cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing Models for the Forage Ratios of Culiseta melanura and Culex erraticus Using Species Characteristics for Avian Hosts

Studies of mosquito preferences for avian hosts have found that some bird species are at greater risk than others of being fed upon by mosquitoes. The ecological factors that determine this interspecific variation in avian host use by mosquitoes have been little studied, despite the possibility that such variation may influence spatial and temporal patterns of the occurrence of mosquito-borne pathogens. Our objective was to identify ecological variables associated with the avian host forage ratios estimated from a previous study of mosquito feeding patterns in Tuskegee National Forest, AL. We used species' characteristics derived from the literature to develop multiple linear regression models for the forage ratios of Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) and Culex erraticus (Dyar & Knab) for avian hosts. We found that habitat-edge association and body mass of avian host species were the best predictors of forage ratios of Cx. erraticus for avian hosts. Although no avian host traits were inferred to be strong predictors of forage ratios of Cs. melanura, body mass had the greatest importance weight among those considered. Our results suggest that characteristics of avian hosts may predict their levels of use by some mosquito species.
Inflammatory biomarkers and emotional approach coping in men with prostate cancer.

Objective Emotion-regulating coping is associated with improvements in psychological and physical health outcomes. Yet in the context of prostate cancer-related stressors, limited research has characterized associations of emotion-regulating coping processes (emotional expression, emotional processing) and inflammatory processes that are related to disease risk. This investigation examined the relation of Emotional Approach Coping (EAC) with markers of inflammation to test the hypothesis that higher EAC scores at study entry (T1) would be associated with lower proinflammatory markers four months later (T2), specifically sTNF-RII, CRP, and IL-6.
Human growth hormone releasing factor infusion effects on plasma growth hormone in affective disorder patients and normal controls.

Abstract In a preliminary, prospective pilot study, five patients with major depressive disorder and eleven age and sex matched normal controls received intravenous human growth hormone releasing factor (hGRF) (1 μg/kg in 5 cc of normal saline infused over five minutes) and placebo. Thirty minutes after insertion of the catheter, blood was sampled every 15 minutes for thirty minutes prior to and for 2 hours subsequent to intravenous infusion of hGRF or placebo. hGRF but not placebo caused significant elevations of plasma growth hormone levels in all subjects. Of interest, the depressed patients had a significantly attenuated rise in plasma growth hormone concentrations when compared with the normal controls. These results must be considered preliminary awaiting replication with a larger subject population.
Cation selectivity and inhibition of malignant glioma Na+ channels by Psalmotoxin 1.

Psalmotoxin 1 (a component of the venom of a West Indies tarantula) is a 40-amino acid peptide that inhibits cation currents mediated by acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC). In this study we performed...
Biotransformation rates of chloroform under anaerobic conditions-II. Sulfate reduction

Abstract Biotransformation of chloroform (CF) was studied in a sulfate-reducing culture utilizing acetic acid as the primary substrate. In a chemostat, CF and its biotransformation product, dichloromethane (DCM) were transformed and CF removal efficiency of more than 96% was achieved, with influent CF concentrations up to 16.74 μM. Serum bottle reactor tests were conducted using the culture from the chemostat with an average VSS concentration of 259 mg/l. These tests showed that the culture exhibited a maximum rate of CF transformation of 16.3 μM/h corresponding to an initial CF concentration of 22.6 μM. The culture degraded CF primarily by reductive dehalogenation leading to the formation of DCM which degraded at a very slow rate compared to CF. No inhibition of acetic acid utilization was observed in the culture for CF concentrations as high as 29.3 μM. Compared to no acetic acid addition, acetic acid at 50 mg/l considerably increased the rate of CF transformation but further increase in acetic acid concentration to 200 mg/l did not affect the rate of CF biotransformation. Additional acclimation of the culture for 1 yr did not affect the rate of transformation of CF. The results indicate that the sulfate-reducing culture has much higher rates of CF transformation than a methanogenic culture, also grown on acetic acid at the same concentration.
Direct interaction of eag domains and cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domains regulate deactivation gating in hERG channels.

