cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kalman filter-Based Approximation of a Network Calculus TCP Controller

Delay-based TCP congestion avoidance methods such TCP Vegas, enhanced Vegas, and fast TCP all suffer from throughput degradation as illustrated by their inability to fully utilize the link bandwidth in a bidirectional bottleneck link topology. In this paper, we propose a Kalman filter implementation of a TCP congestion avoidance scheme that is derived by approximating the ideal window controller generated from an approach based upon network calculus (NC) notions. With an improved bandwidth estimation method, this Kalman filter-based NC controller presents a marked improvement over all other delay-based TCP congestion avoidance schemes. In ns-2 simulations, it is able to fully utilize the link bandwidth in both directions with the router queue levels achieving stable set points with reduced queueing delay variation under highly dynamic conditions.
Dietary Quality among Latinos: Is Acculturation Making Us Sick?

Latinos, defined herein as individuals coming from Spanish or Portuguese speaking countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, have made and continue to make major economic, social, cultural, and political contributions to the USA (1). Yet, they are disproportionately affected by poor educational attainment, higher poverty and food insecurity rates, lack of access to health-care, and suboptimal health outcomes (2). These disparities occur in the context of neighborhoods or living environments with low social capital and major structural barriers preventing the practice of healthier recommended behaviors, including proper nutrition (3). It is estimated that 78% of Latinos speak mostly Spanish at home (4). This strong language preference has led some to believe that Latinos can be understood as a monolithic group. However, Latinos can not be understood as a homogenous group as they come from very diverse socio-cultural contexts. In addition, their move to the USA has been driven by different social, economic, and/or political reasons (2). The objective of this commentary is to: a) present and discuss recent evidence on the association between acculturation, household food insecurity and dietary quality among Latino subgroups; b) make recommendations for improving the measurement of the construct of acculturation; and c) make specific research recommendations for advancing the knowledge in this field.
Unusual intercalation of acridin‐9‐ylthiourea into the 5′‐GA/TC DNA base step from the minor groove: implications for the covalent DNA adduct profile of a novel platinum–intercalator conjugate

The binding of the novel cytotoxic acridine derivative, 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea (ACRAMTU) to various self-complementary oligonucleotide duplexes has been studied by combined high-resolution NMR spectroscopy/restrained molecular dynamics and equilibrium binding assays to establish the sequence and groove specificity of intercalation. The binding mode in the sequences d(GGACGTCC)2 and d(GGAGCTCC)2 was deduced from chemical shift changes and intermolecular NOEs between the ligand and the oligonucleotides. ACRAMTU intercalated into the 5′-CG/CG and 5′-GA/TC base steps, and penetration of the duplexes occurred from the minor groove. Intercalation of ACRAMTU in d(GGTACC)2 occurs at the central TA/TA step, based on the absence of the internucleotide A4H8–T3H1′ and A4H8–T3H3′ cross-peaks in the 1:1 complex of this sequence. An energy- minimized AMBER model of the 1:2 complex, [d(GGAGCTCC)2(ACRAMTU)2], was generated, which was based on restricted molecular dynamics/ mechanics calculations using 108 NOE distance restraints (including 11 DNA–drug distances per ligand). Equilibrium dialysis experiments were performed using octamers containing various base steps present in the ‘NMR sequences’. The highest affinity for ACRAMTU was observed in d(TATAT ATA)2, followed by d(CGCGCGCG)2 and d(GAG ATCTC)2. The binding levels for CG/CG and GA/TC were virtually the same. The unusual tolerance of the GA/TC intercalation site and the pronounced groove specificity of ACRAMTU play a significant role in the molecular recognition between the corresponding platinum conjugate, Pt-ACRAMTU, and DNA.
Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 in the Generation of Vasoactive Prostanoids in the Rat Pulmonary and Systemic Vascular Beds

Background— Prostanoid synthesis by the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 pathway plays an important role in inflammation, and recent studies have shown the presence of COX-2 in the normal rat lung. However, the role of COX-2 in the generation of vasoactive prostanoids in the rat is uncertain. In the present study, the hypothesis that synthesis of vasoactive prostanoids via the COX-2 pathway can alter pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance was investigated, and the effects of selective COX-2 inhibitors on pulmonary and systemic responses to the prostanoid precursor arachidonic acid were examined in the anesthetized rat with a recently developed right-heart catheterization technique. Methods and Results— Injections of arachidonic acid caused dose-related increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and decreases in systemic vascular resistance. These responses were attenuated by selective COX-2 inhibitors and a selective COX-1 inhibitor, whereas responses to exogenous prostanoids were not altered. Nimesulide or NS-...
Isotopic Incorporation Rates and Discrimination Factors in Mantis Shrimp Crustaceans

