cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climate change in arid lands and Native American socioeconomic vulnerability: The case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

The case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe exemplifies tribal vulnerabilities as a result of climate change. Preliminary socio-economic data and analysis reveal that the tribe’s vulnerability to climate change is related to cultural and economic dependence on Pyramid Lake, while external socio-economic vulnerability factors influence adaptive capacity and amplify potential impacts. Reduced water supplies as a consequence of climate change would result in a compounded reduction of inflows to Pyramid Lake, thus potentially impacting the spawning and sustenance of a cultural livelihood, the endangered cui-ui fish (Chasmistes cujus). Meanwhile, limited economic opportunities and dwindling federal support constrain tribal adaptive capacity. Factors that contribute to tribal adaptive capacity include: sustainability-based values, technical capacity for natural resource management, proactive initiatives for the control of invasive-species, strong external scientific networks, and remarkable tribal awareness of climate change.
PATTERNS AND CONTROL OF NEUROSECRETION FOR THE CYTOCHROMOGENIC HORMONE IN BLABERUS DISCOIDALIS COCKROACHES

SUMMARY 1. Corpora cardiaca (CC) from immature and adult Blaberus discoidalis Serville of both sexes contained approximately equal amounts of activity for the cytochromogenic hormone (CGH), a neurohormone which stimulates cytohaem synthesis in fat body mitochondria on day 4 of adult life. 2. CGH activity remained at a constant level in the CC of males during days 0 and 1 of adult life, decreased during days 2 and 3, and then returned to the original level by day 4. Female CC followed a similar pattern except that the period of low CGH activity occurred 1 day later. 3. Variations in early adult feeding patterns or in daily photoperiod did not change the secretory pattern of CGH. However, injections of juvenile hormone III stimulated a precocious release of CGH on days 0—1. Thus, CGH and juvenile hormone may function in this insect as a coordinated endocrine sequence directing metabolic maturation of the fat body during early adult life.
Therapeutic Failure of Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole in the Treatment of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia

OBJECTIVE:To report a case of failure of treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) in a patient with HIV infection, despite an adequate serum SMX concentration.CASE SUMMARY:A 52-year-old white man was treated with TMP/SMX for PCP. After discharge he returned to the hospital with worsening of the PCP despite a serum SMX concentration of 60 μg/mL 18 hours after his last dose of TMP/SMX.DISCUSSION:PCP is one of the most common complications of HIV infection. TMP/SMX is the drug of choice for prophylaxis and treatment. The causes of therapeutic failure with this agent are not well documented.CONCLUSIONS:Alternative therapies to TMP/SMX should be seriously considered if the serum concentrations are therapeutic and the patient is not clinically improved.
Detecting remote homologues using scoring matrices calculated from the estimation of amino acid substitution rates of beta-barrel membrane proteins

Beta-barrel membrane proteins (MP) are found in Gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts. They play important roles in metabolism of bacteria, where they are involved in transport of solutes in and out of the cell. Beta-barrel proteins may also act as proteases, lipases and may be important for cell-cell adhesion. Currently, there are about 30 non-redundant solved structures of β-barrels. Although the number of b-barrel folds is fairly small, it is possible to expand the amount of available structural information by homology modeling using existing structures as templates. The scope of structure prediction may be widened by finding remote homologues of the existing structures. To improve the sensitivity of the database searches and the quality of sequence alignments, we first study evolutionary history of transmembrane segments of 7 β-barrel membrane proteins by estimating substitution rates with a Bayesian Monte Carlo approach. Next, we calculate amino acid substitution matrices, beta-barrel Transmembrane scoring Matrices (bbTM), specifically tuned for TM regions, which can be used to detect remote homologues. We then test bbTM matrices by comparing their performance with membrane-protein derived scoring matrices PHAT and SLIM. Our results demonstrate that bbTM matrices have higher selectivity towards transmembrane β-barrel proteins and may be used with higher confidence in database searches for remote homologues of this class of proteins.
The Construct of Organizational Effectiveness: Perspectives From Leaders of International Nonprofits in the United States

Scholars have long debated how best to define organizational effectiveness in the nonprofit sector. Throughout the academic literature on this topic various "models of organizational effectiveness" have been proposed. These models are often derived from conceptual analyses or empirical studies of stakeholder judgments. I instead take a descriptive approach by directly asking a large sample of nonprofit leaders how their organizations define effectiveness. A mixed-method analysis of in-depth, face-to-face interviews with top leaders of international nonprofits across the United States identifies two distinct definitions of organizational effectiveness. Most leaders define effectiveness as "outcome accountability," whereas a smaller number define effectiveness as "overhead minimization." I conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for academic scholarship about nonprofit effectiveness as well as for popular efforts aimed at improving the overall accountability and efficiency of the U.S. nonprofit sector.
Study Protocol- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Spinal Stenosis (LESS): a double-blind randomized controlled trial of epidural steroid injections for lumbar spinal stenosis among older adults

