cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Exceptional Strike: A Micro-history of 'People versus Park' in Madagascar

The article presents a microhistory of a work strike in an Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP) located in a rain forest of eastern Madagascar. ICDPs in Madagascar, as in other rain forest countries, are instruments of "green" neoliberal policy, a dominant development paradigm in Africa since the late 1980s. International donors and the Malagasy state are expanding the number of protected areas in Madagascar, and foreign NGOs typically manage the start-up phase of projects aimed at lessening slash-and-burn horticulture (called tavy) in the forest and to developing ecological tourism. The article traces the roles and narratives of low-wage, locally-hired ICDP workers, who perform the menial tasks of forest conservation. Details of a work strike by lower-tier ICDP workers in 1996 reveal dynamics of environmental interventions that have been neglected in analyses and evaluations. To understand conservation’s recurrent failures, one must investigate not only the sources of tension between agrarian populations and park representatives but also those arising from conservation’s historical division of labor. Key Words: conservation, labor, capitalism, development, parks, Madagascar
Use of Prescribed Burning in Seed Production Areas to Control Red Pine Cone Beetle

The red pine cone beetle, Conophthorus resinosae Hopkins, is the most common of 3 insects that destroy whole cones and reduce yields in seed production areas (SPAs) of red pine, Pinus resinosa Ail. Adult beetles are on the ground for overwintering from ca. Oct. 22–ca. May 10. After low-intensity burning of naturally accumulated fuels on 0.2-ha plots gave promising adult kills, six 0.7- to 21-ha SPAs were treated by backfire or strip-head fire burning in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Conophthorus infestation was greatly reduced in burned SPAs 4 ha and larger, and cones free of all cone destroyers were significantly increased in 4 SPAs by 11–45%. Combined infestation by the red pine cone moth, Eucosma monitorana Heinrich, and the red pine cone worm, Dioryctria disclusa Heinrich, went up or down after treatment depending on several factors. Adverse Eucosma-Dioryctria infestation behavior was minimized when SPAs with heavy cone crops were treated. Burning areas of sufficient size in heavy crop years the fall or spring before harvest seems a promising way to protect SPA crops from cone destroying insects.
A Consideration of Blade and Flake Curvature

A method for characterizing blade and flake curvature is introduced and discussed in the context of broader prehistoric behavioral interpretation. The curvature value begins with interval measureme...
Book Review: Upinder Singh and Parul Pandya Dhar, eds, Asian Encounters: Exploring Connected Histories

Upinder Singh and Parul Pandya Dhar, eds, Asian Encounters: Exploring Connected Histories, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014, p. 235.
Age and pharmacotherapy of suicidal depressed bipolar patients

The mortality and morbidity due to suicidal behavior associated with bipolar disorder is the greatest among psychiatric diagnoses. To address this problem, it is essential to find predictors of future risk as well as protective factors. Studies from several international teams have demonstrated that for bipolar disorder, the presence of a depressive episode is the most robust predictor and risk increases as does depression severity. Protective factors such as older age and religious affiliation are also key moderators. The role of pharmacotherapy in suicidal behavior has been studied mostly utilizing data that are either observational and naturalistic, rather than experimental. Only one randomized, double-blind clinical trial has been conducted to date, although another one is underway. The comparison of lithium and valproate in terms of effect on suicidal behavior revealed no differences. Although the trial was not powered to detect small effect sizes, results suggest that the Relative Risk ratio generated from meta-analytic studies (RR∼ 5) is too optimistic. The trial also suggested that younger individuals may respond differently to pharmacotherapy, suggesting opportunities to personalize treatment approaches. Robust pharmacotherapy targeting both mood stabilization and depressive symptoms is essential and may assist in the quest against suicidal behavior.
PU.1 but not ets-2 is essential for macrophage development from embryonic stem cells

Transcription factors play an important role choreographing lineage commitment and expansion of blood cells. Nuclear factors that are expressed primarily or exclusively in hematopoietic cells are likely candidates for regulating blood cell development. The transcription factor PU.1 is found only in hematopoietic cells, whereas ets-2, a related family member, is ubiquitously expressed. To compare the role of these two transcription factors in macrophage development, embryonic stem (ES) cells with a homozygous disruption of either the PU.1 or the ets-2 gene were generated. The ability of both knockout ES cells to differentiate to macrophages was tested. Normal development of macrophages, as determined by histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis, from PU.1 knockout ES cells was significantly blocked. Furthermore, the expression of known markers associated with macrophages, such as c-fms, CD11b, CD18 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor, were not detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In contrast to the PU.1 knockout ES cells, macrophages, development from the ets-2 knockout ES cells was normal. Although both PU.1 and ets-2 are found in macrophages, these data show a distinct role for the lineage-restricted PU.1 transcription factor in macrophage development.
Patient attitudes toward physician treatment of obesity.

