cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revising the “Rule of Three” for inferring seizure freedom

SUMMARY Purpose: How long after starting a new medication must a patient go without seizures before they can be regarded as seizure-free? A recent International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) task force proposed using a ‘‘Rule of Three’’ as an operational definition of seizure freedom, according to which a patient should be considered seizure-free following an intervention after a period without seizures has elapsed equal to three times the longest preintervention interseizure interval over the previous year. This rule was motivated in large part by statistical considerations advanced in a classic 1983 paper by Hanley and Lippman-Hand. However, strict adherence to the statistical logic of this rule generally requires waiting much longer than recommended by the ILAE task force. Therefore, we set out to determine whether an alternative approach to the Rule of Three might be possible, and under what conditions the rule may be expected to hold or would need to be extended. Methods: Probabilistic modeling and application of Bayes’ rule. Key Findings: We find that an alternative approach to the problem of inferring seizure freedom supports using the Rule of Three in the way proposed by the ILAE in many cases, particularly in evaluating responses to a first trial of antiseizure medication, and to favorably-selected epilepsy surgical candidates. In cases where the a priori odds of success are less favorable, our analysis requires longer seizure-free observation periods before declaring seizure freedom, up to six times the average preintervention interseizure interval. Thekey to our approach is totake into account not only the time elapsed without seizures but also empirical data regarding the a priori probability of achieving seizure freedom conferred by a particular intervention. Significance: In many cases it may be reasonable to consider a patient seizure-free after they have gone without seizures for a period equal to three times the preintervention interseizure interval, as proposed on pragmatic grounds in a recent ILAE position paper, although in other commonly encountered cases a waiting time up to six times this interval is required. In this work we have provided a coherent theoretical basis for modified criterion for seizure freedom, which we call the ‘‘Rule of Three
The DNA replication priming protein, PriA, is required for homologous recombination and double-strand break repair.

The PriA protein, a component of the phiX174-type primosome, was previously shown to be essential for damage-inducible DNA replication in Escherichia coli, termed inducible stable DNA replication. Here, we show that priA::kan null mutants are defective in transductional and conjugational homologous recombination and are hypersensitive to mitomycin C and gamma rays, which cause double-strand breaks. The introduction of a plasmid carrying the priA300 allele, which encodes a mutant PriA protein capable of catalyzing the assembly of an active primosome but which is missing the n9-pas-dependent ATPase, helicase, and translocase activities associated with PriA, alleviates the defects of priA::kan mutants in homologous recombination, double-strand break repair, and inducible stable DNA replication. Furthermore, spa-47, which was isolated as a suppressor of the broth sensitivity of priA::kan mutants, suppresses the Rec- and mitomycin C sensitivity phenotypes of priA::kan mutants. The spa-47 suppressor mutation maps within or very near dnaC. These results suggest that PriA-dependent primosome assembly is crucial for both homologous recombination and double-strand break repair and support the proposal that these processes in E. coli involve extensive DNA replication.
Optimal control using an algebraic method for control-affine non-linear systems

A deterministic optimal control problem is solved for a control-affine non-linear system with a non-quadratic cost function. We algebraically solve the Hamilton–Jacobi equation for the gradient of the value function. This eliminates the need to explicitly solve the solution of a Hamilton–Jacobi partial differential equation. We interpret the value function in terms of the control Lyapunov function. Then we provide the stabilizing controller and the stability margins. Furthermore, we derive an optimal controller for a control-affine non-linear system using the state dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) method; this method gives a similar optimal controller as the controller from the algebraic method. We also find the optimal controller when the cost function is the exponential-of-integral case, which is known as risk-sensitive (RS) control. Finally, we show that SDRE and RS methods give equivalent optimal controllers for non-linear deterministic systems. Examples demonstrate the proposed methods.
Analysis of expressed sequence tags for Frankliniella occidentalis, the western flower thrips.

Thrips are members of the insect order Thysanoptera and Frankliniella occidentalis (the western flower thrips) is the most economically important pest within this order. F. occidentalis is both a direct pest of crops and an efficient vector of plant viruses, including Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Despite the world-wide importance of thrips in agriculture, there is little knowledge of the F. occidentalis genome or gene functions at this time. A normalized cDNA library was constructed from first instar thrips and 13 839 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were obtained. Our EST data assembled into 894 contigs and 11 806 singletons (12 700 nonredundant sequences). We found that 31% of these sequences had significant similarity (E[less-than or equal to] 10⁻¹⁰) to protein sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information nonredundant (nr) protein database, and 25% were functionally annotated using B last 2GO. We identified 74 sequences with putative homology to proteins associated with insect innate immunity. Sixteen sequences had significant similarity to proteins associated with small RNA-mediated gene silencing pathways (RNA interference; RNAi), including the antiviral pathway (short interfering RNA-mediated pathway). Our EST collection provides new sequence resources for characterizing gene functions in F. occidentalis and other thrips species with regards to vital biological processes, studying the mechanism of interactions with the viruses harboured and transmitted by the vector, and identifying new insect gene-centred targets for plant disease and insect control.
Customer Racial Discrimination in the Market for Memorabilia: The Case of Baseball

