cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Storage in Vivo of [3H]Prostaglandins by Rabbit Blastocysts*

Day 6 rabbit blastocysts that had previously been incubated with 10 nm [3H]prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), [3H] PGF2α, or 0.5 μCi [3H]water were surgically transferred to the uteri of day 6 pseudopregnant recipient rabbits. At 1, 3, and 20 h after transfer, blastocysts were collected from the recipient rabbits and evaluated for retention of [3H]ligands. The transferred day 6 blastocysts were able to retain a significant proportion of the initial PGs for up to 20 h in uivo. These PGs were not metabolized while they remained in the blastocysts in vivo, as assessed by HPLC. The transferred blastocysts appeared normal and viable after 20 h in vivo, since implantation sites could be detected visually. These data support our hypothesis that blastocysts can sequester PGs from their environment in vivo and retain them unmetabolized during the critical period just before implantation. (Endocrinology 116: 993–997, 1985)
An automated tether management system for microgravity extravehicular activities

An automated tether system has been developed for the purpose of improving the efficiency of micro-gravity activities of fully suited astronauts. System features include gripping of multiple anchor types, remote release of the tether from an anchor, and controlled retraction of the tether. Two main mechanisms make up the system. First, a remotely releasable, self-locking robotic gripper with opposing jaws that grasps a variety of anchors such as handrails, tether loops, and guide wires. Second, an automated tether retractor that is capable of active or passive operation. Passive retractor operation saves power by emulating existing safety tether systems and active operation expedites tether retraction and allows towing.
Outcomes of Older People Admitted to Postacute Facilities with Delirium

Objectives: To compare outcomes of patients admitted to postacute skilled nursing facilities with delirium, subsyndromal delirium, and no delirium. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Seven skilled nursing facilities that specialize in postacute care within a single metropolitan region. Participants: Five hundred four subjects chosen from 1,248 consenting subjects aged 65 and older who underwent mental status testing within 5 days of admission to the participating facilities. Subjects who met full Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) criteria were classified as delirious, those with one or more CAM criteria were classified as having subsyndromal delirium, and those with no CAM features were classified as having no delirium. All subjects with delirium and with available medical records were included. A random subset of subjects with no delirium and subsyndromal delirium with available medical records was included. Measurements: The medical records of all subjects underwent a structured review by trained research nurses who were masked to the subjects' initial delirium status. Records were reviewed for the development of new complications within the postacute setting and to determine whether the subjects were discharged within 30 days and, if so, the discharge destination. The National Death Index was used to assess 6-month mortality. Results: Subjects with delirium were more likely to experience one or more complications than subjects with no delirium (73% vs 41%, P < .01). Within 30 days of postacute admission, subjects with delirium were more than twice as likely to be rehospitalized (30% vs 13%), and less than half as likely to be discharged to the community (30% vs 73%) than subjects without delirium (differences P < .01). Subjects with subsyndromal delirium had outcomes intermediate between those with and without delirium. Finally, subjects admitted to the postacute setting with delirium experienced a 6-month mortality rate of 25.0%, compared with 5.7% in subjects admitted without delirium. Subjects with subsyndromal delirium had a 6-month mortality rate of 18.3%. Conclusion: Patients admitted to postacute skilled nursing facilities with delirium are more likely to experience complications, rehospitalization, and death than patients without delirium. These findings support the need for improved case finding and management of delirium in postacute care.
Trade-Off between Treatment of Early Prostate Cancer and Incidence of Advanced Prostate Cancer in the Prostate Screening Era

Purpose: Prostate specific antigen screening has led to the early detection of prostate cancer. However, there has also been concern about the over diagnosis and overtreatment of patients with indolent cancers. We performed a population based analysis to evaluate the trade-off between excess treatment and prevention.Materials and Methods: We used the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey from 2001 to 2010 to determine rates of prostate specific antigen screening. We used the SEER database to identify all patients diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1988 (pre-prostate specific antigen screening) to 2010. Demographic, staging and treatment data were collected. Cases were classified as early (low/intermediate risk), high risk, node positive or metastatic disease.Results: Prostate specific antigen screening rates in the last 2 years were 54% for men older than 40 years, including 71% for those older than 60, and did not vary during 2001 to 2010. Com...
Color Doppler sonography of endometrial masses.

