cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TLR4-mediated Cox-2 expression increases intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced damage.

Mesenteric IR induces significant inflammation and immune-mediated mucosal damage. TLR4 is a critical receptor in the induction of the inflammatory response and plays a role in intestinal homeostasis. To determine the role of TLR4 in IR-induced epithelial damage, we performed IR studies using TLR4 lps-def and TLR4 lps-n mice and analyzed mucosal damage and inflammation. We found that the absence of TLR4 or TLR4-induced signaling attenuated local mucosal damage with significantly decreased cytokine and eicosanoid secretion including PGE2 production. Similar results were seen in MyD88/ mice. Wild-type mice treated with NS-398 (a Cox-2 inhibitor) not only decreased PGE2 production but also attenuated tissue damage. In contrast, PGE2 was not sufficient to induce damage in the TLR4 lps-def mice. Together, these data indicate that TLR4 stimulation of Cox-2 activation of PGE2 production is necessary but not sufficient for intestinal IR-induced damage and inflammation. J. Leukoc. Biol. 86: 971–980; 2009.
Hydrogenases and hydrogen photoproduction in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms.

AbstractThe photobiological production of H2 gas, using water as the only electron donor, is a property of two types of photosynthetic microorganisms: green algae and cyanobacteria. In these organisms, photosynthetic water splitting is functionally linked to H2 production by the activity of hydrogenase enzymes. Interestingly, each of these organisms contains only one of two major types of hydrogenases, [FeFe] or [NiFe] enzymes, which are phylogenetically distinct but perform the same catalytic reaction, suggesting convergent evolution. This idea is supported by the observation that each of the two classes of hydrogenases has a different metallo-cluster, is encoded by entirely different sets of genes (apparently under the control of different promoter elements), and exhibits different maturation pathways. The genetics, biosynthesis, structure, function, and O2 sensitivity of these enzymes have been the focus of extensive research in recent years. Some of this effort is clearly driven by the potential for u...
Animal Minds, Cognitive Ethology, and Ethics

Our goal in this paper is to provide enough of an account of the origins of cognitive ethology and the controversy surrounding it to help ethicists to gauge for themselves how to balance skepticism and credulity about animal minds when communicating with scientists. We believe that ethicists’ arguments would benefit from better understanding of the historical roots of ongoing controversies. It is not appropriate to treat some widely reported results in animal cognition as if their interpretations are a matter of scientific consensus. It is especially important to understand why loose references to “cognitive ethology” by philosophers can signal ignorance of the field to scientists who are more deeply immersed in the relevant literature. Understanding the variety of approaches to cognitive phenomena in animals is essential if such capacities are to form the foundation of scientifically-informed ethical reasoning about animals.
Practical selection of SVM parameters and noise estimation for SVM regression

We investigate practical selection of hyper-parameters for support vector machines (SVM) regression (that is, e-insensitive zone and regularization parameter C). The proposed methodology advocates analytic parameter selection directly from the training data, rather than re-sampling approaches commonly used in SVM applications. In particular, we describe a new analytical prescription for setting the value of insensitive zone e, as a function of training sample size. Good generalization performance of the proposed parameter selection is demonstrated empirically using several low- and high-dimensional regression problems. Further, we point out the importance of Vapnik's e-insensitive loss for regression problems with finite samples. To this end, we compare generalization performance of SVM regression (using proposed selection of e-values) with regression using 'least-modulus' loss (e = 0) and standard squared loss. These comparisons indicate superior generalization performance of SVM regression under sparse sample settings, for various types of additive noise.
Computer aids for communicating design expertise in power electronics

The computer aids available for organizing, storing, retrieving, restructuring, and communicating technical knowledge about power electronics are discussed. The following topics are discussed: word processors, drawing packages, databases, spreadsheets, planning and scheduling programs, application programs, information retrieval, expert system shells, hypertext, and thinking and writing tools. >
Transmission of 'toxic strep' syndrome from an infected child to a firefighter during CPR.

Several cases of a toxic shocklike syndrome have been reported in the United States during the past five years in association with Streptococcus pyogenes infection. We report a case of a firefighter exposed during attempted CPR to the secretions of an S pyogenes-infected child. The firefighter developed an infection of the hand and subsequent febrile illness with hypotension, erythematous rash, renal failure, and hypocalcemia. Bacterial isolates of blood and cerebrospinal fluid from the deceased child were identical in type and exotoxin production with isolates grown from the hand wound of the firefighter. This is the first reported case of documented transmission of S pyogenes causing a toxic shocklike syndrome in an emergency medical technician.
Group III Möbius syndrome: CT and MR findings.

