cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of EFEMP1 With Malattia Leventinese and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Mini-Review

Malattia leventinese (ML) or Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (DHRD) was the first clinically and histopathologically described Mendelian maculopathy. The gene responsible for ML/DHRD, EFEMPI (fibulin-3/SI-5/FBNL) encodes a member of the fibulin family, a newly recognized family of extracellular matrix proteins. EFEMPImutations have not been found in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients despite the close phenotypic similarities between ML/DHRD and AMD. This non-correlating genotype/phenotype relationship between inherited and age-related conditions is typical for common age-related diseases. Biochemical pathways delineated in other diseases indicate that the gene associated with the inherited condition is nonetheless critical in age-related forms. This review summarizes current knowledge relating to ML/DHRD and EFEMPI,with discussion of why EFEMPI mutations are absent in AMD and how EFEMPI may be involved in the pathogenesis of ML/DHRD and AMD.
Chlorogenic acid modifies plasma and liver concentrations of: cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and minerals in (fa/fa) Zucker rats

Chlorogenic acid, a phenolic compound found ubiquitously in plants, is an in vitro antioxidant and metal chelator. Some derivatives of chlorogenic acid are hypoglycemic agents and may affect lipid metabolism. Concentrations of cholesterol and triacylglycerols are of interest due to their association with diseases such as non-insulin-dependent-diabetes- mellitus and obese insulin resistance. As little is known about the effects of chlorogenic acid in vivo, studies using obese, hyperlipidemic, and insulin resistant (fa/fa) Zucker rats were conducted to test the effect of chlorogenic acid on fasting plasma glucose, plasma and liver triacylglycerols and cholesterol concentrations. Aditionally, the effects of chlorogenic acid on selected mineral concentrations in plasma, spleen, and liver were determined. Rats were implanted with jugular vein catheters. Chlorogenic acid was infused (5 mg/Kg body weight/day) for 3 weeks via intravenous infusion. Chlorogenic acid did not promote sustained hypoglycemia and significantly lowered the postprandial peak response to a glucose challenge when compared to the same group of rats before Chlorogenic acid treatment. In Chlorogenic acid-treated rats, fasting plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerols concentrations significantly decreased by 44% and 58% respectively, as did in liver triacylglycerols concentrations (24%). We did not find differences (p > 0.05) in adipose triacylglycerols concentration. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the plasma, liver, and spleen concentration of selected minerals were found in chlorogenic acid-treated rats. In vivo, chlorogenic acid was found to improve glucose tolerance, decreased some plasma and liver lipids, and improve mineral pool distribution under the conditions of this study.
A compilation of mutations located in the cytochrome b subunit of the bacterial and mitochondrial bc1 complex

In anticipation of the structure of the bc1 complex which is now imminent, we present here a preliminary compilation of all available cytochrome b mutants that have been isolated or constructed to date both in prokaryotic and eukaryotic species. We have briefly summarized their salient properties with respect to the structure and function of cytochrome b and to the Qo and Qi sites of the bc1 complex. In conjunction with the high resolution structure of the bc1 complex, this database is expected to serve as a useful reference point for the available data and help to focus and stimulate future experimental work in this field.
Female philopatry and dominance patterns in wild geladas

Cercopithecines have a highly conserved social structure with strong female bonds and stable, maternally inherited linear dominance hierarchies. This system has been ascribed to the pervasiveness of female philopatry within the typical multi-male, multi-female social groups. We examined the relationship between female philopatry, dominance hierarchies, and reproduction in geladas (Theropithecus gelada), a species with an unusual multi-leveled society. During a 4-year field study on a wild population in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, we observed 14 units across two bands of geladas that underwent a number of events, such as male takeovers and female deaths, which could potentially disrupt female relationships and unit structure. First, we corroborate earlier reports that gelada females are natally philopatric: we observed no interunit migrations, and the female mortality rate was comparable to that of philopatric baboons (suggesting all female disappearances were indeed deaths). Second, contrary to previous reports, data from this long-term study show that geladas exhibit the linear and stable dominance hierarchies typical of other Cercopithecines. Moreover, female ranks appear to be maternally inherited. Third, we found no evidence that alpha females aggressively target the lowest ranking individuals, nor did rank confer clear reproductive advantages to dominant females within our 4-year observation period. As such, geladas fit the allostatic load model [Goymann & Wingfield, Animal Behaviour 67:591–602, 2004]. Our study confirms the importance of female philopatry in the kin-based Cercopithecine dominance system. Am. J. Primatol. 73:422–430, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ice Cloud Retrievals and Analysis with the Compact Scanning Submillimeter Imaging Radiometer and the Cloud Radar System during CRYSTAL FACE

