cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of the transient receptor potential channels TRPV1, TRPA1 and TRPM8 in mouse trigeminal primary afferent neurons innervating the dura

Background: Migraine and other headache disorders affect a large percentage of the population and cause debilitating pain. Activation and sensitization of the trigeminal primary afferent neurons innervating the dura and cerebral vessels is a crucial step in the “headache circuit”. Many dural afferent neurons respond to algesic and inflammatory agents. Given the clear role of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of channels in both sensing chemical stimulants and mediating inflammatory pain, we investigated the expression of TRP channels in dural afferent neurons. Methods: We used two fluorescent tracers to retrogradely label dural afferent neurons in adult mice and quantified the abundance of peptidergic and non-peptidergic neuron populations using calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity (CGRP-ir) and isolectin B4 (IB4) binding as markers, respectively. Using immunohistochemistry, we compared the expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels in dural afferent neurons with the expression in total trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons. To examine the distribution of TRPM8 channels, we labeled dural afferent neurons in mice expressing farnesylated enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFPf) from a TRPM8 locus. We used nearest-neighbor measurement to predict the spatial association between dural afferent neurons and neurons expressing TRPA1 or TRPM8 channels in the TG. Results and conclusions: We report that the size of dural afferent neurons is significantly larger than that of total TG neurons and facial skin afferents. Approximately 40% of dural afferent neurons exhibit IB4 binding. Surprisingly, the percentage of dural afferent neurons containing CGRP-ir is significantly lower than those of total TG neurons and facial skin afferents. Both TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels are expressed in dural afferent neurons. Furthermore, nearest-neighbor measurement indicates that TRPA1-expressing neurons are clustered around a subset of dural afferent neurons. Interestingly, TRPM8-expressing neurons are virtually absent in the dural afferent population, nor do these neurons cluster around dural afferent neurons. Taken together, our results suggest that TRPV1 and TRPA1 but not TRPM8 channels likely contribute to the excitation of dural afferent neurons and the subsequent activation of the headache circuit. These results provide an anatomical basis for understanding further the functional significance of TRP channels in headache pathophysiology.
Writing Superheroes: Contemporary Childhood, Popular Culture, and Classroom Literacy

Writing Superheroes: Contemporary Childhood, Popular Culture, and Classroom Literacy. Anne Haas Dyson. New York: Teachers College Press, 1997. 250 pp.
Iterative design of efficient simulations using Maisie

Maisie is a C-based simulation language that encourages iterative design of efficient simulations using stepwise refinements. Maisie is among the few languages that cleanly separate the simulation program from the underlying algorithm (sequential or parallel) that is used to execute the program. It is thus possible to design a sequential simulation and, if needed, to subsequently port it to a parallel machine with few modifications. The author gives a brief introduction to modeling and simulation using Maisie. He develops a complete Maisie model of a queuing network and illustrates both sequential and parallel implementations of the model. >
Use of anticoagulants in acute ischemic stroke

This is a systematic review abstract, a regular feature of the Annals’ Evidence-Based Emergency Medicine (EBEM) series. Each features an abstract of a systematic review from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and a commentary by an emergency physician knowledgeable in the subject area. The source for this systematic review abstract is: Gubitz G, Counsell C, Sandercock P, Signorini D. Anticoagulants for acute ischaemic stroke (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library. Issue 3. Oxford, United Kingdom: Update Software; 2004. The Annals’ EBEM editors helped prepare the abstract of this Cochrane systematic review as well as the EvidenceBased Medicine Teaching Points.
Tax Benefits For Education

The past eight years have been a time of great change in the tax treatment of higher education expenses. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 started this process with the creation of the HOPE Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credits. The subsequent Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 expanded these incentives, but these provisions will terminate at the end of 2010 unless new legislation extends them. This article provides an overview of determining eligibility for education credits and computation thereof, discussion of the deductibility of student loan interest, eligibility for tuition and fees deduction, and comparison of credits versus deductions in terms of which one is more beneficial to a particular taxpayer.
A Theoretical and Experimental In-Situ Electrochemical Infrared Spectroscopy Study of Adsorbed CO on Pt Dendrimer-Encapsulated Nanoparticles

aDepartment of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, USA bTexas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, USA cInstitute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, USA dDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-4005, USA
Methods for quantifying carcinogen-induced transformation of diploid human fibroblasts to anchorage independence

We have determined the assay conditions necessary for quantifying the frequency of carcinogen-induced transformation of diploid human fibroblasts to anchorage independence. Emphasis is placed on the importance of using medium that supports clonal growth of the particular type of cells under investigation and titrating the percent of fetal bovine serum used in the assay to obtain a low, but measurable number of anchorage-independent colonies in the untreated control cultures. With this method, the target cells can be derived from adults as well as newborns and need not be in early passage, as long as they are able to grow vigorously.
A Global Characterization of Uniform Continuity