Mobius syndrome is a congenital neuromuscular disorder characterized by both inability to abduct the eyes and facial weakness [1] . It is classified into four groups on the basis of whether the primary abnormalities are diffuse (group 1), in the abducens and facial nerves (group II), or nuclei (group Ill), or lie outside the CNS (group IV) [2]. Although the radiologic findings of the musculoskeletal abnormalities associated with Mobius syndrome have been reported [3] , no prior imaging studies of the primary CNS abnormalities have been published. We report a case of a child with clinical and pathologic evidence of group Ill Mobius syndrome whose CT and MR studies showed a hypoplastic brainstem and calcification in the abducens nerve nuc:ei . Radiologic-pathologic correlation is presented .
Comparison of Autonomous Aerial Refueling Controllers Using Reduced Order Models

The addition of aerial refueling to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) would increase the flight capabilities of UAVs. This paper describes the use of a reduced order model with three control techniques to design an autonomous aerial refueling control system. A robust servomechanism design is used because of its tracking and disturbance rejection characteristics. Next, a model following controller is shown because of its properties to mimic a desired closed loop system. Finally, a mixed sensitivity H∞ controller is picked because it satisfies loop shaping specifications. Simulation results are presented of a linearized model for a tanker (a Boeing 747) and linearized model for a receiver (an F/A-18). Position tracking is achieve, even in the presences of turbulence.
Epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis A of Hubei Province(1997-2010)

Objective To investigate the epidemic characteristics of hepatitis A during 1997-2010 in Hubei province,in order to provide evidence for formulating control strategy.Methods The reported epidemic data of 1997-2010 and the reported viral hepatitis A from public emergency events during 2004-2010 in Hubei province were statistically analyzed with descriptive epidemiological method.Results The reported cases and incidence rate of viral hepatitis A were declining during 1997-2010 in Hubei province.There were viral hepatitis A cases reported in every month of the year,with more cases in spring and summer.The majority were sporadic,outbreak occurred occasionally.Most cases were farmers,students,workers,cadre or staff members,and children,aged 5-49 years old(70.39%),and the proportion of farmers was ascending.Male cases were more than female.All outbreaks occurred in schools.conclusions Epidemic of viral hepatitis A is still a serious public health problem. Conclusion Strategy should be adopted and focused on children,adolescents and farmers,particularly young and middle-aged.
Analyzing on the Knowledge,Attitude and Behavior Towards AIDS Among General Population in Zhushan County

OBJECTIVE To know the knowledge, attitude and demand among the general population, and to provide foundations to make policy on preventing AIDS. METHODS Questionnaire survey and group interview. RESULT The general population’ s knowledge rate of AIDS prevention was still low; The average score in "way to prevention" is 59.01 and 56.14 in comprehensive AIDS knowledge. TV had the highest approachability and most people gained the AIDS knowledge from TV; The second was broadcast. TV was the way that most people wanted to learn the knowledge from, doctor was the second. There were still a few people who discriminate against HIV/ AIDS cases. CONCLUSION Firstly, strengthen the propaganda and education, and make TV as the main way of propaganda. Secondly, bring the AIDS prevention knowledge into the doctors’ diagnose and treat works. The AIDS prevention and cure policy made by country should be important content in the propaganda and education. Care and help the AIDS patients and their families energetically, and do more psychological care and education work.
Look Who's Talking: Comparing Perceptions Versus Direct Observations in Family-Centered Rounds.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Family-centered rounds (FCR) are an important and recommended component of pediatric hospital care. This study compares direct observations versus perceptions and ideals of who talks during FCR. METHODS: A silent investigator observed FCR and noted who spoke, time in patient rooms, nurse and family presences, and patient information. After the observation period, the medical team was offered an anonymous survey regarding typical and ideal usage of time on FCR. Data analysis included general linear models and analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: Thirty rounding sessions involving 234 encounters of FCR over a 12-week period were analyzed. On average, teams spent 7 minutes in each patient room and approximately the same amount of time outside of the room. Attending physicians were the dominant medical speakers during rounds (30.8%), and nurses spoke the least (2%). When inside a patient room, there was no significant difference between the percentage of time that attending physicians spoke (25.6%) and that of families and patients (23.0%). The surveys revealed that the medical team consistently underestimated the percentage of time attending physicians talked and desired attending physicians to talk less. They also overestimated the time spent in the patient rooms, the time families talked, and nurse presence during rounds and desired an increase in each of these areas. CONCLUSIONS: The medical teams’ perceptions of FCR do not reflect clinical observations. Medical teams believe and desire that attending physicians talk less and families and nurses talk more than observations reveal.
Individual differences in food cue responsivity are associated with acute and repeated cocaine-induced vocalizations, but not cue-induced vocalizations.