Abstract Submillimeter-wave radiometry is a new technique for determining ice water path (IWP) and particle size in upper-tropospheric ice clouds. The first brightness temperatures images of ice clouds above 340 GHz were measured by the Compact Scanning Submillimeter Imaging Radiometer (CoSSIR) during the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers (CRYSTAL) Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (FACE) campaign in July 2002. CoSSIR operated with 12 channels from receivers at 183, 220, 380, 487, and 640 GHz. CoSSIR and the nadir-viewing 94-GHz Cloud Radar System (CRS) flew on the NASA ER-2 airplane based out of Key West, Florida. A qualitative comparison of the CoSSIR brightness temperatures demonstrates that the submillimeter-wave frequencies are more sensitive to anvil ice cloud particles than are the lower frequencies. A Bayesian algorithm, with a priori microphysical information from in situ cloud probes, is used to retrieve the IWP and median mass equivalent sphere particle diameter (Dme). Mic...
Stem Cells and Liver Cancer

The topic of cancer stem cells and the liver has two major questions. First, do liver cancers contain stem cells? Second, do liver cancers arise from stem cells? Liver cancers contain the same cell populations as normal liver: stem cells, transit-amplifying cells, and terminally differentiated cells. The stem cells of cancers are defined by three properties: immortality, transplantability, and resistance to therapy. Studies done over 50 years ago clearly showed that liver cancers clearly contain cells with these properties. In the last 10 years attempts have been made to identify cancer stem cells using markers and correlating the expression of such markers with the three properties of cancer stem cells. Markers for liver cancer stem cells (LCSC) have been proposed, but these do not definitively identify LCSC. The cell of origin of liver cancer has also been the subject of some controversy. The recognition of the appearance of so-called pre-neoplastic nodules in the liver during experimental induction of liver cancer by chemicals was used as evidence that liver cancer arose by de-differentiation of mature liver cells. On the other hand, the presence of small “oval” cells in the carcinogenic process led to a new hypothesis that hepatocellular carcinoma arises by maturation arrest of liver stem cells. The latter hypothesis is consistent with the hierarchical model of cancer, as proposed for other cancers.
Crowdfunding Investment for Renewable Energy

This paper studies a new renewable energy investment model through crowdfunding, which is motivated by emerging community solar farms. In this paper we develop a sequential game theory model to capture the interactions among crowdfunders, the solar farm owner, and an electricity company who purchases renewable energy generated by the solar farm. By characterizing a unique subgame-perfect equilibrium, and comparing it with a benchmark model without crowdfunding, we find that although the farm owner reduces its investment level under crowdfunding, the overall green energy investment level is increased due to the contribution of crowdfunders.
Foundational Questions about Concepts: Context‐sensitivity and Embodiment

This review discusses recent work on foundational questions about concepts. The first of these questions is whether concepts are context-independent bodies of knowledge, or context-dependent constructs, created on the fly. The second question is whether concepts are abstract, amodal representations, or whether they are embedded within the sensory-motor system. I discuss these two questions in light of empirical data from psychology and neuroscience, as well as theoretical considerations, and examine their implications for theories of concepts.
Increased risk of adverse events in management of femur and tibial shaft fractures with plating: An analysis of NSQIP data.

Abstract Background The management of femoral and tibial shaft fractures has long been among the simplest in orthopaedic trauma. Little data exist on the predictors of complications associated with these fractures. The evolving healthcare system is creating a focus on quality metrics and changing payment models. It is critical that traumatologists develop a better understanding of complication rates associated with these injuries so that they may continue to improve patient care while also reducing overall medical costs. Methods Using the ACS-NSQIP database, we evaluated patient demographics, comorbidities and 30-day complications of femoral and tibial fractures. A bivariate analysis was then used to compare rates of minor and major post-operative complications within 30 days. A multivariate logistic regression was performed, assessing the odds of developing a minor and/or major complication up to 30 days post-surgery. Results 2891 patients were identified. For femoral fractures, intramedullary nailing (IMN) demonstrated an overall complication rate of 14.9% ( n = 151) whereas open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plating showed an overall complication rate of 15.6% ( n = 70). Patients undergoing plating of the femur or tibia were 2 times more likely than the IMN patients to demonstrate postoperative complications. Conclusion Our study is the first to demonstrate that plating of femoral and tibial fractures doubles the odds of developing a complication. As our healthcare system shifts to bundled payment plans, it is impertinent for the orthopaedic surgeon to understand the risk factors associated with fracture treatments in order to assess the best treatment plan.
Impact of dietary branched chain amino acids concentration on broiler chicks during aflatoxicosis

