cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Delayed infusion of immunocompetent donor cells after bone marrow transplantation breaks graft-host tolerance allows for persistent antileukemic reactivity without severe graft-versus-host disease.

The development of graft-host tolerance after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is crucial to avoid the problems of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and graft rejection. GVHD can be eliminated by depleting mature donor T cells from the BM inoculum, thereby facilitating the development of graft-host tolerance. However, T-cell depletion often results in an increased incidence of graft rejection and an increased frequency of leukemia relapse. Thus, although graft-host tolerance is a desirable outcome, it can pose a significant threat to leukemia-bearing hosts. Using a major histocompatability complex (MHC)-matched allogeneic model of BMT (B10.BR into AKR), we found that irradiated recipients given donor BM alone displayed mixed T-cell chimerism and did not develop GVHD. Graft-host tolerance developed by 8 weeks after BMT in these chimeras, and they were susceptible to low-dose leukemia challenge. When sufficient numbers of donor spleen cells, as a source of T-cells, were added to the BM graft, AKR hosts developed severe and lethal GVHD. Antihost reactive donor T cells persisted in chimeras undergoing GVHD, indicating that graft-host tolerance did not develop. When administration of the spleen cells was delayed for 7 to 21 days after BMT, there was significantly less mortality because of GVHD. Day 21 was the optimal time for infusion of cells without development of GVHD. Graft-host tolerance was broken by the delayed infusion of donor cells, as indicated by the persistence of antihost-reactive donor T cells in these chimeras in T-cell receptor cross-linking and mixed lymphocyte reaction assays. Importantly, the persistence of antihost-reactive donor T cells correlated with along-term antileukemic effect that was still present at 100 days after transplant. Multiple infusions of immunocompetent donor cells could be administered without increasing the risk for GVHD if delayed until 21 days post-BMT. Delayed infusions of donor spleen cells also resulted in a long-term antileukemic effect in the absence of GVHD in an MHC-haplotype-mismatched model of BMT (SJL into [SJL x AKR]F1). Although delayed infusion of normal donor cells did not induce GVHD, spleen cells from donors previously sensitized to host alloantigens induced GVHD when infused 21 days after BMT. Thus, the ability of previously activated cells to induce GVHD was not inhibited in the same manner as naive cells. Results from limiting dilution analysis assays indicated that alloactivated interleukin-2-secreting CD4+ T cells were preferentially inhibited over cytolytic T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase by hydralazine.

SummaryThe effect of the antihypertensive drug, hydralazine (l-hydrazinophthalazine) on the partially purified dopamine-β-hydroxylase from bovine adrenal gland was investigated. The enzyme preparation so prepared was shown to be activated by the appropriate concentration of Cu2+ known to inactivate endogenous inhibitors. When the drug was added to this enzyme preparation along with the appropriate components, the inhibition of the hydroxylase enzyme activity could be demonstrated. The inhibition was shown to be noncompetitive, suggesting that the drug did not interfere with the substrate-binding site of the enzyme. The double reciprocal plot of the initial velocity against enzyme concentration shared a common intercept on the abcissa, indicating that DBH activity was inhibited by the drug through a mechanism other than competition for an essential constituent directly involved in the optimum activity of the enzyme. The drug-induced inhibition of the enzyme activity was reversed by adding various concentra...
Hypoxia-Induced Angiogenesis and Capillary Density Determination

Chronic exposure to moderate hypoxia elicits structural and functional changes in the microvascular network of the mammalian CNS. Hypoxia-induced angiogenesis can be elicited and studied by a relatively simple experimental method. Rats or mice can be exposed to mild hypoxia in a hypobaric chamber, or alternatively in a normobaric hypoxia chamber. After 3 weeks, the animals are perfused and fixed, the brain removed, and paraffin embedded and sectioned at 5 μm. The sections are stained for the blood-brain barrier glucose transporter (GLUT-1) by immunohistochemistry, capillary profiles identified and counted as a measure of angiogenesis.
Sir Orfeo as a Critical/Liberal/Art

Medieval thinkers understood the myth of Orpheus as an allegory about the quest for knowledge. The Middle English poem Sir Orfeo, which differs markedly from the classical story, is here read as realizing a critical/liberal/art.
Fabrication and testing of 4.2m off-axis aspheric primary mirror of Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope

Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (formerly known as Advanced Technology Solar Telescope) will be the largest optical solar telescope ever built to provide greatly improved image, spatial and spectral resolution and to collect sufficient light flux of Sun. To meet the requirements of the telescope the design adopted a 4m aperture off-axis parabolic primary mirror with challenging specifications of the surface quality including the surface figure, irregularity and BRDF. The mirror has been completed at the College of Optical Sciences in the University of Arizona and it meets every aspect of requirement with margin. In fact this mirror may be the smoothest large mirror ever made. This paper presents the detail fabrication process and metrology applied to the mirror from the grinding to finish, that include extremely stable hydraulic support, IR and Visible deflectometry, Interferometry and Computer Controlled fabrication process developed at the University of Arizona.
Normative Theory, and Other Components of Political Economy

