cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges of cervical reconstruction for destructive spondyloarthropathy in renal osteodystrophy.

Abstract Patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis may present with destructive spondyloarthropathy of the spine, most commonly in the subaxial cervical and lumbar spine, often with severe stenosis and instability. However, surgical management of these patients is challenging due to a high pseudarthrosis rate, poor bone quality, and medical frailty. We present a 49-year-old man on hemodialysis who presented with C4–C5 vertebral body destruction and a focal kyphotic deformity with myelopathy. The patient underwent a 360 degree decompression and reconstructive procedure that resulted in posterior instrumentation failure. Several salvage techniques were used in order to adequately stabilize the spine while preserving the patient’s remaining cervical motion.
Towards the Development of High-Speed 1D Raman Scattering in Turbulent Non-premixed Flames

In this paper we will describe recent advances made in our laboratory in the development of high-speed (10-kHz acquisition rate) 1D Raman scattering imaging. The ultimate goal is a capability of quantitatively measuring all major combustion species and deducing time-varying mixture fraction profiles in turbulent combustion environments. In this paper we will review our initial results depicting high-speed Raman scattering imaging of O2, N2, CH4, and H2 in a turbulent non-reacting CH4/H2 jet issuing into air (Appl Phys B, 101(1), 2010, p. 1-5). This work represented the first temporally-sequential 1D image sequences of major species measuring via high-speed Raman scattering. This paper will also describe our most recent work towards the application in combustion environments by examining system performance through single-shot measurements (at 10 Hz) in wellcharacterized laminar flames.
Books in pastoral psychology—1959

W , ITH the appearance of the first Annual Directory of PASTORAL PSYCHOLOGY in January, 1954, there was included a "Bibliography and Reading Guide in Pastoral Psychology," prepared by Seward Hiltner with the collaboration of Ernest E. Bruder, Russell L.. Dicks, Paul E. Johnson, Wayne E. Oates, and Carroll A. Wise. ~ The following year the gtfide was brought up to date, and in January, 1956, additions were made in the form of an article by Seward Hiltner critically reviewing the major works published in the latter part of 1954 through the greater part of 1955. The works selected for the review-article were psychological in character and relevant to the work of the pastor. Subsequent Annuals have kept the original up to date. Reference to these earlier Annuals will enable the pastoral stud~ent of human nature and shepherding to gain a fairly accurate grasp of the recent literature in this field. The pattern set in the initial bibliography in 1954 used seven major categories. The original Classification has proven to be an effective means of designating the general nature of the texts presented and apparently helpTHOMAS H. MeDILL
Religious Challenges to School Voucher and Tax Benefit/Scholarship Programs

A key component of current school reform efforts focuses on increasing parental choice through voucher systems and programs that provide tax benefits for contributions to scholarship programs for private school tuition. Indeed, proposals to adopt such programs have been or currently are being considered in four-fifths of the states, and about half of the states have already adopted some type of voucher and/or tax benefit program to assist parents in selecting private education for their children. This article provides an overview of the challenges to school voucher and tax benefit programs under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and/or the religion clauses of state constitutions. Specific sections address pertinent Supreme Court decisions, state constitutional religion clauses, state court cases rejecting religious challenges to voucher and tax benefit/scholarship programs, and cases in which such initiatives have been invalidated under the religion clauses of state ...
The Evolving Role of Youth Workers

In reviewing the field of youth development, of which youth workers are a part, it is clear it has had a long and complex history that is intertwined with other disciplines. More recently youth workers have experienced a transformation of sorts, with youth programs in the past being seen exclusively as a place to play and have fun, whereas today’s expectations include a much broader focus on the overall positive development of young people. This evolution has been heavily influenced by a number of societal changes that have placed increasing demands on youth programs. Today’s youth workers are faced with the responsibility to promote a young person’s development which often includes supporting academic success and graduation from high school, reducing risk-taking behaviors, increasing positive health attitudes, and more. Youth workers have seen their role change dramatically over the past 20 years with greater demands and increased accountability.
Efficient Receptive Field Tiling in Primate V1

The primary visual cortex (V1) encodes a diverse set of visual features, including orientation, ocular dominance (OD), and spatial frequency (SF), whose joint organization must be precisely structured to optimize coverage within the retinotopic map. Prior experiments have only identified efficient coverage based on orthogonal maps. Here we used two-photon calcium imaging to reveal an alternative arrangement for OD and SF maps in macaque V1; their gradients run parallel but with unique spatial periods, whereby low-SF regions coincide with monocular regions. Next we mapped receptive fields and found surprisingly precise micro-retinotopy that yields a smaller point-image and requires more efficient inter-map geometry, thus underscoring the significance of map relationships. While smooth retinotopy is constraining, studies suggest that it improves both wiring economy and the V1 population code read downstream. Altogether, these data indicate that connectivity within V1 is finely tuned and precise at the level of individual neurons.
Activation of respiratory muscles does not occur during cold-submergence in bullfrogs, Lithobates catesbeianus

