cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Algorithm for reducing circuit equations in computer applications

In the paper, the problem of computer formulation of circuit equations using the modified nodal analysis, especially in microcomputers, is addressed. The modified nodal formulation gives rise to a disproportionately large number of circuit equations even for small-size networks. An algorithm is presented to reduce the circuit equations to a very small number before solving them repeatedly, as in the case of obtaining frequency and/or time-domain responses. This reduces the memory requirement as well as run time for the solution of network responses. Though this is useful in any computer-aided analysis of networks, it is especially useful in microcomputers where these two facts are significantly important. This also eliminates the need for solving the circuit equations using sparse matrix techniques.
Bactericidal Activity of First-Choice Antibiotics against Gamma Interferon-Induced Persistent Infection of Human Epithelial Cells by Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for clinically important chronic inflammatory diseases of humans, including trachoma and pelvic inflammatory disease. Persistent infection of mucosal sites may contribute to the development of these chronic inflammatory diseases. Standard clinical therapy results in satisfactory cure rates of acute infections; however, chronic infection associated with persistence has been suggested to be less responsive to antibiotic therapy. We report the efficiency of two first-line chlamydial antibiotics, azithromycin and doxycycline, under conditions of eradication of C. trachomatis persistent infection using the in vitro model of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-mediated persistence and reactivation from persistence. Doxycycline was superior in eradicating acute (minimal bactericidal concentration [MBC]100 = 2.5 to 5.0 μg/ml) compared to persistent (MBC100 = 10 to 50 μg/ml) infection. In contrast, azithromycin was significantly more effective in eradicating persistent infection (MBC100 = 2.5 to 5.0 μg/ml) than acute infection (MBC100 = 10 to 50 μg/ml). The superior bactericidal effect of azithromycin against persistent infection was found to correlate with the enhanced uptake of the drug by IFN-γ-treated infected epithelial cells. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that azithromycin should be a particularly efficacious anti-infective agent for the eradication of IFN-γ-induced chlamydial persistent infection in vivo.
Dislocations and Bubbles in BF+2 Implanted Silicon

Defects in crystalline silicon caused by a BF+ 2 ion implantation dose of 3x1015cm-2 have been studied using plan-view and cross-section TEM and SIMS. Dislocations form at annealing temperatures above 1000oC and are pinned below the Si surface by fluorine bubbles ∼10 nm diameter at a density of ∼1011cm-2. This microstructure is essentially stable at 1150oC from 4 to 400 minutes.
HIV-1 is budded from CD4+ T lymphocytes independently of exosomes

The convergence of HIV-1 budding and exosome biogenesis at late endosomal compartments called multivesicular bodies has fueled the debate on whether HIV-1 is budded from its target cells and transmitted in the form of exosomes. The point of contention appears to primarily derive from the types of target cells in question and lack of a well-defined protocol to separate exosomes from HIV-1. In this study, we adapted and established a simplified protocol to define the relationship between HIV-1 production and exosome biogenesis. Importantly, we took advantage of the newly established protocol to unequivocally show that HIV-1 was produced from CD4+ T lymphocytes Jurkat cells independently of exosomes. Thus, this study not only presents a simplified way to obtain highly purified HIV-1 virions for identification of host proteins packaged into virions, but also provides a technical platform that can be employed to define the relationship between exosome biogenesis and budding of HIV-1 or other viruses and its contributions to viral pathogenesis.
Estrogen replacement therapy in diabetic ovariectomized female rats potentiates postischemic leukocyte adhesion in cerebral venules via a RAGE-related process.

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the documented transformation of 17β-estradiol (E2) from a counterinflammatory hormone in nondiabetic (ND) rats to a proinflammatory agent in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) is due to an enhanced contribution from the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Rhodamine 6G-labeled leukocytes were observed through a closed cranial window in rats. In vivo pial venular leukocyte adherence and infiltration were measured over 10 h reperfusion after transient forebrain ischemia in DM (streptozotocin) versus ND intact, ovariectomized (OVX), and E2-replaced (for 7–10 days) OVX (OVE) females. The role of RAGE was examined in two ways: 1) RAGE knockdown via topical application of RAGE antisense versus missense oligodeoxynucleotide or 2) intracerebroventricular injection of the RAGE decoy inhibitor, soluble RAGE. Among diabetic rats, the lowest levels of cortical RAGE mRNA and immunoreactivity of the RAGE ligand, AGE, were seen in OVX females, with significantly higher levels exhibited in intact and OVE females. However, results from the analysis of cortical RAGE protein only partially tracked those findings. When comparing ND to DM rats, cortical AGE immunoreactivity was significantly lower in OVE and intact females but similar in OVX rats. In DM rats, the level of postischemic leukocyte adhesion and infiltration (highest to lowest) was OVE > intact >> untreated OVX. In NDs, adhesion was highest in the untreated OVX group. Leukocyte extravasation was observed at >6 h postischemia but only in diabetic OVE and intact females and in ND OVX (untreated) rats. Pretreatment with RAGE antisense-oligodeoxynucleotide or soluble RAGE attenuated postischemic leukocyte adhesion and prevented infiltration but only in the diabetic OVE and intact groups. These results indicate that the exacerbation of postischemic leukocyte adhesion by chronic E2 replacement therapy in diabetic OVX females involves a RAGE-related mechanism. Targeting RAGE may restore the neuroprotective effect of E2 replacement therapy in diabetic females.
Musical Hallucinations and Forgotten Tunes – Case Report and Brief Literature Review

