cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and management of cryptococcal meningitis: developments and challenges

The significance of cryptococcal infection as a cause of human disease has dramatically evolved in recent years. The objective of this study was to outline the worldwide significance of cryptococcosis and review developments in the management of cryptococcal meningitis. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii remains an important cause of disease, particularly in hosts with acquired immunosuppression. Cryptococcus gattii, on the other hand, infects hosts with seemingly normal immune systems and a recent dramatic outbreak in a new ecologic environment highlights the emerging clinical significance of this fungal pathogen. The introduction of new antifungal agents and the adoption of strategies for controlling elevated intracranial pressure in cryptococcal meningitis have added to our therapeutic options. However, the mortality from this infection remains unacceptably high and we are faced with the specific challenges in the management of this disease.
STUDIES ON THE PRECIPITIN REACTION : PRECIPITATING HAPTENS; SPECIES DIFFERENCES IN ANTIBODIES

1. Partial hydrolysis products of the specific polysaccharide of Type III pneumococcus ranging from 550 to 1,800 in formula weight can be quantitatively freed from unhydrolyzed polysaccharide. 2. The fractions yield specific precipitates with Type III antipneumococcus horse serum but fail to precipitate homologous rabbit antisera, giving rise only to specific inhibition. The aldobionic acid, the structural unit of S III, does not precipitate antisera. 3. A possible explanation and a possible application of the findings are pointed out.
On Dependent Ergative Case (in Shipibo) and Its Derivation by Phase

Focusing on the Shipibo language, I defend a simple ''dependent case'' theory of ergative case marking, where ergative case is assigned to the higher of two NPs in a clausal domain. I show how apparent failures of this rule can be explained assuming that VP is a Spell-Out domain distinct from the clause, and that this bleeds ergative case assignment for c-command relationships that already exist in VP and are unchanged in CP. This accounts for the apparent underapplication of ergative case marking with ditransitives, reciprocals, and dyadic experiencer verbs, as opposed to the applicatives of unaccusative verbs, which do have ergative subjects. Finally, I show how case assignment interacts with restructuring to explain constructions in which ergative case appears to be optional.
DSMC Simulations of Shock Interactions About Sharp Double Cones

This paper presents the results of a numerical study of shock interactions resulting from Mach 10 flow about sharp double cones. Computations are made by using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method of Bird. The sensitivity and characteristics of the interactions are examined by varying flow conditions, model size, and configuration. The range of conditions investigated includes those for which experiments have been or will be performed in the ONERA R5Ch low-density wind tunnel and the Calspan-University of Buffalo Research Center (CUBRC) Large Energy National Shock (LENS) tunnel.
Encoding aerial pursuit/evasion games with fixed wing aircraft into a nonlinear model predictive tracking controller

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have shown themselves to be highly capable in intelligence gathering, as well as a possible future deployment platform for munitions. Currently UAVs are supervised or piloted remotely, meaning that their behavior is not autonomous throughout the flight. For uncontested missions this is a viable method; however, if confronted by an adversary, UAVs may be required to execute maneuvers faster than a remote pilot could perform them in order to evade being targeted. In this paper we give a description of a nonlinear model predictive controller in which evasive maneuvers in three dimensions are encoded for a fixed wing UAV for the purposes of this pursuit/evasion game.
Identification of problems developing an ultrasensitive immunoassay for the ante mortem detection of the infectious isoform of the CWD-associated prion protein.

Abstract Ante-mortem assays exist for some Transmission Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE). These assays facilitate our understanding of disease pathology and epidemiology; however, the limitations of these ante-mortem assays include the inability to quantify protein amount, poor sensitivity, and/or limited robustness. Here, we utilize a bioinformatics approach to report on problems associated with developing a more sensitive immunoassay for TSEs including: 1) the lack of specific and sufficiently sensitive antibodies for the infectious isoform(s) of PrPres, 2) problems associated with serial titration of PrPres, and 3) the distribution of PrPres particle sizes. Overcoming these problems require more sophisticated antibody design and a creative engineering of an ultrasensitive protein assay systems for PrPres.
Tiny cells meet big questions: a closer look at bacterial cell biology

While studying actin assembly as a graduate student with Matt Welch at the University of California at Berkeley, my interest was piqued by reports of surprising observations in bacteria: the identification of numerous cytoskeletal proteins, actin homologues fulfilling spindle-like functions, and even the presence of membrane-bound organelles. Curiosity about these phenomena drew me to Lucy Shapiro's lab at Stanford University for my postdoctoral research. In the Shapiro lab, and now in my lab at Johns Hopkins, I have focused on investigating the mechanisms of bacterial cytokinesis. Spending time as both a eukaryotic cell biologist and a bacterial cell biologist has convinced me that bacterial cells present the same questions as eukaryotic cells: How are chromosomes organized and accurately segregated? How is force generated for cytokinesis? How is polarity established? How are signals transduced within and between cells? These problems are conceptually similar between eukaryotes and bacteria, although their solutions can differ significantly in specifics. In this Perspective, I provide a broad view of cell biological phenomena in bacteria, the technical challenges facing those of us who peer into bacterial cells, and areas of common ground as research in eukaryotic and bacterial cell biology moves forward.
Abscopal wear debris and total joint arthroplasty: cause for concern?

