cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High resolution sonographic determination of the normal dimensions of the intracranial extraaxial compartment in the newborn infant

Prominence of the extraaxial space occasionally is encountered in infants referred for ultrasonography to exclude hydrocephalus. The interpretation of this finding can be problematic. We examined the width of the extraaxial compartment in 82 normal newborn infants. Scanning technique was optimized for viewing the near field, and the extraaxial space was measured over the cerebral convexities. Correlation was made with demographic variables. Measurements varied from 0 to 3.3 mm (mean, 1.6 mm), with slight negative linear relationship to gestational age. We conclude that small amounts of extraaxial fluid, up to 3.3 mm in width on scans, are common and normal in newborn infants.
Differentiation and Intimacy in Sex Offender Relationships

Therapists who work with sex offenders most often use cognitive behavioral therapies in their treatment approach. Recent research has shown that recidivism rates for sex offenders may be related in part to intimacy deficits and the inability to establish healthy, committed relationships. It may, therefore, be salient to add a systemic approach with an emphasis on relationship in treating sexual offenders. The inclusion of differentiation and intimacy skills modules with the traditional behavior treatment may prove effective in lowering recidivism as well as individualizing treatment and perhaps improving sex offender partner relationships.
Development of a research agenda for interventional oncology: proceedings from an interdisciplinary consensus panel.

INTERVENTIONAL specialties including interventional radiology have been responsible for the innovation, validation, and dissemination of numerous procedures and technologies that have impacted the practice of medicine. The universal endorsement of such established techniques as coronary and peripheral angioplasty (1,2), transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (3), and uterine fibroid embolization (4,5) has been predicated on the translational research skills of numerous scientists investigating minimally invasive techniques, allowing the advancement of initial conceptual hypotheses toward research trials and subsequently into clinical practice. Within the past decade, there has been evolutionary research and clinical interest in the ability to combine minimally invasive interventional radiologic techniques with multiplanar and functional imaging as a tool to guide organ-specific cancer treatments (6–10). These techniques, collectively referred to as image-guided intervention (IGI) or interventional oncology (IO), have the theoretic appeal of allowing enhanced target-specific therapy for patients with limited or single-organ–dominant disease while potentially minimizing the expectant risks and systemic effects of alternative therapies. In addition, locoregional therapies may also play an important role by providing adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapies to palliate the effects of a malignancy, potentiate other treatments, or prevent untoward effects of systemically targeted therapies, ie, limit organ-specific toxicity with use of catheter-based methods to protect the organ at risk. Concomitant with the growth of IGI, numerous areas of potential further investigation have surfaced. Broadly speaking, several of the more prominent future research issues include (i) systematic assessment of the role of existing and emerging molecular and functional imaging modalities to guide or assess interventions; (ii) use of combinations of existing therapies; (iii) evaluation of existing, novel, or nascent biologic and pharmaceutical agents for catheter-directed regional delivery; and (iv) use of IGI for palliation or ancillary treatment of malignancy-associated processes or paraneoplastic phenomena. To further develop these topics and to identify a research agenda for IO, an interdisciplinary meeting of prominent experts in the fields of interventional radiology, cancer research, and medical oncology was convened in September 2002. The meeting was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, American Cancer Society, American Association of Physicists in Medicine, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Research and Education Foundation, and American College of Radiology Imaging Network. This report summarizes the results of that meeting.
Developmental changes in visual object recognition between 18 and 24 months of age.

Two experiments examined developmental changes in children’s visual recognition of common objects during the period of 18 to 24 months. Experiment 1 examined children’s ability to recognize common category instances that presented three different kinds of information: (1) richly detailed and prototypical instances that presented both local and global shape information, color, textural and featural information, (2) the same rich and prototypical shapes but no color, texture or surface featural information, or (3) that presented only abstract and global representations of object shape in terms of geometric volumes. Significant developmental differences were observed only for the abstract shape representations in terms of geometric volumes, the kind of shape representation that has been hypothesized to underlie mature object recognition. Further, these differences were strongly linked in individual children to the number of object names in their productive vocabulary. Experiment 2 replicated these results and showed further that the less advanced children’s object recognition was based on the piecemeal use of individual features and parts, rather than overall shape. The results provide further evidence for significant and rapid developmental changes in object recognition during the same period children first learn object names. The implications of the results for theories of visual object recognition, the relation of object recognition to category learning, and underlying developmental processes are discussed.
Segmenting action for computers and humans: possible links to intentional understanding

The ability to identify discrete actions within a continuous stream of motion interests researchers across a range of fields, including cognitive science, engineering and robotics. The present chapter reports on a study investigating adults' segmentation of human action for a computer and a human. Consistent with observers using different levels of analysis -bottom-up versus top-down-for the two audiences, participants inserted more segments for the computer than for the human.
Improvements to a Tropical Cyclone Initialization Scheme and Impacts on Forecasts