Stable isotope analysis has provided insights into the trophic ecology of a wide diversity of animals. Knowledge about isotopic incorporation rates and isotopic discrimination between the consumer and its diet for different tissue types is essential for interpreting stable isotope data, but these parameters remain understudied in many animal taxa and particularly in aquatic invertebrates. We performed a 292-day diet shift experiment on 92 individuals of the predatory mantis shrimp, Neogonodactylus bredini, to quantify carbon and nitrogen incorporation rates and isotope discrimination factors in muscle and hemolymph tissues. Average isotopic discrimination factors between mantis shrimp muscle and the new diet were 3.0 ± 0.6 ‰ and 0.9 ± 0.3 ‰ for carbon and nitrogen, respectively, which is contrary to what is seen in many other animals (e.g. C and N discrimination is generally 0–1 ‰ and 3–4 ‰, respectively). Surprisingly, the average residence time of nitrogen in hemolymph (28.9 ± 8.3 days) was over 8 times longer than that of carbon (3.4 ± 1.4 days). In muscle, the average residence times of carbon and nitrogen were of the same magnitude (89.3 ± 44.4 and 72.8 ± 18.8 days, respectively). We compared the mantis shrimps’ incorporation rates, along with rates from four other invertebrate taxa from the literature, to those predicted by an allometric equation relating carbon incorporation rate to body mass that was developed for teleost fishes and sharks. The rate of carbon incorporation into muscle was consistent with rates predicted by this equation. Our findings provide new insight into isotopic discrimination factors and incorporation rates in invertebrates with the former showing a different trend than what is commonly observed in other animals.
On the Assumption of Spherical Symmetry and Sparseness for the Frequency-Domain Speech Model

A new independent component analysis (ICA) formulation called independent vector analysis (IVA) was proposed in order to solve the permutation problem in convolutive blind source separation (BSS). Instead of running ICA in each frequency bin separately and correcting the disorder with an additional algorithmic scheme afterwards, IVA exploited the dependency among the frequency components of a source and dealt with them as a multivariate source by modeling it with sparse and spherically, or radially, symmetric joint probability density functions (pdfs). In this paper, we compare the speech separation performances of IVA by using a group of lp-norm-invariant sparse pdfs where the value of and the sparseness can be controlled. Also, we derive an IVA algorithm from a nonparametric perspective with the constraint of spherical symmetry and high dimensionality. Simulation results confirm the efficiency of assuming sparseness and spherical symmetry for the speech model in the frequency domain.
An Inverted and More Oxidizing Isomer of [FeIV(O)(tmc)(NCCH3)]2+

High-valent oxoiron species are often invoked as the oxidants in the catalytic cycles of dioxygen activating mononuclear nonheme iron enzymes.[1] To date, such iron(IV) intermediates have been characterized for four enzymes, lending strong support for this notion.[2] Within the same time frame, synthetic nonheme complexes containing oxoiron(IV) units have also been described that serve as models for such reactive intermediates.[3] The first crystallographically characterized and most extensively studied member of this family of synthetic oxoiron(IV) complexes is [FeIV(O)(TMC)(NCCH3)](OTf)2 (1-NCCH3)[4] (TMC = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). Its structure features a short Fe=O bond (rFe=O = 1.646 A) with an acetonitrile bound trans to the oxo atom.[4] The macrocyclic TMC ligand adopts a trans-I (R,S,R,S) configuration, such that all four methyl groups are oriented in the same direction with respect to the FeN4 plane,[5] and anti to the oxo atom. On the other hand, monoanionic X ligands coordinate syn to the methyl groups in crystal structures of five-coordinate [FeII(TMC)(X)]+ complexes.[6] Herein, we report the unexpected preparation of an inverted isomer of 1-NCCH3 in which the oxo group binds to the site syn to the four methyl groups (Scheme 1). The conversion of 1-NCCH3 to its inverted isomer is effected by treatment with PhIO in the presence of tetrafluroborate, an otherwise inert anion. The switch in binding site of the oxo group engenders changes in the spectroscopic properties of the oxoiron(IV) complex and, more importantly, a significantly enhanced reactivity in hydrogen-atom abstraction and oxo-transfer reactions.
Equivalency of Hydrochloric Acid and Distilled Water Extraction Media for Determining Residual Ethylene Oxide in Medical Devices

An alternate method for determining residual ethylene oxide (EtO) in medical devices was compared with the aqueous extraction method suggested by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Residual EtO was extracted from EtO-sterilized samples of acrylic polymer (XT250-301 glass-tinted formulation) in pellet form by immersion in 1 M HCl at 37 +/- 2 degrees C (alternate method) or immersion in distilled water (AAMI method). The EtO residuals in the extracts were determined using gas chromatography and were statistically compared using a two-sample t test. Results obtained using the alternative method agreed within 10% of those obtained using the AAMI method.
Privacy and regression model preserved learning

Sensitive data such as medical records and business reports usually contains valuable information that can be used to build prediction models. However, designing learning models by directly using sensitive data might result in severe privacy and copyright issues. In this paper, we propose a novel matrix completion based framework that aims to tackle two challenging issues simultaneously: i) handling missing and noisy sensitive data, and ii) preserving the privacy of the sensitive data during the learning process. In particular, the proposed framework is able to mask the sensitive data while ensuring that the transformed data are still usable for training regression models. We show that two key properties, namely model preserving and privacy preserving, are satisfied by the transformed data obtained from the proposed framework. In model preserving, we guarantee that the linear regression model built from the masked data approximates the regression model learned from the original data in a perfect way. In privacy preserving, we ensure that the original sensitive data cannot be recovered since the transformation procedure is irreversible. Given these two characteristics, the transformed data can be safely released to any learners for designing prediction models without revealing any private content. Our empirical studies with a synthesized dataset and multiple sensitive benchmark datasets verify our theoretical claim as well as the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Statical Indeterminacy and Stability of Structures

