cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperactivated Motility in Sperm

Contents Hyperactivation is a movement pattern seen in sperm at the site and time of fertilization in mammals. It may be critical to the success of fertilization, because it enhances the ability of sperm to detach from the wall of the oviduct, to move around in the labyrinthine lumen of the oviduct, to penetrate mucous substances and, finally, to penetrate the zona pellucida of the oocyte. The movement of hyperactivated sperm appears different under different physical conditions and in different species, but basically it involves an increase in flagellar bend amplitude and, usually, beat asymmetry. Presumably, a signal or signals exist in the oviduct to initiate hyperactivation at the appropriate time; however, none has yet been identified with certainty. While the signal transduction cascade regulating hyperactivation remains to be completely described, it is clear that calcium ions interact with the axoneme of the flagellum to switch on hyperactivation. Although hyperactivation often occurs during the process of capacitation, the two events are regulated by somewhat different pathways.
Detecting and Exploiting Symmetry in Discrete-state Markov Models

Dependable systems are usually designed with multiple instances of components or logical processes, and often possess symmetries that may be exploited in model-based evaluation. The problem of how best to exploit symmetry in models has received much attention from the modeling community, but no solution has garnered widespread support, primarily because each solution is limited in terms of either the types of symmetry that can be exploited or the difficulty of translating from the system description to the model formalism. We propose a new method for detecting and exploiting model symmetry in which 1) models retain the structure of the system, and 2) all symmetry inherent in the structure of the model can be detected and exploited for the purposes of state-space reduction. Composed models are constructed from models through specification of connections between models that correspond to shared state fragments. The composed model is interpreted as an undirected graph, and results from group and graph theory are used to develop procedures for automatically detecting and exploiting all symmetries in the composed model. A statespace generator which implements these algorithms within M?obius [10] is then presented.
Correlates of the Estimated Arterial Compliance in the Population of Tecumseh, Michigan

An estimate of arterial compliance--the stroke volume/pulse pressure ratio (SV/PP)--was studied in 801 participants in the Tecumseh Blood Pressure Study, a population-based ongoing cardiovascular, epidemiological investigation. The subjects were normal young adults (mean age 30 +/- 5.6 years) and 373 were females. Cardiac anatomy and function were studied by echo-Doppler methods, blood pressure being measured at the same time by the indirect method. The distribution of the SV/PP ratio was skewed toward higher values in larger subjects. After statistical adjustments for body surface area, this estimate of arterial compliance was found to be higher in females (2.00 +/- 0.62) than in males (1.90 +/- 0.58) (p < 0.05). When subjects were divided into tertiles, the group with the lowest estimated arterial compliance was normotensive but had higher systolic pressure, lower diastolic pressure, a similar mean arterial pressure, higher heart rate and higher left ventricular wall thickness ratio compared to subjects with higher arterial compliance. Indices of systolic ejection decreased and diastolic function was altered in the low compliance subjects. In addition, low compliance subjects also had higher fasting insulin levels. These findings suggest that the low arterial compliance in an otherwise normal population has negative cardiovascular correlates. The early association of decreased arterial compliance with anatomic, functional and biochemical aberrations suggests that estimates of arterial compliance might prove useful for prediction of cardiovascular complications.
The Economics of Implementing Traceability in Beef Supply Chains: Trends in Major Producing and Trading Countries.

Countries have implemented traceability systems, especially after discovery of BSE in cattle, in order to quickly identify hazard sources. We compare the economic impacts of mandatory and voluntary systems in the EU, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, and the United States in terms of the systems’ breadth, depth, and precision.
Initial development of a measure of religious coping among Hindus

We developed and validated a measure that would comprehensively capture religious coping strategies used by Hindus in the United States (U.S.). Based on qualitative interviews with Hindus (N = 15) and existing religious coping measures, a Hindu religious coping scale was constructed. After a pilot test of this scale among Hindus in the Midwest (N = 42), a sample of Hindus across the U.S. (N = 164) completed the Hindu religious coping scale along with measures of mental health. Results indicated that religious coping was a salient construct for Hindus and related to better mental health. Empirical data revealed specific forms of religious coping that are characteristic of Hindu theology. Further, results of the factor analyses of the Hindu religious coping scale yielded three factors, “God-focused” religious coping, “Spirituality-focused” religious coping, and “Religious guilt, anger, and passivity.” Findings provided support for the reliability and validity of the Hindu religious coping scale. Implications for theory and practice were discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 607–628, 2003.
Genetic diversity and relationship among faba bean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm entries as revealed by TRAP markers

