cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cation transport and electrogenesis byStreptococcus faecalis

Uptake of the lipid-soluble cations dibenzyldimethylammonium (DDA+) and triphenylmethylphosphonium (TPMP+) byStreptococcus faecalis is biphasic. The initial phase is a rapid binding of the ions which does not require a source of metabolic energy and apparently consists of cation exchange at the cell surface. Upon addition of glucose further uptake of the cations occurs, by exchange for Na+ and H+. Evidence is presented suggesting that this metabolic uptake of DDA+ and TPMP+ is not due to active transport. It rather appears that uptake results from the generation of an electrical potential, interior negative, by the extrusion of H+ and, indirectly, of Na+. Accumulated DDA+ and TPMP+ are discharged by proton-conducting uncouplers. The cationconducting antibiotics valinomycin, monactin, nigericin and monensin do not inhibit uptake. Potassium and, under certain conditions, H+ displace DDA+ and TPMP+. Generation of an electrical difference across the membrane was verified by the accumulation of K+ in the presence of valinomycin. The concentration ratios achieved correspond to potentials of the order of −150 to −200 mV.
Bioequivalence of Biosimilar Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitors Compared With Their Reference Biologics: A Systematic Review

Background Biosimilars are of growing clinical, regulatory, and commercial importance. Purpose To summarize evidence about the bioequivalence between biosimilar and reference tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors. Data sources PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and LILACS from inception through 13 April 2016 and ClinicalTrials.gov, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, EU Clinical Trials Register, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and European Medicines Agency from inception through 30 April 2016. Study selection Published English-language studies of any size or design that compared the pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, adverse events, or immunogenicity of a biosimilar TNF-α inhibitor with a reference biologic in humans. Data extraction Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, extracted data from selected studies, and assessed study quality. Data synthesis Of 19 eligible studies, 8 were phase 1 randomized trials, 5 were phase 3 randomized trials, and 6 were observational studies. Most phase 1 trials (n = 7) involved healthy volunteers, phase 3 trials involved patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and observational studies involved those with rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. All phase 1 trials showed that pharmacokinetic parameters of the biosimilar and respective biologic were within the prespecified equivalence margin of 80% to 125%. Phase 3 trials suggested similar clinical responses and adverse events. Adverse events were usually of mild to moderate severity. Two cross-sectional observational studies showed cross-reactivity between products, whereas 4 cohort studies of patients switched from reference to biosimilar products suggested similar efficacy and safety outcomes. Limitation Possible publication bias, small sample sizes of many studies, and lack of published studies for several biosimilars. Conclusion Preliminary evidence supports the biosimilarity and interchangeability of biosimilar and reference TNF-α inhibitors. Primary funding source Johns Hopkins Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation. (PROSPERO: CRD42015025262).
Profiles of foundational learning skills among first graders

School readiness includes a constellation of skills and behaviors, such as social and emotional development, language and literacy, and self-regulation that provide a basis critical for classroom participation and learning. Whereas it has been well-established that students who enter kindergarten with weaknesses in language and literacy are more likely to struggle academically, less research has focused on the variability and educational impact of other foundational learning components, including internalizing and externalizing behaviors, particularly in first grade. This study used latent profile analysis to identify the following four subgroups (profiles) of students, using foundational learning components, in a sample of first graders (n = 324): Emergent Hyperactive, Externalizing, Generally Good Students, and Internalizing. Latent class growth analysis illustrated significant differences in the average rate of growth in literacy skills from the beginning to the end of first grade across the four profiles, after controlling for gender and socioeconomic status. Findings indicated the greatest growth in literacy skills for students in the Externalizing profile and the least amount of vocabulary growth for students in the Emergent Hyperactive profile followed by the Internalizing profile. Educational implications of how researchers and educators might consider students' individual differences across profiles of foundational learning components to inform ways to support development and learning in the classroom are discussed.
History-dependent variability in population dynamics during evidence accumulation in cortex

The authors developed experimental and computational approaches to study moment-to-moment changes in the activity of populations of cortical neurons as mice accumulated evidence during decision-making in virtual reality. They propose that evidence accumulation may not require winner-take-all competitions but instead emerges from general dynamical properties that instantiate short-term memory.
A grammar of Tundra Nenets

Reviewed by (EDWARD J. VAJDA)Tundra Nenets belongs to the Samoyedic branch of Uralic and is spoken in a vast swath of Arctic territory stretching from the Kanin Peninsula in European Russia to the ...
Density-Dependent Regulation of Glioma Cell Proliferation and Invasion Mediated by miR-9

