cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epizootiology of Haemoproteus meleagridis (Protozoa: Haemosporina) in Florida: seasonal transmission and vector abundance.

The natural transmission of Haemoproteus meleagridis was studied over a 2-yr period in northern and southern Florida with domestic sentinel turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo L.). Transmission began in mid-April in northern Florida with onset of warmer weather and continued with occasional interruptions until the beginning of cooler winter weather in January; transmission in the warmer, subtropical climate of southern Florida continued at high levels throughout the year. Exposures in southern Florida as short as 24 h were sufficient to infect 100% of sentinel birds. Biting and light-trap collections of Culicoides capable of complete sporogonic development of the parasite were made during each sentinel exposure. Culicoides edeni Wirth & Blanton was active throughout periods of natural transmission of H. meleagridis, whereas Culicoides hinmani Khalaf, C. arboricola Root & Hoffman, and C. knowltoni Beck were absent or inactive during cooler winter months when significant transmission occurred. The epizootiology of H. meleagridis in southern Florida is similar to stable holoendemic human malaria, where transmission may occur at high levels throughout the year. By contrast, transmission in the more temperate climate of northern Florida more closely resembled unstable, hyperendemic malaria, where variations in environmental conditions, host density, and vector abundance may cause wide fluctuations in the incidence of infection.
Gaming can be sustainable too! Using Social Representation Theory to examine the moderating effects of tourism diversification on residents' tax paying behavior

Abstract Tourism authorities in the Las Vegas region have suggested the diversification of the tourism industry as a strategy to improve the vitality of rural communities outside of the metropolitan area. The present study uses Social Representation Theory as the conceptual basis to test the moderating effects of the various types of proposed tourism development on residents' willingness to pay higher taxes to support such development. A survey of 301 residents in Las Vegas rural communities examined how the factors of economic dependence on tourism, community attachment, and ecocentric attitude towards tourism influence residents' perceptions of tourism's impacts. A higher economic dependence on tourism and higher levels of community attachment led to more favorable perceptions of tourism's economic and social impacts. The economic impacts, in turn, resulted in a willingness to pay higher taxes, irrespective of the type of tourism development proposed by the Las Vegas authorities. The results suggest that rural communities reinforce a hegemonic social representation of tourism in order to characterize the ethos of capitalist urbanism that pervades the economic development discourse. The residents' social construction of tourism has important implications for tourism planners in the region and suggests the adoption of an inclusive tourism diversification strategy that leverages both gaming and alternative tourism.
Insulin resistance as a modifier of the relationship between dietary fat intake and weight gain.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether insulin resistance modifies the rate of weight gain associated with a high percent of energy intake from dietary fat. DESIGN: Longitudinal, observational population study. SUBJECTS: A total of 782 nondiabetic Hispanic and non-Hispanic white free-living adult residents of the San Luis Valley in Colorado. MEASUREMENTS: Subjects were seen up to three times over a 14-y period. Weight, height, fasting insulin and glucose, diet by 24 h recall, and self-reported physical activity were collected at each visit. RESULTS: Percentage of energy intake from dietary fat was positively associated with weight gain over time (P=0.0103). High intake of dietary fat was more strongly related to weight gain in women than in men, and in those with lower total energy intake levels. The relationship between weight change and relative macronutrient intake also varied by baseline insulin sensitivity (P=0.0025). Weight gain over time in individuals with relative insulin resistance at baseline, as measured by QUICKI, was the greatest among those who consumed a higher percent of energy from fat. CONCLUSION: Percentage of total intake from dietary fat predicts weight change independent of total energy intake. Nondiabetic, insulin-resistant individuals are particularly susceptible to the weight gain associated with high levels of dietary fat intake. Further investigation into the relationship between insulin resistance, diet, and weight gain is warranted.
Prediction of antimeningococcic chemoprophylactic efficacy.

sulfonamides in strains of Neisseria meningitidis of serogroups B and C was documented in the 1940s [1, 2]. This was a matter of little clinical importance until 1962, when Group B N. meningitidis solidly resistant to sulfonamides became the major cause of epidemic disease in the San Diego and the Fort Ord areas of California [3, 4]. Subsequently, sulfonamide-resistant N. meningitidis of serogroups C [5, 6] and A [7-9] have also become ascendent as causes for meningococcal disease, in the United States and in Africa and Greece, respectively. The treatment of meningococcal infections has not been compromised by these developments, since sulfonamide-resistant N. meningitidis remain exquisitely susceptible to penicillin G [1012]. However, chemoprophylaxis has become a matter of real concern since the penicillins fail to alter the carrier state [3, 5, 13, 14]. Moreover, other agents that are usually active against meningococci in vitro have not been prophylactic in field tests: oxytetracycline, erythromycin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim, ethoxzolamide, doxycycline, cephalexin [3, 5, 13-17]. Among investigative antimicrobics, rifampin appears to be effective both in the test tube and as a chemoprophylactic agent [12, 18].
Study on optic fiber flowmeter

