cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Status and conservation of parrots and parakeets in the Greater Antilles, Bahama Islands, and Cayman Islands

In the 1490S a minimum of 28 species of psittacines occurred in the West Indies. Today, only 43% (12) of the species survive. All macaws and most parakeet species have been lost. Although the surviving parrot fauna of the Greater Antilles, Cayman Islands, and Bahama Islands has fared somewhat better than that of the Lesser Antilles, every species has undergone extensive reductions of populations and all but two have undergone extensive reductions in range, mostly as a result of habitat loss, but also from persecution as agricultural pests, conflicts with exotic species, harvesting for pets, and natural disasters. The Cayman Brae Parrot Amazona leucocephala hesterna, with its tiny population (lessthan 150 individuals in the wild) and range, and the Puerto Rican Parrot A. vittata, with 22-23 birds in the wild and 56 individuals in captivity, must be considered on the of extinction and in need of (in the tatter's case, continuing) aggressive programmes of research and management. Other populations declining in numbers and range include the Yellow-billed Amazona collaria, and Black-billed A. agilis Parrots of Jamaica, Hispaniolan Parakeet Aratinga chloroptera, Hispaniolan Parrot Amazona ventralis, Cuban Parrot A. leucocephala leucocephala and, most seriously, Cuban Parakeet Aratinga euops. The population of the Grand Cayman Parrot (Amazona leucocephala caymanensis), although numbering only about 1,000 birds, appears stable and the current conservation programme gives hope for the survival of the race. An active conservation and public education programme has begun for the Bahama Parrot A. l. bahamensis, which still occurs in good numbers on Great Inagua Island, but is threatened on Abaco Island. Recommendations for conservation of parrots and parakeets in the region include (1) instituting term programmes of research to determine distribution, status, and ecology of each species; (2) developing conservation programmes through education and management approaches that are culturally, politically, and economically sensitive to the region; and providing and protecting habitat within suitably sized reserves.
Crystal structure, mutational analysis and RNA-dependent ATPase activity of the yeast DEAD-box pre-mRNA splicing factor Prp28

Yeast Prp28 is a DEAD-box pre-mRNA splicing factor implicated in displacing U1 snRNP from the 5' splice site. Here we report that the 588-aa Prp28 protein consists of a trypsin-sensitive 126-aa N-terminal segment (of which aa 1-89 are dispensable for Prp28 function in vivo) fused to a trypsin-resistant C-terminal catalytic domain. Purified recombinant Prp28 and Prp28-(127-588) have an intrinsic RNA-dependent ATPase activity, albeit with a low turnover number. The crystal structure of Prp28-(127-588) comprises two RecA-like domains splayed widely apart. AMPPNP•Mg2+ is engaged by the proximal domain, with proper and specific contacts from Phe194 and Gln201 (Q motif) to the adenine nucleobase. The triphosphate moiety of AMPPNP•Mg2+ is not poised for catalysis in the open domain conformation. Guided by the Prp28•AMPPNP structure, and that of the Drosophila Vasa•AMPPNP•Mg2+•RNA complex, we targeted 20 positions in Prp28 for alanine scanning. ATP-site components Asp341 and Glu342 (motif II) and Arg527 and Arg530 (motif VI) and RNA-site constituent Arg476 (motif Va) are essential for Prp28 activity in vivo. Synthetic lethality of double-alanine mutations highlighted functionally redundant contacts in the ATP-binding (Phe194-Gln201, Gln201-Asp502) and RNA-binding (Arg264-Arg320) sites. Overexpression of defective ATP-site mutants, but not defective RNA-site mutants, elicited severe dominant-negative growth defects.
Optogenetic Engineering: Light‐Directed Cell Motility

Genetically encoded, light-activatable proteins provide the means to probe biochemical pathways at specific subcellular locations with exquisite temporal control. However, engineering these systems in order to provide a dramatic jump in localized activity, while retaining a low dark-state background remains a significant challenge. When placed within the framework of a genetically encodable, light-activatable heterodimerizer system, the actin-remodelling protein cofilin induces dramatic changes in the F-actin network and consequent cell motility upon illumination. We demonstrate that the use of a partially impaired mutant of cofilin is critical for maintaining low background activity in the dark. We also show that light-directed recruitment of the reduced activity cofilin mutants to the cytoskeleton is sufficient to induce F-actin remodeling, formation of filopodia, and directed cell motility.
Finding the Path of Least Antimicrobial Resistance in Pyelonephritis

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections among adults in the community setting. Pyelonephritis is the most severe manifestation of such infection. A recent populationbased study noted an overall rate of pyelonephritis of 15-17 cases per 10,000 women and 3-4 cases per 10,000 men [1]. The in-hospital mortality rate for pyelonephritis varies from 7.3 cases per 1000 hospitalized women to 16.5 cases per 1000 hospitalized men [2]. Finally, the annual societal cost of treatment of acute pyelonephritis in the United States has been estimated to be >$2 billion [3]. Although numerous studies have focused on the
Trajectory optimization in convex underapproximations of safe regions

