cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for maternal behavior as a requisite link in suckling-mediated anovulation in cows.

Some component of the suckling process inhibits LH secretion and delays postpartum ovulation in beef cows. To investigate a possible role for maternal behavior in suckling-mediated anovulation, 27 crossbred beef cows were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 groups: 1) alien (dam suckled by alien calf; n = 11); 2) own (dam suckled by own calf; n = 8); and 3) weaned (calf removed for 6 days; n = 8). Beginning 14-17 days after parturition (experimental Day 0), cows were control suckled (10 min every 6 h) in stanchions for 6 days by either their own clf or by an alien calf or were weaned. Mean LH pulse frequencies in the alien and weaned groups were similar but were elevated (p < 0.02) on experimental Days 2 and 4 compared to those in the own group. The incidence of luteal activity by experimental Day 10 was greater (p < 0.01 ) for the alien (72.2%) and weaned groups (75.0%) than for the own group (12.5% ). Frequency of oxytocin release following suckling was greater (p < 0.01) in the own group than in the alien group (Day 2: 100% vs. 36.4%; Day 4: 100% vs. 54.6% ), whereas suckling-induced release of prolactin was similar for both groups. Data provide evidence that the mother-offspring bond is an important link in suckling-mediated inhibition of LH secretion and ovulation.
Electrocardiographic changes in pregnancy

Abstract 1. 1. Serial determinations of the QRS and T vectors and of the QRS-T angle show a significantly greater variability during pregnancy than in the nonpregnant state. 2. 2. The QRS vectors and the QRS-T angles do not vary significantly during the three periods studied—the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, the third trimester of pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. 3. 3. There is significant variance of the T vector for the first two trimesters of pregnancy, the third trimester of pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. 4. 4. The significance of a change in the electrical axes of the heart during pregnancy must be evaluated cautiously in view of the con-siderable variability of the electrocardiogram during normal pregnancy.
LRP1 plays a major role in the amyloid-β clearance in microglia

Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most prevalent type of dementia in the elderly, is characterized by the accumulation and deposition of amyloid-b (Ab) peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain. Impairment of Ab metabolism induces the formation of toxic Ab oligomers as well as the deposition of Ab in intraneuronal spaces and senile plaques, ultimately resulting in neuronal death. While familial AD is known to be caused by genetic mutations leading to an increase in Ab production, several lines of evidence suggest that sporadic AD is due to an impairment of Ab clearance. Ab is cleared from the central nervous system by elimination through the blood-brain barrier, extracellular proteolytic degradation or cellular uptake and subsequent lysosomal degradation. The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) has been shown to play a major role in Ab metabolism in neurons, astrocytes and brain vessels. LRP1 is a large transmembrane receptor which mediates endocytosis of more than 30 ligands including apolipoprotein E and at2-macroglobulin. Microglia cells are the resident immune and phagocytic cells in the brain and are likely involved in the pathogenesis of AD by contributing to Ab clearance. Thus, we focused on roles of LRP1 in Ab clearance in microglia.
SpecC design environment

The author discusses the SpecC design environment, considering the following topics: validation levels; abstraction levels; SpecC scope, methodology and refinements; refinement user interface; user feedback; user guided refinement; automatic refinement; validation user interface; modelling, refinement, exploration and synthesis engines.
Visualizing interdisciplinary citations to and from information and library science publications

Empirical investigations of citations to and from 150 journal articles published in the field of Information and Library Science (ILS) has enabled cross-mapping of the interdisciplinary evolution of the field. The publications were randomly drawn in six years between 1975 and 2000, with 25 articles each from the selected years. ANOVA tests reveal that although raw counts of self- and extradisciplinary-citations are not significantly different by year, they are different depending on whether it is from or to ILS. Nearly 30 disciplines hold mutual citations with ILS, and Computer Science, Communication, Management Science, Education, and Psychology are among those highly impact disciplines. Visualization further depicts the clustering of the citing and cited disciplines. In general out-degree citations contain richer set of nodes than those of in-degree, but overall, the mapping of the interdisciplinary scope of the ILS field provides convincing evidence for the interdisciplinary nature of Library and Information Science.
Pronunciation modeling for names of foreign origin

The pronunciation of a proper name is influenced by both a speaker's native language as well as the language of origin of the name itself. Thus, creating suitable sets of pronunciations for names in speech recognition applications is extremely challenging. We investigate whether automatic language identification and grapheme-to-phoneme conversion algorithms can be effective for this task. We train grapheme-to-phoneme models for eight foreign languages and use automatic language identification to select the models with which to generate additional pronunciations for words in a baseline pronunciation dictionary. As compared to the baseline dictionary in a US name recognition task, we achieve a 25% reduction in sentence-error rate for foreign names spoken by native speakers of the language in question, and a 10% reduction in sentence-error rate for foreign names spoken by American speakers.
Diagnostic Evaluation of Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