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the most common causes of low back pain among older adults and can cause significant disability. Despite its prevalence, treatment of spinal stenosis symptoms remains controversial. Epidural steroid injections are used with increasing frequency as a less invasive, potentially safer, and more costeffective treatment than surgery. However, there is a lack of data to judge the effectiveness and safety of epidural steroid injections for spinal stenosis. We describe our prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial that tests the hypothesis that epidural injections with steroids plus local anesthetic are more effective than epidural injections of local anesthetic alone in improving pain and function among older adults with lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: We will recruit up to 400 patients with lumbar central canal spinal stenosis from at least 9 clinical sites over 2 years. Patients with spinal instability who require surgical fusion, a history of prior lumbar surgery, or prior epidural steroid injection within the past 6 months are excluded. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either ESI with local anesthetic or the control intervention (epidural injections with local anesthetic alone). Subjects receive up to 2 injections prior to the primary endpoint at 6 weeks, at which time they may choose to crossover to the other intervention. Participants complete validated, standardized measures of pain, functional disability, and health-related quality of life at baseline and at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization. The primary outcomes are Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and a numerical rating scale measure of pain intensity at 6 weeks. In order to better understand their safety, we also measure cortisol, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, weight, and blood pressure at baseline, and at 3 and 6 weeks post-injection. We also obtain data on resource utilization and costs to assess cost-effectiveness of epidural steroid injection. Discussion: This study is the first multi-center, double-blind RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of epidural steroid injections in improving pain and function among older adults with lumbar spinal stenosis. The study will also yield data on the safety and cost-effectiveness of this procedure for older adults. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01238536
Spatial filter approach for comparison of the forward and inverse problems of electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography.

We present an analysis of the relative information content of cortical current source reconstructions from electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetoencephalogram (MEG) forward calculations by examining the spatial filters that relate the internal sources with the externally measured electric potentials and magnetic fields. The forward spatial filters are seen to be low-pass functions of spatial frequency and spatial resolution degrades in external measurements. Inverse spatial filters may be used to reconstruct cortical sources from external data, but since they are high-pass functions of spatial frequency, they must be regularized to avoid instabilities caused by noise at higher spatial frequencies. The regularization process limits the spatial resolution of source reconstructions. EEG forward spatial filters fall off at lower spatial frequencies than MEG filters; hence, there is less information available in higher spatial frequencies resulting in lower spatial resolution in inverse reconstructions. The tangential component of the magnetic field provides even higher spatial resolution than can be obtained using the radial component. An accompanying article examines the surface Laplacian for both the EEG and the MEG. © 2001 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Letharia gracilis (Parmeliaceae), a new species from California and Oregon

Letharia gracilis Kroken is validated as a new species of lichenized fungi from California and southern Oregon. Previously lumped under L. columbiana, but recognized as a distinct lineage by molecular work of Kroken and Taylor, L. gracilis is distinguished from L. columbiana by its sparse branching, slender, relatively smooth, drooping branches and distinct ITS DNA sequences.
Development of the CRISPR/Cas9 System for Targeted Gene Disruption in Aspergillus fumigatus

Low rates of homologous recombination have broadly encumbered genetic studies in the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. The CRISPR/Cas9 system of bacteria has recently been developed for targeted mutagenesis of eukaryotic genomes with high efficiency and, importantly, through a mechanism independent of homologous repair machinery. As this new technology has not been developed for use in A. fumigatus, we sought to test its feasibility for targeted gene disruption in this organism. As a proof of principle, we first demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9 can indeed be used for high-efficiency (25 to 53%) targeting of the A. fumigatus polyketide synthase gene (pksP), as evidenced by the generation of colorless (albino) mutants harboring the expected genomic alteration. We further demonstrated that the constitutive expression of the Cas9 nuclease by itself is not deleterious to A. fumigatus growth or virulence, thus making the CRISPR system compatible with studies involved in pathogenesis. Taken together, these data demonstrate that CRISPR can be utilized for loss-of-function studies in A. fumigatus and has the potential to bolster the genetic toolbox for this important pathogen.
Angiogenesis Induced by Photodynamic Therapy in Normal Rat Brain

Abstract Angiogenesis promotes tumor growth and invasiveness in brain. Because brain injury often induces expression of angiogenic-promoting molecules, we hypothesize that oxidative insult induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) could lead to an endogenous angiogenic response, possibly diminishing the efficacy of PDT treatment of tumors. Therefore, we sought to establish whether PDT induced an angiogenic response within the nontumored brain. PDT using Photofrin as a sensitizer at an optical dose of 140 J/cm2 was performed on normal rat brain (n = 30). Animals were sacrificed at 24 h, and 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks after PDT treatment. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran perfusion was performed, and brains were fixed for immunohistological study. Immunostaining revealed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression increased within the PDT-treated hemisphere 1 week after treatment and remained elevated for 6 weeks. Three-dimensional morphologic analysis of vasculature within PDT-treated and contralateral...
Assembling Radigund and Artegall: Gender Identities in Spenser’s Faerie Queene

