cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential expression and regulation of progesterone receptor isoforms in rat and mouse pituitary cells and LβT2 gonadotropes

Manipulation of endogenous progesterone receptor (PR) does not produce equivalent physiological effects in mouse and rat pituitary cells. To test whether this may be due in part to difference in PR isoform expression, we examined hormonally regulated pituitary PR-A and PR-B mRNA levels using quantitative real-time PCR. The LbT2 mouse gonadotrope line or pituitary cells from adult, ovariectomized rats or mice were cultured with or without 0$ 2n M 17bestradiol (E2) for 3 days. PR-A was the predominant form expressed for all groups. For mouse cells, E2 led to an increase in both isoforms without a change in the A:B ratio; for rat cells, the PR-B response to E2 was more robust resulting in a decrease in the A:B ratio. Exposure of E2-treated pituitary cells to 200 nM progesterone for 6 h decreased both PR-A and PR-B levels in rat cells, but had no effect on PR isoform expression in mouse cells even when exposure was extended to 12 h. The low level of PR expression found in LbT2 gonadotropes was unaffected by E2, alone or with progesterone. The weak PR expression and lack of responsiveness of LbT2 cells cannot be explained by a male phenotype as was shown by the more than tenfold higher PR mRNA level in primary cultures of male mouse pituitary cells, which responded to E2 stimulation with a proportional increase in PR isoforms similar to female cells. Functionally, E2-stimulated changes in PR mRNA isoform ratios in rat, mouse or LbT2 cells correlated with the degree of progesterone augmentation of GnRH-stimulated LH secretion in these models. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that robust GnRH priming and progesterone augmentation of LH secretion in the rat compared to these events in the mouse are a consequence, in part, of differences in the E2-modulated ratio of PR isoforms.
Global state routing: a new routing scheme for ad-hoc wireless networks

In an ad-hoc environment with no wired communication infrastructure, it is necessary that mobile hosts operate as routers in order to maintain the information about connectivity. However with the presence of high mobility and low signal/interference ratio (SIR), traditional routing schemes for wired networks are not appropriate, as they either lack the ability to quickly reflect the changing topology, or may cause excessive overhead, which degrades network performance. Considering these restrictions, we propose a new scheme especially designed for routing in an ad-hoc wireless environments. We call this scheme "global state routing" (GSR), where nodes exchange vectors of link states among their neighbors during routing information exchange. Based on the link state vectors, nodes maintain a global knowledge of the network topology and optimize their routing decisions locally. The performance of the algorithm, studied in this paper through a series of simulations, reveals that this scheme provides a better solution than existing approaches in a truly mobile, ad-hoc environment.
Differences in prescription opioid analgesic availability: comparing minority and white pharmacies across Michigan.

Abstract Little is known about physical barriers to adequate pain treatment for minorities. This investigation explored sociodemographic determinants of pain medication availability in Michigan pharmacies. A cross-sectional survey–based study with census data and data provided by Michigan community retail pharmacists was designed. Sufficient opioid analgesic supplies was defined as stocking at least one long-acting, short-acting, and combination opioid analgesic. Pharmacies located in minority (≤70% minority residents) and white (≥70% white residents) zip code areas were randomly selected by using a 2-stage sampling selection process (response rate, 80%). For the 190 pharmacies surveyed, most were located in white areas (51.6%) and had sufficient supplies (84.1%). After accounting for zip code median age and stratifying by income, pharmacies in white areas (odds ratio, 13.36 high income vs 54.42 low income) and noncorporate pharmacies (odds ratio, 24.92 high income vs 3.61 low income) were more likely to have sufficient opioid analgesic supplies ( P Perspective Michigan pharmacies in minority zip codes were 52 times less likely to carry sufficient opioid analgesics than pharmacies in white zip codes regardless of income. Lower income areas and corporate pharmacies were less likely to carry sufficient opioid analgesics. This study illustrates barriers to pain care and has public health implications.
Mandelstam 't Hooft Duality in Abelian Lattice Models

We derive a precise mathematical connection between the strong-coupling regime of the Abelian lattice gauge theory in four dimensions and a lattice model of a superconductor. This connection relates the quark confinement of the lattice gauge theory to magnetic flux tubes in the superconductor, along lines conjectured earlier by Mandelstam and 't Hooft. We apply this relation to the study of the behavior of physical quantities in the vicinity of the transition of the gauge theory to its quark-confining phase. In the course of our arguments, we develop an analogous connection between models describing a superconductor and a ferromagnet in three dimensions; this analysis reveals a new second-order phase transition in a superconductor which may be interpreted as a Gell-Mann-Low eigenvalue in (2 + 1)-dimensional scalar QED.
Apolipoprotein E-specific innate immune response in astrocytes from targeted replacement mice.