The cause of pediatric sensorineural hearing loss is diverse, comprising genetic, acquired, and idiopathic conditions. Identifying the specific cause requires that children undergo thorough otolaryngologic and audiometric evaluations, which generally include laboratory tests and temporal bone imaging studies. Clinical genetics and ophthalmologic consultations are also frequently warranted. A sequential diagnostic approach has been shown to be both prudent and cost-effective. Although a definitive cause is being established, amplification and a comprehensive treatment strategy should be initiated to ensure that developmental, auditory, and speech and language delays are minimized.
Small and Large Intestinal Involvement

Small intestinal involvement occurs in 40–70% of SSc patients while large intestinal and anorectal involvement occur in 20–50% and 50–70%, respectively. These intestinal involvements impact SSc patients in several adverse ways: high morbidity, a poor quality of life, and, in a few instances, shortened life spans. In fact, GI involvement is a major contributor to poor quality of life as exemplified by different cohort studies.
The Measurement and Improvement of R& D Marketing Effectiveness

Comparative study of effectiveness in winning government research and development contracts
Changes in developmental assets and physical activity frequency among 3rd–5th grade girls participating in a girl-focused sport-based positive youth development program

Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity on mental, cognitive, social, and physical health, females are less active than males. Sport-based positive youth development (PYD) programs designed for girls may offer the unique blend of sport and life skills that address girl-specific physical activity determinants. The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term outcomes of a girl-focused sport-based PYD among 3rd–5th grade girls. A secondary analysis of pre- and post-intervention evaluation data was conducted to assess developmental assets, overall PYD, and physical activity among intervention participants (n = 384). Data analyses included descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests to determine pre- to post-intervention changes. Results revealed statistically significant improvements in competence (p = .001), confidence (p < .001), and connectedness (p = .001) developmental assets, as well as overall PYD (p < .001) and physical activity frequency (p < .001). Findings suggest that a girl...
A Pharmacological Study of the Inhibitory Mesenteric Nerves to the Intestine.

An attempt to understand better some of the actions of cocaine, ephedrine and other drugs on the intestine, led to the use of the excised nerve-muscle preparation of the intestine described by Thomas.1 At the time our experiments were begun, McSwiney and Robson2 had reported the use of a similar preparation of the stomach, and since then there have appeared papers by Finkelmann3 and McSwiney and Robson,4 describing results with the nerve-muscle preparation of the intestine. Our results in general confirm those of the authors mentioned, and extend the study further.A modified Locke solution was used to immerse the tissues, which were removed as required from rabbits and dogs anesthetized with urethane and chloretone or with amytal. Records were made of the movements of only the longitudinal muscle fibres. Stimulation of the mesenteric nerves was by means of the Harvard induc-torium, through platinum electrodes applied to the periarterial nerves. Slowly repeated shocks (1 to 10 per second), as well as rapid...
Tele-Transport: Combining Mobile Patient Assessment with Critical Care Outside Tertiary Care Centers

Specialized teams provide interfacility transport of children from referring centers to tertiary care children's hospitals. These teams can deliver critical care in the field and have been shown to improve outcomes. Although medical control is most frequently provided by pediatric intensivists, severity of illness assessments and triage decisions are sometimes difficult due to lack of direct patient contact. This is particularly problematic in cases of respiratory distress, where treatment decisions are based almost exclusively …
The Association Between Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade and Long-term Outcomes in Renal Transplant Recipients: The Wisconsin Allograft Recipient Database (WisARD).

BackgroundRenin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade reduces mortality in the general population and among non-dialysis–dependent patients with chronic kidney disease. The RAS blockade also decreases proteinuria and protects renal function in non-transplant patients with chronic kidney disease. It rema
Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Primary gastric squamous cell carcinoma (PGSCC), an exceedingly rare disease, accounts for 0.04% - 0.07% of all gastric cancers. First reported in 1895 by RArig et al, less than 100 cases have been reported in the literature, showing a male predominance with a peak incidence in the sixth decade of life. Several theories have been proposed, including squamous differentiation …
Una conversación trasatlántica: Benito Pérez Galdós y Domingo A. Galdós en La estrella de Panamá (1889-1901)

During the last two decades of the nineteenth century, two figures of Cuban origin help to transform La estrella de Panama, a small newspaper from the hard to reach Isthmus. Jose Gabriel Duque with the editorial collaboration of Domingo A. Galdos, the son of Benito Perez Galdos’ first cousin, will include new cultural material to the paper. This article studies Benito’s presence in this newspaper starting in 1889 which begins a transatlantic dialogue with his American relative and with the readers of the paper. Several phases of this connection are discussed as well as works such as Venecia, Vergara, Los condenados and Electra. The essay concludes with 1901 when Domingo Galdos leaves the newspaper to return to Cuba after the war of independence, having fulfilled the tasks imposed on him by Jose Marti.
Gel compression considerations for chromatography scale-up for protein C purification.

