cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diversity of Expressed vlhA Adhesin Sequences and Intermediate Hemagglutination Phenotypes in Mycoplasma synoviae

A reservoir of pseudogene alleles encoding the primary adhesin VlhA occurs in the avian pathogen Mycoplasma synoviae. Recombination between this reservoir and its single expression site was predicted to result in lineages of M. synoviae that each express a different vlhA allele as a consequence of host immune responses to those antigens. Such interstrain diversity at the vlhA expression site, including major differences in the predicted secondary structures of their expressed adhesins, was confirmed in 14 specimens of M. synoviae. Corresponding functional differences in the extent to which they agglutinated erythrocytes, a quantitative proxy for VlhA-mediated cytadherence, were also evident. There was a >20-fold difference between the highest- and lowest-agglutinating strains and a rheostatic distribution of intermediate phenotypes among the others (Tukey-Kramer honestly significant difference [HSD], P < 0.001). Coincubation with the sialic acid analog 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminate inhibited hemagglutination in a pattern correlated with endogenous sialidase activity (r = 0.91, P < 0.001), although not consistently to the same extent that erythrocyte pretreatment with sialidase purified from Clostridium perfringens did (P < 0.05). The striking correlation between the ranked hemagglutination and endogenous sialidase activities of these strains (Spearman's r = 0.874, P < 0.001) is evidence that host-induced vlhA allele switching indirectly drives sequence diversity in the passenger sialidase gene of M. synoviae.
Role of Oxidative Stress in Cardiac Hypertrophy and Remodeling

Cardiac adaptation in response to intrinsic or external stress involves a complex process of chamber remodeling and myocyte molecular modifications. A fundamental response to increased biomechanical stress is cardiomyocyte and chamber hypertrophy. Although this may provide initial salutary compensation to the stress, sustained hypertrophic stimulation becomes maladaptive, worsening morbidity and mortality risks because of congestive heart failure and sudden death.1 Growing evidence highlights oxidative and nitrosative stresses as important mechanisms for this maladaptation.2–9 Oxidative stress occurs when excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated that cannot be adequately countered by intrinsic antioxidant systems. Superoxide anion (O2−) can further combine with NO, forming reactive compounds such as peroxynitrite, generating nitroso-redox imbalance.4 ROS generation is a normal component of oxidative phosphorylation and plays a role in normal redox control of physiological signaling pathways.5,8,9 However, excessive ROS generation triggers cell dysfunction, lipid peroxidation, and DNA mutagenesis and can lead to irreversible cell damage or death.5,8,9 In this review, we discuss recent experimental evidence for the role of oxidant stress on cardiac remodeling, focusing on pressure- overload–induced hypertrophy and dilation. ROS include free radicals such as superoxide (O2−) and hydroxyl radical and compounds such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that can be converted to radicals, and they participate in both normal and pathologic biochemical reactions.9 O2− is formed intracellularly (Figure 1) by activation of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase or xanthine oxidase (XO), uncoupling of NO synthase (NOS), and electron transport and “leakage” during oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria.5,8,9 H2O2 can generate the highly reactive hydroxyl radical via Fenton chemistry under pathological conditions.9 Figure 1. General schematic of generation pathways for ROS and antioxidant systems in the heart. Low levels of ROS are thought to …
Genetic variation of human aspartic proteinases

The human aspartic proteinases include pepsinogen A, pepsinogen C, cathepsin D, cathepsin E and renin. Comparative analysis of the proteinase genes reveals a high degree of similarity with regard to their respective coding sequences and the location of exon-intron junctions. Despite strong conservation of the regions containing the active site aspartyl groups, genetic polymorphisms have been identified for each of the proteinase genes with the exception of cathepsin D. These genetic polymorphisms are useful for localization of genes on linkage maps as well as determination of gene copy number. The chromosomal location of each aspartyl proteinase has been determined by a variety of gene mapping methods employing recombinant DNA probes including; analysis of somatic cell hybrid mapping panels, in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosome preparations and family linkage analysis with polymorphic markers. Pepsinogen A exhibits the most extensive polymorphism among aspartic proteinases which can be detected b...
Computing a generative model for neural codes

Introduction Part of neuroscience is to understand the link between biophysical events that occur within a neuron and the information that is passed from one neuron to another. There are two theories for neural activities. The label line theory suggests that a neuron, or a group of neurons, signal a specific stimulus when active. The across-neuronpattern theory argues that information about a stimulus is carried as a pattern from one neuron to another. Based on the across-neuron-pattern theory, we've created a Boolean Network (BN) to model the encoding process of four different taste stimuli to spike trains.
MR demonstration of leukoencephalopathy associated with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy: case report.