BACKGROUND Family physicians are frequently faced with the problem of caring for overweight patients since 30% to 40% of American adults are overweight and 10% are obese. The traditional approach of physicians treating obese patients, which includes diet instruction, dietitian referral, and supportive therapy, has demonstrated little success. METHODS A focus group of obese patients was formed to discuss weight-loss therapy from a patient viewpoint. Three sessions were completed, one each for patients' feelings and life experiences, exercise, and eating habits. The traditional medical approach to weight-loss therapy was discussed. RESULTS All participants reported having failed physicians' attempts to aid them in weight loss. Similarly, all related negative life experiences, job discrimination, and derogatory remarks that they attributed to their weight. Participants were not supportive of physicians' traditional approach to aiding patients with weight loss. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the traditional approach to treating patients' excessive weight is not helpful from the patient viewpoint. Study participants were more supportive of a group approach to the treatment of obesity that would include group exercise and modification of currently used foods rather than new low-calorie recipes. The issues of transportation and child care must be addressed by weight-loss programs.
THE DISPLACEMENT FIELD OF A DISLOCATION DISTRIBUTION

Burgers' formula gives the displacement field due to a discrete dislocation line of arbitrary shape in an isotropic, linearly-elastic, infinitely extended, homogeneous body. This paper derives the analogous expression for a continuous distribution of dislocations in an anisotropic body. Special cases give the displacement due to a discrete dislocation line in anisotropic elasticity and due to a continuous dislocation distribution in isotropic elasticity. These expressions all represent generalizations of Burgers' original formula.
Foundations of Social Education for Peace

Notions of peace and how people accomplish it have existed worldwide, for millennia. The precursor to the accomplishments was envisioning peace. While principles of spiritual and indigenous traditions provided signposts for paths to peace, harmful responses to conflict also stimulated peace efforts. Eastern philosophies and Western ideologies offer the connected world a solid foundation for building peace in all regions. Students can learn global peace concepts and develop visioning skills in each of the subject areas. This chapter identifies other capability goals in peace education as well as domains of conflict transformation and provides a case example of students’ peace dramas.
Post-Transcriptional Modifications of RNA: Impact on RNA Function and Human Health

Epitranscriptomics is the study of global modification patterns to both coding and noncoding RNA. Understanding the epitranscriptomic profile of disease states or individual patients is imperative to understanding human health and molecular disease pathology. Modifications have long been established as important determinants of tRNA stability, dynamics, and ribosome binding and of maintenance of the translational reading frame. These modifications also serve as biomarkers for several human diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiac dysfunction, intellectual disability, and skin, breast, and colorectal cancers. Of particular note, several mitochondrial disorders trace their molecular pathogenesis to deficiencies in specific tRNA modifications. Pathology can also be attributed to mutations affecting protein recognition of tRNA substrates. However, protein recognition of RNA modification is at present an underdeveloped field and the subject of increasing attention. Epitranscriptomic profiling will be readily achievable with new advances in the detection of RNA modifications by peptides and mass spectrometry at the attomole level. These technologies will allow for single-cell analysis of modifications and will serve as a platform for increased sensitivity for biomarker identification. Thus, RNA modifications are a real-time code to RNA structure and function that has yet to be deciphered.
Psychometric defensibility of the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS) teacher rating scale and multiple gating procedure within elementary and middle school samples

The primary purposes of this investigation were to (a) continue a line of research examining the psychometric defensibility of the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener - Teacher Rating Scale (SAEBRS-TRS), and (b) develop and preliminarily evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel multiple gating procedure based on teacher nomination and the SAEBRS-TRS. Two studies were conducted with elementary and middle school student samples across two separate geographic locations. Study 1 (n=864 students) results supported SAEBRS-TRS defensibility, revealing acceptable to optimal levels of internal consistency reliability, concurrent validity, and diagnostic accuracy. Findings were promising for a combined multiple gating procedure, which demonstrated acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity. Study 2 (n=1534 students), which replicated Study 1 procedures, further supported the SAEBRS-TRS' psychometric defensibility in terms of reliability, validity, and diagnostic accuracy. Despite the incorporation of revisions intended to promote sensitivity levels, the combined multiple gating procedure's diagnostic accuracy was similar to that found in Study 1. Taken together, results build upon prior research in support of the applied use of the SAEBRS-TRS, as well as justify future research regarding a SAEBRS-based multiple gating procedure. Implications for practice and study limitations are discussed.
Water self-diffusivity confined in graphene nanogap using molecular dynamics simulations

