cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal clustering of the epigenome reveals rules of dynamic gene regulation

.Spatial organization of different epigenomic marks was used to infer functions of the epigenome. It remains unclear what can be learned from the temporal changes of the epigenome. Here, we developed a probabilistic model to cluster genomic sequences based on the similarity of temporal changes of multiple epigenomic marks during a cellular differentiation process. We differentiated mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells into mesendoderm cells. At three time points during this differentiation process, we used high-throughput sequencing to measure seven histone modifications and variants—H3K4me1/2/3, H3K27ac, H3K27me3, H3K36me3, and H2A.Z; two DNA modifications—5-mC and 5-hmC; and transcribed mRNAs and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Genomic sequences were clustered based on the spatiotemporal epigenomic information. These clusters not only clearly distinguished gene bodies, promoters, and enhancers, but also were predictive of bidirectional promoters, miRNA promoters, and piRNAs. This suggests specific epigenomic patterns exist on piRNA genes much earlier than germ cell development. Temporal changes of H3K4me2, unmethylated CpG, and H2A.Z were predictive of 5-hmC changes, suggesting unmethylated CpG and H3K4me2 as potential upstream signals guiding TETs to specific sequences. Several rules on combinatorial epigenomic changes and their effects on mRNA expression and ncRNA expression were derived, including a simple rule governing the relationship between 5-hmC and gene expression levels. A Sox17 enhancer containing a FOXA2 binding site and a Foxa2 enhancer containing a SOX17 binding site were identified, suggesting a positive feedback loop between the two mesendoderm transcription factors. These data illustrate the power of using epigenome dynamics to investigate regulatory functions.
Systemic Assessment of SCOR for Modeling Supply Chains

The recent introduction of Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) approach for modeling supply chains has been positively received by practitioners and consultants. SCOR is perceived to provide a simple though powerful standard for modeling supply chains. As SCOR is emerged from a practitioner's perspective, comparatively less little academic attention has been paid to SCOR to date. This paper aims to address one aspect of SCOR while at the same time providing a short overview of its concepts and use. Specifically, we examine SCOR from a methodological perspective, by adopting a systems development framework and using a socio-technical lens as a basis for assessment. To effect such an assessment, a fictitious timing instrument manufacturing company supply chain case (TimeWise) is used to create the context for developing and assessing SCOR approach. It was found that SCOR was strong on technical dimensions such as modeling process and techniques but weak on the social dimensions. The contribution of the paper includes an overview of SCOR and a systemic assessment of a method to develop a SCOR model in order to highlight the strengths and limitations of the approach and to guide future research in this domain.
Risk assessment in immunotoxicology. I. Sensitivity and predictability of immune tests.

We have previously reported on the design and content of a screening battery involving a “tier” approach for detecting potential immunotoxic compounds in mice (Luster et al., 1988, Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 10, 2–19). This battery has now been utilized to examine a variety of compounds by the NIEHS Immunotoxicology Laboratory, the National Toxicology Program-sponsored laboratories, and by the Cell Biology Department at the Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology. The database generated from these studies, which consists of over 50 selected compounds, has been collected and analyzed in an attempt to improve future testing strategies and provide information to aid in quantitative risk assessment for immunotoxicity. Studies presented here have established the ability of each of the tests or test combinations in the screening battery to detect immunotoxic compounds. Efforts are currently underway using this database to determine the relationships between these immune tests and susceptibility to challenge with infectious agents or transplantable tumor cells. The present analyses indicated that the performance of only two or three immune tests are sufficient to predict immunotoxic compounds in rodents (> 90% concordance). The tests that showed the highest association with immunotoxicity were the splenic antibody plaque forming cell response (78%) and cell surface marker analysis (83%). The relationship between immunotoxicity and carcinogenicity, as well as genotoxicity, was also determined. These analyses suggested that potential immunotoxic compounds are likely to be rodent carcinogens (p = 0.019) although for compounds that are not immunotoxic the carcinogenic status is unclear. There was no relationship observed between immunotoxicity and mutagenicity as determined using in vitro genotoxicity tests. The significance of these observations is discussed in terms of the relationship between immunotoxicity tests and biological/toxicological processes concerned with human health (e.g., infectious disease).
Work in progress - using graphical programming languages in the introductory programming course

There is widespread evidence to show that many first year engineering students have either a strong dislike for programming or an inability to write effective programs. This poses a problem, since many engineering departments require their students to take some form of introductory programming as part of their first year in engineering. Several possible reasons exist for why many engineering students have such difficulty with programming and the related concepts: that many engineers tend to fall heavily on the “visual learner” side of the Felder-Silverman Learning Styles Model and that they tend to rely on inappropriate or inadequate models for using these concepts. Since traditional, text-based programming languages, and the predominantly text-based way in which they are taught, do not align with the learning styles of these students, their ability to understand and implement the necessary concepts in an actual program may be drastically reduced. The text based nature of most languages taught as a first language also promotes the use of natural languages models for various looping and conditional constructs which do not fit. This paper discusses a work in progress investigating the use of graphical programming languages as a means for introducing programming concepts and catering to the visual learning style of most engineering students.
Understanding and treating neurodegeneration: insights from the flies