The phenotypic axis of invasion and proliferation in malignant glioma cells is a well-documented phenomenon. Invasive glioma cells exhibit a decreased proliferation rate and a resistance to apoptosis, and invasive tumor cells dispersed in brain subsequently revert to proliferation and contribute to secondary tumor formation. One miRNA can affect dozens of mRNAs, and some miRNAs are potent oncogenes. Multiple miRNAs are implicated in glioma malignancy, and several of which have been identified to regulate tumor cell motility and division. Using rat 9 L gliosarcoma and human U87 glioblastoma cell lines, we investigated miRNAs associated with the switch between glioma cell invasion and proliferation. Using micro-dissection of 9 L glioma tumor xenografts in rat brain, we identified disparate expression of miR-9 between cells within the periphery of the primary tumor, and those comprising tumor islets within the invasive zone. Modifying miR-9 expression in in vitro assays, we report that miR-9 controls the axis of glioma cell invasion/proliferation, and that its contribution to invasion or proliferation is biphasic and dependent upon local tumor cell density. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed elevated hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the invasive zone as compared to the primary tumor periphery. We also found that hypoxia promotes miR-9 expression in glioma cells. Based upon these findings, we propose a hypothesis for the contribution of miR-9 to the dynamics glioma invasion and satellite tumor formation in brain adjacent to tumor.
Homeless Individuals Approaching the End of Life: Symptoms and Attitudes.

Abstract Context Over a million individuals in the United States experience homelessness annually and homeless individuals die at a higher rate than domiciled peers. Homeless individuals often have unique experiences at the end of life (EOL). Objectives This study examined the symptoms experienced by homeless individuals nearing the EOL and explored social background, attitudes, and experiences. Methods Investigators conducted surveys of homeless individuals approaching the EOL at a medical respite home. Eligibility required a serious medical condition and for the patient's medical provider to answer "no" to the question "Would you be surprised if this patient were not alive in one year?" Interviews explored symptoms using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Survey. Symptoms were compared with those of relevant comparator groups in other studies. Results Participants ( n = 20) were young to face the EOL (median age = 58) and suffered high rates of substance use disorders ( n = 18; 90%) and psychiatric diagnoses ( n = 16; 80%). Symptom frequency was high, especially as regarded pain and psychological symptoms. Previous experience with death among family and peers was universal ( n = 20; 100%). Mistrust of others' decisions about the EOL was common, as was concern about receiving too little ( n = 11; 55%) or too much ( n = 8; 40%) care at the EOL. The frequency of symptoms was higher than in three comparator studies and those studies' subgroups ( P Conclusion Homeless individuals may experience a high frequency of pain and other symptoms as they approach the EOL. Care for such individuals may require a tailored approach.
Efficient low-pH iron removal by a microbial iron oxide mound ecosystem at Scalp Level Run

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major environmental problem affecting tens of thousands of km of waterways worldwide. Passive bioremediation of AMD relies on microbial communities to oxidize and remove iron from the system; however, iron-oxidation rates in AMD environments are highly variable across sites. At Scalp Level Run (Cambria County PA), first-order iron-oxidation rates are ten times faster than at other coal associated iron mounds in the Appalachians. We examined the bacterial community at Scalp Level Run to determine whether a unique community is responsible for the rapid iron oxidation rate. Despite strong geochemical gradients including an over 10-fold change in the concentration of ferrous iron from 57.3 mg/L at the emergence to 2.5 mg/L at the base of the coal tailings pile, the bacterial community composition was nearly constant with distance from the spring outflow. Scalp Level Run contains many of the same taxa present in other AMD sites, but the community is dominated by two strains of Ferrovum myxofaciens , a species that is associated with high rates of Fe(II) oxidation in laboratory studies. Importance Acid mine drainage pollutes more than 19,300 km of rivers and streams and 72,000 ha of lakes worldwide (1). Remediation is frequently ineffective and costly, upwards of US$100 billion globally (2, 3, 4) and nearly US$5 billion in Pennsylvania alone (5). Microbial Fe(II) oxidation is more efficient than abiotic Fe(II) oxidation at low pH (6). Therefore, AMD bioremediation could harness microbial Fe(II) oxidation to fuel more cost-effective treatments. Advances will require a deeper understanding of the ecology of Fe(II)-oxidizing microbial communities and the factors that control their distribution and rates of Fe(II) oxidation. We investigated bacterial communities that inhabit an AMD site with rapid Fe(II) oxidation and found that they were dominated by two OTUs of Ferrovum myxofaciens , a taxon associated with high laboratory rates of iron-oxidation. This research represents a step forward in identifying taxa that can be used to enhance cost-effective AMD bioremediation.
Beamforming and Its Applications to Brain Connectivity

In this chapter we show how beamforming, an analysis procedure for EEG and MEG data sets that is becoming increasingly popular, can be used to obtain insight about functional connectivity between brain regions. To this end we introduce a parameterization of cortical surfaces based on output from the software package Freesurfer and restrict the potential current sources to the cortical gray matter. We create a data set assuming two brain areas being active with different time dependencies of the activation. These activation patterns are then reconstructed using beamforming procedures with a variety of parameters demonstrating the dependencies of the reconstructed patters of activity on these parameters. Finally, we apply two statistical techniques, namely coherence and Granger causality to the data set, showing that the data can be understood by assuming a one-directional connection between the two active brain regions.
Antibodies against In Vivo-Expressed Antigens Are Sufficient To Protect against Lethal Aerosol Infection with Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei

ABSTRACT Burkholderia mallei, a facultative intracellular bacterium and tier 1 biothreat, causes the fatal zoonotic disease glanders. The organism possesses multiple genes encoding autotransporter proteins, which represent important virulence factors and targets for developing countermeasures in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. In the present study, we investigated one of these autotransporters, BatA, and demonstrate that it displays lipolytic activity, aids in intracellular survival, is expressed in vivo , elicits production of antibodies during infection, and contributes to pathogenicity in a mouse aerosol challenge model. A mutation in the batA gene of wild-type strain ATCC 23344 was found to be particularly attenuating, as BALB/c mice infected with the equivalent of 80 median lethal doses cleared the organism. This finding prompted us to test the hypothesis that vaccination with the batA mutant strain elicits protective immunity against subsequent infection with wild-type bacteria. We discovered that not only does vaccination provide high levels of protection against lethal aerosol challenge with B. mallei ATCC 23344, it also protects against infection with multiple isolates of the closely related organism and causative agent of melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei. Passive-transfer experiments also revealed that the protective immunity afforded by vaccination with the batA mutant strain is predominantly mediated by IgG antibodies binding to antigens expressed exclusively in vivo . Collectively, our data demonstrate that BatA is a target for developing medical countermeasures and that vaccination with a mutant lacking expression of the protein provides a platform to gain insights regarding mechanisms of protective immunity against B. mallei and B. pseudomallei, including antigen discovery.
Evaluation of Hurricane Wind Speed Analyses in a Simulation of Hurricane Earl (2010) Using Low-Order Wavenumbers

AbstractTo determine how well a low-order wavenumber representation describes a hurricane wind speed field, given its natural variability in space and time, low-order wavenumber representations were calculated for hourly “snapshots” of the 10-m wind speed field generated by the current operational hurricane model. Two distinct periods were examined: the first when the storm is in a reasonably steady state over 7–8 h and the second where the storm is changing its internal structure over a similar time interval. Observing system sensitivity experiments were also performed using wind speed field time series obtained from interpolation of the model snapshots for each of the two periods. The time series were sampled along the flight legs of a typical “figure four” aircraft flight pattern to simulate the surface wind data collection process to ascertain the effects of the wind speed field’s temporal and spatial variability upon the low-order wavenumber analyses.The comparison between the model wind speed field ...
Depth of Anesthesia using Neural Networks

Abstract The need for a reliable method of measuring the depth of anesthesia has existed since the introduction of anesthesia. Electroencephalograms (EEG), a record of brain activity, can be used to monitor the anesthetic depth. This paper proposes a recognition system, based on the autoregressive (AR) modeling and neural network analysis of the EEG signals, to monitor the depth of anesthesia. The input to the neural network will be the AR parameters along with the hemodynamic parameters blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), and the output will be the depth of anesthesia. Design of the system and results from the preliminary tests on dogs are presented in this paper. The experiments were carried out on ten dogs at different levels of halothane. Depth of anesthesia was tested by monitoring the response to tail clamping, which is considered to be a supra-maximal stimulus in dogs. The EEG data obtained prior to tail clamping was processed using a tenth order AR model and the parameters obtained were used as input to a three layer perceptron feedforward neural network. The network was able to correctly classify the depth in 85% of the cases as compared to 65% when only hemodynamic parameters were used as the input to the network. When both the measures were combined, the recognition rate rose to greater than 92%. This recognition system shows the feasibility of using the EEG signals for monitoring the depth of anesthesia.
Case of a Girl with Vulvar Ulcers

Vulvar ulcers are an important clinical presentation in young women. Determination of sexual activity is vital in the diagnostic and management approach of patients. Sexually active patients most often have vulvar ulcers secondary to infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). While the majority of HSV infections are asymptomatic, both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause symptomatic genital herpes with HSV-1 causing less frequent recurrences. Primary genital HSV infection has a recognizable clinical picture, and patients should be tested with HSV PCR assay as well as for other possible sexually transmitted infections and treated with antivirals. Recurrent genital HSV infection not previously recognized should establish the diagnosis with PCR assay both for anticipatory guidance and management. Suppressive therapy is an important management strategy to minimize patient recurrences and decrease transmission likelihood.
A nature-inspired decision system for secure cyber network architecture

Cyber security experts have recommended splitting a computer network into multiple segments to limit the damage that an attacker can cause after penetrating the network. However, there is no clear guidance on what segmentation architectures are best to maximize a network's security posture. Furthermore, modern networks are complex and vary widely from organization to organization and, thus, there exists no single “best” architecture that will maximize security for all network environments. Hence, security practitioners rely on judgment to determine which architecture is best for their network. This paper proposes a cyber decision support system that automatically generates security-optimized segmentation architectures for network environments subject to dynamically-changing cyber threats. The system employs a hybrid approach that combines nature-inspired optimization methods with simulation modeling to construct and evaluate candidate architectures, intelligently search the space of possible architectures, and adapt to changing threat levels. We demonstrate the system via a case study on a representative network environment under an evolving cyber attack.
Sex chromosome expression in embryonic development.