(1973). A Global Characterization of Uniform Continuity. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 80, No. 1, pp. 64-66.
A dynamically downscaled projection of past and future microclimates

Ecological forecasting requires information about the climatic conditions experienced by organisms. Despite impressive methodological and computational advances, ecological forecasting still suffers from poor resolutions of environmental data. Published data comprise relatively few layers of surface climate and suffer from coarse temporal resolution. Hence, models using these data might underestimate heterogeneity of microclimates and miss biological consequences of climatic extremes. Moreover, we currently lack predictions about vegetation cover in future environments, a key factor for estimating the spatial heterogeneity of microclimates and hence the capacity for behavioral thermoregulation. Here, we describe microclimates and vegetation for the past and the future at spatial and temporal resolutions of 36 km (approximately 0.3°) and 1 h, respectively. We used the Weather Research and Forecasting model to downscale published, bias-corrected predictions of a global-circulation model from a resolution of 0.9° latitude and 1.25° longitude (approximately 100 km in latitude and 130 km in longitude). Output from this model was used as input for a microclimate model, which generated temperatures and wind speeds for 1980–1999 and 2080–2099 at various heights, as well as soil temperatures at various depths and shade intensities. We also predicted the percentage of green vegetation and the percentage of shade given the angle of the sun. These data were evaluated using several criteria, each of which shed light on a different aspect of value to researchers. The metadata describe the modeling protocol, microclimate calculations, computer programs, and the evaluation process.
A new species of Falsocaenia Pic, 1922 from Amazonian Rainforest (Coleoptera: Lycidae) with an updated key to the species.

While searching for Calochromini (Coleoptera: Lycidae) specimens in entomological collections and identifying other Lycidae, a new species of Falsocaenia Pic, 1922 was found in the collection of Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA). This genus is one of the smallest in the tribe Calopterini with 13 known species, two of which were recently described by Bocakova et al. (2012) in their revision of the genus, and can be found in Central and South America.
405 SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF VITAMIN A AND RETINOIC ACID IN REDUCING NEONATAL HYPEROXIC LUNG INJURY

Introduction Randomized trials indicate vitamin A (VA) supplementation decreases bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death in extremely premature infants. It is important to understand the mechanisms by which VA and its derivative retinoic acid (RA) prevent or reverse lung injury. Aims The hypothesis was that newborn C57BL/6 mice administered VA in combination with RA would reduce hyperoxic lung injury and increase lung retinyl ester (RE) content as compared to animals administered VA, RA, or vehicle alone (canola oil). Methods Newborn C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 95% O2 or room air from birth and sacrificed at 4 days of age. The agent (VA, RA or the combination VARA)/vehicle was given orally daily. Lungs were evaluated for lung injury (epithelial damage and hemorrhage) by a masked observer, and RE were measured by HPLC in the lung and liver. Results Hyperoxia led to lung injury, which was reduced more by VARA than by either VA or RA alone (Figure). Epithelial damage and hemorrhage correlated well with each other (r = .94, p Conclusions Retinoids reduce hyperoxic lung injury in newborn mice. The combination of VA and RA may have synergistic effects on tissue retinoid levels.
Morbid Obesity: Use of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

Vertical banded gastroplasty has evolved from gastric bypass and earlier forms of gastroplasty as a safe and effective gastric reduction procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. This article provides a step-by-step description of the technique. Spatial orientation by use of landmarks such as an Ewald tube in the esophagus, the angle of His, and a Penrose drain around the esophagus is important in avoiding injury to adjacent structures. Careful measurement of the pouch volume at a pressure of 70 cm H2O is necessary. For patients between 170 and 225 per cent of ideal weight, a 5.0 cm circumference collar is used around the outlet. For heavier patients, a 4.5 cm collar is used. Bypass is not necessary because weight control depends on a small pouch and stoma.
Spatially resolved density and ionization measurements of shocked foams using x-ray fluorescence

We present experiments at the Trident laser facility demonstrating the use of x-ray fluorescence (XRF) to simultaneously measure density, ionization state populations, and electron temperature in shocked foams. An imaging x-ray spectrometer obtained spatially resolved measurements of Ti K-α emission. Density profiles were measured from K-α intensity. Ti ionization state distributions and electron temperatures were inferred by fitting K-α spectra to spectra from CRETIN simulations. This work shows that XRF provides a powerful tool to complement other diagnostics to make equation of state measurements of shocked materials containing a suitable tracer element.
The Impact of the Asian Summer Monsoon Circulation on the Tropopause

AbstractPrevious studies have identified two important features of summertime thermodynamics: 1) a significant correlation between the low-level distribution of equivalent potential temperature and the potential temperature θ of the extratropical tropopause and 2) a northwestward shift of the maximum tropopause θ relative to the maximum low-level . Here, the authors hypothesize these two features occur because of the Asian monsoon circulation. The hypothesis is examined using a set of idealized prescribed sea surface temperature (SST) aquaplanet simulations. Simulations with a zonally symmetric background climate exhibit a weak moisture–tropopause correlation. A significant correlation and northwestward shift occurs when a zonal wave-1 SST perturbation is introduced in the Northern Hemisphere subtropics. The equivalent zonal-mean subtropical warming does not produce a significant correlation.A mechanism is proposed to explain the moisture–tropopause connection that involves the circulation response to zon...
Using Maintenance of Certification as a Tool to Improve the Delivery of Confidential Care for Adolescent Patients.

