cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of tritium in biological material

With the increasing use of tritium as a radioactive tracer for biochemical studies, the availability of a simple and accurate method for the determination of this isotope in organic compounds and especially in biological materials is of considerable practical importance. Because of the low energy of the β-emanation from tritium disintegration (0.018 MEV), direct counting of thin films of tritiated material using end-window or gas-flow counters is not well suited for precise measurements. In general, determination of tritium has been carried out either by converting all the hydrogen of the sample to gaseous compounds, which can be assayed in a proportional counter or in an ionization chamber, or by incorporation of the tritium into a suitable liquid scintillation system in which the light flashes produced by the impact of β-particles on a fluorescent substance present in the solution are measured photoelectrically.
Quantitative expression of protein heterogeneity: Response of amino acid side chains to their local environment.

A general method has been developed to characterize the hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of the microenvironment (MENV), in which a given amino acid side chain is immersed, by calculating a quantitative property descriptor (QPD) based on the relative (to water) hydrophobicity of the MENV. Values of the QPD were calculated for a test set of 733 proteins to analyze the modulating effects on amino acid residue properties by the MENV in which they are imbedded. The QPD values and solvent accessibility were used to derive a partitioning of residues based on the MENV hydrophobicities. From this partitioning, a new hydrophobicity scale was developed, entirely in the context of protein structure, where amino acid residues are immersed in one or more “MENVpockets.” Thus, the partitioning is based on the residues “sampling” a large number of “solvents” (MENVs) that represent a very large range of hydrophobicity values. It was found that the hydrophobicity of around 80% of amino acid side chains and their MENV are complementary to each other, but for about 20%, the MENV and their imbedded residue can be considered as mismatched. Many of these mismatches could be rationalized in terms of the structural stability of the protein and/or the involvement of the imbedded residue in function. The analysis also indicated a remarkable conservation of local environments around highly conserved active site residues that have similar functions across protein families, but where members have relatively low sequence homology. Thus, quantitative evaluation of this QPD is suggested, here, as a tool for structure–function prediction, analysis, and parameter development for the calculation of properties in proteins. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tubular reactor sensitivity

The empty lumped constant tubular reactor is considered for an incompressible fluid in which an arbitrary number of chemical reactions is occurring. It is assumed that the reactor influents are steady with time on the average but have superimposed upon them random fluctuations. If the random perturbations are infinitesimally small, the unsteady state equations are linear, the linearity following from the fact that any transient may be considered as a perturbation from the steady state. Thus the effluents are random functions whose mean and variance may be calculated with ease. Reactor sensitivity is defined as the ratio of the standard deviation of an output to the standard deviation of an input. The general theory is developed and two examples are worked to illustrate the method.
POPULATION DYNAMICS AND SPATIAL SCALE: EFFECTS OF SYSTEM SIZE ON POPULATION PERSISTENCE

This paper explores the limitations of ecological models based on differential equations. We test three different model implementations of the processes represented by the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey equations. We use these models to investigate the system dynamics suppressed by the assumptions contained in differential-equation-based models; specifically, we examine the effects of space and demographic stochasticity. The differential equation implementation of the Lotka-Volterra processes assumes that there are enough individuals in the system that the effects of demographic stochasticity can be ignored and that the interactions between individuals always occur as though the system were continually well mixed or spatially random. The model predicts a neutrally stable equilibrium and infinite persistence, regardless of the size of the system. We use a stochastic birth-death (SBD) model to explore the possible effects of de- mographic stochasticity on the basic Lotka-Volterra model. The results show that, over a wide range of system sizes, the time to extinction is finite and increases linearly with the total size of the system. We introduce a new type of spatially explicit individual-based model called the Heuristic Asynchronous Discrete Event Simulation or HADES. HADES adds an explicit component of space to the SBD version of our process. We compare the system dynamics of the SBD and HADES models over the same system sizes, using the same demographic parameters, thereby partitioning the effects of demographic stochasticity and space. As system sizes are increased, the dynamics of the HADES model with respect to the SBD model, as measured by time to extinction, move from equivalent to less stable to much more stable. We analyze the effects of space on the system dynamics using animation, statistical point process analysis, and predicted system dynamics (spatial effects on the predation rate). We then show that both the destabilizing and stabilizing effects of space with respect to the SBD dynamics can be accounted for by specific nonrandom spatial patterns. We contrast our results with three commonly invoked mechanisms that affect the stability of predator-prey systems. We comment on the strengths and limitations of differential-equa- tion-based models.
FORMAL COURSE DESIGN AND THE STUDENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

What impact does collaboration between faculty and professional course designers have on the student learning experience? As the use of technologies increases, educational institutions have to find ways of identifying and addressing expectations about how technologies can best be incorporated into the teaching and learning experiences. This paper reports on efforts at Washington State University to develop and assess the course design and faculty development process and the impact the process has on student learning experiences. The results of a comprehensive set of faculty and student surveys from five groups suggest that the systematic course design process improves students’ opportunities for faculty-student interaction, student-student interaction, and other elements associated with best practice. The implications of this study for faculty development and policy implementation are discussed.
Fast classification rates for high-dimensional Gaussian generative models