Because consumer discrimination can reduce productivity, it is often impossible to tell whether differential productivity is the effect of discrimination or of differential ability. Detailed data for the sports labor market make it possible to separate consumer discrimination from ability. We use a unique approach to determine whether the entertainment value of baseball players is related to their race: we examine whether race directly affects the value of a player in the market for baseball cards. In contrast to studies that use salaries, there is no room for owner or coworker discrimination. Our evidence supports the hypothesis of consumer discrimination.
Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of carbon materials

Carbon materials for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding are reviewed. They include composite materials, colloidal graphite and flexible graphite. Carbon filaments of submicron diameter are effective for use in composite materials, especially after electroplating with nickel. Flexible graphite is attractive for EMI gaskets.
Validation of the MycoAlign system for Mycobacterium spp. identification

Validation of the MycoAlign assay, a newly developed Mycobacterium spp. identification system based on internal transcribed spacer-1 sequencing, was performed using 50 acid-fast bacilli (AFB)-positive clinical laboratory specimens. Forty-three (86%) diagnostic-level results were obtained, including 38 Mycobacterium spp. and 5 other AFB-positive genera. Three isolates (6%) had suboptimal identity scores with high probability (81-87% identity score). Four (8%) mixed-pattern results were obtained. Forty-five (90%) observations were concordant with the species identification by standard methods, including all controls.
Belt Buckles—Increasing Awareness of Nickel Exposure in Children: A Case Report

Children, especially those with atopic dermatitis, are at risk for nickel sensitization and subsequent dermatitis from metal-containing objects, namely belt buckles. We describe allergic contact dermatitis in 12 children with peri-umbilical nickel dermatitis (with and without generalized involvement) caused by dimethylglyoxime-positive belt buckles. The patients' symptoms resolved with avoidance of the nickel-containing products.
Financial Policies and the Agency Costs of Free Cash Flow:Evidence from the Oil Industry

This study focuses on the long-term investment performance of employee stock options (ESOs) issued by listed companies in Taiwan for their respective employee compensation packages. The results indicate that the detrimental effect on investment performance of the companies manifest three months after the issuance of the ESOs. In addition, companies that own low free cash flow (FCF) have better long-term performance after issuing ESOs. This result supports the FCF theory of Jensen (1986).
Revitalizing a Vital Sign: Improving Detection of Tachypnea at Primary Triage

Study objective This study evaluates the accuracy of emergency department (ED) triage respiratory rate measurement using the usual care method and a new electronic respiratory rate sensor (BioHarness, Zephyr Technology Corp.), both compared to a criterion standard measurement. Methods This is a cross-sectional study with convenience sampling conducted in an urban academic adult ED, including 3 separate respiratory rate measurements performed at ED triage: usual care measurement, electronic BioHarness measurement, and criterion standard measurement. The criterion standard measurement used was defined by the World Health Organization as manual observation or auscultation of respirations for 60 seconds. The resultant usual care and BioHarness measurements were compared with the criterion standard, evaluating accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) for detecting tachypnea, as well as potential systematic biases of usual care and BioHarness measurements using a Bland Altman analysis. Results Of 191 analyzed patients, 44 presented with tachypnea (>20 breaths/min). Relative to criterion standard measurement, usual care measurement had a sensitivity of 23% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12% to 37%) and specificity of 99% (95% CI 97% to 100%) for tachypnea, whereas BioHarness had a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI 80% to 97%) and specificity of 97% (95% CI 93% to 99%) for tachypnea. Usual care measurements clustered around respiratory rates of 16 and 18 breaths/min (n=144), with poor agreement with criterion standard measurement. Conversely, BioHarness measurement closely tracked criterion standard values over the range of respiratory rates. Conclusion Current methods of respiratory rate measurement at ED triage are inaccurate. A new electronic respiratory rate sensor, BioHarness, has significantly greater sensitivity for detecting tachypnea versus usual care method of measurement.
Mixture of time-warped trajectory models for movement decoding

Applications of Brain-Machine-Interfaces typically estimate user intent based on biological signals that are under voluntary control. For example, we might want to estimate how a patient with a paralyzed arm wants to move based on residual muscle activity. To solve such problems it is necessary to integrate obtained information over time. To do so, state of the art approaches typically use a probabilistic model of how the state, e.g. position and velocity of the arm, evolves over time - a so-called trajectory model. We wanted to further develop this approach using two intuitive insights: (1) At any given point of time there may be a small set of likely movement targets, potentially identified by the location of objects in the workspace or by gaze information from the user. (2) The user may want to produce movements at varying speeds. We thus use a generative model with a trajectory model incorporating these insights. Approximate inference on that generative model is implemented using a mixture of extended Kalman filters. We find that the resulting algorithm allows us to decode arm movements dramatically better than when we use a trajectory model with linear dynamics.
Beyond Remittances: Contesting El Salvador's Developmentalist Migration Politics

