cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Apoptosis by HER2 in Breast Cancer

HER2 is a trans-membrane receptor tyrosine kinase that activates multiple growth-promoting signaling pathways including PI3K-AKT and Ras-MAPK. Dysregulation of HER2 is a frequent occurrence in breast cancer that is associated with poor patient outcomes. A primary function of HER2 is suppressing apoptosis to enhance cell survival giving rise to uncontrolled proliferation and tumor growth. There has been much investigation into the mechanisms by which apoptosis is suppressed by HER2 in hopes of finding clinical targets for HER2-positive breast cancers as these cancers often become resistant to therapies that directly target HER2. Several apoptotic mechanisms have been shown to be deregulated in HER2-overexpressing cells with examples in both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. HER2-mediated activation of PI3K-AKT signaling is required for many of the mechanisms HER2 uses to suppress apoptosis. HER2 overexpression is correlated with increases in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins including Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1. HER2 also suppresses p53-mediated apoptosis by upregulation of MDM2 by activation of AKT. In addition, survivin expression is often increased with HER2 overexpression leading to inhibition of caspase activation. There is also recent evidence to suggest HER2 can directly influence apoptosis by translocation to the mitochondria to inhibit cytochrome c release. HER2 can also suppress cellular reaction to death ligands, especially TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Elucidation of the mechanisms of apoptotic suppression by HER2 suggest that clinical treatment will likely need to target multiple components of these pathways as there is redundancy in HER2-mediated cell survival. Several therapies have attempted to target Bcl-2 proteins that have promising pre-clinical results. Next-generation HER2 targeting therapies include irreversible pan-ERBB inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates, such as T-DM1 that has very promising clinical results thus far. Further investigation should include elucidating mechanisms of resistance to HER2-targeted therapies and targeting of multiple components of HER2-mediated cell
The Correlation Research of Commonly Used Indicators of Clinical Inflammatory Changes and Pneumonia in Children

Objective To detect the changes of commonly used clinical indicators of inflammation including C-reactive protein,white blood cell and neutrophil,and to explore their relationship with pneumonia in children,in order to identify the pathogen and help to diagnose and guide treatment.Methods Using immunoluminometric assay to determine the C-reactive protein level,meanwhile taking the blood routine test and related pathogen inspection in 550 cases.Results ①There were 192 cases with elevated C-reactive protein in all children with pneumonia,accounting for 35.02%.After 5 days treatment,the review of C-reactive protein in 171 children fell to normal level,accounting for 89.09%.The means of C-reactive protein before and after treatment was compared,P0.001.②Forty children were checked out with bacterial growth by sputum or blood culture,accounting for 7.20% and 88.46 percent (35 cases) of these children had elevated C-reactive protein level.Forteen children were checked out with positive blood mycoplasma,accounting for 2.52% and 75.00 percent (10 cases) of these children had elevated C-reactive protein level.The means of C-reactive protein in above two groups was compared,P0.05.③In all the patients,242 had increased leukocytes and elevated percentage of neutrophils,in which the C-reactive protein levels of 118 children elevated,the positive rate was 48.57%;308 cases had no increased leukocytes and percentage of neutrophils,in which the C-reactive protein levels of 75 children elevated.The positive rate was 24.35% and the two positive rates was compared,P0.01.Conclusion The changes of commonly used clinical indicators of inflammatory like blood C-reactive protein,leukocytes and neutrophils has important significance in identifying the pathogen of pneumonia in children,helping to guide the diagnose and clinical treatment.
Leisure perceptions of combat veterans of operations enduring freedom and iraqi freedom

Framed within the Theory of Planned Behavior, researchers examined the relationship between military life, deployment, and leisure engagement. Following a constant comparative analytic framework, w...
Psychosocial Aspects of Surgical Care in the Elderly Patient

Delirium, dementia, and depression often complicate the care of elderly surgical patients. Simple screening procedures performed preoperatively and postoperatively facilitate the early detection of these conditions and enable the physician to promptly institute appropriate treatment. Although the evaluation and management of these disorders are often within the range of the surgical treatment team, psychiatric consultation should be obtained when uncertainty exists about diagnosis or therapy.
Recent progress in gradient metasurfaces

Recent advances in metasurfaces, i.e., artificial arrays of engineered inclusions assembled over a thin surface, have opened promising venues to control electromagnetic waves in unique and unprecedented ways, by means of locally engineering their near-field wave–matter interactions. Gradient or locally nonperiodic metasurfaces are one of the most exciting recent advances in nano-optics, due to the promise of enabling ultimate light molding, in both the near-field and the far-field, with large efficiency and a minimal footprint. These artificial surfaces are characterized by a transverse variation of their surface properties and lack of local periodicity, distinguishing them from conventional frequency selective surfaces and optical gratings. In this paper, we review recent work in the area of gradient metasurfaces, aimed at arbitrary wave shaping. The significant recent progress and novel applications achieved through optical metasurfaces, including ultrathin invisibility cloaks and polarization-dependent light splitting, are discussed, outlining the typical challenges and their outstanding prospects in integrated nanophotonic devices. Following our discussion on metasurface design approaches, we then revisit the problem of controlling the distribution of energy between multiple diffraction orders by means of gradient metasurfaces. Our discussions reveal that Huygens-based designs hold the promise of overcoming the low conversion efficiency issues associated with other techniques.
Modification of nektonic fish distribution by piers and pile fields in an urban estuary

