cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 043: A Gwas Prioritized Candidate Gene,Nr2f2, Attenuates Salt-sensitive Hypertension and Associated Renal Function

A haplotype-based re-analysis of the GWAS study by the Wellcome Trust Case Control consortium prioritized the transcription factor, Nuclear receptor2, family2 (NR2F2) also known as Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) as a gene associated with essential hypertension in humans. This gene is also prioritized as a differentially expressed positional BP QTL candidate gene on rat chromosome 1. To further examine Nr2f2 as a determinant of blood pressure, a mutant Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat model was generated using the zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN) technology. As a result of this ZFN mediated disruption, a 15-bp deletion occurred within exon 2 of the Nr2f2 locus, resulting in the loss of 5 amino acids from the hinge region of the Nr2f2 protein. Systolic BP of the homozygous Nr2f2mutant rats was lower than that of the S rats (179±3 vs. 197±5 mmHg; p<0.001) as measured by the tail-cuff method and (165±2 vs. 201±3 mmHg; p<0.001) as monitored by the radio-telemetry method. Nr2f2mutant rats demonstrated lower proteinuria compared to S rats (87.97±7.07 vs. 122.63±7.07mg/day; p<0.05). Since Nr2f2 is reported to negatively regulate renin promoter activity, we tested renin activity in the Nr2f2mutant rats. However, there was no significant difference in either the plasma renin activity or renal renin protein expression when compared with S rats. Renal histological analysis showed that Nr2f2mutant rats have decreased collagen compared with the S rats. Furthermore, Nr2f2mutant rats showed significantly decreased TGF-β protein levels, when compared with S rat kidney (p<0.05). These data, taken together with our recently published data on the improved cardiac and vascular function in the Nr2f2mutant rats (Nat Commun. 2015 Feb 17;6:6252), lend support to Nr2f2 as a determinant of blood pressure and associated renal function. While the observed improvement in renal function could be a secondary consequence of lower hypertension, our data, combined with the important mechanistic finding that the enhanced transcription factor-transcription factor interaction of Nr2f2 with Fog2 (Friend of GATA4), suggest that the hinge region of Nr2f2 is important for regulating blood pressure and associated cardiac and renal functions.
Molecular storage ring makes its debut

For almost two decades laser radiation has been used first to slow, then to cool and finally to trap atoms. But not molecules. The multitude of energy levels found in molecules has so far defeated the use of laserbased techniques, which rely on exciting transitions that can spontaneously radiate and return to the original levels.
Critical conversations with children's literature: how cultural and political vignettes (CPVs) support young readers

Young children today have greater access to culturally and politically sensitive information than at any other time in history. Although there are many positive aspects of children having greater access, negative consequences can also result, especially when they do not have sufficient structured and supportive opportunities to question, discuss and analyse the information they are receiving. Presently, teachers are faced with a multitude of intricate social phenomena in their classrooms, many of which leave them feeling apprehensive and unprepared. Some teachers of young learners need guidance, pedagogical practices and strategies to help their students address their questions and concerns about sensitive social issues in healthy, constructive ways that lead to positive, transformative action.
Immunogenetic and Developmental Aspects of Tissue Transplantation Immunity in Urodele Amphibians

For the past 50 years, transplantation of tissues, organs, and their primordia in embryonic, larval, and adult urodele amphibians has been an essential tool in the continuing study of development (1), regeneration (2), and oncogenesis (3). It is only recently that systematic studies of the immunologic consequences and parameters of transplantation in these ectothermic vertebrates have been undertaken (4–9). This paper will review much of our current knowledge of transplantation immunity in this vertebrate order from the perspectives of comparative and developmental immunology and immunogenetics.
The relationship between body mass index, diabetes, and triple-negative breast cancer prognosis.

1108 Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) and diabetes are associated with worse breast cancer prognosis. However, information on how these variables relate to survival in triple-negative breas...
An analysis of morbidity and mortality using Google Trends

Improvement in information technology has led to an increase in the ability of individuals to access health information; however, there still exists a large gap between patient and physician knowle...
Life-Cycle Analysis of Distributed Manufacturing

With the open source sharing of the RepRap, a self-replicating rapid prototyper, low-cost 3-D printing is now a technically viable form of distributed manufacturing for a variety of products. In addition, the subsequent development of the recyclebot, an open source 3-D filament extruder, enables raw materials to be sourced from the household waste of a prosumer—one who produces that which he or she consumes. Millions of free and open source designs are now available on the Internet, and as this article shows using life-cycle analysis, prosumers can radically reduce both the economic costs of goods and the environmental impact as compared to conventionally manufactured goods by utilizing the most aggressive form of distributed manufacturing: making the products they need at home using digital designs created from what would otherwise be their waste. Finally, some of the most likely future technical developments will be reviewed to provide guidance into the potential for distributed manufacturing in the future and the subsequent effect on the environment.
Numerical methods of integration applied in the nonlinear dynamic analysis of shells of revolution