Target region amplification polymorphism markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and relationship among 151 worldwide collected faba bean (Vicia faba L.) entries (137 accessions maintained at the USDA–ARS, Pullman, WA, 2 commercial varieties and 12 elite cultivars and advanced breeding lines obtained from Link of Georg-August University, Germany). Twelve primer combinations (six sets of polymerase chain reaction) amplified a total of 221 markers, of which 122 (55.2%) were polymorphic and could discriminate all the 151 entries. A high level of polymorphism was revealed among the accessions with an estimated average pairwise similarity of 63.2%, ranging from 36.9 to 90.2%. Cluster analysis divided the 151 accessions into five major groups with 2–101 entries each and revealed a substantial association between the molecular diversity and the geographic origin. All 101 accessions in Group V are originated from China and 13 of the 15 accessions in Group II were from Afghanistan. Thirty-two individual plants were sampled from two entries to assess the intra-accession variation. It was found that the advanced inbred line (Hiverna/5-EP1) had very little variation (5.0%), while the original collection (PI 577746) possessed a very high amount of variation (47.1%). This is consistent with the previous reports that faba bean landraces have a high level of outcrossing in production fields and thus contain larger amount variation within each landrace. One implication of this observation for germplasm management is that a relatively larger population is needed in regeneration to mitigate the possible loss of genetic variation due to genetic drift.
Adaptive Changes in Central Dopaminergic Neurons after Injury

Central dopaminergic neurons play an important role in motor, emotional, and cognitive behavior. These dopaminergic systems are affected both by normal aging and by various diseases. The most prominent of these diseases is Parkinson’s disease, which is associated with a gradual and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the human brain. Studies on human brain have revealed a remarkable ability of these neurons to compensate for partial destruction of their systems, and these findings have prompted numerous investigations of the adaptive changes of dopaminergic neurons to experimental injury. The findings reveal that dopaminergic neurons react to a partial lesion of their pathways with several adaptive changes. Dopaminergic neurons surviving a partial lesion respond by increasing transmitter synthesis and release. Furthermore, after near-total lesions, a supersensitivity of postsynaptic transmitter receptors develops. Because of these biochemical adaptive changes, few surviving neurons are able to compensate for the loss of a majority of other dopaminergic neurons. Recent findings indicate that biochemical adaptive processes can be further stimulated by pharmacological manipulation. The possible mechanisms of actions of these pharmacological agents are discussed.
Lipoprotein apheresis and acute reduction of arterial inflammation: FDG-PET as an imaging biomarker of nonpharmacological effects on the vessel wall.

Molecular imaging is broadly defined as a technique that incorporates targeted contrast agents into available imaging modalities to detect and quantitate molecular, cellular, biological, and physiological pathways relevant to atherogenesis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) [(1,2)][1]. The main forces
Development and Psychometric evaluation of an instrument to measure staff nurses' perception of uncertainty in the hospital environment.

Perceived environmental uncertainty is an individual response to stimuli in the internal and/or external environment. The measurement of uncertainty in the health care environment is important in order to characterize the impact of this phenomenon on nursing practice. This study describes the development, pilot testing, and initial psychometric evaluation of the Perceived Environmental. Uncertainty in Hospitals Scale (PEU-H) in a sample of 95 hospital staff registered nurses. Principal components analysis of the PEU-H was conducted and indicated that the factor structure represented one factor that explained 37.3% of the variance. Internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's alpha was .83, which is acceptable for a scale in the early stages of development.
Feedback with Carry Shift Registers over Z / (N)

For any integer N >1, we construct feedback with carry shift registers over Z/(N) (N-FCSRs). The case when N is a prime, was investigated by Klapper and Goresky [1, 2]. We present the basic properties of N-FCSRs. We solve the register synthesis problem: given a small number of symbols of a sequence over Z/(N) synthesize the smallest N-FCSR that outputs the sequence.
Mapping the shadow carceral state: Toward an institutionally capacious approach to punishment

The expansion of the US carceral state has been accompanied by the emergence of what we call the ‘shadow carceral state’. Operating beyond the confines of criminal law and justice institutions, the shadow carceral state expands penal power through institutional annexation and legal hybridity, including: (1) increased civil and administrative pathways to incarceration; (2) the creation of civil ‘alternatives’ to invalidated criminal statutes; and (3) the incorporation of criminal law into administrative legal processes in ways that enhance state carceral power. Although legal doctrine deems civil and administration sanctions to be ‘not-punishment’, we call for a broad understanding of penal power and the carceral state.
Fetal hemoglobin in acute and chronic states of erythroid expansion.