Elements of linear graph theory are presented and used to generate a matrix whose dimensions and rank are necessary and sufficient for describing the static stability and indeterminacy of skeletal structures. It is demonstrated that for rigid frame with fixed supports, only one topological quantity, the first Betti number, is sufficient. When hinges, free ends, or other nonrigid connections or supports are present, geometrical information is also required.
Context-dependent modulation of Pol II CTD phosphatase SSUP-72 regulates alternative polyadenylation in neuronal development

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is widespread in neuronal development and activity-mediated neural plasticity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. We used systematic genetic studies and genome-wide surveys of the transcriptional landscape to identify a context-dependent regulatory pathway controlling APA in the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system. Loss of function in ssup-72, a Ser5 phosphatase for the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) C-terminal domain (CTD), dampens transcription termination at a strong intronic polyadenylation site (PAS) in unc-44/ankyrin yet promotes termination at the weak intronic PAS of the MAP kinase dlk-1. A nuclear protein, SYDN-1, which regulates neuronal development, antagonizes the function of SSUP-72 and several nuclear polyadenylation factors. This regulatory pathway allows the production of a neuron-specific isoform of unc-44 and an inhibitory isoform of dlk-1. Dysregulation of the unc-44 and dlk-1 mRNA isoforms in sydn-1 mutants impairs neuronal development. Deleting the intronic PAS of unc-44 results in increased pre-mRNA processing of neuronal ankyrin and suppresses sydn-1 mutants. These results reveal a mechanism by which regulation of CTD phosphorylation controls coding region APA in the nervous system.
Raman and photoluminescence studies of porous silicon

Data from a series of experiments on porous silicon are presented, which provide important information about the luminescence processes in this promising new material. Raman spectra were correlated with PL spectra to clarify the significance of the silicon microcrystallites sizes on the photoluminescence (PL). The temperature dependence of the PL intensity, time constants, and peak PL energies was determined to reveal the role of more highly localized states such as defects and impurities. The dielectric constant was measured using angel resolved ellipsometry to relate quantum size effects to possible excitonic levels in the microcrystallites. The excitation power dependence of the PL was determined to be linear, indicating a one photon-one electron process is responsible for the excitation of the PL. The excitation spectrum of the PL was measured to provide information about the PL excitation process and the critical energy levels.
Predatory Potential of Selected Ant Species on Eggs of Western Corn Rootworm

Experiments were conducted on colonies of 3 selected ant species that are abundant in corn fields in the Nebraska Sandhills to determine their predatory potential on eggs of western corn rootworms (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera LeConte. Lasius neoniger Emery was not found to be a predator on WCR eggs under test conditions. Myrmica americana Weber and Pheidole bicarinata longula Emery did remove WCR eggs from filter paper placed upon the surface of their colonies. M. americana did not locate and remove eggs placed beneath the soil in the colonies. Location of WCR eggs in soil appears to be due to chance; thus significant reduction of WCR egg populations in the field is questionable.
UDP-Sugars as Extracellular Signaling Molecules: Cellular and Physiologic Consequences of P2Y14 Receptor Activation

UDP-sugars, which are indispensable for protein glycosylation reactions in cellular secretory pathways, also act as important extracellular signaling molecules. We discuss here the broadly expressed P2Y14 receptor, a G-protein–coupled receptor targeted by UDP sugars, and the increasingly diverse set of physiologic responses discovered recently functioning downstream of this receptor in many epithelia as well as in immune, inflammatory, and other cells.
Optically Induced Paramagnetic Defects in PbTiO3 Single Crystals

Optical excitations for trivalent platinum (5d 7 , t 6 e) and trivalent Pb (6s 1 ) ions in lead titanate single crystals have been observed for the first time by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The g and hyperfine coupling, A, tensors of Pt +3 defects were found to be axial: gil∥ = 1.938, g⊥ = 2.478, A∥ = 0.0164 cm −1 , and A⊥ = 0.0324 cm −1 . Analysis of the EPR spectra by crystal field theory indicates that the Pt +3 ions are in tetragonally distorted (elongated) octahedral sites, strongly suggesting that they substitute for the central Ti +4 ions in the perovskite lattice. Axially symmetric Fe +3 impurities were also observed in the crystals, and they also appear to substitute for the Ti +4 cation. Identification of Pb +3 in these single crystals further shows that holes trapped at Pb +2 ions are an inherent feature of Pb-based perovskite ferroelectrics.
Highly Strained InAsxPl-X/InP Quantum wells Prepared by Flow Modulation Epitaxy