While gender in Edmund Spenser’s Faerie Queene has often been read as either essential or constructed, it does not actually fit into either category because Spenser is writing a fluid and poly-vocal allegory. As a result, the characters are also allegorical things and must be considered through object-centered criticism. Gender in the poem is an assemblage of props, bodies, and actions; while it is as such always of the moment, the poem’s cross-dressing emphasizes how gender assemblages remain tangible even after their moment has passed. By examining Spenser’s treatment of the cross-dressers Radigund and Artegall, we can recognize more fully how gender works both within the allegory and outside of it, as neither fully essential nor fully temporary but as assembled and re-assembled.
THE ROLE OF VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN CHOCTAWHATCHEE SAND PINE INVASION OF LONGLEAF PINE FORESTS

The expansion of Choctawhatchee sand pine (Pinus clausa) into longleaf pine forests (Pinus palustris) has been widespread on the Florida Panhandle since the early 1900s. This study examines the population-level processes of this sand pine invasion. Expansion of sand pine started by 1920, but rapidly increased in the 1940s. Population establishment and growth in invasive stands has been rapid, with establishment of many sand pine pioneer individuals followed by rapid infilling as these individuals reached reproductive maturity. Both noninvasive and invasive stands had numerous sand pine seedlings and saplings. Sand pine will likely persist in these communities in the near future. Analyses of hemispherical canopy photographs and regeneration patterns illustrate the ability of sand pine to establish under a variety of light conditions. Radial growth analysis of incremental tree cores highlights the importance of episodic wind disturbances in maintaining these sand pine populations. [Key words: sand pine, lon...
Leveraging Mobile Technology in a School-Based Participatory Asthma Intervention: Findings From the Student Media-Based Asthma Research Team (SMART) Study

Background: Asthma places a heavy burden on Chicago's schoolchildren, particularly in low-income, minority communities. Recently, our group developed a 10-week afterschool program, the Student Asthma Research Team (START), which successfully engaged high school youth in a Photovoice investigation of factors impacting their asthma at school and in their community. Purpose: The present Student Media-Based Asthma Research Team (SMART) intervention adapted START to target middle school students with asthma during the school day. The 13-week SMART intervention leverages recent trends in mobile technology and the power of participatory media to improve student asthma self-management and outcomes, while enhancing asthma knowledge and support at the school and community levels through a student-led participatory media-based campaign. Methods: To assess the effectiveness of SMART, pre/postintervention data were collected from student participants, their caregivers, and their classmates. Results: Pre/post assessmen...
Comparative analyses of chloroplast genome data representing nine green algae in Sphaeropleales (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta).

The chloroplast genomes of green algae are highly variable in their architecture. In this article we summarize gene content across newly obtained and published chloroplast genomes in Chlorophyceae, including new data from nine of species in Sphaeropleales (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta). We present genome architecture information, including genome synteny analysis across two groups of species. Also, we provide a phylogenetic tree obtained from analysis of gene order data for species in Chlorophyceae with fully sequenced chloroplast genomes. Further analyses and interpretation of the data can be found in "Chloroplast phylogenomic data from the green algal order Sphaeropleales (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) reveal complex patterns of sequence evolution" (Fucikova et al., In review) [1].
Outcomes of pancreas allografts procured simultaneously with an isolated intestine allograft: single-center and national data.

BackgroundSimultaneous procurement of pancreas and isolated intestine allografts from the same donor may compromise one graft or both given the shared vasculature between these two organs. This study reports the transplant outcomes for pancreas allografts procured simultaneously with an intestine gr
Nitrogen requirements of Glaucoma scintillans and Colpidium campylum.

SummaryThe nitrogenous requirements of Glaucoma scintillans and Colpidium campylum in axenic culture have been investigated. Both ciliates require approximately 20 times as much pantothenic acid as does Tetrahymena pyriformis W. Colpidium appears to require whole protein molecules of the molecular weight range of casein. Digests of casein do not support growth, nor does bovine serum albumin. Free amino acids do not appear to be utilized and are somewhat inhibitory. Glaucoma will utilize free amino acids but will not grow when they are the sole nitrogen source. It appears to require peptides (as in enzymatic digests of casein or in peptones) but best growth occurs when whole protein molecules are present (casein or bovine albumin). The requirements of neither ciliate appear to be for a specific configuration (certainly not strepogenin) but rather for molecules of a certain minimum size. This may reflect the necessity for stimulation of the cell for the swallowing reaction.
The Molecular Biology Mechanism by Which the Drugs Stimulate Human Hepatocytes to Syntheses and Secrete Apolipoprotein AI.