Physiologic principles underlying the differences in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction between acute and chronic states of erythroid expansion are poorly understood. Whereas abrupt erythroid expansion is characterized by a high proportion of reticulocytes coexpressing adult and fetal globin (F reticulocytes), HbF levels wane with chronic erythropoietic stimulation. To investigate this phenomenon, we used various schedules of erythropoietin (epo) administration in primates. Acute intravenous epo administration promoted a 2- to 10-fold preferential induction of F reticulocytes compared with total reticulocytes. Total reticulocyte and F reticulocyte production were significantly correlated (correlation coefficient .41 to .74). With chronic epo administration, preferential F reticulocyte production was lost, and there was no correlation between reticulocyte and F reticulocyte production (correlation coefficient -.03). The mean percentage of F reticulocytes did not change between acute and chronic schedules of epo administration. The subcutaneous route of high-dose (3,000 U/kg) epo administration was as effective as intravenous administration in the induction of HbF. Reticulocyte and F reticulocyte responses to increasing epo doses were found to be saturable. These results suggest that the kinetics rather than absolute levels of reticulocyte and F reticulocyte response form the basis for preferential F reticulocyte induction with acute erythropoietic stimulation, and they support the hypothesis that F reticulocytes arise from a relatively rapid pathway of erythroid maturation.
WE‐AB‐BRA‐03: Non‐Invasive Controlled Release from Implantable Hydrogel Scaffolds Using Ultrasound

Purpose: To control release of a model payload in acoustically responsive scaffolds (ARSs) using focused ultrasound (FUS). Methods: Fluorescently-labeled dextran (10 kDa) was encapsulated in sonosensitive perfluorocarbon (C6F14 or C5F12) double emulsions (mean diameter: 2.9±0.1 µm). For in vitro release studies, 0.5 mL ARSs (10 mg/mL fibrin, 1% (v/v) emulsion) were polymerized in 24 well plates and covered with 0.5 mL medium. Starting one day after polymerization, ARSs were exposed to FUS (2.5 MHz, Pr = 8 MPa, 13 cycles, 100 Hz PRF) for 2 min daily. The amount of dextran released into the media was quantified. For in vivo studies, 0.25 mL ARSs were prepared as described previously and injected subcutaneously in the lower back of BALB/c mice. After polymerization, a subset of the implanted ARSs were exposed to FUS (as previously described). Animals were imaged longitudinally using a fluorescence imaging system to quantify the amount of dextran released from the ARSs. Results: In vitro: Over 6 days, +FUS displayed an 8.2-fold increase in dextran release compared to −FUS (−FUS: 2.7±0.6%; +FUS: 22.2±3.0%) for C6F14 ARSs, and a 6.7-fold increase (−FUS: 5.0±0.8%; +FUS: 38.5±1.6%) for C5F12:C6F14 ARSs. In vivo: +FUS displayed statistically greater dextran release compared to −FUS one day after implantation for C5F12:C6F14 ARSs (−FUS: 55.1±1.5%; +FUS: 74.1±2.2%) and three days after implantation for C6F14 ARSs (−FUS: 1.4±6.5%; +FUS: 30.4±5.4%). Conclusion: FUS enables non-invasive control of payload release from an ARS, which could benefit growth factor delivery for tissue regeneration. ARS are versatile due to their tunability (i.e. stiffness, emulsion composition, FUS pressure, FUS frequency, etc.) and can be modified to for optimal payload release. Future work will optimize ARS formulations for in vivo use to minimize payload release in the absence of FUS. This work was supported by NIH Grant R21 AR065010 (M.L. Fabiilli) and the Basic Radiologic Sciences Innovative Research Award (M.L. Fabiilli). A. Moncion is supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Student Research Fellowship (Grant DGE 1256260).
Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in the presence of sodium propionate together with food acids.

Tryptose broth (TB) containing 0.00, 0.05, 0.15, or 0.3% sodium propionate was adjusted to pH 5.0 or 5.6 with acetic, tartaric, lactic, or citric acid, inoculated to contain ca. 103 CFU of Listeria monocytogenes /ml and incubated at 13 or 35°C. The bacterium grew in all controls (free of propionate) under all conditions; however, only slight growth occurred at 13°C when the pH was adjusted to 5.0 with acetic or tartaric acid. Growth also occurred at 13 and 35°C when TB adjusted to pH 5.6 with acetic or tartaric acid contained 0.05 or 0.15% propionate, but 0.3% inhibited growth of the pathogen. When the pH of TB was adjusted to 5.0 with the same acids, L. monocytogenes was inhibited or inactivated by 0.15 or 0.3% propionate. The pathogen grew at 13 or 35°C in TB that contained 0.05 or 0.15% propionate and was adjusted to pH 5.6 with lactic or citric acid although the lag phase was prolonged as the concentration of propionate was increased. Under these conditions, propionate at 0.3% occasionally inhibited growth of L. monocytogenes . Growth was reduced and sometimes inhibited completely by 0.15 or 0.3% propionate when the pH of TB was adjusted to 5.0 with the same acids.
The basic model

