cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FGFR1 signaling in hypertrophic chondrocytes is attenuated by the Ras-GAP neurofibromin during endochondral bone formation

Aberrant fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) signaling disrupts chondrocyte proliferation and growth plate size and architecture, leading to various chondrodysplasias or bone overgrowth. These observations suggest that the duration, intensity and cellular context of FGFR signaling during growth plate chondrocyte maturation require tight, regulated control for proper bone elongation. However, the machinery fine-tuning FGFR signaling in chondrocytes is incompletely defined. We report here that neurofibromin, a Ras-GAP encoded by Nf1, has an overlapping expression pattern with FGFR1 and FGFR3 in prehypertrophic chondrocytes, and with FGFR1 in hypertrophic chondrocytes during endochondral ossification. Based on previous evidence that neurofibromin inhibits Ras-ERK signaling in chondrocytes and phenotypic analogies between mice with constitutive FGFR1 activation and Nf1 deficiency in Col2a1-positive chondrocytes, we asked whether neurofibromin is required to control FGFR1-Ras-ERK signaling in maturing chondrocytes in vivo. Genetic Nf1 ablation in Fgfr1-deficient chondrocytes reactivated Ras-ERK1/2 signaling in hypertrophic chondrocytes and reversed the expansion of the hypertrophic zone observed in mice lacking Fgfr1 in Col2a1-positive chondrocytes. Histomorphometric and gene expression analyses suggested that neurofibromin, by inhibiting Rankl expression, attenuates pro-osteoclastogenic FGFR1 signaling in hypertrophic chondrocytes. We also provide evidence suggesting that neurofibromin in prehypertrophic chondrocytes, downstream of FGFRs and via an indirect mechanism, is required for normal extension and organization of proliferative columns. Collectively, this study indicates that FGFR signaling provides an important input into the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK1/2 signaling axis in chondrocytes, and that this input is differentially regulated during chondrocyte maturation by a complex intracellular machinery, of which neurofibromin is a critical component.
Temperature anisotropy instabilities in a plasma of two ion components

This paper studies the linear dispersion properties of ion temperature anisotropy instabilities in an infinite, homogeneous Vlasov plasma containing a second, cooler-ion component. The cooler component enhances the T ‖ >T ⊥ firehose instability, as well as the T ⊥ >T ‖ , ion-cyclotron instability, by making the waves more resonant with the ions. The effect of various parameters on this enhancement is studied numerically.
Polyimide structure–property relationships. III. Polyimides from multi‐ring diamines

The effects of increasing the distance between, and varying the isomeric positions of, the amine groups on the glass transition temperatures of aromatic polyimides were studied in order to investigate routes to improve processability. A number of isomers of three- and four-ring benzenoid diamine systems were polymerized with 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride to poly(amic acids), which were converted to polyimides. The use of methylene and carbonyl groups to connect the benzene rings of the diamines, and in one case the dianhydride, afforded a comparison of the thermomechanical properties of the polyimides to those prepared from diphenylmethane- and benzophenone-diamines, respectively. Generally, the dilution of the imide content by the insertion of benzylene and benzoylene segments into the diamines significantly reduced the glass transition temperatures, with the benzylene group being more effective in that respect than the benzoylene. However, there was evidence that the position isomerism (ortho, meta, para) of the amine groups was more influential in affecting the glass transition temperatures of aromatic polyimides than was the dilution of the imide content.
Children in families of torture victims: transgenerational transmission of parents’ traumatic experiences to their children

This article details a study to test the hypothesis that immigrant children whose parents have been tortured before coming to Sweden suffer from depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress symptoms, somatisation and behavioural disorders. Fifteen families where at least one of the parents had experienced torture were compared with fifteen families from a similar ethnic and cultural background where their parents might have experienced violence but not torture. The parents were investigated using interviews, the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) and Harvard/Uppsala Trauma Questionnaire (H/UTQ). The children were assessed using the DICA-interview according to DSM-IV. On the H/UTQ test, traumatised parents scored higher with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, somatisation, anxiety and psychosocial stress symptoms. On the KSP, they scored higher on nine of the fifteen sub-scales. The fathers in the tortured group scored higher than their wives only on the sub-scale for guilt. According to the DICA-interviews, the children of tortured parents had more symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, attention deficits and behavioural disorders compared with the comparison group. Social workers, psy-chiatrists, psychologists and teachers need to be aware of a possible transmission of parents’ traumatic experiences to their children and to develop treatment methods for children of torture victims.
Electromagnetically induced transparency with spectator momenta

The prototype situation for both coherent population trapping and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) occurs in an ideal three-state atom. We show that, to obtain transparency and near unity refractive index, instead of tuning the lasers to a Ramanlike subset of the split transitions, one should tune the lasers to the centers of gravity of the splittings that are caused by the spectator momentum. We also report the first demonstration of EIT with pulsed lasers in an optically thick sample of atoms which exhibit hyperfine structure using this approach. We obtain the real and imaginary parts of the dipole moment for the multistate system by weak probe perturbation theory and numerical simulations.
Evolution of Centromeric Retrotransposons in Grasses