Objective. To correlate the color Doppler sonographic features of endometrial masses with histologic characteristics and microvessel density. Methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of 10 postmenopausal and 5 premenopausal women with abnormal bleeding who had color Doppler sonography and histologic studies of endometrial masses. Results. Endometrial masses that contained multiple branches on color Doppler sonography were more likely carcinomas, even though both polyps and carcinomas were vascular on color Doppler sonography and their microvessel densities were similar. On color Doppler sonography, polyps averaged 1.2 detectable vessels versus 3.4 for car
The Challenge of Nuclear Power Development Records

lished a base for the nuclear power industry in the United States. Although the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) had been created by the 1946 Atomic Energy Act, that statute mandated the agency to continue the government's monopoly of nuclear technology which, in effect, prevented the development of a private nuclear industry. The 1954 law substantially altered the original act by freeing the atom from exclusive government control and allowing private commercial participation in many nuclear areas. The new law made the AEC responsible for both promoting and regulating the infant industry and spelled out how this would be accomplished: through research activities including assistance to private enterprise, by providing to industry government-owned "special nuclear materials" (plutonium-239, uranium-233, and uranium containing more than the natural abundance of uranium-
Robert W. McChesney. The Problem of the Media: U.S. Communication Politics in the 21st Century. New York: Monthly Review Press, 2004, 367 pp., ISBN 1583671056 (paperback)

Robert McChesney, professor of communication at University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and founder of Free Press, has become one of the leading advocatesfor media reform and an outspoken critic...
Defects in Metal-Organic Frameworks: Challenge or Opportunity?

Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials are nanoporous materials whose crystalline character has made them attractive targets for synthesis of new materials and potential use in a diverse set of applications. The vast majority of studies of MOFs envision these materials as having ideal crystal structures. This Perspective gives an overview of the current understanding of defects in MOFs. Compared to related materials such as zeolites, the ability to detect and control defects in MOFs is nascent. Nevertheless, it is likely that defects will play a vital role in a number of contexts where MOFs are of widespread interest, so advancing our understanding of these structural features will be important in coming years. Potential origins of point defects, plane defects, and surface defects are discussed. The difficulty of defect detection in metal–organic frameworks is discussed and useful paths for future work are provided.
j DEPENDENCE IN THE VECTOR ANALYZING POWER FOR $sup 208$Pb(d,t)$sup 207$Pb.

A vector-polarized deuteron beam of energy 12.3 MeV has been used to measure differential cross sections and vector analyzing powers for the reaction $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}(d,t)$, leading to the ${p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ ground state, ${f}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ first excited state, and ${p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ second excited state of $^{207}\mathrm{Pb}$. The vector analyzing powers for the two $l=1$ transitions differ strikingly. This $j$ dependence is well reproduced by distorted-wave Born-approximation calculations.
Abstract LB-269: PPARγ maintains ERBB2-positive breast cancer stem cells.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Overexpression of the adverse prognostic marker ERBB2 occurs in 30% of breast cancers and is associated with aggressive disease and poor outcomes. Our recent findings have shown that NR1D1 and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ-binding protein (PBP) act through a common pathway in upregulating several genes in the de novo fatty acid synthesis network, which is highly active in ERBB2-positive breast cancer cells. NR1D1 and PBP are functionally related to PPARγ, a well-established positive regulator of adipogenesis and lipid storage. Here we report that inhibition of the PPARγ pathway reduces the ALDH positive population in ERBB2 positive breast cancer cells. Conversely, fatty acid synthase inhibitor C75 increases the fraction of ALDH-positive cells. In vitro tumorsphere formation assays demonstrate that the PPARg antagonist GW9662 decreases the tumorsphere formation in ERBB2-positive cells, but not other breast cells. We show that the mechanism by which GW9662 treatment causes a reduction in ALDH-positive population cells, is partially due to ROS, as it can be rescued by treatment with NAC. Furthermore, global gene expression analyses show that GW9662 treatment suppresses the expression of several lipogenic genes including ACLY, MIG12, FASN and NR1D1; and the stem cell related genes KLF4 and ALDH in BT474 cells. GW9662 also decreased the level of acetylation in histone 3 and histone 4 in BT474 cells, compared with MCF7 cells. In vivo, GW9662 pre-treatment inhibits the tumor-seeding ability of BT474 cells. Together, these results show that the PPARγ pathway is critical for the cancer stem cell properties of ERBB2 positive breast cancer cells. Citation Format: Xianhui Wang, Yan Sun, Jason Wong, Douglas Conklin. PPARγ maintains ERBB2-positive breast cancer stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-269. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-LB-269
Abstract 5332: Evaluation of GD2 expression in patients with osteosarcoma

GD2 is a disialoganglioside that is expressed on the cell surface in specific normal and malignant human tissues. Tumor specific cell surface antigens serve as important targets in cancer therapy. Anti-GD2 therapy using antibodies targeted to the cell surface antigen GD2 to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity has been proven effective in treating GD2 expressing tumors like neuroblastoma and melanoma. Prior studies of osteosarcoma have shown GD2 to be expressed in malignant cells of osteosarcoma patients. In this study, the expression of GD2 in osteosarcoma will be evaluated further. A previously created and described tissue microarray was stained with 14.G2a, a murine monoclonal anti-GD2 antibody that was obtained from the National Cancer Institute. The intensity and location of tissue staining were assessed by a comparison between the positive and negative control slides. To evaluate GD2 expression quantitatively a cell-based ELISA was performed on different osteosarcoma patient derived cell cultures. The results of the tissue microarray showed that 34.8% of patient samples stained positive for GD2 while 60.9% of samples showed intermediate staining and only 4.3% of samples showed negative staining for GD2 (n=88). Nearly all of the osteosarcoma cell lines (n=24) showed levels of GD2 expression comparable to the neuroblastoma and fibrosarcoma cell lines and in some cases GD2 expression was significantly greater. Anti-GD2 therapy has been proven effective in treating patients with neuroblastoma and melanoma. The findings in this paper indicate that osteosarcomas express GD2 to a similar extent as neuroblastomas. These results would suggest clinical trials are worthwhile to further evaluate the benefit of anti-GD2 therapy in patients with osteosarcoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5332. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5332
On the Dynamics of Variable Mass Systems