Individuals prone to attribute incentive salience to food-associated stimuli (“cues”) are also more sensitive to cues during drug seeking and drug taking. This may be due in part to a difference in sensitivity to the affective or other stimulus properties of the drug. In rats, these properties are associated with 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), in that they are elicited during putative positive affective and motivational states, including in response to drugs of abuse. We sought to determine whether individual differences in the tendency to attribute incentive salience to a food cue (as measured by approach) were associated with differences in cocaine-induced USVs. We also tested whether the food cue would elicit USVs and if this response was related to approach to the food cue. In experiment 1, rats underwent Pavlovian conditioned approach (PavCA) training where they learned to associate a cue (an illuminated lever) with the delivery of a food pellet into a food cup. Subjects were categorized based on their approach to the cue (“sign-trackers”) or to the food cup (“goal-trackers”). Rats subsequently underwent nine testing days in which they were given saline or cocaine (10 mg/kg i.p) and placed into a locomotor chamber. In experiment 2, rats were first tested in the locomotor chambers for one saline-treated day followed by one cocaine-treated day and then trained in PavCA. USVs were recorded from a subset of individuals during the last day of PavCA to determine if the food cue would elicit USVs. Sign-trackers produced 5–24 times more cocaine-induced 50 kHz USVs compared to goal-trackers for all days of experiment 1, and this response sensitized with repeated cocaine, only in sign-trackers. Similarly in experiment 2, individuals that produced the most cocaine-induced USVs on a single exposure also showed the greatest tendency to sign-track during PavCA. Lastly, while sign-trackers produced more USVs during PavCA generally, the cue itself did not elicit additional USVs in sign- or goal-trackers. These results indicate a robust and consistent relationship between approach to a food cue and cocaine-induced USV production. Thus, these USVs may index the neurobiological differences underlying the behavioral distinctions of sign- and goal-trackers.
Similarities and Differences in Programs for Prospective Secondary Mathematics Teachers

Each of the three chapters in Sect. “Program Requirements” addresses issues arising from similarities and differences in programs that prepare prospective teachers of secondary school mathematics, analyzed within and across two or three countries. Chapter 7, by Kim and Ham, addresses knowledge expectations, as expressed in official aims and curricula, in 49 programs in Korea and the United States. Chapter 8, by Koyama and Lew, compares two programs, one in Japan and one in Korea, with respect to their official curricula and certification requirements. Chapter 9, by Wang and Hsieh, examines self-assessed readiness to teach secondary mathematics in light of future teachers’ individual and institutional characteristics, at 1, 18, and 32 institutions in Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States, respectively. The authors of all three chapters stress the exploratory nature of their work and the difficulty of drawing strong implications for policy and practice from their findings.
Modeling and Feasibility Analysis of Quasi-Dynamic WPT System for EV Applications

In this paper, a new bidirectional wireless power transfer (WPT) charging and discharging concept is analyzed for its feasibility in integration at traffic signals. Classified as quasi-dynamic WPT (QDWPT), a string of coils are proposed to be installed beneath the road surface to provide grid-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) while stopped. An experimentally verified lithium-ion battery array and Bidirectional Wireless Power Transfer system are combined to provide a comprehensive simulation under three proposed scenarios. First, four fixed standardized WPT charging levels are evaluated under a Federal Test Procedure-72 city driving profile. Second, a variable charging scenario autonomously adjusts the charging level based on the BEV state of charge. Third, an algorithm is proposed to toggle between charging and discharging based on the BEV psychological and grid retail price to evaluate V2G service viability. For each scenario, a comparison over the maximum driving range per drive cycle and range gained for each consumed kWh is quantified. Moreover, the effect of WPT coil misalignment over the driving performance is investigated and evaluated. This paper concludes that QDWPT at traffic signals is a promising solution to substantially extend the driving range and operating time for city driving especially at high charging levels.
Moral Evil, Privation, and God

On a traditional account, God causes sinful acts and their properties, insofar as they are real, but God does not cause sin, since only the sinner causes the privations in virtue of which such acts are sinful. After explicating this privation solution, I defend it against two objections: (1) that God would cause the sinful act’s privation simply by causing the act and its positive features; and (2) that there is no principled way to deny that God causes the privation yet still affirm that the sinner causes it. I close by considering a limitation of the privation solution.
Balloon angioplasty of postsurgical recoarctation in infants: the risk of restenosis and long-term follow-up.

Abstract OBJECTIVES This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term results of balloon angioplasty (BA) for postsurgical recoarctation in infants. BACKGROUND Balloon angioplasty is a well-accepted modality for the treatment of recoarctation. However, infants remain a group of concern because of their size, risk for complications and the potential for restenosis with growth. Age METHODS Clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic and angiographic data on 22 consecutive children RESULTS A successful result, defined as a postprocedure gradient of ≤20 mm Hg, was achieved in 20 of 22 (91%) infants with a reduction in the systolic peak pressure gradient from 48 ± 27 to 9 ± 10 mm Hg (p CONCLUSIONS Balloon angioplasty can be safely performed in infants, with good long-term results. The risk of restenosis is low and can be successfully managed with repeat angioplasty.
Scaling Effects on Single-Event Transients in InGaAs FinFETs

