cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Application of a Homologous Recombination Assay Revealed Amino Acid Residues in an LTR-Retrotransposon That Were Critical for Integration

Retroviruses and their relatives, the LTR-retrotransposons, possess an integrase protein (IN) that is required for the insertion of reverse transcripts into the genome of host cells. Schizosaccharomyces pombe is the host of Tf1, an LTR-retrotransposon with integration activity that can be studied by using techniques of yeast genetics. In this study, we sought to identify amino acid substitutions in Tf1 that specifically affected the integration step of transposition. In addition to seeking amino acid substitutions in IN, we also explored the possibility that other Tf1 proteins contributed to integration. By comparing the results of genetic assays that monitored both transposition and reverse transcription, we were able to seek point mutations throughout Tf1 that blocked transposition but not the synthesis of reverse transcripts. These mutant versions of Tf1 were candidates of elements that possessed defects in the integration step of transposition. Five mutations in Tf1 that resulted in low levels of integration were found to be located in the IN protein: two substitutions in the N-terminal Zn domain, two in the catalytic core, and one in the C-terminal domain. These results suggested that each of the three IN domains was required for Tf1 transposition. The potential role of these five amino acid residues in the function of IN is discussed. Two of the mutations that reduced integration mapped to the RNase H (RH) domain of Tf1 reverse transcriptase. The Tf1 elements with the RH mutations produced high levels of reverse transcripts, as determined by recombination and DNA blot analysis. These results indicated that the RH of Tf1 possesses a function critical for transposition that is independent of the accumulation of reverse transcripts.
Renewing the Socialist Past or Moving toward the European Administrative Space? Inside Czech and Slovak Ministries

Do east-central European bureaucrats more resemble their socialist-era predecessors or their member-state counterparts? Are socialist patterns persisting, or are we witnessing isomorphism toward a European Administrative Space (EAS)? Or both? I examine these questions through the Czech and Slovak cases. I begin by contrasting two ideal types: state-socialist administrative space and EAS. I present evidence from a survey of 296 Czech and Slovak managers and argue that Czech and Slovak administrations occupy interstices between state-socialist and European ideals. Although there is some evidence of convergence, Czech and Slovak administrations operate in spaces considerably distant from the EAS.
Communication and Epidemic Processes

It is pointed out that communication processes can be represented as epidemic processes. Consequently, epidemic theory can be applied to the study of any process in which information is transmitted within a population. The members of such populations need not be human beings but could be micro-organisms or even machines. The fundamental notion of stability of an epidemic process is introduced and a stability theorem is derived. A mechanism, called an information retrieval process, which instigates an epidemic process is defined, certain general properties of the mechanism are established and the means of controlling it are discussed. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is applied to the problem of achieving optimal control of an epidemic process and it is shown that stability of the process is equivalent to stability in the sense of Lyapunov. This result makes it possible to determine the conditions for stability without knowledge of the solution of the differential equations which represent the process.
VideoWeb Dataset for Multi-camera Activities and Non-verbal Communication

Human-activity recognition is one of the most challenging problems in computer vision. Researchers from around the world have tried to solve this problem and have come a long way in recognizing simple motions and atomic activities. As the computer vision community heads toward fully recognizing human activities, a challenging and labeled dataset is needed. To respond to that need, we collected a dataset of realistic scenarios in a multi-camera network environment (VideoWeb) involving multiple persons performing dozens of different repetitive and non-repetitive activities. This chapter describes the details of the dataset. We believe that this VideoWeb Activities dataset is unique and it is one of the most challenging datasets available today. The dataset is publicly available online at http://vwdata.ee.ucr.edu/ along with the data annotation.
A NEW SPECIES OF COENOTHYRIS (BRACHIOPODA) FROM THE TRIASSIC (UPPER ANISIAN-LADINIAN) OF ISRAEL

Abstract Coenothyris oweni new species is described from the Lower Member (Upper Anisian-Ladinian) of the Triassic Saharonim Formation (Upper Anisian–Lower Carnian) at Har Gevanim, Makhtesh Ramon, southern Israel. The Saharonim Formation was deposited under normal, calm, shallow marine conditions as part of the ingression of the Saharonim Sea. The presence of Coenothyris along with characteristic conodonts, ostracodes, foraminiferans, bivalves, cephalopods, gastropods, echinoderms and vertebrate remains is 1) indicative of the Sephardic Province; 2) diagnostic of the Middle Triassic series of Israel; and 3) important in differentiating the Sephardic Province from the Germanic Muschelkalk and Tethyan Realm faunas to the north and correlating the Triassic rocks in the Negev.
Azidoethoxyphenylalanine as a Vibrational Reporter and Click Chemistry Partner in Proteins

