cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical localization of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) and IGF-binding protein-2 during development in the rat brain.

The insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) are peptide growth factors with both growth-promoting and insulin-like activities. In the nervous system, the expression of both IGF-I and IGF-II messenger RNAs (mRNAs) is developmentally regulated, with IGF-I expression highest during puberty, and IGF-II levels peaking during the perinatal period. The IGFs interact with and are modulated by a group of six binding proteins, the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP-1 to IGFBP-6). IGFBP-2 mRNA is most prevalent in the nervous system, where, like IGF-II, its expression correlates with a period of brain growth. In the current study, cells containing IGF-II and IGFBP-2 were identified within the developing nervous system of the rat on embryonic day 12 (E12), E14, E18, and postnatal day 1 and in the adult. IGF-II immunoreactivity was detected within the mesenchymal core of the choroid plexus at all ages examined and was also observed in the developing leptomeninges. IGF-II appeared transiently in the central nervous sys...
In vitro and in vivo analysis of the major type I protein arginine methyltransferase from Trypanosoma brucei

In mammals and yeasts, arginine methylation, catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), has been implicated in regulation of diverse processes such as protein–protein interaction, protein localization, signal transduction, RNA processing, and transcription. A large nu mber of PRMT substrates are RNA binding proteins. In trypanosomes, gene regulation is controlled primarily at the levels of RNA processing, stability, and translation, and likely involves numerous RNA binding proteins. Thus, arginine methylation may be especially important in controlling gene expression in this evolutionarily ancient group of organisms. To begin to understand the role of arginine methylation in trypanosomes, we identified and characterized a type I PRMT from Trypanosoma brucei, termed TbPRMT1. TbPRMT1 displays 51% amino acid identity to human PRMT1. It possesses an S-adenosylmethionine binding site and double E and THW loops, common and absolute features associated with other PRMTs. Recombinant TbPRMT1 methylates both an artificial RG-rich peptide and the T. brucei mitochondrial RNA binding protein, TBRGG1, and it exhibits differences in substrate specificity compared to rat PRMT1. TbPRMT1 is constitutively expressed during the T. brucei life cycle. Disruption of TbPRMT1 gene expression by RNA interference did not result in a significant growth defect in procyclic form T. brucei. Finally, we observe a dramatic decrease in the cellular level of asymmetric dimethylarginine upon TbPRMT1 knock down, indicating that TbPRMT1 is the predominant type I PRMT in T. brucei. The strong conservation of PRMT1 homologs between protozoa and humans highlights the importance of arginine methylation as a regulatory mechanism in eukaryotes. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
How Charles Darwin Got Emotional Expression out of South Africa (and the People who Helped Him)

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals Darwin makes brief reference to a “curious document” obtained from a South African man whom he described as the brother of a prominent chief (1965 [1872]:22). This document was received, not during the brief stop made by the Beagle at the Cape in 1836, but thirty-two years later as a written response to a questionnaire about emotion that Darwin had sent by post to various institutions and associates around the globe. He suggests that he found this response most interesting because it was the only one to come directly from a “native,” and was even more amazing in having come from the hand of one able to write down his own responses. It was from a man who referred to himself as “Christian Gaika, brother of Chief Sandilli.”
One Mechanism for Cell Type-specific Regulation of thebax Promoter by the Tumor Suppressor p53 Is Dictated by the p53 Response Element

Key to the function of the tumor suppressor p53 is its ability to activate the transcription of its target genes, including those that encode the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 and the proapoptotic Bax protein. In contrast to Saos-2 cells in which p53 activated both the p21 and bax promoters, in MDA-MB-453 cells p53 activated the p21 promoter, but failed to activate the bax promoter. Neither phosphorylation of p53 on serines 315 or 392 nor an intact C terminus was required for p53-dependent activation of the bax promoter, demonstrating that this differential regulation of bax could not be explained solely by modifications of these residues. Further, this effect was not due to either p73 or other identified cellular factors competing with p53 for binding to its response element in the bax promoter. p53 expressed in MDA-MB-453 cells also failed to activate transcription through the p53 response element of the bax promoter in isolation, demonstrating that the defect is at the level of the interaction between p53 and its response element. In contrast to other p53 target genes, like p21, in which p53-dependent transcriptional activation is mediated by a response element containing two consensus p53 half-sites, activation by p53 of the bax element was mediated by a cooperative interaction of three adjacent half-sites. In addition, the interaction of p53 with its response element from the bax promoter, as compared with its interaction with its element from the p21 promoter, involves a conformationally distinct form of the protein. Together, these data suggest a potential mechanism for the differential regulation of p53-dependent transactivation of the bax and p21 genes.
A Designer/Verifier's Assistant

Since developing and maintaining formally verified programs is an incremental activity, one is not only faced with the problem of constructing specifications, programs, and proofs, but also with the complex problem of determining what previous work remains valid following incremental changes. A system that reasons about changes must build a detailed model of each development and be able to apply its knowledge, the same kind of knowledge an expert would have, to integrate new or changed information into an existing model.
Illicit drug use in one's social network and in one's neighborhood predicts individual heroin and cocaine use.