In this article we shall be concerned with two topics relating to sex chromosome expression during embryonic development: the onset of expression of the X and Y chromosomes during the preimplantation period of embryogenesis, and the cycle of inactivation and reactivation of the second X chromosome in female embryonic and germinal cells. To date, all of the information pertinent to these subjects has been derived from analysis of products coded for or controlled by the sex chromosomes. However, it is likely that molecular genetic approaches will be used in the future to amplify and extend the conclusions presented here.
A Surgeon with HIV.

Ethical analysis can be applied to determine what information surgery patients should have about their surgeons’ experience and health. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
A Solution-Oriented Approach to Working with Juvenile Offenders

This article describes the ways in which a solution-focused practice approach is advantageous for social workers working in a variety of settings with juvenile offenders, due to its strengths-based and positive orientation. The general approach is discussed as well as specific techniques and examples of applications, such as building a relationship with a juvenile offender who has been mandated into services, finding and amplifying exceptions to the problem and other resources and strengths, and setting goals with the use of scaling questions.
Ecology of White-Cheeked Crested Gibbons in Laos

Gibbons are considered to be frugivorous. However, crested gibbons (Nomascus spp.) are thought to be more folivorous than other gibbons, but this has never been confirmed because of the paucity of fieldwork on the genus. I studied the diet of three groups of white-cheeked crested gibbons (N. leucogenys) in relation to forest seasonality to quantify diet, and in particular, determine the contribution of leaves to the diet. I collected data over 12 months in wet seasonal evergreen forest in Nam Kading National Protected Area, Bolikhamxay Province, Laos. Although leaves were the main dietary item throughout the year (53-85% of diet), gibbon diet was strongly influenced by the availability of fruit because they increased their consumption of fruit during periods when fruit was most abundant in the forest. Thus, gibbons appear to seek nutritionally rich fruit as food when it is abundant and obtained easily. Young leaf consumption increased when they did not have access to fruit, indicating that their diet is flexible but strongly dependent on seasonal availability of resources. In addition, rainfall had a negative association with fruit abundance and fruit in diet. Hence, white-cheeked crested gibbons are indeed more folivorous than other gibbons, potentially because they live in a highly seasonal environment where fruit is often scarce.
Morphology of Myelin and Myelination

Myelin is a membrane characteristic of nervous tissue, laid down in segments along selected nerve fibers, that functions as an insulator to increase the velocity of stimuli being transmitted between a nerve-cell body and its target. While well documented in several invertebrates (annelids and crustaceans) in which it exists in its peripheral nervous system (PNS) form, myelin is most commonly associated with the vertebrate nervous system in which it has evolved into two forms, central and peripheral. Morphologically, myelin is unique, and while this chapter will highlight the morphological uniqueness of myelin, it is important to note that myelin is also distinct biochemically, physiologically, and immunologically. The latter three aspects form the subjects of later chapters in this volume. Structurally, myelin is recognized as a lipid bimolecular leaflet sandwiched between two layers of protein and wrapped in a spiral fashion around a segment of axon. Such a length of myelin sheath is known as an internode, being delineated at either end by nodes of Ranvier, specialized areas along the axon. Ontogenetically, myelin arises from its cell of origin as a flattened cytoplasmic process that is elaborated around the axon and that later becomes compacted and loses its cytoplasmic content (except for small pockets, usually displaced peripherally) to form a tightly wound, membranous sheath comprising a series of alternating lipid and protein lamellae.
What Is Your Occupation

People who have jobs that society deems to be less desirable generally receive less pay for their work. Included as “undesirable” are unskilled work, farm laborers, and the like, jobs often associated in the public mind with illegal foreign entrants into a country Hence, the occupation reported may be considered as an indicator of the economic position of the person or group relative to others, that is, better or worse off than others. In addition to the economic or money payoff, an occupation may have more or less status in the public eye; compare, for example, an engineer versus a laborer on a construction job. Hence, by observing the occupations that the Amerindians had and have now we obtain clues regarding their changing economic and status positions (if they are changing) in the United States and Canada.
Preference for opioids in emergency department patients with acute musculoskeletal pain