Abstract Large urban piers degrade habitat value for several estuarine benthic fish species by shading, but their effects on mobile nektonic species is less well understood due to sampling challenges. Dual Frequency Identification Sonar (DIDSON) allowed equal access to sampling in the water column of structured shaded and unshaded vs. open environments in both dark and light conditions by methods similar to video but without light. Sampling (n = 228, 5-min transects) occurred under and around four large municipal piers of varying dimensions in the Hudson River estuary during day and night from summer and fall in 2007–2009. The distribution of small (5–25 cm in length) and large (25–850 cm) fishes were analyzed separately in recognition of functional guild differences. Small fishes occupied open water, shaded under-pier, and un-decked relict piling habitats, but were significantly more abundant during the day in open unshaded water than under adjacent piers or in piling habitats. Small fish occurred under 3 of 4 piers of varying size and configuration at 10–20% of the median abundances of adjacent open water. However, while schools were rare under piers they could be very large, so that abundance greatly exceeded mean open water abundance variance so as to preclude confidence in differences among piers. The differences among habitats were not significant at night, and the difference among piers was also not significant at night. School membership for small fish appeared to mitigate adverse effects of shading and may influence scaling of their response to shading and could therefore influence pier design. Large (> 25 cm) predatory fish were uncommon but responded similarly to habitat effects as did small fish. Habitats did not segregate fish by guild as small forage fish co-occurred in 65.8% of samples with large piscivores. Studies that provide species-specific and mechanistic interpretation of dynamic habitat use as well as further quantification of scaling effects could improve our understanding of how fishes respond to piers and other structures on urban shorelines.
Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities Experiencing Homelessness: Federal, Community, and Educator Roles.

ABSTRACTHomelessness is a complex and multifaceted condition that affects 2.5 million, or one in every 30, children annually. Based on these numbers, it is likely that at least one student has experienced or is experiencing homelessness in most public school classrooms. Sixteen percent of students experiencing homelessness also received services under IDEA in 2014. Authors describe how homelessness impacts the outcomes of students—particularly those with disabilities, what federal policies and protections exist, and how communities lend support. One hallmark of special education, and an essential strategy for serving students experiencing homelessness, is a team approach. Thus, the authors conclude with five practical, team-based tips for school personnel, based on the acronym HOMES, to help ensure they are providing the supports and services these students need.
Callipyge genotypic effects on meat quality attributes and oxidation stability of ovine M. longissimus

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of callipyge (C) genotypes on quality attributes and oxidation stability of aged lamb loins. Only lambs possessing a wildtype maternal allele and a paternal callipyge allele (+/C) express a muscle hypertrophy phenotype. Seventeen lambs (7 months), consisting of all four possible callipyge genotypes (C/+, C/C, +/C and +/+), were harvested. Loins (M. longissimus thoracis) were separated from each carcass at 3 days postmortem, cut into 3 sections, and randomly assigned into three aging periods (3, 6 and 9 days). Genotype had no impact on proximate composition, mineral content, and pH of lamb loins (P > 0.05). In terms of water-holding capacity, slightly increased purge/thaw loss of +/C lamb loins was observed (P 0.05). The highest shear force was found at +/C lamb loins (P 0.05). Our results indicate similar quality attributes of lamb loins between non-callipyge phenotypes (C/C, C/+ and +/+) and suggest that callipyge lamb loins have superior color stability, while exhibiting lower tenderness compared to loins from non-callipyge phenotype lambs.
High Concentrations of Thrombospondin-1 Suppress Shear Stress Induced Cleavage of Von Willebrand Factor by ADAMTS13.

Abstract Abstract 3063 Poster Board II-1039 ADAMTS13 is a circulating metalloprotease that cleaves and down regulates the activity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the circulation. Deficiency of ADAMTS13 causes thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). VWF is critical for supporting platelet adhesion and aggregation at sites of microvascular injury. Nevertheless, the factors that protect VWF from cleavage by ADAMTS13 remain unknown. Thrombospondin-1 (Thbs-1), an adhesive protein that exhibit binding to multiple proteins such as collagen, fibronectin and fibrin, promotes thrombus adherence in animal models of vascular injury. To investigate the role of Thbs-1 in the regulation of VWF cleavage by ADAMTS13, we analyzed the cleavage of VWF flowing through a capillary tube. In the presence of physiological concentrations of ADAMTS13, VWF fragments were generated in a shear stress dependent manner. The cleavage of VWF in the capillary tube device was inhibited by Thbs-1 in a concentration dependent manner. At physiological concentrations (30 ng/mL) of Thbs-1, the cleavage of VWF was decreased insignificantly to 85% of control. The cleavage was decreased to 50% at 100 ng/mL Thbs-1, and to less than 10% at 1000 ng/mL Thbs-1 (P Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Mosque-Based Social Support and Collective and Personal Self-Esteem Among Young Muslim American Adults

