cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with response, survival, and limb salvage in patients undergoing isolated limb infusion.

Background Isolated limb infusion (ILI) is a percutaneous method of delivering regional chemotherapy to patients with recurrent tumors of the extremity. This study determines predictors of response, survival, and limb salvage. Methods Single institution data from a prospective clinical trial and subsequent ILI experience were reviewed. Limb tumor burden was assessed in melanoma patients with “high” (≥10 lesions or one lesion >3 cm) or “low” burden ( 3 cm). Response was assessed at 3 months from ILI. Results Between 1999 and 2011, 62 patients underwent ILI (58 melanoma, 2 Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), 2 soft tissue sarcoma (STS)). Low tumor burden patients had more complete responses (CR) (11/23, 48%) than high tumor burden (3/32, 9%, P < 0.001); they had higher 5-year survival (69% vs. 29%, P = .007). Five-year survival rates based on response: 91% CR, 53% partial response (PR), 25% less than PR (P = 0.042, CR vs. PR). 7 patients (11%) underwent amputation due to disease progression; 3 had prior CR or PR. Conclusions Low tumor burden is a significant predictor of response in melanoma patients. Response to ILI is a significant predictor of survival. Progression of limb disease requiring amputation is not associated with any factors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:405–409. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Age of onset as a discriminator between alcoholic subtypes in a treatment-seeking outpatient population.

Subtyping alcoholics may provide a more accurate guide as to the course and character of the disease. Classifications of different ages of onset of problem drinking have so far resulted in categorical inconsistencies. In the past, hospital-based alcoholics have over-represented those most severely ill, and comprehensive evaluations of psychopathology for discriminating between alcoholic subtypes have been infrequent. In a heterogeneous treatmentseeking, outpatient, alcoholic population, we tested the hypothesis that age of onset represents a continuum of disease, and that greater severity of psychopathology is associated with lower ages of onset. Using a standard questionnaire, 253 male and female treatment-seeking alcoholics were stratified according to specific ages of onset: a) 25 years. These age of onset groups were compared on alcohol severity and craving, family history, childhood behavior, personality, hostility, overt aggression, mood, and social functioning. Sy...
The cortisol response during physiological sexual arousal in adult women with a history of childhood sexual abuse

Many women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experience difficulties becoming sexually aroused. This study measured cortisol and physiological sexual arousal during exposure to sexual stimuli in women with and without a history of CSA. Childhood sexual abuse survivors showed a smaller decrease in cortisol during sexual arousal than the nonsexually abused, control group potentially due to an increase in cortisol in some of the participants in the CSA group. Physiological sexual arousal was weaker in CSA survivors compared to women with no history of sexual abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms showed characteristics consistent with mediation for the relationship between a history of CSA and inhibited sexual arousal responses.
Understanding PRACTICE: An acronym for the holistic approach to practice:

The purpose of this article is to provide a mnemonic device that when incorporated into practice behavior is shown through case study to help students develop an understanding of the relationship b...
The human Nramp2 gene: characterization of the gene structure, alternative splicing, promoter region and polymorphisms.

Abstract ABSTRACT: Nramp2 is a gene encoding a transmembrane protein that is important in metal transport, in particular iron. Mutations in nramp2 have been shown to be associated with microcytic anemia in mk/mk mice and defective iron transport in Belgrade rats. Nramp2 contains a classical iron responsive element in the 3′ untranslated region that confers iron dependent mRNA stabilization. In this report, we describe a splice variant form of human nramp2 that has the carboxyl terminal 18 amino acids substituted with 25 novel amino acids and has a new 3′ untranslated region lacking a classical iron-responsive element. This splice form of nramp2, nramp2 non-IRE, was found to be derived from splicing of an additional exon into the terminal coding exon. The nramp2 gene is comprised of 17 exons and spans more than 36 kb. It contains an additional 5′ exon and intron (exon and intron 1) and an additional 3′ exon (exon 17) and intron (intron 16) as compared to nramp1, a homologous gene. The additional exons and introns account for much of the difference in length between nramp2 (>36 kb) and nramp1 (12 kb). The exon-intron borders of nramp2 exons 3-15 are homologous to nramp1 exons 2-14. The nramp2 5′ regulatory region contains two CCAAT boxes but lacks a TATA box. The 5′ regulatory region of nramp2 also contains five potential metal response elements (MRE's) that are similar to the MRE's found in the metallothionein-IIAgene, three potential SP1 binding sites and a single γ-interferon regulatory element. Five single nucleotide mutations or polymorphisms were identified within the nramp2 gene. One of these, 1303C→A, occurs in the coding region of nramp2 and results in an amino acid change from leucine to isolecine. A polymorphism, 1254T/C, also occurs in the coding region of nramp2 but does not cause an amino acid change. The other 3 polymorphisms are within introns (IVS2+11A/G, IVS4+44C/A, and IVS6+538G/Gdel). In addition, a polymorphic microsatellite TATATCTATATATC (TA)6-7(CA)10-11CCCCCTATA (TATC)3(TCTG)5TCCG (TCTA)6was identified in intron 3. Analysis of cDNA derived by direct amplification of reversed transcribed RNA or cDNA clones isolated from a library provide evidence of skipping of exons 10 and 12 of nramp2. Deletion of either of these exons would result in a sequence that remains in frame yet would generate a protein that would lack transmembrane spanning region 7 or 8 respectively. The deletion of a single transmembrane domain would have severe topological consequences. The coding region of the nramp2 gene of hemochromatosis patients with or without mutations in the hemochromatosis gene,HFE, were examined and found to be normal. One hemochromatosis patient, with a normalHFEgenotype, was heterozygous for the 1303C→A mutation. Furthermore, in an examination of hemochromatosis patients with mutantHFEand normalHFEgenes, we did not observe a linkage disequilibrium of either group with a particular nramp2 haplotype. These data suggest that mutations in nramp2 are not commonly associated with hemochromatosis.
Climatic Controls on Phytoplankton Biomass in a Sub-tropical Estuary, Florida Bay, USA

