cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ABC transporters in the CNS - an inventory.

In the present review we provide a summary of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the central nervous system (CNS). Our review is focused on transporters of the ABC A, B, C, D, and G families that have been detected in the cells of the neurovascular unit/blood-brain barrier including brain capillary endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and neurons, as well as in other brain cells, such as microglia, oligodendrocytes, and choroid plexus epithelial cells. In this re- view, we provide an overview, organized by ABC family, of transporter expression, localization, and function. We sum- marize recent findings on ABC transporter regulation in the CNS and address the role of ABC transporters in CNS dis- eases including brain cancer, seizures/epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we discuss new therapeutic strategies focused on ABC transporters in CNS disease. The blood-brain barrier is a highly dynamic interface between blood and brain that controls what goes in and comes out of the CNS. Today, the basic structural and func- tional unit of the blood-brain barrier is considered to be the so-called neurovascular unit Fig. (1). The neurovascular unit is composed of at least 4 cell types: brain capillary endothe- lial cells comprise the brain capillaries of the cerebral vascu- lature; pericytes sit on top of endothelial cells sharing the same basal membrane; astrocytes surround the brain capillar- ies and cover them with their endfeet; and neurons directly innervate the microvasculature. Together these cells of the neurovascular unit control barrier function. At the molecular level, several factors contribute to the unique functional role of the neurovascular unit/blood-brain barrier. Tight junctions in the capillary endothelium seal the spaces between neighboring endothelial cells and represent a passive, physical barrier that restricts paracellular diffusion of solutes from blood to brain. To meet the high nutrient and energy demand of the brain, influx transporters facilitate brain uptake of glucose, amino acids, ions, and other nutri- ents from the blood. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporters on the other hand extrude metabolic wastes into the blood and form a selective, active barrier protecting the CNS by limiting xenobiotics, including toxins and a large number of drugs, from entering the brain. Thus, the blood- brain barrier is a complex and fine-tuned transport machine that balances influx of nutrients and efflux of wastes, toxins, and drugs to maintain CNS homeostasis. The ABC efflux proteins of this transport machinery are critical for the
Leaching characteristics of the metal waste form from the electrometallurgical treatment process: Product consistency testing

Argonne National Laboratory is developing an electrometallurgical treatment for spent fuel from the experimental breeder reactor II. A product of this treatment process is a metal waste form that incorporates the stainless steel cladding hulls, zirconium from the fuel and the fission products that are noble to the process, i.e., Tc, Ru, Nb, Pd, Rh, Ag. The nominal composition of this waste form is stainless steel/15 wt% zirconium/1--4 wt% noble metal fission products/1--2 wt % U. Leaching results are presented from several tests and sample types: (1) 2 week monolithic immersion tests on actual metal waste forms produced from irradiated cladding hulls, (2) long term (>2 years) pulsed flow tests on samples containing technetium and uranium and (3) crushed sample immersion tests on cold simulated metal waste form samples. The test results will be compared and their relevance for waste form product consistency testing discussed.
Facilitating anticoagulation for safer transitions: preliminary outcomes from an emergency department deep vein thrombosis discharge program.

AbstractIntroduction: Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an acute uncomplicated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may be eligible for outpatient treatment. This study aims to establish a transition of care program in the ED for patients with DVT presenting with an acute uncomplicated DVT. Methods: This article specifies the transition of care program for DVT patients in the ED. Data was collected on patients admitted and discharged from the ED who had an acute DVT both prior to the initiation of facilitating anticoagulation for safer transitions (FAST) and after initiation of FAST. Follow-up phone calls were made to patients discharged from the ED after the initiation of FAST, and data were collected on follow-up appointments, anticoagulation adherence, readmission rates, and patient satisfaction. Results: The FAST program has been successfully implemented. By the 30-day follow-up phone call, 100% of patients had attended a follow-up appointment. The average time to the follow-up appointme...
The AGS new fast extracted beam system orbit bump pulser

The AGS New Fast Extracted Beam System (New FEB) is designed for RHIC injection and the g-2 experiment, performing single bunch multiple extraction at the prf of 20 to 100 Hz up to 12 times per AGS cycle. Capacitor-discharge pulsers are required to produce local orbit bumps at the fast kicker and ejector magnet locations. These pulsers have to deliver half-sine current pulses at 1 KA peak with a base width of 5 msec. The discharge voltage will require approximately 800 V with a /spl plusmn/0.1% accuracy. Direct charging will require a charger too costly and difficult to build because of the high prf. An alternative charging system is being developed to take advantage of the 1.5 sec idle time between each group of pulses. The charger power supply ratings and regulation requirements are thus greatly reduced. The system analysis and results from a prototype are presented. >
Anatomy of Damage to Coastal Construction: A Multi-Hazard Perspective