We have differentiated, according to the character of their statement, the areas of discourse pertinent to the policy sciences. In the first instance, our emphasis has been on empirico-judgmental discourse about conceivably experienced phenomena and event, where a statement’s claim to credibility must rely on a personal judgment of the evidence pro and con.
Isotope Shift in the Spectrum of Erbium I

Using enriched samples, the isotope shift in seven lines of the arc spectrum of erbium was measured with a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The average relative isotope shift for the even isotopic pairs $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(170\ensuremath{-}168):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(168\ensuremath{-}166):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(166\ensuremath{-}164):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(164\ensuremath{-}162)$ was found to be 1.00:096\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02:0.94\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03:1.23\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04, showing a large change in nuclear deformation between the isotopes with neutron numbers 96 and 94. This results in a predicted intrinsic quadrupole moment for ${\mathrm{Er}}^{162}$ of 6.30\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.30 b. No pronounced even-odd staggering was observed for the odd isotope ${\mathrm{Er}}^{167}$, since the average value for $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(168\ensuremath{-}166):\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}(168\ensuremath{-}167\mathrm{cg})$ was found to be 1.00:0.52\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03.
Learning in linear games over networks

We consider a dynamic game over a network with information externalities. Agents' payoffs depend on an unknown true state of the world and actions of everyone else in the network; therefore, the interactions between agents are strategic. Each agent has a private initial piece of information about the underlying state and repeatedly observes actions of her neighbors. We consider strictly concave and supermodular utility functions that exhibit a quadratic form. We analyze the asymptotic behavior of agents' expected utilities in a connected network when it is common knowledge that the agents are myopic and rational. When utility functions are symmetric and adhere to the diagonal dominance criterion, each agent believes that the limit strategies of her neighbors yield the same payoff as her own limit strategy. Given a connected network, this yields a consensus in the actions of agents in the limit. We demonstrate our results using examples from technological and social settings.
Fireworks type, injury pattern, and permanent impairment following severe fireworks-related injuries.

Abstract Background There is a paucity of clinical data on severe fireworks-related injuries, and the relationship between firework types, injury patterns, and magnitude of impairment is not well understood. Our objective was to describe the relationship between fireworks type, injury patterns, and impairment. Methods Retrospective case series (2005–2015) of patients who sustained consumer fireworks-related injuries requiring hospital admission and/or an operation at a Level 1 Trauma/Burn Center. Fireworks types, injury patterns (body region, injury type), operation, and permanent impairment were examined. Results Data from 294 patients 1 to 61 years of age (mean 24 years) were examined. The majority (90%) were male. 119 (40%) patients were admitted who did not undergo surgery, 163 (55%) patients required both admission and surgery, and 12 (5%) patients underwent outpatient surgery. The greatest proportion of injuries was related to shells/mortars (39%). There were proportionally more rocket injuries in children (44%), more homemade firework injuries in teens (34%), and more shell/mortar injuries in adults (86%). Brain, face, and hand injuries were disproportionately represented in the shells/mortars group. Seventy percent of globe-injured patients experienced partial or complete permanent vision loss. Thirty-seven percent of hand-injured patients required at least one partial or whole finger/hand amputation. The greatest proportion of eye and hand injuries resulting in permanent impairment was in the shells/mortars group, followed by homemade fireworks. Two patients died. Conclusions Severe fireworks-related injuries from homemade fireworks and shells/mortars have specific injury patterns. Shells/mortars disproportionately cause permanent impairment from eye and hand injury.
Highly efficient terahertz metasurface flat lenses (Conference Presentation)

Conventional optical lenses focus electromagnetic waves by imparting position-dependent phase delay through shaping their geometry. This poses difficulties in eliminating the geometric aberrations in high numerical aperture lenses, in addition to the fabrication challenges when operating at short wavelengths (e.g. visible light), and bulky devices operating at long wavelengths (e.g. microwaves). In contrast, metasurfaces realize full control of phase through tailoring the subwavelength resonant structures, allowing for the demonstration ultrathin flat lens, although the efficiency is still rather low using single-layer metasurfaces. Here we report the demonstration of high-performance flat lens in the terahertz frequency range using few-layer metasurfaces. The three-layer metasurface structure is capable of rotating the incident linear polarization by 90° with a very high efficiency over a bandwidth of two octaves. More importantly, the phase of the output light can be tuned over the entire 2π range with subwavelength resolution through simply tailoring the structure geometry of the basic building blocks. Based on this success, we design, fabricate, and characterize a metasurface lens operating at 0.4 THz. With a lens diameter and focal length both 5 cm, we realize a high numerical aperture of 0.5 and diffraction-limited terahertz beam focusing. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurements show that the metasurface lens is capable of achieving the same signal intensity as compared to a bulk TPX lens of the same size and focal length.
Abstract P249: Melanocortin-4 Receptors in Cholinergic Preganglionic Neurons of the Hindbrain and Spinal Cord are Important in Mediating Cardiovascular Responses to Acute Stress