Semiaquatic frogs may not breathe air for several months because they overwinter in ice-covered ponds. In contrast to many vertebrates that experience decreased motor performance after inactivity, bullfrogs, Lithobates catesbeianus , retain functional respiratory motor processes following cold-submergence. Unlike mammalian hibernators with unloaded limb muscles and inactive locomotor systems, respiratory mechanics of frogs counterintuitively allow for ventilatory maneuvers when submerged. Thus, we hypothesized that bullfrogs generate respiratory motor patterns during cold-submergence to avoid disuse and preserve motor performance. Accordingly, we measured activity of respiratory muscles (buccal floor compressor and glottal dilator) via electromyography in freely behaving bullfrogs at 20 and 2°C. Although we confirm that ventilation cycles occur underwater at 20°C, bullfrogs did not activate either respiratory muscle when submerged acutely or chronically at 2°C. We conclude that cold-submerged bullfrogs endure respiratory motor inactivity, implying that other mechanisms, excluding underwater muscle activation, maintain a functional respiratory motor system throughout overwintering.
Financial Crisis of 2007 and Co-Integration of Global Markets

Using a daily data set of stock market indexes and foreign exchange rates for twenty countries for a ten year period from July 02, 2001 to January 18, 2011, we analyze whether the global financial crisis of 2007 has any significant impact on the pattern of global market integration. Unit root tests of the stock market and foreign exchange show that these time series variables are, in general, I(1) process in all the three sample periods; (a) overall sample, (b) pre-crisis sample and (c) post-crisis period. Engle and Granger (1987) residual based cointegration test results show that impact of global financial crisis on market integration is heterogeneous in these three sample periods. Out of twenty countries, eight countries (Austria; Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Korea Mexico and Norway) are cointegrated in all three periods while two others (Australia and China) are not cointegrated in any period. Remaining ten countries (Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Netherland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom) show variations in the cointegrating patterns across the three sample periods. Pedroni (2004) panel co-integration tests and Granger causality analysis exhibit similar patterns of cointegrating relationships.
New higher education president integration: change and resistance viewed through social power bases and a change model lens

ABSTRACTThis study investigates how new presidents of higher education institutions struggle to understand their organisations, paying special attention to campus resistance, and how new presidents manage institutional dynamics and expectations. A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach is conducted with 11 single-campus presidents of four-year institutions, all of whom had been in post for less than four years. Lewin’s change model, along with French and Raven’s bases of power model, provides the conceptual framework for the study. Participant responses are categorised into four themes: disequilibrium, change/transition, resistance and change readiness. The results show that institutional discord was common and all presidents struggled to navigate the change process. All presidents found their position to be more challenging than expected. Presidents who utilised good data presentation and communication alongside transparent leadership often earned referential or expert power; these president...
The Darboux Method: Supersymmetric Partner Potentials

Even if the two partner potentials, V(x, m)and V(x, m–1), of the form [k 2(x, m)∓ k’(x, m) + L(m)] of eqs. (7) and (8) of the last chapter do not have the same shape, it may still be possible to say something about the eigenvalue spectrum of the partner potential if the eigenvalues of one of the potentials are known. This will be true whether or not the potentials are functions of a parameter, m. This has been known since 1882 through the work of G. Darboux; (Comptes Rendus Acad. de Sci. (Paris) 94(1882)1456). This 19 th century work has only recently been rediscovered by quantum theorists in connection with work in particle physics on supersymmetry. Hence, the partner potentials are known as supersymmetric partner potentials.
Theory and Research to Study Principles of Social Cognition and Decision-Making in Adaptive Environmental Governance

Environmental governance systems must adapt to address increased uncertainty and new social-ecological conditions posed by stressors like climate change. This chapter presents several principles of social cognition and decision-making that influence adaptive governance. The principles are illustrated with examples from six US river basins. Future research opportunities are also outlined.
Interaction of Calcium-Calmodulin in Microtubule Assembly in Vitro

In most eukaryotic cells, microtubules, intermediate filaments, and microfilaments constitute a fibrous network that is termed the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have been implicated in a number of cell functions including cell motility, maintenance of cell shape, organelle movement and distribution, secretion, and cell-surface modulation.
Plant Neurotoxins (Lathyrogens and Cyanogens)

This paper deals with developments made in the area of toxins from lathyrus and vetch peas since our last review in 1964.1 The active principles, which include 3-amino-propionitrile (BAPN), 3-cyanoalanine (β-CNala), 2,4-diamino-butyric acid (DAB), and 3-N-(oxalyl)-2,3-diaminopropionic acid (OX-DAP), were isolated in free or bound form in our or other laboratories over the past twenty years, in studies relating to the neurological disease lathyrism in man.
Modeling Cancer as A Complex Adaptive System: Genetic Instability and Evolution