The extraction of climatic signals from time series of biogeochemical data is further complicated in estuarine regions because of the dynamic interaction of land, ocean, and atmosphere. We explored the behavior of potential global and regional climatic stressors to isolate specific shifts or trends, which could have a forcing role on the behavior of biogeochemical descriptors of water quality and phytoplankton biomass from Florida Bay, as an example of a sub-tropical estuary. We performed statistical analysis and subdivided the bay into six zones having unique biogeochemical characteristics. Significant shifts in the drivers were identified in all the chlorophyll a time series. Chlorophyll a concentrations closely follow global forcing and display a generalized declining trend on which seasonal oscillations are superimposed, and it is only interrupted by events of sudden increase triggered by storms which are followed by a relatively rapid return to pre-event conditions trailing again the long-term trend.
Neighborhood effects on use of African-American Vernacular English

African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) is systematic, rooted in history, and important as an identity marker and expressive resource for its speakers. In these respects, it resembles other vernacular or nonstandard varieties, like Cockney or Appalachian English. But like them, AAVE can trigger discrimination in the workplace, housing market, and schools. Understanding what shapes the relative use of AAVE vs. Standard American English (SAE) is important for policy and scientific reasons. This work presents, to our knowledge, the first experimental estimates of the effects of moving into lower-poverty neighborhoods on AAVE use. We use data on non-Hispanic African-American youth (n = 629) from a large-scale, randomized residential mobility experiment called Moving to Opportunity (MTO), which enrolled a sample of mostly minority families originally living in distressed public housing. Audio recordings of the youth were transcribed and coded for the use of five grammatical and five phonological AAVE features to construct a measure of the proportion of possible instances, or tokens, in which speakers use AAVE rather than SAE speech features. Random assignment to receive a housing voucher to move into a lower-poverty area (the intention-to-treat effect) led youth to live in neighborhoods (census tracts) with an 11 percentage point lower poverty rate on average over the next 10-15 y and reduced the share of AAVE tokens by ∼3 percentage points compared with the MTO control group youth. The MTO effect on AAVE use equals approximately half of the difference in AAVE frequency observed between youth whose parents have a high school diploma and those whose parents do not.
Mixture segmentation and background suppression in chemosensor arrays with a model of olfactory bulb-cortex interaction

We present a model of olfactory bulb-cortex interaction for the purpose of mixture processing with gas sensor arrays. The olfactory bulb is modeled with a neurodynamic model whose lateral inhibitory connections are learned through a modified Hebbian-anti-Hebbian rule. Bulbar outputs are then projected in a non-topographic fashion onto the olfactory cortex. Associational connections within cortex using Hebbian learning form a content addressable memory. Finally, inhibitory feedback from cortex is used to modulate bulbar activity. Depending on the form of feedback, Hebbian or anti-Hebbian, the model is able to perform background suppression or mixture segmentation. The model is validated on experimental data from a gas sensor array.
Candidate Tumor Suppressor and pVHL Partner Jade-1 Binds and Inhibits AKT in Renal Cell Carcinoma

The von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor pVHL (VHL) is lost in the majority of clear-cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is also common in RCC, with PTEN loss occurring in ~30% of the cases, but other mechanisms responsible for activating AKT at a wider level in this setting are undefined. Plant homeodomain protein Jade-1 (PHF17) is a candidate renal tumor suppressor stabilized by pVHL. Here using kinase arrays we identified phospho-AKT1 as an important target of Jade-1. Overexpressing or silencing Jade-1 in RCC cells increased or decreased levels of endogenous phospho-AKT/AKT1. Further, reintroducing pVHL into RCC cells increased endogenous Jade-1 and suppressed endogenous levels of phospho-AKT, which colocalized with and bound to Jade-1. The N-terminus of Jade-1 bound both the catalytic domain and the C-terminal regulatory tail of AKT, suggesting a mechanism through which Jade-1 inhibited AKT kinase activity. Intriguingly, RCC precursor cells where Jade-1 was silenced exhibited an increased capacity for AKT-dependent anchorage-independent growth, in support of a tumor suppressor function for Jade-1 in RCC. In support of this concept, an in silico expression analysis suggested that reduced Jade-1 expression is a poor prognostic factor in clear-cell RCC that is associated with activation of an AKT1 target gene signature. Taken together, our results identify two mechanisms for Jade-1 fine control of AKT/AKT1 in RCC, through loss of pVHL, which decreases Jade-1 protein, or through attenuation in Jade-1 expression. These findings help explain the pathologic cooperativity in clear-cell RCC between PTEN inactivation and pVHL loss, which leads to decreased Jade-1 levels that superactivate AKT. Additionally, they prompt further investigation of Jade-1 as a candidate biomarker and tumor suppressor in clear-cell RCC.
Building an accurate range finder with off the shelf components