Musical hallucinations represent a specific form of auditory hallucinations whereby patients experience formed music without an external source. We describe a 60-year-old woman with history of bilateral hearing impairment and tinnitus who experienced both recognizable and non-recognizable songs. Curiously, she was able to reproduce non-recognizable songs in a way that could be recognized by others. This phenomenon is in line with current understanding that musical hallucinations represent abnormal activity in the auditory associative cortices, raising intriguing questions regarding memory, forgetting, and access to lost memories.
G Protein–Coupled Receptor Oligomerization: Implications for G Protein Activation and Cell Signaling

The cardiovascular system is richly endowed with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), members of the largest family of plasma membrane-localized receptors. During the last 10 years, it has become increasingly clear that many, if not all, GPCRs function in oligomeric complexes, as either homo- or hetero-oligomers. This review explores the mechanistic implications of GPCR dimerization and/or oligomerization on receptor activation and interactions with G proteins. The effects of GPCR oligomerization on receptor pharmacology, GPCR-mediated signaling, and potential contributions to GPCR crosstalk will be considered in the context of receptors important in the cardiovascular system. Our evolving understanding of the structural and functional consequences of GPCR oligomerization may provide novel and more selective sites for pharmacological tuning of cardiovascular function.
New and Emerging Treatment Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of symptoms. The pathophysiology of IBS is not completely understood but appears to involve genetics, the gut microbiome, immune activation, altered intestinal permeability, and brain-gut interactions. There is no gold standard for diagnosis. Several sets of symptom-based guidelines exist. Treatment strategies for IBS may include both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches. Lifestyle modifications that aim to improve exercise, sleep, diet, and stress may be warranted. Recent data suggest that a gluten-free diet and a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) may benefit some patients. For patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS, treatment options include the synthetic peripheral μ-opioid receptor agonist loperamide, antispasmodic agents, antidepressants, serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists, and the gut-specific antibiotic rifaximin. Ongoing research is evaluating the use of probiotics. For patients with constipation-predominant IBS, therapeutic strategies may include dietary fiber, laxatives, and the prosecretory agents lubiprostone and linaclotide. Research is continuing to optimize the use of available agents and evaluating new approaches to further improve the care of patients with IBS.
On the Smoothness of Value Functions and the Existence of Optimal Strategies

In dynamic models driven by di usion processes, the smoothness of the value function plays a crucial role for characterizing properties of the solution. However, available methods to ensure such smoothness have limited applicability in economics, and economists have often relied on either model-speci c arguments or explicit solutions. In this paper, we prove that the value function for the optimal control of any time-homogeneous, one-dimensional di usion is twice continuously di erentiable, under Lipschitz, growth, and non-vanishing volatility conditions. Under similar conditions, the value function of any optimal stopping problem is continuously di erentiable. For the rst problem, we provide sucient conditions for the existence of an optimal control. The optimal control is Markovian and constructed from the Bellman equation. We also establish an envelope theorem for parameterized optimal stopping problems. Several applications are discussed, including growth, dynamic contracting, and experimentation models.
Blood:Coagulation, Anticoagulation, and Conservation During Open Heart Surgery

Normal clotting of the blood occurs by via the extrinsic or intrinsic pathways (Figure 16.1). Table 16.1 lists the names and numbers of the known coagulation factors. The normal levels, adequate levels for surgical hemostasis, blood product source, and in vivo half life are presented in Table 16.2. Numerous tests are available to test both systems, although in the absence of a history of bleeding tendencies only the platelet count, partial thromboplastin time, and prothrombin time are generally necessary in patients prior to cardiovascular surgery (72). Some clinicians add the bleeding time and fibrinogen to the preoperative clotting profile. Specific factor assays are indicated when regular screening clotting tests are abnormal. The presence of clotting abnormalities, however, cannot be correlated with excessive transfusion needs intraoperatively (72).
A Novel Screening Method for Evaluation of Lettuce Germplasm for Bacterial Leaf Spot Resistance

