antidepressants. Several studies suggest that a history of early-life trauma predicts poorer response to antidepressant therapy but results are variable and limited in adults. The major goal of the present study was to evaluate the role of early-life trauma in predicting acute response outcomes to antidepressants in a large sample of well-characterized patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The international Study to Predict Optimized Treatment for Depression (iSPOT-D) is a randomized clinical trial with enrollment from December 2008 to January 2012 at eight academic and nine private clinical settings in five countries. Patients (n=1008) meeting DSM-IV criteria for MDD and 336 matched healthy controls comprised the study sample. Six participants withdrew due to serious adverse events. Randomization was to 8 weeks of treatment with escitalopram, sertraline or venlafaxine with dosage adjusted by the participant's treating clinician per routine clinical practice. Exposure to 18 types of traumatic events before the age of 18 was assessed using the Early-Life Stress Questionnaire. Impact of early-life stressors-overall trauma 'load' and specific type of abuse-on treatment outcomes measures: response: (⩾50% improvement on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, HRSD17 or on the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Rated, QIDS_SR16) and remission (score ⩽7 on the HRSD17 and ⩽5 on the QIDS_SR16). Trauma prevalence in MDD was compared with controls. Depressed participants were significantly more likely to report early-life stress than controls; 62.5% of MDD participants reported more than two traumatic events compared with 28.4% of controls. The higher rate of early-life trauma was most apparent for experiences of interpersonal violation (emotional, sexual and physical abuses). Abuse and notably abuse occurring at ⩽7 years of age predicted poorer outcomes after 8 weeks of antidepressants, across the three treatment arms. In addition, the abuses occurring between ages 4 and 7 years differentially predicted the poorest outcome following the treatment with sertraline. Specific types of early-life trauma, particularly physical, emotional and sexual abuse, especially when occurring at ⩽7 years of age are important moderators of subsequent response to antidepressant therapy for MDD.
Reversible, voltage-activated formation of biomimetic membranes between triblock copolymer-coated aqueous droplets in good solvents

Biomimetic membranes assembled from block copolymers attract considerable interest because they exhibit greater stability and longetivity compared to lipid bilayers, and some enable the reconstitution of functional transmembrane biomolecules. Yet to-date, block copolymer membranes have not been achieved using the droplet interface bilayer (DIB) method, which uniquely allows assembling single- and multi-membrane networks between water droplets in oil. Herein, we investigate the formation of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(dimethyl siloxane)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer-stabilized interfaces (CSIs) between polymer-coated aqueous droplets in solutions comprising combinations of decane, hexadecane and AR20 silicone oil. We demonstrate that triblock-coated droplets do not spontaneously adhere in these oils because all are thermodynamically good solvents for the hydrophobic PDMS middle block. However, thinned planar membranes are reversibly formed at the interface between droplets upon the application of a sufficient transmembrane voltage, which removes excess solvent from between droplets through electrocompression. At applied voltages above the threshold required to initiate membrane thinning, electrowetting causes the area of the CSI between droplets to increase while thickness remains constant; the CSI electrowetting response is similar to that encountered with lipid-based DIBs. In combination, these results reveal that stable membranes can be assembled in a manner that is completely reversible when an external pressure is used to overcome a barrier to adhesion caused by solvent–chain interactions, and they demonstrate new capability for connecting and disconnecting aqueous droplets via polymer-stabilized membranes.
Rural Women Family Physicians: Strategies for Successful Work-Life Balance

PURPOSE Women family physicians experience challenges in maintaining work-life balance while practicing in rural communities. We sought to better understand the personal and professional strategies that enable women in rural family medicine to balance work and personal demands and achieve long-term career satisfaction. METHODS Women family physicians practicing in rural communities in the United States were interviewed using a semistructured format. Interviews were recorded, professionally transcribed, and analyzed using an immersion and crystallization approach, followed by detailed coding of emergent themes. RESULTS The 25 participants described a set of strategies that facilitated successful work-life balance. First, they used reduced or flexible work hours to help achieve balance with personal roles. Second, many had supportive relationships with spouses and partners, parents, or other members of the community, which facilitated their ability to be readily available to their patients. Third, participants maintained clear boundaries around their work lives, which helped them to have adequate time for parenting, recreation, and rest. CONCLUSIONS Women family physicians can build successful careers in rural communities, but supportive employers, relationships, and patient approaches provide a foundation for this success. Educators, employers, communities, and policymakers can adapt their practices to help women family physicians thrive in rural communities.
Abstract A19: Epigenetic plasticity of the CXCR4 locus contributes to cell state transitions in Ewing sarcoma