An unnatural amino acid, 4-(2-azidoethoxy)-L-phenylalanine (AePhe, 1), was designed and synthesized in three steps from known compounds in 54 % overall yield. The sensitivity of the IR absorption of the azide of AePhe was established by comparison of the frequency of the azide asymmetric stretch vibration in water and dimethyl sulfoxide. AePhe was successfully incorporated into superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) at the 133 and 149 sites by using the amber codon suppression method. The IR spectra of these sfGFP constructs indicated that the azide group at the 149 site was not fully solvated despite the location in sfGFP and the three-atom linker between the azido group and the aromatic ring of AePhe. An X-ray crystal structure of sfGFP-149-AePhe was solved at 1.45 A resolution and provides an explanation for the IR data as the flexible linker adopts a conformation which partially buries the azide on the protein surface. Both sfGFP-AePhe constructs efficiently undergo a bioorthogonal strain-promoted click cycloaddition with a dibenzocyclooctyne derivative.
The Effect of Parental Involvement on Children's Physical Activity

Objectives To assess the amount, intensity, enjoyment, and preference of children's physical activity in a controlled gymnasium setting under 3 experimental, social conditions: alone, with a parent watching, and with a parent participating. Study design Children (n = 10 girls, 10 boys), 3-6 years old, along with 1 parent (n = 17 mothers, 3 fathers) per child participated in each social condition on separate days for 30 minutes in which they could choose from a variety of physical and/or sedentary activities. Results A greater number of accelerometer counts ( P ≤ .02) were accumulated during the parent participating (109 523 ± 32 155 counts) condition than the alone (67 938 ± 37 857 counts) and parent watching (85 624 ± 44 985 counts) conditions. Counts during parent watching were also greater ( P = .01) than alone. More time ( P ≤ .008) was allocated to sedentary activities during the alone (16.2 ± 9.6 minutes) condition than parent watching (9.6 ± 9.3 minutes) and parent participating (3.8 ± 5.1 minutes). Children liked ( P ≤ .02) the parent participating (9.9 ± 0.45 cm) condition more than alone (8.0 ± 2.72 cm) and parent watching (8.7 ± 1.52 cm). A greater ( P Conclusions Parental participation during physical activity (or at minimum direct supervision) may be an important component in the development of physical activity environments intended to maximize physical activity behavior in children.
Psychotherapeutic Work with Parents of Psychotic Children

There has been a biphasic pattern to psychotherapeutic work with parents of children in treatment for psychiatric disorders. The first occurred after World War I. Under the influence of the pioneers in psychiatry, children and parents were worked with. There followed a period prior to and following World War II which was influenced by when the child alone was treated. Since the late 1940s, there has again been an emphasis on therapeutic work with parents as well as children (Witmer, 1940; Krug et al., 1964).
CASE STUDY: Dairies using self-described ultra-high stocking density grazing in Pennsylvania and New York1

ABSTRACT Proponents of ultra-high stocking density (UHSD) grazing emphasize increased forage-use efficiency and soil improvement by grazing mature forage with stocking densities up to 560,425 kg/ha of beef cattle on small paddocks with rest periods up to 125 d. However, it is unclear whether this management technique is appropriate for dairy farms in the northeastern United States. A case study was conducted to characterize management practices and forage and soil quality on dairy farms using self-described UHSD grazing. Data collected on 4 organic dairy farms in Pennsylvania and New York practicing UHSD grazing included pasture and soil nutrient analyses, stocking density, botanical composition, and pasture stratification. Herds were mixed breed with milk yields ranging from 11.9 to 17.7 kg/d per cow. Stocking density ranged from 49,421 to 377,912 kg/ha with 30 to 49 d of forage rest. Forage consumed was 46 and 45% of total available in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Within the available forage that was eaten, cows consumed 75% of forage from layers 33 cm and higher and 49% from below 33 cm. Across years, forage CP, NDF, and NE l averaged 24%, 44.7%, and 1.43 Mcal/kg, respectively. The increase in forage quality during 2012 was likely a result of forage being less mature at each successive grazing. Soil mineral content and pH were within recommended levels. Grazing dairies in Pennsylvania and New York have taken a modified approach to UHSD grazing by using forages more mature than recommended in management-intensive grazing systems by allowing longer periods of forage rest.
FEAR OF RELAXATION AND WAIS PICTURE COMPLETION SCORES

Relaxation-induced anxiety has been reviewed and discussed by Heide and Borovec (1984) but there have been no studies reported with more than a few patients. This is a report of our data on nine patients with fear of relaxation who participated in a stress-reduction program of a behavioral medicine unit in a general hospital. These patients avoided biofeedback training after the first session with complaints of discomfort and anxiety about relaxation. These patients (3 men, 6 women; M age: 30 yr., range of 17 to 46 yr.) were compared with 12 patients (5 men, 7 women; M age: 35 yr., range of 17 to 58 yr.) in the program during the same period of time to see if there might be personaliry differences as measured by the MMPI. There were no statistically significant differences on MMPl scale scores between groups using multiple t-tests (p > .lo). Clinical observations of our patients who feared relaxation suggested they were more vigilant of their environment. We predicted that were this true it might be ref!ected in elevated scores on the WAIS Picture Completion Test, identifying missing elements in a series of pictures. Means and standard deviations were 11.22 (1.92) for patients who feared relaxation and 7.58 (1.93) for the control patients (h 3.64, p < ,001). There were no statistically significant differences in mean Full Scale IQ be
Forage grasses elicit emigration of adult potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) from alfalfa-grass mixtures