This work is to establish theoretical and experimental relationships for the scale-up of Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC) and Immuno Affinity Chromatography for the low cost production of large quantities of Protein C. The external customer requirements for this project have been established for Protein C deficient people with the goal of providing prophylactic patient treatment. Deep vein thrombosis is the major symptom for protein C deficiency creating the potential problem of embolism transport to important organs, such as, lung and brain.
Incidence of venous thromboembolism in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract Introduction Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Current risk-prediction models classify NHL as a single entity. We aimed to quantify the difference in VTE risk in follicular lymphoma (FL) versus diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods Using a prospective cohort study, we identified 2730 patients (2037 DLBCL; 693 FL) within the Veteran's Administration Central Cancer Registry. A competing risk model assessed the association between VTE risk and histology in the first year after NHL diagnosis. We assessed the effect of additional risk factors for VTE in NHL. Results In univariate analysis, DLBCL was associated with increased risk of VTE compared to FL in the first year after diagnosis; this association was no longer significant in adjusted analysis (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.52; 95% CI 0.97–2.40). Major risk factors for VTE included history of VTE before NHL diagnosis (aHR 4.73, p ≤ 0.0001) and time period during chemotherapy administration (aHR 7.60, p ≤ 0.0001). Additional risk factors included: stage III/IV disease (p = 0.02), BMI ≥ 30 (p = 0.02), B-symptoms (p = 0.02), and doxorubicin (p = 0.04). The cumulative incidence of VTE was highest in the period following diagnosis and decreased over time for both histologies. Conclusion DLBCL is associated with increased risk of VTE compared to FL. This risk is markedly attenuated when adjusting for additional risk factors. The strongest predictors for development of VTE included: time period during chemotherapy administration (especially doxorubicin) and history of VTE. This knowledge can assist clinicians in identifying NHL patients at high risk for VTE.
Buckling Analysis of Transmission Tower Icing Based on ANSYS

The ANSYS software is used to analyze the buckling finite element of the icing of transmission tower in operation,and calculation results in detail were obtained.By the application of ANSYS,the stability under icing and win load,the unbalanced tension caused by increasing icing,the asymmetrical icing distribution and the wind load of a certain transmission tower were analyzed.Study results show that the overload,the wind load and the asymmetrical icing distribution are main reasons of tower collapse accidents.
The zona-free hamster egg penetration assay as a prognostic indicator in a human in vitro fertilization program *

The present study was designed to test the validity of the hamster egg penetration assay as a prognostic indicator of male fertility in 54 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. Human oocyte fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy were compared with the results of this bioassay. Good correlation was found between hamster egg penetration and oocyte fertilization. Conversely, a definite lower limit of hamster egg penetration to define absolute male infertility could not be established because human oocyte fertilization, cleavage, and even pregnancy occurred in spite of low hamster egg penetration.
TWO METHODS FOR EVALUATING DYNAMIC ONTOLOGIES

Ontology evaluation poses a number of difficult challenges requiring different evaluation methodologies, particularly for a “dynamic ontology” representing a complex set of concepts and generated by a combination of automatic and semi-automatic methods. We review evaluation methods that focus solely on syntactic (formal) correctness, on the preservation of semantic structure, or on pragmatic utility. We propose two novel methods for dynamic ontology evaluation and describe the use of these methods for evaluating the different taxonomic representations that are generated at different times or with different amounts of expert feedback. The proposed “violation” and “volatility” scores represent an attempt to merge syntactic and semantic considerations. Violation measures the degree of “ontological fit” to a text corpus representative of the domain. Volatility calculates the stability of the methods for ontology generation and extension. Combined, they support estimation of convergence towards a stable representation of the domain. No method of evaluation can avoid making substantive normative assumptions about what constitutes “correct” representation, but rendering those assumptions explicit can help with the decision about which methods are appropriate for selecting amongst a set of available ontologies or for tuning the design of methods used to generate a hierarchically organized representation of a domain.
Myomas and pregnancy.

SUMMARY At this time, the growth of uterine myomas during pregnancy cannot be predicted. Major complications of pregnancy appear to be related to whether the placenta and the myoma are in contact. The location and number of myomas, especially in the lower uterine segment, increases the likelihood of cesarean birth and malpresentation. Frequent ultrasound evaluations to monitor fetal growth and presentation and the size of the myoma should be considered in pregnant women with uterine myomas. Surgical resection of myomas should be reserved for those pregnant women with symptomatic pedunculated myomas with a small stalk. In those women with a pregnancy complication owing to the myoma, resection should be considered prior to the next pregnancy.
Current status of fetal oxygen monitoring.

