cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degradation of C/EBPβ in cultured myotubes is calpain-dependent

Members of the C/EBP transcription factor family regulate cell differentiation and multiple other cellular functions. The cellular levels of C/EBPalpha, gamma, delta, epsilon, and Gadd153/CHOP are regulated in part by proteasome-dependent degradation. In contrast, mechanisms regulating the degradation of C/EBPbeta are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that the degradation of C/EBPbeta is calpain-dependent. Studies were performed in cultured L6 myotubes (a rat skeletal muscle cell line) because we have found previously that C/EBPbeta may be involved in the regulation of muscle proteolysis. Treatment of cultured L6 myotubes with the calpain inhibitors calpeptin and Calpain Inhibitor I and II resulted in increased C/EBPbeta concentrations but did not influence cellular levels of the other C/EBP transcription factor family members. Transfection of myoblasts with a plasmid expressing the endogenous calpain inhibitor calpastatin resulted in increased cellular levels of C/EBPbeta whereas the opposite result was observed in myoblasts overexpressing micro- or m-calpain. Co-immunoprecipitation provided evidence for protein-protein interaction between C/EBPbeta and micro- and m-calpain suggesting that C/EBPbeta may be a calpain substrate. This notion was supported by experiments in which immunoprecipitated C/EBPbeta was incubated with purified micro-calpain in a cell-free system. The increase in C/EBPbeta levels caused by inhibition of calpain activity was accompanied by increased C/EBPbeta DNA-binding and gene activation. The present results suggest that C/EBPbeta is degraded by a calpain-dependent mechanism in skeletal muscle cells and that the role of calpains is specific for C/EBPbeta among different members of the C/EBP transcription factor family.
Viability staining of soybean suspension-cultured cells and a seedling stem cutting assay to evaluate phytotoxicity of Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines culture filtrates

The phytotoxicity of culture filtrates of Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines, the fungus causing sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean (Glycine max), was tested with a viability stain of soybean suspension-cultured cells and a stem cutting assay of soybean seedlings. Suspension-cultured cells from a SDS-susceptible soybean cultivar were exposed to cell-free culture filtrates of F. solani f. sp. glycines or other F. solani isolates for 2, 4, 6, and 8 days and then stained with 0.1% phenosafranin. The percentage of dead soybean suspension-cultured cells was greater (P<0.001) with filtrates prepared from F. solani f. sp. glycines than from other F. solani isolates, and dead cells increased over time and with higher concentrations of culture filtrate. Cuttings of soybean seedlings with their stems immersed in culture filtrates of F. solani f. sp. glycines isolates developed SDS-like foliar symptoms, but not when immersed in filtrates of other isolates. There was a positive correlation (r=0.94, P<0.001) between soybean foliar symptom severity and percentage of stained soybean suspension-cultured cells. Both methods were used to determine the phytotoxicity of fungal culture filtrates.
Molecular fossil constraints on the water column structure of the Cenomanian–Turonian Western Interior Seaway, USA

Abstract Bulk-geochemical and biomarker (molecular fossil) data were collected for four Cenomanian–Turonian sections in the Western Interior Basin, USA. The four sections represent a 900 km wide transect across the basin from Kansas to New Mexico. Rock–Eval and biomarker analyses indicate an east–west thermal maturity trend due to progressive deeper burial associated with the tectonic flexure of the foreland basin since the Cenonamian–Turonian. At each site the source of extractable organic matter is dominantly marine with minor terrestrial contribution. The presence of isorenieratene derivatives in samples from Bunker Hill (KS), Pueblo (CO), and Red Wash (NM) indicates the presence of the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium in the water column, and shows that the southern part of the Western Interior Seaway (WIS) experienced events of photic zone anoxia. At maximum transgression, sedimentary features indicative of water column oxygenation occur within single beds with geochemical evidence of photic zone anoxia. This is consistent with a scenario in which bottom waters experienced alternating oxic/dysoxic and anoxic conditions. These so-called ‘intermittent anoxic events’ underline the high variability in redox conditions in the WIS. The distribution of isorenieratene derivatives shows a dynamic water column structure of the WIS, and indicates that anoxia was a permanent feature of the transgressive and regressive intervals of the Greenhorn Cyclothem, rather than at maximum transgression. Hence, the oceanographic circulation is dominated by near field effects inherent to the seaway, rather than by direct proto-Atlantic elements such as the oceanic anoxic event (OAE).
Relaxed cellular controls and organelle heredity

Genes in mitochondria and chloroplasts behave quite differently from genes in the nucleus: they are often inherited from only one parent, and they segregate during mitotic cell divisions. Cells con...
Electrodermal lability and the or: reply to o'gorman and further exposition of the “significance hypothesis”1