Background Inheritance of the three different alleles of the human apolipoprotein (apo) E gene (APOE) are associated with varying risk or clinical outcome from a variety of neurologic diseases. ApoE isoform-specific modulation of several pathogenic processes, in addition to amyloid β metabolism in Alzheimer's disease, have been proposed: one of these is innate immune response by glia. Previously we have shown that primary microglia cultures from targeted replacement (TR) APOE mice have apoE isoform-dependent innate immune activation and paracrine damage to neurons that is greatest with TR by the e4 allele (TR APOE4) and that derives from p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) activity.
Upper extremity bypass for chronic ischemia--a national surgical quality improvement program study database study.

Objective:We undertook this study to determine the outcomes of upper extremity arterial reconstruction for chronic ischemia.Methods:The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database was queried to identify all patients who had undergone an upper extremity bypass for chronic ischemia between 2005 and 2007.Results:A total of 55 patients were identified in a primarily female population (71% women). Mean age was 57. The most common preoperative diagnoses included ischemia resulting from prior arterial thromboembolism in 16 (29%) patients and atherosclerotic upper extremity arterial disease in 11 (20%) patients. The most common procedures performed included axillo–brachial bypass in 17 (31%) patients, brachial–brachial bypass in 11 (20%) patients, and carotid–brachial bypass in 11 (20%) patients. There were no perioperative deaths and no acute graft failures.Conclusion:Although upper extremity bypass remains rare, the procedures appear to be safe with excellent 30-day results. Indications differ from ...
SensorTape: Modular and Programmable 3D-Aware Dense Sensor Network on a Tape

SensorTape is a modular and dense sensor network in a form factor of a tape. SensorTape is composed of interconnected and programmable sensor nodes on a flexible electronics substrate. Each node can sense its orientation with an inertial measurement unit, allowing deformation self-sensing of the whole tape. Also, nodes sense proximity using time-of-flight infrared. We developed network architecture to automatically determine the location of each sensor node, as SensorTape is cut and rejoined. Also, we made an intuitive graphical interface to program the tape. Our user study suggested that SensorTape enables users with different skill sets to intuitively create and program large sensor network arrays. We developed diverse applications ranging from wearables to home sensing, to show low deployment effort required by the user. We showed how SensorTape could be produced at scale using current technologies and we made a 2.3-meter long prototype.
Keeping Your Arguments in Order

Conventional wisdom advises placing one's best arguments first and burying weaker arguments later. However, adopting the structure used by an opponent may provide clarity and convenience that outweigh any persuasive benefits of rearranging the issues, and frequently a logical arrangement of the issues is preferable to one calculated to emphasize the strongest argument. A threshold issue normally should go first, as should one that provides a foundation for another issue. Absent such logical constraints, the strongest points often belong at the beginning. These may be the arguments that the advocate has the best chance of winning or those that are considered most important. The end of an argument is also a position of emphasis, so it can backfire to conclude with one's weakest point.
The International Criminal Court: The Anatomy of a Case

This excerpt from the 3rd edition of Van Schaack/Slye’s International Criminal Law & Its Enforcement (Foundation Press 2014) traces the initiation of a case before the International Criminal Court with reference to: preconditions for jurisdiction, trigger mechanisms, preliminary examinations, investigations, complementarity, the confirmation of charges, trial, and appeal. The origins and particularities of each of the Court’s current situations and cases is discussed.
Growth and Sporulation of Species and Isolates of Cylindrocladium in Culture

SUMMARYSeveral species of Cylindrocladium, comprising 58 isolates, were studied in culture to determine their trophic and sporulation responses to various nutrients and to light. Cylindrocladium av...
Air Vehicle Design and Technology Considerations for an Electric VTOL Metro-Regional Public Transportation System

This paper examines the potential of VTOL aircraft to supplement commuter rail services in a metropolitan or regional transportation system. An interdisciplinary study was conducted to examine the feasibility of integrating an aerial mass transit system into the existing airspace using a fleet of electrically powered rotorcraft. A notional network of stations and overall operating schedule were constructed based on the existing regional rail networks serving the San Francisco Bay Area. To define the VTOL vehicles, the rotorcraft sizing code NDARC has been modified to accommodate electric propulsion sizing. Initial sizing results indicate that battery technologies available by 2030, coupled with the “shorthop” ranges of the proposed aerial network, result in feasible aircraft designs. These vehicle designs, while significantly heavier than their Jet A powered turboshaft equivalents, may become economically viable in a business environment dominated by fuel costs. Finally, these initial study results are informing follow-on study efforts.
Toxicity of Pesticides to Honey Bees in Laboratory and Field Tests in Southern California, 1955-1956

In laboratory tests 33 compounds were compared for relative toxicity to honey bees. Ten of these materials (mostly phosphates) were found to be more toxic than the DDT standard treatment, four were about as toxic as DDT, and all the rest (mostly phosphates) were practically nontoxic to honey bees. Sabadilla at dosages comparable to those used in citrus groves was nontoxic to bees, while dosages comparable to those used on vegetable crops were highly toxic. Studies of DDT, toxaphene, and sulfur, alone and in various combinations, showed that DDT was moderately toxic to bees, and that sulfur and toxaphene were only slightly toxic. No synergistic effects were noted in the combinations. In field tests parathion was found to be highly toxic to honey bees, and its use is not recommended on alfalfa in bloom. Although malathion is moderately toxic to bees, it appears to be less toxic than parathion, and with proper timing of applications it has been used on blooming alfalfa without serious loss of bees. In these tests Trithion and Dipterex had no serious effects on honey bees in blooming alfalfa fields.
A SURVEY OF BUTTERFLIES IN DABA MOUNTAINS NATURAL RESERVE

