cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impairment of PARK14-dependent Ca(2+) signalling is a novel determinant of Parkinson's disease.

The etiology of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (idPD) remains enigmatic despite recent successes in identification of genes (PARKs) that underlie familial PD. To find new keys to this incurable neurodegenerative disorder we focused on the poorly understood PARK14 disease locus (Pla2g6 gene) and the store-operated Ca2+ signalling pathway. Analysis of the cells from idPD patients reveals a significant deficiency in store-operated PLA2g6-dependent Ca2+ signalling, which we can mimic in a novel B6.Cg-Pla2g6ΔEx2-VB (PLA2g6 ex2KO) mouse model. Here we demonstrate that genetic or molecular impairment of PLA2g6-dependent Ca2+ signalling is a trigger for autophagic dysfunction, progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta and age-dependent L-DOPA-sensitive motor dysfunction. Discovery of this previously unknown sequence of pathological events, its association with idPD and our ability to mimic this pathology in a novel genetic mouse model opens new opportunities for finding a cure for this devastating neurodegenerative disease.
Late-onset rotator cuff dysfunction after total shoulder arthroplasty--the "forgotten" complication. Commentary on an article by Allan A. Young, MD, et al.: "Secondary rotator cuff dysfunction following total shoulder arthroplasty for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis: results of a multicenter study with more than five years of follow-up".

With the exponential rise in the number of total shoulder arthroplasties being performed, the issue of implant longevity continues to concern many orthopaedic surgeons. Clearly, the reported results of total shoulder arthroplasty for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis are very good in terms of pain relief and function in most cases. This is because, in this disease cohort, the patient’s soft tissues and bone stock are usually well preserved. In spite of even better outcomes as a result of the development of improved and more anatomically designed implants and a better understanding of the importance of proper soft-tissue balancing, many surgeons remain concerned about the long-term outcomes of these total shoulder prostheses. This concern is particularly important because many younger symptomatic patients are now considered to be candidates for these reconstructions more frequently. Many of these younger patients, who are usually less than fifty years of age, receive a recommendation to have humeral head surface replacement or hemiarthroplasty with or …
Pyridoxine-Responsive Anemia Conditioned by Isonicotinic Acid Hydrazide

Three patients are described who had a pyridoxine-responsive anemia while under treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis with INH and PAS. The red cells were hypochromic and target cells were common. Two cases also had microcytosis and one had ringed sideroblasts in the bone marrow. None became hematologically normal with therapy. A somnolent reaction occurred in two of the patients following the parenteral administration of large amounts of pyridoxine, and seemed related to it. The concentration of erythrocyte glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase was less than 25 per cent of the normal mean in two of the patients at the time of relapse.
The Influence of Surgical Stabilization on Glenohumeral Abduction Using 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography in Patients With Shoulder Instability.

Purpose This study compared the amount of glenohumeral abduction during arm abduction in the affected and unaffected shoulders of 3 groups of patients with shoulder instability: failed surgical stabilization, successful surgical stabilization, and unstable shoulder with no prior surgical intervention. Methods All patients underwent bilateral shoulder computed tomography scans in 3 positions: 0° of abduction and 0° of external rotation (0-0 position), 30° of abduction and 30° of external rotation (30-30 position), and arms maximally abducted (overhead position). Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction was performed for both shoulders in all 3 positions. A specialized coordinate system marked specific points and directions on the humerus and glenoid of each model. These coordinates were used to calculate the glenohumeral abduction for the normal and affected sides in the 0-0, 30-30, and overhead positions. Results Thirty-nine patients with shoulder instability were included, of whom 14 had failed surgical repairs, 10 had successful surgical repairs, and 15 had unstable shoulders with no prior surgical intervention. In the overhead position, patients with failed surgical intervention had significantly less glenohumeral abduction in the failed shoulder (95.6° ± 12.7°) compared with the normal shoulder (101.5° ± 12.4°, P = .02). Patients with successfully stabilized shoulders had significantly less glenohumeral abduction in the successfully stabilized shoulder (93.6° ± 10.8°) compared with the normal shoulder (102.1° ± 12.5°, P = .03). Unstable shoulders with no prior surgical intervention (102.1° ± 10.3°) did not differ when compared with the normal shoulders (101.9° ± 10.9°, P = .95). Conclusions Surgical intervention, regardless of its success, limits the amount of abduction at the glenohumeral joint. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Conversation Salons: A Flexible Format for Open Discourse in Dental Education.