The mitochondrial encephalomyopathies are a heteroge­ neous group of disorders characterized by mitochondrial dys­ function that produce multisystem symptoms. This disorder affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems, skeletal muscles, heart, endocrine glands, gastrointestinal tract, hematopoietic system, and kidneys (Table 1) (1). Pa­ tients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy can be divided into two large groups (1). In the first group, severe mitochon­ drial dysfunction results in patients who are usually quite ill at birth, who deteriorate rapidly, and who die soon thereafter. Included in this group of mitochondrial disorders are Alper, Canavan, Leigh, Menke, and Zellweger syndromes. In the second group of patients the individual appears normal at birth, with progressive neurologic deficits developing later. Included in this group are Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS); mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes (the MELAS syndrome); and myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF). Clinically, patients in this latter group commonly present with progressive exter­ nal ophthalmoplegia plus abnormalities in one or more of the other systems. The diagnosis can be established by muscle biopsy, which characteristically shows ragged red fibers with the Gomori trichrome stain, reflecting abnormal accumulation of mitochondria in the muscle fibers (2). Most of the literature on mitochondrial encephalomyopathy discusses the clinical, pathologic, genetic, and biochemical abnormalities associated with this disorder. A limited number of articles describe the neuroradiologic manifestations of mi­ tochondrial encephalomyopathy (3-13). We report a patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy in whom the CNS abnormalities are characterized by increased signal in the white matter on T2-weighted MR images. Because of the rarity, complexity, and varied clinical manifestations of mito­ chondrial encephalomyopathy, this article will not only discuss the radiologic features of this disorder but also will review the clinical features and provide pertinent background information on the biochemical and genetic aspects.
The Current Status of Carl Rogers and the Person-Centered Approach.

This investigation of Carl Rogers's work explores the current status of the client-centered/person-centered approach within the United States and internationally. The status is revealed 1st by the volume of person-centered literature that has been published since Rogers's death in 1987. The prevalen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Enhances Production of an Antimicrobial in Response to N-Acetylglucosamine and Peptidoglycan

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen often associated with chronic lung infections in individuals with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF). Previous work from our laboratory revealed that five genes predicted to be important for catabolism of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) are induced during in vitro growth in CF lung secretions (sputum). Here, we demonstrate that these genes comprise an operon (referred to as the nag operon) and that NagE, a putative component of the GlcNAc phosphotransferase system, is required for growth on and uptake of GlcNAc. Using primer extension analysis, the promoter of the nag operon was mapped and shown to be inducible by GlcNAc and regulated by the transcriptional regulator NagR. Transcriptome analysis revealed that in addition to induction of the nag operon, several P. aeruginosa genes encoding factors critical for extracellular antimicrobial production are also induced by GlcNAc. Finally, we show that the GlcNAc-containing polymer peptidoglycan induces production of the antimicrobial pyocyanin. Based on this data, we propose a model in which P. aeruginosa senses surrounding bacteria by monitoring exogenous peptidoglycan and responds to this cue through enhanced production of an antimicrobial.
Allometry and Sexual Dimorphism in the Snail-Eating Turtle Malayemys macrocephala from the Chao Phraya River Basin of Central Thailand

Abstract Allometric growth and sexual dimorphism of the shell is evident in Malayemys macrocephala from the Chao Phraya River Basin of central Thailand. Differences in allometric growth between males and females produce sexually dimorphic adults. Adult females exhibit larger sizes and have relatively wider and higher shells and longer plastra than males.
Leaching Characteristics of Geopolymer Cement Concrete Containing Recycled Concrete Aggregates

AbstractIn this investigation, the effect of replacing some percentage of natural coarse aggregate with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in geopolymer concrete synthesis is studied. The study focuses on the compressive strength and release of elements from the geopolymer concrete samples. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) was used to determine release of potentially hazardous heavy metals (PHHMs) and other constituents of potential concern (COPCs) from the geopolymer concrete and also to identify if the material should be categorized as either hazardous or nonhazardous. It was found that replacing virgin aggregates with RCA had a small impact on the compressive strength of the concrete, reducing it by a maximum of 34%. As measured by toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP), release of As was reduced by adding RCA. The leached concentrations of the elements, Ba, Cd, Cr, and Pb were found to be below TCLP regulatory limits.
Raman Spectra of F Centers

The Raman spectra of F centers are of particular interest because they provide the most direct information about the phonons responsible for the F center’s line-width. In addition, they yield information on the manner in which the vibrational modes of the host lattice are perturbed by the presence of F centers.
Progress in laser acceleration of particles

Recently there has been a considerable amount of interest in exploring whether longitudinal electric fields associated with a relativistic space-charge wave excited by collinear optical mixing can be used to accelerate particles to very high energies in a very short distance.
The Effect of Vitamin D Intake of the Hen on the Bone Calcification of the Chick