This chapter develops a simple model which serves as our basic analytical framework. Section 1.1 outlines the essentials of this model. Section 1.2 analyzes the behavior of individual economic units within the basic model. Section 1.3 develops comparative-statics analysis. Section 1.4 analyzes wage and price dynamics. The essentials of the basic model The basic model involves four economic goods – labor services, consumable commodities, public services, and fiat money – and three forms of economic decision-making unit – a fixed number of firms, a fixed number of households, and government. Labor services and public services are the only variable inputs into the production process. Other inputs have a fixed quantity, no alternative use, and zero user cost. Current output consists of consumable commodities and public services. All current output is produced by the same technology, and only assumes its specific identity according to the identity of its purchaser. In particular, household purchases are consumables and government purchases are public services. Fiat money is the only store of value; it also serves as a medium of exchange and unit of account. Transactions involving money are costless, and receipts and disbursements of money are perfectly synchronized. Firms demand labor and supply both consumable commodities and public services. They attempt to maximize profits. These profits represent a return to the nonvariable inputs, of which each firm possesses a predetermined and fixed amount. Profits are essentially economic rents earned by the nonvariable inputs.
Thermoresponsive Collagen/Cell Penetrating Hybrid Peptide as Nanocarrier in Targeting-Free Cell Selection and Uptake

The effective delivery of therapeutics and imaging agents to a selected group of cells has been at the forefront of biomedical research. Unfortunately, the identification of the unique cell surface targets for cell selection remains a major challenge, particularly if cells within the selected group are not identical. Here we demonstrate a novel approach to cell section relying on a thermoresponsive peptide-based nanocarrier. The hybrid peptide containing cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) and collagen (COLL) domains is designed to undergo coil-to-helix transition (folding) below physiological temperature. Because only the helical form undergoes effective internalization by the cells, this approach allows effective temperature-discriminate cellular uptake. The cells selected for uptake are locally cooled, thus enabling the carrier to fold and subsequently internalize. Our approach demonstrates a generic method as selected cells could differ from the adjacent cells or could belong to the same cell population. T...
Distribution of cerebrocortical microflow in normo- and hypertensive rats.

It has been demonstrated by Choki et al. (1977) that rCBF measured by C antipyrine autoradiography was significantly lower after 2 hours of bilateral carotid ligation in the group of spontaneously hypertensive rats than in that of normotensive animals. The hypertensive brain has been found weak as compared to the normotensive in the circulatory adaptation to transient ischemic episodes (Halsey et al., 1980). In search for an explanation for the impaired circulatory adaptation of the hypertensive brain in ischemia, we have studied the intraparenchymal distribution of blood content — as an idex of vascular caliber — and blood flow through cerebrocortical microareas of normotensive (NTR) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats under normal conditions.
The Tetrapod Epidermis: A System Protoadapted as a Semiochemical Source

It is one thing to emphasize to an undergraduate class the importance of “communication” between organisms; it is quite another to comprehend how the organisms perceive and use the signal(s). Of cetacean vocalization it has been written: “This system is something we terrestrial mammals cannot imagine and for which we have no empathy,” (Bateson, 1966). Researchers who pursue mechanisms of communication which involve vibrational or electromagnetic energy have long had access to technologies which could record and measure the signal(s) objectively. Until relatively recently no such tools were available for studies of chemical communication, and experiments relied largely on observation and bioassays. However, advances are being made at the molecular level (Lancet, 1984), and these have arrived at a most opportune time. The relative lack of objective measurement produced some extraordinary examples of circular reasoning. General texts often give the implicit or explicit impression that among vertebrates only mammals really use olfaction. However, the relatively poor performance of Homo sapiens in this context distorts our conceptualization of other classes. A brief review of available data on chemoreception in birds was summarized: “The best conclusion from all this is probably that the sense of smell in birds is comparable to that of man. It is present, but in most species is little used.” (Yapp, 1970; cf. Wenzel, this symposium).
Hypoxia inhibits expression and function of mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 to promote pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and increased pulmonary vascular pressures that often result in right ventricular dysfunction, leading to right heart failure. Evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to PH pathogenesis by altering pulmonary vascular cell proliferation and intracellular signaling pathways. However, the role of mitochondrial antioxidants and oxidant-derived stress signaling in the development of hypoxia-induced PH is largely unknown. Therefore, we examined the role of the major mitochondrial redox regulator thioredoxin 2 (Trx2). Levels of Trx2 mRNA and protein were examined in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs) and smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) exposed to hypoxia, a common stimulus for PH, for 72 h. Hypoxia decreased Trx2 mRNA and protein levels. In vitro overexpression of Trx2 reduced hypoxia-induced H2O2 production. The effects of increased Trx2 protein level were examined in transgenic mice expressing human Trx2 (TghTrx2) that were exposed to hypoxia (10% O2) for 3 wk. TghTrx2 mice exposed to hypoxia had exacerbated increases in right ventricular systolic pressures, right ventricular hypertrophy, and increased ROS in the lung tissue. Trx2 overexpression did not attenuate hypoxia-induced increases in Trx2 oxidation or Nox4 expression. Expression of a dominant negative C93S Trx2 mutant that mimics Trx2 oxidation exacerbated hypoxia-induced increases in HPASMC H2O2 levels and cell proliferation. In conclusion, Trx2 overexpression failed to attenuate hypoxia-induced HPASMC proliferation in vitro or hypoxia-induced PH in vivo. These findings indicate that strategies to enhance Trx2 expression are unlikely to exert therapeutic effects in PH pathogenesis.
The presence of Philadelphia chromosome does not confer poor prognosis in adult pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era - a surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database analysis.