Previous studies suggest that melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) activation in areas outside of the hypothalamus may regulate appetite but the role of MC4R in specific neuronal populations of the hindbrain in regulating cardiovascular function are still unknown. We examined the impact of total body MC4R deficiency (LoxTB-MC4R mice) and restoration of MC4R specifically in the brainstem and/or spinal cord on blood pressure (BP) response to acute stress. We selectively rescued MC4R only in preganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the dorsal motor of the vagus (DMV) and in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) (LoxTB-MC4R/Phox2B-cre mice, n=5) or in cholinergic preganglionic neurons of the hindbrain and spinal cord (LoxTB-MC4R/Chat-cre mice, n=4). Mice were implanted with telemetry probes for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). After a 10-day recovery period, MAP and HR were continuously measured for 30 minutes before, during and 30 minutes after an air jet stress test. Acute air jet stress significantly increased MAP by 33±3 in WT mice and 31±2 in LoxTB-MC4R/Chat-cre mice compared to only 18±4 or 20±3 mmHg in LoxTB-MC4R/Phox2B-cre mice and LoxTB-MC4R mice, respectively. HR was increased by 180±20, 110±20, 100±23, and 127±15 bpm in response to air jet stress in WT, LoxTB-MC4R, LoxTB-MC4R/Phox2B and LoxTB-MC4R/Chat-cre mice, respectively. These results indicate that MC4Rs in cholinergic preganglionic neurons of the hindbrain and spinal cord play a key role in the BP responses to acute stress. (NHLBI-PO1HL51971, NIGMS- P20GM104357, and AHA-SDG5680016)
SmI2(H2O)n Reduction of Electron Rich Enamines by Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

Samarium diiodide in the presence of water and THF (SmI2(H2O)n) has in recent years become a versatile and useful reagent, mainly for reducing carbonyl-type substrates. This work reports the reduction of several enamines by SmI2(H2O)n. Mechanistic experiments implicate a concerted proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) pathway, based on various pieces of evidence against initial outer-sphere electron transfer, proton transfer, or substrate coordination. A thermochemical analysis indicates that the C–H bond formed in the rate-determining step has a bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of ∼32 kcal mol–1. The O–H BDFE of the samarium aquo ion is estimated to be 26 kcal mol–1, which is among the weakest known X–H bonds of stable reagents. Thus, SmI2(H2O)n should be able to form very weak C–H bonds. The reduction of these highly electron rich substrates by SmI2(H2O)n shows that this reagent is a very strong hydrogen atom donor as well as an outer-sphere reductant.
For Whom the Mind Wanders, and When, Varies Across Laboratory and Daily-Life Settings.

Undergraduates (N = 274) participated in a weeklong daily-life experience-sampling study of mind wandering after being assessed in the lab for executive-control abilities (working memory capacity; attention-restraint ability; attention-constraint ability; and propensity for task-unrelated thoughts, or TUTs) and personality traits. Eight times a day, electronic devices prompted subjects to report on their current thoughts and context. Working memory capacity and attention abilities predicted subjects’ TUT rates in the lab, but predicted the frequency of daily-life mind wandering only as a function of subjects’ momentary attempts to concentrate. This pattern replicates prior daily-life findings but conflicts with laboratory findings. Results for personality factors also revealed different associations in the lab and daily life: Only neuroticism predicted TUT rate in the lab, but only openness predicted mind-wandering rate in daily life (both predicted the content of daily-life mind wandering). Cognitive and personality factors also predicted dimensions of everyday thought other than mind wandering, such as subjective judgments of controllability of thought. Mind wandering in people’s daily environments and TUTs during controlled and artificial laboratory tasks have different correlates (and perhaps causes). Thus, mind-wandering theories based solely on lab phenomena may be incomplete.
Abstract 1053: Synergistic anticancer effects of combined γ-tocotrienol and pterostilbene is associated with a suppression in Rac1/WAVE 2 signaling in highly malignant breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in American women. Rho GTPases play a crucial role in regulating different cellular functions, including cell proliferation, gene expression, cell morphology, actin polymerization, cell motility, metastasis and apoptosis. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family verprolin-homologous protein2 (WAVE2) is a member within the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family displays a significant role in actin polymerization and cytoskeletal organization which, are essential for cellular migration and invasion. γ-Tocotrienol is a natural isoform within the vitamin E family that displays anticancer activity against a variety of cancer cell types. Pterostilbene is a natural dimethyl ether analog of resveratrol that has several beneficial effects such as anticancer activity. Studies were conducted to examine the effects of combined γ-tocotrienol and pterostilbene on Rac1/WAVE 2 signaling in mouse +SA and human MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells and cellular migration. Results show that combined treatment of γ-tocotrienol and pterostilbene caused a synergistic inhibition of both mouse +SA and human MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells growth, and corresponding reduction in Rac1/WAVE2 signaling as characterized by a significant inhibition in the levels of phospho-Rac1/cdc42, WAVE2, Arp2, and Arp3 expression. Additional studies indicated that this combination resulted in a significant inhibition in mammary cancer cell migration. In summary, these findings strongly suggest that combined treatment of γ-tocotrienol with pterostilbene may provide great benefit as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Supported by a grant from the Louisiana Cancer Foundation. Citation Format: Ibrahim G. Algayadh, Paul William Sylvester. Synergistic anticancer effects of combined γ-tocotrienol and pterostilbene is associated with a suppression in Rac1/WAVE 2 signaling in highly malignant breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1053. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1053
Psychophysical Distance Functions for Hooded Rats