The transcutaneous monitoring of maternal oxygenation is discussed and its limitations are examined. Though it is a good tool for measuring fetal oxygenation in a noninvasive manner, until technical advances are made to overcome its shortcomings, the tcPo 2 electrode will remain investigational in nature.
Incidence of Secondary Leukemias After Therapy of Childhood Hodgkin’s Disease Without Nitrogen-Mustard. Results of the German-Austrian Study Group

For more than 20 years now, secondary leukemias following treatment of Hodgkin’s disease (HD) have been reported in the literature [1–7]. Most of these reports refer to adults— corresponding to the higher incidence of HD in adults compared to children but cases following treatment in childhood have also been published. Usually these secondary leukemias present as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with or without a myelodyplastic prephase, and have a very poor prognosis. As to causative factors, it became increasingly evident that specific elements of the chemotherapy are dicrectly responsible. Retrospective studies were able to identify alkylating cytotoxic agents as the main risk factor, especially nitrogen-mustard (synonymsimechlorethamine, mustargen) [8–12]. Today it is widely accepted that the mustine vincristine procarbazine and prednisone (MOPP) combination is associated with a considerably higher risk for secondary leukemias than ABVD which includes no alkylating drug [8, 12].
In Vitro Myotoxicity of Selected Cationic Macromolecules Used in Non-Viral Gene Delivery

Purpose. Cationic lipid/DNA complexes have been proposed as a method of in vivo gene delivery via intravenous or intramuscular injection. A concern with using these polycationic molecules is whether they are associated with tissue toxicity at the injection site. Therefore, the objective of these studies was to investigate the myotoxic potential of selected non-viral gene delivery macromolecules (e.g., cationic lipids and polymers) with and without plasmid DNA (pDNA) in vitro.
Mycobacteriophages as Incubators for Intein Dissemination and Evolution

ABSTRACT Inteins are self-splicing protein elements that are mobile at the DNA level and are sporadically distributed across microbial genomes. Inteins appear to be horizontally transferred, and it has been speculated that phages may play a role in intein distribution. Our attention turns to mycobacteriophages, which infect mycobacteria, where both phage and host harbor inteins. Using bioinformatics, mycobacteriophage genomes were mined for inteins. This study reveals that these mobile elements are present across multiple mycobacteriophage clusters and are pervasive in certain genes, like the large terminase subunit TerL and a RecB-like nuclease, with the majority of intein-containing genes being phage specific. Strikingly, despite this phage specificity, inteins localize to functional motifs shared with bacteria, such that intein-containing genes have similar roles, like hydrolase activity and nucleic acid binding, indicating a global commonality among intein-hosting proteins. Additionally, there are multiple insertion points within active centers, implying independent invasion events, with regulatory implications. Several phage inteins were shown to be splicing competent and to encode functional homing endonucleases, important for mobility. Further, bioinformatic analysis supports the potential for phages as facilitators of intein movement among mycobacteria and related genera. Analysis of catalytic intein residues finds the highly conserved penultimate histidine inconsistently maintained among mycobacteriophages. Biochemical characterization of a noncanonical phage intein shows that this residue influences precursor accumulation, suggesting that splicing has been tuned in phages to modulate generation of important proteins. Together, this work expands our understanding of phage-based intein dissemination and evolution and implies that phages provide a context for evolution of splicing-based regulation. IMPORTANCE Inteins are mobile protein splicing elements found in critical genes across all domains of life. Mycobacterial inteins are of particular interest because of their occurrence in pathogenic species, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae, which harbor inteins in important proteins. We have discovered a similarity in activities of intein-containing proteins among mycobacteriophages and their intein-rich actinobacterial hosts, with implications for both posttranslational regulation by inteins and phages participating in horizontal intein transfer. Our demonstration of multiple insertion points within active centers of phage proteins implies independent invasion events, indicating the importance of intein maintenance at specific functional sites. The variable conservation of a catalytic splicing residue, leading to profoundly altered splicing rates, points to the regulatory potential of inteins and to mycobacteriophages playing a role in intein evolution. Collectively, these results suggest inteins as posttranslational regulators and mycobacteriophages as both vehicles for intein distribution and incubators for intein evolution.
Novel III-N heterostructure devices for low-power logic and more

Future ultra-scaled logic and low-power systems require fundamental advances in semiconductor device technology. Due to power constraints, device concepts capable of achieving switching slopes (SS) steeper than 60 mV/decade are essential if scaling of conventional computational architectures is to continue. Likewise, ultra low power systems also benefit from devices capable of maintaining performance under low-voltage operation. Towards this end, tunneling field effect transistors (TFETs) are one promising alternative. While much work has been devoted to realizing TFETs in Si, Ge, and narrow-gap III–V materials, the use of III-N heterostructures and the exploitation of polarization engineering offers some unique opportunities. From physics-based simulations, performance of GaN/InGaN/GaN heterostructure TFETs appear capable of delivering average SS approaching 20 mV/decade over 4 decades of drain current, and on-current densities exceeding 100 µA/µm in aggressively scaled nanowire configurations. Experimental progress towards realizing III-N based TFETs includes demonstration of GaN/InGaN/GaN backward tunnel diodes by both MOCVD and MBE, and nanowires grown selectively by MBE and used as the basis for device fabrication.
Targets and Strategies Toward the Development of Alzheimer Therapeutics