Abstract Study Objective Providing adolescents with confidential health care results in better social and health outcomes. We sought to assess if a medical board Maintenance of Certification Part IV project could improve the delivery of confidential care to minor adolescent patients seen in outpatient primary care practices. Design Participating physicians reviewed 3 months of charts for patients ages 12-17 years seen for well visits during a baseline time period, and after 2 Plan, Do, Study, Act intervention cycles to assess if they had met confidentiality standards. Participating physicians additionally completed an assessment tool on personal and clinic practices related to confidentiality. Setting Nine academic and 3 private practice family medicine, pediatrics, and medicine-pediatrics sites. Participants Forty-four physicians. Interventions Provider and staff deficits in knowledge of minor consent laws, resistance toward the idea of confidential care, and work flow issues around confidential screening were identified as primary barriers. Staff and provider trainings, scripts, and staff involvement in planning work flows were identified as key interventions. Main Outcome Measures Improvement in confidentiality standards met during minor adolescent well visits. Results Participating physicians significantly increased the proportion of well visits in which they spent time alone with the patient ( P = .001), explained minor consent laws ( P P P Conclusions A medical board Maintenance of Certification Part IV project is an effective way to change physician practice and improve the delivery of confidential care to minor adolescents seen for well visits.
Overview of an Integrated Toolset Under Development for the CSR Paradigm

The potential high cost associated with an incorrect operation of real-time systems has created a demand for a rigorous framework in which various design alternatives can be specified and analyzed before implementation. In addition, most real-time systems are costly to prototype, requiring careful prediction of timing properties before implementation and evaluation of design alternatives. In this paper, we briefly overview our approach to the specification and analysis of distributed real-time systems and a set of tools that are being developed. We then discuss various extensions that are being made to improve the applicability of the approach.
The Ethics of Patient Cost-Sharing for Total Joint Arthroplasty Implants.

The number of total joint arthroplasties being performed in the United States continues to grow1-3. Current estimates are that approximately 512,000 hip arthroplasties and 787,000 knee arthroplasties are performed yearly4. Many of these procedures are performed on Medicare recipients (approximately 400,000), and total joint arthroplasty represents the largest share of Medicare spending among inpatient surgical procedures5-7. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed alternative payment models designed to decrease costs without negatively affecting outcomes. The Bundled Payment for Care Improvement program and the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) program are recent attempts to control total joint arthroplasty cost8. It is unclear what effect these programs will have on outcomes, quality, or patient access. The cost of implants is highly variable and represents a substantial financial portion of a total joint arthroplasty episode of care9. Therefore, among other factors, cost containment strategies must focus on lowering implant costs. Moreover, many higher-cost prostheses have unproven clinical benefits. This has led to novel discussions among surgeons and hospitals about whether patients should contribute to the costs of their implants. There are examples of patients paying for medical devices; however, there is no mechanism in place for patients to contribute toward arthroplasty implants10. Previous research suggests that U.S. patients are willing to pay for implants, and their motivations for doing so may be varied11-14. Allowing patients to cost-share for implants generates myriad ethical dilemmas, and this article will review those dilemmas. This article will not discuss patient cost-sharing in other areas. Patient cost-sharing for implants has real potential to enhance patient autonomy, to increase transparency, to respect shared decision-making, and to strengthen the health-care system’s long-term financial viability. However, the …
Design and Characterization of High-Current Optical Darlington Transistor for Pulsed-Power Applications

A high-current and low on-state voltage optical Darlington transistor (ODT) is developed in this paper for high-power applications. The structure of this device includes a two-stage Darlington transistor in which the first stage is triggered optically using an infrared laser of an 808-nm wavelength. The photogenerated current in the first stage drives the second stage of the ODT for current amplification. The ON-state voltage of the proposed two-stage ODT is found to be 1.12 V at 50 A. The results show that a single-pipe laser with a low optical power of 2 W is sufficient to trigger this high-current optical switch. This can give us more flexibility to achieve an optimal tradeoff between the ON-state voltage and delay times. The experimental results show that the ODT has a breakdown voltage of 70 V and can operate at frequencies higher than 10 kHz. Thismakes it potentiallysuitable as an optical gate driver for applications including but not limited to pulsed-power and series-connectionof power semiconductor devices for voltage scaling, and as an auxiliary optical-triggering device for anode- or even gate-currentmodulation of a high-frequency and high-power all-optical emitter turn-OFF thyristor.
Impact of zirconium dopants on the lasing efficiency of Raman microcavity laser

Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) silica microresonators are a particularly unique group of microcavities in the sense that they can confine light inside the device for an extended period of time while maintaining a high quality (Q) factor due to the total internal reflection. As a result, WGM resonators have high circulating optical power, which can cause nonlinear optical processes such as stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). It has been demonstrated that SRS has been observed in various WGM silica microresonators with the sub-mW Raman lasing threshold. However, in case of the Raman lasing efficiency, it is limited by the intrinsic property of silica itself, which is the Raman gain coefficient. Therefore, in the present work, we introduce a hybrid silica toroidal microcavity in order to enhance the Raman lasing efficiency. First, we synthesize a suite of silica sol-gels doped with a range of Zirconium (Zr) concentrations and integrate the material with silica toroidal microresonator. The intrinsic Raman gain of the Zr-doped silica is measured using Raman spectroscopy, and the values show a clear dependence on Zr dopant concentrations. The lasing performance is characterized using a 765 nm pump source, and the Raman emissions for the coated devices are detected at 790 nm and longer. The lasing emission and characteristic threshold curves are quantified using both an optical spectrum analyzer and an optical spectrograph. The lasing slope efficiency of exhibits a marked increase from 3.37% to 47.43% as the Zr concentration increases due to the Raman gain improvement. These values are particularly notable as they are the unidirectional, not bidirectional, lasing efficiencies.
Right Ventricular Function in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction A Community-Based Study

Background—The prevalence and clinical significance of right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction (RVD) in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are not well characterized. Methods and Results—Consecutive, prospectively identified HFpEF (Framingham HF criteria, ejection fraction ≥50%) patients (n=562) from Olmsted County, Minnesota, underwent echocardiography at HF diagnosis and follow-up for cause-specific mortality and HF hospitalization. RV function was categorized by tertiles of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and by semiquantitative (normal, mild RVD, or moderate to severe RVD) 2-dimensional assessment. Whether RVD was defined by semiquantitative assessment or tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ≤15 mm, HFpEF patients with RVD were more likely to have atrial fibrillation, pacemakers, and chronic diuretic therapy. At echocardiography, patients with RVD had slightly lower left ventricular ejection fraction, worse diastolic dysfunction, lower blood pressu...
Studies of the torbernite minerals (II): The crystal structure of meta-torbernite

The crystal structure of meta-torbernite, Cu(UOrPODz.8HgO, has been determined and refined by three-dimensional least-squares analysis. The structure consists of infinite (UOrPOt""sheets isostructural rn'ith those of meta-autunite(I) and abernathyite. Between the sheets lie squares of four water molecules. Two of the four squares per unit ceII coordinate the two copper atoms. The other two squares do not coordinate a cation but are hydrogen bonded together in the same manner as those in the abernathyite structure. Each water molecule of the Cu(H:O)a squares is hydrogen bonded to a water molecule of an adjacent (HzO)a square and to a phosphate oxygen atom. Each water molecule of the (H:O)a seuares is hydrogen bonded to two other water molecules within the square, to an adjacent Cu(H:O)r water molecule, and to a phosphate oxygen atom. The copper atoms are also bonded to two uranyl-oxygen atoms; thus the coordination polyhedra about the copper cations is in the form of an asymmetrical tetragonal dipyramid. X-ray powder data for meta-torbemite are given. Unit-cell data for meta-zeunerite, Cu(UOzAsOr)z.SHzO, are also presented.
Pentoxifylline improved short-term survival in severe acute alcoholic hepatitis

Source Citation Akriviadis E, Botla R, Briggs W, et al. Pentoxifylline improves short-term survival in severe acute alcoholic hepatitis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Gastroenterology. ...
Whose Turn? Chromosome Research and the Study of the Human Genome.

A common account sees the human genome sequencing project of the 1990s as a “natural outgrowth” of the deciphering of the double helical structure of DNA in the 1950s. The essay aims to complicate this neat narrative by putting the spotlight on the field of human chromosome research that flourished at the same time as molecular biology. It suggests that we need to consider both endeavors – the human cytogeneticists who collected samples and looked down the microscope and the molecular biologists who probed the molecular mechanisms of gene function – to understand the rise of the human genome sequencing project and the current genomic practices. In particular, it proposes that what has often been described as the “molecularization” of cytogenetics could equally well be viewed as the turn of molecular biologists to human and medical genetics – a field long occupied by cytogeneticists. These considerations also have implications for the archives that are constructed for future historians and policy makers.
The Use of Chelants and Dispersants for Prevention and Removal of Rust Scale