The single-event-transient response of InGaAs FinFETs with different fin widths is examined using pulsed-laser and heavy-ion irradiation. Devices with wider fins collect more charge in both environments. Quantum-well structures confine charge collection in the channel, and determine the sensitive volume. Simulations show that the charge density produced by irradiation is similar for devices with different fin widths, but more charge is collected by wider fin devices due to the larger channel volume. Charge accumulated in the buffer and substrate layers modulates the body potential, altering the degree of back-gate control, leading to additional effects associated with charge accumulation in wider fin devices. Optical simulations for a model system suggest that optical phenomena in the fins should be considered for laser testing. These include optical interference, plasmonic enhancement at the metal–dielectric interfaces, and enhanced electron–hole pair recombination due to multiple reflections in multigate devices with nanoscale dimensions.
Atomic layer deposition of ultra-thin and smooth Al-doped ZnO for zero-index photonics

We report fabrication of smooth Al-doped ZnO (AZO) films <100 nm by atomic layer deposition (ALD) with epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) frequencies in the near-infrared region controlled by deposition parameters. Excitation of the ENZ plasmon-polariton mode in the AZO films is experimentally demonstrated. The ALD growth of smooth ultra-thin AZO nanolayers with tunable ENZ frequency enables the development of ultra-compact and tunable metamaterial devices and flat nonlinear/quantum zero-index optics.
Evaluation of regulatory variation and theoretical health risk for pesticide maximum residue limits in food.

Abstract To evaluate whether pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs) can protect public health, a deterministic dietary risk assessment of maximum pesticide legal exposure was conducted to convert global MRLs to theoretical maximum dose intake (TMDI) values by estimating the average food intake rate and human body weight for each country. A total of 114 nations (58% of the total nations in the world) and two international organizations, including the European Union (EU) and Codex (WHO) have regulated at least one of the most currently used pesticides in at least one of the most consumed agricultural commodities. In this study, 14 of the most commonly used pesticides and 12 of the most commonly consumed agricultural commodities were identified and selected for analysis. A health risk analysis indicated that nearly 30% of the computed pesticide TMDI values were greater than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) values; however, many nations lack common pesticide MRLs in many commonly consumed foods and other human exposure pathways, such as soil, water, and air were not considered. Normality tests of the TMDI values set indicated that all distributions had a right skewness due to large TMDI clusters at the low end of the distribution, which were caused by some strict pesticide MRLs regulated by the EU (normally a default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg when essential data are missing). The Box-Cox transformation and optimal lambda (λ) were applied to these TMDI distributions, and normality tests of the transformed data set indicated that the power transformed TMDI values of at least eight pesticides presented a normal distribution. It was concluded that unifying strict pesticide MRLs by nations worldwide could significantly skew the distribution of TMDI values to the right, lower the legal exposure to pesticide, and effectively control human health risks.
Cis-nonPro Peptides: Genuine Occurrences and their Functional Roles

Cis-nonPro peptides, a very rare feature in protein structures, are of considerable importance for two opposite reasons. On one hand, their genuine occurrences are mostly found at sites critical to biological function, from the active sites of carbohydrate enzymes to rare adjacent-residue disulfide bonds. On the other hand, a cis-nonPro can easily be misfit into weak or ambiguous electron density, which has led to a high incidence of unjustified cis-nonPro over the last decade. This paper uses the greatly expanded crystallographic data and newly stringent quality-filtering to identify the genuine occurrences and survey both individual examples and broad patterns of their functionality. The accompanying paper describes the problem of cis-nonPro over-use, including its causes, validation, and correction. We explain the procedure developed to identify genuine cis-nonPro examples with almost no false positives, including the new observation that peptides with a glycine on one side or the other need extra care to avoid mis-assignment as cis-nonPro. We then survey a sample of the varied functional roles and structural contexts of cis-nonPro, emphasizing aspects not previously covered systematically: the preferred occurrence at β-strand ends in TIM barrel structures, the concentration of occurrence in proteins that process, bind, or contain carbohydrates, and the resulting complications in defining a simple occurrence frequency.
Impact of feeder space on laying hen feeding behavior and production performance in enriched colony housing.