Resumen En una coyuntura de condiciones cambiantes de migracion y reformulaciones politicas, la estrategia politica de migracion de El Salvador, motivada por las remesas, ha visto nuevas contestaciones. Desde los finales de la guerra civil, el estado neoliberal ha promovido la migracion y las remesas a favor de un imaginario desarrollista y particular de “progreso” y bienestar “transnacional.” Sin embargo, ultimamente, los salvadorenos enfrentan nuevos desafios mientras las condiciones de migracion han cambiado y ha crecido la dependencia de El Salvador en la migracion y las remesas. Con un enfoque en las demandas de activistas transnacionales de comunidades de migrantes presentadas en eventos alrededor del cambio del gobierno hacia la izquierda, este articulo examina las maneras en que politicas, discursos, y logicas desarrollistas de la migracion transnacional han sido contestados y reimaginados. La articulacion colectiva de estas demandas construyen nuevos imaginarios politicos de formaciones transnacionales del estado, migracion, y desarrollo.
Migfilin Interacts with Vasodilator-stimulated Phosphoprotein (VASP) and Regulates VASP Localization to Cell-Matrix Adhesions and Migration *

Cell migration is a complex process that is coordinately regulated by cell-matrix adhesion and actin cytoskeleton. We report here that migfilin, a recently identified component of cell-matrix adhesions, is a biphasic regulator of cell migration. Loss of migfilin impairs cell migration. Surprisingly, overexpression of migfilin also reduces cell migration. Molecularly, we have identified vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) as a new migfilin-binding protein. The interaction is mediated by the VASP EVH1 domain and a single L104PPPPP site located within the migfilin proline-rich domain. Migfilin and VASP form a complex in both suspended and adhered cells, and in the latter, they co-localize in cell-matrix adhesions. Functionally, migfilin facilitates VASP localization to cell-matrix adhesions. Using two different approaches (VASP-binding defective migfilin mutants and small interfering RNA-mediated VASP knockdown), we show that the interaction with VASP is crucially involved in migfilin-mediated regulation of cell migration. Our results identify migfilin as an important regulator of cell migration and provide new information on the mechanism by which migfilin regulates this process.
INFLUENCE OF OXYGEN, HELIUM, AND METABOLIC INHIBITION ON X-RAY INDUCED DOMINANT LETHALITY IN STAGE 7 AND STAGE 14 OOCYTES OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

Experiments designed to test the effects of various oxygen tensions given before, during, and after the x irradiation of adult females on the survival of Stage 7 and Stage 14 oocytes support the conclusion that no significant differences in the relative radiosensitivity between Stage 7 and Stage 14 oocytes is attributabie to differential amounts of intracellular oxygen. Extended helium pre- or posttreatment causes a significant increase in x-ray- induced dominant lethality in Stage 7 oocytes. This increase in lethality is proportional to the duration of anoxia. No such sensitizing effect of helium treatment is observed with the Stage 14 cells. The effect of anoxia in increasing dominant lethality is prevented when the flies are given anoxic treatments at 4 deg C. The effects of anoxic pretreatment are reversed when the cells are allowed to recover in air prior to irradiation. The results are interpretable in terms of a system that repairs chromosome breaks and that is depleted during prolonged anoxia. (auth)
Some Pathogenic Aspects of Gross Pathological Changes in 90Sr-treated Bone of Newborn Rats

SummaryRats of the Long-Evans strain were given highly toxic doses of 90Sr on the second day of life. The strontium treated animals showed an initial hyperaemia in the shaft of the long bone, followed by extensive cell death and cessation of growth. Longitudinal (endochondrial) bone growth eventually recovered, with cell repopulation of marrow in metaphyses. However, the mid-diaphysial region showed a persistent devitalized zone consisting of dead bone, cartilage, fibrous tissue and detritus. Spontaneous fracture at the site that had failed to heal was often a terminal complication at the time of death of the animal. Clearly, certain defects of growth can be produced in young growing bone that are not likely to be produced in mature animals under similar experimental conditions.
Structure and function of intercellular junctions.