AbstractThis study makes improvements to the tropical cyclone (TC) initialization method introduced by Nguyen and Chen (i.e., the NC2011 scheme). The authors found that prescribing sea level pressure associated with the initial vortex using a modified Fujita formula has very little impact on the vortex structure and intensity during a series of 1-h model integration and relocation. On the other hand, inserting an artificial warm core makes the vortex spin up much faster. When a warm core is inserted during the initial spinup process, the computational time required for model initialization is reduced by ½–⅓. Because prescribed sea level pressure is not required to spin up the vortex, information on vortex size, such as radius of maximum wind, is no longer needed. The performance of the improved NC2011 scheme with an initial prescribed warm core during the initial spinup process is tested for typhoons that made landfall over southern China or Vietnam in 2006. Before landfall, these storms were over the ope...
German cockroach proteases regulate matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) digest extracellular matrix proteins and may play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. MMP-9 levels are increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum of asthmatics compared with that of controls. As exposure to cockroaches is an environmental risk factor for asthma, we sought to investigate the role of German cockroach fecal remnants (frass) on MMP-9 expression. Methods: Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-) and primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells were treated with cockroach frass in the absence or presence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α. MMP-9 mRNA, protein levels and pro-MMP-9 activity were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and zymogram assays. Pretreatment of frass with aprotinin abolished protease activity. PD98059, a chemical inhibitor of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), and SLIGKV, an activator of protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 were also used. AP-1DNA binding was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and ERK phosphorylation by Western blot analysis. Results: Cockroach frass augmented TNFα-mediated MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression by a mechanism dependent on active serine proteases within frass and not on endogenous endotoxin. Frass increased ERK phosphorylation, and chemical inhibition of ERK attenuated cockroaches’ effects on MMP-9. Serine proteases are known to activate the PAR-2 receptor. We found that selective activation of PAR-2 using the peptide SLIGKV augmented TNFα-induced MMP-9 protein levels and increased ERK phosphorylation. Frass and SLIGKV each increased AP-1 translocation and DNA binding. Conclusions: These data suggest that German cockroach frass contains active serine proteases which augment TNFα-induced MMP-9 expression by a mechanism involving PAR-2, ERK and AP-1.
Enteric descending and afferent neural signaling stimulated by giant migrating contractions: essential contributing factors to visceral pain.

We investigated whether strong compression of an intestinal segment by giant migrating contractions (GMCs) initiates pseudoaffective signals from the gut, similar to those initiated by its distensi...
A performance comparison through benchmarking and modeling of three leading supercomputers: blue Gene/L, Red Storm, and Purple

This work provides a performance analysis of three leading supercomputers that have recently been deployed: Purple, Red Storm and Blue Gene/L. Each of these machines are architecturally diverse, with very different performance characteristics. Each contains over 10,000 processors and has a system peak of over 40 Teraflops. We analyze each system using a range of micro-benchmarks which include communication performance as well as quantifying the impact of the operating system. The achievable application performance is compared across the systems. The application performance is confirmed via the use of detailed application models which use the underlying performance characteristics as measured by the micro-benchmarks. We also compare the machines in a realistic production scenario in which each machine is used so as to maximize its memory usage with the applications executed in a weak-scaling mode. The results also help illustrate that achievable performance is not directly related to the peak performance.
The National Security Language Initiative and the Teaching of Hindi

This article discusses the teaching of Hindi in the USA, with special reference to the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI). Asian Indian languages are briefly described, as are the growth and diversification of the Asian Indian population in the USA. The inclusion of Hindi in the NSLI, and the implications of this decision for the teaching of Hindi in the USA are discussed. While it is clear that the initiative is directed in the first instance at the development of a core group of language professionals, the paper argues that the teaching of Hindi as a heritage language for all Indians can contribute greatly to the goals of the initiative.
Study of messenger RNA inactivation and protein degradation in an Escherichia coli cell-free expression system

