cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do we still believe in the dopamine hypothesis? New data bring new evidence

Schizophrenia is characterized by positive symptoms, negative symptoms and cognitive impairment. The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia postulates that an excess of dopamine subcortically is associated with the positive symptoms. At the same time, the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are thought to arise from a deficit of dopamine in the cortex. Evidence for the co-existence of subcortical dopamine excess and cortical dopamine deficit in the schizophrenic brain is presented. Neuroreceptor-imaging techniques, such as SPECT and PET, have been used to provide that evidence. After amphetamine challenge (to stimulate dopamine release), dopamine transmission was substantially increased in the brains of schizophrenic subjects compared with healthy controls. In addition, amphetamine challenge was associated with an increase in positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Furthermore, acute dopamine depletion studies indicated that there was an increased occupancy of D2 receptors by dopamine at baseline in schizophrenia in comparison with healthy controls. This is consistent with the notion of hyperstimulation of D2 receptors in schizophrenia. In the cortex, dopamine type-1 (D1) receptors were found to be up-regulated in patients with schizophrenia compared to controls; in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region involved in working memory, this increase correlated with a poor performance on the n-back task. The up-regulation of D1 receptors may represent a compensatory effect of the dopamine deficit in the cortex. These findings provide evidence for a corticalsubcortical imbalance in the schizophrenic brain.
Identification and Characterization of Pituitary Triose‐Phosphate Isomerase

Several pituitary preparations from various species, including two purified follicle-stimulating hormone preparations, inhibited the D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction. The active factor in those preparations that caused the apparent inhibition has been identified as an enzyme, triose phosphate isomerase. Using D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate as the substrate, the optimum pH for the isomerization reaction is 8.4. The partially purified enzyme has a specific activity of 34 μmol dihydroxyacetone phosphate isomerized × min−1× mg protein−1. The Km of the enzyme for D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate is 0.79 mM, and the Km for dihydroxyacetone phosphate is 1.53 mM. Half of the enzyme activity is lost in 7 min at 55°C. The molecular weight of the enzyme is estimated to be 56000. The electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme differs from that of the muscle enzyme supplied by Sigma indicating a difference in amino acid composition between the two enzymes. Electrophoresis revealed the presence of two to three isozymes of the pituitary triose phosphate isomerase.
Probing affective pictures: Attended startle and tone probes

Reflexive eyeblinks to a startle probe vary with the pleasantness of affective pictures, whereas the corresponding P300 varies with emotional arousal. The impact of attention to the probe on these effects was examined by varying task and probe type. Probes were either nonstartling tones or startling noises presented during affective picture viewing. Half the participants performed a task requiring attention to the probes; the other participants were told to ignore the probes. Blinks to the startle probe varied with picture pleasantness for both task and nontask conditions. In contrast, P300 magnitudes for both startle and tone probes were reduced during emotionally arousing pictures, irrespective of pleasantness, in task and nontask conditions. Further, attending to the startle probe prompted an augmentation of N100 during unpleasant pictures. The data suggest that affective modulation of probe responses reflects obligatory processes in picture perception.
Study of Turkish Bridge Standards Involving a Reinforced Concrete Arch Bridge

Turkish bridge design standards were studied with a focus on the live load. Turkish design specifications were compared with American design specifications. Turkish bridge design specifications follow American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials-Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges (AASHTO-SSHB), with the live load in Turkish standards given in tonnes, whereas in AASHTO-SSHB the live load is in tons. Turkish bridges are currently designed to either HS20 or HS30, the latter being 65% heavier than HS20-44. A reinforced concrete open spandrel arch bridge in Birecik, Turkey was analyzed using a service load approach according to AASHTO-SSHB with a heavy equipment transporter (HET), weighing 104,600 kg, as the live load. Dead load, live load, and impact were considered, and the analysis did not include any modification for possible deterioration, damage, or aging of the bridge. The bridge was not deemed adequate for passage of a HET using these assumptions.
Photoreceptor cells with profound structural deficits can support useful vision in mice.

PURPOSE In animal models of degenerative photoreceptor disease, there has been some success in restoring photoreception by transplanting stem cell-derived photoreceptor cells into the subretinal space. However, only a small proportion of transplanted cells develop extended outer segments, considered critical for photoreceptor cell function. The purpose of this study was to determine whether photoreceptor cells that lack a fully formed outer segment could usefully contribute to vision. METHODS Retinal and visual function was tested in wild-type and Rds mice at 90 days of age (Rds(P90)). Photoreceptor cells of mice homozygous for the Rds mutation in peripherin 2 never develop a fully formed outer segment. The electroretinogram and multielectrode recording of retinal ganglion cells were used to test retinal responses to light. Three distinct visual behaviors were used to assess visual capabilities: the optokinetic tracking response, the discrimination-based visual water task, and a measure of the effect of vision on wheel running. RESULTS Rds(P90) mice had reduced but measurable electroretinogram responses to light, and exhibited light-evoked responses in multiple types of retinal ganglion cells, the output neurons of the retina. In optokinetic and discrimination-based tests, acuity was measurable but reduced, most notably when contrast was decreased. The wheel running test showed that Rds(P90) mice needed 3 log units brighter luminance than wild type to support useful vision (10 cd/m(2)). CONCLUSIONS Photoreceptors that lack fully formed outer segments can support useful vision. This challenges the idea that normal cellular structure needs to be completely reproduced for transplanted cells to contribute to useful vision.
Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS) and Irritant-Induced Asthma