Human ether-a-go-go (eag)-related gene (hERG) potassium channels play a critical role in cardiac repolarization and are characterized by unusually slow closing (deactivation) kinetics. The N-terminal “eag” domain and a C-terminal C-linker/cyclic nucleotide–binding homology domain (CNBHD) are required for regulation of slow deactivation. The region between the S4 and S5 transmembrane domains (S4–S5 linker) is also implicated in this process, but the mechanism for regulation of slow deactivation is unclear. Here, using an eag domain–deleted channel (hERG Δeag) fused to Citrine fluorescent protein, we found that most channels bearing individual alanine mutations in the S4–S5 linker were directly regulated by recombinant eag domains fused to a cyan fluorescent protein (N-eag-CFP) and had robust Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Additionally, a channel bearing a group of eight alanine residues in the S4–S5 linker was not measurably regulated by N-eag-CFP domains, but robust FRET was measured. These findings demonstrate that the eag domain associated with all of the S4–S5 linker mutant channels. In contrast, channels that also lacked the CNBHD (hERG Δeag ΔCNBHD-Citrine) were not measurably regulated by N-eag-CFP nor was FRET detected, suggesting that the C-linker/CNBHD was required for eag domains to directly associate with the channel. In a FRET hybridization assay, N-eag-CFP had robust FRET with a C-linker/CNBHD-Citrine, suggesting a direct and specific interaction between the eag domain and the C-linker/CNBHD. Lastly, coexpression of a hERG subunit lacking the CNBHD and the distal C-terminal region (hERG ΔpCT-Citrine) with hERG Δeag-CFP subunits had FRET and partial restoration of slow deactivation. Collectively, these findings reveal that the C-linker/CNBHD, but not the S4–S5 linker, was necessary for the eag domain to associate with the channel, that the eag domain and the C-linker/CNBHD were sufficient for a direct interaction, and that an intersubunit interaction between the eag domain and the C-linker/CNBHD regulated slow deactivation in hERG channels at the plasma membrane.
Tensile and fatigue strength of hydrogen-treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Tensile, fatigue and fractographic data on Ti-6AI-4V microstructures attained through a series of post-L3-annealing treatments which used hydrogen as a temporary alloying element are presented. Hydrogen-alloying treatments break up the continuous grain boundary 0c and colony structure, and produce a homogeneous microstructure consisting of refined s-grains in a matrix of discontinuous 13. These changes in microstructural morphology result in significant increases of the yield strength (974 to 1119 MPa), ultimate strength (1025 to 1152 MPa) and high cycle fatigue strength (643 to 669 MPa) compared to respective values for lamellar microstructures (902, 994, 497 MPa). The strengths are also significantly greater than the strengths of equiaxed microstructures (914, 1000, 590 MPa). The strengths of hydrogen-alloy treated samples are therefore superior to strengths attainable via other thermal cycling techniques. The fatigue fracture surfaces of the hydrogen-alloy treated samples were topographically similar to equiaxed samples. Fatigue crack initiation was characterized by faceted regions. As crack length and AK increased, the crack surface changed to a rounded, ductile topology, with microcracks and locally striated regions. Fracture primarily followed the ~-[3 interfaces. This is rationalized by the fact that hydrogen-alloyed microstructures are very fine Widmanstatten microstructures having reduced aspect ratios, and these microstructures fail along =-~ interfaces.
Self-Esteem as a Moderator Between Perceived Discrimination and Psychological Distress Among Women

The relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological distress was investigated within a social comparison theory framework. Predictions of a variant of social comparison theory—relative deprivation theory—as well as predictions from the stress-buffering literature pertaining to the moderating effects of self-esteem were tested using samples primarily composed of European American women. Results regarding the theorized self-protecting roles of personal self-esteem (Study 1) and collective self-esteem (Study 2) indicated mixed support for personal self-esteem and consistent support for collective self-esteem as moderators of the discrimination– distress relationship. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory, practice, and research pertaining to the impact of discrimination and social stigma. Historically, in the study of prejudice and discrimination, the majority of the empirical focus has been on understanding the variables associated with prejudiced beliefs and discriminatory behavior on the part of the perpetrator. As a result, over the span of more than half a century, a substantial body of research that articulates the personal characteristics, social structures, and psychological processes associated with the development and maintenance of prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory behavior has been amassed (e.g., Adorno, Frenkel-Brunswik, Levinson, & San
A preconditioning technique for fast iterative image restoration

A preconditioning technique is used to accelerate the convergence rate of iterative methods applied to image restoration problems. The authors introduce the preconditioned conjugate gradient method applied to the normal equations (PCGN) and discuss the design of a preconditioner. The analytical result on the convergence rate of the preconditioned method and the spectral properties of the preconditioned matrix are summarized. Numerical experiments were used to compare the convergence rates of iterative methods with and without preconditioning, and the results are presented. >
On the Automorphism Groups of Dowling Geometries

In ‘Automorphisms of Dowling lattices and related geometries’, J. Bonin constructed the automorphism group A of a Dowling lattice as the image of a certain semidirect product, A = t(K r H). In this work we find necessary and sufficient conditions for this quotient to be the semidirect product A = t(K) r t(H). In addition, we include a construction of A that lends itself to computation more readily than that found in Bonin's work.
Differences in the Properties of Ionotropic Glutamate Synaptic Currents in Oxytocin and Vasopressin Neuroendocrine Neurons

Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) hormone release from neurohypophysial terminals is controlled by the firing pattern of neurosecretory cells located in the hypothalamic supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei. Although glutamate is a key modulator of the electrical activity of both OT and VP neurons, a differential contribution of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) and NMDA receptors (NMDARs) has been proposed to mediate glutamatergic influences on these neurons. In the present study we examined the distribution and functional properties of synaptic currents mediated by AMPARs and NMDARs in immunoidentified SON neurons. Our results suggest that the properties of AMPA-mediated currents in SON neurons are controlled in a cell type-specific manner. OT neurons displayed AMPA-mediated miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) with larger amplitude and faster decay kinetics than VP neurons. Furthermore, a peak-scaled nonstationary noise analysis of mEPSCs revealed a larger estimated single-channel conductance of AMPARs expressed in OT neurons. High-frequency summation of AMPA-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials was smaller in OT neurons. In both cell types, AMPA-mediated synaptic currents showed inward rectification, which was more pronounced in OT neurons, and displayed Ca2+ permeability. On the other hand, NMDA-mediated mEPSCs of both cell types had similar amplitude and kinetic properties. The cell type-specific expression of functionally different AMPARs can contribute to the adoption of different firing patterns by these neuroendocrine neurons in response to physiological stimuli.
OBLIQUE MUSCLE PALSIES FIXATING WITH THE PARETIC EYE

Palsy of the superior oblique muscle is one of the most commonly occurring entities in strabismus; the clinical characteristics are easily recognizable. Isolated inferior oblique muscle palsy, although anatomically enigmatical, is also known to ophthalmologists. When a patient with an oblique muscle palsy chooses to fixate with the paretic eye, characteristic patterns of motility may be obscured. Patients with superior oblique muscle palsy or isolated inferior oblique muscle palsy who habitually fixate with the paretic eye, may present with limited elevation or depression respectively. In each case, limited motility exists secondary to decreased innervational input to the contralateral antagonist of the paretic muscle, or to a mechanical restriction caused by prolonged contracture of the yoke of the paretic muscle. Inhibitional palsy of the contralateral antagonists and the fallen and rising eye syndromes may present diagnostic dilemmas unless the underlying oblique muscle palsy is recognized. Proper diagnosis may be obtained with three clinical tests; the 3-step test, the comparison of ductions to versions, and forced ductions.
A sliding mode observer and controller for stabilization of rotational motion of a vertical shaft magnetic bearing

In this paper we present the development of (1) a sliding mode controller for stabilization of the rotational dynamics of a vertical shaft magnetic bearing in addition to providing tracking capabilities, and (2) a sliding mode observer for state and disturbance estimation. Rotor imbalance causes sinusoidal disturbances which necessitates robustness inherent in sliding mode observers and controllers. The sliding mode control design includes (1) the definition of an equilibrium manifold upon which the magnetic bearing has the desired stability and tracking properties, and (2) the control selection from one of several potential control strategies for driving the system to this manifold and maintaining it there. A sliding mode observer strategy is proposed to estimate derivatives of measured signals in the presence of unmatched disturbances by filtering discontinuous approximations of the derivatives. Simulation results demonstrate the utility and robustness of a sliding mode controller and observer for stabilizing the rotational dynamics of a magnetic bearing.
Dynamic thermal management of air cooled data centers

Increases in server power dissipation time placed significant pressure on traditional data center thermal management systems. Traditional systems utilize computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units to pressurize a raised floor plenum with cool air that is passed to equipment racks via ventilation tiles distributed throughout the raised floor. Temperature is typically controlled at the hot air return of the CRAC units away from the equipment racks. Due primarily to a lack of distributed environmental sensing, these CRAC systems are often operated conservatively resulting in reduced computational density and added operational expense. This paper introduces a data center environmental control system that utilizes a distributed sensor network to manipulate conventional CRAC units within an air-cooled environment. The sensor network is attached to standard racks and provides a direct measurement of the environment in close proximity to the computational resources. A calibration routine is used to characterize the response of each sensor in the network to individual CRAC actuators. A cascaded control algorithm is used to evaluate the data from the sensor network and manipulate supply air temperature and flow rate from individual CRACs to ensure thermal management while reducing operational expense. The combined controller and sensor network has been deployed in a production data center environment. Results from the algorithm will be presented that demonstrate the performance of the system and evaluate the energy savings compared with conventional data center environmental control architecture.
Effect of oral contraceptives on platelet monoamine oxidase, monoamine excretion, and adrenocortical function.

The effect of the use of oral contraceptive (OCs; .05 mg mestranol plus 1 mg norethindrone or .05 mg ethinyl estradiol plus .5 mg norgestrel) on platelet monamine oxidase (MAO) activity was studied in 7 women taking OCs and 7 controls. The use of tryptamine and serotonin as MAO substrates did not produce marked differences in platelet MAO activity between controls and OC users. Also there were no differences regarding serum serotonin plasma tryptophan plasma tyrosine and the urinary excretion of tryptamine tyramine serotonoin 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid creatinine 17-hydroxycorticosteroids 17-ketosteroids and urinary free corisol. However OC users had significantly (p less than .001) higher plasma corisol concentrations than controls. 2 subjects in the 7th month of normal pregnancy had higher plasma corisol and urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion levels than controls. It is concluded that tissue MAO activity is not altered by OCs or pregnancy.
Orbiter Boom Sensor System and Shuttle Return to Flight: Operations Analyses

The Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) consists of an Inspection Boom Assembly (IBA) with two grapple fixtures for Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) and Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) grappling, and two sensors (LCS and LDRI) at the boom tip. With the SSRMS or SRMS, the OBSS will be used to survey the Shuttle Thermal Protection System (TPS) and provide a platform for TPS repair if necessary. As the prime contractor for the IBA development, MDA has performed analyses and dynamics simulations to ensure the stability of the SRMS and the OBSS during both SRMS maneuvering and EVA repair operations. Motion of the boom tip was analyzed using a flexible boom model in order to verify sensor performance during survey maneuvers. Loads in the SRMS were also evaluated for both OBSS maneuvers with sensors only and with EVA crew to ensure arm loads remained within safe limits. The motion and loads analysis results were used in part by NASA to help design a 3-DOF platform on air bearings to estimate the loads that an EVA astronaut working off the IBA can apply during typical TPS repair and inspection activities. Simulations were also performed using the Contact Dynamics Toolkit developed by MDA to determine the conditions for successful berthing of the IBA to the Shuttle cargo bay. The results supported the development of an IBA berthing procedure. This paper gives an overview of the analyses performed by MDA, summarizes the findings, and discusses the importance of the issues that were analyzed.
Fertility and Development of Newt Eggs Obtained after Anterior Lobe Implants

Five pairs of adult Newts of the species Triturus viridescens, Woods Hole strain, were transferred on January 6, 1932, from the water in which they were received at 5°C. to aquaria at 20°C. Courtship by the males followed and at least one spermatophore was deposited on the sand in each of 2 aquaria; the females, however, were not incited to follow far and the uncollected sperm cell masses were scattered by the movements of the animals. No egg-laying occurred. After a week, the males were removed from the aquaria and the females were given daily implants of anterior lobe of amphibian pituitary to stimulate ovulation (Wolf1). Anterior lobes obtained from Newts of the same species, from T. dorsalis, and from the frog, Rana pipiens, were placed intramuscularly as in the work of Adams,2 one lobe being used for each implant. Only non-fertile eggs were deposited; egg-laying ceased when implants were stopped. Untreated isolated males deposited no spermatophores.Males of Triturus were stimulated to deposit whole s...
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON CHEMICAL DUST SUPPRESSANTS IN METAL MINES

The dust of non-coal mine mainly comes from the mining technology.In such areas,using dust suppressants is an important means to control dust.The dust suppressants agent consists of hygroscopic agent,surfactant components[1].In contrast to several hygroscopic agents,surface-active agent optimizes compatibility of the process.During the field experiment of rolling on the road,spraying dust suppressants added to the solution formulations,the moisture content of the dust was significantly higher than the dust with water spray only,and moisturizing time longer.Spraying dust suppressants solution in the crushing station experiment,dust particles in the air decreased,the dust of particle size dp20 μm was brought under control,dust removal rate can be greatly improved.It has achieved a very good effect in dust suppression.
Progress in Identifying the Relationship between SK Channels and Atrial Fibrillation

Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels are an important channel in the mammalian heart.The SK2 channel is expressed more in atrial myocytes than in ventricular myocytes.The SK2 current plays a crucial role in membrane repolarization in atrial myocytes,especially during the late phase of the cardiac action potential.Hence,the SK2 current affects the duration and shape of the action potential.The SK2 channel plays an important role in maintaining normal heart function.This article reviews current literature on the potential link between the SK2 channel and atrial fibrillation.
Expression of Leukocyte-Function-Associated Antigen-1 on Peripherial Blood Mononuclear Cells in Children with Febrile Seizures

Objective To observe the expression of leukocyte-function-associated antigen-1(LFA-1)immunoreaction in children with febrile seizures(FS),and explore the neuroimmunomodulation mechanisms in the pathogenesis of FS.Methods Adopting flow cytometry(FCM),the levels of LFA-1 contained in blood serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)of 60 cases [simple FS(SFS)30 cases;complex FS(CFS)30 cases] with febrile convulsion were analyzed,and compared with those in a normal group(30 cases).Out of 60 children with FS group,the LFA-1 mRNA in 20 cases with SFS and 20 cases with CFS was analyzed,and LFA-1 mRNA in19 health children taken out from control group(30 cases)was analyzed.The real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of PBMC LFA-1 mRNA.Results The expression of LFA-1 in the surface of PBMC of the 3 groups,the highest LFA-1 level was in the SFS group(50.89±21.36),the lowest LFA-1 level was in the CFS group(34.35±11.45),and control group was(41.39±16.30).Significant differences were found in 3 groups(Pa0.05).The levels of PBMC LFA-1 mRNA in SFS group [(0.73±0.11)] were significantly higher than those in control group(0.60±0.15)and CFS group(0.54±0.17)(Pa0.05).In addition,the level of PBMC LFA-1 mRNA in CFS group represented downtrend compared with those in control group,but there was no statistical difference.Conclusions As a kind of costi-mulatory immunologic molecule under early stress,LFA-1 may participate in leukocytic adherence and cascade reaction of adherence,which results in overexcitation of neurons on base of unadapting to fever stress and induces convulsive seizures.The process of neuronal immunopathology in CFS patients is more complex than that in SFS patients.Therefore,a new neuroprotective therapy may be found by inhibiting the activity of LFA-1 adhesion in FS.
The recovery after oral infection of immature Fasciola hepatica from the peritoneal cavity of two strains of mice.