Structures along the coast, especially in low lying areas, are susceptible to a variety of natural hazards such as wind, storm surges, and tsunamis. These hazards must be fully studied and well understood in order to effectively and safely design and construct hazard resilient structures. The load effects associated with each hazard on its own are unique and correlate with specific damage characteristics. For example, as wind encounters a structure, it pushes against the windward face and is subsequently deflected around and over the structure creating suction over the sides and roof. The suction forces result in the peeling off of the siding and roofing materials and, in extreme cases, the dislodging of the walls and roofing system. In contrast, surge and waves generally result in the pushing of ocean-side walls inwards, thus detaching the bottom wall connections from the foundation and leading to the formation of hinges at the top of the wall connections with the roof. Similar action results at the back walls as the surge and waves pass through the house. Therefore, damage generally proceeds from the bottom upward, destroying the structural integrity of the building. In addition to this lateral load, surge and waves induce a buoyant upward force that may lead to uplift and eventually the pulling of a structure from its foundations. In the case of tsunamis, loads are characterized by the surging action of the wave and the impact of waterborne debris. Like the storm surge and wave action, this is accompanied by buoyant forces that may uproot an already compromised structure from its foundation. Knowledge of the damage mechanisms associated with coastal hazards, some of which are mentioned above, is crucial in revealing the anatomy of damage to construction. This study is based on the writers’ collective experiences examining the structural damage suffered during Hurricane Katrina (2005) and the Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004). Furthermore, post-disaster on site field surveillance is complemented by the analysis of aerial photography and satellite imagery in order to determine the cause of damage to a structure. This has assisted in the delineation of damage experienced by coastal construction under multiple hazards. Multi-hazard mitigation strategies are discussed through an understanding of the anatomy of damage caused by different hazards. It is envisaged that an optimized selection of complementary strategies promises to assist in engineering structures that will effectively resist the impact of multiple hazards.
JNK1 and AP-1 regulate PMA-inducible squamous differentiation marker expression in Clara-like H441 cells.

Exposure of distal bronchiolar region to various toxicants and pollutants suppresses Clara cell differentiation marker expression and greatly enhances the induction of squamous cell differentiation...
Hedgehog is required for murine yolk sac angiogenesis.

Blood islands, the precursors of yolk sac blood vessels, contain primitive erythrocytes surrounded by a layer of endothelial cells. These structures differentiate from extra-embryonic mesodermal cells that underlie the visceral endoderm. Our previous studies have shown that Indian hedgehog ( Ihh ) is expressed in the visceral endoderm both in the visceral yolk sac in vivo and in embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived embryoid bodies. Differentiating embryoid bodies form blood islands, providing an in vitro model for studying vasculogenesis and hematopoiesis. A role for Ihh in yolk sac function is suggested by the observation that roughly 50% of Ihh –/– mice die at mid-gestation, potentially owing to vascular defects in the yolk sac. To address the nature of the possible vascular defects, we have examined the ability of ES cells deficient for Ihh or smoothened ( Smo ), which encodes a receptor component essential for all hedgehog signaling, to form blood islands in vitro. Embryoid bodies derived from these cell lines are unable to form blood islands, and express reduced levels of both PECAM1, an endothelial cell marker, and α-SMA, a vascular smooth muscle marker. RT-PCR analysis in the Ihh –/– lines shows a substantial decrease in the expression of Flk1 and Tal1 , markers for the hemangioblast, the precursor of both blood and endothelial cells, as well as Flt1 , an angiogenesis marker. To extend these observations, we have examined the phenotypes of embryo yolk sacs deficient for Ihh or Smo . Whereas Ihh –/– yolk sacs can form blood vessels, the vessels are fewer in number and smaller, perhaps owing to their inability to undergo vascular remodeling. Smo –/– yolk sacs arrest at an earlier stage: the endothelial tubes are packed with hematopoietic cells, and fail to undergo even the limited vascular remodeling observed in the Ihh –/– yolk sacs. Our study supports a role for hedgehog signaling in yolk sac angiogenesis.
A Fragile Balance at Synapses: New Evidence Supporting a Role for FMRP in Homeostatic Plasticity

Homeostatic synaptic scaling operates in tandem with forms of neuronal plasticity such as long-term potentiation and long-term depression to maintain neural circuit activity within a stable range. Experimentally, homeostatic adaptations at synapses are usually induced by prolonged spike blockade [
Coronary artery calcium and risk of atrial fibrillation (from the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis)