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, claiming over 500,000 lives annually. While we now understand that cancer is a disease of genetic mutation, it is still difficult to describe how cancer arises from normal cells. Describing carcinogenesis in terms of a complex adaptive system reacting to the forces of Darwinian evolution gives a framework to understand tumorigenesis. This understanding is leading to new paradigms of cancer therapy, including multidisciplinary approaches to attack the cancer as a heterogeneous group of diseases as well as the development of aptamer molecular evolution techniques to design therapeutics to evolve as the cancer mutates.
Can quality improvement be optional

Comments on the article by J. C. Fortney et al. (see record 2018-24946-001) describing their relatively unsuccessful efforts to implement improved care for patients with complex mood disorders in safety net clinics. It is unusual for scientists to submit papers describing their unsuccessful studies and even more unusual for journals to publish them. More importantly, Fortney and this journal have provided us with an unusually detailed and thoughtful description of many of the factors that may have contributed to this result. Few studies actually provide this close a look at what was done to implement the desired changes. (PsycINFO Database Record
Market basket applications on short web links

Market research is an indispensable part of an organization’s ability to understand market dynamics. Over the past 20 years, data collection and analysis through Knowledge Discovery through Databas...
Improving Emotion Detection with Sub-clip Boosting

With the emergence of systems such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Siri, voice has become a prevalent mode for humans to interact with machines. Emotion detection from voice promises to transform a wide range of applications, from adding emotional-awareness to voice assistants, to creating more sensitive robotic helpers for the elderly. Unfortunately, due to individual differences, emotion expression varies dramatically, making it a challenging problem. To tackle this challenge, we introduce the Sub-Clip Classification Boosting (SCB) Framework, a multi-step methodology for emotion detection from non-textual features of audio clips. SCB features a highly-effective sub-clip boosting methodology for classification that, unlike traditional boosting using feature subsets, instead works at the sub-instance level. Multiple sub-instance classifications increase the likelihood that an emotion cue will be found within a voice clip, even if its location varies between speakers. First, each parent voice clip is decomposed into overlapping sub-clips. Each sub-clip is then independently classified. Further, the Emotion Strength of the sub-classifications is scored to form a sub-classification and strength pair. Finally we design a FilterBoost-inspired “Oracle”, that utilizes sub-classification and Emotion Strength pairs to determine the parent clip classification. To tune the classification performance, we explore the relationships between sub-clip properties, such as length and overlap. Evaluation on 3 prominent benchmark datasets demonstrates that our SCB method consistently outperforms all state-of-the art-methods across diverse languages and speakers. Code related to this paper is available at: https://arcgit.wpi.edu/toto/EMOTIVOClean.
Validation study showed that ratings on the Welch Emotional Connection Screen at infant age six months are associated with child behavioural problems at age three years.

Aim The emotional connection between mothers and infants born preterm has been associated with positive behaviour. The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal association between emotional connection at six months of age and behavioural problems at three years. Methods This study was carried out by the University of North Texas, USA and comprised 49 mothers and infants from a longitudinal investigation of family interaction and infant development conducted in 1994-1997. Face-to-face interaction and toy-based play were videotaped and coded at six months of age using the Welch Emotional Connection Screen (WECS), a brief screening tool for relational health. When the children were three years of age, the mothers reported on child behavioural problems. Results The children from dyads that were rated as emotionally connected at six months of age had fewer externalising and internalising behavioural problems at the age of three. No links were found between emotional connection during toy-based play at six months and later child behavioural problems. Conclusion We showed that when the WECS was used at six months of age it was a promising and valid relational screening tool for infants at risk of adverse behavioural outcomes at the age of three.
Neural evidence accounting for interindividual variability of the McGurk illusion.

Abstract The McGurk illusion is experienced to various degrees among the general population. Previous studies have implicated the left superior temporal sulcus (STS) and auditory cortex (AC) as regions associated with this interindividual variability. We sought to further investigate the neurophysiology underlying this variability using a variant of the McGurk illusion design. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded while human subjects were presented with videos of a speaker uttering the consonant-vowels (CVs) /ba/ and /fa/, which were mixed and matched with audio of /ba/ and /fa/ to produce congruent and incongruent conditions. Subjects were also presented with unimodal stimuli of silent videos and audios of the CVs. They responded to whether they heard (or saw in the silent condition) /ba/ or /fa/. An illusion during the incongruent conditions was deemed successful when individuals heard the syllable conveyed by mouth movements. We hypothesized that individuals who experience the illusion more strongly should exhibit more robust desynchronization of alpha (7–12 Hz) at fronto-central and temporal sites, emphasizing more engagement of neural generators at the AC and STS. We found, however, that compared to weaker illusion perceivers, stronger illusion perceivers exhibited greater alpha synchronization at fronto-central and posterior temporal sites, which is consistent with inhibition of auditory representations. These findings suggest that stronger McGurk illusion perceivers possess more robust cross-modal sensory gating mechanisms whereby phonetic representations not conveyed by the visual system are inhibited, and in turn reinforcing perception of the visually targeted phonemes.
Functional importance of αAsp-350 in the catalytic sites of Escherichia coli ATP synthase.