Abstract PURPOSE: The nature of competing social environmental factors' influence on substance abuse is unclear. A longitudinal study was undertaken to determine the relative power of social network and neighborhood characteristics to predict continuing illicit drug use. METHODS: Three hundred forty-two inner-city adults with a history of injection drug use were followed for 1 year; their heroin and cocaine use were assessed semiannually. Multiple logistic regression models were fit to determine the degree to which social network and neighborhood characteristics, assessed at baseline, predicted continuing heroin and/or cocaine use throughout the study period. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-six (69%) participants reported continuing heroin and/or cocaine use. Drug use by members of the social network was a stronger predictor of participants' continuing drug use (OR = 4.31, 95% CI 2.51 to 7.40) than was a high level of drug-related arrests in the participant's neighborhood (OR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.24 to 4.71), after adjusting for drug treatment and demographic variables. Both seemed to have independent effects on study participants' drug use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reiterate the importance of breaking ties with drug-using associates, even for those who reside in high-risk environments. Further work is needed to develop interventions that increase drug users' success in altering social network composition or also treat drug-using network members.
Benzofurans. Improved syntheses of bufuralol, 7‐ethyl‐2‐(2‐tert‐butylamino‐1‐hydroxyethyl)benzofuran, and 1″‐oxobufuralol, 7‐acetyl‐2‐(2‐tert‐butylamino‐1‐hydroxyethyl)benzofuran

An improved laboratory scale synthesis of bufuralol (1) and 1″-oxobufuralol (4) was accomplished. The intermediate benzofurans were prepared via aromatization of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans or by a one-step acidcatalyzed cyclization from 2,2-diethoxyethyl 4-bromo-6-ethyl-2-formylphenyl ether (23). Base-catalyzed cyclization of 3-(5-bromo-3-ethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1.2-epoxypropane (16) provided the key intermediate, 5-bromo-7-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (17). Selective functionalization of the C-2 and C-7 positions of the benzofuran ring system was accomplished to afford both 1 and 4.
Religion as Represented in the Art of the Ancient Near East

This essay looks at matters of religion in the art of the ancient Near East both from the point of view of religion as subject matter in the imagery of works of art, and religion in its wider sense that includes philosophical ideas of a sacral character that permeate the rationale of artistic production. In the first half of the essay, the discussion is centered on the way religion has been viewed and treated in the scholarly literature on the art of ancient Mesopotamia. Then follows a selective historical survey of questions and debates pertaining to religion and religious themes that have dominated the field of the history of ancient Near Eastern art.
Pharmaceutical characterization and thermodynamic stability assessment of a colloidal iron drug product: Iron sucrose

The study objective was to evaluate the thermodynamic stability of iron sucrose complexes as determined by molecular weight (m.w.) changes. The first part of the study focused on the effect of thermal stress, pH, electrolyte or excipient dilution on the stability of a colloidal iron drug product. Part two focused on the physical and chemical evaluation of the colloidal nature of iron sucrose using a series of characterization experiments: ultracentrifugation, dialysis, particle size, zeta potential, and osmotic pressure analysis. A validated Taguchi-optimized high performance gel permeation chromatography method was used for m.w. determinations. Results indicate m.w. of the iron sucrose complex remained unchanged after excipient dilution, ultracentrifugation, dialysis, and electrolyte dilution. Electrolyte dilution studies indicated the lyophilic nature of the iron sucrose colloid with a particle size of 10nm and zeta potential of 0 mV. The complex deformed at low pH and reformed back at the formulation pH. The complex is stable under mild-to-moderate temperature 70°C. In conclusion, the resistance of the complex to breakdown by electrolytic conditions, excipient dilution, ultracentrifugation and the reversible complexation after alteration of formulation pH suggest iron sucrose is a lyophilic colloid in nature and lyophilic colloidals are thermodynamically stable.
When did oxygenic photosynthesis evolve