Purpose of the Study: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common bone cancer in children. Despite improved survival for patients with localized disease, the outcome for patients with metastases remains dismal. In order to improve outcomes for ES patients, there is an imminent need to further understand the molecular and cellular biology driving ES metastasis. CXCR4 is the most commonly expressed chemokine receptor in human cancer and high expression contributes to metastasis. We have recently demonstrated that CXCR4 is dynamic and that its expression is induced in response to microenvironmental cues leading to transition of cells from CXCR4- to CXCR4+ states. In the current study we investigated the potential contribution of epigenetic regulation to the CXCR4 cell-state transitions in response to changes in the microenvironment. Experimental Procedures: Immunohistochemistry of 93 diagnostic tumor sections was performed and frequency of CXCR4+ cells assessed. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) PCR was used to analyze histone modifications at the CXCR4 locus in ES cell lines. mRNA levels were quantified using qRT-PCR. Chemotactic migration and invasion to CXCL12 was evaluated using the x-CELLigence system in the presence and absence of the bromodomain inhibitor JQ1. Data Summary: CXCR4+ tumor cells were identified in 31 cases. Frequency ranged from Conclusions: In summary, we have demonstrated that stress-dependent induction of CXCR4 in ES is, in part, epigenetically regulated. In particular, the CXCR4 promoter in ES cells resides in a bivalent state, which permits rapid and reversible transitions between CXCR4- and CXCR4+ cell states. Further, enhancer-dependent regulation of CXCR4 transcription opens the door to the potential of bromodomain inhibitors, such as JQ1, as novel therapeutics that could be used to antagonize metastasis-promoting cell state transitions. Citation Format: Melanie A. Krook, Raj Patel, David Lucas, Rashmi Chugh, Elizabeth R. Lawlor. Epigenetic plasticity of the CXCR4 locus contributes to cell state transitions in Ewing sarcoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research: From Mechanisms and Models to Treatment and Survivorship; 2015 Nov 9-12; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(5 Suppl):Abstract nr A19.
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II HLA-DRα Is Downregulated by Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus-Encoded Lytic Transactivator RTA and MARCH8

ABSTRACT Kaposi9s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) maintains two modes of life cycle, the latent and lytic phases. To evade the attack of the cell host9s immune system, KSHV switches from the lytic to the latent phase, a phase in which only a few of viral proteins are expressed. The mechanism by which KSHV evades the attack of the immune system and establishes latency has not been fully understood. Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules are key components of the immune system defense mechanism against viral infections. Here we report that HLA-DRα, a member of the MHC-II molecules, was downregulated by the replication and transcription activator (RTA) protein encoded by KSHV ORF50, an important regulator of the viral life cycle. RTA not only downregulated HLA-DRα at the protein level through direct binding and degradation through the proteasome pathway but also indirectly downregulated the protein level of HLA-DRα by enhancing the expression of MARCH8, a member of the membrane-associated RING-CH (MARCH) proteins. Our findings indicate that KSHV RTA facilitates evasion of the virus from the immune system through manipulation of HLA-DRα. IMPORTANCE Kaposi9s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has a causal role in a number of human cancers, and its persistence in infected cells is controlled by the host9s immune system. The mechanism by which KSHV evades an attack by the immune system has not been well understood. This work represents studies which identify a novel mechanism by which the virus can facilitate evasion of an immune system. We now show that RTA, the replication and transcription activator encoded by KSHV (ORF50), can function as an E3 ligase to degrade HLA-DRα. It can directly bind and induce degradation of HLA-DRα through the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway. In addition to the direct regulation of HLA-DRα, RTA can also indirectly downregulate the level of HLA-DRα protein by upregulating transcription of MARCH8. Increased MARCH8 results in the downregulation of HLA-DRα. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that expression of HLA-DRα was impaired in KSHV de novo infection.
Molybdenum Disulfide‐Based Tubular Microengines: Toward Biomedical Applications