Flow modulation techniques have been used to prepare highly strained InAsxP1-x/InP quantum well structures in an atmospheric pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxial reactor. The compositions of the pseudomorphic wells ranged from x=0.40 to 0.74, corresponding to biaxial compressive strains of 1.3–2.4%. Well thicknesses ranged from 2 to 26 monolayers. The flow modulation growth conditions were found to have a strong influence on interface formation in the wells. For wells grown under optimized modulation conditions, low-temperature photoluminescence spectra revealed peak-splitting of the emission from the thinnest wells. This splitting is attributed to emission from regions in the wells with atomically smooth interfaces over areas greater in lateral extent than the exciton diameter. The full-width at half-maximum of the peaks is in the 6–15 meV range, comparable to the best reported values for lattice-matched InGaAs(P)/InP quantum wells grown by any technique, and is independent of well thickness or composition.
The Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on the Psychosocial Development of Toddlers

This study used data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II to examine the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on child-welfare-involved toddlers' psychosocial development. The sample was limited to toddlers aged 12 to 18 months with mothers who did ( n = 102) and did not ( n = 163) report IPV physical victimization. Multiple linear regression analyses showed, when compared with mothers who did not report IPV physical victimization, mothers who reported IPV physical victimization were more likely to have toddlers with higher levels of socioemotional and behavioral problems ( B = 5.06, p .05). Further analyses examining only toddlers with mothers who reported IPV physical victimization revealed, when compared with IPV-exposed toddlers who had a child welfare report of physical abuse as the primary maltreatment type, those with IPV as the primary maltreatment type were at lower risk of having socioemotional and behavioral problems ( B = -12.90, p < .05) and delayed social competence ( B = 3.27, p < .05). These findings indicate a significant concern regarding toddler psychosocial development when a mother has experienced IPV. This concern is even greater among IPV-exposed toddlers who experience physical abuse. We recommend child welfare workers assess for IPV. Once identified, early prevention and intervention services should be offered and tailored to the specific needs of IPV-affected families.
Experimental Study on Treatment of Mercury-Contained Wastewater

Sulfuration-coagulative precipitation-charcoal adsorption process is tested to treat mercury-contained wastewater on energy-saved light industry.The results show that under the condition pH= 7～8?FeS=1.5mg/L?PAC=50mg/L?GAC= 60mg/L,the quality of effluent is 8μg/L and removal rate of 1.6mg/L mercury is over 99.5%.
Mobile App to Reduce Inactivity in Sedentary Overweight Women.

Recent studies demonstrated that the duration of inactivity (sedentary state) is independently associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Our goal was to develop the technology that can measure the amount of inactivity in real time, remind a person that a preprogrammed period of inactivity has occurred and encourage a period of activity, and provide web-based feedback with tailored information to the participant and investigators. Once it was developed, we carried out a pilot study in a group of sedentary overweight women. The objective of the study was to assess potential of the mobile app to reduce inactivity in our target population. A randomized crossover design was employed with study subjects randomly assigned to a 4-week each "message-on" and "message-off" periods. Out of 30 enrolled subjects, 27 completed the study. The average age of particpants was 52±12; BMI: 37±6; 47% were white and 47% were African American. Overall, inactivity was significantly lower (p<0.02) during "message-on" periods (24.6%) as compared to the "message-off" periods (30.4%). We conluded that mobile app monitoring inactivity and providing a real-time notification when inactivity period exceeds healthy limits was able to significantly reduce inactivity periods in overweight sedentary women.
Intranasal Delivery of Neuropeptides

A major barrier to entry of neuropeptides into the brain is low bioavailability and presence of the blood-brain barrier. Intranasal delivery of neuropeptides provides a potentially promising alternative to other routes of administration, since a direct pathway exists between the olfactory neuroepithelium and the brain. Use of the rat as an animal model in nose to brain delivery of neuropeptides allows for several advantages, including a large surface area within the nasal cavity dedicated to olfactory epithelium and robust neuronal pathways extending to and from most areas of the brain from the nose via the olfactory cortex. A major disadvantage to using rats for nose to brain delivery is the difficulty in selectively targeting the posterior olfactory epithelium (which facilitates delivery to the brain) over the more anterior respiratory epithelium (which facilitates delivery to the lungs and secondarily to the peripheral blood) in the nasal cavity. We have developed a novel delivery system that consists of surgically implanting stainless-steel cannulas in the dorsal aspect of the nasal cavity overlying the olfactory neuroepithelium, thereby allowing neuropeptide compounds to bypass the respiratory epithelium.
Response time of the Opti-Q continuous cardiac output pulmonary artery catheter in the urgent mode to a step change in cardiac output.