The authors present an active triangulation range finding system composed of an independent laser system generating a plane of light projected on an object placed on a rotary table driven by a personal computer. This computer includes a video digitizer board connected to a camera looking at the scene. Besides its low cost, this system has other advantages over the comparable existing systems. First, the authors have designed a simple, fast and accurate calibration procedure which does not require any knowledge about the camera parameters or the relative position of the camera with the laser plane. Furthermore, this calibration procedure is performed only once, ensuring stable and accurate results. The result of the scanning of a given object is given in cylindrical coordinates. Choosing different viewpoints, Cartesian range images of the same object are computed in order to show, with shaded and perspective views of the scanned object, the quality of the results. >
Effects of Environmental Predictability and Personal Mastery on Self-Regulatory and Physiological Processes:

College student participants high and low in personal mastery were exposed to an experimental priming manipulation that made salient the unpredictable aspects of college, the predictable aspects of college, or neutral features of the college environment. They then completed a thought-listing task regarding thoughts about college and measures of self-regulatory processes. Blood pressure and pulse data were collected every 2 minutes. Participants exposed to the predictable manipulation made more references to the future and more references to personal goals and had lower systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure reactivity compared with those in the neutral condition and to those in the unpredictable condition. Participants high (vs. low) in mastery showed more evidence of active self-regulation. Implications for the study of stress are discussed.
Geometry and lateral strain of subducted plates in island arcs

Oceanic trenches associated with island arcs generally have small radii of curvature, much less than 45 degrees. A geometric model of subduction is presented that predicts three types of arcs: one in which the subducted plate is subject to lateral extension, a second in which the subducted plate is laterally shortened, and a third in which the subducted plate is not laterally deformed. Parameters of the model are the radius of curvature of the island arc and the dip of the subducted plate. Comparison of island arcs with the model suggests that, at intermediate and deep levels of subduction, most arcs are of the type in which the subducted plate is laterally extended.
Low-Frequency Fatigue

Muscle fatigue has been defined as a temporary loss in force or torque-generating ability due to recent muscle contraction.1 The mechanisms underlying muscle fatigue are numerous and may have their origins anywhere from the central nervous system (CNS) to cellular-level cross-bridge cycling.2,3 The major proposed mechanisms of fatigue production are: (1) inadequate excitation of motoneurons, (2) poor action potential transmission along axonal branch points, (3) failure of the action potential to invade the synaptic bouton or failure to trigger transmitter release at the myoneural junction, (4) failure of the post-junctional membrane to be depolarized adequately, (5) failure of the action potential to propagate the full length of the sarcolemma or the action potential has too low of an amplitude, (6) failure of the action potential to invade the T-tubule system and sarcoplasmic reticulum system or failure of the action potential to trigger calcium release, (7) contractile system of the muscle, and (8) mitochondria, signifying metabolic events that sustain contraction.2 Until recently, muscle fatigue was thought to be caused by lactic acid accumulation or a lowered pH within the muscle due to a rising hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) during anaerobic metabolism.4–6 Recent literature, however, has shown that at the cross-bridge level, [H+] may not be a major causative factor of muscle fatigue.7–18 Inorganic phosphate accumulation, on the other hand, has been implicated as a significant cause of muscle fatigue, presumably in its role at the cross-bridge level.7,19–21 During the study of muscle fatigue, a phenomenon known as low-frequency fatigue (LFF) was observed. It was first described by Edwards and colleagues22 and is characterized by a proportionately greater loss of force in response to low- versus high-frequency muscle stimulation. This form of fatigue is long-lasting, …
Behaving Optimistically: How the (Un)Desirability of an Outcome Can Bias People's Preparations for It

Past research on the desirability bias and on bracing for bad news has focused on the potential influence of outcome desirability on people's stated expectations. The present studies examined its influence on behavior—that is, what is done in anticipation of, or preparation for, an uncertain outcome. In five studies, the desirability of possible outcomes for an event, which was uncertain and uncontrollable by the participant, was manipulated, and preparation behavior was measured. Study 1 used a hypothetical-events paradigm. Studies 2 and 3 involved a computer activity in which behavior was tracked on a trial-by-trial basis. In Studies 4 and 5, the uncertain event was the ending of a videotaped basketball game. Rather than exhibiting bracing or a reluctance to tempt fate, participants tended to behave in a manner consistent with an optimistic desirability bias. In a subset of studies, predictions and likelihood judgments were also solicited; the differential effects of outcome desirability on these measures are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An artifact in mandibular position induced by the intrameatal cephalometric head holder