Centromeric retrotransposons (CRs) constitute a family of plant retroelements, some of which have the ability to target their insertion almost exclusively to the functional centromeres. Our exhaustive analysis of CR family members in four grass genomes revealed not only horizontal transfer (HT) of CR elements between the oryzoid and panicoid grass lineages but also their subsequent recombination with endogenous elements that in some cases created prolific recombinants in foxtail millet and sorghum. HT events are easily identifiable only in cases where host genome divergence significantly predates HT, thus documented HT events likely represent only a fraction of the total. If the more difficult to detect ancient HT events occurred at frequencies similar to those observable in present day grasses, the extant long terminal repeat retrotransposons represent the mosaic products of HT and recombination that are optimized for retrotransposition in their host genomes. This complicates not only phylogenetic analysis but also the establishment of a meaningful retrotransposon nomenclature, which we have nevertheless attempted to implement here. In contrast to the plant-centric naming convention used currently for CR elements, we classify elements primarily based on their phylogenetic relationships regardless of host plant, using the exhaustively studied maize elements assigned to six different subfamilies as a standard. The CR2 subfamily is the most widely distributed of the six CR subfamilies discovered in grass genomes to date and thus the most likely to play a functional role at grass centromeres.
Progression of spinal deformity in wheelchair-dependent patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who are not treated with steroids: coronal plane (scoliosis) and sagittal plane (kyphosis, lordosis) deformity

We determined the frequency, rate and extent of development of scoliosis (coronal plane deformity) in wheelchair-dependent patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who were not receiving steroid treatment. We also assessed kyphosis and lordosis (sagittal plane deformity). The extent of scoliosis was assessed on sitting anteroposterior (AP) spinal radiographs in 88 consecutive non-ambulatory patients with DMD. Radiographs were studied from the time the patients became wheelchair-dependent until the time of spinal fusion, or the latest assessment if surgery was not undertaken. Progression was estimated using a longitudinal mixed-model regression analysis to handle repeated measurements. Scoliosis ≥ 10° occurred in 85 of 88 patients (97%), ≥ 20° in 78 of 88 (89%) and ≥ 30° in 66 of 88 patients (75%). The fitted longitudinal model revealed that time in a wheelchair was a highly significant predictor of the magnitude of the curve, independent of the age of the patient (p < 0.001). Scoliosis developed in virtually all DMD patients not receiving steroids once they became wheelchair-dependent, and the degree of deformity deteriorated over time. In general, scoliosis increased at a constant rate, beginning at the time of wheelchair-dependency (p < 0.001). In some there was no scoliosis for as long as three years after dependency, but scoliosis then developed and increased at a constant rate. Some patients showed a rapid increase in the rate of progression of the curve after a few years – the clinical phenomenon of a rapidly collapsing curve over a few months. A sagittal plane kyphotic deformity was seen in 37 of 60 patients (62%) with appropriate radiographs, with 23 (38%) showing lumbar lordosis (16 (27%) abnormal and seven (11%) normal). This study provides a baseline to assess the effects of steroids and other forms of treatment on the natural history of scoliosis in patients with DMD, and an approach to assessing spinal deformity in the coronal and sagittal planes in wheelchair-dependent patients with other neuromuscular disorders. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:100–5.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibition in ophthalmology: aqueous humor secretion and the development of sulfonamide inhibitors.

In this and the companion work by my dear friend and colleague of 40 years, Per Wistrand, we shall dry to outline the various roles of carbonic anhydrase (CA) in the eye, giving briefly the chemistry and physiology of the reactions and the pharmacology of inhibiting sulfonamides. Much of this has been told before, and these references should be used for more detailed descriptions (Maren, 1987, 1995; Sugrue, 1996).
Personal and Professional Characteristics of Music Educators: One Size Does Not Fit All

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis The prevalence of voice disorders among various educator groups is well known, and voice disorders among music educators are higher than the general classroom educators. Music educators vary with respect to behavioral and personality factors, personal characteristics, type of music taught, job-specific environment, and governmental professional expectations. This study aims to identify risk factors for voice disorders in a heterogeneous population of music educators. Study Design An online survey was conducted with 213 respondents. Methods Survey questions addressed demographics, level of education, years of music teaching experience, specialty training, primary teaching assignments and instrument, vocal health behaviors, and diagnoses of voice disorders. Summary statistics and group comparisons are reported. Results Those whose primary instrument was voice reported a greater frequency of voice disorders. Female and older music educators also had a higher prevalence of voice disorders. Conclusions Music educators are a heterogeneous group of individuals who require more careful consideration in the prevention and treatment of occupational voice problems.
Free-Edge Interlaminar Stresses in Angle-Ply Laminates: A Family of Analytic Solutions