Evaluating methods of numerically integrating equations of motion for nonlinear dynamic analyses of shells of revolution by matrix displacement method
Bigelow and Anti-Aircraft Fire Control, 1940–1945

Soon after the shelving of his computer project, Wiener was drawn into the study of the control of servo-mechanisms that was being carried out by engineers at MIT. His work during World War II grew from a suggestion he made to the servo-engineers in early November 1940, that networks with frequency responses of a certain kind, into which the positional data of an airplane’s flight trajectory is fed, might provide a means for evaluating its future locations, and so assist in the improvement of anti-aircraft fire. Anti-aircraft fire control was a problem of tremendous military importance at that time because of German air superiority over England.
Partition of Nonionic Organic Compounds in Aquatic Systems

In aqueous systems, the distribution of many nonionic organic solutes in soil-sediment, aquatic organisms, and dissolved organic matter can be explained in terms of a partition model. The nonionic organic solute is distributed between water and different organic phases that behave as bulk solvents. Factors such as polarity, composition, and molecular size of the solute and organic phase determine the relative importance of partition to the environmental distribution of the solute. This chapter reviews these factors in the context of a partition model and also examines several environmental applications of the partition model for surface- and ground-water systems.
Reproductive Biology of Three Wildflower Species: Implications of Floral Compatibility Systems and Pollen Limitation for Prairie Restoration

abstract We conducted a hand pollination experiment to test the effects of supplemental pollen and pollen identity on subsequent reproductive success in three American wildflower species: Chamaecrista fasciculata, Gaillardia pulchella and Salvia coccinea. These species are commonly used in ecological restoration plantings and vary in pollination syndrome and compatibility system. We hypothesized that for all three species, treatments that supplemented pollen would yield greater fruit and seed set. Plants were germinated in a closed greenhouse until flowering, then divided into three treatments: “control”, with no supplemental pollen added; “self”, with supplemented self-pollen; and “outcross”, with supplemented outcross pollen. Treated flowers were bagged and allowed to develop to mature fruit stage, and any resulting fruits and seeds were counted and weighed. Results varied between species. Outcross C. fasciculata flowers had significantly higher fruit set than self or control treated flowers, whereas S....
3D hybrid integrated lasers for silicon photonics

A novel 3D hybrid integration platform combines group III-V materials and silicon photonics to yield high-performance lasers is presented. This platform is based on flip-chip bonding and vertical optical coupling integration. In this work, indium phosphide (InP) devices with monolithic vertical total internal reflection turning mirrors were bonded to active silicon photonic circuits containing vertical grating couplers. Greater than 2 mW of optical power was coupled into a silicon waveguide from an InP laser. The InP devices can also be bonded directly to the silicon substrate, providing an efficient path for heat dissipation owing to the higher thermal conductance of silicon compared to InP. Lasers realized with this technique demonstrated a thermal impedance as low as 6.2°C/W, allowing for high efficiency and operation at high temperature. InP reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers were also integrated with 3D hybrid integration to form integrated external cavity lasers. These lasers demonstrated a wavelength tuning range of 30 nm, relative intensity noise lower than -135 dB/Hz and laser linewidth of 1.5 MHz. This platform is promising for integration of InP lasers and photonic integrated circuits on silicon photonics.
Fostering Domestic Violence Prosecutions After Crawford/Davis: Proposal for Legislative Action

This article advocates that two evidence rules be added to the Federal Rules of Evidence and state evidence codes modeled on the Federal Rules of Evidence. These new rules would serve to discourage the commission of acts of domestic violence as well as further the successful prosecution of many of those who actually do commit subsequent acts of domestic violence. Proposed Fed.R.Evid. 803(25) makes admissible statements made in connection with applications for protection orders when offered in a subsequent criminal case against the same person accused in the application. Such statements are "nontestimonial" under Crawford/Davis. Proposed Fed.R.Evid. 416 permits the introduction for any purpose to which relevant evidence of a defendant's commission of a prior offense of domestic violence in any criminal case in which same defendant is accused of an offense of domestic violence.
An Analysis of the Run Sum Control Chart

The run sum control chart is a simple but powerful procedure for monitoring the mean of a process. We analyze the run length distribution of the run sum chart using a Markov chain approach. Procedures for evaluating average run lengths for one-time shif..
Effect of Cooperative Behavior on Molecular Vibrational IETS Peak Intensities

Contrary to previous theories of the intensity of molecular vibrational energy loss peaks in IETS, we have shown that the second derivative of the tunneling current varies as n4/3 rather than linearly in n, where n is the concentration of molecules adsorbed on the insulator surface during the junction fabrication. This is a result of considering the proper form for the potential in the junction region from a layer of vibrating dipoles with all of its images. Even though obtained with a simple model for the junction, this dependence agrees with the experimental results of LANGAN and HANSMA.
Recombinant Antibody Production in CHO and NS0 Cells: Differences and Similarities