Drosophila has recently emerged as a model system for studying mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Genetic models for most of the major neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), polyglutamine diseases, and tauopathies, have been successfully established. Pharmacological models of some of these diseases have also been created. Genetic modifier screens using these models have uncovered previously implicated mechanisms and molecules as well as novel ones. Fly models have turned out to be excellent system for the in vivo testing of therapeutic potentials of candidate compounds. It is anticipated that further exploration of the fly models will not only provide novel insights into mechanisms of neurodegeneration but also lead to the development of rational treatment of those debilitating degenerative diseases.
Family-centered Program Deters Substance Use, Conduct Problems, and Depressive Symptoms in Black Adolescents

Objectives: The present research addressed the following important question in pediatric medicine: Can participation in a new family-centered preventive intervention, the Strong African American Families–Teen (SAAF–T) program, deter conduct problems, substance use, substance use problems, and depressive symptoms among rural black adolescents across 22 months? Methods: Data were collected from 502 black families in rural Georgia, assigned randomly to SAAF–T or an attention control condition. The prevention condition consisted of 5 consecutive meetings at community facilities with separate, concurrent sessions for caregivers and adolescents followed by a caregiver-adolescent session in which families practiced skills they learned in the separate sessions. Adolescents self-reported conduct problem behaviors, substance use, substance use problems, and depressive symptoms at ages 16 years (pretest) and 17 years 10 months (long-term assessment). Results: Adolescents who participated in SAAF–T evinced lower increases in conduct problem behavior, substance use, substance use problems, and depressive symptom frequencies than did adolescents in the attention control condition across the 22 months between pretest and long-term assessment. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate efficacy in a prevention program designed to deter conduct problems, substance use, substance use problems, and depressive symptoms among rural black adolescents. Because SAAF–T is a manualized, structured program, it can be easily disseminated to public health agencies, schools, churches, boys’ and girls’ clubs, and other community organizations.
Behavior of Captive Mouse Deer, Tragulus napu

1. The behavior of a breeding colony of larger Malayan mouse deer was observed for seven months. 2. Mouse deer produce a noise by stamping with one or both hind feet when slightly alarmed. Other individuals may or may not stamp in response. 3. Both males and females mark objects with the inter-mandibular gland. Males mark much more frequently than females. 4. Males often lick the urine of females; less frequently, females lick the urine of males. Mouse deer do not "flehmen" in response to urine. 5. Males court both receptive and unreceptive females. Courting males mark the female on the back or rump with the inter-mandibular gland and emit a series of squeaks. The behavior of both unreceptive and receptive females and copulation are described. 6. Females have a post-partum estrus and return to estrus at approximately 14 day intervals unless they become pregnant. 7. Mothers spend little time with infants. Mothers emit a vocalization which sounds like the squeak of courting males. Both mothers and infants emit a higher pitched vocalization. If her infant emitted this vocalization the mother answered and approached and stood by it. The mother nurses in a standing position and raises the hind leg on the side towards the infant. 8. Intense agonistic behavior was seen only when strange individuals were introduced into established groups. Males fight by facing each other and biting each other on the ears, neck, and shoulders with their large upper canines. Fighting males usually hold the tail in a vertical position, exposing the white ventral surface, and may emit loud growls. If one male flees, the other pursues and attempts to bite him on the neck and body. 9. Mouse deer are morphologically primitive and many of their motor patterns are also thought to be primitive. 10. The behavior of all four living tragulid species appears to be quite similar, both with respect to motor patterns and social behavior.
Adversarial Sequence Prediction

Sequence prediction is a key component of intelligence. This can be extended to define a game between intelligent agents. An analog of a result of Legg shows that this game is a computational resources arms race for agents with enormous resources. Software experiments provide evidence that this is also true for agents with more modest resources. This arms race is a relevant issue for AI ethics. This paper also discusses physical limits on AGI theory.
Differentiating specific language impairment from normal language development using grammatical analysis

The present investigation sought to determine whether preschool children with specific language impairment (SLI) could be differentiated from an age-matched sample of typically developing children on the basis of grammatical features displayed within a 20-min sample of conversational language. Language samples from 47 children, 24–50 months of age, described in a previous study (Klee, Schaffer, May, Membrino and Mougey (1989) were analysed using the LARSP framework (Crystal, Fletcher and Garman, 1989). Composite variables were created from the original LARSP categories and transformed into ratios to adjust for the differing number of utterances in each transcript. A discriminant function which optimized the differences between the two groups was then derived from the grammatical analysis. In addition to age and a constant, the function contained three linguistic variables: stage I-major utterances, three-element NPs and VP errors. The outcomes of the discriminant function and the clinical diagnosis were i...
Quartz–halogen D65 simulation