Mixtures of alfalfa and forage grasses were tested to determine their affect on Empoasca fabae (Harris) density and emigration behavior. In 1990 and 1991, field plots seeded to alfalfa alone or mixtures of alfalfa with smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass, or timothy were sampled using a suction sampler. Numbers of adult potato leafhoppers were reduced by 22–48% in alfalfa–forage grass mixtures containing either smooth bromegrass seeded at 5.6 kg/ha or orchardgrass seeded at 1.1 kg/ha compared with alfalfa monoculture seeded at 14.6 kg/ha. Alfalfa intercropped with timothy showed both decreases and increases in leafhopper populations compared with the alfalfa monoculture. In 1995, field-cage studies examined the emigration behavior of adult potato leafhoppers from stands containing plots of 100% orchardgrass, 100% alfalfa, and combinations of the 2 species. Increasing orchardgrass stem density did not significantly increase the number of leafhoppers emigrating. However, increases of orchardgrass leaf surface area and biomass were significantly correlated with increases in emigration. Significantly more leafhoppers emigrated when orchardgrass plants were interspersed among the alfalfa (67%) compared with equal densities of orchardgrass planted in a discrete patch (51%). Incorporating a forage grass species at a density that increases the frequency of leafhopper-grass contacts should increase movement within the stand, possibly leading to emigration out of the field. This understanding of pest insect behavior in alfalfa–grass intercrops may lead to varietal selection of grasses that will offer long-term preventative management of potato leafhoppers.
Dielectric, Pyroelectric, and Thermal Properties of Solid Solutions of Ba (Ti,Zr)O3,Ba(Ti,Hf)03, Ba(Ti,Sn) 03 and (Ba,Nd)TiO3

Modified BaTiO 3 ceramics are candidate materials for infrared sensors in nightvision equipment. Measurements of dielectric constants, dielectric losses, pyroelectric coefficient, and heat capacities as functions of temperature and frequency are performed. Crystallographic and grain size data are also presented. It is shown that additions of these impurities to BaTiO 3 alters the temperature of phase transformations and, with it, dielectric and pyroelectric properties. The results of these measurements were compared with those of PZT and PbTiO 3 ceramics, which are currently the favoredmaterials for uncooled detector arrays, as well as PbTiO 3 and PZT thin films. It is concluded that these oxide ceramics offer the combination of preparative ease of property modification and show good performance at low impurity concentrations.
Sleep Environment Recommendations for Future Spaceflight Vehicles

Evidence from spaceflight and ground-based missions demonstrate that sleep loss and circadian desynchronization occur among astronauts, leading to reduced performance and, increased risk of injuries and accidents. We conducted a comprehensive literature review to determine the optimal sleep environment for lighting, temperature, airflow, humidity, comfort, noise, privacy and security in the sleep environment. We reviewed the design and use of sleep environments in a wide range of cohorts including among aquanauts, expeditioners, pilots, military personnel, and ship operators. We also reviewed sleep quality from every NASA spaceflight mission. We found that the optimal sleep environment is cool, dark, quiet, and is perceived as safe and private. There are wide individual differences in the preferred sleep environment; therefore modifiable sleeping compartments are necessary to ensure all crewmembers are able to select personalized configurations for optimal sleep. We provide recommendations to aid in the design of deep space sleep chambers.
Perceptions of Marketing Faculty Publication Outlets: Preliminary Findings

Academic units within universities and colleges across the world are placing greater emphasis on scholarly productivity in making decisions relating to tenure, promotion, and merit raises for faculty. Their perception of the importance and prestige of a journal is a central aspect of the evaluation process and the value of the publication. At present, there is not a universally standard value assessed to business/marketing journals.
Dynamic analysis of physical development among students of Bai nationality in Dali in 1985-2010

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of physical development among students of Bai nationality in Dali during the year of 1985 to 2010,and to provide evidence for a better physical education in schools.Methods Analysis of physical development was based on the data from Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance of Bai nationality students surveyed in 1985,1991,2000,2005 and 2010,which included body shape,physical function and fitness.Results Boys and girls grew an extra 5.3 cm and 3.9 cm in height,gained an extra 4.7 kg and 3.1 kg in weight.,and their bust also increased by 2.1 and 3.2cm respectively in 1985-2010.However,the vital capacity of boys and girls decreased by 584 ml and 664 ml.It took an extra 20.9s for boys and 29.7s for girls to finish 1000m and 800m shuttle runs.Compared to Han students,all other representative indicators were low among Bai students except for bust and sit-reach(cm) which were almost the same.Conclusions Students of Bai nationality are not as strong as other minorities,therefore their physical education need to be improved.
The in vitro effect of temperature on motility and antioxidant response of common carp Cyprinus carpio spermatozoa.

