cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Activity Effects on the Excited State Dynamics of Native NADH in Brain Slices

We investigate the effects of metabolic activity on the excited state dynamics of the native NADH in acute hippocampal slices using time-resolved 2P-fluorescence microscopy and anisotropy. We also exploit the sensitivity of this methodology to explore regional differences within the hippocampus (e.g., stratum radiatum versus stratum pyramidale).
Idempotents in Conformal Algebras

A conformal algebra is an algebraic structure underlying the locality of formal distributions and the Operator Product Expansion formula (see [FLM], [K1]–[K3]).
Research of a Wideband Transmission/Receive Antenna Assemble

A wideband transmission/receive antenna assemble is expounded.Quasi radial mode horns and surface current suppression technique are used in the design ideas which make the assemble to possess wide operating band,wide azimuth coverage angle,higher isolation between transmission and receive antennas,smaller structure size.These features are suitable to the application of air-bone self-defense EW device.
The Role of Food Security in Preventing the Rise of the Nutritional Double Burden in Low-Income Countries

The seemingly intractable problems of undernourishment in low-income countries (LICs) are increasingly occurring alongside rapidly changing food and physical activity environments, the so-called nutrition transition, that is catalyzing an unprecedented increase in the prevalence of overweight and cardiometabolic disease in these countries. Food insecurity is a potentially important contributing factor to this emerging double burden of malnutrition. This chapter provides an overview of the emerging double burden of undernutrition and nutrition-related chronic disease in LICs, the conceptual linkages between food insecurity and this double burden, and the potential for nutrition-sensitive food security programs and policies to shape nutrition outcomes in LICs in the context of the nutrition transition. The chapter concludes with a set of five recommendations to strengthen the design and implementation of these programs and policies to improve nutrition through food security in LICs.
Dimensions of Service Quality: Looking Beyond Technical Competency

As services increasingly become a critical element of our economy, concern for service quality grows. For organizations to provide quality service they must understand what quality means to their customers. This paper argues that quality service goes beyond technical competency and also includes quality interactions with customers. A framework is presented for examining both the technical and interaction aspects of service quality.
Broadband Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering

Abstract Broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (BCARS) microspectroscopy is a unique, label-free imaging modality that provides detailed chemical information at each pixel. In minutes this technique captures a “hyperspectral” cube that co-registers microscopic spatial features with chemical signatures sensitive to molecular content and structure. This technique can delve into the molecular inner workings of cells and tissues, illuminating, for example, health and disease as well as cell function and state. This chapter will provide an overview of BCARS technology, from the basic theory to future directions and demonstrate imaging of histological sections of mouse tissue.
Parent-Teacher Communication: Best Practices for First-Year Teachers

Best Practices of Parent-Teacher Communication for First-Year Teachers The purpose of this project was to develop a handbook containing the best practices in parent-teacher communication for first-year teachers (or any other person seeking further knowledge on this subject). According to The MetLife Survey of The American Teacher (2004-2005), new teachers reported the greatest challenge they face is communicating with parents. They also included it was the area in which they were the least prepared. The literature review covers research dating back nearly 30 years on practices veteran teachers and practitioners used for improving parent-teacher communication. The content of the handbook covers (a) the initial meeting; (b) building relationships; (c) encouraging on-going communication; (d) ways of communicating; (e) parent-teacher conferences; and (f) encountering difficult parents.
Hereditary angioedema (HAE): a cause for recurrent abdominal pain

A 44-year-old Hispanic woman presented to the emergency room with a 2-day history of sudden onset of severe cramping left lower quadrant abdominal pain associated with ∼20 episodes diarrhoea. Abdominal CT scan exhibited bowel wall oedema and acute extensive colitis. On the basis of the preliminary diagnosis of acute abdomen, the patient was admitted under the surgical team and treated for acute colitis. Since her family history was significant for hereditary angioedema (HAE), complement studies were performed which revealed low complement C4 levels and abnormally low values of C1q esterase inhibitor. Thus, the diagnosis of HAE type I was established. This case report summarises that the symptoms of HAE are often non-specific, hence making the underlying cause difficult to diagnose.
Effects of Repeated Treatments of Perspiration, Weathering, and Laundering on the Ultraviolet Protection of a Naturally Colored Lightweight Cotton Fabric

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of repeated treatments of perspiration, weathering, and laundering as well as their interactions on the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protection o...
Not so fast: The impact of impulsivity on weight loss varies by treatment type.

