cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compelling Reasons for Repairing Human Germlines.

Researchers recently reported that, using gene-editing technology, they reduced the proportion of embryos containing a dominant disease allele. Several key advances could result in useful deployment of a high-impact technology that would improve future human health.
Effects of animal and supplement characteristics on average daily gain of grazing beef cattle

Effects of animal gender and age, use of a growth stimulant, and supplementation with grain alone or grain plus other substances on ADG by growing beef cattle grazing bermudagrass paddocks with sod-seeded rye, wheat, and ryegrass were determined. Two grazing experiments (Exp. 1: late winter through mid-spring; Exp. 2: late spring through mid-summer) were conducted. Experiment 1 used 96, 12- to 13-mo-old Simmental-cross calves (heifers, 240 kg; steers, 272 kg), half of which were implanted with zeranol. Within each implant treatment, cattle received no supplement or .5% BW (DM) of ground corn alone or plus a mix of protein meals, zinc sulfate, thiamin-HCl, or salt. Daily gain was higher (P less than .05) with than without supplementation and was similar (P greater than .10) among supplement treatments. In Exp. 2, 96 crossbred beef steers, approximately 7 (230 kg) or 15 mo old (250 kg), were not supplemented (control) or received .5% BW (DM) of ground corn on d 1 to 84 (C-C), corn plus a protein meal mix on d 1 to 84 (CP-CP), corn on d 43 to 84 (O-C), corn plus the protein meal mix on d 43 to 84 (O-CP), or corn on d 1 to 42 and corn plus the protein meal mix on d 43 to 84 (C-CP). Daily gain on d 1 to 84 was affected (P less than .05) by supplement, age, implant, and the supplement x implant interaction (nonimplanted: .37, .56, .68, .40, .49, and .49; implanted: .37, .62, .54, .49, .70, and .71 kg for control, C-C, CP-CP, O-C, O-CP, and C-CP, respectively).
Same or different: Narrative retells in bilingual Latino kindergarten children

The present study examines the association of micro- and macrostructural components in narrative retells within and across languages in Spanish-English bilingual Latino kindergarten children. Using...
Characterizing the Relative Importance Assigned to Physical Variables by Climate Scientists when Assessing Atmospheric Climate Model Fidelity

Evaluating a climate model’s fidelity (ability to simulate observed climate) is a critical step in establishing confidence in the model’s suitability for future climate projections, and in tuning climate model parameters. Model developers use their judgement in determining which trade-offs between different aspects of model fidelity are acceptable. However, little is known about the degree of consensus in these evaluations, and whether experts use the same criteria when different scientific objectives are defined. Here, we report on results from a broad community survey studying expert assessments of the relative importance of different output variables when evaluating a global atmospheric model’s mean climate. We find that experts adjust their ratings of variable importance in response to the scientific objective, for instance, scientists rate surface wind stress as significantly more important for Southern Ocean climate than for the water cycle in the Asian watershed. There is greater consensus on the importance of certain variables (e.g., shortwave cloud forcing) than others (e.g., aerosol optical depth). We find few differences in expert consensus between respondents with greater or less climate modeling experience, and no statistically significant differences between the responses of climate model developers and users. The concise variable lists and community ratings reported here provide baseline descriptive data on current expert understanding of certain aspects of model evaluation, and can serve as a starting point for further investigation, as well as developing more sophisticated evaluation and scoring criteria with respect to specific scientific objectives.
Partisanship, Political Institutions, and Debt Issues

We investigate the effect of gubernatorial partisanship on municipal bond issues in the United States using a regression discontinuity design. Our unique dataset of individual bond issues allows us to precisely measure the issuing behavior of different entity types—states, state authorities, and localities—and examine how the response of debt issues to gubernatorial partisanship varies across jurisdictions. The election of Democratic governors results in higher levels of debt issuance, with an annual per capita increase of approximately $73–$147 in states that lack debt referenda requirements. In states with debt referenda requirements, the estimated per capita annual effect of a Democratic governor is approximately $23–$28. We find that governors are not able to circumvent debt referenda requirements by issuing debt through state authorities or local governments.
Technology Transfer of Scleroderris Research Results

One way to minimize the impact of Scleroderris is to make sure that research results get to people who will implement them. To do this, users and their needs must be identified and research information must be packaged in a format that can be easily understood and used. Development of a technology transfer plan to accomplish this objective is discussed.
Fillers and Reinforcements