Publisher Summary Intercellular junctions are specialized regions of contact between the apposed plasma membranes of adjacent cells, and recent evidence suggests that they are essential for the development of multicellular organisms. They provide the structural means for groups of cells to interact in certain defined ways, and thereby enable them to create structures of higher order. This chapter reviews the morphological information on intercellular junctions derived from thin-sectioning, negative staining and freeze-cleave techniques, as well as from x-ray diffraction and biochemical investigations, and correlates the structural parameters with known or proposed physiological functions. The membrane structure of intercellular junctions is described. Membrane proteins can be divided into two groups: peripheral and integral. Peripheral membrane proteins are believed to be associated with the membrane surface, based on the observation that they are held to the membrane by rather weak noncovalent interactions, and are not strongly associated with membrane lipids. Only mild treatments, such as an increase in ionic strength of the medium or the addition of a chelating agent, are needed to dissociate them molecularly intact from the membrane. Furthermore, in the dissociated state they are relatively soluble in neutral aqueous buffers. In contrast, integral membrane proteins appear much more strongly bound to the lipid matrix, since they can be dissociated from the latter only by drastic treatments with chemicals such as detergents, protein denaturants, and organic solvents. The diversity in structure and function of intercellular junctions offers an exciting field for future research in which morphologists, physiologists, and biochemists should be able to make significant contributions to the knowledge of how individual cells interact to form structures of higher order.
A hybrid representation of imbalanced points for two-layer matching

A characteristics of imbalanced points is their localities--an imbalanced point may be contiguous to some other imbalanced points in terms of 8-connectivity. A two-layer scheme was recently proposed for matching imbalanced points based on localities, where the first layer aims to build locality correspondence, and the second layer aims to build point correspondence within corresponding localities. Under the framework of the two-layer matching, we propose a hybrid representation of imbalanced points. Specifically, an imbalanced point in the first layer is represented by a discriminant SIFT-type descriptor, and in the second layer, the imbalanced point is simply represented by a patch-type descriptor (the intensities of its neighborhood). We will justify the rationale of the proposed hybrid representation scheme and show its superiority over nonhybrid representation with experiments.
Bradykinin activates protein kinase C in cultured cortical collecting tubular cells

Bradykinin inhibits vasopressin-stimulated water transport in cortical collecting tubular cells. The biochemical mechanism of this effect was explored by means of primary cultures of rabbit cortica...
From EARTH to HTMT: An evolution of a multiheaded architecture model

In this talk, we discuss the issues and challenges solving irregularly structured problems in parallel from the angle of system architectures and support To this end, multithreaded architecture models and systems provide an new opportunity for meeting such challenges.
Drug Eruptions and Erythroderma

Erythroderma, also known as generalized exfoliative dermatitis, manifests as widespread scaling and erythema of most of the body’s cutaneous surface. Other than an apparent predilection for males, the disease occurs no more or less commonly in any other specific subsets of the population. Its etiology is highly variable, although the most common cause is a drug eruption, flare of a pre-existing dermatologic condition or lymphoma or other cancer. It may occur secondary to systemic use or topical application of the medication. Other causes may include infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, excessive exposure to solar radiation while taking photosensitive drugs, and malignancy. Erythroderma is potentially life threatening, due to the severe associated hemodynamic and metabolic complications. The diagnosis of this disease is made clinically. Histological findings tend to be non-specific. Treatment of hemodynamic instability should be given precedence to reduce mortality, followed by rapid identification of the underlying cause of disease, as this relates directly to the prognosis of the condition as well as the likelihood of resolution from cessation of the offending agent or treatment of the underlying disease.
N-Heterocyclic Olefin Stabilized Borenium Cations

The reaction of the N-heterocyclic dicarbene (NHDC) [:C{[N(2,6-Pri2C6H3)]2CHCLi(THF)}]n with iodomethane, in a hexane/THF mixture, affords the ylidic N-heterocyclic olefin NHC═CH2 (1; NHC = :C{N(2,6-Pri2C6H3)CH}2) in high yield. The reaction of 1 with BBr3 in hexane gives the neutral compound NHC–CH2:BBr3 (2), which in THF unexpectedly converts to the borenium salt [NHC–CH2:B{O(CH2)4Br}2]+[Br]− (3) through ring opening of THF.
Growth response of large, established shrubs to cutless, atrimmec, and trim-cut

Abstract Several species of large, established landscape shrubs were treated with different concentrations of Cutless (flurprimidol) or label concentrations of Atrimmec (dikegulac) or Trim-cut (mef...
Type VII Collagen Replacement Therapy in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa-How Much, How Often?

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a devastating blistering disease caused by mutations in the COL7A1 gene, which encodes type VII collagen, the major component of anchoring fibrils. The anchoring fibrils in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa can be morphologically altered, reduced in number, or absent entirely. There is no specific treatment for this disease, but recent advances in gene, protein replacement, or cell-based therapies, with the purpose of delivering functional type VII collagen to the skin, have shown encouraging results in both preclinical and clinical settings. One critical issue is the stability of type VII collagen in anchoring fibrils, which will ultimately determine the dose and frequency of administration of the missing protein. Kuhl et al. attempted to determine the half-life of type VII collagen in the skin, tongue, and esophagus of genetically altered mice that express type VII collagen constitutively, but with its expression abrogated by genetic manipulation. Their results revealed a half-life much shorter than previously anticipated, some 30 days. These findings have implications for strategies to be used for protein replacement therapy, and they also suggest that the basement membrane components at the dermal-epidermal junction are subject to ongoing remodeling and turnover.
The dynamics of marital interaction and marital conflict.