A family of analytic solutions for the prediction of interlaminar stresses in angle-ply laminates has been developed and is presented in a unified form and as a unique set of solutions. The uniqueness of the formulation is demonstrated for the class of thermomechanical states of deformation for which the solutions are valid. These are shown to be limited to the specific cases wherein only two in-plane stress components and one interlaminar stress components are nonzero. Interlaminar shear stress in the angle-ply laminate subjected to thermomechanical loading conditions of uniaxial extension, uniform temperature change, and anticlastic bending is shown to make up the family of solutions in the unified formulation. Further, these are shown to comprise the complete set of the solutions and the conditions which control the limitations of this family of solutions are articulated.
Numerical Study of Obstacles in Rotating Detonation Engines

A University of Cincinnati computational fluid dynamic study is being carried out to investigate obstacles in a Rotating Detonation Engine configuration. A two-dimensional periodically bounded simulation is used to test walls and ramps in the path of a Rotating Detonation Engine, with respect to its ability to stabilize flow and prevent reversed detonation waves that can cause blowout in RDE systems. Data have shown a direct initiation of detonation near a ramp followed by a step to propagate only in the direction away from the step, if initiated next to the step. Additional characterization of this ramp is done with more realistic injector plates. In addition, walls intruding from below or in the middle of the flow are tested to see their initial effects on an RDE.
A Data Base Approach to Laboratory Computerization

The Regenstrief Clinical Laboratory System (RCLS) has been operational since 1975 at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. The clinician support, use of a true data base management system, and the user interfaces distinguish this system from many commercially available laboratory systems. Physician reports include laboratory, clinical ( e.g ., physical examination), pharmacy, and radiology data in a single, compact flow sheet. The system can search patient medical records for conditions that may require corrective action and inform physicians of the reasons these actions should be considered. The RCLS data base and its flexible data retrieval capabilities provide a variety of effective technics for monitoring laboratory utilization. The site-specific modifications required to transport this system do not require reprogramming. Important laboratory support features include highly “user friendly” design, multiple specimen numbering sequences, large amounts of free text, reports that can be tailored by non-programmer personnel, CAP accounting statistics, online instrument interfaces, and extensive online instructional facilities.
Estrous cycle and temporal pattern of feeding in female rats.

The effects of the estrous cycle and access to running wheels on the pattern of feeding were studied in 24 female albino rats using two methods, an indirect method (photocell beam interruption) and a direct observation of feeding. Although aspects of feeding differed with the method, the following results obtained with both methods. A minimum in the number of bursts of feeding and to a lesser extent the duration of bursts of feeding occurred in estrus. The estrous cycle and access-to-running wheel conditions interacted in affecting the organization of bursts into longer meal-taking periods. The results were considered consistent with the notion that estrus raises the threshold of feeding as a response to stimuli.
Fumigation of cereal grains and processed products in transport vehicles with phosphine from Detia Ex-B.

Bulk flour, bulk middlings, bagged flour, bulk brown rice, and a variety of packaged processed cereal products in boxcars, hopper cars, and a trailer van were fumigated with a powdered formulation of aluminum phosphide (Detia Ex-B®). Dosages were as close to 33 g PH3/28.32 m3 (1000 ft3) as possible although variations in the volume of the vehicle precluded an exact dosage. All test insects, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal, Silophilus oryzae (L.), and Cadra cautella (Walker), were killed except when faulty construction of the vehicle resulted in low concentrations of phosphine.
Evaluation on Vertical Sealing Nature of Main Faults in Chegu-20Burried Hill

The faults development and evolution features in Chegu-20burried hill as well as their vertical sealing mechanisms and affected factors are analyzed.The main factors controlling vertical sealing faults are the pressure exerted on fault plane and the shale content.From the modeling result of compressive experiment,the plastically deformed limitation of mudstone is presented,and the method for prediction of sandy and shale contents in fault zone is established by its lithology and fault throw.Based on these,the vertical sealing nature of Chegu-20burried hill in Carboniferous-Permian to Paleogene are evaluated.It is pointed out that the faults are all characterized by vertical sealing nature in C-P to Es4except for faults F23,F42and F1in Line-298and a-long Chegu-203-Chegu-20-Chegu-201.They show that this area possesses significant conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation and preservation.
A Study on Shade Tolerance of Four Shrub Species

The shade tolerance of four light-loving shrub plants namely Deutzia grandiflora,Vitex negundo var.heterophylla,Myripnois dioica and Jatropha curcas were studied.Different shading treatments were imposed on the tested plant species,the photosynthesis,respiration and change of relative physiological data were measured so as to compare the physiological change caused of these four species caused by shading treatment,and the shade tolerance of these tested species were ranked.The study results showed that shading treatment affected photosynthesis and other relative physiological indexes to different extends,the shade tolerance of decreased in the order of Myripnois dioica,Deutzia grandiflora,Jatropha curcas and Vitex negundo var.heterophylla.
Three-Dimensional Approximation