Because of the advantage of optic and the wide foreground of optic sensor, based on the traditional vortex flowmeter, the paper designs a new type optic fiber vortex flowmeter which is fabricated utilizing the feature of fiber-optic in fluid, in which the amplitude of the light may be modulated The bend loss theory and the working principle of the optic fiber vortex flowmeter are described in this paper Furthermore, the designing model of an optic fiber vortex flowmeter system is presented And the paper analyses the stability of optical fiber vortex flowmeter
Investigation on general mental health status and its influencing factors among adults in Jilin province

Objective To describe the general mental health status and its distribution characteristics among the adults in Jilin province,and to investigate the influencing factors of mental health.Methods In July to August of2012,the adults in Jilin province were surveyed with 12-item general health questionnaire(GHQ-12)by the method of multi-stage and stratified random cluster sampling;the influencing factors of mental health status were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.Results After being weighted,the average score of GHQ-12was 2.27±2.11and the positive rate of GHQ-12was 23.8%among the adults in Jilin province.The GHQ-12positive rate of the female was higher than that of the male(27.9%vs 20.0%,P0.001).The adults in rural area had a higher GHQ-12positive rate compared with the adults in urban areas(25.9% vs 22.2%,P0.001).The Logistic regression analysis results showed that the risk factors of mental health were female,marriage situation as unmarried,divorced and widowed,occupation as farmers,students and unemployment,the average daily sleep time less than7h,and having chronic diseases within one year;and the age over 35years old,education as junior middle school,undergraduate and above,average income per family over 500 yuan monthly,regular dietary,and physical exercises were the protective factors of mental health.Conclusion The GHQ-12positive rate of general mental health among the adults in Jilin province is higher than those in most of the provinces in China.Besides,the mental health status of populations of female,farmers,students,unoccupied people,lower education,unmarried or poor marriage people,lower income,and bad conditions in the dietary,sleep and body should be paid more attention to.
Track and Segment: An Iterative Unsupervised Approach for Video Object Proposals

We present an unsupervised approach that generates a diverse, ranked set of bounding box and segmentation video object proposals—spatio-temporal tubes that localize the foreground objects—in an unannotated video. In contrast to previous unsupervised methods that either track regions initialized in an arbitrary frame or train a fixed model over a cluster of regions, we instead discover a set of easy-togroup instances of an object and then iteratively update its appearance model to gradually detect harder instances in temporally-adjacent frames. Our method first generates a set of spatio-temporal bounding box proposals, and then refines them to obtain pixel-wise segmentation proposals. We demonstrate state-of-the-art segmentation results on the SegTrack v2 dataset, and bounding box tracking results that perform competitively to state-of-the-art supervised tracking methods.
Gesture in Experimental Studies: How Videotape Technology Can Advance Psychological Theory

Video recording technology allows for the discovery of psychological phenomena that might otherwise go unnoticed. We focus here on gesture as an example of such a phenomenon. Gestures are movements of the hands or body that people spontaneously produce while speaking or thinking through a difficult problem. Despite their ubiquity, speakers are not always aware that they are gesturing, and listeners are not always aware that they are observing gesture. We review how video technology has facilitated major insights within the field of gesture research by allowing researchers to capture, quantify, and better understand these transient movements. We propose that gesture, which can be easily missed if it is not a researcher’s focus, has the potential to affect thinking and learning in the people who produce it, as well as in the people who observe it, and that it can alter the communicative context of an experiment or social interaction. Finally, we discuss the challenges of using video technology to capture ge...
Chemical Modulation of Cell Fate in Stem Cell Therapeutics and Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine aims to repair and regenerate injured tissues and restore their impaired functions. Recent developments in stem cell biology have attracted significant interest in their applications in regenerative medicine. Chemical approaches using small molecules have yielded exciting results in induction and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, lineage conversion of somatic cells, and ex vivo as well as in vivo modulation of adult stem cells. In this review, we discuss recent progress, new insights, and future challenges of the chemical approaches in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
Bioptic Telescope Use and Driving Patterns of Drivers with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE To investigate the telescope use and driving patterns of bioptic drivers with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS A questionnaire addressing telescope use and driving patterns was administered by telephone interview to three groups of bioptic drivers: AMD (n = 31; median 76 years); non-AMD first licensed with a bioptic (n = 38; 53 years); and non-AMD first licensed without a bioptic (n = 47; 37 years). Driving patterns of bioptic AMD drivers were also compared with those of normal vision (NV) drivers (n = 36; 74 years) and nonbioptic AMD drivers (n = 34; 79 years). RESULTS Bioptic usage patterns of AMD drivers did not differ from those of the younger bioptic drivers and greater visual difficulty without the bioptic was strongly correlated with greater bioptic helpfulness. Bioptic AMD drivers were more likely to report avoidance of night driving than the age-similar NV drivers (P = 0.06). However, they reported less difficulty than the nonbioptic AMD drivers in all driving situations (P ≤ 0.02). Weekly mileages of bioptic AMD drivers were lower than those of the younger bioptic drivers (P < 0.001), but not the NV group (P = 0.54), and were higher than those of the nonbioptic AMD group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that bioptic telescopes met the visual demands of drivers with AMD and that those drivers had relatively unrestricted driving habits. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE Licensure with a bioptic telescope may prolong driving of older adults with AMD; however, objective measures of bioptic use, driving performance, and safety are needed.
Processing Relationships Between Language-Being-Spoken and Other Speech Dimensions in Monolingual and Bilingual Listeners.

