cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIGH SHREW DIVERSITY ON ALASKA'S SEWARD PENINSULA: COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

Abstract In September 2010, 6 species of shrews (genus: Sorex) were collected at a single locality on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska. Such high sympatric diversity within a single mammalian genus is seldom realized. This phenomenon at high latitudes highlights complex Arctic community dynamics that reflect significant turnover through time as a consequence of environmental change. Each of these shrew species occupies a broad geographic distribution collectively spanning the entire Holarctic, although the study site lies within Eastern Beringia, near the periphery of all individual ranges. A review of published genetic evidence reflects a depauperate shrew community within ice-free Beringia through the last glaciation, and recent assembly of current diversity during the Holocene.
Shape memory and related phenomena

More than half the papers presented at ICOMAT-89 (International Conference on Martensitic Transformations, Sydney, Australia, July, 1989) were concerned with various aspects of the shape memory effect (SME), a relatively new phenomenon associated with a martensitic transformation. Accordingly, a material undergoes a displacive, shear-like martensitic transformation when it is cooled below a certain temperature, Ms. The transformation is completed when a lower temperature, Mr, is reached, where the material is said to be in the martensitic state. When this martensite is deformed (below Mr) it undergoes a strain which is completely recoverable upon heating. The shape recovery (memory) begins at a temperature, As, and is completed at a higher temperature, Af. The Ms, Mr, As and Af temperatures depend upon the particular alloy system, and recovery strains typically range from 2-10%. The martensite in shape memory alloys (SMA's) may also be isothermally induced above the Ms temperature by the application of stress, known as stress-induced martensite (SIM). This martensite disappears (reverses) when the applied stress is removed, resulting in a mechanical type (as opposed to thermal type) shape memory. The formation of SIM and its reversion gives rise to superlastic behavior. The two-way SME combines aspects of the 'one way' SME and SIM formation. Following a variety of thermomechanical treatments a specimen will exhibit a spontaneous shape change upon cooling between Ms and Mr because of microstresses inbuilt during processing. The microstresses effectively function ('program') as the external stress in SIM formation, but since the internal stresses are not released, the martensite will only reverse upon heating, at which time the one way SME operates. The shape memory effect was initially reported in 1951 by Chang and Read who studied a Au-Cd alloy3 I)* Since then many other alloy systems have been found to exhibit SME behavior. A brief history of the shape memory effect can be found in Ref. (2), and an excellent review of the development of SMA's has been provided by Miyazaki and Otsuka. (3) The more practical and engineering aspects of SMA's, which are not covered here, will be found in the book, Engineering Aspects of Shape Memory Alloys, proceedings of an international workshop/conference held in 1988. (4) Additional information on the SME and SMA's can be found in various conference proceedings °-14) and monographs, os-ig) Table 1 presents a brief glossary of shape memory and related phenomena. Apparently recognizing that the rather exotic Au--Cd alloy of Chang and Read °) had little engineering significance, interest in the shape memory remained largely dormant until 1963, when similar
Degradation of amine-based water treatment polymers during chloramination as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors.

Recent studies indicated that water treatment polymers such as poly(epichlorohydrin dimethylamine) (polyamine) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (polyDADMAC) may form N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) when in contact with chloramine water disinfectants. To minimize such potential risk and improve the polymer products, the mechanisms of how the polymers behave as NDMA precursors need to be elucidated. Direct chloramination of polymers and intermediate monomers in reagent water was conducted to probe the predominant mechanisms. The impact of polymer properties including polymer purity, polymer molecular weight and structure, residual dimethylamine (DMA), and other intermediate compounds involved in polymer synthesis, and reaction conditions such as pH, oxidant dose, and contact time on the NDMA formation potential (NDMA-FP) was investigated. Polymer degradation after reaction with chloramines was monitored at the molecular level using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. Overall, polyamines have greater NDMA-...
A mechanically verified verification condition generator

Verification Condition Generator (VCG) tools have bee, effective in simplifying the task of proving programs correct. However, in the past these VCG tools have in general not themselves been mechanically proven, so any proof using and depending on these VCGs might not be sound. In our work, we define and rigorously prove correct a VCG tool within the HOL theorem proving system, for a standard while-loop language, with one new feature not usually treated: expressions with side effects. Starting from a structural operational semantics of this programming language, we prove as theorem the axioms and rules of inference of a Hoare style axiomatic semantics, verifying their soundness. This axiomatic semantics is then used to define and prove correct a VCG tool for this language. Finally, this verified VCG is applied to an example program to verify its correctness.
Regulating speed in a neuromuscular human running model