Objectives.This study was conducted to determine the response timeof the Opti-Q continuous cardiac output (CCO) device to a step change incardiac. Design.Prospective study. Setting.University hospitalanimal lab. Model.Female sheep. Interventions.In ten animals,cardiac output was altered suddenly by opening and closing a peripheralarteriovenous shunt to test the response time of the CCO system.Measurements and main results.Cardiac output was measured continuouslyby thermodilution and ultrasonic techniques while an arteriovenous shunt wasopened and closed. A total of 53 dynamic observations were made (5–6 peranimal). The mean response time of the continuous cardiac output device was86 seconds and was unaffected by the magnitude or direction of the change incardiac output. It was also unaffected by the animal's weight. CCOvalues were not statistically different from standard thermodilutionmeasurement (p= 0.895). Shunt flow ranged from 430 to 1730 ml/minand averaged 812 ml/min. The mean CCO with the shunt closed was 4.62 L/min.There was 1.5 to 2 minutes under or overshoot in cardiac output in 11% of themeasurements. Conclusions.Continuous cardiac output measurement wasas accurate as those made by standard bolus thermodilution. The averageresponse time to acute changes in cardiac output was approximately 1.5 minutesor ten times faster than previously reported systems. Response time isindependent of animal mass, shunt volume and the direction of cardiac outputperturbations.
Public Access to Anatomic Images

Described here is an RD (b) enhance text-based information services with relevant anatomic images. To accomplish these objectives, investigations into advanced techniques and technologies were conducted, including multi-tier system architectures, database design, design of suitable image viewers, image compression, and use of the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS), among others. This research has contributed to the design and development of AnatQuest, a system released for use by the lay public. It has also helped define the system architecture and essential functions required to link biomedical terms in documents to relevant anatomic structures in our database through UMLS concepts and relationships and to display these to the reader. In this chapter, we describe how our research has informed the overall goal to explore and implement new and visually compelling ways to bring anatomic images from the Visible Human dataset to the general public.
Abstract 1880: Determining the role of E-cadherin in regulating IGF1 signaling in breast cancer: An interaction predicted by large-scale modeling

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF1) plays an important role in breast cancer initiation and progression due to its regulation of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These characteristics make IGF1R an attractive therapeutic target. While numerous clinical trials have sought to inhibit IGF1R action, these were largely unsuccessful due to a lack of biomarkers for positive therapeutic response, poor patient selection, and potential compensatory signaling by the highly similar insulin receptor (InsR). To identify biomarkers of response, our laboratory identified a set of genes regulated by IGF1 (IGF-sig) that revealed a correlation between activation of the IGF-sig and poor prognosis in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer. Further, we showed that ER-negative breast cancer cells are sensitive to IGF1R inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. In an effort to better understand the IGF1 and insulin signaling networks in breast cancer, we performed a reverse phase protein array (RPPA) using 134 antibodies on lysates from twenty-one breast cancer cell lines stimulated with a six point time-course of IGF1 or insulin. We developed a time-dependent model to predict differential mediators of IGF1 and insulin signaling using perturbation analysis. The model predicted that alterations in levels of E-cadherin (CDH1), a major component of the adherens junction, affect IGF1 induced Akt activation. In breast cancer, E-cadherin is genetically lost in invasive lobular cancer (ILC), a subtype that accounts for ∼10-15% of breast cancers. Alternatively, invasive ductal cancers may lose E-cadherin via EMT. I confirmed this in silico prediction, showing that shRNA reduction of E-cadherin enhances the ability of IGF1 to induce Akt signaling, and additionally IGF1R, ERK and S6 ribosomal protein activation. Supporting the clinical relevance of our observations, we found a correlation between loss of E-cadherin (CDH1) mRNA expression and the activation of the IGF-sig in ER-negative tumors within The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Therefore, we hypothesize that loss of E-cadherin potentiates IGF1 signaling to enhance breast cancer progression, and that loss of E-cadherin expression in ILC and ER-negative tumors may highlight those susceptible to IGF1R inhibition. These studies will investigate how E-cadherin modulates IGF1 signaling and the interaction with EMT with the goal of better defining breast cancers that may respond to IGF1R inhibitors. Citation Format: Alison M. Nagle, Cemal Erdem, YuFen Wang, Kevin Levine, Tiffany Katz, D. Lansing Taylor, Adrian V. Lee, Timothy R. Lezon. Determining the role of E-cadherin in regulating IGF1 signaling in breast cancer: An interaction predicted by large-scale modeling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1880.
Feeding in coronate medusae (class scyphoza, order coronatae)

Observations of the unusual feeding behavior of Nausithoe punctata Kolliker and Linuche unguiculata (Schwartz) are presented. N. punctata captures small Zooplankton on its rigidly upward‐extended tentacles and then bends these down and inward, carrying prey to the mouth. L. unguiculata captures prey with its lappets. Prey is transported to the coelenteron by cilia in N. punctata and by muscular and ciliary activity in L. Unguiculata. N. punctata and L. unguiculata have the same reaction of lip flaring and manubrium bending toward proline and reduced glutathione. In the laboratory, both species eat copepods, other microcrusta‐ceans and larval fish, which are digested within two hours. On the basis of in situ photographs and functional morphology, it is likely that Atolla spp. and Periphylla periphylla (Peron and Lesueur) feed similarly to N. punctata. In these coronates, the coronal groove is important as a hinge to provide flexibility of the lappets when they fold inward during swimming and to contain pre...
Regional Anesthesia and Anticoagulation