A large amount of recombinant proteins can be synthesized in a few hours with Escherichia coli cell-free expression systems based on bacteriophage transcription. These cytoplasmic extracts are used in many applications that require large-scale protein production such as proteomics and high throughput techniques. In recent years, cell-free systems have also been used to engineer complex informational processes. These works, however, have been limited by the current available cell-free systems, which are not well adapted to these types of studies. In particular, no method has been proposed to increase the mRNA inactivation rate and the protein degradation rate in cell-free reactions. The construction of in vitro informational processes with interesting dynamics requires a balance between mRNA and protein synthesis (the source), and mRNA inactivation and protein degradation (the sink). Two quantitative studies are presented to characterize and to increase the global mRNA inactivation rate, and to accelerate the degradation of the synthesized proteins in an E. coli cell-free expression system driven by the endogenous RNA polymerase and sigma factor 70. The E. coli mRNA interferase MazF was used to increase and to adjust the mRNA inactivation rate of the Firefly luciferase (Luc) and of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Peptide tags specific to the endogenous E. coli AAA + proteases were used to induce and to adjust the protein degradation rate of eGFP. Messenger RNA inactivation rate, protein degradation rate, maturation time of Luc and eGFP were measured. The global mRNA turnover and the protein degradation rate can be accelerated and tuned in a biologically relevant range in a cell-free reaction with quantitative procedures easy to implement. These features broaden the capabilities of cell-free systems with a better control of gene expression. This cell-free extract could find some applications in new research areas such as in vitro synthetic biology and systems biology where engineering informational processes requires a quantitative control of mRNA inactivation and protein degradation.
Grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae)—Plant-Environmental Interactions in Relation to Zonation on an Atlantic Coast Barrier Island

Abstract Distribution patterns of five grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae) were related to microtopography, plant zonation, and diet preference on a Virginia barrier island. Trimerotropis maritima Harris occurred on the landward side of incipient foredunes dominated by Ammophilia breviligulata Fernald (Poaceae), a C3-grass. Psinidia fenestralis Serville occurred primarily on and adjacent to older dunes dominated by Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhlenberg (Poaceae), a C4-grass. Melanoplus bivitattus Say, Melanoplus femurrubrum De Geer, and Melanoplus differentialis Thomas were more widely distributed than the other two species but were most common in wet swales dominated by S. patens and the shrub seedlings, Myrica cerifera L. (Myricaceae) and Baccharis halimifolia L. (Asteraceae). Laboratory feeding preference experiments indicated a strong influence of host plants on grasshopper distribution patterns. The diet specialists, T. maritima and P. fenestralis, were limited to the distribution of their host ...
Differential effect of trypsin on infectivity of Chlamydia trachomatis: loss of infectivity requires cleavage of major outer membrane protein variable domains II and IV.

Abstract The initial interaction of chlamydiae with host cells is not well understood. Chlamydial cell surface components that function in attachment are key virulence factors, and their identification is critical for understanding the pathogenic strategies of this very successful parasite. We used trypsin proteolysis of chlamydiae to define surface components that function in chlamydia-host cell interactions. We found that trypsin had a differential effect on the infectivity of Chlamydia trachomatis serovars B and L2 for HeLa 229 cells. Trypsin treatment resulted in a significant loss of attachment and infectivity of serovar B but had no effect on the infectivity of serovar L2. Fluorograms of chlamydiae metabolically labeled with 14C-amino acids and treated with trypsin showed that the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of both serovars was cleaved. Evidence for two trypsin cleavage sites was found for the serovar B MOMP. One cleavage site was located between lysine 145 and valine 146 in variable domain (VD) II of the protein. The second site was located between lysine 309 and threonine 310 in VD IV. In contrast, the serovar L2 MOMP was cleaved only at lysine 309 in VD IV. These results suggest a functional role for MOMP in chlamydial attachment and implicate VDs II and IV of MOMP in this interaction.
Financialisation and justice in the city: A commentary

Intensification of the transformation of real property into financial instruments has worsened urban inequality in the past several decades. Increased financialisation in itself does not create uneven development and property investment cycles, since these phenomena have always been hallmarks of real estate development under capitalism. Rather it is the combination of financialisation with neoliberal ideology, globalisation, and the constriction of state-sponsored social welfare and housing affordability programs that underlies the inequities produced by property investment. Progressive policy makers can potentially utilise financial instruments in order to achieve greater justice if they are able to challenge neoliberal hegemony.
Information Rates of Constrained TDMR Channels Using Generalized Belief Propagation

In this paper, we estimate the Mutual Information Rate (MIR) for Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording (TDMR) channel with input constraints by using the Generalized Belief Propagation (GBP) algorithm. The Voronoi channel model is considered in this paper. Since the main source of media noise in the TDMR channel is the boundary distortion of the bit area which is manifested in presence of transitions of the input data, the constraints utilized for TDMR systems limit the number of transitions in the input patterns. In [1], we showed that constrained coding can provide performance gain in the bit error rate (BER). However, BER is not a proper figure of merit to compare various input distributions for a fixed channel since the rate loss due to using constrained input is not accounted for. On the other hand, computing MIR for different input distributions can lead us to the limits of the channel capacity.
Evidence for the Role of Active Site Residues in the Hairpin Ribozyme from Molecular Simulations along the Reaction Path