Versatile models of human locomotion control can elicit new ideas for the control of legged robots and provide simulation test-beds for walking assistive robots. There exist neural control models that can generate human-like diverse and robust locomotion behaviors. However, most of these behaviors have been generated by extensive search on low-level control parameter sets, which is time consuming and limits the general applicability of the models. Our goal is to identify a hierarchical structure in neuromuscular control that allows to generate a large range of behaviors with a few high-level inputs. In this study, we focus on running. We incorporate a higher-layer speed adaptation policy to a previously proposed neuromuscular human model and find that it enables the model to run at speeds ranging from 2.4 to 4.0 ms−1 by changing only the target velocity. However, the speed changes occur slowly, and we investigate simple strategies that facilitate them. Among the strategies we explore, modulating the trunk lean shows fast and reliable acceleration and deceleration in average of 0.35 and −0.37 ms−2, respectively. The results show that the running speed of the neuromuscular model can be controlled to some extent with a higher-layer speed adaptation policy and a simple speed changing strategy. We plan to extend this framework to generate a larger range of locomotion behaviors with a few high-level commands.
SNS-595 demonstrates initial clinical activity in a phase 2 trial in platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer

A158 Background: SNS-595 is under clinical investigation in acute leukemia and ovarian cancer. Clinical responses have been observed in these indications, as well as in non-small cell (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancers. SNS-595 is a replication-dependent DNA damaging agent that causes irreversible G2 arrest, and rapid apoptosis. A secondary mechanism for SNS-595 is a unique inhibition of topoisomerase II that causes highly selective DNA damage with low dependence on topoisomerase II for its potent anti-tumor activity. A phase 2 study of single agent SNS-595 in this population was initiated based on clinical activity observed in patients with ovarian cancer in phase 1, including one partial response (PR), and supported by preclinical studies in several human ovarian cancer xenograft mouse models. A translational medicine study of SNS-595 activity in ovarian tumor biopsies was undertaken in parallel. Methods: SNS-595 was administered to patients with advanced platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer who had progressive disease after 1 or 2 prior platinum containing regimens; patients could have received an additional biologic or non-platinum therapy after becoming platinum-resistant. Platinum resistance was defined as progression during or relapse within 6 months of platinum-based chemotherapy. The drug was delivered as an IV infusion over 10 minutes on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle. Women had to have an ECOG PS of 0-1 and have adequate hematologic, hepatic and renal status. The translational study evaluated the activity of SNS-595 towards cancer cells harvested from 20 ovarian tumor biopsies, using the Extreme Drug Resistance (EDR®) cell proliferation assay developed and performed by (Oncotech). Activity of SNS-595 was compared with doxorubicin, etoposide and carboplatin. Results: To date 20 women have been enrolled and treated; 12 have sufficient follow-up to yield useful safety & efficacy results. The pts have a median age of 58 y (range 33-70 y) and all but one were Caucasian. Median number of prior therapies is 3 (range 1-4) with 8 pts having previously failed liposomal doxorubicin therapy in addition to platinum therapy and 11 pts being liposomal doxorubicin -naive. SNS-595 infusions are well tolerated. Dose reductions/delays were primarily due to neutropenia. Of the 20 pts currently treated, 8 are evaluable for best response: one is a confirmed PR, one is an unconfirmed PR, and six have stable disease (SD). Both pts who achieved a PR had failed 2 prior platinum-containing regimens and both had failed liposomal doxorubicin within 6 months as well. Nonclinical (EDR®) data established that SNS-595 is a potent inhibitor of ovarian tumor cell growth. Activity exceeded that of etoposide and carboplatin and was comparable with doxorubicin. Conclusions: SNS-595 is a novel cell cycle agent with a unique mechanism of action. SNS-595 has demonstrated clinical activity in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, several of whom have failed prior therapy with liposomal doxorubicin as well. Further accrual to this study continues.
Fanconi anemia proteins in telomere maintenance

Mammalian chromosome ends are protected by nucleoprotein structures called telomeres. Telomeres ensure genome stability by preventing chromosome termini from being recognized as DNA damage. Telomere length homeostasis is inevitable for telomere maintenance because critical shortening or over-lengthening of telomeres may lead to DNA damage response or delay in DNA replication, and hence genome instability. Due to their repetitive DNA sequence, unique architecture, bound shelterin proteins, and high propensity to form alternate/secondary DNA structures, telomeres are like common fragile sites and pose an inherent challenge to the progression of DNA replication, repair, and recombination apparatus. It is conceivable that longer the telomeres are, greater is the severity of such challenges. Recent studies have linked excessively long telomeres with increased tumorigenesis. Here we discuss telomere abnormalities in a rare recessive chromosomal instability disorder called Fanconi Anemia and the role of the Fanconi Anemia pathway in telomere biology. Reports suggest that Fanconi Anemia proteins play a role in maintaining long telomeres, including processing telomeric joint molecule intermediates. We speculate that ablation of the Fanconi Anemia pathway would lead to inadequate aberrant structural barrier resolution at excessively long telomeres, thereby causing replicative burden on the cell.
Organ-sparing surgery in urology: partial cystectomy