Irritant-induced asthma signifies nonallergic asthma without latency or immunological sensitization. The acute sudden-onset type that appears within 24-h after a single, massive irritant gas, vapor, or fume exposure is coined Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS). Almost all cases are accidental and arise without warning such as with an unanticipated explosion, accidental release of irritant(s) held under pressure, activities taking place in a confined space and/or emissions of smoke and irritant gases accompanying a fire. Presumably in some poorly understood manner, the massive irritant exposure leads to persistent airway inflammation, altered airway remodeling, sustained airway hyperresponsiveness and asthmatic symptoms. A second type of irritant-induced asthma emerges not as suddenly as RADS. Individuals are repeatedly exposed to non-massive levels of irritants over a few days, weeks, or months and eventually develop clinical asthma. Ostensibly, this type of asthma is associated with a preexisting susceptibility including asthma in clinical remission or stability. The long-term outcome of subjects with irritant-induced asthma is similar to subjects with allergic occupational asthma. The treatment of irritant-induced asthma is similar to the treatment afforded patients suffering with other types of adult-onset asthma.
The Right to Devolution in Nunavut

When Canada signed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in 1993, it committed to create a new territory, Nunavut, as an Inuit homeland in the Canadian Eastern Arctic. Parliament fulfilled this promise with the passage of the Nunavut Act, and the new territory came into existence on April 1, 1999. The Act reversed what had been Canada's colonial policy, which required a settler majority for the creation of a regional government. Nevertheless, the Government of Nunavut remains a creature of statute, and has only such powers as Parliament has devolved to it. To date, these devolved powers do not include jurisdiction over lands and resources. Nunavut is the only place in Canada where Canadian citizens may not elect a sub-national legislature empowered to make fundamental decisions about the land beneath their feet.This Article explores the implications of this jurisdictional imbalance on Canada's security posture in the Arctic. As the sea ice melts, and as much as a trillion dollars of oil and gas become profitably extractable, decisions over natural resources will be the focus on international engagement and possible dispute. With a comparatively weak military presence, Canadian sovereignty has been borne out primarily in the form of permanent settlement, and the Inuit have played the part of “human flagpoles” in federal Arctic policy. This Article examines the legitimacy concerns inherent in the democratic inequity that non-devolution entails. It argues that the “right to devolution,” as an entitlement of Canadian citizenship, must run parallel to assertions of sovereignty in the Far North.
ILC Detector R&D

Talks: Giulio Villani: A MAPS based readout for Tera-Pixel EM calorimeter at the ILC Yasuo Arai: Electronics and Sensor Study with the OKI SOI process Robert Wieland: 3D System Integration for high density interconnects Christian Kreidl: Steering and Readout chips for DEPFET sensor matrices Peter Murray: Development of an ASIC for readout of CCD’s at the vertex detector of the ILC Pierre Barrillon: MAROC, Multi-Anode Readout Chip Christophe de la Taille: HARDROC, Hadronic RPC detector readout chip Jean-Francois Genat: A 130nm CMOS evaluation digitizer chip for Si strip readout at the ILC Peter Gottlicher: System aspects of the ILC electronics and power pulsing Marc Weber: Power distribution for sLHC trackers: challenges and solutions Giulio Villani: Serial powering of silicon sensors Posters: David Cussans: A simple test beam trigger and event tagging unit for ILC test beams Frederic Dulocq: Digital part of SiPM integrated readout chip asic for ILC hadronic calorimeter Enrico Pozzati: MAPS in 130nm and 90nm triple well CMOS technologies for HEP applications Ludovic Raux: SPIROC, dedicated very front-end electronics for an ILC prototype hadronic calorimeter with SiPM readout Julien Fleury: SKIROC, a front-end chip to readout the imaging Si-W calorimeter for the ILC
Natural Resources, Weak State and Civil War: Can Rents Help Coup Prone Regimes?