A series of conversation salons was created at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry as an innovative format with the objective of engaging students, faculty, staff, and practitioners in discussion to promote reflection. The aim of this study was to explore the nature of students' abilities in the salons to connect experiences through reflection and apply what they learned to practice. Reflective essays (written during the summer and fall semesters of 2014) from 108 fourth-year dental students (all members of the Class of 2015) were read and assessed for the nature of reflection, number of connections, references to the past, applications to the future, and use of examples. For analysis, the theoretical works of Schon and Mezirow provided a useful framework. Overall, the results showed that the participants found the salon experience to be positive, and student participation was strong. When asked about learning, the most frequent responses were topic-related. At this stage of dental education, the students were largely focused on their future practice and found it easier to connect to an imagined future than a past experience. In terms of student abilities to reflect, the majority were skilled at simple reflection, based on these essays since only 18% were non-reflective and 15% showed strong critical reflection skills. The open and respectful environment of the salons enabled discussion and promoted reflection. These results suggest that more opportunities for collegial conversations and instruction in reflective practice earlier in the dental curriculum may be beneficial.
Mechanistic Explanation in Systems Biology: Cellular Networks

AbstractIt is argued that once biological systems reach a certain level of complexity, mechanistic explanations provide an inadequate account of many relevant phenomena. In this article, I evaluate...
Bicommunalism in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is a bicommunal society in which Protestants are numerically dominant; Roman Catholics constitute virtually all of the remaining population. On the island as a whole, Protestants are heavily outnumbered; the Republic of Ireland (the "South ") has a population that is about 96 percent Catholic. Social segregation of the two northern communities is relatively distinct, and there is little crosscutting between groups that might lessen bicommunal conflict. A reciprocal relationship exists between the social system andpolitical structures. Northern Irish political institutions followed the Westminster model, which facilitated the political exclusion of Catholics and impeded social as well as political integration. The bicommunal social structure has impeded the development of more accommodating political structures. Geographic issues and external linkages compound the political problem. Northern Irish politics can be viewed as a "dual dyad" in which the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are critical components. Psychological dimensions of Northern Irish bicommunalism further exacerbate the conflict.
The Impact of House Characteristics and Homeownership on Child Development and Young Adult Outcomes

We study the impact of housing characteristics and homeownership on the cognitive and behavioral outcomes of children and young adults. One of our findings is that children living in relatively uncrowded dwellings have better mathematics skills; however, parental homeownership has no effect. In contrast, the history of childhood dwelling size has mixed effects on young adult outcomes, but a high proportion of childhood spent in an owned home increases young adults’ educational attainment and work experience, and reduces their criminal activity and likelihood of ever being on welfare and teen pregnancy.
Mathematical simulation of the controlled motion of the five-link wheeled jumping robot

The design of a five---link wheeled jumping robot is presented. A sequence of stages, each of which is characterized by certain types of link motion, is proposed as a jumping technique. A mathematical model that describes the jump of the device is developed. The results of the simulation of its motion are given. Modes of acceleration and landing of the robot, as well as features of the devices' flight behavior that depend on the design and control parameters, are identified.
Information Processing Methods and Application of Gas Chromatography of Saturated Hydrocarbons

Calculated some basic parameters and derived parameters according to getting the original waveform data of the gas chrromafo grapin and a series of mathematical treatment such as digital filtering,peak identification and naming,interpolation and points.Then,getting the quatity scare of the N-alkane and the basic data of the peak area according to the use of computer technology to deal with the graphies chromatography.Drawing distribution curves of saturated hydrocarbons which use the carbon number as abscissa and use the quality score as ordinate,getting the characteristec parameters of the graphies according to the sub-fitting of graphics with quadratic function and probability function,and then getting the quantitative interpretation of oil and water layers according to the optimization of characteristic parameters.After optimal these characteristic parameter,establishes the appraisal explanation chart version,carries on the quantitative interpretation to the perquisite level.
Analysis of the pathogenic characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from food-poisoning in Xiamen city from 2005 to 2011

Objective To investigate the serotype distribution,thermostable direct hemolysin(tdh) gene carrying and PFGE typing characteristics of 108 strains Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from 25 food-poisoning samples from 2005to 2011. Methods Serotypes of strains and tdh gene were detected respectively by serological test and real-time fluorescent PCR method; molecular typing of strains was analyzed by pulse-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) and BioNumerics software. Results 7 serogroups and 15 serotypes were found in 108 strains of bacteria and serotype O3∶K6 was predominant;all strains were divided into 65 PFGE types(PT),and the similarity was 34.1%-100%;there were 92 strains carrying tdh gene,the carrying rate reached 85.2%. Conclusion The serotypes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains caused by food-poisoning showed high diversity in Xiamen city,the predominant serotype was O3∶K6,and a majority of strains possessed tdh gene;the serotypes of the strains from the same clone could be same or different.
IMPACTS OF TREE HEIGHT-DBH ALLOMETRY ON LIDAR-BASED TREE ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS MODELING