The commercial production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has revolutionized the treatment of many diseases, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These biotherapeutics have the potential to generate a global annual revenue of more than US$150 billion. Two cell hosts are predominantly utilized to produce these mAbs: Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and murine myeloma cells (NS0). By 2017, nearly one-quarter of all approved mAbs in the market were produced using the NS0 host cell line, and around two-thirds were produced in CHO cells. Several different expression platforms are available: CHO-GS (glutamine synthetase), CHO-DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), NS0, and GS-NS0, which have been characterized with respect to cell line and process development. Even though the major components of the cell culture media are common for both CHO and NS0 cells, specific growth media have been modified based on individual cellular requirements, such as cholesterol for NS0 cells. Additionally, understanding genomic and metabolic differences between the two cell hosts from an 'omics perspective has created a reference for media composition and antibody quality improvements.
Ultra-Practical Guide to Ultrawideband [Book\/Software Review]

This book contains nine chapters, progressing from an “Introduction to Ultrawideband, Short- Pulse Radio Systems” to “Transmitting, Receiving, and Arrays Antenna Design and Analysis.” It offers a comprehensive treatment of the methods, analysis, and practice of impulse and ultrawideband (UWB) systems and explores UWB sources, antennas, propagation, electromagnetic theory, and practical systems. It also includes practical guidance on how to build antennas and radio hardware for high-power wideband impulse signals and presents both theoretical and experimental results in the time frequency domain. Further, this book explains and discusses the scattering of UWB electromagnetic pulses by conducting and dielectric objects as well as the impulse response of objects; it also includes coverage of the propagation channel. The reader gains insight into the development of the high-power source of UWB radiation with megavolt effective potential on the base of combined antenna arrays. The book has been translated into English from Russian, with many listed references in Russian. This text covers both theory and practical information on UWB short-pulse radio systems. A UWB radio designer can use many of the examples as a starting point to ensure that he or she is beginning on the right foot. Various examples of test data, parameters, and charts can serve as checkpoint comparisons for an original design. Ultrawideband Short- Pulse Radio Systems is an extremely useful guidebook for any radio designer.
(155) Personalized Activated Care and Training: A PACT with Patients to Prevent Chronic Pain and Addiction

PURPOSE: The Institute of Medicine states that a health professionals’ primary role for chronic pain should be guiding, coaching, and assisting patients with day-to-day self-management. However, providers often lack the time and training to perform this role, and there is limited research on self-management approaches. We propose providers use a transformative care model that integrates robust patient training with evidence-based treatments using tele-coaching and technology to improve long-term outcomes and health chronic pain. METHODS: The Personalized Activated Care and Training (PACT) program was developed to enhance understanding, compliance, and success in self-management of pain conditions and includes risk assessment, on-line risk reduction training, and tele-health coaching to reduce risk factors that contribute to delayed recovery and implement protective actions to reduce chronic pain. We conducted a pilot RCT to refine the program, evaluate evaluate preliminary efficacy at 8 and 16 weeks and feasibility for broad scale implementation. RESULTS: Eighty-one subjects were randomized to PACT and Usual care and survey measures were obtained. Cohen's -d statistic was estimated for survey outcomes and a subset of participants were interviewed regarding their experiences. Participants had a mean age of 46 (PACT), 49 (TSC) and the majority were white and female. Outcomes at 16 weeks in patients with head and neck pain showed improvement in the PACT group relative to UC on measures of pain severity (PACT: 1.22, UC: -.74), pain interference in daily living (PACT: -.49, UC: -.27), and chronic pain self-efficacy (PACT: .45, UC: .27). CONCLUSION: This research demonstrated that transformative care model that includes tele-health coaching and on-line training is both feasible and effective. It provides an accessible, scalable, and transferable method for self-management that can be integrated into routine care without increasing the burden of time demands upon the providers. PACT was developed and tested with grants from NIH/NIDCRU01DE025609.
Extrapulmonary Respiratory Diseases

Restrictive lung diseases (RLDs) are disease processes which limit expansion of the respiratory system resulting in a reduction in lung volumes when measured by pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Extrapulmonary lung diseases cause respiratory muscle weakness, significant skeletal deformity or scarring of the pleural space can result in reduced lung volumes due an inability to expand the chest wall and therefore the lungs. These physiologic abnormalities can lead to increased perioperative risks but these can be mitigated with a careful preoperative evaluation and the use of noninvasive ventilation support and cough support with mechanical insufflation–exsufflation (MI-E or CoughAssist™) postoperatively.
Εndovascular Repair of Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysms: A Systematic Review:

Objective:Both true and false extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAA) are a potential source of morbidity and mortality. While ECAA have historically been treated surgically, endovascular reco...
Putative Mode of Action of the Monoterpenoids Linalool, Methyl Eugenol, Estragole, and Citronellal on Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