This study investigated the association between congregational relationships and personal and collective self-esteem among young Muslim American adults. Mosque-based emotional support and negative interactions with congregants were assessed in relation to personal and collective self-esteem. Data analysis was based on a sample of 231 respondents residing in southeast Michigan. Results indicated that receiving emotional support from congregants was associated with higher levels of collective self-esteem but was unassociated with personal self-esteem. Negative interaction with congregants was associated with personal self-esteem. Together, these findings indicate that mosque-based emotional support and negative interactions function differently for personal and collective self-esteem, which provides evidence that although personal and collective self-esteem are interrelated constructs, they are also conceptually discrete aspects self-evaluations.
Racial differences in upper extremity function for breast cancer survivors.

9569 Background: Over 35% of breast cancer survivors face upper extremity disability due to breast cancer surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy to the upper body region. Race may be a key patient cha...
Discretization and implementation of a sharp interface model for interfacial heat and mass transfer during bubble growth

Abstract Simulations of phase change rely on methods to compute heat and mass transfer at the interface. Current methods estimate the mass transfer with interpolation functions or by assuming a local temperature difference between saturation and interface. This work reports a method that uses a single cell around the interface to find the interfacial temperature gradient, and a linear interpolation normal to the interface to find the temperature of the mixture cell (cell with an interface). The one-cell algorithm for sharp interface and mass transfer (OCASIMAT) simplifies the estimation of the mass transfer and mixture cell temperature and improves accuracy. The proposed approach leads to a more realistic representation of the heat and mass transfer at the interface with a sharp discontinuity on the thermal properties at the interface and with mass transfer only at the cells with an interface. Simulations of planar interface evaporation and spherical bubble growth demonstrate the application of the proposed approach. Results indicate that OCASIMAT accurately predicts the temperature distributions near the interface and the interface displacements.
Damage Control Surgery and the Boston Marathon Bombing

The practice of trauma surgery in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing took place within the walls of the multiple Boston Level I trauma centers, as well as several adjacent community hospitals. The approach to these patients reflected the general philosophy of rapid damage control, abbreviated surgery, frequent returns to the operating room in a staged fashion, and high-ratio blood transfusions. The real lesson for surgeons, however, is learned from careful examination of the prehospital treatment of the injuries resulting from the two improvised explosive devices detonated on Boylston Street during the running of the 117th Boston Marathon at 14:49 on April 15, 2013: damage control starts at the point of wounding.
Lawyers as Conscientious Objectors

This narrowly-circumscribed Article attempts to gain some insights into the much-discussed conflict between religious precepts and legal requirements by looking at the main area of the law in which individuals and courts have had to reconcile legal standards with individual morality; namely, the area of conscientious objection. Like lawyers, conscientious objectors to military service have had to reconcile their deeply held beliefs - which the courts have equated to religious beliefs - against otherwise mandatory legal rules. The Article considers those cases and draws some conclusions about when it might be appropriate for lawyers to defy mandates of the profession in order to remain true to core beliefs that govern their lives. Perhaps more importantly, the Article considers how lawyers should implement their defiance.
Arithmetic Investigations: Linear Algebra

From the time of his dissertation (1870) through his work on the problem of Pfaff in 1876 (Chapter 6), Frobenius’ penchant for working on algebraic problems had been pursued within the framework of analysis, especially differential equations. As we saw, his work on the problem of Pfaff—ostensibly a problem within the field of differential equations—had engaged him more fully with linear algebra.
Otitis media: microbiology and management.

L'otite moyenne est une maladie commune de l'enfance et qui peut causer une morbidite significative. Une connaissance des pathogenes responsables de cette maladie peut aider a selectionner un traitement approprie et minimiser les complications qui peuvent necessiter une chirurgie. La microbiologie des otites moyennes aigues sereuses et chroniques est revue. Les principaux organismes retrouves a partir de 3/4 des otities moyennes aigues et la moitie des otites sereuses sont l'Hemophilus influenzae, le Streptocoque pneumoniae et le Moraxella catarrhalis. Le Streptocoque pyogene, les cocci anaerobiques et les virus peuvent chacun etre isoles chez moins de 5% des patients avec otite moyenne aigue. Les organismes predominants isoles a partir de l'otite moyenne chronique sont le Staphylococus aureus, le Pseudomonas aeruginosa et des bacteries anaerobiques. Les anaerobies predominants sont les coccigram positif, le Prevotella pigmente et la Porphyromonas sp., les Bacteroides sp. et le Fusobacterium sp. Plusieurs de ces organismes aerobiques et anaerobiques causant l'otite moyenne peuvent produire des beta-lactamases, qui peuvent contribuer a l'echec du traitement a la Penicilline. Le traitement chirurgical et medical approprie pour les otites aigues, sereuses et chroniques est discute
The Empirical Literature on Insider Trading: An Overview

