cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coronary blood flow responses are impaired independent of NO and endothelial function in conscious dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract Background Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by nitric oxide (NO) deficiency and endothelial dysfunction. Whether endothelium-independent vasodilation is preserved, particularly in the coronary circulation, remains controversial. Methods and Results We studied systemic and coronary flow responses to the endothelium-dependent agonist, acetylcholine, the cGMP-dependent NO-donor, nitroglycerin, the predominantly endothelium-independent agonist, adenosine, the β-adrenergic cAMP-dependent agonist, isoproterenol, and the calcium channel antagonist, nicardipine, in conscious dogs with pacing-induced DCM. Systemic blood flow response was impaired to acetylcholine but preserved to other vasodilators in DCM. In contrast, coronary blood flow response was significantly ( P Conclusion In contrast to systemic responses, coronary blood flow responses in DCM are impaired dependent or independent of NO or second messenger mechanisms, implying either distal signaling defects or structural abnormalities in the coronary vasculature.
Glucocorticoids increase salt appetite by promoting water and sodium excretion

Glucocorticoids [e.g., corticosterone and dexamethasone (Dex)], when administered systemically, greatly increase water drinking elicited by angiotensin and sodium ingestion in response to mineralocorticoids [e.g., aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)], possibly by acting in the brain. In addition, glucocorticoids exert powerful renal actions that could influence water and sodium ingestion by promoting their excretion. To test this, we determined water and sodium intakes, excretions, and balances during injections of Dex and DOCA and their coadministration (DOCA+Dex) at doses commonly employed to stimulate ingestion of water and sodium. In animals having only water to drink, Dex treatment greatly increased water and sodium excretion without affecting water intake, thereby producing negative water and sodium balances. Similar results were observed when Dex was administered together with DOCA. In animals having water and saline solution (0.3 M NaCl) to drink, Dex treatment increased water and sodium excretion, had minimal effects on water and sodium intakes, and was associated with negative water and sodium balances. DOCA treatment progressively increased sodium ingestion, and both water and sodium intakes exceeded their urinary excretion, resulting in positive water and sodium balances. The combination of DOCA+Dex stimulated rapid, large increases in sodium ingestion and positive sodium balances. However, water excretion outpaced total fluid intake, resulting in large, negative water balances. Plasma volume increased during DOCA treatment and did not change during treatment with Dex or DOCA+Dex. We conclude that increased urinary excretion, especially of water, during glucocorticoid treatment may explain the increased ingestion of water and sodium that occurs during coadministration with mineralocorticoids.
Systemic determinants of international news coverage: a comparison of 38 countries

This study investigates the influence of systemic determinants on international news coverage in 38 countries. Systemic factors include traits of nations, magnitude of interaction and relatedness between nations, and logistics of news gathering. Multiple regression is implemented to assess 9 systemic determinants in each individual country. Findings indicate that the U.S. was the most covered country in the world. In spite of some variation, trade volume and presence of international news agencies were found to be the 2 primary predictors of the amount of news coverage. The study concludes that the prediction framework of international news coverage has probably altered in the post-Cold War epoch and, therefore, that the relevant problems need to be revisited.
Crystal structure of the DdrB/ssDNA complex from Deinococcus radiodurans reveals a DNA binding surface involving higher-order oligomeric states

The ability of Deinococcus radiodurans to recover from extensive DNA damage is due in part to its ability to efficiently repair its genome, even following severe fragmentation by hundreds of double-strand breaks. The single-strand annealing pathway plays an important role early during the recovery process, making use of a protein, DdrB, shown to greatly stimulate ssDNA annealing. Here, we report the structure of DdrB bound to ssDNA to 2.3 A. Pentameric DdrB was found to assemble into higher-order structures that coat ssDNA. To gain further mechanistic insight into the protein's function, a number of point mutants were generated altering both DNA binding and higher order oligomerization. This work not only identifies higher-order DdrB associations but also suggests the presence of an extended DNA binding surface running along the ‘top’ surface of a DdrB pentamer and continuing down between two individual subunits of the ring structure. Together this work sheds new insight into possible mechanisms for DdrB function in which higher-order assemblies of DdrB pentamers assist in the pairing of complementary ssDNA using an extended DNA binding surface.
FlhD/FlhC-regulated promoters analyzed by gene array and lacZ gene fusions