Abstract Essential oil has been used as sedatives, anticonvulsants, and local anesthetics in traditional medical remedies; as preservatives for food, fruit, vegetable, and grain storage; and as bio-pesticides for food production. Linalool (LL), along with a few other major components such as methyl eugenol (ME), estragole (EG), and citronellal, are the active chemicals in many essential oils such as basil oil. Basil oil and the aforementioned monoterpenoids are potent against insect pests. However, the molecular mechanism of action of these chemical constituents is not well understood. It is well-known that the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) are primary molecular targets of the synthetic insecticides used in the market today. Furthermore, the GABAAR-targeted therapeutics have been used in clinics for many decades, including barbiturates and benzodiazepines, to name just a few. In this research, we studied the electrophysiological effects of LL, ME, EG, and citronellal on GABAAR and nAChR to further understand their versatility as therapeutic agents in traditional remedies and as insecticides. Our results revealed that LL inhibits both GABAAR and nAChR, which may explain its insecticidal activity. LL is a concentration-dependent, non-competitive inhibitor on GABAAR, as the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) for the rat α1β3γ2L GABAAR were not affected by LL: (36.2 ± 7.9) μmol·L−1 and (36.1 ± 23.8) μmol·L−1 in the absence and presence of 5 mmol·L−1 LL, respectively. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of LL on GABAAR was approximately 3.2 mmol·L−1. Considering that multiple monoterpenoids are found within the same essential oil, it is likely that LL has a synergistic effect with ME, which has been previously characterized as both a GABAAR agonist and a positive allosteric modulator, and with other monoterpenoids, which offers a possible explanation for the sedative and anticonvulsant effects and the insecticidal activities of LL.
Chapter 4 – Goals

In web analytics tools, goals are a way of measuring actions that users can take that indicates the website is successfully serving the needs of the organization. Rather than constantly measuring every possible metric, goals are strategically chosen to indicate whether the website as a whole is working. It is essential for the credibility of UX professionals that we show how our work affects the performance of our organizations by ensuring that their web analytics goals are aligned with user needs and then tying UX work to the improvement of these metrics. A major concept for effectively using Google Analytics is the conversion rate, the amount of users who successfully complete one of those strategically chosen actions divided by the total number of users in a population. By measuring how this rate changes over time we can understand how changes to a website affect users’ ability to complete important actions. This chapter explores reports and methods for studying this metric.
Auditory Display in Interactive Science Simulations: Description and Sonification Support Interaction and Enhance Opportunities for Learning

Science simulations are widely used in classrooms to support inquiry-based learning of complex science concepts. These tools typically rely on interactive visual displays to convey relationships. Auditory displays, including verbal description and sonification (non-speech audio), combined with alternative input capabilities, may provide an enhanced experience for learners, particularly learners with visual impairment. We completed semi-structured interviews and usability testing with eight adult learners with visual impairment for two audio-enhanced simulations. We analyzed trends and edge cases in participants' interaction patterns, interpretations, and preferences. Findings include common interaction patterns across simulation use, increased efficiency with second use, and the complementary role that description and sonification play in supporting learning opportunities. We discuss how these control and display layers work to encourage exploration and engagement with science simulations. We conclude with general and specific design takeaways to support the implementation of auditory displays for accessible simulations.
Rehospitalization, Treatment, and Resource Use After Inpatient Admission for Achalasia in the USA.

Readmission for achalasia treatment is associated with significant morbidity and cost. Factors predictive of readmission would be useful in identifying patients at risk. We performed a retrospective study using the Nationwide Readmission Database for the year 2016 and 2017. We collected data on hospital readmissions of 17,848 adults who were hospitalized for achalasia and discharged. The 30-day readmission rate as well as the primary cause, mortality rate, in-hospital adverse events, and total hospitalization charges were examined. A cox multivariate regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for 30-day readmission, including the surgical or endoscopic treatment used during the index admission. From 2016 to 2017, the 30-day readmission rate for index admission with achalasia was 15.2%. Of these 15.2%, 34% were readmitted with persistent symptoms of achalasia or treatment-related complications. Older age, higher comorbidity index, possessing private insurance, and those with either pneumatic balloon dilation or no endoscopic/surgical treatment showed higher odds of readmission on multivariate analysis. Those treated with laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) or peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) showed lower odds of readmission. There was no difference in rates of readmission between those undergoing POEM or LHM, but mortality rate for readmission was significantly higher for the LHM group. The in-hospital mortality rate and length of stay were significantly higher for readmissions (p < 0.01) than the index admissions. Three in 20 patients admitted with achalasia are likely to be readmitted within 30 days of their initial hospitalization, a number which can be higher in untreated patients and in those with multiple comorbidities. Rehospitalizations bear a higher mortality rate than the initial admission and present a burden to the healthcare system.
Opening Doors for the Insurgent