A 20-day trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on performance, nutrient digestibility, and gene expression of the mTOR pathway in broiler chicks when exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The 6 dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with 3 BCAA concentrations (1.16, 1.94, and 2.73%) with or without 1.5 mg/kg AFB1 (1.77 mg/kg analyzed). Each diet was fed to 8 replicate cages (6 chicks per cage) from 6 to 20 d of age. Exposure to AFB1 significantly reduced gain:feed ratio and breast muscle weight (P < 0.05), and tended to decrease cumulative BW gain (P = 0.087), while increasing dietary BCAA improved all performance measures (P ≤ 0.0002), except relative breast muscle weight. Apparent ileal digestibility of N and 9 amino acids were increased by AFB1 (P ≤ 0.05), but were reduced by higher dietary BCAA (P ≤ 0.023). Jejunum histology was not affected by AFB1, while higher dietary BCAA tended to increase villus height (P = 0.08). Additionally, the gene expression of mTOR pathway (mTOR, 4EBP1, and S6K1) from liver and jejunum were not affected by dietary treatments, while muscle expression of S6K1 tended to be increased by AFB1 (P = 0.07). No significant interaction between AFB1 and dietary BCAA were observed for any measures in the current study. Results from this study suggested that feed AFB1 contamination can significantly reduce growth performance and breast muscle growth in broiler chicks at 20 d. Higher BCAA supply may have beneficial impact on bird performance, but this effect is independent of AFB1 exposure.
Fluid Motion: Introduction to Kinematics

We begin the study of fluid mechanics by pointing out the differences between fluids and solids, and by describing a flow in terms of the motion of elementary fluid parcels. As the volume of a fluid parcel becomes infinitesimal, the parcel reduces to a point particle, and the average velocity of the parcel reduces to the local fluid velocity computed well before the molecular nature of the fluid becomes apparent. The study of the motion and deformation of material lines and surfaces consisting of collections of point particles reveals the nature, and illustrates the diversity of motion in the world of fluid mechanics. Numerical methods allow us to study the kinematical structure of a flow with a specified velocity distribution obtained by analytical, numerical, or experimental methods.
Prevalence and control of intestinal parasitic infections in Nantong

Intestinal parasitic infections were very serious in the fifties of the twentieth century in Nantong.The preva- lence rate of Ascaris lumbricoides was 71.17% in 1956.The prevalence rate of hookworm was 60.17% in a county in the same year.After fifties years'control,the prevalence rate of Ascaris umbricoides and hookworm decreased to 0.94% and 0.56% separately in 2006.The results indicate that the mass chemotherapy,health education and reform of water and la- trine were important to control these parasitic infections.
Improved Design of Core Surface and Profile Image Acquisition Apparatus

The design is improved for a core surface and profile image acquisition apparatus which is self-developed and introduced. Causes of the technical problems are analyzed, corresponding improvement measures are proposed for overall improving the performance of the apparatus.
Developing an Alternative Approach: A Lesson from Social Psychology

I mentioned in the first chapter that the term ‘identity group’ refers to things like genders, races, ethnicities, and religions. Accordingly, the term ‘whites’ refers to an identity group.1 My aim in this book is to determine whether it is possible for the group ‘whites’ to be morally responsible for hate crimes caused by some member or members. How we phrase the question about identity group responsibilities can determine the approach we take to finding an answer. If we ask ‘can identity groups be responsible?’ our approach might be to show how identity groups meet the requirements of organization or solidarity set out by the collectivists. Demonstrating that identity groups possess solidarity, for instance, might enable one to assert that identity groups are collectively responsible in the strong sense. However, in order to understand member responsibilities, the logical problem that Narveson posed would still need to be overcome, and the connection between individual and group responsibility would need to be established.
On the solubility of gallium nitride in supercritical ammonia–sodium solutions

Abstract Due to the disparity between observed gallium nitride (GaN) growth under conditions for which literature reports normal solubility, GaN solubility in supercritical NH 3 -Na containing solutions was re-evaluated. Isothermal gravimetric experiments on polycrystalline GaN were performed in the temperature range ( T =415–650 °C) for which retrograde growth of GaN routinely occurs ( P ≈ 200 MPa, molar NH 3 :Na fill ratio =20:1). Two previously-unreported error contributions to the gravimetric determination of GaN solubility were identified: Ga-alloying of exposed Ni-containing components, and the presence of a dense, Ga-absorbing Na-rich, second phase under these conditions. Due to the inability to measure Ga-alloying of the exposed autoclave wall for each experiment, considerable scatter was introduced in the refined GaN solubility curve. No clear dependence of GaN solubility on temperature was resolvable, while most solubility values were determined to be within a band of 0.03–0.10 mol% GaN, normalized by fill NH 3 .
Review of Ya'Ir Ronen, Re-Understanding the Child's Right to Identity: On Belonging, Responsiveness and Hope (2016)