The atmosphere has apparently been oxygenated since the ‘Great Oxidation Event’ ca 2.4 Ga ago, but when the photosynthetic oxygen production began is debatable. However, geological and geochemical evidence from older sedimentary rocks indicates that oxygenic photosynthesis evolved well before this oxygenation event. Fluid-inclusion oils in ca 2.45 Ga sandstones contain hydrocarbon biomarkers evidently sourced from similarly ancient kerogen, preserved without subsequent contamination, and derived from organisms producing and requiring molecular oxygen. Mo and Re abundances and sulphur isotope systematics of slightly older (2.5 Ga) kerogenous shales record a transient pulse of atmospheric oxygen. As early as ca 2.7 Ga, stromatolites and biomarkers from evaporative lake sediments deficient in exogenous reducing power strongly imply that oxygen-producing cyanobacteria had already evolved. Even at ca 3.2 Ga, thick and widespread kerogenous shales are consistent with aerobic photoautrophic marine plankton, and U–Pb data from ca 3.8 Ga metasediments suggest that this metabolism could have arisen by the start of the geological record. Hence, the hypothesis that oxygenic photosynthesis evolved well before the atmosphere became permanently oxygenated seems well supported.
Adjunctive Non-Surgical Therapy of Inflamed Periodontal Pockets During Maintenance Therapy Using Diode Laser: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Numerous studies have documented the clinical outcomes of laser therapy for untreated periodontitis, but very few have reported on lasers treating inflamed pockets during maintenance therapy. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of scaling and root planing (SRP) plus the adjunctive use of diode laser therapy to SRP alone on changes in the clinical parameters of disease and on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) inflammatory mediator interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in patients receiving regular periodontal maintenance therapy.Methods: This single-masked and randomized, controlled, prospective study includes 22 patients receiving regular periodontal maintenance therapy who had one or more periodontal sites with a probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm with bleeding on probing (BOP). Fifty-six sites were treated with SRP and adjunctive laser therapy (SRP + L). Fifty-eight sites were treated with SRP alone. Clinical parameters, including PD, clinical attachment level (CAL), and BOP, and GCF IL-1β levels...
Cocaine: Mechanism and Effects in the Human Brain

Abstract As with other drugs of abuse, cocaine changes the signaling of the endogenous neurotransmitters in the brain. Its effects on the dopamine system have been shown to be most directly correlated with addiction and closely associated with alteration of motivated, reward-driven behavior. Imaging studies in humans with Positron Emission Tomography allow the in vivo measurement of dopamine receptors in addition to changes in endogenous levels of dopamine in cocaine abuse and dependence. These imaging studies show that cocaine addiction is associated with both a reduction in D2/3 receptors and blunted dopamine transmission in the striatum, measured as presynaptic dopamine release in response to stimulant administration, compared to matched controls. Preclinical and human imaging studies also show that both of these parameters are predictive of higher levels of cocaine self-administration. In addition, imaging studies demonstrate that cocaine abuse is associated with alterations in the prefrontal cortex, particularly regions that regulate information processing and emotions, and that these play a key role in the maintenance of addiction. Despite these advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of cocaine abuse in the human brain, less is known about the precise mechanisms responsible for long-lasting behavioral adaptations associated with chronic cocaine exposure. Animal studies suggest that these alterations of dopaminergic transmission by cocaine exposure contribute to the abnormal consolidation of learning processes that rely on plasticity mechanisms within the striatum and prefrontal cortex. These alterations are thought to facilitate the transition from a recreational use to compulsive consumption. Considering the converging evidences of an alteration of dopaminergic signaling in addiction to cocaine in both humans and animal models, it is crucial to develop methods for reversing these changes.
Engagement of Gay Men and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the Response to HIV: A Critical Step in Achieving an AIDS-Free Generation

Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be at elevated risk for HIV acquisition and transmission secondary to biological and behavioral characteristics, social and sexual network characteristics, community environmental factors, and structural factors. HIV incidence rates remain high among MSM in both low- and high-income settings, and in both concentrated and more generalized HIV epidemic settings. While data quality tends to be poorer, the best estimates collectively suggest that MSM have up to 20 times the odds of living with HIV as compared to other reproductive aged adults across low- and middle-income countries. Recent prevention strategies to lower biological HIV transmission and acquisition risks, including the early use of antiretrovirals to decrease infectiousness for those living with HIV, and pre-exposure prophylaxis for those at significant risk of HIV acquisition, have demonstrated the potential to change the trajectory of the HIV epidemics among MSM. However, the coverage and effectiveness of these approaches is limited by structural factors including the punitive legal frameworks and institutional discrimination that contribute to limited uptake, challenges to adherence, and suboptimal health-seeking behaviors among MSM. More intensive efforts will be required to reach MSM who do not currently have access to relevant and effective prevention and treatment services or elect not to access these services given enacted and/or perceived stigma. Respect for human rights, including efforts to aggressively confront and combat the forms of stigma that are preventing us from achieving an AIDS-Free generation, are needed for all people including gay men and other MSM.
Effect of Dietary Sodium Zeolite A and Excess Calcium on Growth and Tibia Calcium and Phosphorus Concentration in Uninfected and Eimeria acervulina-Infected Chicks