This paper accomplishes two things. It presents a derivation of the equations of motion of variable mass systems. The method presented here is based on Kane's formalism, and is complete, efficient, and mathematically rigorous—avoiding heuristics and many other pitfalls of previous attempts at such derivation. The paper also presents a detailed discussion of the meaning and importance of the various terms of the equations of motion, and the circumstances under which each term can be neglected. It is found that certain judiciously simplified versions of the equations of motion are adequate for most studies. The most important forces contributed by mass variability appear to be the thrust vector and the Coriolis force. The jet damping moment and the moment due to inertia variation are the dominant moments due to mass variability. The study ends with specific equations that are recommended for use in the study of the dynamics of variable mass systems. These equations capture all the important features of the ...
Laser Deceleration of an Atomic Beam

Deceleration and velocity bunching of Na atoms in an atomic beam have been observed. The deceleration, caused by absorption of counterpropagating resonant laser light, amounts to 40% of the initial thermal velocity, corresponding to about 15 000 absorptions. Atoms were kept in resonance with the laser by using a spatially varying magnetic field to provide a changing Zeeman shift to compensate for the changing Doppler shift as the atoms decelerated.
Skills Training with Children

Childhood behavior problems of social withdrawal and antisocial aggression can lead to profound interpersonal problems in adult life. Children learn much of their social behavior by observing peer and adult models, and through reinforcement of their social-behavior patterns during their earliest interactions with others. Evaluations of social skills in children can be obtained by observa- tions of their behavior in the natural environment, through role- playing, and from reports of parents and teachers. In planning social-skills training for children, one should consider utilizing the potent influence of peers, parents, and teachers. Social-skills training with children utilizes many of the same prin- ciples of learning as are employed with adults, although some of the training techniques may differ. Social-skills training techniques are illustrated, using several different social problems presented by three children.
How autophagy both activates and inhibits cellular senescence

Autophagy and cellular senescence are stress responses essential for homeostasis. While recent studies indicate a genetic relationship between autophagy and senescence, whether autophagy acts positively or negatively on senescence is still subject to debate. Although autophagy was originally recognized as a nonspecific lysosomal degradation pathway (general autophagy), increasing evidence supports a selective form of autophagy that mediates the degradation of specific targets (selective autophagy). Our recent study revealed distinctive roles of selective autophagy and general autophagy in the regulation of senescence, at least in part resolving apparently contradictory reports regarding the relationship between these 2 important homeostatic stress responses.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Operational Effectiveness for Space-based Re-entry Vehicle

A comprehensive evaluation of operational effectiveness for space-based re-entry vehicle(SRV) is conducted in this paper.Based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis,the major factors that affected the operational effectiveness are derived,which provides a reference and proposals for the SRV concept design.By the analysis of attack and defense engagement and the faced threats during the mission,aim at the characteristic of SRV,operational effectiveness index system and comprehensive evaluation model for SRV are established separate by AHP method and Multi-Index comprehensive evaluation method.According to operational effectiveness index system of SRV,modeling of SRV mission reliability,the reaction capacity and viability capacity are carried out,and especially focuses on the modeling of SRV penetration ability,hit probability and damages probability,along with the operational effectiveness evaluation results.Finally,the major factors that affect the effectiveness of SRV are discussed.Results show that SRV with reduced radar cross section(RCS) can improve penetration and increase the operational effectiveness;SRV with increased speed can reduce the fire probability of both defense systems and intercept missile,thereby with improved operational effectiveness;raising the hitting accuracy can increase the hit probability and operational effectiveness.
Accessories to Limb Regeneration

In a recent issue of Nature, Nacu et al. (2016) identified FGF and HH ligands as interacting molecular influences that are necessary and sufficient to induce the formation of supernumerary limbs from blastemal tissue in axolotl salamanders.
Descending Price Optimally Coordinates Search