This paper discusses a computationally efficient method for optimizing aircraft trajectories in a two-aircraft conflict scenario, under a noncooperative setting. It is assumed that the future trajectory of the uncontrolled aircraft is unknown, but that deterministic input bounds are given. Unsafe reachable sets are computed in a game theoretic framework to account for worst case behaviors. Overapproximations of the reachable sets are used as constraints in a convex trajectory optimization program at each time step. We prove the safety property of the optimization program, and address the errors introduced by model linearization through a robustness analysis. Simulation results demonstrate that the algorithm generates collision free conflict resolution trajectories even as the adversary aircraft inputs are drawn randomly from within input bounds.
FDA Approval: Blinatumomab.

On December 3, 2014, the FDA granted accelerated approval of blinatumomab (Blincyto; Amgen, Inc.) for treatment of Philadelphia chromosome–negative relapsed or refractory precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ALL). Blinatumomab is a recombinant murine protein that acts as a bispecific CD19-directed CD3 T-cell engager. The basis for the approval was a single-arm trial with 185 evaluable adults with R/R ALL. The complete remission (CR) rate was 32% [95% confidence interval (CI), 26%–40%], and the median duration of response was 6.7 months. A minimal residual disease response was achieved by 31% (95% CI, 25%–39%) of all patients. Cytokine release syndrome and neurologic events were serious toxicities that occurred. Other common (>20%) adverse reactions were pyrexia, headache, edema, febrile neutropenia, nausea, tremor, and rash. Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated transaminases were the most common (>10%) laboratory abnormalities related to blinatumomab. A randomized trial is required in order to confirm clinical benefit. Clin Cancer Res; 21(18); 4035–9. ©2015 AACR.
Settlements out of Court: Efficiency and Equity

This paper considers a model of out-of-court settlement negotiations in which rational individuals hold potentially differing beliefs about the merits of the case. The following results pertain in equilibrium. First, under incomplete information, self-interested disputants will fail to attain negotiated settlements (at least some of the time). Second, there is a fundamental tradeoff between settlement efficiency and equity. Increasing the frequency of out-of-court settlements inevitably means adopting settlements that are less responsive to the true merits of the case. Third, the frequency of litigation increases as court costs decline. Moreover, this response can be so great that average court expenditures rise with the decline in legal costs. Fourth, a shift from the American system to the British system of allocating court costs results in a fall in the frequency of litigation.
An in vitro reprogrammable antiviral RISC with size-preferential ribonuclease activity

Infection of Nicotiana benthamiana plants with Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) mutants compromised for silencing suppression induces formation of an antiviral RISC (vRISC) that can be isolated using chromatography procedures. The isolated vRISC sequence-specifically degrades TBSV RNA in vitro, its activity can be down-regulated by removing siRNAs, and re-stimulated by exogenous supply of siRNAs. vRISC is most effective at hydrolyzing the ~4.8kb genomic RNA, but less so for a ~2.2kb TBSV subgenomic mRNA (sgRNA1), while the 3' co-terminal sgRNA2 of ~0.9kb appears insensitive to vRISC cleavage. Moreover, experiments with in vitro generated 5' co-terminal viral transcripts show that RNAs of ~2.7kb are efficiently cleaved while those of ~1.1kb or shorter are unaffected. The isolated antiviral ribonuclease complex fails to degrade ~0.4kb defective interfering RNAs (DIs) in vitro, agreeing with findings that in plants DIs are not targeted by silencing.
"Cognitive Style, Innovation and Attitude Toward Dreams"

Anecdotes proliferate about how dreams at night become reality during the day. Is there evidence that there a general relationship between dreams and acquired behavioral predispositions—especially ...
Does early pyeloplasty really avert loss of renal function ? A retrospective review

We reviewed 75 cases of isolated, unilateral pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction and 167 diuretic radionuclide renograms performed during the last 8 years. Differential function of the affected kidney was calculated using scintillation count data at 1 and 3 minutes, and the area under the renogram curve between 1 and 3 minutes. There was no significant difference among the 3 measures of per cent differential function for a given patient. Per cent differential function on the first renogram preoperatively neither declined as age at presentation advanced nor did it vary according to the clinical presentation. Similarly, the changes in postoperative per cent differential function were unaffected by the age at initial presentation, manner of presentation, occurrence of postoperative complications or the surgeon. These data do not support the concept that pyeloplasty for the isolated, unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction should be performed early to avert loss of renal function.
Effect of radiations on longevity

1. Chronische Exposition mit ionisierenden Strahlen verkurzt die Lebenszeit von Versuchstieren. 2. Die Radiologen der USA zeigen eine geringere mittlere Lebensdauer als die vergleichbare mannliche Bevolkerung. 3. Diejenigen Radiologen, die in den letzten Jahren gestorben sind, zeigten ein Ansteigen der durchschnittlichen Lebensdauer.
Protein quantification using controlled DNA melting transitions in bivalent probe assemblies.