A series of laboratory and pilot rig experiments are discussed to illustrate the effectiveness of various chelants and polymers in controlling or removing iron deposits in cooling systems. The organic molecules were chosen for strong interactions with iron(III) centers. Substituents have been included to increase the solubility and dispersion once these chelants and polymers are attached to ferric sites. Removal of iron oxide becomes more difficult as it ages and crystallizes, but this can be accomplished through proper selection of conditions and additives.
Physician initiated cancer screening discussions and patient intention to engage in screening behavior

1528 Background: Cancer screening for colon, breast, and prostate cancer remains underutilized. Physician (MD)-patient discussions of screening are common but the impact of these discussions is unknown. Methods: 2489 40–70 year old subjects completed a national survey of cancer prevention information acquisition and decision making (median age 53, 49% male, 77% white, 59% married, 61% some college). Subjects reported whether their MD initiated discussions (MDID) about colonoscopy, mammography, & PSA within the past year. Age eligible subjects were “non-routine screeners” (NRS: never screened or colonoscopy >10 yrs, mammography >2 yrs or PSA>2 yrs prior) or “routine screeners” (RS).The endpoint was intention to screen when next eligible. Results: 46%, 75% and 60% of subjects reported intentions to obtain colonoscopy, mammography and/or PSA. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between MDID and intentions to screen controlling for sociodemographics and recency of screening. For colonosc...
Introducing Trainees to Academic Medicine Career Roles and Responsibilities

Introduction The future of academic medicine depends on attracting motivated trainees to the academic career path, but challenges to recruitment include unfamiliarity with academic career options. ...
8 – Long-Range Intranuclear Interactions

Abstract Long-range interactions underlie the folding of the genome and the ability of enhancers to connect to their distant target genes. Much of genome folding into topologically associated domains appears to be shared among different types of cells, while enhancer activation of genes is highly cell type specific and underlies differentiation of cells and tissues. High-resolution microscopy and proximity ligation experiments as well as new computational methods are revealing how these fundamentals of nuclear organization can both be accommodated. Here, we review recent work that sheds light on the compelling question of how genomes fold in animal cells. We then consider how information about genome folding informs our understanding of disease and potential therapeutic approaches.
Extraversion and job satisfaction: The role of trait bandwidth and the moderating effect of status goal attainment ☆

Abstract Issues of trait bandwidth and trait-situation interactions have been scantly considered in the personality-job satisfaction literature. We addressed these gaps with respect to extraversion's major facets of enthusiasm and assertiveness. Consistent with expectations, only enthusiasm shared a direct relationship with job satisfaction. The assertiveness-job satisfaction relationship depended upon attainment of the higher-order goal of workplace status, such that assertive employees were more satisfied with their jobs when status was high, and less satisfied when status was low. We discuss implications of our findings for research and practice.
Linear Cable Galloping

In this chapter, analytical galloping dynamics of linear cables is discussed through a two-degree-of-freedom nonlinear oscillator. The nonlinearity in the two degree-of-freedom oscillator is only from aero-dynamical forces caused by the uniform airflow. The analytical solutions of periodic motions for linear cable galloping are discussed from the analytical solutions with the finite Fourier series. The corresponding stability and bifurcation analyses of the periodic motions in the galloping system of linear cable are carried out. Numerical illustrations of trajectories and amplitude spectrums are given for galloping motions in linear cables. From such analytical solutions, galloping phenomenon in flow-induced vibration can be further understood. The galloping dynamics of linear cables is similar to the dynamics of van der Pol oscillator.
Measuring impairment when diagnosing adolescent ADHD: Differentiating problems due to ADHD versus other sources

Abstract The DSM-5 requires clinicians to link ADHD symptoms to clinically meaningful impairments in daily life functioning. Measuring impairment during ADHD assessments may be particularly challenging in adolescence, when ADHD is often not the sole source of a youth's difficulties. Existing impairment rating scales are criticized for not specifying ADHD as the source of impairment in their instructions, leading to potential problems with rating scale specificity. The current study utilized a within subjects design (N = 107) to compare parent report of impairment on two versions of a global impairment measure: one that specified ADHD as the source of impairment (Impairment Rating Scale–ADHD) and a standard version that did not (Impairment Rating Scale). On the standard family impairment item, parents endorsed greater impairment as compared to the IRS–ADHD. This finding was particularly pronounced when parents reported high levels of parenting stress. More severe ADHD symptoms were associated with greater concordance between the two versions. Findings indicate that adolescent family related impairments reported during ADHD assessments may be due to sources other than ADHD symptoms, such as developmental maladjustment. To prevent false positive diagnoses, symptom-specific wording may optimize impairment measures when assessing family functioning in diagnostic assessments for adolescents with ADHD.
Engineering Transfer Students' Reasons for Starting at Another Institution and Variation across Subpopulations.