T he accuracy of radiographic cephalometrics has been the subject of many studies which indicate that, when properly employed, the degree of error in this technique is insignificant for ordinary skull measurements.l+ However, when this tool is applied to the study of occlusion and mandibular condyle-fossa rela,tionships,4-G the size of the parts and the magnitude of change being measured are reduced, and the same small inherent errors become correspondingly more signiflcant.7 Until now, little attention has been paid to the possibility that distortions of jaw position also may be induced by the head-positioning device of the cephalometer. The commonly used head holder employs posts which fit into the ears and a nosepiece which is adjusted against nasion. In order to achieve proper fixation of head position to permit accurate duplication for subsequent sittings, the apparatus must be adjusted quite tightly. As the nosepiece is tightened, the ear posts unavoidably are pressed against the anterior wall of the external auditory meatuses. Since that portion of the mandibular condyle lateral to the postglenoid process lies immediately anterior to the cartilagenous external auditory meatus and is separated from it only by soft tissue,* it seems highly probable that such pressure is transmitted to the condyle. The present study was designed to determine whether the intrameatal head holder, by indirectly pressing on the mandibular condyle, has an effect on mandibular position, causing anterior positioning and thus affecting measurements related to the study of occlusion.
Field Effect of Insecticides on Chrysanthemum Leafminer and a Primary Parasitoid, Chrysocharis ainsliel (Crawford), on Artichokes in California

Repeated applications of ethyl and methyl parathion for artichoke plume moth control on globe artichoke in California results in the resurgence of a secondary pest, the Chrysanthemum Ieafminer, Phytomyza syngenesiae (Hardy), due primarily to disrupting effects on the eulophid parasitoids. A field trial testing the effects of 8 insecticices on the fly and on a primary parasitoid, Chrysocharis ainsliei (Crawford), indicated the most favorable selectivity with acephate, followed by aldicarb and phosalone which allowed for adequate fly control with minimum adverse effects on the parasitoid.
Transformation of hamster embryo fibroblasts by a specific fragment of the herpes simplex virus genome

Isolated restriction endonuclease fragments of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genome were introduced into hamster embryo cells to identify DNA sequences capable to transforming the cells with respect to acquisition of properties correlated with tumorigenicity. One of the fragments generated by cleavage of HSV-1 DNA with the restriction endonuclease Xba I was found to induce transformation at a frequency of about 10 colonies per quantity of fragment recovered from 1 microgram of uncut DNA; fractions containing the other Xba I fragments failed to induce transformation reproducibly, although occasional colonies were detected. The fragment with transforming activity (Xba I-F) is 15.5 X 10(6) daltons in molecular weight and is located between 0.30 and 0.45 map units on the HSV-1 genome. The Xba I-F transformants obtained were selected for their ability to replicate in low concentrations of serum; in addition, they were found to attain high saturation densities in the presence of 10% serum and to form colonies in semisolid medium. Moreover, the transformed cells produced at least one of the viral gene products (a membrane glycoprotein) encoded in the fragment used for transformation, indicating not only that viral DNA was incorporated into the cells, but also that viral genes were expressed.
Chapter 7 Experimental Optimization for Quality Products and Processes

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an experimental optimization for quality products and processes. The focus of the current industrial transformation is “quality,” a word that has several meanings. The two meanings that are critical for both quality planning and strategic business planning relate to product or process advantages and product or process deficiencies. The chapter also discusses statistical process control and control charts. Control charts are useful because they offer a way of letting the process tell when it has changed its behavior. One of the most powerful uses of control charts is their ability to tell when the process is in statistical control so that one can leave it alone and not tamper with it. Another use of control charts is to show when special causes are at work so that steps can be taken to discover the identity of special causes and use them to improve the process. The chapter also describes experimental optimization.
Dynamic Coupling at the Ångström Scale

While momentum transfer from active particles to their immediate surroundings has been studied for both synthetic and biological micron-scale systems, a similar phenomenon was presumed unlikely to exist at smaller length scales due to the dominance of viscosity in the ultralow Reynolds number regime. Using diffusion NMR spectroscopy, we studied the motion of two passive tracers--tetramethylsilane and benzene--dissolved in an organic solution of active Grubbs catalyst. Significant enhancements in diffusion were observed for both the tracers and the catalyst as a function of reaction rate. A similar behavior was also observed for the enzyme urease in aqueous solution. Surprisingly, momentum transfer at the molecular scale closely resembles that reported for microscale systems and appears to be independent of swimming mechanism. Our work provides new insight into the role of active particles on advection and mixing at the Angstrom scale.
Limits of Natural Logic