The BCR-ABL1 fusion gene is caused by a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, resulting in an abnormal chromosome 22 (Philadelphia chromosome; Ph). Prior to the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), the presence of BCR-ABL1 conferred a poor prognosis in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We compared the survival of Ph+ and Ph-ALL during the period when TKIs were universally available in the US for Ph+ALL, using a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database analysis. A total of 2694 patients with pre-B ALL (206 Ph+ALL; 2488 Ph-ALL) aged ≥18 years, who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2014, were identified in SEER registries. The median overall survival (OS) was 32 months in Ph+ALL (95% confidence interval [CI] 18 months-not reached) and 27 months (95% CI 24-30 months) in Ph-ALL (Log-rank test P-value 0·34). Older age was associated with worse prognosis in both Ph+ALL and Ph-ALL. Age-adjusted OS was inferior in Hispanics and African-Americans compared to non-Hispanic whites. Survival of pre-B ALL shows continued improvement with time. Philadelphia chromosome status does not confer poor prognosis in pre-B ALL in the TKI era: prognostic factors in pre-B ALL should be re-evaluated in the light of this finding.
Fantasy and Reality in Willa Cather's PAUL'S CASE

In “What Really Happens in Cather's ‘Paul's Case’?” Michael Salda argues that much of Willa Cather's story is a dream or fantasy, including Paul's death. An ending in which Paul lives, he claims, i...
Clot structure predicts recurrent thrombosis.

In this issue of Blood , Cieslik et al have added assessments of clot structure as a potentially new and important way to predict recurrent deep vein thromboses (DVT) after withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy. 1 Their work represents a departure from the standard approach to understanding blood coagulation, which is typically viewed through the lens of biochemistry as regulated pathways governed by specific clotting factor concentrations and activities. However, as Cieslik et al demonstrate, regulation of enzyme activity through proteolysis represents only 1 aspect of thrombosis and hemostasis. The final product of blood coagulation (ie, the clot) does not exist merely as a result of a ratio between activating and inhibiting enzymes; rather, it is a tangible, complex, and unique biological material.
Comparative Analysis of Linear and Nonlinear Dimension Reduction Techniques on Mass Cytometry Data

Mass cytometry, also known as CyTOF, is a newly developed technology for quantification and classification of immune cells that can allow for analysis of up to hundreds of markers per cell. The high dimensional data that is generated requires innovative methods for analysis and visualization. We conducted a comparative analysis of four dimension reduction techniques - principal component analysis (PCA), isometric feature mapping (Isomap), t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE), and Diffusion Maps by implementing them on a benchmark mass cytometry data set. We compare the results of these reductions using computation time, residual variance, neighborhood proportion error (NPE), and two-dimensional visualizations. We find that t-SNE and Diffusion Maps are the two most effective methods for preserving local distance relationships among cells and providing informative visualizations. In low dimensional embeddings, t-SNE exhibits well-defined phenotypic clustering. Additionally, Diffusion Maps can represent cell differentiation pathways with long projections along each diffusion component. We thus recommend a complementary approach using t-SNE and Diffusion Maps to visualize CyTOF data in order to extract diverse and informative information in a two-dimensional setting from the high-dimensional CyTOF data.
3D printing multifunctional fluorinated nanocomposites: tuning electroactivity, rheology and chemical reactivity

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was added to aluminum/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (Al/PVDF) energetic blends to enhance melt flow rate and adhesion in a fused deposition modeling (FDM) manufacturing scenario. Composites were successfully printed with up to 30 wt% nano-scale Al after PMMA addition. Melt flow rate increased with increasing PMMA content. This resulted in a partially fluorinated binder that can facilitate high solids loadings and can be easily printed with a standard FDM 3D printer. PMMA addition promoted nucleation of the electroactive β-phase PVDF, which suggests the potential to print piezoelectric, energetic composites. Thermal stability was assessed using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Results verified that composite stability decreased with increasing PMMA and Al content, however, decomposition onset temperatures for all concentrations remained well above printing temperatures. Burn rates at higher Al loadings (e.g., fuel rich) showed a decreasing trend. Analysis of post burn soot revealed α-AlF3 and amorphous carbon char as the primary reaction products. Combustion performance results indicate that although PMMA may serve as a heat sink, the reaction between Al and PVDF was not significantly affected by PMMA addition. These findings indicate that by changing PMMA concentrations, rheology, piezoelectric content, thermal properties and combustion performance can be altered to suit specific needs.
Inspiratory and expiratory resistance cause right-to-left bubble passage through the foramen ovale.