Purpose of reviewWhile radical cystectomy continues to be the gold standard for surgical management of muscle invasive bladder cancer, there has been a renewed interest in partial cystectomy as a viable treatment alternative. The purpose of this review is to summarize and discuss the recent literatu
Consistency of Cluster Analysis for Cognitive Diagnosis: The Reduced Reparameterized Unified Model and the General Diagnostic Model

The asymptotic classification theory of cognitive diagnosis (ACTCD) provided the theoretical foundation for using clustering methods that do not rely on a parametric statistical model for assigning examinees to proficiency classes. Like general diagnostic classification models, clustering methods can be useful in situations where the true diagnostic classification model (DCM) underlying the data is unknown and possibly misspecified, or the items of a test conform to a mix of multiple DCMs. Clustering methods can also be an option when fitting advanced and complex DCMs encounters computational difficulties. These can range from the use of excessive CPU times to plain computational infeasibility. However, the propositions of the ACTCD have only been proven for the Deterministic Input Noisy Output "AND" gate (DINA) model and the Deterministic Input Noisy Output "OR" gate (DINO) model. For other DCMs, there does not exist a theoretical justification to use clustering for assigning examinees to proficiency classes. But if clustering is to be used legitimately, then the ACTCD must cover a larger number of DCMs than just the DINA model and the DINO model. Thus, the purpose of this article is to prove the theoretical propositions of the ACTCD for two other important DCMs, the Reduced Reparameterized Unified Model and the General Diagnostic Model.
Bacteriophage Typing of Listeria monocytogenes Cultures Isolated From Seafoods.

Listeria monocytogenes cultures isolated from a variety of seafoods were subjected to phage typing procedures utilizing the French International set of L. monocytogenes bacteriophages. These cultures were also subjected to the activity of newly isolated North American phages to L. monocytogenes . There were 147 serotype 1/2 and 80 serotype 4b L. monocytogenes cultures isolated from 16 varieties of marine products included in this study. L. monocytogenes was most frequently isolated from crab meat, salmon, and shrimp. Bacteriophages to serotype 1/2 isolates most frequently observed as single patterns were 575, 1967, 2685, and 19. Serotype 4b phages observed most frequently were 1317, 2425, and 52 as single phage patterns, and 52/340/110/108/2671/2425/2389 and the new North American phages 90861/910716/93253/90666 as one complete spectrum. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes and their respective phage spectra observed in the 16 varieties of seafoods studied is discussed.
Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced intestinal injury in neonatal mice activates transcriptional networks similar to those seen in human necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background We have shown previously that enteral administration of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in 10-d-old C57BL/6 pups produces an acute necrotizing enterocolitis with histopathological and inflammatory changes similar to human necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). To determine whether murine neonatal 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-mediated intestinal injury could be used as a NEC model, we compared gene expression profiles of TNBS-mediated intestinal injury and NEC. Methods Whole-genome microarray analysis was performed on proximal colon from control and TNBS-treated pups (n = 8/group). For comparison, we downloaded human microarray data of NEC (n = 5) and surgical control (n = 4) from a public database. Data were analyzed using the software programs Partek Genomics Suite and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Results We detected extensive changes in gene expression in murine TNBS-mediated intestinal injury and human NEC. Using fold-change cut-offs of ±1.5, we identified 4,440 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) in murine TNBS-mediated injury and 1,377 in NEC. Murine TNBS-mediated injury and NEC produced similar changes in expression of orthologous genes (r = 0.611, P Conclusion Murine neonatal TNBS-mediated enterocolitis and human NEC activate nearly-identical biological processes, signaling pathways, and transcriptional networks.
Dielectric investigations of nonrigid molecules

In order to characterize the nature and magnitude of molecular interactions in liquids, dielectric relaxation experiments in the microwave region on 2, 2'-bipyridine, 2, 2'-dibromobiphenyl, 4-bromobiphenyl, and anisole have been made. In general, the modes of relaxation for each of these compounds may be separated into processes involving over-all molecular tumbling and those involving internal motions of segments of the molecule.
Stable isotope paleohydrology and chemostratigraphy of the Albian Wayan Formation from the wedge-top depozone, North American Western Interior Basin