Abstract. Lidar has been widely used in tree aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation at plot or stand levels. Lidar-based AGB models are usually constructed with the ground AGB reference as the response variable and lidar canopy indices as predictor variables. Tree diameter at breast height (dbh) is the major variable of most allometric models for estimating reference AGB. However, lidar measurements are mainly related to tree vertical structure. Therefore, tree height-dbh allometric model residuals are expected to have a large impact on lidar-based AGB model performance. This study attempts to investigate sensitivity of lidar-based AGB model to the decreasing strength of height-dbh relationship using a Monte Carlo simulation approach. Striking decrease in R2 and increase in relative RMSE were found in lidar-based AGB model, as the variance of height-dbh model residuals grew. I, therefore, concluded that individual tree height-dbh model residuals fundamentally introduce errors to lidar-AGB models.
Decision Making Capacity

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the conceptual and empirical basis for the assessment of legal capacities in older adults. Legal capacities (formerly called competencies) are distinguished from the important conceptual, empirical, and clinical work to date in defining, measuring, and maintaining functional everyday competence. In this chapter, the term clinical “capacity” refers to a professional clinical judgment as to whether a specific individual has the requisite cognitive, decisional, affective, and practical abilities to adequately complete a specific task or make a specific decision. This chapter summarizes a framework for clinical assessment. Nine components necessary for clinical capacity assessment of older adults are—legal Standard, functional elements, diagnosis, cognitive underpinnings, psychiatric or emotional factors, values, risk considerations, steps to enhance capacity, and clinical judgment of capacity. These are explained in the chapter. To optimize the understanding of capacity and its application in clinical practice and law, vigorous collaboration between clinical and legal professionals (e.g., attorneys, judges, courts) should continue to be encouraged. Additionally, enhancing knowledge about capacity in the general population will be useful to assist individuals in planning for future incapacities, recognizing diminished capacity in their loved ones, and to protect vulnerable adults from elder abuse and exploitation.
Thomas de Vio Cajetan

Thomas de Vio Cajetan was a very important follower of Thomas Aquinas in the early parts of the sixteenth century. He played a significant role in the politics surrounding the counter-reformation, but he was also an important philosopher who wrote many important works, including in particular an enormous commentary on Aquinas Summa theologiae. The selection presented here is from a little treatise called The Analogy of Names. It takes up the view of analogy developed by Aquinas, but develops it in much more detail.
Survival and proliferation of neural progenitor derived glioblastomas under hypoxic stress is controlled by a CXCL12/CXCR4 autocrine positive feedback mechanism.

Purpose: One likely cause of treatment failure in glioblastoma is the persistence of glioma stem-like cells (GSLCs) which are highly resistant to therapies currently employed. We found that CXCL12 has highest expression in glioma cells derived from neural progenitor cells (NPC). The development and molecular signature of NPC-derived glioblastomas were analyzed and the therapeutic effect of blocking CXCL12 was tested. Experimental Design: Tumors were induced by injecting DNA into the lateral ventricle of neonatal mice, using the Sleeping Beauty transposase method. Histology and expression of GSLC markers were analyzed during disease progression. Survival upon treatment with pharmacologic (plerixafor) or genetic inhibition of CXCR4 was analyzed. Primary neurospheres were generated and analyzed for proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of proteins regulating survival and cell-cycle progression. Results: Tumors induced from NPCs display histologic features of human glioblastoma and express markers of GSLC. In vivo, inhibiting the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis results in increased survival of tumor-bearing animals. In vitro, CXCR4 blockade induces apoptosis and inhibits cell-cycle progression, downregulates molecules regulating survival and proliferation, and also blocks the hypoxic induction of HIF-1α and CXCL12. Exogenous administration of CXCL12 rescues the drug-induced decrease in proliferation. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis operates in glioblastoma cells under hypoxic stress via an autocrine-positive feedback mechanism, which promotes survival and cell-cycle progression. Our study brings new mechanistic insight and encourages further exploration of the use of drugs blocking CXCL12 as adjuvant agents to target hypoxia-induced glioblastoma progression, prevent resistance to treatment, and recurrence of the disease. Clin Cancer Res; 23(5); 1250–62. ©2016 AACR.
Architectures of the information age

Digital information has become the lifeblood of contemporary capitalism, circulating through networks that enable a range of applications unimaginable even two decades ago. Beyond the changes in fo...
Race, ageism and the slide from privileged occupations.

Abstract The sociological literature on workplace inequality has been relatively clear regarding racial disparities and ongoing vulnerabilities to contemporary structural and employer biases. We still know little, however, about the consequences of age and ageism for minority workers and susceptibilities to downward mobility. Coupling insights regarding race with recent work on employment-based age discrimination, we interrogate in this article African Americans and Whites, aged 55 and older, and the extent to which they experience job loss across time. Our analyses, beyond controlling for key background attributes, distinguish and disaggregate patterns for higher and lower level status managers and professionals and for men and women. Results, derived from data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, reveal unique and significant inequalities. Relative to their White and gender specific counterparts, older African American men and women experience notably higher rates of downward mobility—downward mobility that is not explained by conventional explanations (i.e., human capital credentials, job/labor market characteristics, etc.). Such inequalities are especially pronounced among men and for those initially occupying higher status white-collar managerial and professional jobs compared to technical/skilled professional and blue-collar “first line” supervisors. We tie our results to contemporary concerns regarding ageism in the workplace as well as minority vulnerability. We also suggest an ageism-centered corrective to existing race and labor market scholarship.
Separating variability in healthcare practice patterns from random error.