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is linked to increased risk of decompression illness in divers. One theory is that venous gas emboli crossing the PFO can be minimized by avoiding lifting, straining and Valsalva maneuvers. Alternatively, we hypothesized that mild increases in external inspiratory and expiratory resistance, similar to that provided by a SCUBA regulator, recruit the PFO. Nine healthy adults with a Valsalva-proven PFO completed three randomized trials (inspiratory, expiratory, and combined external loading) with six levels of increasing external resistance (2-20 cmH2 O/L/sec). An agitated saline contrast echocardiogram was performed at each level to determine foramen ovale patency. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no relationship between the number of subjects recruiting their PFO and the level of external resistance. In fact, at least 50% of participants recruited their PFO during 14 of 18 trials and there was no difference between the combined inspiratory, expiratory, or combined external resistance trials (P > 0.05). We further examined the relationship between PFO recruitment and intrathoracic pressure, estimated from esophageal pressure. Esophageal pressure was not different between participants with and without a recruited PFO. Intrasubject variability was the most important predictor of PFO patency, suggesting that some individuals are more likely to recruit their PFO in the face of even mild external resistance. Right-to-left bubble passage through the PFO occurs in conditions that are physiologically relevant to divers. Transthoracic echocardiography with mild external breathing resistance may be a tool to identify divers that are at risk of PFO-related decompression illness.
What Is a Solar Power Satellite

This introductory chapter explains how the new Sunsats—sometimes called powersats or solarsats—will differ from comsats in terms of purpose, operations, market, regulation and design.
Three-year outcome of shunted idiopathic NPH patients

The incidence of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) has increased as a result of improved longevity. This report describes the 3-year outcome of shunted iNPH patients compared to three-month outcome after shunting. Patients (n = 50) (Age 70.4 ± 8.9) admitted to our service were diagnosed and treated according to a fixed protocol for management of iNPH and after shunting were followed at least three times per year in clinic. The outcome of 50 patients was graded according to the level of improvement in symptoms as Excellent/Good, Partial or None in each category of Gait, Incontinence and Dementia. If we lump favorable (excellent, good, partial recovery) vs poor recovery (none), we found from 3 months to 3 years, a moderate decline in gait performance (91% to 75%), a retention of memory improvement (80%-80%) and an improvement in incontinence occurred over time (70%–82.5%).
Mitteleuropa in the Age of William II

A pause to look back at this point in the Mitteleuropa story reveals several major developments. A strong, common German national feeling manifested itself in the heart of Europe. Hopes for complete political unification suffered severe defeat at the hands of Bismarck. What was left of grossdeutsch idealism lived on in the nebulous sense of a cultural community or was transmuted into the radical-conservative ideologies of Lagarde, von Schonerer, and the Pan-German agitation that took strength from these two sources. The Austrian-Germans were excluded from the German national consummation and faced a rising tide of Magyar and Slavic self-assertion. The Reich-Germans shifted the foci of their interests from German Middle Europe to their own political union and confidently asserted their burgeoning economic strength in the world at large. Now we stand in the Wilhelmian Era and need to evaluate its spirit and political objectives in relation to Mitteleuropa.
Role of Stress-Associated Signaling in Addiction

Abstract Clinical reports and findings from human and nonhuman animal laboratory studies demonstrate that stress plays a critical role in drug addiction. This chapter provides an overview of the neurobiological signaling mechanisms that mediate this influence of stress. The chapter highlights how stress fuels the addiction cycle at every stage and every age, regardless of drug class or biological sex. Specific stress-induced signaling processes and stress-induced neuroadaptations that promote drug-seeking behavior and addiction will be discussed, with a focus on mechanisms within brain regions wherein the stress and reward/motivation systems intersect. Additionally, findings demonstrating that repeated drug self-administration can fundamentally change how addicts respond to stressful stimuli in a manner that promotes escalating use patterns and heightened relapse susceptibility, and the underlying signaling mechanisms are reviewed. Finally, potential medication development opportunities stemming from our understanding of the signaling processes through which stress influences drug addiction are summarized.
Oncoprotein kinases in mitosis.

Publisher Summary Recently, multiple lines of investigation have coalesced to demonstrate that oncoprotein kinases are temporally regulated and/or regulatory in mitosis and meiosis. This chapter focuses on the experimental basis for these new insights and the resultant shift in thinking about the potential mechanisms of neoplastic transformation. Recent discoveries indicate that at least some protooncoprotein kinases participate in the regulation of meiosis and mitosis. Multiple functional connections to p34 cdc2 , a critical participant in cell-cycle control, have been identified. Other unelucidated signaling pathways involving tyrosine phosphatases are also likely to be involved. The role of the master kinase is frequently ascribed to p34 cdc2 . In this view, the oncoprotein kinases function as slaves or effectors that amplify and transmit p34 cdc2 -initiated signals by participating in cascades that ultimately phosphorylate end-point substrates. However, p34 cdc2 is itself modulated both directly and indirectly by oncoprotein kinase activity, and it also directly phosphorylates end-point substrates, such as histone H1, nucleolins, lamins, and RNA polymerase. It is becoming difficult to distinguish dominance from subservience, and the master/slave paradigm may prove to be of a limited utility for organizing the knowledge of cell-cycle control mechanisms.
Thermal Imaging in Plant and Ecosystem Ecology: Applications and Challenges