Understanding of the role of atmospheric moisture and heat transport in the climate system of the Cretaceous greenhouse world represents a major challenge in Earth system science. Stable isotopic paleohydrologic data from mid-Cretaceous paleosols in North America, from paleoequatorial to paleoArctic latitudes, have been used to constrain the oxygen isotope mass balance of the Albian hydrologic cycle. Over the range from 40°–50°N paleolatitude, sideritic paleosols predominate, indicating paleoenvironments with positive precipitation-evaporation (P-E) balances. Local exceptions occur on leeward side of the Sevier Orogen, where calcic paleosols in the wedge-top depozone record paleoenvironments with negative P-E balances in the orographic rain shadow. Stratigraphic sections in the Wayan Formation of Idaho (WF) were sampled from the wedge-top depozone. The units consist of stacked m-scale mudstone paleosols separated by m-scale sandstone-siltstone beds. Sections were sampled for organic carbon isotope profiles, and B-horizons from 6 well-developed paleosols were sampled for detrital zircons to determine maximum depositional ages. The first of these from the WF has produced a U-Pb concordia age of 101.0±1.1 Ma. This same WF section has produced a stratigraphic trend of upwardly decreasing δ 13C values ranging from –24‰ upwards to –27‰ VPDB, suggesting correlation to the late Albian C15 C-isotope segment. Pedogenic carbonates from the WF principally consist of micritic calcite, with carbon-oxygen isotope values that array along meteoric calcite lines (MCLs) with δ 18O values that range from –9.47‰ up to –8.39‰ VPDB. At approximately 42°N paleolatitude, these MCL values produce calculated paleoprecipitation values of –8.12‰ to –7.04‰ VSMOW, a range that is consistent with the estimates produced from other proxies at the same paleolatitudes across North America. These results indicate that despite the orographic rain shadow effect, the processes of meridional atmospheric moisture transport in this locale were similar to those in more humid mid-latitude paleoenvironments elsewhere in the continent.
Introduction: Histories and Industries of Gameplay

From the production of arcade video games in the 1970s to the development of E-sports in the early 2000s, East Asia has been a driving force in the global video game industry. In 2016, China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have collectively generated more than 40% of the global games market revenues.1 As of 2016, the global video game industry is a $101.6 billion industry,2 while current global box office film sales are a $38.3 billion industry,3 making video games one of the most profitable entertainment industries of the twenty-first century. While these numbers highlight the influence of the region on game sales, they do not cover the complexity of the video game industry. Current video game platforms offer more styles of games, game-playing demographics are more varied and wider than ever, “and games are now large, small, polished, experimental, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, text-based, gestural, genre-specific, or mashed up” (Consalvo 2016, 2). There is therefore no single context, industry, or community of games but a diverse multitude of game structures that have shaped the cultural milieu of video games in the region. Due to the intra-regional and transnational flow of content, East Asia is not only recognized as a historic global gaming center but is “marked by diverse consumption and production patterns of gaming, mobile and broadband technologies, subject to local cultural socio-economic nuances” (Hjorth and Chan 2009, 3). Moreover, in the historical and contemporary contexts of East Asia, video games have given rise to new forms of identity formation, social interaction, and virtual colonization that blur national boundaries and create transnational practices of interaction. From this multifaceted context and cultural flow of information across historical and regional boarders, East Asia is an automatic “must” when studying the global contexts of the video game industry.
Why Judges Don't Like Petitions for Rehearing

Petitions for en banc rehearings are rarely granted. A Senior Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit provides a history and reasoning of the rehearing process and his personal observations on those petitions and processes in today's court.
Face cooling increases blood pressure during central hypovolemia

A reduction in central blood volume can lead to cardiovascular decompensation (i.e., failure to maintain blood pressure). Cooling the forehead and cheeks using ice water raises blood pressure. Ther...
Training Human Development Professionals in Public Policy and Community Collaboration: A View of the Issues

America, and the communities that comprise it, face a set of problems of historically unprecedented scope and severity. Issues of economic development, environmental quality, health, and health care delivery challenge the current resources and future viability of our nation. Ultimately, all these problems reduce to issues affecting the lives of people and, most dramatically, the youth and families of our nation (Dryfoos, 1998; Schorr, 1997).
A tribute to john kraus: A pioneer in electromagnetics, antennas, and radio astronomy

John Kraus stands out among the giants in the history of the Antennas and Propagation Society. He made high-impact contributions in both education and research. In education, he authored three classic textbooks. In research, he was a pioneer in antennas and radio astronomy. He invented many antennas, most notably the axial mode helix antenna. He used the antennas he invented in measurement programs, many in radio astronomy. His impact on our profession is immense. This paper reviews his life accomplishments and his contributions to our field.
One Year of Family Physicians' Observations on Working with Medical Scribes

PURPOSE The immense clerical burden felt by physicians is one of the leading causes of burnout. Scribes are increasingly being used to help alleviate this burden, yet few published studies investigate how scribes affect physicians' daily work, attitudes and behaviors, and relationships with patients and the workplace. METHODS Using a longitudinal observational design, data were collected, over 1 year, from 4 physicians working with 2 scribes at a single academic family medicine practice. Physician experience was measured by open-ended written reflections requested after each 4-hour clinic session. A data-driven codebook was generated using a constant comparative method with grounded theory approach. RESULTS A total of 361 physician reflections were completed, yielding 150 distinct excerpts; 289 codes were assigned. The 11 themes that emerged were further categorized under 4 domains. The most frequently recurring domain was clinic operations, which comprised 51.6% of the codes. Joy of practice, quality of care, and patient experience comprised 22.1%, 16.3%, and 10.0% of the codes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that integrating scribes into a primary care clinic can produce positive outcomes that go beyond reducing clerical burden for physicians. Scribes may benefit patient experience, quality of care, clinic operations, and joy of practice.
Text messaging to support a perinatal collaborative care model for depression: A multi-methods inquiry.