Fundamental understanding of water confined in graphene is crucial to optimally design and operate sustainable energy, water desalination, and bio-medical systems. However, the current understanding predominantly remains in the static properties near the graphene surfaces. In this paper, a key water transport property, i.e., self-diffusivity, is examined under confinement by various graphene nanogap sizes (Lz = 0.7–4.17 nm), using molecular dynamics simulations with various graphene-water interatomic potentials (Simple Point Charge (SPC/E) and TIP3P water models). It is found that the water self-diffusivity nearly linearly decreases as the graphene-water interatomic potential energy increases at a given nanogap size. It also decreases as the graphene nanogap size decreases down to Lz = 1.34 nm; however, it shows the peak water self-diffusivity at Lz = 0.8 nm and then continues to decrease. The peak water self-diffusivity is related to the significant change of the overlapping surface force, and associated...
The platelet phenotype in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is different from non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

It is assumed that platelets in diseased conditions share similar properties to platelets in healthy conditions, although this has never been examined in detail for myocardial infarction (MI). We examined platelets from patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) compared with platelets from healthy volunteers to evaluate for differences in platelet phenotype and function. Platelet activation was examined and postreceptor signal transduction pathways were assessed. Platelet-derived plasma biomarkers were evaluated by receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Maximum platelet activation through the thromboxane receptor was greater in STEMI than in NSTEMI but less through protease-activated receptor 1. Extracellular-signal related-kinase 5 activation, which can activate platelets, was increased in platelets from subjects with STEMI and especially in platelets from patients with NSTEMI. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) protein content and enzymatic activity were several-fold greater in platelets with MI than in control. Mean plasma MMP9 concentration in patients with MI distinguished between STEMI and NSTEMI (area under curve [AUC] 75% [confidence interval (CI) 60–91], P = 0.006) which was superior to troponin T (AUC 66% [CI 48–85, P = 0.08), predicting STEMI with 80% sensitivity (95% CI 56–94), 90% specificity (CI 68–99), 70% AUC (CI 54–86, P
Task Delegation through Multi-Agent Negotiation in Embedded Systems by the Platform MERMAID

For embedded systems, an efficient allocation of the tasks is essential to maximize the limited resources of computing, memory units or the energy consumption. Within companies, the choice of reliability is made by assigning some tasks to dedicated hardware components. We offer to bring multi-agents algorithms at the heart of embedded systems to allow negotiation between hardware resources units within machine network. Thus, some tasks usually dedicated to a hardware unit might be handed down by other free hardware units flexibly. Our researches propose the multi-agents embedded platform MERMAID dedicated to hardware environment. It allows inter-agents negotiation and interactions with classical processes by the integration of the D-Bus protocol. This platform is also based on the FIPA-ACL standards and the CNIP negotiation protocol. We detail in this paper the implementation and negotiations of this platform through the use case of displaying a picture.
King’s Hawaiian: managing the supply of aloha spirit for every household, every day

King’s Hawaiian has been family owned for more than six decades, and the ‘aloha spirit’ runs deep. But, rapid growth in recent years has exposed serious challenges. From production inefficiencies to supply chain disruptions, management recognizes the need to rapidly evolve their family business to a professionally managed one. Their relationship-based supply chain worked for a family firm, but will this approach continue to work as they expand rapidly? A disruption in their egg supply exposed the firm to risks they never anticipated. Now, they are rethinking their entire supply chain, including their most important raw material: flour. How can they strategically manage their raw material needs while sustaining double-digit growth? How do they identify and mitigate risks in their chain? King’s Hawaiian knows its success is in its supply chain, including their unique delivery model. Getting this right is critical to their mission: to deliver their aloha spirit to every household, every day.
Long-range effect of a single mutation in spermine synthase

Spermine synthase (SpmSyn) is an enzyme critical for maintaining the balance of spermine/spermidine in the cell. The amino acid sequence of SpmSyn is highly conserved among the species. Most of the...
Selection of candidate housekeeping controls in tomato plants using EST data

Because the expression levels of housekeeping genes are relatively constant in most tissues, they are often useful controls when quantifying gene expression. We present an analytical method for identifying candidate housekeeping controls using expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from The Institute for Genomic Research Tomato Gene Index. We found relative expression levels for a collection of 127 transcripts and calculated the percentage of cDNA libraries that had expression levels (for a given transcript) within 2-fold through 10-fold ranges. When all libraries were considered together, the highest ranked housekeeping controls included transcripts for a DnaJ-like protein, translationally controlled tumor protein, two α-tubulins, cyclophilin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). For each organ (leaf, root, fruit, and flower), at least one transcript was found that occurred within a 2-fold range of expression in all respective libraries. These included transcripts for α-tubulin, DnaJ-like proteins, phosphoglycerate kinase, and GAPDH, although different transcripts appear better suited than others for different tissues. This analytical method is useful for identifying candidate housekeeping controls in particular tissues and at particular levels of expression and would be relevant for any species for which significant EST data exist.
Houston Conference: need for more fundamental knowledge in neuropsychology.