A technique is described for the recovery of the early stages of Fasciola hepatica (24–96 h old) from the peritoneal cavity of mice. The method was used to compare fluke recoveries at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h intervals after oral infection. Two strains of mice were used in 4 replicate experiments. At 24 and 48 h after infection there was no significant difference in the percentage recovery (30–40%) from either strain, but at 72 h one strain (LAC) showed a significant drop in the percentage recovery, whereas this did not occur in the other strain (BSVS) until 96 h after infection.
The Role of the Immune System in the Effects of Cancer on Bone

Abstract In this chapter, the contributions of cells in the immune system (monocyte-macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, T cell subsets, NK cells, dendritic cells, and B cells) to bone metastasis, and multiple myeloma bone disease will be reviewed. In addition, the effects of tumor-derived products, such as lactic acid, that is also produced by bone cells, on the suppression of antitumor responses that are required for tumor growth in bone, will be discussed. All of these components of the immune system are major contributors to the growth and bone altering effects of tumor cells in bone.
Insular plant turnover across a 22‐year interval: a critical retrospective of the roles of pseudoturnover and cryptoturnover

Aim To document patterns of insular plant turnover spanning a 22-year period, and to critically evaluate the potential influence of cryptoturnover and pseudoturnover. Location Small islands in the Exuma Cays, Andros and Abacos archipelagos of the Bahamas. Methods The vascular plants inhabiting 243 small islands in four archipelagos of the Bahamas were surveyed by the same investigator in multi-year (4–5 years) intervals. Turnover rates were calculated, and the data record was examined for evidence of cryptoturnover and pseudoturnover. Results Observed rates of turnover on a per island basis were low (mean < 4% per year). Extinctions represented 68% of turnover events. Cryptoturnover could cause turnover estimates to be up to three times too low, although most cryptoturnover involved propagules that did not reach adult status and species that were not common on the small islands. Pseudoturnover due to the potential overlooking of species was very low (maximum rates of 5–9% of observed turnover). Yet if attainment of a reproductive state, rather than simple residency, is required, pseudoturnover would be higher. Main Conclusions Although often not explicitly addressed or quantified, cryptoturnover and pseudoturnover have cast doubt on numerous turnover studies. In this Bahamas data set, the magnitude of such errors will depend on how an immigrant is defined (i.e. whether maturity or reproduction is required). More restrictive assumptions of immigration (i.e. maturity of the propagule to a reproductive state) would increase pseudoturnover, whereas more lenient assumptions (i.e. simple residency) would increase cryptoturnover. Given the robust patterns of extinctions outnumbering immigrations, neither source of error would greatly affect the overall patterns documented in this Bahamian system. These sources of error will continue to be important concerns in any study of temporal diversity, however, and should be considered seriously in the design of future studies.
Outpatient clinic layout design accounting for flexible policies

While it is known that there is a strong relationship between form and function, often the impact of physical design on workflow can be overlooked in the design of new buildings and spaces. Correspondingly, further research is needed to examine how the efficiency of patient care is impacted by physical layout decisions. With the development of new models, relationships between physical layout designs, flexible patient flows, and operational policies are analyzed through development of a discrete event simulation approach.
Nurses’ Unique Opportunity to Promote Patient Engagement in Prenatal Care

Aim To report an analysis of the concept of patient engagement in prenatal care. Background Engagement in health care has been widely discussed but vaguely defined. Patients benefit more from their health care when they are fully engaged in their care. Patient engagement in prenatal care is an important element of prenatal care utilization that has not been analyzed, standardized as a concept, or measured. Design Concept analysis. Data sources CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO databases, and the internet were searched for literature published in English with a focus on peer-reviewed journals from disciplines of business, allied health sciences, health administration, psychology, and nursing, focusing on the period of 2010-2015. Methods Hybrid version of the Walker and Avant concept analysis method (2011). Results This concept analysis provides 4 defining attributes of patient engagement in prenatal care and a table of related empirical referents of engagement. These elements offer a foundation for further nursing scholarship toward measurement and evaluation of patient engagement in prenatal care. Conclusion Patient engagement in prenatal care represents a human response to a health condition. Efforts to increase patient engagement in health care are best addressed by the nursing profession through continued research and intervention development.
Combining borehole temperature and meteorologic data to constrain past climate change