Abstract SEVERAL investigators, Hart and co-workers (1925); Bethke, Kennard, and Sassaman (1927); DeVaney, Munsell, and Titus (1933); and Guerrant, Kohler, Hunter, and Murphy (1935), have shown that the vitamin D potency of the egg yolk is dependent upon the antirachitic intake of the hen producing it. Since a marked relationship has been shown to exist between the antirachitic potency of the egg yolk and the antirachitic intake of the hen producing it, it seemed reasonable to expect a transfer of the vitamin from the hen to the chick which could be measured by the degree of bone calcification. In previous work (Murphy, Hunter, and Knandel, 1934) in which the quantitative requirements of laying and breeding hens for vitamin D were studied, an attempt was made to measure the degree of transmission of the vitamin from the hen to the chick. The quantity of vitamin D per 100 grams of feed given . . .
Creative in Someone Else's Shoes? The Effects of Perspective Taking and Motivation on Creativity

Creativity is difficult to obtain because people are constrained by their own existing knowledge. One seemingly logical solution to this problem might be to shift perspectives by taking another person's point of view. However, in this paper I argue and demonstrate that perspective taking seems to have detrimental rather than beneficial effects on creative idea generation, particularly when the perspective taker is in a cooperative rather than a competitive mindset. Since perspective taking tends to occur in cooperative, rather than competitive, circumstances in naturalistic settings, I conclude that shifting perspectives by taking another person's perspective might be detrimental to creative idea generation.
Detailed Mechanistic Study of the Non-enzymatic Formation of the Discoipyrrole Family of Natural Products

Discoipyrroles A–D (DPA–DPD) are recently discovered natural products produced by the marine bacterium Bacillus hunanensis that exhibit anticancer properties in vitro. Initial biosynthetic studies demonstrated that DPA is formed in the liquid fermentation medium of B. hunanensis from three secreted metabolites through an unknown but protein-independent mechanism. The increased identification of natural products that depend on non-enzymatic steps creates a significant need to understand how these different reactions can occur. In this work, we utilized 15N-labeled starting materials and continuous high-sensitivity 1H–15N HMBC NMR spectroscopy to resolve scarce reaction intermediates of the non-enzymatic discoipyrrole reaction as they formed in real time. This information guided supplemental experiments using 13C- and 18O-labeled materials to elucidate the details of DPA’s non-enzymatic biosynthesis, which features a highly concerted pyrrole formation and necessary O2-mediated oxidation. We have illustrated...
Synthesis and repellent efficacy test of bayrepel

Objective To synthesis repellent bayrepel and evaluate its repellency against mosquitoes.Methods Bayrepel was synthesized from 2-hydroxyethyl pyridine by reaction with chloride carboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester.Efficacy test of bayrepel was conducted by GB/T 17322.10-1998.Results Bayrepel was prepared and the mole yield was 80%;laboratory tests showed that the protection time of 20% bayrepel was 11 h against Aedes albopictus with the quantity of 0.24 mg/cm2,field tests showed that the protection time of 20% bayrepel was 9 h against mosquitoes.Conclusion Bayrepel is an good repellent with the property of highly stable,more effective,low toxicity,low cost,it has a good prospect for protection against mosquitoes.
Fragmentation of Celestin tube: a cause of fatal intestinal perforation.

A singular case is described in which a patient with a Celestin endoesophageal tube in place for JO months died of complications from small bowel perforation resulting from disruption of the tube. The lower part of the tube lying within the stomach had deteriorated and become detached except for a single strand of nylon monofilament. This fragment passed into the small intestine, where it remained tethered at the level of the distal jejunum, acting first as an obscure cause of intermittent small bowel obstruction and later as the cause of jejunal perforation. In the patient who is a candidate for esophageal intubation and who has a life expectancy beyond 6 or 8 months, consideration should be given to using a device other than the Celestin tube. Whenever a Celestin appliance is used to palliate dysphagia, the intragastric part of the tube should be anchored to the stomach with multiple sutures.
Projection Printing of 3-Dimensional Tissue Scaffolds

Our ability to create precise, predesigned, spatially patterned biochemical and physical microenvironments inside polymer scaffolds could provide a powerful tool in studying progenitor cell behavior and differentiation under biomimetic, three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions. The development of freeform fabrication technology has become a promising tool for the manufacturing of biological scaffolds for tissue regeneration and stem cell engineering. Freeform fabrication is a very promising technology due to the efficient and simple process for creating bona fide 3D microstructures, such as closed channels and cavities. It is also capable of encapsulating biomolecules and even living cells. This chapter describes direct projection printing of 3D tissue engineering scaffolds by using a digital micromirror-array device (DMD) in a layer-by-layer process. This simple and fast microstereolithography system consists of an ultraviolet (UV) light source, a digital micromirror masking device, imaging optics, and controlling devices. Images of UV light are projected onto the photocurable resin by creating the "dynamic photomask" design with graphic software. Multilayered scaffolds are microfabricated through a photopolymerization process.
LAA-based LTE and ZigBee coexistence for unlicensed-band smart grid communications