The hairpin ribozyme accelerates a phosphoryl transfer reaction without catalytic participation of divalent metal ions. Residues A38 and G8 have been implicated as playing roles in general acid and base catalysis, respectively. Here we explore the structure and dynamics of key active site residues using more than 1 μs of molecular dynamics simulations of the hairpin ribozyme at different stages along the catalytic pathway. Analysis of results indicates hydrogen bond interactions between the nucleophile and proR nonbridging oxygen are correlated with active inline attack conformations. Further, the simulation results suggest a possible alternative role for G8 to promote inline fitness and facilitate activation of the nucleophile by hydrogen bonding, although this does not necessarily exclude an additional role as a general base. Finally, we suggest that substitution of G8 with N7- or N3-deazaguanosine which have elevated pKa values, both with and without thio modifications at the 5′ leaving group position,...
Phonons in Mixed II-VI Compound Semiconductors

We have analysed the far infrared reflectivity and Raman scattering spectra of phonons in Cd1-xMnxTe, Zn1-xMnxTe, Hg1-xMnxTe, and Hg1-xZnxTe for low composition of x. Unlike CdMnTe and ZnMnTe, weak impurity induced peaks are observed in HgZnTe and HgMnTe, near:_ 96 and 98 cm1, well above the LA-phonon band of HgTe. Comprehensive calculation of lattice dynamics based on a semi-empirical Green's function theory has provided convincing arguments to support the above features as gap modes of Zn and Mn in HgTe. The theory also predicts the possibility of resonance modes, above the TA cutoff of HgTe, in HgMnTe and HgZnTe to be observed by IR spectroscopy.
Losing the trees for the forest in dynamic visual search

Representing temporally continuous objects across change (e.g., in position) requires integration of newly sampled visual information with existing object representations. We asked what consequences representational updating has for visual search. In this dynamic visual search task, bars rotated around their central axis. Observers searched for a single episodic target state (oblique bar among vertical and horizontal bars). Search was efficient when the target display was presented as an isolated static display. Performance declined to near chance, however, when the same display was a single state of a dynamically changing scene (Experiment 1), as though temporal selection of the target display from the stream of stimulation failed entirely (Experiment 3). The deficit is attributable neither to masking (Experiment 2), nor to a lack of temporal marker for the target display (Experiment 4). The deficit was partially reduced by visually marking the target display with unique feature information (Experiment 5). We suggest that representational updating causes a loss of access to instantaneous state information in search. Similar to spatially crowded displays that are perceived as textures (Parkes, Lund, Angelucci, Solomon, & Morgan, 2001), we propose a temporal version of the trees (instantaneous orientation information) being lost for the forest (rotating bars).
Cells with Fc gamma receptors from normal donors suppress granulocytic macrophage colony formation.

We investigated the role of normal human marrow cells with Fc receptors for IgG (Fc gamma+) on autologous granulocyte-macrophage colony (GM- CFC) formation. It was found that Fc gamma+ normal human marrow cells, both with (E+) or without receptors for sheep erythrocytes suppressed GM-CFC at as low a concentration as 0.25 X 10(5) cells/ml of culture. A similar effect was observed with E- Fc gamma+ but not E+ Fc gamma+ peripheral blood cells. Suppression by Fc gamma+ cells did not require mitogen activation and was not inactivated by irradiation (2000 R). This report presents a new in vitro regulatory mechanism for GM-CFC growth in normal donors.
Subgroups of Rostral Ventrolateral Medullary and Caudal Medullary Raphe Neurons Based on Patterns of Relationship to Sympathetic Nerve Discharge and Axonal Projections

Barman, Susan M. and Gerard L. Gebber. Subgroups of rostral ventrolateral medullary and caudal medullary raphe neurons based on patterns of relationship to sympathetic nerve discharge and axonal pr...
Thermally assisted methylation of glycerol by tetramethylammonium hydroxide thermochemolysis

A novel method to rapidly methylate glycerol and generate products having greater value has been demonstrated using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis. Through analysis with GC–MS, it is shown that the reaction between TMAH and glycerol at elevated temperatures produces a series of mono, di and tri-methoxylated glycerols with potential applications as organic solvents. While other methylation reactions can only be carried out in batch reactions, thermally assisted methylation using TMAH can be performed in a continuous flow process.
Repeated Nicotine Strengthens Gamma Oscillations in the Prefrontal Cortex and Improves Visual Attention