Natural Logic attempts to do formal reasoning in natural language in a proof-theoretic way making use of the syntactic structure and the semantic properties of lexical items and constructions. It goes beyond trying to establish who did what to whom to yield further inferences. Natural Logic contrasts with approaches that involve a translation from a natural into a formal language such as predicate calculus or a higher-order logic that is sometimes deemed a more appropriate basis for reasoning although difficult to implement efficiently. Both approaches have been used in current work on computational semantics.
Modified Line-of-Sight Model for Deposition of Tungsten Silicide Barrier Layers

A modified line-of-sight model for transport and deposition during LPCVD is used to predict step coverage and film composition uniformity of tungsten silicide barrier layers. Predictions are compared with experimental results for 2 μm wide by 6 μm deep trenches with barrier layers of 0.2 μm nominal thickness. Model predictions are in quantitative agreement with those of a diffusion-reaction model and are in qualitative agreement with experiment.
A Computer System for Controlling Interviewer Costs

The traditional method of evaluating interviewer cost performance by cost per interview is incomplete and potentially unjust. Research firms that use only this measure do not fully use available data and are likely to misallocate their efforts at control. This article describes a comprehensive interviewer cost control system used for a large repetitive study of appliance purchases conducted by Audits of Great Britain, Limited (AGB). Since this survey consists of 35,000 personal interviews per quarter, the benefits of rigorous cost control are obvious. Moreover, the concepts and ratios have general applicability to most surveys.
An Introduction to Hestenes Ternary Rings

(1969). An Introduction to Hestenes Ternary Rings. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 76, No. 3, pp. 245-248.
CELL INTRINSIC SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN THE RB AND P21 PATHWAYS UNDERLIES MALE PREDOMINANCE IN GBM

BACKGROUND: Male prevalence across histological subtypes of brain tumors is well known but unexplained. The effects of sex on human disease frequently result from acute actions of circulating sex hormones on cellular physiology and immune function. However, differences in brain tumor rates between males and females are comparable in prepubertal children, and pre and post-menopausal adults, suggesting that alternate mechanisms may underlie this disparity. Here we show that sex-specific differences exist in thresholds for malignant transformation within the astrocyte lineage and that this can contribute to male predominance in the most common brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM). METHODS: Analysis of three publically accessible databases was utilized to determine whether sex differences are equally present in each of the four molecular subtypes of GBM. Stepwise transformation was modeled for Mesenchymal GBM in separate male and female murine astrocyte cultures by sequential inactivation of neurofibromin (NF1) and p53. Thresholds for transformation were measured in soft agar assays and with in vivo tumorigenesis assays. The molecular basis for differences in thresholds for transformation between male and female astrocytes was investigated in evaluations of stem cell induction, Rb inactivation and p21 activation. RESULTS: Significant male predominance was consistently observed in Proneural and Mesenchymal subtypes of GBM. We modeled Mesenchymal subtype GBM with combined loss of Nf1 and p53 function through cre-mediated knock-out of Nf1 (Nf1-/-) and expression of a dominant negative p53 construct (DNp53). These changes induced a subpopulation of cells with clonogenic, stem cell function in male but not female astrocytes. Male Nf1-/-,DNp53 astrocytes exhibited significantly greater growth compared to female Nf1-/-,DNp53 astrocytes. In addition, male but not female Nf1-/-,DNp53 astrocytes were transformed with either EGF treatment or in vivo implantation. Male Nf1-/-,DNp53 astrocytes exhibited greater in vivo tumorigencitiy regardless of the sex of the recipient mouse. Induced intracranial tumors were diagnosed as grade 4 astrocytomas based on standard histological features. Enhanced stem cell function and tumorigenicity in male Nf1-/-,DNp53 astrocytes was associated with greater inactivation of Rb and less p21 activation compared to female Nf1-/-,DNp53 astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences in cancer, including GBM can involve cell intrinsic sexual dimorphism in tumor suppressor pathways resulting in different thresholds for transformation in males and females. These results suggest that tumor suppressor and oncogene mechanisms should be evaluated in a sex-specific fashion and that screening and treatment of GBM and other cancers may need to be sex-specific. SECONDARY CATEGORY: n/a.
Methodological Trends in Secondary Education and Transition Research Looking Backward and Moving Forward

Prevailing policy and practice in the field of transition emphasizes the importance of designing services and supports based on research-based practices. We reviewed every article published across ...
The First Alcohol Drink Triggers mTORC1-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity in Nucleus Accumbens Dopamine D1 Receptor Neurons.