Syntactic foams are two component materials consisting of matrix resin and hollow particles. Reinforced syntactic foams contain an additional reinforcing material. The density of syntactic foams can be tailored based on the appropriate selection of hollow particle density and volume fraction. Glass hollow particles have been a widely used filler material because their low thermal expansion coefficient provides syntactic foams with high dimensional stability. Hollow fly ash particles, called cenospheres, have also been used as filler material. Fly ash cenospheres are inexpensive and help in developing low cost syntactic foams. However, usually defects are present in the walls of cenospheres and the mechanical properties of cenosphere-filled syntactic foams are not as high as those filled with glass hollow particles at the same density level. Enhancement of mechanical properties of syntactic foams beyond those obtained by tailoring the matrix and hollow particles can be obtained by micro- and nano-scale reinforcement of the matrix material. This chapter discusses hollow particle parameters such as wall thickness and density. Structure and properties of various reinforcements including glass fibers, nanoclay, carbon nanofibers (CNFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and rubber particles are also discussed.
A Bayesian analysis of small n sequential multiple assignment randomized trials (snSMARTs)

Designing clinical trials to study treatments for rare diseases is challenging because of the limited number of available patients. A suggested design is known as the small n sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (snSMART), in which patients are first randomized to one of multiple treatments (stage 1). Patients who respond to their initial treatment continue the same treatment for another stage, while those who fail to respond are rerandomized to one of the remaining treatments (stage 2). The data from both stages are used to compare the efficacy between treatments. Analysis approaches for snSMARTs are limited, and we propose a Bayesian approach that allows for borrowing of information across both stages. Through simulation, we compare the bias, root-mean-square error, width, and coverage rate of 95% confidence/credible interval of estimators from of our approach to estimators produced from (i) standard approaches that only use the data from stage 1, and (ii) a log-Poisson model using data from both stages whose parameters are estimated via generalized estimating equations. We demonstrate the root-mean-square error and width of 95% confidence/credible intervals of our estimators are smaller than the other approaches in realistic settings, so that the collection and use of stage 2 data in snSMARTs provide improved inference for treatments of rare diseases.
Alcohol-induced mitochondrial DNA damage promotes injurious crosstalk between alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages.

Abstract Excessive alcohol users have a higher risk for developing respiratory infections compared to individuals who do not chronically misuse alcohol, due to impaired host immune defense. In the lung, alveolar epithelial cells play a critical role in host immune defense against invading pathogens in the lower respiratory tract due to their capacity to maintain barrier integrity, and alveolar macrophages play a key role in pulmonary innate immunity by phagocytizing and clearing infiltrating microbes. Chronic alcohol misuse induces mitochondrial damage that results in release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in exosomes. We hypothesized that alcohol-induced cellular damage leads to release of exosomes containing damaged mtDNA, which can mediate injurious crosstalk between lung epithelial cells and macrophages. The mouse alveolar epithelial cell line, MLE-12, and the mouse alveolar macrophage cell line, MH-S, were transfected with a damaged mtDNA overexpression plasmid or exposed to ethanol in vitro. Overexpression of damaged mtDNA impaired MLE-12 barrier function and MH-S phagocytic capacity. Ethanol induced damage of mtDNA in MLE-12 and MH-S cells, and promoted release of exosomes enriched with damaged mtDNA from these cells. Exosomes from ethanol-exposed MH-S cells caused mtDNA damage and barrier dysfunction in MLE-12 cells, and exosomes from ethanol-exposed MLE-12 cells caused mtDNA damage and phagocytic dysfunction in MH-S cells. Collectively, these data show that ethanol-induced mtDNA damage in MLE-12 and MH-S cells stimulates release of damaged mtDNA-enriched exosomes and contributes to injurious crosstalk between the alveolar epithelium and macrophages, potentially leading to impaired host immune defense against respiratory infections.
Updates in imaging in ocular oncology.

Innovations in ophthalmic imaging have made a profound impact on the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic disease. In ocular oncology, the development of optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging and swept source technologies has made it possible to visualize the anatomical characteristics of retinoblastoma and uveal melanoma with a level of detail previously unobtainable on clinical exam alone. As a result, our understanding of the pathophysiology of vision loss in choroidal melanoma in particular has improved. These modalities have also helped identify fundoscopically “invisible” tumors and risk stratify pre-malignant choroidal lesions, making a strong case for their inclusion in all screening evaluations. Optical coherence tomography angiography, on the other hand, has allowed non-invasive imaging of the retinal and uveal vasculatures, providing insight into vascular changes associated with malignant transformation and vision loss following exposure to radiation. While the impact of new imaging technologies on clinical outcomes and overall survival in ocular oncology has yet to be determined, several reports cited herein offer promising results.
Temporal Correlation Approach to Quality Improvement of Frame-by-Frame Localization Nanoscopy Images