Nicotine has strong addictive as well as procognitive properties. While a large body of research on nicotine continues to inform us about mechanisms related to its reinforcing effects, less is known about clinically relevant mechanisms that subserve its cognitive-enhancing properties. Understanding the latter is critical for developing optimal strategies for treating cognitive deficits. The primary brain region implicated in cognitive functions improved by nicotine is the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Here we assessed the impact of nicotine on unit activity and local field potential oscillations in the PFC of behaving rats. An acute dose of nicotine produced a predominantly inhibitory influence on population activity, a small increase in gamma oscillations, and a decrease in theta and beta oscillations. After a daily dosing regimen, a shift to excitatory-inhibitory balance in single-unit activity and stronger gamma oscillations began to emerge. This pattern of plasticity was specific to the gamma band as lower frequency oscillations were suppressed consistently across daily nicotine treatments. Gamma oscillations are associated with enhanced attentional capacity. Consistent with this mechanism, the repeat dosing regimen in a separate cohort of subjects led to improved performance in an attention task. These data suggest that procognitive effects of nicotine may involve development of enhanced gamma oscillatory activity and a shift to excitatory-inhibitory balance in PFC neural activity. In the context of the clinical use of nicotine and related agonists for treating cognitive deficits, these data suggest that daily dosing may be critical to allow for development of robust gamma oscillations.
PD-1 and PD-L1 Inhibitors as Salvage Therapy for Urothelial Carcinoma.

For more than two decades, the only therapy that was proven to extend overall survival among patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma was cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy.1 First-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy yields a median overall survival of 14 to 15 months, coupled with 5-year survival among 5 to 15% of patients. Historically, salvage chemotherapy with vinflunine or a taxane after the receipt of platinum-based chemotherapy has resulted in a response in only approximately 10% of patients, with a dismal median overall survival of 6 to 8 months.2,3 Vinflunine was approved in multiple countries on the basis of a phase 3 trial that . . .
CXCR3 + monocytes/macrophages are required for establishment of pulmonary metastases.

We present a new foundational role for CXCR3+ monocytes/macrophages in the process of tumor engraftment in the lung. CXCR3 is associated with monocytic and lymphocytic infiltration of inflamed or tumor-bearing lung. Although the requirement for tumor-expressed CXCR3 in metastatic engraftment has been demonstrated, the role of monocyte-expressed CXCR3 had not been appreciated. In a murine model of metastatic-like melanoma, engraftment was coordinate with CXCR3+ monocyte/macrophage accumulation in the lungs and was sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition of CXCR3 signaling. Tumor engraftment to lung was impaired in CXCR3-/- mice, and transient reconstitution with circulating CXCR3-replete monocytes was sufficient to restore engraftment. These data illustrate the paradoxical pro-tumor role for CXCR3 in lung immunobiology wherein the CXCR3 axis drives both the anti-tumor effector cell chemoattraction and pro-tumor infiltration of the lungs and suggests a potential therapeutic target for lung-tropic metastasizing cancers.
The investment case for cervical cancer elimination.

We already know what causes cervical cancer, how to prevent it, and how to treat it, even in resource-constrained settings. Inequitable access to human papillomavirus vaccine for girls and screening and precancer treatment for women in low- and middle-income countries is unacceptable on ethical, social, and financial grounds. The burden of cervical cancer falls on the poor and extends beyond the narrow bounds of the family, affecting national economic development and community life, as family resources are drained and poverty tightens its grip. Proven solutions are available and the priorities for the next few years are clear, as shown by the papers in this Supplement. Sustained political commitment and strategic investments in cervical cancer prevention can not only save millions of lives over the next 10 years, but can also pave the way for the broader fight against all cancers.
Adverse effects of proton-pump inhibitor use in older adults: a review of the evidence:

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a widely prescribed class of medications used to treat acid-related disorders and use has significantly increased over the last few decades. PPIs are often inappropriately prescribed and since they have been on the market, a number of post-marketing studies have been published demonstrating associations between longer duration of PPI therapy and a number of adverse effects that are a concern in older adults. The objective of this review is to discuss the existing literature of potential adverse effects with long-term PPI use in older adults and to summarize the implications in clinical practice. A PubMed search was conducted to identify studies evaluating the potential long-term adverse effects of PPI therapy in older adults, and publications were selected based on relevant criteria. PPIs have been associated with an increased risk of a number of adverse effects including osteoporotic-related fractures, Clostridium difficile infection, community-acquired pneumonia, vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney disease, and dementia, demonstrated by a number of case-control, cohort studies, and meta-analyses. Older adults should be periodically evaluated for the need for continued use of PPI therapy given the number of potential adverse effects associated with long-term use.
A Technocratic Vision of Empire: Lord Montagu and the Origins of British Air Power

ABSTRACTThis article advances the existing literature on British imperial aeronautics by explaining how Lord John Montagu’s extensive collaboration with military and government officials during the first decades of powered flight expanded the global distribution of the air forces and anticipated their important later role in facilitating international communication and security. In reconsidering problems of conquest and governance through an aeronautical perspective, Montagu strengthened critical junctures between British civil and military affairs, while his innovative employment of the new technology also complicated divisions between the metropolis and periphery in ways that would intensify the destructiveness of modern warfare across the planet.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Convergence