A new CIE daylight D65 filter has been developed for a quartz–halogen source operating at a color temperature in the region of 3000 K. The filter is a serial type comprising optical filter glasses and multilayer thin-film stacks. Extremely close agreement is obtained between the spectral-power distribution associated with the filter–source combination and that of daylight D65.
Test of Tracing Performance with an Active Handheld Micromanipulator

This paper demonstrates tremor compensation for human subjects using an active handheld micromanipulator. This instrument uses optical and inertial sensing to detect its own motion, estimates tremor using linear filtering, and a flexure-based manipulator to actuate the tip. Compensation results while tracing a line with the tool are presented for both novice users and a trained surgeon. Learning effects from repetition of the trials over a ten-day period are described.
Brain Tumors in the Older Person

Background: The incidence of brain tumors is increasing rapidly, particularly in the older population. Advances in molecular biology help to explain differences in biologic behavior and response to therapy of brain tumors in the elderly compared with younger patients. The number of elderly patients who desire and receive therapy for brain tumors and are included in clinical trials is increasing. Methods: This article reviews the literature on the epidemiology, clinical aspects, and therapy of brain tumors, with emphasis on the older patient population. Results: The increased incidence of brain tumors in the elderly is principally due to the increasing number of people who comprise the older population. Age and performance status are important independent prognostic indicators, together with tumor histology. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy can benefit elderly patients with brain tumors with favorable histologies, tumor location, and good performance status. The response rates to available therapies are less favorable than in younger patients, and only a small number of elderly patients are enrolled in clinical studies addressing new treatment modalities. Conclusions: Brain tumors in the elderly have specific characteristics that determine their biologic behavior and response to therapy. There is a need for clinical studies designed for treatment of brain tumors in older patients, and requirements for rehabilitation and support systems for the elderly need to be addressed.
EFFECTS OF WATER TRANSPORTED SEDIMENT ON CORTICOLOUS LICHEN COMMUNITIES

The spatial distribution of corticolous lichens was studied along Big Seven Mile Creek (Cabell County, West Virginia, U.S.A.), a small stream that was periodically inundated by floodwaters carrying heavy loads of sediment. Lichen communities located at 0, 10 and 1-5 km from the confluence with the Ohio River were compared using step-wise discriminant analysis, a multivariate technique. Of the physical factors tested, the results indicated that the sediment on the tree boles was the most important factor separating the three stations and bole heights. Species richness was established to be an important mensurational variable separating stations, bole heights, and parallel and perpendicular transects. Changes observed in lichen community structure are assumed to have resulted from micro- climatic variation brought about primarily by sedimentation associated with flood- ing. Failure of the physical factors and biotic variables to separate tree bole aspects (faces of boles in respect to the stream) indicate that abrasion and current-induced exfoliation are not important factors affecting lichen communities in the study area. Corticolous lichens occurring along streams subject to periodic inundation may represent a useful indicator in studies of flooding, water quality, and/or sedimentation in watersheds.
The Effects of Exposure to Virtual Child Pornography on Viewer Cognitions and Attitudes Toward Deviant Sexual Behavior

Assumptions regarding the harmful effects of exposure to virtual child pornography are tested in a laboratory experiment. Based on a lexical decision-making task, participants exposed to sexually explicit depictions of females who appear to be minors (“barely legal” pornography) were faster to recognize sexual words after being primed with neutral depictions of girls compared to participants who were preexposed to adult pornography. Trend analysis showed that participants took longer to recognize sexual words after exposure to neutral depictions of underage females the older the models they saw in the exposure condition. Contrary to predictions, male and female participants exposed to barely legal pornography estimated lower rather than higher prevalence and popularity of barely legal depictions than those in other conditions. Implications of evidence of a child-sex cognitive schema following exposure to barely legal pornography and explanations for the failure to support predictions concerning Web-based ...
Artificial neural networks in power system restoration

Power system restoration (PSR) has been a subject of study for many years. In recent years many techniques were proposed to solve the limitations of the predetermined restoration guidelines and procedures used by a majority of system operators to restore a system following the occurrence of a wide area disturbance. This paper discusses limitations encountered in some currently used PSR techniques and a proposed improvement based on artificial neural networks (ANN). The proposed scheme is tested on a 162 bus transmission system and compared with a breadth-search restoration scheme. The results indicate that the use of ANN in power system restoration is a feasible option that should be considered for real-time applications.
Evidence for DNA bending at the T7 RNA polymerase promoter.