Since its inception 30 years ago, the concept of intersectionality has been taken up in disciplines across the social sciences. This chapter explores the question of what it may mean for feminist social science if intersectionality travels to the social sciences primarily through projects in the disciplinary mainstream, that is, those that do not threaten disciplinary norms. It concludes with suggestions for how those who practice “good” intersectionality can open doors for work that is more boldly interdisciplinary or more congruent with intersectionality’s social justice commitment. Along the way, the author reflects critically on her own experiences in navigating this tension.
Data Fusion for Inspection of Electronic Components

Parts with circular features, such as holes, are common in the microelectronics industry. For example, holes used for mounting integrated circuits and other electronic components are found on printed circuit boards. If the holes in these circuit boards are not located or shaped properly, electronic components may not fit into them correctly. Due to the small size of many electronic components, holes must be manufactured precisely. Therefore, inspecting the circular shape of these holes requires a high degree of accuracy.
Development of a heart valve model surface for optimization of surface modifications.

Abstract Current bioprosthetic valve replacements (BPVs) are susceptible to myriad complications, including calcification and thrombosis; however, recent research has explored surface modifications to encourage re-endothelialization of the tissue, preventing unwanted blood–tissue interactions. A bioprosthetic valve surface model (BVSM) was developed to facilitate rapid in vitro optimization of surface modification techniques for BPVs. The BVSM was manufactured by photopolymerization of PEGDA and collagen type I and subsequent addition of amine-rich peptide to provide reactive sites for surface modification. This BVSM mimics surface mechanical properties of bioprosthetic valve tissue, as measured by micropipette aspiration. The BVSM successfully mimics the latent toxic effects of glutaraldehyde fixation, as shown through MTT assay results. Amine content, assessed by XPS, was shown to be significantly lower in the BVSM than unfixed tissue. However, incubation of the surface with amine-reactive NHS–PEG–Cy5 revealed even coverage of the BVSM surface, suggesting that there exists sufficient surface reactive groups to anchor surface modifications, and that translation of the modification process to tissue will yield more complete modification of the BPV surface. These results indicate successful construction of a BVSM that mimics essential properties of bioprosthetic valve tissue and its usefulness for rapid in vitro optimization of surface modification methods for endothelialization. Statement of Significance Current bioprosthetic valve replacements are susceptible to many complications, including calcification and thrombosis; however, recent research has explored surface modifications to encourage the integration of the replacement with the native tissue, which would prevent unwanted blood–tissue interactions. However, methods to analyze and optimize such modifications are limited by the complex surface topography, individual variability, and opacity of native tissue. Thus, we have developed a novel bioprosthetic valve tissue model (BVM) which mimics the important features of the bioprosthetic valve tissue and serves as a platform for rapid optimization and testing of surface modification strategies for tissue valves. Thus, the BVM will provide a needed platform to support rapid improvement of clinically available cardiovascular implants.
Does Phospholipase Have a Role in Killing and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Lysis of T4 Ghost-Infected Escherichia coli?

The activation of Escherichia coli phospholipase by T4 ghost attachment was shown not to have a significant role in the killing or in the increased sensitivity of the bacterial cells to lysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate.
Adaptive Stream Multicast Based on IP Unicast and Dynamic Commercial Attachment Mechanism: An Active Network Implementation

This paper describes an adaptive IP-unicast-based multicast protocol that dynamicallyc onstructs a multicast tree based onlyo n request packets sent byc lients. Since the protocol is simple but flexible and does not require anyIP multicast addresses or special multicast mechanisms, unlike the IP multicast protocol, it is scalable and suitable for personal stream broadcasting and related services. An application that dynamically attaches advertisements to multicasted streams is also presented. The application attaches advertisements to the streams at active nodes instead of the server so it can deliver advertisements tailored to the individual recipient, according to his/her interests and/or location. An algorithm that minimizes the attachment cost over the corresponding multicast tree is developed. The multicast and advertisement attachment mechanisms are implemented using our own active network environment, and their validityis confirmed.
Oral contraceptives and depression: impact, prevalence and cause.