The contemporaneous development of rigorous theories of asset pricing and market efficiency in the mid-1960s led naturally to recognition of the need for a closer examination of the role of information generally and private information specifically in the workings of capital markets. The trickle of empirical research on insider trading in the early part of that decade has been supplanted by a steady stream of research addressing numerous issues, including the implications of asymmetric information, actions of insiders around various firm-related events, and the effects of regulation on the actions of those with private information. In this chapter, we focus on the extant empirical research on insider trading in finance. To facilitate an orderly examination of a large body of material, the following discussion is divided into four (nonmutually exclusive) sections: 1. The Nature and Characteristics of Insiders’ Transactions 2. Insider Trading and Information Efficiency 3. Insider Trading and Managerial Decisions 4. Insider Trading and the Efficacy of Regulation
Enhancing the Cancer Cell Growth Inhibitory Effects of Table Grape Anthocyanins

The risk for breast and colon cancer may be lowered in part by high intake of fruits and vegetables. Fruits such as grapes are abundant in bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins. The potential anticancer activity of anthocyanins may be limited by their metabolism in the gut and liver. One metabolic transformation is due to the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which methylates polyphenols such as anthocyanins. Entacapone is a clinically used inhibitor of COMT, and has been shown to modulate the methylation of food-derived polyphenols. In this study, we compared the effect of entacapone on the cell viability of colon (Caco-2 and HT-29) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines treated with anthocyanins. Cells were treated with either cyanidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside, or an anthocyanin-rich grape extract, in the absence or presence of entacapone. Cell viability was assessed using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Entacapone in combination with the anthocyanins had a greater than additive effect on growth inhibition of the Caco-2 cells. In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, entacapone similarly enhanced the growth inhibitory activity of the anthocyanin extract. Entacapone also had antiproliferative effects when used as a single treatment. Total hydroperoxides was quantified in the cell culture media. Greater concentrations of the treatments resulted in higher levels of total hydroperoxides, indicating that oxidative stress may be an important mechanism for growth inhibition. In conclusion, the antiproliferative activity of fruit-derived anthocyanins was improved in human cancer cell lines by the clinically used drug entacapone. The efficacy and mechanisms of entacapone/anthocyanin combinations should be carefully studied in vivo.; Practical Application: Chemical components of grapes are good for our health and have been shown to lower risk for certain cancers. Their beneficial health effects could also be enhanced by consuming other molecules that improve their bioavailability.; © 2018 Institute of Food Technologists®.
Evaluation of the Impact of a Sequencing Assay for Detection of Drug Resistance on the Clinical Management of Tuberculosis.

Background In 2012, the California Department of Public Health began using pyrosequencing (PSQ) to detect mutations associated with resistance to isoniazid, rifampin, quinolones and injectable drugs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. We evaluated the impact of the PSQ assay on the clinical management of tuberculosis (TB) in California. Methods TB surveillance and laboratory data for specimens submitted 1 August 2012 through 31 December 2016 were analyzed to determine time to effective treatment initiation. A survey of clinicians was used to assess how PSQ results influenced clinical decision making. Results Of 1957 specimens tested with PSQ, 52% were sediments and 46% were culture isolates, submitted a median of 8 and 35 days, respectively, after collection. Among 36 patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB who had a sediment specimen submitted for PSQ, median time from specimen collection to MDR-TB treatment initiation was 12 days vs 51 days when PSQ was not used. Completed surveys were returned for 303 patients, 177 of whom reported a treatment change; 75 (42%) of clinicians reported PSQ as a reason for change. Twenty-one patients either had an MDR-TB risk factor and a smear-positive sputum specimen, but had PSQ performed on a culture isolate (9/36 [25%]); or did not have PSQ used for MDR-TB diagnosis (12/38 [32%]) and thus had an opportunity for earlier MDR-TB diagnosis with PSQ on sediment. Conclusions Patients with MDR-TB initiated effective treatment 5 weeks earlier when PSQ was used compared to those without PSQ. Survey data suggest clinicians use PSQ to devise effective TB drug regimens. To maximize the benefit of PSQ, earlier submission of specimens should be prioritized.
Predictors of treatment attendance and adherence to treatment recommendations among individuals receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.