We consider the problem of binary classification when the covariates conditioned on the each of the response values follow multivariate Gaussian distributions. We focus on the setting where the covariance matrices for the two conditional distributions are the same. The corresponding generative model classifier, derived via the Bayes rule, also called Linear Discriminant Analysis, has been shown to behave poorly in high-dimensional settings. We present a novel analysis of the classification error of any linear discriminant approach given conditional Gaussian models. This allows us to compare the generative model classifier, other recently proposed discriminative approaches that directly learn the discriminant function, and then finally logistic regression which is another classical discriminative model classifier. As we show, under a natural sparsity assumption, and letting s denote the sparsity of the Bayes classifier, p the number of covariates, and n the number of samples, the simple (l1-regularized) logistic regression classifier achieves the fast misclassification error rates of O (s log p/n), which is much better than the other approaches, which are either inconsistent under high-dimensional settings, or achieve a slower rate of O (√s log p/n).
A Vertically Integrated Online Radiology Curriculum Developed as a Cognitive Apprenticeship: Impact on Student Performance and Learning.

Rationale and Objectives The principles of Collins' cognitive apprenticeship model were used to design a radiology curriculum in which medical students practice radiological skills using online case-based modules. The modules are embedded within clinical third-year clerkships, and students are provided with personalized feedback from the instructors. We describe the development of the vertical online radiology curriculum and evaluate its impact on student achievement and learning process using a mixed method approach. Materials and Methods The curriculum was developed over a 2-year period. Student participation was voluntary in the first year and mandatory in the second year. For quantitative curriculum evaluation, student metrics for voluntary versus mandatory groups were assessed using independent sample t tests and variable entry method regression analysis. For qualitative analysis, responses from a survey of students about the value of the curriculum were organized into defined themes using consensus coding. Results Mandatory participation significantly improved (p = .001) the mean radiology examination score (82 %) compared to the voluntary group (73%), suggesting that mandatory participation had a beneficial effect on student performance. Potential preexisting differences in underlying general academic performance were accounted for by including mean basic science grades as the first variable in the regression model. The significant increase in R 2 from .16 to .28 when number of radiology cases completed was added to the original model, and the greater value of the standardized beta for this variable, suggest that the curriculum made a significant contribution to students' radiology examination scores beyond their baseline academic performance. Five dominant themes about curricular characteristics that enhanced student learning and beneficial outcomes emerged from consensus coding. These themes were (1) self-paced design, (2) receiving feedback from faculty, (3) clinical relevance of cases, (4) gaining confidence in interpreting radiological images, and (5) transfer of conceptual knowledge to actual practice. Conclusions The vertically integrated online radiology curriculum can positively impact student performance and learning process in the context of the cognitive apprenticeship model.
Spatial–Temporal Dynamics in Barrier Island Upland Vegetation: The Overlooked Coastal Landscape

Barrier islands provide the first line of defense against storms for millions of people living in coastal areas. Upland vegetation (that is, grassland, shrubland, and maritime forest) has received little attention, even though this land surface is most strongly affected by development pressures. We use remote-sensing analysis to assess state change on seven undeveloped Virginia barrier islands over 27 years (1984–2011) that are free from direct human influence. Our analysis highlights the spatial–temporally dynamic nature of barrier island upland land area and vegetation, with rapidly changing ecosystem states. Over the time period, upland vegetation was dramatically reduced by 29% whereas woody vegetation cover increased 40% across all islands. Although conversions between sand, grassland, and woody vegetation were variable within each island, three major patterns of vegetative land-cover change were apparent: overall loss of vegetative cover, frequent transitions between grass and woody cover, and gain in woody cover. These patterns are valuable for understanding natural evolution of barrier islands in response to sea-level rise. Evaluation of temporal dynamics in barrier upland is needed to characterize underlying processes including island resilience or chronic stress, and is a prerequisite to sustainable coastal management- and resilience-based planning, especially when implementing ecosystem-based solutions.
Active Visualization — MR Tracking

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well established in diagnostic radiology and has become the method of choice for diagnosing many disease states. The use of MRI during therapeutic procedures, however, is still in its infancy. Among the many challenges facing interventional magnetic resonance (MR) are: patient access, patient monitoring, MR compatibility of therapeutic devices and the need for real-time visualization. Nevertheless, interventional MRI shows great promise (Jolesz et al. 1988; Bleier et al. 1991; Darkazanli et al. 1992; Kahn et al. 1992; Gewiese et al. 1992; Matsumoto et al. 1992) and is likely to become an important tool in clinical medicine in the future.
Lung Shunt Fraction prior to Yttrium-90 Radioembolization Predicts Survival in Patients with Neuroendocrine Liver Metastases: Single-Center Prospective Analysis