Early binge-like alcohol drinking may promote the development of hazardous intake. However, the enduring cellular alterations following the first experience with alcohol consumption are not fully understood. We found that the first binge-drinking alcohol session produced enduring enhancement of excitatory synaptic transmission onto dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons (D1+ neurons) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell but not the core in mice, which required D1 receptors (D1Rs) and mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Furthermore, inhibition of mTORC1 activity during the first alcohol drinking session reduced alcohol consumption and preference of a subsequent drinking session. mTORC1 is critically involved in RNA-to-protein translation, and we found that the first alcohol session rapidly activated mTORC1 in NAc shell D1+ neurons and increased synaptic expression of the AMPAR subunit GluA1 and the scaffolding protein Homer. Finally, D1R stimulation alone was sufficient to activate mTORC1 in the NAc to promote mTORC1-dependent translation of the synaptic proteins GluA1 and Homer. Together, our results indicate that the first alcohol drinking session induces synaptic plasticity in NAc D1+ neurons via enhanced mTORC1-dependent translation of proteins involved in excitatory synaptic transmission that in turn drives the reinforcement learning associated with the first alcohol experience. Thus, the alcohol-dependent D1R/mTORC1-mediated increase in synaptic function in the NAc may reflect a neural imprint of alcohol's reinforcing properties, which could promote subsequent alcohol intake. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Consuming alcohol for the first time is a learning event that drives further drinking. Here, we identified a mechanism that may underlie the reinforcing learning associated with the initial alcohol experience. We show that the first alcohol experience induces a persistent enhancement of excitatory synaptic transmission on NAc shell D1+ neurons, which is dependent on D1R and mTORC1. We also find that mTORC1 is necessary for the sustained alcohol consumption and preference across the initial drinking sessions. The first alcohol binge activates mTORC1 in NAc D1+ neurons and increases levels of synaptic proteins involved in glutamatergic signaling. Thus, the D1R/mTORC1-dependent plasticity following the first alcohol exposure may be a critical cellular component of reinforcement learning.
Risk Factors for Autism in Tuberous Sclerosis

The prevalence and risk factors for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in a cohort of 103 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) were determined in a study at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
Crustal structure of Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawaii, from seismic refraction and gravity data

abstract In October 1978, the U.S. Geological Survey established a 100-km-long seismic refraction profile normal to the Kona coast of Hawaii Island. Analysis of these data along with available gravity data suggest that the oceanic crust dips about 3° landward under the submerged flank of the island increasing to 8.5° under the Kona coast. Maximum vertical deflection of the base of crust from beneath the deep ocean to a point beneath the summit of Mauna Loa is about 9 km. High-velocity, high-density rocks ( Vp about 7.1 km/sec, density about 2.9 gm/cm 3 ) comprise the bulk of the volcanic edifice and reach to within a few kilometers of the surface beneath the north flank of Mauna Loa. The data also suggest that an elongate high-velocity, high-density body lies parallel to the Kona coast just below the surface; this body probably represents an extinct, buried rift zone.
DIAGNOSIS OF CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS : COMPARISON OF 2DFT TIME-OF-FLIGHT MR ANGIOGRAPHY WITH CONTRAST ANGIOGRAPHY IN 50 PATIENTS

Fifty patients underwent 2DFT time-of-flight MR angiography and intraarterial contrast angiography for evaluation of possible carotid atherosclerotic disease. The MR angiography technique employed contiguous axial flow-sensitive (short TR/TE) slices that were reformatted and postprocessed by using a maximum-intensity projection algorithm to provide 16 angiographic views of the carotid arteries. Both studies were independently reviewed by two observers in a blinded manner. Carotid arteries were categorized as normal, mildly stenotic, moderately stenotic, severely stenotic, or occluded. For the 94 carotid arteries available for review, one observer reported a 70% agreement between the two techniques and the second observer reported a 56% agreement (p = .0001). The best correlation was in the severely stenotic category and the worst was in the occluded category. Agreement between observers was 67% for MR angiography and 72% for contrast angiography, which was similar to that between the two techniques. Although not all carotid atherosclerotic disease was visualized equally well, 2DFT time-of-flight MR angiography had a good overall correlation with the "gold standard" of intraarterial contrast angiography, supporting its use as a screening technique. While further improvements are needed, use of MR angiography as the primary diagnostic tool for many patients with suspected carotid stenosis should continue to increase.
A Generalized Reduced Gradient Algorithm for Large-scale Trajectory Optimization Problems

This paper describes the design of a “sparse” nonlinear programming algorithm for a “large scale” flight optimization and sizing code. This program is designed to solve trajectory optimal control problems with path constraints. The direct transcription technique is applied to discretize an optimal control problem into a sparse, large scale parameter optimization problem for subsequent numerical solution by a nonlinear programming algorithm. This paper focuses on the design of a generalized reduced gradient algorithm to exploit the sparsity structure of the collocation equations.
Effect of Laser Settings and Irrigation Rates on Ureteral Temperature During Holmium Laser Lithotripsy, an In Vitro Model.