Insomnia disorders affect up to 10% of adults and are associated with other health problems and poor quality of life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective treatment; ho...
A Constitution for the Age of Demagogues: Using the 25th Amendment to Remove an Unfit President

This Article argues that, properly understood, the 25th Amendment is designed to allow the executive and legislative branches, working together, to remove a president from office when it becomes evident that the person elevated to that office by the electoral process is manifestly unsuited for what can, without exaggeration, be described as the most important job in the world. It argues further that the first two years of Donald Trump’s presidency have provided a great deal of evidence for the proposition that President Trump has in fact demonstrated the requisite level of fundamental unfitness for the office that would justify using the 25th Amendment to remove him. This Article also argues that the cultural conditions that brought President Trump to office make it far from unlikely that other occasions to use the 25th Amendment in this way will arise in the foreseeable future. Our contemporary legal and political culture should embrace the 25th Amendment, suitably modified by Congressional legislation, as an appropriately powerful tool to deal with the present and future forms of radical legal and political dysfunction. In short, the presidency of the United States is too important of a job not to allow for a process – beyond quadrennial elections and quasi-criminal impeachment trials – by which the American people can say to a president, through its elected representatives: You’re fired.
Otx2b mutant zebrafish have pituitary, eye and mandible defects that model mammalian disease

Combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by mutations in over 30 genes. The loss-of-function mutations in many of these genes, including orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2), can present with a broad range of clinical symptoms, which provides a challenge for predicting phenotype from genotype. Another challenge in human genetics is functional evaluation of rare genetic variants that are predicted to be deleterious. Zebrafish are an excellent vertebrate model for evaluating gene function and disease pathogenesis, especially because large numbers of progeny can be obtained, overcoming the challenge of individual variation. To clarify the utility of zebrafish for the analysis of CPHD-related genes, we analyzed the effect of OTX2 loss of function in zebrafish. The otx2b gene is expressed in the developing hypothalamus, and otx2bhu3625/hu3625 fish exhibit multiple defects in the development of head structures and are not viable past 10 days post fertilization (dpf). Otx2bhu3625/hu3625 fish have a small hypothalamus and low expression of pituitary growth hormone and prolactin (prl). The gills of otx2bhu3625/hu3625 fish have weak sodium influx, consistent with the role of prolactin in osmoregulation. The otx2bhu3625/hu3625 eyes are microphthalmic with colobomas, which may underlie the inability of the mutant fish to find food. The small pituitary and eyes are associated with reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis evident at 3 and 5 dpf, respectively. These observations establish the zebrafish as a useful tool for the analysis of CPHD genes with variable and complex phenotypes.
Characteristics and impacts of itch in children with inflammatory skin disorders.

Background Itch is a cardinal feature of paediatric disorders and can impair quality of life. However, few studies have addressed symptoms and impacts of itch in paediatric patients. Objectives We focused on understanding the child's experience of itch and the impact of itch specifically on affected children, including comparison with the adult experience. Methods Semistructured interviews (nine parents, 15 children with itch) explored concerns related to paediatric itch experiences and effects. Themes were compared with those of previous adult interviews. Literature was reviewed to identify the need for a more comprehensive measure of paediatric itch. Results Itch quality, intensity, duration and environmental triggers (sweating, climate change, stress and certain fabrics) are important aspects of the child's itch experience. Skin disruption, physical function, concentration, emotional reactions, stigma and relationships/social effects are itch impact themes that emerged. No paediatric-specific scale comprehensively captures the paediatric patient itch experience. However, differences between child and adult reports of itch-related pain, functional limitations, fatigue and restlessness, emotional reactions to itch, and treatment effects emphasize the need for a paediatric-specific measurement tool. Conclusions Children and parents endorse the importance of capturing the paediatric-focused characteristics and impacts of itch in measuring disease severity and response to intervention.
Race-Specific Comparisons of Antihypertensive and Metabolic Effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and Chlorthalidone.

Abstract Background Chlorthalidone is recommended over hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) as the preferred thiazide, but the supporting evidence is not robust at routinely used doses, or in whites vs blacks, in whom differences in response to thiazides are well known. We compare the efficacy and safety of HCTZ and chlorthalidone as first-line therapies for white and black hypertensive patients. Methods We compared treatment-related outcomes between the HCTZ arm (12.5 mg for 2-3 weeks; 25 mg for additional 6 weeks) of the Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses (PEAR, n = 376) and chlorthalidone arm (15 mg for 2 weeks; 25 mg for additional 6 weeks) of PEAR-2 (n = 326) clinical trials, in 17–65-year-old mild-moderate uncomplicated hypertensive whites and blacks. Results Mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) reduction with HCTZ vs chlorthalidone: 8 ± 8/4 ± 5 vs 12 ± 9/7 ± 5 mm Hg in whites (P Conclusion Compared with HCTZ, chlorthalidone showed greater blood pressure lowering and adverse metabolic effects in whites, but similar blood pressure lowering and greater adverse effects in blacks; suggesting that the recent guideline recommendations to choose chlorthalidone over HCTZ may not be warranted in blacks.
Gaelic in Scotland: policies, movements, ideologies: by Wilson McLeod, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 2020, Pp. viii + 448, ₤95/00 (hbk), ISBN 978-1-4744-6239-6