Investigating potential purchases is often a substantial investment under uncertainty. Standard market designs, such as simultaneous or English auctions,compound this with uncertainty about the price a bidder will have to pay in order to win. As a result they tend to confuse the process of search both by leading to wasteful information acquisition on goods that have already found a good purchaser and by discouraging needed investigations of objects, potentially eliminating all gains from trade. In contrast, we show that the Dutch auction preserves all of its properties from a standard setting without information costs because it guarantees, at the time of information acquisition, a price at which the good can be purchased. Calibrations to start-up acquisition and timber auctions suggest that in practice the social losses through poor search coordination in standard formats are an order of magnitude or two larger than the (negligible) inefficiencies arising from ex-ante bidder asymmetries.
Determining the minimal clinically important difference for the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder Test, and visual analog scale (VAS) measuring pain after shoulder arthroplasty

Background Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and a visual analog scale (VAS) measuring pain have not been previously described using an anchor-based method after shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine the MCIDs for these measures after shoulder arthroplasty for glenohumeral arthritis or advanced rotator cuff disease. Methods Primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), primary reverse TSA, or hemiarthroplasty was performed in 326 patients by 1 of 5 shoulder and elbow surgeons. The SST score, ASES score, and VAS pain score were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively (mean, 3.5 years). The MCIDs were calculated for the ASES score, SST score, and VAS pain score using an anchor-based method. Results The MCIDs for the ASES score, SST score, and VAS pain score were 20.9 ( P P P = .0158), respectively. Duration of follow-up and type of arthroplasty (anatomic TSA vs reverse TSA) did not have a significant effect on the MCIDs ( P > .1) except shorter follow-up correlated with a larger MCID for the ASES score ( P = .0081). Younger age correlated with larger MCIDs for all scores ( P P = .123) and ASES score ( P = .05). Conclusions Patients treated with a shoulder arthroplasty require a 1.4-point improvement in the VAS pain score, a 2.4-point improvement in the SST score, and a 21-point improvement in the ASES score to achieve a minimal clinical importance difference from the procedure.
Determining Optimized Laser Parameters for Non-Thermal Femtosecond Laser Processing of Silicon

Femtosecond laser processing of silicon showed effective material removal, but with detrimental artifacts resulting from heating and oxidation. A thermal model was constructed to predict optimized processing parameters to mitigate heat accumulation.
Almost et al.: Scalar Adverbs Revisited

The division of labor between semantic and pragmatic aspects of the almost, barely, and other proximatives has been a bone of contention ever since Sadock’s (1981) proposal that a almost \(\phi\) ’d is true if a in fact \(\phi\) ’d: Chris almost died entails that Chris approached dying while merely conversationally implicating that Chris didn’t die. Given that barely \(\phi\) = almost not \(\phi\), Dana barely survived would likewise on the same account implicate, not entail, that Dana in fact survived. While additional support has been marshaled for this “radical pragmatic” line, one persistent problem acknowledged by Sadock and not dispelled since is the resistance of the almost \(\phi\) → not \(\phi\) implication to cancelation. New evidence for and against Sadock’s approach and competing analyses of the proximatives is considered and a solution presented.
Arm Reactions in Response to An Unexpected Slip—Impact of Aging

Slips and falls represent a serious public safety concern in older adults, with the segment of the United States population over the age of 65 accounting for about three quarters of all fall related deaths. The majority of falls in older adults are due to trips and slips. The objective of this study was to investigate how age affects arm reactions generated in response to unexpected slips. Thirty-three participants divided into two age groups (16 young, 17 old) participated in this study. Participants were exposed to two conditions: known dry walking (baseline) and an unexpected slip initiated when stepping onto a glycerol-contaminated floor. The upper extremity parameters of interest included the timing and amplitude of the shoulder flexion moment generated in response to the slip as well as the resulting angular kinematics (trajectories). The analysis of the kinetic data revealed a delayed shoulder flexion reaction to slips in older adults compared to their young counterparts, as well as a greater flexion moment magnitude. Knowledge of such upper body reaction mechanisms to unexpected slips may help to improve balance recovery training in older adults, as well as aid in the implementation of environmental modifications, e.g. handrails, to reduce falls-related injuries.
The Population-Based Long-Term Impact of Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Therapies in Low-Risk Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the risk of stroke risk is a significant concern. CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc ≤2 scoring have been used to stratify patients into categories of risk. Without randomized, prospective data, the need and type of long-term antithrombotic medications for thromboembolism prevention in lower risk AF patients remains controversial. We sought to define the long-term impact of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy use in AF patients at low risk of stroke. A total of 56,764 patients diagnosed with AF and a CHADS2 score of 0 or 1, or CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0, 1, or 2 were studied. Antithrombotic therapy was defined as aspirin, clopidogrel (antiplatelet therapy), or warfarin monotherapy (anticoagulation) initiated within 6 months of AF diagnosis. End points included all-cause mortality, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and major bleed. The average age of the population was 67.0 ± 14.1 years and 56.6% were male. In total, 9,682 received aspirin, 1,802 received clopidogrel, 1,164 received warfarin, and 46,042 did not receive any antithrombotic therapy. Event rates differed between patients with a CHADS2 score of 0 and 1; 18.5% and 37.8% had died, 1.7% and 3.4% had a stroke, 2.2% and 3.2% had a TIA, and 14% and 12.5% had a major bleed, respectively (p <0.0001 for all). The rates of stroke, TIA, and major bleeding increased as antithrombotic therapy intensity increased from no therapy, to aspirin, to clopidogrel, and to warfarin (all p <0.0001). Similar outcomes were observed in low-risk CHA2DS2-VASc scores (0 to 2). In low-risk AF patients with a CHADS2 score of 0 to 1 or CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 to 2, the use of aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin was not associated with lower stroke rates at 5 years compared with no therapy. However, the use of antithrombotic agents was associated with a significant risk of bleed.
Unidimensional Vertical Scaling in Multidimensional Space