Abstract Negatively charged residue αAsp-350 of the highly conserved VISIT-DG sequence is required for Pi binding and maintenance of the phosphate-binding subdomain in the catalytic sites of Escherichia coli F1Fo ATP synthase. αAsp-350 is situated in close proximity, 2.88 A and 3.5 A, to the conserved known phosphate-binding residues αR376 and βR182. αD350 is also in close proximity, 1.3 A, to another functionally important residue αG351. Mutation of αAsp-350 to Ala, Gln, or Arg resulted in substantial loss of oxidative phosphorylation and reduction in ATPase activity by 6- to 16-fold. The loss of the acidic side chain in the form of αD350A, αD350Q, and αD350R caused loss of Pi binding. While removal of Arg in the form of αR376D resulted in the loss of Pi binding, the addition of Arg in the form of αG351R did not affect Pi binding. Our data demonstrates that αD350R helps in the proper orientation of αR376 and βR182 for Pi binding. Fluoroaluminate, fluoroscandium, and sodium azide caused almost complete inhibition of wild type enzyme and caused variable inhibition of αD350 mutant enzymes. NBD-Cl (4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1, 3-diazole) caused complete inhibition of wild type enzyme while some residual activity was left in mutant enzymes. Inhibition characteristics supported the conclusion that NBD-Cl reacts in βE (empty) catalytic sites. Phosphate protected against NBD-Cl inhibition of wild type and αG351R mutant enzymes but not inhibition of αD350A, αD350Q, αD350R, or αR376D mutant enzymes. These results demonstrate that αAsp-350 is an essential residue required for phosphate binding, through its interaction with αR376 and βR182, for normal function of phosphate binding subdomain and for transition state stabilization in ATP synthase catalytic sites.
Early postnatal overnutrition accelerates aging-associated epigenetic drift in pancreatic islets

Pancreatic islets of type 2 diabetes patients have altered DNA methylation, contributing to islet dysfunction and the onset of type 2 diabetes. The cause of these epigenetic alterations is largely unknown. We set out to test whether (i) islet DNA methylation would change with aging and (ii) early postnatal overnutrition would persistently alter DNA methylation. We performed genome-scale DNA methylation profiling in islets from postnatally over-nourished (suckled in a small litter) and control male mice at both postnatal day 21 and postnatal day 180. DNA methylation differences were validated using quantitative bisulfite pyrosequencing, and associations with expression were assessed by RT-PCR. We discovered that genomic regions that are hypermethylated in exocrine relative to endocrine pancreas tend to gain methylation in islets during aging (R2 = 0.33, P < 0.0001). These methylation differences were inversely correlated with mRNA expression of genes relevant to β cell function [including Rab3b (Ras-related protein Rab-3B), Cacnb3 (voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel subunit 3), Atp2a3 (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 3) and Ins2 (insulin 2)]. Relative to control, small litter islets showed DNA methylation differences directly after weaning and in adulthood, but few of these were present at both ages. Surprisingly, we found substantial overlap of methylated loci caused by aging and small litter feeding, suggesting that the age-associated gain of DNA methylation happened much earlier in small litter islets than control islets. Our results provide the novel insights that aging-associated DNA methylation increases reflect an epigenetic drift toward the exocrine pancreas epigenome, and that early postnatal overnutrition may accelerate this process.
Liver transplantation for colorectal metastasis: a stepwise approach

Six years after publishing their first results on liver transplantation for colorectal liver metastases (SECA-I) (1), Dueland et al . present a new trial on the same topic gathering 15 transplanted patients (SECA-II). They now use more restricted selection criteria, including at least 1 year between cancer diagnosis and transplantation, a documented partial (>10%) response to chemotherapy, and the absence of extra-hepatic metastasis.
#AmplifyWomen: the emergence of an evangelical feminist public on social media

This study conceptualizes the Twitter response to a Christianity Today article that challenged the role of female Christian bloggers as authoritative figures and centered around the hashtag #Amplif...
Examining Spatial Consistency for Millimeter-Wave Massive MIMO Channel Estimation in 5G-NR

Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has determined the millimeter wave (mmWave) as one of the main technologies to achieve a high data rate communication scheme for 5G. Unlike conventional sub-6 GHz bands, mmWave communication has short areal coverage due to its propagation characteristics. As a result, mmWave strongly depends on beamforming using Massive MIMO to achieve expected optimal spectral efficiency. For this propose, accurate channel state information is essential to align the antenna arrays properly. However, mmWave channel estimation is challenging because of its sparse delay-angular characteristics. In this paper, we are examining the local Spatio-temporal correlation of the non-stationary mmWave channel to study the effect of the spatial consistency from mmWave channel estimation point. We are employing Correlation Distance Matrix (CDM) to characterize the correlation between channel ensembles in non-stationary mmWave channel model. Our observation shows that spatial consistency decreases sharply as the physical distance between the channel ensembles increases. Also, we observed that channel estimation using a sparse recovery algorithm preserves the spatial consistency between estimated channels. Our results show that the spatial consistency can be employed to design more efficient channel estimation techniques for mmWave massive MIMO system provided that the update distance is very short.
The Maintenance of Muscle Mass Is Independent of Testosterone in Adult Male Mice

Abstract Testosterone is considered a potent anabolic agent in skeletal muscle with a well-established role in adolescent growth and development in males. However, alterations in the role of testosterone in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass and function throughout the lifespan has yet to be established. While some studies suggest that testosterone is important for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass, an understanding of the role this hormone plays in young, adult, and old males with normal and low serum testosterone levels is lacking. We investigated the role testosterone plays in the maintenance of muscle mass by examining the effect of orchiectomy-induced testosterone depletion in C57Bl6 male mice at ages ranging from early postnatal through old age; the age groups we used included 1.5-, 5-, 12-, and 24-month old mice. Following 28 days of testosterone depletion, we assessed mass and fiber cross-sectional-area (CSA) of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and quadriceps muscles. In addition, we measured global rates of protein synthesis and degradation using the SuNSET method, western blots, and enzyme activity assays. 28 days of testosterone depletion resulted in smaller muscle mass in the two youngest cohorts but had no effect in the two older ones. Mean CSA decreased only in the youngest cohort and only in the tibialis anterior muscle. Testosterone depletion resulted in a general increase in proteasome activity at all ages. We did not detect changes in protein synthesis at the terminal time point. This data suggest that within physiological serum concentrations, testosterone is not important for the maintenance of muscle mass in mature male mice; however, in young mice testosterone is crucial for normal growth.
Insights into coral bleaching under heat stress from analysis of gene expression in a sea anemone model system

Loss of endosymbiotic algae ("bleaching") under heat stress has become a major problem for reef-building corals worldwide. To identify genes that might be involved in triggering or executing bleaching, or in protecting corals from it, we used RNAseq to analyze gene-expression changes during heat stress in a coral relative, the sea anemone Aiptasia. We identified >500 genes that showed rapid and extensive up-regulation upon temperature increase. These genes fell into two clusters. In both clusters, most genes showed similar expression patterns in symbiotic and aposymbiotic anemones, suggesting that this early stress response is largely independent of the symbiosis. Cluster I was highly enriched for genes involved in innate immunity and apoptosis, and most transcript levels returned to baseline many hours before bleaching was first detected, raising doubts about their possible roles in this process. Cluster II was highly enriched for genes involved in protein folding, and most transcript levels returned more slowly to baseline, so that roles in either promoting or preventing bleaching seem plausible. Many of the genes in clusters I and II appear to be targets of the transcription factors NFκB and HSF1, respectively. We also examined the behavior of 337 genes whose much higher levels of expression in symbiotic than aposymbiotic anemones in the absence of stress suggest that they are important for the symbiosis. Unexpectedly, in many cases, these expression levels declined precipitously long before bleaching itself was evident, suggesting that loss of expression of symbiosis-supporting genes may be involved in triggering bleaching.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE KUWAITI FOREIGN TRADE STRUCTURE