One million American adolescents are currently using oral contraceptives. Sixty percent of those beginning the pill discontinue its use within a year. Concern that mood change might be contributing to the decision to stop the pill prompted a review of the literature on the association between oral contraceptive use and depression. Trends in adolescent pregnancy, contraceptive use, and compliance are discussed in the first section. In the second, 12 clinical studies are analyzed. Because there are no studies of mood change and oral contraceptive use in adolescents, some data from adults are presented. Biochemical theories to explain an association between oral contraceptive use and depression are discussed in section three. Nine of the 12 clinical studies reported depression in 16–56% of women using oral contraceptives. Three studies found no association between oral contraceptive use and depression. The major problems found in the clinical trials were selection bias, poor assessment of pre-therapeutic mood state and unclear definition or measurement of depression. Current biochemical research suggests that oral contraceptives induce tryptophan oxygenase, which leads to pyridoxine deficiency in some women. However, the use of pyridoxine to prevent or treat depression in women taking oral contraceptives requires further study.
The fire next time

Rodney King's beating by Los Angeles Police Department officers, and their subsequent acquittal by an all White jury sparked the first “multicultural riot” in Los Angeles in 1992. Twenty years since the time of the uprising, the vigilante murder of teenager Trayvon Martin in a gated community in Florida brought thousands across the country into the streets to protest the disposability of Black male life. Since writing this essay, Rodney King has passed away, his death also premature. This essay discusses how the lives of these two Black males are connected through the commonsense White supremacist myth of inherent Black violence. It goes on to discuss the relations of violence that structure the vastly different cities in which they found themselves. Justice for Trayvon is broader than the criminal justice system. It will mean grappling with how urban and suburban lives in the US are violently separated by fortification and targeted policing, no less than predatory mortgage lending, decades of uneven fede...
Vagabond males and sedentary females: spatial ecology and mating system of the speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii)

We used radiotelemetric data and behavioural observations to characterize seasonal (mating versus post-mating seasons) and sexual variation in movement patterns, as well as to examine some of the ecological factors contributing to the evolution of the mating system in a venomous predator from the Mojave Desert of North America, the speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchellii. Mating occurs in spring from late April to early June, shortly after emergence from hibernation, when snakes are predictably aggregated around the dens. Males and females travelled further per unit time in the mating season compared to the post-mating season. Males also travelled longer distances per unit time than females in the mating and post-mating seasons, and males with larger home ranges during the mating season had more potential mating partners. The results obtained suggest that males actively locate females during the mating season, and that the drastic increase in distance travelled by males during the mating season may be caused by strong male-male competition for access to females, probably because of the limited availability of sexually receptive females. Furthermore, males fight for access to females, and males of larger size are more likely to acquire females. Therefore, sexual selection apparently acts on two different male phenotypic traits: investment in mate-searching activities and male body size. The present study demonstrates that combining quantitative spatial analyses and behavioural observations in an explicit temporal context can significantly advance our understanding of the ecology and evolution of organismal mating systems.
Translating medical evidence to promote informed health care decisions.

Objective. To examine the effects of a community-based intervention on decisions about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening using multiple measures of informed decision making (IDM). Data Sources/Study Setting. Nonequivalent control group time series design collecting primary data in late 2004 and 2005. Study Design. We developed a multimodal intervention designed to convey the medical uncertainty about the benefits of PSA screening and early treatment and the limited predictive ability of both the PSA test and pathological specimens collected from prostate biopsy. We examined (1) patients' recognition that there is a decision to be made about PSA screening, (2) prostate cancer knowledge levels, (3) their preferred and actual levels of participation in decision making about screening at three points in time, and (4) screening decision. Data Collection. Baseline data collection occurred in community-based organizations. These organizations served as recruiting sources and as sites for the intervention. We collected follow-up data by mail with telephone reminders. Principal Findings. Our intervention was associated with greater recognition of the PSA test as a decision to be made, levels of knowledge, both preferred and actual levels of involvement in decision making, but did not have an impact on the screening decision. Conclusions. Community-based interventions can influence key measures of IDM about PSA screening.
Coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity in CeRh 1 − x Ir x In 5

We report a thermodynamic and transport study of the phase diagram of ${\mathrm{CeRh}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{x}{\mathrm{In}}_{5}.$ Bulk superconductivity is observed over a broad range of doping, $0.3lxl~1,$ including a substantial range $(0.3lxl0.6)$ over which it coexists with magnetic order (which is observed for $0l~xl0.6).$ The anomalous transition to zero resistance that is observed in ${\mathrm{CeIrIn}}_{5}$ is robust against Rh substitution: the bulk ${T}_{c}$ in ${\mathrm{CeRh}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{In}}_{5}$ is more than double that of ${\mathrm{CeIrIn}}_{5},$ whereas the zero-resistance transition temperature is relatively unchanged for $0.5lxl1.$
The effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy: I. Effect on morbidity

Abstract A prospective, double-blind study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cephalosporins on morbidity of women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. Each patient received a 5 days course of active drug or placebo beginning the night before surgery. Microbiologic studies, including culture and antibiotic sensitivities, were done on each patient pre- and postoperatively. Of the 46 women who received placebo, eighteen (39 per cent) were classified as morbid. Causes of morbidity included operative bed, wound, respiratory, or urinary tract infections. E. coli was the organism most frequently isolated. Of the 47 women who received cephalosporin prophylaxis, seven (15 per cent) were classified as morbid. The causes of the morbidity were often poorly defined, and cephalosporin-resistant organisms were recovered more often from these women than from those on placebo. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay between women who received prophylaxis and those who did not.
Spontaneous MRSA postcricoid abscess: A case report and literature review