Abstract Background Public awareness of the opioid epidemic is increasing nationally, emphasizing the need to develop methods to reduce opioid use. We determined patient preference for analgesics before and after a brief educational intervention informing them of the risks and benefits of opioids versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's). We hypothesized 50% of patients would prefer opioids pre-intervention and that this would be reduced by the intervention by at least 15%. Methods Study Design—Before and after study. Setting—Suburban ED with annual census of 110,000. Patients—English-speaking adult ED patients with acute musculoskeletal pain. Interventions—An anonymous survey was administered by an investigator not involved in the patient's clinical care prior to physician evaluation, before and after a video describing the risks and benefits of opioids versus NSAID's. Patients were asked if they desired analgesics. Data Analysis—Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to predict patient demographics and pain characteristics associated with desire for analgesics. Results Of all 94 patients, 48 (51% [95% CI 41–62%]) desired an analgesic pre-intervention. Of these 48 patients, 10 (11% [5–19%]) specifically preferred an opioid. Of the 10 patients who preferred an opioid pre-intervention, one had no preference for analgesic post-intervention. Conclusions Many adult ED patients with acute musculoskeletal pain do not desire any analgesics and few specifically prefer opioids. This knowledge can prove helpful to ED physicians across the country in discussing pain management options with patients as we attempt to combat the opioid epidemic.
Spreading Seeds of Hope from Student-Led Initiatives to Classroom Practices para el Vivir Comunitario, 2011–2012

“Our Earth, Our Bodies: Building our future from our core existence” The chapter follows a series of reflections by some of the key participants, including myself, about the process of transformation and the ways in which further work can be cultivated. The nuances that are presented in this book follow old ways of learning, led by the inquiries of a small student group who sought to promote cultural awareness across their public high school campus.
Thrombolysis in young adults with stroke: Findings from Get With The Guidelines-Stroke.

Objective To determine whether young adults (≤40 years old) with acute ischemic stroke are less likely to receive IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and more likely to have longer times to brain imaging and treatment. Methods We analyzed data from the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke registry for patients with acute ischemic stroke hospitalized between January 2009 and September 2015. We used multivariable models with generalized estimating equations to evaluate tPA treatment and outcomes between younger (age 18–40 years) and older (age >40 years) patients with acute ischemic stroke. Results Of 1,320,965 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to 1,983 hospitals, 2.3% (30,448) were 18 to 40 years of age. Among these patients, 12.5% received tPA vs 8.8% of those >40 years of age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56–1.71). However, younger patients were less likely to receive brain imaging within 25 minutes (62.5% vs 71.5%, aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73–0.84) and to be treated with tPA within 60 minutes of hospital arrival (37.0% vs 42.8%, aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68–0.79). Compared to older patients, younger patients treated with tPA had a lower symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate (1.7% vs 4.5%, aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42–0.72) and lower in-hospital mortality (2.0% vs 4.3%, aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.52–0.81). Conclusions In contrast to our hypothesis, younger patients with acute ischemic stroke were more likely to be treated with tPA than older patients, but they were more likely to experience delay in evaluation and treatment. Compared with older patients, younger patients had better outcomes, including fewer intracranial hemorrhages.
Development validation and problems with the toxic equivalency factor approach for risk assessment of dioxins and related compounds

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDF), and biphenyls (PCB) are industrial compounds or by-products that have been widely identified as environmental contaminants, and residues have been detected in fish, wildlife, and humans. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; dioxin) is the most toxic member of this class of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAH); mechanistic studies indicate that the toxic and biochemical effects associated with exposure to TCDD are mediated via initial binding to the cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor protein present in target tissues and organs. Several other 2,3,7, 8-substituted PCDD and PCDF and non-ortho substituted PCB also bind to the Ah receptor and induce toxic responses similar to those for TCDD. Moreover, for these HAH there is a rank order correlation between their structure-Ah receptor binding and structure-toxicity relationships, and this supports a role for the Ah receptor in mediating these responses. Thus, the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) approach for HAH is based on the common mechanism of action for TCDD and related compounds in which a TEF value for a "dioxin-like" congener is defined as the potency of the individual (i) congener relative to TCDD ([EC50 [TCDD]/EC50 [test compound]). The toxic or dioxin equivalent (TEQ) for a mixture of HAH is defined by the following equation: TEQ = sigma [PCDDi] x TEFi + sigma [PCDFi] x TEFi. Industrial emissions and environmental and food residues contain complex mixtures of HAH (exodioxins) and the TEF/TEQ approach is used to regulate emissions and estimate the potential exposure and possible adverse health effects of exodioxins. The TEF approach for risk assessment of exodioxins makes a number of assumptions, including response additivity for individual compounds in a mixture of HAH. This review documents some of the following problems and limitations of the TEF approach: 1) environmental and food residues of HAH contain "non-dioxin-like" PCB that exhibit "antidioxin" activity for some responses; 2) the human diet contains endogenous Ah receptor ligands (endodioxins) such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), aromatic amines in cooked foods, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and related hetero-PAH in cruciferous vegetables. Mass balance and mass potency estimates for human dietary intakes suggest that for some responses the effects of natural or endodioxins may be greater than those of exodioxins; and 3) I3C, a weak Ah receptor agonist, also exhibits Ah receptor antagonist activity, and interactions between I3C and endodioxins may inhibit or inactivate some toxic responses and decrease TEQ(Exodioxin).
Estimating Aggregate Cardiomyocyte Strain Using $In~Vivo$ Diffusion and Displacement Encoded MRI