A polypoldron (p–p) is a three-dimensional algebraic element defined by a set of boundary faces enclosing a simply connected region. The faces intersect on boundary edges that are segments of space curves. These edges meet at the vertices of the element.
Pyruvate dehydrogenase levels are low in sepsis

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) is a key component of aerobic metabolism. Multiple rodent studies have shown that PDH levels are low in sepsis. This leads to a shift to anaerobic metabolism, resulting in increased lactic acid. Alteration in PDH levels during sepsis, however, has never been studied in humans. The aim of this study was to identify whether PDH levels (activity and quantity) were altered in humans in sepsis.
Legal Issues: Fair Use 'Goes Crazy”

It all started with a now 9 year old kid who reportedly enjoys Mozart. Back in 2007 a mom in Pennsylvania saw her kid doing something cute and whipped out the video camera. Her 13 month old was pushing a small walker around the kitchen while music played in the background. As mom focused her camera, the kid started “dancing”–well, bouncing up and down, smiling and giggling–and mom kept rolling for about 30 seconds. Since all babies are cute and all such moments should be shared with family and friends, the mom decided to share the video by posting it to YouTube (available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1KfJHFWlhQ) expecting it to only be of interest to grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other assorted relatives and family friends. Mom titled the video clip as “Let’s Go Crazy #1". The song playing in the background was Let’s Go Crazy from the album Purple Rain by Prince. Although the song is difficult to hear amid the static and background noise, there was enough of the song–likely coupled with the title of the video duplicating the title of the song–that Stephanie Lenz, the mom in question, received word that a DMCA takedown notice had been received from Universal. Music Corp, the company that administers Prince’s music copyrights and that YouTube had removed the video. Thus began a multi-year battle over the rights and obligations of copyright owners when targeting online infringement that could be considered fair use.
Building the blockchain world: Technological commonwealth or just more of the same?†

Blockchain technologies are reconfiguring the global economy, though often in contradictory ways. Blockchain technologies are disrupting key economic and financial sectors. Some blockchain applications allow for democratization of finance, services, agriculture, and governance, yet they may also deepen inequality and weaken democracy. We need new understandings of the countervailing tendencies of blockchain technologies and the contingencies that shape their deployment.
Improved Circuit Design of Analog Joint Source Channel Coding for Low-Power and Low-Complexity Wireless Sensors

To enable low-power and low-complexity wireless monitoring, an improved circuit design of Analog Joint Source Channel Coding (AJSCC) is proposed for wireless sensor nodes. This innovative design is based on Analog Divider Blocks (ADB) with tunable spacing between AJSCC levels. The ADB controls the switching between two types of Voltage Controlled Voltage Sources (VCVS). LTSpice simulations have been performed to evaluate the performance of the circuit, and the power consumption and circuit complexity of this new ADB-based design have been compared with our previous parallel-VCVS design. It is found that this improved circuit design based on ADB outperforms the design based on parallel VCVS for a large number of AJSCC levels (≥16), both in terms of power consumption as well as circuit complexity, thus enabling persistent and higher temporal/spatial resolution environmental sensing.
"I Am Nature": Understanding the Possibilities of Currere in Curriculum Studies and Aesthetics.

This article explores a perspective on nature and aesthetics as currere, which is the foundational concept of curriculum theory. Beginning with the statement “I am nature” by Jackson Pollock and mo...
A High Power Supply Rejection and Fast Settling Time Capacitor-Less LDO

This paper presents an internally compensated capacitor-less low dropout regulator (CL-LDO) with bulk-driven feed-forward supply noise cancellation and adaptive compensation for fast settling time ( TS ). A feed-forward path from the CL-LDO's supply input to the output is implemented to increase power supply rejection (PSR) from mid-range frequencies to up to 5 MHz. The CL-LDO achieves a −90 dB low frequency and –64 dB PSR at 1 MHz for 50 mA of load current ( IL ). A transconductance amplifier with adaptive Miller compensation based on IL sense is used to increase the unity-gain frequency by 40× at heavy loads. The CL-LDO achieves a 0.3 mV/V line regulation, 10 μ V/mA load regulation, 300 ns of TS , and 0.16 ps figure of merit, which is 7.5× better than current state-of-the-art CL-LDOs. The CL-LDO was fabricated in CMOS 130 nm technology, consumes IQ of 42 μ A, has a dropout voltage ( V DO) of 200 mV for IL of 50 mA, and occupies an active area of 0.0046 mm2.
Virus Survival in Wastewater Treatment

ABSTRACT The removal/inactivation of viruses during sewage treatment is reviewed. Almost all of our current knowledge on enteric virus removal is limited to enteroviruses, and research is needed on the removal of other enteric viruses during sewage treatment. Primary treatment removes 0-50% of the viruses initially present, while secondary treatment (biological) can be expected to remove 90-99%. Rotaviruses may not be as effectively removed by secondary sewage treatment as enteroviruses. Tertiary treatment involving chemical coagulation can be expected to further remove large numbers of viruses.
Relationship between Diet Quality, Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults: Findings from 2007–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