To The Editor: The Editorial entitled “A Potential Concern in Total Joint Arthroplasty: Systemic Dissemination of Wear Debris” (82-A: 455-456, April 2000), by Clark, calls attention to wear particles that are produced whenever there is articular or rubbing motion in or against a prosthesis. Together with the article by Urban et al.1 and an Instructional Course Lecture on periprosthetic osteolysis and particulate debris2, these papers imply increased concern, beyond that justifiably related to periprosthetic osteolysis, about particles of wear debris in patients managed with total joint replacement. Is that increase in concern about the particles’ abscopal distribution justified, over and above the concern about their local toxicity? The local consequences, such as osteolysis, indeed justify significant concern, and the many attempts to minimize articular wear attest to that concern. Concern about the abscopal particles should be based on evidence and not on theoretical grounds; this letter will consider in detail how strong, or more precisely, how weak that evidence is. Lest this commentary be interpreted as adverse criticism of the publications cited, I endorse the pioneering efforts of these authors in the field and I also point out that their work includes all of the multidisciplinary techniques presently available, some of which may be described as being at the forefront of modern technology. Without reservation, therefore, the three published pieces under scrutiny deserve fulsome praise. The following comments should be regarded as evaluative rather than critical. First of all, consideration should be given briefly to assessments of the concentrations of the index substances—the metals (cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, titanium, etc.) and the polymers (polyethylene and methylmethacrylate)—in blood and urine. The many articles on this subject all allude to the absence of evidence that the index substances cause systemic pathological changes. The article by Urban et al. and the …
Religion and the public sphere: What are the deliberative obligations of democratic citizenship?

In this article I analyze Rawls' and Habermas' accounts of the role of religion in political deliberations in the public sphere. After pointing at some difficulties involved in the unequal distribution of deliberative rights and duties among religious and secular citizens that follow from their proposals, I argue for a way to structure political deliberation in the public sphere that imposes the same deliberative obligations on all democratic citizens, whether religious or secular. These obligations derive from the ideal of mutual accountability that is supposed to guide political deliberation in a deliberative democracy. The main advantage of this proposal is that it recognizes the right of all democratic citizens to adopt their own cognitive stance (whether religious or secular) in political deliberation in the public sphere without giving up on the democratic obligation to provide reasons acceptable to everyone to justify coercive policies with which all citizens must comply.
Anthropological Considerations Relevant to the Maturation of the Immune Response in Humans

PROBLEM: The reason for the postnatal maturation of the immune response in humans was explored from the anthropological standpoint in order to gain some insight into how development in modern humans evolved and how it might have affected the immune system. METHOD: The estimation of the length of gestation in modern humans if it had followed the same developmental pattern as in the other hominids and the higher primates was calculated by extrapolation from the lengths of gestation and the physical characteristics of these other primates compared to those of modern humans. RESULTS: These calculations show that the gestation time of modern humans would be 3–18 months longer than the 9 months that it is if modern humans had followed a linear evolutionary development comparable to that of the other primates. The key difference between modern humans and the other primates is the rapid and extensive development of the brain that occurs in utero and in the first 12–18 months postnatally in modern humans. CONCLUSION: The first 12–18 months postnatally in humans follows the embryonic/fetal pattern of development, whereas that of other primates does not. The maturation of the immune response in humans occurs during both the intrauterine and extrauterine phases of the embryonic/fetal pattern of development.
An Experimental Study of Chick Provisioning in the Cooperatively Breeding Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) are cooperative breeders in which groups consist of a variable number of cobreeding males, jointnesting females, and non-breeding helpers of both sexes that are offspring from prior nests. We temporarily manipulated brood size of nests to determine the feeding response of birds in relation to their status (breeder or non-breeding helper) and sex. All categories of birds responded similarly to brood size increases, adjusting their feeding rate upwards so as to maintain approximately the same per-nestling feeding rate. Breeders, however, exhibited more flexibility with respect to brood size reductions, decreasing their feeding rate while helpers did not. This suggests that the ‘feeding rules’ of helpers are less flexible than those of breeders, a result not previously detected in other cooperative breeders that have been studied to date. Particularly surprising was the finding that helpers maintain their feeding rates when brood demand is decreased rather than when it was increased, suggesting that the flexibility they exhibit is not a result of birds using the opportunity afforded by reduced brood demand to engage in other less cooperative activities.
Object interpolation in three dimensions.