Despite an increase in the number of learners and second-language speakers, a report released by the University of the Highlands and Islands and the Soillse research programme has shown that the da...
Comparison of three sample-to-answer RT-PCR testing platforms for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in positive nasopharyngeal and nasal swabs.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has strained clinical microbiology laboratories due to testing supply allocations. As a result, laboratories have had to invest in multiple COVID-19 assays performed on different testing instruments. Comparing the results achieved by testing positive samples between in-use assays can provide insights into which platforms may be interchangeable for testing in times of supply chain emergencies. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal and nasal swab specimens collected in viral transport media that tested positive on the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay were tested on the ePlex® SARS-CoV-2 and BD SARS-CoV-2 Reagents for BD Max™ assays. Positive percent agreement was calculated using the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay as the reference method. RESULTS: We tested 78 positive swabs, resulting in a positive percent agreement (PPA) of 92% [CI 84-97%] for the BD SARS-CoV-2 assay and 58% [CI 47-70%] for the ePlex® assay. Following development of a new workflow for the ePlex®, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in 7 additional samples, resulting in a new PPA of 68% [CI 56-78]. CONCLUSIONS: During times of supply allocation and shortage of the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay, the BD SARS-CoV-2 assay is well suited for test substitutions due to its high positive percent agreement.
Stochastic Canonical Equation K 43 for Normalized Spectral Functions of Random Gram Block Matrices

In this chapter, we consider nonsymmetric block matrices of the form $$ {\tilde \Xi _{p1\;{\rm{x}}\;p2}} = {\Xi _{p1q1\;{\rm{x }}p2q2}} = \;{\rm{(}}\Xi _{ij}^{(p1,\;{\rm{p2}})}{\rm{)}}_{i = 1,\; \ldots \;{\rm{, }}p{\rm{1}}}^{j = 1,\; \ldots \;{\rm{, }}p{\rm{2}}} $$ with complex matrices \( \Xi _{ij}^{({p_1},\;{p_2})} \) of size q 1 x q 2. We find stochastic canonical equations for resolvents of corresponding Gram matrices and consider the case where the expectation of random blocks \( \Xi _{ij}^{({p_1},\;{p_2})} \) do not exist.
The importance of active ERM proteins stabilization by NHERF1/EBP50 in tumor progression

5477 NHERF1/EBP50 was identified as a regulator factor of the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3). EBP50 is a 358-residue adaptor molecule that has two PDZ domains and a C-terminal ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM)-binding sequence that interacts to the N-terminal domain of the ERM proteins, including merlin, the product of the neurofibromatosis-2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene. While the loss of expression of merlin was involved in cancer progression, less is known about EBP50’s role on cell growth. In order to understand the regulation of ERM proteins and EBP50 in progression of cancer we used glioblastoma cell lines to identify the pattern of expression of these proteins. Out of 10 glioblastoma cell lines tested, three showed a high expression level of EBP50 and ezrin compared to normal tissue while merlin is downregulated. This finding suggests a correlation in between the expression levels of EBP50 and ERM proteins. To investigate the in vivo role of EBP50 in tumor formation and metastasis we generated mice with targeted disruption of the EBP50 gene. Embryonic stem cells were electroporated with the targeting construct that replaced the first 4 exons of the EBP50 gene with a neomycin cassette flanked by loxP sites. We confirmed that EBP50 was efficiently disrupted in mice by Southern and Western blot analysis. EBP50 is mainly expressed in kidney and intestine of wild type (WT) mice and ezrin is expressed in parallel with EBP50. Purification of kidney and intestine brush border membranes (BBM) from both WT and knockout (KO) mice showed that ezrin and moesin are downregulated in the BBM fraction of KO mice, suggesting a regulation of ERM proteins by EBP50. We also found that EBP50 is necessary for the maintenance of active phosphorylated ERM at the BBM. Immunofluorescense experiments showed that indeed ezrin is downregulated from the apical membrane of polarized epithelial cells of KO mice. Kidney and intestine BBM were fractionated in a Sephadex S-300 gel filtration column in order to identify protein complexes with ERM proteins. Our results showed that EBP50 co-fractionates with ezrin in WT BBM. Electron microscopy analysis of KO intestinal epithelium cells revealed disorganized microvilli and an altered actin-rich terminal web region suggesting a loss of organization of the apical cytoskeleton. In this work we propose a mechanism in which EBP50 is necessary for the recruitment of active ERM proteins to the plasma membrane and we discuss the implications of cell polarity disruption for tumorigenesis.
Hybrid Sensor Network Test Bed for Reinforced Target Tracking

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Sensor Network Operational Components Sensor Network Challenge Problem Integrated Target Surveillance Experiment Experimental Results and Evaluation Conclusion References ]]>
Effect of a brief intervention on evidence-based medicine skills of pediatric residents

Background While Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) skills are increasingly being taught in medical schools, teaching quality has been insufficient, so that incoming pediatric residents lack adequate EBM skills required for patient care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief teaching module developed to improve EBM skills of pediatric residents.
Cellular zinc sensors: MTF-1 regulation of gene expression