In this study, we have assessed the effect of gemfibrozil(GF) on apolipoprotein(apo) AI synthesis and secretion and determined the possible mechanism by which apoAI was synthesized by using ELISA, immunoprecipitation and molecular biology techniques including northern blot,mRNA half-life and nuclear run-off. Using highly specific antibodies,we have found that GF increases apoAI secretion and the incorporation of radio-labeled methionine into apoAI by human hepatoma cells line ( HepG2 ). At 200 μM, GF stimulated apoAI secretion by 1585 and de novo synthesis by 30% as compared to control, respectively.Molecular biology data indicated that with varying concentrations of GF, the steady state mRNA level of apoAI was increased up to 204% of control. ApoAI mRNA half-life was prolonged from 14.5 h to 35 h. But nuclear run-off study did not show any change with or without GF. Those data strongly support the concept that the cardioprotective effect of GF may be mediated through hepatic stimulation of apoAI synthesis and secretion. The mechanism is that GF prolongs apoAI mRNA half-life by which to increase mRNA expression in the hepatocytes.
Impact of Microbiome on Ocular Health.

The ocular surface is continuously exposed to the environment and, therefore, it is surprising that it harbors only few commensals with low degree of diversity. This unique aspect of the ocular surface physiology prompts the question whether there are core ocular commensal communities and how they affect ocular immunity. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of what is known about the ocular surface commensals in health and disease and what we would like to learn in the near future. In addition, we discuss how microbiota at sites other than the eye may influence ocular immune responses. The information discussed in the review has been gathered using PubMed searches for literature published from January 1982 to December 2015.
Photosensitivity reactions in black skin.

The findings and discussions in this article clearly point out the need for a better understanding not only of the general field of photobiology and photosensitivity reactions but in particular of the role of melanin and the genetic bases of photosensitivity diseases. There is a need for comprehensive research into the area of photosensitivity in black skin.
Catalytic Radical Reduction in Aqueous Solution by a Ruthenium Hydride Intermediate

Some manganese complexes can catalyze both antioxidant and pro-oxidant reactions, whereby the disparate reactivity modes are determined by the catalyst environment and afford distinct therapeutic effects. We recently reported the reduction of radicals in buffered aqueous solution catalyzed by a ruthenium complex with biologically relevant non-tertiary alcohols as terminal reductants. Mechanistic evidence is presented, indicating that this catalytic radical reduction is achieved by a Ru-hydride intermediate formed by β-hydride elimination from a Ru-alkoxide species. A similar mechanism and Ru-hydride intermediate was previously reported to kill cancer cells with catalytic pro-oxidant effects. Therefore, our demonstration of catalytic antioxidant effects by the same type of intermediate reveals new potential therapeutic strategies and applications for catalytic systems that form Ru-hydride intermediates.
Differential Impact of Depressive and Manic Mood States on Alcohol Craving in Comorbid Bipolar Alcoholism: Preliminary Findings.

Objectives To examine the differential impact of depressive and manic mood states on alcohol craving in patients with bipolar disorder and comorbid alcoholism. Methods Forty-four men and women, ages 18-65, with DSM-IV-TR comorbid diagnoses of bipolar I disorder and alcohol dependence were assessed over a three-month period to examine the extent to which their depressive and manic symptoms were associated with alcohol cravings (i.e., desire to use and not to use alcohol) at each assessment point, controlling for age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, baseline alcohol use, and number of assessments. Results Both manic and depressive symptoms were associated with greater desire to use alcohol. Only depressive symptomatology was associated with reduced desire not to use alcohol, and desire not to use alcohol declined over the course of the three-month treatment period. Conclusion Whereas enhanced desire to drink alcohol may be a conditioned reaction to both manic and depressed mood states, desire not to drink alcohol may be more of an indicator of treatment motivation, which is negatively affected by depressed mood. Depressive symptoms may warrant prioritization and aggressive targeting early in treatment given that desire to refrain from alcohol use was only influenced by depressive symptoms and declined over the course of treatment.
Treg engage lymphotoxin beta receptor for afferent lymphatic transendothelial migration

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential to suppress unwanted immunity or inflammation. After islet allo-transplant Tregs must migrate from blood to allograft, then via afferent lymphatics to draining LN to protect allografts. Here we show that Tregs but not non-Treg T cells use lymphotoxin (LT) during migration from allograft to draining LN, and that LT deficiency or blockade prevents normal migration and allograft protection. Treg LTαβ rapidly modulates cytoskeletal and membrane structure of lymphatic endothelial cells; dependent on VCAM-1 and non-canonical NFκB signalling via LTβR. These results demonstrate a form of T-cell migration used only by Treg in tissues that serves an important role in their suppressive function and is a unique therapeutic focus for modulating suppression.
Electronic and Optical Properties Characterization of MoS2 Two-Dimensional Exfoliated nanomaterials

For optoelectronic application, two-dimensional materials such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are very promising candidate with their interesting electronic and optical properties. The layered structure of these materials makes them amenable to mechanical exfoliation to form scalable 2D atomic crystals. For width range of applications, liquid phase exfoliation using sonication and centrifugation in appropriate solvent is needed. This simple and scalable technique gives high quality of exfoliation of 2D materials without chemical reactions. In this paper, we report an example of the optical and electronic characterizations on MoS2 synthesized by liquid exfoliation in specific solvent.
Literacy and Scientific Literacy: A Response to Fensham