Laryngeal abscesses are rare but potentially life-threatening infections due to potential airway obstruction. Most abscesses occur in the epiglottis or preepiglottic space as a sequela of acute supraglottitis. Abscesses in the posterior larynx are extremely rare and typically due to instrumentation or trauma. Appropriate workup and management of the airway are essential for optimizing outcomes in these patients. We present an interesting case and our management of a spontaneous posterior laryngeal abscess due to methicillin-resistant Staphlococcus aureus.
IBUPROFEN TREATMENT ENHANCES THE SURVIVAL OF MICE FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO PHOSGENE

The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of ibuprofen (IBU) administered after a lethal dose of phosgene. Mice were exposed to 32 mg/m3 phosgene for 20 min and immediately injected with IBU (0, 3, 9, or 15 mg/mouse, ip). Five hours later, a second IBU injection was given but at half the original doses (0, 1.5, 4.5, and 7.5 mg/mouse). These are referred to throughout as the 0/0, 3/1.5, 9/4.5, and 15/7.5 mg IBU/mouse groups. Survival in these groups was determined at 12 and 24 h. In mice that died within 12 h, the lungs were removed, and lung wet weights, dry weights, wet/dry weight ratios, malondialdedyde (MDA), and nonprotein sulfhydryls (NPSH) were measured. Survival odds ratios were calculated for each dose at 12 and 24 h. The 12-h survival was 63% for 9/4.5 mg IBU and 82% for the 15/7.5 mg IBU group compared with 25% for saline-treated mice. At 24 h, survival rates were reduced to 19%, 19%, and 6%, respectively. In the 15/7.5 mg IBU group, dry weights, wet/dry weight ratios, and wet w...
Influence of chemical structure on nitroxyl spin label magnetic relaxation characteristics

Abstract An attempt was made to develop guidelines for the design of new contrast agents using nitroxyl spin labels (NSL). The structural parameters of ring size and of substituents were correlated with the stability towards reduction and the relaxation effectiveness using 5 piperidine and 5 pyrrolidine nitroxyls containing the same substituents. The susceptibility of NSL to reduction was assessed by EPR spectroscopy. The relaxation effectiveness of NSL on protons in buffer and plasma solution was measured on a NMR spectrometer. The ring size and substituents has a decisive effect on the stability of NSL, whereby the ring size effect was dominant. In the case of spin—lattice relaxivities (R 1 ) and spin-spin relaxivities (R 2 ), the ring size and the substitution effect were marginal in buffer solution, while in plasma these effects were more pronounced. A number of guidelines were proposed for the design of suitable NSL contrast agents for MRI.
Implementing teacher-centred online teacher professional development (oTPD) programme in higher education: a case study

Teacher Professional Development (TPD) is critical for educational improvement in higher education. However, one of the main concerns in TPD is that the traditional workshop format constrains active participation and the consequent creation of usable knowledge for teaching. In response to this challenge, we developed a series of teacher-centred online Teacher Professional Development (oTPD) programmes using a problem-based learning approach. We created opportunities for participants to engage in the oTPD programmes and to construct usable knowledge that could be immediately applied in their own class contexts. The study presents examples of oTPD, findings, and lessons learned for successful implementation of teacher-centred oTPD programmes in higher education. This study will be particularly beneficial to the practitioners who plan to implement oTPD programme for university teachers.
Inhibition of lysyl oxidase by disulfhydryls, diamines and sulfhydryl-amines.

Abstract Lysyl oxidase is the enzyme responsible for the oxidative deamination of lysine and hydroxylysine residues in collagen and elastin. Lysyl oxidase activity is irreversibly inhibited by disulfhydryls and diamines while the sulfhydryl-amine, penicillamine, inhibits reversibly. Monosulfhydryls or monoamines do not inhibit significantly. All inhibitors tested react directly with the enzyme. The disulfhydryls do not inhibit through thiolytic cleavage as an equivalent amount of β-mercaptoethanol does not produce significant inhibition (1). The possibility of adduct formation between these bifunctional inhibitors and aldehyde or pyridoxine derived cofactors within the enzyme is discussed.
Subcellular location of precursors to small nuclear RNA species C and D and of newly synthesized 5 S RNA in HeLa cells

Abstract The nuclear-cytoplasmic partition of newly synthesized C, D and 5 S RNAs of HeLa cells was studied with aqueous and non-aqueous methods of cell fractionation. The level of briefly labeled 5 S RNA in cytoplasmic fractions prepared by a non-aqueous method is lower than in cytoplasmic fractions obtained by an aqueous method. The reverse is true in nuclear fractions. At the same time, with both aqueous and non-aqueous cell fractionation, the level of briefly labeled precursors to RNAs C and D is similarly high in cytoplasmic fractions and low in nuclear preparations. This suggests that the previously reported finding that RNA species C and D are cytoplasmic during the first minutes of their lifetime, may represent an in vivo phenomenon, instead of an artifactual elution from nuclei during fractionation.
Is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis a Risk Factor for Papillary Thyroid Cancer?