Perception of objects in ordinary scenes requires interpolation processes connecting visible areas across spatial gaps. Most research has focused on 2-D displays, and models have been based on 2-D, orientation-sensitive units. The authors present a view of interpolation processes as intrinsically 3-D and producing representations of contours and surfaces spanning all 3 spatial dimensions. The authors propose a theory of 3-D relatability that indicates for a given edge which orientations and positions of other edges in 3 dimensions may be connected to it, and they summarize the empirical evidence for 3-D relatahility. The theory unifies and d illuminates a number of fundamental issues in object formation, including the identity hypothesis in visual completion, the relations of contour and surface processes, and the separation of local and global processing. The authors suggest that 3-D interpolation and 3-D relatability have major implications for computational and neural models of object perception.
Cannabis or alcohol first? Differences by ethnicity and in risk for rapid progression to cannabis-related problems in women.

BACKGROUND Initiation of cannabis use typically follows alcohol use, but the reverse order does occur and is more common for African-Americans (AAs) than European-Americans (EAs). The aim of this study was to test for differences in the order of initiation of cannabis and alcohol use between AA and EA women and to determine whether order and ethnicity contribute independently to risk for rapid progression to cannabis-related problems. Method Data were drawn from structured psychiatric interviews of 4102 women (mean age = 21.6 years), 3787 from an all-female twin study and 315 from a high-risk family study; 18.1% self-identified as AA, 81.9% as EA. Ethnicity and order of initiation of cannabis and alcohol use were modeled as predictors of transition time from first use to onset of cannabis use disorder symptom(s) using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. RESULTS AA women were nearly three times as likely as EA women to initiate cannabis use before alcohol use. Using cannabis before alcohol [hazard ratio (HR) 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.93] and AA ethnicity (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.13-2.24) were both associated with rapid progression from first use to cannabis symptom onset even after accounting for age at initiation and psychiatric risk factors. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that AA women are at greater risk for rapid development of cannabis-related problems than EA women and that this risk is even higher when cannabis use is initiated before alcohol use. Prevention programs should be tailored to the various patterns of cannabis use and relative contributions of risk factors to the development of cannabis-related problems in different ethnic groups.
The effect of excitation limits on voltage stability

Voltage collapse has been commonly associated with insufficient reactive power support. Steady state studies have related reactive power generation limitations to the sudden onset of voltage instability. This paper extends this approach to the dynamic case. The relationship between the dynamic models and steady state behavior is established. The dynamic model is then used to investigate the sudden change in system stability when the maximum excitation limit is reached. Several illustrative examples are analyzed. Corrective actions are proposed which will move the physical system away from the region of instability.
Time Spent by Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) Larvae in Food Patches of Varying Quality

Individual larval movement was studied in the laboratory to determine whether or not Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche) larvae display differences in the time spent in food patches of varying quality. Both early and late instars were tested. Young instars exhibited marked differences in their response to food patch quality. When no food was present, the mean time these larvae remained at the site was 24.5 h. When food patches contained feces only, eggs only, or equal amounts of feces and eggs, the time spent before leaving increased to 62.6, 120.5, and 192.3 h, respectively. The response by older instars was less dramatic. No differences were observed between food patches with only feces or eggs. Older larvae also remained longer in patches containing both feces and eggs (201.9 h). Our data suggest that C. felis larvae do not respond randomly to food patches of varying quality and that particular dietary components have an influence on movement behavior according to developmental stage. Obtaining all of the essential dietary components seems more critical in the early stages of development.
Regulation of Shaker-type potassium channels by hypoxia. Oxygen-sensitive K+ channels in PC12 cells.

Little is known about the molecular composition of the O2-sensitive K+ (Ko2) channels. The possibility that these channels belong to the Shaker subfamily (Kvl) of voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channels has been raised in pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle cells. Numerous findings suggest that the Ko2 channel in PC 12 cells is a Kvl channel, formed by the Kvl.2α subunit. The Ko2 channel in PC12 cells is a slow-inactivating voltage-dependent K+ channel of 20 pS conductance. Other Kv channels, also expressed in PC 12 cells, are not inhibited by hypoxia. Selective upregulation by chronic hypoxia of the Kvl.2α subunit expression correlates with an increase O2-sensitivity of the K+ current. Other Kv 1α subunit genes encoding slow-inactivating Kv channels, such as Kvl.3, Kv2.1, Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 are not modulated by chronic hypoxia. The Ko2 current in PC 12 cells is blocked by 5 mM externally applied tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and by charydbotoxin (CTX). The responses of the Kvl.2 K+ channel to hypoxia have been studied in the Xenopus oocytes and compared to those of Kv2.1, alsoproposed as Ko2 channel in PA smooth muscle cells. Two-electrode voltage clamp experiments show that hypoxia induces inhibition of K+ current amplitude only in oocytes injected with Kvl.2 cRNA. These data indicate that Kvl .2 K+ channels are inhibited by hypoxia.
Corporate Governance in China: Currect Practice, Key Problems