Abstract Phage T7 RNA polymerase is the only DNA-dependent RNA polymerase for which we have a high-resolution structure of the promoter-bound complex. Recent studies with the more complex RNA polymerases have suggested a role for DNA wrapping in the initiation of transcription. Here, circular permutation gel retardation assays provide evidence that the polymerase does indeed bend its promoter DNA. A complementary set of experiments employing differential phasing from an array of phased A-tracts provides further evidence for both intrinsic and polymerase-induced bends in the T7 RNA polymerase promoter DNA. The bend in the complex is predicted to be about 40-60° and to be centered around positions −2 to +1, at the start site for transcription, while the intrinsic bend is much smaller (about 10°). These results, viewed in the light of a recent crystal structure for the complex, suggest a mechanism by which binding leads directly to bending. Bending at the start site would then facilitate the melting necessary to initiate transcription.
Female Circumcision and Infibulation in Africa

"Female Genital Mutilation" is a recently coined term for a custom going back to the ancient Egyptians. Although it has been reported as far afield as South America and Malaysia, its main locus is Africa. It involves really two procedures, excision of the clitoris with varying degrees of completeness and infibulation or "Pharaonic circumcision", the sewing together of the labia majora of the vulva with catgut or thorns accompanied by excision. A reed or stick is inserted at the bottom to allow urine or menstrual blood to flow through. The varying forms of these procedures are not considered a health hazard by those who practice them but they have been found to be extremely detrimental to the health of those on whom it is performed. Short term effects include ulceration, hemorrhaging, septicemia and tetanus infections exacerbated by the use of crude, unsterilized instruments which can be severe enough to result in death. Long-term effects include retention of urine, disturbances of menstruation, blood clots, edema, obstetrical complications, sterility, psychological trauma and frigidity. It also helps to spread AIDS. Like male circumcision, female circumcision, as it is often called, was originally an initiation rite though now it is frequently practiced on younger girls, even infants.
Electronic Meeting Systems: Evidence from a Low Structure Environment

The research literature to date on electronic meeting systems EMS has been dominated by studies of high structure systems. High and low structure are defined here in terms of the preponderance of influence that technology and groups exert on each other. High structure EMS attempt to directly influence group structure and processes through explicit rules and procedures embedded in the software. Low structure EMS do not explicitly build in rules or procedures that govern group interaction. Low structure EMS are hypothesized to increase task focus through the use of shared flexible software tools and shared views of joint work. Results of two experiments, that compare low structure EMS-supported groups to manually-supported groups on equality of participation, degree of task focus, task performance and member satisfaction, for two different tasks, are reported. The experiments found that this low structure EMS had no effect on participation equality or member satisfaction. Contrary to the hypotheses, the EMS was found to decrease task focus. The EMS led to marginally better task performance on a simple evaluative task, and to worse performance on a complex generative task. A revision of the study's theoretical model is developed which takes into account the nature of the task.
A compact, wireless, wearable sensor network for interactive dance ensembles

We describe the design of a compact, wireless sensor module meant to capture expressive gestures in real-time when worn at the hands and feet of a dancer. Each sensor node includes a 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) that contains three orthogonal gyroscopes and accelerometers in order to capture local dynamics, as well as a capacitive sensor to measure node-to-node proximity. The nodes are designed to be easily augmented with other digital or analog sensors. The onboard radio transceiver supports a power-efficient, high-speed RF network capable of real-time data acquisition from several devices simultaneously, thereby meeting the requirements of instrumenting a small dance ensemble for interactive applications. This paper describes the application goals, presents the prototype hardware design, introduces concepts for feature extraction, and shows early test results.
Normativity and Analogy in Casuistry

Expanding upon earlier descriptions of casuistry as a moral method, the author explains here casuistry’s ability to convey normativity (how things ought to be, which things are good or bad, and which actions are right or wrong) and the ways casuistry uses analogy differently than other methods to reach moral judgments.
Creation and characterization of an airway epithelial cell line for stable expression of CFTR variants

Background Analysis of the functional consequences and treatment response of rare CFTR variants is challenging due to the limited availability of primary airways cells.
Cerebrospinal fluid kynurenic acid and depressive symptoms in HIV-infected individuals

Aims: While the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of (±)-Modafinil (MOD) are not fully understood, actions at the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT) appear to be involved.With some exceptions, DAT blockers administered in combination potentiate the behavioral and reinforcing effects of psychostimulants (PSY) like cocaine (COC). That potentiation is related to increased accumbens (ACC) DA levels. However, recent clinical studies suggested efficacy ofMOD in treating PSY abuse, suggesting a potential reduction of COC use in PSY abusers rather than a potentiation. Methods: Effects of MOD and COC, were tested alone and in combination, on microdialysate ACC DA levels in rats (n=48), and mice (n=60), self-administration (SA) (n=12) in rats, and subjective effects (n=12) in mice trained to discriminate COC. Results: MOD alone (0.03–10mg/kg i.v.) did not maintain SA above vehicle levels when substituted for COC, but at those doses increased DA levels dose-dependently. MOD pretreatments (10–32mg/kg i.p., 5min prior) also dose-dependently (p<0.05) potentiated COC SA, but microdialysis studies showed no significant enhancement of the effects of COC (0.03–3.0mg/kg i.v.) on stimulation of DA levels in ACC in excess of those produced by COC alone. In mice, MOD alone (10–100mg/kg) produced COClike subjective effects and potentiated the subjective effects of low COC doses (p<0.05). In mice, MOD elicited significant (p<0.05) increases in DA levels without significant differences between ACC shell and core, distinguishing MOD from PSYs abused by humans. Conclusions: MOD alone has a reduced PSY profile compared to COC. Our preclinical results suggest it might enhance reinforcing effects when taken in combination with sub-threshold doses of COC, independently from stimulation of DA levels. Based on clinical reports, these effects suggest a basis for use of MOD as a substitution agonist therapy for PSY abuse. Studies are in progress to better address the mechanisms underlying these effects. Financial support: NIDA/IRP.
Phenology of apple Maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae) associated with Cherry and hawthorn in Utah