Calcified coronary arteries are associated with the development of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is currently unknown whether coronary artery calcium (CAC) is associated with an increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to address this question in 6,641 participants (mean age 62 ± 10 years, 53% women, 62% nonwhites) from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) who were free of baseline clinical cardiovascular disease and AF. CAC measurements were assessed by cardiac computed tomography at study baseline. AF was ascertained by review of hospital discharge records and from Medicare claims data until December 31, 2010. Cox regression was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between CAC and AF. During a median follow-up period of 8.5 years, 308 participants (4.6%) developed AF. In a model adjusted for sociodemographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and potential confounders, higher CAC scores were associated with increased risk for AF (CAC = 0: HR 1.0, referent; CAC = 1 to 100: HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.0; CAC = 101 to 300: HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4; CAC >300: HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.9). The addition of CAC to the Framingham Heart Study and Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) AF risk scores yielded integrated discrimination improvement of 0.0033 (95% CI 0.0015 to 0.0066) and 0.0028 (95% CI 0.0012 to 0.0057), with relative integrated discrimination improvement of 0.10 (95% CI 0.061 to 0.15) and 0.077 (95% CI 0.040 to 0.11), respectively. In conclusion, CAC is independently associated with increased risk for AF.
Immediate Reactions, to Anhydrides, of Wheal-and-erythema Type

SummaryA type of immediate wheal-and-erythema reaction, similar to that observed in human atopic hypersensitiveness, was induced in guinea pigs that had been sensitized and tested with chemical compounds of the anhydride group.
Effects of lipoprotein lipase on the structure of chylomicrons.

Chylomicrons isolated from rat lymph were complexed with lipoprotein lipase of post-heparin plasma (chylomicrons-LPL) in order to study the effects of lipolysis on the structure of chylomicrons. Triglyceride in the chylomicron core was readily hydrolyzed to free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol when chylomicrons-LPL were incubated at pH 8.3 in medium containing albumin. Although most of the FFA were immediately released to the medium, some were retained within chylomicrons when FFA-binding sites on albumin were not available. These observations suggest that albumin may have a specific role in the transfer of FFA across the chylomicron surface film. Chylomicrons-LPL assumed many different shapes as they were depleted of triglyceride by the lipolytic action of the enzyme, and total removal of core triglyceride resulted in empty sacks of surface film. The surface film was visualized in sections of OsO4-fixed chylomicrons-LPL as a thin electron-opaque line, 25–30 A wide, in areas where the underlying electron-opaque core had been replaced by zones of decreased electron opacity, and in folds of surface film extending outward from chylomicrons partially depleted of core lipid. The findings demonstrate that chylomicrons consist of a core of liquid triglyceride enveloped by a pliable and durable monolayer surface film, and that lipoprotein lipase reduces the triglyceride core without disrupting the surface film.
Enhancing the protective efficacy of Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination against tuberculosis by boosting with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis major secretory protein

Tuberculosis continues to ravage humanity, killing 2 million people yearly. Most cases occur in areas of the world to which the disease is endemic, where almost everyone is vaccinated early in life with Mycobacterium bovis BCG, the currently available vaccine against tuberculosis. Thus, while more-potent vaccines are needed to replace BCG, new vaccines are also needed to boost the immune protection of the 4 billion people already vaccinated with BCG. Until now, no booster vaccine has been shown capable of significantly enhancing the level of protective immunity induced by BCG in the stringent guinea pig model of pulmonary tuberculosis, the "gold standard" for testing tuberculosis vaccines. In this paper, we describe a booster vaccine for BCG comprising the purified recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis 30-kDa protein, the major secreted protein of this pathogen. In the guinea pig model of pulmonary tuberculosis, boosting BCG-immunized animals once with the 30-kDa protein greatly increased cell-mediated and humoral immune responses to the protein in three consecutive experiments. Most importantly, boosting BCG-immunized animals once with the 30-kDa protein significantly enhanced protective immunity against aerosol challenge with highly virulent M. tuberculosis, as evidenced by a significantly reduced lung and spleen burden of M. tuberculosis compared with those for nonboosted BCG-immunized animals (mean additional reduction in CFU of 0.4 +/- 0.1 log in the lung [P = 0.03] and 0.6 +/- 0.1 log in the spleen [P = 0.002]). This study suggests that administering BCG-immunized people a booster vaccine comprising the 30-kDa protein may enhance their level of immunoprotection against tuberculosis.
Particle Image Velocimetry Studies of Counterflow Heat Transport in Superfluid Helium II

Heat is transported in helium II by a mechanism known as thermal counterflow where the liquid behaves as if it consists of two fluid components: the viscous normal fluid that carries the entropy and the inviscid superfluid that flows in opposition to conserve mass and momentum. Although the two fluid model has been successful at interpreting a number of unique transport processes in helium II, only recently has there been a significant effort to actually observe the associated fluid component motion. We have previously shown that Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) can be used to visualize the motion of micron scale particles in helium II in response to thermal counterflow. These studies have led to some exceptional observations. The present paper summarizes our recent PIV experimental results on counterflow in helium II including the observed flow patterns around a cylinder and through a rectangular channel with backward facing step change in cross section, configurations which have been studied extensively in classical fluid mechanics. In addition to contributing to the fundamental understanding of helium II turbulence, as is discussed in the last section of the article, we show how this work also has a potential application in micron-scale particle classification and separation.
Cohort Sequential Designs (Convergence Analysis)