Bacterial leaf spot of lettuce, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians ,i s a devastating disease of lettuce worldwide. Because there are no chemicals available for effective control of the disease, host-plant resistance is highly desirable to protect lettuce production. A new method for fast screening and accurate identification of bacterial leaf spot (BLS)-resistant lettuce has been developed in our laboratory. A total of 79 lettuce genotypes (69 germplasm lines and 10 adapted cultivars) were evaluated with this technique for response to X. c. vitians. Disease incidences ranged from 92% to 100% and disease severities were between 1.6 and 3.6 on the 0 to 4 scale. No highly resistant genotypes were identified. However, 12 genotypes did not significantly differ for disease severities from the moderately resistant 'Little Gem' lettuce that was used as a resistant control. Comparison of disease severities of 10 commercial cultivars and three moderately resistant germplasm lines tested at the seedling stage and adult stage showed a high positive correlation (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001) between tests. The new screening method shouldbeusefulinbreedingprograms,inwhichgreatnumbersofplantsneedtobetested during germplasm evaluation, and for single plant selection as well as other studies. The identification of new sources of moderate resistance in this study could facilitate development of cultivars with a higher level of resistance through the gene pyramiding approach.
Deformation of Laminated Elastomer Composites

Abstract Flexible elastomer composites subjected to finite deformation are usually associated with significant fiber re-orientation and configuration change which cannot be described by classical composite lamination theory. Utilizing the Lagrangian description and a strain-energy density approach, this work presents a set of 2-D constitutive equations in terms of the overall deformation of laminated composites. This model includes both geometric and material nonlinearities of the laminate. Interlaminar shear deformation is addressed but not studied in this analysis. Theoretical predictions have been compared with the available experimental data about symmetric laminates with various fiber orientations in the finite deformation range. Also, a parametric study has been performed under various ratios of biaxial deformation.
Immunoglobulins in Pregnancy and Malignant Trophoblastic Disease

In work presented at the first germinal center conference, we showed that pregnancy and malignant trophoblastic disease are associated with disappearance of germinal centers from lymph nodes [1, 2]. These findings were discussed in relation to other changes known to occur in the thymus and lymphatic tissue during pregnancy in small mamnals: a reversible atrophy of the thymus [3, 4], reduction in size of lymph nodes as well as a marked reduction in the number of small lymphocytes in lymph nodes, and an absolute lymphopenia in peripheral blood [5]. We also noted the lympholytic effects of adrenal steroids and the thymolytic effect of estrogen and the adrenal steroids [6, 7] and emphasized that these hormones are produced in increased amounts in pregnancy. We pointed out that the foregoing suggests an inhibitory effect of pregnancy on the thymus and lymphatic tissue; the inhibitory effect seemed to be more profound in cases of malignant trophoblastic disease.
Understanding the relationship of land uses and water quality in Twenty First Century: A review

Rising food, housing and energy demand of increasing population creates an immense pressure on water resources, especially on water quality. The water quality around the globe is degrading primarily due to intense agricultural activities associated with rapid urbanization. This study attributes to cause of water quality problem, indices to measure water quality, methods to identify proper explanatory variables to water quality and it's processing to capture the special effect, and finally modeling of water quality using identified explanatory variables to provide insights. This would help policymakers and watershed managers to take necessary steps to protect water quality for the future as well as current generation. Finally, some knowledge gaps are also discussed which need to be addressed in the future studies.
Factors Influencing the Circadian Flight Rhythm of Drone Honey Bees

Circadian mating flight activity of drone honey bees, Apis mellifera L., in Louisiana was studied during 1963 and found to be variable. Some natural phenomena causing this variation were temperature, cloud cover, shade, and direction the colony entrance faced. Average flight time during early June was between 1400 and 1630 hours, but earlier in the year drones flew almost 2 hours earlier. In general, as the temperatures increased and clays became longer, drones flew later and their flight times were more concentrated. The difference between flight activity of drones in California and that of drones in Louisiana could not be determined because the geographical east-west time difference was not great enough. Drones prevented from flight by confinement in cool darkness flew earlier than usual the following day. Flight activity on the second clay after confinement was almost like that of unconfined drones.
Judgments of Recidivism Risk Conflicts between Clinical Strategies and Base-Rate Information*

The prediction of recidivism is of growing importance in the criminal justice system, and authorities have recommended the use of statistical prediction devices along with case-specific information. However, research has shown that laypeople and experts have difficulty dealing with statistical information, and tend to ignore it in the presence of case-specific information. A study was conducted in which subjects were given one of three different types of base-rate information about known recidivism rates in a population, and a sample of several case descriptions, and asked to predict recidivism for the sample cases. No use of base-rate information occurred when case-specific information was available. The implications for decisions and training in the criminal justice system are discussed.
“Finding a Voice”: Imaging Features after Phonosurgical Procedures for Vocal Fold Paralysis