Two training models in neuropsychology have been recently proposed (Guidelines of the INS-Division 40 Task Force on Education, Accreditation, and Credentialing, Clin. Neuropsychol.1: 29–34, 1987; Hannay, H. J. et al., Arch. Clin. Neuropsychol.13: 157–250, 1998). When comparing both educational models, similarities but also differences are found. According to the Houston Conference model—but not to the former model—neuropsychology represents a specialty of psychology. In the Houston Conference training model, applied knowledge is overtly emphasized, whereas fundamental or basic knowledge in neuropsychology appears weak. The proposed program does not seem to provide sufficient emphasis and background knowledge in (1) History of neuropsychology, (2) Neuropsychological syndromes, and (3) Neuropsychology theory.
What will solve the problem of the uninsured

We thank Dr. Blandford for his interest in our commentary[1] and appreciate his noting that the Medicare prescription drug legislation did indeed include a number of other elements addressing various financing, delivery, and quality improvement issues. We also appreciate his concern about the problem of the uninsured and his development of an initiative aimed at addressing it. But we cannot agree with his suggestion that increased reliance on health savings accounts (HSAs) will do much to help the vast majority of those lacking health insurance coverage. In essence, increased emphasis on the use of HSAs, whether voluntary or mandatory, standalone or coupled with a catastrophic health insurance policy, simply would shift more of the ever-increasing healthcare cost burden to the consumer. There is a significant body of research showing that cost-sharing is a particularly blunt instrument for controlling service use.[2–4] And while a high-deductible plan might protect against the risk of catastrophic coverage, it still leaves people at risk for payment of a substantial amount of their healthcare services – preventive care as well as hospitalizations – particularly those with low incomes or who have poor health or chronic health conditions. Consequently, such plans leave people at high risk of being underinsured.[5] As one of us (KD) noted in recent testimony before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee,[6] Americans already spend far more out-of-pocket for their healthcare than citizens of any other industrialized nation, and all those nations have lower per-capita healthcare spending than the United States. So there is no doubt that reducing healthcare costs is a crucial component of a broader approach to expanding health insurance coverage. But focusing on approaches that simply shift more of those costs onto consumers – including those who need care most and can afford it least – isn't the answer.
Femtosecond structural photobiology

Absorption of a photon in the visible region of the solar spectrum is the fundamental step in the photochemical reactions that drive biological processes such as imaging, photosynthesis, and sensory perception. All known photoreceptors are proteins that contain a chromophore: a small organic molecule that absorbs in the visible region of the spectrum ( 1 ). The bacterial integral membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR) uses retinal as its chromophore (see the figure), capturing the energy in a photon to drive retinal isomerization and pump protons across the membrane. bR is a readily accessible analog to the visual rhodopsins in, for example, the human eye. On page 145 of this issue, Nogly et al. ( 2 ) used time-resolved x-ray crystallography ( 3 , 4 ) to determine intermediate structures of bR at near-atomic resolution on the femtosecond to picosecond time scales at which isomerization occurs.
An assessment of oriental bittersweet in northern U.S. forests

This publication is part of a series that provides an overview of the presence of invasive plant species monitored on an extensive systematic network of plots measured by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station (NRS). Each research note features one of the invasive plants monitored on forested plots by NRS FIA in the 24 states of the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus; also known as Asian bittersweet) is a woody vine that is native to China, Korea, and Japan that was introduced as an ornamental around 1860 (Kaufman and Kaufman 2007).
Appalachian coal mine spoil elemental release patterns and depletion

Abstract Elevated total dissolved solids (TDS) in Appalachian coal mining-influenced streams result from the interaction of oxygen and rainwater with fractured mine rocks. The weathering of common minerals in sedimentary coal-bearing strata such as silicates (quartz, feldspars, muscovite and chlorite), sulfides (pyrite), and carbonates (including siderite) releases soluble ions to streams. In this study, we determined mine spoil bulk composition and elemental depletion via column leaching, applied models to leaching patterns, compared model results among individual elements, and interpreted results to infer geochemical controls of soluble element release from mine spoils. Temporal release patterns of 15 elements from 26 mine spoils were determined via column leaching. Two five-parameter segmented models, one an exponential decay function combined with linear function and the second a growth function combined with a linear function, were applied to the elemental leaching patterns. Of the elements analyzed, Al (60,711 mg kg−1) and K (19,157 mg kg−1) had the largest concentrations on average in the bulk spoil samples. Leaching patterns for major elements (Ca, Mg, S, Ca, Na, K) differed from the release of Al, Fe, and Mn, and from trace elements (As, Cu, Ni, Se). Major elements tended to require more leaches to decay and transition to a stabilized state relative to Al, Fe, Mn and trace elements. Sulfur, Ca and Se were most depleted during the leaching period. Overall, results indicated that certain ions (Ca, Mg and HCO3−) were released to counter-balance the acid-production of S oxidation, whereas other elements, such as those released by feldspar hydrolysis (K, Na) were less associated with S oxidation but still contributed to overall TDS release from the mine spoils.
Representation of Women Among Physician Authors of Perspective-Type Articles in High-Impact Dermatology Journals

This cross-sectional, descriptive study analyzes the number of women among physician first authors of articles published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and JAMA Dermatology across a 5-year period.
A Classification of Projectile Paths

With only > 0, y > 0 considered, this includes all points in the first quadrant on or below the parabola with intercepts (v02/g, 0) and (0, v2/2g). Of course, all these points except the boundary lie on two different projectile curves in that (2) admits to two physically relevant solutions for a. In answer to question 3, dy/dt is found from equations (1) and equated to zero. This determines that t = (p0/g)sin a when the maximum height is attained, and its intro duction into equations (1) gives
West Nile Virus in Hummingbirds in California, USA, 2005-17.