A growing body of research shows that diet quality and physical activity (PA) are associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, no study to date has assessed this association using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 as a measure of diet quality. Furthermore, few studies have examined the association between PA dose and HRQOL among a nationally representative sample of older adults. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between diet quality, physical activity, and HRQOL. To investigate the relationship between diet quality, physical activity, and HRQOL. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data obtained from 5,311 adults aged 60+ years who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2014. HRQOL was assessed by general health status, and number of physically unhealthy days, mentally unhealthy days, and inactive days in past 30 days. Diet quality was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2015 using data generated by two 24-hour dietary recalls. PA was measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multivariate logistic/or linear regression models were used to examine the association between diet quality, PA and HRQOL controlling for confounders and accounting for complex sampling. Approximately half of the participants (55.2%) were women, 45.1% met current PA recommendations, 65% had less healthful diets according to the Healthy Eating Index-2015. Diet quality was associated with HROQL. For every 1-point diet quality score increase, the likelihood of respondents rating their general health as being excellent/good increased by 3% (OR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.04), and number of inactive days (β =-0.03, 95%CI: -0.05, 0.00) and mental unhealthy days (β =-0.03, 95%CI: -0.05, -0.01) declined by 0.03 days. PA was associated with all HROQL measures and respondents with high PA levels reported better general health (OR=3.53, 95%CI: 2.69, 4.63), fewer inactive days (β =-1.53, 95%CI: -2.11, -0.95), fewer physical unhealthy days (β =-1.88, 95%CI: -2.74, -1.02) than individuals with low PA levels but not fewer mentally unhealthy days. Among older adults in this study, eating a healthier diet and being physically active were associated with better general health and reporting fewer physical unhealthy days and inactive days. Study results provide valuable information that could inform policies, programs and interventions designed to improve HRQOL in older adults and reduce potentially preventable health disparities.
Modeling Patient-Derived Glioblastoma with Cerebral Organoids.

Summary The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) remains dismal, with a median survival of approximately 15 months. Current preclinical GBM models are limited by the lack of a “normal” human microenvironment and the inability of many tumor cell lines to accurately reproduce GBM biology. To address these limitations, we have established a model system whereby we can retro-engineer patient-specific GBMs using patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSCs) and human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cerebral organoids. Our cerebral organoid glioma (GLICO) model shows that GSCs home toward the human cerebral organoid and deeply invade and proliferate within the host tissue, forming tumors that closely phenocopy patient GBMs. Furthermore, cerebral organoid tumors form rapidly and are supported by an interconnected network of tumor microtubes that aids in the invasion of normal host tissue. Our GLICO model provides a system for modeling primary human GBM ex vivo and for high-throughput drug screening.
Teaching Elementary Physical Education for the First Time: A Practical Checklist for Before, During, and After the First Week of School

This article is meant to serve as a macro guide for first-year teachers as they begin their career in elementary physical education. It is hoped that this simple checklist can serve as a tool for n...
Improving Note-Taking Skills for Students With Disabilities Through a Smartpen Intervention:

Students with disabilities (SWD; e.g., learning disabilities) often struggle with slower processing speed and poor working memory skills, which reduce the quality of their notes. This study evaluat...
Complexing Agent Directed Growth of α-Zirconium Phosphate-Based Hexagonal Prisms.

A layered prism is an ideal system for fundamental studies due to its unique structure with uniform-sized sheets. However, there are very limited reports in the last few decades on the preparation ...
A portable single-sided magnetic-resonance sensor for the grading of liver steatosis and fibrosis.

Low-cost non-invasive diagnostic tools for staging the progression of non-alcoholic chronic liver failure from fatty liver disease to steatohepatitis are unavailable. Here, we describe the development and performance of a portable single-sided magnetic-resonance sensor for grading liver steatosis and fibrosis using diffusion-weighted multicomponent T2 relaxometry. In a diet-induced mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the sensor achieved overall accuracies of 92% (Cohen’s kappa, κ = 0.89) and 86% (κ = 0.78) in the ex vivo grading of steatosis and fibrosis, respectively. Localization of the measurements in living mice through frequency-dependent spatial encoding led to an overall accuracy of 87% (κ = 0.81) for the grading of steatosis. In human liver samples, the sensor graded steatosis with an overall accuracy of 93% (κ = 0.88). The use of T2 relaxometry as a sensitive measure in fully automated low-cost magnetic-resonance devices at the point of care would alleviate the accessibility and cost limits of magnetic-resonance imaging for diagnosing liver disease and assessing liver health before liver transplantation. A portable magnetic-resonance sensor accurately grades liver steatosis and fibrosis in living mice and human liver samples.
Heterologous expression, purification, and characterization of proteins in the lanthanome