Abstract Objective Mental health care integrated into obstetric settings improves access to perinatal depression treatments. Digital interactions such as text messaging between patient and provider can further improve access. We describe the use of text messaging within a perinatal Collaborative Care (CC) program, and explore the association of text messaging content with perinatal depression outcomes. Methods We analyzed data from an open treatment trial of perinatal CC in a rural obstetric clinic. Twenty five women with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score of ≥10 enrolled in CC, and used text messaging to communicate with their Care Manager(CM). We used surveys and focus groups to assessacceptability of text messaging with surveys and focus groups. We calculated the number of text messages exchanged, and analyzed content to understand usage patterns. We explored association between text messaging content and depression outcomes. Results CMs initiated 85.4% messages, and patients responded to 86.9% messages. CMs used text messaging for appointment reminders, and patients used it to obtain obstetric and parenting information. CMs had concerns about the likelihood of boundary violations. Patients appreciated the asynchronous nature of text messaging. Conclusion Text messaging is feasible and acceptable within a perinatal CC program. We need further research into the effectiveness of text messaging content, and response protocols.
Discovery of the First Germline-Restricted Gene by Subtractive Transcriptomic Analysis in the Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia guttata

Summary Developmentally programmed genome rearrangements are rare in vertebrates, but have been reported in scattered lineages including the bandicoot, hagfish, lamprey, and zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ) [1]. In the finch, a well-studied animal model for neuroendocrinology and vocal learning [2], one such programmed genome rearrangement involves a germline-restricted chromosome, or GRC, which is found in germlines of both sexes but eliminated from mature sperm [3, 4]. Transmitted only through the oocyte, it displays uniparental female-driven inheritance, and early in embryonic development is apparently eliminated from all somatic tissue in both sexes [3, 4]. The GRC comprises the longest finch chromosome at over 120 million base pairs [3], and previously the only known GRC-derived sequence was repetitive and non-coding [5]. Because the zebra finch genome project was sourced from male muscle (somatic) tissue [6], the remaining genomic sequence and protein-coding content of the GRC remain unknown. Here we report the first protein-coding gene from the GRC: a member of the α-soluble N- ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein (NSF) attachment protein (α-SNAP) family hitherto missing from zebra finch gene annotations. In addition to the GRC-encoded α-SNAP, we find an additional paralogous α-SNAP residing in the somatic genome (a somatolog)—making the zebra finch the first example in which α-SNAP is not a single-copy gene. We show divergent, sex-biased expression for the paralogs and also that positive selection is detectable across the bird α-SNAP lineage, including the GRC-encoded α-SNAP. This study presents the identification and evolutionary characterization of the first protein-coding GRC gene in any organism.
Industrial applications of interval techniques

Abstract. Tools for achieving high accuracy and guaranteed inclusions in scientific computations have been promoted by the research community for many years. Commercial products have made those tools widely available. We apply the tools of ACRITH to a least squares problem, a problem involving matrix products and inverses, the conjugate gradient algorithm, and a partial differential equation with a moving boundary. We discuss the lessons learned from these experiences about how interval techniques and high accuracy computations can be used cost-effectively for industrial problems.
The retrotrapezoid nucleus and breathing.

The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is located in the rostral medulla oblongata close to the ventral surface and consists of a bilateral cluster of glutamatergic neurons that are non-aminergic and express homeodomain transcription factor Phox2b throughout life. These neurons respond vigorously to increases in local pCO2 via cell-autonomous and paracrine (glial) mechanisms and receive additional chemosensory information from the carotid bodies. RTN neurons exclusively innervate the regions of the brainstem that contain the respiratory pattern generator (RPG). Lesion or inhibition of RTN neurons largely attenuates the respiratory chemoreflex of adult rats whereas their activation increases respiratory rate, inspiratory amplitude and active expiration. Phox2b mutations that cause congenital central hypoventilation syndrome in humans prevent the development of RTN neurons in mice. Selective deletion of the RTN Phox2b-VGLUT2 neurons by genetic means in mice eliminates the respiratory chemoreflex in neonates.
Ehrlichial strategy for survival and proliferation in leukocytes.