While indexical information is implicated in many levels of language processing, little is known about the internal structure of the system of indexical dimensions, particularly in bilinguals. A series of three experiments using the speeded classification paradigm investigated the relationship between various indexical and non-linguistic dimensions of speech in processing. Namely, we compared the relationship between a lesser-studied indexical dimension relevant to bilinguals, which language is being spoken (in these experiments, either Mandarin Chinese or English), with: talker identity (Experiment 1), talker gender (Experiment 2), and amplitude of speech (Experiment 3). Results demonstrate that language-being-spoken is integrated in processing with each of the other dimensions tested, and that these processing dependencies seem to be independent of listeners’ bilingual status or experience with the languages tested. Moreover, the data reveal processing interference asymmetries, suggesting a processing h...
Role of TAAR1 within the Subregions of the Mesocorticolimbic Dopaminergic System in Cocaine-Seeking Behavior.

A novel G-protein coupled receptor, trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), has been shown to be a promising target to prevent stimulant relapse. Our recent studies showed that systemic administration of TAAR1 agonists decreased abuse-related behaviors of cocaine. However, the role of TAAR1 in specific subregions of the reward system in drug addiction is unknown. Here, using a local pharmacological activation method, we assessed the role of TAAR1 within the subregions of the mesocorticolimbic system: that is, the VTA, the prelimbic cortex (PrL), and infralimbic cortex of medial prefrontal cortex, the core and shell of NAc, BLA, and CeA, on cue- and drug-induced cocaine-seeking in the rat cocaine reinstatement model. We first showed that TAAR1 mRNA was expressed throughout these brain regions. Rats underwent cocaine self-administration, followed by extinction training. RO5166017 (1.5 or 5.0 μg/side) or vehicle was microinjected into each brain region immediately before cue- and drug-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking. The results showed that microinjection of RO5166017 into the VTA and PrL decreased both cue- and drug priming-induced cocaine-seeking. Microinjection of RO5166017 into the NAc core and shell inhibited cue- and drug-induced cocaine-seeking, respectively. Locomotor activity or food reinforced operant responding was unaffected by microinjection of RO5166017 into these brain regions. Cocaine-seeking behaviors were not affected by RO5166017 when microinjected into the substantia nigra, infralimbic cortex, BLA, and CeA. Together, these results indicate that TAAR1 in different subregions of the mesocorticolimbic system distinctly contributes to cue- and drug-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT TAAR1 has been indicated as a modulator of the dopaminergic system. Previous research showed that systemic administration of TAAR1 agonists could attenuate cocaine-related behaviors, suggesting that TAAR1 may be a promising drug target for the treatment of cocaine addiction. However, the specific role of TAAR1 in subregions of the mesocorticolimbic system in drug addiction is unknown. Here, we first showed that TAAR1 mRNA is expressed throughout the subregions of the mesocorticolimbic system. Then, by using a local pharmacological activation method, we demonstrated that TAAR1 in different subregions of the mesocorticolimbic system distinctly contributes to cue- and drug-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior.
SOFIA’S choices: Discourses, values, and norms of the World Ocean Regime☆

Abstract Some scholars have thought the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea would transform marine politics and policy by incorporating social values of equity and justice via the Common Heritage of Mankind and authentic conservation of an essential part of the biosphere, displacing the dominant commodification of the ocean. Likewise, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has claimed that the “productivity paradigm” of growth in fishery catch has been replaced by balanced norms of sustainability. This article tests these claims by asking “What is the ‘generative grammar’, or value-based blueprints, of governance for the World Ocean?” using a quantitative content analysis of all extant State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) reports (1995–2016). Not only does the analysis disprove the FAO’s assertions, this research reveals an otherwise invisible, non-codified economistic regime governing the World Ocean that is guided by the norms of sheer volume production, named here simply the “World Ocean Regime.” This partially explains why the marine world is experiencing structural ecological changes, including massive biodiversity loss partly driven by overfishing. The analysis finds that overfishing, ecological life support, moral aesthetic values, social equity, and science are very minor concerns for the World Ocean Regime. Governance is the second-most important set of discourses, but this governance is clearly driven by economic values and norms. The World Ocean Regime has critical implications not only for the sustainability of the World Ocean, but the planetary system that depends on the World Ocean.
Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Mortality, Incidence, and Survival in the United States, 1950-2014: Over Six Decades of Changing Patterns and Widening Inequalities.