Recent work has revealed that certain lanthanides-in particular, the more earth-abundant, lighter lanthanides-play essential roles in pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) dependent alcohol dehydrogenases from methylotrophic and non-methylotrophic bacteria. More recently, efforts of several laboratories have begun to identify the molecular players (the lanthanome) involved in selective uptake, recognition, and utilization of lanthanides within the cell. In this chapter, we present protocols for the heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, purification, and characterization of many of the currently known proteins that comprise the lanthanome of the model facultative methylotroph, Methylorubrum extorquens AM1. In addition to the methanol dehydrogenase XoxF, these proteins include the associated c-type cytochrome, XoxG, and solute binding protein, XoxJ. We also present new, streamlined protocols for purification of the highly selective lanthanide-binding protein, lanmodulin, and a solute binding protein for PQQ, PqqT. Finally, we discuss simple, spectroscopic methods for determining lanthanide- and PQQ-binding stoichiometry of proteins. We envision that these protocols will be useful to investigators identifying and characterizing novel members of the lanthanome in many organisms.
Vagus nerve stimulation enhances fear extinction as an inverted-U function of stimulation intensity.

Abstract Studies in rodents indicate that pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with extinction training enhances fear extinction. However, the role of stimulation parameters on the effects of VNS remains largely unknown. Identifying the optimal stimulation intensity is a critical step in clinical translation of neuromodulation-based therapies. Here, we sought to investigate the role of stimulation intensity in rats receiving VNS paired with extinction training in a rat model for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent single prolonged stress followed by a severe fear conditioning training and were implanted with a VNS device. After recovery, independent groups of rats were exposed to extinction training paired with sham (0 mA) or VNS at different intensities (0.4, 0.8, or 1.6 mA). VNS intensities of 0.4 mA or 0.8 mA decreased conditioned fear during extinction training compared to sham stimulation. Pairing extinction training with moderate VNS intensity of 0.8 mA produced significant reduction in conditioned fear during extinction retention when rats were tested a week after VNS-paired extinction. High intensity VNS at 1.6 mA failed to enhance extinction. These findings indicate that a narrow range of VNS intensities enhances extinction learning, and suggest that the 0.8 mA VNS intensity used in earlier rodent and human stroke studies may also be the optimal in using VNS as an adjuvant in exposure therapies for PTSD.
CT radiomic features of photodynamic priming in clinical pancreatic adenocarcinoma treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers localized focal ablation in unresectable pancreatic tumors while tissues surrounding the treatment volume experience a lower light dose, termed photodynamic priming (PDP). While PDP does not cause tissue damage, it has been demonstrated to promote vascular permeability, improve drug delivery, alleviate tumor cell density, and reduce desmoplasia and the resultant internal pressure in pre-clinical evaluation. Preclinical data supports PDP as a neoadjuvant therapy beneficial to subsequent chemotherapy or immunotherapy, yet it is challenging to quantify PDP effects in clinical treatment without additional imaging and testing. This study investigated the potential of radiomic analysis using CT scans acquired before and after PDT to identify areas experiencing PDT-induced necrosis as well as quantify PDP effects in the surrounding tissues. A total of 235 CT tumor slices from seven patients undergoing PDT for pancreatic tumors were examined. Radiomic features assessed included intensity metrics (CT number in Hounsfield Units) and texture analysis using several gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) parameters. Pre-treatment scans of tumor areas that resulted in PDT-induced necrosis showed statistically significant differences in intensity and texture-based features that could be used to predict the regions that did respond (paired t-test, response versus no response,p < 0.001). Evaluation of PDP effects on the surrounding tissues also demonstrated statistically significant differences, in tumor mean value, standard deviation, and GLCM parameters of contrast, dissimilarity and homogeneity (t-test, pre versus post,p < 0.001). Using leave-one-out cross validation, six intensity and texture-based features were combined into a support-vector machine model which demonstrated reliable prediction of treatment effects for six out of seven patients (ROC curve, AUC = 0.93). This study provides pilot evidence that texture features extracted from CT scans could be utilized as an effective clinical diagnostic prediction and assessment of PDT and PDP effects in pancreatic tumors. (clinical trial NCT03033225).
Evaluation of Rocuronium Continuous Infusion in Critically Ill Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Drug Shortages.