In stochastic optical localization nanoscopy, the frame-by-frame localization (FFL) nanoscopy images contain temporal correlation, which if exploited, can improve image quality. In this paper, we propose and analyze the approach of temporal correlation exploitation to quality improvement of FFL nanoscopy images in terms of root mean square minimum distance (RMSMD). It is shown that RMSMD can be potentially reduced by a maximum fold equal to the square root of the average number of activations per emitter. A numerical example is taken that confirms the prediction of analysis. The result justifies development of the algorithms that can exploit the temporal correlation of FFL images.
The Differential Impact of Religion on Political Activity and Community Engagement

Many religions have an ethos of community betterment that can spur their members to contribute to society in meaningful ways. Yet much of the literature on religion and politics tends to focus on how places of worship increase explicitly partisan activities like voting or donating to a political campaign. Does religion affect community engagement in the same ways that it does political participation? A unique research design executed in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA brings together religious data on individual beliefs and behaviors, clergy messaging, and congregation culture to examine religion’s effects on both political activity and community engagement. The results demonstrate that religion influences both types of behaviors, but not always in the same ways. For instance, it appears as though many congregations tend to develop cultures that encourage either community engagement or political activity, rather than both, with Black Protestant churches as an exception. Additionally, individuals that hold providential religious beliefs tend to have higher levels of community engagement but lower levels of political activity. These findings indicate that religion influences different types of participation differently.
Cybersecurity for the Smart Grid

The articles in this special section focuses on cybersecurity for the smart grid. Smart grid security measures have proven to be inadequate to deter costly malicious cyberattacks. The six articles in this theme issue focus on challenges in developing stronger cybersecurity measures for the smart grid. The security and well-being of societies and economies are tied to the reliable operation of power systems. Due to the advancements of information and communication technologies, the traditional electric grid is evolving toward an intelligent smart grid. A smart grid is essentially a cyberphysical system (CPS) that can be called an energy CPS, integrating computing, communication, and control capabilities with the physical world of the traditional grid. Despite the reliability and efficiency benefits, the inadequate level of security measures in the smart grid is leading to a greater threat landscape.
Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health in Sport

The stigma of mental health in the athletic setting is a principal barrier to help-seeking among athletes. While athletes may be seen as models for health and wellness within their communities, they may be in fact as vulnerable to some mental illnesses as the general population. The culture of sports can discourage athletes from disclosing of mental health concerns for fear of judgment and reprisal. Athletes, and the people around athletes such as coaches, may also be unaware of the signs and symptoms of mental illness. In recent years, a number of barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking have been identified. Governing organizations are beginning to take steps to improve the mental health care of their athletes, while fostering an environment more conducive to disclosure of mental health concerns.
Microbiota composition in bilateral healthy breast tissue and breast tumors.

Previous reports suggest that a complex microbiome exists within the female human breast that might contribute to breast cancer etiology. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the variation in microbiota composition by breast side (left versus right) within individual women and compare the microbiota of normal and breast tumor tissue between women. We aimed to determine whether microbiota composition differs between these groups and whether certain bacterial taxa may be associated with breast tumors. Bilateral normal breast tissue samples (n = 36) were collected from ten women who received routine mammoplasty procedures. Archived breast tumor samples (n = 10) were obtained from a biorepository. DNA was extracted, amplified, and sequenced. Microbiota data were analyzed using QIIME and RStudio. The most abundant phyla in both tumor and normal tissues were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. There were statistically significant differences in the relative abundance of various bacterial taxa between groups. Alpha diversity (Simpson’s index) was significantly higher in normal compared to tumor samples (0.968 vs. 0.957, p = 0.022). Based on unweighted UniFrac measures, breast tumor samples clustered distinctly from normal samples (R2 = 0.130; p = 0.01). Microbiota composition in normal samples clustered within women (R2 = 0.394; p = 0.01) and by breast side (left or right) within a woman (R2 = 0.189; p = 0.03). Significant differences in diversity between tumor and normal tissue and in composition between women and between breasts of the same woman were identified. These results warrant further research to investigate the relationship between microbiota and breast cancer.
Patterns and correlates of sleep duration in the Southern cohort community study.

Abstract Objective To investigate whether race (African American (AA) and white) is associated with sleep duration among adults from low socioeconomic (SES) strata and whether SES status, lifestyle behaviors, or health conditions are associated with sleep duration within race-sex groups. Methods This cross-sectional study includes 78,549 participants from the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS). Averaged daily sleep duration was assessed by weighted averages of self-reported sleep duration on weekdays and weekends. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of very short ( Results The prevalence of very short and short sleep was similar among AAs (6.2% and 29.1%) and whites (6.5% and 29.1%). Long sleep was considerably more prevalent among AAs (19.3%) than whites (13.0%). Very short sleep was associated with lower education and family income, with stronger associations among whites. Higher physical activity levels significantly decreased odds for both very short (OR = 0.80) and long sleep (OR = 0.78). Smoking, alcohol use, and dietary intake were not associated with sleep duration. Regardless of race or sex, very short, short, and long sleep were significantly associated with self-reported health conditions, especially depression (ORs were 2.06, 1.33, and 1.38, respectively). Conclusions Sleep duration patterns differed between AAs and whites from the underrepresented SCCS population with low SES. Sleep duration was associated with several socioeconomic, health behaviors, and health conditions depending on race and sex.
Capuchin and rhesus monkeys show sunk cost effects in a psychomotor task