This note introduces the current corporate governance system in China, identifies its key problems and assesses recent improvements and future challenges.
The Texas Pattern Jury Charges - A Plain-Language Project: The Writing Consultant’s View

This article recounts the author's experience as the writing consultant for a project to revise pattern jury instructions into plain English. The author explains the process for the revision and highlights the main challenges in getting the revision produced and tested. The author reports on the changes made and the results of the testing.
Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Human-machine Interfaces: New Paradigms in Command and Control☆

Abstract Novel human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are being developed at a rapid pace in support of mobile entertainment and productivity. With the significant increase in handheld device use (e.g., smartphones and tablets), innovative means of interaction are supporting use of such technologies to exceed intended functionality to interface with and control a wide range of devices and networks. Phones and tablets now provide a means to monitor and control complex technologies including small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) with hobbyists integrating their platforms with this technology. The benefits of such integration includes intuitive use, low cost, supportable using widely available commercially-off-the-shelf software and hardware, and capability to provide real-time and low latency data exchange supporting improved functionality (e.g., data logging, visualization, processing, and control). Unfortunately, the current regulatory landscape in the U.S. is yet to become conducive to widespread research to explore these options. Until this is resolved, significant progress in HMI research and testing will be difficult to occur. As the paradigm shifts from complex software and hardware interactions to simple, ready-to-use technologies in the operation of sUAS, it will be necessary to evaluate all options available to operators. The purpose of this research was to explore the available technologies and distinctive means in which they are used to support enhanced command and control of sUAS. Within this study, the current literature was surveyed, current and potential technologies were evaluated, and concepts to best utilize these technologies in sUAS are described. The results of this project also includes the identification of regulatory hurdles within the U.S. and suggestions regarding future related research.
About the dangers, costs and benefits of living an aerobic lifestyle.

The era in which ROS (reactive oxygen species) were simply the ‘bad boys of biology’ is clearly over. High levels of ROS are still rightfully considered to be toxic to many cellular processes and, as such, contribute to disease conditions and cell death. However, the high toxicity of ROS is also extremely beneficial, particularly as it is used to kill invading micro-organisms during mammalian host defence. Moreover, a transient, often more localized, increase in ROS levels appears to play a major role in signal transduction processes and positively affects cell growth, development and differentiation. At the heart of all these processes are redox-regulated proteins, which use oxidation-sensitive cysteine residues to control their function and by extension the function of the pathways that they are part of. Our work has contributed to changing the view about ROS through: (i) our characterization of Hsp33 (heat-shock protein 33), one of the first redox-regulated proteins identified, whose function is specifically activated by ROS, (ii) the development of quantitative tools that reveal extensive redox-sensitive processes in bacteria and eukaryotes, and (iii) the discovery of a link between early exposure to oxidants and aging. Our future research programme aims to generate an integrated and system-wide view of the beneficial and deleterious effects of ROS with the central goal to develop more effective antioxidant strategies and more powerful antimicrobial agents.
Protein and fat utilization in lactating sows: I. Effects on milk production and body composition

In order to provide data with which to challenge a model of metabolism of lactating sows, we conducted a study to determine milk production and body and mammary composition in sows consuming a range of energy and amino acid intakes and nursing 11 to 12 pigs. Sows (2nd through 4th parity) consumed the same ration during gestation and consumed 6.1 kg/d (as-fed) for a 20 d lactation. Litter size was standardized at 12 pigs within 3 d of farrowing. Diets were formulated to provide three different amounts of protein intake and two different amounts of fat intake. Protein intakes of sows in high (HP), medium (MP), and low protein (LP) treatment groups were 863, 767, and 678 g/d with 59, 53, and 47 g/d lysine at two levels of fat intake, 117 (LF) and 410 g/d (HF). Number of pigs weaned per litter was 11.4 +/- 0.5 and milk production and litter weight gain was less (P < 0.01) in the last week of lactation for sows consuming the least protein. Medium and low protein intakes increased (P < 0.05) loss of body lean and protein. Change in carcass protein during lactation was -1.4, -3.0, -2.2, -1.2, -1.9 and -2.1 kg (SD 2.6) for sows fed HPLF, MPLF, LPLF, HPHF, MPHF, and LPHF. Body fat (carcass and visceral) change was 0.4, -3.7, -4.1, -0.3, 3.4, and -1.3 kg (SD 6.6) in HPLF, MPLF, LPLF, HPHF, MPHF, and LPHF groups. Total amount of mammary parenchyma increased more (P < 0.05) in sows fed a higher fat diet. These data are consistent with general knowledge of changes in body composition in lactation of sows. However, changes in body protein and fat were correlated across treatments and different from that reported for sows nursing smaller litters. These data help our quantitative understanding of nutrient flux in sows nursing large litters and allow a severe challenge of existing models of metabolism in sows.
The Doppler stethoscope and the diagnosis of the acute scrotum.