Abstract Bernstein's “significance hypothesis” and O'Gorman's recent challenge to it are reviewed. O'Gorman suggested that elicitation of an orienting response (OR) depended on systemic lability as indexed by frequency of nonspecific electrodermal fluctuations (NSF), without requiring mediation by central assessment of informational significance. Data are presented indicating that NSF itself also reflects central decisions about input significance--e.g., there was a differential rise in NSF during listening for a behaviorally signal under each of 3 different conditions, but not during presentation of the same physical stimulus lacking such significance. The relation between NSF and OR may reflect, in part, this common dependence. Systemic lability shown by NSF should not be considered a static characteristic, but a variable, centrally regulated function.
Quantum ergodicity and energy flow in molecules

We review a theory for coupled many-nonlinear oscillator systems that describes quantum ergodicity and energy flow in molecules. The theory exploits the isomorphism between quantum energy flow in Fock space, that is, vibrational state space, and single-particle quantum transport in disordered solid-state systems. The quantum ergodicity transition in molecules is thereby analogous to the Anderson transition in disordered solids. The theory reviewed here, local random matrix theory (LRMT), describes the nature of the quantum ergodicity transition, statistical properties of vibrational eigenstates, and quantum energy flow through the vibrational states of molecules. Predictions of LRMT have been observed in computational studies of coupled nonlinear oscillator systems, which are summarized here. We also review applications of LRMT to molecular spectroscopy and chemical reaction rate theory, including adoption of LRMT in theories that predict rates of conformational change of molecules taking place at energie...
Four new species of Desmopachria Babington from Peru (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

Four new species in the genus Desmopachria Babington are described from Madre de Dios, Peru: D. pilosa Miller, n. sp. (D. convexa species group), D. balionota Miller, n. sp. (D. nitida species group), D. annae Miller, n. sp. (D. nitida species group), and D. tambopatensis Miller, n. sp. (ungrouped). Diagnostic characters, including habiti and male genitalia, are described and illustrated.
Cytokine Profile of Engraftment Syndrome in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Abstract The biology of engraftment syndrome is poorly understood, and the degree of overlap with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is unclear. To understand engraftment syndrome better, plasma cytokine profiles were evaluated in 56 pediatric allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients before transplant, on the day of stem cell infusion, and weekly until day +100. Patients were divided into 4 groups: those with isolated engraftment syndrome (n = 8), acute GVHD (n = 12), both engraftment syndrome and acute GVHD (n = 4), and neither engraftment syndrome nor acute GVHD (n = 32). Engraftment syndrome was observed a median of 13.5 days (range, 10 to 28) after transplant, whereas acute GVHD was diagnosed a median of 55 days (range, 19 to 95) after transplant. Four patients developed both engraftment syndrome at a median of 10.5 days (range, 10 to 11) and acute GVHD at a median of 35 days (range, 23 to 56) after stem cell infusion. Median plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-4, and IL-13 were significantly elevated in patients with isolated engraftment syndrome when compared with isolated acute GVHD. A rise of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12) was followed by surge in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) in patients with isolated engraftment syndrome. The observation of elevated IL-1β suggests that engraftment syndrome could be an inflammasome mediated phenomenon.
Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A functions to repress FoxO transcription factors to allow cell cycle progression in ovarian cancer

Cancer cells rely on hyperactive de novo lipid synthesis for maintaining malignancy. Recent studies suggest involvement in cancer of fatty acid oxidation, a process functionally opposite to lipogenesis. A mechanistic link from lipid catabolism to oncogenic processes is yet to be established. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) is a rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) that catalyzes the transfer of long-chain acyl group of the acyl-CoA ester to carnitine, thereby shuttling fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix for β-oxidation. In the present study, we demonstrated that CPT1A was highly expressed in most ovarian cancer cell lines and primary ovarian serous carcinomas. Overexpression of CPT1A correlated with a poor overall survival of ovarian cancer patients. Inactivation of CPT1A decreased cellular ATP levels and induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1, suggesting that ovarian cancer cells depend on or are addicted to CPT1A-mediated FAO for cell cycle progression. CPT1A deficiency also suppressed anchorage-independent growth and formation of xenografts from ovarian cancer cell lines. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1 (p21) was identified as most consistently and robustly induced cell cycle regulator upon inactivation of CPT1A. Furthermore, p21 was transcriptionally upregulated by the FoxO transcription factors, which were in turn phosphorylated and activated by AMP-activated protein kinase and the mitogen-activated protein kinases JNK and p38. Our results established the oncogenic relevance of CPT1A and a mechanistic link from lipid catabolism to cell cycle regulation, suggesting that CPT1A could be a prognostic biomarker and rational target for therapeutic intervention of cancer.
Line Tension and Phase Separation of a Four-Component Phospholipid Bilayer