Human decision-making is often swayed by irrecoverable investments even though it should only be based on future—and not past—costs and benefits. Although this sunk cost effect is widely documented and can lead to devastating losses, the underlying psychological mechanisms are unclear. To tease apart possible explanations through a comparative approach, we assessed capuchin and rhesus monkeys’ susceptibility to sunk costs in a psychomotor task. Monkeys needed to track a moving target with a joystick-controlled cursor for variable durations. They could stop at any time, ending the trial without reward. To minimize the work required for a reward, monkeys should have always persisted for at least 1 s, but should have abandoned the trial if that did not yield a reward. Capuchin monkeys and especially rhesus macaques persisted to trial completion even when it was suboptimal, and were more likely to complete the trial the longer they had already tracked the target. These effects were less pronounced, although still present, when the change in expected tracking duration was signalled visually. These results show that sunk cost effects can arise in the absence of human-unique factors and may emerge, in part, because persisting can resolve uncertainty.
Abstract 17068: Do Post-Operative Nitrates Increase Mortality in Non-Cardiac Surgery Patients With Perioperative Myocardial Injury?

Introduction: Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is strongly associated with 30-day mortality, and data on its management is scarce. We hypothesized that postoperative nitrates (Isos...
The necessity and power of random, under-sampled experiments in biology

A vast array of transformative technologies developed over the past decade has enabled measurement and perturbation at ever increasing scale, yet our understanding of many systems remains limited by experimental capacity. Overcoming this limitation is not simply a matter of reducing costs with existing approaches; for complex biological systems it will likely never be possible to comprehensively measure and perturb every combination of variables of interest. There is, however, a growing body of work - much of it foundational and precedent setting - that extracts a surprising amount of information from highly under sampled data. For a wide array of biological questions, especially the study of genetic interactions, approaches like these will be crucial to obtain a comprehensive understanding. Yet, there is no coherent framework that unifies these methods, provides a rigorous mathematical foundation to understand their limitations and capabilities, allows us to understand through a common lens their surprising successes, and suggests how we might crystalize the key concepts to transform experimental biology. Here, we review prior work on this topic - both the biology and the mathematical foundations of randomization and low dimensional inference - and propose a general framework to make data collection in a wide array of studies vastly more efficient using random experiments and composite experiments.
Fault Ride Through and Fault Current Management for Microgrids

Over the recent years, the distributed energy resource (DER) generation and integration with utility grid became the most widely used worldwide. Thereon, the integration of distributed energy resources to the power grid and their dynamics during grid faults had become a critical issue in the new grid code requirements. In line with this, the fault ride through (FRT) capability control of grid-connected DER became the most important issue related to grid codes. There is growing interest in the industry in the application of microgrids (MGs) to take advantage of the proliferation of DER to address planning objectives such as improving resiliency and efficiency. In order to fulfill the FRT requirements imposed by grid codes, various approaches have been proposed in the last years. This chapter presents an overview of several existing FRT capability enhancement approaches during grid fault conditions and presents an FRT strategy specific for MG with an inverter-based interface (IB-MG) to maintain power exchange with distribution networks during network faults or disturbances. A uniqueness of this chapter is to outline a detailed fault current management strategy specific for MG FRT to coordinate with area utility grid, which is limiting the inverter fault current contributions and impacts on the distribution networks protection during faults or disturbances. A hardware-in-the-loop platform is proposed in this chapter for implementation and validation of MG FRT control algorithm.
Physical Activity and Hypertension From Young Adulthood to Middle Age.

Introduction The optimum physical activity dose to achieve during young adulthood to prevent hypertension using the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines remains undefined. This study aims to determine the association between level and change in physical activity through the adult life course and the onset of hypertension using these 2017 definitions. Methods In 2020, prospective community-based cohort data of 5,115 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study participants were analyzed. The cohort included Black and White men and women aged 18–30 years at baseline (1985–1986) at 4 urban sites, collected through 30 years of follow-up (2015–2016). Individualized physical activity trajectories were developed for each participant using linear mixed models. Results Black women reported the lowest physical activity levels from young adulthood through middle age. Lower physical activity score (per 100 units) at age 18 years was associated with 4% (95% CI=1%, 7%, p=0.002) higher odds of hypertension incidence. Each additional 1-unit reduction per year in physical activity score was associated with 2% (95% CI=1%, 3%, p=0.001) higher annual odds of hypertension incidence. Meeting approximately the current minimum physical activity guideline levels at age 18 years and through follow-up was not protective of hypertension incidence; however, meeting approximately twice the current minimum physical activity guideline level at age 18 years and through follow-up was protective of hypertension incidence. Conclusions Moderate physical activity levels may need to exceed current minimum guidelines to prevent hypertension onset using 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association definitions.
Massive Multisite Variability-Aware Die Distribution Estimation for Analog/Mixed-Signal Circuits Test Validation