The greater the distance between a response lever and food cup, the more will rats lever-press to generate a hoard of pellets before leaving the lever to consume them. This relationship provided a basis for the construction of psychophysical scales of distance. Individual scales were well approximated by power functions, with exponents ranging from .4 to 1.2.
Assessment of Immunotoxicity Induced by the Environmental Chemicals 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, Diethylstilbestrol and Benzo(a)pyrene

A testing battery will be described for assessing alterations in immunological function and host resistance following exposure of B6C3F1 mice to TCDD, DES and BP. TCDD is a major contaminant of the defoliant 2,4,5 T (agent orange); DES is a potent synthetic estrogen used therapeutically to prevent menopausal symptoms and post-coital implantation, and as a weight promotant in cattle; and BP is the principal carcinogen in cigarette smoke and coal tar. Mice exposed perinatally to TCDD (5, 1 μg/kg) exhibited marked thymus atrophy and depressed mitogenic responses. Resistance to Listeria monocytogenes, gram-negative endotoxin and transplantable syngeneic tumor cells were likewise impaired. The mice appeared to have a specific T-cell defect associated with a receptor for TCDD present at high levels in thymic tissue. Mice exposed to DES at 8.0, 2.0 and 0.2 mg/kg of body weight for 5 days exhibited severe thymus atrophy accompanied by depression of the following parameters: antibody PFC response to SRBC and LPS; delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity; lymphoproliferative response to T- and B-cell mitogens and alloantigens; bone marrow cellularity; and stem and granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cell proliferation. Macrophages were activated relative to phagocytic, proliferative and tumoricidal responses with evidence of suppressor cell activity. Host resistance parameters were likewise impaired. Thus, DES exposure resulted in RES stimulation, severely depressed immunological and host resistance function, due in part to macrophage suppressor cells and possibly a T-cell defect. Finally, BP was dosed at 400, 200 and 50 mg/kg of body weight over 10 days. BP exposed mice demonstrated depressed antibody PFC responses; lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens; and depressed numbers of bone marrow macrophage-granulocyte progenitors. Macrophage function and host resistance to Listeria and tumor cells were unaffected. These data demonstrate the sensitivity of the immune response for detecting selective or non-specific chemical toxicity and support the hypothesis that certain carcinogens may operate via immunological mechanisms.
Congenital Abnormalities of the Pericardium

Congenital abnormalities of the pericardium are a rare group of disorders that include congenital absence of the pericardium, pericardial cysts, and diverticula. These congenital defects result from alterations in the embryologic formation and structure of the pericardium. Although many cases are incidentally found, they can present as symptomatic, life-threatening disease. Owing to their rarity, many cases are inappropriately diagnosed. Alterations in the embryologic formation and structure may result in the formation of these congenital abnormalities. We review the presentation, diagnosis, and management of congenital absence of the pericardium, pericardial cysts, and diverticula. A summary of multimodality imaging features is provided.
Longitudinal Analysis of Racial/Ethnic Trends in Quality Outcomes in Community Health Centers, 2009–2014