Bleeding complications following regional anesthesia are an uncommon but real concern, and are dependent on patient- and procedure-specific factors. A thorough patient history is necessary to identify any preexisting coagulopathy, use of anticoagulants or other agents which may exacerbate bleeding concomitant with regional anesthesia procedures. It is expected that regional anesthesiologists will increasingly encounter patients treated with popular anticoagulant drugs, including NSAIDs, warfarin, heparin, and ADP receptor blockers, as well as newer anticoagulants and other agents affecting coagulation (e.g., SSRIs/SNRIs), as more elderly individuals undergo surgery. Not only do we need to be very knowledgeable about newer developments in the ever changing world of anticoagulation, we also need to temper our enthusiasm for performing invasive procedures on patients who are at high risk for bleeding complications.
The innate immune response to lower respiratory tract E. Coli infection and the role of the CCL2-CCR2 axis in neonatal mice.

Abstract Neonates have greater morbidity/mortality from lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) compared to older children. Lack of conditioning of the pulmonary immune system due to limited environmental exposures and/or infectious challenges likely contributes to the increase susceptibility in the neonate. In this study, we sought to gain insights into the nature and dynamics of the neonatal pulmonary immune response to LRTI using a murine model. Methods Wildtype (WT) and Ccr 2 −/− C57BL/6 neonatal and juvenile mice received E. coli or PBS by direct pharyngeal aspiration. Flow cytometry was used to measure immune cell dynamics and identify cytokine-producing cells. Real-time PCR and ELISA were used to measure cytokine/chemokine expression. Results Innate immune cell recruitment in response to E. coli- induced LRTI was delayed in the neonatal lung compared to juvenile lung. Lung clearance of bacteria was also significantly delayed in the neonate. Ccr 2 −/− neonates, which lack an intact CCL2-CCR2 axis, had higher mortality after E. coli challenged than Ccr 2 +/+ neonates. A greater percentage of CD8 + T cells and monocytes from WT neonates challenged with E. coli produced TNF compared to controls. Conclusion The pulmonary immune response to E. coli- induced LRTI differed significantly between neonatal and juvenile mice. Neonates were more susceptible to increasing doses of E. coli and exhibited greater mortality than juveniles. In the absence of an intact CCL2-CCR2 axis, susceptibility to LRTI-induced mortality was further increased in neonatal mice. Taken together these findings underscore the importance of age-related differences in the innate immune response to LRTI during early stages of postnatal life.
Persistence of exhaustion in cured hep C.

In this issue of Blood, Del Padre et al 1 evaluated the impact of eliminating chronic antigen exposure on B-cell exhaustion in the human therapeutic setting of direct-acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) complicated by mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). The phenotype of hepatitis C–related MC B cells has been previously demonstrated by this group and others 2 to include low-level CD21 expression (CD21 low ) and hypoproliferation in response to stimulation either through the B-cell receptor or Toll-like receptor 9, imperfectly termed “exhausted” or “anergic.” At baseline, CD21 low B cells from HCV-infected patients expressed markers of chronic activation, with elevated and near-maximal basal levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal–regulated kinase, and were also predisposed to apoptosis. During oral direct-acting antiviral therapy, the authors observed that by 4 weeks (at which point, most patients have no circulating HCV RNA), these basal abnormalities at least partially normalized. During longitudinal follow-up after patients were documented as cured, the overall frequency of CD21 low cells progressively declined from 50% to 30% of circulating B cells. However, the frequency of V H 1-69 + B cells specific for HCV-related MC generally remained stable, although some regained CD21 expression. Despite partial resolution of the exhaustion phenotype, surviving V H 1-69 + B cells remained hypoproliferative upon Toll-like receptor 9 ligation, suggesting that the B-cell exhaustion phenotype is durably programmed into antigen-specific B cells during long-term extracellular antigen exposure.
Impact of Alzheimer disease patients' sleep disturbances on their caregivers

Sleep disturbance symptoms are common in persons living with Alzheimer disease (AD). However little is known about the impact of sleep disturbance symptoms in patients living with AD on caregiver burden and quality of life (QOL). The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of symptoms of disturbed sleep in patients with AD, identify the care-recipient sleep disturbance symptoms that predict caregiver burden and QoL, and determine how care-recipient sleep disturbance symptoms compare to other caregiver and patient characteristics when predicting caregiver QoL. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Screen for Caregiver Burden. Sixty percent of the care-recipients had at least one sleep symptom. In 130 caregiver/patient dyads, nocturnal awakenings, nocturnal wandering, and snoring predicted caregiver burden. Multivariate modeling demonstrated that caregiver burden, caregiver physical and mental health, and caregiver depression were predictors of overall caregiver QoL. Treating disturbed sleep in care-recipients and caregiver mental health symptoms could have important public health impact by improving the lives of the caregiving dyad.
Prevalence, comorbidities and mortality of toxic shock syndrome in children and adults in the USA.