Abstract The effect of temperature on Cyprinus carpio spermatozoa in vitro was investigated with spermatozoa activated at 4, 14, and 24 °C. At 30 s post-activation, motility rate was significantly higher at 4 °C compared to 14 and 24 °C, whereas highest swimming velocity was observed at 14 °C. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) content was significantly higher at 14 °C and 24 °C than at 4 °C in motile spermatozoa. No significant differences in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity relative to temperature were observed. This study provides new information regarding effect of temperature on lipid peroxidation intensity and spermatozoon motility parameters in carp. The elevation of TBARS seen at higher temperatures could be due to inadequate capacity of antioxidant enzymes to protect the cell against the detrimental effects of oxidative stress induced by higher temperatures.
Expression and Significance of Serum TNF- α and CK- 18 Levels in Children with Non- alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Objective To investigate the levels of serum TNF- α and CK-18 of children with non- alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) and to assess their correlation with histological examination.Methods 88 NAFLD children confirmed by liver biopsy and admitted to the Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou from February 2010 to March 2013 were selected.According to NASH scoring criteria,the patients were divided into NASH group(64 cases) and non- NASH group(24 cases).The levels of TNF- α and CK- 18 were compared between the two groups and NASH children with different pathological features.ROC curve was drawn to analyze the accuracy of TNF- α and CK- 18 in diagnosing NASH.Results The levels of TNF- α and CK- 18 in NASH group were both higher than the non- NASH group 〔(171 ± 24) μg / L vs.(127 ± 19) μg / L,(61 ± 9) μg / L vs.(32 ± 8) μg / L 〕(P 0.05).The steatosis,lobular inflammation,periportal inflammation and ballooning degeneration degrees ratio between the NASH group and non- NASH group all showed statistically significant differences(P 0.05).The NASH inflammation score in NASH group was higher than the non- NASH group 〔(7.02 ± 0.73) vs.(2.91 ± 0.80) 〕(P 0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of TNF- α and CK- 18 were positively correlated with NASH inflammation score(rs= 0.69,P 0.05;rs= 0.73,P 0.05).Linear regression analysis showed that NASH inflammation score = 0.05 ×TNF- α- 2.08,NASH inflammation score = 0.1 × CK- 18 + 0.58,and the difference was statistically significant(P =0.000).The levels of TNF- α and CK- 18 in NASH children with steatosis,lobular inflammation,periportal inflammation and ballooning degeneration all showed statistically significant differences(P 0.05),and the levels of TNF- α and CK- 18 increased as the above mentioned diseases aggravated.The pairwise comoparison also showed statistically significant difference(P 0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of TNF- α and CK- 18 were positively correlated with steatosis,lobular inflammation,periportal inflammation and ballooning degeneration degrees ratio(P 0.05).Area under the ROC curve of TNF- α and CK- 18 was 0.83 and 0.92 respectively.The best sensitivity and specificity was 0.79 and 0.75 when the cut- off point of TNF- α was 136 μg /L.While the best sensitivity and specificity was 0.82 and 0.85 when the cut- off point of CK- 18was 42 μg /L.Conclusion TNF- α and CK- 18 can be used as a better non- invasive biomarkers for NASH diagnosis.
CT scanning in urology.

SUMMARY More efficient patient management, including a decrease in the length of hospital stay and a decrease in patient medical cost, may be achieved in many instances by use of the CT scanner. The clinical efficacy of this noninvasive imaging technique must continue to be judged by comparison with conventional uroradiologic techniques and careful cost analysis, but the CT scan is becoming an accepted means of assessment and diagnosis of urinary tract problems. As the technology continues to improve so will our ability to diagnose and define the extent of disease within the urinary tract.
Posttherapeutic Histopathology of Laryngeal Carcinoma

The specimen received in the pathology laboratory includes vocal cord mucosa from a vocal cord stripping or a near total laryngectomy and all sorts of partial vertical (Fig. 1) and horizontal resections in between. The specimen already has a microscopically confirmed diagnosis of malignancy. The specimen may or may not have been previously treated with surgical radiation or other forms of treatment in the recent or remote past. Regardless of the circumstances the most immediate and urgent obligation of the pathologist is to determine if the cancer extends to the margins of the excision.
Introduction, Frank W. Taussig, Inventors and Money-Makers

Many economists have for generations typically pursued their analyses upon the notion of ‘economic man’. Economists thereby have assumed that individuals know what their interests are and act to achieve those interests. For the most part, economists have meant neither that people always do act as economic men nor that they always should, but that it is a useful and indeed meaningful assumption with which to conduct analysis. Many economists, however, especially the heterodox ones, have severely criticized this assumption for its patent rationalistic hedonism. They, for example, Thorstein Veblen, affirm that much ‘economic choice’ is actually a matter of custom, habit, and emulation of the behaviour of others. The assumption also has been criticized for being formalist and empty, reducing to the proposition that people demand what they demand; by taking preferences as given and by not pursuing the factors and forces which govern tastes and preferences, it can say very little about extant economic reality. In these respects, of course, the economic-man assumption forces upon the analysis the nature and limitations of a model, which is only an incomplete representation of reality. A further criticism is (like the first) substantive: it objects to the use of economic-man theorizing in the form of utility maximization in such a way that the product of labour is stipulated as pleasure and the labour itself as pain (disutility), preferring in general to believe that labour is a mode of living and of self-realization as well as of self-gratification.
Correction: Simulations of the water exchange dynamics of lanthanide ions in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate ([EMIm][EtSO4]) and water