Homogenous protein assays, despite the potential for mix-and-read workflows, have eluded widespread acceptance due to interferences in biological matrices and limited multiplexability. Here, we employ standard qPCR instrumentation for thermofluorimetric analysis of bivalent probe (TFAB) assemblies, allowing protein levels to be quantitatively translated into multiplexable DNA melting transitions within 30 min. As protein-bound bivalent probes are thermodynamically more stable than unbound probes, differential thermal analysis can remove background analytically, without physical separation. Using either antibody-oligonucleotides or aptamers as probes, TFAB is validated for protein quantification in buffer, human serum, and human plasma and for assaying hormone secretions from endocrine cells. The direct optical method exhibits superior scalability, allowing detection of only 1 amol of protein in microfluidic channels of 100 pL volume. Overall, we demonstrate TFAB as a robust and generalizable homogeneous p...
BRICS: stakeholders or free-riders?

This past month may be remembered as the moment the United States lost its role as the underwriter of the global economic system. – Lawrence Summers, Former Treasury Secretary and economic adviser to President Obama, on China's establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank over the objections of the US In an increasingly globalized world, power has become more diffused. Especially since the start of the twenty-first century, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and others have emerged as significant actors. The appearance of these and other rising powers is not entirely new, but together they represent an increasing presence in economic, cultural, political, and even security terms. At the same time, the relative weight of Europe and Japan has seemed to ebb as these traditional centers of power have experienced economic and demographic stagnation. Political and scholarly observers have tended to greet these changes as heralding a new era in which BRICS would not only become far more influential in world affairs, but would act to reshape, sustain, and promote international institutions and regimes in an increasingly multipolar world. Thus, in writing about the BRICS, a Brazilian scholar argues that rather than playing a disruptive role, they seek to promote the emergence of a rule-based international order and to pressure America and its allies to more consistently adhere to global norms and rules. But are these assumptions accurate? Are the BRICS increasingly acting as responsible stakeholders, or is the international order becoming more multipolar without becoming more multilateral? I argue in this chapter that, in practice and across a wide range of issue areas, the BRICS have been less rather than more cooperative in sustaining international institutions and international order, and that in these circumstances, the engagement of the United States is not only essential for reasons of national interest, but that it is vital for sustaining global order. With these considerations in mind, I address here the interplay between the role of the United States and that of BRICS. The question of America's position is central, not only in terms of national interest, but also because the United States has played a unique role as the world's leading provider of public goods. Consequently, a combination of American retrenchment and BRICS abdication would be likely to weaken multilateral institutions and other elements of international order.
Life cycle assessment as a comparative analysis tool for sustainable brownfield redevelopment projects: Cumulative energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions

The sustainable redevelopment of brownfields reflects a fundamental, yet logical, shift in thinking and policy-making regarding pollution prevention. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool that can be used to assist in determining the conformity of brownfield development projects to the sustainability paradigm. In this study, LCA was applied to the assessment of two brownfield redevelopment projects, one in Milwaukee, WI, USA, and the other Chicago, IL, USA, to compare the cumulative energies required to complete the following redevelopment stages: brownfield assessment and remediation; building construction/rehabilitation and site development; and long-term operation. The results show that the redeveloped site buildings consume energy at a significantly lower intensity than the median energy use intensity of commercial buildings in the Midwest of the USA. Thus, it is clear that brownfield redevelopment offers a significant opportunity for the construction of more energy-efficient buildings and the associated long-term conservation of natural resources. The source of a building’s operational energy plays a large role in the life cycle impacts because, for example, coal-fired power plants emit more greenhouse gases than nuclear power plants. Site location also determines a significant role in a brownfield redevelopment’s life cycle. Secondary impacts can erode gains in building energy efficiency, with as much as 44% of a site’s annual operational energy being consumed by commuter transportation.
MÉTODOS DIAGNÓSTICOS TINTORIALES PARA Pneumocystis jirovecii

Se realizo una busqueda en base de datos Cabdirect bajo los terminos «Pneumocystis-stain» entre los anos 1990 a 2010., revisandose 109 trabajos relacionados al diagnostico y estudio de la neumocistosis. Las metodologias empleadas fueron clasificadas en 6 grupos segun su frecuencia: Tincion con Gomori-Grocott; Giemsa; Azul de toluidina; Otras tinciones (pap, blanco de calcofluor, gram, may grunwald giemsa);ademas de inmunofluorescencia directa y PCR (en cualquiera de sus variantes). Se observo una constante en el empleo de las tinciones histologicas en ambas decadas, mayormente con las tinciones de Gomori-Grocott y Giemsa. Sin embargo y como es de esperar, aumenta en la segunda decada la tendencia del diagnostico a traves de tecnicas moleculares.
Electron-beam lithography for polymer bioMEMS with submicron features.