We analyzed socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in US mortality, incidence, and survival rates from all-cancers combined and major cancers from 1950 to 2014. Census-based deprivation indices were linked to national mortality and cancer data for area-based socioeconomic patterns in mortality, incidence, and survival. The National Longitudinal Mortality Study was used to analyze individual-level socioeconomic and racial/ethnic patterns in mortality. Rates, risk-ratios, least squares, log-linear, and Cox regression were used to examine trends and differentials. Socioeconomic patterns in all-cancer, lung, and colorectal cancer mortality changed dramatically over time. Individuals in more deprived areas or lower education and income groups had higher mortality and incidence rates than their more affluent counterparts, with excess risk being particularly marked for lung, colorectal, cervical, stomach, and liver cancer. Education and income inequalities in mortality from all-cancers, lung, prostate, and cervical cancer increased during 1979–2011. Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality widened as mortality in lower socioeconomic groups/areas declined more slowly. Mortality was higher among Blacks and lower among Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics than Whites. Cancer patient survival was significantly lower in more deprived neighborhoods and among most ethnic-minority groups. Cancer mortality and incidence disparities may reflect inequalities in smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, diet, alcohol use, screening, and treatment.
Analyzing the impact of conjunctive labeling as part of a regional wine branding strategy

Abstract Research studies have proven that place-based/regional branding methods have a positive effect on brand equity and economic benefits for companies. However, very small or specific regions may be confusing to consumers, so conjunctive labeling – or the process of advertising both a larger region and the sub-region of origin for a product – is suggested as a remedy for this situation. This study analyzes the impact of conjunctive labeling by comparing two national samples of consumers, before and two years after, conjunctive wine labeling was introduced in Sonoma County. The results show a higher awareness for both Sonoma County and its sub appellations (AVAs) after conjunctive labeling was introduced than before. This demonstrates the potential benefit of associating sub-regional appellations with larger wine regions.
The Hispanic Paradox: Socioeconomic Factors and Race/Ethnicity in Breastfeeding Outcomes

Abstract Background: Breastfeeding has multiple benefits for both mother and infant. Previous studies have shown that Hispanic/Latina women have higher rates of breastfeeding and better health outc...
Noise dependent coherence-super Gaussian based dual microphone speech enhancement for hearing aid application using smartphone

In this work, the coherence between speech and noise signals is used to obtain a Speech Enhancement (SE) gain function, in combination with a Super-Gaussian Joint Maximum a Posteriori (SGJMAP) single microphone SE gain function. The proposed SE method is implemented on a smartphone that works as an assistive device to hearing aids in real-time. Although coherence SE gain function suppresses the background noise well, it distorts the speech. In contrary, SE using SGJMAP improves speech quality with the introduction of musical noise, which we contain by using a post filter. The weighted union of these two gain functions strikes a balance between noise suppression and speech distortion. A “weighting” parameter is introduced in the derived gain function that can be controlled by the smartphone user based on different background noises and their comfort level of hearing, which proves the practical usability of the developed SE method implemented on the smartphone. Objective and subjective measures of the proposed method show significant improvements in both quality and intelligibility compared to the state of the art SE techniques considered in this work for several noisy conditions at the signal to noise ratio levels of -5 dB, 0 dB, and 5 dB.In this work, the coherence between speech and noise signals is used to obtain a Speech Enhancement (SE) gain function, in combination with a Super-Gaussian Joint Maximum a Posteriori (SGJMAP) single microphone SE gain function. The proposed SE method is implemented on a smartphone that works as an assistive device to hearing aids in real-time. Although coherence SE gain function suppresses the background noise well, it distorts the speech. In contrary, SE using SGJMAP improves speech quality with the introduction of musical noise, which we contain by using a post filter. The weighted union of these two gain functions strikes a balance between noise suppression and speech distortion. A “weighting” parameter is introduced in the derived gain function that can be controlled by the smartphone user based on different background noises and their comfort level of hearing, which proves the practical usability of the developed SE method implemented on the smartphone. Objective and subjective measures of the propo...
A Web-Based Interactive Tool to Reduce Childhood Obesity Risk in Urban Minority Youth: Usability Testing Study