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a superantigen-mediated illness characterized by rash, hypotension and multi-organ dysfunction. The predictors of TSS and related morbidity and mortality are poorly defined. We analyzed data on 61,959,084 hospitalizations from the 2003-2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a 20% stratified sample of US hospitalizations. ICD-9-CM coding was used to identify 4,491 hospitalizations with a diagnosis of TSS. Incidence, in-hospital mortality rate, comorbidities, length of stay and costs of care due to TSS were determined. In multivariate survey logistic regression models, TSS was associated with female sex (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.54 [1.48–1.60]), younger age (0–17 years: 2.17 [2.06–2.29], 40–59: 0.53 [0.50–0.56], 60–79: 0.28 [0.26–0.30], 80+: 0.13 [0.11– 0.14] compared to 18–39), race/ethnicity (black: 0.63 [0.59–0.67], Hispanic: 0.60 [0.56–0.64], Asian: 1.11 [1.00–1.11] and other: 0.83 [0.75–0.92] compared to white) among other socio–demographic factors. TSS patients had three–fold increased cost of care (mean: $36,656±942) and length of stay (LOS) (mean: 10.65±0.23 days) compared to patients without TSS. Shared predictors of increased LOS and costs in TSS patients were male sex; age 40–79; Black, Hispanic, Asian and other race/ethnicity; and more than one chronic condition. Predictors of in–hospital mortality included respiratory failure (13.66 [11.37–16.43]), liver disease/failure (3.36 [2.59–4.34]), chickenpox (91.26 [27.74–300.25]) or coagulopathy (2.14 [1.85–2.48]), and increasing age. In conclusion, significant racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and comorbid disparities exist in the incidence and mortality due to TSS in US adults and children.
Study of slab transmission and reflection

In this paper, using Monte Carlo calculations, it is shown that the transmission of scattered neutrons or gamma rays from a point source through a plane slab of infinite extent to a point detector depends on the orientation of the slab but varies very little with the slab position. This is also true for reflected radiation if the source is replaced by its image source and the results are interpreted in terms of a transmission problem. It is also shown that the transition from a slab of small extent (narrow beam conditions) to a slab of infinite extent (broad beam conditions) can be characterized by a simple function of the single-scatter angle. This function, too, can be applied to reflected radiation by invoking the image source. Typical results are presented for polyethylene and iron.
Test-retest reliability of dynamic functional connectivity in resting state fMRI.

Abstract While static functional connectivity (sFC) of resting state fMRI (rfMRI) measures the average functional connectivity (FC) over the entire rfMRI scan, dynamic FC (dFC) captures the temporal variations of FC at shorter time windows. Although numerous studies have implemented dFC analyses, only a few studies have investigated the reliability of dFC and this limits the biological interpretation of dFC. Here, we used a large cohort (N = 820) of subjects and four rfMRI scans from the Human Connectome Project to systematically explore the relationship between sFC, dFC and their test-retest reliabilities through intra-class correlation (ICC). dFC ICC was explored through the sliding window approach with three dFC statistics (standard deviation, ALFF, and excursion). Excursion demonstrated the highest dFC ICC and the highest age prediction accuracy. dFC ICC was generally higher at window sizes less than 40 s. sFC and dFC were negatively correlated. Compared to sFC, dFC was less reliable. While sFC and sFC ICC were positively correlated, dFC and dFC ICC were negatively correlated, indicating that FC that was more dynamic was less reliable. Intra-network FCs in the frontal-parietal, default mode, sensorimotor and visual networks demonstrated high sFC and low dFC. Moreover, ICCs of both sFC and dFC in these regions were higher. The above results were consistent across two brain atlases and independent component analysis-based networks, multiple window sizes and all three dFC statistics. In summary, dFC is less reliable than sFC and additional experiments are required to better understand the neurophysiological relevance of dFC.
An optimization approach for high-efficiency high-power-density boost converters

Boost converters running in valley switching mode have the advantages of low switching loss and small inductor size. However, the switching frequency is not fixed as operating conditions vary, which can make inductor design for this converter challenging. In this paper, a systematic optimization approach is presented that is suitable for wide-input-voltage range designs such as power factor correction (PFC) converters. The loss of each component is modeled as a function of the operating point, and the efficiency is estimated over the entire input voltage range. Given a set of selected cores and Litz wire, an optimal inductor design can be found on a plot of efficiencies and air-gap lengths. Genetic algorithms can be used to find the optimal design with customizable cores. Experiments are conducted to verify the model and the approach. One of the prototypes, designed as the first stage for an ac-dc converter system, achieves around 98% efficiency over the input range of 70V to 170V, boosting to 363V at 45W. The prototype converter has a total volume of 2.8cm3 and reaches a power density of 263W/in3.
Inhibitors of Signaling Pathways That Block Reversal of HIV-1 Latency