The Escherichia coli transcriptional regulatory complex FlhD/FlhC, initially identified as a flagella-specific activator, is a global regulator involved in many cellular processes. Using gene arrays, lacZ gene fusions and enzyme assays, eight new targets of FlhD/FlhC were recognized. These are the transporter for galactose (MglBAC), the rod-shape determination proteins (MreBCD), malate dehydrogenase, and several enzymes involved in anaerobic respiration (glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, GlpABC; periplasmic nitrate reductase, NapFAGHBC; nitrite reductase, NrfABCDEFG; dimethyl sulfoxide reductase, DmsABC; and the modulator for hydrogenases, HydNHypF).
Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma Metastatic to the Kidney: Report of a Case with Cytohistologic Correlation.

Here we report a case of a 45-year-old female who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer and presented 20 years later with a left renal mass. CT-guided core biopsy was performed, and imprints and histologic sections of the biopsy showed cells resembling thyroid follicular cells with a background containing colloid. Immunohistochemistry revealed positivity for thyroglobulin and thyroid transcription factor 1, consistent with metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). The patient later underwent radical nephrectomy; histologic sections of the resected tumor revealed an encapsulated lesion morphologically similar to the biopsy specimen. Thyroid metastases to the kidney are extremely rare and are often detected during postthyroidectomy surveillance by elevation in thyroid hormone levels, 131I scintigraphy, or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in positron emission tomography studies. Treatment involves total thyroidectomy, resection of the metastatic foci, and 131I therapy. The differential diagnoses of renal metastasis of FTC include the encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), which possesses some of the nuclear features seen in conventional PTC but may occasionally be indistinguishable from FTC in cytologic preparations, and renal lesions such as benign thyroidization of the kidney and thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney, which mimic FTC in histologic appearance but do not stain with thyroid markers.
α-Arrestins Aly1 and Aly2 Regulate Intracellular Trafficking in Response to Nutrient Signaling

Arrestins, known regulators of endocytosis, take on novel functions in nutrient-regulated endosomal recycling. Yeast α-arrestins, Aly1 and Aly2, redistribute the Gap1 permease from endosomes to the...
Authenticity analysis of wavelet approximations in visualization

Wavelet transforms include data decompositions and reconstructions. This paper is concerned with the authenticity issues of the data decomposition, particularly for data visualization. A total of six datasets are used to clarify the approximation characteristics of compactly supported orthogonal wavelets. We present an error tracking mechanism, which uses the available wavelet resources to measure the quality of the wavelet approximations.
Inhibition of Recombinant Ca2+ Channels by Benzothiazepines and Phenylalkylamines: Class-Specific Pharmacology and Underlying Molecular Determinants

To understand the molecular basis of state-dependent pharmacological blockade of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, we systematically characterized phenylalkylamine and benzothiazepine inhibition of three molecular classes of Ca2+ channels (α1C, α1A, and α1E) expressed from cDNA clones transfected into HEK 293 cells. State-dependent blockade figures importantly in the therapeutically desirable property of use-dependent drug action. Verapamil (a phenylalkylamine) and diltiazem (a benzothiazepine) were imperfectly selective, so differences in the state dependence of inhibition could be compared among the various channels. We found only quantitative differences in pharmacological profile of verapamil: half-maximal inhibitory concentrations spanned a 2-fold range (70 μm for α1A, 100 μm for α1E, and 110 μm for α1C), and inhibition was state dependent in all channels. In contrast, diltiazem produced only state-dependent block of α1C channels; α1A and α1Echannels demonstrated state-independent block despite similar half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (60 μm for α1C, 220 μm for α1E, and 270 μm for α1A). To explore the molecular basis for the sharp distinction in state-dependent inhibition by diltiazem, we constructed chimeric channels from α1C and α1A and localized the structural determinants for state dependence to repeats III and IV of α1C, which have been found to contain the structures required for benzothiazepine binding. We then constructed a mutant α1C construct by changing three amino acids in IVS6 (Y1490I, A1494S, I1497M) that have been implicated as key coordinating sites for avid benzothiazepine binding. Although these mutations increased the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of diltiazem inhibition by ∼10-fold, the state-dependent nature of inhibition was spared. This result points to the existence of physically distinct elements controlling drug binding and access to the binding site, thereby favoring a “guarded-receptor” rather than a “modulated-receptor” mechanism of drug inhibition.
Relationships between growth and hydrological parameters for fed Atlantic croaker and unfed striped mullet.

Atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulatus) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) were cultured in cages in the intake area, at the head of the discharge canal, and at three locations in the cooling lake of a power plant near upper Galveston Bay, Texas, from 1 February 1976 to 20 August 1976 to assess the suitability of each location for mariculture. Interpretations were based on daily measurements of six hydrological parameters and survival and growth of fish. Primary sources of mortality included high effluent temperatures, abrupt changes in conductivity, and lymphocystis. Growth rates of fed Atlantic croaker were strongly related to water temperature. Regression procedures were used to develop a polynomial function to describe the parabolic relationship between growth rate of croaker and mean monthly water temperature. The curve described by this model indicated no growth at temperatures below about 13.5°C or above about 33.5°C and maximum growth near 27°C. This information might be valuable in selecting optimum locations for culture of Atlantic croaker or related fishes within thermally heterogeneous environments. Growth rates of unfed striped mullet were not related to water temperature but were linearly related to pH and dissolved oxygen, which were probably indicators of primary production. However, the growth of mullet was poor even at the most productive locations consequently, the use of unfed caged mullet to harvest phytoplankton does not seem feasible unless the primary productivity levels are considerably higher than those in our study area.
Walk-Sum Interpretation and Analysis of Gaussian Belief Propagation

This paper presents a new framework based on walks in a graph for analysis and inference in Gaussian graphical models. The key idea is to decompose correlations between variables as a sum over all walks between those variables in the graph. The weight of each walk is given by a product of edgewise partial correlations. We provide a walk-sum interpretation of Gaussian belief propagation in trees and of the approximate method of loopy belief propagation in graphs with cycles. This perspective leads to a better understanding of Gaussian belief propagation and of its convergence in loopy graphs.
Extreme mutational selectivity of axitinib limits its potential use as a targeted therapeutic for BCR-ABL1-positive leukemia

Extreme mutational selectivity of axitinib limits its potential use as a targeted therapeutic for BCR-ABL1-positive leukemia
Exploring the Process: A Narrative Analysis of Group Facilitators’ Reports on Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is a psychoeducational group intervention offered after exposure to potentially traumatizing events. This exploratory inquiry examined how mental health and peer facilitators utilized elements of group work practices during CISD interventions. Narratives from 16 mental health and 14 peer facilitators reported how elements of group planning, performing, and processing appear. Important group-process aspects included attention to establishing ground rules and defining boundaries for confidentiality, managing member disclosure, and pacing the process to prevent harm from over-processing the traumatic event. Implications for practice suggest that following best practice guidelines in group work is protective of the CISD process and the participants.
Compositional MRI assessment of cartilage: what is it and what is its potential for sports medicine?

Compositional MRI reveals biochemical and microstructural changes in cartilage well before changes are visible to the eye/arthroscopist. Compositional MRI focuses on early and potentially reversible injury stages, and may (1) help identify athletes at risk prior to the development of overt joint damage or (2) help to determine time to return to play in a postinjury scenario.1 Compositional MRI is not yet in clinical use, but it is being used with increasing frequency in osteoarthritis (OA) research for ‘pre-morphologic’ evaluation of cartilage (figure 1)2 and to assess biochemical response of joint tissue, primarily cartilage, to loading through physical activity.3 It has been used to image the biochemical response in knees after ACL reconstruction,4 meniscus surgery5 and cartilage repair6 (figure 2). Figure 1 Defining disease state of osteoarthritis. Adapted from Kwoh.11 Figure 2 Knee of a patient 24 months after microfracture cartilage repair of the medial central femoral condyle. (A) Sagittal three-dimentional T1-weighted gradient echo MRI showing a normal morphological appearance of the cartilage repair tissue and native medial posterior femoral condyle …
Facebook’s emotional contagion study and the ethical problem of co-opted identity in mediated environments where users lack control:

We argue a main but underappreciated reason why the Facebook emotional contagion experiment is ethically problematic is that it co-opted user data in a way that violated identity-based norms and ex...
Induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells by TPA

Bcl-2, Bax and p53 gene products have been linked to programmed cell death pathways. p21WAF1 has been shown to mediate p53-induced cell cycle arrest and to inhibit cyclin-dependent kinase activity. We have analysed the expression of these genes and apoptosis induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in several human breast cancer cell line. We found up-regulation of p21WAF1 and Bax expressions, however, the expressions of p53 and Bcl-2 genes remained unchanged in TPA-treated cells. Furthermore, DNA ladder formation and PARP cleavage were observed after treatment for 24 h, indicating apoptotic cell death. Flow cytometry with 7-amino actinomycin D staining showed that the number of apoptotic cells increased with longer treatment of TPA. From these results, we conclude that TPA is not only a tumor promoter, but also induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. TPA-induced apoptosis appears to be mediated through a p53-independent pathway, and the up-regulation of p21WAF1 and Bax may be the molecular mechanisms by which TPA induces apoptosis.
A Note on Differentiation

(1986). A Note on Differentiation. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 166-167.
Studies on fluorescent antibody staining II. Inhibition by sub- optimally conjugated antibody globulins.

Summary1. Three rabbit immune globulin preparations were coupled at 1 or 2% protein concentration with 8 or 10 mg of crystalline FITC per gram of protein. 2. Each preparation was heterogeneous with respect to the number of fluorescent groupings coupled to individual globulin molecules. 3. In these preparations from 35 to 80% of the conjugated globulins contained less than an optimal number of fluorescent groupings. 4. Maximum brightness of specific staining was obtained after each preparation was fractionated on DEAE-cellulose to separate the optimally coupled from the under-coupled and the over-coupled globulins.
Human Auditory Processing: Insights from Cortical Event-related Potentials

Human communication and language skills rely heavily on the ability to detect and process auditory inputs. This paper reviews possible applications of the event-related potential (ERP) technique to the study of cortical mechanisms supporting human auditory processing, including speech stimuli. Following a brief introduction to the ERP methodology, the remaining sections focus on demonstrating how ERPs can be used in humans to address research questions related to cortical organization, maturation and plasticity, as well as the effects of sensory deprivation, and multisensory interactions. The review is intended to serve as a primer for researchers interested in using ERPs for the study of the human auditory system.
Real-time detection and location of local seismic events in central California

A computer-based system dedicated full time to automatic detection and location of local seismic events in central California has been developed. The system monitors 108 short-period vertical-component stations from the U.S. Geological Survey central California and Oroville seismic networks. Locations and magnitudes, when determined, are printed out along with first arrival times, within 2 to 5 min after an event occurs. Wave onsets must be clear and impulsive for best results. For this reason, regional events and teleseisms are usually rejected. The best results have been obtained for the relatively dense, 16-station Oroville network. For the month of October 1975, 107 (91 per cent) of the 118 events timed by hand were also timed and located by the real-time system. An additional eight events (7 per cent) were detected in real-time but were not successfully located. Of the 107 events for which both on-line and hand-timed locations are available, 92 per cent of the on-line locations are within 2 km of the epicenters determined by hand-timing. During October 1975 the real-time system monitored 91 of the 150 stations of the central California network. Of the 260 events located by hand-timing, 225 (86 per cent) were detected by the real-time system. Magnitudes of detected events range from 0.8 to 2.9. Approximately 95 per cent of the events of magnitude 1¼ and greater detected and located by hand-timing methods were also detected by the real-time system. Differences between hypocentral locations based on hand-timed and computer-timed arrivals may vary from 0.1 to 5 min of latitude or longitude.
Investigation on Methadone Maintenance Treatment of 196 Drug Addicts in Yancheng City