Abstract Purpose: Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy requires irrigation for adequate visualization and temperature control during treatment of ureteral stones. However, there are little data on how d...
Evolution of Sensors Leading to Smart Objects and Security Issues in IoT

As human beings started using technology for a better living, came the need for sensing and sensory devices. Sensors brought about a change in the way things are perceived and provided a definitive way forward in the dream of making comfortable living affordable for human beings. The evolution of sensors leading to the emergence of smart objects that are an integral part of the cyber-physical systems (CPS) and the Internet of Things (IoT) have been discussed in this paper. The various challenges that exist in the field of security of the IoT devices and the ways of handling them are outlined. An attempt has been made to discuss the concept of botnets and the various ways in which attackers exploit these especially in the IoT devices and the possible outcomes.
Role of the αA-Crybp1 Site in Lens-Specific Expression of the αA-Crystallin Gene

A heterogeneous group of crystallins comprise 80–90% of the soluble protein of the ocular lens and are responsible for lens transparency (see 30 for review). The two a-crystallins (αA and (αB) are present in all vertebrates, and arose from duplication of a common ancestral gene. The αA gene is expressed in a lens-specific manner, while the αB gene is expressed in numerous tissues (see 24 for review). A combination of transgenic mouse (28), mutagenesis, and cDNA cloning experiments (20) have implicated the αA-CRYBP1 site (5′- GGGAAATCCC-3′ at-66 to-57) in the lens-specific expression of the mouse α-crystallin gene.
Critical epidemiological literacy: understanding ideas better when placed in relation to alternatives

This article describes contrasting ideas for a set of topics in epidemiological thinking. The premise underlying this contribution to the special edition is that researchers develop their epidemiological thinking over time through interactions with other researchers who have a variety of in-practice commitments, such as to kinds of cases and methods of analysis, and not simply to a philosophical framework for explanation. I encourage discussants from philosophy and epidemiology to draw purposefully from across a range of topics and contrasting positions, and thereby pursue critical thinking in the sense of understanding ideas and practices better when we examine them in relation to alternatives. After an initial topic concerning practices for developing epidemiological literacy, a number of conceptual steps follow—the characterization of the very phenomena we might be concerned with, the scope and challenges of the field of epidemiology, the formulation of categories—before linking associations, predictions, causes and interventions and examining the confounding of purported links. Building on that conceptual basis, the remaining topics consist of issues or angles of analysis related to the complexities of inequalities within and between populations, context, and changes over the life course. The organization of topics derives from a graduate course that I teach that aims for epidemiological literacy, not technical ability in statistical formulas and data analysis, and shares the underlying premise and critical thinking goals of this article. During the topic-by-topic description, some assertions about explanation and intervention emerge, notably, that epidemiological–philosophical discussion about causality often leaves unclear or unexamined whether a modifiable factor shown to have been associated with a difference in the data from past observations should be thought of as factor that, when modified, would generate that difference going forward. The article concludes with a “Limitations of this Study” section that teases out different kinds of description–prescription relationship that are implied in undertaking philosophy of epidemiology and identifies some other considerations that are implied but not emphasized by this article.
Allantoic Metabolites, Progesterone, and Estradiol-17β Remain Unchanged After Infection in an Experimental Model of Equine Ascending Placentitis

Abstract The objective of this study was to characterize the metabolomic profile of equine allantoic fluid in the pregnant mare with and without experimentally induced ascending placentitis with the goal of identifying biomarkers of this disease. We compared the onset of metabolomic changes with common modalities for diagnosis of ascending placentitis, including measurement of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP), hormonal profiling, and measurement of serum acute phase proteins. Ten pregnant pony mares were randomly divided into two groups: five healthy control mares (CONT) and five mares induced to develop ascending placentitis (PLAC) via inoculation with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus bacteria at Days 280–285 of gestation. Allantoic fluid, whole blood, and serum were collected from both groups at 270–275 days of gestation and at the following time points postinoculation: 4 hours, Days 2, 4, 6, and 10. Differences between groups in identified metabolites, progesterone, estradiol-17β, lactate, and serum amyloid A (SAA) were assessed using an analysis of variance with repeated measures. A total of 27 metabolites were identified in allantoic fluid. No differences were detected between groups at any time point (P > .05) for any identified metabolite, progesterone, estradiol-17β, or lactate concentrations. Significant elevations in CTUP (P = .003) and SAA (P = .0001) were detected by Days 4 and 6 postinoculation, respectively. The results of this study established a database of equine allantoic fluid metabolites and confirmed the utility of uteroplacental ultrasound for detection of placentitis before the onset of hematologic changes.
Impact of the microbiome on cancer progression and response to anti-cancer therapies

Humans are a colonized with trillions of commensal microorganisms which exert a profound effect on normal host physiology and immune function through an abundance of genetic and metabolic by-products. Although the commensal microbiome has beneficial functions to host physiology, perturbations of the composition of the commensal microbiome or the homeostatic mucosal environment can lead to the induction of immune pathology and systemic inflammation. In the context of cancer progression or response to immune therapy, this inflammation can be detrimental, resulting in tumor growth and the promotion of immune suppression. On the other hand, significant associations have been identified whereby certain commensal microorganisms are able to enhance T cell function or are required for tumor control in cancer patients treated with certain immune therapies and chemotherapies. The focus of this chapter is to highlight the role of the commensal microbiome during tumor progression and in response to immune therapies.
A Description and Evaluation of U.S. Climate Reference Network Standardized Soil Moisture Dataset