Bolstering transfer pathways to a 4-year degree can help fill the country’s increasing need for innovative, diverse, skilled workers within engineering. Drawing on survey data from a sample compris...
Overt and Cryptic Functions of the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Long Terminal Repeat DNA Sequence

As for other retroviruses, the synthesis of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviral DNA by reverse transcriptase is a complex and indispensable process for establishment of a vegetative viral life cycle. MMTV contains a single-stranded genomic RNA with a sedimentation coefficient of between 60–70S and a molecular mass of 6.45 x 106daltons, (1,2). This virion-contained RNA consists of two subunits (35S), each with molecular masses of 2.93 x 106daltons. The 3’ terminus of MMTV genomic RNA is polyadenylated, and the 5’ terminus most likely carries the CAP structure 5’m7GpppG which is present in other retroviral genomic RNAs (3). Like other retroviruses, MMTV genomic RNA is copied into proviral dsDNA by a virally encoded reverse transcriptase. The proviral DNA is eventually integrated into the host cell chromosomal DNA in an apparently random fashion (4,5)
Oxygen-dependent laser inactivation of murine norovirus using visible light lasers

Previous work indicated that an ultrashort pulse (USP) 425 nm laser is capable of inactivating murine norovirus (MNV: Virol. J. 11:20), perhaps via an impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) mechanism, and does not substantially damage human plasma proteins (PLOS One 9:11). Here, further investigation of virus inactivation by laser light is performed. In this study, we evaluate whether inactivation of MNV is specific to the USP wavelength of 425 nm, or if it occurs at other visible wavelengths, using a tunable mode-locked Ti-Sapphire laser that has been frequency doubled to generate femtosecond pulses at wavelengths of 400, 408, 425, 450, 465, and 510 nm. Continuous Wave (CW) lasers are also applied. Singlet oxygen enhancers are used to evaluate the sensitivity of MNV to singlet oxygen and oxygen quenchers are used to evaluate effects on virus inactivation as compared to untreated controls. > 3 log10 inactivation of MNV pfu occurs after irradiation with an average power of 150 mW at wavelengths of 408, 425 or 450 nm femtosecond-pulsed light for 3 h. Thus results suggest that the mechanism by which a laser inactivates the virus is not wavelength-specific. Furthermore, we also show that irradiation using a continuous wave (CW) laser of similar power at 408 nm also yields substantial MNV inactivation indicating that inactivation does not require a USP. Use of photosensitizers, riboflavin, rose bengal and methylene blue that generate singlet oxygen substantially improves the efficiency of the inactivation. The results indicate a photochemical mechanism of the laser-induced inactivation where the action of relatively low power blue laser light generates singlet oxygen. Results suggest formation of short-lived reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen by visible laser light as the cause of virus inactivation rather than via an ISRS mechanism which induces resonant vibrations.
Passivity-Based Control with a Generalized Energy Storage Function for Robust Walking of Biped Robots

This paper offers a novel generalization of a passivity-based, energy tracking controller for robust bipedal walking. Past work has shown that a biped limit cycle with a known, constant mechanical energy can be made robust to uneven terrains and disturbances by actively driving energy to that reference. However, the assumption of a known, constant mechanical energy has limited application of this passivity-based method to simple toy models (often passive walkers). The method presented in this paper allows the passivity-based controller to be used in combination with an arbitrary inner-loop control that creates a limit cycle with a constant generalized system energy. We also show that the proposed control method accommodates arbitrary degrees of underactuation. Simulations on a 7-link biped model demonstrate that the proposed control scheme enlarges the basin of attraction, increases the convergence rate to the limit cycle, and improves robustness to ground slopes.
Health and Access to Care among Reproductive-Age Women by Sexual Orientation and Pregnancy Status

Abstract Background A large body of research has documented disparities in health and access to care among sexual minority populations, but very little population-based research has focused on the health care needs among pregnant sexual minority women. Methods Data for this study came from 3,901 reproductive-age (18–44 years) women who identified as lesbian or bisexual and 63,827 reproductive-age women who identified as heterosexual in the 2014–2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Logistic regression models were used to compare health care access, health outcomes, and health behaviors by sexual orientation and pregnancy status while controlling for demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status. Results Approximately 3% of reproductive-age sexual minority women were pregnant. Pregnant sexual minority women were more likely to have unmet medical care needs owing to cost, frequent mental distress, depression, poor/fair health, activity limitations, chronic conditions, and risky health behaviors compared with pregnant heterosexual women. Nonpregnant sexual minority women were more likely to report barriers to care, activity limitations, chronic conditions, smoking, and binge drinking compared with nonpregnant heterosexual women. Health outcomes were similar between pregnant and nonpregnant sexual minority women, but pregnant sexual minority women were more likely to smoke cigarettes every day compared with other women. Conclusions This study adds new population-based research to the limited body of evidence on health and access to care for pregnant sexual minority women who may face stressors, discrimination, and stigma before and during pregnancy. More research and programs should focus on perinatal care that is inclusive of diverse families and sexual orientations.
Predicting Power Outages Using Graph Neural Networks