In this paper, I consider a set of test items that are located in a multidimensional space, SM, but are located along a curved line in SM and can be scaled unidimensionally. Furthermore, I am demonstrating a case in which the test items are administered across 6 levels, such as occurs in K–12 assessment across 6 grade levels, and for which a unidimensional vertical scale can be developed. I am limiting my coverage to dichotomously scored items because the models are much simpler than those for polytomously scored items. However, the concepts discussed can be extended to the latter type of item. I also limit my demonstrations to a 2-dimensional space, S2, so I can geometrically represent my points in a 2-dimensional representation in this article. These concepts can also be extended to a higher-dimensional case.
Interference of norepinephrine transporter trafficking motif attenuates amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity and conditioned place preference

Amphetamine (AMPH)-mediated norepinephrine transporter (NET) downregulation requires NET-T258/S259 trafficking motif. The present study utilizes cell permeable NET-T258/S259 motif interfering peptide, which blocks AMPH-induced NET downregulation, to explore the role of this form of NET regulation in AMPH-mediated behaviors. In rats receiving intra-accumbal microinjections of TAT-conjugated peptides encompassing NET-T258/S259 motif, acute systemic AMPH failed to inhibit NE transport in the TAT-NET-T258/S259 wild-type (WT) peptide injected hemisphere but not in the vehicle or scrambled peptide injected hemisphere. Acute AMPH-induced hyperactivity was significantly reduced in rats receiving intra-accumbal TAT-NET-T258/S259 WT peptide compared to those receiving intra-accumbal vehicle or TAT-NET-T258A/S259A mutant peptide or corresponding TAT-conjugated scrambled peptide. Basal locomotor activity was not altered by peptide infusions alone. Similarly AMPH-induced locomotor sensitization was significantly reduced in rats receiving intra-accumbal TAT-NET-T258/S259 WT peptide prior to AMPH challenge and not in rats receiving the mutant or scrambled peptide. In conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, a single bilateral intra-accumbal microinjection of TAT-NET-T258/S259 WT peptide prior to CPP testing significantly reduced AMPH-induced CPP expression. Likewise, a single bilateral intra-accumbal microinjection of TAT-NET-T258/S259 WT peptide prior to drug-challenge significantly attenuated AMPH-primed CPP reinstatement. On the other hand, bilateral intra-accumbal microinjection of scrambled peptide did not affect AMPH-induced CPP expression or reinstatement. These data demonstrate a role for T258/S259-dependent NET regulation in AMPH-induced hyperactivity and sensitization as well as AMPH-induced CPP expression and reinstatement.
Relationships between Vacant Homes and Food Swamps: A Longitudinal Study of an Urban Food Environment.

Research indicates that living in neighborhoods with high concentrations of boarded-up vacant homes is associated with premature mortality due to cancer and diabetes, but the mechanism for this relationship is unclear. Boarded-up housing may indirectly impact residents’ health by affecting their food environment. We evaluated the association between changes in vacancy rates and changes in the density of unhealthy food outlets as a proportion of all food outlets, termed the food swamp index, in Baltimore, MD (USA) from 2001 to 2012, using neighborhood fixed-effects linear regression models. Over the study period, the average food swamp index increased from 93.5 to 95.3 percentage points across all neighborhoods. Among non-African American neighborhoods, increases in the vacancy rate were associated with statistically significant decreases in the food swamp index (b = −0.38; 90% CI, −0.64 to −0.12; p-value: 0.015), after accounting for changes in neighborhood SES, racial diversity, and population size. A positive association was found among low-SES neighborhoods (b = 0.15; 90% CI, 0.037 to 0.27; p-value: 0.031). Vacant homes may influence the composition of food outlets in urban neighborhoods. Future research should further elucidate the mechanisms by which more distal, contextual factors, such as boarded-up vacant homes, may affect food choices and diet-related health outcomes.
Immune checkpoint molecules soluble program death ligand 1 and galectin-9 are increased in pregnancy.