Massive multisite testing significantly reduces test cost and immensely increases production throughput by simultaneously screening multiple devices under test (DUTs). However, non-trivial variations in measurement from site to site are inevitable, and they often alter the actual DUTs specifications leading to yield loss (good DUTs rejected as bad) or necessitate poorer DUT specifications. These site-induced variations make it challenging to know the true silicon performance in a multisite probing environment, making statistical processing control difficult. In this paper, we propose and compare three methods to remove the variability introduced by multisite test hardware for accurate estimation of DUTs true performance distributions. The key idea is to select high confidence good test sites for parametric analysis. We demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed methods using simulation and measurement data.
Reconfigurable Multifunctional Terahertz Holographic Metasurface using CMOS Chip Tiling

In this article, we exploit electromagnetic-circuit co-design approach to demonstrate a digitally reconfigurable metasurface at 0.3 THz. Realized on an industry standard 65-nm CMOS process, each metasurface CMOS chip consists 12×12 array of reconfigurable split-ring unit cells. Reconfiguration of each unit cell happens through EM-circuit co-designed CMOS transistor switches. Each unit-cell is individually addressable and controllable with on-chip high-speed digital back-end. Scalability of this approach is demonstrated by tiling such CMOS chips to form a larger aperture of 2×2 array. We experimentally demonstrate multi-functional applications namely, arbitrary amplitude and phase control, high-speed beam modulation with switching ON/OFF ratio of ~25 dB at a maximum clock speed of 5 GHz, beamforming capability of ± 30°, and spatial wavefront manipulation using binary-amplitude-only holography technique at 0.3 THz. Each metasurface consumes a total DC power of (240 µW) consumption and operates at 1.2V.
Conclusions: Pathways Towards an Equity and Parity in Policing

The main goal of this book is to engage in and provoke a more intense and empirically grounded academic discourse on the effective and equitable form of policing of religious minority communities.
Patterns of Curriculum Design

We present a perspective on the design of a curriculum for a new computer science program at a women’s liberal arts college. The design incorporates lessons learned at the college in its successful implementation of other academic programs, incorporation of best practices in curriculum design at other colleges, results from studies performed on various computer science programs, and a significant number of our own ideas. Several observations and design decisions are presented as curriculum design patterns. The goal of making the design patterns explicit is to encourage a discussion on curriculum design that goes beyond the identification of core knowledge areas and courses.
Some Aspects of the Refractive Behavior of Gases

When compressibility effects are present in fluid flow fields, the variation in density produces a corresponding change in optical refractivity. Two aspects of this behavior have been exploited in experimental gas dynamics, especially during the past 25 years. The first of these relates to the angular deflection of light in the presence of a transverse refractivity gradient. Starting from Fermat’s Principle one can show in a straightforward manner (Ref. 1) that, given a medium in which the refractive index n is an arbitrary function of the coordinates, then the radius of curvature R of a light ray at any point (x,y,z) is given by $$\frac{1}{R} = grad\ log n.\mathop e\limits^\to $$ (1) where e is a unit vector perpendicular to the light path. This relation is the basis of the well-known schlieren and shadow techniques, now widely used in laboratory studies of fluid dynamic phenomena.
Relation of Maximum Isometric Strength and Relative Isotonic Endurance of the Elbow Flexors of Athletes

Abstract The study investigated the relationship between maximum isometric strength and relative isotonic endurance of athletes with different levels of strength. Subjects were 120 male college athletes who were divided into three equal groups based on the sums of their maximum isometric strength scores over the entire study. Group I was composed of the 40 strongest subjects, while Group III contained the 40 weakest subjects. The remaining 40 subjects were placed in Group II, or middle level strength. All subjects were tested for maximum isometric strength on three successive days using the flexor muscles of the forearm. Relative isotonic endurance was also performed on three successive days by all subjects using a modified arm lever ergometer, the relative load for each test being determined from the maximum isometric strength test for that particular day. Relative loads used in the present study were 35%, 40%, and 45% of maximum isometric strength. Results indicated that there was a positive and signifi...
Mechanisms of smooth muscle responses to inflammation