Background: Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue among minority youth in the United States. Technology-enhanced approaches can be effective for promoting healthy behavior change. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the usability of prototypes of a Web-based interactive tool promoting healthy dietary behaviors to reduce childhood obesity risk in urban minority youth. The Web-based tool comprised a manga-style comic with interactive features (eg, sound effects, clickable pop-ups), tailored messaging, and goal setting, and was optimized for use on tablet devices. Methods: Latino and black/African American children ages 9 to 13 years were recruited to participate in two rounds of usability testing. A modified think-aloud method was utilized. Self-reported surveys and field notes were collected. Audio recordings and field notes from usability testing sessions were systematically reviewed by extracting and coding user feedback as either positive comments or usability or negative issues. The quantitative data from self-reported questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Twelve children (four female; eight black/African American) with a mean age of 10.92 (SD 1.16) years participated. Testing highlighted overall positive experiences with the Web-based interactive tool, especially related to storyline, sound effects, and color schemes. Specific usability issues were classified into six themes: appearance, content, special effects, storyline, terminology, and navigation. Changes to the Web-based tool after round 1 included adding a navigation guide, making clickable icons more visible, improving graphic designs, and fixing programming errors. In round 2 of testing (after modifications to the Web-based tool were incorporated), many of the usability issues that were identified in round 1 did not emerge. Conclusions: Results of testing will inform further development and finalization of the tool, which will be tested using a two-group pilot randomized study, with the goal of reducing childhood obesity risk in minority, low-income youth.
Management of Distal Femoral Nonunions

The surgical strategy for the patient with distal femur nonunion needs to be individualized respecting both host and injury-related factors. Prehabilitation prior to nonunion reconstruction is essential, focusing on optimization of general health, nutrition, and cessation of negative social behaviors. Surgical tactic is dictated by the type of nonunion and previous surgical method. Considerations should include enhancing both the mechanical and biological environment towards bone union and ultimate functionality. Strategies include addition of medial plate to existing laterally based hardware, plating over pre-existing intramedullary nail, exchange nail, and thin wire fixation. Revision internal fixation with or without bone grafting is preferable while arthroplasty, specifically distal femoral replacement has a role in the more infirm patient
Out of proportion? The role of leftovers in eating-related affect and behavior

Abstract It is well known that growing portion sizes increase consumption, but grossly enlarged portions also cause consumers to face more and more food leftovers. Despite the relevance of food leftovers, downstream effects of having more food leftovers on consumers' affect and behavior are unknown. In five studies, the authors test the idea that consumers may judge their actual consumption by looking at their leftovers. As such, larger leftovers may reduce perceived consumption and also impact other eating-related behaviors. Using both real and imagined food consumption and leftovers, the authors find that, holding the absolute amount of food consumption equal, larger (vs. smaller) food leftovers lead to reduced perceived consumption. This difference in perceived consumption has consequences for people's motivation to compensate for their eating. Larger (vs. smaller) food leftovers cause them to eat more in a subsequent unrelated food consumption task, and also to exercise less in an explicit calorie compensation task. The psychological drivers of this phenomenon are twofold: larger leftovers reduce perceived consumption, which leads people to feel better about themselves; and feeling better about themselves, in turn, reduces people's motivation to compensate. This research reveals a previously unknown negative consequence of grossly enlarged portion sizes and informs research on perceived consumption.
Molecular mechanism of poliovirus Sabin vaccine strain attenuation

Recruitment of poliovirus (PV) RNA to the human ribosome requires the coordinated interaction of the viral internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and several host cellular initiation factors and IRES trans-acting factors (ITAFs). Attenuated PV Sabin strains contain point mutations in the PV IRES domain V (dV) that inhibit viral translation. Remarkably, attenuation is most apparent in cells of the central nervous system, but the molecular basis to explain this is poorly understood. The dV contains binding sites for eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) and polypyrimidine tract–binding protein (PTB). Impaired binding of these proteins to the mutant IRESs has been observed, but these effects have not been quantitated. We used a fluorescence anisotropy assay to reveal that the Sabin mutants reduce the equilibrium dissociation constants of eIF4G and PTB to the PV IRES by up to 6-fold. Using the most inhibitory Sabin 3 mutant, we used a real-time fluorescence helicase assay to show that the apparent affinity of an active eIF4G/4A/4B helicase complex for the IRES is reduced by 2.5-fold. The Sabin 3 mutant did not alter the maximum rate of eIF4A-dependent helicase activity, suggesting that this mutant primarily reduces the affinity, rather than activity, of the unwinding complex. To confirm this affinity model of attenuation, we show that eIF4G overexpression in HeLa cells overcomes the attenuation of a Sabin 3 mutant PV–luciferase replicon. Our study provides a quantitative framework for understanding the mechanism of PV Sabin attenuation and provides an explanation for the previously observed cell type–specific translational attenuation.
Passing lane optimum length on two-lane highways