Improving the quality of care that patients receive is a major focus of clinical research, particularly in the setting of cardiovascular hospitalization. Quality improvement studies seek to estimat...
Cold quantum-controlled rotationally inelastic scattering of HD with H 2 and D 2 reveals collisional partner reorientation

Molecular interactions are best probed by scattering experiments. Interpretation of these studies has been limited by lack of control over the quantum states of the incoming collision partners. We report here the rotationally inelastic collisions of quantum-state prepared deuterium hydride (HD) with H2 and D2 using a method that provides an improved control over the input states. HD was coexpanded with its partner in a single supersonic beam, which reduced the collision temperature to 0–5 K, and thereby restricted the involved incoming partial waves to s and p. By preparing HD with its bond axis preferentially aligned parallel and perpendicular to the relative velocity of the colliding partners, we observed that the rotational relaxation of HD depends strongly on the initial bond-axis orientation. We developed a partial-wave analysis that conclusively demonstrates that the scattering mechanism involves the exchange of internal angular momentum between the colliding partners. The striking differences between H2/HD and D2/HD scattering suggest the presence of anisotropically sensitive resonances. Scattering of molecules at low temperature that are prepared in single quantum states illuminates the mechanism of rotationally inelastic collisions and reveals the reorientation of partner molecules. By correlating each outgoing partial wave with the incoming waves, partial-wave analysis of the scattering angular distribution determines the dominant short- and long-range anisotropies of the interaction potential.
The Nature of Deviance

There is great diversity of deviant behavior ranging from crime, mental illness, and suicide to minor rule breaking in school or at home, to excessive behaviors such as overeating and overdrinking, to such positive forms as invention. Deviance implies nonconformity, doing things differently from the everyday routines. This makes the study of deviance intrinsically interesting to most people. But deviance is also a highly useful field of study. It helps us to better understand the nature of conformity and of human social life in general, since all human behavior is, after all, in varying degrees, either conforming or deyiant. Further, the analysis of deviance helps us to understand the nature of social change. Without deviance there would be little change, and without change societies atrophy and die out.
The wall content and composition of Bacillus subtilis var. niger grown in a chemostat

Bacillus subtilis var. niger was grown in a chemostat with various growth limitations and at various growth rates. The wall content and composition of the organism grown under these conditions were determined. The wall content, expressed as a percentage of the dry weight of organisms, varied with the growth rate. Analysis of wall samples showed that their composition also varied, particularly with respect to the phosphorus content. Wall samples extracted with trichloroacetic acid under carefully controlled conditions were found to contain various amounts of phosphorus, this being present as a glycerol phosphate polymer containing hexose (glucose and in some cases galactose), i.e. a teichoic aid. Teichoic acids were present in the walls of organisms grown under all conditions except when phosphorus limited growth. Then a different anionic polymer, composed of glucuronic acid and N-acetylgalactosamine (a teichuronic acid), was present. Under the specific growth conditions at pH7.0 and 35 degrees C in a chemostat, teichoic acid and teichuronic acid appeared to be mutually exclusive.
LII and LIII ionization cross sections in gold at very low energies

Abstract The L II and L III ionization cross sections in gold have been measured for an incident ionizing electron beam of energy E inc , in the range I E inc I . The results are compared to those predicted on the basis of the classical theory as well as the Born approximation calculations.
Directed and enhanced neurite outgrowth following exogenous electrical stimulation on carbon nanotube-hydrogel composites.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this work was to test the synergistic effects of substrate stiffness, electro-conductivity, composition and electrical stimulation on the morphology, alignment and directional neurite outgrowth of neuron-like PC12 cells. The use of exogenous electrical stimulation has emerged as a promising new intervention to promote neural regeneration following injury. For critical gap size nerve injuries, a permissive biomaterial coupled to electrical stimulation may be needed to provide guidance and support for neurite outgrowth. Thus, the combinatorial effects of biomaterial composition and properties and exogenous electrical stimulation need interrogation to develop successful therapeutic interventions. Carefully designed in vitro models are ideally suited to perform such multidimensional detailed studies. APPROACH We assembled a simple electrical stimulation device to deliver uniform electrical current with minimum voltage field variation through a hydrogel. We used polyacrylamide (PA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-PEG nanocomposite hydrogels of varying stiffness, resistivity and MWCNT concentration. Cells were seeded on the substrates for 24 h, stimulated for 1 h at 30 V m-1 DC, and then cultured for additional 24 h. Non-stimulated cells were used as controls. To induce neurite outgrowth, cells were primed with nerve growth factor (100 ng ml-1). MAIN RESULTS For all substrates tested, electrical stimulation induced neurite alignment at 60-90° angle to the applied current. It also increased total neurite outgrowth by 18%-49% and mean neurite length by 20%-46% (increase dependent on the underlying substrate) compared to non-stimulated cells. The nanocomposite composed of 20% w/v PEG and 0.1% w/v MWCNTs resulted in the highest total neurite outgrowth and mean neurite length, which were further significantly enhanced by electrical stimulation by 2-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE Our results indicate that nanocomposites, where carbon nanotubes have been added to hydrogel substrates, in combination with electrical stimulation provided improved conditions for neural growth and regeneration.
Sharon Street’s unsuccessful argument against theism