Current feeder space recommendations in laying hen welfare guidelines are inconsistent among and within countries. One determining criterion forming the recommendations (e.g. 12.0 cm/hen for the EU guideline) is that all birds can feed simultaneously. However, if there are other resources in the environment, as in enriched colony housing (ECH), it is unknown whether group-housed hens will choose to feed simultaneously. This study assesses the impact of feeder space on feeding behavior of 60 laying hens (W-36) in ECH using a ultra-high frequency radio-frequency identification-based tracking system. The feeder spaces investigated were 12.0, 9.5, 8.5 and 6.5 cm/hen, achieved by blocking portions of the overall feeder access to keep hens at the same stocking density. Each feeder space treatment, randomly assigned over the course of the experiment, lasted for 7 consecutive days. Feeding behaviors were characterized as daily time spent at the feeder (TS, min/hen-day), daily frequency of visits to the feeder (FV, #/hen-day), and maximum or average percentage of hens feeding simultaneously (MPB, APB, %). Group-average daily feed intake (FI, g/hen-day), water use (WU, g/hen-day), and hen-day egg production (HDEP, %) were also measured. The results revealed that at 12.0 cm/hen, where unoccupied feeder space was present, a maximum of 59.0±1.4% (average of 31.7±0.3%) hens fed simultaneously. No significant differences were detected among 12.0, 9.5 and 8.5 cm/hen in TS (293±10, 286±10 and 281±10 min/hen-day) and MPB (59.0±1.4, 57.3±1.4 and 53.3±1.4%) (P>0.05). The outcome of no significant differences also held true between 12.0 and 9.5 cm/hen in APB (31.7±0.3 v. 30.8±0.3%) and between 9.5 and 8.5 cm/hen in all response variables measured (P>0.05). However, there were significant differences in APB between 6.5 cm/hen and all other treatments; in TS and FV between 6.5 and 9.5 cm/hen; and in MPB between 6.5 and 12 cm/hen (P 0.05). The results revealed that synchronous feeding of hens in the ECH did not increase with increasing feeder space. However, it is worth noting that lower feeder space may lead to aggression or frustration which was not quantified in the current study.
Quasi-reference electrodes in confined electrochemical cells can result in in situ production of metallic nanoparticles

Nanoscale working electrodes and miniaturized electroanalytical devices are valuable platforms to probe molecular phenomena and perform chemical analyses. However, the inherent close distance of metallic electrodes integrated into a small volume of electrolyte can complicate classical electroanalytical techniques. In this study, we use a scanning nanopipette contact probe as a model miniaturized electrochemical cell to demonstrate measurable side effects of the reaction occurring at a quasi-reference electrode. We provide evidence for in situ generation of nanoparticles in the absence of any electroactive species and we critically analyze the origin, nucleation, dissolution and dynamic behavior of these nanoparticles as they appear at the working electrode. It is crucial to recognize the implications of using quasi-reference electrodes in confined electrochemical cells, in order to accurately interpret the results of nanoscale electrochemical experiments.
Break-up of Gondwana and Assembly of Antarctica

Antarctica, as we know it, is a large landmass that is completely surrounded by the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Seen from space, the ice sheets that cover East and West Antarctica gleam by the sunlight they reflect. Actually, the interior of West Antarctica is a large tectonic rift that lies below sea level. Even the subglacial bedrock surface of the Wilkes Basin of East Antarctica is below sea level. In the bathymetric image in Fig. 15.1, Antarctica is depicted as an elevated continent in hues of brownish red and yellow because the elevation of the East Antarctic ice sheet increases from sea level along the coast to about 4,000 m at Dome A in the interior. Even the elevation of the West Antarctic ice sheet exceeds 2,000 m in the Whitmore Mountains and in parts of Marie Byrd Land (e.g., Executive Committee and Flood ranges). Although the geologic history of East Antarctica extends more than three billion years into the Archean Eon, the present appearance of Antarctica dates from the Cenozoic Era that started at the end of the Cretaceous Period 65 million years ago.
Integrative circuit models and their implications for the pathophysiologies and treatments of the schizophrenias.

A preponderance of evidence indicates that the heterogeneous group of schizophrenias is accompanied by disturbances in neural elements distributed throughout multiple levels of interconnected cortico-striato-pallido-thalamic circuitry. These disturbances include a substantial loss of, or failure to develop, both cells and/or appropriate cellular connections in regions that include at least portions of the hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, entorhinal cortex, amygdala, prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, superior and transverse temporal gyri, and mediodorsal, anterior, and pulvinar nuclei of the thalamus; they appear to reflect failures of early brain maturation, that become codified into dysfunctional circuit properties, that in the opinion of this author cannot be “undone” or even predictably remediated in any physiological manner by existing pharmacotherapies. These circuit disturbances are variable across individuals with schizophrenia, perhaps reflecting the interaction of multiple different risk genes and multiple different epigenetic events. Evidence for these complex circuit disturbances has significant implications for many areas of schizophrenia research, and for future efforts toward developing more effective therapeutic approaches for this group of disorders. The conclusion of this chapter is that such future efforts should focus on further developing and refining medications that target nodal or convergent circuit points within the limbic–motor interface, with the goal of constraining the scope and severity of psychotic exacerbations, to be used in concert with systematic rehabilitative psychotherapies designed to engage healthy neural systems to compensate for and replace dysfunctional higher circuit elements. This strategy should be applied in both preventative and treatment settings, and disseminated for community delivery via an evidence-based manualized format. In contrast to alternative treatment strategies that range from complex polypharmacy to gene therapies to psychosurgical interventions, the use of combined medication plus targeted cognitive and behavioral psychotherapy has both common sense and time-tested documented efficacy with numerous other neuropsychiatric disorders.
On the Problem of Expansion of Clusters of Galaxies