Behavioral weight loss (BWL) treatments result in suboptimal weight losses for many individuals. Impulsivity appears to be a maintenance factor of obesity, yet few studies have examined impulsivity as a predictor of outcomes from BWL. We examined specific facets of impulsivity (inhibitory control and delay discounting) as moderators of outcome in BWL. Overweight adults (n = 190) were randomized to standard behavioral treatment (SBT) or acceptance-based behavioral treatment (ABT). We hypothesized that impulsivity would be inversely associated with weight loss, and that the association between impulsivity and outcome would be attenuated in the ABT condition. Poorer general inhibitory control predicted lower percent weight lost at 12 months across conditions at the trend level (b = -0.003, p = 0.06). The negative impact of low inhibitory control on weight loss was attenuated by assignment to ABT versus SBT (b = 0.004, p = 0.03). Treatment condition, at trend level, also moderated the impact of delay discounting (b = -0.011, p = .098) and food-specific inhibitory control (b = 0.003, p = 0.06) on percent weight loss such that those with greater impulsivity benefitted most from ABT. Results reveal a potential pattern that impulsivity reduces benefit derived from SBT but not ABT. Further research on the moderating effect of impulsivity is necessary to inform the development of targeted treatments for clinically meaningful subtypes of patients.
Detailed Characterization of the In Vitro Pharmacological and Pharmacokinetic Properties of N-(2-Hydroxybenzyl)-2, 5-Dimethoxy-4-Cyanophenylethylamine (25CN-NBOH), a Highly Selective and Brain-Penetrant 5-HT2A Receptor Agonist

Therapeutic interest in augmentation of 5-hydroxytryptamine2A (5-HT2A) receptor signaling has been renewed by the effectiveness of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of various psychiatric conditions. In this study, we have further characterized the pharmacological properties of the recently developed 5-HT2 receptor agonist N-2-hydroxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-cyanophenylethylamine (25CN-NBOH) and three structural analogs at recombinant 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors and investigated the pharmacokinetic properties of the compound. 25CN-NBOH displayed robust 5-HT2A selectivity in [3H]ketanserin/[3H]mesulergine, [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide and [3H]Cimbi-36 binding assays (Ki2C/Ki2A ratio range of 52–81; Ki2B/Ki2A ratio of 37). Moreover, in inositol phosphate and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization assays 25CN-NBOH exhibited 30- to 180-fold 5-HT2A/5-HT2C selectivities and 54-fold 5-HT2A/5-HT2B selectivity as measured by Δlog(Rmax/EC50) values. In an off-target screening 25CN-NBOH (10 μM) displayed either substantially weaker activity or inactivity at a plethora of other receptors, transporters, and kinases. In a toxicological screening, 25CN-NBOH (100 μM) displayed a benign acute cellular toxicological profile. 25CN-NBOH displayed high in vitro permeability (Papp = 29 × 10−6 cm/s) and low P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux in a conventional model of cellular transport barriers. In vivo, administration of 25CN-NBOH (3 mg/kg, s.c.) in C57BL/6 mice mice produced plasma and brain concentrations of the free (unbound) compound of ∼200 nM within 15 minutes, further supporting that 25CN-NBOH rapidly penetrates the blood-brain barrier and is not subjected to significant efflux. In conclusion, 25CN-NBOH appears to be a superior selective and brain-penetrant 5-HT2A receptor agonist compared with (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), and thus we propose that the compound could be a valuable tool for future investigations of physiologic functions mediated by this receptor.
Natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp44 and NK - astrocyte interactions in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (INM1P.443)

NK cells play important role in immunity against pathogens and cancer. NK cell functions are regulated by inhibitory and activating receptors binding corresponding ligands on the surface of target cells. NK cells were shown to be recruited to the CNS following several pathological conditions. NK cells could impact CNS physiology by killing glial cells and by secreting IFN-g. Astrocytes are intimately involved in immunological and inflammatory events occurring in the CNS and reactive astrogliosis is a key feature in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). There is little data on NK-astrocyte interactions and ligands expressed on astrocytes that could impact NK cell function. Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) play critical role in the cytolytic function of NK cells. Here we have studied the expression and function of natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp44 upon NK-astrocyte interactions in the presence or absence of an HIV peptide (3S peptide) shown to induce NK cell killing of CD4+ T cells during HIV infection. Using a fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of NKp44 and human IgG Fc, we determined the expression of a novel ligand for NKp44 (NKp44L) on astrocytes. Incubation of astrocytes with 3S peptide downregulated NKp44L expression on astrocytes implicating protection from NK mediated killing. Thus, our study showed that NKp44 has a protective effect on astrocytes from NK cell mediated killing during HIV infection and impacts astrocyte role in HAND.
Dissecting Tissue-Specific Transcriptomic Responses from Leaf and Roots under Salt Stress in Petunia hybrida Mitchell