Ehrlichial organisms classified in the family Rickettsiaceae, are uniquely adapted to survive and proliferate in primary host defensive cells such as monocytes and granulocytes. Recent success in culturing ehrlichial organisms in leukemia cell lines enabled us to apply molecular and cell biologic techniques for their characterization. Ehrlichial major outer membrane protein antigens are encoded by a large number of polymorphic multigenes conserved among related species. Both ligand and receptor for monocytic ehrlichial binding are proteins. For internalization and proliferation of ehrlichial organisms Ca2+-calmodulin and protein tyrosine phosphorylation are required. Monocytic and granulocytic ehrlichial organisms enter and maintain distinct cytoplasmic compartments which do not fuse with each other or lysosomes. Binding of monocytic ehrlichiae to macrophage surface induces rapid protein kinase A activation, leading to interference of signal transduction in the host cells such as Jak-Stat pathway or down regulation of class II antigen in response to interferon-γ. Altogether ehrlichial organisms upon contact with phagocytic leukocytes maim multiple innate microbicidal activity directed to them.
Polyhedral Theory and Commutative Algebra

An expository account is presented describing the use of methods of commutative algebra to solve problems concerning the enumeration of faces of convex polytopes. Assuming only basic knowledge of vector spaces and polynomial rings, the enumeration theory of Stanley is developed to the point where one can see how the Upper Bound Theorem for spheres is proved. A briefer account is then given of the extension of these techniques which yielded the proof of the necessity of McMullen’s conjectured characterization of the f-vectors of convex polytopes. The latter account includes a glimpse of the application of these methods to the study of integer solutions to systems of linear inequalities.
Linear Endoscopic Ultrasound

The widespread acceptance of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has largely been due to the emergence of the linear array echoendoscope. Once endosonographers familiarized themselves with images obtained from the radial echoendoscope with correlative gastrointestinal and extraintestinal anatomy, they reached a certain plateau. Elegant descriptions of lesions and superior staging abilities were soon met by the obvious reality of the need for tissue acquisition. The rapid refinement of the linear array echoendoscope, both in endoscope design and imaging resolution coupled with an improvement in the size of the accessory channels quickly brought this technology to the forefront. This chapter reviews the basic endoscope design of the linear array echoendoscope. The dogma for learning EUS is the need for a systematic approach guided by a “station approach.” We describe the basic techniques used to acquire the necessary images when perfor­ming a linear examination. As one masters these maneuvers, performing fine needle aspiration and other therapeutic interventions will seem secondary. The second half of this chapter explores the literature, namely asking the question, does the instrument matter and how useful is the linear array endoscope in comparison with the mechanical radial instrument for evaluating esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic disorders, suspected common bile duct stones, and lastly rectal cancer. The linear array echoendoscope is an extremely powerful instrument and the benefits derived from using this instrument will be well worth the energy expended in mastering some basic concepts and techniques.
Myelomeningocele Versus Myelocele on Fetal MR Images: Are There Differences in Brain Findings?

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between patients with myelomeningocele and those with myelocele with respect to brain imaging findings at fetal MRI. MATERIALS AND ME...
An evaluation of primers for detecting denitrifiers via their functional genes

Microbial populations provide nitrogen cycling ecosystem services at the nexus of agriculture, environmental quality and climate change. Denitrification, in particular, impacts socio-environmental systems in both positive and negative ways, through reduction of aquatic and atmospheric nitrogen pollution, but also reduction of soil fertility and production of greenhouse gases. However, denitrification rates are quite variable in time and space, and therefore difficult to model. Microbial ecology is working to improve the predictive ecology of denitrifiers by quantifying and describing the diversity of microbial functional groups. However, metagenomic sequencing has revealed previously undescribed diversity within these functional groups, and highlighted a need to reevaluate coverage of existing DNA primers for denitrification functional genes. We provide here a comprehensive in silico evaluation of primer sets that target diagnostic genes in the denitrification pathway. This analysis makes use of current DNA sequence data available for each functional gene. It contributes a comparative analysis of the strengths and limitations of each primer set for describing denitrifier functional groups. This analysis identifies genes for which development of new tools is needed, and aids in interpretation of existing datasets, both of which will facilitate application of molecular methods to further develop the predictive ecology of denitrifiers.
Beyond Bitcoin: The Economics of Digital Currencies (Chapter 3: Platform-based Currencies)

In this chapter, we analyze digital currencies issued by Internet platforms. We use examples of Facebook Credits, Amazon Coins, World of Warcraft gold and Linden dollars to illustrate how designing the features of digital currencies allows the platforms to enhance their business model. 3.1. Special currencies of the traditional world 3.2. Platform-based currencies in the digital era 3.2.1. Online video games and World of Warcraft gold 3.2.2. Virtual worlds and Linden dollars 3.2.3. Social Networks and Facebook Credits 3.2.4. Promotion platforms and Amazon Coins 3.3. Conclusion 3.4. Discussion. For Chapter 1 (Introduction), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135021. For Chapter 2 (Means of Exchange: Ever-present Competition), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135028. For Chapter 4 (Cryptocurrencies), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135043. For Chapter 5 (Conclusions), https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135057.
UNIT 18.7 Assays of Protein Kinases Using Exogenous Substrates