Changes in left ventricular (LV) aggregate cardiomyocyte orientation and deformation underlie cardiac function and dysfunction. As such, in vivo aggregate cardiomyocyte “myofiber” strain ( ${E}_{\text {ff}}$ ) has mechanistic significance, but currently there exists no established technique to measure in vivo ${E}_{\text {ff}}$ . The objective of this work is to describe and validate a pipeline to compute in vivo ${E}_{\text {ff}}$ from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Our pipeline integrates LV motion from multi-slice Displacement ENcoding with Stimulated Echoes (DENSE) MRI with in vivo LV microstructure from cardiac Diffusion Tensor Imaging (cDTI) data. The proposed pipeline is validated using an analytical deforming heart-like phantom. The phantom is used to evaluate 3D cardiac strains computed from a widely available, open-source DENSE Image Analysis Tool. Phantom evaluation showed that a DENSE MRI signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ≥20 is required to compute ${E}_{\text {ff}}$ with near-zero median strain bias and within a strain tolerance of 0.06. Circumferential and longitudinal strains are also accurately measured under the same SNR requirements, however, radial strain exhibits a median epicardial bias of −0.10 even in noise-free DENSE data. The validated framework is applied to experimental DENSE MRI and cDTI data acquired in eight ( ${N}={8}$ ) healthy swine. The experimental study demonstrated that ${E}_{\text {ff}}$ has decreased transmural variability compared to radial and circumferential strains. The spatial uniformity and mechanistic significance of in vivo ${E}_{\text {ff}}$ make it a compelling candidate for characterization and early detection of cardiac dysfunction.
Transforaminal Intrathecal Access for Injection of Nusinersen in Adult and Pediatric Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

The main purpose of this article is to assess the safety and efficacy of transforaminal lumbar puncture for the injection of nusinersen (Spinraza) in patients with extensive spinal fusion and/or scoliosis. A retrospective chart reviews of all spinal muscular atrophy patients (adults and children) were conducted. Demographic data, procedure details, follow-ups, and related complications were recorded. We performed 85 transforaminal injections in nine pediatric patients (5 male and 4 female) aged between 8 and 17 years (mean = 11 years) and seven adult patients (5 females and 2 males) aged between 24 and 41 years (mean= 30 years). Fluoroscopy guidance was used in 87% of our patients. No major complication was reported. Fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal nusinersen injection is a safe and successful alternative approach in adult and pediatric patients with severe spinal scoliosis, interlaminar osseous fusion, and spinal fusion hardware.
Differential Flatness Based Path Planning With Direct Collocation on Hybrid Modes for a Quadrotor With a Cable-Suspended Payload

Generating agile maneuvers for a quadrotor with a cable-suspended load is a challenging problem. State-of-the-art approaches often need significant computation time and complex parameter tuning. We use a coordinate-free geometric formulation and exploit a differential flatness based hybrid model of a quadrotor with a cable-suspended payload. We perform direct collocation on the differentially-flat hybrid system, and use complementarity constraints to avoid specifying hybrid mode sequences. The non-differentiable obstacle avoidance constraints are reformulated using dual variables, resulting in smooth constraints. We show that our approach has lower computational time than the state-of-the-art and guarantees feasibility of the trajectory with respect to both the system dynamics and input constraints without the need to tune lots of parameters. We validate our approach on a variety of tasks in both simulations and experiments, including navigation through waypoints and obstacle avoidance.
Physical and Cognitive Load Effects Due to a Powered Lower-Body Exoskeleton.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to determine the effects of a powered exoskeleton on measures of physical and cognitive performance.BackgroundUS warfighters carry heavy equipment into battle, and...
6 – MORAL DEVELOPMENT

One of the major themes of adolescence is value conflict and moral questioning. In this chapter we examine moral development in adolescence. Before we begin the discussion, consider the following moral dilemma concerning plagiarism.
Medically tailored meals for the management of symptomatic ascites: the SALTYFOOD pilot randomized clinical trial.