Temperature is a primary environmental control on ecological systems and processes at a range of spatial and temporal scales. The surface temperature of organisms is often more relevant for ecological processes than air temperature, which is much more commonly measured. Surface temperature influences—and is influenced by—a range of biological, physical, and chemical processes, providing a unique view of temperature effects on ecosystem function. Furthermore, surface temperatures vary markedly over a range of temporal and spatial scales and may diverge from air temperature by 40°C or more. Surface temperature measurements have been challenging due to sensor and computational limitations but are now feasible at high spatial and temporal resolutions using thermal imaging. Thus, significant advances in our understanding of plant and ecosystem thermal regimes and their functional consequences are now possible. Thermal measurements may be used to address many ecological questions, such as the thermal controls on plant and ecosystem metabolism and the impact of heat waves and drought. Further advances in this area will require interdisciplinary collaborations among practitioners in fields ranging from physiology to ecosystem ecology to remote sensing and geospatial analysis. In this overview, we demonstrate the feasibility, utility, and potential of thermal imaging for measuring vegetation surface temperatures across a range of scales and from measurement, analysis, and synthesis perspectives.
Continuous and Finite Set Model Predictive Control of Induction Motor Drive

This paper presents a comparative study of application of two novel control structures based on the Model Predictive Control for the drive system with an induction motor. The first one relies on continuous set model predictive control (CS-MPC). The finite set model predictive control (FS-MPC) is utilized in the second approach. The parameters of those two versions are set in order to allow experimental verification of the algorithms and at the same time to obtain a good control performance. The different application aspects, such as the type of model used in prediction, computational complexity of the algorithms, control performance including the noise level are judged.
Minor spliceosome disruption causes limb growth defects without altering patterning

Disruption of the minor spliceosome causes primordial dwarfism in microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type 1. Similarly, primordial dwarfism in domesticated animals is linked to positive selection in minor spliceosome components. Despite the importance of minor intron splicing in limb size regulation, its role in limb development remains unexplored. Here we show that loss of U11 small nuclear RNA, an essential minor spliceosome component, results in stunted limbs that maintain patterning. Notably, earlier loss of U11 corresponded to increased severity. We find that limb size is reduced due to elevated minor intron retention in minor intron-containing genes that regulate cell cycle. Limb progenitor cells experience delayed prometaphase to metaphase transition and prolonged S-phase, resulting in death of rapidly dividing, distally located progenitors. Consequently, crucial limb patterning genes are upregulated and their expression is maintained spatially to achieve basic patterning. Overall, these findings reveal a potential mechanism shared in disease and domestication.
Finite Quantum Instruments

This article considers quantum systems described by a finite-dimensional complex Hilbert space $H$. We first define the concept of a finite observable on $H$. We then discuss ways of combining observables in terms of convex combinations, post-processing and sequential products. We also define complementary and coexistent observables. We then introduce finite instruments and their related compatible observables. The previous combinations and relations for observables are extended to instruments and their properties are compared. We present four types of instruments; namely, identity, trivial, Luders and Kraus instruments. These types are used to illustrate different ways that instruments can act. We next consider joint probabilities for observables and instruments. The article concludes with a discussion of measurement models and the instruments they measure.
Electrodialytic recovery of rare earth elements from coal ashes

Abstract Rare earth elements (REE) are critical raw materials crucial for modern technologies and used in a variety of industries. There is a need of investment in REE recovery from secondary sources. The present work was designed to assess the potential of the electrodialytic process to recover REE from coal ash. The content of REE was evaluated in bituminous and anthracite ash. Anthracite presented higher REE concentration (447 ppm vs. 138 ppm) and a triple concentration of critical REE compared with bituminous ash. Anthracite ash was treated aiming to test the REE recover potential, including differences between light REE (LREE) and heavy REE (HREE) fractions as well as the specific recovery of REE with high criticality. A two-compartment electrodialytic cell was tested with the matrix placed in the anode compartment and a cation-exchange membrane separating the compartments. Experiments lasted a maximum of 7 days applying different current intensities and pH adjustment in the catholyte (≈ 2). Three main steps are observed in the removal process 1) REE solubilization - from the solid to the liquid phase (anolyte); 2) REE mobilization - movement from the anolyte towards the cathode end; 3) REE removal - presence in the catholyte. The extent of each step observed for the REE depends on their individual position in the periodic table with HREE removal being more regulated by step 1 and LREE by step 2. At the best tested conditions (50 mA, 3 days, pH adjustment), more than 70% of REE were extracted from the ash with the catholyte enclosing up to ≈ 50% of LREE and HREE. Combining the high criticality of neodymium with its high concentration in anthracite coal ash (65 ppm), the electrodialytic treatment is highly recommended to concentrate this REE in the catholyte. The results demonstrated the proof-of-concept for electro-assisted extraction of REE from anthracite coal ash, opening perspectives to a selective recovery of these elements from secondary sources.
Factors associated with low-acuity hospital admissions in a public safety-net setting: a cross-sectional study