Two identical trials were conducted with 5 to 14-day-old broiler chicks. Sodium zeolite A (NZA, 0 and .75%) and Ca (1.0 and 1.5%) were fed to both uninfected and Eimeria acervulina-infected chicks resulting in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Coccidial infection reduced weight gain and gain:feed (P less than .01), and tibia ash, Ca, and Ca:P ratio (P less than .05). Excess dietary Ca reduced (P less than .05) weight gain and tibia ash in uninfected chicks but had no effect (P greater than .10) in coccidiosis-infected chicks (Ca x coccidiosis interaction, P less than .05). Addition of NZA to diets with excess Ca further decreased (P less than .05) weight gain and tibia ash in both uninfected and E. acervulina-infected chicks. Tibia Ca, as a percentage of dry fat-free tibia, was reduced (P less than .05) by the addition of NZA. This effect was not observed when tibia Ca was expressed as a percentage of ash. These results suggest that NZA may exacerbate the adverse effects of excess dietary Ca.
Analysis of Epidemiological Characteristics of Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis in aCity from 2001 to 2011

Objective The study was designed to understand the epidemiological characteristics of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis and explore strategies for the prevention and control measures in Pingdingshan.Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemic situation and monitoring data.Results A decreasing trend in the morbidity of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis was observed from 1957 to 2011.The annual morbidity was 4.33/100000,and the annual fatality rate was 5.03%.Children under the age of 10 were the susceptible population.28 cases were the children under the age of 7,accounting for 40.00%,and 16 cases were the children above the age of 15,accounting for 22.86%.The morbidity increased with the rise of age.Pupils and scattered children contributed the most to caseload,accounting for 87.14%.The morbidity was higher in rural area.It showed the obvious seasonal characteristic.Even in the post-vaccine era,there was periodical fluctuation of the epidemic pattern.There were sporadic cases of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis caused by serogroup C in 2009.Conclusion The morbidity of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis has been steadily decreasing in Pingdingshan,but the serogroup-distribution could change.The immunization rate should be improved further for the prevention of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis.
Methylation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor (NR3C1) in Placenta Is Associated with Infant Cry Acoustics

Epigenetic mechanisms regulating expression of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) promoter may influence behavioral and biological aspects of stress response in human infants. Acoustic features of infant crying are an indicator of neurobehavioral and neurological status not yet investigated in relation to epigenetic mechanisms. We examined NR3C1 methylation in placental tissue from a series of 120 healthy newborn infants in relation to a detailed set of acoustic features extracted from newborn infant cries. We identified significant associations of NR3C1 methylation with energy variation in infants’ cries as well as with the presence of very high fundamental frequency in cry utterances. The presence of high fundamental frequency in cry (above 1 kHz) has been linked to poor vocal tract control, poor regulation of stress response, and may be an indicator of poor neurobehavioral integrity. Thus, these results add to evidence linking epigenetic alteration of the NR3C1 gene in the placenta to neurodevelopmental features in infants.
Review Essay: Myth, Memory, and the American Outlaw

(1999). Review Essay: Myth, Memory, and the American Outlaw. The Oral History Review: Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 113-117.
Place-Based Investment Model of Talent Development A Proposed Model for Developing and Reinvesting Talents Within the Community

The place-based investment model (PBIM) of talent development is a programming model for developing talents of high-potential youth in ways that could serve as an investment in the community. In th...
Massive volcanism, evaporite deposition, and the chemical evolution of the Early Cretaceous ocean

Early Cretaceous (145–100 Ma) rocks record a ∼5‰ negative shift in the sulfur isotope composition of marine sulfate, the largest shift observed over the past 130 m.y. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain this shift: (1) massive evaporite deposition associated with rifting during opening of the South Atlantic, and (2) increased inputs of volcanically derived sulfur due to eruption of large igneous provinces. Each process produces a very different impact on marine sulfate concentrations, which in turn affects several biogeochemical phenomena that regulate the global carbon cycle and climate. Here we present sulfur isotope data from Resolution Guyot, Mid-Pacific Mountains (North Pacific Ocean), that track sympathetically with strontium isotope records through the ∼5‰ negative sulfur isotope shift. We employ a linked sulfur-strontium isotope mass-balance model to identify the mechanisms driving the sulfur isotope evolution of the Cretaceous ocean. The model only reproduces the coupled negative sulfur and strontium isotope shifts when both hydrothermal and weathering fluxes increase. Our results indicate that marine sulfate concentrations increased significantly during the negative sulfur isotope shift and that enhanced hydrothermal and weathering input fluxes to the ocean played a dominant role in regulating the marine sulfur cycle and CO 2 exchange in the atmosphere-ocean system during this interval of rapid biogeochemical change.
P21 The relationship between centre of pressure and body mass index in individuals with chronic ankle instability