The author provides information and sets up a theoretical framework for pursuing answers to the questions that most occupy the clinician concerned with marital relationships: On what psychological basis does mate selection occur? What determines the psychological nature of a marriage? What makes for marital harmony and what makes for marital conflict? What intrapsychic and interpersonal factors contribute to marital success or to marital failure, and to marital durability?
Endothelial cell heme oxygenase and ferritin induction in rat lung by hemoglobin in vivo.

Iron-derived reactive oxygen species play an important role in the pathogenesis of various vascular disorders including vasculitis, atherosclerosis, and capillary leak syndromes such as the adult r...
Selection of the Surgical Candidate

Clinical and angiographic criteria in the evaluation of patients for internal mammary artery implantation, saphenous vein bypass, and ventricular aneurysmectomy.
Observations at CESR and Theory of the Beam-Beam Luminosity Limitation

Figure 1 shows the dependence of luminosity L on current I. For small values of I, L is proportional to I2 as would be expected for constant beam profiles. But L falls below the quadratic curve for higher values of I. Then a maximum current Imax is reached, beyond which the beam lifetime and/or experimental backgrounds become unacceptable.
Ethanol and urinary catecholamines in man

By measuring the main urinary catabolites of the catecholamines and serotonin, an attempt was made to elucidate which step in the metabolism of the amines is affected by ethanol in man. There was a Significant increase in urinary norepinephrine, dopamine, and metanephrine following the ingestion of a moderate dose of ethanol. Several possible enzymatic steps in the metabolism of the catecholamines where ethanol might act are discussed. The possibility that the results may have been complicated by the effect of ethanol on other physiologic functions is also considered.
The Nature and Incorporation of CSPAP Learning Experiences in Physical Education Teacher Education: Accounts of Faculty From “Highly Effective” Programs

The purpose of this study was to examine faculty accounts of the nature and incorporation of Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) learning experiences for preservice physical education teachers (PPETs) in undergraduate physical education teacher education (PETE). Nine individuals employed as faculty members in different PETE programs were purposively selected to participate, based on a previous study in which the individuals had reported that their programs were “highly effective” in preparing PPETs for multiple CSPAP roles. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant to examine the nature of their programs’ CSPAP learning experiences for PPETs and the adjustments, catalysts, challenges, and goals that characterized the program change process to incorporate these experiences. Constant comparison analysis revealed that many of the CSPAP learning experiences were field-based. The adjustments programs made to incorporate CSPAP learning experiences included embedding such experiences into existing coursework or combining/removing existing courses to make room for CSPAP learning experiences. A wide range of catalysts, challenges, and goals pertaining to the program change process were evidenced in data. This study provides a glimpse of how PETE programs have responded to shifts in conceptions about the professional roles and responsibilities of physical education teachers in line with public health concerns.
A Newborn Who Has an Abdominal Wall Defect

A newborn female born at 35 weeks gestational age presents with an abdominal wall defect. ### Prenatal History: ### Presentation: Figure 1. Figure 2. The appearance of the abdominal wall was grossly abnormal and …
Social contextual risk factors for stimulant use among adolescent American Indians

Objective Stimulants are the most common and efficacious treatment for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We examined the relationship between stimulant misuse and social factors that could be malleable to prevention among American Indian (AI) adolescents.
Gastrocnemius Fascicle And Achilles Tendon Length At The End Of The Eccentric Phase In A Single And Multiple Countermovement Hop