AbstractWe evaluated 30 patients who had acute scrotal swelling with the Doppler stethoscope. Every case of epididymitis and torsion of the appendix testis demonstrated an increased testicular blood flow. The cases of spermatic cord torsion had no blood flow on ultrasound examination.
Yields and nutrient content of selected fresh fruits.

Proximate composition, edible yields, and selected nutrients were measured in cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, nectarines, plums, and watermelon sampled in six major U.S. markets. Yields were lowest (about 55%) for the melons, but were much higher (about 90% or above) for other fruits. Fruits were high in moisture, low in protein, fat, and energy. The estimated carbohydrate content ranged from about 8% for the melons to 17% for cherries. Vitamins A and C were present in moderate concentrations, but fruits were found to be low in vitamin B-6, folic acid, and pantothenic acid, as well as in the mineral elements.
What do Consumers See when they Look at Displays? An Eye-Tracking Study

Marketing practitioners and researchers operate on the underlying assumption that when looking at merchandise displays, consumers pay attention to both price and the merchandise itself. Further, they assume that price is a critical cue in making purchase decisions. What grabs consumer attention when first glancing at a display? Do some consumers focus only on the merchandise and overlook price? Do consumers look only at price and if the price is not “right” ignore the merchandise? The purpose of this study is to assess what grabs consumers’ attention when viewing merchandise displays. We used eye tracking to test the attention grabbing power of 4 Valentine gift displays.
What can 35 years and over 700,000 measurements tell us about noise exposure in the mining industry?

Objective: To analyse over 700,000 cross-sectional measurements from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MHSA) and develop statistical models to predict noise exposure for a worker. Design: Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Two linear regression models were used to predict noise exposure based on MSHA-permissible exposure limit (PEL) and action level (AL), respectively. Twofold cross validation was used to compare the exposure estimates from the models to actual measurement. The mean difference and t-statistic was calculated for each job title to determine whether the model predictions were significantly different from the actual data. Study sample: Measurements were acquired from MSHA through a Freedom of Information Act request. Results: From 1979 to 2014, noise exposure has decreased. Measurements taken before the implementation of MSHA’s revised noise regulation in 2000 were on average 4.5 dBA higher than after the law was implemented. Both models produced exposure...
Analytical approach to chromatic correction in the final focus system of circular colliders

A conventional final focus system in particle accelerators is systematically analyzed. We find simple relations between the parameters of two focus modules in the final telescope. Using the relations, we derive the chromatic Courant-Snyder parameters for the telescope. The parameters are scaled approximately according to $({L}^{*}/{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{y}^{*})\ensuremath{\delta}$, where ${L}^{*}$ is the distance from the interaction point to the first quadrupole, ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{y}^{*}$ the vertical beta function at the interaction point, and $\ensuremath{\delta}$ the relative momentum deviation. Most importantly, we show how to compensate its chromaticity order by order in $\ensuremath{\delta}$ by a traditional correction module flanked by an asymmetric pair of harmonic multipoles. The method enables a circular Higgs collider with 2% momentum aperture and illuminates a path forward to 4% in the future.
Mathematics of Hormone-Receptor Interaction

The basic principles underlying simple bimolecular reactions are reviewed. Alternative methods for estimation of rate constants and affinity constants are discussed. The need for weighting, iteration, and testing of alternative models is emphasized. Common problems and errors are discussed.
Conformal Lithium Fluoride Protection Layer on Three-Dimensional Lithium by Nonhazardous Gaseous Reagent Freon

Research on lithium (Li) metal chemistry has been rapidly gaining momentum nowadays not only because of the appealing high theoretical capacity, but also its indispensable role in the next-generation Li–S and Li–air batteries. However, two root problems of Li metal, namely high reactivity and infinite relative volume change during cycling, bring about numerous other challenges that impede its practical applications. In the past, extensive studies have targeted these two root causes by either improving interfacial stability or constructing a stable host. However, efficient surface passivation on three-dimensional (3D) Li is still absent. Here, we develop a conformal LiF coating technique on Li surface with commercial Freon R134a as the reagent. In contrast to solid/liquid reagents, gaseous Freon exhibits not only nontoxicity and well-controlled reactivity, but also much better permeability that enables a uniform LiF coating even on 3D Li. By applying a LiF coating onto 3D layered Li-reduced graphene oxide ...
The Effects of the Sunshine Act: What Can and Should We Expect?