New discoveries of oil and gas are projected to occur in poor countries with weak governance and political institutions. Are such countries at an increased risk of civil war? We argue that regime weakness has different characteristics, which influence whether natural resources moderate or exacerbate the risk that such weakness leads to civil war. We see weak leaders as having a credibility problem either vis-a-vis outsider opposition groups or the insider elites supporting the regime. Natural resources have the potential to further aggravate the problem of weak leaders by increasing relative depravation and chances for collective action for outsider groups, or by making financing rebellion easier and allowing leaders the resources to invest in further exclusion mechanisms. However, natural resource wealth may allow weak leaders to purchase their way out of a credibility problems vis-a-vis their inner elite circles. In particular, for regimes at risk of coup d’etat, the availability of substantial resources is more likely to be channeled in ways that deter rebellion (the military and rents), plausibly countering the grievances generates by natural resources and rebels’ viewing of such resources as a prize for taking over the state.
A Hedonic Price Comparison of Manufactured and Site-Built Homes in the Non-MSA U.S.

This study used the hedonic price technique to focus on a housing characteristic that has been studied infrequently: whether a home is site-built or manufactured. Two hedonic price regression models were used to determine the predictive power of construction type on home price. The first, which controlled for factors found to relate to home prices in previous research, showed a significant difference between the prices of the two types of homes. The second, which also included other variables through a stepwise regression, found that the type of construction had more predictive power than any other explanatory variable in the model.
Real-world Islands in a Social Media Sea: Nationalism and Censorship on Weibo during the 2012 Diaoyu/Senkaku Crisis

During August and September 2012, Sino-Japanese conflict over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands escalated. Alongside street demonstrations in China, there was an outpouring of public sentiment on China's leading micro-blog, Sina Weibo (微波). Using human and computer-assisted content analysis, we exploit original Weibo data to measure how public sentiment in China fluctuated over the dispute, and ask two questions. First, how cohesive and volatile were online nationalist sentiments? Second, we measure government censorship of Weibo in order to ask which sentiments did authorities allow to be expressed, and when? We first find that many of the micro-bloggers' harshest invective was directed not at Japan but at their own government. Second, while censorship remained high across topics for most of the dispute, it plummeted on 18 August – the same day as bloggers' anger at Beijing peaked. These observations suggest three theoretical explanations: two are instrumental-strategic (“audience costs” and “safety valve”) and one is ideational (elite identification with protesters).
Using Agricultural Residue Biochar to Improve Soil Quality of Desert Soils

A laboratory study was conducted to test the effects of biochars made from different feedstocks on soil quality indicators of arid soils. Biochars were produced from four locally-available agricultural residues: pecan shells, pecan orchard prunings, cotton gin trash, and yard waste, using a lab-scale pyrolyzer operated at 450 °C under a nitrogen environment and slow pyrolysis conditions. Two local arid soils used for crop production, a sandy loam and a clay loam, were amended with these biochars at a rate of 45 Mg·ha−1 and incubated for three weeks in a growth chamber. The soils were analyzed for multiple soil quality indicators including soil organic matter content, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and available nutrients. Results showed that amendment with cotton gin trash biochar has the greatest impact on both soils, significantly increasing SOM and plant nutrient (P, K, Ca, Mn) contents, as well as increasing the electrical conductivity, which creates concerns about soil salinity. Other biochar treatments significantly elevated soil salinity in clay loam soil, except for pecan shell biochar amended soil, which was not statistically different in EC from the control treatment. Generally, the effects of the biochar amendments were minimal for many soil measurements and varied with soil texture. Effects of biochars on soil salinity and pH/nutrient availability will be important considerations for research on biochar application to arid soils.
Current Drug Therapy for Underactive Bladder

Muscarinic agonists are the most commonly used drugs for treating the underactive bladder (UAB). Many clinicians who treat UAB patients will use bethanechol but most physicians will also acknowledge that bethanechol is not helpful for the majority of their UAB patients. Clinical utility of current parasympathomimetic treatment of UAB is limited by low pharmacologic specificity for the urinary bladder and common side effects. This chapter will review the use of parasympathetic agents to treat UAB. This will be followed by chapters that will focus on advances in treatment of UAB including Chaps. 7, 8, 9, and 10.
The diagnosis of staphylococcal mastitis, with special reference to the characteristics of mastitis staphylococci.

It is now recognized that staphylococci may cause either an acute or chronic type of bovine mastitis. In some herds they may produce a greater incidence of infection than Streptococcus agalactice, and they are often of special concern in herds in which streptococcal mastitis has been eliminated. However, there is still lack of information as to the most suitable tests or criteria for the diagnosis of staphylococcal mastitis. More information is also needed regarding the characteristics of the staphylococci causing infection in the bovine udder.
Chemical Carcinogenesis in Birds. A Review

Abstract AN HISTORICAL consideration of cancer research discloses a situation which Greenstein (1954) summarizes succinctly as “a monstrous and amorphous literature, controversial, often hastily ambitious, and frequently haunted by the ghosts of countless once hopeful and dazzling hypotheses.” Frequent attempts have been made to collect and organize this extensive literature (Hirschberg, 1957). In the area of avian neoplasms, a number of excellent reviews have been published (see e.g., Claude and Murphy, 1933; Peacock, 1958a; Shrigley, 1951). It is the purpose of this paper to compile the literature concerning chemically induced avian tumors, with emphasis on that segment which discusses the transmission of these neoplasms. Such a review is not available at present. Consideration has been given to much of the recent literature dealing with the Rous sarcoma because of its significance and application to studies of chemically induced avian neoplasms and their transmissibility. 3 CHEMICALLY INDUCED AVIAN CARCINOMAS Spontaneous neoplastic diseases are…
Rabbit CRP response to endotoxin administration: dose-response relationship and kinetics.