Altered communication (hoarseness, dysphonia, and breathy voice) that can result from vocal fold paralysis, secondary to numerous etiologies, may be amenable to surgical restoration. In this article, both traditional and cutting-edge phonosurgical procedures targeting the symptoms resulting from vocal fold paralysis are reviewed, with emphasis on the characteristic imaging appearances of various injectable materials, implants, and augmentation procedures used in the treatment of vocal fold paralysis. In addition, complications of injection laryngoplasty and medialization laryngoplasty are illustrated. Familiarity with the expected imaging changes following treatment of vocal fold paralysis may prevent the misinterpretation of posttreatment changes as pathology. Identifying common complications related to injection laryngoplasty and localization of displaced implants is crucial in determining specific management in patients who have undergone phonosurgical procedures for the management of vocal fold paralysis.
Determination of Epigoitrin in Antivirus Oral Medicinal Liquid by HPLC

Objective:To establish an HPLC method for the determination of epigoitrin in antivirus oral medicinal liquid.Methods:The chromatographic separation was performed on Phenomenex C18column(4.6mm×250mm,5μm),mobile phase was methanol-0.02%phosphoric acid(7:93),the flow rate was 1 mL·min~(-1) at 30℃ and the detection wavelength was 245 nm.Result:The results showed that the linearity for epigoitrin was in a range of 0.017-0.107μg(r=0.9996),and the average recovery and RSD were 99.0%and 1.26%respectively(n=6).Conclusion:The method is accurate,reliable and reproducible,and could be used as a quality control method for epigoitrin in antivirus oral medicinal liquid.
Grundgesetze aus der technischen Wärmelehre

Ein Korper wird als gasformig bezeichnet, wenn seine Teilchen sich nach allen Seiten gleichmasig auszubreiten streben, bis sie durch feste Wande daran verhindert werden. Dabei sind die vorkommenden Temperaturen meistens so hoch, das auch die grosten anwendbaren Pressungen eine Verflussigung des Gases nicht herbeizufuhren vermogen.
Botulinum Toxin for Achalasia

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is being used for the treatment of various conditions including upper motor neuron syndrome, hyperhidrosis, various spastic disorders including blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, neurogenic detrusor over-activity, focal dystonias, strabismus, vaginismus, and achalasia. Emerging uses for botulinum toxin type A include chronic musculoskeletal pain, vocal cord dysfunction, and allergic rhinitis. The goal of this chapter is to describe the use of BoNT in the treatment of patients with achalasia, focusing on the clinical evidence along with a description of the side-effects and contraindications.
Response of Neonatal Prairie Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus viridis ) to Conspecific and Heterospecific Chemical Cues

Socially naive neonate prairie rattlesnakes were observed in three experiments that measured chemosensory behaviors and substrate preference when snakes were given a two-choice presentation of a clean substrate and a substrate marked with ophidian exudates (either from conspecific neonates, conspecific adults, or a bullsnake). Neonates spent more time exploring or resting on substrates marked by conspecifics and avoided areas that contained heterospecific chemical cues. Neonates appear to be able to discriminate conspecific chemical cues from other sympatric species, and they may rely upon this ability to locate communal hibemacula for overwintering.
The Use of the Medical Record as Feedback Control for Medical Information Centers

A procedure is described for improving the correlation between the information useful in hospital medical care and the collection of medical journals in the hospital information center. The medical record is used to determine the specific medical care events; these specific events are used to control the selection of medical journals most likely to contain information relevant to these medical problems.
A model for the development of psychosocial interventions.

I have been asked to describe the methods and approaches used to develop new psychosocial services and programs for cancer patients in the United States. I don’t know whether the driving force that makes it possible for us to develop new programs in the US has similarities to the force that can be used for the development of such programs in Europe or Canada. The basic issue in the US in developing a new program is the response of the market economy. Two critical questions that we must answer are, “Is there a need or desire among consumers for this program?” and, “Will this program be paid for?—by the patient, by insurance, by donations, etc.” The driving force for developing new programs in many European countries and Canada may be quite different. Since, unlike the US, the European system of health care is largely tax-supported, you may have to answer a different set of questions: “Is a new service essential?” and “Can it replace another service that may be less vital?”
The human immune response to Toxoplasma: Autophagy versus cell death

Author(s): Krishnamurthy, Shruthi; Konstantinou, Eleni K; Young, Lucy H; Gold, Daniel A; Saeij, Jeroen PJ
Literature Review of Social Justice in Music Education: Acknowledging Oppression and Privilege:

Within the past few years the notions of a postracial America and achieved equality have been topics of discussion in various public and social circles. The visibility of racial and ethnic minoriti...
Association theory: a new framework for analyzing social evolution