2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is herein explored as an advanced surface material in the fabrication of powerful tubular microengines. The new catalytic self-propelled open-tube bilayer microengines have been fabricated using a template electrodeposition and couple the unique properties of sp2 hybridized MoS2 with highly reactive inner granular Pt catalytic structures. The MoS2/metal microengines display extremely efficient bubble propulsion, reflecting the granular structure of the inner catalytic platinum or gold layers (compared to the smooth metal surfaces of common micromotors). The efficient movement of functionalized MoS2 micromotors can address challenges imposed by slow mass transport processes involved in various applications of MoS2. The delocalized electron network of the MoS2 outer layer facilitates π–π stacking interactions and endows the tubular microengines with a diverse array of capabilities. These are demonstrated here for efficient loading and release of the drug doxorubicin, and rapid and sensitive “OFF–ON” fluorescent detection of important nucleic acids (miRNA-21) and proteins (thrombin) using microengines modified with dye-labeled single-stranded DNA and aptamer, respectively. Such coupling of the attractive capabilities of 2D-MoS2 nanosheets with rapidly moving microengines provides an opportunity to develop multifunctional micromachines for diverse biomedical applications ranging from efficient drug delivery to the detection of important bioanalytes.
Tissue Engineering and Regeneration

A major focus of regenerative tissue engineering is devising substrates on which regeneration can occur. The choice of substrate is an important issue in contemporary tissue engineering. A critical element in constructing a tissue is the local signaling and growth factor environment. Another cellular interaction that is important for many tissues is the re-establishment of proper innervation. Although reinnervation is absolutely essential for skeletal muscle, most organs are supplied with sensory or autonomic innervation, and such innervations are required for their final functional maturation and physiologic modulation. Any tissue-engineering approach to regeneration must involve a source of cells, which will ultimately fill the defect. One approach is to implant an artificial or an acellular natural matrix into the defect and allow it to become infiltrated by cells migrating into the implant from the host. Allogenic cells, especially if obtained from cadaveric donors, are easier to obtain, but they have the same immunologic disadvantages that plague donated organs. Allogenic cells used in tissue engineering can be either differentiated cells or stem cells derived from embryonic or adult sources.
Older marijuana users: Life stressors and perceived social support

Abstract Background Given increasing numbers of older-adult marijuana users, this study examined the association of marijuana use and marijuana use disorder with life stressors and perceived social support in the 50+ age group. Methods Data came from the 2012–2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 14,715 respondents aged 50 + ). Life stressors were measured with 12 items related to interpersonal, legal, and financial problems and being a crime victim. Perceived social support was measured with the 12-item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we identified four components of life stressors. Linear regression analyses was used to test associations of past-year marijuana use and use disorder with PCA scores of each component and perceived social support. Results Of the 50+ age group, 3.89% were past-year marijuana users and 0.68% had marijuana use disorder. Marijuana users, especially those with marijuana use disorder (17.54% of past-year users), had high rates of mental and other substance use disorders. Controlling for other potential risk factors for stress, including health status and mental and other substance use disorders, marijuana use and use disorder were still significantly associated with more life stressors and lower perceived social support, possibly from low levels of social integration. Conclusions A substantial proportion of older-adult marijuana users need help with mental health and substance use problems. Further examination of older marijuana users’ life stressors and social support networks may aid in developing more systematic intervention strategies to address needs and reduce marijuana use.
Isolation of human conjunctival mast cells and epithelial cells: tumor necrosis factor-alpha from mast cells affects intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression on epithelial cells