“Mit der Frage, ob und wie wahrscheinlich es ist, das Deutschland noch einmal Krieg mit der Republik Liberia fuhren wird, hat unsere Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie nicht das mindeste zu tun. … Ein drittes Gebiet, neben dem der Gluckspiele und der sozialen Massenvorgange, in dem wir mit unserem Wahrscheinlichkeitsbegriff erfolgreich arbeiten konnen, bilden gewisse mechanische und physikalische Erscheinungen , …”
The Nature of Muscarinic Receptor Binding

During the last decade, the availability of muscarinic cholinergic drugs of high specific activity has enabled a direct characterization of the way in which acetylcholine and other drugs interact with the muscarinic receptor. As might be anticipated, the advent of a new experimental method of scientific inquiry is often followed by a surge of information, and such is the relationship between the development of receptor binding techniques and muscarinic receptor Pharmacology. In general, the recent knowledge derived from studies of the binding of muscarinic agonists and antagonists is consistent with classical theories of agonist-receptor interaction and competitive inhibition which were developed primarily from studies of the interaction of drugs with isolated smooth muscle preparations such as the guinea pig ileum. However, additional complicated ligand-receptor interactions have been detected by receptor binding methods which could not have been realized from the results of classical Pharmacological assays on whole tissue preparations.
Liaison Psychiatry Considerations in Renal Hemodialysis Patients with Acute Organic Cerebral Disorders

Renal personnel are trained and equipped to deal with medical emergencies but have little training in the management of acute behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes. The disoriented, combative, noncompliant, or paranoid patient presents a host of problems. The main focus of this discussion is the recognition that acute alterations of personality and mentation often herald an organic cerebral disturbance. Patients with chronic renal disorders are particularly susceptible to a variety of severe physiological disturbances and subsequent cerebral disorders (Table 1). Typically, emergency psychiatric consultation is requested following an abrupt change in the patient’s behavior. At the University of Chicago hospitals, as high as 50% of all emergency psychiatric consults were ultimately found to be related to patients with organic cerebral disorders. This indicates that there is both a difficulty in recognizing organic causes of confusion and delirium and an inexperience in managing such disturbances. This combination of factors places the renal liaison psychiatrist in an important role due to his training in evaluating mental status, his ability to understand the interpersonal concerns between staff and patient, and his understanding of abnormal behavior.
Abstract 3237: Electronic cigarettes and inflammation in the human lung

Background: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) is increasing rapidly among both adults and youth, including among both smokers and never-smokers, and is thought to be less harmful than cigarettes. However, biological changes including inflammation have not been studied in target organs such as the lung, particularly for e-cigs; further, it is not known if changes are reversible in smokers who switch to e-cigs. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional bronchoscopy study of e-cig users (n=13), cigarette smokers (n=16), and never-smokers (n=40), age 21-30, to assess inflammatory cell counts and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) fluids. BAL total cell counts were measured using the Countess Automated Cell Counter. Differential cells were performed on stained cytospins by a blinded clinical histopathologist. Smoking-associated inflammatory cytokines were measured using a V-PLEX Plus Pro-inflammatory Panel. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for cell counts. Log10 transformed cytokines were used for 1-way ANOVA. Results: Smokers averaged 16 cigarettes/day (SD: 4.7) for 7 years (SD: 4.1). E-cig users vaped an average e-liquid nicotine content of 12 mg/ml (SD: 7.6) and 8 ml/day (SD: 3.9), for an average of 3 years (SD: 0.9); mean time since smoking among e-cig users was 24 months (SD: 16) (2 were never-smokers). Smokers compared to never-smokers had significantly increased total cell counts, macrophages and neutrophils, and decreased lymphocytes (7.15E-05 Discussion: Inflammation differed for never-smokers and smokers, with markers of inflammation intermediate for e-cig users, consistent with the hypothesis that e-cigs are less harmful. Study of whether e-cig use is more harmful than never-use and never-smoking is warranted. Because this cross-sectional study provides only indirect evidence of causation, additional observation studies and randomized trials are needed to understand changes in inflammation for e-cig users, both former- never-smokers. Citation Format: Min-Ae Song, Theodore M. Brasky, Jo L. Freudenheim, Joseph P. McElroy, Daniel Y. Weng, Kevin L. Ying, Quentin A. Nickerson, Sarah A. Reisinger, Mark D. Wewers, Peter G. Shields. Electronic cigarettes and inflammation in the human lung [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3237.
Approximate Data Aggregation in Sensor Equipped IoT Networks

As Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks provide efficient ways to transfer data, they are used widely in data sensing applications. These applications can further include wireless sensor networks. One of the critical problems in sensor-equipped IoT networks is to design energy efficient data aggregation algorithms that address the issues of maximum value and distinct set query. In this paper, we propose an algorithm based on uniform sampling and Bernoulli sampling to address these issues. We have provided logical proofs to show that the proposed algorithms return accurate results with a given probability. Simulation results show that these algorithms have high performance compared with a simple distributed algorithm in terms of energy consumption.
Cancer biology as revealed by the research autopsy