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to compare fascicle and tendon length of the gastrocnemius at the end of the eccentric phase during a hop utilizing a single countermovement (sCM) versus multiple countermovement (mCM1, mCM2, mCM3) strategy. Seventeen healthy males performed nine hopping trials of sCM and nine trials of mCM. Ankle and knee joint angle and lower leg length from videography and muscle ultrasound were used to calculate muscle-tendon unit (MTU), fascicle and tendon length. Sacral marker data was used to determine hopping height. Force- and displacement-time curves were utilized to calculate work. Muscle activity of the lateral and medial gastrocnemius was also measured. Fascicle length was significantly shorter (mCM3: 6.2 ± 1.5 cm, sCM: 7.3 ± 2.0 cm) and tendon length was significantly longer (mCM3: 36.5 ± 3.6 cm, sCM: 35.5 ± 3.8 cm) at the end of the eccentric phase in mCM3 in comparison to sCM. Maximal hopping height (mCM: 14.6 ± 3.1 cm, sCM: 13.1 ± 2.5 cm), eccentric phase gastrocnemius muscle activity (mCM medial gastrocnemius: 0.10 ± 0.03 mV, mCM lateral gastrocnemius: 0.08 ± 0.04 mV, sCM medial gastrocnemius: 0.07 ± 0.03 mV, sCM lateral gastrocnemius: 0.05 ± 0.04 mV), and both eccentric (mCM3: 46.6 ± 19.4 J, sCM: 38.5 ± 15.9 J) and concentric work (mCM3: 87.6 ± 26.5 J, sCM: 80.9 ± 27.6 J) were significantly higher for mCM3 compared to sCM. The results indicate that a multiple countermovement hop strategy results in shorter fascicle length and longer tendon length at the end of the eccentric phase. In addition, greater eccentric phase muscle activity during the third countermovement (mCM3) in comparison to a single countermovement hop (sCM) was observed. A multiple countermovement strategy appears to result in higher hopping height and greater work done in both the eccentric and concentric phase indicating possible contribution of stored-elastic energy from the tendon.
Leptin treatment prevents long-term abnormalities in cognition, seizure threshold, hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting and ZnT3/CB-D28k expression in a rat developmental "twist" seizure model.

Abstract The mechanism of linking neonatal seizures with long-term brain damage is unclear, and there is no effective drug to block this long-term pathological process. Recently, the fat-derived hormone leptin has been appreciated for its neuroprotective function in neurodegenerative processes, although less is known about the effects of leptin on neonatal seizure-induced brain damage. Here, we developed a “twist” seizure model by coupling pilocarpine-induced neonatal status epilepticus (SE) with later exposure to penicillin to test whether leptin treatment immediately after neonatal SE would exert neuroprotective effects on cognition, seizure threshold and hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting, as well if leptin had any influence on the expression of zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) and calcium homeostasis-related CB-D28k in the hippocampus. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats (postnatal day 6, P6) were randomly assigned to four groups: control (n = 10), control with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of leptin (Leptin, n = 10), pilocarpine-induced neonatal SE (RS), and RS i.p. leptin injection (RS+Leptin). At P6, all the rats in the RS group and RS+Leptin group were injected with lithium chloride i.p. (5 mEq/kg). Pilocarpine (320 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 30 min after scopolamine methyl chloride (1 mg/kg) injection at P7 to block the peripheral effect of pilocarpine. From P8 to P14, the animals in the Leptin group and RS+Leptin group were given leptin (4 mg/kg, i.p.). The Morris water maze test was performed during P28-P33. Following routine seizure threshold detection and Timm staining procedures, Western blot analysis was performed for each group. Pilocarpine-induced neonatal SE severely impaired learning and memory abilities, reduced seizure threshold, and induced aberrant hippocampal CA3 mossy fiber sprouting. In parallel, there was a significantly down-regulated protein level of CB-D28k and an up-regulated protein level of ZnT3 in the hippocampus of the RS group. Furthermore, leptin treatment soon after neonatal SE for seven consecutive days counteracted these hyperexcitability-related alterations. These novel findings established that leptin has a neuroprotective role in the model of cholinergic neonatal SE and highlights ZnT3/CB-D28k associated-Zn (2+)/Ca (2+) signaling as a promising therapeutic target.
Non-thermal plasma induces immunogenic cell death in vivo in murine CT26 colorectal tumors.

Immunogenic cell death is characterized by the emission of danger signals that facilitate activation of an adaptive immune response against dead-cell antigens. In the case of cancer therapy, tumor ...
Role of Pnn in alternative splicing of a specific subset of lncRNAs of the corneal epithelium

Purpose: GG-H whole transcriptome array analysis suggested involvement of PININ (PNN) in the alternative splicing of multiple long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). To further investigate PNN’s role in regulating the alternative splicing of lncRNAs in a corneal epithelial context, we performed detailed analyses for detecting and identifying alternatively spliced lncRNAs. Methods: Total RNA was isolated from PNN knockdown human corneal epithelial (HCET) cells or Pnn-deficient mouse corneas, and subjected to real-time–PCR (RT–PCR) assays, and the alternatively spliced lncRNAs were counted. Alternatively spliced lncRNAs were detected with in situ hybridization with variant-specific RNA probes on human cornea sections. Results: Our analysis uncovered PNN’s impact on the transcript levels of several lncRNAs including Linc00085 and HAS2-AS1. Interestingly, a mouse ortholog of HAS2-AS1, Has2as, clearly exhibited a differential splicing pattern among three major splice variants in the Pnn-deficient mouse cornea. The sequence analyses and quantification of splice variants of candidate lncRNAs, including RP11-295B20.2, RP11–18I14.1, and RP11–322M19.1, demonstrated complex configuration of their splicing changes, with a significant impact of PNN on the process. Knockdown of PNN in HCET cells led to specific changes in the inclusion of multiple cassette exons as well as in the use of alternative splice sites in RP11–322M19.1 and RP11–18I14.1, resulting in considerable net changes in the ratio between the splice variants. Finally, in situ hybridization analyses revealed the presence of RP11–295G20.2 in the nuclei of corneal epithelial cells, but not in the stromal cells of the human cornea, while RP11–322M19.1 was present in epithelial and non-epithelial cells. Conclusions: The data suggest PNN’s role in the alternative splicing of a specific subset of lncRNAs might have a significant impact on the corneal epithelium.
Coadministration of Chemokine Receptor Antagonists with Morphine Potentiates Morphine's Analgesic Effect on Incisional Pain in Rats.