SummaryThe duration of the period of net CRP production and the amount of CRP formed by rabbits in response to intravenous administration of endotoxin was directly related to the dose of endotoxin administered. Serum CRP concentration increased exponentially after endotoxin injection, with a mean doubling time of 7.3 ± 1.8 hr. In 71% of rabbits, the phase of exponential increase in CRP concentration appeared to begin immediately after injection, while an average lag period of 6 hr was noted in the remainder. The data suggests that mediators inducing CRP synthesis by the liver act in an all-or-none manner, the amount of CRP formation depending on the duration of the mediating stimulus.
PO-0993 Epidemiology Of Drug Overdose/poisoning In Paediatric Population In A Single Centre Over 2 Year Period

Bagkround Unintentional ingestion of toxic substances (cigarette), drug overdose and mucosal injuries due to corrosive liquate (house cleaners, batteries) remains common paediatric problem, with estimated annual admissions 94/100,000 population. Methods We retrospectively recorded all patients admitted due to drug overdose-toxic/corrosive substance ingestion to the 3rd Department of First Paediatrics, of the National University of Athens Greece, from 3/2012–3/2014. Results In total 190 patients were recorded, with mean age 41 ± 39 months. The study population was further divided into 4 age-groups: babies (0–12 months), toddlers (1–3 years), prepubertal children (4–8 years) and teenagers (>9 years). Males were predominant in younger age (68%, 57% and 62% in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively), while females were predominant during pubertal age (75%), (p 24 h (p Conclusion Young males with unintentional cigarette ingestion/drug overdose, or teenage females with alcohol/drug overdose comprise the profile of our typical patient. Despite the initial family stress, 25% of the patients are shortly after admission self-discharged.
High temperature during grain fill alters the morphology of protein and starch deposits in the starchy endosperm cells of developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain.

High temperature during grain fill reduces wheat yield and alters flour quality. Starchy endosperm cell morphology was investigated in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Butte 86') grain produced under a 24/17 or 37/28 °C day/night regimen imposed from anthesis to maturity to identify changes in cell structure related to the functional properties of flour. The duration of grain fill decreased substantially under the 37/28 °C regimen, but, like the 24/17 °C regimen, endosperm cells in the mature grain were packed with starch and protein. However, A-type starch granules increased in number, decreased in size, and exhibited pitting; B-type granules decreased in both number and size; and the protein matrix was proportionally greater in endosperm cells of grain produced under the 37/28 °C regimen. Such changes in starch granule number, size, and structure and in protein amount are known to contribute to variations in wheat flour quality.
Study on hydraulic characteristics of new bell suction duct in large-scale pumping stations

Bell suction duct is one of the most important forms adopted in large-scale pumping stations.To enhance economic benefit and running stability in the lower atmospheric pressure areas such as Yunnan,a new design principle was put forward in this paper.The main idea was to keep the stream-wise decreasing rate of the flow cross-sectional area approximately a constant.Numerical analyses were carried out to study the hydraulic characteristics of the new bell suction duct.The results show that at the duct outlet the velocity-weighted average angle and the velocity distribution coefficient are nearly equal to the ideal values.The exit flow fully meets the requirements of the impeller.In addition,the investment of water-cooled thermal power plant can be saved if this new type bell suction duct is adopted.Thus this technology provides a new type of theory and method to large-sized pumping stations.
Monitoring of cardiac output by thermodilution after open-heart surgery

One hundred twenty-five separate cardiac output determinations were obtained after open-heart surgery in 10 patients by simultaneous use of thermodilution and dye-dilution techniques. Mean thermodilution cardiac output was 1.6 per cent greater than mean dye-dilution cardiac output (5.24 versus 5.16 L. per minute). Reproducibility of thermodilution cardiac output (coefficient of variation, 8.6 per cent) was superior to that of dye-dilution cardiac output (coefficient of variation, 12.3 per cent) for outputs ranging from 2.5 to 8.7 L. per minute (p
Introduction to Mathematical Economics

Over the course of years applied mathematical economics has developed in three phases: understanding of the concept of economic equilibrium through equations and algebraic systems, analysis of optimization and stability in relation to economic theory and lastly, problems of modeling large-scale economic systems. The last phase is still continuing and includes such topics as: econometric modeling, disequilibrium analysis, and modeling economic policy as stochastic control and differential games. Besides, there are abstract constructions like purely exchange economies, super game models, and abstract general equilibrium models involving random elements.
Intestinal Failure in Children