The dynamics of ligand exchange on lanthanide ions is important for catalysis and organic reactions. Recent 17O-NMR experiments have shown that water-exchange rates of lanthanide ions in water/1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate (water/[EMIm][EtSO4]) increase as a function of increasing charge density. The trend of water-exchange rates in this solvent is opposite to that observed in water. Since the lanthanide ions and ionic liquids investigated in that work were highly charged, an advanced polarizable potential is desirable for accurate simulations. To this end, we have developed atomic multipole optimized energetics for biomolecular applications (AMOEBA) parameters for all lanthanides and [EMIm][EtSO4], and molecular dynamics simulations with the optimized parameters have been carried out to provide possible explanations for these observed behaviors from the experiments. In water, the association of a water molecule with the first hydration shell can lead to water exchange. Smaller lanthanide ions exhibit slower water-exchange rates than larger ones because they form smaller aqua complexes, preventing the binding of incoming water molecules from the outer hydration shells. By contrast, smaller lanthanide ions undergo faster water exchange in water/[EMIm][EtSO4] because the dissociation of a water molecule is a key step for water-exchange events in this solvent. The first shell [EtSO4]− anions bind closer to the smaller lanthanide ions, resulting in more steric crowding effects on the surrounding water and facilitating the release of water molecules.
Beyond Seminole Rock

Seminole Rock deference — which requires courts to defer to an agency’s interpretation of its own ambiguous regulations — may be living on borrowed time. Although it might seem harmless, many worry that Seminole Rock violates the maxim that the same hands should not both make and interpret the law. Indeed, the fear is that this combination of powers may create incentives for agencies that value flexibility to promulgate ambiguous rules whose meaning they can later clarify retroactively, to the detriment of regulated parties who lack notice regarding their legal obligations. The upshot is that several Justices of the Supreme Court have called for Seminole Rock to be revisited.What has been overlooked, however, is that overruling Seminole Rock would have unintended consequences. This is so because another case, Chenery II, enables agencies to put parties in a similar bind simply by not promulgating rules at all. Under Chenery II, an agency has discretion whether to promulgate industry-wide rules or instead to give meaning to statutes by case-by-case adjudication. Because the doctrines are substitutes for each other, albeit imperfect substitutes, if the Court were to overrule Seminole Rock, agencies that place a high value on their own future flexibility could achieve it by pivoting to Chenery II. Yet for regulated parties, this could be worse than the status quo because even an ambiguous rule generally provides more notice than an open-ended statute. Equally troublesome, because overruling Seminole Rock would discourage rulemaking, it would reduce public participation in the regulatory process.The insight that Seminole Rock and Chenery II are interconnected — meaning what happens to one affects the other — counsels in favor of stare decisis. Importantly, however, if the Supreme Court is inclined to overrule Seminole Rock, it should also revisit aspects of Chenery II to prevent problematic substitution. For instance, the Court could begin affording Skidmore rather than Chevron deference to statutory interpretations announced in adjudications and could also bolster fair notice. Absent such revisions, overruling Seminole Rock may harm the very people the Justices hope to help.
Evolutionary Guidance System for Ship in Collisions Situation at Sea

Abstract The structure has been worked out of an autonomous guidance system of the ship motion in collision threat regions at the presence of fixed navigational constraints. For the computations, the navigational data were obtained from the ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aids) automatic radar echo tracing system and from an electronic map. The problem of the safe trajectory planning was solved as a dynamic optimisation task using evolutionary algorithms. As an example, the evolutionary solution of a ferry trajectory is presented for the case when the ferry meets other moving ships and fixed navigational constrains on its way.
Oral Probiotics Alter Healthy Feline Respiratory Microbiota.