There exists a robust therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ) literature dealing with many areas of juvenile law: on the questions of whether juveniles have a right to counsel in civil commitment hearings, of the extent of rights to be granted to foster children in juvenile and family court proceedings, the civil commitment trial itself, the implications of TJ for juvenile cases involving Miranda issues, the issue of whether juveniles can be “waived up” to adult courts in criminal cases, and on punishment schemes for juveniles. But, with the exception of earlier articles by the author of this volume, there have been no TJ-cased inquiries into the child’s right to an identity. In a thoughtful, provocative and important new work, Ya’ir Ronen has expanded his vistas, and has given us a book-length investigation into this question. And he has done it brilliantly.Ronen states his claim immediately: “[T]he state should have a positive duty to safeguard the child’s right to identity,” and that this right is “derivative of his human dignity,” although he concedes that “current legal protection of the child’s right to human dignity does not guarantee protection of an individualized identity.” In assessing this issue, culture must be explored as a “context of personal meaning,” and that international human rights law “implicitly reaffirm[s]” a commitment to a “dynamic child-constructed identity.” One of the central principles of therapeutic jurisprudence is a commitment to dignity; Ronen’s decision to begin his work by clarifying this important commitment is of inestimable significance to his project. He incorporates this into his consideration of issues of culture; “suppressing distinctness by a dominant or a majority culture [is] the cardinal sin against authenticity;” thus, “protecting a child-constructed identity may be construed as a commitment to dignity.” Other scholars have considered the relationship between TJ and culture, but, to the best of my knowledge, virtually none in this specific context.Ronen looks long and seriously at international human rights law, specifically articulating where he sees existing UN Conventions as providing support for his position and where he feels that those instruments are not comprehensive enough to grant the rights to which he believes all children are entitled. I believe it is absolutely essential that TJ scholars turn to international human rights law as a potential source and future direction of TJ scholarship and Ronen’s consideration of these documents in this context is of great importance, beyond the specific substantive subject on which he has turned his focus.Ronen’s book is brisk and bracing and refreshing. It deserves to be read by all who care about these important topics.
Low cost sensing and communication system for rotor-craft

Local communication and sensing between individuals are frequently used for control in multi-robot systems. However, in current flying multi-robot systems, such as swarms of quadrotors, these abilities are often only emulated using global communication and global position sensing. This is mainly due to the complexity, cost, weight, or power requirements for such sensors. Here we present a system that can allow for more natural swarming behaviors by enabling direct bearing and elevation sensing, as well as communication between nearby rotor-craft. This system takes advantage of the existing motion of the vehicles propellers, is low power, and can be adapted to existing vehicles with only simple modifications. We describe the system, present a working prototype, show performance of this prototype, and conclude by describing future work integrating the system into a rotor-craft swarm.
A Modular 2-DOF Force-Sensing Instrument for Laparoscopic Surgery

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has enjoyed increasing attention and development over the last two decades. As MIS systems evolve, the surgeon is increasingly insulated from patient contact, creating a trade-off between surgi- cal sensory information and patient invasiveness. Incorporation of haptic feed- back into MIS systems promises to restore sensory information surrendered in favor of minimal invasiveness. We have developed a novel, biocompatible 2- DOF force-sensing sleeve that can be used modularly with a variety of 5mm laparoscopic instruments. The functional requirements for such a device are de- fined, and design strategies are explored. Our formal device design is outlined and device calibration is presented with derived calibration functions. Illustrative experimental force data from a porcine model is presented. This device can be used for intra-abdominal force recording and feedback in laparoscopic environ- ments; the implications and future potential for this technology are explored.
An Empirical Examination of the Use of a Simulation in Teaching Human Resource Management

This study examined the use of a simulation in a human resource management course. 215 students took part in the simulation as a graded component of the course and their performance was compared against exam performance. Individual differences such as cognitive ability, personality traits and affect were also examined for patterns of validity. Results include evidence of discriminant and convergent validity on the two performance measures and also that certain characteristics of students predict success on exams, but not simulation performance and vice versa. This indicates that simulations engage students in ways different from the lecture and examination method. Further, results suggest that this engagement may then lead to improving exam scores over the course of the semester
Intensification of older adults' outpatient blood pressure treatment at hospital discharge: national retrospective cohort study.

Abstract Objectives To assess how often older adults admitted to hospital for common non-cardiac conditions were discharged with intensified antihypertensive treatment, and to identify markers of appropriateness for these intensifications. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting US Veterans Administration Health System. Participants Patients aged 65 years or over with hypertension admitted to hospital with non-cardiac conditions between 2011 and 2013. Main outcome measures Intensification of antihypertensive treatment, defined as receiving a new or higher dose antihypertensive agent at discharge compared with drugs used before admission. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were used to control for characteristics of patients and hospitals. Results Among 14 915 older adults (median age 76, interquartile range 69-84), 9636 (65%) had well controlled outpatient blood pressure before hospital admission. Overall, 2074 (14%) patients were discharged with intensified antihypertensive treatment, more than half of whom (1082) had well controlled blood pressure before admission. After adjustment for potential confounders, elevated inpatient blood pressure was strongly associated with being discharged on intensified antihypertensive regimens. Among patients with previously well controlled outpatient blood pressure, 8% (95% confidence interval 7% to 9%) of patients without elevated inpatient blood pressure, 24% (21% to 26%) of patients with moderately elevated inpatient blood pressure, and 40% (34% to 46%) of patients with severely elevated inpatient blood pressure were discharged with intensified antihypertensive regimens. No differences were seen in rates of intensification among patients least likely to benefit from tight blood pressure control (limited life expectancy, dementia, or metastatic malignancy), nor in those most likely to benefit (history of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, or renal disease). Conclusions One in seven older adults admitted to hospital for common non-cardiac conditions were discharged with intensified antihypertensive treatment. More than half of intensifications occurred in patients with previously well controlled outpatient blood pressure. More attention is needed to reduce potentially harmful overtreatment of blood pressure as older adults transition from hospital to home.
The Reporting and Help-Seeking Behaviors of Cyberstalking Victims