The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (PPSA) was enacted in 2010 and requires that payments of greater than $10 from a commercial health care entity to physicians and teaching hospitals be reported b...
Dematin and Adducin Tether Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger, NHE1, to Erythrocyte Membrane Cytoskeleton

Abstract Dematin is a critical component of the membrane junctional complex in red blood cells. It tethers the spectrin cytoskeleton proteins to the membrane and its genetic deletion in mice causes dissociation of the spectrin, actin and β-adducin from the membrane resulting in the collapse of the red blood cells (RBCs). As dematin lacks a transmembrane domain, it is still unclear how this critical component of the junctional complex is anchored to the RBC membrane. Our previous studies have shown that the multi-transmembrane glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) interacts with dematin and β-adducin in human RBCs, suggesting a potential role for GLUT1 in recruiting dematin to the membrane. However, as mouse RBCs do not express a GLUT1 homologue, an equivalent membrane receptor for dematin and/or adducin in mice remains to be determined. Using multiple in vitro and in vivo biochemical assays, here we demonstrate that the ubiquitously expressed plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE1 (Slc9a1), is one of the receptors for dematin and β-adducin in mature mouse red blood cells. NHE1 directly interacts with the core domain of dematin. Moreover, the dematin headpiece domain mutant S381E, which binds to the core domain with a higher affinity than the wild type, abolished the biochemical interaction between dematin and NHE1. This observation suggests that NHE1 and dematin headpiece domain compete for the same binding site(s) on the core domain. Furthermore, this finding highlights a molecular mechanism whereby an intermolecular switch of dematin regulates its interaction with NHE1 by phosphorylation. Dematin and β-adducin directly interact with NHE1 at its membrane-proximal cytoplasmic domain, which in turn regulates NHE1 activity in response to growth factor stimuli and intracellular pH alterations. Accordingly,we observed an increased cellular sodium content in erythrocytes of dematin headpiece and adducin double knockout mice (DAKO), suggesting a higher NHE1 activity in DAKO erythrocytes. Unlike GLUT1, NHE1 is expressed in both mouse and human RBCs. Thus, our results provide a novel mechanism for linking NHE1 to membrane skeleton and multiple cell signaling pathways through dematin and adducin (Figure 1). Since NHE1 is one of the major regulators of intracellular pH and hypertonic stress, our findings raise the possibility that the dematin-adducin-NHE1 complex may modulate these functions in RBCs as well as in other cell types with broad impact on the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and cell migration. Download : Download high-res image (261KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Low speed and high altitude flight: Unmanned flight at low speed in altitudes above 50,000ft

Aerodynamics has been focused with ever increasing speeds in the early years of flight, then supersonic and now efficient speeds as close to M crit as possible for commercial flights. The constant need for faster speeds has been overtaken for efficiency of commercial aircraft since the grounding of Concorde. Nowadays, with Unmanned Ariel Vehicles, new demands are based on lower speeds and flying at very high or low altitudes to meets their applications and avoid commercial traffic. In this paper, the concerns and applications are addressed and how historical lessons can play a role in modern development.
Future Directions for Research on Discrimination Against Families with Children in Rental Housing Markets

The essay Future Directions for Research argues that the results of the HDS-Families pilot study — and those of the most recent national paired-testing study of discrimination against minority homeseekers — suggest that protected classes of homeseekers are no longer blatantly denied access to available housing. Many fair housing advocates and practitioners suggest that discrimination today may take different forms or may occur at different stages in the homeseeking process. If so, effectively measuring the incidence of discrimination in 21st century housing markets may require alternative research strategies. This essay discusses possible adaptations to paired-testing study design; an analysis of local occupancy standards and how they are applied by housing providers; exploratory analyses of discrimination at later stages of renting; interviews of housing providers to understand their knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and a large-scale survey of renters.
Those who can, teachDarwin's Unfinished Symphony: How Culture Made the Human Mind By Kevin N. Laland Princeton: Princeton University Press. xiv, 450 p. $35.00 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-691-15118-2.

Book review for: "Darwin's unfinished symphony: How culture made the human mind" By Kevin N. Laland. Princeton: Princeton University Press. xiv, 450 p. $35.00 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-691-15118-2.
An expanded immunohistochemical profile of osteoclast-rich undifferentiated carcinoma of the urinary tract

Osteoclast-rich undifferentiated carcinoma of the urinary tract (ORUCUT) is a rare tumor composed of ovoid to spindle-shaped mononuclear cells with intermixed or focally clustered osteoclast-like giant cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that the mononuclear cells are neoplastic cells, while the giant cells are reactive cells of histiocytic lineage. The association between these tumors and classic urothelial carcinomas suggest that the mononuclear cells are derived from urothelial cells; however, no studies have been conducted to assess the immunohistochemical profile of ORUCUT with more specific urothelial markers. This study identified 21 cases of ORUCUT and performed immunohistochemistry for GATA3, uroplakin II, and thrombomodulin along with pancytokeratin (AE1/3) on all cases. Mononuclear cells stained positive in 20 cases (95%) for GATA3 and 19 cases (90%) for thrombomodulin. None of the mononuclear cells were positive for uroplakin II and only three cases showed focal positivity for AE1/3. The osteoclast-like giant cells were negative for GATA3, uroplakin II, thrombomodulin, and AE1/3, providing additional support to a reactive origin for these cells. Additionally, 15 cases (71%) were associated with either in situ or invasive urothelial carcinoma. This study provides an expanded immunohistochemical profile for ORUCUT and more definitively supports a urothelial origin for this tumor.
Pomegranate juice attenuates neurotoxicity and histopathological changes of the nervous system induced by aluminum in mice