A research autopsy is a post-mortem medical procedure performed on a deceased individual with the primary goal of collecting tissue to support basic and translational research. This approach has increasingly been used to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of cancer evolution, metastasis and treatment resistance. In this Review, we discuss the rationale for the use of research autopsies in cancer research and provide an evidence-based discussion of the quality of post-mortem tissues compared with other types of biospecimens. We also discuss the advantages of using post-mortem tissues over other types of biospecimens, including the large amounts of tissue that can be obtained and the extent of multiregion sampling that is achievable, which is not otherwise possible in living patients. We highlight how the research autopsy has supported the identification of the clonal origins and modes of spread among metastases, the extent that selective pressures imposed by treatments cause bottlenecks leading to parallel and convergent tumour evolution, and the creation of rare tissue banks and patient-derived model systems. Finally, we comment on the future of the research autopsy as an integral component of precision medicine strategies.
Neural Immune Communication in the Control of Host-Bacterial Pathogen Interactions in the Gastrointestinal Tract

The orchestration of host immune responses to enteric bacterial pathogens is a complex process involving the integration of numerous signals, including from the nervous system. Despite the recent progress in understanding the contribution of neuroimmune interactions in the regulation of inflammation, the mechanisms and effects of this communication during enteric bacterial infection are only beginning to be characterized. As part of this neuroimmune communication, neurons specialized to detect painful or otherwise noxious stimuli can respond to bacterial pathogens. Highlighting the complexity of these systems, the immunological consequences of sensory neuron activation can be either host adaptive or maladaptive, depending on the pathogen and organ system. These are but one of many types of neuroimmune circuits, with the vagus nerve and sympathetic innervation of numerous organs now known to modulate immune cell function and therefore dictate immunological outcomes during health and disease. Here, we review the evidence for neuroimmune communication in response to bacterial pathogens, and then discuss the consequences to host morbidity and mortality during infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
Sex, Sleep, Steroids, and Lifestyle: Unraveling the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Conundrum

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc and distressed economies worldwide. Countries have gone on lockdown of their economies to prevent the spread of the disease. This obviously led to collateral damage in the form of worsening healthcare for non-COVID-related conditions and is playing havoc with the world economy. Herein, we suggest novel strategies to prevent COVID-19 related complications, keeping in view the pathophysiology of the disease.
Transmitter Coil Design for Multi-load Wireless Power Transfer Systems

This paper presents the design of a transmitter coil with an interleaved structure for multi-load wireless power transfer (WPT) applications covering a large charging area. The proposed coil achieves receiver positional flexibility, low electric field generation, and high efficiency. Analytical modeling of the coil magnetic field distribution, electric field generation, and power loss is presented and utilized in the coil design process. A prototype 0.5 m x 0.5 m transmitter coil is built and tested in a 6.78 MHz WPT system. The magnetic field is uniform across the entire charging are with less than 8% variation in amplitude. The overall system efficiency is 92.8% when loaded with two 50 W diode rectifiers.
ATF3 induces RAB7 to govern autodegradation in paligenosis, a conserved cell plasticity program

Differentiated cells across multiple species and organs can re-enter the cell cycle to aid in injury-induced tissue regeneration by a cellular program called paligenosis. Here, we show that activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is induced early during paligenosis in multiple cellular contexts, transcriptionally activating the lysosomal trafficking gene Rab7b. ATF3 and RAB7B are upregulated in gastric and pancreatic digestive-enzyme-secreting cells at the onset of paligenosis Stage 1, when cells massively induce autophagic and lysosomal machinery to dismantle differentiated cell morphological features. Their expression later ebbs before cells enter mitosis during Stage 3. Atf3-/- mice fail to induce RAB7-positive autophagic and lysosomal vesicles, eventually causing increased death of cells en route to Stage 3. Finally, we observe that ATF3 is expressed in human gastric metaplasia and during paligenotic injury across multiple other organs and species. Thus, our findings indicate ATF3 is an evolutionarily conserved gene orchestrating the early paligenotic autodegradative events that must occur before cells are poised to proliferate and contribute to tissue repair.
Primary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity. Report of two cases.