The phenology of the adult apple maggot associated with its three main hosts in Utah (sweet cherry, Prunus avium L., tart cherry, P. cerasus L., and black hawthorn, Crataegus douglasii Lind!.) was investigated. The emergence curves of apple maggots associated with these three hosts were similar on a physiological time (degree-day, DD) scale (6.7°C base), but on a calendar basis, populations in different parts of the state emerged up to 4 wk apart. Emergence curves of cumulative percentage were fit to an Erlang density distribution function with Del = 1,180 DD and K = 65. The ovarian maturity curve had the same shape, but occurred about 112 DD after the emergence curve. Published emergence curves for apple maggot populations from Ontario, New York, and Oregon were similar to those of the Utah populations if the first consistent trap catch was used to synchronize degreeday accumulations. Wisconsin populations were found to differ by about 256 DD (at 50% emergence) from Utah populations even when the model was synchronized as above.
Empirical analysis on feed price fluctuation based on ARCH-type model in China

This paper analyzes the price fluctuation of three compound feeds in China with ARCH-type model. The monthly data is from 1995 to 2012. The result shows that the price of feeds has the significant conditional heteroscedasticity. And its fluctuation takes on the significant volatility clustering. The feeds market do not has the characteristics of high-risk and high-reward. The price change of feed market caused by the information of price up fluctuates more sharply than the change caused by the price down, which means the price fluctuations have significant asymmetry. According to the above analysis, it was proposed that the research on feed price subsidy policy should be enhanced and the integration of livestock industry chain should be encouraged to stabilize the feed price.
Wound Care in Home-Based Settings

Wounds in homebound adults are common; clinicians who care for such patients require a working knowledge of prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics in order to minimize morbidity and maximize healing and comfort. The most frequently encountered wounds are decubitus wounds, also known as pressure wounds. Lower extremity ulcers are also common and can be venous, arterial, or neuropathic in origin. Wounds caused by malignant neoplasms are less common but are substantial causes of psychological and physical morbidity. Home-based medical providers who care for patients with wounds require a conceptual framework for dressings tailored to various types of wounds, as well as knowledge of home-based approaches such as negative-pressure wound therapy. Accurate and thorough documentation of wounds and wound care, appropriate billing, and collaboration with multiple disciplines are essential skills for the home-based clinician.
Adolescent Mice Are Resilient to Alcohol Withdrawal-Induced Anxiety and Changes in Indices of Glutamate Function within the Nucleus Accumbens.

Binge-drinking is the most prevalent form of alcohol abuse and while an early life history of binge-drinking is a significant risk factor for subsequent alcoholism and co-morbid affective disorders, relatively little is known regarding the biobehavioral impact of binge-drinking during the sensitive neurodevelopmental period of adolescence. In adult mice, a month-long history of binge-drinking elicits a hyper-glutamatergic state within the nucleus accumbens (Acb), coinciding with hyper-anxiety. Herein, we employed a murine model of binge-drinking to determine whether or not: (1) withdrawal-induced changes in brain and behavior differ between adult and adolescent bingers; and (2) increased behavioral signs of negative affect and changes in Acb expression of glutamate-related proteins would be apparent in adult mice with less chronic binge-drinking experience (14 days, approximating the duration of mouse adolescence). Adult and adolescent male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a 14-day binge-drinking protocol (5, 10, 20 and 40% alcohol (v/v) for 2 h/day), while age-matched controls received water. At 24 h withdrawal, half of the animals from each group were assayed for negative affect, while tissue was sampled from the shell (AcbSh) and core (AcbC) subregions of the remaining mice for immunoblotting analyses. Adult bingers exhibited hyper-anxiety when tested for defensive marble burying. Additionally, adult bingers showed increased mGlu1, mGlu5, and GluN2b expression in the AcbSh and PKCe and CAMKII in the AcbC. Compared to adults, adolescent mice exhibited higher alcohol intake and blood alcohol concentrations (BACs); however, adolescent bingers did not show increased anxiety in the marble-burying test. Furthermore, adolescent bingers also failed to exhibit the same alcohol-induced changes in mGlu and kinase protein expression seen in the adult bingers. Irrespective of age, bingers exhibited behavioral hyperactivity in the forced swim test (FST) compared to water drinkers, which was paralleled by an increase in AcbC levels of GluN2b. Thus, a 2-week period of binge-drinking is sufficient to produce a hyper-anxious state and related increases in protein indices of Acb glutamate function. In contrast, adolescents were resilient to many of the effects of early alcohol withdrawal and this attenuated sensitivity to the negative consequences of binge drinking may facilitate greater alcohol intake in adolescent drinkers.
MNK Controls mTORC1:Substrate Association through Regulation of TELO2 Binding with mTORC1