From July to August,1999 and from May to June,2000,a survey of butterflies in the Daba Mountains Natural Reserve,which is situated in the northernmost part of Chongqing,was carried out.According to the preliminary statistical data,there are 184 species of butterflies inhabiting this region,belonging to 93 genera and 9 families.Of the butterflies recorded, Luehdorfia chinensis is a precious wild animal by priority protection of the nation (Class Ⅱ),and Troides aeacus,Parnassius glacialis,Stichophtalma neumogeni and Stichophthalma howqua are on the list of “Wild Animals of National Priority Protection” in China.Twenty-five species are known to the distributed in the Daba mountains only,accounting for 6.0% of the known butterfly species in Chongqing.
The closing of the American mind—or just closing the ranks?

(1991). The closing of the American mind—or just closing the ranks? Journal of Geography in Higher Education: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 221-228.
Effects of Electrode Montage on the Spectral Composition of the Infant Auditory Brainstem Response

We evaluated the effect of electrode montage on the spectrum of the infant auditory brainstem response (ABR). Spectral profiles of ipsilateral, contralateral, noncephalic, and horizontal recordings obtained in response to slow and fast repetition rates and at low and high stimulus intensities were also evaluated. Findings indicate that the spectrum of the infant ABR is dominated by low-frequency energy, maximal below 200 Hz . The spectra of ipsilateral and noncephalic recordings are the strongest irrespective of stimulus intensity or repetition rate. Increase in stimulus intensity or repetition rate typically enhances the amount of energy below 200 Hz . These results reinforce the clinical utility of ipsilateral and noncephalic recordings for screening, threshold measurement, and neurodiagnostic purposes.
P-032 clinical presentation and outcomes of non-cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas undergoing endovascular therapy as primary treatment modality

Purpose To present our experience with the presentation, therapy and outcomes of patients with low- and high- grade non-cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) Methods/materials IRB approval was obtained for this retrospective analysis. All patients presenting with non-cavernous DAVF between 1/1/1996 and 5/5/2014 at a single institution were reviewed (N=60; 30 males, 30 females). Clinical and operative records, imaging, and post-operative course of patients were identified through a search of the electronic medical record system. The primary outcomes evaluated were technical success rate and complication rate for low-grade and high-grade DAVF. Categorical differences between low- and high-grade DAVF in the series were compared using the χ 2 test. Results Mean age was 58 years. 27/60 patients (45%) presented with tinnitus, 22/60 patients (37%) presented with headache, and 12/60 patients (20%) presented with intracranial hemorrhage. Less common presentations included visual changes (n = 6) and altered mental status (n = 6). There were 34 (57%) high-grade and 26 (43%) low-grade DAVF. A significantly greater proportion of patients with low-grade DAVF presented with tinnitus (81% vs. 17%; p Conclusions High-grade non-cavernous DAVF more commonly present with intracranial hemorrhage and headache, while low-risk DAVF more commonly present with tinnitus. Endovascular therapy has a high success rate in curing CVR and improving patient symptoms both at immediate and long-term follow-up with low rates of significant complications. The addition of surgery and/or stereotactic radiosurgery in persistent high-grade fistulas provides further therapeutic benefit. Disclosures J. Griauzde: None. J. Gemmete: None. A. Pandey: None. N. Chaudhary: None.
Total Synthesis of Sorbicillactone A: Inspiration for Methodology and Catalyst Development

Abstract This account describes the development of a synthetic route to sorbicillactone A. This natural product is a member of the sorbicillinoid family but is unusual in that an amino acid, in this case alanine, has been incorporated into its structure. This feature, along with a desire to use the bicyclic core of sorbicillactone A as a scaffold for library synthesis, required a synthetic approach that is atypical of those generally used for accessing other members of the sorbicillinoid family. The core structure was constructed using a regioselective conjugate addition of a malonate-tethered cyclohexadienone. Alkylation of the resulting bicyclic lactone involved approach of the electrophile from an unexpected direction relative to the bicyclic ring. Subsequent DFT calculations revealed that minimization of torsional strain was responsible for the observed stereoselectivity. Despite the strong substrate control observed during this alkylation, an efficient synthesis of the target molecule could be achieved.
Quantized Faraday and Kerr rotation and axion electrodynamics of a 3D topological insulator