A general developmental model is described with the components of age, cohort, and time-of-measurement (period). Two of these components are always confounded in the simple developmental designs of cross-sectional, longitudinal, and time lag approaches. More complex sequential designs are then presented which allow estimation of each separate effect and their interaction. The cohort sequential design allows separation of age and cohort effects. The time sequential design allows separation of age and time-of-measurement (period) effects. The cross sequential design allows separation of cohort and time-of-measurement (period) effects. It is also pointed out that use of a mixed model approach to test convergence hypothesis that ignores random effects will result in the underestimation of within-subject effects and overestimation of between-subject effects. Examples of properly analyzed convergence analyses approaches are identified. Keywords: adult developmental psychology; aging and development psychology; cognitive development; data analysis in psychology; experimental design; individual differences; lifespan and developmentalpsychology; measurement in psychology; methodology; modeling
Time-Resolved XRD Study on the Thermal Decomposition of Li[sub 1−x]Ni[sub 0.8]Co[sub 0.15]Al[sub 0.05]O[sub 2] Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

Time-resolved X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were used to monitor structural changes in charged Li{sub 1-x}Ni{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.15}Al{sub 0.05}O{sub 2} cathodes in the presence of electrolyte as a function of temperature. The electrolyte accelerated thermal decomposition of the charged cathode material. The presence of the electrolyte changed the paths of the structural changes and lowered the temperatures for onset of the reactions. As the degree of Li-ion deintercalation increased, the thermal decomposition took place at less elevated temperature. At low states of charge (x 0.5), when heated from 25 to 450 C, show the conversion to a disordered spinel structure from a layered structure at elevated temperature. When subsequently heated at higher temperature, themore » disordered spinel structure converts to NiO-like rock salt structure.« less
The Blind Leading the Blind: What If They're Not All Visual or Tactile Learners?

Are you assuming that because the majority of law students in your classes are visual and/or tactile learners because they have grown up using computers, and we see students using computers all the time? If so, then implicit is this assumption is that learning styles are determined by environmental factors alone or that students' awareness of strengths lead them to capitalize on their personal learning styles. This article challenges these assumptions and suggests teaching approaches to reach students' diverse learning styles.
The contribution of the pineal gland on daily rhythms and masking in diurnal grass rats, Arvicanthis niloticus

Melatonin is a hormone rhythmically secreted at night by the pineal gland in vertebrates. In diurnal mammals, melatonin is present during the inactive phase of the rest/activity cycle, and in primates it directly facilitates sleep and decreases body temperature. However, the role of the pineal gland for the promotion of sleep at night has not yet been studied in non-primate diurnal mammalian species. Here, the authors directly examined the hypothesis that the pineal gland contributes to diurnality in Nile grass rats by decreasing activity and increasing sleep at night, and that this could occur via effects on circadian mechanisms or masking, or both. Removing the pineal gland had no effect on the hourly distribution of activity across a 12:12 light-dark (LD) cycle or on the patterns of sleep-like behavior at night. Masking effects of light at night on activity were also not significantly different in pinealectomized and control grass rats, as 1h pulses of light stimulated increases in activity of sham and pinealectomized animals to a similar extent. In addition, the circadian regulation of activity was unaffected by the surgical condition of the animals. Our results suggest that the pineal gland does not contribute to diurnality in the grass rat, thus highlighting the complexity of temporal niche transitions. The current data raise interesting questions about how and why genetic and neural mechanisms linking melatonin to sleep regulatory systems might vary among mammals that reached a diurnal niche via parallel and independent pathways.
Comparative Analysis of Three Concepts for Aerostat Based Electrical Power Generation System

Tethered Aerostats are finding applications for a variety of roles as aerial platforms. This paper reports the results of a techno-economic comparison of three concepts for generation of 100 kW electrical power using tethered aerostats, viz., diffuser augmented wind turbine (DAWT), horizontal axis air rotor system (MARS), and an aerostat mounted with solar PV cells (Solar PV). Key design and operational issues in developing and operating these systems are highlighted. A methodology for conceptual sizing and scaling up of the three concepts was developed. The three systems were sized for generating 100 kW power, and a comparative analysis of the cost breakdown and Life Cycle Energy costs was obtained. It is seen that the DAWT system has the lowest Lifetime Energy Cost (LEC), while the MARS system has the lowest Total Investment Cost (TIC). The Solar PV system is, however, found to be the most expensive, both from TIC and LEC perspective.
Should blood be an essential medicine

Although blood transfusions save lives, blood and blood components are not included on the World Health Organization's Model List of Essential Medicines, which guides countries in providing access to vital and cost-effective medicines. That omission may soon be fixed.
Comment on "Ar+ and Xe+ velocities near the presheath-sheath boundary in an Ar/Xe discharge".