Crime victims are left with multiple decisions to make in an effort to cope with and recover from their experiences being criminally victimized. For example, victims must decide if they are going to report their victimization experience to law enforcement and/or if they are going to seek help from various resources, both informal and professional entities. Research on the reporting or help-seeking behaviors of cyberstalking victims is limited, but necessary to ensure that these victims are receiving the help they need. Using self-report survey data collected from a sample of 477 cyberstalking victims, this study sought to identify the characteristics of the cyberstalking victimization experience that are associated with the victim's decision to report the victimization to law enforcement, seek professional help, and seek informal help. Specifically, borrowing from Gottfredson and Gottfredson's theory of decision making, the current study explored how measures of offense seriousness and the victim-offender relationship are associated with cyberstalking victims' reporting and help-seeking behaviors. The findings revealed that cyberstalking victims who experienced more serious offenses had increased odds of engaging in reporting and both types of help-seeking behaviors. Furthermore, victims who were cyberstalked by their current intimate partner had greater odds of engaging in reporting and professional help-seeking behaviors. As this study is just one of many that are needed to gain a better understanding of the reporting and help-seeking behaviors of cyberstalking victims, directions for future research are provided.
The relationship between delay discounting and alcohol dependence in individuals with and without comorbid psychopathology

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been associated with greater discounting of delayed monetary rewards, but it is unclear whether this association is primarily related to alcohol consumption or is secondary to the presence of psychiatric comorbidities. It is also unclear if steeper rates of discounting are associated with greater AUD severity. We sought to determine whether the presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders affected the relationship between AUD and delay discounting. We also examined whether more severe AUD was associated with greater delay discounting. In this cross-sectional study, 793 adults completed a delay discounting task. Subjects were divided into four groups based on diagnosis: current AUD with psychiatric comorbidities (N = 226), current AUD without psychiatric comorbidities (N = 203), past AUD (N = 69), and healthy controls (N = 295). In those with AUD, we investigated the relationship between delay discounting and alcohol dependence symptom count and recent drinking history. We also compared individuals seeking treatment to non-treatment seeking individuals. Psychiatric comorbidities examined included mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. After adjusting for age, sex, income, and education, individuals with current AUD showed significantly higher rates of delay discounting than healthy controls and individuals with a past diagnosis of AUD. The presence of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses was not associated with steeper discounting. Among those with AUD, there was no evidence for a continuous relationship between delay discounting and AUD severity or alcohol consumption. Finally, non-treatment seekers with AUD had steeper delay discounting than treatment seekers. Individuals with AUD show steeper delay discounting than healthy adults, but the effect is small and there is no added effect from comorbid psychopathology or increased AUD severity. This suggests that steeper delay discounting may have a more limited effect on human alcohol use than previously supposed.
The State of the Hybrid Operating Room: Technological Acceleration at the Pinnacle of Collaboration

As imaging technologies expand to include image-guided anatomical navigation and surgical techniques evolve to accommodate increasingly complex interventions with minimally invasive approaches, interventionalists and surgeons have convened in a novel area of hospitals around the world, the hybrid operating room. Although these assets have long been used for cardiovascular procedures, the integration of these tools in a designated surgery suite has given rise to a variety of novel interventions and multi-specialty collaborations. In this review, we highlight current international hybrid room experiences in many fields, spanning from neurosurgery to urology. We also comment on our institutional journey of surgery-interventional radiology collaborations in developing our image-guided surgery program for a pediatric population. As the hybrid operating room continues to gain traction globally, surgeons and interventional radiologists’ creativity and collaborative problem-solving skills will continue to be pushed to improve patient care. Identifying practice gaps and collaborating with industry is vital for further refinement of these tools.
Ethics in the PED: An Untimely Death.