Background Inflammation-induced changes in smooth muscle may be the consequence of changes in the properties of smooth muscle itself, in the control by nerves and hormones, in the microenvironment, or in the balance of constitutive or induced mediators. A general concept is that the specific characteristics and effects of inflammation can be linked to the nature of the infiltrate and the associated mediators, which are dictated predominantly by the immune environment. Inflammatory mediators may regulate smooth muscle function by directly acting on smooth muscle cells or, indirectly, through stimulation of the release of mediators from other cells. In addition, smooth muscle is not a passive bystander during inflammation and our knowledge of molecular signaling pathways that control smooth muscle function, and the contribution of the immune mechanisms to smooth muscle homeostasis, has expanded greatly in the last decade. Recent studies also demonstrated the relevance of extracellular proteases, of endogenous or exogenous origin, redox imbalance, or epigenetic mechanisms, to gastrointestinal dismotility and inflammation in the context of functional and organic disorders. Purpose In this review we discuss the various types of inflammation and the established and emerging mechansims of inflammation-induced changes in smooth muscle morphology and function.
Mitochondrial Morphology in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis display mitochondrial dysfunction. A dysfunctional mitochondrial may increase oxidative stress and inflammation, but also contribute to muscle wasting. We have previously shown that patients with ESRD present lower mitochondrial DNA copy number in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lower mitochondrial volume density in skeletal muscle compared to healthy individuals. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that constantly change morphology by fusion and fission (division). Now we evaluated skeletal muscle mitochondrial morphology, particularly mitochondrial size, using electron micrographs from patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis and healthy controls. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained from 7 healthy controls and 7 patients with ESRD. We hypothesized that patients with ESRD will present bigger mitochondria probably mediated by decreased fission or increased fusion. We also evaluated the content of optic atrophy 1 (OPA-1) protein,...
Experimental challenge and pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dunlin (Calidris alpina), an intercontinental migrant shorebird species.

Please cite this paper as: Hall et al. (2011). Experimental challenge and pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dunlin (Calidris alpina), an intercontinental migrant shorebird species. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(5), 365–372. Background Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are considered one of the primary reservoirs of avian influenza. Because these species are highly migratory, there is concern that infected shorebirds may be a mechanism by which highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 could be introduced into North America from Asia. Large numbers of dunlin (Calidris alpina) migrate from wintering areas in central and eastern Asia, where HPAIV H5N1 is endemic, across the Bering Sea to breeding areas in Alaska. Low pathogenic avian influenza virus has been previously detected in dunlin, and thus, dunlin represent a potential risk to transport HPAIV to North America. To date no experimental challenge studies have been performed in shorebirds. Methods Wild dunlin were inoculated intranasally and intrachoanally various doses of HPAIV H5N1. The birds were monitored daily for virus excretion, disease signs, morbidity, and mortality. Results The infectious dose of HPAIV H5N1 in dunlin was determined to be 101.7 EID50/100 μl and that the lethal dose was 101.83 EID50/100 μl. Clinical signs were consistent with neurotropic disease, and histochemical analyses revealed that infection was systemic with viral antigen and RNA most consistently found in brain tissues. Infected birds excreted relatively large amounts of virus orally (104 EID50) and smaller amounts cloacally. Conclusions Dunlin are highly susceptible to infection with HPAIV H5N1. They become infected after exposure to relatively small doses of the virus and if they become infected, they are most likely to suffer mortality within 3–5 days. These results have important implications regarding the risks of transport and transmission of HPAIV H5N1 to North America by this species and raises questions for further investigation.
A boom, in theory

Editor’s preface to the Hau Book Symposium on Dodd, Nigel. 2014. The social life of money . Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Cabinet Turnover in the United States

What explains cabinet turnover in the United States? This paper argues that US Presidents can increase their prospects of reelection by dismissing incompetent secretaries from the cabinet. A game theory model developed in this study shows that, in some cases, a secretary whose performance is below average will be dismissed from the cabinet. In other cases, only very poor performance will cause the replacement of a secretary. These cases are determined by the president's support at the Senate, and by the competence of the official who leads the department during the nomination and confirmation of a new nominee. The paper empirically tests the hypotheses using a database of 39 US Presidents and 366 Secretaries covering the years 1809 to 2001.
Characterization of α-Ketobutyrate Metabolism in Rat Tissues: Effects of Dietary Protein and Fasting