Abstract Fensham (2002) criticizes scientific literacy curricula designed by scientists and science educators as ‘inadequately clear and hopelessly unrealistic.’ There is, however, good reason to believe that other groups are as likely to produce inadequate curricula as scientists and science educators, since the process for producing a curriculum is at least as responsible for Fensham's impasse as are the participants. Fensham mentions, but does not explore, an analogy between literacy in its prototypical form—reading and writing—and scientific literacy. An analysis of literacy leads to several propositions, from which the analogy with scientific literacy can be drawn. Literacy in its prototypical form focuses on the tools of reading and writing. Striking parallels between the two forms of literacy provide strong support for considering scientific literacy in relation to its tools, that is, explaining and predicting, rather than to a body of knowledge.
Can we accelerate autism discoveries through crowdsourcing

Abstract Autism is a dramatically expanding public health challenge. The search for genomic variants underlying the disease concomitantly accelerated over the last 5 years, leading to a general consensus that genetics can explain between 40% and 60% of the symptomatic variability seen in autism. This stresses both an urgent need to continue devoting resources to the search for genetic etiologies that define the forms of autism, and an equal need for attention to the interactive roles of the environment. While some environmental factors have been investigated, few studies have attempted to elucidate the combination and interplay between gene and environment to gain clear understanding of the mechanisms by which environmental factors interact with genetic susceptibilities in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to financial constraints as well as recruitment protocols limited by geography, such studies have been challenging to implement. We discuss here how crowdsourcing approaches can overcome these limitations.
Cavity ring-down Faraday rotation spectroscopy for oxygen detection

A combination of the path length enhancement provided by cavity ring-down spectroscopy together with the selectivity and noise suppression capabilities of Faraday rotation spectroscopy is utilized for highly sensitive detection of oxygen at ~762.3 nm. The system achieves a noise-equivalent rotation angle of 1.3 × 10−9 rad/√Hz, and a trace O2 detection limit of 160 ppb for 100 s of averaging. The technique relies on measurements of the losses in two orthogonal polarization directions simultaneously, whereby an absolute assessment of the magnetically induced polarization rotation can be retrieved, analogous to the absolute absorption measurement provided by stand-alone cavity ring-down spectroscopy. The differential nature of the technique described here eliminates the need for off-resonance decay measurements and thereby allows for efficient shot-to-shot fluctuation suppression. This is especially advantageous when operating the system under measurement conditions that severely affect the non-absorber related losses, such as particulate matter contamination typically present in combustion or open-path applications.
Design and optimization of decoupled concentric and coplanar coils for WPT systems

This paper presents the analysis and design of two decoupled, concentric and coplanar PCB coils. Decoupled coils could be used as two independent receivers sensing the same field and not interfering with each other. In order to nullify the mutual inductance, one of the coils is split into two segments and the segments are wound in different directions, while the second coil is inserted in between those two segments. Since wireless power transfer systems operate at high frequencies, the coil efficiency suffers mainly due to the losses caused by skin and proximity effects. Optimizing a coil to reduce the AC conduction losses and increase the inductance can help improve system efficiency. One of the methods presented in the paper involves splitting the coil turns into multiple parallel traces to reduce the losses due to proximity or current crowding effect. The design methodology includes the optimization of coils to achieve a high quality factor and find an arrangement where two circular spiral coils are coaxial, coplanar and decoupled at the same time. The proposed method is verified through simulations and experiments on a selected PCB design.
Cofilin-mediated Neuronal Apoptosis via p53 Translocation and PLD1 Regulation

Amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation is an early event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), leading to mitochondrial and synaptic dysfunction, tau accumulation, and eventual neuronal death. While the p53 apoptotic pathway has clearly been associated with Aβ deposits and neuronal apoptosis, the critical upstream factors contributing to p53 activation in AD are not well understood. We have previously shown that cofilin activation plays a pivotal role in Aβ-induced mitochondrial and synaptic dysfunction. In this study, we show that activated cofilin (S3A) preferentially forms a complex with p53 and promotes its mitochondrial and nuclear localization, resulting in transcription of p53-responsive genes and promotion of apoptosis. Conversely, reduction of endogenous cofilin by knockdown or genetic deficiency inhibits mitochondrial and nuclear translocation of p53 in cultured cells and in APP/PS1 mice. This cofilin-p53 pro-apoptotic pathway is subject to negative regulation by PLD1 thorough cofilin inactivation and inhibition of cofilin/p53 complex formation. Finally, activated cofilin is unable to induce apoptosis in cells genetically lacking p53. These findings taken together indicate that cofilin coopts and requires the nuclear and mitochondrial pro-apoptotic p53 program to induce and execute apoptosis, while PLD1 functions in a regulatory multi-brake capacity in this pathway.
Warming up to the idea of wet wraps