The advent of smart grid introduces abundant number of smart meters which require bidirectional reliable communication. The deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in smart grid networks will be auspicious if the existing infrastructure of LTE networks can be utilized. On the other hand, use of LTE infrastructure and spectrum by AMIs will further load the already congested broadband wireless networks. Recently, use of the unlicensed spectrum by the LTE technology is seen as a promising approach to offload the existing traffic from the licensed spectrum. In our study, we investigate the coexistence of LTE and ZigBee networks at the unlicensed frequency band of 2.4 GHz. We consider a time division duplexing (TDD)-LTE system accompanied by ZigBee network with FTP traffic model for system level simulations. The simulation results demonstrate that the simultaneous operation of LTE and ZigBee on the 2.4 GHz band reduces ZigBee's performance, but still meets the data communication requirements for AMI as prescribed by Department of Energy (DoE).
Business Ethics and Ethics Education in American Business Programs

This essay presents an overview of what American business programs cover in their curricula regarding ethics and the reasons behind teaching ethics-related material to business students. Topics for the paperinclude; requirements for having ethics in the curricula, broad perspectives of what constitutes ethical business practices, and the difference between professional ethics and business ethics. Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) classification: M14, A20
Nutritional Evaluation and Intervention

Nutritional surveillance is central to the care of all children because of the national propensity for childhood obesity and metabolic complications. Sound nutritional advice should be given at the earliest times in life, even prenatally, as healthy nutritional practices instituted at an early age are likely to be the most sustainable over the life course. The assessment of body mass index should be a routine part of clinical care and other body composition methods, such as waist circumference and regional skinfolds, and should be employed to ascertain compartmentalization of body fat with a focus on central adiposity. A critical assessment of dietary intake is necessary to identify eating patterns and choices that are amenable to change. The 24-h, multiple-pass food recall method is the most reliable, but all methods are fraught with technical flaws. Biochemical indicators including cardiometabolic risk profile, inflammatory biomarkers, and micronutrient levels, including vitamins D, E, and iron, should be routinely measured. Treatment is aimed primarily at lifestyle modifications that advocate sound nutritional practices with weight loss or weight maintenance in the growing child kept in mind. However, nutritional interventions are unlikely to be effective when instituted in isolation. A multidisciplinary management strategy that addresses nutritional, lifestyle, psychological, and pharmacological approaches is essential to promote the most optimal nutrition to prevent and treat the metabolic syndrome in childhood.
Cryptococcal Disease in HIV-Infected Children

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated fungal pathogen that is remarkable for its tendency to cause meningoencephalitis, especially in patients with AIDS. While disease is less common in children than adults, it remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected children without access to anti-retroviral therapy. This review highlights recent insights into both the biology and treatment of cryptococcosis with a special emphasis on the pediatric literature.
Management of Severe Hemiballismus: Treatment Challenges in the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting: A Case Presentation.

Abstract We report a case of a patient with profound right-sided hemiballismus resulting from an acute unilateral left thalamic lesion. The hemiballismus was significant and persistent, resulting in profound functional disability. We discuss the use of low-dose haloperidol in conjunction with acute rehabilitation in the treatment of hemiballismus, resulting in decreased amplitude and frequency of adventitious movements and leading to substantial functional gains in our patient. To our knowledge, this is the first extensive report of successful rehabilitation of a patient with functionally disabling hemiballismus. Level of Evidence V
Race Pedagogy: Faculty Preparation Matters

ABSTRACTThis article addresses some of the concerns faculty have in managing a discussion on race in the classroom, by making explicit that which is often implicit when discussing race. Key objectives are to mitigate tension in the classroom, thereby creating a safe space for difficult race discussions, and to develop and promote faculty preparation for courses and course components that focus on race and racism. Development of pedagogical skills is a function of self-awareness, emotion management, and understanding student values. Faculty preparation needs to be ongoing, flexible, and adaptable to the values of the students and the system. Student-centered examples and strategies are provided to aid emotion management in the classroom.
Popular Culture in Teaching, Scholarship, and Outreach: The Simpsons and Futurama

Subject to thoughtful analysis of the benefits and challenges, popular culture can be an ideal source of fun ways to connect students and the general public to mathematics. My colleague Andrew Nestler and I created, class-tested, and widely shared activities related to the Twentieth Century Fox television show The Simpsons. The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) provides us with an analytic framework to develop, improve, and share our activities. We designed the activities to introduce or review important mathematical concepts and engage students. Later I expanded my interest into Futurama, another Twentieth Century Fox television show. I will describe informal outreach activities connected to both programs, including our educational website Simpsonsmath.com and my interactive lecture that audiences have accessed worldwide from a Futurama DVD. I will summarize the reception of my work by departmental colleagues, the institution, and the mathematical community. I will reflect on how this work has affected students and general audiences. I will also consider the direct and indirect impacts on my career and the unique challenges and rewards of working with popular culture in teaching, scholarship, and outreach.
Planning Construction of Four-River Basin Project

The existing and potential water-oriented resources of four major river basins in Florida-the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Oklawaha, and Peace Rivers—and the facilities required for the most desirable development of the available potential is described. The role of construction in the implementation of the program of water management and conservation is developed.
Effects of imidacloprid on Rana catesbeiana immune and nervous system.