Abstract Geothermal observations from a suite of boreholes in western Utah, USA, combined with meteorologic data at nearby weather stations are used to test the hypothesis that temperatures in the earths subsurface contain an accurate record of recent climate change. The change in air temperature over the last hundred years successfully predicts detailed subsurface temperature profiles to better than ±0.05°C, indicating that ground temperatures tract air temperatures over long periods and that climate change signals are conducted into, and recorded in, the solid earth by the process of heat conduction. We combine borehole temperature data with meteorologic data from the nearest weather station to determine the time averaged difference between surface ground temperature and surface air temperature for borehole-weather station pairs and to infer the long term mean air temperature prior to the observational record. For our western Utah sites the preobservational mean temperature is close to the average surface air temperature for this century suggesting that up to 0.5°C of warming deduced from the last 100 years of weather station data may be attributed to recovery from a cool period at the turn of the century.
Time is Not a River' The Implications of Mumbo Jumbo's Pendulum Chronology for Coalition Politics

Ismael Reed9s 1972 novel, Mumbo Jumbo, proposes a unique chronological theory that requires a multiple-grounded understanding of time. An analysis of what could be called this “pendulum” chronology leads to a more complete understanding of the novel and has important implications for a coalition of American ethnic studies and other identity-related work in the academy.
Beyond Open Communication: A Call for Partnership Between Clinical Ethics and Research Ethics Committees.

In proposing strategies to improve access to and quality of research ethics consultation (REC) services, Porter and colleagues (2018) call for “open communication” between REC and clinical ethics c...
Correlations in Hadron Collisions at High Transverse Momentum

Unfortunately it is not my intention to give anything like a general summary report on the situation in high transverse momentum collisions. All I want to do is give a report on work on some particular model described in a paper by Field and Feynman1. The ideas have now been applied to correlation experiments. The results have been described by Fox2 at the APS meeting in Brookhaven. What I want to do here is just summarize the ideas of these papers and to tell you what the situation now appears to be.
Differential regulation of human monocytes and NK cells by antibody-opsonized tumors

The monocyte network is important for therapeutic efficacy of antibody therapies against cancer. One mechanism which monocytes/macrophages use to kill cancer cells is phagocytosis. Using trastuzumab and human breast cancer cell lines as a model, we used flow cytometry to evaluate the importance of avidity, antigen density, Fcγ receptor (FcγR) expression, and FcγR polymorphisms in human monocyte phagocytosis. By increasing avidity for the tumor through the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab, there was a two-to-threefold increase in phagocytosis potency against the HCC1419 cell line compared to antibodies alone, while NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) failed to increase tumor cell death. Consistent with increasing the avidity through multiple antibodies, antigen density significantly enhanced phagocytosis with breast cancer cell lines that were HER2 gene-amplified compared to non-amplified tumor cells. Confirmation that high antigen density enhanced phagocytosis was obtained when HER2 was overexpressed in HER2 non-amplified cell lines. In contrast, NK cell ADCC failed to distinguish differences in tumor cell death when comparing gene-amplified and non-amplified breast cancer cell lines. The level of phagocytosis was influenced by FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa expression. Most monocytes are FcγRIIIa−, and the induction of the receptor significantly enhances antibody-dependent phagocytosis. Although both receptors are involved, when blocked FcγRIIIa had a greater influence on phagocytosis. Furthermore, the polymorphism FcγRIIIa 158V significantly enhanced phagocytosis; whereas FcγRIIa 131H polymorphism appeared to improve phagocytosis but was not statistically significant. Targeting of monocytes for enhanced phagocytosis may improve the effectiveness of therapeutic antibodies to improve clinical outcomes.
N-cadherin impedes proliferation of the multiple myeloma cancer stem cells

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of the plasma cells localized to the bone marrow. A rare population of MM cancer stem cells (MM-CSCs) has been shown to be responsible for maintaining the pull of residual disease and to contribute to myeloma relapse. The stem cells are found in a bone marrow niche in contact with the stromal cells that are responsible for maintaining the proliferative quiescence of the MM-CSC and regulate its self-renewal and differentiation decisions. Here we show that both MM and bone marrow stromal cells express N-cadherin, a cell-cell adhesion molecule shown to maintain a pool of leukemic stem cells. Inhibition of N-cadherin using a neutralizing antibody led to an increase in the MM cell proliferation. A decrease in MM cell adhesion to the bone marrow stroma was observed in the first 24 hours of co-culture followed by a 2.3-30-fold expansion of the adherent cells. Moreover, inhibition of N-cadherin led to a 4.8-9.6-fold expansion of the MM-CSC population. Surprisingly, addition of the N-cadherin antagonist peptide resulted in massive death of the non-adherent MM cells, while the viability of the adherent cells and MM-CSCs remained unaffected. Interestingly, the proliferative effects of N-cadherin inhibition were not mediated by the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the crucial role of N-cadherin in regulating MM cell proliferation and viability and open an interesting avenue of investigation to understand how structural modifications of N-cadherin can affect MM cell behavior. Our findings suggest that targeting N-cadherin may be a useful therapeutic strategy to treat MM in conjunction with an agent that has anti-MM-CSC activity.
Guidance and control of the Mariner planetary spacecraft