When phospholipid bilayers have coexisting liquid disordered (Ld) and liquid ordered (Lo) phases, Ld/Lo line tension has strong control over the size of the coexisting liquid domains. In order to minimize light-induced artifacts that involve lipid reactivity, we chose a lipid mixture with minimal double bonds, DSPC, diphytanoyl-PC, DLPC, and cholesterol. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) were generated using the electroswelling technique and visualized with an inverted fluorescent microscope. Line tension was determined from the boundary fluctuations between Ld and Lo domains using Flicker Spectroscopy. The Ld/Lo line tension is measured for different GUV compositions within the Ld + Lo coexistence region. The ratio of diphytanoyl-PC and DLPC is then adjusted to control the size of coexisting domains. Different fluorescent dyes are compared to find the minimal light-induced artifacts during the line tension measurements. The results presented in this study provide a more detailed picture of how a cell might control lipid raft size.
Optical and Electrical Properties of Gallium-Doped Mg15Zn85O Thin Films

Ga-doped Mg0.15Zn0.85O thin films have been grown on fused silica substrates at 350°C with four different gallium concentration values using pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction results indicate that these films were textured with c-plane parallel to the substrate surface. The bandgap of the films were determined based on the absorption measurements. The bandgaps of the Ga-doped thin films shifted to higher energy with respect to that of the unalloyed Mg0.15Zn0.85O thin film due to the band filling effect of electron distribution in the conduction band. Resistivity of the films was measured with four-point probe at temperatures from 295 K to 15 K. The activation energy of the gallium dopants was extracted by fitting the temperature dependent curve of resistivity.
Olfactory Discernment of Prey by Medetera bistriata (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

Attractants, particularly synthetic pheromones of Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman, were used to determine the mechanism of prey perception by Medetera bistriata Parent. Olfactory discernment of more than one prey species is accomplished in response to a bouquet of prey-habitat stimuli.
Doppler Velocimetry and Multiple Gestation

Doppler velometry supplements ultrasound biometry in multiple pregnancies for detection of the growth-restricted fetus. Fetal Doppler abnormality may precede alterations in growth and allow early identification of the at-risk fetus [32].
Characteristic substance misuse profiles among youth entering an urban emergency department: neighborhood correlates and behavioral comorbidities

BACKGROUND: Little is known about characteristic profiles of substance use - and their individual- and neighborhood-level correlates - among high-risk youth. OBJECTIVES: To identify characteristic substance misuse profiles among youth entering an urban emergency department (ED) and explore how those profiles relate to individual- and community-level factors. METHODS: Individual-level measures came from screening surveys administered to youth aged 14-24 at an ED in Flint, Michigan (n = 878); alcohol outlet and crime data came from public sources. Binary misuse indicators were generated by using previously established cut-points on scores of alcohol and drug use severity. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified classes of substance use; univariate tests and multinomial models identified correlates of class membership. RESULTS: Excluding non-misusers (51.5%), LCA identified three classes: marijuana-only (27.9%), alcohol/marijuana (16.1%), and multiple substances (polysubstance) (4.6%). Moving from non-misusers to polysubstance misusers, there was an increasing trend in rates of: unprotected sex, motor vehicle crash, serious violence, weapon aggression, and victimization (all p CONCLUSION: Substance-misusing youth seeking ED care have higher risk for other problem behaviors and neighborhood-level features display potential for distinguishing between use classes. Additional research to elucidate at-risk sub-populations/locales has potential to improve interventions for substance misuse by incorporating geographic information. Language: en
Zhonghua Chinese Ethnic School

Zhonghua Chinese Ethnic School (grades K–9) is physically a tiny school. Although it houses more than 300 students, it has only one dilapidated five-story building with a small additional center for kindergarten. Both the classrooms and hallways are packed with students. On the floors with the younger graders, in particular, you need considerable physical dexterity to dodge kids who come shooting your way. They bump into each other with alarming force — both boys and girls — but as far as they are concerned, observers like me who look relatively young and are eminently lacking an air of authority are also fair game. Their uncomplicated affection was hard to resist, but it did result in a bruise or two. The school yard is equally small: If you stand in front of the building, you have a view of the entire yard — plus a view of the Japanese elementary school next door. It is customary at this school for students to go outside and participate in a group exercise during the morning recess, but the school yard is so small that elementary and junior high school students have to exercise on alternate days.
Test-Retest Reliability and descriptive analyses of the Modified Important People and Activities (MIPA) Interview.