Imidacloprid (IMD), a neonicotinoid, is generally considered to be of low toxicity in vertebrates. However, the inhibition of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors can have a profound effect on both the immune and nervous system due to the anti-inflammatory effects of ACh. Vertebrates, such as amphibians, might be affected by IMD because they breed in wetlands where the concentration of IMD is high. In our study, we experimentally exposed Rana catesbeiana tadpoles to environmentally relevant IMD and then quantified the ACh and antibody to non-replicating antigens. We hypothesized that IMD exposure would result in higher AChE and antibody levels. We completed a factorial experiment in which tadpoles were divided into four groups, two of which were exposed to 100 ng/L of IMD. After five weeks, two groups were injected with the novel antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and two injected with a control. Three weeks later, tadpoles were euthanized and blood samples collected. At 100 ng/L, IMD exposure did not cause a significant difference in AChE levels or KLH-specific IgY antibodies. However, tadpoles injected with KLH had slightly higher levels of AChE. In addition, we saw a trend in total IgM with higher levels in tadpoles exposed to IMD. While we found no effect of IMD at 100 ng/L on antibody response to a novel, non-replicating antigen nor on ACh production, further research is needed to determine if higher concentrations of IMD or parasite infection can influence development of R. catesbeiana.
Primary progressive apraxia: an unusual ideomotor syndrome

Primary progressive apraxia is a rare form of apraxia in the absence of dementia which develops insidiously and is slowly progressive. Most reports of patients with apraxia also describe coexisting aphasias or involve additional apraxias with affected speech, usually in the setting of neurodegenerative diseases such as corticobasal degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia. The aim of this report is to describe and demonstrate by video two cases of isolated primary progressive ideomotor apraxia seen in our clinic. We describe two patients with 2–5 years of progressive difficulty using their hands, despite having intact cognition and lack of correlating lesions on imaging. We report two cases of primary progressive apraxia that may be early presentations of taupathic disease in both patients. In both cases, there is isolated profound ideomotor apraxia of the hands, with preserved cognition, language skills, muscle power and tone, and gait. There are no correlating lesions on imaging.
Two-year cortical and trabecular bone loss in CKD-5D: biochemical and clinical predictors

This prospective two-year study of patients on chronic dialysis measured changes in bone mineral density (BMD). Patients with higher baseline BMD and shorter dialysis vintage lost more bone. Treatment with anti-hypertensives acting on the central nervous system was protective against bone loss. Baseline serum levels of sclerostin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase predicted bone loss. This prospective 2-year study of chronic kidney disease on dialysis (CKD-5D) patients assessed trabecular and cortical bone loss at the hip and spine and examined potential demographic, clinical, and serum biochemical predictors of bone loss. Eighty-nine CKD-5D patients had baseline, year 1, and year 2 bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT); concurrent blood samples were drawn and clinical variables recorded. No study treatments occurred. The 2-year total hip BMD change was − 5.9% by QCT and − 3.1% by DXA (p < 0.001). Spinal BMD was unchanged. QCT total hip cortical mass and volume decreased (− 7.3 and − 10.0%); trabecular volume increased by 5.9% (ps < 0.001). BMD changes did not vary with age, BMI, race, diabetes, smoking, or exercise. Patients with higher baseline BMD and shorter dialysis vintage lost more bone (p < 0.05). Vitamin D analogs and phosphate binders were not protective against bone loss; cinacalcet was protective by univariate but not by multivariable analysis. CNS-affecting antihypertensives were protective against loss of BMD, cortical mass, cortical volume (ps < 0.05) and trabecular mass (p = 0.007). These effects remained after adjustment. BSAP correlated with changes in BMD, cortical mass, and volume (p < 0.01) as did sclerostin (inversely). There was severe cortical bone loss at the hip best recognized by QCT. Patients with shorter dialysis vintage and less pre-existing bone loss lost more bone, while treatment with CNS-acting antihypertensives was protective. BSAP and sclerostin were useful markers of bone loss.
INTERFERON INDUCERS IN ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH

ABSTRACT Interferon-inducing compounds act _ in vivo by as yet unknown mechanisms to trigger elaboration of an antiviral, anti-neoplastic protein—interferon. Practical application of this phenomenon has been limited because of the requirement for prophylactic or very early therapeutic use of such drugs, and also because of the restrictive therapeutic ratios of existing prototypes. Until very recently, only a very small number of interferogenic compounds had been synthesized or studied in detail, and primarily these compounds were high polymers (polycarboxylates, polynucleotides) whose activities depended on their exceeding specific critical degrees of polymerization. This requirement made a detailed systematic exploration of the structure/activity relationships of the polymeric inducers a slow and technically difficult problem. Recently, the number of known classes of interferogenic compounds has been expanded to include low M.W. compounds possessing structures readily amenable to synthetic modification, and capable of oral absorption (e.g., Tilorone, a tricyclic diamine). This discovery implies that the probabilities for the discovery of novel inducers with broader therapeutic indices and eventually practical medicinal application have been markedly increased.
Dosing the Antipsychotic Medication Olanzapine

Olanzapine is a new antipsychotic agent with serotonin/dopamine antagonism action. Efficacy in treating overall psychopathology in acute schizophrenia as measured by the BPRS 0-6 total score was demonstrated at 10 mg/day versus placebo; at doses in a 5-20 mg/day range, olanzapine was comparable or superior to haloperidol. Superior efficacy for negative and depressive symptoms was shown in comparison to haloperidol. Olanzapine has a favorable acute and tardive extrapyramidal symptom profile relative to haloperidol and caused substantially less elevation of serum prolactin. Dose-related weight gain and asymptomatic mild transaminase elevations occurred in olanzapine-treated patients.
The Effects of Resveratrol on Diabetes and Obesity

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystillbene), belongs to the large group of polyphenols found in various plant species. Moreover, resveratrol, as a component of red wine, is thought to be totally responsible for the “French paradox”. Resveratrol possesses diverse biochemical and physiological actions, which include estrogenic, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory properties. Besides, numerous beneficial effects of resveratrol are described in the literature, consisting of anticancer activity, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and antioxidant action. Resveratrol is a true miracle drug, which helps to prevent diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Again, resveratrol was found to increase the activity of anti-aging gene SIRT1 activity. Resveratrol-mediated activation of life-extending genes in human cells may open a new horizon of resveratrol research.
Build a better mouse task – can an open-source rodent joystick enhance reaching behavior outcomes through improved monitoring of real-time spatiotemporal kinematics?

SUMMARY For decades, advanced behavioral tasks have only been used in human and non-human primates. However, with improved analytical and genetic techniques, there has been a growing drive to implement complex reaching, decision-making, and reaction time tasks – not in primates – but in rodents. Here, we assess the hypothesis that a mouse can learn a cued reaction time task. Moreover, we tested multiple training regimens and found that introducing elements of the reaction time task serially hindered, rather than helped task acquisition. Additionally, we include a step-by-step manual for inexpensive implementation and use of a rodent joystick for behavioral analysis. Task and analysis code for the evaluated behaviors are included such that they may be replicated and tested further. With these, we also include code for a probabilistic reward ‘two-arm bandit’ task. These various tasks, and the method to construct and implement them, will enable greatly improved study of the neural correlates of behavior in the powerful mouse model organism. In summary, we have tested and demonstrated that mice can learn sophisticated tasks with A joystick, and that targeted task design provides a significant advantage. These results of this study stand to inform the implementation of other sophisticated tasks using the mouse model.
The Thunderclap Headache: Approach and Management in the Emergency Department.

Abstract Background A thunderclap headache (TCH) is a severe headache reaching at least 7 (out of 10) in intensity within 1 min of onset, and can be the presenting symptom of several conditions with potential for significant morbidity and mortality. Objective of the Review This narrative review evaluates the various conditions that may present with TCH and proposes a diagnostic algorithm for patients with TCH. Discussion TCH is a symptom associated with several significant diseases. The most common diagnosed condition is subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Other diagnoses include reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, cerebral venous thrombosis, cervical artery dissection, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, spontaneous intracranial hypotension, and several others. Patients with TCH require history and physical examination, with a focus on the neurologic system, evaluating for these conditions, including SAH. Further testing often includes head computed tomography (CT) without contrast, CT angiography of the head and neck, and lumbar puncture. Evaluation must take into account history, examination, and the presence of any red flags or signs suggestive of a specific etiology. An algorithm is provided for guidance within this review incorporating these modalities. Management focuses on the specific diagnosis. If testing is negative for a serious condition and the patient improves, discharge home may be appropriate with follow-up. Conclusions Patients presenting with TCH require diagnostic evaluation. History and examination are vital in assessing for risk factors for various conditions. Focused testing can assist with diagnosis, with management tailored to the specific diagnosis.
Principles of Immunotherapy