Topological insulators have been proposed to be best characterized as bulk magnetoelectric materials that show response functions quantized in terms of fundamental physical constants. Here, we lower the chemical potential of three-dimensional (3D) Bi2Se3 films to ~30 meV above the Dirac point and probe their low-energy electrodynamic response in the presence of magnetic fields with high-precision time-domain terahertz polarimetry. For fields higher than 5 tesla, we observed quantized Faraday and Kerr rotations, whereas the dc transport is still semiclassical. A nontrivial Berry's phase offset to these values gives evidence for axion electrodynamics and the topological magnetoelectric effect. The time structure used in these measurements allows a direct measure of the fine-structure constant based on a topological invariant of a solid-state system.
In Situ Exploration of Particle Simulations with CPU Ray Tracing

We present a system for interactive in situ visualization of large particle simulations, suitable for general CPU-based HPC architectures. As simulations grow in scale, in situ methods are needed to alleviate IO bottlenecks and visualize data at full spatio-temporal resolution. We use a lightweight loosely-coupled layer serving distributed data from the simulation to a data-parallel renderer running in separate processes. Leveraging the OSPRay ray tracing framework for visualization and balanced P-k-d trees, we can render simulation data in real-time, as they arrive, with negligible memory overhead. This flexible solution allows users to perform exploratory in situ visualization on the same computational resources as the simulation code, on dedicated visualization clusters or remote workstations, via a standalone rendering client that can be connected or disconnected as needed. We evaluate this system on simulations with up to 227M particles in the LAMMPS and Uintah computational frameworks, and show that our approach provides many of the advantages of tightly-coupled systems, with the flexibility to render on a wide variety of remote and coprocessing resources.
The economics of education and policy: Ideas for a principles course

ABSTRACTThere are many aspects of the “economics of education” that would make excellent examples for introductory economics students. The author presents two topics that are central to the economics of education and to human capital theory: the economic benefit (or “returns”) to schooling and educational attainment as an investment. There are two key concepts the author hopes students get from this discussion. The first is that there are both private and social benefits of schooling whence we derive the rationale for government intervention. The second is that educational attainment is an investment decision with both costs and benefits, and some risk.
The multilevel quasidiffusion method with multigrid in energy for eigenvalue transport problems

Abstract A multilevel iterative method for solving multigroup neutron transport k-eigenvalue problems in two-dimensional geometry is developed. This method is based on a system of group low-order quasidiffusion (LOQD) equations defined on a sequence of coarsening energy grids. The spatial discretization of the LOQD equations uses compensation terms which make it consistent with a high-order transport scheme on a given spatial grid. Different multigrid algorithms are applied to solve the multilevel system of group LOQD equations on grids in energy. The eigenvalue is evaluated from the LOQD problem on a coarsest grid. To further improve the efficiency of iterative schemes hybrid multigrid algorithms are developed. The numerical results of tests with a large number groups are presented to demonstrate performance of the proposed iterative schemes.
Functional groups, species and light interact with nutrient limitation during tropical rainforest sapling bottleneck

Potential variability in nutrient limitation among tree size classes, functional groups and species calls for an integrated community- and ecosystem-level perspective of lowland tropical rainforest nutrient limitation. In particular, canopy trees determine ecosystem nutrient conditions, but competitive success for nutrients and light during the sapling bottleneck determines canopy composition. We conducted an in situ multi-nutrient sapling fertilization experiment at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, to determine how functional group identity, species identity and light availability can impact nutrient limitation of stem growth in three functional groups and nine species. Despite high soil fertility, we found nutrient-light limitation in two functional groups and four species. Unexpectedly, the nitrogen-fixing (“N2 fixers”) and shade-tolerant functional groups were significantly nutrient limited, while the light-demanding functional group was not. This was partially explained by species-level variation in nutrient limitation within these functional groups, with only some species conforming to the prediction of stronger nutrient limitation in light demanders compared to shade-tolerants. Most surprisingly, we found strong nutrient limitation at low-light levels in the N2 fixers (which were shade-tolerant), but not in the shade-tolerant non-fixers. We hypothesize that the N2 fixers were actually nitrogen limited at low-light levels because of their nitrogen-rich leaves and the high carbon cost of their symbionts. This finding suggests a highly shade-tolerant, N2 fixation strategy, in addition to the perception that N2 fixation is mostly advantageous in high-light environments during early and gap succession. The shade-tolerant, N2 fixation strategy may be part of a sapling and canopy tree feedback, where the canopy N2 fixers enrich the soil N, enhancing growth of their shade-tolerant saplings relative to non-fixing competitors, enabling further canopy domination by shade-tolerant N2 fixers, as seen at La Selva. Synthesis. The pervasiveness of functional group- and species-specific nutrient and light co-limitation in our saplings indicates that these interactions likely play an important role in the dynamics of lowland tropical rainforest nutrient limitation, potentially via other such sapling and canopy tree feedbacks as the one hypothesized.
Improvement in the Spatial Distribution of Pain, Somatic Symptoms, and Depression After a Weight Loss Intervention.