To monitor progress towards eliminating health disparities, community health centers have reported on hypertension control, diabetes control, and birthweight by race and ethnicity since 2008. To evaluate racial/ethnic time trends in quality outcomes in health centers and to assess both within- and between-center disparities in outcomes. Using 2009–2014 data from all US health centers (n = 1047 centers, serving 19.6 million patients/year), we evaluated racial/ethnic time trends in quality outcomes for health centers and assessed within- and between-center disparities. Percentage of patients achieving control of blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg among hypertensive persons, control of glycosylated hemoglobin ≤ 9.0% among diabetic persons, and birthweight ≥ 2500 g. All outcomes were reported by race/ethnicity. There was no evidence of improved outcomes among racial/ethnic subgroups from 2009 to 2014, though electronic health record adoption, medical recognition, and insurance coverage rates increased substantially. Two exceptions were increased rates of normal birthweight for black patients (87.0% to 88.8%, or 0.3 percentage points/year, p = 0.02) and decreased rates of diabetes control for white patients (74.2% to 69.5%, or −1.0 percentage points/year, p < 0.01). Within centers, the largest racial/ethnic disparities in 2009 were white/black disparities in hypertension control (8.7 percentage points, 95% CI 7.4–10.1), white/black disparities in diabetes control (3.4 percentage points, 95% CI 2.0–4.7), and white/Hispanic disparities in diabetes control (4.4 percentage points, 95% CI 2.8–6.0). All disparities remained statistically unchanged from 2009 to 2014. White patients were more likely to be seen at a health center in the top performance quintile compared with black and Hispanic patients (p < 0.001). Though quality outcomes in health centers continued to compare favorably to other care settings, we found no evidence of improved quality or reduced disparities in diabetes control, hypertension control, or birthweight from 2009 to 2014. Within- and between-center racial/ethnic disparities in quality were evident, and both should be targeted in future interventions.
Mid-depth respired carbon storage and oxygenation of the eastern equatorial Pacific over the last 25,000 years

Abstract A growing body of evidence suggests that respired carbon was stored in mid-depth waters (∼1–3 km) during the last glacial maximum (LGM) and released to the atmosphere from upwelling regions during deglaciation. Decreased ventilation, enhanced productivity, and enhanced carbonate dissolution are among the mechanisms that have been cited as possible drivers of glacial CO2 drawdown. However, the relative importance of each of these mechanisms is poorly understood. New approaches to quantitatively constrain bottom water carbonate chemistry and oxygenation provide methods for estimating historic changes in respired carbon storage. While increased CO2 drawdown during the LGM should have resulted in decreased oxygenation and a shift in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) speciation towards lower carbonate ion concentrations, this is complicated by the interplay of carbonate compensation, export productivity, and circulation. To disentangle these processes, we use a multiproxy approach that includes boron to calcium (B/Ca) ratios of the benthic foraminifera Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi to reconstruct deep-water carbonate ion concentrations ([CO32−]) and the uranium to calcium (U/Ca) ratio of foraminiferal coatings in combination with benthic foraminiferal carbon isotopes to reconstruct changes in bottom water oxygen concentrations ([O2]) and organic carbon export. Our records indicate that LGM [CO32−] and [O2] was reduced at mid water depths of the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP), consistent with increased respired carbon storage. Furthermore, our results suggest enhanced mixing of lower Circumpolar Deep Water (LCDW) to EEP mid water depths and provide evidence for the importance of circulation for oceanic-atmospheric CO2 exchange.
Acute hematological and mood perception effects of bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) consumed alone and in combination with caffeine: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

The purpose of this study was to examine acute hematological and mood perception responses to supplementation with p-synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine during quiet sitting. Sixteen subjects visited the laboratory on 6 occasions and were given (in randomized double-blind manner) 103-mg p-synephrine (S), 233-mg caffeine + 104-mg p-synephrine, 240-mg caffeine, 337-mg caffeine + 46-mg p-synephrine, 325-mg caffeine, or a placebo (PL). The subjects sat quietly for 3 hr while completing mood state questionnaires every 30 min. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline (pre) and 3 hr (post) to determine immune, lipid, and chemistry panels. Compared with PL, no significant supplement differences were observed during the S trial with the exception of differential time effects seen in hematocrit (decrease in PL, no change in S), triglycerides and very low-density lipoproteins (no changes in PL, significant decreases in S), and iron (no change in PL, significant elevation in S). Supplements containing caffeine showed increased feelings of attention, excitement, energy, and vigor. These data indicate that consumption of 103-mg p-synephrine does not negatively impact acute blood parameters, does not augment the effects of caffeine, or produce stimulant-like perceptual mood effects.
Prospects for Preservation and Restoration of Riparian Forests in the Sacramento Valley, California, USA

/ This GIS-based study analyzes the distribution and management of woody riparian vegetation in California's Sacramento Valley and discusses the prospects for its conservation. Although forests were the predominant floodplain vegetation prior to extensive settlement, only 3.3% of floodplain was covered by forest in the late 1980s. This remaining forest was fragmented into 2607 patches with an average area of 3.1 ha. Only 180 patches were >10 ha, with three patches >100 ha. Despite over two decades of conservation efforts, these forests are essentially unpreserved: Only 14.5% of extant forests are in public ownership or on land managed primarily for biological conservation. Some privately owned forests represent opportunities for preservation, but owing to their small size and scattered distribution, reforestation would be necessary to obtain a high cover of forest over large areas. Additionally, high property values, existing land uses, and regulated hydrology constrain conservation efforts. As a consequence of these constraints, and current distribution and ownership patterns, preservation or restoration of substantial areas of riparian forest would be extremely expensive and would divert conservation resources from other habitats in this rapidly developing state. Therefore, efforts to conserve these forests should satisfy two criteria: (1) that the specific goals are attainable with available funding and existing human uses, and (2) funding the effort will result in more effective regional conservation than would funding the conservation of other habitats.KEY WORDS: Central Valley; Conservation; Floodplains; Geographic information systems; Riparian vegetationhttp://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/00267/bibs/24n1p65.html
Eye Disease in Diabetes