Crossdesensitization between opioid and chemokine receptors and involvement of chemokines in pain modulation are well established. We investigated if coadministration of chemokine receptor antagonists (CRAs) with morphine would enhance the analgesic potency of morphine on incisional pain in rats. Animals underwent incisional surgery on the left hind paw and pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments at various time points postsurgery between 15 and 360 minutes and daily between 24 and 72 hours. Dose-response curves for morphine, maraviroc (a CCR5 antagonist), and AMD3100 (a CXCR4 antagonist) alone were established. While morphine significantly reduced pain in a time- and dose-dependent manner, maraviroc and AMD3100 had no effect by themselves. Coadministration of either maraviroc or AMD3100 with morphine significantly increased morphine’s analgesic effect on incisional pain, shifting the dose-response curve to the left 2.3- and 1.8-fold, respectively. Coadministration of both CRAs with morphine significantly shifted further the morphine dose-response curve to the left 3.3-fold. The effect of treatments on mRNA levels in the draining popliteal lymph node for a panel of chemokines and cytokines showed that message for many of these mediators was upregulated by the incision, and the combination of morphine with the CRAs markedly downregulated them. The data show that combining morphine with CRAs potentiates morphine’s analgesic effect on incisional pain. Thus, the same analgesic effect of morphine alone can be achieved with lower doses of morphine when combined with CRAs. Using morphine in lower doses could reduce unwanted side effects and possibly block development of tolerance and dependence.
Predictors of Respiratory Improvement 1 Week after Ligation of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants.

Objective To characterize preterm infants that demonstrates respiratory improvement 7 days after ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Study design We performed a 2-phase study of preterm infants (birthweight 25%, or decrease in FiO2 >25%. Results Forty-five (42%) of 107 preterm infants (gestational age 25.5 ± 1.7 weeks) with ligation showed respiratory improvement at 7 days. Infants on high frequency ventilation (HFV) were more likely to have respiratory improvement (aOR 5.03, 95% CI [1.14-22.18]). In matched-control analysis of 89 pairs, there was no difference in respiratory improvement. Among infants on HFV, the ligation group had an increase in MAP during 3 days prior to ligation. For infants on conventional ventilation, the ligation group had higher MAP and FiO2 than the control group during the first 2-3 postoperative days. Conclusions Among infants undergoing PDA ligation, those on HFV were more likely to have respiratory improvement in the first week, possibly because of the prevention of further respiratory deterioration. For infants on conventional ventilation, ligation was associated with higher respiratory support in the immediate postligation period without respiratory benefits at 7 days. As HFV was used as a rescue mode, our findings suggest that those with worse lung disease may achieve greater short term benefit from PDA ligation.
Aspirin for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events

Recent trials evaluated the impact of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients at intermediate risk, patients with diabetes, and the elderly, and the results have been incorporated into the most recent professional guidelines. For the most part, the role of aspirin in primary prevention remains limited, albeit not adequately tested in those at higher risk.
Oblique collisions of two wetted spheres

When a pair of wetted particles undergoes an oblique collision their liquid layers overlap and cause lubrication and capillary forces. The relative motion in the direction normal to sphere surfaces in the contact region is then arrested, and the pair of particles can either remain agglomerated, experience rapid rebound, or rotate and slowly separate as a result of centrifugal forces. Collision laws for wet particles are presented, and the conditions leading to the different outcomes are determined.
Nanomaterial Additives for Fabrication of Stimuli‐Responsive Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering Constructs

Volumetric muscle loss necessitates novel tissue engineering strategies for skeletal muscle repair, which have traditionally involved cells and extracellular matrix-mimicking scaffolds and have thus far been unable to successfully restore physiologically relevant function. However, the incorporation of various nanomaterial additives with unique physicochemical properties into scaffolds has recently been explored as a means of fabricating constructs that are responsive to electrical, magnetic, and photothermal stimulation. Herein, several classes of nanomaterials that are used to mediate external stimulation to tissue engineered skeletal muscle are reviewed and the impact of these stimuli-responsive biomaterials on cell growth and differentiation and in vivo muscle repair is discussed. The degradation kinetics and biocompatibilities of these nanomaterial additives are also briefly examined and their potential for incorporation into clinically translatable skeletal muscle tissue engineering strategies is considered. Overall, these nanomaterial additives have proven efficacious and incorporation in tissue engineering scaffolds has resulted in enhanced functional skeletal muscle regeneration.
Effects of climate change on the yield potentials and resource use efficiencies of mid-season indica rice cultivars in Eastern China