While cure rates for pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma remain to be among the highest in pediatric oncology, this often comes with a significant cost in the form of delayed effects of therapy or secondary malignancy. Various strategies have been developed to address the challenges of maintaining current overall survival rates for low and intermediate stage patients while further improving treatment outcomes for advanced-stage disease and minimizing long-term morbidities for all. Personalized therapy will be needed based on risk factor assessment and incorporation of new agents with improved toxicity profiles to upfront therapy protocols. Immunotherapy relies on delivering greater specificity to a cytotoxic agent and/or enhancing the patient’s own immune response to malignancy. This can be accomplished using precise targeted monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint blockade, or the development of improved chimeric antigen receptor engineered T-cells. There is increasing data for the efficacy of adding monoclonal antibody therapy, either naked or conjugated, to upfront cytotoxic chemotherapy. Checkpoint inhibition and the use of CAR T-cells are newer additions to the therapeutic paradigms for pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but results from adult trials are encouraging. It remains to be seen what best combinations will prevail as we move forward with these novel agents so that we may improve long-term outcomes for all.
On the weather types that shape the precipitation patterns across the U.S. Midwest

The U.S. Midwest is an area that has been plagued by heavy and persistent precipitation leading to frequent flood events. The improved understanding of the types of weather conditions and settings associated with heavy precipitation can provide basic information to improve our preparation for and response to these events. Here we identify five weather types from daily 500-hPa geopotential height using the k-means cluster analysis. Consistent with their distinct large-scale atmospheric patterns, these weather types exert different effects on precipitation in the Midwest. Weather type 1 (WT1) features a zonally-aligned wave train propagating from the North Pacific to North America. Overall, WT2 is characterized by a wave train pattern with high (low) pressure in the western (eastern) United States. WT3 features a unique pattern with a high pressure system over the continental United States except for the northwestern United States, similar to the La-Nina forced responses. WT4 is characterized by a wave train moving from the Pacific Northwest to the North Atlantic with a strong ridge over the western United States, while WT5 features a positive geopotential height anomaly originating from the Arctic, probably influenced by the Arctic Amplification. Because of the strong moisture transport, strengthened low-level jet stream and wavy upper-level polar jet stream located in the western United States, among the five weather types WT1 exerts the strongest impacts on precipitation, accounting for up to 40% of the total precipitation over the Midwest, followed by WT5. Moreover, we detect a significant upward trend in the number of WT1 and WT5 events for 1948–2017 and their persistency, suggesting a rising risk of heavy and long-lasting precipitation across the Midwest. Overall, the weather types during summer and winter are consistent with those obtained from the analysis of the entire year, although the weather types during winter have a larger magnitude in the geopotential height anomaly. WT1 accounts for the largest contribution to total precipitation in the Midwest during summer and winter.
Polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and genetic susceptibility to colorectal cancer

Objective To assesse the relationship between XRCC1 polymorphisms, Argl94Trp and Arg399Gln, and susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP methods in 150 healthy controls and 120 patients with colorectal cancer. The adjusted odds, ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Results The distribution of XRCC1 Argl94Trp genotypes among controls was Arg/Arg (53.0% ), Arg/Trp (42.0% ) , and Trp/Trp (6.0% ) , while the frequencies of the 3 genotypes among colorectal cancer cases were 40.8% , 46.7% and 12.5%, respectively (P<0.05, trend test). Individuals carrying Trp/Trp genotype were at an increased risk for colorectal cancer compared with those with the Arg/Arg (adjusted OR, 2.43; 95% CI = 1.10-5.92). However, Arg399Gln polymorphism was not found to be associated with risk of CRC. Conclusion The XRCC1 Argl94Trp polymorphism may be associated with the risk of CRC in this Chinese population. Key words: Colorectal carcinoma; XRCC1; Genetic polymorphism
Waldo Tobler (1931–2018): Analytical Cartographer and Regional Scientist

In this chapter, Arthur Getis discusses Waldo Rudolph Tobler, one of the world’s leading cartographers, who specialized in mathematical representations of the Earth’s surface. Tobler was among the first to use computers in cartographic and geographic research. He was the inventor of novel and unusual map projections, including a hyper-elliptical, equal area projection that became popular for its ease of use. In one of his publications he made a casual statement about observable earth characteristics: Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things. This became known as Tobler’s First Law of Geography. Its profundity comes from his awakening in many scholars the importance of a spatial or distance-related perspective of the world around them.
Performance Determinants of Unsupervised Clustering Methods for Microbiome Data