A Comment on the Letter by J. T. Gudmundsson and M. A. Lieberman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 045002 (2011).
Topotypic Trichogramma minutum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Riley (1871) described Trichogramma minutum (as minuta ) from specimens which he reared from viceroy, Limenitis archippus (Cramer) (reported as L. dissipus Godart), eggs collected from willow near Kirkwood, Mo. His brief description of the species was not meant to be final as he prefaced it by saying “I shall leave the proper determination of this insect to those who pay more particular attention to the Chalcidae.” Regardless of his intentions, the name and description are valid.
Robust Constrained Receding Horizon Control for Trajectory Planning

This paper presents a receding horizon controller (RHC) that can be used to design trajectories for an aerial vehicle operating in an environment with disturbances. Various constraints are imposed in the problem, such as turning rate limits and bounds on the vehicle speed, and target regions and no-fly zones are included in the environment. The proposed algorithm modifies these constraints to ensure that the on-line RHC optimization remains feasible even when the vehicle is acted upon by unknown, but bounded, disturbances. The approach uses a robust control invariant admissible set as a terminal set that does not need to be a target set of the overall guidance problem. This result extends previous work in two ways: the vehicle is guaranteed to remain safe under the influence of disturbances; and much longer robust trajectories can be constructed on-line. The full algorithm is demonstrated in several numerical simulations.
Water quality monitoring results analysis In artificial swimming pool on Bazhou City in 2014

Objective To understand hygienic quality of water in artificial swimming pool in Bazhou,so as to provide scientific basis for development of effectivr regulatory control measures. Methods On 13 swimming places in Bazhou city,artificial swimming pool water PH value,turbidity,free chlorine,urea,total number of bacteria and coliform group were tested,and the testing results are analyzed. Results A total testing water samples 97. Among them,71 swimming pool water and flooding the pool water 26. Test a total of 582 times,failed 81 times. Free residual chlorine qualification rate was only 51. 55%. Conclusions It was suggested that the health supervision departments should strengthen supervision,improve health quality,to prevent the occurance of infectious diseases.
Analysis of Present Situation and Influencing Factors of Residents Dairy Products Consumption

Dairy products are rich in protein and calcium which makes it is essential to maintain public health. Our dairy market has experienced a rapid development after 2000, so under this circumstance, analysis of present situation and influencing factors of dairy products is full of significance. On the basis of residents' dairy products consumption characteristics analysis, double logarithmic model was used to study the dairy product consumption data between 1994 to 2011。 The results show that residents' income and the quality standard level have significant impact on dairy consumption while price is not so important.The consumption gap between urban and rural residents is big; the dairy consumption is not sensitive to price; income is the most important restraining factor; consumer give quality standard more attention; dietary pattern and market condition have influence on dairy consumption.
Funding Research Through the Online Partnership to Accelerate Research (OnPAR)

Summary OnPAR—the Online Partnership to Accelerate Research—seeks to provide a second opportunity for funding of high-quality, unfunded applications originally submitted to the National Institutes of Health and other national and international funding agencies. OnPAR will match applicable, unfunded applications with the research priorities of nongovernment organizations such as private biomedical foundations, pharmaceutical companies, venture capital funds, and other private funds. Funding organization members will review and make final funding decisions through a simple, 2-step process whereby applicants can submit public abstracts directly to OnPAR. If a member requests additional information, then, by invitation only, an applicant can submit their original unfunded application and their peer review summary statement. Advancing research discovery and drug development to improve clinical outcomes for patients afflicted with or at risk for disease is the primary goal of OnPAR. OnPAR invites the scientific community to fully participate in this new funding paradigm by submitting their National Institutes of Health public abstracts so that funding members can review and potentially support these high-quality, unfunded applications.
Cross-Domain Collaborative Recommendation in a Cold-Start Context: The Impact of User Profile Size on the Quality of Recommendation

Most of the research studies on recommender systems are focused on single-domain recommendations. With the growth of multi-domain internet stores such as iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.com, an opportunity to offer recommendations across different domains become more and more attractive. But there are few research studies on cross-domain recommender systems. In this paper, we study both the cold-start problem and the hypothesis that cross-domain recommendations provide more accuracy using a large volume of user data from a true multi-domain recommender service. Our results indicate that cross-domain collaborative filtering could significantly improve the quality of recommendation in cold start context and the auxiliary profile size plays an important role in it.
Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons in Art and Archaeology (SR2A) Conference 2016

The seventh edition of the international conference on Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons in Art and Archaeology (SR2A 2016) was held September 6–8, 2016, at the Stock Exchange Room of The Art Institute of Chicago, USA. The conference was jointly organized by seven research laboratories and museums; more precisely, the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU-ACCESS) of Northwestern University, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum Chicago, the Advanced Photon Source (APS), the Oriental Institute Chicago, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, in close interaction with the SR2A International Committee. Nine years after the organization of the first SR2A conference in Grenoble, the Art Institute hosted the second biennial interdisciplinary meeting in the US.
Grandmother Rules: Crucial Conversations with Patients and Families.