Objective To investigate survival outcomes following radioembolization with Yttrium-90 (Y90) for neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases (NETLMs). This study was designed to assess the efficacy of Y90 radioembolization and to evaluate lung shunt fraction (LSF) as a predictor for survival.
Impacts of duct leakage on central outdoor-air conditioning for commercial-building VAV systems

Abstract The purpose of this study was to estimate the energy losses due to duct leakage during central heating and cooling of outdoor air in commercial buildings with VAV systems. This was accomplished by calculating the required cooling and pre-heating of outdoor air with and without duct leakage in three locations. Our simplified model uses hourly weather data, along with leakage level, outdoor air fraction, and fan flow profiles to estimate heating and cooling loads associated with conditioning outdoor air for a typical office building. Energy calculations are based upon the difference in outdoor air flow due to duct leakage, combined with enthalpy differences between return air and outdoor air for cooling, and between mixed air and supply air for heating. Our results indicate that 10% pre-VAV leakage at design flow, combined with 10% post-VAV leakage flow, translates to an additional 2.04 units/m 2 /year of electricity consumption for outside-air cooling for an office building that has a 20% outdoor air fraction in Palm Springs, CA. For the same building in Chicago with 80% heating efficiency, this leakage results in an additional 0.17 scm/m 2 /year of natural gas consumption for pre-heating outdoor air. Based upon local utility rate structures, annual savings estimates for sealing 90% of 19% system leakage at a 20% outdoor air fraction were developed. These savings were found to vary between $1.72 and $2.80 per m 2 annually when including the impacts of duct leakage on fan power, fan heat removal, and conditioning of excess outdoor air. The outdoor air conditioning savings represents roughly between 10 to 20% of this energy cost savings.
Intrathecal Injections in Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Nusinersen Clinical Trial Experience

Nusinersen (ISIS-SMNRx or ISIS 396443) is an antisense oligonucleotide drug administered intrathecally to treat spinal muscular atrophy. We summarize lumbar puncture experience in children with spinal muscular atrophy during a phase 1 open-label study of nusinersen and its extension. During the studies, 73 lumbar punctures were performed in 28 patients 2 to 14 years of age with type 2/3 spinal muscular atrophy. No complications occurred in 50 (68%) lumbar punctures; in 23 (32%) procedures, adverse events were attributed to lumbar puncture. Most common adverse events were headache (n = 9), back pain (n = 9), and post-lumbar puncture syndrome (n = 8). In a subgroup analysis, adverse events were more frequent in older children, children with type 3 spinal muscular atrophy, and with a 21- or 22-gauge needle compared to a 24-gauge needle or smaller. Lumbar punctures were successfully performed in children with spinal muscular atrophy; lumbar puncture-related adverse event frequency was similar to that previously reported in children.
Bee Poisoning Versus Clover Seed Weevil Control in White Dutch Clover Grown for Seed

Twenty chemical treatments were tested for control of clover seed weevil, Miccotrogus picirostris (F.), in white Dutch clover raised for seed in southeastern Washington and adjacent Idaho. Several methods of reducing the bee poisoning hazard to beneficial pollinators were investigated. Application of certain long-residual organophosphorus insecticides before the main blooming period was not effective against the seed weevil. Treatments with granular formulations of insecticides were likewise ineffective. The best weevil treatment with low residual hazard to bees was endrin spray at 6–8 oz/acre. In clover fields which might be partially used for forage, methoxychlor or malathion would be preferred. Although ground application of DDT dust proved to be the most effective treatment method, either aerial or ground sprays of DDT were less hazardous to bees. Best timing of applications was attained by delaying treatments past the onset of first brown blooms until there were 2 or more seed weevils per straight sweep distributed throughout the field. Laboratory tests showed that a Moscow, Idaho, strain of the seed weevil was 17-fold more resistant to DDT at LC50 than a Pullman, Washington, strain.
Form-birefringence in waveguide devices

Integrated optic devices for polarization control (e.g., splitters, combiners, rotators) are required in applications such as polarization diversity receivers for coherent communications [1], integrated optical control of phased array antenna [2], and fiber optic sensors. The main requirements for device performance are high throughput (~90%) and low crosstalk (~1%). Desirable features include small size (~5 mm), passive operation, and implementation with a fabrication technology that allows integration with other waveguide elements. One can, of course, fabricate such devices in naturally birefringent waveguide materials to obtain the desired polarization sensitivity. A number of uniaxial and biaxial crystals are used in optics, but only LiNbO3 is currently used in integrated optical devices, although some work has been done to make thin films of SbSI [3]. Alternatively, for isotropic materials with a low refractive index, such as glass, one can make use of the birefringence induced by the differing boundary conditions of the waveguide structure. (This is sometimes referred to as modal birefringence.) However, for isotropic materials with a high refractive index, such as GaAs, the modal birefringence alone yields only small differences in refractive indices for opposite polarization states. Therefore, long device structures are required and/or fabrication tolerances become prohibitively small.
Inhibition of Mammary Dysplasia in Estrogen-Treated C3H/HeJ Female Mice by Treatment with 2-Bromo-α-ergocryptine