ABSTRACT Death is an uncommon event in the pediatric emergency department. The sudden end of a young life is always an undesirable event. Staff and family members are never prepared. Although staff in the emergency department can become routinized to caring for acutely ill and dying patients, family members may become shocked by this novel and terrible experience. Whether the patient is old or young, previously sick or healthy, it is important to stop and consider how hard it must be for the assembled family. As frontline clinicians, we all deeply care about the outcome of our patients and their families, yet for them to feel they have been understood and well cared for, it is recognized that clinicians must attend to health care conversations on a deeper and more relational level. Consideration that these events happen and reinforcing that it is difficult for all involved ensure staff that their challenges are recognized.
The Lamprey as a Model Vertebrate in Evolutionary Developmental Biology

The development of lampreys has fascinated evolutionary developmental (evo-devo) biologists for a long time. Lampreys, as one of the two surviving members of an ancient group of jawless vertebrates, have long been recognized as key for understanding vertebrate evolution due to their basal position in vertebrate phylogeny. While classical descriptions of lamprey development have uncovered many similarities in development among the few lamprey species that have been studied, these studies, together with modern techniques, have provided key insights for understanding how developmental changes have been important for vertebrate evolution. In recent years, the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus has moved to the forefront of studies on lamprey development due to its invasion into the Great Lakes, and the critical need to understand its biology for management purposes. The sea lamprey genome has also been published and these two developments, taken together, facilitate the use of lampreys in evo-devo investigations. Here we provide a current overview of contributions of lamprey developmental studies for understanding vertebrate evolution, a summary of modern molecular and genetic tools and methods that have been applied in lamprey evo-devo research. Finally, we provide information to facilitate setting up the lamprey as a model organism in a modern research laboratory setting.
Disrupted hippocampal growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1α interaction with dopamine receptor D1 plays a role in Alzheimer′s disease

Hippocampal lesions are a defining pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie hippocampal synaptic injury in AD have not been fully elucidated. Current therapeutic efforts for AD treatment are not effective in correcting hippocampal synaptic deficits. Growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1α (GHSR1α) is critical for hippocampal synaptic physiology. Here, we report that GHSR1α interaction with β-amyloid (Aβ) suppresses GHSR1α activation, leading to compromised GHSR1α regulation of dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) in the hippocampus from patients with AD. The simultaneous application of the selective GHSR1α agonist MK0677 with the selective DRD1 agonist SKF81297 rescued Ghsr1α function from Aβ inhibition, mitigating hippocampal synaptic injury and improving spatial memory in an AD mouse model. Our data reveal a mechanism of hippocampal vulnerability in AD and suggest that a combined activation of GHSR1α and DRD1 may be a promising approach for treating AD.
West Nile Virus-Induced Neurologic Sequelae-Relationship to Neurodegenerative Cascades and Dementias.

West Nile virus (WNV) emerged from Central Africa in the 1990s and is now endemic throughout much of the world. Twenty years after its introduction in the USA, it is becoming apparent that neurological impairments can persist for years following infection. Here, we review the epidemiological data in support of such long-term deficits and discuss possible mechanisms that drive these persistent manifestations. Focusing on the recently discovered antimicrobial roles of amyloid and alpha-synuclein, we connect WNV late pathology to overlapping features encountered in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. We also summarize new research on microglial activation and engulfment of neural synapses seen in recovered WNV as well as in neurodegenerative diseases, and discuss how loss of integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may exacerbate this process. Neuroinvasive viral infections such as WNV may be linked epidemiologically and mechanistically to neurodegeneration. This may open doors to therapeutic options for hitherto untreatable infectious sequelae; additionally, it may also shed light on the possible infectious etiologies of age-progressive neurodegenerative dementias.
New Understanding of the Health Hazards of Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping.

1. Harold J. Farber, MD, MSPH* 1. *Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX This In Brief was accepted for publication in November 2019. Considering that medical information on the effects of vaping continues to develop, please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website on vaping for up-to-date information: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html. Joseph A. Zenel, MD Editor-in-Chief ​ ​ Electronic cigarettes are addicting a new generation. Although initially promoted as safer than cigarettes and “no tobacco smoke, only vapor,” we are now finding substantial health hazards from these products. Designed to appeal to and promoted to youth, their popularity has surged among middle and high school students, increasing from 1.5% in 2011 to 27.5% in 2019. As a rising tide lifts all boats, after a long period of decline, in 2018 combustible tobacco use among high school students increased. Electronic cigarette use among adolescents and young adults is associated with greater rates of progression to combustible tobacco smoking and progression from intermittent to regular use of combustible tobacco. Electronic cigarettes are referred to by many terms, including e-cigarettes, vape pens, vapes, vaporizers, e-hookah, mechanical mods, Juul, and others. Electronic cigarettes use a heating element or atomizer to create an aerosol from a solution of nicotine, flavoring chemicals, propylene glycol, and glycerin. Other substances may be added. Heating of the solution …
Abstract TP140: Automated Individualized Evaluation of Hemodynamics in Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease With Dual-Venc 4D Flow MRI

Introduction: Hemodynamic alterations of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) patients may be associated with increased risk of stroke. Dual-venc 4D Flow MRI can provide time-resolved 3D hem...
On the Benefits of Early Fusion in Multimodal Representation Learning