Signaling pathways play a key role in HIV-1 latency. In this study, we used the 24ST1NLESG cell line of HIV-1 latency to screen a library of structurally diverse, medicinally active, cell permeable kinase inhibitors, which target a wide range of signaling pathways, to identify inhibitors of HIV-1 latency reversal. The screen was carried out in the absence or presence of three mechanistically distinct latency-reversing agents (LRAs), namely, prostratin, panobinostat, and JQ-1. We identified inhibitors that only blocked the activity of a specific LRA, as well as inhibitors that blocked the activity of all LRAs. For example, we identified 12 inhibitors targeted toward protein kinase C or downstream kinases that blocked the activity of prostratin. We also identified 12 kinase inhibitors that blocked the reversal of HIV-1 latency irrespective of the LRA used in the screen. Of these, danusertib, an Aurora kinase inhibitor, and PF-3758309, a PAK4 inhibitor, were the most potent. The 50% inhibitory concentrations in the 24ST1NLESG cells ranged from 40 to 147 nM for danusertib (selectivity indices, >150) and from 0.1 to 1 nM for PF-3758309 (selectivity indices, >3,300). Both danusertib and PF-3758309 inhibited latency reversal in CD4+ T cells isolated from HIV-1-infected donors. Collectively, our study describes a chemical approach that can be applied to elucidate the role of signaling pathways involved in LRA activity or the maintenance of HIV-1 latency and also identifies inhibitors of latent HIV-1 reactivation that could be used with antiretroviral therapy to reduce residual viremia.
Novel mediators and mechanisms in the resolution of infectious inflammation: evidence for vagus regulation.

Excessive chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases and considered a stress factor in humans (Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 1999, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2008, 105: 17949, Immunity, 44, 2016, 44: 463, N Engl J Med, 2011, 364: 656). Today, the resolution of inflammation is widely recognized as a cellular biochemically active process involving biosynthesis of a novel superfamily of endogenous chemical signals coined specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs; Nature, 2014, 510:92). Herein, we review recent evidence, indicating a role for the vagus nerve and vagotomy in the regulation of lipid mediators. Vagotomy reduces pro-resolving mediators, including the lipoxins, resolvins, protectins and maresins, delaying resolution in mouse peritonitis. Vagotomy also delays resolution of Escherichia coli infection in mice. Specifically, right vagus regulates peritoneal Group 3 innate lymphoid cell (ILC-3) number and peritoneal macrophage responses with lipid mediator profile signatures with elevated pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and reduced resolvins, including the novel protective immunoresolvent agonist protectin conjugate in tissue regeneration1 (PCTR1). Acetylcholine upregulates PCTR biosynthesis, and administration of PCTR1 to vagotomized mice restores tissue resolution and host responses to E. coli infections. Results obtained with human vagus ex vivo indicate that vagus can produce both pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, as well as the SPM. Electrical stimulation of human vagus in vitro reduces both prostaglandins and leukotrienes and enhances resolvins and the other SPM. These results elucidate a host protective mechanism mediated by vagus stimulation of SPM that includes resolvins and PCTR1 to regulate myeloid antimicrobial functions and resolution of infection. Moreover, they define a new pro-resolution of inflammation reflex operative in mice and human tissue that involves a vagus SPM circuit.
Minimal physical therapy utilization compared with higher physical therapy utilization for patients with low back pain: a systematic review.

Aim: Currently there is a large and perhaps unwarranted variation regarding physical therapy utilization for individuals with low back pain (LBP). The purpose of this systematic review was to comp...
Hospital discharges for inflammatory bowel disease. Time trends from England and the United States.

The present study analyzes time trends of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in England-Wales and the United States based on nationwide hospitalization statistics. Because these statistics cover the total population of each country, they may give a more representative picture of the true trends than previous analyses concerning only one region or health center. The Hospital In-patient Enquiry was used to evaluate time trends in England-Wales from 1962 to 1985, data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey and the Commission on Professional Activities were used for trends in the United States from 1970 to 1987. A rise of Crohn's disease persisted unabated in the old age groups throughout the observation period. It was less marked in those aged under 35 and reached a plateau during the most recent decade. In ulcerative colitis, discharge rates increased in the older age groups, but remained constant or declined in the middle or younger age groups, respectively. Similar trends were observed in all three surveys. The hospitalization data confirm similar age-specific trends of mortality. The difference between younger and older age groups suggests that generations born 60–80 years ago have become more likely to be affected by IBD leading to hospitalization and mortality. As these high-risk generations grow older, there is a relative rise of hospitalization and mortality from IBD in these subjects.
The landscape of advocacy in public schools: The role of school psychologists.

Advocacy has been a core function and expectation of school psychologists for over 40 years. However, there is little empirical research and guidance around the role and function of a school psychologist as an advocate within public schools. Advocacy can include speaking up on matters that promote student well-being at both the individual student level and the broader systems level. The current article seeks to provide guidance to school psychologists as to the various levels of advocacy and how school psychologists can promote both individual- and systems-level advocacy. This includes a careful examination of relevant case studies to address barriers in order to help public service professionals increase advocacy efforts. Finally, calls to action are provided to inspire and strengthen school psychologists who want to impact change at the student and systems level. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Gaps between zeros of Dedekind zeta-functions of quadratic number fields

Abstract Let K be a quadratic number field, and let ζ K ( s ) denote the Dedekind zeta-function attached to K. Using the mixed second moments of derivatives of ζ K ( 1 2 + i t ) , we prove the existence of gaps between consecutive zeros of ζ K ( s ) on the critical line which are at least 6 = 2.44949 … times the average spacing.