BACKGROUND The Important People and Activities (IPA) instrument assesses network characteristics and social support for drinking and abstinence. The IPA has garnered widespread use in the alcohol treatment field. We modified the IPA to assess HIV status, drug of choice, and IV drug use among social network members. Further, we queried frequency of unprotected sex, between the participant and network members. AIM Since this measure was modified, and the test-retest reliability of the IPA has only rarely been examined, we conducted a small substudy (n=26) to examine 1-week test-retest reliability of this measure. METHODS Participants were individuals in a day treatment program with an SUD and/or AUD diagnosis. RESULTS Drug of choice for the participants represented roughly equal thirds of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. The sample was 62% female and 39% Latino/a. At pretest 198 persons were named on the MIPA (M=7.6 network members per subject). It was determined that 152 of the people were overlapping between the test and retest. CONCLUSIONS Percent agreement, ICCs, and kappas for the items ranged from acceptable to excellent across the two time periods. Classification of network members as positive, negative, or neutral influences on sobriety also demonstrated good to excellent kappas.
Safety and Efficacy of En Bloc Renal Hilar Vascular Staple Ligation: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose: We reviewed the literature on the safety of en bloc ligation. We also performed a meta-analysis of the effect of using this technique with vascular staplers on perioperative factors compared to conventional renal pedicle dissection and isolated staple ligation of the renal artery and vein.Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed to include all primary studies related to the safety of en bloc ligation of the renal hilum. After exclusion criteria were applied 9 studies were identified for review, of which 4 included a control group and were used in the meta-analysis. The primary end point was the incidence of arteriovenous fistula. Secondary end points were procedure duration, blood loss and the number of perioperative complications.Results: None of the total population of 595 patients in whom en bloc ligation was performed for nephrectomy were diagnosed with arteriovenous fistula formation at an average postoperative followup of 26.5 months. When comparing en bloc and isolated liga...
Abstract 109: Can Resting VO2 be Accurately Estimated in a Contemporary Clinical Setting?

Background: The Fick principle (cardiac output (Qc) = oxygen uptake (VO2) / arterio-venous oxygen difference) is used to determine Qc in numerous clinical situations such as ICU care, assessment of the severity of heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and valvular heart disease. However, complexities of VO2 measurement have led to the common use of estimated rather than measured VO2 via the use of equations derived primarily from studies of either infants/children, or lean, healthy adults. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of estimated VO2 in a contemporary clinical setting. Methods: The study included adult patients undergoing right-heart catheterization at our institution for any indication from 1996-2005, with resting VO2 measured by the gold-standard Douglas bag technique. Resting VO2 was estimated by a formula derived at our institution (Parkland): VO2 (ml/min)= 125 (ml/min/m2) × body surface area (m2); and also by published formulae of LaFarge and Bergstra. Overall agreement between estimated and measured VO2 was assessed by mean absolute difference using ordinary least products regression, and t-test or trend testing across strata of BMI, sex, and age. Results: The study comprised 535 subjects, mean age 55 yrs, mean BMI 28.4 kg/m2; 47% men; 36% White, 31% Black, and 27% Hispanic. Overall, mean measured VO2 was 241.0 ± 56.6 ml/min; estimated vs. measured VO2 differed significantly using the Parkland formula, with a mean absolute difference of 35.6 ± 29.9 ml/min (14.8% error; p 25% error; even greater proportional disagreement was observed using the LaFarge and Bergstra formulae (Figure). With the Parkland formula, mean absolute difference was significantly greater for BMI ≥40 kg/m2 vs. <25 kg/m2 (53.9 ml/min vs. 31.6 ml/min; ptrend=0.001), with qualitatively similar results observed using both the LaFarge and Bergstra formulae. Mean absolute differences differed negligibly in analyses stratified by sex and by median-split age (55 yrs) using each formula. Conclusions: Resting VO2 estimates are inaccurate, especially in severely obese individuals, and translate into the same proportional errors in Qc estimation. When accurate hemodynamic assessment is important for clinical decision-making, VO2 should be measured and not estimated. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
A portable mass spectrometer study targeting anthropogenic contaminants in Sub-Antarctic Puerto Williams, Chile

Abstract Investigations into anthropogenic sources of pollutants in the remote region of Puerto Williams, Chile utilized a fieldable portable mass spectrometer for on-site analysis targeting water and atmospheric air. This expedition highlights the benefits of portable instrumentation that is readily taken out into the field, in providing the community with scientific evidence of ongoing contamination. Two notable locations exhibited noticeable quantities of BTEX constituents, while remote regions remain untainted. Correlations between distance to the community and the sampling sites are indicative of sources of pollutants being anthropogenic in nature.
Clinical characteristics of adenosquamous esophageal carcinoma

Background: Current published information of adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the esophagus in the United States is limited to isolated case reports. We sought to study the clinical characteristics of this tumor using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Methods: Relevant data of all patients with esophageal cancer in the SEER database diagnosed from 1998–2010 was obtained. Demographic, grade, stage, treatment and survival characteristics of patients with ASC were summarized and compared to those patients with adenocarcinoma (ACA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). Univariate analyses across comparison groups were performed using Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous covariates and the Pearson Chi-square test for categorical covariates. To evaluate the association of selected covariates to survival by histology, unadjusted and adjusted proportional hazards models were generated for the entire study population. To further control for the difference in covariates among the histology groups, propensity weighted Cox regression modeling was performed using the inverse propensity to treat weighting (IPTW) approach. Results: Of 29,890 patients with the histological subgroups, only 284 patients had ASC (1%). Patients with ACA had a higher grade (72.9% with grade III/IV) and presented with advanced stage (48.2% distant disease) than their comparison group. Patients with ASC had worse overall survival compared to ACA but not SqCC in both univariate and multivariate analyses (OR =0.76; P Conclusions: ASC of the esophagus is a rare histological variant comprising 1% of esophageal ACA in the Unites States. This histological subtype presents in later stages, at a higher grade and portends a poorer survival than the more common ACA. Radiation therapy and surgical resection of appropriate stage patients provide the best chance of survival.
Ansätze der Persönlichkeitspsychologie