SummaryFive-month-old ovariectomized and hysterectomized C3H/HeJ mice were chronically treated for 1 year with 17β-estradiol. Half of the mice concurrently received daily injections of 2-bromo-α-ergo-cryptine (CB-154), an efficacious inhibitor of prolactin secretion. CB-154 treatment significantly (a) inhibited hyperplastic alveolar nodule (HAN) development, (b) reduced mammary tumor incidence, and (c) suppressed mammary gland development. These results suggest that estrogen-induced mammary dysplasia can be significantly reduced in C3H/HeJ female mice by drug-induced inhibition of pituitary prolactin secretion.Thanks are given to Carol Gribler for her assistance in this study.
Comatricha anomala, a new record for the Western Hemisphere.

warts interspersed with a few isolated patches of reticulum. This ornamentation was beautifully illustrated by Rammeloo (1975) prior to the formal description of the taxon. The collection to be reported on here was made on decayed wood, Lower Bidwell Park, Chico, Butte Co., California, on March 23, 1967 by Dwayne H. Curtis (collection number 657). It has been deposited in the Herbarium of the University of California (UC). Since C. anomala has never been described in English and since the California material differs somewhat from the Belgian material, a detailed description of Curtis's collection is given below. Sporangia (FIG. 1) in small, loose clusters of 10-40, stalked, 0.5-1.5 mm high, sporangium proper ovoid to, more commonly, cylindric, rounded at the base and apex, 0.4-1.25 mm tall and 0.4-0.6 mm diam, bright rusty brown. Hypothallus thin, membranous, shiny, colorless, connecting the individual sporangia of each cluster. Stipe short, approximately one-fourth the total height, ridged, angular or flattened, opaque, shiny, dark reddish brown to, more commonly, black. Peridium predominantly evanescent, but persisting, especially near the apex, in small, irregular, bright rusty brown, iridescent patches. Columella a continuation of the stipe, tapering upward and continuing nearly to the sporangial summit where it merges with the capillitium, sinuose at the tip, colored as the stipe. Capillitium abundant, arising evenly along the entire length of the columella, bright reddish brown, the threads slender, distinctly, but irregularly flattened, lacking large membranous expansions, branching 2-4 times, rarely anastomosing to form a loose, wide-meshed network with numerous short, pointed, free ends, the larger threads bearing sparsely scattered tubercles 1-2 ,um diam. Spores (FIG. 2) bright rusty brown in mass, pale brown by transmitted light, globose, 8.0-9.0 Am diam, minutely but densely warted and bearing 2-5 reticulate areas per spore, these reticulate areas 2.0-2.5 Am diam. Plasmodium unknown. The C. anomala collection from California dif-
THE EFFECT OF INBREEDING ON POPULATION-LEVEL GENETIC CORRELATIONS IN THE RED FLOUR BEETLE TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM.

set 1 (a = 0, b = -0.7929, c = 0.3843) resulted from resulted from a linear fit with the third point corresponding to y = 0.5. Parameter set 2 (a = 0, b = 1.25, c = 0.495) resulted from resulted from a linear fit with the third point corresponding to -y = 0.4. Parameter set 3 (a = 0.1405, b = -0.6435, c = 0.35) resulted from a quadratic fit with the third point corresponding to y = 0.5, and parameter set 4 (a = 0.15, b = -2.15, c = 0.62) resulted from a quadratic fit with the third point corresponding to y = 0.4. Combining these four parameter sets with the two sets of offspring fitness parameters described above yielded 16 parameter combinations, which should bracket the space of all parameter combinations that are likely to be found in nature.
Sleep Disorders in the Elderly

Sleep disorders are not a part of a normal aging process. Sleep is a vital physiological process with important restorative functions that are essential for health, wellbeing, optimal daytime functioning, and longevity. Quite often, sleep-related complaints are neither reported by the patients nor investigated by the primary care provider. Sleep disorders are common in the elderly population due to coexisting medical conditions including cardiopulmonary, neuropsychiatric, and psychosocial issues. This situation is further accentuated by a wide variety of medications and habitual use of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine use. Clinical consequences often include hyper somnolence, impaired intellect, disturbed cognition, increased risk of cardiopulmonary complications, and risk of falls. Inadequate sleep can compromise quality of life and cause significant social and economic burden for the caregiver. Diagnosis of sleep disorders in the elderly requires a high index of suspicion by a skilled and experienced physician. A multifaceted and comprehensive approach is required for successful management of this complex conglomerate of conditions.
Methods for monolithically fabricating photonic integrated circuits

The impact, on information processing and distribution, of a practical technique for integrating semiconductor active and passive photonic devices cannot be overstated. It will be as significant as was the development of the electronic integrated circuit on the modern, technological world. Despite considerable efforts by a number of groups worldwide over the years, this utopian vision has yet to be realized, highlighting the magnitude of the technological challenges involved. However, recent progress in several areas is very encouraging.
Parenteral hyperalimentation. A useful surgical adjunct.