Power outages have a major impact on economic development due to the dependence of (virtually all) productive sectors on electric power. Thus, many resources within the scientific and engineering communities have been employed to improve the efficiency and reliability of power grids. In particular, we consider the problem of predicting power outages based on the current weather conditions. Weather measurements taken by a sensor network naturally fit within the graph signal processing framework since the measurements are related by the relative position of the sensors. We deploy novel graph neural networks to adequately process weather measurements in order to determine the likelihood of a power outage. Tests on weather measurements taken in the region of New York City show a 1.04% error in the prediction.
Coalitional Game Theory Facilitates Identification of Non-Coding Variants Associated With Autism

Studies on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have amassed substantial evidence for the role of genetics in the disease's phenotypic manifestation. A large number of coding and non-coding variants with low penetrance likely act in a combinatorial manner to explain the variable forms of ASD. However, many of these combined interactions, both additive and epistatic, remain undefined. Coalitional game theory (CGT) is an approach that seeks to identify players (individual genetic variants or genes) who tend to improve the performance-association to a disease phenotype of interest-of any coalition (subset of co-occurring genetic variants) they join. This method has been previously applied to boost biologically informative signal from gene expression data and exome sequencing data but remains to be explored in the context of cooperativity among non-coding genomic regions. We describe our extension of previous work, highlighting non-coding chromosomal regions relevant to ASD using CGT on alteration data of 4595 fully sequenced genomes from 756 multiplex families. Genomes were encoded into binary matrices for three types of non-coding regions previously implicated in ASD and separated into ASD (case) and unaffected (control) samples. A player metric, the Shapley value, enabled determination of individual variant contributions in both sets of cohorts. A total of 30 non-coding positions were found to have significantly elevated player scores and likely represent significant contributors to the genetic coordination underlying ASD. Cross-study analyses revealed that a subset of mutated non-coding regions (all of which are in human accelerated regions (HARs)) and related genes are involved in biological pathways or behavioral outcomes known to be affected in autism, suggesting the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within HARs in ASD. These findings support the use of CGT in identifying hidden yet influential non-coding players from large-scale genomic data, to better understand the precise underpinnings of complex neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Demonstration and characterization of a transport system capable of lysine and leucine absorption that is encoded for in porcine jejunal epithelium by expression of mRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Defolliculated Xenopus laevis oocytes were injected with size-fractionated poly(A)+ RNA (RNA) isolated from the jejunal epithelium of growing pigs (average BW 33.8 kg) to identify proteins capable of Na+ -independent amino acid transport. The ability of oocytes to absorb L-lysine (lysine) or L-leucine (leucine) from Na+- free media was quantified in oocytes after injection of RNA fractions or water. Specific RNA fractions were identified that induced saturable uptake of lysine (Kt = 52 microM) and leucine (Kt = 97 microM), whereas endogenous oocyte uptake was not saturable. Induced uptake of .05 mM lysine by oocytes was inhibited (P .05), 5 mM L-glutamate (glutamate) quantitatively stimulated the induced uptake of .05 mM lysine by 18.8% and the induced uptake of .05 mM leucine by 60%. To identify mRNA species responsible for this bo,+ transporter-like activity, oocytes were co-injected with the RNA fractions and degenerate DNA oligomers complementary (antisense) to the cloned human kidney bo,+ amino acid transporter, or (as a negative control) with a DNA oligomer complementary to the rabbit intestinal Na+/glucose cotransporter, or with water. Only those oocytes injected with two specific RNA fractions and the antisense DNA oligomer complementary to the bo,+ transporter displayed reduced (P < .05) uptake of lysine (45.7, 55.4%) and leucine (44.1, 65.9%). These results indicate that messenger RNA encoding for a protein capable of stimulating the competitive absorption of lysine and leucine is expressed by the jejunal epithelia of growing pigs.
Retinal Vasculitis Associated with Ipilimumab.

To describe a case of retinal vasculitis associated with ipilimumab. Case report. A 49-year-old Caucasian man presented with anterior uveitis of the left eye. He had a history of chronic myeloid le...
Development of Helium-Mass-Spectrometry-Permeameter for the Measurement of Permeability of Near-Impermeable Rock