Purpose To isolate and purify mast cells and epithelial cells from human cadaveric donor conjunctival tissue and to characterize interactions between these cell types in vitro. Methods Monodispersed cell suspensions obtained by enzymatic digestion of conjunctival tissue were applied to a single-density Percoll gradient. Epithelial cells obtained from the top layer of the gradient were cultured to confluence. Mast cells obtained from the pellet were equilibrated in culture medium and further purified using a two-step Percoll gradient. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), RNA from the purified mast cell preparation was probed for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) message. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of intracellular immunostained mast cells was used to detect the TNF alpha protein. An examination for intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on epithelial cells was performed after 24-hour incubations with either recombinant TNF alpha supernatants from calcium ionophore A23187 (CaI)-stimulated mast cells or appropriate controls using FACS analysis. Results Highly purified human conjunctival mast cells and epithelial cells (each > 95%) were obtained from human cadaveric donor tissue. RT-PCR analysis of purified mast cell RNA revealed the expression of TNF alpha mRNA. An evaluation of mast cells for intracellular protein demonstrated positive staining for tryptase and TNF alpha. ICAM-1 was found on purified epithelial cells, and incubation of epithelial cell monolayers with supernatants from Cal-stimulated mast cells resulted in upregulation of this receptor. This upregulation was blocked by incubation with TNF alpha-neutralizing antibody. Conclusions This work provides the methods for isolating and purifying mast cells and epithelial cells from human donor tissue and the opportunity for studying mechanisms of conjunctival inflammation by evaluating the interactions between these cells.
Optimum solution and evaluation of rectangular jigsaw puzzles based on branch and bound method and combinatorial accuracy

Automatic solution of rectangular jigsaw puzzles can be broken down into two separate steps of calculating pairwise compatibility metrics and jigsaw assembling algorithm. This work discriminates between two different sources of errors, each corresponding to one of these two steps. In this regard, type I error is defined as the imperfection of the used compatibility metric, and type II error is reserved to measure the imperfection of jigsaw assembling algorithm. Differentiating between these two types of error allows us to tweak and optimize different parts of the algorithm to achieve the best performance. Based upon these defined terms, this study argues that current jigsaw assembling algorithms mainly rely on either greedy methods or metaheuristic algorithms, which may impose a considerable amount of type II error to the final solution. This paper demonstrates that a powerful and perfect (i.e., type II error-free) jigsaw assembling algorithm is achievable by combining branch and bound technique with graph theory. This perfect jigsaw assembling algorithm is then utilized to measure the performances of various compatibility metrics and color models. The superiority of red-green-blue (RGB) color model and Mahalanobis gradient compatibility (MGC) metric in solving rectangular jigsaw puzzles is shown by providing conclusive evidence. Additionally, a mean opinion score (MOS) test is conducted to examine the accuracy of the existing metrics. According to the results from MOS test, we argue that the existing performance criteria are not concise and accurate; thus, a new accuracy metric is proposed on the basis of comparing different sub-blocks of solutions. Finally, the efficiency of jigsaw assembling algorithm is measured by proposing a new performance criterion.
Data science & computing across the curriculum

Data science is an applied, interdisciplinary field that draws on technical skills at the intersection of computing, applied mathematics, and statistics. In addition to these technical skills, the successful data scientist is typically also an expert in an unrelated field where data analysis can be utilized. The interdisciplinary nature of data science presents a unique opportunity to introduce broadly applicable fundamentals of computer science to a larger audience than is typically found in our computer science courses and programs. This poster describes the approach to introductory data science instruction recently taken at the University of New Hampshire.
Investigating the Effects of Different Constant Compression Forces on Pig Femur Bone During the Process of Spiral Oblique Long Bone Fracture