One of the primary objectives of plant biotechnology is to increase resistance to abiotic stresses, such as salinity. Salinity is a major abiotic stress and increasing crop resistant to salt continues to the present day as a major challenge. Salt stress disturbs cellular environment leading to protein misfolding, affecting normal plant growth and causing agricultural losses worldwide. The advent of state-of-the-art technologies such as high throughput mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has revolutionized whole-transcriptome analysis by allowing, with high precision, to measure changes in gene expression. In this work, we used tissue-specific RNA-seq to gain insight into the Petunia hybrida transcriptional responses under NaCl stress using a controlled hydroponic system. Roots and leaves samples were taken from a continuum of 48 h of acute 150 mM NaCl. This analysis revealed a set of tissue and time point specific differentially expressed genes, such as genes related to transport, signal transduction, ion homeostasis as well as novel and undescribed genes, such as Peaxi162Scf00003g04130 and Peaxi162Scf00589g00323 expressed only in roots under salt stress. In this work, we identified early and late expressed genes in response to salt stress while providing a core of differentially express genes across all time points and tissues, including the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase 1 (TPS1), a glycosyltransferase reported in salt tolerance in other species. To test the function of the novel petunia TPS1 allele, we cloned and showed that TPS1 is a functional plant gene capable of complementing the trehalose biosynthesis pathway in a yeast tps1 mutant. The list of candidate genes to enhance salt tolerance provided in this work constitutes a major effort to better understand the detrimental effects of salinity in petunia with direct implications for other economically important Solanaceous species.
Shadow and Light: Read, Dewey, Plato, and Aesthetic Education.

This essay examines the aesthetics of Herbert Read, John Dewey and Plato, and their influence on contemporary aesthetic education.The aesthetics of Read and Dewey have been extremely seductive to a...
The human mirror neuron system and embodied representations.

Mirror neurons are defined as neurons in the monkey cortex which respond to goal oriented actions, whether the behavior is self-generated or produced by another. Here we briefly review this literature and consider evidence from behavioral, neuropsychological, and brain imaging studies for a similar mirror neuron system in humans. Furthermore, we review functions of this system related to action comprehension and motor imagery, as well as evidence for speculations on the system’s ties with conceptual knowledge and language.
Treatment of molluscum contagiosum with an East Indian sandalwood oil product.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an East Indian sandalwood oil (EISO) product as a topical treatment for molluscum contagiosum.Materials and methods: Ten subjects ranging in age f...
Shaker‐related voltage‐gated K+ channel expression and vasomotor function in human coronary resistance arteries

OBJECTIVES KV channels are important regulators of vascular tone, but the identity of specific KV channels involved and their regulation in disease remain less well understood. We determined the expression of KV 1 channel subunits and their role in cAMP-mediated dilation in coronary resistance arteries from subjects with and without CAD. METHODS HCAs from patients with and without CAD were assessed for mRNA and protein expression of KV 1 channel subunits with molecular techniques and for vasodilator response with isolated arterial myography. RESULTS Assays of mRNA transcripts, membrane protein expression, and vascular cell-specific localization revealed abundant expression of KV 1.5 in vascular smooth muscle cells of non-CAD HCAs. Isoproterenol and forskolin, two distinct cAMP-mediated vasodilators, induced potent dilation of non-CAD arterioles, which was inhibited by both the general KV blocker 4-AP and the selective KV 1.5 blocker DPO-1. The cAMP-mediated dilation was reduced in CAD and was accompanied by a loss of or reduced contribution of 4-AP-sensitive KV channels. CONCLUSIONS KV 1.5, as a major 4-AP-sensitive KV 1 channel expressed in coronary VSMCs, mediates cAMP-mediated dilation in non-CAD arterioles. The cAMP-mediated dilation is reduced in CAD coronary arterioles, which is associated with impaired 4-AP-sensitive KV channel function.
Electrically Conductive Polyaniline Fibers Prepared by Dry-Wet Spinning Techniques

Publisher Summary The concept of gel-inhibitory agents that improve the solution processing parameters of the emeraldine base is introduced in the chapter. These agents are quite sensitive to the concentration range and the gel inhibitor/emeraldine base (GI/EB) molar ratio between 1 and 4. The preparation of highly concentrated EB solutions utilizing high molecular weight polyaniline is easily achieved with this processing advantage. The solutions are stable for periods of time sufficient to dry–wet spin fiber. The fiber moduli, strength, and DC conductivity are improved by stretch alignment. Mineral acids tend to weaken the fibers following doping protocols, while organic acids such as benzene phosphinic acid (BPA) preserve good mechanical and conductive properties. In the study described in the chapter, all of the doped samples showed temperature- dependant DC conductivity. This data can be fit to disorder models such as the quasi-one- dimensional variable-range hopping (VRH) model. Acetic acid is an anomalously poor dopant, and for polyaniline BPA is a good dopant.
Affinity-labeling of purified acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica☆

Abstract The receptor for acetylcholine purified from electric tissue of Torpedo californica has been assayed both by affinity-alkylation and by neurotoxin binding. The specific activity by the latter method is about twice that by the former. Four major components of apparent molecular weights of 39,000, 48,000, 58,000 and 64,000 are separated by dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Reduction and affinity-alkylation of the receptor with a tritiated quaternary ammonium maleimide derivative results in the exclusive labeling of the 39,000 dalton subunit. This subunit, it is concluded, contains all or part of the acetylcholine binding site.
Object relations and regression in groups.