Abstract Weight loss is known to improve pain localized to weight-bearing joints but it is not known how weight loss affects the spatial distribution of pain and associated somatic symptoms like fatigue. We sought to determine if weight loss using a low-calorie diet improves pain, affect, and somatic symptoms commonly associated with chronic pain conditions in an observational study. We also documented changes in inflammatory markers in serum before and after weight loss. Participants were 123 obese individuals undergoing a 12- to 16-week calorie restriction weight loss intervention. The spatial distribution of pain, symptom severity (eg, fatigue, sleep difficulties), depression, and total fibromyalgia scale scores were measured before and after weight loss. Pain ( P = . 022), symptom severity ( P = .004), depression ( P P = .004) improved after weight loss; men showed greater improvement than women on somatic symptoms and fibromyalgia scores (both P P = .002). Weight loss may improve diffuse pain and comorbid symptoms commonly seen in chronic pain participants. Perspective This article presents the effect of a weight loss intervention on characteristics of chronic pain, including the spatial distribution of pain and comorbid somatic symptoms. Weight loss appeared to produce larger improvements in somatic symptoms for men.
Scaled DC lifetime, test and evaluation of advanced nanocomposite materials for compact high voltage capacitors

A high dielectric, nanodielectric, composite material, MU100, was developed by the University of Missouri for use in dielectric loaded antennas. Based on its dielectric strength and losses, MU100 had possible uses in the development of high energy-density capacitors. This paper presents the dielectric properties of the materials for high energy-density pulsed power applications. Additionally, the application of compact high voltage capacitors and recent advances demonstrated during the testing and evaluation of this material is explored. Small scale tests have shown the average dielectric strength of MU100 to be 225 kV/cm with a peak break down field of 328 kV/cm. When potted, these small-scale capacitors have lifetimes in excess of 800,000 discharges at 80% of their maximum rated field strength.
Social Motivators and Inhibitors for Women Entering Software Engineering through Coding Bootcamps vs. Computer Science Bachelor's Degrees: (Abstract Only)

The gender disparity in technology related fields is well known and well documented. Only 18% of computer science undergraduates and 26% of computer science professionals are women. Despite numerous interventions in the past decade, there is still not gender parity in the undergraduate pipeline. However, 43% of post-baccalaureate "coding bootcamp" participants were women in 2016, indicating that this population may have different characteristics, attitudes, and mindsets than younger women and girls. In this project, the authors have investigated these changes in gender role perceptions that create barriers for girls but are seemingly resolved for some adult women. We hypothesize that older women come to view their own abilities as well as the impact of failure differently than girls and younger women. By recruiting a subject pool of women who have entered the computer science profession through traditional baccalaureate as well as non-traditional bootcamp pathways and posing reflective as well as current questions in semi-structured interviews we assess the changes in attitudes regarding the subjects' self-efficacy and mindset with respect to technical work. From these findings, we hope to identify triggers and possible interventions.
Is Capping the Deduction for State and Local Taxes Constitutional

In the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Congress capped the deduction available for state taxes not attributable to businesses or investments, and representatives of high-tax states are challenging the constitutionality of that cap — which, they argue, was motivated by animus. This article considers several possible rationales for a challenge — intergovernmental tax immunity, political animus in general, the uniformity rule, and equal protection — and concludes that the case for overturning the cap on constitutional grounds is weak at best.
Retained foreign bodies and associated risk factors and outcomes in pediatric surgical patients

Abstract Background Retained foreign bodies discovered after surgery are documented as Agency for Health Care Quality and Research Patient Safety Indicators. Our goal was to identify pediatric patient and procedure risk factors and outcomes associated with RFB based on AHRQ Definitions. Methods We performed a retrospective case–control study of children with RFB using the PHIS database. Patients were defined as having RFB based on the AHRQ PSI definition. Controls were matched in a 5:1 ratio on age, procedure date, and hospital. Our primary outcome was the presence of RFB. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay and mortality. Results Patients with RFB often underwent emergent procedures, experienced one or more chronic conditions, and required ICU admission or mechanical ventilation. Musculoskeletal procedures contribute the largest numbers of RFB (30.4%), but interventional radiology procedures had higher odds of having RFB (AOR 7.88, p Conclusions The implications of our study include identifying which administrative flags can be used to identify children at higher risks for RFB. Early identification of at-risk patients and prevention are key towards addressing the primary problem and corresponding sequela of RFB. Levels of Evidence Prognostic Study Level III.
Yeast as a model system for studying cell cycle checkpoints

The survival of any organism depends on a cell’s ability to accurately duplicate the genome and equally distribute one copy to each daughter cell. Successful cell reproduction entails passage through the discrete G1 (preDNA synthesis), S (DNA synthesis), G2 (post-DNA synthesis), and M (mitotic) phases of the cell cycle. Remarkably, the events of the cell cycle have been well conserved among eukaryotic organisms ranging from the unicellular yeasts to humans [23]. As a result, there is a diverse range of experimental organisms with evolutionary distinctions that contribute to our understanding of the mechanics that drive the cell cycle, including the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, genetically tractable multicellular eukaryotes including the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, systems easily amenable to cell-free analysis including eggs and embryos of Xenopus laevis and cell culture systems derived from a variety of mammalian tissues. The timing and accuracy of cell division are critical for maintaining the integrity of the genome during normal growth and development. For example, the commencement of chromosome segregation is dependent on the completion of sequential events including DNA replication, spindle pole body or centrosome duplication, chromosome condensation, and spindle formation. Studies in the fission yeast S. pombe revealed that at the core of the cell cycle machinery is the cdc2 gene product, p34 kinase, which is Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, UMDNJ-Graduate School of
The Potential of the Calcium-Binding Protein, Oncomodulin, as a Tumour Marker