An investigation into the optimum length of passing lanes on rural two-lane highways is presented in this paper. A passing lane is a short length of added lane to improve passing opportunities on t...
Queer(ing) Game Studies: Reviewing Research on Digital Play and Non-normativity

Through a systematic literature review, this chapter considers how game studies scholarship has approached LGBTQ players, communities, and perspectives to outline new and ongoing opportunities for research and activism related to queer and non-normative digital games, players, and play practices. This chapter seeks to ascertain not only what scholarship has been produced with regard to LGBTQ games, gamers, and gaming but to critically consider where and how as well: which disciplines, methodological traditions, and publishing venues are most active in this area. Knowing how game studies has thus far engaged with queer identities, communities, and issues offers game scholars a trajectory to build on existing work in this area, to both contextualize and advance the efforts of LGBTQ players, critics, designers, allies, and activists.
UNIT 4.9 Polarization Microscopy

This unit provides an introduction to polarization microscopy, the optics involved, and practical considerations for observing submicroscopic structures. The unit also includes specific examples for visualization of microtubules in the mitotic spindle, chromatin within maturing spermatids, and the biocrystalline skeletal spicules in larval echinoderms.
The P3b and P600(s): Positive contributions to language comprehension

Since its discovery in the 1960s, the P300 has been contributing both directly and indirectly to language research. Perhaps most notably, it has been suggested that the P600, an ERP component that was first characterized in the context of syntactic processing, could be a variant of the P3b subcomponent of the P300. Here, we review studies on both sides of the debate. We also review the "semantic P600," a positivity with a similar time course and distribution to the P600 seen for syntactic manipulations but that is obtained in response to some types of semantic anomalies. Because most current theories of the P600 try to account for both the syntactic and the semantic variant, linking the syntactic P600 to the P3b might also imply a similar link for the semantic P600. However, we describe emerging research in our lab that casts doubt on the idea that the syntactic P600 and the semantic P600 are the same effect. We argue that grouping ERP responses primarily by domain (language vs. nonlanguage) is likely to be misleading and suggest alternative ways of determining whether ERP effects reflect similar or different processing mechanisms.
Sympathetic nerve innervation is required for beigeing in white fat

It is increasingly recognized that activation of beige adipocyte thermogenesis by pharmacological or genetic approaches increases energy expenditure and alleviates obesity. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) directly innervating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) plays a key role in promoting nonshivering thermogenesis. However, direct evidence that supports the importance of SNS innervation for beige adipocyte formation is still lacking, and the significance of beige adipocyte thermogenesis in protection of body temperature during cold challenge is not clear. Here we tested the necessity of SNS innervation into WAT for beige adipocyte formation in mice with defective brown fat thermogenesis via interscapular BAT (iBAT) SNS denervation. SNS denervation was achieved by microinjection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a selective neurotoxin to SNS nerves, into iBAT, inguinal WAT (iWAT), or both. The partial chemical denervation of iBAT SNS down-regulated UCP-1 protein expression in iBAT demonstrated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical measurements. This was associated with an up-regulation of UCP1 protein expression and enhanced formation of beige cells in iWAT of mice with iBAT SNS denervation. In contrast, the chemical denervation of iWAT SNS completely abolished the upregulated UCP-1 protein and beige cell formation in iWAT of mice with iBAT SNS denervation. Our data demonstrate that SNS innervation in WAT is required for beige cell formation during cold-induced thermogenesis. We conclude that there exists a coordinated thermoregulation for BAT and WAT thermogenesis via a functional cross talk between BAT and WAT SNS.
Novel oral multifunctional antioxidant prevents noise-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss

Abstract Oxidative stress is a major contributor to noise-induced hearing loss, the most common cause of hearing loss among military personnel and young adults. HK-2 is a potent, orally-active, multifunctional, redox-modulating drug that has been shown to protect against a wide range of neurological disorders with no observed side effects. HK-2 protected cochlear HEI-OC1 cells against various forms of experimentally-induced oxidative stressors similar to those observed during and after intense noise exposure. The mechanisms by which HK-2 protects cells is twofold, first by its ability to reduce oxidative stress generated by free radicals, and second, by its ability to complex biologically active transition metals such as Fe+2, thus reducing their availability to participate in the Fenton reaction where highly toxic hydroxyl radicals are generated. For the rat in vivo studies, HK-2 provided significant protection against noise-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss. Noise-induced hearing loss was induced by an 8–16 kHz octave band noises presented for 8 h/d for 21 days at an intensity of 95 dB SPL. In the Prevention study, HK-2 was administered orally beginning 5 days before the start of the noise and ending 10 days after the noise. Treatment with HK-2 dose-dependently reduced the amount of noise-induced hearing impairment, reflected in the cochlear compound action potential, and noise-induced hair cell loss. In a subsequent Rescue experiment in which HK-2 was administered for 10 days starting after the noise was turned off, HK-2 also significantly reduced the amount of hearing impairment, but the effect size was substantially less than in the Prevention studies. HK-2 alone did not adversely affect HEI-OC1 cell viability, nor did it cause any adverse changes in rat body weight, behavior, cochlear function or hair cell integrity. Thus, HK-2 is a novel, safe, orally-deliverable and highly effective otoprotective compound with considerable potential for preventing hearing loss from noise and other hearing disorders linked to excessive oxidative stress.
Porphyromonas gingivalis and Alzheimer disease: Recent findings and potential therapies