Probiotics have been advocated as a novel therapeutic approach to respiratory disease, but knowledge of how oral administration of probiotics influences the respiratory microbiota is needed. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of bacterial DNA our objective was to determine whether oral probiotics changed the composition of the upper and lower airway, rectal, and blood microbiota. We hypothesized that oral probiotics would modulate the respiratory microbiota in healthy cats, demonstrated by the detection and/or increased relative abundance of the probiotic bacterial species and altered composition of the microbial population in the respiratory tract. Six healthy young research cats had oropharyngeal (OP), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), rectal, and blood samples collected at baseline and 4 weeks after receiving oral probiotics. 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries were sequenced, and coverage, richness, and relative abundance of representative operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were determined. Hierarchical and principal component analyses (PCA) demonstrated relatedness of samples. Mean microbial richness significantly increased only in the upper and lower airways. The number of probiotic OTUs (out of 5 total) that significantly increased in relative abundance versus baseline was 5 in OP, 3 in BAL and 2 in feces. Using hierarchical clustering, BALF and blood samples grouped together after probiotic administration, and PERMANOVA supported that these two sites underwent significant changes in microbial composition. PERMANOVA revealed that OP and rectal samples had microbial population compositions that did not significantly change. These findings were visualized via PCA, which revealed distinct microbiomes in each site; samples clustered more tightly at baseline and had more variation after probiotic administration. This is the first study describing the effect of oral probiotics on the respiratory microbiota via detection of probiotic species in the airways. Finding bacterial species present in the oral probiotics in the upper and lower airways provides pilot data suggesting that oral probiotics could serve as a tool to target dysbiosis occurring in inflammatory airway diseases such as feline asthma, a disease in which cats serve as an important comparative and translational model for humans.
Plasticity, Viscoplasticity, and Fracture

This chapter presents an overview of the development of the theories of plasticity, viscoplasticity, and thermoviscoplasticity. In addition, two methodologies that can be utilized to account for the effects of progressive cracking are briefly reviewed. An understanding of these models is essential to the ability to predict the response of flexible pavements.
Adaptive Wavefront Contrlol for Optimized Coherent Raman Multi-sideband Generation

We demonstrate that the wavefront optimization algorithm with feedback loop allows the extension of the total bandwidth of coherent Raman sidebands towards UV wavelengths, which will provide broader bandwidths for subcycle UV-VIS-NIR pulse synthesis.
Religious exemptions in insurance coverage and the patient-clinician relationship.

Restrictions on employer-based health insurance coverage of medical services or treatments, whether motivated by religious prohibitions, political objections, or concerns about cost, degrade quality of care and undermine the patient-clinician relationship.
Coreceptor/chemokine receptor expression on human hematopoietic cells: biological implications for human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 infection.

The recent discovery of chemokine receptors as coreceptors for human immunodeficiency virus–type 1 (HIV-1) entry offers new avenues for investigating the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cytopenias. To this end, we sought to (1) phenotype human hematopoietic cells for CD4 and the HIV-1 coreceptors CXCR4, CCR5, CCR3, and CCR2b; (2) correlate CD4 and chemokine receptor expression with their susceptibility to HIV-1 infection; and (3) examine any potential interplay between inflammatory cytokines released during HIV-1 infection and regulation of chemokine receptor expression. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC), cells derived from serum-free expanded hematopoietic lineages (colony-forming unit–granulocyte-macrophage [CFU-GM], colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte [CFU-Meg], and burst-forming unit-erythroid [BFU-E]), and CD34+ cells showed differential expression of chemokine receptors and CD4 with some lineage specificity. Significantly, FACS-sorted CXCR4+/CD34+ cells had the same clonogeneic potential as CXCR4−/CD34+ cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of FACS-sorted human candidate stem cells (HSC; CD34+, c-kit+, Rho123low) showed the presence of CXCR4 mRNA but not CD4 mRNA. Infection studies with HIV-1 Env-pseudotyped luciferase reporter viruses indicated that X4 Env (CXCR4-using) pseudotypes infected megakaryocytic cells, whereas R5 Env (CCR5-using) pseudotypes did not. Similarly, R5 but not X4 Env-pseudotyped viruses infected granulocyte-macrophage cells in a CD4/CCR5-dependent manner. Erythroid cells were resistant to R5 or X4 viral infection. Finally, we found that γ-interferon treatment upregulated CXCR4 expression on primary hematopoietic cells. In summary, the delineation of chemokine receptor expression on primary hematopoietic cells is a first step towards dissecting the chemokine-chemokine receptor axes that may play a role in hematopoietic cell proliferation and homing. Furthermore, susceptibility of hematopoietic cells to HIV-1 infection is likely to be more complicated than the mere physical presence of CD4 and the cognate chemokine receptor. Lastly, our results suggest a potential interplay between γ-interferon secretion and CXCR4 expression.
Prematurity reduces citrulline-arginine-nitric oxide production and precedes the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis in piglets

Arginine supplementation prevents necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), the most common gastrointestinal emergency of prematurity. Citrulline (precursor for arginine) production is reduced during NEC, a...
Biomechanical Comparison of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction With the Docking Technique Versus Repair With Internal Bracing.