Although Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting tens of millions worldwide, there are no effective disease-modifying therapies and only a handful of symptomatic treatments. Much has been deciphered regarding the molecular basis of AD in the past 25 years, but serious gaps in understanding remain. Aggregation-prone proteins amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau are apparently central to disease pathogenesis and progression; however, the neurotoxic forms of both proteins and the connection between the two remain unclear. Genetic mutations in the precursor protein for Aβ and in a protease that produces Aβ from this precursor cause dominantly inherited early-onset AD. In contrast, an allelic variant of apolipoprotein E is a major risk factor for the much more common late-onset AD, and the encoded protein is critical for Aβ clearance from the brain. Tau is mutated in other forms of dementia, and tau pathology correlates better with neurodegeneration and progression than does Aβ pathology. A variety of therapeutic agents are advancing through the pipeline, many targeting Aβ and tau. New symptomatic treatments are still needed for those who have already progressed too far in the disease process. Advances in drug discovery, new diagnostic tools such as Aβ imaging agents, and improvements in clinical trial design increase the likelihood that effective agents that slow or halt the progression of AD will soon be realized.
The Role of Task Understanding on Younger and Older Adults' Performance.

Objectives Age-related performance decrements have been linked to inferior strategic choices. Strategy selection models argue that accurate task representations are necessary for choosing appropriate strategies. But no studies to date have compared task representations in younger and older adults. Metacognition research suggests age-related deficits in updating and utilizing strategy knowledge, but other research suggests age-related sparing when information can be consolidated into a coherent mental model. Method Study 1 validated the use of concept mapping as a tool for measuring task representation accuracy. Study 2 measured task representations before and after a complex strategic task to test for age-related decrements in task representation formation and updating. Results Task representation accuracy and task performance were equivalent across age groups. Better task representations were related to better performance. However, task representation scores remained fairly stable over the task with minimal evidence of updating. Discussion Our findings mirror those in the mental model literature suggesting age-related sparing of strategy use when information can be integrated into a coherent mental model. Future research should manipulate the presence of a unifying context to better evaluate this hypothesis.
Using a novel NQO1 bioactivatable drug, beta‐lapachone (ARQ761), to enhance chemotherapeutic effects by metabolic modulation in pancreatic cancer

Novel, tumor-selective therapies are needed to increase the survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients. K-Ras-mutant-driven NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is over-expressed in pancreatic tumor versus associated normal tissue, while catalase expression is lowered compared to levels in associated normal pancreas tissue. ARQ761 undergoes a robust, futile redox cycle in NQO1+ cancer cells, producing massive hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) levels; normal tissues are spared by low NQO1 and high catalase expression. DNA damage created by ARQ761 in pancreatic cancer cells "hyperactivates" PARP1, causing metabolic catastrophe and NAD ± keresis cell death. NQO1: catalase levels (high in tumor, low in normal tissue) are an attractive therapeutic window to treat pancreatic cancer. Based on a growing body of literature, we are leading a clinical trial to evaluate the combination of ARQ761 and chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Growth of Good US Jobs

Gabe provides a framework for the study of US regional economic development, defined as “the growth of good jobs in a region to improve the economic well-being of people and the places where they reside.” The chapter introduces four regional economic indicators, which measure performance from 1990 to the near present: the employment index (i.e., growth of jobs), income index (i.e., productivity of workers), persistence index (i.e., “ups and downs” of employment), and the economic development index (i.e., combination of growth, income and persistence). The chapter ends with a discussion of how regional economic forces switched from an era of convergence (i.e., poorer regions grew faster) between 1900 and 1990, to a more recent pattern of divergence (i.e., affluent regions are growing faster).
Regular and Special Educator Perceptions of Nonacademic Skills Needed by Mainstreamed Students with Behavioral Disorders and Learning Disabilities.

This study was designed to solicit teachers' perceptions of nonacademic skills required for students with behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to be successful in mainstreamed settings. R...
Enteric glial-mediated enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity is compromised by morphine.