Epidemiological studies have identified an association between periodontitis and Alzheimer disease (AD); however, the nature of this association has been unclear. Recent work suggests that brain colonization by the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis may link these two inflammatory and degenerative conditions. Evidence of P. gingivalis infiltration has been detected in autopsy specimens from the brains of people with AD and in cerebrospinal fluid of individuals diagnosed with AD. Gingipains, a class of P. gingivalis proteases, are found in association with neurons, tau tangles, and beta-amyloid in specimens from the brains of individuals with AD. The brains of mice orally infected with P. gingivalis show evidence of P. gingivalis infiltration, along with various neuropathological hallmarks of AD. Oral administration of gingipain inhibitors to mice with established brain infections decreases the abundance of P. gingivalis DNA in brain and mitigates the neurotoxic effects of P. gingivalis infection. Thus, gingipain inhibition could provide a potential approach to the treatment of both periodontitis and AD.
Deoxygenation of Methyl Oleate and Commercial Biodiesel Over W and Ni-W Catalysts

The enhancement of biodiesel fuel properties by modifying/optimizing fatty ester composition is an area of ongoing research. Chemical upgrading methods include catalytic hydrodeoxygenation process (HDO), hydrothermal liquefaction, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (F–T synthesis), and super-critical modification. Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation process for converting biodiesel into renewable petrodiesel-like fuels substitutes is gaining considerable importance. The biodiesel upon hydrotreatment produces green diesel that has a cetane number higher than commercial petroleum diesel. In this paper, we report the findings of using tungsten as a deoxygenation catalyst supported over γ–Al2O3 to convert methyl oleate and biodiesel to green diesel. The catalysts were characterized by XPS analysis and N2 adsorption–desorption. The effect of reduction temperature, hydrogen flowrate, Ni promoter and anion (oxide vs sulfide catalyst) on the hydrodeoxygenation activity of the catalyst were examined. It was found that catalyst reduced at 300/350 °C was optimal from a selectivity point of view. Moreover, increasing the hydrogen flowrate favored hydrodeoxygenation over decarbonylation/decarboxylation. It was further deduced that Ni promoted the activity and that the oxide catalyst was superior in this respect to the sulfide catalyst.
Fathers and Their Very Young Children: Future Directions

The biological underpinnings of paternal caregiving derive from the requirements of highly evolved complex organisms and their needs for both extended care and care that adapts to the changing competencies of children as they move from infancy to adulthood. The biological presses that underpin paternal care for children connect to broader survival and reproductive requirements than involve cooperation with other caregivers and the affordances of both the micro and macro environments. Such processes are under exceptional challenge given the rapidly evolving landscape of daily life, the world of work, and family composition. Research must adapt to consider all these factors and to respect the fact that paternal caregiving extends further and further into the adulthood of offspring. Evaluating the quality of paternal behavior during the early childhood must, therefore, look not only to how it promotes well-being during childhood but how it promotes well-being over the life course. Likewise, evaluating the quality of the father-child relationship during early childhood must consider how the quality during the early years promotes father-offspring relationship quality over the life course.
Slippery ontologies of tidal flats

Tidal flats are a type of coastal space that flood at high tides and are exposed at low tides—not quite land or sea. Distinct from open waters or seabeds, tidal flats’ in-betweenness gives them par...
Your Appeals to Intuition Have No Power Here

In this paper, I argue that appeals to intuition in Analytic Philosophy are not compelling arguments because intuitions are not the sort of thing that has the power to rationally persuade other professional analytic philosophers. This conclusion follows from reasonable premises about the goal of Analytic Philosophy, which is rational persuasion by means of arguments, and the requirement that evidence for and/or against philosophical theses used by professional analytic philosophers be public (or transparent) in order to have the power to rationally persuade other professional analytic philosophers. Since intuitions are not public (or transparent) evidence, it follows that appeals to intuition are not compelling arguments for and/or against philosophical theses because they lack the power to rationally persuade other professional analytic philosophers.
Cognitive impairment in syphilis: Does treatment based on cerebrospinal fluid analysis improve outcome?