We present a method for submicron fabrication of flexible, thin-film structures fully encapsulated in biocompatible polymer poly(chloro-p-xylylene) (Parylene C) that improves feature size and resolution by an order of magnitude compared with prior work. We achieved critical dimensions as small as 250 nm by adapting electron beam lithography for use on vapor deposited Parylene-coated substrates and fabricated encapsulated metal structures, including conducting traces, serpentine resistors, and nano-patterned electrodes. Structures were probed electrically and mechanically demonstrating robust performance even under flexion or torsion. The developed fabrication process for electron beam lithography on Parylene-coated substrates and characterization of the resulting structures are presented in addition to a discussion of the challenges of applying electron beam lithography to polymers. As an application of the technique, a Parylene-based neural probe prototype was fabricated with 32 recording sites patterned along a 2 mm long shank, an electrode density surpassing any prior polymer probe. Flexible, polymer-coated electrodes with features as narrow as 250 nm have been produced using electron-beam lithography. The polymer Parylene C is widely used in implantable devices such as neural probes as a biocompatible and insulating coating for electrodes. However, it is challenging to pattern this polymer with electron beams because of its sensitivity to heat and charge. Ellis Meng and Kee Scholten from the University of Southern California, United States, overcame these limitation with a chromium-capped methacrylate resist mask. Depositing this mask onto a Parylene C-encapsulated titanium thin film helped to reduce thermal stress effects and electric charge build-up, which improved feature resolution by an order of magnitude beyond that of existing approaches. A prototype neural probe with 32 data recording sites along a 2-mm span—an electrode density that greatly exceeds previous polymer implants—demonstrated the potential of the technique.
Performance of Metal and Polymeric O-Ring Seals during Beyond-Design-Basis Thermal Conditions.

Abstract This paper summarizes the small scale thermal exposure test results of the performance of metallic and polymeric O-ring seals typically used in radioactive material transportation packages. Five different O-ring materials were evaluated: Inconel/silver, ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone, butyl, and Viton. The overall objective of this study is to provide test data and insights to the performance of these O-ring seals when exposed to beyond-design-basis temperature conditions due to a severe fire. Tests were conducted using a small-scale stainless steel pressure vessel pressurized with helium to 2 bar or 5 bar at room temperature. The vessel was then heated in an electric furnace to temperatures up to 900 °C for a pre-determined period (typically 8 h–9 h). The pressure drop technique was used to determine if leakage occurred during thermal exposure. Out of a total of 46 tests performed, leakage (loss of vessel pressure) was detected in 13 tests.
Model-driven optimal resource scaling in cloud

Cloud computing offers the flexibility to dynamically size the infrastructure in response to changes in workload demand. While both horizontal scaling and vertical scaling of infrastructure are supported by major cloud providers, these scaling options differ significantly in terms of their cost, provisioning time, and their impact on workload performance. Importantly, the efficacy of horizontal and vertical scaling critically depends on the workload characteristics, such as the workload’s parallelizability and its core scalability. In today’s cloud systems, the scaling decision is left to the users, requiring them to fully understand the trade-offs associated with the different scaling options. In this paper, we present our solution for optimizing the resource scaling of cloud deployments via implementation in OpenStack. The key component of our solution is the modeling engine that characterizes the workload and then quantitatively evaluates different scaling options for that workload. Our modeling engine leverages Amdahl’s Law to model service timescaling in scale-up environments and queueing-theoretic concepts to model performance scaling in scale-out environments. We further employ Kalman filtering to account for inaccuracies in the model-based methodology and to dynamically track changes in the workload and cloud environment.
Correlations between road crash mortality rate and distance to trauma centers

Abstract The assumption that better outcomes are associated with a reduction in time to trauma care is the foundation of emergency medical services and trauma systems. However, previous literatures did not provide clear evidence to directly support the assumption. In this study, the data of Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 2010 to 2015 were adopted to quantify the relationship between the distance to trauma centers and the mortality of patients in fatal crashes. Utilizing the closest facility solver in the Geographic Information System, the distance from crash scene to trauma center was calculated, and the effects of trauma center on patients in fatal crashes and the difference between different levels of trauma center were examined using logistic regression. For all drivers in fatal crashes from 2010 to 2015, the results of logistic regression show that the mortality increased with each additional mile to the trauma center with the odds ratio (OR) of 1.0021 per mile, comparing to an OR of 1.0008 per mile for the passengers in fatal crashes. The Level I, II, and III trauma centers had different effects on the driver mortality with a Chi-square of 1163.8, 468.7, and 112.2 respectively, indicating that the drivers admitted to Level I trauma centers had improved survival rates relative to lower-level trauma centers.
Opportunities and barriers for pragmatic embedded trials: Triumphs and tribulations.