Kuwaiti foreign trade consists of exports and imports, where exports represent the largest part of the components of trade and that the value of total exports is higher than total imports, and the trade balance achieves a continuous surplus, which increased during the study period 2006-2018 from35billion dollars to about 70 billion dollars, with an annual average of 37 billion Dollars, oil represents about 93.3% of the total value of exports and exports increase at an annual rate of about $ 0.4 billion, while imports increase at an annual rate of about $ 1.6 billion annually, which is a high rate and more than the rate of increase in exports by about 400%, which led to a decline in the surplus in the trade balance. This is because the structure of exports depends on oil, which is affected by the global market in terms of students and world prices, which makes it subject to fluctuations. Agricultural trade in the foreign trade structure represents a percentage that does not exceed 3%, which is low. As for the structure of imports, it showed the continued increase in imports of productive goods, the stability of the ratios of imports of intermediate goods, and the decline in imports of consumer goods. As for the structure of exports, intermediate goods represent about 97% of the structure of exports and this is due to oil, while productive goods are 0.8% and consumer goods 2.4%. Research problem: Given the Kuwaiti economy’s dependence on the foreign trade sector to provide the cash and foreign currency resources needed for the various sectors and to provide food, and that the foreign trade sector depends on oil by about 93%, foreign trade is the financier of development and it is subject to fluctuations in the oil market, which affects the surplus rates of foreign trade Hence, it is necessary to make good use of the resources that achieve the provision of different commodities for the population. The study recommends diversifying production so that exports are diversified and not depend on a source only for export. Research objective : To study the structure of foreign trade in terms of: 1- Exports structure and development during the study period 2001-2018. 2- The import structure evolved . 3- The development of the foreign trade balance and the size of the surplus. 4- Examine the structure of exports by use. 5- Study the structure of imports by use. Research method: The research used statistical methods and general chronological trend equations to measure the development of both exports and imports, averages, ratios and some economic indicators. Conclusively, it notes the development of foreign trade and the change of its structure. Therefore, the research recommends continuing to change the structure and diversify it and reduce dependence on oil so that it is not exposed to income fluctuations and to ensure its stability.
Where do "localphiles" shop?: A mixed-methods case study of food-buying habits

Why, with local food’s rising popularity, do small-scale farmers report declining sales? This study used a mix of survey and interview methods to examine the priorities and buying habits of food shoppers in one midsized, lower-income metro­politan area of the U.S. Midwest. The study focuses on individual consumers’ decision-making because it aims to be useful, in particular, to small-scale farmers and advocates of their participation in local and regional food systems. Among shoppers’ stated priorities, the survey found broad support for local food and relatively low competition be­tween price and local origin as purchasing priori­ties. However, findings also show an attitude-behavior gap, with only a limited increase in ten­dency among self-defined “local” shoppers to purchase from locally oriented venues. As explana­tion for this attitude-behavior gap, survey and interview data point to differential definitions of “local food” and situational barriers (primarily inconvenience and lack of variety) preventing shoppers from buying local food. One factor off­setting these barriers was past experience growing one’s own food. Study findings are used to identify particular avenues for intervention by farmers, eaters, and other food systems builders to broaden access to local food through adjustments to mar­keting strategies, better alignment of wholesale outlets’ practices with the priorities of farmers and eaters, and improved public education about the food system.
Germline Sex Determination regulates sex-specific signaling between germline stem cells and their niche

The establishment of sexual identity in germ cells is critical for the development of male and female germline stem cells (GSCs) and production of sperm vs. eggs. Thus, this process is essential for sexual reproduction and human fertility. Germ cells depend on signals from the somatic gonad to determine their sex, but in organisms such as flies, mice and humans, the sex chromosome genotype of the germ cells is also important for germline sexual development. How somatic signals and germ cell-intrinsic cues act together to regulate germline sex determination is a key question about which little is known. We have found that JAK/STAT signaling in the GSC niche promotes male identity in germ cells and GSCs, in part by activating expression of the epigenetic reader Phf7. We have also found that JAK/STAT signaling is blocked in XX (female) germ cells through the intrinsic action of the sex determination gene Sex lethal, which preserves female identity. Thus, an important function of germline sexual identity is to control how GSCs respond to signals in their niche environment.
A Retrospective Analysis of Feeding Practices and Complications in Patients with Critical Bronchiolitis on Non-invasive Respiratory Support

Limited data exist regarding feeding pediatric patients managed on non-invasive respiratory support (NRS) modes that augment oxygentation and ventilation in the setting of respiratory failure. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to explore the safety of feeding patients managed on NRS with acute respiratory failure secondary to bronchiolitis. Children up to 2 years old with critical bronchiolitis managed on RAM, CPAP, or BiPAP were included. Of the 178 eligible patients, 64 were reportedly NPO while 114 were fed (EN). Overall equivalent in severity of illness, younger patients populated the EN group, while the NPO group experienced a higher incidence of intubation. Duration of PICU stay and NRS were shorter in the NPO group, though intubation eliminated the former difference. Within the EN group, ninety percent had feeds initiated within 48 hours and 94% reached full feeds within 7 days of NRS initiation, with an 8% complication and <1% aspiration rate. Reported complications did not result in escalation of respiratory support. Notably, a significant improvement in heart rate and respiratory rate was noted after feeds initiation. Taken together, our study supports the practice of early enteral nutrition in patients with critical bronchiolitis requiring non-invasive respiratory support.
Estimating the number of averted illnesses and deaths as a result of vaccination against an influenza pandemic in nine low- and middle-income countries.