Although West Nile virus (WNV) infects many avian species, the prevalence and impact of WNV in hummingbirds (Family Trochilidae) have not been described. We focused on hummingbird mortality and WNV infection using data from the state of California's Dead Bird Surveillance Program for the years 2005–17. The overall prevalence of WNV in tested carcasses was 10.1% (49/486), with annual prevalence ranging from 0–28%. Prevalence by county ranged from 0–40% while prevalence by species ranged from 0–12%. We demonstrated that hummingbirds were naturally infected with WNV and displayed temporal and spatial patterns of infection consistent with trends observed in other avian species.
Abstract 4960: Studying the impact of gut microbiome to hepatocellular cancer in an orthotopic murine model

Background and Objective: As one of the most important components of human body, gut microbiota play a vital role in human health by participating in metabolomics and maintaining immunological homeostasis. Microbiota dysbiosis is significantly associated with initiation and progression of different diseases. Due to close anatomical and functional connection between gut and liver (gut-liver axis), gut microbiota are found to impact the development of liver diseases including hepatocellular cancer (HCC) without fully understanding mechanisms. The overall objective of present study is to investigate how microbiota modulate HCC growth by regulating intrahepatic immune response. Methods: Administration of carbon tetrachloride in combination with transplant of oncogenic hepatocytes by intrasplenic injection was used to make an orthotopic mouse model of HCC. A specific antibiotics cocktail (ABX) was selected to inhibit some kinds of gut microbiota. 16s rRNA sequencing was used to characterize gut microbiota profile in mice with the different treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to monitor tumor growth. Adoptive transfer of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells following the treatment was used to investigate how ABX administration impacted intrahepatic immune response. Flow cytometry and multiplex cytokine assay were used to detect the alteration of effector CD8+ T cell in phenotype, proliferation, and function. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to investigate immune cell tumor-infiltration. Results: The established murine model reflects the typical features of human HCC. ABX oral administration significantly changed gut microbiota composition, particularly in abundance of P. aeruginosa and Muribaculaceae. ABX-mediated alteration of gut microbiota significantly retarded HCC progression. Interestingly, ABX treatment was found to prevent adoptively transferred tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cell from tumor-induced immune tolerance, as higher frequency of effector CD8+ T cell was detected in ABX-treated tumor-bearing mice compared to that in control tumor-bearing mice. Correspondingly, ABX treatment resulted in the increase in expression of CD69 and enhanced production of IFN-γ in tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells relevant to that in control mice. Conclusion: Modulating microbiota with antibiotics is able to shape intrahepatic immune responses and therapeutically suppress tumor growth, providing a new option in HCC control. Citation Format: Xiaoqiang Qi, Ming Yang, Joseph Stenberg, Guangfu Li, Kevin Staveley-O’Carroll. Studying the impact of gut microbiome to hepatocellular cancer in an orthotopic murine model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4960.
The Wage Mobility of Low-Wage Workers in a Changing Economy, 1968 to 2014

How are changes in the low-wage labor market affecting the mobility of workers out of low-wage work? I investigate changes in the wage mobility of workers starting employment spells in low wages using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics from 1968 to 2014 and discrete-time event history analysis. About half of all low-wage workers move to better wages within four years. Effects on mobility rates are significant by age, gender, race, education, occupation, and job characteristics. Mobility rates out of low-wage work have declined since the late 1990s. Little progress has been made in closing the gaps in mobility for women and nonwhites over time. I find evidence for the decline of firm internal labor markets and lower mobility for part-time workers over time.
Platelet Expression of a Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicator Reveals Platelet Activation Gradients in Real Time during Thrombus Formation in Vivo