Zinc metabolism in higher eukaryotes is complex, being controlled by uptake, efflux, and storage in individual cells, as well as in peripheral tissues and organs. Recently there have been advances in the understanding of the genes involved in these processes and their regulation. Metal-response element-binding transcription factor-1 (MTF-1) functions as a cellular zinc sensor which coordinates the expression of genes involved in zinc homeostasis, as well as protection against metal toxicity and oxidative stresses. In mice, these are known to include the metallothionein (MT), the zinc-transporter-1 (ZnT1) and the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase heavy chain (γGCShc) genes. The cysteine-rich MTs function as an intracellular metal-chelators that bind zinc with high affinity, whereas the transmembrane protein ZnT1 exports zinc from the cell. γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase controls the rate limiting step in glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis. GSH, which is present in mM concentrations in cells, effectively chelates large amounts of zinc in vitro. Both MT and GSH also function as antioxidants. The current model suggests that the zinc-finger domain of MTF-1 directly (and reversibly) binds to zinc. This metalloregulatory protein then adopts a DNA-binding conformation and translocates to the nucleus, where it binds to metal-response elements in these gene promoters leading to increased transcription. The six zinc-finger domain of this factor is highly conserved from insects to mammals, and biochemical studies confirm that the zinc-fingers are heterogeneous in function and in zinc-binding. Furthermore, the mouse MTF-1 gene is essential for development of the embryo, thus underscoring the importance of this transcription factor.
Assessment of JP-8 and DF-2 Evaporation Rate and Cetane Number Differences on a Military Diesel Engine

Abstract : The US Army utilizes both world wide available diesel fuel and jet fuel (JP-8) for ground mobility applications and must maintain such fuel flexibility in order to meet mission requirements. Understanding of combustion system sensitivity to JP-8 is not well documented for such vehicle applications and thus the current knowledge base on standard diesel spray combustion must be extrapolated in order to assess fuel effects on military combustion systems. In particular, the liquid length of developed, high pressure fuel sprays is a key combustion affecting parameter that is sensitive to fuel type, the fuel delivery system, and combustion chamber thermodynamic condition. This parameter provides targeting information that is employed for assessing bulk jet mixing, cylinder pressure rise (evaporation rate), jetwall interaction, and the formation of nitrous oxide and particulate matter. For practical fuels it is difficult to analytically assess physical properties necessary to predict liquid length and thus well understood pure hydrocarbon fuels must act as surrogates. Typically, handbooks of such surrogate fuel thermodynamic properties are referenced to determine temperature and pressure dependence through use of an electronic library. One alternative approach to such libraries involves accurately producing curve fits of all necessary thermodynamic properties such as fuel compressibility, heat of vaporization, and density. This submission outlines such a procedure for three potential heavy hydrocarbon fuel surrogates - dodecane tetradecane, and cetane - through utilization of a previously published liquid length model and comparison to experimental data from various sources. The overall intent of this effort is to predict JP-8 liquid length and spray penetration in a particular military diesel engine application for assessing potential fuel-based rate of pressure rise rate issues partially through the development of a general strategy for determining evaporation surrogates
Oxygen, hydrogen, and helium isotopes for investigating groundwater systems of the Cape Verde Islands, West Africa

Stable isotopes (δ18O, δ2H), tritium (3H), and helium isotopes (3He, 4He) were used for evaluating groundwater recharge sources, flow paths, and residence times of three watersheds in the Cape Verde Islands (West Africa). Stable isotopes indicate the predominance of high-elevation precipitation that undergoes little evaporation prior to groundwater recharge. In contrast to other active oceanic hotspots, environmental tracers show that deep geothermal circulation does not strongly affect groundwater. Low tritium concentrations at seven groundwater sites indicate groundwater residence times of more than 50 years. Higher tritium values at other sites suggest some recent recharge. High 4He and 3He/4He ratios precluded 3H/3He dating at six sites. These high 3He/4He ratios (R/Ra values of up to 8.3) are consistent with reported mantle derived helium of oceanic island basalts in Cape Verde and provided end-member constraints for improved dating at seven other locations. Tritium and 3H/3He dating shows that Sao Nicolau Island’s Ribeira Faja Basin has groundwater residence times of more than 50 years, whereas Fogo Island’s Mosteiros Basin and Santo Antao Island’s Ribeira Paul Basin contain a mixture of young and old groundwater. Young ages at selected sites within these two basins indicate local recharge and potential groundwater susceptibility to surface contamination and/or salt-water intrusion.
Attempted suicide by insulin overdose in insulin-dependent diabetic adolescents

Two cases of attempted suicide by insulin overdose in adolescent girls with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were observed. It is possible that suicidal insulin overdose in adolescents is more common than reports suggest and that it may often be unrecognized.
Approximation Algorithms for the Traveling Repairman and Speeding Deliveryman Problems with Unit-Time Windows