Problem Pregnancy requires balance between tolerance to the haploidentical fetus and the mother's ability to mount immune responses. There are parallels to this phenomenon that occur in metastatic cancer. We assessed soluble program death ligand-1 soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) and galectin-9 in the blood of pregnant women during gestation as these molecules are highly involved in immune suppression during cancer. Method of study Maternal blood was collected from 30 primigravida women at monthly intervals during pregnancy, delivery and 6-week post-partum. Blood was analyzed for sPD-L1 and galectin-9 concentrations by ELISA. Term placentas were collected in formalin and IHC was completed for PD-L1 and galectin-9 expression. Results Maternal blood levels of sPD-L1 (0.438 ng/mL) and galectin-9 (1976 pg/mL) were elevated early in normal pregnancies compared to non-pregnant controls (0.242 ng/mL and 773 pg/mL, respectively). sPD-L1 increased throughout gestation, whereas galectin-9 remained elevated until parturition; both proteins returned to control levels post-partum. Women carrying male fetuses had significantly higher galectin-9 levels, but not sPD-L1, than those carrying females (2263 pg/mL vs 1874 pg/mL; P = .0005). Trophoblast cells of the term placenta coexpress galectin-9 and PD-L1. Conclusion Immune-regulatory molecules galectin-9 and sPD-L1 increased during pregnancy and may play a role in immune tolerance that is critical for the fetus.
Review of Mecyclothorax Sharp (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Moriomorphini) from Papua New Guinea, with Descriptions of Five New Species

Abstract The 11 species comprising the fauna of Mecyclothorax Sharp of Papua New Guinea are reviewed, with five species newly described: M. amingwiwae Liebherr, new species, M. andersoni Liebherr, new species, M. brispex Liebherr, new species, M. gressitti Liebherr, new species, and M. medioconstrictus Liebherr, new species. Assessment of characters of the male genitalia and female reproductive tract demonstrate that the fauna is phylogenetically diverse, pointing to prolonged residence in New Guinea by the constituent members of this fauna. All species occupy montane habitats and are characterized by brachyptery, and the assemblage in aggregate exhibits rather low levels of sympatry. This pattern is compared to geographic patterns presented by the similarly brachypterous, but highly diverse and intensively sympatric faunas of the Society and Hawaiian Islands.
Governance configurations for inter-organizational coordination: A study of public safety networks

We focus on networked arrangements of digital resources that are shared among otherwise independent units to advance conceptual and empirical insights about their governance. We are motivated by the simple observation that, increasingly, independent organizations are engaging in shared activities, often relying on purpose-built digital infrastructures to support this move to inter-dependence. To advance current conceptualizations of networked governance, we draw on data from 42 public safety networks and use fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. We do so because fsQCA allows us to account for the realities of inter-dependence among the concepts and variables we consider and to illuminate the multiple viable governance patterns that are possible. The results show the importance of network-level governance competencies to manage stakeholders and information infrastructure to achieve high effectiveness of PSN. Analysis makes clear that there exist five configurations of PSN governance practices that enable high levels of network governance effectiveness. Common to all these configurations are the network-level competence in managing both stakeholders and the digital infrastructure, suggesting these are necessary (but not sufficient) network-level governance competencies. Building from the analysis, we advance the role of specific network-level governance competencies, and the current conceptualization of network governance more broadly.
Historische Skizze des modernen Konstitutionalismus in Theorie und Praxis

Demokratie ist der Schlachtruf unserer Zeit geworden. Jedermann ist fur die Demokratie, wie er sie gerade versteht. In den Vereinigten Staaten ist sie die gegenwartig bestehende Ordnung der Dinge oder irgendeine idealisierte Form derselben oder aber das, was nach Absicht der Manner von Philadelphia ihre Verfassung sein sollte. In Grosbritannien ist sie die Gesamtheit dessen, was die Arbeiterpartei geschaffen hat, seitdem sie zur Regierung gelangt ist. In der Sowjetunion spottet man uber derart reaktionare Ansichten. Nach den dort herrschenden Anschauungen kann „wahre“ Demokratie nur dann verwirklicht werden, wenn der Kapitalismus vernichtet und die Diktatur des Proletariats errichtet ist. Seit dem Ende des zweiten Weltkrieges haben sich diese Meinungsverschiedenheiten in zunehmendem Mase verscharft.
Small Saccharides as a Blanket around Proteins: A Computational Study.