The dominant social-evolutionary paradigm implicitly equates social actions and behaviors causing associations by extrapolating from models of social actions to explain behaviors affecting association. This extrapolation occurs when models of helping behavior are applied to explain aggregation or fusion, and when models of discriminatory helping behavior are applied to explain discriminatory segregation or discriminatory rejection. Here, I outline an alternative theoretical approach that explicitly distinguishes a social action as a helping or harming behavior, and an association as the context for a social action. Based on this distinction, I define a list of terms that allows a classification of association phenomena and the conceptual framework necessary to explain their evolution. I apply the resulting theory, which I call “association theory,” to identify a series of steps common to major and minor transitions in social evolution. These steps include the evolution of association, the evolution of differential treatment, the evolution of association preference, and the evolution of genetic kin recognition. I explain how to measure the parameters of association theory and I apply the theory to test Hamilton9s rule. I evaluate the evidence for association theory, including how it resolves anomalies of a former paradigm. Finally, I discuss association theory9s assumptions, and I explain why it may become the dominant framework for analyzing social evolution.
Open Sharing of Data on Close Relationships and Other Sensitive Social Psychological Topics: Challenges, Tools, and Future Directions

This article reports on an adversarial (but friendly) collaboration examining the issues that lie at the intersection of confidentiality and open-data practices. We describe the process we followed...
Insight into ethylene interactions with molybdenum suboxide cluster anions from photoelectron spectra of chemifragments

Recent studies on reactions between MoxOy− cluster anions and H2O/C2H4 mixtures revealed a complex web of addition, hydrogen evolution, and chemifragmentation reactions, with chemifragments unambiguously connected to cluster reactions with C2H4. To gain insight into the molecular-scale interactions along the chemifragmentation pathways, the anion photoelectron (PE) spectra of MoC2H2−, MoC4H4−, MoOC2H2−, and MoO2C2H2− formed directly in MoxOy− + C2H4 (x > 1; y ≥ x) reactions, along with supporting CCSD(T) and density functional theory calculations, are presented and analyzed. The complexes have spectra that are all consistent with η2-acetylene complexes, though for all but MoC4H4−, the possibility that vinylidene complexes are also present cannot be definitively ruled out. Structures that are consistent with the PE spectrum of MoC2H2− differ from the lowest energy structure, suggesting that the fragment formation is under kinetic control. The PE spectrum of MoO2C2H2− additionally exhibits evidence that pho...
Cropping System, Landscape Position, and Topsoil Depth Affect Soil Fertility and Nutrient Buffering

Precise nutrient management across claypan soil landscapes requires an understanding of how diversity in management practices impacts soil properties and nutrient buffering. Therefore, a study was performed at the Central Mississippi River Basin site of the USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Network from 2010 to 2016 to determine how depth to claypan (DTC), cropping system (CS), and landscape position (LP) affect soil properties, and whether accounting for these factors could improve fertility management. Treatments consisted of five CS {MTCS, mulch till corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]; NTCS, no-till corn–soybean; NTCSW, no-till corn–soybean–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–cover crop; CCRP, cool season conservation reserve program; and HAY, cool and warm-season hay} and three LP (summit, backslope, and footslope), each with a distinct DTC. Soil test P (STP) was 9 kg P ha–¹ greater on footslopes than summits. Soil test K (STK) and soil organic matter content (SOM) were greatest on backslopes and averaged 384 kg K ha–¹ and 20 g kg–¹, respectively, Soil test P was ≥49% and STK was ≥10% lower in NTCSW than in MTCS or NTCS. However, crop diversity in NTCSW maintained STP and increased SOM 2 g kg–¹ over MTCS. Soil test P, pHₛ, and SOM were similar between CCRP and HAY, while STK in CCRP was greater at all LP. Lastly, deeper DTC caused greater P buffering and less K buffering than shallower DTC. These results indicate that eroded sideslopes with shallow DTC likely need more or more frequent P and less K than other LP.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Southwestern Border States: Examining Trends, Population Correlates, and Implications for Policy

Introduction Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is withdrawal syndrome in newborns following birth and is primarily caused by maternal drug use during pregnancy. This study examines trends, population correlates, and policy implications of NAS in two Southwest border states. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional analysis of Hospital Inpatient Discharge Data (HIDD) was utilized to examine the incidence of NAS in the Southwest border states of Arizona (AZ) and New Mexico (NM). All inpatient hospital births in AZ and NM from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2013 with ICD9-CM codes for NAS (779.5), cocaine (760.72), or narcotics (760.75) were extracted. Results During 2008–2013 there were 1472 NAS cases in AZ and 888 in NM. The overall NAS rate during this period was 2.83 per 1000 births (95% CI 2.68–2.97) in AZ and 5.31 (95% CI 4.96–5.66) in NM. NAS rates increased 157% in AZ and 174% in NM. NAS newborns were more likely to have low birth weight, have respiratory distress, more likely to have feeding difficulties, and more likely to be on state Medicaid insurance. AZ border region (border with Mexico) had NAS rates significantly higher than the state rate (4.06 per 1000 births [95% CI 3.68–4.44] vs. 2.83 [95% CI 2.68–2.97], respectively). In NM, the border region rate (2.09 per 1000 births [95% CI 1.48–2.69]) was significantly lower than the state rate (5.31 [95% CI 4.96–5.66]). Conclusions Despite a dramatic increase in the incidence of NAS in the U.S. and, in particular, the Southwest border states of AZ and NM, there is still scant research on the overall incidence of NAS, its assessment in the southwest border, and associated long-term outcomes. The Healthy Border (HB) 2020 binational initiative of the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission is an initiative that addresses several public health priorities that not only include chronic and degenerative diseases, infectious diseases, injury prevention, maternal and child health but also mental health and addiction. The growing opioid epidemic and rise in NAS cases in the Southwest border, as partially shown in this study, provides another opportunity to track health illnesses and outcomes in the Southwest border, especially because there are targeted resources through High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) funding.
Climate Change: The Scientific Consensus