Abstract Background The opioid epidemic is a growing concern, and emerging evidence suggests that morphine use may be associated with sepsis. Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are the most numerous cell type in the enteric nervous system and regulate gastrointestinal function through the production of trophic factors, including glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). We sought to determine the effect of morphine on enteric glia and hypothesized that morphine contributes to EGC dysfunction and increased gut permeability. Materials and methods Rat intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and EGC lines were purchased from ATCC. Immunocytochemistry was used to evaluate the impact of EGCs on IEC barrier proteins and detect the μ-opioid receptor. Co-culture assays were used to determine the effect of EGCs, GDNF, and morphine on barrier integrity. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to determine the impact of morphine in GDNF production. Transepithelial resistance of IEC-6 cell monolayers was measured in the presence of EGC-conditioned media (EGC-CM) and morphine treated EGC-CM using electrical cell impedance sensing. Results EGC-CM enhanced tight junction organization in IECs. IEC barrier integrity was enhanced when co-cultured with unstimulated EGCs or with GDNF alone; this barrier protective effect was lost with morphine-treated EGCs. GDNF RNA and protein expression were decreased by morphine treatment. Transepithelial resistance was decreased in IEC confluent monolayers when exposed to morphine-treated EGC-CM compared with control. Conclusions Morphine compromises intestinal epithelial cell barrier function through a mechanism which appears to involve GDNF. Further studies are warranted to delineate the role of enteric glial cell function in opioid signaling and sepsis.
The effects of prosthetic foot stiffness on transtibial amputee walking mechanics and balance control during turning.

Abstract Background Little evidence exists regarding how prosthesis design characteristics affect performance in tasks that challenge mediolateral balance such as turning. This study assesses the influence of prosthetic foot stiffness on amputee walking mechanics and balance control during a continuous turning task. Methods Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected from eight unilateral transtibial amputees as they walked overground at self-selected speed clockwise and counterclockwise around a 1-meter circle and along a straight line. Subjects performed the walking tasks wearing three different ankle-foot prostheses that spanned a range of sagittal- and coronal-plane stiffness levels. Findings A decrease in stiffness increased residual ankle dorsiflexion (10–13°), caused smaller adaptations ( Interpretation Changes in sagittal-plane kinematics and kinetics were similar to those previously observed in straight-line walking. Mediolateral balance improved with decreased stiffness, but adaptations in coronal-plane angles, work and ground reaction force impulses were less systematic than those in sagittal-plane measures. Effects of stiffness varied with the residual limb inside versus outside the turn, which suggests that actively adjusting stiffness to turn direction may be beneficial.
Stress-Induced Defects vs Growth Faults in CVD-Grown SiC

β-SiC grown on Si by CVD contains a large density of line defects as well as planar defects. The line defects are the misfit dislocations which are located at the SiC/Si interface, as well as threading dislocations which propagate through the epilayer initiating from the Si/SiC interface an terminating at the SiC/gas interface, or at an IDB, or even back at the SiC/Si interface. Planar defects consist of twins, stacking faults and, in the case of on-axis growth, inversion domain boundaries (IDBs). In the latter case, and when an IDB is facetted, there is also a third type of dislocation at the intersection of facets herein called “IDB dislocations”. In this paper, the mecjianism of formation of these defects is discussed. It will be argued that the misfit and threading dislocations are generated by the mismatch stresses (lattice and/or thermal) while twins and stacking faults are growth defects formed by deposition errors in the early stages of the growth. It will also be shown-that the IDB dislocations are a crystallographic consequence of facetting. Experimental evidence is presented which supports the model developed for the formation of planar faults.
Advancing the practice of pediatric psychology with transgender youth: State of the science, ongoing controversies, and future directions.

Growing numbers of transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) youth are presenting for medical and mental health care, and increasingly, pediatric psychologists are being called upon to serve as critical members of interdisciplinary care teams. In this commentary, we present information on TGNC youth in three distinct developmental cohorts: prepubescent TGNC children, peripubertal TGNC youth, and pubertal TGNC adolescents. First, we describe the social, medical, and/or surgical treatments available to each cohort of youth. Next, we address the state of the science related to these treatments. Then, we highlight some of the ongoing controversies related to social, medical and/or surgical interventions that are most relevant to pediatric psychologists and the role they play in gender-affirming care. Finally, we conclude with a call for papers for an upcoming special issue of Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology focused on advancing the practice of pediatric psychology in transgender health care.
Residential mobility and childhood leukemia

Abstract Aims Studies of environmental exposures and childhood leukemia studies do not usually account for residential mobility. Yet, in addition to being a potential risk factor, mobility can induce selection bias, confounding, or measurement error in such studies. Using data collected for California Powerline Study (CAPS), we attempt to disentangle the effect of mobility. Methods We analyzed data from a population-based case-control study of childhood leukemia using cases who were born in California and diagnosed between 1988 and 2008 and birth certificate controls. We used stratified logistic regression, case-only analysis, and propensity-score adjustments to assess predictors of residential mobility between birth and diagnosis, and account for potential confounding due to residential mobility. Results Children who moved tended to be older, lived in housing other than single-family homes, had younger mothers and fewer siblings, and were of lower socioeconomic status. Odds ratios for leukemia among non-movers living Conclusion The residential mobility of childhood leukemia cases varied by several sociodemographic characteristics, but not by the distance to the nearest power line or calculated magnetic fields. Mobility appears to be an unlikely explanation for the associations observed between power lines exposure and childhood leukemia.
Evaluation of chronic kidney disease in cancer patients: is there a preferred estimation formula?