I matriculated at the same medical school from which my father graduated 22 years earlier. This coincidence gave me the opportunity to use his advice, based on his experiences as a student, to seek out some of the school’s best and most memorable teachers.
Personal Growth Within Life Activities

The current influences on human services include a strong movement toward recognition of choice, empowerment, and personal growth of individuals served by habilitation programs. Choice plays an extremely important role in personal growth. The process of a person’s growth is a never-ending series of choice situations in which one must choose between security and risk taking, dependence and independence, regression and progression, and immaturity and maturity.
The Relative Effects of Artemether-lumefantrine and Non-artemisinin Antimalarials on Gametocyte Carriage and Transmission of Plasmodium falciparum: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been widely adopted as first-line agents to treat uncomplicated falciparum malaria due to their activity against multidrug resistant parasites. ACTs may also disrupt transmission through a direct antigametocyte effect, but the extent of this effect is uncertain. We assessed the evidence for and estimated the effects of the most widely-deployed ACT, artemether-lumefantrine (AL), relative to non-ACTs on gametocyte clearance and transmission interruption. Methods We searched electronic databases for randomized controlled trials comparing AL to non-ACTs that reported gametocyte counts or results of mosquito-feeding assays. Two authors working independently assessed eligibility, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias. We conducted meta-analyses using a random-effects model. Results We identified 22 eligible trials. The pooled odds of gametocytemia at 1 week were lower in AL- compared to non-ACT-treated participants (odds ratio [OR] 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.15; I2 = 0.60, P < .01; 15 trials). The odds of transmission to mosquitoes were also lower in AL treatment groups (OR 0.06; 95% CI, 0.00-0.47, P < .01 at 7 days post-treatment; 1 trial; OR 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36-0.88, P = .01 at 14 days post-treatment; 1 trial). Conclusion AL is superior to non-ACTs in reducing gametocytemia, and, based on limited evidence, abating transmission to mosquitoes. The transmission-limiting benefit of AL has relevance for policymakers planning optimal utilization of control strategies, including use of ACTs for malaria treatment and chemoprevention.
Monoclonal antibodies to coagulation factor IX define a high-frequency polymorphism by immunoassays.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies have been used to demonstrate a polymorphism of human plasma coagulation factor IX antigen in double antibody solid-phase immunoradiometric assays. This polymorphism is detected in an assay where a monoclonal antibody (A-1) adsorbed to microtiter wells is used to bind factor IX from diluted plasma samples. Plasma samples with the factor IX polymorphism have less than 0.2 U/ml of apparent antigen when tested with the A-1 antibody, while assays with other monoclonal antibodies and assays with goat antisera to factor IX show normal amounts of factor IX antigen. Factor IX coagulant activity was normal in samples from donors with the polymorphism. The thin-layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing pattern of factor IX purified from a donor with the factor IX polymorphism (IXp) was identical to that obtained with factor IX prepared from a donor who did not have the polymorphism (IXn). Purified radiolabeled factor IX prepared from a donor with the polymorphism showed a Ka for the A-1 antibody that was threefold less than that measured for IXn. The gene frequency of IXp in male blood donors is 0.25. This polymorphism may be useful as a marker for the X chromosome in genetic studies on plasma samples. Further studies are necessary to determine the explanation for decreased reaction of IXp with the A-1 monoclonal antibody.
Interleukin-12 elicits various responses of splenocytes from different mouse strains (CCR3P.207)

Interleukin - 12 (IL-12) is a pivotal linkage between innate and adaptive immunity via its pleiotropic functions on immune system. IL-12 has been shown to provide anti-tumor signals in mouse models including the ability to recruit immune cells, induce the production of interferon - γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and promote anti-angiogenesis. IL-12 bioactivity significantly varies between mouse strains. However, the mechanism resulting in various responses remains unclear. In this research, bioactivity of IL-12 was determined by quantifying IFN- γ production by splenocytes collected by three different mouse strains (C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, BALB/cByJ) in response to IL-12. Our data show that C3H/HeJ mouse strain produces increased levels of IFN-γ when compared with other mouse strains. IL-12 receptor (IL-12RB1) of splenocytes was quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Our studies show that the expression of IL-12RB1 by several key immune cell types including CD4 T-cells, CD8 T-cells, NK T-cells and B cells was significantly higher in C3H/HeJ splenocytes compared to splenocytes from C57BL/6J or BALB/cByJ. The higher expression of IL-12RB1 by C3H/HeJ mouse splenocytes leads to a significantly stronger response to IL-12 compared to other mouse strains. Our studies provide a valuable insight into variation of IL-12 bioactivity between different individuals. Further studies will be conducted to better understand in vivo bioactivities of IL-12 on mouse models.
Household history, SNAP participation, and food insecurity