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent condition in the pediatric population that can have a significant effect on a child's quality of life. Management is multifactorial, involving topical pharmacotherapy, emollients, and a bathing regimen in conjunction with close supervision from the caregiver and physician. In the case of moderate to severe or refractory AD, wet wraps can be used. As part of our wet wrap regimen, we propose warming damp cotton pajamas in the dryer before application. This makes the wet wraps more comfortable for children, increasing adherence to the prescribed regimen.
Decontaminating Pesticide Protective Clothing

Exposure to some pesticides poses risks of cancer, birth defects, genetic mutations, and sterility (Boraiko 1980). Of the three routes of chemical entry into the human body, respiratory, dermal, and oral, the primary exposure mechanism for pesticides is dermal. Until recently, we gave less attention to dermal exposure, perhaps because the older pesticides were less absorbable through the skin. Current labeling of pesticides calls for the prudent use of protective clothing by handlers who mix, load, transfer, apply, and/or dispose of pesticides. Wicker et al. (1979) reported that contaminated clothing acts as an occlusive dressing, maximizing dermal absorption of insecticides. Lavy et al. (1983) reported that herbicide applicators wearing obviously contaminated clothing show greater levels of exposure than other workers. Much of the early work in clothing decontamination has been summarized in a review paper (Laughlin and Gold 1988). This paper supplements earlier findings with more recently published work.
The Phylogenetic Significance of the Skin of Primates

A wealth of information concerning the skin of subhuman primates has been generated over the past two decades. Encompassing more than 60 articles that address the specific cutaneous attributes of more than 50 primate species, these details have contributed substantially to a baseline understanding of the primate, integumentary organ system. In each study, histological and histochemical data established cutaneous profiles unique to the species examined. As more studies accumulated, species-specific nuances became even more apparent, as did certain basic, underlying trends. For example, patterns in categories such as numbers and distribution of melanocytes (Machida and Perkins, 1967) and arrangement of hair follicles (Perkins et al., 1969) began to emerge, i.e., the synthesis and interpretation of this previously fragmentary data revealed cutaneous signatures which, in effect, recorded primate evolutionary affinities.
Active Tectonics and Ultrahigh-Pressure Rocks

This chapter compares modern exhumation and surface uplift rates with the rates needed for the preservation of ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks. The highest recorded exhumation rates of ~ 5–10 mm/a are inferred from isotopic and fission-track analyses in the Himalaya, Southern Alps of New Zealand, and D’Entrecasteaux Islands. Similar rates (~7 mm/a) of surface uplift are measured from leveling surveys in Nepal and correlations of marine terraces in the Southern Alps. In Nepal, however, this surface uplift rate is occurring despite erosion, and the true rate of surface uplift is probably considerably higher. In restraining bends along the San Andreas and Denali strike-slip faults in North America, contraction has produced localized regions with relatively high exhumation rates of 1–5 mm/a. A similar surface uplift rate (3–5 mm/a) was obtained from marine terrace correlations in the King Range of northern California.
Tracking and Interpretive Models of the Active-Nonlinear Cochlear Response during Reversible Changes Induced by Aspirin Consumption

Aspirin consumption in humans has been found to reversibly reduce delayed-evoked and synchronous-evoked otoacoustic emisions, and to reversibly reduce and subsequently abolish spontaneous emissions (Johnsen and Elberling, 1982; McFadden and Plattsmier, 1984; Long, Tubis and Jones, 1986; Probst et al., 1986; Pasanen et al., 1987; Long and Tubis, 1988a; Long et al., 1988).
Will digital pathology be as disruptive as genomics

Digital pathology is the science of performing traditional pathological assessment in a digital environment. A digital transition is long overdue since histochemical analysis such as hematoxylin and eosin staining has remained unchanged in over 100 years. Importantly, the digitization of whole slide images further lends itself to advances in computational pathology and artificial intelligence to transform qualitative assessment into quantitative assessment. The impact of this transition from a computational infrastructure perspective is reminiscent of a similar transition in the field of genomics. In this article, I describe some of the similarities between genomics and digital pathology as well as highlight some key lessons learned to prevent the same mistakes and delays that slowed the genomics revolution.
Effects of the Sintering Temperature on RF Complex Permeability of NiCuCoZn Ferrites for Near-Field Communication Applications

The effect of bismuth oxide (Bi 2 O 3 ) and sintering temperature on NiCuCoZn ferrite powders has been investigated for the near-field communication applications. The powders were prepared by conventional solid-state synthesis method. The microstructure and frequency-dependent complex permeability were investigated. Employment of Bi 2 O 3 as a sintering aid promotes uniform grain growth and densification in sintered powders, which in turn has affected complex permeability spectra. It has been observed that the addition of Bi 2 O 3 decreases permeability and magnetic loss from 147 to 110 and from 0.03 to 0.02, respectively, which were both sintered at 1100 °C and measured at 13.56 MHz frequency as compared to undoped sample (without Bi 2 O 3 ). Also, permeability and magnetic loss were increased with sintering temperature. Complex permeability and resonance frequency follow the Globus model.
Ultrasensitive RT-QuIC Seed Amplification Assays for Disease-Associated Tau, α-Synuclein, and Prion Aggregates