ABSTRACTThis article uses a psychoanalytic ego-psychological framework to examine the regression experienced by an individual group member and the defenses mobilized to counter it, focusing in particular on the defensive functions of constituting leadership somewhere in the group. The leader, regarded as an internal object in the member's object world, is hypothesized to be a combination of projected and personified part-objects and at the same time an integrating whole object. Various phenomena of group life are discussed from this viewpoint, notably the lability of the relationship with the leader, the externalization of various endopsychic regulations, and the conditions supporting the defensive utility of the leader for the group member. The foundation for the emergence of social roles and consensual perception of the group and its leadership becomes apparent. A strictly intrapsychic view is maintained throughout.
Medical Conditions Associated with Nocturia

Nocturia had traditionally been considered part of an array of symptoms of some other primary disorder [1]. In 2002, the standardization subcommittee of the International Continence Society (ICS) proposed the first standardization of nocturia terminology and this report has marked a new era in the approach to the management of nocturia. Since then, nocturia has begun to be recognized as a clinical entity in its own right rather than a symptom of some other disorder, or classed as one of many lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) [2]. Although this proposal based on reasonable theoretical considerations has not been tested in any research and should not be taken as the result of scientific enquiry [3], approximately 100 research studies have cited the report within 8 years after its publication. Thus, the report plays a fundamental role of conceptual framework for research on nocturia to understand the possible causative or contributing factors to the pathophysiology of this entity, as the current knowledge on nocturia need improving in order to advance clinical care through these researches.
Improved memristive switching of graphite/Nb:SrTiO 3 interfaces by tuning Fermi levels and dielectric constants

Layered electrodes based on graphene or transition metal dichalcogenides have enriched the development of nanoelectronics due to their uniqueness in flexibility, transparency, thermal stability, and electronic structure. Here, we report on resistive switching behavior observed in graphite/Nb:SrTiO 3 (Gr/NbSTO) junctions. Straightforward in situ bromine intercalation of graphite modulates the transport properties of Gr/NbSTO devices, an effect which cannot be achieved using traditional metal electrodes. At low temperatures, the strong electric field dependence of the dielectric constant of NbSTO also plays an important role in further enhancing the resistive switching performance. Our findings here suggest that to optimize the performance and to perform more complex functions, tunability of the Fermi level of the layered graphite electrode in combination with the nonlinear dielectric constant of the NbSTO substrate is critically important for interface-type resistive switching devices.
The Art Therapist’s Guide to Social Media: Connection, Community, and Creativity (Guide de l’art-thérapeute sur les médias sociaux : connexion, communauté et créativité), by Gretchen M. Miller

Described in the foreword by Lynn Kapitan as “a pioneer in the formation of online art therapy communities” (p. xiv), art therapist and adjunct art therapy professor Gretchen M. Miller has been act...
Activin promotes growth and antral cavity expansion in the dog ovarian follicle.

Abstract Understanding regulators of folliculogenesis remains limited in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), which challenges our ability to develop in vitro follicle culture systems for canid genome rescue efforts. Here, we investigated the influence of activin on dog follicle development and survival, oocyte quality, and FSH receptor expression in culture. Preantral (150 - ≤230 μm diameter), early antral (231 - ≤330 μm), and antral (>330–550 μm) stage follicles were encapsulated in a fibrin-alginate hydrogel with 0, 100, or 200 ng/ml rhActivin plus 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 μg/ml FSH for 12 or 21 d of in vitro culture. All follicle groups increased in diameter (P 630 μm) in early antral and antral cohorts. This complementary effect was not linked to changes in FSHR mRNA expression (P > 0.05). Although not influencing (P > 0.05) follicle survival or transzonal projection (TZP) density in shorter term 12 d culture, activin in the presence of 1 ng/ml FSH maintained TZP density from the 12–21 d interval. Activin also increased oocyte diameter and improved nuclear integrity compared to un-supplemented controls. These results indicate that activin acts synergistically with FSH to promote growth and antral cavity expansion of the dog follicle in vitro, information useful to formulating an effective culture microenvironment for this species.
The Trump Administration and the Future of the WTO

International trade law is making headlines in the United States and around the world in a manner unprecedented in the last two decades. The United States’ escalating trade war with China, its combative relationship with European trading partners, its forced renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and its block on the appointment and re-appointment of Appellate Body members at the World Trade Organization (WTO) have all vaulted trade politics into the spotlight from its once quiet existence. The Trump administration’s attacks on the WTO, in particular, represent a shock to the norms and understandings essential to the agreement, not just a strike against certain trading partners or discrete policies. This shock has weakened the foundations of the multilateral trading system and will impose significant costs on the United States for decades to come. Specifically, the Trump administration’s trade policies give China a path to rewrite global trade rules. China is and will be increasingly important to the future of global trade because of its expanding market size, but the Trump administration’s actions have weakened international institutions that would have provided a globally supported set of constraints to channel this increased power. This essay considers whether we may be entering a post-WTO era for international trade law. The WTO may continue to exist, but it will cease to provide a meaningful check on State action. Over the last two decades, WTO law and dispute settlement have been powerful forces in international economic relations. This may no longer be the case. Such a transformation will be costly to the United States in both the short and long-term if WTO rules, which generally benefit the American economic model, are no longer dominant and enforceable.
Direct regulation of Chk1 protein stability by E3 ubiquitin ligase HUWE1.

The HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase HUWE1 is required for a wide array of important functions in cell biology. Although HUWE1 is known to play a role in DNA damage signaling, the mechanism(s) that underlie this function remain elusive. HUWE1 regulates effectors of DNA replication and genotoxic stress tolerance. However, the loss of HUWE1 can also result in the accrual of significant endogenous DNA damage due to insufficient remediation of replication stress induced by an overabundance of key substrates. We discovered that HUWE1 depletion leads to a significant increase in levels of the single-strand break effector kinase Chk1, independent of the DNA damage response, activation of apical DNA damage repair (DDR) signaling kinases (ATM and ATR), and the tumor suppressor p53. We also identified multiple lysine residues on Chk1 that are polyubiquitinated by HUWE1 in vitro, many of which are within the kinase domain. HUWE1 knockdown also markedly prolonged the protein half-life of Chk1 in steady-state conditions and resulted in greater stabilization of Chk1 protein than depletion of Cul4A, an E3 ubiquitin ligase previously described to control Chk1 abundance. Moreover, prolonged replication stress induced by hydroxyurea or camptothecin resulted in a reduction of Chk1 protein levels, which was rescued by HUWE1 knockdown. Our study indicates that HUWE1 plays a significant role in the regulation of the DDR signaling pathway by directly modulating the abundance of Chk1 protein.
Parental attitudes toward bariatric surgery in adolescents with obesity.

Abstract Background Parental underestimation of the severity and risks of their child’s obesity and parents’ potential implicit weight bias contribute to the reluctance to consider bariatric surgery for their adolescent children with obesity. Despite evidence for safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in adolescents, pediatric providers may be hesitant or uncomfortable to discuss the benefits and refer patients for surgical evaluation. Understanding these barriers is an essential step toward effective long-term care in this patient population. Objectives We hypothesized that parental views on bariatric surgery are primarily influenced by personal experiences with bariatric surgery, their implicit bias, understanding of health risks of obesity, and counseling by pediatric providers. Setting Data were collected and analyzed at an academic medical center in the United States. Methods After a retrospective chart review of 192 adolescents with obesity, a telephone survey of patients’ parents was conducted. Results Parents of 71.4% of patients who received outpatient weight loss counseling had accurate recollection of that event. Only 12.8% of parents who were referred to lifestyle programs successfully enrolled. Neither prior personal exposure to bariatric surgery nor enrollment of the child in a lifestyle program increased parents’ likelihood to consider bariatric surgery for their child (P = .10 and .70, respectively). Most parents (84.6%) who were counseled by their pediatric provider about bariatric surgery would consider it, compared with only 34.5% of the parents who did not receive counseling (P Conclusions Counseling by pediatric providers, not involvement in lifestyle programs or exposure to bariatric surgery, increased parents’ willingness to consider bariatric surgery for their child. Given the current recommendations to incorporate bariatric surgery as a treatment modality in severe adolescent obesity, earlier counseling about the role of surgery by pediatric providers is essential. More detailed provider education on the current state of bariatric surgery in the treatment of severe adolescent obesity is also necessary.
Biopsy Issues for Bone and Cartilage Tumors

Biopsy of soft tissue and osseous musculoskeletal lesions is the final step in the staging workup of an unknown tumor, and the first step in therapeutic management.4,10,19,21 Because of this overlapping role, biopsy is arguably the most critical process in the management of musculoskeletal tumors.4,10,14,15 Inappropriate biopsies result in the need for more extensive surgical procedures than initially required, and can be the direct cause of death in patients with musculoskeletal tumors.9,13,14,15 Two well-documented reports in the literature spaced 14 years apart13,14 show that biopsies for musculoskeletal tumors continue to be inappropriately planned, placed, and utilized. When this occurs, patients with malignant musculoskeletal tumors need limb amputations instead of salvage procedures for appropriate tumor control, and 4.5% of the time, the ill-planned and executed biopsy is the direct cause of amputation of the patient’s limb and can contribute to the patient’s death.4,11,13,14,18 For these reasons, it is important to revisit the issue of the biopsy, focusing on the types of biopsy, appropriate evaluations prior to the biopsy, technical aspects of this procedure, and consequences of the ill-planned or executed biopsy. At the end of this chapter, an outline for appropriate uses of this important tool is provided.
A quantitative and non-invasive method for nanoparticle translocation and toxicity evaluation in a human airway barrier model.