Background:The modified Jobe technique of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction has previously been biomechanically compared with primary repair augmented with internal bracing. However, t...
Does a multi-modal intervention program influence sensory systems in persons with Parkinson’s disease

Background: Persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) display a progressive decline in function, particularly in postural control. There are however, limited investigations on the sensory deficits contributing to postural dysfunction. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) is an outcome measure that quantifies the sensory systems. Many researchers implement the SOT in research with persons with PD, however there are limited SOT studies that compare persons with PD to same age community dwelling (CD) adults. In addition, few PD intervention studies have used the SOT as an outcome measure. Objective: To determine if there are significant differences in the SOT between 60-70 year old persons with PD and same age CD adults. Second, to determine if there are significant gains in the SOT after a five-week multimodal intervention program in individuals with PD. Methods and materials: In a one-group pre-post intervention design, twelve participants with PD participated in a five-week multimodal intervention program. Participants completed the pre and post-test SOT protocol, which produced an equilibrium score (ES), composite score (CS) and sensory analysis (SA) ratio score. In addition, ten CD 60-70-yearold adults completed the SOT protocol. Analysis: The Mann-Whitney U test will analyze if there are significant differences in SOT scores between CD 60-70 year old adults compared to same age persons with PD. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test will analyze if there are significant differences in SOT scores pre and post intervention. IBM SPSS 26 will analyze the data. p value set at <.05 Results: The Mann-Whitney U revealed significant differences between 60-70 year old CD adults and the PD group in SOT ES 1-3 and CS, P<.05 There were no significant differences between pre and post intervention SOT scores. However, condition five ES and the SA vestibular ratio score exhibited large gains from pre to post intervention. Discussion: The comparison results revealed significant difference in static and dynamic postural controls. In PD participants, the vestibular system displays more deficits compared to other sensory systems, but also demonstrates the capacity for larger gains after a multimodal intervention.
A novel CMB component separation method: hierarchical generalized morphological component analysis

We present a novel technique for Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) foreground subtraction based on the framework of blind source separation. Inspired by previous work incorporating local variation to Generalized Morphological Component Analysis (GMCA), we introduce Hierarchical GMCA (HGMCA), a Bayesian hierarchical graphical model for source separation. We test our method on $N_{\rm side}=256$ simulated sky maps that include dust, synchrotron, free-free and anomalous microwave emission, and show that HGMCA reduces foreground contamination by $25\%$ over GMCA in both the regions included and excluded by the Planck UT78 mask, decreases the error in the measurement of the CMB temperature power spectrum to the $0.02-0.03\%$ level at $\ell>200$ (and $<0.26\%$ for all $\ell$), and reduces correlation to all the foregrounds. We find equivalent or improved performance when compared to state-of-the-art Internal Linear Combination (ILC)-type algorithms on these simulations, suggesting that HGMCA may be a competitive alternative to foreground separation techniques previously applied to observed CMB data. Additionally, we show that our performance does not suffer when we perturb model parameters or alter the CMB realization, which suggests that our algorithm generalizes well beyond our simplified simulations. Our results open a new avenue for constructing CMB maps through Bayesian hierarchical analysis.
Reconfigurable Logic Cell for Superconducting Magnetic Field Programmable Gate Array

Field Programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are one of the most successful circuits in the semiconductor industry. In the absence of a reliable three-terminal switch like MOSFET for rapid single flux quantum(RSFQ) technology, it was difficult to implement FPGA like reconfiguralbe circuits. However, a recently proposed superconducting magnetic FPGA (SMFPGA) implements a controllable switch by controlling the critical current of magnetic Josephson Junctions (MJJs) placed in energy-efficient RSFQ bias network. For implementing a configurable logic block (CLB) with a smaller area for the said FPGA, we designed a reconfigurable gate that can implement four basic logical functions: AND, OR, XOR and NOT. The programmability to implement the four functions is achieved by introducing MJJs in the circuit at specific locations and programming their critical current. The gate is made reconfigurable by having the ability to change both the bias current at different ports and the critical current of a JJ in the gate to two different values. This makes the size of CLB ten times smaller compared to the earlier design and simplifies the SMFPGA. We describe the design methodology and the simulation results of the reconfigurable gate.
Effect of Erythropoietin on Erectile Function after Radical Prostatectomy: The ERECT Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose:Erectile dysfunction significantly impacts quality of life for men undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Erythropoietin is a promising neurotrophic factor for neurogenic ere...
Electrochemistry of Nanoscale Hybrid Materials (NOHM) Complexes

Nanoparticle organic hybrid materials, also known as NOHMs, are composite particles formed by polymers grafted (either ionically or covalently) onto surface-modified inorganic nanoparticles. The unique structure and liquid-like properties of such material have promoted the interest on its application as an electrolyte with the potential to capture and carry nonpolar electroactive species.In this work two types of NOHMs are considered. Both systems comprise silica cores ionically grafted with polymer tails. The polymer tails correspond to polyethylimine for the NOHM-I-PEI, and to polyetheramine with a sulfonic acid linker for the NOHM-I-HPE.Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the interaction of NOHM-I-PEI and NOHM-HPE with copper. NOHM-I-PEI showed a significant pH influence, with peak inhibition occurring at high pH. The protonation behavior of PEI and NOHM-I-PEI was explored (Figure 1). CV results suggest a strong binding of the copper ions and a potential competition between protons and metal ions. Copper hydroxide formation can also occur at higher pH. In contrast, onset potential shift was observed in presence of NOHM-I-HPE.These studies are complemented by exploration through Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Through EPR, the nature of the ion in solution can be explored. On the other hand, 13C T1 relaxation of the NOHM-based electrolyte at different compositions provide information on the dynamics of the grafted polymers in solutionFigure 1
VC in Emerging Markets: The Value of Patience

Due to multiple agency relationships, venture capitalists (VCs) may rush to exit their investments in entrepreneurial firms and pass returns on to the limited partners (LPs) who supply their capita...
Reducing Unplanned Extubations in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: The Elusive Benchmark.