AbstractThe interpretation of in situ or remotely sensed soil moisture data for drought monitoring is challenged by the sensitivity of these observations to local soil characteristics and seasonal ...
Remarks on the Past, Present, and Likely Future of Photoelasticity

Abstract The Applied Mechanics Reviews summary paper by Mindlin† is taken as the point of departure for a review of the past and present status of photoelasticity and a projection of the future. Some later developments are described and supplemental remarks made on earlier work. Recent advances in optical techniques and in optical analysis are seen as opening the way to many more new and valuable experimental and theoretical studies. Far more sophisticated modeling of materials and the more incisive use of photoelasticity as a tool of materials science and engineering appear as likely consequences.
Three-dimensional-subwavelength field localization, time reversal of sources, and infinitely asymptotic degeneracy in spherical structures

High-resolution field localization in three dimensions is one of the main challenges in optics and has immense importance in fields such as chemistry, biology, and medicine. Time-reversal symmetry of waves has been a fertile ground for applications such as generating a subwavelength focal spot and coherent-perfect absorption. However, in order to generate the time-reversed signal of a monochromatic source, discrete sources that are modulated according to the wave amplitude on a spherical envelope are required, rendering it applicable only in acoustics. Here we approach these challenges by introducing a spherical layer with a resonant permittivity, which naturally generates the spatially continuous time-reversed signal of an atomic and molecular multipole transition at the origin. We start by utilizing a spherical layer with a resonant TM $l=1$ permittivity situated in a uniform medium to generate a free-space-subwavelength focal spot at the origin. We remove the degeneracy of the eigenfunctions of the composite medium by situating a point current source (or polarization) directed parallel to the spherical layer, which generates a focal spot at the origin independently of its location. The free-space focal spot has a FWHM of $0.4\ensuremath{\lambda}$ in the lateral axes and $0.58\ensuremath{\lambda}$ in the axial axis, which is tighter by a factor of $\sqrt{2}$ in each dimension in excitation-collection mode, overcoming the $\ensuremath{\lambda}/2$ far-field resolution limit in three dimensions. We then explore two directions to localize electric field with deep-subwavelength resolution in three dimensions using this setup. Since the imaginary part of the eigenvalue is also realized in the physical parameter and the setup can be in an exact resonance, it can also open avenues in fields such as cavity QED, entanglement, and quantum information. In addition, we show that spherical structures exhibit a unique type of degeneracy in which an infinite number of eigenvalues asymptotically coalesce. This high degeneracy results in a variety of optical phenomena, such as strong scattering and enhancement of absorption and emission from an atom or molecule by orders of magnitude compared with a standard resonance.
Applying Industry Lessons in Configuration Management to Your Research

Let's imagine a scenario: As part of your research, you design a complex computer model of a power systems network and spend a lot of time tweaking parameters. After many simulations, you rejoice when you begin to see good results that approach your theoretical calculations and confirm your hypothesis. But your work is not done. You continue trying to optimize the performance by making small modifications, undoing changes, making new changes, capturing output, and jotting down some point form notes in your logbook.
A 13.9-nA ECG Amplifier Achieving 0.86/0.99 NEF/PEF Using AC-Coupled OTA-Stacking

An ultra-low power electrocardiogram (ECG) recording front-end intended for implantable sensors is presented. The noise-limited, high power first stage of a two-stage amplifier utilizes stacking of operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) for noise and power efficiency improvements. The proposed technique involves upmodulated/chopped signals being applied to ac-coupled, stacked inverter-based OTAs that inherently sum the individual transconductances while reusing the same current, thereby enhancing the noise efficiency. Two prototype designs were fabricated in a 180-nm CMOS process. The three-stack version consumes 13.2 nW and occupies 0.18 mm2, whereas the five-stack implementation consumes 18.7 nW and occupies 0.24 mm2. State-of-the-art NEF and PEF metrics of less than unity, 0.86 and 0.99, respectively, are reported for the five-stack version. These correspond to ~3 $\times $ improvement in terms of energy efficiency compared to prior ultra-low power, sub-100-nW amplifiers.
Matrix mechanics and water permeation regulate extracellular vesicle transport

Cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) to communicate over long distances, which requires EVs to traverse the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, given that the size of EVs is usually larger than the mesh size of the ECM, it is not clear how they can travel through the dense ECM. Here we show that, in contrast to synthetic nanoparticles, EVs readily transport through nanoporous ECM. Using engineered hydrogels, we demonstrate that the mechanical properties of the matrix regulate anomalous EV transport under confinement. Matrix stress relaxation allows EVs to overcome the confinement, and a higher crosslinking density facilitates a fluctuating transport motion through the polymer mesh, which leads to free diffusion and fast transport. Furthermore, water permeation through aquaporin-1 mediates the EV deformability, which further supports EV transport in hydrogels and a decellularized matrix. Our results provide evidence for the nature of EV transport within confined environments and demonstrate an unexpected dependence on matrix mechanics and water permeation.