A helium leakage detection system was modified to measure gas permeability on extracted cores of nearly impermeable rock. The Helium-Mass-Spectrometry-Permeameter (HMSP) is duplicating the classic Darcy’s experiment with a constant pressure differential and steady-state flow through a sample using helium gas. Under triaxial stress condition, the newly developed HMSP can measure hydraulic permeability of rocks and geomaterials down to the nanoDarcy scale (10−21 m2). The extension of measuring the lower end of the permeability scale may help answer important questions regarding the permeability of rock at great depth where fractures may close completely under high lithostatic stress.
T Helper Cell Subsets and Their Functions in Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Considerable efforts have been made to better understand the immune system of bottlenose dolphins in view of the common environmental challenges they encounter, such as exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, oil spills, or harmful algal bloom biotoxins. However, little is known about the identity and functionality of the Th1, Th2, and Treg T helper cell subsets in bottlenose dolphins. The present study aimed at validating assays and reagents to identify T helper cell subsets and their functions in a subset of dolphins from Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA, which have been long studied and often used as a reference population. A population of CD4+ FOXP3+ lymphocytes was identified representing an average <1% of blood lymphocyte population, which is in the range observed in for Treg cells in other species. The use of porcine reagents to measure TGFs, one of the key Treg cytokines, was further validated using the relatively high-throughput and highly standardized Luminex technology. The proportion of circulating Treg cells was not correlated with the serum concentrations of the Treg effector cytokines TGFs and IL-10, nor could it significantly contribute to predicting the variability of T lymphocyte proliferation, suggesting that not all dolphin circulating Treg cells are functional and active. However, stimulation of dolphin lymphocytes with TGFs and IL-2 increased the expression of the gene for TGFs and IL-10, and stimulation with IL-12 and IFNγ induced a robust increase in the expression of the gene for IFNγ, suggesting the potential for polarization and differentiation of dolphin T helper cells toward a Treg and Th1 response, respectively. The lack of an increase in the expression of the genes for the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 upon stimulation with IL-4 may be due to the requirement for IL-2 for a Th2 polarization as described in mice. However, regression analysis and PCA suggested the potential ability of both the Th1 and Th2 response to be triggered upon acute inflammatory signals. These results may be useful in better understanding the mechanisms by which the dolphin immune system is affected upon exposure to environmental challenges and how it responds to pathogen challenges.
Cutaneous Photoprotection: A Review of the Current Status and Evolving Strategies.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is well established as the major environmental risk factor for the development of melanoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Additional risk factors including genetic mutations, other environmental agents, and immune status are important in modulating the effects of UVR. Dermatologists advocate a multi-pronged approach to minimizing UVR exposure including lifestyle modifications, UVR protective clothing, and topically applied sun-protective products, i.e. sunscreen. New Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulations on sunscreen have brought certain long-standing ingredients in sunscreen products under scrutiny. The FDA’s proposed rule for over the counter (OTC) monograph states that the inorganic sunscreens, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, were found to be “generally recognized as safe and effective,” but cite insufficient evidence to grant organic sunscreens the same designation. This proposed rule by the FDA and our increasing understanding of multifactorial mechanisms of UVR damage are an impetus for innovation and advances in sun protective technology. A complete set of strategies designed to limit the risk of UV-induced skin cell malignant transformation and tumor development must address the fuller consideration of genetic, environmental, and immune factors that cooperatively drive cutaneous carcinogenesis. Recent advances in our understanding of the biochemical processes underpinning UVR associated cutaneous cellular damage, genotoxicity, and clonal expansion provide investigators with a spectrum of opportunities for technologic innovation in the prevention of skin cancer. Strategies to improve upon current topical sunscreen formulations have strived for broader UVR spectral coverage, more favorable aesthetics, increased adherence, and minimal penetration into the living epidermis. In addition to improved sunscreens, future topical therapies may target processes within the epidermis that contribute to carcinogenesis. These include reactive species quenching, delivery of DNA repair enzymes, and targeting of cytokines essential to the proliferation of mutant keratinocytes.
Effects of High-Glucose and High-Fat Condition on Estrogen Receptor- and Sexual Precocity-Related Genes in GT1-7 Cells.

BACKGROUND This study was designed to investigate the effect of high-glucose and high-fat condition on estrogen receptor- and sexual precocity-related genes in GT1-7 cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, CCK8 was used to detect cell viability, and TUNEL assay was used to detect apoptosis levels of GT1-7 cells after treatment with glucosamine and palmitate. The expression level of GnRH was measured by ELISA and RT-qPCR. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of ERs, CD36, and GPR54 in GT1-7 cells, and the expression of ERs was detected using immunohistochemistry analysis. Finally, after adding the intervening drug tamoxifen to GT1-7 cells, the expression level of GnRH was measured by ELISA and Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of GPR54 and GnRH. RESULTS GnRH secretion in the high-fat and high-glucose group increased continuously over time and peaked at 18 h, and GnRH gene expression peaked at 12 h. High-fat and high-glucose conditions also signiﬁcantly increased the levels of estrogen receptors s (ERs), fatty acid translocase protein (CD36), and G Protein-Coupled Receptors 54 (GPR54) in GT1-7 cells. After estrogen receptors s (ER) was inhibited, GnRH secretion and GPR54 expression were decreased at 12 h and 18 h. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that high-glucose and high-fat conditions promote the secretion of GnRH and ER and the expression of genes related to sexual precocity in GT1-7 cells.