Dieses Kapitel gibt eine Ubersicht uber Ansatze in der Personlichkeitspsychologie, um die Grundlage fur das Verstandnis des weiteren Textes zu schaffen. Folgendes wird behandelt:
Nietzsche’s Jewish Problem: Between Anti-Semitism and Anti-Judaism

Robert C. Holub, Professor of German at Ohio State University, has written an excellent book on the controversy over Nietzsche’s alleged anti-Semitism. Briefly put, Holub argues that to ask whether...
Cellular aspects of humoral immune responsiveness in Chelydra.

Some general evolutionary trends are now emerging from comparative studies on representative species of the vertebrate classes with respect to the occurrence and morphological features of lymphoid organs and cells, their reactivity to antigenic stimulation and the species’ capacity for humoral immune responsiveness. From the wealth of information in this symposium, it is evident that all vertebrates can mount adaptive immune responses and show some form of immunological memory to a variety of antigens, under properly controlled laboratory conditions.
Survival Analysis-Based Human Head Injury Risk Curves: Focus on Skull Fracture.

Abstract Head contact-induced loads can result in skull fractures and/or brain injuries. While skull fractures have been produced from post-mortem human cadaver surrogates (PMHS), injury probabilit...
Alteration of gene expression in Down's syndrome (DS) brains: its significance in neurodegeneration.

Several groups have reported pro-apoptotic alteration of gene expression in Down’s syndrome (DS) brains. Aged DS brains manifest a similar neuropathology to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including the presence of senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Although it is controversial if neurodegenerative processes play a pathological role in DS brains, evidence such as cortical neurons from fetal DS brains showing vulnerability to cell death when compared with neurons from control subjects supports this point of view.
Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Myocardial Regeneration

Adult bone marrow consists of several populations of stem cells that are the focus of investigations into their potential to regenerate nonhematopoietic tissues. According to this hypothesis, bone marrow stem cells display a plasticity not previously recognized. Although data supporting bone marrow stem cell plasticity is extensive, many researchers dispute this concept. One of the most controversial aspects of stem cell plasticity relates to regeneration of heart muscle following acute myocardial infarction (MI). When experimentally induced MIs in rodents were analyzed for regeneration of the heart tissues, it was reported that cardiomyocyte renewal was achieved as a result of bone marrow stem cell infiltration of the damaged tissue. Evidence continues to accumulate in support of and against the potential for myocardial regeneration, indicating the need for a better scientific basis for the possible involvement of bone marrowderived stem cells in myocardial regeneration.
Procedural Variables Influencing Stereotactic Accuracy and Efficiency in Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery.

Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is well-established, evidence-based therapy for Parkinson disease, essential tremor, and primary dystonia. Clinical outcome studies have recently shown that "asleep" DBS lead placement, performed using intraoperative imaging with stereotactic accuracy as the surgical endpoint, has motor outcomes comparable to traditional "awake" DBS using microelectrode recording (MER), but with shorter case times and improved speech fluency. Objective To identify procedural variables in DBS surgery associated with improved surgical efficiency and stereotactic accuracy. Methods Retrospective review of 323 cases with 546 leads placed (August 2011-October 2014). In 52% (n = 168) of cases, patients were asleep under general anesthesia without MER. Multivariate regression identified independent predictors of reduced surgery time and improved stereotactic accuracy. Results MER was an independent contributor to increased procedure time (+44 min; P = .03). Stereotactic accuracy was better in asleep patients. Accuracy was improved with frame-based stereotaxy at head of bed 0° vs frameless stereotaxy at head of bed 30°. Improved accuracy was also associated with shorter procedures (r = 0.17; P = .049). Vector errors were evenly distributed around the planned target for the globus pallidus internus, but directionally skewed for the subthalamic (medial-posterior) and ventral intermediate nuclei (medial-anterior). Conclusion Distinct procedural variables in DBS surgery are associated with reduced case times and improved stereotactic accuracy.
Ceramics, clays and classification in Cyrenaica

This paper provides an interpretative framework and classification for the macro- and microscopic identification and provenancing of ancient Greek and Roman ceramic fabrics from Cyrenaica and the wider North African littoral based on ceramic petrology and the kinds of clay sources available for ancient pottery production.
Spring- and fall-flowering species show diverging phenological responses to climate in the Southeast USA