Background Individuals with previous syphilis may experience cognitive impairment. The goal of this study was to determine if those at high risk for laboratory-defined neurosyphilis are cognitively impaired, and whether treatment based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings results in better outcomes. Methods Participants had a new syphilis diagnosis, serum RPR titer ≥ 1:32 or peripheral blood CD4+ T cells ≤ 350/ul (in persons living with HIV) and did not endorse neurological symptoms. They underwent computerized cognitive assessment with the CogState. Thirty-two were randomized to either undergo lumbar puncture (LP) or to not undergo LP and 14 underwent LP; 64 were not randomized and 48 opted to undergo LP. Results Demographics, cognitive complaints and cognitive impairment did not differ between randomized and nonrandomized participants. Two-thirds were cognitively impaired, and impairment was not more common in those with cognitive complaints. The adjusted odds of increased severity of impairment were 3.8 times greater in those with CSF pleocytosis compared to those without. Time to cognitive normalization, improvement or decline did not differ between those who did not undergo LP and those who underwent LP and whose treatment was based on CSF analysis. Taking into account pre-treatment cognitive impairment, the risk of cognitive decline was lower in those with CSF pleocytosis treated for neurosyphilis compared to those without CSF pleocytosis not treated for neurosyphilis, (HR 0.24 (95% CI 0.07-0.88], p = 0.03). Conclusion In individuals at high risk for laboratory-defined neurosyphilis, cognitive complaints are not a good indicator of cognitive impairment. Severity of cognitive impairment was greater in those with CSF pleocytosis. Identification and treatment of those with neurosyphilis may mitigate subsequent cognitive decline.
Electrical characterization of basal cell carcinoma using a handheld electrical impedance dermography device

ABSTRACT Sensitive, objective, and easily applied methods for evaluating skin lesions are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy. In this study, we evaluated whether a developed noninvasive electrical impedance dermography (EID) device URSKIN could serve this purpose. In this pilot study, 17 subjects with subsequently confirmed basal cell carcinoma (BCC) underwent four-electrode EID measurements to assess the electrical properties of BCC and adjacent normal skin. A linear mixed-effects model with random intercept and slope terms was used for the analysis of multifrequency values in longitudinal and transverse directions. A significant difference in the intercept of frequency trajectories was observed for the longitudinal conductivity 0.13 S/m, p
Predation and Population Stability

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses predation and population stability. It describes some potentially stabilizing features that have been found in real systems and shows the main stabilizing features discovered in the field of studies—refuges, spatial heterogeneity—or probably can be modified to incorporate them, for example, invulnerable classes of prey. It also touches two obvious features of reality, namely time lags, which destabilize the interaction, and density dependence (for example, resource limitation) in the prey, which is stabilizing. General model (the Lotka-Voltema equations) is also discussed and a criterion for estimating its stabilizing effect is presented. The chapter discusses the relationship between learning and functional response, and indicates the importance of two features, developmental response and numerical response, of the interaction. The chapter examines other aspects, namely the consequences for stability arising from the response of the individual predator to changes in the density of its prey (or to changes in the densities of two or more prey).
The Outcome of STAPP

In 1960 and again in 1964 I presented the findings of follow-up interviews with patients who were treated with STAPP (Sifneos, 1961, 1965). The results can be summarized as follows. The patients reported that: (1) they had achieved a moderate symptomatic relief; (2) psychotherapy was a “new learning experience”; (3) their self-esteem had improved strikingly; (4) they had overcome the crisis which was instrumental in bringing them to the clinic; and (5) their expectations of the therapeutic outcome had become more realistic. Furthermore, it appeared that, although they had experienced positive feelings for their therapist, the patients attributed the success of their treatment primarily to their own efforts. Generally speaking, they felt no need for further psychotherapy. At that time, although we were quite encouraged by these findings, we thought that STAPP provided only limited intrapsychic changes. We did, however, decide to investigate the therapeutic outcome more systematically by setting up a controlled study of patients chosen according to our selection criteria and treated according to the technical requirements that are by now very familiar to the reader.
MRI of the fetal brain and spinal cord: Techniques and protocols

Magnetic resonance imaging of the fetus is nowadays routinely used as a complimentary imaging method to ultra- sound for the detection of morphological changes of the brain and spine. The advent of fast sequences, which allow high sig- nal-to-noise, high-resolution datasets has facilitated standardized and reliable protocols, enabling fetal Magnetic resonance imaging to be acknowledged as a valuable adjunct in many antenatal clinics. This review covers technical requisites, sequence details, and provides a practical approach for routine diagnosis of fetal brain and spine.