Aluminum (Al) is an element with ubiquitous presence on the earth crust that may cause neuropathological, neurobehavioral, neurophysical, and neurochemical changes linked to its bioavailability. The purpose of the present study was to determine the neuroprotective potential of pomegranate juice on Al induced neurotoxicity. Three groups of 7 female albino Swiss mice were used: the control group received only drinking water; the positive control group was exposed daily to 500 mg/kg of AlCl 3 orally; and the third treated group received pomegranate juice (v/v in water) supplied in dark bottles for 4 h/day followed by AlCl 3 at a dose of 500 mg/kg orally for 20 h/day for 90 days. After 90 days, the mice were subjected to behavioral and memory tests. Cortex cerebral and hippocampus injuries were determined with hematoxylin and eosin staining and Al accumulation was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption with Zeeman correction. The Al deposition in the brain caused neural degeneration and decreased cell density inducing a state of anxiety, depression, and a deficit of learning and memory. Pomegranate juice treatment attenuated neurobehavioral alterations, decreased Al in the brain and restored the histological structure. Highperformance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) revealed a range of bioactive molecules (i.e., gallic acid, quercetine, luteolin) in the pomegranate juice that may have neuroprotective value for the nervous disorders caused by Al intoxication.
Estimating the uncertainty of calculated out-of-field organ dose from a commercial treatment planning system

Therapeutic radiation to cancer patients is accompanied by unintended radiation to organs outside the treatment field. It is known that the model-based dose algorithm has limitation in calculating the out-of-field doses. This study evaluated the out-of-field dose calculated by the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system (v.11 with AAA algorithm) in realistic treatment plans with the goal of estimating the uncertainties of calculated organ doses. Photon beam phase-space files for TrueBeam linear accelerator were provided by Varian. These were used as incident sources in EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulations of radiation transport through the downstream jaws and MLC. Dynamic movements of the MLC leaves were fully modeled based on treatment plans using IMRT or VMAT techniques. The Monte Carlo calculated out-of-field doses were then compared with those calculated by Eclipse. The dose comparisons were performed for different beam energies and treatment sites, including head-and-neck, lung, and pelvis. For 6 MV (FF/FFF), 10 MV (FF/FFF), and 15 MV (FF) beams, Eclipse underestimated out-of-field local doses by 30%-50% compared with Monte Carlo calculations when the local dose was <1% of prescribed dose. The accuracy of out-of-field dose calculations using Eclipse is improved when collimator jaws were set at the smallest possible aperture for MLC openings. The Eclipse system consistently underestimates out-of-field dose by a factor of 2 for all beam energies studied at the local dose level of less than 1% of prescribed dose. These findings are useful in providing information on the uncertainties of out-of-field organ doses calculated by Eclipse treatment planning system.
Effect of Dietary Cholesterol on Blood Biomarkers during Resistance Training: Randomized Controlled Trial

To examine possible explanations for the observation that cholesterol is positively associated to skeletal muscle responses to resistance training, a randomized, double blind placebo controlled tri...
Antimicrobial Therapy of Bovine Respiratory Disease

Antimicrobials with a long history in the therapy of bovine respiratory disease are briefly reviewed. A discussion of extra-label antimicrobial use includes an overview of drugs commonly used in conjunction with a look at regulations regarding this practice. Ceftiofur sodium, tilmicosin phosphate, florfenicol, and enrofloxacin are covered in greater depth. The issues of combination antimicrobial therapy, interpretation of laboratory susceptibility results, and case definition are also addressed.
Carcinoid Heart Disease in Patients With Bronchopulmonary Carcinoid.