Abstract Human exposure to environmental nanoparticles (NPs) may result in systemic distribution and accumulation of NPs. Depending on exposure conditions and their physiochemical properties, NPs could cross biological barriers and reach vital organs. This method describes an analytical technique that quantifies the nanoparticles’ translocation through a sample human airway barrier. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were used as the example nanoparticles due to their common use in nanotechnology. The analytical method introduced in this study allows mass measurements of both cellular uptake and translocation of AgNPs through the modeled barrier. Additionally, cytotoxicity was evaluated using a convenient assay to investigate adverse effects from AgNPs treatment. The assay measures cellular injury from each layer in the barrier independently. The assay does not engage cells physically for chemical reaction, therefore it is non-destructive to the model, and the model can be used for other purposes subsequently. To conclude, this study provides researchers with measurable tools for evaluating the translocation, cellular trafficking, uptake and toxic effects of metallic nanoparticles in the in vitro barrier format. • Quantitative evaluation of nanoparticles translocation through human airway barrier • Non-invasive and quantifiable toxicity evaluation for co-culture models
Environmental Context Prediction for Lower Limb Prostheses With Uncertainty Quantification

Reliable environmental context prediction is critical for wearable robots (e.g., prostheses and exoskeletons) to assist terrain-adaptive locomotion. This article proposed a novel vision-based context prediction framework for lower limb prostheses to simultaneously predict human’s environmental context for multiple forecast windows. By leveraging the Bayesian neural networks (BNNs), our framework can quantify the uncertainty caused by different factors (e.g., observation noise, and insufficient or biased training) and produce a calibrated predicted probability for online decision-making. We compared two wearable camera locations (a pair of glasses and a lower limb device), independently and conjointly. We utilized the calibrated predicted probability for online decision-making and fusion. We demonstrated how to interpret deep neural networks with uncertainty measures and how to improve the algorithms based on the uncertainty analysis. The inference time of our framework on a portable embedded system was less than 80 ms/frame. The results in this study may lead to novel context recognition strategies in reliable decision-making, efficient sensor fusion, and improved intelligent system design in various applications. Note to Practitioners —This article was motivated by two practical problems in computer vision for wearable robots: First, the performance of deep neural networks is challenged by real-life disturbances. However, reliable confidence estimation is usually unavailable and the factors causing failures are hard to identify. Second, evaluating wearable robots by intuitive trial and error is expensive due to the need for human experiments. Our framework produces a calibrated predicted probability as well as three uncertainty measures. The calibrated probability makes it easy to customize prediction decision criteria by considering how much the corresponding application can tolerate error. This study demonstrated a practical procedure to interpret and improve the performance of deep neural networks with uncertainty quantification. We anticipate that our methodology could be extended to other applications as a general scientific and efficient procedure of evaluating and improving intelligent systems.
Conceptualizing Food Insecurity Among Older Adults: Development of a Summary Indicator in the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Objectives Measurement of food insecurity in older adults is focused on financial barriers to food access. Given that older adults are particularly susceptible to additional access-related barriers including functional limitations and lack of social support, the objective of this study was to construct a summary indicator of food insecurity incorporating these domains. Methods We used nationally representative survey data from Round 5 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS; n = 7,070). We constructed a summary indicator of food insecurity using factors within the following three domains: functional, social support, and financial limitations. First, we identified the prevalence of food insecurity among the sample as defined by the new summary indicator. Then, we estimated unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models to assess the association between the expanded measure of food insecurity and biopsychosocial factors. Results In 2015, 4.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.75-4.94) of community-dwelling older adults, approximately 1,673,775 million people, were characterized as having food insecurity. Multivariable-adjusted regression models identified that being homebound (odds ratio [OR] 3.49, 95% CI 2.03, 6.00), frail (OR 9.50, 95% CI 4.92-18.37), and experiencing community disability (OR 5.19, 95% CI 3.90-6.90) was associated with food insecurity. Discussion Food insecurity among older adults is broader than lacking adequate financial resources to obtain food; it is also associated with social and functional limitations. A more comprehensive conceptualization will aid future study on the impact of food insecurity on health status, utilization, and outcomes to inform senior nutrition program targeting and services.
Does the “Enemies Hypothesis” operate by enhancing natural enemy evenness?