Summary The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates numerous stimuli and coordinates the adaptive response of many cellular processes. To accomplish this, mTOR associates with distinct co-factors that determine its signaling output. While many of these co-factors are known, in many cases their function and regulation remain opaque. The MAPK-interacting kinase (MNK) contributes to rapamycin resistance in cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that MNK sustains mTORC1 activity following rapamycin treatment and contributes to mTORC1 signaling following T cell activation and growth stimuli in cancer cells. We determine that MNK engages with mTORC1, promotes mTORC1 association with the phosphatidyl inositol 3′ kinase-related kinase (PIKK) stabilizer, TELO2, and facilitates mTORC1:substrate binding. Moreover, our data suggest that DEPTOR, the endogenous inhibitor of mTOR, opposes mTORC1:substrate association by preventing TELO2:mTORC1 binding. Thus, MNK orchestrates counterbalancing forces that regulate mTORC1 enzymatic activity.
Early geriatric consultation increases adherence to TQIP Geriatric Trauma Management Guidelines.

Background The American College of Surgeons' Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) Geriatric Trauma Management Guidelines recommend geriatric consultation for injured older adults. However it is not known how or whether geriatric consultation improves compliance to these quality measures.
Mixed effects of geolocators on reproduction and survival of Cerulean Warblers, a canopy-dwelling, long-distance migrant

ABSTRACT Light-level geolocators, miniature devices used for tracking avian migration over the full annual cycle, are being widely deployed on small migratory passerines. However, the effects of carrying geolocators on the breeding biology of songbirds are unclear, and variable species- and guild-specific conclusions have been drawn regarding their effects on return rates (apparent annual survival). In particular, there is a lack of published information on the effects of geolocators on Nearctic–Neotropical migrant warblers and canopy-dwelling bird species, which limits our ability to determine whether this technology is appropriate for use on species within these groups. During 2014 and 2015, we deployed geolocators on 49 adult male Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea) in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Arkansas, USA. We monitored the effects of geolocators across the full annual cycle by comparing apparent within-breeding-season survival (within-season ϕ), nestling provisioning rates, nest survival, and re...
Rabbi Dimi and His Figs: Powerful Lessons from One Talmudic Story

Talmudic stories are a method used by the ancient sages to teach us about morality, ethics, and the ideal life. This paper examines one Talmudic story involving Rabbi Dimi and his figs and demonstrates several lessons that maybe derived from it. A key lesson is the importance of tolerance, humility, and kindheartedness.
Electrocardiographic Findings of Fascicular Ventricular Tachycardia Versus Supraventricular Tachycardia With Aberrancy: Why the Difference?

See Article by Michowitz et al Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) using the left posterior fascicle can be easily mistaken for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with right bundle branch block (RBBB) and left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), and distinguishing these entities via ECG analysis is essential for appropriate management. Discussion of treatment options and risks and procedural planning depend on accurate ECG diagnosis. Preparation for an approach in the event of noninducibility at electrophysiological study must also be considered—empirical slow pathway ablation might be considered in some patients with SVT and dual-atrioventricular nodal physiology,1–4 while a linear ablation strategy can be used for left posterior fascicular VT (LPF-VT).5 Numerous well-known ECG criteria have been developed to distinguish VT from SVT with aberrancy,6–9 though LPF-VT may lack some features typically ascribed to VT, by virtue of involvement of the conduction system. In fact, these criteria were recently shown to have reduced sensitivity for differentiating idiopathic VT in patients without structural heart disease from SVT with aberrancy.10 In 39 patients with idiopathic VT and a RBBB morphology, 79% received a correct diagnosis of VT based on conventional ECG criteria, while 21% were deemed indeterminate, all based on conflicting morphological criteria between leads V1 and V6. On the other hand, 14% of ECGs showing wide-complex SVT were misclassified as VT or felt to be indeterminate. In this issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology , Michowitz et al11 analyzed 183 ECG tracings with LPF-VT and 61 ECG tracings with RBBB and LAFB to determine distinguishing characteristics. The authors combined 144 ECG tracings of LPF-VT confirmed via electrophysiological study from the literature with 39 from their own ablation experience, …
Diagnostic accuracy of fungal identification in histopathology and cytopathology specimens