Children with intestinal failure have had improved survival, particularly those with extreme short bowel syndrome, over the last 10-15 y. This has been attributed to better understanding of the pathophysiology of intestinal failure, improvement in line care, recognition of the importance of a team approach as well as the progress of intestinal transplant as a viable option. Parenteral nutrition remains the cornerstone for the continual survival of these patients. This review will cover contemporary approaches to intestinal failure including post surgical approaches, non-transplant surgery, dietetic and medication approaches during the adaptation process, considerations for home parenteral nutrition and latest in intestinal transplantation.
IP3 Receptor Isoform Dependence of the ER-Mitochondrial CA2+-Transfer in Mammalian Cells

IP3 receptors (IP3Rs) mediate Ca2+ release from the ER to the cytosol and can relay Ca2+ signals locally to mitochondria. The IP3R family is composed by three isoforms (type 1,2 and 3) showing heterogeneous structure, function and tissue distribution. In some paradigms specific IP3R isoforms were shown to be enriched close to and support Ca2+ transfer locally to the mitochondria. Until recently, a mammalian system allowing systematic evaluation of each isoform has remained unavailable. The establishment of IP3R triple knock out (TKO) HEK cells and rescue with different IP3R isoforms tagged with a common biochemical tag provided new opportunities to test the hypothesis that IP3R isoforms are equal in terms of coupling to the mitochondria. To study Ca2+ coupling between ER and mitochondria we used WT HEK cells and TKO cells acutely and stably rescued by the different isoforms of IP3Rs. Ca2+-signaling was induced by an IP3-generating agonist, carbachol. To measure changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) we transfected cells with the genetically-encoded Ca2+ sensor CEPIA targeted to the mitochondrial matrix (mtCEPIA), changes in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) were measured by FURA-2 AM simultaneously. WT HEK cells showed a marked increase in [Ca2+]c followed by a fast rise in [Ca2+]m with the coupling time of 0.94 ±0.22 s (n=56) while TKO cells showed no changes in [Ca2+]c and [Ca2+]m to agonist stimulation. Acute and stable type 1, 2 or 3 IP3R rescue TKO cells regained [Ca2+]c responses and also showed a [Ca2+]m increase. Quantitative analysis of the Ca2+ transfer efficiency to the mitochondria and the localization of each IP3R isoform relative to the mitochondria are currently pursued. In summary, we have validated a new model for the study of IP3R-mediated local Ca2+ signaling between the ER and mitochondria, allowing us to determine the specific function of each isoform in these processes.
Moderate Increase in TCO2 Enhances Photosynthesis of Seagrass Zostera japonica, but Not Zostera marina: Implications for Acidification Mitigation

Photosynthesis and respiration are vital biological processes that shape the diurnal variability of carbonate chemistry in nearshore waters, presumably ameliorating (daytime) or exacerbating (nighttime) short-term acidification events, which are expected to increase in severity with ocean acidification (OA). Biogenic habitats such as seagrass beds have the capacity to reduce CO2 concentration and potentially provide refugia from OA. Further, some seagrasses have been shown to increase their photosynthetic rate in response to enriched total CO2 (TCO2). Therefore, the ability of seagrass to mitigate OA may increase as concentrations of TCO2 increase. In this study, we exposed native Zostera marina and non-native Zostera japonica seagrasses from Padilla Bay, WA (USA) to various levels of irradiance and TCO2. Our results indicate that the average maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax) for Z. japonica as a function of irradiance and TCO2 was 3x greater than Z. marina when standardized to chlorophyll (360 ± 33 μmol TCO2 mg chl-1 h-1 and 113 ± 10 μmol TCO2 mg chl-1 h-1, respectively). Additionally, Z. japonica increased its Pmax ~50% when TCO2 increased from ~1770 to 2051 μmol TCO2 kg-1. In contrast, Z. marina did not display an increase in Pmax with higher TCO2, possibly due to the variance of photosynthetic rates at saturating irradiance within TCO2 treatments (coefficient of variation: 30–60%) relative to the range of TCO2 tested. Our results suggest that Z. japonica can affect the OA mitigation potential of seagrass beds, and its contribution may increase relative to Z. marina as oceanic TCO2 rises. Further, we extended our empirical results to incorporate various biomass to water volume ratios in order to conceptualize how these additional attributes affect changes in carbonate chemistry. Estimates show that the change in TCO2 via photosynthetic carbon uptake as modeled in this study can produce positive diurnal changes in pH and aragonite saturation state that are on the same order of magnitude as those estimated for whole seagrass systems. Based on our results, we predict that seagrasses Z. marina and Z. japonica both have the potential to produce short-term changes in carbonate chemistry thus offsetting anthropogenic acidification when irradiance is saturating.
Non-traditional animal models for advancing fertility preservation studies in humans