Intelligently reasoning about the world often requires integrating data from multiple modalities, as any individual modality may contain unreliable or incomplete information. Prior work in multimodal learning fuses input modalities only after significant independent processing. On the other hand, the brain performs multimodal processing almost immediately. This divide between classical multimodal learning and neuroscience suggests that a detailed study of early multimodal fusion could improve artificial multimodal representations. To facilitate the study of early multimodal fusion, we create a convolutional LSTM network architecture that simultaneously processes both audio and visual inputs, and allows us to select the layer at which audio and visual information combines. Our results demonstrate that immediate fusion of audio and visual inputs in the initial C-LSTM layer results in higher performing networks that are more robust to the addition of white noise in both audio and visual inputs.
A novel antimicrobial alternative of microbiota metabolic product deoxycholic acid controls chicken necrotic enteritis

Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by coccidiosis and Clostridium perfringens infection remerges as a prevalent poultry disease worldwide in the antimicrobial free era. The lack of antimicrobial alternative strategy to control this disease is mainly originated from limited insight into NE pathogenesis, microbiome, and host response. Here we reported that microbiota metabolic product secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid (DCA) at as low as 50 μM inhibited 82.8% of C. perfringens growth in Tryptic Soy Broth. Sequential Eimeria maxima and C. perfringens infections strongly induced NE, severe intestinal inflammation, and body weight (BW) loss in broiler chickens, effects attenuated by 1.5 g/kg DCA diet. At cellular level, DCA alleviated NE-associated ileal epithelium death and lamina propria immune cell apoptosis. Interestingly, DCA reduced C. perfringens invasion into villi without significantly altering the bacterial luminal colonization. Molecular analysis showed that DCA reduced inflammatory mediators of Infγ, Litaf (Tnfα), Il1β and Mmp9 mRNA accumulation in ileal tissue. Mechanically, C. perfringens induced elevated expression of inflammatory cytokines of Infγ, Litaf, and Ptgs2 (COX-2 gene) in chicken splenocytes. Consequently, inhibiting COX by aspirin attenuated murine INFγ- or TNFα-induced inflammatory response in splenocytes. Consistent with the in vitro assay, chickens fed 0.12 g/kg aspirin diet resisted against NE-induced BW loss, ileal inflammation, and villus apoptosis. In conclusion, microbial metabolic product DCA prevents NE-induced BW loss and ileal inflammation through curbing inflammatory response. These novel findings could serve as a stepping-stone for developing next generation antimicrobial alternatives against NE.
Current status of oral anticoagulant adherence in Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation: A claims database analysis.

Abstract Background Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We investigated the adherence of DOACs for years known to be associated with the effectiveness in Japanese NVAF patients, using a claim database. Method We performed a retrospective evaluation of NVAF patients in a claims database in Japan, who initiated dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban between April 2011 and June 2016. Drug persistence was assessed by Kaplan-Meier method for the initially-prescribed DOAC and all DOACs including switched ones. Proportion of days covered (PDC) was also evaluated in patients with persistent prescription and compared among DOACs. Results In the total of 671 patients, rivaroxaban (47%) was more prescribed than dabigatran (28%) and apixaban (25%). Drug persistence at 3 years was higher in rivaroxaban (69%) than dabigatran (57%) and apixaban (67%). Including switching to other DOACs, persistence of DOACs was 72% at 3 years without significant differences between index-DOACs. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, absence of hypertension, and prior history of cancer were significantly associated with the drug discontinuation of all DOACs. The mean PDC was ~ 95% and the frequency of high-adherent patients (PDC ≥0.80) was more than 90%, which similarly persisted at 3 years and showed no significant differences between index DOACs. Conclusion In a real-world Japanese claim data analysis, about 70% of patients under DOAC showed persistence with anticoagulation therapy at 3 years. High adherence to DOACs assessed by PDC (over 90%) persisted to 3 years regardless of the types of DOACs.
Agglomeration, Absorptive Capacity and Knowledge Governance

This paper considers the role of ﬁrm ownership structure, absorptive capac-ity and agglomeration on ﬁrm innovation in the Chinese context. A popular co-occurrence measure is used to measure local spillovers expected to take place between similar but different industries co-located together. Relying on a large panel of Chinese ﬁrms, this paper offers three main results: (i) privately-owned enterprises (POEs) are more efﬁcient innovators than their state-owned enter-prise (SOE) counterparts; (ii) local spillovers from related industries enhance ﬁrm innovation, especially for ﬁrms with higher pre-existing learning abilities; and (iii) despite possessing relatively high levels of absorptive capacity, POEs maintain higher innovation performance compared to their SOE counterparts. These ﬁndings help conﬁrm the absorptive capacity thesis, but also suggest that possessing relatively higher levels of absorptive capacity, in and of itself, is not always a sufﬁcient pre-condition for ﬁrms to overcome all of the cognitive and technological barriers to leveraging external sources of knowledge. In line with theories of knowledge governance, one explanation for this ﬁnding is that private (government) operators develop higher (lower) quality governance procedures that ultimately enhance (hamper) their ability to successfully integrate external sources of knowledge even after developing a high level of absorptive capabilities.
The effects of experimentally manipulated social status and subjective social status on physical activity among Hispanic adolescents: An RCT.