Results Embedded pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) are set in routine health care, have broad eligibility criteria, and use routinely collected electronic data. Many consider them a breakthrough innovation in clinical research and a necessary step in clinical trial development. To identify barriers and success factors, we reviewed published embedded PCTs and interviewed 30 researchers and clinical leaders in 7 US delivery systems. Literature We searched PubMed, the Cochrane library, and clinicaltrials.gov for studies reporting embedded PCTs. We identified 108 embedded PCTs published in the last 10 years. The included studies had a median of 5540 randomized patients, addressed a variety of diseases, and practice settings covering a broad range of interventions. Eighty-one used cluster randomization. The median cost per patient was $97 in the 64 trials for which it was possible to obtain cost data. Interviews Delivery systems required research studies to align with operational priorities, existing information technology capabilities, and standard quality improvement procedures. Barriers that were identified included research governance, requirements for processes that were incompatible with clinical operations, and unrecoverable costs. Conclusions Embedding PCTs in delivery systems can provide generalizable knowledge that is directly applicable to practice settings at much lower cost than conventional trials. Successful embedding trials require accommodating delivery systems' needs and priorities.
Conclusion: Concluding Remarks, Policy Implications, and Future Research

This chapter summarizes the primary findings from each of the substantive chapters, discusses the policy implications of the findings, outlines the contributions of the book in the light of the broader research on objective and subjective well-being, and identifies avenues of future research.
Case 1-2018. A 39-Year-Old Woman with Rapidly Progressive Respiratory Failure.

A Woman with Rapidly Progressive Respiratory Failure A 39-year-old woman who had a history of leukemia and double-unit cord-blood transplantation presented with fever, cough, dyspnea, and hypoxemia. Chest imaging showed ground-glass and peripheral nodular opacities in the upper lobe. Diagnostic test results were received.
Direct stimulation by tyrosine phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein (MAP) kinase activity by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human neutrophils

Human polymorphonuclear neutrophils exhibit a low level of the microtubule-associated protein kinase (MAPK) activity. This enzymic activity is enhanced up to 3-fold upon cell stimulation with the human haematopoietic hormone granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). This is demonstrated both in whole-cell lysates and in DEAE-anion-exchange semi-purified fractions prepared from GM-CSF-stimulated neutrophils, by assaying the kinase activity against either myelin basic protein or a phosphoacceptor peptide that bears the specific phosphorylation site of the MAPK natural substrate. Similarly, phosphorylation of MAPK in tyrosine residues, as found in immunoblots using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, follows similar time- and dose-response curves as the kinase activation. Pretreatment of the cells with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein abrogates the above-mentioned effect, whereas the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid enhances both the basal and the GM-CSF-stimulated kinase activities. Likewise, MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation is diminished in genistein-treated neutrophils, and enhanced in okadaic acid-treated cells. We conclude that MAPK activity is present in human neutrophils, and that it is stimulated by GM-CSF. This stimulation of the activity is most likely due to the phosphorylation of MAPK in tyrosine residues triggered upon binding of GM-CSF to its receptors.
Effects of Weak High-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Biological Systems

I examine the constraints on the biological effects of the interactions of radio-frequency and microwave radiation imposed by thermodynamic noise. An analysis of the interaction of radiation with small biological elements at the cellular level shows that at power densities of 10 mw/cm2 (or 200 V/m), a level characteristic of occupational exposure limits, the interaction of electromagnetic fields with elements holding permanent charges or charge distributions will be masked by thermal noise and, hence, cannot be expected to generate biological effects.
History of the Wave Equation and Transforms in Engineering

Using Newton’s recently formulated laws of motion, Brook Taylor (1685–1721) discovered the wave equation by means of physical insight alone [1]. Daniel Bernouli (1700–1782) showed that an infinite summation of sinusoids can represent the general solution of the wave equation with given initial conditions [2]. Finally Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768–1830) showed that such an infinite sum, a Fourier series, can represent any discontinuous function under general conditions [3]. From this early work connecting the wave equation and the Fourier transform, much of engineering mathematics of wave motion and transformations has been developed.
Intravascular K+-Sensitive Electrodes for Clinical Monitoring

During the last few years we have witnessed almost an exponential rise in the number of clinical monitors utilizing potassium-sensitive electrodes based on the valinomycin-PVC matrix membrane (1, 3, 4, 5). The introduction of these devices to the clinical setting has been limited, however, to in vitro or extracorporeal measurements due to problems (or, at least, uncertainties) concerning sterility and patient safety. We hoped to avoid some of these problems by using a different polymer matrix that is biocompatible and that can be sterilized; alleviation of these problems should permit direct on-line measurements of intravascular K+ in man.
TRPV4-mediated trigeminal pain: behavior assessments and mechanisms