A series of major conferences that emerged from the National Nanotechnology Initiative explored connections to other fields of science and engineering, resulting after 15 years in a comprehensive vision of how science, technology, and society could converge. One of two initial orientations focused on the human and ethical implications of nanotechnology, thus connecting nanoscience to the social sciences. The other considered the current partnership and possible future unification of four NBIC domains: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technology, and new technologies based in Cognitive science. Most recently, the extensive series of book-length conference reports has led to a comprehensive overview, Handbook of Science and Technology Convergence, that outlines concepts, research methods, and educational approaches across four platforms that comprehensively define the world in which humans live: 1. Foundational technologies 2. Human-scale phenomena 3. The Earth-scale system 4. Societal-scale implications.
Tom Clancy and the Liberal Family Tree

Critics of Tom Clancy’s fiction tend to reject Clancy’s work as evidence of a black-and-white “conservative” agenda. This chapter argues that such a misreading obfuscates the complex legacy of liberalism in the United States. Placing Clancy in dialogue with the ascendance of neoconservatism (a hybrid of traditionally liberal and conservative values), this chapter argues that Clancy’s unsettled prose does not reflect a cleanly bifurcated society. Rather, it reflects a confused liberal imagination.
The Neurobiological Influence of Stress in the Vole Pair Bond

Abstract The pair bond is an essential characteristic of romantic partnerships and monogamous pairs. Stressful life experiences or conditions can shape and alter the pair bond, from formation to dissolution. Ultimately, it is the interaction between stress physiology and the neurobiology of social bonding that can define not only the social aspect of one's life but also their overall health and well-being. Here, we highlight the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) as a model system to explore the influence of stress on pair bonding.
Increased use of heroin as an initiating opioid of abuse: Further considerations and policy implications.

Abstract Introduction Previously, we reported a marked increase in the use of heroin as an initiating opioid in non-tolerant, first time opioid users. In the current paper, we sought to update and expand upon these results, with a discussion of the policy implications on the overall opioid epidemic. Methods Opioid initiation data from the original study were updated to include surveys completed through 2017 (N = 8382) from a national sample of treatment-seeking opioid users. In addition, past month abuse of heroin and prescription were analyzed as raw numbers of treatment program entrant in the last five years (2013–2017), drawing from only those treatment centers that participated every year in that time frame. Results The updated data confirm and extend the results of our original study: the use of heroin as an initiating opioid increased from 8.7% in 2005 to 31.6% in 2015, with increases in overall Ns per initiation year reflecting a narrowing of the “treatment gap”, the time lag between opioid initiation from 2005 to 2015 and later treatment admission (up to 2017). Slight decreases were observed in treatment admissions, but this decline was totally confined to prescription opioid use, with heroin use continuing to increase in absolute numbers. Conclusions Given that opioid novices have limited tolerance, the risk of fatal overdose for heroin initiates is elevated compared to prescription opioids, particularly given non-oral administration and often unknown purity/adulterants (i.e., fentanyl). Imprecision of titrating dose among opioid novices may explain observed increases opioid overdoses. Future policy decisions should note that prescription opioid-specific interventions may have little impact on a growing heroin epidemic.
Association of Medicare's Bundled Payment Reform With Changes in Use of Vitamin D Among Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis.

Background & Rationale Medicare's 2011 prospective payment system (PPS) was introduced to curb overuse of separately billable injectable drugs. After epoietin, intravenous (IV) vitamin D analogues are the biggest drug cost drivers in hemodialysis (HD) patients, but the association between PPS introduction and vitamin D therapy has been scarcely investigated. Study Design Interrupted time-series analyses. Setting & Participants Adult US HD patients represented in the US Renal Data System between 2008 and 2013. Exposures PPS implementation. Outcomes The cumulative dose of IV vitamin D analogues (paricalcitol equivalents) per patient per calendar quarter in prevalent HD patients. The average starting dose of IV vitamin D analogues and quarterly rates of new vitamin D use (initiations/100 person-months) in incident HD patients within 90 days of beginning HD therapy. Analytical Approach Segmented linear regression models of the immediate change and slope change over time of vitamin D use after PPS implementation. Results Among 359,600 prevalent HD patients, IV vitamin D analogues accounted for 99% of the total use, and this trend was unchanged over time. PPS resulted in an immediate 7% decline in the average dose of IV vitamin D analogues (average baseline dose = 186.5 μg per quarter; immediate change = −13.5 μg [P Limitations Incident HD patients were restricted to those 65 years or older. Conclusion PPS implementation was associated with a 7% reduction in the average dose and starting dose of IV vitamin D analogues and a 10% reduction in the rate of vitamin D therapy initiation.
Inositol phosphate metabolism and cellular signal transduction.