BACKGROUND Low objective socioeconomic status (SES) and subjective social status (SSS), one's perceived social rank, are associated with obesity. This association may be due, in part, to social status-related differences in energy expenditure. Experimental studies are needed to assess the extent to which SES and SSS relate to energy expenditure. OBJECTIVE Assess the effects of experimentally manipulated social status and SSS on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour. METHODS One hundred thirty-three Hispanic adolescents aged 15-21 were randomized to a high or low social status position, facilitated through a rigged game of Monopoly™. SSS was assessed with MacArthur Scales. Post-manipulation 24-h MVPA and sedentary behaviour were assessed via accelerometry. Analyses were conducted with general linear regression models. RESULTS Experimentally manipulated social status did not significantly affect the total time spent in MVPA or sedentary behaviour; however, identifying as low SSS was significantly associated with less MVPA (p = 0.0060; 18.76 min less). CONCLUSIONS Tewnty-four-hour MVPA and sedentary behaviour are not affected by an acute experimental manipulation of social status. However, low SSS, independent of SES, was associated with clinically significant differences in MVPA. SSS may be a better predictor of MVPA than SES among Hispanic adolescents, potentially influencing obesity, and other health-related outcomes.
Institutional reflection essay: executive branch action towards national security

Este ensayo de reflexion institucional fue desarrollado con la finalidad de discutir diferentes aspectos de las instituciones politicas americanas, incluyendo sus impactos e influencias, entre el desarrollo de las politicas publicas en los Estados Unidos. Por lo tanto, este articulo incorpora el punto de vista y argumentos de la rama ejecutiva de los Estados Unidos y la seguridad nacional, basado en pares revision el analisis en el campo de la politica publica y justicia penal. El ensayo cubrira los aspectos de los asuntos de seguridad nacional de accion y como las politicas se pueden volver a dirigir hacia el incremento de la seguridad de nuestra nacion. Logro final de este documento sera demostrar la importancia de crear politicas y como cada institucion politica estadounidense tiene una funcion crucial entre el proceso de elaboracion de politicas publicas
Épica y descubrimiento en La Conquista del Perú (1538)

La conquista del Peru is the oldest poem about Francisco Pizarro’s voyages to Peru. In the text are two different voyages: the factual travel of Francisco Pizarro and the imaginative travel of the anonymous poet. Both journeys represent two different epistemological problems: the discovery of the territory and the poetic representation.
The Contents of Hume's Appendix and the Source of His Despair

This paper has two goals: first, to show that the footnote and structure of App. 20, to which too little careful attention has been given, ultimately undermine a great many interpretations of Hume's dissatisfaction with his theory of personal identity; and second, to offer an interpretation that both heeds these textual features and (unlike other interpretations consistent with these features) renders Hume worried about something that would have truly bothered him. Hume's problem, I contend, concerns the relation, in his genetic explanation of ideas such as that of the self, between (i) the objects of the perceptions along which there is a smooth and uninterrupted progress of thought, and (ii) the contents of the ideas that the mind in such cases sometimes subsequently invents.
Abstract 16332: MicroRNA Mediated Proliferation of Human iPS Derived Cardiomyocytes for Cardiac Repair

Background: An innovative approach to generate cells for cardiac regeneration is to reprogram somatic cells into iPS and differentiate them into cardiomyocytes (CMs). Recent studies have shown micro-RNAs (miRs) can induce proliferation of neonatal rat and mouse cardiomyocytes. Here we report that overexpression of specific miRs can induce proliferation of human iPS (HiPS) derived CM and improve cardiac regeneration and function. Methods and Results: Studies by Eulalio et. al, in 2012 identified a list of miRs that induced proliferation in neonatal mammalian cardiomyocytes. Here we transiently transfected human iPS derived CMs with miR-cel-67 (control miR), miR-1273, miR-210, and miR-1825 and administered EDU (5μM) to label proliferating cells. Five days post transfection, cells were fixed and stained for cardiomyocytes marker troponin-I, and EDU. A significant increase in proliferation was observed with miR-210 and miR-1825, while miR-1273 did not show any significant change (21.03 % and 42.97% with miR-210 and miR-1825, respectively as compared to 7.2% with miR-1273 and 6.9% with control miR-cel-67; p Conclusion: We here show a significant increase in proliferation of HiPS CMs following miR-210 and miR-1825 transduction. Our in-vivo studies show a reduction in infarction size in mice hearts that were transplanted with HiPS CMs compared to DMEM control. Collectively, this study proposes a novel approach of transplanting proliferating HiPS-CMs to acheive cardiac regeneration following ischemic injury.