Sharon Street has argued that we should reject theism because we can accept it only at the cost of having good reason to doubt the reliability of our judgments as to what moral reasons there are. The success of her argument depends on the assumption that no realist account of normative reasons that validates commonsense morality has a tenable secular epistemology. I argue that even given this (obviously contentious) assumption Street’s argument does not succeed.
Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β as a Treatment for the Prevention of Cognitive Deficits after a Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has many long-term consequences, including impairment in memory and changes in mood. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) in its phosphorylated form (p-GSK-3β)...
4 Personality Disorders

In this chapter we discuss the diagnosis, etiology, and pathology of personality disorders. We begin with a general discussion of the definition, clinical importance, and assessment of personality disorders. We then discuss each of the 10 DSM-IV personality disorders (i.e., paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive), considering in particular their description, epidemiology, and etiology. We then discuss the latest status of the controversial proposals for personality disorders in the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5). We conclude with a description and understanding of the personality disorders from a dimensional trait model, the five factor model (FFM). The dimensional trait model proposed for DSM-5, as well as the traits proposed for each individual personality disorder, are closely aligned with the FFM. However, we suggest how the personality disorder nomenclature should be further revised to provide a truly integrative model of normal and abnormal personality. Keywords: personality disorder; paranoid; schizoid; schizotypal; antisocial; borderline; histrionic; narcissistic; avoidant; dependent; obsessive-compulsive; dimensional; categorical; five factor model
A preponderance of stability: Henry Kissinger’s concern over the dynamics of Ostpolitik

Drawing on American and German evidence, Stephan Kieninger’s contribution looks into Henry Kissinger’s ambivalent relationship with Germany scrutinizing both the parallels between Kissinger’s detente and Willy Brandt’s Ostpolitik as well as the frictions and the competition between both approaches. Richard Nixon’s and Henry Kissinger’s priority was international stability provided by the understanding between the USA and the Soviet Union, whereas Willy Brandt’s dynamic detente approach was aimed at Europe’s transformation overcoming the Iron Curtain. In Nixon’s and Kissinger’s balance of power policy, stability was essential to cement what they perceived as an endangered status quo in Europe. Brandt and his foreign policy advisor Egon Bahr saw detente as a way to facilitate liberalizing changes. They envisaged stability in international relations a precondition to guarantee the regimes behind the Iron Curtain the kind of security that would over time allow them to open up their societies for Western influence. Finally, the overlaps between both approaches prevailed. Examining Kissinger’s initial doubts over Ostpolitik’s feasibility, the essay depicts his way to control the detente process in Europe through the Quadripartite negotiations over Berlin in 1971. Eventually, Ostpolitik’s success was a catalyst and a prerequisite for Richard Nixon’s and Henry Kissinger’s own approach to the Soviet Union despite the escalation of the Vietnam War.
Analysis of operating room efficiency between a hospital-owned ambulatory surgical center and hospital outpatient department.

Abstract Background Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are frequently utilized; however some ambulatory procedures may be performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPs). Our aim was to compare operating room efficiency between our ASC and HOP. Methods We reviewed outpatient general surgery procedures performed at our ASC and HOP. Total case time was divided into five components: ancillary time, procedure time, exit time, turnover time, and nonoperative time. Results Overall, 220 procedures were included (114 ASC, 106 HOP). Expressed in minutes, the mean turnover time (29.8 ± 9.6 vs. 24.5 ± 12.7; p Conclusion ASC outpatient procedures are more efficient than those performed at our HOP. A system evaluation of our HOP operating room efficiency is necessary.
The Development of a Community Counseling Training Clinic for Latino Immigrants

Latinos are the fasting growing minority in the United States, and among the least likely to access mental health services. Two reasons cited for the significant mental health disparities in the Latino community are: a lack of culturally responsive services and a lack of culturally competent mental health professionals. This manuscript describes the development of a community counseling training clinic constructed through a partnership between a community center and a counselor education and supervision program. Process and clinical outcomes data demonstrate that the program was successful in retaining clients and students had a positive experience at the training site.
Wnt Signaling in Neural Crest Ontogenesis and Oncogenesis