The authors have used parenteral hyperalimentation in many pediatric patients, and three case reports of its use in small infants are presented, together with techniques for mixing the solution, caring for the catheter, and administering the solution.
Management of peripheral arterial aneurysms

Peripheral arterial aneurysms occur most commonly in the popliteal, femoral and visceral locations. In contrast to the haemorrhagic complications of aortic aneurysms, peripheral aneurysms are generally associated with thromboembolic phenomena. The patient’s life is thus seldom compromised by peripheral aneurysms; rather limb or end organ ischaemic events represent the most frequent complications.
Moderately-doped Schottky barriers: a description using thermionic emission over a wide temperature range

We report on a low temperature study of Schottky barriers between Au, Cr or Al electrodes deposited directly onto moderately-doped Si or GaAs substrates with doping densities in the range cm−3 and find the unexpected result that for temperatures 150 K both the zero-voltage Schottky barrier height, and the reciprocal ideality factor, , have linear temperature dependences that extrapolate to zero at T = 0. Accordingly, the thermionic emission equation with these modified temperature-dependent parameters gives a good description of the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics at temperatures where thermionic field emission and field emission (direct tunneling) in addition to thermionic emission are known to be important. Our analysis utilizes a barrier inhomogeneity model to show that the temperature-independent product determined from forward bias characteristics defines a flat band voltage which is shown to be equivalent to the built-in voltage separately determined by extrapolation of capacitance versus voltage measurements made in the reverse bias region.
A systems biology approach to investigating the influence of exercise and fitness on the composition of leukocytes in peripheral blood

Exercise immunology has become a growing field in the past 20 years, with an emphasis on understanding how different forms of exercise affect immune function. Mechanistic studies are beginning to shed light on how exercise may impair the development of cancer or be used to augment cancer treatment. The beneficial effects of exercise on the immune system may be exploited to improve patient responses to cancer immunotherapy. We investigated the effects of acute exercise on the composition of peripheral blood leukocytes over time in a male population of varying fitness. Subjects performed a brief maximal intensity cycling regimen and a longer less intense cycling regimen at separate visits. Leukocytes were measured by multi-parameter flow cytometry of more than 50 immunophenotypes for each collection sample. We found a differential induction of leukocytosis dependent on exercise intensity and duration. Cytotoxic natural killer cells demonstrated the greatest increase (average of 5.6 fold) immediately post-maximal exercise whereas CD15+ granulocytes demonstrated the largest increase at 3 h post-maximal exercise (1.6 fold). The longer, less intense endurance exercise resulted in an attenuated leukocytosis. Induction of leukocytosis did not differ in our limited study of active (n = 10) and sedentary (n = 5) subjects to exercise although we found that in baseline samples, sedentary individuals had elevated percentages of CD45RO+ memory CD4+ T cells and elevated proportions of CD4+ T cells expressing the negative immune regulator programmed death-1 (PD-1). Finally, we identified several leukocytes whose presence correlated with obesity related fitness parameters. Our data suggests that leukocytes subsets are differentially mobilized into the peripheral blood and dependent on the intensity and duration of exercise. Pre-existing compositional differences of leukocytes were associated with various fitness parameters.
THE ACCUMULATION OF ELECTROLYTES : IX. REPLACEMENT OF AMMONIA BY SODIUM AND POTASSIUM.

Experiments on Valonia were carried out as follows: Stage I.—Cells in dim light accumulated 0.08 M ammonia (NH3 + NH4OH + NH4+) from sea water containing 0.0025 M ammonia (but the concentration of undissociated ammonia appeared to remain less inside than outside). Potassium came out. Stage II.—Cells in dim light in nearly ammonia-free normal sea water lost ammonia which was replaced by sodium entering from the sea water. Potassium in the sap remained practically constant. Stage III.—The cells were placed in stronger light where the loss of ammonia continued and potassium entered. Sodium entered more rapidly than in Stage II. Stage IV.—Cells transferred to sea water containing 0.0025 M ammonia again accumulated ammonia up to 0.1345 M. The results in general harmonize with the view that the direction of movement of a base M through the protoplasm depends on the difference of the activity products (M)o(OH)o and (M)i(OH)i where the subscripts o and i refer to sea water and sap respectively. On this basis, if the entrance of ammonia raised the internal concentration of OH sufficiently in Stage I potassium should come out in Stage I, as actually happened. The behavior of sodium is in doubt. If the internal pH in Stage II were sufficiently high sodium should enter but not potassium. This was actually found. In Stage III, if we suppose that the effect of stronger light is to increase the external pH (by photosynthesis) more than the internal pH (as found by Crozier) we can understand why potassium entered, because such an increase in pH could readily make the external value of (K) (OH) greater than the internal. This would also explain why sodium entered more rapidly than in Stage II. When ammonia is coming out of the cell, sodium and potassium may enter more rapidly than usual without raising the internal concentration of halide above a certain critical value at which entrance appears to be checked.
Heterothermic Operation of Homeotherms