The oxidative decarboxylation of alpha-ketobutyrate was studied in rat tissue preparations. Decarboxylation was confined to the mitochondrial fraction and required coenzyme A, NAD, TPP and FAD for optimal activity in solubilized preparations. The pH optimum for this reaction in liver was 7.8, somewhat higher than that reported for other alpha-keto acid dehydrogenases. An apparent Km of 0.63 mM for alpha-ketobutyrate was determined for the rat liver system. Competition by other alpha-keto acids at 10 mM concentrations inhibited enzyme activity up to 75%. Tissue distribution of alpha-ketobutyrate dehydrogenase activity relative to liver activity was (in percent): liver, 100; heart, 127; brain, 63; kidney, 57; skeletal muscle, 38; and small intestine, 7. Total liver alpha-ketobutyrate dehydrogenase was decreased by 40% after a 24-hour fast. Similar results were found for kidney and heart activity. alpha-Aminobutyrate-pyruvate aminotransferase activity in liver or kidney was not affected by fasting; however, it was induced in liver by 50% after feeding a 40% casein diet for 10 days compared to rats fed a 20% casein diet. Increasing the dietary casein content from 6 through 40% of the diet resulted in about a fivefold increase in liver alpha-ketobutyrate dehydrogenase activity. The substantial extrahepatic capacity for alpha-ketobutyrate metabolism makes it unlikely that a loss of liver function results in an inability to metabolize alpha-ketobutyrate. Whether alpha-ketobutyrate is decarboxylated by a specific enzyme or by an already characterized complex such as pyruvate dehydrogenase or the branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase remains to be established.
A rat 8 kb dentin sialoprotein-phosphophoryn (DSP-PP) promoter directs spatial and temporal LacZ activity in mouse tissues.

Abstract Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and phosphophoryn (PP) are two major dentin noncollagenous proteins that are encoded on a single DSP–PP transcript whose expression is tightly regulated during tooth dentinogenesis. The recent identification of this gene transcript in other tissues, including inner ear and jaw tissue, suggests that DSP and PP may have pleiotropic effects on other organs besides teeth. To identify candidate regulatory elements that control DSP–PP temporal and spatial expression, we constructed a −5 kb upstream region rat DSP–PP promoter into the β-galactosidase expression vector pnLacF plasmid and used this construct to prepare DSP–PP-LacZ transgenic mice. Multiple mouse tissues including teeth, bone, and kidney obtained from the six resulting transgenic mouse lines displayed strong LacZ activity. This spatial distribution was confirmed in several of these tissues by in situ hybridization studies. LacZ activity was transiently expressed in preameloblasts and continuously expressed in odontoblasts demonstrating that this −5 kb rat promoter-dependent LacZ expression mimics reported DSP–PP mRNA expression patterns. Interestingly, this −5 kb rat promoter construct drives LacZ expression according to the rat developmental clock. Based on identified transcription factors present in this −5 kb promoter region, we have identified several probable cis-regulatory modules whose interaction with one another could account for the spatial and temporal distribution of DSP–PP transcripts in developing tissues.
Albumin standards and the measurement of serum albumin with bromcresol green

A rapid and reliable method for measuring serum albumin employing bromcresol green is described. The addition of albumin to a solution of bromcresol green in a 0.075 M succinate buffer pH 4.20 results in an increase in absorbance at 628 nm. The absorbance-concentration relationship is linear for samples containing up to 6 g/dl albumin. Bilirubin, moderate lipemia, and salicylate do not interfere with the analysis. The use of nonionic surfactant (Brij-35) reduces the absorbance of the blank, prevents turbidity and provides linearity. The results by this method agree very well with those obtained by electrophoresis and salt fractionation. The method is simple, it has excellent precision and the reagents are stable. A protein standard is introduced which can be employed for both the total serum proteins and albumin determinations.
No evidence of carcinogenicity of d-mannitol and propyl gallate in F344 rats or B6C3F1 mice

Abstract Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies were conducted on d -mannitol and propyl gallate in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. Groups of 50 rats and 50 mice of each sex were maintained on diets containing either 0, 2.5 or 5.0% d -mannitol or 0, 0.6 or 1.2% propyl gallate for 103 wk. d -Mannitol had no effect on survival or mean body weight of rats and mice, and feed consumption was approximately the same in control and treated groups in each species. Gastric fundal gland dilation occurred at a higher incidence in treated female rats than in controls. A mild nephrosis characterized by focal vacuolization of the renal tubular epithelium was observed in an increased incidence in treated mice. No significant increase in tumour incidence was observed in any of the treated groups in comparison with the corresponding controls. Survival of rats and mice given propyl gallate was similar to that of the controls. Mean body weights were lower in chemically exposed animals, and more so for females. Male rats exposed to propyl gallate showed an increased incidence of hepatic cytoplasmic vacuolization and suppurative inflammation of the prostate gland. Tumours of the preputial gland, islet-cell tumours of the pancreas, and phaeochromocytoma of the adrenal gland occurred at a significantly (P 1 50 , low dose 3 49 and high dose 8 50 ), and the incidence in the high-dose group was significantly (P 36 398 or 9%) in this laboratory, this apparent increase was not considered to be related to propyl gallate administration. Under the conditions of these studies, neither d -mannitol nor propyl gallate was considered to be carcinogenic to F344 rats or B6C3F1 mice of either sex.
Giving to whom? Altruism in different types of relationships