Diabetes affects the function of many structures in and around the eye, including the cornea, iris, anterior chamber angle, lens, vitreous, retina, optic nerve, the cranial nerves innervating extraocular muscles, and the orbit. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in patients aged 20–64 years. When diabetes is poorly controlled, acute hyperglycemia may produce a sudden refractive change in the lens, causing bilateral blurred vision. Cataract occurs earlier and more frequently in patients with diabetes. Visual loss may also occur due to infarction of the optic nerve and glaucoma. The visual dysfunction associated with diabetes includes visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, relative scotomas, abnormalities in dark adaptation, blue-yellow color vision abnormality, and impaired hue discrimination. Diabetic microvascular disease can cause isolated third, fourth, or sixth cranial nerve palsy, often associated with diplopia (double vision) and pain in or around the eye. Most of the ocular complications of diabetes can be prevented or treated. However, the most prevalent complication, diabetic retinopathy, remains the leading cause of visual loss despite the currently available treatments.
Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Management

Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors present with unique needs related to the long-term effects of cancer therapy on upper aerodigestive tract functions. Management of HNC varies depending on the patient’s individual stage and subsite of HNC, cancer treatment history, and psychosocial needs. In general, long-term functioning is optimized by multidisciplinary treatment planning with consideration of both acute and late adverse effects. Risk-reduction strategies such as oral care, targeted exercise, swallowing therapy, nutritional counseling, and audiologic monitoring are best implemented early in the HNC treatment trajectory. Posttreatment surveillance facilitates detection of recurrences and second primary tumors, as well as monitoring of long-term functional rehabilitation needs.
Design Patent Infringement Needs a Free Expression Defense (La infracción de patentes de diseño necesita una defensa de libre expresión)

English Abstract: As elsewhere in the world, design patents are propagating copiously in U.S. intellectual property law. Notwithstanding their fertility, design patents face potentially prohibitive and as yet unexplored legal challenges. One possibility is that the U.S. Congress might lack the very power to authorize design patents. Another possibility – our subject here, with implications for design patents in Europe and around the world – is that design patents violate fundamental rights if there is not a defense to infringement founded in the freedom of expression. Spanish Abstract: Las patentes de diseno se propagan en abundancia en el derecho de la propiedad intelectual. Mientras tanto, las patentes de diseno enfrentan desafios legales aun inexplorados. Enfocandose en la ley estadounidense, este articulo postula que las patentes de diseno violan los derechos fundamentales si no hay una defensa a la infraccion fundada en la libertad de expresion. Diseno es unico entre las patentes debido a su capacidad expresiva. Por lo tanto, debe acomodarse a la libertad de expresion con defensa de uso o trato justo, comparable a la ley de los derechos de autor.
PolyMOF Nanoparticles: Dual Roles of a Multivalent polyMOF Ligand in Size Control and Surface Functionalization.

Metal-organic framework nanoparticles (MOF NPs) have emerged as an important class of materials that display significantly enhanced performance in many applications compared to bulk MOF materials; their synthesis, however, commonly involves a tedious sequence that controls particle size and surface properties in separate steps. Now, a simple strategy to access functional MOF NPs in one pot is reported that uses a polyMOF ligand possessing a polymer block for surface functionalization and a coordination block with tunable multivalency for size control. This strategy produces uniform polyMOF-5 NPs with sizes down to 20 nm, displaying exceptional structural and colloidal stability upon exposure to ambient conditions. A detailed time-dependent study revealed that the polyMOF NPs were formed following an aggregation-confined crystallization mechanism. Generality was demonstrated through the synthesis of well-defined polyUiO-66 NPs.
Constructing Semi-Directed Level-1 Phylogenetic Networks from Quarnets

We introduce two algorithms for reconstructing semi-directed level-1 phylogenetic networks from their complete set of 4-leaf subnetworks, known as quarnets. The first algorithm, the sequential method, begins with a single quarnet and adds on one leaf at a time until all leaves have been placed. The second algorithm, the cherry-blob method, functions similarly to cherry-picking algorithms for phylogenetic trees by identifying exterior network structures from the quarnets.
Hitching a Ride: Mechanics of Organelle Transport Through Linker-Mediated Hitchhiking