Abstract Food security in an important public policy issue. In 2015, approximately 1 in 8 U.S. households experienced food insecurity at some point in the year. Low-income families are at higher risk for food insecurity than other families, and these families may also face higher levels of disruption (e.g., moves, loss of income, or individuals entering or leaving the household) than other families. I use data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation to explore the relationship between food insecurity, the household’s history during the previous year, and SNAP participation. The results indicate that a number of aspects of the household’s recent experience including negative income shocks, moves, and both increases and decreases in household size increase the probability of being food insecure while SNAP participation is estimated to reduce the probability of being food insecure.
The WAGR syndrome gene PRRG4 is a functional homologue of the commissureless axon guidance gene

WAGR syndrome is characterized by Wilm’s tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities and intellectual disabilities. WAGR is caused by a chromosomal deletion that includes the PAX6, WT1 and PRRG4 genes. PRRG4 is proposed to contribute to the autistic symptoms of WAGR syndrome, but the molecular function of PRRG4 genes remains unknown. The Drosophila commissureless (comm) gene encodes a short transmembrane protein characterized by PY motifs, features that are shared by the PRRG4 protein. Comm intercepts the Robo axon guidance receptor in the ER/Golgi and targets Robo for degradation, allowing commissural axons to cross the CNS midline. Expression of human Robo1 in the fly CNS increases midline crossing and this was enhanced by co-expression of PRRG4, but not CYYR, Shisa or the yeast Rcr genes. In cell culture experiments, PRRG4 could re-localize hRobo1 from the cell surface, suggesting that PRRG4 is a functional homologue of Comm. Comm is required for axon guidance and synapse formation in the fly, so PRRG4 could contribute to the autistic symptoms of WAGR by disturbing either of these processes in the developing human brain.
Medical complications of air travel. Who is at risk

PreviewAlthough convenient and time-saving, air travel poses health hazards that are not a consideration with other, less rapid modes of transportation. Dr Wooldridge discusses the effects of air travel on persons with conditions such as heart or respiratory disease, anemia, and diabetes and recommends safeguards to be taken before and during a flight.
Concomitants of Growth in Mathematics Achievement During the Population A School Year

Publisher Summary This chapter describes concomitants of growth in mathematics achievement during the population a school year. The concepts employed in the analyses which serve as the focus of this chapter are defined at different levels within the school system. Some characterize the individual student, and hence are available for all students within each school. Others, such as those characterizing teachers and classroom instruction are available only for classrooms, and hence are the same for all students within a classroom. Still others, such as school characteristics, are defined at a level which makes them the same for all classrooms within a school. The fact that the concepts are defined at different levels within the schooling system makes the conceptual and analytical work more difficult. The major outcomes in the study are facets of mathematics achievement: arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. The achievement tests administered to all students, and from which the three subtests were derived, employed a core examination, and one of four rotated forms.
Normal and Shear Forces Between Polymer Brushes

Surface-polymer interactions are important in many technological applications, including colloidal stablization and adherence. Recently there has been considerable progress in understanding these interactions and the resulting forces between polymer-bearing surfaces. End-grafted polymers, commonly referred to as polymer brushes, are one example of a polymer-surface complex which has many interesting properties. In this article, recent progress in understanding the normal and shear forces between polymer brushes is reviewed with emphasis on the contributions from molecular simulations. These simulations show that under steady-state shear flow, some of the individual chains of a polymer brush stretch in the direction of flow while most are buried inside of the brush and are not affected by the shear flow. The height of the brush is only weakly dependent on the shear rate in contrast with several theoretical models. When two surfaces bearing end-grafted chains are brought into contact the normal force increases rapidly with decreasing plate separation, while the shear force is in most cases significantly smaller, particularly for large compressions. However, for weak compression, the range and the magnitude of the shear force depends on both the solvent quality and shear rate. These results, first observed experimentally using the surface force apparatus and recently confirmed in simulation, suggest a way to dramatically reduce the frictional force between two surfaces. For small relative velocity of the two surfaces, the surfaces slide pass each other with almost no change in the average radius of gyration of the chains or the amount of interpenetration of chains from the two surfaces. However, for large shear rates, there is significant stretching and some disentanglement of the chains.
Empirical Activation Function Effects on Unsupervised Convolutional LSTM Learning

This paper empirically evaluates and analyzes the effect of the choice of recurrent activation and unit activation functions on the unsupervised convolutional LSTM learning process. The goal of this work is to provide guidance for selecting the optimal non-linear activation function for the convolutional LSTM models which target the video prediction problem. This paper shows an empirical analysis of different non-linear activation functions that are commonly implemented in different deep learning APIs. We used the moving MNIST dataset as the most common benchmark for video prediction problems.
Plasmon-exciton interaction in colloidally fabricated metal nanoparticle-quantum emitter nanostructures