Over thirty years have now past since the original report by Hokin and Hokin of receptor-stimulated turnover of inositol lipids1. Today, the impact of this phenomenon on a multitude of important biological systems is widely appreciated. Since the first papers by the Hokins, the phosphoinositides have enjoyed periods of interest, neglect, controversy and finally acceptance as important precursors for biological signals in a variety of systems. The important contributions which lead to our current understanding of this system came from a number of different laboratories. Micheli’s2 hypothesis that the phosphoinositides somehow served to couple receptors to cellular calcium mobilization provoked considerable research and criticism. Progress in understanding the exact role of inositol lipid turnover in receptor mechanisms was hindered by lack of knowledge of the biochemical pathways involved. By the early 1980’s the experimental evidence began to indicate that the initial reaction in stimulated phosphoinositide turnover was the breakdown of not the major known inositide, phosphatidyl inositol, but rather a minor phosphorylated derivative, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate3,4. Berridge5 suggested that the water soluble product of this reaction, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [(1,4,5)IP3], might act as a second messenger to activate the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.
Serotonin uptake blockers and the treatment of alcoholism.

There is growing research and clinical interest in the role of brain serotonin in regulating alcohol consumption, based on two lines of evidence: negative correlations between brain serotonin levels and spontaneous alcohol consumption in rodents, and decreased alcohol intake produced by drug-induced increases in brain serotonin activity in rodents and humans. Specific blockers of neuronal serotonin uptake, such as Citalopram, fluoxetine, and zimelidine, are the major drugs used in such studies. More than a dozen studies have consistently found that such specific serotonin uptake blockers reduce alcohol preference and intake in rodents, whereas nonspecific monoamine uptake blockers (e. g., amitriptyline, doxepin) do not. The effect begins within 1 hr of administration, wears off within several days of stopping drug, and often shows tolerance after 4–10 days of daily administration (the opposite time course from antidepressant action in humans). In four human, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, Citalopram (40 mg but not 20 mg daily), fluoxetine (80 mg daily), and zimelidine (200 mg more than 300 mg daily) significantly reduced alcohol intake 10–26% in social drinkers, early problem drinkers, and chronic alcoholics. The effect occurred within a few days, wore off within several days of stopping drug, and lasted throughout the 2–4 weeks of drug administration, except that in the fluoxetine study with chronic alcoholics the effect was significant only during the first week. The reduced alcohol intake was not due to sedation, antidepression, or antianxiety effects, or an aversive drug-alcohol interaction, but could be explained in part by decreased appetitive behavior (two studies found that subjects lost weight) or a conditioned (taste) aversion to alcohol promoted by serotonin (as occurs in animals). Further research is also needed to clarify the neuropharmacological mechanism of action, since the alcohol intake-reducing effects in rodents are not blocked by serotonin receptor antagonists or brain serotonin depletion. Regardless of mechanism, serotonin uptake blockers offer a potentially promising new treatment for alcoholism.
The Rohingya Crisis and the Practices of Erasure

The essay utilized two concepts, lawfare and spacio-cide, to place different facets of “belonging” into conversation with one another. The concepts highlight how the progressive erasure of citizens...
Precipitation Classification and Quantification Using Dual-Polarization Observations from the NASA D3R

The NASA dual-frequency, dual-polarization, Doppler rader (D3R) [1] was developed and deployed to support ground validation (GV) operations of the Global Precipitaion Measurment (GPM) Mission [2]. The D3R's primary function has been as an operational research radar enabling both engineering and atmospheric science research. It operates in the same frequencies bands, Ku-and Ka-band, as GPM's dual-frequency precipitation radar enabling direct comparisons of microphysical observations of precipitation. Over the past few years, D3R substantively participated in several national and international field experiments covering different geographic features in both winter and summer conditions. The dual-polarization observations have provided critical information in identification of different hydrometeor phases and quantification of precipitation intensity.
Age and sex differences in sympathetic and hemodynamic responses to hypoxia and cold pressor test.