Sustaining viable populations of any wildlife species requires a combination of adequate habitat protection as well as a good understanding of environmental and biological factors (including reproductive mechanisms) that ensure species survival. Thousands of species are under threat of extinction due to habitat loss/degradation, over-exploitation, pollution, disease, alien species invasions and urban sprawl. This has served as incentive for intensive management of animal populations, both ex situ (in captivity) and in situ (living in their natural habitat). Assisted reproductive technologies developed for addressing human infertility and enhancing livestock production have shown encouraging promise for wildlife species. However, species-specific physiological variations and a general lack of fundamental knowledge have limited how these tools can be used to help rapidly re-build sustainable populations of endangered species. Despite limitations, there is enormous potential in applying human-related fertility preservation strategies to wild animals, especially approaches that could assist managing or ‘rescuing’ the genomes of genetically valuable individuals. Indeed, one of the highest priorities in wildlife ex situ management is sustaining all existing genetic diversity to (1) preserve heterozygosity to avoid inbreeding depression and (2) ensure species integrity and the persistence of genomic adaptability to environmental changes. There are specific components of the rapidly emerging field of fertility preservation in men and women that are highly compatible with preserving valuable genomes of individuals or populations of threatened wildlife. Besides the more ‘classical’ approaches focusing on sperm and oocyte freezing, strategies associated with gonadal tissue cryopreservation and in vitro culture are especially attractive for better protecting and extending fertility for rare and endangered individuals. Likewise, lessons learned over the last decades in wildlife reproductive biology (either from wild or captive populations) are highly relevant to the advancement of human health and fertility. Additionally, studies conducted at the molecular or cellular level always are linked to physiological investigations in wild individuals or entire populations and take into account the interactions with the environment. The substantial amount of scholarly knowledge generated by multispecies and comparative approaches therefore is critical to better understand and mitigate complex issues affecting human beings (fertility, contraception, impact of the environmental changes). Comparative approaches in fertility preservation could benefit to the intensive and practical management of gene diversity in endangered species and lead to translational tools for human reproductive medicine.
Grazing Preferences and Vegetation Feedbacks of the Fire-Grazing Interaction in the Northern Great Plains

Abstract The fire-grazing interaction is well studied in mesic grasslands worldwide, but research is limited in semiarid systems. We examined the principal drivers and feedbacks of the fire-grazing interaction on the strength of cattle grazing selection, herbaceous biomass, crude protein, and vegetation structure and composition in two pastures in the Northern Great Plains. Cattle showed significant preference, use, and grazing utilization in recently burned patches that declined as time since fire increased. Cattle selection was driven by significantly increased crude protein in recent burns. Grazing utilization of 70% in patches with
Habitat loss and fragmentation reduce effective gene flow by disrupting seed dispersal in a neotropical palm

Habitat loss and fragmentation often reduce gene flow and genetic diversity in plants by disrupting the movement of pollen and seed. However, direct comparisons of the contributions of pollen vs. seed dispersal to genetic variation in fragmented landscapes are lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we partitioned the genetic diversity contributed by male gametes from pollen sources and female gametes from seed sources within established seedlings of the palm Oenocarpus bataua in forest fragments and continuous forest in northwest Ecuador. This approach allowed us to quantify the separate contributions of each of these two dispersal processes to genetic variation. Compared to continuous forest, fragments had stronger spatial genetic structure, especially among female gametes, and reduced effective population sizes. We found that within and among fragments, allelic diversity was lower and genetic structure higher for female gametes than for male gametes. Moreover, female gametic allelic diversity in fragments decreased with decreasing surrounding forest cover, while male gametic allelic diversity did not. These results indicate that limited seed dispersal within and among fragments restricts genetic diversity and strengthens genetic structure in this system. Although pollen movement may also be impacted by habitat loss and fragmentation, it nonetheless serves to promote gene flow and diversity within and among fragments. Pollen and seed dispersal play distinctive roles in determining patterns of genetic variation in fragmented landscapes, and maintaining the integrity of both dispersal processes will be critical to managing and conserving genetic variation in the face of continuing habitat loss and fragmentation in tropical landscapes.
Chaotic Phenomena in Density-Wave Oscillations

The physics of density-wave instabilities is now rather well understood. Density-wave oscillations are caused by the lag introduced into a thermal-hydraulic system by the finite speed of propagation of density perturbations. In principle, density-wave oscillations can occur in both diabatic and adiabatic two-phase systems, and in diabatic single-phase systems.
Cooperation in Pharmacy-Drug Wholesaler Relations

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between characteristics of pharmacy—wholesaler relations and cooperation in those relations.
Abstract 2794: A novel bis-aspirinyl selenazolidine compound AS-10 as potential colon cancer therapeutic