Introduction: Recent studies have demonstrated that platelet activation during hemostatic thrombus formation in vivo is heterogeneous in time and space. We have previously shown that in response to a penetrating injury in the microcirculation platelet accumulation and activation are driven by gradients of soluble agonists emanating from the site of injury. These gradients result in a characteristic thrombus architecture in which a core of fully activated platelets that have released their alpha granules is overlaid by a shell of less activated platelets that frequently embolize. While dependent on ADP/P2Y12 signaling, the extent and dynamics of platelet activation in the shell region remain poorly understood. Here, we used intravital imaging of platelet cytosolic calcium concentration to examine platelet activation in real time following vascular injury in vivo. Methods: We generated transgenic mice expressing a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GCaMP3) specifically in megakaryocytes and platelets by crossing PF4-Cre mice with Ai38 mice carrying the GCaMP3 transgene. GCaMP3 fluorescence was visualized in platelets following laser-induced injury in mouse cremaster arterioles using spinning disk confocal intravital microscopy. Results: Rapid and dynamic changes in GCaMP3 fluorescence were observed during platelet accumulation following vascular injury. Platelets immediately adjacent to the site of injury exhibited a rapid and sustained increase in cytosolic calcium. Peak cytosolic calcium levels in the core region occurred within the first minute post-injury, prior to peak P-selectin expression. Platelets in the shell region were characterized by dynamic changes in cytosolic calcium at the level of individual platelets, with the appearance of transient “waves” of calcium signaling propagating among groups of platelets. At the population level, cytosolic calcium concentration was substantially lower in the shell region as compared to the core. Conclusions: Expression of a genetically encoded calcium indicator in platelets allows for the visualization of platelet activation events in real time in vivo. Platelets within the core region of a thrombus exhibit a rapid and sustained increase in cytosolic calcium concentration, indicating robust activation. In contrast, platelets in the shell region exhibit transient increases in cytosolic calcium indicating weak activation, consistent with their increased likelihood of embolization. The examination of platelet calcium signaling in vivo provides a sensitive readout of platelet activation that will shed new light on mechanisms regulating hemostasis and thrombosis, and may be useful in assessing the impact of anti-thrombotic agents on platelet function. Research support was provided by the American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Disclosures Stalker:Medicines Company: Research Funding. Brass:Medicines Company: Research Funding.
Biochemical Mechanisms of Oxidant-Induced Cell Injury

With the current knowledge that oxidants are generated in inflammatory responses of several kinds and participate in the development of tissue injury, it is clearly important to gain greater insight into the mechanisms by which oxidants damage cells and extracellular tissues. For the past few years we have studied the effects on target cells of oxidants that are generated by stimulated leukocytes,in order to gain insight into the mechanisms by which externally generated oxidants cause functional and structural damage to these target cells.
WIRC-POL: 0.1% polarimetric precision on-sky with the installation of a HWP modulator

WIRC+Pol is a J and H-band spectropolarimetric mode for the prime-focus WIRC camera at the Palomar 200-inch Hale telescope. The mode has been enabled with the installation of a split-pupil polarization grating in Feburary 2017. The polarization grating was designed for the simultaneous measurement of Stokes Q and U without the use of a modulator at a seeing-limited spectral resolving power of 100. WIRC+Pol can operate in both a slitless mode and with a 3” slit. To overcome time-dependent instrumental polarization effects that limited the calibration of instrumental polarization to a 1% level, in February 2019 we installed a linear polarizer and half-wave plate modulator in front of the instrument, both of which are rotatable. With this design the primary mirror is the only optic in front of the modulator. The new upgrade has allowed us to calibrate the instrumental polarization to less than 0.1%. Here we present a detailed description of the upgrade and report on WIRC+Pol’s post-upgrade on-sky performance based on observations of unpolarized and polarized standard stars. We have used the observations of polarized standard stars to develop a wavelength-dependent polarimetric instrument model that we characterize as a function of time and focal-plane location.
MicroRNA-424 regulates the expression of CX3CL1 (fractalkine) in human microvascular endothelial cells during Rickettsia rickettsii infection