Saccharides stabilize proteins exposed to thermal fluctuations and stresses. While the effect of a layer of trehalose around a protein on the melting temperature has been well studied, its role as a thermal insulator remains unclear. We report calculations of thermalization in small saccharides, including glucose, galactose, lactose, and trehalose, and thermal transport through a trehalose layer between water and protein and between gold, such as a gold nanoparticle, and its cellular environment. The thermalization rates calculated for the saccharides provide information about the scope of applicability of approaches that can be used to predict thermal conduction in these systems, specifically where Fourier’s law breaks down and where a Landauer approach is suitable. We find that trehalose serves as an excellent molecular insulator over a wide range of temperatures.
Nitrofurantoin, Sulfamethizole and Cephalexin Urinary Concentration in Unequally Functioning Pyelonephritic Kidneys

AbstractNitrofurantoin, sulfamethizole and cephalexin peak urinary drag concentrations were studied in patients and non-human primates with unequally functioning pyelonephritie kidneys. The peak urinary drug concentration of the poorly functioning kidney in comparison to the better kidney was greater than its percentage relative blood flow or creatinine clearance but variable in its relationship to creatinine concentration, osmolality and sodium concentration. Although for each unit of creatinine clearance the poorly functioning kidney had a higher peak urinary drug concentration than the better functioning kidney, for each kidney the peak urinary drug concentration seemed to be directly proportional to the creatinine clearance, the drug dosage and the renal mechanisms of drug excretion. Nitrofurantoin in the usual recommended dosage did not reach minimal inhibitory urinary drug concentration below a unilateral creatinine clearance of 20ml. per minute. Whereas, sulfamethizole and cephalexin reached peak u...
Contemporary Sociology: A Quarter Century of Book Reviews

In the beginning, knowledge was spread by the spoken word, then later by written manuscripts, and with the invention of movable type and the printing press in the late 15th century, increasingly by the mass-produced printed page. After Gutenberg, information and ideas now portable, could migrate back and forth while scholars remained in place. They were thus delivered from many of the constraints of time and distance that had previously restricted access to the intellectual trove housed in the established centers of learning. By the early 18th century, according to Alvin Kernan, Gutenberg's heirs had transformed "the more advanced countries of Europe from oral into print societies, reordering the entire social world." The abundant harvest of publications often dismayed defenders of orthodoxy. Alexander Pope's mock spokesman, Martin Scriblerus, says about The Dunciad that "in those days, when (after providence had permitted the Invention of Printing as a scourge for the sins of the learned) Paper also became so cheap, and printers so numerous, that a deluge of authors cover'd the land" (Kernan, 1989:9, 11). The faculty of the University of Paris, alarmed by the dangers imposed by uncertified intruders, regularly warned students against unsupervised reading in the privacy of their rooms for fear that in the absence of mature guidance they might be seduced into error and heresy. The review was established as a genre, and criticism as a profession, in response to this perceived crisis of abundance. By 1831, Thomas Carlyle, writing in the Edinburgh Review, the most successful of these early ventures, complained that "Far is it from us to disparage our own craft, whereby we
Weaving critical theory, fashion, electronics, and makerspaces in learning: fashioning circuits – a case study

Fashioning Circuits is a humanities course designed to explore how fashion, electronics, social issues, and makerspaces interact with design and critical theory. Digital humanities scholars and pra...
Risk Factors for Early Infection in Pediatric Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Multivariate Analysis.

Abstract Study Design Retrospective case-control study. Objectives To identify risk factors for early deep surgical site infections (SSIs; within three months of index procedure) following pediatric spinal deformity surgery. Background Deep surgical site infections (SSIs) following pediatric spinal deformity surgery are a source of significant morbidity. We sought to identify independent risk factors for early infection following primary, definitive single-stage pediatric posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation (PSFI). Methods A total of 616 consecutive patients (2001–2016) from an institutional prospectively maintained Pediatric Orthopaedic Spine database were identified that met inclusion criteria of definitive single-stage PSFI. Early deep SSI was defined as infection within three months of index procedure requiring surgical intervention. A multivariate analysis of demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative factors was performed and independent risk factors were identified. Results Eleven patients (1.6%) developed an early deep SSI. Independent risk factors for SSI identified were nonidiopathic (neuromuscular, syndromic, and congenital) etiologies of scoliosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.384, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.784-39.386, p = .007) and amount of intraoperative crystalloids (aOR: 1.547 per additional liter of fluid, 95% CI: 1.057-2.263, p = .025). Mean crystalloid administered in the SSI group was 3.3 ± 1.2 L versus 2.4 ± 1.0 L in the noninfected group (p = .019). On univariate analysis, there was no significant difference in weight of patients between cohorts (p = .869) or surgery time (p = .089). There was also no significant difference in infection rates from redosing of antibiotics intraoperatively after 3 hours of surgery (p = .231). Conclusions Nonidiopathic scoliosis and amount of intraoperative crystalloids were independently associated with early postoperative SSI. Further investigation into intraoperative fluid management may identify modifiable risk factors for early postoperative SSI in primary pediatric spinal deformity posterior spinal fusion patients. Level of Evidence Level III, case-control study.
Useful Knowledge: Snouck Hurgronje and Islamic Insurgency in Aceh