Despite rigorous screening and aggressive surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women and the second leading cause in men in the United States. It is expected to cause about 50,260 deaths during 2017 (American Cancer Society). The 5-year survival rate for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is 64%, although for patients who present with distant metastases at diagnosis the 5 year survival is only 12%. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic strategies that will enhance the survival and improve quality of life of CRC patients. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly aspirin, have recently been shown to be effective in reducing colon cancer incidences and are proposed to be effective CRC chemopreventive agents. Through extensive structure activity relationship (SAR) studies based on designing selenium-NSAID hybrid small molecules, we have identified a small drug-like molecule, AS-10, which contains two aspirinyl groups flanked to a selenazolidine ring. AS-10 effectively inhibited the viability of CRC cells (HT29, RKO, and HCT116) with an EC50 in the range of 1 to 2.5 µM. Interestingly, AS-10 showed more selectivity towards killing cancer cells than normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and was >50 times more potent than current standard of care, 5-FU, for in killing CRC cells. Cell cycle studies revealed AS-10 treated CRC cells to have G1 and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Further, increasing protein expression of cell cycle inhibitory protein p21 confirmed our cell cycle findings in AS-10 treated CRC cells. Since these CRC cell lines are p53 mutant cells, it was noteworthy to see p53 independent expression of p21. Moreover, we explored the possibility of apoptosis in these cell cycle arrested cells and found that AS-10 treatment increased casapse 3/7 activity, and cells positive for phosphatidylserine on the outer cell membrane surface indicative of apoptosis. In silico evaluation shows that AS-10 with cLogP 2.2 and MW 473 fits perfectly into the requirements of Lipinski9s Rule-of-Five, formulated to determine the drug-likeness of a small molecule. In addition, in nude mice, AS-10 exhibited a high maximum tolerated dose (MTD) (~80 mg/kg, IP, three times per week). Furthermore, AS-10 (45 mg/kg, IP, three times per week) effectively inhibited tumor growth by ~70% in a nude mouse colon cancer xenograft model without any apparent systemic toxicity. Overall, AS-10 appears to be a promising small molecule worthy of further development as a therapeutic for CRC patients. Citation Format: Deepkamal N. Karelia, Manoj Pandey, Daniel Plano, Shantu Amin, Arun K. Sharma. A novel bis-aspirinyl selenazolidine compound AS-10 as potential colon cancer therapeutic [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2794.
Stigma of Addiction in the Media

The media play a significant role in shaping stigmatizing attitudes toward populations experiencing health problems, including addiction. Research suggests that the media often depict individuals experiencing addiction, especially drug addiction, in a negative light. Most causal frames in the media have emphasized individual culpability in explaining addiction. Given that the news media are a key source of information about health issues for many Americans, such depictions likely contribute to widespread stigmatizing attitudes toward individuals with substance use disorders. In response, several promising efforts at correcting addiction stigma in the media are underway, including ones initiated by the Associated Press and by the US Office of National Drug Control Policy. Moreover, limited experimental research suggests that media narratives can be harnessed for good: messages that combine sympathetic depictions of individuals with substance use disorders with messages about societal barriers to treatment may work to reduce stigmatizing attitudes.
Blunt Pharyngoesophageal Injury: an Overview of a Rare Entity

To characterize the epidemiology, diagnostic approach, management, and outcomes of blunt pharyngoesophageal injuries. These injuries remain exceedingly rare. Clinical symptoms and signs may not be revealing. Most recommendations regarding diagnosis and management are extrapolated from penetrating aerodigestive injuries. High-resolution computerized tomography has emerged as the most useful initial imaging modality that may guide the need for additional studies and/or intervention. Esophagography and endoscopic evaluation remain of paramount importance when an injury is confirmed or suspected as they can assist in determining therapeutic actions. Non-operative management is feasible and should be considered selectively to avoid septic complications. Blunt pharyngoesophageal injuries can be managed similarly to those from penetrating mechanism. The use of computerized tomography should be more liberal to rule out associated injuries, as blunt trauma patients are at risk for having additional occult life-threatening injuries. Non-operative managements should be carefully deployed.
Custom Cementless Femoral Stems in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Obtaining appropriate prosthetic fit in cementless total hip arthroplasty can be challenging in cases with disparity between the femoral and metaphyseal diameters of the femur or cases of complex deformity. One solution has been to utilize a custom femoral component in total hip arthroplasty. The long-term results of this option with respect to femoral morphology are limited. This cohort was analyzed to determine the survivorship, functional results using Harris Hip Scores (HHSs), and complication rates using these implants. Survivorship and complications were evaluated based on the proximal femoral anatomy and severity of arthritis. The authors retrospectively reviewed 73 cases of custom femoral implants in total hip arthroplasties by a single surgeon. The average age of patients at index surgery was 58.06 years (range, 36.00–73.75 years). The mean follow-up was 8.59 years (range, 0.17–20.33 years) with a minimum of 2-year follow-up required for analysis of HHS data. There were 8 failures at a mean of 67.68 months (range, 2.04–135 months). The reasons for revision were infection (2), osteolysis (1), periprosthetic fracture (3), osteolysis and aseptic loosening (1), and polyethylene wear (1). The mean preoperative HHS was 55.38 (range, 31–90). The mean follow-up HHS was 93.10 (range, 38–100) with a mean improvement of 37.44 (p
Essential Office Procedures for Medicare Patients in Primary Care: Comparison With Family Medicine Residency Training