Abstract Oncomodulin is a parvalbumin-like, Mr 11,700, calcium-binding protein. A specific radioimmunoassay detected oncomodulin in rodent tumours, in blood of rats bearing Morris hepatomas, but not in any normal tissue. Immunohistochemical procedures showed the presence of oncomodulin in Morris hepatomas, but its absence from normal rat liver. Oncomodulin has also been found in human tumour tissue. The presence of this apparently tumour-specific calcium-binding protein in tumours irrespective of tissue of origin, or mode of induction, suggest that it may be a useful tumour marker.
Phospholipase A2 in Platelets

Platelet activation begins with the binding of an agonist to the cell surface, leading to aggregation, secretion and clot formation. The thromboxane A2 (TxA2 ) formed from arachidonic acid (AA, ω-6) serves as an important intracellular mediator in platelet function (1–5). More specifically, TxA2 appears more critical for platelet responses such as shape change, aggregation, secretion, phosphoinositide turnover, Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores and protein phosphorylations induced by collagen (1–9). However, platelet adhesion to collagen appears to be independent of TxA2 (10–12). Thromboxane 2 A also plays a major role in pathophysiological functions, ranging from hemostasis to smooth muscle contraction by virtue of its potent vasoconstricting and platelet aggregating properties (13, 4, 6). Thromboxane A2 (TxA2) is formed via prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide intermediates (PGG2/PGH2) by a specific thromboxane synthase. This has been discussed in greater detail in chapter 13 and elsewhere, in this book.
Maternal adipokines longitudinally measured across pregnancy and their associations with neonatal size, length, and adiposity

Maternal obesity impacts fetal growth as early as second trimester of pregnancy, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. We aimed to examine associations between maternal adipokines throughout pregnancy and neonatal size by prepregnancy obesity status. In a prospective cohort of 2802 U.S. pregnant women from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies-Singleton Cohort (2009–2013), biospecimens were analyzed in a matched case−control subset of 321 women. Blood was collected at 10–14, 15–26 (fasting), 23–31, and 33–39 gestational weeks. Plasma leptin and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) and total and high-molecular-weight (HMW)-adiponectin were measured. Free leptin was calculated as leptin/sOB-R. Birthweight was abstracted from medical records. Neonatal length and skinfolds were measured. Leptin and sOB-R in late pregnancy tended to be positively and negatively associated with neonatal length, respectively, while free leptin throughout pregnancy tended to be positively associated with length. Free leptin associations with neonatal length were differential by obesity (i.e., inversely among women without obesity and positively among women with obesity). A per unit increase in free leptin at 33–39 weeks was associated with a shorter neonatal length by −0.55 cm (95%CI, −0.83, −0.28) in women without obesity and longer length by 0.49 cm (95%CI, 0.34, 0.65) in women with obesity. HMW-adiponectin at 33–39 weeks was inversely associated with neonatal length (β = −1.29 cm; 95%CI, −1.74, −0.85) and skinfold thickness (β = −1.46 mm; 95%CI, −1.58, −0.56) among women with obesity. Free leptin across pregnancy tended to be negatively associated with neonatal skinfold thickness among women without obesity, while free leptin in early pregnancy was positively associated with skinfold thickness. Maternal adipokines were associated with multiple pathways that influence neonatal size including length and adiposity, which differed in timing across pregnancy and by prepregnancy obesity. These findings provide new potential insights into mechanisms and timing by which maternal obesity may impact fetal growth.
Ideology and Intuition in Moral Education

We propose that social psychological findings on the intuitive bases of moral judgment have broad implications for moral education. The “five foundations theory of intuitive ethics” is applied to explain a longstanding rift in moral education as an ideological disagreement about which moral intuitions should be endorsed and cultivated. The Kohlbergian moral reasoning side has sought to limit the domain of moral education to Harm and Fairness-related moral concerns, whereas character education approaches have tried also to cultivate intuitions concerning the Ingroup, Authority and Purity foundations. Recent attempts to merge the two lines of moral education have not fully addressed this ideological rift, for example by delineating how a single approach could reconcile opposing groupand individual-focused conceptions of moral education. We conclude that psychological research on moral intuition offers a descriptive account of human morality that reveals problems with attempts to create a normative basis for moral education from either side of the ideological divide.
A First-Principles Density Function Theory Study of Tritium Diffusion in Li2ZrO3: Application for Producing Tritium

The ceramic material Li2ZrO3 has superior thermo-physical and thermo-chemical properties and is highly compatible with other blanket materials used in nuclear reactors. Like LiAlO2, it could be use...
The Impact of Nicotine Dose on the Reinforcing Value of Cigarettes in Adolescents.