The abnormal assembly of tau, α-synuclein (αSyn), or prion protein into oligomers and multimers underpins the molecular pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Such pathological aggregates can often grow by seeded polymerization mechanisms. We and others have taken advantage of these mechanisms to amplify seeding activities in vitro and devise ultrasensitive, specific and quantitative assays for these etiological biomarkers. Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assays are performed in multiwell plates with fluorescent readouts, facilitating efficient throughput. Prion RT-QuIC assays on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples are being widely used for antemortem diagnosis of human prion diseases. Recently, we have also described a tau RT-QuIC prototype that has been optimized for Pick disease (with predominant 3R tau pathology) that detects 3R tau seeds in postmortem CSF, and brain tissue dilutions as extreme as a billion-fold. αSyn RT-QuIC prototypes have also been developed, providing ~92% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity for Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies using antemortem CSF. Here we provide detailed protocols for our 3R tau and αSyn RT-QuIC assays and refer the reader to published up-to-date protocols for prion RT-QuIC assays (Orru et al. Methods Mol Biol 1658:185-203, 2017; Schmitz et al. Nat Protoc 11:2233-2242, 2016).
Extraction and Analysis of Bacterial Teichoic Acids

Teichoic acids (TA) are anionic polymers comprised of polyol phosphate repeat units that are abundant in the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. Both wall teichoic acid (WTA) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) play important roles in regulating cell wall remodeling as well as conferring antibiotic resistance. To analyze TA, we describe a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) method for both WTA and LTA. To extract crude WTA, the peptidoglycan sacculus is first isolated and WTA is then liberated by hydrolysis. LTA is extracted by 1-butanol and pre-treated with lipase to prevent aggregation and improve single-band resolution by PAGE. Crude extracts of both TAs are then subjected to PAGE followed by Alcian blue and silver staining. These protocols are easily adoptable by laboratories interested in rapidly analyzing TAs and can be used determine the relative abundance, relative polymer length and whether TAs are glycosylated. More detailed TA structural and compositional information can be obtained using the described purification protocols by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis.
An On-line Electric Power Distribution System Simulator

The modern power system is currently undergoing a rapid transformation from centralized generation to decentralized and distributed generation. The distributed generation is connected at the distribution level and may consist of a large number of small generators with stochastic power output. Therefore, planning and operation of the future distribution grid requires new tools to ensure reliable and economical operation. One such tool is an on-line simulator. A system that uses an on-line simulator in the Energy Control Center (ECC) will enhance the operators’ situational awareness as well as operational decision making. This paper proposes a framework for an on-line, close to real time simulator, connected to a graphical user interface emulating the Energy Control Center. The framework can be used for both planning and operation of the distribution grid. It can also be extended as an interface to other infrastructure simulators.
Polariton chemistry: Thinking inside the (photon) box.

The study of single quantum objects embedded in confined electromagnetic environments is the main focus of the field of cavity quantum electrodynamics (CQED). According to a recent historical account by the 2012 Nobel laureate Sergei Haroche (1), the origins of this field can be traced back to the early days of quantum mechanics, with the famous debate between Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr concerning a gedankenexperiment about a photon in a box. While Einstein invoked the photon in a box as a theoretical construct, he might not have imagined that such a concept would reincarnate decades later into one of the favorite experimental playgrounds for scientists to test, explore, and control quantum mechanics. In fact, atoms in optical cavities have become one of the quintessential building blocks of contemporary quantum technologies, giving rise to high-fidelity sources of single photons, platforms to recreate effective photon–photon interactions, or even quantum simulators of many-particle systems. In recent years, an interdisciplinary outlook at the crossroads of CQED and chemistry termed “polariton chemistry” (2, 3) has emerged, which is centered around the question: Can materials change their chemical properties merely by being immersed in an optical cavity? Far-reaching consequences could follow if the answer to this question is positive, as one could potentially bypass time-consuming synthetic modifications of materials by harnessing CQED effects as an alternative. Indeed, much experimental (4⇓–6) and theoretical evidence (7⇓–9) points toward the fact that under certain circumstances, modifications to photochemical and ground-state kinetics, energy transfer, and charge transport are possible with the use of optical cavities. In PNAS, Schafer et al. (10) present compelling theoretical and computational evidence in support of these statements. Schafer et al. perform a study of a minimalistic quantum mechanical model which demonstrates that molecular excitation energy and charge-transfer … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: jyuenzhou{at}ucsd.edu or vmenon{at}ccny.cuny.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Evaluation and Management of a Sleepy Child