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Demographic trends show an increasing older adult population. Therefore, family medicine training programs may need to reevaluate how well their residents perform clinic procedures essential to older adults. Our objective was to compare the rates of the most frequently performed clinic procedures for Medicare patients in a large multiregional health care system (MRHCS) with those in a family medicine residency clinic. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, Current Procedural Terminology coding data were queried from the billing systems of an MRHCS (the control group) and a family medicine residency clinic (the study group) for a 3-year period. The primary outcome was the procedural rate ratios per 1,000 office visits for the 10 most common clinic procedures in the MRHCS billed to Medicare. RESULTS The study group consisted of 19,099 office visits by Medicare patients to the residency clinic; the control group consisted of 2,034,188 visits to the MRHCS. Except for large joint injection, procedural rates were significantly different for the other nine procedures (destruction of benign skin lesions, nail care, punch or shave skin biopsy, removal of impacted cerumen, wound debridement of skin, Unna boot application, excision of skin lesion, paring of corn or callus, and insertion of bladder catheter). The rate of skin excision was higher in the residency clinic than in the MRHCS but lower for the other eight procedures. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that teaching programs may need to adapt to meet the current and future practice needs of this increasing patient population.
Examining Peripheral and Tumor Cellular Immunome in Patients With Cancer

Immunotherapies are rapidly being integrated into standard of care (SOC) therapy in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for many cancers and a large number of clinical studies continue to explore immunotherapy alone and as part of combination therapies in patients with cancer. It is evident that clinical effectiveness of immunotherapy is limited to a subset of patients and improving immunotherapy related outcomes remains a major scientific and clinical effort. Understanding the immune cell subset phenotype and activation/functional status (cellular immunome) prior to and post therapy is therefore critical to develop biomarkers that (1) will predict if a patient will respond to immunotherapy and (2) are a result of immunotherapy. In this study, we investigated local (tumor) and peripheral (blood) cellular immunome of patients with melanoma, breast cancer, and brain cancer using a rapid and reliable standardized, multiparameter flow cytometry assay. We used this approach to monitor changes in the peripheral cellular immunome in women with breast cancer undergoing SOC therapy. Our analysis is unique because it is conducted using matched fresh tumor tissue and blood from patients in real-time, within 2-3 h of sample acquisition, and provides insight into the innate and adaptive immune cell profile in blood and tumor. Specific to blood, this approach involves no manipulation and evaluates all immune subsets such as T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils using 0.5 ml of blood. Analysis of the corresponding tumor provides much needed insight into the phenotype and activation status of immune cells, especially T and B cells, in the tumor microenvironment vs. the periphery. This analysis will be used to assess baseline and therapy-mediated changes in local and peripheral cellular immunome in patients with glioblastoma, breast cancer, and melanoma in planned immunotherapy clinical studies.
Multiscale Asymptotics for the Skeleton of the Madden-Julian Oscillation and Tropical-Extratropical Interactions (Open Access)

Abstract : A new model is derived and analyzed for tropicalextratropical interactions involving the MaddenJulian oscillation (MJO). The model combines (i) the tropical dynamics of the MJO and equatorial baroclinic waves and (ii) the dynamics of barotropic Rossby waves with significant extratropical structure, and the combined system has a conserved energy. The method of multiscale asymptotics is applied to systematically derive a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for three-wave resonant interactions. Two novel features are (i) a degenerate auxiliary problem with over determined equations due to a compatibility condition (meridional geostrophic balance) and (ii) cubic self-interaction terms that are not typically found in three-wave resonance ODEs. Several examples illustrate applications to MJO initiation and termination, including cases of (i) the MJO, equatorial baroclinic Rossby waves, and barotropic Rossby waves interacting, and (ii) the MJO, baroclinic Kelvin waves, and barotropic Rossby waves interacting. Resonance with the Kelvin wave is not possible here if only dry variables are considered, but it occurs in the moist model here through interactions with water vapor and convective activity.
Action at a distance: laser acupuncture and the brain

Abstract One of the more mysterious applications of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is laser acupuncture (LA). Defined as the nonthermal stimulation of traditional acupuncture or reflex points with a low-level laser, LA differs from the broader field of PBMT in that the irradiated points are not necessarily the target of the intended effect but, instead, are chosen based on traditional Chinese medicine theory or an associated bodily system, usually to achieve a nonlocal or systemic result. Despite its growing popularity in the West, relative safety and rapidly expanding body of research showing clinical efficacy for many conditions, a clear mechanism of action through which acupuncture exerts its effects on human physiology is lacking, and the same is even more true for LA. This chapter will provide an introduction to acupuncture theory and science as it relates to current brain research to provide context for the discussion of the effects of the modern development of LA and its unique ability to influence the function of the brain.