Background Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and is characterized by gradual autoimmune mediated thyroid failure with occasional goiter development. HT is seven times more likely to occur in women than in men. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the most prevalent form of cancer in the thyroid, is 2.5 times more likely to develop in women than men. Given the relatively high prevalence of these diseases and the increased occurrence in women, we analyzed data from our institution to determine if there is a correlation between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and PTC in women. Methods From May 1994 to January 2007, 1198 patients underwent thyroid surgery at our institution. Of these, 217 patients were diagnosed with HT (196 women, 21 men). The data from these patients were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Results PTC occurred in 63 of 217 (29%) HT patients and 230 of 981 (23%) patients without HT (P = 0.051). Of these groups, 41 (65%) and 158 (69%) patients, respectively, had tumor sizes ≥1.0 cm; 56/196 women (29%) with HT had coexistent PTC compared with 160/730 women (22%) without HT (P = 0.03). Among women with any type of thyroid malignancy, 56/59 cases (95%) with HT had PTC compared with 159/196 cases (81%) in women without HT (P = 0.006). Additionally, female HT patients with goiters had a significantly lower rate of PTC (9% versus 36%, P < 0.001) compared with women without goiters. These differences were not observed in men with HT. Conclusions These data demonstrate that HT is associated with an increased risk of developing PTC. Female patients with HT undergoing thyroidectomy are 30% more likely to have PTC. Thus, more aggressive surveillance for PTC may be indicated in patients with HT, especially in women.
Differential expression of GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs in ethanol-naive withdrawal seizure resistant (WSR) vs. withdrawal seizure prone (WSP) mouse brain

Several lines of evidence suggest an important role for ethanol interactions with GABAA receptors in the development of the ethanol withdrawal syndrome. The present study was undertaken to determine whether there is a genetic relationship between ethanol withdrawal seizure severity and the expression of particular GABAA receptor subunits in mouse lines selectively bred for differential sensitivity to ethanol withdrawal seizures. Since GABAA receptor subunit levels are subject to modulation by ethanol, the levels of GABAA receptor alpha 1, alpha 6 and beta 2 subunit mRNAs were measured in cerebellum while alpha 1 and beta 2 subunit levels were determined in cerebral cortex of ethanol-naive WSR and WSP mice. Poly(A)+ RNA was isolated from groups of 6-10 animals and the GABAA receptor subunit mRNA levels were quantified by Northern blot analysis using subunit selective cRNA probes. In the cerebellum, greater levels of each of these subunit mRNAs were detected in WSR1 mice compared to WSP1 mice. The levels of GABAA receptor alpha 1 subunit mRNAs were approximately 26 +/- 16 percent greater for the 4.4 kb transcript and 84 +/- 23 percent greater for the 4.8 kb transcript in WSR mice vs WSP mice. GABAA receptor alpha 6 subunit (2.7 kb) mRNA levels in cerebellum were 159 +/- 58 percent greater in WSR mice than WSP mice, while beta 2 subunit mRNA levels were 110 +/- 30 percent greater in WSR than WSP mice. These results were replicated for the alpha 1 and alpha 6 subunits in WSR2 vs WSP2 mouse cerebella. No differences in beta-actin mRNA levels were detected on the same RNA blots.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Electrophysiological and pharmacological actions of the convulsant benzodiazepine Ro 5-4864

Abstract Ro 5-4864 (4′-chlorodiazepam) elicited convulsions in mice with a CD50 of 23.5 mg/kg (i.p.) and increased the firing rate of substantia nigra zona reticula neurons in a dose dependent fashion (0.5–4 mg/kg i.v.). Diazepam and clonazepam, but not Ro 15-1788, were potent inhibitors of Ro 5-4864 induced convulsions. Ro 15-1788 was also ineffective in reversing Ro 5-4864 induced increases in cell firing of zone reticula neurons. Muscimol potently inhibited the seizures and reversed increases in cell firing elicited by Ro 5-4864. Phenobarbital and pentobarbital inhibited Ro 5-4864 induced convulsions with moderate potencies, while phenytoin and carbamazepine were ineffective at doses of up to 100 mg/kg. These observations suggest that Ro 5-4864 does not elicit its pharmacologic actions through a direct action at a ‘brain-type’ benzodiazepine receptor. However, both the profile and potency of compounds effective in inhibiting the electrophysiological and pharmacological effects of Ro 5-4864 suggest that this compound may act by perturbation of a component of the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor chloride ionophore complex. These findings do not, however, rule out a direct involvement of the high affinity ‘peripheral-type’ benzodiazepine receptors found in brain.