Cytokines and chemokines trigger complex intracellular signaling through specific receptors to mediate immune cell recruitment and activation at the sites of infection. CX3CL1 (Fractalkine), a membrane-bound chemokine also capable of facilitating intercellular interactions as an adhesion molecule, contributes to host immune responses by virtue of its chemoattractant functions. Published studies have documented increased CX3CL1 expression in target tissues in a murine model of spotted fever rickettsiosis temporally corresponding to infiltration of macrophages and recovery from infection. Because pathogenic rickettsiae primarily target vascular endothelium in the mammalian hosts, we have now determined CX3CL1 mRNA and protein expression in cultured human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) infected in vitro with Rickettsia rickettsii. Our findings reveal 15.5 ± 4.0-fold and 12.3 ± 2.3-fold increase in Cx3cl1 mRNA expression at 3 h and 24 h post-infection, coinciding with higher steady-state levels of the corresponding protein in comparison to uninfected HMECs. Since CX3CL1 is a validated target of microRNA (miR)-424-5p (miR-424) and our earlier findings demonstrated robust down-regulation of miR-424 in R. rickettsii-infected HMECs, we further explored the possibility of regulation of CX3CL1 expression during rickettsial infection by miR-424. As expected, R. rickettsii infection resulted in 87 ± 5% reduction in miR-424 expression in host HMECs. Interestingly, a miR-424 mimic downregulated R. rickettsii-induced expression of CX3CL1, whereas an inhibitor of miR-424 yielded a converse up-regulatory effect, suggesting miR-424-mediated regulation of CX3CL1 during infection. Together, these findings provide the first evidence for the roles of a host microRNA in the regulation of an important bifunctional chemokine governing innate immune responses to pathogenic rickettsiae.
Out-of-Network Facility Charges for Patients Undergoing Outpatient Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The utilization of outpatient (OP) total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is increasing. Although many arthroplasty surgeons and hospitals have longstanding agreements with insurance companies, it may take time for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to establish in-network agreements. The purposes of this study are to investigate trends in out-of-network facility charges for OP-TJA, as well as compare rates of out-of-network facilities between ASC and hospital outpatient department (HOPD) OP-TJA. Methods This is a retrospective study of the MarketScan commercial claims database of OP-TJAs (same-day discharge) performed at ASCs or HOPDs from 2007 to 2017. Detailed demographic, geographic, operative, insurance, temporal, and financial details were collected. Out-of-network facility utilization was trended over time. Adjusted regressions compared the prevalence of out-of-network facilities between ASCs and HOPDs. Results There were 13,031 OP-TJA patients (58.8% total knee arthroplasty). Utilization of out-of-network facilities significantly decreased over time, from 27.8% of surgeries in 2007 to 9.5% in 2017 (Ptrend Conclusion Although the utilization of out-of-network facilities has decreased, over 10% of patients with in-network surgeons face out-of-network facility charges, which may often come as a surprise. Efforts are warranted to reduce the out-of-network facility burden for OP-TJA patients, including accelerating insurance contracting and reviewing patients’ coverage statuses.
Peripheral sTREM2-related inflammatory activity alterations in early stage Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer9s disease (AD) has been linked to multiple immune system genetic variants, implicating potential broad alterations in inflammatory profiles in the disease. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) genetic variants are risk factors for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. A soluble TREM2 isoform (sTREM2) is elevated in cerebrospinal fluid in the early stages of AD suggesting it may be a biomarker of progressive alterations in immune response to AD-related pathology. Multiple studies have reported an altered peripheral immune response in AD. However, less is known about the relationship between plasma sTREM2 and the altered peripheral immune response in AD. The objective of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between sTREM2 and inflammatory activity in human participants defined by clinically characterized cognitive symptoms and groups defined by the cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers amyloid beta, phosphorylated tau, and neurodegeneration (NIA-AA Research Framework: "ATN continuum".) The hypothesis of this exploratory study was that sTREM2 related inflammatory activity differs by AD stage. We observed different patterns of inflammatory activity across disease groups and ATN categories that implicates peripheral sTREM2 related inflammatory activity as altered in the early stages of AD. Notably, fractalkine showed a significant relationship with sTREM2 across different analyses in the control groups that was lost as disease progressed, and fractalkine, IL-5 and IL-17A were decreased in AD. These preliminary data provide important support to the hypothesis that sTREM2-related inflammatory activity is a stage-specific biomarker of AD progression, providing the groundwork for future studies and therapeutic strategies.
Dual Mode of Action of Organic Crystal Growth Inhibitors

Crystallization often proceeds in media with rich chemical compositions. In pursuit of insight into how foreign compounds interact with the structures and dynamics that comprise crystal growth, we ...
Initiation of enzymic synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid by ribonucleic acid primers.

Publisher Summary This chapter is concerned with the largely unsolved problem of the synthesis of DNA in the cell—namely, the manner or the manners in which the initiation of this process, under conditions simulating those of biosynthesis, can be formulated. The fearful topography of the chromosome; the multitude of enzymes capable of synthesizing polydeoxynucleotides, none of which is concerned with DNA replication in vivo; the absence of a reliable method for the assay of replication; the formidable topological and configurational problems confronting the attempt to understand the manner in which a doublestranded, and possibly circular, helix is replicated in the growing cell—all this has contributed to the continued lack of understanding of the biosynthesis of DNA. The chapter also describes the potential mechanism of enzymic DNA synthesis, which is indicated by the studies—namely, the synergism of RNA and DNA polymerases. It is observed that the action of DNA polymerase in vitro is enhanced enormously by the simultaneous or preceding action of RNA polymerase. The chapter describes that in the course of cellular growth, enzymes of the type of the hybrid-specific ribonuclease H become involved (43 and that, after the enzymic removal of the RNA, the repair action of the DNA polymerases, and under certain circumstances also of the ligases, leads to the completion of all-deoxyribo molecules.
Reducing and controlling the beamwidth of electrically small antenna arrays