Abstract Background During the 2009 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic, 77 countries received donated monovalent A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine through the WHO Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) Vaccine Deployment Initiative. However, 47% did not receive their first shipment until after the first wave of virus circulation, and 8% did not receive their first shipment until after the WHO declared the end of the pandemic. Arguably, these shipments were too late into the pandemic to have a substantial effect on virus transmission or disease burden during the first waves of the pandemic. Objectives In order to evaluate the potential benefits of earlier vaccine availability, we estimated the number of illnesses and deaths that could be averted during a 2009-like influenza pandemic under five different vaccine-availability timing scenarios. Methods We adapted a model originally developed to estimate annual influenza morbidity and mortality burden averted through US seasonal vaccination and ran it for five vaccine availability timing scenarios in nine low- and middle-income countries that received donated vaccine. Results Among nine study countries, we estimated that the number of averted cases was 61–216,197 for actual vaccine receipt, increasing to 2,914–283,916 had vaccine been available simultaneously with the United States. Conclusions Earlier delivery of vaccines can reduce influenza case counts during a simulated 2009-like pandemic in some low- and middle-income countries. For others, increasing the number of cases and deaths prevented through vaccination may be dependent on factors other than timely initiation of vaccine administration, such as distribution and administration capacity.
SARS-CoV-2 coinfection with additional respiratory virus does not predict severe disease: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) claimed over 4 million lives by July 2021 and continues to pose a serious public health threat. OBJECTIVES: Our retrospective study utilized respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) results in patients with SARS-CoV-2 to determine if coinfection (i.e. SARS-CoV-2 positivity with an additional respiratory virus) was associated with more severe presentation and outcomes. METHODS: All patients with negative influenza/respiratory syncytial virus testing who underwent RPP testing within 7 days of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test at a large, academic medical centre in New York were examined. Patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a negative RPP were compared with patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 and positive for a virus by RPP in terms of biomarkers, oxygen requirements and severe COVID-19 outcome, as defined by mechanical ventilation or death within 30 days. RESULTS: Of the 306 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with RPP testing, 14 (4.6%) were positive for a non-influenza virus (coinfected). Compared with the coinfected group, patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a negative RPP had higher inflammatory markers and were significantly more likely to be admitted (Pâ=â0.01). Severe COVID-19 outcome occurred in 111 (36.3%) patients in the SARS-CoV-2-only group and 3 (21.4%) patients in the coinfected group (Pâ=â0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 along with a non-influenza respiratory virus had less severe disease on presentation and were more likely to be admitted-but did not have more severe outcomes-than those infected with SARS-CoV-2 alone.
Comprehensive mass transport modeling technique for the cathode side of an open-cathode direct methanol fuel cell

Abstract A systematic method for the steady-state modeling of mass transport phenomena and electrochemical behavior focusing on the cathode side of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with an open-cathode design is presented and demonstrated using an experimental system. The architecture features an internal water-recovery technology that promotes back-convection of water from the cathode to the anode through a polymer electrolyte permeable membrane that includes laser-drilled holes. Eight adjustable modeling parameters are estimated from experimental data from a prototype system, and a model validation study shows that predictions of water venting rates and of cell voltage have errors better than 9 % when extrapolating to conditions not used for parameter estimation. Illustrations of the use of the model include an analysis of performance at various flow rates of feed air, operating temperatures and currents, and a prediction of the effect of alternative material designs for selected cell layers. The approach serves as a paradigm for the development of general models for open-cathode active-feed DMFC systems.
Quantitative effects of unsaturated fatty acids in microbial mutants. VII. Influence of the acetylenic bond location on the effectiveness of acyl chains.

Abstract The ability of a series of 18 carbon acetylenic fatty acids to fulfill the unsaturated fatty acid requirements of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Despite their high melting points (>40°C), several isomers of the acetylenic fatty acids were as efficient or more efficient in supporting growth than the analogous fatty acid having a cis -double bond. The efficiencies of the different positional isomers in supporting cell proliferation varied from essentially 0 cells per fmol for the 2–5 and 13–17 isomers to high values when the acetylenic bond was near the center of the chain: e.g. 45 E. coli and 5.5 S. cerevisiae cells/fmol for the 10 isomer. A striking ineffectiveness of the 9 isomer was observed with E. coli . The 7, 8 and 10 isomers were at least 10-fold more efficient than any of the other positional isomers in supporting the growth of E. coli . In contrast, the 9 isomer was among the most effective acetylenic fatty acids tested with the yeast mutant. Chromatographic analysis of the extracted lipids indicated that each of the acetylenic isomers tested (except Δ2 and Δ3) could be esterified by the prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. The content of unsaturated plus cyclopropane acids observed when growth ceased in E. coli cultures supplemented with growth-limiting concentrations of the acetylenic fatty acids ranged from approx. 15 mol% for the 8 isomer to approx. 35 mol% for the 14 and 17 isomers. The 8–11 isomers were observed to be esterified predominantly at the two position in phosphatidylethanolamine of E. coli and in phosphatidylcholine of S. cerevisiae .
A microgenetic classroom study of learning to reason scientifically through modeling and argumentation

We report on a large study of how U.S. middle-school students learned to reason scientifically in a science curriculum centered around models and argumentation. We discuss the design of our curriculum, the method of the study, and present selected results related to overall curriculum effects and to methods of promoting growth in students' reasoning.
Signaling Through the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Induces Expression of the IL-10 Receptor on Intestinal Epithelia

IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that inhibits the production of numerous pro-inflammatory mediators in a number of cell types. Studies in animal models and in humans have demonstrated a role...
Human bone marrow lymphocytes: B and T cell precursors and subpopulations.