Following the Rio Summit of 1992, two international organizations namely the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were empowered to perform special tasks. The former was to gather scientific information on climate change and the latter to facilitate consensus among countries to stabilize greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere so as not to further aggravate global warming. Carbon dioxide constitutes about 75% of the GHGs, the rest being composed of three other types of gases. It is now well recognized that no country will be immune from the impacts of climate change. The most seriously affected will be the LMICs. Sea level rise will impact adversely upon small islands and river-delta regions. Increases in tropical cyclones and in drought conditions in arid areas of the tropical LMICs will be experienced frequently. Major flooding can be expected with greater frequency which will not only affect food supply but also cause disease epidemics. Increased acidification of ocean waters will cause damage to marine life and consequently to livelihoods and food supply. Furthermore, there would be large shocks to agriculture to even disrupt and dislocate populations. It has taken all of 24 years and many major international conferences for the countries of the world to voluntarily come to an accord as to their respective commitments to reduce pollution so as to diminish global warming and climate change. Whether this accord will be binding on all is still to be seen.
Landmarks in Cerebral Neurochemistry

The chemistry of the brain is one of the newer subdisciplines of neuroscience, having become formalized with the organization of national and international groups such as the International Society of Neurochemistry in 1965. Derived from the surge of interest in the histochemistry and cytochemistry of neurons, neurochemistry is closely related to neuropharmacology and psychoneuropharmacology. Its rapid coming of age marked the emergence of an immensely promising field of research and knowledge in areas as diverse as the biological basis of mental health and the nerve impulse. One channel of basic research on chemical substances, later found to have psychotropic properties (and high interest to the pharmaceutical industry), brought about a therapeutic “revolution” that decimated the mental hospital populations of the midtwentieth century (see Swazey,1974). The recognition that the chemistry of the brain, seen as a separate organ relatively isolated from the other parts of the body, is the biological basis of mental health was the key to a vast research domain that extends from human behavior to the level of very specific ionic processes. And because biologic viability depends on energy supply and demand, the dynamics of cerebral vascularity have been of utmost importance in understanding those processes.
Pharmacometrics in Bacterial Infections

Pharmacometrics plays an important role in rational dosing design of antimicrobial therapy by defining the relationship between dose, dosing interval, drug concentration, bacterial response, infection outcome, and toxicity, as well as the variability surrounding these variables. Modeling and simulation is becoming more extensively used to characterize antimicrobial strategies to combat emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, which is imposing a high cost on patient survivability and the overall health-care system. In this chapter, we discuss how pharmacometric approaches are being utilized to tackle these challenges. The approaches in designing treatment strategies using minimum inhibitory concentrations and in vitro time course of bacterial killing are explained to provide a thorough overview of the current state-of-the-art exploration of antimicrobial pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modeling and simulation. In turn, the information from in vitro and animal studies is connected with clinical outcome for the purpose of determining key information that can improve therapeutic success in the clinic. This chapter also discusses the strategies for optimized dosing regimens and combination therapies that are currently explored to tackle the challenges posed by development of drug-resistant infections.
Distribution and cardiovascular risk correlates of serum triglycerides in young adults from a biracial community: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Abstract Elevated serum triglyceride level is increasingly being recognized as an important indicator of cardiovascular risk. The distribution and correlates of serum triglycerides were examined in a biracial (black–white) community-based sample of 1342 young adults (30% black) aged 20–37 years. Triglyceride levels showed significant race (white>black) and sex (male>female) differences. Black females, despite their relatively increased body fatness, had lowest triglyceride levels. In terms of conjoint trait of dyslipidemia based on the National Cholesterol Education Program cutpoints, 9% of white males displayed high triglyceride (≥200 mg/dl) in combination with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (
Effects of annual fertilization and sustained weed control on dry matter partitioning, leaf area, and growth efficiency of juvenile loblolly and slash pine

(...) After four growing seasons, annual fertilization and complete weed control produced similar levels of response, increasing aboveground biomass 700% for loblolly pine and 300% for slash pine. The combined treatment improved total dry matter production 1600% (from 1.9 to 32.2 Mg ha −1 ) for loblolly pine and 450% (from 4.3 to 23.6 Mg ha −1 ) for slash pine. Equally large treatment-associated increases (up to 1210%) in all-sided leaf area index were measured. Cultural treatments increased the proportional allocations of dry matter to stem wood, stem bark, and branches for both species, a consequence of accelerated stand development. (...)
Nonconforming Gender Expression and Associated Mental Distress and Substance Use Among High School Students.