Abstract Root (1973) observed fewer pests in weedy Brassica oleracea plantings, and suggested this could be because greater plant diversity bolstered resources for natural enemies and strengthened herbivore suppression (i.e., the Enemies Hypothesis) and/or disrupted host-location by specialist herbivores (i.e., the Resource Concentration Hypothesis). These proposed mechanisms have been exceptionally influential in efforts to manage agroecosystems to promote conservation biological control, yet their relative importance remains unclear. Because direct (plant-driven) and indirect (enemy-mediated) drivers of herbivore pressure are difficult to isolate experimentally, we compiled a multi-year observational dataset tracking arthropod pest and predator densities in B. oleracea plantings on over 50 farms varying in weed cover within fields as well as in habitat diversity in surrounding landscapes. We then used structural equation models to evaluate direct and indirect interaction links consistent with the Enemies and Resource Concentration Hypotheses, while also considering landscape context and enemy community structure. We predicted that non-crop habitat would limit herbivores indirectly by supporting evenly distributed communities of natural enemies. Our results revealed that weedy vegetation indeed benefitted predator evenness and thus indirectly correlated with enhanced predator densities, but instead of limiting herbivores, natural enemies seemed to track both aphids and caterpillars. Landscape diversity had no effect on predator evenness, yet appeared to benefit predator density, while having contrasting direct effects on aphids (positive) and caterpillars (negative). We found no evidence for direct negative links between weed cover and herbivores that would indicate an important role for the Resource Concentration Hypothesis. Instead, we found indirect links between weedy plants and natural enemy evenness across our network of field sites, suggesting partial support for the Enemies Hypothesis. More generally, we suggest that greater consideration of predator-predator interactions and local biodiversity effects could help explain inconsistent relationships between landscape diversity and herbivore suppression.
The Chalkboard: Picture Your Electrode: A Primer on Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Every electrochemical energy storage and conversion device requires electrodes to exchange charge with the electrolyte and move electrons through an external circuit. We are used to describing electrode performance in terms of single-valued, averaged measurements: a peak current, a charge transfer resistance, a capacitance, and a charge capacity. However, these characterizations escape the complexity of most practical materials. Electrodes are not idealized current collectors but rather heterogeneous surfaces on which individual features strongly influence device performance by dictating local charge transfer. Thus, it would be desirable to understand reactivity at such locality, whatever its length scale.
Isoform specificity in the mouse primary motor cortex

Full-length SMART-Seq single-cell RNA-seq can be used to measure gene expression at isoform resolution, making possible the identification of gene isoform markers for cell types. In a comprehensive analysis of 6,160 mouse primary motor cortex cells assayed with SMART-Seq, we find numerous examples of isoform specificity in cell types, including isoform shifts between cell types that are masked in gene-level analysis. These findings can be used to refine spatial gene expression information to isoform resolution. Our results highlight the utility of full-length single-cell RNA-seq when used in conjunction with other single-cell RNA-seq technologies.
Rates of perfect self-reported adherence to direct-acting antiviral therapy and its correlates among people who inject drugs on medications for opioid use disorder: The PREVAIL study.

Adequate adherence to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is critical to attaining sustained virologic response (SVR). In this PREVAIL study's secondary analyses, we explored the association between self-reported and objective DAAs adherence among a sample of people who inject drugs (PWID) receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (N = 147). Self-reported adherence was recoded 3 times during treatment (weeks 4, 8 and 12) using a visual analog scale (VAS), whereas objective adherence was collected continuously during treatment using electronic blister packs. Participants who reported being perfectly adherent had significantly higher blister pack adherence in each period (weeks 4, 8 and 12; ps < .05) and over the 12-week study (p < .001) compared to those who reported being non-perfectly adherent. Whites were more likely to report perfect adherence (91.7%) than Blacks (48.7%), Latinos (52.2%) and other (75.0%) race groups. Participants who reported recent use of cocaine (63.9%) or polysubstance use (60.0%) and those who had a positive result for cocaine (62.8%) were more likely to be non-perfectly adherent, although none of these factors were associated with blister pack adherence. This study showed that the VAS could serve as a reliable option for assessing DAAs adherence among PWID on MOUD. The implementation of VAS may be an ideal option for monitoring adherence among PWID on MOUD, especially in clinical settings with limited resources. PWID on MOUD who are Black or other races than White, as well as those who report recent cocaine or polysubstance use may require additional support to maintain optimal DAA adherence.
Comparison of Large Air-Gap Inductive and Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer Systems

This paper presents a theoretical comparison of large air-gap inductive and capacitive wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. The maximum power transfer capabilities of these WPT systems are analytically formulated in terms of their geometrical and electrical parameters while adhering to their physical limits, such as core saturation and air breakdown. The maximum achievable efficiency in these systems are expressed in terms of their system specifications, and the tradeoffs between their efficiency and power transfer density are compared. The effect of operating frequency on the power transfer capability and efficiency is also analyzed. The analytical predictions are validated using two multi-MHz kW-level capacitive WPT prototypes.
Overriding defective FPR chemotaxis signaling in diabetic neutrophil stimulates infection control in diabetic wound