Characterization of the different lymphocyte populations in normal human bone marrow (BM) was attempted and compared to that in the peripheral blood (PB). B cells comprised 34% +/- 11% of lymphocytes in BM and 23% +/- 9% in PB. The majority of B cells carried IgM in BM and IgG in the PB. In the BM, cells carrying complement or Fc receptors were fewer than cells carrying Ig, but in the PB they were equal. T cells comprised 6% +/- 4% of lymphocytes in the BM and 62% +/- 7% in the PB. The majority of BM lymphocytes did not have B or T cell markers; these probably included B and T cell precursors. BM lymphocytes carrying surface Ig increased in a 7-day culture, whereas those of the PB decreased. Pokeweed mitogen induced Ig synthesis in B cells of PB but not those of BM. BM-T cells were more efficient than PB- T cells in inhibiting Ig synthesis of PB-B cells. These results indicate that the BM compartment contains immature B cells that are capable of partial differentiation and maturation in vitro. BM-B lymphocytes are probably not involved in the effector phase of the immune response since they are unable to synthesize Ig and because they carry few receptors for complement of Fc, BM-T lymphocytes are very few and have suppressor capability and therefore may play an essential role in regulation of Ig synthesis by B cells.
Frogs reabsorb glucose from urinary bladder

The amphibian urinary bladder is a bilobate, highly distensible and vascularized sac that stores fluid for use during periods of water stress1. The organ is composed of a thin basement membrane overlaid by a selectively permeable ‘tight’ epithelium and is important in the homeostatic regulation of ion and osmolyte balance2,3. We report here that glucose reabsorption from the urinary bladder permits recovery of sugar destined for excretion in the freeze-tolerant frog Rana sylvatica, whose unique winter survival strategy invokes extreme hyperglycaemia and ultimately, glucosuria.
Selective Single Atom Detection in a 1019 Atom Background

Early work at the Cavendish Laboratory established the important features of the process in which high energy charged particles lose their energy in a gas. The work there by RUTHERFORD and GEIGER [1] in which collisions were used to “magnify” the number of electrons produced in a gas established the basis of the first single electron counters. One cannot avoid noting that if the laser had been available to RUTHERFORD, so that individual atoms could be selectively ionized, he most likely would have started the counting of individual atoms.
Calcium measurement in isolated arterioles during myogenic and agonist stimulation

Vascular smooth muscle calcium was measured during agonist treatment or pressure-induced stimulation of the myogenic response in isolated first-order skeletal muscle arterioles. Arterioles (40-180 microns) with spontaneous tone were isolated from rat cremaster muscle and cannulated. Arterioles were loaded with the calcium-sensitive dye fura-2 and excited at 340 and 380 nm. Images of vessel fluorescence were formed with a fluorescence microscope and digitized using an image processor coupled to a low light level camera. The fluorescent images allowed individual vascular smooth muscle cells to be seen within the arteriolar wall. Fluorescent intensity of the vessel wall, expressed as the ratio of fluorescence at 340 nm/380 nm, was used to estimate changes in vessel wall calcium. Topical application of norepinephrine (10 microM) to the arterioles caused a rapid and sustained constriction of the arterioles (64% of basal diam). The calcium response was biphasic consisting of a transient spike to 271% of basal followed by a decrease to a new steady state at 143% of basal. In comparison, steady-state indolactam (1 microM) produced a similar degree of constriction without an increase in calcium. Adenosine significantly dilated (35%) the arterioles and produced a decrease (24%) in vessel wall calcium. To investigate the myogenic response, intravascular pressure was step increased from 90 to 130 cmH2O. Increasing intravascular pressure caused an initial increase in vessel diameter of approximately 5% followed by active constriction that returned diameter to basal diameter. In association with this diameter change, estimated vessel wall calcium increased rapidly 8 +/- 2% and then continued to increase more slowly and remained elevated at 10-15% above basal levels. This study demonstrates the successful application of calcium-imaging technology in isolated arterioles for study of the role of calcium in arteriolar function. Results indicate that the calcium-contraction relationship differs for different agonists and are further consistent with a role for pressure-induced increases in vascular smooth muscle calcium during the myogenic response.