In contrast to the canonical picture of transport by direct attachment to motor proteins, recent evidence shows that a number of intracellular 9cargos9 navigate the cytoplasm by hitchhiking on motor-driven 9carrier9 organelles. We describe a quantitative model of intracellular cargo transport via hitchhiking, examining the efficiency of hitchhiking initiation as a function of geometric and mechanical parameters. We focus specifically on the parameter regime relevant to the hitchhiking motion of peroxisome organelles in fungal hyphae. Our work predicts the dependence of transport initiation rates on the distribution of cytoskeletal tracks and carrier organelles, as well as the number, length and flexibility of the linker proteins that mediate contact between the carrier and the hitchhiking cargo. Furthermore, we demonstrate that attaching organelles to microtubules can result in a substantial enhancement of the hitchhiking initiation rate in tubular geometries such as those found in fungal hyphae. This enhancement is expected to increase the overall transport rate of hitchhiking organelles, and lead to greater efficiency in organelle dispersion. Our results leverage a quantitative physical model to highlight the importance of organelle encounter dynamics in non-canonical intracellular transport.
Using Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis to Explore Colorist Privilege

This Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) method is used to highlight the sociological concept of colorist privilege, which characteristics of White privilege and colorism intersect to influence biopsychosocial outcomes on the African American population. Colorist privilege is first theoretically defined in this paper, then demonstrated within the synthesized studies to capture the experiences of colorist privilege among 155 African American participants utilizing secondary data. Three themes emerged from the essence of the lived experiences of participants that illustrate the mechanisms through which colorist privilege exists among both inter-racial and intra-racial relationships for African American people. Implications for education, teaching, and research regarding African Americans are discussed.
The Reliability of Laboratory Testing in Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis: A Case Report.

Psoriatic arthritis is an uncommon, chronic inflammatory disease. Laboratory testing for psoriatic arthritis, although necessary for a complete work-up, is generally nondiagnostic for most patients...
The development of a comprehensive multidisciplinary endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain center

Endometriosis affects 2%–10% of reproductive-aged women and is one of the leading causes of chronic pelvic pain. Given the extensive diagnostic challenges, multi-system nature of the disease, and s...
4.6 Membrane Systems for Seawater and Brackish Water Desalination

Throughout the world an intensified use of desalination as a means to reduce current or future water scarcity is observed. In terms of technology, the general trend is the adoption of membrane over thermal technologies, and reverse osmosis (RO) is today the leading desalination technology. Numerous large-scale RO seawater desalination plants have been built. Objective of this article is to review the development of membrane-based desalination processes, to describe the historical and current development of RO membrane materials, to illustrate the energy demand and cost of desalination technologies, and to introduce the potential role of advanced materials and innovative technologies in improving performance and sustainability of desalination processes.
13 – Potassium bioavailability

Publisher Summary Potassium is an essential diet for all animals and is the third most abundant mineral element in the animal body. It is readily absorbed mainly from the upper small intestine and is excreted from the body primarily through urine. Forages, especially those who are young and growing rapidly, frequently contain potassium at concentrations well in excess of the ruminant animal's requirement. Disappearance of potassium from fresh, lyophilized, and ground samples of Kentucky 31 tall fescue, Kenhy fescue, and red clover-tall fescue pasture when suspended in dacron bags in the bovine rumen was 90, 94, and 92%, respectively, after 3 hours of incubation. Apparent absorption was used by Paquay and colleagues to determine the utilization of potassium from forages and forage-concentrate combinations in 41 different diets by dairy cows. Potassium absorption from a mixed pea and oat silage was lower and the addition of concentrates including barley generally decreased potassium absorption. Combs and colleagues fed young pigs 0.06 and 0.12% potassium as the acetate or bicarbonate forms in a bioassay procedure and examined growth and a number of urinary and hematological measurements for linear response. O’Dell and Savage found that chicks gained weight with supplemental potassium when arginine was limiting in the diet. Research that has measured the utilization of potassium by animals from feeds and supplements is limited. It appears, however, that potassium present in organic and inorganic salts of the element is of high bioavailability.
Sexuality Disclosure in U.S. Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Impact on Healthcare-Related Stigmas and HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Denial.