Background Ascites is a costly, morbid complication of cirrhosis. Although a low-sodium diet is central to the clinical management of ascites, its efficacy is limited by poor adherence. We aimed to determine the feasibility and impact of low-sodium medically tailored meals (MTM) intervention. Methods We enrolled 40 persons with cirrhosis and ascites at the time of a paracentesis in a 12-week, 1:1 randomized trial of standard of care (SOC) (low-sodium diet educational handout) or MTM with 2,100 kcal, and >80 g of protein including a nocturnal protein supplement. We determined the proportion of eligible candidates recruited and adherence to MTM. The primary outcome was the number of paracenteses performed during weeks 0-12. We also collected ascites-specific quality-of-life (ASI-7) scores. Results The median age of the enrolled subjects was 54 (IQR, 47-63) years, 46% were female, with median MELD-Na 18 (IQR, 11-23) and albumin 2.7 (IQR, 2.5-3.3) g/dL. At baseline, subjects reported a median of two (IQR, 1-3) paracenteses in the prior 4 weeks. Adherence to the meal schedule was excellent save for when hospitalizations occurred. After 12 weeks, patients in the MTM arm required fewer paracenteses per week than those in the SOC group [median (IQR): 0.34 (0.14-0.54) vs 0.45 (0.25-0.64)]. During the trial, four (20%) SOC patients died, whereas two (10%) died and one (5%) was transplanted in the MTM arm. Ascites-specific quality of life improved to a greater degree in the MTM arm compared to the SOC arm, by 25% (IQR, -11% to 61%) vs 13% (IQR, -28% to 54%). Conclusion A trial of MTM for persons with ascites is feasible and potentially effective. Both arms experienced benefits, highlighting the role for improved education and closer monitoring in this challenging condition.
Sensitivity of the Power Spectra of Thermal Magnetization Fluctuations in Low Barrier Nanomagnets Proposed for Stochastic Computing to In-Plane Barrier Height Variations and Structural Defects

Nanomagnets with small in-plane shape anisotropy energy barriers on the order of the thermal energy have unstable magnetization that fluctuates randomly in time. They have recently emerged as promi...
Academic conferencing in 2020: A virtual conference model

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many institutions to adapt or cancel their events in the Spring of 2020 One organization at the State University of New York, University at Albany took this opportunity to innovatively transform a conference-style poster session to a virtual format Overall, the virtual conference was well accepted by participants and guests This article is a case study of the event and elaborates on the feedback received We present a model for adapting conferences and poster sessions to virtual formats with recommendations for adaptation © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Mithramycin A Radiosensitizes EWS:Fli1+ Ewing Sarcoma Cells by Inhibiting Double Strand Break Repair

Purpose The oncogenic EWS:Fli1 fusion protein is a key transcriptional mediator of Ewing sarcoma initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Mithramycin A (MithA) is a potent and specific inhibitor of transcription mediated by the EWS:Fli1. We tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with MithA could selectively radiosensitize EWS:Fli1+ tumor cells by altering the transcriptional response to radiation injury. Methods and Materials A panel of 4 EWS:Fli1+ and 3 EWS:Fli1- Ewing sarcoma cell lines and 1 nontumor cell line were subjected to MithA dose-response viability assays to determine the relative potency of MithA in cells possessing or lacking the EWS:Fli1 fusion. Radiosensitization by MithA was evaluated by clonogenic survival assays in vitro and in a murine xenograft model. DNA damage was evaluated by comet assay and γ-H2Ax flow cytometry. Immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and reverse-transcription, polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate DNA damage-induced signaling and repair processes and apoptosis. Results We found that MithA alone could potently and selectively inhibit the growth of EWS:Fli1+ tumor cells, but not cells lacking this fusion. Pretreatment with MithA for 24 hours before irradiation significantly reduced clonogenic survival in vitro and delayed tumor regrowth in vivo, prolonging survival of EWS:Fli1+ tumor-bearing mice. Although MithA did not increase the level of DNA double-strand breaks, mechanistic studies revealed that MithA pretreatment selectively inhibited DNA double-strand break repair through downregulation of EWS:Fli1-mediated transcription, leading to tumor cell death by apoptosis. Conclusions Our data indicate that MithA is an effective radiosensitizer of EWS:Fli1+ tumors and may achieve better local control at lower doses of radiation.
Exploring a Plugin-Based System for Crowd and Pathogen Simulation in Unity

Simulating crowds and pathogens together can reveal information about disease spread. There are multiple ways of modeling both crowds and pathogens, and each of them use different strategies. This paper describes a simulation design intended to unify them via a plugin model. Each strategy can be written into a "plugin" of code. Then, these plugins can be used in crowd and pathogen objects to alter their behavior. In this project, the authors focused on crowd-side simulation, and they researched four crowd models. The authors categorized these models in two ways: driving or avoiding, and cognitive or continuum. Driving models move crowds from a start to a goal, and avoiding models were implemented as "plugins" in two forms: behaviors, which are agent-based (cognitive), and communals, which oversee an entire crowd (continuum). Putting different models in a single system with the plugin structure allows users to make crowd simulations in different scenarios with simple operations in a single interface, even though the algorithms themselves are quite different. The system could be even more useful in the future when the authors do pathogen research with it, which would allow the authors to analyze the pattern of how the pandemic infects people, and come up with a solution for people to stay safe in a crowd.
Screening for Ralstonia solanacearum Resistance in Solanum commersonii