Importance The cultural roles and expectations attributed to individuals based on their sex often shape health behaviors and outcomes. Gender nonconformity (GNC) (ie, gender expression that differs from societal expectations for feminine or masculine appearance and behavior) is an underresearched area of adolescent health that is often linked to negative health outcomes. Objective To examine the associations of GNC with mental distress and substance use among high school students. Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional study based on data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted in 2015. The setting was 3 large urban US school districts (2 in California and 1 in Florida). Participants were a racially/ethnically diverse population-based sample of 6082 high school students representative of all public school students in grades 9 through 12 attending these 3 school districts. Main Outcomes and Measures Sex-stratified adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) (adjusted for race/ethnicity, grade, and sexual identity) for high gender-nonconforming students (very/mostly/somewhat feminine male students or very/mostly/somewhat masculine female students) and moderate gender-nonconforming students (equally feminine and masculine students) relative to a referent group of low gender-nonconforming students (very/mostly/somewhat masculine male students or very/mostly/somewhat feminine female students). Results Among 6082 high school students, 881 (15.9%) were white, 891 (19.1%) black, 3163 (55.1%) Hispanic, and 1008 (9.9%) other race/ethnicity. Among female students (2919 [50.0% of the study population]), moderate GNC was significantly associated with feeling sad and hopeless (APR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.05-1.41), seriously considering attempting suicide (APR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.14-1.74), and making a suicide plan (APR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.22-1.89); however, substance use was not associated with GNC. Among male students (3139 [50.0% of the study population]), moderate GNC was associated with feeling sad and hopeless (APR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.25-1.92); high GNC was associated with seriously considering attempting suicide (APR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.16-2.56), making a suicide plan (APR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.17-2.73), and attempting suicide (APR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.75-4.40), as well as nonmedical use of prescription drugs (APR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.23-2.67), cocaine use (APR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.80-4.47), methamphetamine use (APR, 4.52; 95% CI, 2.68-7.61), heroin use (APR, 4.59; 95% CI, 2.48-8.47), and injection drug use (APR, 8.05; 95% CI, 4.41-14.70). Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests mental distress is associated with GNC among female and male students. Substance use also appeared to be strongly associated with GNC among male students. These findings underscore and suggest the importance of implementing school-based programs to prevent substance use and promote student mental health that are inclusive of gender diversity in students.
PW 1616 Training children in road crossing skills using a simulated road environment

Background Children pay little attention to safety signals when crossing the road with their caregivers and are given little opportunity to learn through supervised participation. Even though caregivers are seen as the key model of safe pedestrian behaviours, they do not involve their children in safe pedestrian decisions as they tend to traffic. Road safety education is recognized as central to teach children to interact with traffic safely. Objective The study evaluated the use of a simulated road environment to reinforce skill-based training for increasing safe pedestrian behaviours. Methods One hundred and fifty children aged 8–10 years participated and were recruited from a public primary school in Cape Town. Pre- and post-training tests evaluated the effectiveness of the training. Road traffic inspectors’ role modelled the pedestrian safety behaviours alongside the learners using a mobile pedestrian robot in the school road environment. Participants were educated on the management of the pedestrian robot and its related rules on crossing the intersection. Findings Children behaved more safely following training, demonstrating that brief training can produce short-term improvements in pedestrian behaviours. Significant reductions were found post-training for incorrect road-crossing responses (45%). Conclusion Results indicate that learners were receptive to the short and medium-term tasks, but long-term retention need to be promoted. Adult led learning are considered as powerful instruments due to the influence of social interaction on modelled behaviours. Caregiver involvement continues to be seen as influential agents in the practical application of a simple training procedure for pedestrian interventions. Policy implications A simulated road environment proved beneficial to transfer knowledge to promote children’s behaviour in the real environment; and bridging research into practice. An innovative approach to research and development is advocated for, and it must be transformed by practitioners to further promote the quality and utility of the disseminated road safety information.
Reduced Eating Pace (RePace) Behavioral Intervention for Children Prone to or with Obesity: Does the Turtle Win the Race?