Objectives The FDA is considering the implementation of a national nicotine reduction policy for cigarettes, and such a policy may reduce the reinforcing efficacy of cigarettes and ultimately reduce tobacco dependence. However, it is not yet known how different levels of nicotine may affect the reinforcing efficacy of cigarettes in adolescents. We aimed to determine how reduced nicotine content may affect adolescents' demand for cigarettes using the cigarette purchase task (CPT). Methods Adolescent daily smokers (ages 15-19, n = 50) completed a CPT for their usual brand cigarette and for each dose of SPECTRUM research cigarettes (15.8, 5.2, 1.3, 0.4 mg nicotine/g tobacco) during four laboratory sessions. We conducted repeated measures ANOVAs to evaluate the effect of nicotine dose on five demand indices derived from the CPT. Results Tests revealed significantly higher demand for usual brand than each research cigarette dose (all p's < .01); dose did not significantly affect any measure when usual brand was excluded. Conclusions These results demonstrate the potential utility of the CPT for comparing the reinforcing efficacy of cigarettes varying in nicotine content in adolescents, and indicate a significantly reduced reinforcing efficacy of all research cigarettes relative to usual brand.
A heuristic inquiry on the role of person‐environment interaction in suicide risk among transgender youth

Elevated levels of suicide risk among transgender youth have alarmed both public health officials and researchers from various disciplines. Despite nursing's robust involvement in suicide research, literature reviews indicate a lack of nursing research focused on suicide among transgender youth. Most of the existing literature pertain to predictive factors in either the individual or environmental domain. There is limited research examining how interactions with the environment in of itself might be a predictive factor. This paper treats the subject of suicide risk among transgender youth with a heuristic inquiry into person-environment interaction. The Society to Cell Resiliency Framework and Social Self Preservation Model were used to inform exploration of how person-environment interactions might be associated with suicide risk. Implications of this framework will be discussed in terms of how it may affect advancements in nursing education, practice, and research with transgender youth.
Reversing an Extracellular Electron Transfer Pathway for Electrode-Driven Acetoin Reduction

Microbial electrosynthesis is an emerging technology with the potential to simultaneously store renewably generated energy, fix carbon dioxide, and produce high-value organic compounds. However, limited understanding of the route of electrons into the cell remains an obstacle to developing a robust microbial electrosynthesis platform. To address this challenge, we leveraged the native extracellular electron transfer pathway in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to connect an extracellular electrode with an intracellular reduction reaction. The system uses native Mtr proteins to transfer electrons from an electrode to the inner membrane quinone pool. Subsequently, electrons are transferred from quinones to NAD+ by native NADH dehydrogenases. This reverse functioning of NADH dehydrogenases is thermodynamically unfavorable; therefore, we added a light-driven proton pump (proteorhodopsin) to generate proton-motive force to drive this activity. Finally, we use reduction of acetoin to 2,3-butanediol via a heterologous butanediol dehydrogenase (Bdh) as an electron sink. Bdh is an NADH-dependent enzyme; therefore, observation of acetoin reduction supports our hypothesis that cathodic electrons are transferred to intracellular NAD+. Multiple lines of evidence indicate proper functioning of the engineered electrosynthesis system: electron flux from the cathode is influenced by both light and acetoin availability, and 2,3-butanediol production is highest when both light and a poised electrode are present. Using a hydrogenase-deficient S. oneidensis background strain resulted in a stronger correlation between electron transfer and 2,3-butanediol production, suggesting that hydrogen production is an off-target electron sink in the wild-type background. This system represents a promising step toward a genetically engineered microbial electrosynthesis platform and will enable a new focus on synthesis of specific compounds using electrical energy.
Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia into very old age in mice

Sarcopenia is the age-related decline of skeletal muscle mass and function. Diaphragm muscle (DIAm) sarcopenia may contribute to respiratory complications, a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. From 6 to 24 months (mo) of age, representing ~100% and ~80% survival in C57BL/6 × 129 male and female mice, there is a significant reduction in DIAm force generation (~30%) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of type IIx and/or IIb muscle fibers (~30%), impacting the ability to perform high force, non-ventilatory behaviors. To date, there is little information available regarding DIAm sarcopenia in very old age groups. The present study examined DIAm sarcopenia in C57BL/6 × 129 male and female mice at 24, 27, and 30 mo, representing ~80%, ~60%, and ~30% survival, respectively. We hypothesized that survival into older ages will show no further worsening of DIAm sarcopenia and functional impairment in 30 mo mice compared to 24 or 27 mo C57BL/6 × 129 mice. Measurements included resting ventilation, transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) generation across a range of motor behaviors, muscle fiber CSA, and proportion of type-identified DIAm fibers. Maximum Pdi and resting ventilation did not change into very old age (from 24 to 30 mo). Type IIx and/or IIb fiber CSA and proportions did not change into very old age. The results of the study support a critical threshold for the reduction in DIAm force and Pdi such that survival into very old age is not associated with evidence of progression of DIAm sarcopenia or impairment in ventilation.
Adductor Canal Versus Femoral Nerve Block after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Level I Randomized Controlled Trials Comparing Early Postoperative Pain, Opioid Requirements, and Quadriceps Strength.