In studies of the regulation of specific biochemical events by reversible phosphorylation, assaying the protein kinases themselves can often lead to significant progress in understanding the mechanistic details of a system under study. This unit describes assays for a variety of protein kinases that require different conditions to detect and measure their activities: cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases, protein kinase C and isoforms, casein kinases, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinases, and tyrosine kinase. A protocol for in-gel assays for specific kinase activity is also provided. The unit is not meant to be a catalog of individual protein kinase assays; however, the general principles of these assays should apply to most if not all known protein kinases.
Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on dysphagia in children with severe hand foot and mouth disease

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with conventional symptomatic and supportive treatments on swallowing function and nutritional status in children with severe hand foot and mouth disease complicated with dysphagia. METHODS A total of 68 children with severe hand foot and mouth disease complicated with dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 34 cases in each one. Symptomatic and supportive treatments such as lowering temperature, tranquilizing and mechanical ventilation were adopted in the control group. On the basis of the treatments in the control group, acupuncture was applied at Lianquan (CV 23), Jialianquan (Extra), cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2), Fengfu (GV 16), Fengchi (GB 20), Yamen (GV 15), scalp motor and sensory areas in the observation group, once a day, 6 times a week, one month as a course and totally 3 courses were required. Time spent on restoring swallowing function was observed in both groups. Besides, score of dysphagia disorder survey (DDS) and nutritional status were evaluated before and after treatment, and the clinical effects were compared. RESULTS The total effective rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the observation group, which was superior to 73.5% (25/34) in the control group (P<0.05). The time of restoring swallowing function in the observation group was advanced than the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the DDS scores after treatment were decreased in both groups, and the reduction in the observation group was larger than the control group (all P<0.05). After the treatment, the normal rate of nutritional status was 61.8% (21/34) in the observation group, which was superior to 32.4% (11/34) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of conventional treatment, acupuncture can effectively treat the severe hand foot and mouth disease complicated with dysphagia, improve the swallowing function and nutritional status.
Anti-Signal Recognition Particle Antibody-Associated Severe Interstitial Lung Disease Requiring Lung Transplantation

Anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) antibodies are typically associated with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. Some patients with anti-SRP antibodies may have extramuscular manifestations including mild respiratory symptoms secondary to interstitial lung disease. We present a case of a 40-year-old female presenting with acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to anti-SRP antibody-associated interstitial lung disease with mildly elevated creatinine kinase but without evidence of necrotizing myopathy on muscle biopsy. After a complicated six-month hospitalization, the patient successfully received double lung transplantation and was eventually discharged on room air. Unexplained worsening interstitial infiltrates leading to persistent hypoxic respiratory failure in the setting of nonspecifically elevated creatinine kinase should warrant consideration of an underlying connective tissue disease, including myositis with anti-SRP antibody-associated interstitial lung disease. In rare cases, interstitial lung disease may be severe requiring lung transplantation.
Bridging compassion and justice in conservation ethics

Abstract ‘Traditional conservation’ customarily engages in the dismissal of individual non-human animal claims when these conflict with human interests or prevailing ideas of biodiversity. Emerging conservation paradigms, compassionate conservation (CC) and multispecies justice (MJ), concerned with the prevalence of harm to animals are challenging the normative and practical standards underlying this dismissal. We place these two emerging conservation paradigms in dialogue, highlighting their potential for convergence for appropriately considering nonhuman animal claims. We focus on some theoretical and practical tensions within both paradigms that may hinder their independent application. While we agree on the practice of compassion towards individuals as indispensable to ethics, we demonstrate how questions of harm ubiquitous in ethical dilemmas (situations of conflict) within conservation are inevitably intertwined with evaluations of competing human-animal claims potentially unsolvable only through compassion. Drawing on Mary Midgley's concept of the ‘mixed-community’ of species, we propose MJ as a complementary value promoting animal respect, dignity, and their appropriate consideration through the establishment of baseline duties to others. We recommend justice-promoting principles focused on recognizing different yet equitable sources of moral value (geocentrism), observing equitable consideration, evaluating harm and comparability of claims, among others. We proceed to discuss the limitations of justice, compassion and how we can correct for them, highlighting the indispensability of their simultaneous deployment. We conclude that a comprehensive conservation ethic should promote an ethics-of-care together with the codification and enforcement of animal claims so as to provide explicit ethical guidance in our mixed-community.
M2 Macrophages Promote Collagen Expression and Synthesis in Laryngotracheal Stenosis Fibroblasts.