As generators of heat with well sustained internal operating temperatures, birds and mammals maintain thermal gradients from the interior to surrounding cold air or water. I will forego discussion of evaporative cooling by breathing and panting, which are not especially illuminated by arctic studies, to speak of regulation of warmth by thermal gradients from the warm interior to cold surroundings. Without much analysis of the methods of transport of heat I shall point to thermal gradients and consequent conditions that are emphatically revealed in arctic birds and mammals.
Abstract WP184: Association Between Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction and Ischemic Stroke

Background: While stroke risk in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is well established, it is uncertain whether heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with ...
Cannabinoid CB2 Agonist AM1710 Differentially Suppresses Distinct Pathological Pain States and Attenuates Morphine Tolerance and Withdrawal

AM1710 (3-(1,1-dimethyl-heptyl)-1-hydroxy-9-methoxy-benzo(c) chromen-6-one), a cannabilactone cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist, suppresses chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain in rodents without producing tolerance or unwanted side effects associated with CB1 receptors; however, the signaling profile of AM1710 remains incompletely characterized. It is not known whether AM1710 behaves as a broad-spectrum analgesic and/or suppresses the development of opioid tolerance and physical dependence. In vitro, AM1710 inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP production and produced enduring activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 phosphorylation in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells stably expressing mCB2. Only modest species differences in the signaling profile of AM1710 were observed between HEK cells stably expressing mCB2 and hCB2. In vivo, AM1710 produced a sustained inhibition of paclitaxel-induced allodynia in mice. In paclitaxel-treated mice, a history of AM1710 treatment (5 mg/kg per day × 12 day, i.p.) delayed the development of antinociceptive tolerance to morphine and attenuated morphine-induced physical dependence. AM1710 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not precipitate CB1 receptor-mediated withdrawal in mice rendered tolerant to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, suggesting that AM1710 is not a functional CB1 antagonist in vivo. Furthermore, AM1710 (1, 3, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not suppress established mechanical allodynia induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). Similarly, prophylactic and chronic dosing with AM1710 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not produce antiallodynic efficacy in the CFA model. By contrast, gabapentin suppressed allodynia in both CFA and PSNL models. Our results indicate that AM1710 is not a broad-spectrum analgesic agent in mice and suggest the need to identify signaling pathways underlying CB2 therapeutic efficacy to identify appropriate indications for clinical translation.
Data on characterization of metalloporphyrin-mediated HO-1 and DAF induction in rat glomeruli and podocytes

The data presented pertain to a research article titled "Heme Oxygenase 1 Up-Regulates Glomerular Decay Accelerating Factor Expression and Minimizes Complement Deposition and Injury" (Detsika et al., 2016). The present work provides additional data on induction and immunolocalization of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 (an antioxidant enzyme) and decay-accelerating factor (DAF) (a complement activation inhibitor) in isolated rat glomeruli and in glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) in response to Iron Protoporphyrin IX (FePP, heme), and to non-iron protoporphyrins (PPs) with varying metal functionalities (ZnPP, SnPP), including a metal-devoid PP. Induction and immuno-localization of HO-1 and DAF in response to these metalloporphyrins (MP) were assessed using western blot analyses and confocal microscopy in isolated glomeruli and in cultured podocytes. These analyses identified podocytes as a major localization site of HO-1 and DAF induction in response to the aforementioned MPs. Effects of these MPs on a key glomerular structural protein, Nephrin, are also reported. The data identify MPs most and least capable of inducing DAF and reducing Nephrin expression and provide clues into expected outcomes of animal studies assessing MP efficacy in upregulating the cytoprotective proteins HO-1 and DAF.
Improving Harvey Forecasts with Next-Generation Weather Satellites: Advanced Hurricane Analysis and Prediction with Assimilation of GOES-R All-Sky Radiances

AbstractHurricane Harvey brought catastrophic destruction and historical flooding to the Gulf Coast region in late August 2017. Guided by numerical weather prediction models, operational forecaster...
Growth hormone acts on liver to stimulate autophagy, support glucose production, and preserve blood glucose in chronically starved mice.