Trigeminal pain represents one of the worst pains that humans can suffer. One of the obstacles towards development of rationally targeted therapies is rooted in shortcomings of available animal models for trigeminal pain. Another roadblock is lack of clear understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie this type of pain. TRPV4 is a polymodally activated Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channel that is activated by a variety of factors, including chemical, osmotic, mechanical, moderate heat and low pH stimuli. Previous studies detected that it is highly expressed in trigeminal ganglion (TG) sensory neurons with small diameter, indicating it might function in trigeminally mediated pain. We first demonstrated that the TRPV4 channel is critical for TMJ-inflammation evoked pain behavior in mice, and that TG pro-nociceptive changes are Trpv4-dependent. As a quantitative metric, bite force was recorded as evidence of masticatory sensitization, in keeping with human translational studies. In Trpv4-/- mice with TMJ-inflammation, attenuation of bite force was significantly reduced compared to WTs. TMJ-inflammation and mandibular skeletal changes were apparent after CFA injections, but remarkably independent of Trpv4 genotype. Intriguingly, as a result of TMJ-inflammation, WT mice exhibited significant up-regulation of TRPV4 and phospho-ERK in TMJ-innervating TG neurons, absent in Trpv4-/- mice. Mice with genetically impaired MEK/ERK phosphorylation in neurons showed a similar resistance to reduction of bite-force as Trpv4-/- mice. Thus, TRPV4 is necessary for masticatory sensitization in TMJ-inflammation, and likely functions up-stream of MEK/ERK phosphorylation in TG neurons in-vivo. Next, we tested whether TRPV4 ion channels might be critical for irritant-evoked trigeminal pain behavior. Our results demonstrate TRPV4 to be critically involved in trigeminal nocifensive behavior evoked by whisker-pad injections of formalin. We have used Trpv4-/- mice and TRPV4-specific antagonists in mice to support this conclusion. Furthermore, our results imply TRPV4 to activate MEK-ERK in TG neurons. Importantly, cellular studies suggest that TRPV4 can be activated directly by formalin to gate Ca2+ ions. Last, we developed a novel behavioral assay of water licking for assessing trigeminal irritant pain. We found that formalin-induced irritation in the V2 territory decreased the water licking times and increased the latency of first water licking in WT, which were significantly attenuated in Trpv4-/- mice. Taken together, our results imply that TRPV4 represents a novel pro-nociceptive target in trigeminal pain including TMJ, and thus a potential target for novel pain alleviating strategies for TMJ and other trigeminal pain disorders.
Patient-Physician Discussions on Lung Cancer Screening: A Missed Teachable Moment to Promote Smoking Cessation.

Introduction Little is known about whether patients and physicians perceive lung cancer screening (LCS) as a teachable moment to promote smoking cessation or the degree to which physicians in "real world" settings link LCS discussions with smoking cessation counseling. We sought to characterize patient and physician perspectives of discussions about smoking cessation during LCS. Methods We conducted a qualitative study (interviews and focus groups) with 21 physicians and 28 smokers screened in four diverse hospitals. Transcripts were analyzed for characteristics of communication about smoking cessation and LCS, the perceived effect on motivation to quit smoking, the degree to which physicians leverage LCS as a teachable moment to promote smoking cessation, and suggestions to improve patient-physician communication about smoking cessation in the context of LCS. Results Patients reported that LCS made them more cognizant of the health consequences of smoking, priming them for a teachable moment. While physicians and patients both acknowledged that smoking cessation counseling was frequent, they described little connection between their discussions regarding LCS and smoking cessation counseling. Physicians identified several barriers to integrating discussions on smoking cessation and LCS. They volunteered communication strategies by which LCS could be leveraged to promote smoking cessation. Conclusions LCS highlights the harms of smoking to patients who are chronic, heavy smokers and thus may serve as a teachable moment for promoting smoking cessation. However, this opportunity is typically missed in clinical practice. Implications LCS highlights the harms of smoking to heavily addicted smokers. Yet both physicians and patients reported little connection between LCS and tobacco treatment discussions due to multiple barriers. On-site tobacco treatment programs and post-screening messaging tailored to the LCS results are needed to maximize the health outcomes of LCS, including smoking quit rates and longer-term smoking-related morbidity and mortality.
Drug Kingpins and Blacklisting: Compliance Issues with U.S. Economic Sanctions, (Part 1)