Purpose To systematically review the literature to compare the adductor canal block (ACB) with the femoral nerve block (FNB) following primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in terms of early postoperative analgesic requirements and postoperative quadriceps strength. Methods A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase up to August 2019 to identify randomized controlled trials that compared postoperative pain and functional outcomes in patients following primary ACLR with ACB versus FNB. The search phrase used was: adductor canal femoral nerve anterior cruciate ligament. Patients were evaluated based on analgesic consumption and quadriceps muscle strength. Study quality and risk of bias were evaluated with the Modified Coleman Methodology Score and Cochrane risk-of-bias tool respectively. Results Five studies (all Level I evidence) were identified that met inclusion criteria, including 221 patients undergoing primary ACLR with ACB (mean age 26.8 years, 68.3% male) and 221 with FNB (mean age 28.2 years, 67.0% male). Statistical assessment for heterogeneity found for opioid consumption of ACB versus FNB groups was I2 = 97% (P Conclusions In patients undergoing ACLR, the ACB may provide similar analgesic requirements, and the included studies suggest a potential advantage in preserving muscle strength at short-term (24-48 hours) follow-up when compared with FNB. However, the differences in muscle strength assessments between studies do not allow for strong conclusions. Level of Evidence I, systematic review and meta-analysis of Level I studies.
Participation in specific leisure-time activities and mortality risk among U.S. adults.

Abstract Purpose This prospective cohort study examined the association between specific leisure-time activity and mortality risk. Methods Data are from 1999 to 2006 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys and included adults followed through December 31, 2015 (n = 17,938, representing 191,463,892 U.S. adults). Participants reported specific leisure-time activities performed at moderate-to-vigorous intensity. Walking, bicycling, running, dance, golf, stretching, and weightlifting were examined. Cox proportional hazards models (adjusted hazard ratios [aHRs]; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) assessed the association of individual activities with the risk of all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality. Results Over a median follow-up of 11.9 years, 3799 deaths occurred. Any leisure-time walking ([aHR], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.66–0.82), bicycling (aHR, 0.73, 95% CI, 0.59–0.91), and running (aHR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59–0.84) were associated with lower all-cause mortality compared with no participation in the specific activity. Dance, golf, stretching, and weightlifting were not associated with mortality. Comparable results were observed when activities were categorized as none, less than 60 min/wk, or 60 minutes or more/wk. Walking and running were similarly associated with the risk of CVD mortality. Conclusions Participating in moderate-to-vigorous walking, bicycling, or running may be particularly beneficial for health and longevity.
Experimental characterization of the association of β-cyclodextrin and eight novel cyclodextrin derivatives with two guest compounds.

We investigate the binding of native β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and eight novel β-CD derivatives with two different guest compounds, using isothermal calorimetry and 2D NOESY NMR. In all cases, the stoichiometry is 1:1 and binding is exothermic. Overall, modifications at the 3′ position of β-CD, which is at the secondary face, weaken binding by several kJ/mol relative to native β-CD, while modifications at the 6′ position (primary face) maintain or somewhat reduce the binding affinity. The variations in binding enthalpy are larger than the variations in binding free energy, so entropy–enthalpy compensation is observed. Characterization of the bound conformations with NOESY NMR shows that the polar groups of the guests may be situated at either face, depending on the host molecule, and, in some cases, both orientations are populated. The present results were used in the SAMPL7 blinded prediction challenge whose results are detailed in the same special issue of JCAMD.
Big Data Bust: Evaluating the Risks of Tracking NCAA Athletes' Biometric Data

This article provides the first detailed evaluation of the use of and risks associated with wearable technology and athlete biometric data ("ABD") tracking devices in the National Collegiate Athletics Association ("NCAA") to provide recommendations to NCAA athletes, NCAA Division I member institutions, and the NCAA on how to protect their rights in an age of big data collection. Part I provides an overview of what ABD is and the growth of the ABD collection industry. Part II highlights how ABD collection devices are utilized by NCAA Division I athletic departments with a specific focus on how NCAA athletes' ABD is collected and utilized. Part III recognizes that NCAA athletes are absent from the bargaining table during negotiations between NCAA member institutions and ABD collection device corporations securing devices for NCAA athlete use. Part IV analyzes the risks to NCAA athletes participating in ABD collection device use. Part V evaluates consent theory to analyze whether through opt-in or terms of use agreements NCAA member institutions and ABD collection device corporations obtain proper consent from NCAA athletes participating in ABD collection device use. Part VI presents recommendations for NCAA athletes, NCAA Division I member institutions, and the NCAA related to the use of ABD collection devices.