As the size of wireless devices becomes smaller, there is a need for miniature arrays with narrow beamwidth. However these miniature arrays always have: (a) high reactive impedance, (b) strong inter-element coupling, and (c) wide beamwidth. In this work, we present an electrically small antenna array which is λ/10 at 400MHz that overcomes these challenges. Simulations show that a half power beamwidth (HPBW) of 28° is achieved. Our approach uses a reactive line for matching, and employs a parasitic element to reduce coupling between the array radiators. Concurrently, a biomimetic circuit is used to amplify the phase difference between adjacent elements (as close as λ/20 apart) to reduce beamwidth. Beamwidth control is also demonstrated by tuning the phase amplification circuit.
Forensic Science Aspects of Fatal Sexual Assaults on Women

The case files of 41 female victims of proven fatal sexual assault were reviewed. They averaged 42 years of age, but a bimodal age distribution was evident. Younger victims (averaging 31 years of age) were most often found in canals, fields, or vacant lots, whereas older women (averaging 51 years of age) were found most often in their residences. Death usually resulted from mechanical asphyxiation, and the use of firearms was infrequent. Various instruments used to harm, restrain, or kill the victim were most often obtained at the scene of death and reflected the emotionality and impulsivity of the incident. Alcohol was found in the blood of 40% of the victims and averaged 0.14%. Ligature bindings, torn clothing, varying degrees of disrobing, and bite marks were not infrequent. The average yearly incidence of fatal sexual assaults on females is calculated to be 0.14/100 000 population in Dade County, FL and has not changed appreciably since 1959. Thus, death resulting from sexual assault was found to be distinctly unusual. Black victims were represented more frequently than their racial distribution in this community. The scene and autopsy findings of the average female sexual assault victim form a characteristic profile that should direct further investigation on a particular case.
The Columbia Cooperative Aging Program: An Interdisciplinary and Interdepartmental Approach to Geriatric Education for Medical Interns

Although there is a critical need to prepare physicians to care for the growing population of older adults, many academic medical centers lack the geriatric-trained faculty and dedicated resources needed to support comprehensive residency training programs in geriatrics. Because of this challenge at Columbia University, the Columbia Cooperative Aging Program was developed to foster geriatric training for medical interns. For approximately 60 interns each year completing their month-long geriatric rotations, an integral part of this training now involves conducting comprehensive assessments with "well" older people, supervised by an interdisciplinary team of preceptors from various disciplines, including cardiology, internal medicine, occupational therapy, geriatric nursing, psychiatry, education, public health, social work, and medical anthropology. Interns explore individual behaviors and social supports that promote health in older people; older people's strengths, vulnerabilities, and risk for functional decline; and strategies for maintaining quality of life and independence. In addition, a structured "narrative medicine" writing assignment is used to promote the interns' reflections on the assessment process, the data gathered, and their clinical reasoning throughout. Preliminary measures of the program's effect have shown significant improvements in attitudes toward, and knowledge of, older adults as patients, as well as in interns' self-assessed clinical skills. For academic medical centers, where certified geriatric providers are scarce, this approach may be an effective model for fostering residency geriatric education among interns.
Off the Track or Just Down the Line? From Erie Railroad to Global Governance

Prior to the Supreme Court’s 2012 Kiobel ruling, federal courts had, for three decades, agreed to hear human rights claims by foreign nationals, concerning abuses by foreign governments in their own territories. Some of the same commentators who applauded these cases also endorsed judicial rulings closing American courts to claims against foreign governments for expropriation of property – even when the property was in the United States or owned by Americans. Court rulings on the “federal common law of foreign relations” have zig-zagged since the 1930s. That confusion reflects the displacement of basic principles of common law ordering, which earlier generations identified with natural law. Erie v. Tompkins gave great momentum to that distorting impulse in modern jurisprudence.
Oral nifedipine in the treatment of noncardiac chest pain in patients with the nutcracker esophagus.

Placebo-controlled trials are not available to assess the efficacy of smooth muscle relaxants in the treatment of painful esophageal motility disorders. Therefore, we compared the effects of oral nifedipine (10-30 mg t.i.d.) and placebo in 20 patients (mean age 50 yr) with chronic noncardiac chest pain and the nutcracker esophagus in a 14-week double-blind crossover study. Compared to placebo, nifedipine significantly decreased distal esophageal contraction amplitude (mean +/- SEM, 198 +/- 11 mmHg to 123 +/- 9 mmHg; p less than 0.005), as well as duration and lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Nifedipine, however, was no better than placebo in the relief of daily chest pain frequency, severity, or index (frequency X severity) as assessed by patient diaries. Despite these disappointing results, long-term follow-up (mean, 16.6 mo) suggests these patients do improve. Mean daily chest pain index significantly (p less than 0.005) decreased from 10.3 +/- 2.0 at the beginning of the study to 3.2 +/- 0.8 at follow-up. Prescription drug use and physician visits for chest pain also significantly decreased. Distal esophageal contraction pressures significantly fell during the long-term follow-up but there was poor correlation with chest pain improvement. This study suggests that identification of the esophagus as the cause of chest pain coupled with supportive intervention may be more effective than drug therapy in improving these patients' chest pain.