Unplanned extubation (UE) is a common adverse event in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). At our level IV NICU, we initiated a quality improvement project in 2012 to reduce UE rates from 7.47 to below 100 intubated days. We describe the strategies used. Methods Multiple plan-do-study-act cycles were performed to address key drivers. Important interventions focused on staff education, consistent use of a new endotracheal (ET) tube securing device, 2 providers during bedside activities, documentation of ET tube position, and targeted sedation. Process measures included immediate root cause analyses for UE events and the use of the endotracheal tube securing device. The primary outcome was the UE rate per 100 intubated days. Results Over a nearly 6-year study period, quarterly UE rates decreased from 7.19 to 0.66 per 100 intubated days. The proportion of neonates requiring reintubation remained stable (64%-76%). Rates of root cause analysis completion and use of the ET securing device were more than 90% in the last 3 years of the study. The majority (61%) of UE events occurred in infants with birth weights greater than 2 kg, and 46% of infants had a prior UE. UE was associated with desaturation (50%), bradycardia (22%), and the need for resuscitation (7%). Conclusions This quality improvement effort in a level IV NICU achieved a reduction in UE rates to below 1 per 100 intubated days after more than 5 years. Consistency in practices and widespread communication with the staff was critical to the effort.
Further examination of knowledge and interactions in ageism among college students: Value for promoting university activities.

Ageism is recognized as a reason that few students pursue careers in aging. While widely studied, the findings regarding factors that contribute to ageism are mixed. The findings from previous stud...
Reply to Linton: Perspectival interference up close.

The objects in Fig. 1 clearly have different real-world shapes. But do they also have any shared shape appearance from our point of view? A longstanding philosophical tradition is divided on this question (1). But whereas most of this tradition relies on introspection, we recently took an experimental approach: When searching for head-on elliptical objects, rotated circular objects are more effective distractors than head-on circular objects, producing slower search times (2). Our interpretation is that the objects compete because they appear to share something: their “perspectival shape.” Fig. 1. We can see that these two wooden objects have different distal shapes “out there”; one is elliptical and one is circular. But is there also some aspect of their apparent shape that is shared “from here”? In Morales et al. (2), we showed that, when searching for the lefthand object (a head-on elliptical disk), the righthand object (a rotated circular disk) competes for attention and slows search. Linton (3) dissents on two grounds. First, maybe rotated circles compete with frontal ellipses because of their shared “3D visual … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: chaz{at}jhu.edu or jorge.morales{at}jhu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
The Role of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy to Support Patients With Cancer: A Critical Scoping Review of the Research:

Treatments for addressing psychiatric mental health issues in vulnerable patients with cancer are established. Yet, many patients persist with unrelenting psychological difficulties despite intervention. There is growing interest in the role of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for managing treatment-resistant mental health challenges in patients with cancer. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound derived from certain mushroom species that can induce entheogenic experiences or an altered state of consciousness. Reed's Self-Transcendence Theory provides a holistic lens to examine existential concerns and mental health in individuals who perceive their illness as potentially life threatening, such as those with cancer. This scoping literature review used Arksey and O'Malley's template to evaluate research examining psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for patients with cancer. Eight articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria (four quantitative, two mixed methods, and two qualitative). Review findings indicated that the majority of patient experiences were positive, centering on themes of death acceptance, reflection, and broadened spirituality. Although psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is in early stages of clinical testing, it thus shows promise for carefully screened patients with cancer who have persistent existential suffering. It will be critical for investigators to tailor this emerging intervention to select patients and for clinicians to be engaged in assessment of outcomes and efficacy.
Autism Through the Lifespan: The Eden Model

For more than twenty years, The Eden Family of Services in Princeton, New Jersey, has provided comprehensive behaviourally based services for children with autism. Now Eden's founding director, David L. Holmes writes about autism and the specialised programmes offered at Eden in Autism Through the Lifespan, explaining how Eden's theories and practices can be replicated in other communities. One of the most distinct philosophies of the Eden Model and the book's focus is the concept of 'lifespan services', meaning people in the programme will receive continuous services as needed, over their lifetime. Maintaining a continuum of educational, residential, and employment programmes can create great challenges for Eden's staff who provide the seamless, permanent support network that people with autism and their families often require. With numerous examples and case histories, Autism Through the Lifespan presents an in-depth model for helping children and adults with autism that will be of interest to professionals and parents alike. It begins with an overview of what's known about autism today, then continues with discussions about Eden's approach to modifying behaviour, placement and treatment, their 'zero reject' policy, curriculum from early childhood to adulthood, staffing issues, integration, decision-making and parental roles.