Background: Limited data exist to support the use of rocuronium continuous infusions in the intensive care unit (ICU). Objective: To evaluate the dosing and monitoring of adult patients who received rocuronium for hypoxemic respiratory failure during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study from March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020. We identified all adult patients admitted to any ICU who received rocuronium via continuous infusion. Patients were excluded if they received rocuronium for <6 hours. The main outcome of this study was to determine the median rocuronium maintenance continuous infusion rate in the ICU. Secondary outcomes of this study included the initial continuous infusion rate, duration of therapy, cumulative dose, frequency and median of rocuronium boluses, time to resolution of neuromuscular blockade, and the relationship between the hourly administration rates of rocuronium and train-of-four (TOF) assessments. Results: Seventy-one patients and 97 paralytic infusions were included. Fifty-nine patients (83%) were positive for SARS CoV-2. Of the 97 rocuronium infusions, the median dose at initiation was 3 (3-5) mcg/kg/min and duration of infusion was 45 (23.6-92.5) hours. The median continuous infusion maintenance rate was 4.3 (2.8-7.2) mcg/kg/min. There was a negligible correlation between the dose of rocuronium and the TOF results (r = .04). A total of 1775 TOFs were assessed, of which 46.2% were over-paralyzed, 35.7% well-paralyzed, and 18.1% under-paralyzed. Conclusions: The initial and maintenance infusion doses in our analysis were lower than what have been previously referenced.
Psychedelic-Inspired Approaches for Treating Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Psychedelics are increasingly being recognized for their potential to treat a wide range of brain disorders including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorder. Their broad therapeutic potential might result from an ability to rescue cortical atrophy common to many neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases by impacting neurotrophic factor gene expression, activating neuronal growth and survival mechanisms, and modulating the immune system. While the therapeutic potential of psychedelics has not yet been extended to neurodegenerative disorders, we provide evidence suggesting that approaches based on psychedelic science might prove useful for treating these diseases. The primary target of psychedelics, the 5-HT2A receptor, plays key roles in cortical neuron health and is dysregulated in Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, evidence suggests that psychedelics and related compounds could prove useful for treating the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). While more research is needed to probe the effects of psychedelics in models of neurodegenerative diseases, the robust effects of these compounds on structural and functional neuroplasticity and inflammation clearly warrant further investigation.
Housing Poverty and Inequality in Urban India

Inequitable distribution of resources, including physical capital such as housing, poses a threat to sustainable development . Employing a case of housing in urban India, focusing on renter and slum dwellers , this study documents housing inequality and poverty, examines whether and why there is a gap in living standards (measured by dwelling size), and estimates the demand for housing. The study uses decomposition analysis to identify causes of inequality and estimates demand for housing among owner, renter and slum dwellers, employing a national representative microdata over a survey of 50,000 households. The results revealed that the average floor area consumption in renter/slum households is about two-third of the owner households, ceteris paribus. The reason for poor quality of renter/slum dwellings is not limited to differences in endowment levels, but also includes different ‘rates of return’ to these endowments. In order to enhance housing consumption in renter/slum dwellers, in addition to income improvement strategies, there needs to be a focus on skills upgradation and provision of a stable employment base. Moreover, renters/slums dwellers are concentrated in million plus cities and in the western and eastern regions of the country. Therefore, specific housing programs should be designed to target these regions.
Industrial Consumer Behavior: Toward an Improved Model

This paper reports the findings of an extensive literature search and significant number of open ended interviews regarding how industrial equipment purchases are made. The authors find that a paradigm for the process can be constructed which will help researchers design empirical tests. The authors discuss key concepts of the interpersonal interactions which constitute industrial buying behavior. The process paradigm developed tends to confirm previous authors in that a two stage process seems to be quite general.
Shape and Nonrigid Motion Estimation

In our previous presentation of the shape and nonrigid motion estimation algorithm we did not incorporate formally in the estimation process the noise in the data.
Prevention of adult pneumococcal pneumonia with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: CAPiTA, the community-acquired pneumonia immunization trial in adults

The aging of the world population is expected to be accompanied by increased pneumococcal pneumonia in older adults. To address this, the Community-Acquired Pneumonia immunization Trial in Adults (CAPiTA), a large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted to assess the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in adults ≥65 years, found statistically significant vaccine efficacy for first episodes of vaccine-type community-acquired pneumonia (VT-CAP; 46%), nonbacteremic/noninvasive VT-CAP (45%), and VT invasive pneumococcal disease (75%), along with an acceptable safety profile. Study results were presented to the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in June 2014, which subsequently recommended sequential PCV13 and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination for adults ≥65 years. Thus, appropriate protection of adults at risk for pneumococcal CAP will include vaccination with PCV13.
Small Scale Mobile Hybrid Integrated Renewable Energy System (HI-RES) for Rapid Recovery and Emergency Response

The concept and inherent challenges associated with the development of a resilient, affordable, high quality integrated power generation, energy management and rapid recovery and emergency response (RRaER) capability for providing electrical power and sustained life support operations during power disruptions is the focus of this paper. Presently, small-scale emergency mobile backup HI-RES are expensive and used primarily for military operations. As recent headlines in the news point us towards potential threats on our energy infrastructure, it becomes more imperative for us to consider alternatives to sole dependence on our electrical power grid for supplying and meeting the demands of our global and rising consumer base. Distributed Resources (DR), such as the HI-RES RRaER Station, provide a viable option for reducing vulnerabilities of the electrical power grid while minimizing time of service to recovery while preserving focus on the human element.
Treatment of the effect of excluded volume and deduction of unperturbed dimensions of polymer chains. Configurational parameters for cellulose derivatives