Constant-factor, polynomial-time approximation algorithms are presented for two variations of the traveling salesman problem with time windows. In the first variation, the traveling repairman problem, the goal is to find a tour that visits the maximum possible number of locations during their time windows. In the second variation, the speeding deliveryman problem, the goal is to find a tour that uses the minimum possible speed to visit all locations during their time windows. For both variations, the time windows are of unit length, and the distance metric is based on a weighted, undirected graph. Algorithms with improved approximation ratios are given for the case when the input is defined on a tree rather than a general graph. A sketch of NP-hardness is also given for the tree metric.
Dynamic stress-intensity factors for unsymmetric dynamic isochromatics

The mixed mode, near-field state of stresses sourrounding a crack propagating at constant velocity is used to derive a relation between the dynamic stress-intensity factorsKI,KII, the remote stress component σox and the dynamic isochromatics. This relation, together with an over-deterministic least-square method, form the basis of a datareduction procedure for extracting dynamic,KI,KII and σox from the recorded dynamic photoelastic pattern surrounding a running crack. The overdeterministic least-square method is also used to fit static isochromatics to the numerically generated dynamic isochromatics. The resultant staticKI,KII and σox are compared with the corresponding dynamic values and estimats of errors involved in using static analysis to process dynamic isochromatic data are obtained. The data-reduction procedure is then used to evaluate the branching stress-intensity factor associated with crack branching and the mixed-mode stress-intensity factors associated with crack curving.
1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 activates PKC-alpha in Caco-2 cells: a mechanism to limit secosteroid-induced rise in [Ca2+]i

Our laboratory recently reported that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] rapidly increases the breakdown of membrane phosphoinositides, raises intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), and translocates protein kinase C (PKC) from the cytosolic to the particulate fraction of Caco-2 cells. In the present experiments, we found that Caco-2 cells contained predominantly the alpha- and zeta-isoforms of PKC, with minimally detectable amounts of PKC-beta and -epsilon by Western blotting. 1,25(OH)2D3 and the PKC activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) each caused time-dependent translocations of PKC-alpha, but not PKC-zeta. TPA treatment of these cells for 24 h induced a significant concentration-dependent downregulation of PKC-alpha, but not PKC-zeta. Since PKC inhibits phospholipase C-induced mobilization of Ca2+ in other cells, we examined the effects of staurosporine and H-7, PKC inhibitors, and TPA on 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i. As previously demonstrated by our laboratory, 1,25(OH)2D3 caused a biphasic increase in [Ca2+]i, with an initial elevation (transient phase) followed by a sustained increase (plateau phase). We previously demonstrated that the transient phase is mediated, at least in part, by an increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] stimulated by the secosteroid. Acute pretreatment with staurosporine or H-7 caused a significant stimulation, whereas acute TPA pretreatment caused a significant inhibition of the 1,25(OH)2D3-induced increase in the transient phase of [Ca2+]i. Preincubation of Caco-2 cells with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxy-methyl ester (BAPTA-AM) abolished both the rise in [Ca2+]i and the increase in particulate-associated PKC-alpha stimulated by 1,25(OH)2D3. Moreover, downregulation of PKC-alpha by chronic TPA treatment significantly augmented the transient phase of the 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated rise in [Ca2+]i but had no effect on the 1,25(OH)2D3-induced change in Ins(1,4,5)P3 concentration. Furthermore, in these PKC-alpha downregulated cells staurosporine no longer increased the secosteroid-stimulated transient rise in [Ca2+]i. These results indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3, which increases [Ca2+]i and diacylglycerol, activates PKC-alpha, but not PKC-zeta. The alpha-isoform, in turn, limits the secosteroid-stimulated rise in [Ca2+]i, at a step distal to Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation in Caco-2 cells.
DF-DICE: a scalable solution for soft error tolerant circuit design

The delay filtered dual interlocked storage cell (DF-DICE) offers a scalable solution in different radiation environments for soft error mitigation. The area and speed performance for five different single event transient thresholds have been evaluated. The results show that the cost of soft error mitigation is minimal for terrestrial environments (overall area penalty less than 14% and speed penalty within 6% for flip-flop based typical designs) while it is larger for space environments (overall area penalty up to 30% and speed penalty up to 13% for flip-flop based typical designs). The logic of a conventional application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) can easily be converted to a soft-error tolerant design by replacing the existing storage elements with the respective DF-DICE elements.
Asymptotes, Cubic Curves, and the Projective Plane

(1999). Asymptotes, Cubic Curves, and the Projective Plane. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 72, No. 3, pp. 183-192.
Insecticides in dry sugar baits against two strains of house flies.

A new technique was used in the laboratory to determine the effectiveness of 62 compounds in dry Sugar baits against a susceptible and a resistant strain of house flies, Musca domestica L. Twenty-nine compounds were superior to the standard, trichlorfon. The resistant strain showed more than 2-fold cross-resistance to all compounds except naled.