Introduction Stigma impairs access to health care by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who are open about their sexuality, or out, are more resilient to stigma than those who are not out. Outness may influence healthcare utilization and prescription of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis to HIV-negative gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Methods Analyzing the 2018 American Men's Internet Survey during 2019, the adjusted prevalence ratios of healthcare stigmas and outness to healthcare providers were calculated. The effect of outness on annual healthcare visits and stigma was measured. Pre-exposure prophylaxis seeking and denial by providers was quantified and stratified by outness. Results Of 5,794 respondents, 3,402 (58.7%) were out to their provider. Out gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men were less likely to experience anticipated stigma (adjusted prevalence ratio=0.75, 95% CI=0.72, 0.80) but more likely to experience enacted stigma or discrimination (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.23, 95% CI=1.18, 1.28). In a subsample of out gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, recently experienced discrimination was associated with higher healthcare utilization (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.51, 95% CI=1.14, 1.51). Conversely, recent experienced discrimination was associated with lower healthcare utilization in not out gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (adjusted prevalence ratio=0.67, 95% CI=0.54, 0.82). Of 3,104 out gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, 1,417 (45.7%) discussed pre-exposure prophylaxis with their providers, compared with 120 of 1,711 (7.0%) gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who were not out (p Conclusions Healthcare provider–related stigmas impair healthcare engagement among not out gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who were also more commonly denied pre-exposure prophylaxis. Ending the HIV epidemic necessitates creating safe environments for disclosure of sexual preferences and practices to facilitate access to HIV prevention.
Analysis of Self-Organized Patterned Surface Oxide Spots on Ejected Spatter Produced during Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Abstract Spatter particles ejected from the melt pool after melting of 316 L stainless steel by laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (LPBF), were found to contain morphologies not observed in as-atomized 316 L powder. This spatter consisted of large, spherical particles, highly dendritic surfaces, particles with caps of accreted liquid, and agglomerations of multiple individual particles fixed together by liquid ligaments prior to solidification. The focus of this study is on an additional, unique spatter morphology consisting of larger, spherical particles with surface oxide spots exhibiting a wide distribution of surface configurations, including organized patterning. Spatter particles with organized surface oxide patterns were characterized for surface and internal particle features using multiple imaging techniques. The following observations are made: 1) spots resided at the spatter particle surface and did not significantly penetrate the interior, 2) the spot(s) were amorphous and rich in Silicon (Si)-Manganese (Mn)-Oxygen (O), 3) a two-part Chromium (Cr)-O rich layer exists between the particle and spot, 4) Cr-O rich morphological features were present at the top surface of the spots, 5) the spatter particle composition was consistent with 316 L but appeared to decrease in Si content into the spatter particle away from a spot, and 6) small Si-rich spherical particles existed within the spatter particle interior.
The development of a nomogram to determine the frequency of elevated risk for non-medical opioid use in cancer patients.

Objective Non-medical opioid use (NMOU) is a growing crisis. Cancer patients at elevated risk of NMOU (+risk) are frequently underdiagnosed. The aim of this paper was to develop a nomogram to predict the probability of +risk among cancer patients receiving outpatient supportive care consultation at a comprehensive cancer center. Method 3,588 consecutive patients referred to a supportive care clinic were reviewed. All patients had a diagnosis of cancer and were on opioids for pain. All patients were assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP-14), and CAGE-AID (Cut Down-Annoyed-Guilty-Eye Opener) questionnaires. “+risk” was defined as an SOAPP-14 score of ≥7. A nomogram was devised based on the risk factors determined by the multivariate logistic regression model to estimate the probability of +risk. Results 731/3,588 consults were +risk. +risk was significantly associated with gender, race, marital status, smoking status, depression, anxiety, financial distress, MEDD (morphine equivalent daily dose), and CAGE-AID score. The C-index was 0.8. A nomogram was developed and can be accessed at https://is.gd/soappnomogram. For example, for a male Hispanic patient, married, never smoked, with ESAS scores for depression = 3, anxiety = 3, financial distress = 7, a CAGE score of 0, and an MEDD score of 20, the total score is 9 + 9+0 + 0+6 + 10 + 23 + 0+1 = 58. A nomogram score of 58 indicates the probability of +risk of 0.1. Significance of results We established a practical nomogram to assess the +risk. The application of a nomogram based on routinely collected clinical data can help clinicians establish patients with +risk and positively impact care planning.
Evidence of range contraction and increased metapopulation patchiness of the rare eastern Nearctic Karst Snowfly Allocapnia cunninghami Ross & Ricker, 1971

The distribution of the rare Karst Snowfly, Allocapnia cunninghami Ross & Ricker, 1971, was assessed during winters of 2019 and 2020. This species has been assigned a NatureServe ranking of G1 (= Critically Imperiled) and was recently included in a Center for Biological Diversity petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as potentially threatened or endangered. Sampling for adult A. cunninghami occurred in 45 unique localities in central Kentucky and middle Tennessee, USA, mainly within the known historical range of this species. This species was found in winters of 2019 and 2020 in very low numbers compared to regional Allocapnia and the winter-emergent fauna in general. Allocapnia cunninghami was collected at only five unique localities and comprised only 1.1% and 1.0% of all Allocapnia and the total winter-emergent fauna individuals collected, respectively. By comparison, the widespread species A. rickeri Frison, 1942 was collected from 41 of 45 unique localities and comprised 70% of all individual adults collected. Despite the difficulties of interpreting historical locality data from 1964 to 1966, A. cunninghami appears to now be present in fewer stream sites and distributed more patchily compared to ca. 55 years ago. A confounding biological factor for A. cunninghami is that Allocapnia adults in general have poor dispersal capacity, making natural colonization and potential recolonization events substantially more problematic for what appears to be a rare species in slow decline within an already small native geographic range. By including positive collection data from 1999–2012, increasing the number of known contemporaneous sites to nine, predictive distributional models can now be generated to allow for more focused searching for previously undetected populations and potentially expand the known geographic range of this rare species.