Emerging evidence suggests that sympathetic vasoconstriction is lower in young women. We hypothesized that increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) during acute physiological stressors induce less vasoconstriction in young women compared to young men. Healthy young men (n = 10, 27 ± 1 years), young women (n = 12, 25 ± 1 years), and older women (n = 10, 63 ± 6 years) performed the cold pressor test (hand in ice for 2 min) and continuous hypoxia (10% O2 , 90% N2 ) for 5 min. MSNA, femoral blood flow velocity, heart rate, and blood pressure were acquired continuously. Femoral artery diameter was obtained every minute and used to calculate femoral blood flow, and femoral vascular resistance and conductance. MSNA responses to cold pressor test (P = 0.345) and hypoxia (P = 0.969) were not different between groups. Young women had greater femoral blood flow (P = 0.002) and vascular conductance (P = 0.041) responses to cold pressor test compared with young men. The femoral blood flow response to hypoxia was not different between the two sexes but the increase in femoral flow was attenuated in older women compared with younger women (P = 0.036). These data show that young women had paradoxical vasodilation to cold pressor test. The mechanisms responsible for the attenuated sympathetic vasoconstriction or for enhanced vasodilation in young women during the CPT require further investigation.
A case of atezolizumab-induced photodistributed bullous pemphigoid

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer therapy in recent years but is associated with unique immunologically mediated adverse effects. Immunotherapy-induced bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an uncommon but established reaction that portends significant management implications as in most instances systemic treatment is required. We report a case of immunotherapy-associated BP in a marked photodistribution, highlighting the diverse clinical presentations of this eruption.
CARD9 Is Required for Classical Macrophage Activation and the Induction of Protective Immunity against Pulmonary Cryptococcosis

ABSTRACT Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is a critical adaptor molecule triggered by the interaction of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) with carbohydrate motifs found in fungi. Consequently, clinical and animal studies indicate that CARD9 is an important regulator of protective immunity against fungal pathogens. Previous studies suggest that CARD9 is important for the induction of protection against Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients. However, the effect of CARD9 deficiency on the induction of protective immune responses against C. neoformans is unknown. Immunization with a C. neoformans mutant that overexpresses the transcription factor zinc finger 2, denoted LW10, results in protection against an otherwise lethal challenge with wild-type (WT) C. neoformans. Our results showed that CARD9 is essential for the induction of vaccine-mediated immunity against C. neoformans infection. We observed significant decreases in interleukin-17 (IL-17) production and significant increases in Th2-type cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) production in CARD9-deficient mice after inoculation with strain LW10. While leukocyte infiltration to the lungs of CARD9-deficient mice was similar in LW10 and WT C. neoformans-infected mice, macrophages derived from CARD9-deficient mice inherently skewed toward an M2 activation phenotype, were unable to contain the growth of LW10, and failed to produce nitric oxide in response to infection with LW10 or stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. These results suggest that CARD9-mediated signaling is required for M1 macrophage activation and fungicidal activity necessary for the induction of vaccine-mediated immunity against C. neoformans. IMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that is found throughout the environment and can cause life-threatening infections of the lung and central nervous system in severely immunocompromised individuals. Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is a critical molecule that is activated after interactions of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) found on the surfaces of specific immune cells, with carbohydrate structures associated with fungi. Patients with defects in CARD9 are significantly more susceptible to a multitude of fungal infections. C. neoformans contains several carbohydrate structures that interact with CLRs on immune cells and activate CARD9. Consequently, these studies evaluated the necessity of CARD9 for the induction of protective immunity against C. neoformans infection. These results are important, as they advance our understanding of cryptococcal pathogenesis and host factors necessary for the induction of protective immunity against C. neoformans.
Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Adolescents and Adults.

A 15-year-old adolescent, J.M., presents for a well-child examination. J.M. was born in Central America before moving to the United States eight years ago with their family. J.M. reports that their older sibling, who lives at home, was diagnosed with hepatitis B virus infection last month.
Assessment of pharmacy technician learning preferences and implications for training.

PURPOSE To assess pharmacy technician learning preferences using the VARK tool and through self-identification. METHODS The VARK (visual, aural, read/write, kinesthetic) questionnaire was incorporated into a larger survey, which was distributed during live staff meetings and a continuing education session held by the Ohio Pharmacists Association attended by 204 pharmacy technicians across various practice settings. RESULTS A 90% response rate was achieved. Most respondents (78.8%) self-identified a single predominant learning preference, with 60.3% indicating a preference for kinesthetic learning methods. In contrast, after assessment with the VARK questionnaire 37.9% of survey participants were categorized as having a quadmodal learning style incorporating all VARK modalities. With regard to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, a large majority of participants (96.2% of those providing a response) indicated that they had taken the exam in the past, with 17 participants (9.3% of those providing a response) indicating more than 1 attempt to pass the exam. Furthermore, experiential (on-the-job) training was identified by a large majority of survey respondents (79.3%) as the preferred way to learn new information. CONCLUSION Learning preferences of pharmacy technicians vary amongst individuals, with many found to have multiple learning preferences through VARK questionnaire assessment. Incorporating experiential training and establishing learning preferences of pharmacy technicians may aid in development of accredited training programs that cater to the needs of pharmacy technicians.