Experiments show that people give money away to other people, even when contributions are anonymous. These findings contradict the common economic assumption that people maximize their own payoffs. Here we take the approach that human altruism is shaped by a set of cognitive models for distinct types of relationships. Specifically, we apply relational models theory which distinguishes between communal relationships based on need, authority relationships based on power, and trade relationships based on reciprocity. We test whether relational models theory can explain altruism in the dictator game, a standard method for observing altruism. For each relational model, we manipulate its key variable (need, power, or reciprocity) by varying hypothetical descriptions of the dictator game, while holding constant real monetary incentives. In the communal scenario participants transfer more money to recipients with greater need for the resource (Experiment 1), in the authority scenario participants transfer more money to recipients who were higher status (Experiment 2), and in the exchange scenario, participants transfer more money to recipients who previously delivered goods to the dictator. In sum, we find that relationships, even when hypothetical, strongly affect altruistic behavior – modal dictator contributions range from 0% to 100% – and relational models theory correctly predicts these effects.
Management of comorbid diabetes mellitus and worsening heart failure.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects 25.8 million adults in the United States and accounts for attributable health care costs exceeding $174 billion.1 Although it is well established that the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes mellitus is related to cardiovascular disease, the importance of heart failure among patients with diabetes has been underappreciated. Among older individuals with diabetes mellitus, approximately 22% have heart failure.2 Conversely, the burden of heart failure constitutes more than 1 million hospital admissions annually in the United States and many more emergency department and unplanned outpatient clinic visits. In large registries of patients with worsening chronic heart failure who are receiving optimal evidence-based therapies and who are hospitalized, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 42%, and their postdischarge mortality and rehospitalization rates were 8% and 32%, respectively, within 60 to 90 days.3 Similar rates of diabetes, with prevalences of approximately 40%, were also seen in recent clinical trials of patients hospitalized with worsening heart failure and reduced ejection fraction,4,5 as well as those with preserved ejection fraction.6
Development of a differential actuator concept for MR-compatible robotic applications

In recent years, the use of robotics to augment MRI diagnostic and interventional procedures has increased significantly. However, the demanding MRI environment precludes the use of most common actuation approaches. Alternative actuation concepts have been proposed but these solutions do not lend themselves to linear control topologies. We present a new actuation method, using the motion of parallel ultrasonic motors combined through a differential mechanism, to address these limitations. A prototype of this device is constructed and evaluated. Results demonstrate the viability of the proposed approach while helping to clarify design improvements to further increase its utility.
Spontaneous perforation of the colon. A potential complication of chronic renal failure.

A case of spontaneous colonic perforation in a patient receiving chronic hemodialysis is described. Chronic progressive constipation leading to stercoraceous ulceration may have been the precipitating event.
The Neurocircuitry of Attachment and Recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous

Neurophysiological circuitries mediate avoidance and approach by valencing events and establishing a reward-based gradient. Normal separation–attachment behaviors and end goals maintain attractiveness along this gradient. Circumstances—abnormal in nature and/or adverse in nurturance—can lead to pathogenic circuits. Attachment-related disorders such as substance use disorders may result. The case is made that addiction represents a distortion of separation–attachment circuitries brought about by receptor systems hijacked by substances. Spirituality may help patients meet the challenge of this substance-induced distortion. Perhaps the greatest examples are to be found in the 12-Step programs for alcoholism and drug addiction.
Book Review: What’s So Social about Social Knowledge?

Although Longino and Solomon are interested in what social conditions will produce better science, neither philosopher has provided a sufficient analysis of the social character of science. For instance, neither considersthe social character of discovery as well as that of justification, or that an individual scientist's social status and social relations may be important for understanding her role in both processes. The contributors to Schmitt's volume are interested in whether the terms that refer to social entities can be reduced to or eliminated in favor of terms referring to individuals. Their analyses, which proceed largely by testing their intuitions against imaginary examples, could benefit from paying more attention to actual social science and real-world social problems. Ideally, these social metaphysicians should be engaged with philosophers of science in a joint effort to investigate whether a social account of scientific knowledge can explain something that an individualist account leaves out.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health: An Emergency Medicine Perspective

Significant disparities exist in health care based on race. Even when controlling for socioeconomic factors, minorities still have lower rates of utilization for certain procedures, higher mortality rates, and differences in usual source of care. There are a multitude of causes for these disparities, including differences based on access to care, the patient-doctor relationship, and insurance status. This article addresses possible factors that account for persistent disparities in health based on race and suggests approaches to remedying these disparities. Although many studies have been done on this topic, further research is needed to examine factors specifically in the emergency department setting.