Neural crest (NC) cells are a temporary population of multipotent stem cells that generate a diverse array of cell types, including craniofacial bone and cartilage, smooth muscle cells, melanocytes, and peripheral neurons and glia during embryonic development. Defective neural crest development can cause severe and common structural birth defects, such as craniofacial anomalies and congenital heart disease. In the early vertebrate embryos, NC cells emerge from the dorsal edge of the neural tube during neurulation and then migrate extensively throughout the anterior-posterior body axis to generate numerous derivatives. Wnt signaling plays essential roles in embryonic development and cancer. This review summarizes current understanding of Wnt signaling in NC cell induction, delamination, migration, multipotency, and fate determination, as well as in NC-derived cancers.
Of Turquoise Waters and Captivating Dreams: The Cook Islands as an International Captive Insurance Center

The Cook Islands is an international offshore financial center which has had ongoing success in the US with its "asset protection trust." In recent years, the jurisdiction's financial services sector has been endeavoring to diversify its product offering with the introduction first of the Foundations Act in 2012, followed by the Captive Insurance Act and corresponding Regulations in 2013. The intention behind this recent initiative is to position the Cook Islands to attract business in the emerging markets of China and Latin America, in addition to existing sources of business (particularly North America). The Cook Islands' Captive Insurance Act and Regulations, of which the present author was the principal drafter, were passed to capitalize on the jurisdiction's reputation as a private wealth management jurisdiction of choice. This article explores the key components of the recent Captive Insurance Act and Regulations, highlighting what the author considers to be the most attractive features and also noting what may be considered limitations or potential areas for improvement. It will be argued that an important priority going forward is to enact legislation to enable captive insurance companies to be structured with segregated cells (and ideally incorporated cell companies), along with a variety of reasons why cell company regulation is attractive to captive domicile shoppers. The author will also argue that while focusing on the growth engines of Asia is important, the traditional market of the United States provides the most potential for developing the Cook Islands as a captive insurance center.
Use of indirect computed tomography lymphangiography to determine metastatic status of sentinel lymph nodes in dogs with a pre-operative diagnosis of melanoma or mast cell tumour.

Canine melanomas and mast cell tumours (MCTs) frequently metastasize to lymph nodes, worsening prognosis compared with dogs without metastasis. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) evaluation is more specific than evaluation of the lymph node closest to the tumour, which may not be the draining lymph node. Computed tomography lymphangiography (CTL) allows for SLN identification and one study of canine mammary tumours found that CTL was able to assist in determination of the metastatic status of inguinal SLNs prior to extirpation and histopathology. The objective of the present study was to evaluate CTL for use in determining metastasis to the SLN in dogs with a pre-operative diagnosis of melanoma or MCT in various locations by correlating CTL findings with histopathology. The hypothesis was that CTL would not be able to determine the metastatic status of lymph nodes, based on author experience. Dogs were prospectively enrolled and underwent CTL and subsequent SLN extirpation. Histopathology results for the primary tumour, SLN, and additional extirpated lymph nodes were recorded. Fifteen dogs were enrolled and 21 SLN were evaluated. The SLN enhancement pattern (heterogeneous, homogenous or peripheral) was not associated with metastasis, nor was the attenuation value at 1 minute, 5 minutes, or the change in attenuation value. No correlation was found between CTL findings and metastatic status of SLNs. Based on these results, CTL alone cannot be used to diagnose SLN metastasis. Extirpation of the SLN with histopathology is recommended to diagnose lymph node metastasis in dogs with melanoma and MCT.
Chapter 6 – Under the Hood

Publisher Summary Some of the subtleties of network programming are difficult to grasp without some understanding of the data structures associated with the socket implementation and certain details of how the underlying protocols work. This is especially true of TCP sockets (i.e., instances of Socket). This chapter describes some of what goes on under the hood when one creates and uses an instance of . Although it discusses ,the main focus is on TCP sockets, that is, Socket. In the discussion, while generically to one of the classes in it, socket refers to the underlying abstraction, whether it is provided by an underlying OS or the JVM implementation itself (e.g., in an embedded system). It also deals with some of the subtleties of sending and receiving with TCP’s byte-stream service. Besides, it considers the connection establishment and termination of the TCP protocol. Furthermore, it discusses the process of matching incoming packets to sockets and the rules about binding to port numbers.
Regulation of Glutamate Release in Aging

Several recent studies have reported that in hypoxic, ischemic and hypoglycemicinduced neuronal death, the necrotic changes appear to be due to an excessive release of excitatory amino acids (glutamate and aspartate)1,2,3,4. Competitive and noncompetitive antagonists have been shown to block or decrease neuronal cell death induced by these excitatory amino acids5,6,7 and have confirmed the specificity and importance of excitatory amino acids in excitotoxicity. Together these data suggest that within the central nervous system, the excessive or unregulated release of excitatory amino acids may play a predominant role in mediating neuronal cell death.
Analytical and Topological Methods for Reaction-Diffusion Equations