Spiral Oblique fractures are known to happen by a torsional force while the bone is under certain compression force. The purpose of this research is to compare the effects of two different, constant compressional forces during the process of spiral oblique fracture of pig femur bone. This experiment was performed by simulating the fracture with a Materials Testing System (MTS). An epoxy at both, the proximal and distal heads of the bone stabilized each bone. The bone will then be placed in the MTS. The different tests performed included combinations testing 500 and 750°N compressional forces, each at the 6°, 12°, and 18° per second torsional rate. Seven bones were tested for each of the torque speeds on each group (sample size, n = 7). The average angle of twist for the slow, average, and fast rates for Group 1 were 0.7590°, 0.8948°, 0.9376°, respectively. The average angle of twist for the slow, average, and fast rates for Group 2 were 1.3213°, 1.2580°, 1.7459°, respectively. The average maximum torque for the slow, average, and fast rates for Group 1 were 129.4258°, 133.6292°, 148.4509°, respectively. The average maximum torque for the slow, average, and fast rates for Group 2 were 123.0230°, 113.7802°, 135.7897°, respectively. The average angle of fracture for the slow, average, and fast rates for Group 1 were 64.1919°, 59.9131°, 66.0148°, respectively. The average angle of fracture for the slow, average, and fast rates for Group 2 were 72.9282°, 69.4060°, 71.1549°, respectively. Overall, the fractures made under 750°N were overall cleaner and with higher angles. The proof given by the comparisons between angle of twist, angle of fracture, and maximum torque offer enough evidence that a higher compression force creates an overall cleaner and stronger fracture over the spiral oblique fractures of pig femur bone.
Moderate, extreme, or both? How voters respond to ideologically unpredictable candidates

Abstract Candidates and parties often face a choice between endorsing policies that appeal to their core constituencies or generate support from more diverse groups of voters. While the latter strategy may make overtures to a wider set of citizens, existing literature says little about how the overall mix of issue positions affects electoral support. We argue that candidates who endorse diverse sets of policy positions appear unpredictable to voters and incur subsequent electoral penalties. Using data from the 2006 congressional elections, we find that ideological predictability substantially increases electoral support at both the individual and aggregate levels and that voters perceive greater ideological congruence from more predictable candidates. Our results have important implications for candidate and party strategies and suggest that voters are responsive to the mean and the variance of candidates’ policy stances.
Partitions into Parts Simultaneously Regular, Distinct, And/or Flat

We explore partitions that lie in the intersection of several sets of classical interest: partitions with parts indivisible by m, appearing fewer than m times, or differing by less than m. We find results on their behavior and generating functions: more results for those simultaneously regular and distinct, fewest for those distinct and flat. We offer some conjectures in the area.
Using systematic observation to assess teacher effectiveness promoting personally and socially responsible behavior in physical education

National content standards in PE address responsibility; however, learning outcomes and teacher effectiveness in this area remain poorly defined. This study employed the Social and Emotional Learni...
Robotic lobectomy has the greatest benefit in patients with marginal pulmonary function

Patients with limited pulmonary function have a high risk for pulmonary complications following lobectomy. Robotic approach is currently the least invasive approach. We hypothesized that robotic lobectomy may be of particular benefit in high-risk patients. We reviewed our institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) data on lobectomy patients from 2012 to 2017. Postoperative outcomes were compared between robotic and open lobectomy groups. High-risk patients were identified by pulmonary function test. Risk of pulmonary complication was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis. A total of 599 patients underwent lobectomy by robotic (n = 287), or by open (n = 312) approach, including 189 high-risk patients. Robotic lobectomy patients had a lower rate of prolonged air leak (6% vs. 10%, p = 0.047), less atelectasis requiring bronchoscopy (6% vs. 16%, p = 0.02), pneumonia (3% vs. 8%, p = 0.01), and shorter length of stay (4 vs. 6 days, p = 0.001). Overall pulmonary complication rate was significantly lower after robotic lobectomy in high-risk patients (28% vs. 45%, p = 0.02), less in intermediate or low risk patients. No significant difference was seen relative to major complication rate (12% vs. 17%, p = 0.09). After multivariate analysis, when adjusting for age, gender, smoking history, FEV1, DLCO, cardiopulmonary comorbidities, and prior chest surgery, the robotic approach remained independently associated with decreased pulmonary complications (odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval [0.34–0.85], p = 0.008). Robotic lobectomy has the potential to decrease the risk of postoperative pulmonary complication as compared with traditional open thoracotomy. In particular, patients with limited pulmonary function derive the most benefit from a robotic approach.
EXPLODING JULIA SETS

ABSTRACT Entire transcendental functions may exhibit what we call explosions in their Julia sets as a parameter is varied. An explosion is a sudden change from a nowhere dense Julia set to one which is the entire complex plane. We illustrate this phenomenon with an explosion in the complex exponential family, and we describe the mechanism which produces explosions via another example, the complex sine function.
PNEUMONIA | The Immunocompromised Host