Methods currently used for deducing unperturbed dimensions of polymer chains from intrinsic viscosities are examined and the hazards of linear extrapolation of plots of [η]2/3/M1/3 against either M2/3/[η]1/3 or M/[η] for this purpose are pointed out. Applications of this procedure to cellulose derivatives have led to erroneous results. Proper interpretation of newer data substantiated earlier conclusions to the effect that these chains tend to be more highly extended than those of other polymers, and that their unperturbed dimensions vary markedly from one solvent medium to another. Die Methoden zur Ermittlung der ungestorten Dimensionen von Polymerketten aus den STAUDINGER-Indices werden untersucht und die Fehlermoglichkeiten bei der linearen Extrapolation bei Auftragungen von [η]2/3/M1/3 gegen M2/3/[η]1/3 oder M/[η] dargelegt. Die Anwendung dieses Verfahrens auf Cellulosederivate hat zu falschen Ergebnissen gefuhrt. Eine geeignete Interpretation neuerer Ergebnisse erhartet fruhere Schlusse dahingehend, das die Celluloseketten gegenuber denen anderer Polymerer starker gestreckt sind und das die ungestorten Dimensionen deutlich vom Losungsmitteltyp abhangen.
The Unhappy ‘Reign’ of ‘Philippe VII’ 1883–1894

At each upheaval breaking the continuity of the regime, in 1848, in 1871, royalism will enjoy the benefits of its very nature: faithful to the legitimate sovereign it will survive the accidents of history. The only incident capable perhaps of digging at its roots will be a mere dynastic incident : the death of the Comte de Chambord... With Henri V, the King is dead. The royalists then faced a new problem: can royalism survive the King? Does the monarchical idea retain a raison d’etre and a semblance of reality beyond the person of the Monarch? 1
Acquired thermotolerance and heat shock proteins in thermophiles from the three phylogenetic domains.

Thermophilic organisms from each of the three phylogenetic domains (Bacteria, Archaea, and Eucarya) acquired thermotolerance after heat shock. Bacillus caldolyticus grown at 60 degrees C and heat shocked at 69 degrees C for 10 min showed thermotolerance at 74 degrees C, Sulfolobus shibatae grown at 70 degrees C and heat shocked at 88 degrees C for 60 min showed thermotolerance at 95 degrees C, and Thermomyces lanuginosus grown at 50 degrees C and heat shocked at 55 degrees C for 60 min showed thermotolerance at 58 degrees C. Determinations of protein synthesis during heat shock revealed differences in the dominant heat shock proteins for each species. For B. caldolyticus, a 70-kDa protein dominated while for S. shibatae, a 55-kDa protein dominated and for T. lanuginosus, 31- to 33-kDa proteins dominated. Reagents that disrupted normal protein synthesis during heat shock prevented the enhanced thermotolerance. Images
Preparing currently employed public health nurses for changes in the health system.

OBJECTIVES: This article describes a core public health nursing curriculum, part of a larger project designed to identify the skills needed by practicing public health workers if they are to successfully fill roles in the current and emerging public health system. METHODS: Two focus groups of key informants, representing state and local public health nursing practice, public health nursing education, organizations interested in public health and nursing education, federal agencies, and academia, synthesized material from multiple sources and outlined the key content for a continuing education curriculum appropriate to the current public health nursing workforce. RESULTS: The skills identified as most needed were those required for analyzing data, practicing epidemiology, measuring health status and organizational change, connecting people to organizations, bringing about change in organizations, building strength in diversity, conducting population-based intervention, building coalitions, strengthening environmental health, developing interdisciplinary teams, developing and advocating policy, evaluating programs, and devising approaches to quality improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between public health nursing practice and education and partnerships with other public health agencies will be essential for public health nurses to achieve the required skills to enhance public health infrastructure.
When Less is More: Relevance Feedback Falls Short and Term Expansion Succeeds at HARD 2005

Abstract : We used clarification forms to study passage term feedback. When compared against pseudo-relevance feedback with an extremely large external corpus, we found that passage feedback resulted in a reduction in performance while term feedback significantly improved recall.
A formal verification methodology for DDD mode pacemaker control programs

Pacemakers are safety-critical devices whose faulty behaviors can cause harm or even death. Often these faulty behaviors are caused due to bugs in programs used for digital control of pacemakers. We present a formal verification methodology that can be used to check the correctness of object code programs that implement the safety-critical control functions of DDD mode pacemakers. Our methodology is based on the theory of Well-Founded Equivalence Bisimulation (WEB) refinement, where both formal specifications and implementation are treated as transition systems. We develop a simple and general formal specification for DDD mode pacemakers. We also develop correctness proof obligations that can be applied to validate object code programs used for pacemaker control. Using our methodology, we were able to verify a control program with millions of transitions against the simple specification with only 10 transitions. Our method also found several bugs during the verification process.