Plant phenological shifts (e.g., earlier flowering dates) are known consequences of climate change that may alter ecosystem functioning, productivity, and ecological interactions across trophic levels. Temperate, subalpine, and alpine regions have largely experienced advancement of spring phenology with climate warming, but the effects of climate change in warm, humid regions and on autumn phenology are less well understood. In this study, nearly 10,000 digitized herbarium specimen records were used to examine the phenological sensitivities of fall- and spring-flowering asteraceous plants to temperature and precipitation in the US Southeastern Coastal Plain. Climate data reveal warming trends in this already warm climate, and spring- and fall-flowering species responded differently to this change. Spring-flowering species flowered earlier at a rate of 1.8–2.3 days per 1 °C increase in spring temperature, showing remarkable congruence with studies of northern temperate species. Fall-flowering species flowered slightly earlier with warmer spring temperatures, but flowering was significantly later with warmer summer temperatures at a rate of 0.8–1.2 days per 1 °C. Spring-flowering species exhibited slightly later flowering times with increased spring precipitation. Fall phenology was less clearly influenced by precipitation. These results suggest that even warm, humid regions may experience phenological shifts and thus be susceptible to potentially detrimental effects such as plant-pollinator asynchrony.
Seven- and eight-year trends in resident and fellow glaucoma surgical experience.

Purpose This study evaluated US resident and fellow glaucoma surgical experience over a 7- and 8-year period, respectively. Methods US ophthalmology resident glaucoma case logs from 2009 to 2016 and glaucoma fellow case logs from 2008 to 2016 were reviewed. The number of total, average, median, and minimum cases, along with percentile data for filtering surgery, shunting surgery, and novel procedures were analyzed for year-to-year trends. Results Among residents training from 2009 to 2016, there was a decline in the average number of primary filtering surgeries by 20%, from 6.0±5.0 to 4.8±4.0 cases, with a concurrent increase in average primary glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgeries by 40%, from 4.5±4.0 to 6.3±5.0 cases, which represented an increase of 6.5% per year, P<0.001. Glaucoma fellow data from 2008 to 2015 demonstrated a decline in average primary trabeculectomy surgeries by 3.7%, from 30.1 to 29.0 cases, but then increased to 32.1 cases in 2015-2016. There was an increase in average GDI surgeries by 57.9%, from 30.2 to 47.7 cases for fellows over this 8-year period, which represented a 5.9% increase per year, P<0.001. There was no microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) or other novel procedures reported in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) resident case logs. From 2008 to 2016, Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) glaucoma fellow case logs demonstrated an increase in endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) from 2.3 to 5.4 cases, a 15.5% increase per year, P<0.001. Conclusions Over a 7-8-year period, trainee surgical experience with GDI surgery has steadily increased, whereas surgical experience with trabeculectomy has been fluctuating and may be on a downward trend. Educators should be aware of shifts in trainee surgical experience in order to maintain appropriate training experience.
Fred Rogers and children’s spirituality: valuing the uniqueness of others and caring for others

ABSTRACTMister Rogers' Neighborhood was a safe haven advocating kindness, empathy, and caring for all children. Making everyone feel loved, Fred Rogers captured the attention and curiosity of you...
Seasonal and spatial variation in Toxoplasma gondii contamination in soil in urban public spaces in California, United States.

Background Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that can have severe implications for human health. Acutely infected cats shed environmentally resistant T. gondii oocysts in their faeces that contaminate soil, and soil can serve as a reservoir of infection for humans. Free-roaming domestic cats are thought to play an important role in environmental contamination with T. gondii, but few studies have directly measured the direct contribution of free-roaming cats to T. gondii in soil. Methods Our goals were to determine whether T. gondii soil contamination occurs in public areas with free-roaming cat colonies in central California and examine spatial and temporal variation in soil contamination. We initially performed spiking experiments to compare the limit of T. gondii detection in soil using three conventional nested PCR assays and one real-time quantitative PCR. The nested PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of the small subunit ribosomal RNA was the most sensitive assay, with a limit of detection between 20 and 200 oocysts per gram of soil. We applied the ITS1 PCR assay on soil from sites in city and state parks, public playgrounds and community gardens in central California, USA. Samples were collected during spring, summer and fall and in sites located along the coast and inland. Results We detected and sequence-confirmed T. gondii in 5.6% of all of our soil sub-samples, but with large seasonal and spatial variation in soil contamination: we only detected T. gondii during fall and only in coastal sites (44.3% soil prevalence), despite similar sampling intensity across space and time. Conclusions Our results suggest that free-roaming cat colonies are an important source of T. gondii in spaces where people recreate and grow food and that soil contamination is highly seasonal and spatially variable. Management of free-roaming cats could prevent T. gondii infections by reducing environmental contamination with this zoonotic pathogen.
Newborn Screening for Mucopolysaccharidoses: Results of a Pilot Study with 100 000 Dried Blood Spots.