Pneumonias in the immunocompromised host can be caused by virulent organisms, which also infect normal patients, or atypical organisms not ordinarily seen in the healthy population. The type of pneumonia that develops in the immunocompromised host is determined by whether the immune defect is secondary to abnormalities in neutrophils, T lymphocytes, or B lymphocytes. Although coughing, fever, and shortness of breath develop commonly, pneumonia may be clinically silent or have unusual radiographic findings. Therefore, diagnosis often requires an open mind toward unusual organisms that may exist, as well as information acquired by sputum analysis, bronchoscopy, and/or surgical lung biopsy. Immunofluorescence and other organ-specific techniques may also be helpful in some patients. Antibiotics should be guided by cultures and other microbiology data; however, when such data are not available, they must be administered empirically.
Wireless Intelligent ATM Network

This paper presents a wireless network infrastructure, which is referred to the wireless intelligent ATM (WIATM) network, to provide wireless broadband integrated services The WIATM network architecture is an independent wireless network, which is consistent with the inherent cellular/PCS network architecture, as a wireless customer premises equipment/network (CPE/CPN) to access the ATM transport network in the B-ISDN infrastructure. An independent network architecture design separates the wireless access network from the ATM backbone network; this provides flexibility for wireless resource management with low rate source codecs with minimal tolerable QoS considered to increase the spectral efficiency and mobility support by taking advantage of the functionalities of the IS-41 circuit-switching handoff procedures. The protocol design of the air interface is to meet the QoS requirements of wireless B-ISDN services and highly compatible with that of B-ISDN UNI. A hybrid concatenated error control scheme distributed through the protocol layers is used to target individual QoS requirements of different services. The convolutional coding and interleaving in the wireless physical layer protocol to guarantee QoS of voice services. A concatenated coding with additional 36-bit BCH code in the wireless ATM layer, which replaces the VCI/VPI of the ATM header field, improves the QoS up to the requirement of video services. The VCI/VPI field in WIATM is an overlapped routing information routing with the address control by radio port controller and is thus not needed in the wireless ATM layer protocol. The retransmission scheme for data service only is added in the wireless data link layer, which is on top of wireless AAL, to meet its QoS requirement. The AIN (Advance Intelligent Network) signaling functionalities are considered for the multi-media service control in the access network and interconnection to the ATM network.
Human Effects Associated with the Use of Aldicarb on Cotton in Sudan, Africa

Cholinesterase inhibition determinations by Acholest [1] tests backed by the Michel [2] method were related to clinical symptom manifestations in field workers applying Aldicarb formulations “on-furrow” to cotton in Sudan. Air, water, urine and patch samples were analyzed to measure the potential exposure. Urine samples were analyzed for alkyl phosphate metabolites to preclude the possibility of interference from organophosphate pesticides. Workers were tested pre-application to determine normal cholinesterase levels. Acholest test samples were collected and analyzed in the field, with a portion of duplicate samples frozen for shipment to Miami for analysis by the Michel method. All other samples were shipped under Dry Ice to Miami for analysis. Aldicarb has an oral LD50 (rat) of 0.9 mg/kg and a dermal LD50 (rabbit) of 5 mg/kg. A granular formulation lowers the dermal LD50 (rats) to 2100 (male) –3970 (female) mg/kg. In water, Aldicarb oxidizes to the sulfoxide, then to the sulfone. The half-life is dependent upon pH and temperature. Animal studies indicate that Aldicarb is metabolized to the sulfoxide and sulfoxide oxime. In the analysis, peracetic acid was used to insure complete conversion to the sulfone with exposure measured as equivalent to the Aldicarb sulfone quantified.
Chromatin Study In Situ: II. Static and Flow Microfluorimetry

A recent review (1,2) indicates that significant correlation exist between the structure of chromatin and the extent of cell proliferation (aging, serum stimulation, virus transformation, cell-cycle phases, etc.). Chromatin, of course, refers to the diffuse interphase form of chromosome isolated from eukaryotic cells and the question remains open as to whether observed chromatin changes are reflected in the intact cell.