Abstract Infection is a major co-morbidity that contributes to impaired healing in diabetic wounds. Although impairments in diabetic neutrophils have been blamed for this co-morbidity, what causes these impairments and whether they can be overcome, remain largely unclear. Diabetic neutrophils, extracted from diabetic individuals, exhibit chemotaxis impairment but this peculiar functional impairment has been largely ignored because it appears to contradict the clinical findings which blame excessive neutrophil influx (neutrophilia) as a major impediment to healing in chronic diabetic ulcers. Here, we report that exposure to glucose in diabetic range results in impaired chemotaxis signaling through the FPR1 chemokine receptor in neutrophils, culminating in reduced chemotaxis and delayed neutrophil trafficking in wound in diabetic animals, and rendering diabetic wound vulnerable to infection. We further show that at least some auxiliary chemokine receptors remain functional under diabetic conditions and their engagement by the pro-inflammatory cytokine CCL3, overrides the requirement for FPR1 signaling and substantially improves infection control by jumpstarting the neutrophil response toward infection, and stimulates healing in diabetic wound. We posit that CCL3 may have real therapeutic potential for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers if it is applied topically after the surgical debridement process which is intended to reset chronic ulcers into acute fresh wounds.
Quantification of Brownian motion under presence of flow using particle diffusometry

Particle diffusometry (PD), a quantification method for the Brownian motion, is performed by recording temporally sequential images and using correlation analysis to obtain an ensemble diffusion coefficient for all particles captured in the imaging region (Clayton et al., 2017). PD is proven to be successful in the detection of the waterborne pathogen V. cholerae in environmental samples using different imaging techniques, including an inverted fluorescence microscope as well as a handheld hardware device operated with a smartphone (Clayton et al., 2019; Moehling et al., 2020). Although we intend to use PD to calculate diffusion coefficients in quiescent fluid, oftentimes unintentional fluid flows occur, creating measurement error when calculating the diffusion coefficient. In previous work, recordings under the presence of flow were discarded to avoid incorrect measurements of the sample.
Analyzing the System of Preferential Tariffs for Least Developed Countries

This paper analyzes the rents available from non-reciprocal preferential tariffs for least developed countries (LDCs) on all exports to the quad countries at the tariff line level.Most of the rents come from the European Union (EU) in clothing and textiles, while the USA and Canada offer few rents and charge significant tariffs to LDCs. We develop a dual economy labor market model that generates an income distribution and simulates the distributional effects of preferences.We find that the benefits of the preferences outweigh any adverse distributional effects. Relative inequality may increase with preferences in some cases, but absolute incomes increase in every case.We conclude that in the absence of multilateral liberalization,preferences are beneficial to some LDCs and expansion of preferences is desirable.In the event of multilateral liberalization, an import subsidy scheme that maintains the rents is the most desirable outcome.
Comparison of primary radiation versus robotic surgery plus adjuvant radiation in high-risk prostate cancer: a single center experience.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare robotic-prostatectomy plus adjuvant radiation therapy (RPRAT) versus primary RT for high-risk prostate cancer (HRPCa). Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for the HRPCa patients treated in our institution between 2000 and 2010. One hundred and twenty-three patients with high-risk disease were identified. The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare local control and distant failure rates between the two treatment modalities. For prostate-specific antigen comparisons between groups, Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used. Results: The median follow-up was 49 months (range: 3-138 months). Local control, biochemical recurrence rate, distant metastasis, toxicity, and disease-free survival were similar in the two groups. Conclusions: Primary RT is an excellent treatment option in patients with HRPCa, is equally effective and less expensive treatment compared with RPRAT. A prospective randomized study is required to guide treatment for patients with HRPCa.
Cryotolerance of selected sites on the surfaces of membranes of cells. I. Mucopolysaccharides of erythrocytes.

Summary Based on phenomena associated with the adsorption and elution of influenza virus (strain A), from the surfaces of erythrocytes, a technique was developed (membrane adsorption test, MAT) to determine the effects on the mucopolysaccharides of the external surfaces of the membranes of chicken red blood cells of 1) rates of cooling, 2) cyclic freezing (−76°C) and thawing (+10°C), 3) storage at −70°C, and 4) addition of cryoprotective compounds, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, dextran, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and calcium lactobionate. In general, the results obtained were as follows: 1) Less damage occurred in preparations cooled rapidly, at 100°C per min, than in preparations cooled slowly, at 1°C per min. 2) Progressively greater damage to the receptor sites at the surfaces of cells occurred with each cycle of freezing (−76°C) and thawing (+10°C), with minimal damage when cells were suspended in DMSO or glycerol. 3) Following the initial damage associated with freezing, changes in the mucopolysaccharide sites were minimal after 70 days of storage at −70°C. 4) The order of the efficacy of the cryoprotective agents used in these studies was: dimethyl sulfoxide > glycerol ≫ dextran > polyvinylpyrrolidone > calcium lactobionate. The mechanism of protection of DMSO and glycerol appeared to involve the external binding of these compounds to the sensitive sites of the cell membrane.
The Isuzu P’UP - Fully Remodeled Small Pickup Truck

The P'UP has been marketed since 1972. In the US it is the Chevrolet LUV. Now a remodeled, version is being introduced in the US as the Isuzu P'UP. In addition to the gasoline model, there will also be a diesel version. This paper describes the engineering concepts of the truck, and also gives specifications and performance data for the diesel version.