Tools to diagnose fungal infection are microscopic examination, antigen or antibody-based detection tests, molecular diagnostics, and culture, with culture being the "gold standard" for species-level identification. Although these methods are commonly used in concert and yield concordant results, in some cases tissue is not available for culture, and/or different methodologies yield discrepant results. These discrepancies may be clinically significant, causing confusion and inappropriate or delayed initiation of antifungals. This study evaluates the correlation between microscopic examination and the results of laboratory studies, and identifies clinical scenarios and specimen characteristics associated with tissue sent for microscopic examination without concomitant laboratory studies. We performed an 18-year retrospective review at a tertiary-care, academic medical center in the Midwest United States of all fungal infection diagnoses made by microscopic examination. Only 16% of samples with fungal infection diagnosed by microscopic examination had a concomitant sample submitted for laboratory studies. Of these cases, 36% had no growth on culture and/or had a negative laboratory study. Among cases in which fungal infections were diagnosed and laboratory studies were positive, the accuracy of histopathologic identification was 95%. The most common cause for incorrect morphologic diagnoses was misidentification of Aspergillus spp. and Mucorales. Our results underscore the importance of educating pathologists with regard to appropriate terminology and increasing knowledge of mycology, particularly in relation to organisms forming hyphae in tissue. Species-level diagnosis of fungi cannot be made by microscopic examination of tissue alone. Anatomic pathology reports should recommend correlation with laboratory studies, and provide a differential diagnosis based on morphology.
Evaluation of Translaryngeal Percutaneous Arytenoid Lateralization (TPAL) in dogs with experimentally created laryngeal paralysis.

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of Translaryngeal Percutaneous Arytenoid Lateralization (TPAL) in dogs with experimentally created laryngeal paralysis. All dogs (n=5) underwent bilateral recurrent laryngeal neurectomy before TPAL. Two TPAL suture techniques were evaluated. TPAL-CranialCaudal (TPAL-CC) was performed first, followed 11 to 14days later by TPAL-DorsalVentral (TPAL-DV). For both techniques, a mattress suture was placed through the arytenoid cartilage via an oral approach. Laryngeal examination was performed before, immediately after, and on days 1, 3 and 7 for both TPAL techniques. Ipsilateral hemiglottic surface area and the degree of laryngeal swelling or reaction to the suture were recorded. Laryngeal tissue was evaluated by histopathology at the end of the study. For both TPAL techniques, hemiglottic surface area was increased immediately after suture placement (P 0.05). TPAL-DV resulted in less laryngeal swelling compared to TPAL-CC. Histopathology of the arytenoid cartilage surrounding the mattress suture revealed mucosal ulceration and inflammation consistent with the presence of the suture material. Both TPAL techniques were effective at lateralizing the arytenoid cartilage and significantly increasing hemiglottic surface area immediately after suture placement. However, mucosal swelling and loss of tension on the mattress suture lead to a decrease in glottic area within 24h. Further refinements in suture placement technique are warranted to minimize swelling and improve the duration of arytenoid lateralization prior to clinical application.
Fiber-based chemical sensing and sensing platforms with colorimetric dyes

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) such as nerve and blister agents are expected to pose continuing and growing dangers for the Warfighter in the future. We investigate a novel chemical detection modality, based on a new platform for colorimetric detection of chemical threats incorporated in hollow fibers, which are miniature in two dimensions and extendable (“extrudable”) in the third dimension (along the fiber length). By exploring fibers, and films that can be scaled to a fiber geometry, we will enable a new fiber-based chemical threat detector that can serve in textiles worn by the Warfighter (e.g., uniform), as well as in non-worn textiles and an outlying fence or perimeter for early detection of a threat cloud near an expeditionary shelter, outpost, encampment, or base.
Racial Differences in Insulin Resistance, Secretion, and Clearance

Hispanics and Asians have a higher risk for type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites (NHW); however, the mechanisms remain unclear. We evaluated differences in insulin physiology and the relationship between obesity and insulin action between NHWs (n=68) compared with Hispanics (n=33) and Asians (n=36). All participants were part of our ongoing registry. All were nondiabetic and had the following measurements: 1) insulin resistance (steady-state plasma glucose, SSPG, using the insulin suppression test, IST); 2) insulin secretion rate (using the graded-glucose infusion test, GGIT); and 3) insulin clearance rate (GGIT). Relationships were compared between measures of obesity (BMI, waist circumference) and SSPG, and between SSPG and insulin secretion rate and clearance rate using multivariate regression. Compared with NHWs, both Hispanics and Asians had higher degrees of insulin resistance than predicted by BMI or WC (Figure, p In conclusion, higher risk for diabetes in Hispanics and Asians may relate to greater risk for obesity-associated insulin resistance. Disclosure S.H. Kim: None.
The Systematics of Desmognathus Imitator