Worldwide, potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is rated as one of the most important food crops after wheat, rice and maize. Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs), is one of the most economically important diseases of potato. The purpose of this study was to identify diploid germplasm with resistance to bacterial wilt. The wilting degree was assessed by analyzing the wilt percentage of six Solanum commersonii clones which were artificially inoculated with Rs in a growth chamber. Two Rs strains (CMR15 and UW551) were used to inoculate the clones evaluate resistance. MSEE912–08, a selfed progeny from PI320266 was identified as the most resistant of the clones in this study exhibiting the lowest RAUDPC for wilting and a Wilting Degree rating of 0.4 (less than 25% wilted leaves) 20 days post inoculation when inoculated with the UW551 Rs strain, and 1.3 with the CMR15 strain. The resistance observed was characterized by reduction in wilting over time, rather than lack of disease. The most resistant clone from this study was self-pollinated to create a mapping population to identify single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers associated with Rs resistance.
Civil Engineering Features of Linden Generating Station

The object of this paper is to set forth the problems which the civil engineer meets and is called upon to solve to make possible the construction of an electric generating station involving the rather unusual conditions which occurred in the construction of the Linden Generating Station of Public Service Electric and Gas Company of New Jersey.
Narrative review of neuroimaging in migraine with aura.

Objective To improve the understanding of the role and utility of various neuroimaging modalities (clinical and research) for the evaluation of migraine aura (MA) and hemiplegic migraine during the ictal and interictal phases. Background MA is defined by reversible neurologic symptoms and is considered a manifestation of a primary condition. As such, most patients with MA do not require imaging. However, if there are atypical features, change in symptom pattern, or it is a first-time presentation, neuroimaging may be used to evaluate for secondary conditions. Neuroimaging includes many modalities, and it is important to consider what information is being captured by these modalities (i.e., structural vs. functional). Imaging abnormalities may be noted both during (ictal) and between (interictal) MA attacks, and it is important for clinicians to be familiar with neuroimaging findings reported in migraine with aura (MWA) compared with other conditions. Methods With the assistance of a medical librarian, we performed a review of the literature pertaining to MWA and neuroimaging in PubMed. Search terms included were magnetic resonance imaging, positron-emission tomography, single photon-emission computed tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and migraine with aura. We hand-searched these references to inform our subsequent literature review. Results Acute MA can be associated with several unique neuroimaging findings-reversible cortical diffusion restriction, cortical venous engorgement, and a "biphasic" transition from hypoperfusion to hyperperfusion. Imaging findings during MA tend to span more than one vascular territory. Between acute attacks, neuroimaging in people with MWA can resemble migraine without aura in terms of white matter abnormalities and "infarct-like lesions." Research imaging modalities such as volumetric analysis and functional imaging have demonstrated unique findings in migraine with aura. Conclusion Although migraine is a clinical diagnosis, understanding of neuroimaging findings in MWA can help clinicians interpret imaging findings and improve patient care.
Synthesis and Characterization of Solution Processed Silver Indium Diselenide Thin Films

Silver indium diselenide (AgInSe 2 ) is a promising but under-investigated absorber material. In this work, we present a solution processing route to fabricate AgIn(S,Se) 2 thin films and characterize basic electronic properties. We present Hall Effect, Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM), and Photoluminescence (PL) results that demonstrate promising characteristics, including high carrier mobilities and benign grain boundaries. We propose that weakly n-type AgInSe 2 should be applied in p-i-n type solar cells, contrary to prior attempts at making p-n AgInSe 2 devices. This will necessitate a careful selection of suitable electron and hole transporting layers.
Natural History of Aerosol-Induced Ebola Virus Disease in Rhesus Macaques

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a serious global health concern because case fatality rates are approximately 50% due to recent widespread outbreaks in Africa. Well-defined nonhuman primate (NHP) models for different routes of Ebola virus exposure are needed to test the efficacy of candidate countermeasures. In this natural history study, four rhesus macaques were challenged via aerosol with a target titer of 1000 plaque-forming units per milliliter of Ebola virus. The course of disease was split into the following stages for descriptive purposes: subclinical, clinical, and decompensated. During the subclinical stage, high levels of venous partial pressure of carbon dioxide led to respiratory acidemia in three of four of the NHPs, and all developed lymphopenia. During the clinical stage, all animals had fever, viremia, and respiratory alkalosis. The decompensatory stage involved coagulopathy, cytokine storm, and liver and renal injury. These events were followed by hypotension, elevated lactate, metabolic acidemia, shock and mortality similar to historic intramuscular challenge studies. Viral loads in the lungs of aerosol-exposed animals were not distinctly different compared to previous intramuscularly challenged studies. Differences in the aerosol model, compared to intramuscular model, include an extended subclinical stage, shortened clinical stage, and general decompensated stage. Therefore, the shortened timeframe for clinical detection of the aerosol-induced disease can impair timely therapeutic administration. In summary, this nonhuman primate model of aerosol-induced EVD characterizes early disease markers and additional details to enable countermeasure development.