Abstract Global climate change affects crop yields and endangers food security. High yielding rice varieties adapted to climatic changes is a key breeding objective. However, little is known regarding the impact of climate change on the yield potentials and resource utilization efficiencies of modern rice cultivars in Eastern China. Using two-year field experiment, we investigated the biomass, nitrogen (N) uptake, and yield in relation to climatic resource use efficiencies of eight representative Chinese mid-season indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars grown in the Middle-Lower Yangtze Area over the last fifty years. The yield potential of rice from 1961–2015 was simulated using the ORYZA (v3) model. The total thermal time (growing degree days) increased at a rate of 3.3 ℃ yr−1, while sunshine hours decreased at a rate of 2.4 h yr−1 over the past five decades during growth period. Compared with the average potential yield from 1961 to 1975, an average 5.65 % of reduction occurred across different cultivars from 2001 to 2015. However, the rice potential yield increased by 52.0 kg ha−1 yr−1 in the released cultivars with increasing years of release. The use efficiencies of sunshine hours and thermal time for the cultivar Yangliangyou6 released in 2001 increased by 68.5 % and 59.5 % compared with the cultivar Shenglixian released in 1938. The increase of potential yield in the released cultivar Yangliangyou6 was attributed to increase utilization efficiency of radiation. Modern cultivars (semi-dwarf and super rice) maintained greater leaf area index (LAI) during the filling period without modification in photosynthetic rate. Besides, the decrease in grain N concentration contributed to stay-green characteristic and to the efficient use of N in modern cultivars. Thus, modern indica rice cultivars tolerate the adverse climatic changes by optimizing plant productivity and increasing resource utilization efficiencies.
Protein profiling in the habenula after chronic (-)-menthol exposure in mice.

The identification of proteins that are altered following nicotine/tobacco exposure can facilitate and positively impact the investigation of related diseases. In this report, we investigated the effects of chronic (-)-menthol exposure in 14 murine brain regions for changes in total β2 subunit protein levels and changes in epibatidine binding levels using immunoblotting and radioligand binding assays. We identified the habenula as a region of interest due to the region's marked decreases in β2 subunit and nAChR levels in response to chronic (-)-menthol alone. Thus, we further examined the habenula, a brain region associated with both the reward and withdrawal components of addiction, for additional protein level alterations using mass spectrometry. A total of 552 proteins with altered levels were identified after chronic (-)-menthol exposure. Enriched in the proteins with altered levels after (-)-menthol exposure were proteins associated with signaling, immune systems, RNA regulation, and protein transport. The continuation and expansion of the brain region-specific protein profiling in response to (-)-menthol will provide a better understanding of how this common flavorant in tobacco and e-liquid products may affect addiction and general health.
Adenosine 5'-triphosphate flux through the north inlet marsh system.

The distribution, fluctuation, and short-term transport of total microbial biomass (measured as adenosine 5′-triphosphate [ATP]) was investigated in a large salt marsh creek. Hourly samples were collected synoptically for 25 h from 10 boats positioned across the 320-m width of the creek. Samples were collected from three depths ranging from 0.2 to 8.0 m. Hourly data obtained from each station were graphed, plotting depth against ATP. Subsequently, interpolated ATP values were generated for every one-tenth depth from the surface to the bottom with the use of an 11-point proportional divider. A total of 2,750 values were generated, and a mean value of 0.865 mg of ATP per m3 was determined. Maximum levels of ATP were found at high tide and minimal values were found at low tide. The distribution of ATP concentrations was found to be complex, with no suggestion of vertical stratification; however, horizontal divisions were apparent. ATP values corrected for direction of flow or velocity indicated two ebb-directed channels; however, when considered in total, there was a net import of ATP through the interface. The total import of ATP for this 25-h sampling period was calculated to be 3.58 kg, corresponding to a net transport of 39.8 mg of ATP per s through the cross section. Results suggest that detailed characterization of a creek transect in terms of ATP or any similar parameter requires the simultaneous measurements of both the concentration of the parameter in question and the velocity at the time and point from which the sample was taken.
Information technology as an alternative to computer science: panel discussion

Nationally there has been a sizeable decline in computer science majors while information technology degree programs are newer and growing. While computer science teaches software development and the theory of the discipline, information technology covers areas such as system and network administration, security, web development, multimedia, and computer support. Information technology deals with the computer infrastructure of an organization and therefore is more immune to off-shoring than programming. Diversifying into information technology may stabilize a computer science department's total number of majors.