When mice are subjected to 60% calorie restriction for several days, they lose nearly all of their body fat. Although the animals lack energy stores, their livers produce enough glucose to maintain blood glucose at viable levels even after a 23-hour fast. This adaptation is mediated by a marked increase in plasma growth hormone (GH), which is elicited by an increase in plasma ghrelin, a GH secretagogue. In the absence of ghrelin, calorie-restricted mice develop hypoglycemia, owing to diminished glucose production. To determine the site of GH action, in the current study we used CRISPR/Cas9 and Cre recombinase technology to produce mice that lack GH receptors selectively in liver (L-Ghr−/− mice) or in adipose tissue (Fat-Ghr−/− mice). When subjected to calorie restriction and then fasted for 23 hours, the L-Ghr−/− mice, but not the Fat-Ghr−/− mice, developed hypoglycemia. The fall in blood glucose in L-Ghr−/− mice was correlated with a profound drop in hepatic triglycerides. Hypoglycemia was prevented by injection of lactate or octanoate, two sources of energy to support gluconeogenesis. Electron microscopy revealed extensive autophagy in livers of calorie-restricted control mice but not in L-Ghr−/− mice. We conclude that GH acts through its receptor in the liver to activate autophagy, preserve triglycerides, enhance gluconeogenesis, and prevent hypoglycemia in calorie-restricted mice, a model of famine.
Career and College Readiness: A Summary of Two Sessions at the AFB Leadership Conference on Orientation and Mobility and Transition Services for Students with Visual Impairments:

Editor’s Note: This commentary is based on the conference sessions, “Orientation and Mobility Career, College and Community Readiness Standards,” by Kathryn Botsford and Mary Tellefson, and “Engagi...
Abstract 2423: Longitudinal examination of breast cancer screening adherence among women in a prospective familial cohort

Background: Since 2007, U.S. national guidelines recommend cancer-free women at ≥20% lifetime risk of breast cancer (BC) undergo BC screening with mammogram and breast MRI. Little is known about long-term adherence to BC screening among young high-risk women. To address this knowledge gap, we examined predictors of screening adherence over time among women with varying BC risk. Methods: Eligible women were ≥ 30 years old, had no history of BC/ovarian cancer, an intact breast, are enrolled in the Breast and Ovarian Surveillance Service (BOSS) Cohort, and visited the Johns Hopkins Cancer Genetics Clinic for risk assessment ≥ 2004 but prior to cohort enrollment (N = 374). Screening recommendations were determined from Tyrer-Cuzick BC lifetime risk estimates obtained at the clinic visit. Screening was self-reported at baseline, 4, and 8 years. A subset has been validated. An adherent screen before 2007 was mammography for women Results: At baseline, the median age was 47 years, 31% had lifetime risk Conclusion: High-risk young women were not adherent to the more intensive screening regimen, and adherence did not improve over time. Other strong predictors of adherence included older age, prior adherence, and fewer comorbidities. New screening alternatives and interventions targeting reasons for non-adherence should be evaluated for high-risk women. Citation Format: Marcy L. Schaeffer, Betty J. May, Brenna C. Hogan, Mikiaila M. Orellana, Dana Petry, Katie Fiallos, Michelle S. McCullough, Deborah K. Armstrong, Kelly Myers, Kala Visvanathan. Longitudinal examination of breast cancer screening adherence among women in a prospective familial cohort [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2423.
Self-sustainable protonic ceramic electrochemical cells using a triple conducting electrode for hydrogen and power production.

The protonic ceramic electrochemical cell (PCEC) is an emerging and attractive technology that converts energy between power and hydrogen using solid oxide proton conductors at intermediate temperatures. To achieve efficient electrochemical hydrogen and power production with stable operation, highly robust and durable electrodes are urgently desired to facilitate water oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions, which are the critical steps for both electrolysis and fuel cell operation, especially at reduced temperatures. In this study, a triple conducting oxide of PrNi0.5Co0.5O3-δ perovskite is developed as an oxygen electrode, presenting superior electrochemical performance at 400~600 °C. More importantly, the self-sustainable and reversible operation is successfully demonstrated by converting the generated hydrogen in electrolysis mode to electricity without any hydrogen addition. The excellent electrocatalytic activity is attributed to the considerable proton conduction, as confirmed by hydrogen permeation experiment, remarkable hydration behavior and computations.
Effects of Microbial Biomineralization Surface Erosion Control Treatments on Vegetation and Revegetation along Highways

Microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has been widely studied in laboratories to test changes to soil strength and density. Rarely studied is the biogeotechnology’s influence on real-world...
Right-wing Authoritarianism, Left-wing Authoritarianism, and pandemic-mitigation authoritarianism

Recent research suggests the validity of the construct of Left-wing Authoritarianism (LWA). Like its well-studied parallel construct Right-wing Authoritarianism, LWA is characterized by dogmatism, punitive attitudes toward dissenters, and desire for strong authority figures. In contrast to RWA, LWA mobilizes these traits on behalf of left-wing values (e.g. anti-racism, anti-sexism, and wealth redistribution). I inductively examined the extent to which RWA and LWA predicted, in April 2020, Americans' endorsement of 19 authoritarian policies and practices intended to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For 11 of these policies (e.g. abrogating the right to trial by jury for pandemic-related crimes), both RWA and LWA independently positively predicted endorsement. These findings are consistent with recent work showing psychological similarities between the two constructs.
TGF-β Signaling in Pancreatic Islet β Cell Development and Function.