OBJECTIVE Rapid eating is a risk factor for childhood obesity but has not been a focus of intervention with young children. The short-term effects of a novel family-based treatment, "Reduced Eating Pace" (RePace), were tested on child eating speed and secondary outcomes. METHODS Twenty-eight rapid eating children were randomized to RePace (n = 14) or Delayed Usual Care Control (DUC) (n = 14). RePace taught families a slower eating pace using psychoeducational and behavioral techniques, including silent vibrating devices that prompted 30-second "turtle bites." Outcomes included child "slowness in eating" assessed by parent-report questionnaire and observed eating in the laboratory (i.e., mouthfuls/minute and kilocalories/minute). Child BMI and other eating variables were secondary outcomes. RESULTS Children in RePace compared with DUC showed increased "slowness in eating" (P < 0.001), increased food enjoyment (P = 0.04), and less BMI gain (P = 0.02) after 8 weeks. There was no treatment effect for observed eating speed, although typicality of the laboratory test meal was an effect modifier in exploratory analyses. Specifically, RePace versus DUC showed attenuated increases in mouthfuls per minute over time among youth for whom the laboratory food amount was more typical of amounts served at home. CONCLUSIONS Slower eating may be a novel target for family-based obesity prevention targeting high-risk children.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 3 Regulates Endothelial Function Through β-Arrestin 1.

Background: Receptor signaling is central to vascular endothelial function and is dysregulated in vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Signaling path...
Quantitative tooth mobility evaluation based on intraoral scanner measurements.

Background Tooth mobility assessment is subjective and current techniques require the translation of a continuous variable to a categorical variable based on the perception of the examiner. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a novel technique to assess tooth mobility. Methods Three experienced periodontists were asked to push tooth #16 into a buccal position to in a typodont model with different mobility (M1-M2). Tooth position was obtained using an intraoral scanner and files were compared in metrology software. Mobility was calculated at three reference points at the cervical (C), middle (M), and occlusal (O) regions of the buccal surface of the tooth to determine the linear deviation in the three axes (x, y, and z). Reliability was determined by intraclass-correlation coefficient, differences between M1 and M2 determined by t test, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the data at the C-M-O regions. Results Excellent reliability was assessed by Cronbach alpha >0.9 on the x-y-z axes for both mobility tested, except for M1-C X (0.85), M1-M Y (0.89), and M2-M Z (0.89). The correlation between the examiners demonstrated excellent (˃0.90) or good (0.75˃ x ˂0.90) consistency, except for M1-C Y (0.73; examiner 1 to 2) and M1-M X (0.69; examiners 1 to 3). Significant changes were detected in all axes at the three reference points comparing M1 and M2, and a similar proportional change was observed between O-M-C reference points for M1 and M2. Conclusion A novel technique to assess tooth mobility based on intraoral scanner measurements provided reliable data in an in vitro experiment.
Connexin 43 hemichannels mediate spatial and temporal disease spread in ALS

Connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junctions and hemichannels mediate astrocyte intercellular communication in the central nervous system under normal conditions and may contribute to astrocyte-mediated neurotoxicity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here we show that astrocyte-specific knockout of Cx43 in a mouse model of ALS slows disease progression both spatially and temporally, provides motor neuron (MN) protection, and improves survival. In human ALS tissues and biofluids, we observe that higher levels of Cx43 correlate with accelerated disease progression. Using human iPSC-derived astrocytes (hiPSC-A) from both familial and sporadic ALS, we show that Cx43 is upregulated and that Cx43-hemichannels are enriched at the astrocyte membrane. We then demonstrate that the pharmacological blockade of Cx43-hemichannels in ALS astrocytes, during a specific temporal window, provides neuroprotection of hiPSC-MN and reduces ALS astrocyte-mediated neuronal hyperexcitability. Our data identify Cx43 hemichannels as novel conduits of astrocyte-mediated disease progression and a pharmacological target for disease-modifying ALS therapies.
C-6 glioma cells of early passage have progenitor properties in culture.

Although considerable progress has been made in the last decade in our understanding of the role of glial cells in neuronal development and function, the factors which regulate glia cell growth and function are only recently being investigated (see refs in review Vernadakis, 1988). C-6 glioma cells have provided a useful model to study glial cell properties, glial factors and sensitivity of glial cells to various substances and conditions. In an early study, we reported (Parker et al, 1980) that C-6 glioma cells, 2B clone, exhibited differential enzyme expression with cell passage: the activity of cyclic nucleotide phosphohydrolase (CNP) an enzyme marker for oligodendrocytes (Poduslo and Norton, 1972; Poduslo, 1975) was markedly high and that of glutamine synthetase (GS), an enzyme marker for astrocytes (Martinez-Hernandez et al, 1977; Norenberg and Martinez-Hernandez, 1979) was low in early passages (up to passage 26) and this relationship was reversed in the late passages (beyond passage 70)