The proliferation of different sanctions programs and their accompanying blacklists over the last decade poses a number of issues for those seeking to comply with the Government's controls in good faith. To explore these issues Congress created the Judicial Review Commission on Foreign Asset Control when it passed the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, and directed that the Commission conduct a "review of the current judicial, regulatory, and administrative authorities" relating to the sanctions and "evaluate the remedies available to United States persons" affected by the sanctions. In order to carry out its duties, it's essential that the Commission consider the Kingpin Act sanctions against the backdrop of the Office of Foreign Assets Control's other sanctions programs. While individual sanctions programs are typically created by Government policy makers with a narrow focus on a specific objective, the compliance programs that private parties must craft must integrate all the various programs into a coherent whole in order to manage their business dealings. Accordingly, the full impact of the requirements of any one set of controls, such as the Kingpin Act sanctions, can only be fully appreciated when compared to OFAC's other programs. The aim of this paper is to survey these "compliance" issues. It is an effort to highlight, without delving into the political policies motivating any particular sanctions program, the practical difficulties facing private parties in meeting the requirements of OFAC's disparate programs, including the Kingpin Act sanctions. This is Part 1 of a three part series.
Biology and distribution of Agrilus macer LeConte (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a species associated with sugarberry (Celtis laevigata Willd.) mortality in the southeastern USA

Agrilus macer is attacking sugarberry trees in the southeastern USA, a region from which few specimens have been previously collected. Despite attacking at high densities, this species appears to be a secondary pest, and there is no evidence it carries harmful fungal pathogens. Because the genus Agrilus Curtis includes significant forest pests, the association of a poorly known species, Agrilus macer LeConte, with unexplained sugarberry (Celtis laevigata Willd.) mortality in the southeastern USA is a cause for alarm. This study sought to investigate the distribution and biology of A. macer and determine whether the species is a primary cause of observed tree mortality. Through a series of studies and literature searches, we documented aspects of A. macer biology and distribution while focusing on egg-laying behavior and searching for fungal pathogens associated with oviposition sites. A. macer appears to be widely distributed throughout the southern USA, but most records are from Texas and Louisiana. Egg mass densities up to 1.2 masses per 10 cm2 (equivalent to ~ 1.9 eggs per cm2) were observed on trunks, branches, and exposed roots of dying C. laevigata trees in our study area, with an average of 16 eggs per mass. Fungi isolated from discolored sapwood around larval galleries did not cause defoliation, dieback, or mortality of sugarberry in inoculation trials. Our findings suggest that A. macer is a secondary pest on sugarberry and does not transmit harmful fungal pathogens.
CMOS mm-wave system-on-chip for sensing and communication

CMOS technology offers relatively low performance at mm-wave frequencies compared with other III-V technologies and the high levels of process variation further exacerbate design margins. This paper discusses several CMOS system-on-chips (SoCs) developed by JPL through collaboration with UCLA that use a self-healing approach to optimize mm-wave transceiver performance, as well as calibrate operation at runtime. Several applications will be discussed for mm-wave spectroscopy, radar, and communication systems, with SoCs demonstrated at V, W and D band.
Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Induce Growth and Survival of Multiple Myeloma Cells: Therapeutic Application.

Abstract The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment confers growth, survival, and drug resistance in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Here we have characterized the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in the MM BM milieu. Immunochemistry (IHC) analysis of tissue microarrays on MM patient BM biopsies with Abs specific against pDCs (CD123) and MM cells (CD138) shows pDCs in proximity of MM cells. Quantification of pDCs obtained by direct isolation from MM patient BM aspirates or peripheral blood (PB) showed increased numbers of pDCs in MM-BM compared to PB. Freshly isolated pDCs from normal healthy donors stimulate significant growth of MM cells: 4.1 ± 0.8 fold increase {3H}-thymidine uptake in MM cells co-cultured with pDCs versus control MM cells alone, (P
GHz Ultrasonic Chip-Scale Device Induces Ion Channel Stimulation in Human Neural Cells

Emergent trends in the device development for neural prosthetics have focused on establishing stimulus localization, improving longevity through immune compatibility, reducing energy re-quirements, and embedding active control in the devices. Ultrasound stimulation can single-handedly address several of these challenges. Ultrasonic stimulus of neurons has been studied extensively from 100 kHz to 10 MHz, with high penetration but less localization. In this paper, a chip-scale device consisting of piezoelectric Aluminum Nitride ultrasonic transducers was engineered to deliver gigahertz (GHz) ultrasonic stimulus to the human neural cells. These devices provide a path towards complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integration towards fully controllable neural devices. At GHz frequencies, ultrasonic wavelengths in water are a few microns and have an absorption depth of 10–20 µm. This confinement of energy can be used to control stimulation volume within a single neuron. This paper is the first proof-of-concept study to demonstrate that GHz ultrasound can stimulate neurons in vitro. By utilizing optical calcium imaging, which records calcium ion flux indicating occurrence of an action potential, this paper demonstrates that an application of a nontoxic dosage of GHz ultrasonic waves $$(\ge 0.05\frac{W}{c{m}^{2}})$$ caused an average normalized fluorescence intensity recordings >1.40 for the calcium transients. Electrical effects due to chip-scale ultrasound delivery was discounted as the sole mechanism in stimulation, with effects tested at α = 0.01 statistical significance amongst all intensities and con-trol groups. Ionic transients recorded optically were confirmed to be mediated by ion channels and experimental data suggests an insignificant thermal contributions to stimulation, with a predicted increase of 0.03 oC for $$1.2\frac{W}{c{m}^{2}}\cdot $$ This paper paves the experimental framework to further explore chip-scale axon and neuron specific neural stimulation, with future applications in neural prosthetics, chip scale neural engineering, and extensions to different tissue and cell types.
Social Control and the Gang: Lessons from the Legalization of Street Gangs in Ecuador