Objective To test, in a newborn screening (NBS) laboratory, the performance of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to assay 5 enzymatic activities in dried blood spots (DBS) for NBS of 5 lysosomal storage diseases (mucopolysaccharidosis [MPS]-II, MPS-IIIB, MPS-IVA, MPS-VI, and MPS-VII). Study design Three mm punches from de-identified DBS were obtained from the Washington NBS laboratory and submitted to the 5-plex LC-MS/MS assay. Screen cut-offs were established by analyzing the enzymatic activity in patients confirmed to have the MPS disorder. DNA sequencing of the relevant gene was performed on a second DBS punch for all samples with enzyme activity below 10% of the mean daily activity. Results (1) For MPS-II, 18 below cut-off samples, 1 pathogenic genotype, and 2 “high risk” genotypes; (2) For MPS-IIIB, no below cut-off samples; (3) For MPS-IVA, 8 below cut-off samples, 4 non-pathogenic genotypes, 4 genotypes unobtainable; (4) For MPS-VI, 4 below cut-off samples and no high-risk genotypes; (5) For MPS-VII, 1 below cut-off sample confirmed by genotype and clinical report to be affected. Conclusions These results establish that the number of initial screen positive samples is low and manageable. Thus, population newborn screening for these conditions is feasible in a state newborn screening laboratory.
Vapor‐ and liquid‐phase adsorption of alcohol and water in silicalite‐1 synthesized in fluoride media

In this work, batch-adsorption experiments and molecular simulations are employed to probe the adsorption of binary mixtures containing ethanol or a linear alkane-1,n-diol solvated in water or ethanol onto silicate-1. Since the batch-adsorption experiments require an additional relationship to determine the amount of solute (and solvent adsorbed, as only the bulk liquid reservoir can be probed directly, molecular simulations are used to provide a relationship between solute and solvent adsorption for input to the experimental bulk measurements. The combination of bulk experimental measurements and simulated solute-solvent relationship yields solvent and solute loadings that are self-consistent with simulation alone, and allow for an assessment of the various assumptions made in literature. At low solution concentrations, the solute loading calculated is independent of the assumption made. At high concentrations, a negligent choice of assumption can lead to systematic overestimation or underestimation of calculated solute loading.
The Real Estate Frontier

Abstract Africa's major cities are experiencing dramatic transformation as a result of growing real estate investment. This article explores whether existing theories can explain the dynamics of urban redevelopment in an African context, and how African cases can inform new theorizations of real estate driven urban transformation. Examining the utility of theories of gentrification and speculative urbanism for understanding urban redevelopment in Accra, Ghana, it argues that urban redevelopment in this city has been shaped by its particular (post)colonial history of state land acquisition and urban planning. Rather than simply identifying empirical variation on established theories, however, the article draws on recent research on commodity frontiers to propose an original theorization of urban redevelopment in Accra in terms of the production of a ?real estate frontier?. This real estate frontier is characterized by the incremental and contested commodification of state land to enable the growth of the real estate sector in the city. The article concludes by calling for a comparative research agenda to better understand real estate frontiers globally.
Sleep disturbance changes in women after treatment of refractory overactive bladder with sacral neuromodulation

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in sleep disturbance following treatment of overactive bladder with sacral neuromodulation. Materials and Methods This is a sub-analysis of data collected from an institutional review board approved retrospective cohort study evaluating women with Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Sleep Disturbance (PROMIS-SD) before and after sacral neuromodulation for overactive bladder between March 2016 and October 2017. Data collected included demographics, clinical characteristics, and additional PROMIS item banks. Within-group analysis was performed with paired t-tests. Groups based up on PROMIS-SD improvement (change <0) were then compared using Fisher's exact test, t-test, or Mann-Whitney U-test as appropriate. Results Those with improved sleep disturbance (n=7) noted a significant mean improvement of -3.99 (95% confidence interval, -6.32, -1.65; p<0.01). Both pre- and post-procedure PROMIS-Physical Function (38.86±2.35 vs. 34.13±5.58, p=0.07 and 37.14±5.10 vs. 35.44±4.74, p=0.53), Pain Interference (60.04±6.34 vs. 65.50±6.20, p=0.13 and 57.89±5.08 vs. 64.73±7.35, p=0.07), Depression (44.2±4.73 vs. 61.29±9.53, p=0.17 and 54.29±6.25 vs. 57.96±11.42, p=0.47) t-scores were similar between sleep response groups. Conclusions Those with improved sleep disturbance reported significant changes after sacral neuromodulation for overactive bladder. However, no significant differences were identified between those with and without improvement. Further investigation of changes in sleep disturbance and factors affecting change are needed within this population.
A Tendon-Driven Origami Hopper Triggered by Proprioceptive Contact Detection

We report on experiments with a laptop-sized (0.23m, 2.53kg), paper origami robot that exhibits highly dynamic and stable two degree-of-freedom (circular boom) hopping at speeds in excess of 1.5 bl/s (body-lengths per second) at a specific resistance O(1) while achieving aerial phase apex states 25% above the stance height over thousands of cycles. Three conventional brushless DC motors load energy into the folded paper springs through pulley-borne cables whose sudden loss of tension upon touchdown triggers the release of spring potential that accelerates the body back through liftoff to flight with a 20W powerstroke, whereupon the toe angle is adjusted to regulate fore-aft speed. We also demonstrate in the vertical hopping mode the transparency of this actuation scheme by using proprioceptive contact detection with only motor encoder sensing. The combination of actuation and sensing shows potential to lower system complexity for tendon-driven robots.
Evaluation of Particle Size Distribution Metrics to Estimate the Relative Contributions of Different Size Fractions Based on Measurements in Arctic Waters.