Study Design Cross-sectional. Objectives To identify differences in centre of pressure (COP) and BMI among control, coper, and CAI participants and the relationship between COP and BMI across groups. Background Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a frequent and serious repercussion of lateral ankle sprains. Individuals with larger mass have a higher probability of developing CAI. Those with CAI have also demonstrated differences in COP while maintaining postural stability compared to healthy controls. However, it’s unclear if body mass index (BMI) has an effect on the COP of individuals with CAI. Methods and Measure 45 individuals (18male, 27female: age=22.5±2.67 years, height=171.2±9.5 cm, mass=72.1±12.8 kg) participated in this study. Subjects were classified into three groups (CAI, coper, or control). All participants performed a single-leg balance test on a force platform (100 Hz) for 60 s. BMI, COP range (COP-R) in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions were calculated. Differences (p≤0.05) among groups were assessed with an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Pearson’s correlational coefficients were conducted to assess the relationships between BMI and COP (p≤0.05). Results There were no differences in BMI (Control=25.5±3.9 kg/m2, Coper=23.9±2.7 kg/m2, CAI=24.2±3.9 kg/m2, p=0.42) or COP variables (COP-AP: Control=37.3±8.7 mm, Coper=41.6±11.7 mm, CAI=42.1±13.9 mm, p=0.47; COP-ML: Control=30.16±7.11 mm, Coper=30.8±6.1 mm, CAI=30.8±5.0, p=0.94). BMI was significantly, moderately correlated with deviations in COP-R-ML in individuals with CAI (r=0.451, p=0.05). No other correlations (p>0.05) were significant between BMI and COP variables. Conclusions A moderate correlation existed between BMI and ML postural control in those with CAI, but was not present in the other groups. Thus, in those with CAI, higher levels of BMI may be a moderator of poor postural stability, potentially compounding deficiencies. Further research is necessary in order to explore this relationship between BMI and COP to identify if reducing BMI improves outcomes in individuals with CAI.
EFFECT OF SYNERGY ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF MERGED INSTITUTIONS

Purpose : The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of synergy on the financial performance of merged institutions. Methodology: The study adopted a mixed methodology research design. The study population included all the 51 merged financial service institutions in Kenya. Purposive sampling was used. Primary data was obtained from questionnaires and a secondary data collection template was also used. The researcher used quantitative techniques in analyzing the data. Descriptive analysis for the study included the use of means, frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics such as correlation analysis was also used. Panel data analysis was also applied. Further, a pre and post merger analysis was used. Results: Synergy had a significant relationship with financial performance of merged institutions. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that institutions should critically evaluate the overall business and operational compatibility of the merging institutions and focus on capturing long-term financial synergies. They should increase their scope to create high performing supply chains with significant long-term upside that provide sustained value for customers and stakeholders.
Code-Switching as a Social Act: The Case of Arabic Wikipedia Talk Pages.

Code-switching has been found to have social motivations in addition to syntactic constraints. In this work, we explore the social effect of code-switching in an online community. We present a task from the Arabic Wikipedia to capture language choice, in this case code-switching between Arabic and other languages, as a predictor of social influence in collaborative editing. We find that code-switching is positively associated with Wikipedia editor success, particularly borrowing technical language on pages with topics less directly related to Arabic-speaking regions.
Flamelet regime characterization for non-premixed turbulent combustion simulations

Abstract Regime characterization has been shown to be an insightful technique in the study of turbulent combustion, providing useful information about the relation between fundamental combustion modes and physical scales that require consideration. Regime diagrams can guide the appropriate utilization of combustion models, which is critical for the accuracy of numerical simulations of turbulent reacting flows. In the present study, a flamelet regime diagram is developed to assess the applicability of various diffusion flamelet models with respect to the local grid resolution and underlying flow/flame structure. The flamelet regime parameter is defined such that it can be unambiguously determined with fully resolved data, as in the case of direct numerical simulations (DNS), and adequately estimated from filtered information of large-eddy simulations (LES). To this end, the flamelet regime diagram is studied through an a priori analysis of a DNS dataset of a turbulent lifted hydrogen jet flame in a heated coflow. Findings from this analysis verify the length-scale arguments that are based on the concepts of inner-reaction zone thickness and dissipation element, upon which the regime diagram is constructed on. In addition, the relevance of the regime diagram to the numerical grid size enables it to act as a guiding tool for model selection in non-premixed combustion LES.
Natural Feature Tracking Augmented Reality for On-Site Assembly Assistance Systems