Desmognathus imitator was originally described, as Desmognathus fuscus imita­tor, by Dunn (1927). Dunn correctly perceived that two correlated color pattern char­acters, chromatic cheek patches and wavy dorsolateral stripes, distinguish D. imitator from other sympatric desmognathines. The species was subsequently placed in syn­onymy under Desmognathus fuscus carolinensis by Pope (1928), who believed that red-cheeked Desmognathus from the Great Smokies and elsewhere in the southern Appalachians represented color morphs of that form. Desmognathus imitator owes its rescue from synonymy to Richard Highton, whose decision to include a series of Desmognathus from Siler’s Bald in the Great Smoky Mountains on his Plethodon blood protein gels revealed that two reproductively isolated forms of the Desmognathus ochrophaeus complex inhabit that locality. Subsequent electrophoretic analyses (Tilley et al., 1978) revealed that one of these distinct species was clearly the form described by Dunn (1927), and that D. imitator is endemic to the Great Smoky and adjacent parts of the Great Balsam Mountains. The other member of the Desmognathus ochrophaeus complex with which D. imitator is sympatric is now referred to Desmognathus ocoee Nicholls (Tilley and Mahoney, 1996).
Effects of Cultivation on Tuber and Starch Granule Morphometrics of Solanum jamesii and Implications for Interpretation of the Archaeological Record

Abstract Plant species native to the American southwest may have been cultivated by indigenous people, but techniques to assess the extent, timing, and impacts of early manipulation are lacking. Herein we apply morphometric techniques to tubers and starch granules of the Four Corners potato, (Solanum jamesii Torrey) to determine if cultivation, even over a relatively short period of time, can be detected. When compared to wild source plants, cultivated plants produced significantly larger tubers and starch granules. We suggest that, in concert with other archaeological and/or ecological data, microbotanical data may aid in identifying modifications to plant food resources related to strategic shifts from wild harvest to cultivation in the American west.
UX Research Methods for Designing Interactive Media

User Experience (UX) is critical to the success of interactive media products. Successful product development depends on deeply understanding users in order to ensure product utility, usability, and desirability. By putting users at the center of the product development process, UX research establishes who the user is, the context they in which will use the product, and what they want from the product. UX research is also used to evaluate the user experience to confirm that users can interact with product features efficiently, effectively, and satisfactorily. Overall, UX research improves our understanding, informs design, and validates design decisions. This chapter describes several methods employed in UX research to define and evaluate the user experience of interactive media.
User Gaze Behavior while Discussing Substance Use with a Virtual Agent

Substance misuse is a major public health problem worldwide, and substance use counseling represents an important application domain for virtual agents. We report the design of a virtual counseling agent for alcohol use disorder, and a study of user gaze for individuals with different levels of alcohol use.
Impact of Core and Peripheral Service Satisfaction on Team Identification and Revisit Intention: A Comparison of Minor and Major League Ice Hockey

By incorporating two different types of service satisfaction (core and peripheral service), this study developed and tested a conceptual model delineating the impact of consumers’ satisfaction on f...
Dietary arachidonate in milk replacer triggers dual benefits of PGE2 signaling in LPS-challenged piglet alveolar macrophages.

Respiratory infections challenge the swine industry, despite common medicinal practices. The dual signaling nature of PGE2 (supporting both inflammation and resolution) makes it a potent regulator of immune cell function. Therefore, the use of dietary long chain n-6 PUFA to enhance PGE2 effects merits investigation. Day-old pigs (n = 60) were allotted to one of three dietary groups for 21 d (n = 20/diet), and received either a control diet (CON, arachidonate = 0.5% of total fatty acids), an arachidonate (ARA)-enriched diet (LC n-6, ARA = 2.2%), or an eicosapentaenoic (EPA)-enriched diet (LC n-3, EPA = 3.0%). Alveolar macrophages and lung parenchymal tissue were collected for fatty acid analysis. Isolated alveolar macrophages were stimulated with LPS in situ for 24 h, and mRNA was isolated to assess markers associated with inflammation and eicosanoid production. Culture media were collected to assess PGE2 secretion. Oxidative burst in macrophages was measured by: 1) oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification (via Seahorse), 2) cytoplasmic oxidation and 3) nitric oxide production following 4, 18, and 24 h of LPS stimulation. Concentration of ARA (% of fatty acids, w/w) in macrophages from pigs fed LC n-6 was 86% higher than CON and 18% lower in pigs fed LC n-3 (P < 0.01). Following LPS stimulation, abundance of COX-2 and TNF-α mRNA (P < 0.0001), and PGE2 secretion (P < 0. 01) were higher in LC n-6 PAM vs. CON. However, ALOX5 abundance was 1.6-fold lower than CON. Macrophages from CON and LC n-6 groups were 4-fold higher in ALOX12/15 abundance (P < 0.0001) compared to LC n-3. Oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates increased over 4 h following LPS stimulation (P < 0.05) regardless of treatment. Similarly, increases in cytoplasmic oxidation (P < 0.001) and nitric oxide production (P < 0.002) were observed after 18 h of LPS stimulation but were unaffected by diet. We infer that enriching diets with arachidonic acid may be an effective means to enhance a stronger innate immunologic response to respiratory challenges in neonatal pigs. However, further work is needed to examine long-term safety, clinical efficacy and economic viability.