Sleep disorders in children are common. Children with atopic diseases, such asthma and allergic rhinitis, are particularly vulnerable to sleep dysfunction and resultant excessive daytime sleepiness. There is an intimate relationship between allergy symptom control and sleep. Increased severity of allergic disease increases the likelihood of comorbid sleep dysfunction. Therefore, poor sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness can be a surrogate marker of poorly controlled allergy symptoms. A detailed sleep assessment may add to evaluation of severity of allergic disease, and appropriate intervention may improve quality of life.
Complexity in Science Learning: Measuring the Underlying Dynamics of Persistent Mistakes

Mistaken beliefs pose a barrier to science learning. For this reason, it is important to understand the circumstances in which they emerge and change. In the current paper, we apply complexity theo...
A −68 dB THD, 0.6 mm 2 Active Area Biosignal Acquisition System With a 40–320 Hz Duty-Cycle Controlled Filter

This paper presents a reconfigurable front-end (FE) circuit for acquiring various low-frequency biomedical signals. An energy and area-efficient tunable filter is proposed for adapting the FE bandwidth to the signal of interest. The filter is designed using a switched-R-MOSFET-C (SRMC) technique to realize the needed ultra-low cutoff frequency. An 8-bit SAR ADC, following the filter, quantizes the signal, while the SAR control logic is re-used to accurately program the filter bandwidth from 40 Hz to 320 Hz with a 40 Hz step. The prototype chip includes the complete FE system, formed of an instrumentation amplifier (IA), a programmable-gain amplifier (PGA), and the proposed tunable filter followed by the SAR ADC. Implemented in 0.13 $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS technology, the IC occupies a 0.6 mm2 active area while consuming 6.3 $\mu \text{W}$ dc power from a 2-V supply. Measurement results show a FE gain range of 43–55 dB with an integrated input-referred noise ( ${V_{\text {IRN}}}$ ) of 3.45 $\mu V_{\text {rms}}$ , a 66 dB dynamic range (DR), and a total-harmonic distortion (THD) of −68 dB at an input amplitude of 6 $\text{m}V_{PP}$ . The effective number of bits (ENOB) for the ADC is 7.921 bits at 1-kS/s. In real-time Electrocardiogram (ECG), Electromyography (EMG), and Electroencephalography (EEG) measurements, high-fidelity waveforms are acquired using the proposed FE IC, validating the system’s reconfigurability and high-linearity.
Improved Measurement of Proteins Using a Solid-State Nanopore Coupled with a Hydrogel

Although resistive pulse sensing using solid-state nanopores is capable of single-molecule sensitivity, previous work has shown that nanoparticles, such as proteins, pass through nanopores too quickly for accurate detection with typical measurement apparatus. As a result, nanopore measurements of these particles significantly deviate from theoretically estimated current amplitudes and detection rates. Here, we show that a hydrogel placed on the distal side of a nanopore can increase the residence time of nanoparticles within the nanopore, significantly increasing the detection rate and allowing improved resolution of blockage currents. The method is simple and inexpensive to implement while being label-free and applicable to a wide range of nanoparticle targets. Using hydrogel-backed nanopores, we detected the protein IgG with event frequencies several orders of magnitude higher than those in the absence of the hydrogel and with larger measured currents that agree well with theoretical models. We also show that the improved measurement also enables discrimination of IgG and bovine serum albumin in a mixed solution. Finally, we show that measurements of IgG with the hydrogel-backed nanopores can also yield current amplitude distributions that can be analyzed to infer its approximate shape.
Analysis on the epidemiology of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Yanqing County of Beijing from 2005 to 2007

Objective To understand the epidemic characters and morbidity tendency of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS) and the situation of rats with HFRS virus in Yanqing County, to get solid scientific basis for controlling the disease and to prevent the spread of epidemics. Methods Surveillance data on HFRS from 2005 to 2007 were analyzed retrospectively and the indictors included incidence and the positive ratios of the antigen and antibody in rats. Results Every year had HFRS cases from 2005 to 2007, and the incidence was 2.36,1.32,0.94 per one hundred thousand, respectively. Cases in the group aged 15-21 accounted for 7/14. Most cases were farmers,accounting for 5/14. Male cases were more than female cases with the ratio of 6 : 1. The positive ratio of 2.22%(7/14) was found in titer test of HFRS antigen. The predominant mice were Niviventer confucianus, and the positive ratio of HFRS antigen was 3.12% (4/128) in Niviventer confucianus. Conclusions The HFRS incidence in Yanqing County has been decreasing year by year, but the infection rate of HFRS is rather high. Comprehensive control measures should be taken to strengthen prevention and control of HFRS. Key words: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome; Epidemiology; Surveillance
Prognostication and Goals of Care in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease

Learn the finer points of Parkinson’s disease trajectory and prognosis. Manage common symptoms of end-stage Parkinson’s well. Explore the goals of care conversation with special emphasis on what happens clinically in Parkinson’s disease.