Objective Macrophages exhibit distinct phenotypes and are dysregulated in a model of iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis (iLTS). Increased populations of alternatively activated or M2 macrophages have been demonstrated. However, the role of these macrophages is unknown. The aims of this study are: 1) define the macrophage population in iLTS in the context of classically activated or M1 and M2 macrophage phenotypes, and 2) characterize the effect of monocyte-derived M1 and M2 macrophages on normal airway and LTS-derived fibroblasts (FBs) in vitro. Study design Comparative analysis; in vitro controlled study. Methods Immunohistochemical analysis of human iLTS and control specimens was performed to define the macrophage population. In vitro, M1, and M2 macrophages were polarized using M-CSF + Interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide or Interleukin-4, respectively. FBs isolated from laryngotracheal scar (LTS-FBs) and normal tracheal airway (NA-FBs) in eight patients with iLTS were cocultured with polarized macrophages. Fibrosis gene expression, soluble collagen production, and proliferation were assessed. Results Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased CD11b + cells (macrophage marker) in laryngotracheal scar specimens (18.3% vs. 8.5%, P = .03) and predominant CD206 (M2) costaining versus CD86 (M1) (51.5% vs. 9.8%, n = 10, P = .001). In vitro, NA-FBs cultured with M2 macrophages demonstrated a 2.41-fold increase in collagen-1 expression (P = .05, n = 8) and an increase in soluble collagen (9.98 vs. 8.875, mean difference: 1.11 95%, confidence interval 0.024-2.192, n = 8, P = .015). Conclusion Increased populations of CD11b cells are present in iLTS specimens and are predominantly CD206+, indicating an M2 phenotype. In vitro, M2 macrophages promoted collagen expression in airway FBs. Targeting macrophages may represent a therapeutic strategy for attenuating fibrosis in iLTS. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 131:E346-E353, 2021.
Call to Action: SITE • ED: A Student-as-Site Pedagogy

The agency of site has long underpinned landscape architecture, where sitedness is a discipline-defining concept.1 As landscape educators, we teach our students to embrace sites as rich palimpsests...
Nanocrystals of platinum-group metals as peroxidase mimics for in vitro diagnostics

Peroxidase mimics of nanoscale materials as alternatives to natural peroxidases have found widespread uses in biomedicine. Among various types of peroxidase mimics, platinum-group metal (PGM) nanocrystals have drawn considerable attention in recent years due to their superior properties. Particularly, PGM nanocrystals display high catalytic efficiencies, allow for facile surface modifications, and possess excellent stabilities. This feature article summarizes our recent work on development of PGM nanocrystals as peroxidase mimics and exploration of their applications in in vitro diagnostics. We begin with a brief introduction to controlled synthesis of PGM nanocrystals in solution phase. We then elaborate on a variety of physicochemical parameters that can be carefully tuned to optimize the peroxidase-like properties of PGM nanocrystals. Then, we highlight the applications of PGM nanocrystals in different in vitro diagnostic platforms. We conclude this article with personal perspectives on future research directions in this emerging field, where challenges and opportunities are remarked.
“Skin cancer, polyphenols, and oxidative stress” or Counteraction of oxidative stress, inflammation, signal transduction pathways, and extracellular matrix remodeling that mediate skin carcinogenesis by polyphenols

Abstract The characteristics of malignancy are cell growth and remodeling of the extracellular matrix for angiogenesis and metastasis. One of the major causes of skin cancer (melanoma and nonmelanoma) is the cellular accumulation reactive oxygen species (ROS), which outbalances the cellular antioxidant system, with intrinsic aging but more so with the exposure of skin to environmental pollutants and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The ROS damage DNA, proteins, and lipids, and activate inflammatory cytokines that activate the signal transduction pathways of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-kB)/p65, and JAK/STAT (Signal Transduction and Activation of Transcription) that, in turn activate factors such as activator-1 (AP-1) transcription factor. The activation of these pathways results in the increased expression of matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs), Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which collectively remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) for tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Polyphenols are effective in anticarcinogenesis largely because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols include the classes of flavonoids, anthocyanin, catechins, lignans, proanthocyanidins, tannins, and more; and the hydroxyl groups attached to their aromatic rings may be active in scavenging the free radicals. The effectiveness of polyphenols in preventing tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis also lies in their ability to counteract/repair DNA damage, induce tumor suppressor genes, and inhibit the MAPK, NF-kB, and JAK/STAT pathways that induce the expression of MMPs, TGF-β, and VEGF. Polyphenols, and their combination, would be effective in the prevention of cancer or as supplements in the treatment of cancer. In addition, the effectiveness of polyphenols is improved in combination with nanobiomaterials such as chitosan, polymeric nanoparticles, nanoconjugates, liposomes, or a phage system.
Dynamic Mode Decomposition Reduced-Order Models for Multiscale Kinetic Plasma Analysis

We demonstrate the efficacy of dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) based reduced-order model (ROM) in characterizing the transient behavior of full-order kinetic plasma simulation. The full-order kinetic plasma model makes use of the finite-element time-domain (FETD) based electromagnetic particle-in-cell (EM-PIC) algorithm. We apply the suggested reduced-order method for the case of an expanding plasma ball and study the effect of DMD reconstructed self fields on the particle dynamics in transient region. Such analysis is highly desirable for understanding underlying physics of complex plasmas as well as for reducing computation cost of high-fidelity plasma simulations.