Pancreatic islet beta cells (β-cells) synthesize and secrete insulin in response to rising glucose levels and thus are a prime target in both major forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes ensues due to autoimmune destruction of β-cells. On the other hand, the prevailing insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes (T2D) elicits a compensatory response from β-cells that involves increases in β-cell mass and function. However, the sustained metabolic stress results in β-cell failure, characterized by severe β-cell dysfunction and loss of β-cell mass. Dynamic changes to β-cell mass also occur during pancreatic development that involves extensive growth and morphogenesis. These orchestrated events are triggered by multiple signaling pathways, including those representing the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. TGF-β pathway ligands play important roles during endocrine pancreas development, β-cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Furthermore, new findings are suggestive of TGF-β's role in regulation of adult β-cell mass and function. Collectively, these findings support the therapeutic utility of targeting TGF-β in diabetes. Summarizing the role of the various TGF-β pathway ligands in β-cell development, growth and function in normal physiology, and during diabetes pathogenesis is the topic of this mini-review.
Teaching Epidemiology Online (Pandemic Edition).

In response to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities are encouraging or requiring online instruction. Teaching an epidemiology course online is different in many respects than teaching in person. In this article, we review specific approaches and strategies related to teaching epidemiology online during the pandemic and beyond, including a discussion of options for course format, grading and assessment approaches, pandemic-related contingencies, and the use of technology. Throughout this manuscript we present practical, epidemiology-specific teaching examples. The pandemic has served to heighten our awareness of concerns related to student health and safety as well as issues of accessibility, equity, and inclusion. Moreover, we also examine: 1) how the lessons learned about the practice of epidemiology during the pandemic can be integrated into the didactic content of epidemiology training programs and 2) whether epidemiologic pedagogy and teaching strategies should change in the long term, beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to present a practical overview connecting pandemic-era online teaching with thoughts about the future of epidemiologic instruction.
Ketamine: Safe and Effective Treatment for Severe Depression.

OBJECTIVEDepression resistant to standard treatment is devastating to an individual’s quality of life. Ketamine offers a safe and effective alternative to standard depression treatment, but many pa...
Leveraging simulated and empirical data-driven insight to supervised-learning for porosity prediction in laser metal deposition

Abstract The advent of digital-twin manufacturing in additive manufacturing (AM) is to integrate the physical world of real-time 3D printing with the digital world of a simulated print. This paper contributes to digital-twin manufacturing in laser-based additive manufacturing by combining melt pools’ simulated thermal behavior via finite element analysis (FEA) and melt pools’ empirical thermal behavior via pyrometry-based sensors. Studying the thermal behavior of melt pools based on heat transfer characteristics determines melt pools’ porosity and part quality. FEA uses Godak’s moving heat flux to capture the melt pools’ physically bound temperature profile in three dimensions. Simulated data helps to mitigate the influence of measuring errors from real-world data and provides non-observable data such as gradient changes of thermal behavior at the curvature of the 3D melt pool. The pyrometer captures empirical temperature behavior, including uncertainty and randomness introduced to the process. A significant knowledge gap exists when predicting melt pool porosity accurately with theoretical FEA and empirical in situ evidence alone. The gap is bridged by combining the data sources, specifically, feature engineering via functional principal component analysis (empirical data source) and capturing the melt pool's 3-D temperature shape profile via FEA (simulated data source). A hybrid model predicts melt pool porosity by capturing the strengths of prior simulated and posterior in situ empirical data by matching simulated melt pools to real-world empirical melt pools. Moreover, comparing predicted porosity labels with true porosity labels of Ti–6Al–4V thin-wall structure from laser metal deposition verified the proposed interpretable and robust supervised-learning model's validity. This methodology can apply to other materials and part shapes printed under various additive-manufactured printers.
And so they wait: The other epidemic among United States youth during COVID-19.

Since summer 2020, five to ten new children and teens have been presenting to our emergency department (ED) each day with the same emergency. These are numbers we have never experienced before. Our patients are of different ages, genders, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses. But they share the potential for lifelong sequelae of their disease. Given this dramatic rise in cases since the summer, we are clearly in the middle of an epidemic. But these patients don't have COVID-19 or another infectious disease. Perhaps if they did, a greater effort would be put towards addressing this problem.
Randomness, Causation, and Divine Responsibility

Many theists seem committed to the idea that God is responsible to some substantial degree for the occurrence of every contingent event. In this chapter, I explore questions about divine responsibility in cases of free human action and indeterministic processes in nature, with special attention to Michael J. Zimmerman’s work on the nature of shared responsibility.