Abstract Introduction The prevalence of carcinoid heart disease (CaHD) in bronchopulmonary carcinoid and its relationship with left-sided valvular disease are unknown. Methods All patients with a pathologic diagnosis of bronchopulmonary carcinoid and echocardiography performed at our institution between 2001 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Echocardiograms were reviewed for features of CaHD including valvular leaflet thickening and retraction with resulting regurgitation and/or stenosis. Results Bronchopulmonary carcinoid was present in 185 patients (age 67 ± 13 years, 63% female). Carcinoid syndrome was present in 7.7% and liver metastases in 10%. Echocardiographic features of CaHD were present in just 2 (1%) patients. A 62-year-old woman underwent resection of stage 1A bronchopulmonary carcinoid without carcinoid syndrome and also received 7 months dexfenfluramine therapy. During 15-year follow-up, mitral regurgitation decreased and tricuspid regurgitation remained stable, a course more consistent with diet-drug–related valve disease than CaHD. A 71-year-old woman status post-resection of a grade 1 hilar carcinoid tumor with carcinoid syndrome, liver metastases, and elevated 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid had typical thickening and retraction of tricuspid and pulmonary valves with severe regurgitation. The aortic valve was mildly thickened and retracted with mild regurgitation. She underwent tricuspid and pulmonary valve replacement and closure of a patent foramen ovale. Pathologic examination confirmed CaHD. Conclusions CaHD occurs in less than 1% of patients with bronchopulmonary carcinoid. Bronchopulmonary carcinoid was associated with neither CaHD in the absence of liver metastases nor left-sided valve involvement in the absence of patent foramen ovale.
Neural Spare Capacity and the Concept of Diaschisis

Instances of extensive recovery from brain damage suggest that the brain has spare capacity. In a follow-up of 50 infantile hemiplegics who sustained surgical removal of all neocortex of one hemisphere for intractable seizures or other injuries, Wilson (1970) reported that all but one developed normal speech or recovered it completely irrespective of which hemisphere had been removed (Wilson, 1970, p. 166). Smith and Sugar (1975) carried out a comprehensive neuropsychological follow-up on a patient at ages 21 and 26 who had had left hemispherectomy for seizures as a 51/2-year-old boy. He demonstrated superior language and intellect, including WAIS verbal IQ of 126 and performance IQ of 102, had graduated from a university, and was working as a traffic controller. Normal psychological function also was observed in 279 cases of hydrocephalus with onset before the end of the first year of life (Berker et al., 1983). Most remarkable is one young man in whom a CAT scan shows ventricular dilatation occupying over 95% of the intracranial space. When tested on the Michigan Neuropsychological Battery at age 25, he had graduated from Sheffield University with honors in mathematics, had a verbal IQ of 140 and performance IQ of 130, and had been successfully employed for several years.
Characterization of the Nannochloropsis gaditana storage carbohydrate: A 1,3-beta glucan with limited 1,6-branching

Abstract As a result of a secondary endosymbiosis of a red alga, stramenopiles retained β-1,3 glucans as the primary soluble storage carbohydrate, in contrast to the starch and glycogen of green plants and animals. This storage carbohydrate has been identified and characterized in representative diatoms, brown algae, and oomycetes, but has not been biochemically characterized in species of Nannochloropsis, an industrially relevant genus of algae favored for its lipid content and productivity. In this study, the soluble storage carbohydrate of Nannochloropsis is characterized by 1H NMR, linkage analysis, and size exclusion chromatography. The putative genes encoding enzymes required for synthesis of the carbohydrate oligosaccharide from glucose 6-phosphate are identified. A glycogenin-like glycosyltransferase family 8 (GT8) protein was also identified to be conserved among all species of Nannochloropsis, despite the lack of glycogen in the genus. Homologs were identified in available genomes of brown algae, diatoms, and oomycetes, all documented to utilize β-1,3 glucans for carbon storage. Finally, a set of three likely laminarinases are highlighted from the glycosyl hydrolases by phylogenetic analyses.
Long-term follow-up of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for refractory juvenile dermatomyositis: a case-series study

To follow up the refractory juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in a long time and to investigate whether AHSCT is effective and safe to treat refractory JDM. We collected the AHSCT and follow-up data of three patients with refractory JDM who received autologous peripheral blood CD34+ cell transplantation in our hospital between June 2004 and July 2015. Those data include: hight, weight, routine blood and urine tests, ESR, CK, ALT, AST, LDH, renal functional tests, lymphocyte subpopulations, HRCT and muscle MRI. The last follow-up was done in June 2017. All three patients had complete remission and could stop prednisone after 3–12 months. None of them relapsed at 144, 113 and 23 months follow-up. Twelve months after their AHSCT, all of their monitoring indexes have returned to normal and they have stopped all medications. Until the date of this article, none of them relapsed or need medicine. Our study suggests that AHSCT is safe and effective in treating refractory JDM, and it can provides long term drug-free survival. However, more cases are needed for further confirmation.
Brainstem astrocytoma as a neuro-Behçet's disease mimic.

A 58-year-old man with a history of recurrent aphthous ulcers since childhood was admitted to the hospital with acute neurological decline characterised by loss of motor dexterity, dysarthria, dysphagia and unsteady gait. MRI brain was significant for symmetrical hyperintense T2 fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) in the corticospinal tracts, including parts of the pons and the mesodiencephalic junction. Though initial concern was for neuro-Behcet's disease, brain biopsy ultimately revealed a diagnosis of astrocytoma. This report demonstrates a mimic of neuro-Behcet's disease and the importance of confirming the correct diagnosis prior to initiating therapy.