Background The evaluation of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cancer patients seems to rely mostly on the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula or the creatinine levels to adjust treatment dosages which is a practice refuted by internists. Aims We evaluate the overall agreement of the CG, modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) and CKD-epidemiology collaboration equations (CKD-EPI) equation with the newly devised Janowitz and Williams' (JW) equation. Methods The renal function was estimated in 235 cancer patients according to the CG, MDRD, body surface area (BSA)-adjusted MDRD, CKD-EPI, BSA-adjusted CKD-EPI and JW formulae. Results JW equation was more in agreement with CG and CKD-EPI estimations than the other equations. Taking JW equation as reference, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that CG eGFR had the higher area under the curve when compared with other equations. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed more proximity between CG and JW equations than the other equations. Conclusion The newly proposed JW eGFR estimation was more in agreement with CG equation than the other equations.
Influence of Gender and Muscle Architecture Asymmetry on Jump and Sprint Performance

Muscle architecture is a determinant for sprinting speed and jumping power, which may be related to anaerobic sports performance. In the present investigation, the relationships between peak (PVJP) and mean (MVJP) vertical jump power, 30m maximal sprinting speed (30M), and muscle architecture were examined in 28 college-aged, recreationally-active men (n = 14; 24.3 ± 2.2y; 89.1 ± 9.3kg; 1.80 ± 0.07 m) and women (n = 14; 21.5 ± 1.7y; 65.2 ± 12.4kg; 1.63 ± 0.08 m). Ultrasound measures of muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PNG), cross-sectional area (CSA), and echo intensity (ECHO) were collected from the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) of both legs; fascicle length (FL) was estimated from MT and PNG. Men possessed lower ECHO, greater muscle size (MT & CSA), were faster, and were more powerful (PVJP & MVJP) than women. Stepwise regression indicated that muscle size and quality influenced speed and power in men. In women, vastus lateralis asymmetry negatively affected PVJP (MT: r = -0.73; FL: r = -0.60) and MVJP (MT: r = -0.76; FL: r = -0.64), while asymmetrical ECHO (VL) and FL (RF) positively influenced MVJP (r = 0.55) and 30M (r = 0.57), respectively. Thigh muscle architecture appears to influence jumping power and sprinting speed, though the effect may vary by gender in recreationally-active adults. Appropriate assessment of these ultrasound variables in men and women prior to training may provide a more specific exercise prescription. Key pointsThe manner in which thigh muscle architecture affects jumping power and sprinting speed varies by gender.In men, performance is influenced by the magnitude of muscle size and architecture.In women, asymmetrical muscle size and architectural asymmetry significantly influence performance.To develop effective and precise exercise prescription for the improvement of jumping power and/or sprinting speed, muscle architecture assessment prior to the onset of a training program is advised.
Patterns in converso messianism

Some rather astonishing statements about the apostasy of the pseudo-messiah Sabbatai Zevi in 1666 were made by one his chief theologians, Abraham Miguel Cardoso. Cardoso was a former converso, a descendent of Jews who had converted to Catholicism under duress in Spain or Portugal during the fifteenth century. Cardoso had himself escaped the Iberian Peninsula as an adult in order to revert to his ancestral Judaism in freer lands.1 Some of his ideas concerning Sabbatai’s conversion to Islam seem less influenced by mystical or classical philosophy (contexts central to much of Cardoso’s thought) than by his converso background. In trying to understand these statements I have gone back to examine traditions of messianism among the conversos, looking for patterns into which Cardoso’s views might fit.2
Quantitative Evaluation of Dynamic Platform Techniques as a Defensive Mechanism

Cyber defenses based on dynamic platform techniques have been proposed as a way to make systems more resilient to attacks. These defenses change the properties of the platforms in order to make attacks more complicated. Unfortunately, little work has been done on measuring the effectiveness of these defenses. In this work, we first measure the protection provided by a dynamic platform technique on a testbed. The counter-intuitive results obtained from the testbed guide us in identifying and quantifying the major effects contributing to the protection in such a system. Based on the abstract effects, we develop a generalized model of dynamic platform techniques which can be used to quantify their effectiveness. To verify and validate our results, we simulate the generalized model and show that the testbed measurements and the simulations match with small amount of error. Finally, we enumerate a number of lessons learned in our work which can be applied to quantitative evaluation of other defensive techniques.
The Role of Prostaglandins and Cyclic Nucleotides in the Artifically Stimulated Decidual Cell Reaction in the Mouse Uterus