The unmanned exploration of the Moon and nearby planets imposes very significant requirements on the guidance and control system of both the booster rocket and the spacecraft. The booster rocket must be launched into a narrow, moving corridor with great precision within a limited period of time. After separation, the spacecraft must be capable of providing corrections to the trajectory and controlling the orientation of solar panels, antennas, and scientific instruments.
An Overview of the Problem of Benzene Toxicity and Some Recent Data on the Relationship of Benzene Metabolism to Benzene Toxicity

Historically, both bone marrow depression and leukemogenesis have been associated with exposure to benzene in the industrial setting. As early as 1897, Santesson (1) described chronic benzene poisoning in Sweden and, around the time of World War I, Selling (2), at Johns Hopkins, described benzene-induced aplastic anemia in both man and animals. Impaired immunological mechanisms in benzene-treated animals were first reported before World War I (3–8). Prior to the development of modern industrial hygiene, the uncontrolled use of benzene in industry expanded despite the growing appreciation of the dangers of working in an atmosphere laden with this highly volatile solvent.
The Moral Significance of Merely Possible Persons

2.1.1 It is a matter of dispute whether persons who count as existing or future, relative to a particular circumstance, or possible future or world, have a moral status that merely possible persons lack. Are persons who do or will exist the only persons who matter morally? Are they the only persons whose needs and interests we must take into account in calculating what we ought to do? Can only their losses bear on – count against – the permissibility of acts that impose those losses? Can only their losses, in a roundabout way, count in favor of alternative acts that avoid those losses?
Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy Cytology of Giant-cell tumor of Tendon Sheath

Localized nodular tenosynovitis, better known as giant-cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS), is a common neoplasm that has a peak incidence in the fourth to sixth decades of life. Few reports exist elucidating the cytologic features of this lesion obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The authors describe five patients, aged 8-50 years, in whom GCTTS was diagnosed by FNAB cytology. In four of the patients, the lesion was excised, and the FNAB diagnosis of GCTTS was confirmed; surgical excision is pending in one patient. A diagnosis of malignancy was not suggested in any of the patients. The tumors were .7–5 cm in greatest dimension. In two patients, GCTTS affected the ankle; the hand was affected in the other three. Aspiration smears were cellular in four cases. All but one case contained several multinucleate osteoclast-type giant cells; in addition, binucleate cells were common. The nongiant cell population was dispersed principally as single cells that had a cytologic appearance mimicking histiocytes and osteoblasts. Anisonucleosis was minimal, and nuclear pleomorphism was distinctly absent in both single and multinucleate cells. Mitotic figures were infrequent, except in one case. The diagnosis of GCTTS can be made, or at least strongly suggested using FNAB when the cytologic and clinical features are combined.
Spiritual and Existential Issues

Background: Spiritual and existential issues become increasingly salient for individuals facing life-threatening illnesses, including those with advanced cardiovascular diseases. Patients with high levels of existential anxiety and low spiritual well-being tend to experience lower quality of life and more depressive symptoms. Thus, identifying patients who are having spiritual and existential issues and utilizing targeted spiritually-informed interventions may improve quality of care and quality of life at the end of life.
Membrane Stabilization by Modified Steroid Offers a Potential Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy Due to Dysferlin Deficit.

Mutations of the DYSF gene leading to reduced dysferlin protein level causes limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B). Dysferlin facilitates sarcolemmal membrane repair in healthy myofibers, thus its deficit compromises myofiber repair and leads to chronic muscle inflammation. An experimental therapeutic approach for LGMD2B is to protect damage or improve repair of myofiber sarcolemma. Here, we compared the effects of prednisolone and vamorolone (a dissociative steroid; VBP15) on dysferlin-deficient myofiber repair. Vamorolone, but not prednisolone, stabilized dysferlin-deficient muscle cell membrane and improved repair of dysferlin-deficient mouse (B6A/J) myofibers injured by focal sarcolemmal damage, eccentric contraction-induced injury or injury due to spontaneous in vivo activity. Vamorolone decreased sarcolemmal lipid mobility, increased muscle strength, and decreased late-stage myofiber loss due to adipogenic infiltration. In contrast, the conventional glucocorticoid prednisolone failed to stabilize dysferlin deficient muscle cell membrane or improve repair of dysferlinopathic patient myoblasts and mouse myofibers. Instead, prednisolone treatment increased muscle weakness and myofiber atrophy in B6A/J mice—findings that correlate with reports of prednisolone worsening symptoms of LGMD2B patients. Our findings showing improved cellular and pre-clinical efficacy of vamorolone compared to prednisolone and better safety profile of vamorolone indicates the suitability of vamorolone for clinical trials in LGMD2B.
Spatial and temporal settlement patterns of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis) megalopae in a drought-prone Texas estuary