We shall discuss some mathematical methods in the theory of reaction-diffusion equations and show how they can be sometimes used to find patterns. The patterns we find will be dynamic patterns, as opposed to stationary patterns, in the sense that we shall (qualitatively) find the complete solution space. The success of our method relies on the fact that we can take a certain parameter (a specific diffusion coefficient) to be large. As this parameter decreases toward zero, the solution space undergoes radical changes and we have included some computational results concerning the asymptotic behavior of solutions in this case.
Epidemiology and Molecular-Pathologic Characteristics of CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP) in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract Background CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) forms a distinct epigenetic phenotype in colorectal cancer (CRC). Though associated with distinct clinicopathologic characteristics, limited evidence exists of the association of CIMP with patient’s reported lifestyle factors and tumor molecular characteristics. We assessed the associations of these characteristics in a pooled analysis of CRC patients. Patients and Methods We pooled data from 3 CRC patient cohorts: Assessment of Targeted Therapies Against Colorectal Cancer (ATTACC), biomarker-based protocol (Integromics), and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). CIMP was measured using the classical 6-gene methylated-in-tumor (MINT) marker panel (MINT1, MINT2, MINT31, p14, p16, and MLH1) in ATTACC and genome-wide human methylation arrays in Integromics and TCGA, respectively. CIMP-High (CIMP-H) was defined as ≥ 3 of 6 methylated markers in ATTACC. In TCGA and Integromics, CIMP-H group was defined on the basis of clusters of methylation profiles and high levels of methylation in tumor samples. Baseline comparisons of characteristics across CIMP groups (CIMP-H vs. CIMP-0) were performed by Student t test or chi-square test for continuous or categorical variables, respectively. Further logistic regression analyses were performed to compute the odds ratio (OR) of these associations. Results Pooled prevalence of CIMP-H was 22% across 3 data sets. CIMP-H CRC tumors were associated with older age at diagnosis (OR, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01, 1.03), microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H) status (OR, 9.15; 95% CI, 4.45, 18.81), BRAF mutation (OR, 7.70; 95% CI, 4.98, 11.87), right-sided tumor location (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.78, 3.22), poor differentiation (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.95, 4.45), and mucinous histology (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.77, 3.47), as reported previously in the literature. CIMP-H tumors were also found to be associated with self-reported history of alcohol consumption (OR, ever vs. never, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.07, 2.34). Pathologically, CIMP-H tumors were associated with the presence of intraepithelial lymphocytes (OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.41, 7.80) among patients in the Integromics cohort. Conclusion CIMP-H tumors were associated with history of alcohol consumption and presence of intraepithelial lymphocytes. In addition, we confirmed the previously known association of CIMP with age, MSI-H status, BRAF mutation, sidedness, and mucinous histology. Molecular pathologic epidemiology associations help us explore the underlying association of lifestyle and clinical factors with molecular subsets like CIMP and help guide cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Hope for the future: A qualitative analysis of the resettlement experience of Syrian refugee adolescents and parents:

Civil war in Syria has resulted in the largest refugee group and the newest wave of refugees resettling in countries worldwide. Although they have experienced war, migration, and great trauma, rese...
Protein hormone fragmentation in intercellular signaling: hormones as nested information systems.

This study explores the hypothesis that protein hormones are nested information systems in which initial products of gene transcription, and their subsequent protein fragments, before and after secretion and initial target cell action, play additional physiological regulatory roles. The study produced four tools and key results: (1) a problem approach that proceeds, with examples and suggestions for in vivo organismal functional tests for peptide–protein interactions, from proteolytic breakdown prediction to models of hormone fragment modulation of protein–protein binding motifs in unrelated proteins; (2) a catalog of 461 known soluble human protein hormones and their predicted fragmentation patterns; (3) an analysis of the predicted proteolytic patterns of the canonical protein hormone transcripts demonstrating near-universal persistence of 9 ± 7 peptides of 8 ± 8 amino acids even after cleavage with 24 proteases from four protease classes; and (4) a coincidence analysis of the predicted proteolysis locations and the 1939 exon junctions within the transcripts that shows an excess (P < 0.001) of predicted proteolysis within 10 residues, especially at the exonal junction (P < 0.01). It appears all protein hormone transcripts generate multiple fragments the size of peptide hormones or protein–protein binding domains that may alter intracellular or extracellular functions by acting as modulators of metabolic enzymes, transduction factors, protein binding proteins, or hormone receptors. High proteolytic frequency at exonal junctions suggests proteolysis has evolved, as a complement to gene exon fusion, to extract structures or functions within single exons or protein segments to simplify the genome by discarding archaic one-exon genes.Summary sentencePredicted fragmentation data support the notion that protein hormones are nested information systems that gradually release multiple gene encoded physiological chemical signals during an evolved proteolytic fragmentation and degradation process.Graphical Abstract
cAMP is an allosteric modulator of DNA-binding specificity in the cAMP receptor protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Allosteric proteins with multiple subunits and ligand-binding sites are central in regulating biological signals. The cAMP receptor protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (CRPMTB) is a global regulator of transcription composed of two identical subunits, each one harboring structurally conserved cAMP- and DNA-binding sites. The mechanisms by which these four binding sites are allosterically coupled in CRPMTB remain unclear. Here, we investigate the binding mechanism between CRPMTB and cAMP, and the linkage between cAMP and DNA interactions. Using calorimetric and fluorescence-based assays, we find that cAMP binding is entropically driven and displays negative cooperativity. Fluorescence anisotropy experiments show that apo-CRPMTB forms high-order CRPMTB–DNA oligomers through interactions with nonspecific DNA sequences or preformed CRPMTB–DNA complexes. Moreover, we find that cAMP prevents and reverses the formation of CRPMTB–DNA oligomers, reduces the affinity of CRPMTB for nonspecific DNA sequences, and stabilizes a 1-to-1 CRPMTB–DNA complex, but does not increase the affinity for DNA like in the canonical CRP from Escherichia coli (CRPEcoli). DNA-binding assays as a function of cAMP concentration indicate that one cAMP molecule per homodimer dissociates high-order CRPMTB–DNA oligomers into 1-to-1 complexes. These cAMP-mediated allosteric effects are lost in the double-mutant L47P/E178K found in CRP from Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guerin (CRPBCG). The functional behavior, thermodynamic stability, and dimerization constant of CRPBCG are not due to additive effects of L47P and E178K, indicating long-range interactions between these two sites. Altogether, we provide a previously undescribed archetype of cAMP-mediated allosteric regulation that differs from CRPEcoli, illustrating that structural homology does not imply allosteric homology.
Systematic comparison of experimental assays and analytical pipelines for identification of active enhancers genome-wide