Abstract Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje (1858-1936), a Dutch scholar of Islam, served as a “military anthropologist” during the Aceh war in the Dutch East Indies. The Acehnese fighters viewed their anti-colonial struggle against the Dutch as a jihad, construing themselves religious martyrs fighting “infidel invaders,” and carrying out suicide attacks with a machete or dagger. To combat this insurgency Snouck Hurgronje, one of the first Westerners to visit Mecca and author of many books on Islam, developed the so-called “Aceh method,” which became the basis of modern Dutch counterinsurgency strategy. This article addresses the question: what can we learn from the life and times of Snouck Hurgronje?
Photo-movement in the sea anemone Aiptasia influenced by light quality and symbiotic association

The relationship between cnidarians and their micro-algal symbionts is crucial for normal animal function and the formation of coral reefs. We used the sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida (Aiptasia) as a model cnidarian–dinoflagellate system to determine the effects of white, blue and red light on photo-movement. In white light, phototropism and phototaxis of Aiptasia were dependent on the presence of symbionts; anemones with symbionts bent and moved toward the light, whereas aposymbiotic anemones (lacking algal symbionts) moved, but without strong directionality. Phototaxis and phototropism also occurred in blue light, but to a lesser extent than in white light, with no apparent response to red light. Phototactic behavior was also sensitive to the specific anemone–symbiont pairing. The ability to sense and move in response to light would presumably allow for selection of favorable habitats. Overall, this study demonstrates that the algal symbiont is required for photo-movement of the host and that the extent of movement is influenced by the different anemone–symbiont associations.
Accuracy and feasibility of estimated tumour volumetry in primary gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumours: validation using semiautomated technique in 127 patients

Objectives To validate estimated tumour volumetry in primary gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) using semiautomated volumetry.
The level of oncogenic Ras controls the malignant transformation of Lkb1 mutant tissue in vivo.

The genetic and metabolic heterogeneity of RAS-driven cancers has confounded therapeutic strategies in the clinic. To address this, rapid and genetically tractable animal models are needed that recapitulate the heterogeneity of RAS-driven cancers in vivo. Here, we generate a Drosophila melanogaster model of Ras/Lkb1 mutant carcinoma. We show that low-level expression of oncogenic Ras (RasLo) promotes the survival of Lkb1 mutant tissue, but results in autonomous cell cycle arrest and non-autonomous overgrowth of wild-type tissue. In contrast, high-level expression of oncogenic Ras (RasHi) transforms Lkb1 mutant tissue resulting in lethal malignant tumors. Using simultaneous multiview light-sheet microcopy, we have characterized invasion phenotypes of Ras/Lkb1 tumors in living larvae. Our molecular analysis reveals sustained activation of the AMPK pathway in malignant Ras/Lkb1 tumors, and demonstrate the genetic and pharmacologic dependence of these tumors on CaMK-activated Ampk. We further show that LKB1 mutant human lung adenocarcinoma patients with high levels of oncogenic KRAS exhibit worse overall survival and increased AMPK activation. Our results suggest that high levels of oncogenic KRAS is a driving event in the malignant transformation of LKB1 mutant tissue, and uncover a novel vulnerability that may be used to target this aggressive genetic subset of RAS-driven tumors.
Inverse Dynamics and Energetics

The chapter describes the computation of resultant joint forces and moments and segmental and joint energetics. Inverse dynamics allows computation of the resultant joint forces and moments; the assumptions in such an analysis are described as are the formulation of the equations for performing such an analysis. The options for the computation of segment and joint energetics are presented, and the connection between mechanical energy and metabolic costs is discussed; the problems (paradoxes) with making this connection are described.
On Blind Channel Estimation in Full-Duplex Wireless Relay Systems

We investigate the feasibility of second-order statistics-based blind channel estimation in the context of two-hop full-duplex relay systems. To that end, the performance of blind and traditional pilot-based (training sequence based) channel estimation approaches are compared. This is accomplished by deriving the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) expressions for both blind and pilot-based schemes, and comparing them to each other and to the mean-squared error (MSE) values measured via simulation. Post-equalization SINR expressions are also derived for both blind and pilot-based methods. Furthermore, a modified post-equalization SINR expression, where the channel estimation error is replaced by the inverse of the Fisher information matrix (FIM) is proposed, providing an upper bound for the post-equalization SINR. These analytically-predicted SINR values for the blind approach are compared to the SINR measured via link simulation. The performance of the two channel estimation methods is analyzed by comparing the CRLB, post-equalization SINR, and BER performance for two significantly different transmission packet sizes. All of the above metrics indicate that blind estimation provides clear performance advantages relative to the pilot-based counterpart. Additionally, the blind approach eliminates the overhead associated with the pilot-based method, where a portion of the system resources is allocated to the pilot sequence. To quantify this, the spectral efficiency of the FD relay system employing blind and pilot-based channel estimation methods are compared, indicating that at high SNR, the blind approach provides around 2-bps/Hz spectral efficiency gain relative to a typical pilot-based method. Finally, the computational complexity of the two channel estimation techniques are evaluated and compared. The blind approach has a clear computational advantage for larger packet sizes.