The transformation of uterine stromal cells into decidual cells is an integral part of normal implantation (Finn and Porter, 1975). The decidual cell reaction (DCR) can be induced in a uterine horn of a hormone-primed ovariectomized mouse by intralumenal injection of sesame oil or by crushing the uterine horn (trauma). Traumatic stimulation does not require the small “nidatory” dose of estradiol a few hours prior to the stimulus; this is required for oil induction of the response just as it is required for natural implantation. Either stimulus leads to the transformation of uterine stromal cells into rapidly proliferating decidual cells. Decidual cells are not histologically identifiable until 24 hr after stimulation. However, various biochemical and physiological changes precede this transformation and can be quantitated at early times following artificial stimulation of the DCR.
Potassium Transport in Bacteria

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on potassium (K + ) transport in bacteria. K + is a “compatible” cation, best tolerated of monovalent cations when present in the cell at high concentration. This tolerance allows K + to make a major contribution to regulating cell osmolality as supported by the correlation between internal K + and medium osmolality in several species. Bacteria have multiple transport systems for K + . Multiplicity of systems, each with characteristic properties, allows cells to adapt to a wider range of environments. Systems for influx are separate from systems for efflux. A single system does not appear to mediate movements in both directions. Stimulation of K + transport is an early, or the earliest, event in many bacteria when confronted with a change in medium osmolality. A scheme of osmotic adaptation for E. coli and the cyanobacteria is shown diagrammatically in the chapter. Feedback-regulated transport readily accounts for the way a cell maintains a fixed K + concentration during growth. The increase in cell volume during growth dilutes cell solutes, thereby reducing turgor pressure.
Designing simulation to meet UAS training needs

The burgeoning use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) has required the rapid response of stakeholders to identify best practices in the selection and training of UAS operators and managers. This paper examines the Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Other aspects (KSAs/KSAOs) that have been identified as necessary of UAS operators. Historical studies on KSAs are outlined and commonalities in KSAs among UAS platforms are identified. Further, best practices for KSA enhancement training, such as Simulation Based Training (SBT) and Scenario Based Training (ScBT), are described. Example training scenario development is provided as is a sample training event utilizing the outlined practices is given.
Receptor for advanced glycation end-products and environmental exposure related obstructive airways disease: a systematic review

Background Our group has identified the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) as a predictor of World Trade Center particulate matter associated lung injury. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the relationship between RAGE and obstructive airways disease secondary to environmental exposure. Methods A comprehensive search using PubMed and Embase was performed on January 5, 2018 utilising keywords focusing on environmental exposure, obstructive airways disease and RAGE and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018093834). We included original human research studies in English, focusing on pulmonary end-points associated with RAGE and environmental exposure. Results A total of 213 studies were identified by the initial search. After removing the duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we screened the titles and abstracts of 61 studies. Finally, 19 full-text articles were included. The exposures discussed in these articles include particulate matter (n=2) and cigarette smoke (n=17). Conclusion RAGE is a mediator of inflammation associated end-organ dysfunction such as obstructive airways disease. Soluble RAGE, a decoy receptor, may have a protective effect in some pulmonary processes. Overall, RAGE is biologically relevant in environmental exposure associated lung disease. Future investigations should focus on further understanding the role and therapeutic potential of RAGE in particulate matter exposure associated lung disease.
“The Flooding Sorrow”, The Great War: 1914–1918

This chapter explores the shift from relative support of the war and Irish military service to active hostility by 1918, in order to demonstrate the growing association of Irishness with anti-British identities. While the 1915 Battle of Gallipoli initiated the breakdown of Irish support for the war, the Easter Rising in 1916 profoundly shifted public sentiment toward independence. It was sympathetic public sentiment for the rebels and animosity toward the British that allowed for Sinn Fein politicians to take the majority of parliamentary seats in the 1918 election, thus deepening the fissure between nationalists/republicans and Britain. This increasing growing association of Irishness with anti-British identity meant that even by 1918 it was difficult to commemorate the war publicly.
Radiosynthesis and validation of [5‐cyano‐N‐(4‐(4‐[11C]methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐2‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)phenyl) furan‐2‐carboxamide] ([11C]CPPC), a PET radiotracer for imaging CSF1R, a microglia‐specific marker

In this practitioner protocol, the radiochemical synthesis of [11 C]CPPC is described in detail, and a quality control summary of three validation productions is presented. The results indicate that the radiotracer product can be produced in good radiochemical yield (> 60 mCi (2.22 GBq) at end-of-synthesis (EOS)), at high specific activity (molar activity > 11,435 mCi/μmole (423 GBq/μmole) at EOS) and high chemical and radiochemical purity. The entire production conforms to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements. The final product is formulated as a sterile, pyrogen-free solution suitable for human injection.