We introduce a natural feature tracking approach that facilitates the tracking of rigid objects for an on-site assembly assistance system. The tracking system must track multiple circuit boards without added fiducial markers, and they are manipulated by the user. We use a common SIFT feature matching detector enhanced with a probability search. This search estimates how likely a set of query descriptors belongs to a particular object. The method was realized and tested. The results show that the probability search enhanced the identification of different circuit boards.
The Use of Rapid Review Methods for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Rapid review products are intended to synthesize available evidence in a timely fashion while still meeting the needs of healthcare decision makers. Various methods and products have been applied for rapid evidence syntheses, but no single approach has been uniformly adopted. Methods to gain efficiency and compress the review time period include focusing on a narrow clinical topic and key questions; limiting the literature search; performing single (versus dual) screening of abstracts and full-text articles for relevance; and limiting the analysis and synthesis. In order to maintain the scientific integrity, including transparency, of rapid evidence syntheses, it is imperative that procedures used to streamline standard systematic review methods are prespecified, based on sound review principles and empiric evidence when possible, and provide the end user with an accurate and comprehensive synthesis. The collection of clinical preventive service recommendations maintained by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, along with its commitment to rigorous methods development, provide a unique opportunity to refine, implement, and evaluate rapid evidence synthesis methods and add to an emerging evidence base on rapid review methods. This paper summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's use of rapid review methodology, its criteria for selecting topics for rapid evidence syntheses, and proposed methods to streamline the review process.
The influence of internal and external tibial rotation offsets on knee joint and ligament biomechanics during simulated athletic tasks.

Abstract Background Following anterior cruciate ligament injury and subsequent reconstruction transverse plane tibiofemoral rotation becomes underconstrained and overconstrained, respectively. Conflicting reports exist on how rotations influence loading at the knee. This investigation aimed to determine the mechanical effects of internal and external tibial rotation offsets on knee kinematics and ligament strains during in vitro simulations of in vivo recorded kinematics. Method A 6-degree-of-freedom robotic manipulator arm was used to articulate 11 cadaveric tibiofemoral joint specimens through simulations of four athletic tasks produced from in vivo recorded kinematics. These simulations were then repeated with 4° tibial rotation offsets applied to the baseline joint orientation. Findings Rotational offsets had a significant effect on peak posterior force for female motion simulations (P 0.05) or medial collateral ligament strain (P > 0.05) for any task. Interpretation Transverse plane rotational offsets comparable to those observed in anterior cruciate ligament deficient and reconstructed patients alter knee kinetics without significantly altering anterior cruciate ligament strain. As knee degeneration is attributed to abnormal knee loading profiles, altered transverse plane kinematics may contribute to this. However, altered transverse plane rotations likely play a limited role in anterior cruciate ligament injury risk as physiologic offsets failed to significantly influence anterior cruciate ligament strain during athletic tasks.
Merged identity of student-athletes and achievement goals across school and sport

Student-athletes balance two demanding roles as students and athletes. The current study tested whether student-athletes that saw these roles as merged (i.e. merged identity) were more likely to ha...
Performance Comparison of Clustering Schemes in Sensor Networks

Recent advances in microelectro-mechanical systems and wireless communications have enabled the development of distributed, wireless networks of small, inexpensive, low power sensors. These sensors, which possess sensing, data processing and short range communication capabilities, can be deployed in diverse environments to collect useful information. Large numbers of such inexpensive sensors form ad hoc wireless networks which can be used in a variety of commercial and military applications. As sensors become inexpensive and widely available, sensor networks can be deployed in larger scales. One of the issues arising consequently is scalability. A flat structure of a large number of sensors often provides low scalability and makes network-wide coordination difficult. To solve this problem, hierarchical architectures (clusters) have been proposed to solve the scalability problem. Appropriate clustering can reduce the need for global coordination and restrict most of the sensing, data processing and communication activities within clusters, thus can improve resource efficiency and prolong network lifetime ([1], [2], [3], [4] and [5]). Clustering can also provide load balancing if appropriately configured. The salient advantage of using clusters in a sensor network comes from in-network data aggregation. Data aggregation has emerged as a basic tenet in sensor networks ([6], [7] and [8]). The key idea is to combine data from different sensors to eliminate redundant transmissions. With clustering, sensor nodes transmit their local information to their clusterheads, and clusterheads aggregate the received information and forward it to the base station. Periodic re-clustering can select nodes with higher residual energy to act as clusterheads. Network lifetime is prolonged by (1) reducing the number of nodes contending for channel access (2) summarizing network state information and updates at clusterheads through intra-cluster coordination, and (3) routing
What is Logical Form

I want to motivate and develop a version of the idea that the level of syntactical representation called “LF’ in Chomskyan grammar should be construed as instantiating the properties that philosophers have traditionally ascribed to logical form and as such makes a substantial contribution to semantics.1
Business Groups and the State: The Politics of Expansion, Restructuring, and Collapse

A full analysis of diversification by business groups needs to go beyond economic motives to consider political and policy incentives. In addition, by regulating ownership by MNCs, state enterprises, and banks, states set parameters for where business groups can expand. States act on business groups, but business groups also act on states in ways that give them advantages over MNCs and smaller domestic competitors. However, business groups differ in their propensity to adopt politicized strategies, and groups that get very close to governments often go through dramatic boom and bust cycles.
Teaching the Future of Technology in the History Classroom: A Case Study:

This article will describe how historians can teach the future of technology. Historians need not alter their traditional methods of historical inquiry to teach the future, and indeed the history c...
Comparing Two Methods of Delivering ThinkRx Cognitive Training to Children Ages 8–14: a Randomized Controlled Trial of Equivalency

Cognitive training is growing in popularity as an intervention for children who struggle to learn. In the current study, we compared the equivalency of two delivery models of the same cognitive training program, ThinkRx, for children ages 8–14. In a randomized controlled trial assessing equivalence, we compared cognitive outcomes between a group who received 60 h of ThinkRx cognitive training delivered one-on-one by a cognitive trainer (n = 20) versus a group of children who received 30 h of ThinkRx delivered by a cognitive trainer and the other 30 h through digital training procedures (n = 18). Results showed no significant differences between groups on tests of working memory, logic and reasoning, auditory processing, visual processing, processing speed, or overall IQ score. Results were significantly different on the test of long-term memory. These results suggest that both delivery models are equivalent cognitive training interventions for children.
Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) regulates hepatic serine protease inhibitor B1 (serpinB1) expression in a non-cell-autonomous fashion

FoxO proteins are major targets of insulin action, and FoxO1 mediates the effects of insulin on hepatic glucose metabolism. We reported previously that serpinB1 is a liver-secreted factor (hepatokine) that promotes adaptive β-cell proliferation in response to insulin resistance in the liver-specific insulin receptor knockout (LIRKO) mouse. Here we report that FoxO1 plays a critical role in promoting serpinB1 expression in hepatic insulin resistance in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Mice lacking both the insulin receptor and FoxO1 (LIRFKO) exhibit reduced β-cell mass compared with LIRKO mice because of attenuation of β-cell proliferation. Although hepatic expression of serpinB1 mRNA and protein levels was increased in LIRKO mice, both the mRNA and protein levels returned to control levels in LIRFKO mice. Furthermore, liver-specific expression of constitutively active FoxO1 in transgenic mice induced an increase in hepatic serpinB1 mRNA and protein levels in refed mice. Conversely, serpinB1 mRNA and protein levels were reduced in mice lacking FoxO proteins in the liver. ChIP studies demonstrated that FoxO1 binds to three distinct sites located ∼9 kb upstream of the serpinb1 gene in primary mouse hepatocytes and that this binding is enhanced in hepatocytes from LIRKO mice. However, adenoviral expression of WT or constitutively active FoxO1 and insulin treatment are sufficient to regulate other FoxO1 target genes (IGFBP-1 and PEPCK) but not serpinB1 expression in mouse primary hepatocytes. These results indicate that liver FoxO1 promotes serpinB1 expression in hepatic insulin resistance and that non-cell-autonomous factors contribute to FoxO1-dependent effects on serpinB1 expression in the liver.
Starting the Conversation about Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Abstract Some patients with advanced heart failure (HF) are eligible for consideration of a left ventricular assist device, a mechanical assist device that aids in improving cardiac output. However, having the first conversation to introduce the topic to a patient is often challenging because of the lifelong implications of obtaining an implanted device. In-depth semistructured interviews were used in this pilot study to explore how nurse practitioners have the first conversation with potentially eligible patients. Results were conceptually framed around the Serious Illness Conversation Guide, which has been used to structure meaningful conversations with very ill patients.
Breastfeeding reduces risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the (PETS)

Aims The purpose of this study was to assess the markers for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in association with duration of breastfeeding in the Peri/ postnatal Epigenetic Twins Study (PETS). Methods Cross-sectional research study of children 6-7 years of age participating in the PETS (n=94). To investigate the relationship between duration of breastfeeding and T2D markers (insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance levels [HOMA2-IR]). Results Infants breastfed for more than 4 months had significantly lower mean insulin levels (22.8 pmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.05-22.0, P=0.005) and significantly lower mean HOMA2-IR levels (0.41; 95% CI, 0.07-0.40, P=0.005) than the infants breastfed for less than 4 months. Conclusions Breastfeeding for more than 4 months protects against the risk of developing insulin resistance associated with the development of T2D in the PETS children, supporting the idea that T2D may be partially programmed by nutrition in early life. Understanding the interactions of nutrition with our epigenome may allow healthcare providers to tailor education and interventions focused on early life nutritional habits to prevent T2D.
Wavelet Based Compressed Sensing Sampling and Estimation of N-States Random Evolution Model Parameters in Microtubule Signal