ABSTRACT Background In microbiome data analysis, unsupervised clustering is often used to identify naturally occurring clusters, which can then be assessed for associations with characteristics of interest. In this work, we systematically compared beta diversity and clustering methods commonly used in microbiome analyses. We applied these to four published datasets where highly distinct microbiome profiles could be seen between sample groups. Results Although no single method outperformed the others consistently, we did identify key scenarios where certain methods can underperform. Specifically, the Bray Curtis metric resulted in poor clustering in a dataset where high-abundance OTUs were relatively rare. In contrast, the unweighted UniFrac metric clustered poorly when used on a dataset with a high prevalence of low-abundance OTUs. To test our proposition, we systematically modified properties of the poorly performing datasets and found that this approach resulted in improved Bray Curtis and unweighted UniFrac performance. Based on these observations, we rationally combined the Bray Curtis metric and the unweighted UniFrac metrics and found that this new beta diversity metric showed high performance across all datasets. We also evaluated our findings by examining a clinical dataset where clusters are less separated. Conclusions Our systematic evaluation of clustering performance in these five datasets demonstrates that there is no existing clustering method that universally performs best across all datasets. We propose a combined metric of Bray Curtis and unweighted UniFrac that capitalizes on the complementary strengths of the two metrics.
Entry and Exchanges of Cost Information

The literature on exchanges of information has ignored firms' entry decisions. Yet, the Federal Trade Commission recently expressed concerns that exchanges of information in business-to-business electronic platforms would adversely impact entry and, thus, consumers. When entry decisions are endogenized in a competitive Cournot model with cost uncertainty, we find results that contrast sharply with current thinking on the welfare consequences of information sharing.
Probing gels and emulsions using large-amplitude oscillatory shear and frictional studies with soft substrate skin surrogates.

Abstract Water swellable crosslinked polymers are widely used in oil-in-water emulsions for the healthcare and cosmetic industries due to their thickening properties. In this study, we investigate the rheological and lubrication behavior of a microgel-forming polymer, a lightly-crosslinked hydrophobically modified polyacrylic acid (HMPAA), in an aqueous medium and in an emulsion. Hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine, a class of phospholipids, is used as a surfactant in the emulsions composed of different oil content. Rheological behavior is probed both in the linear and non-linear regimes using small strain amplitude and large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) experiments, respectively. We observe all systems to exhibit gel-like behavior with the elastic modulus (G’) dominating and being frequency independent. Lissajous-Bowditch plots and nonlinear parameters obtained under large deformation show that the emulsions can resist greater deformations with smaller increase in the viscous dissipation when compared to a HMPAA gel. For tribology experiments, friction curves in a range of entrainment speeds are examined using substrates to mimic the skin surface (PDMS and Bioskin®). The role of polymer hydrophobicity on the different substrates are also explored by comparing the behavior of HMPAA to that of its hydrophilic analog, a polyacrylic acid highly crosslinked. We find the friction coefficient to be dependent on the hydrophobicity of the substrate and the polymer as well as the substrate roughness. These results taken together provide insights in the formulation of skincare products with efficient lubrication properties for different skin characteristics.
Abduction and the Logic of Inquiry: Modern Epistemic Vectors

CS Peirce introduced the concept of abduction into our epistemic lexicon. It is a view of problem solving that emphasizes ecological contexts, preparatory or predictive predilection knotted to learning and inquiry. Abduction is essentially tied more broadly to pragmatism. One view of the brain reflects the fact that predictive predilections knotted to abduction or hypothesis testing dominates the landscape of diverse forms of problem solving. Abduction is biologically constrained and contextual, not a monolithic term and runs the range of neural capability.
Group treatments for individuals at risk for suicide: A PRISMA scoping review (ScR).

Abstract Background This PRISMA scoping review explored worldwide research of interventions for suicide prevention delivered within a group setting. Research on group treatments underscores the importance of peer connection in diminishing social isolation and increasing social support. Additional benefits of group treatment include cost efficiency and maximization of staff time. However, the clinical outcomes of group treatments with individuals at risk for suicide are less understood and under researched. Aim This scoping review had two objectives: 1) To identify existing group treatments where suicidal thoughts and behaviors are openly discussed; 2) To examine the outcomes of these identified treatments, with special attention to treatment integrity. Method To address these aims the authors searched Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and PsycINFO (Ovid), on November 25, 2020. At the Full Text stage, articles were included that were peer reviewed, described a suicide specific group intervention and reported suicide specific outcomes. An additional requirement was open dialogue of suicide in the group intervention. Results Only ten research reports of suicide-specific group treatments were identified in our PRISMA-ScR. In spite of many differences in setting, population, length, and frequency of sessions, all ten groups reported improvements in varying aspects of suicide symptoms. The only adverse impacts were reported by two studies wherein two (of 92) participants attempted suicide and a small number (7%) of adolescents reported feeling triggered with suicidal thinking during a session. Despite our focus on empirical data in this review, the methodological rigor of the studies evaluated was limited. Conclusion Despite the paucity of group treatment research in which suicidal thoughts and behaviors are openly discussed, the outcomes of these treatments were promising in decreasing suicide risk. These results may be due to unfounded fears of contagion. Further implications of these findings are considered along with limitations that may have excluded clinical work from meeting inclusion criteria for this review. Nonetheless, this evidence suggests that, suicide-focused groups have great potential for prevention of suicidal symptoms and should be further expanded in the future.