Abstract Two cases of primary oral malignant melanoma have been presented, and some of the problems incurred in the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management of this disease have been discussed.
PKCγ is required for ethanol-induced increases in GABAA receptor α4 subunit expression in cultured cerebral cortical neurons

Ethanol exposure produces alterations in GABA(A) receptor function and expression associated with CNS hyperexcitability, but the mechanisms of these effects are unknown. Ethanol is known to increase both GABA(A) receptor α4 subunits and protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in vivo and in vitro. Here, we investigated ethanol regulation of GABA(A) receptor α4 subunit expression in cultured cortical neurons to delineate the role of PKC. Cultured neurons were prepared from rat pups on postnatal day 0-1 and tested after 18 days. GABA(A) receptor α4 subunit surface expression was assessed using P2 fractionation and surface biotinylation following ethanol exposure for 4 h. Miniature inhibitory post-synaptic currents were measured using whole cell patch clamp recordings. Ethanol increased GABA(A) receptor α4 subunit expression in both the P2 and biotinylated fractions, while reducing the decay time constant in miniature inhibitory post-synaptic currents, with no effect on γ2 or δ subunits. PKC activation mimicked ethanol effects, while the PKC inhibitor calphostin C prevented ethanol-induced increases in GABA(A) receptor α4 subunit expression. PKCγ siRNA knockdown prevented ethanol-induced increases in GABA(A) receptor α4 subunit expression, but inhibition of the PKCβ isoform with PKCβ pseudosubstrate had no effect. We conclude that PKCγ regulates ethanol-induced alterations in α4-containing GABA(A) receptors.
Bouveault aldehyde synthesis

Formylation of an alkyl or aryl halide to the homologous aldehyde by transformation to the corresponding organometallic reagent then addition of DMF (M = Li, Mg, Na, and K).
Deoxyribonucleic acid biosynthesis in mitochondria. Studies on the incorporation of labeled precursors into mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid.

Abstract Isolated rat liver mitochondria are capable of incorporating labeled deoxynucleoside triphosphates into DNA. The reaction is linear from 1 to 2 hours, is sensitive to high concentrations of actinomycin D, and requires oxidative phosphorylation and Mg2+. Deoxynucleoside triphosphates serve as better precursors than monophosphates, and a partial dependency on all four triphosphates is demonstrated. That the labeled product is DNA is shown by its complete lability to DNase, its complete resistance to RNase and alkali, its proper buoyant density in CsCl, and its increase and then decrease in buoyant density upon being subjected to denaturing and then reannealing conditions. That the labeled DNA is mitochondrial in origin is shown by the occurrence of the incorporation process in the virtual absence of bacteria, the absence of nuclei or nuclear membranes in the mitochondrial preparation, and the failure of added DNase to inhibit significantly the incorporation process. Moreover, the buoyant density of the denatured and reannealed labeled product is identical with that of similarly treated authentic mitochondrial DNA in contrast to nuclear DNA. That the incorporation process leads to "genuine" mitochondrial DNA, i.e. DNA of ordered structure, is suggested by the labeling being internal rather than solely at the 3'-OH end and by the results of nearest neighbor frequency analysis. Controls on the latter procedure show that added dGTP is rapidly broken down in mitochondria, which accounts for the particularly low incorporation of dGTP. Isolation of closed circular DNA from the total DNA labeled by the isolated mitochondria indicates that label is associated with this form of DNA.
Educational Poverties in Alaska: Teachers' Perspectives

In this mixed-methods study, we explore deprivations of educational entitlements as an example of poverty. We include among educational entitlements: appropriate teacher attitudes, appropriate educational materials and instructional strategies, relevant curriculums, and school and classroom structures that support the familial and cultural experiences of the children in them. Through interviews, surveys, and an examination of participant demographics, we explore Alaska teachers’ identification of instances of educational deprivations in their classrooms and schools and the relationship between identified deprivations and their personal and professional attitudes toward diversity and social justice. From the point of view of the Alaska Native teachers in this study, their goal of preparing students to succeed in both their Native and White cultures is made more difficult because of the educational deprivations in their classrooms. This work has implications for many settings, as teachers struggle to keep fidelity with established norms and goals while providing the most appropriate opportunities for their students.
A QoS Provisioning Scheme for Multimedia Wireless Networks

It has been noticed that multimedia applications can tolerate and gracefully adapt to transient fluctuations in the quality-of-service (QoS) that they receive from the network. The management of such adaptive multimedia applications is becoming a new research area in wireless networks. As it turns out, the additional flexibility afforded by the ability of multimedia applications to tolerate and adapt to transient changes in QoS can be exploited by protocol designers to significantly improve the overall performance of wireless systems.
Effects of methyl mercury exposure on the growth of juvenile common loons.

We conducted a dose–response laboratory study to quantify the level of mercury exposure associated with negative effects on the development of common loon chicks reared in captivity from hatch to 105 days. A dose regimen was implemented that provided exposure levels that bracketed relevant exposure levels of methyl mercury found in loon chicks across North America. We observed no overt signs of mercury toxicosis and detected no significant effect of dietary mercury exposure on growth or food consumption. However, asymptotic mass was lower in chicks that hatched from eggs collected from nests on low pH lakes relative to eggs from neutral pH lakes. Rapid excretion of methyl mercury during feather growth likely provides loon chicks protection from methyl mercury toxicity and may explain the lack of convincing toxicological findings in this study. Lake-source effects suggest that in ovo exposure to methyl mercury or other factors related to lake pH have consequences on chick development.