In 2008, the Ecuadorian Government launched a policy to increase public safety as part of its “Citizens’ Revolution” (La Revolucion Ciudadana). An innovative aspect of this policy was the legalization of the country’s largest street gangs. During the years 2016–2017, we conducted ethnographic research with these groups focusing on the impact of legalization as a form of social inclusion. We were guided by two research questions: (1) What changed between these groups and society? and (2) What changed within these groups? We completed field observations and sixty qualitative interviews with group members, as well as multiple formal and informal interviews with government advisors, police leaders and state actors related to the initiative. Our data show that the commitment to social citizenship had a major impact on gang-related violence and was a factor in reducing the nation’s homicide rate. The study provides an example of social control where the state is committed to polices of social inclusion while rejecting the dominant model of gang repression and social exclusion practiced throughout the Americas.
Tracking the U.S. health sector: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Health spending has grown faster than the U.S. economy for decades and currently represents approximately 18% of gross domestic product. As with other sectors of the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on this growth of the health sector and the labor force that supports it. This paper examines that impact, describing how health care spending, employment, and prices have evolved since the start of the pandemic, using data from the authors' Health Sector Economic Indicators (HSEI) series. After unprecedented drops in March and April of 2020, both spending and employment have gradually recovered but, by the end of the summer, remained below their pre-COVID levels. Prices, on the other hand, have continued to rise. The paper compares these patterns with those observed in earlier recessions and describes some likely reasons for them.
Equality in the Home and in the Community: a Multilevel Longitudinal Analysis of Intimate Partner Violence on the Ecuadorian-Colombian Border

Intimate partner violence (IPV) effects over a third of Latin American women and results in significant health, economic and social consequences. While theory suggests that increasing the status of women, in their homes and neighborhoods, should prevent IPV, little empirical work has tested this in South America, in particular examining neighborhood-level indicators. We conduct multilevel analysis to identify predictors of recent emotional and physical and/or sexual IPV within a longitudinal sample of 1312 low-income women living in northern Ecuador, near the Colombian border. Status indicators, measured at the household and neighborhood-level, included women’s asset ownership, intra-household decision making, labor force participation, and education, age, and salary relative to male partner. Females’ increasing participation in household decision-making (between time 1 and time 2) was associated with decreased risk of physical and/or sexual (AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.78) and emotional IPV (AOR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.30, 1.06), although the latter was marginally significant. Increases in neighborhood-level decision-making was protective against emotional IPV (AOR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.99). Women with lower education than their partners were significantly more likely to experience IPV than women with the same or more education as their partner. Indicators of economic status of women were not associated with IPV outcomes in the expected directions. Findings support policies and interventions seeking to raise the status of women as a mechanism to reduce IPV. Future research can explore economic empowerment and IPV, as well as the interaction between household and neighborhood-level factors.
Measuring and Modeling Nonlinear Interactions Between Brain Regions with fMRI

In the study of connectivity in large-scale networks of brain regions, a standard assumption is made that the statistical dependence between regions is univariate and linear. However, brain regions encode information in multivariate responses, and neural computations are nonlinear. Multivariate and nonlinear statistical dependence between regions is likely ubiquitous, but it is not captured by current methods. To fill this gap, we introduce a novel analysis framework: fMRI responses are characterized as points in multidimensional spaces, and nonlinear dependence is modeled using artificial neural networks. Converging evidence from multiple experiments shows that nonlinear dependence 1) models mappings between brain regions more accurately than linear dependence, explaining more variance in left-out data; 2) reveals functional subdivisions within cortical networks, and 3) is modulated by the task participants are performing.
Hemoptysis and Pulmonary Hemorrhage

Hemoptysis is an uncommon complaint in pediatrics with a broad differential diagnosis. Most frequent etiologies include underlying conditions such as heart disease and bronchiectasis. Bronchoscopy is useful for localizing the source of bleeding to the respiratory tract, pinpointing the location within the respiratory tract, and distinguishing an acute from a chronic bleed. Various therapies for refractory bleeding may be applied via the bronchoscope.