Studies of biological processes such as Microtubules (MTs), often suffer from limited data availability due to physical constraints of the data acquisition process. Typically, the periodic collection of biological data using optical microscopes is prone to the dangers of overexposure and destruction of either specimen or probe, thereby limiting the data collected over a period of time. In addition, the data collected is often a sampled and approximated observation of the analog physical phenomena. Hence, to emulate the non-uniform sampling process that occurs during the physical data acquisition process, compressed sensing (CS) based sampling is used n an effort to reconstruct the MT signal from fewer samples than the Nyquist rate. We also introduce a novel wavelet estimation based N-states random evolution model to study the MT dynamic instability phenomenon. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method yielded superior overall performance, effective reconstruction and estimation of MT signal from fewer samples with low error rates. Even at lower sampling rates, the estimated MT transition parameters are shown to closely approximate the original MT signal.
Counting Calories: The Cost of Inflammation

A relationship between thermoregulation, metabolism, and the host response to infections has long been appreciated. In this study, Ganeshan and colleagues discover that the immune system regulates body temperature as a strategy to regulate metabolic rate, which in turn promotes tolerance to inflammatory damage.
Neural correlates of theory-of-mind are associated with variation in children's everyday social cognition.

Theory of mind (ToM), the capacity to reason about others' mental states, is central to healthy social development. Neural mechanisms supporting ToM may contribute to individual differences in children's social cognitive behavior. Employing a false belief functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm, we identified patterns of neural activity and connectivity elicited by ToM reasoning in school-age children (N = 32, ages 9-13). Next, we tested relations between these neural ToM correlates and children's everyday social cognition. Several key nodes of the neural ToM network showed greater activity when reasoning about false beliefs (ToM condition) vs non-mentalistic false content (control condition), including the bilateral temporoparietal junction (RTPJ and LTPJ), precuneus (PC) and right superior temporal sulcus. In addition, children demonstrated task-modulated changes in connectivity among these regions to support ToM relative to the control condition. ToM-related activity in the PC was negatively associated with variation in multiple aspects of children's social cognitive behavior. Together, these findings elucidate how nodes of the ToM network act and interact to support false belief reasoning in school-age children and suggest that neural ToM mechanisms are linked to variation in everyday social cognition.
‘Needle Adhesiolysis’ Prior to Port Insertion During Laparoscopy.

TECHNIQUE We constructed a novel traction device by combining a standard Futuro-type wrist splint with traction weights (Futuro brand; Beiersdorf, Hamburg, Germany). The metallic strut of the wrist splint provides a firm base onto which the weights are attached using strong fabric adhesive tape (Fig. 1). The device allows traction weights to be added or removed whilst in use. Traction does not rely on direct contact between skin and adhesive tape thus minimising the risk of skin damage through shearing force. If scapular manipulation is required to complete the shoulder reduction. a single operator can still perform this.
Mast cell ablation causes enhanced intestinal tumor formation in APCMin/+ mice.

2452 The tumor microenvironment has been shown to both positively and negatively influence tumor progression. Matrix proteinases, often derived from stromal inflammatory cells, have been shown to affect all stages of tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Normally, matrix proteinases are important mediators of tissue remodeling and contribute to several normal physiological processes including wound healing and blood clotting as well as pathological processes such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and cancer progression. An important consideration is that matrix proteinases often act in broad cascades, where one upstream proteolytic event has several downstream proteolytic consequences. In the Min (Multiple intestinal neoplasia) mouse model, a single missense mutation in codon 850 of the APC tumor suppressor gene results in mice presenting with multiple focal tumors throughout the intestine, similar to human patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Previously, our lab has shown that genetic ablation of MMP-7 results in a 58% reduction of tumor multiplicity in Min mice (Wilson et al., 1997). Furthermore, by in situ hybridization we have identified other MMPs that are more abundantly expressed in tumors compared with normal intestinal tissue. In order to examine broad proteolytic changes in tumors involving multiple classes of proteinases, in conjunction with the proteinase consortium and Affymetrix, we developed the Hu/Mu ProtIn array. This array contains probe sets for 1172 genes of human and murine origin including all known human and murine MMPs as well as other proteinases, substrates and inhibitors. Using this array we assayed RNA derived from intestinal tumors of APCMin/+ mice and from age matched wild-type controls. In particular, we detected a striking increase in several proteases of mast cell origin present in tumor tissue absent from normal intestinal tissue. This apparent increase of mast cell protease expression was corroborated by histochemical detection of chymase, a mast cell marker, which demonstrated an increased density of mast cells in intestinal tumors. To assess whether mast cells functionally contributed to tumor formation in the Min model, we crossed c-kitW-sh/W-sh (Sash) mice, a mast cell deficient line, into the Min background. Sash mice lack mucosal mast cells, but otherwise have a normal complement of immune cells. Genetic ablation of mucosal mast cells was found to both increase tumor incidence by 50%, and increase tumor size in 17 week-old Min animals. Proliferation, as measured by BrdU incorporation, and apoptosis, as measured by TUNEL, were similar in both groups. Although mast cells have been suggested to contribute to tumor formation through the production of histamine and proteases, our data suggest that they are protective at least in this spontaneous model of benign tumor development.