The size distribution of suspended particles influences several processes in aquatic ecosystems, including light propagation, trophic interactions, and biogeochemical cycling. The shape of the particle size distribution (PSD) is commonly modeled as a single-slope power law in oceanographic studies, which can be used to further estimate the relative contributions of different particle size classes to particle number, area, and volume concentration. We use a data set of 168 high size-resolution PSD measurements in Arctic oceanic waters to examine variability in the shape of the PSD over the particle diameter range 0.8 to 120 μm. An average value of -3.6 ± 0.33 was obtained for the slope of a power law fitted over this size range, consistent with other studies. Our analysis indicates, however, that this model has significant limitations in adequately parameterizing the complexity of the PSD, and thus performs poorly in predicting the relative contributions of different size intervals such as those based on picoplankton, nanoplankton, and microplankton size classes. Similarly, median particle size was also generally a poor indicator of these size class contributions. Our results suggest that alternative percentile diameters derived from the cumulative distribution functions of particle number, cross-sectional area, and volume concentration may provide better metrics to capture the overall shape of the PSD and to quantify the contributions of different particle size classes.
Intravenous Ethanol Administration and Operant Self-Administration Alter Extracellular Norepinephrine Concentration in the Mesocorticolimbic Systems of Male Long Evans Rats.

Background Norepinephrine has been suggested to regulate ethanol (EtOH)-related behaviors, but little is known about the effects of EtOH on norepinephrine release in mesocortical and mesolimbic brain areas that are targets of EtOH actions. Methods We used in vivo microdialysis to examine the effects of EtOH on extracellular norepinephrine concentrations in mesocorticolimbic brain regions of male Long Evans rats. We determined the effects of intravenous infusion of saline or EtOH in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the basal forebrain. We also measured dialysate norepinephrine concentrations during operant self-administration of EtOH in the mPFC. Results Intravenous infusion (1 or 0.25 ml/min) of 1.0 g/kg EtOH stimulated an increase in dialysate norepinephrine in mPFC and in basal forebrain. In the basal forebrain, an infusion of 0.5 g/kg EtOH did not stimulate dialysate norepinephrine concentrations. In both regions, saline infusions did not increase dialysate norepinephrine concentrations. In the behavioral experiment, 1 week of experience with operant self-administration of sweetened EtOH resulted in an apparent reduction in basal dialysate norepinephrine concentrations in the mPFC relative to the sucrose control. Dialysate norepinephrine increased during the transfer from home cage to the operant chamber in all groups. Conclusions We conclude that acute EtOH stimulates both the locus coeruleus (which projects to the mPFC) and the nucleus tractus solitarius (which projects to the basal forebrain) noradrenergic neurons. Additionally, limited EtOH self-administration experience alters dialysate norepinephrine in the mPFC in a manner consistent with a decrease in tonic norepinephrine release. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms by which EtOH exerts these variable effects.
Learning During and From a Crisis: The Student-Led Development of a COVID-19 Curriculum.

PROBLEM: The speed and scope of the upheaval that COVID-19 inflicted on medical education made innovation a necessity. While medical students wanted high-quality, consolidated educational resources on COVID-19, the medical school faculty who typically produced such resources were increasingly burdened with clinical, administrative, and personal commitments. However, students eager to contribute to the pandemic response were well-suited to create these instructional materials for their peers. APPROACH: In mid-March 2020, a group of students at Harvard Medical School came together to synthesize the key facts and collate the best existing educational materials about the COVID-19 pandemic into a unified learning resource. The materials were faculty reviewed and shared freely online. The curriculum now contains 8 modules that are updated regularly. Throughout this process, the student authors prioritized accessibility, iterative improvement, and effective pedagogy. OUTCOMES: To date, nearly 80,000 users from 132 countries have accessed the curriculum. It has been referenced or incorporated into courses at Harvard Medical School and more than 30 other medical schools across the country. About 40% of all users are from outside the United States, and the materials have been translated into 28 languages. This effort has spurred a number of other educational initiatives led by medical student groups in the United States and abroad. NEXT STEPS: As understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing, the student authors' immediate goal is to keep the curriculum up to date in the months to come. They plan to maintain existing partnerships with medical schools and student groups around the world while pursuing new opportunities to expand the curriculum's reach, provide education, and build community. Students and educators alike should leverage student-driven education efforts to benefit other learners both within and importantly beyond their institutions.