Mounting evidence supports the idea that transcriptional patterns serve as more specific identifiers of active enhancers than histone marks; however, the optimal strategy to identify active enhancers both experimentally and computationally has not been determined. In this study, we compared 13 genome-wide RNA sequencing assays in K562 cells and showed that the nuclear run-on followed by cap-selection assay (namely, GRO/PRO-cap) has significant advantages in eRNA detection and active enhancer identification. We also introduced a new analytical tool, Peak Identifier for Nascent-Transcript Sequencing (PINTS), to identify active promoters and enhancers genome-wide and pinpoint the precise location of the 5′ transcription start sites (TSSs) within these regulatory elements. Finally, we compiled a comprehensive enhancer candidate compendium based on the detected eRNA TSSs available in 120 cell and tissue types. To facilitate the exploration and prioritization of these enhancer candidates, we also built a user-friendly web server (https://pints.yulab.org) for the compendium with various additional genomic and epigenomic annotations. With the knowledge of the best available assays and pipelines, this large-scale annotation of candidate enhancers will pave the road for selection and characterization of their functions in a time-, labor-, and cost-effective manner in future.
Early Goddard Contributions Confirming the Dendritic State: Engineering PAMAM Dendrimer CNDPs to Generate CW-Terahertz Radiation Suitable for Molecular, Bio- and Diagnostics Imaging Spectroscopy

Essentially, all new disruptive discoveries/technologies begin with a predictable period of disbelief and rejection. In some cases, progress or delay of acceptance is determined by access to special experimental instrumentation or emerging new characterization methodologies for unequivocal confirmation. More often than not, acceptance is simply determined by a handful of unique individuals who possess the curiosity, technical insights and skill sets to obtain the compelling results that overcome even the most severe critics. Such was the case for the discovery of dendrimers/dendritic polymers. Collaborating experimentalists such as: Prof. W. A. Goddard III, (Cal. Tech.), Profs. J. M. J. Frechet/C. Hawker (then at Cornell Univ.), Prof. E. W. Meijer (then at DSM), Prof. N. Turro (Columbia Univ.), Prof. P.-G. de Gennes (College de France) and various Dow Chemical Co. scientific staff (i.e., Drs. D. M. Hedstrand, L. Wilson, S. Martin, P. Smith, G. Kallos, etc.) were among a handful of individuals who deserve special recognition for contributing critical results that garnered early acceptance and understanding of dendrimers and the “dendritic state.”
(Post-)Colonial Silence(s) and Critical Practice(s): Some Perspectives on Waseem Anwar’s 'Black' Women’s Dramatic Discourse

This article comments on Waseem Anwar‟s book “Black” Women’s Dramatic Discourse: A Psychosemiotic Study of Silence in Selected Plays by African American Women Dramatists to illustrate how the essential plurality of postmodern critical practices, in spite of their overt emphasis on anti-traditionalism, are rhetorically governed by academic jargon that is a multifaceted tradition in its own right. In doing so, it will introduce the reader to Waseem Anwar’s critique, in the wake of postcolonial studies, of the dialogic nature of language in evaluations of race and gender.
Solutions of Problems: Quadratic Equations

In this chapter, the problems of the fifth chapter are fully solved, in detail, step-by-step, and with different methods.