Given system-level focus on avoidance of unnecessary hospitalizations, better understanding admission decision-making is of utility. Our study sought to identify factors associated with hospital admission versus discharge from the Emergency Department (ED) for a population of patients who were assessed as having low medical acuity at time of decision. Using an institutional database, we identified ED admission requests received from March 1, 2018 to Feb 28, 2019 that were assessed by a physician at the time of request as potentially inappropriate based on lack of medical acuity. Focused chart review was performed to extract data related to patient demographics, socioeconomic information, measures of illness, and system-level factors such as previous healthcare utilization and day/time of presentation. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to correlate patient and system factors with disposition outcome of admission to the hospital versus discharge from the ED. Physician-reported contributors to admission decision-making and chief complaint/reason for admission were summarized. A total of 349 (77.2%) of 452 calls resulted in admission to the hospital and 103 (22.8%) resulted in discharge from the ED. Predictors of admission included age over 65 (OR 3.5 [95%CI 1.1–11.6], p = 0.039), homelessness (OR 3.3 [95% CI 1.7–6.4], p=0.001), and night/weekend presentation (OR 2.0 [95%CI 1.1–3.5], p = 0.020). The most common contributing factors to the decision to admit reported by the responding physician included: lack of outpatient social support (35.8% of admissions), homelessness (33.0% of admissions), and substance use disorder (23.5% of admissions). Physician medical decision-making regarding the need for hospitalization incorporates consideration of individual patient characteristics, social setting, and system-level barriers. Interventions aimed at reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, especially those involving patients with low medical acuity, should focus on underlying unmet needs and involve a broad set of perspectives.
Vascular applications of ferumoxytol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen and pelvis

Ferumoxytol is an injectable ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide that has been gaining interest regarding its off-label use as an intravenous contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Due to its large particle size, its use with MRI produces exquisite images of blood vessels with little background contamination or parenchymal enhancement of the abdominopelvic organs, except for the liver and spleen. Because ferumoxytol is neither an iodinated nor a gadolinium-based contrast agent, there are no restrictions for its use in patients with poor renal function. This article will highlight normal features in ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI in the abdomen and pelvis as well as its applications in evaluating vascular pathology, presurgical planning, and other problem solving.
Assessing repellency, movement, and mortality of three species of stored product insects after exposure to deltamethrin-incorporated long-lasting polyethylene netting

Long-lasting insecticide-treated netting (LLIN) has begun to be used in agricultural product protection. We investigated the effect of a deltamethrin-incorporated LLIN on three stored product insects, red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.). Long-distance repellency was assessed in a wind tunnel for adults of each species, but no repellency was observed. Insect movement and behavior was assessed by observing the movement of adult beetles on treated and untreated netting during a 5 min period for distance traveled, velocity, mobility, and time on each netting type. Among all netting combinations, T. castaneum spent the most time highly mobile, higher velocity, and traveled a greater distance. Sitophilus oryzae and R. dominica spent significantly more time immobile and lower velocity. Efficacy of LLIN was tested by exposing adults for 60 min, removing, and holding with or without food, and monitoring for mortality up to 7 d. All S. oryzae and R. dominica were either affected or dead at all post-exposure times. The number of affected and dead adult T. castaneum combined 7 d after exposure was 42% and 95%, with or without food, respectively, and 52% of affected adults were able to recover when food was present. Overall, LLIN had no repellency or negative effect on insect movement, which increases the probability of lethal exposures of adults from walking on the netting. LLIN can be adopted in existing integrated pest management (IPM) programs for food processing facilities to prevent stored product insect infestations.
Country-based rate of emissions reductions should increase by 80% beyond nationally determined contributions to meet the 2 °C target.

The 2015 Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming by 2100 to below 2°C, with 1.5°C as a target. To that end, countries agreed to reduce their emissions by nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Using a fully statistically based probabilistic framework, we find that the probabilities of meeting their nationally determined contributions for the largest emitters are low, e.g. 2% for the USA and 16% for China. On current trends, the probability of staying below 2°C of warming is only 5%, but if all countries meet their nationally determined contributions and continue to reduce emissions at the same rate after 2030, it rises to 26%. If the USA alone does not meet its nationally determined contribution, it declines to 18%. To have an even chance of staying below 2°C, the average rate of decline in emissions would need to increase from the 1% per year needed to meet the nationally determined contributions, to 1.8% per year.