When quantum emitters and plasmonic nanoparticles are in close vicinity, the energy exchange, termed as plasmon-exciton coupling, can make the absorption and emission behavior of the hybrid structure very different from those of the two constituents alone. The coupling strength between the two constituents highly depends on how the hybrid structure is constructed. As a result, a diverse range of coupling effect arise including plasmon induced fluorescence quenching/enhancing (weak coupling), Fano interference (intermediate coupling), Rabi-splitting and lasing (strong coupling). The emergence of different coupling behavior can be controlled by the different combinations of quantum emitters and plasmonic nanoparticles as well as the spatial arrangement of the individual components. Colloidal assembly/synthesis methods are essentially delicate strategies that can build the hybrid nanostructures with nanometer precision and allow for large-scale processing. In this review, we discuss the theoretical models that apply to different coupling behaviors, the optical properties of the hybrid systems, and the advancement of colloidal methods to manipulate the plasmon-exciton in the hybrid structures. We also provide perspectives on the challenges and future directions of the research in coupled plasmon-exciton nanosystems.
La falsa primera vuelta al mundo. El caso de la supuesta circunnavegación china de 1421 desde el paradigma de la posverdad

Hace 500 anos, Magallanes emprendia un viaje que acabaria siendo, en manos de Juan Sebastian Elcano, la primera vuelta al mundo. Pero, por sorprendente que parezca, no todo el mundo acepta esta verdad historica. Tal es el caso del libro 1421: the Year China Discovered the World, publicado con notable exito en 2002, y con sucesivas ediciones y traducciones. Su autor, Gavin Menzies, construye un relato en torno al hecho alternativo de que no fue Elcano, sino una expedicion china la que un siglo antes de la expedicion espanola completara la primera circunnavegacion del globo
Assessment of Patient Nondisclosures to Clinicians of Experiencing Imminent Threats.

Importance Patient disclosure to their clinician about experiencing an imminent threat is a critical step toward receiving support or assistance. Objective To examine the frequency of patients not disclosing their experience of imminent threats to their clinician and their reasons for doing so. Design, Setting, and Participants Survey study incorporating results from 2 national, nonprobability samples of 2011 US adults recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) from March 16 to 30, 2015, and 2499 recruited from Survey Sampling International (SSI) from November 6 to 17, 2015. Data analysis was conducted from December 20 to 28, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures Self-reported nondisclosure of 4 types of imminent threats (depression, suicidality, abuse, and sexual assault) to their clinician and reasons for nondisclosure. Results There were 2011 participants in the MTurk sample (1210 [60.3%] female; 1696 [60.2%] white; mean [SD] age, 35.7 [12.4] years; age range, 18-79 years) and 2499 participants (1273 [51.0%] female; 1968 [78.8%] white; mean [SD] age, 61.0 [7.6] years; age range, 50-91 years) in the SSI sample. Among those who reported experiencing at least 1 of the 4 imminent threats, 613 of 1292 MTurk participants (47.5%) and 581 of 1453 SSI participants (40.0%) withheld information from their clinician. The most commonly endorsed reasons for withholding this information included being embarrassed (MTurk: 72.7%; SSI: 70.9%), not wanting to be judged or lectured (MTurk: 66.4%; SSI: 53.4%), and not wanting to engage in a difficult follow-up behavior (MTurk: 62.4%; SSI: 51.1%). Respondents who experienced at least 1 of the 4 imminent threats had significantly higher odds of nondisclosure in both samples if they were female (MTurk: odds ratio [OR], 1.66 [95% CI, 1.30-2.11]; and SSI: OR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.07-1.67]) or younger (MTurk: OR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.98-1.00]; and SSI: OR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.97-1.00]). Worse self-rated health was also associated with nondisclosure, but only in the SSI sample (OR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.74-0.96]). Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that many people withhold information from their clinicians about imminent health threats that they face. A better understanding of how to increase patients’ comfort with reporting this information is critical to allowing clinicians to help patients mitigate these potentially life-threatening risks.
Undergraduate Publishing at Virginia Tech: Welcome to the Beatles

This article is about undergraduate publishing at Virginia Tech, focusing on Welcome to the Beatles, a book published by Dr. Robert Stephen’s spring 2018 History Research Seminar class.
Sizing Up Without Selling Out: The Role of Authenticity in Maintaining Long-Run Consumer Support for Successful Underdog Brands

Research and market evidence indicate that positioning a brand as an underdog can be an effective marketing strategy. Interestingly, if successful, this strategy could result in brands outgrowing t...
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Recurrent pregnancy loss refers to two or more successive spontaneous clinical pregnancy losses. To meet criteria of clinical pregnancy, pregnancy should be confirmed by ultrasound or histopathology. In this chapter, we will review common causes of recurrent pregnancy loss, diagnosis, and treatment according to the cause.
Exporting Influence: U.S. Military Training as Soft Power:

The US engages in extensive training and education of foreign militaries, often through exchange programs carried out at the different military services’ staff and war colleges. Researchers have re...