Abstract The Mission-Aransas Estuary is the wintering ground for the only sustained wild population of the endangered whooping crane (Grus americana), and blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) are an important component of their diet as well as being a major food source for important sport fishes such as the red and black drum. Blue crabs also support a commercial crabbing industry, and fisheries data indicate that blue crab populations have been declining since the 1980s. Possible factors leading to decline in blue crab populations include overfishing, increased populations and predation by regulated sport fishes, reduced freshwater inflows into estuaries, and reduced larval recruitment. Little is known about blue crab recruitment dynamics in this region, but restricted passes between coastal estuaries and the Gulf of Mexico along with extended periods of drought that often lead to hypersaline conditions in coastal bays may limit larval recruitment from the Gulf into the bays. To investigate blue crab larval recruitment patterns, citizen scientist volunteers used hogshair settlement collectors to sample five monitoring sites over a four year period. Results show that large numbers of blue crab megalopae are common in nearshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, but only a small fraction (∼1%) recruit into the estuary. Peak periods of ingress into the estuary occur during fall and winter months, with C. sapidus primarily contributing to the fall peak and C. similis dominating the winter peak. Increased salinity in the estuary during droughts may reduce the ability of blue crab larvae to detect and enter passes into the estuary.
Transmandibular Approach to Craniocervical Spine

Pathology of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) is challenging to treat due to the complex bony, ligamentous, and neurovascular structures that comprise this region. There are many unique pathologies of the CCJ, including spine tumors, arthritides, and fractures, each of which requires comprehensive treatment strategies, which often include surgery. Determining the optimal surgical approach to the CCJ is based on the goals of surgical intervention and location of the pathology. In general, the approach is dictated based on whether the pathology is ventral or dorsal to the spinal cord, its location within the CCJ, and the extent of involvement of adjacent neurovascular structures. The transmandibular approach, despite its associated morbidity, is a useful technique in the surgical armamentarium to address ventral CCJ pathology. We describe the indications for this approach, how to successfully perform the procedure, and the associated intraoperative and post-operative risks.
Microfluidics on the fly: Inexpensive rapid fabrication of thermally laminated microfluidic devices for live imaging and multimodal perturbations of multicellular systems.

Microfluidic devices provide a platform for analyzing both natural and synthetic multicellular systems. Currently, substantial capital investment and expertise are required for creating microfluidic devices using standard soft-lithography. These requirements present barriers to entry for many nontraditional users of microfluidics, including developmental biology laboratories. Therefore, fabrication methodologies that enable rapid device iteration and work “out-of-the-box” can accelerate the integration of microfluidics with developmental biology. Here, we have created and characterized low-cost hybrid polyethylene terephthalate laminate (PETL) microfluidic devices that are suitable for cell and micro-organ culture assays. These devices were validated with mammalian cell lines and the Drosophila wing imaginal disc as a model micro-organ. First, we developed and tested PETLs that are compatible with both long-term cultures and high-resolution imaging of cells and organs. Further, we achieved spatiotemporal control of chemical gradients across the wing discs with a multilayered microfluidic device. Finally, we created a multilayered device that enables controllable mechanical loading of micro-organs. This mechanical actuation assay was used to characterize the response of larval wing discs at different developmental stages. Interestingly, increased deformation of the older wing discs for the same mechanical loading suggests that the compliance of the organ is increased in preparation for subsequent morphogenesis. Together, these results demonstrate the applicability of hybrid PETL devices for biochemical and mechanobiology studies on micro-organs and provide new insights into the mechanics of organ development.
Meta-Analysis Comparing Complete Versus Infarct-Related Artery Revascularization in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Multivessel Coronary Disease.

A strategy of complete revascularization (CR) versus infarct-related artery revascularization (IRA) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) continues to be a subject of debate. We performed an updated meta-analysis to compare the 2 strategies. Outcomes of interest included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, stroke, repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, and contrast-induced nephropathy. Ten randomized trials including 7,423 patients (CR = 3,574 and IRA = 3,849), with a follow-up of 2.0 ± 0.8 years were included. There was a significant reduction in MACE with CR versus IRA (10.7% vs 18.6%, relative risk [RR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 to 0.81, p = 0.002, I2 = 66%), with higher risk reduction with immediate versus stages revascularization (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.5 vs RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.89, P-interaction = 0.002). Complete revascularization was associated with lower rates of repeat revascularization (4.0% vs 11.7%, RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.70, p
The Patient-Driven Groupings Model: What It Means for Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Home Health

Purpose Medicare will be fundamentally changing the basis for payment in home health (HH) effective January 1, 2020. Instead of paying for the number of therapy visits provided, Medicare will pay b...