[Objective]To understand the demography,drug addicts behavior,sexual behavior of drug addicts who received methadone maintenance treatment in clinic,and provide evidence for carrying out comprehensive intervention in the future. [Methods]The modified questionnaire was used to survey 196 drug addicts who received methadone maintenance treatment in clinic. [Results]84.18% were male and female of 15.82%,The positive rate of HIV antibody test,HCV antibody test,Syphilis ELISA and RPR test,the most recent detection of urinary morphine test were 0,56.90%,6.12%,6.12% and 24.49% respectively.Before treatment,the ratio of intravenous drug addicts,needle-sharing and condom utilization in last sexual behavior were 72.96%,9.69% and 55.09% respectively. [Conclusion]Drug addicts,who received treatment have high-risk behaviors of HIV and HCV infection.It is proposed to strengthen health education and behavioral interventions in the prevention of HIV/AIDS,HCV,syphilis,etc.
Introduction to the Economics of International Environmental Agreements

I discuss the contributions that rigorous economic analysis can make in improving our understanding of international environmental agreements (IEAs). Specifically, I do this by analyzing the intellectual contributions of 14 post-1990 theoretical and empirical papers about the design of IEAs.
A sparsity based approach to velocity SAR imaging

We recently successfully developed an airborne MSAR (Multichannel Synthetic Aperture Radar) test bed system that consists of 32 along-track phase centers through the use of two transmit horns and 16 receive antennas [1-4]. We have subsequently deployed this system, both in September 2014 and more recently in October 2015, to perform extensive and systematic data collections on a variety of land-based and maritime targets under different environmental conditions. The resulting data poses important signal processing challenges pertaining to optimum ways of combining the signals obtained from various channels so that the underlying information of interest can be effectively extracted in the presence of noise and clutter. In this paper we focus on the imaging problem and propose a novel method of simultaneously exploiting the multichannel structure of the data acquisition and the underlying sparse structure of the scene being imaged. After giving a brief overview of our airborne NRL MSAR system and the basics of velocity processing, we proceed to describe our novel algorithm and demonstrate our initial experimental results. The novelty of this paper is two-fold: to the best of our knowledge, this is first time that velocity processing has been used in conjunction with sparsity based processing; and that the resulting approach is applied to real data captured by our airborne NRL MSAR system.
A high accuracy continuous wavelet function approximation for implantable device applications

Wavelets as one of the most important signal processing tools are widely used in biosignal research. The continuous wavelet transform based on an analog circuit implementation offers power-efficient real-time signal processing. This paper presents a complexity reduction method of an analog wavelet filter design. The Chebyshev polynomial with higher accuracy approximation is utilized in the wavelet design. In order to simplify the circuit implementation, the transfer function is transformed into the multiplication of biquads. For the proof-of-concept, a Mexican hat wavelet filter circuit is implemented as the multiplication of biquads. The measurement results show that the proposed design process offers higher accuracy approximation and less complex method for the implementation of analog wavelet transform circuit.
Electrical and hydrogen reduction enhances kinetics in doped zirconia and ceria: I. grain growth study

The kinetics of mass transport is central to ceramic processing and device stability. In this work, the effect of electrical and hydrogen reduction on the grain growth behavior of doped zirconia and ceria has been investigated. Faster grain growth has been observed under reducing conditions in all cases. The results firmly establish that a depressed local oxygen potential can enhance cation kinetics in fluorite-structured oxide ceramics. Meanwhile, a large electrical current can generate a sharp, spatially varied oxygen potential profile, creating a graded microstructure with a dramatic grain size transition across the length of the sample.
A new fault ride-through control for DFIG-based wind energy systems

Abstract This paper deals with the design and analysis of a fault ride-through control (FRTC) scheme for a DFIG-based wind turbine. A new Fuzzy Second Order Integral Terminal Sliding Mode Control (FSOITSMC) is designed for the rotor and grid-side converters. The design is further augmented by a series grid side converter (SGSC) in order to avoid DFIG’s disconnection from the grid during faulty conditions. The proposed control paradigm was implemented on a DFIG-based wind turbine. Its performance was assessed using DFIG’s realistic modes of operation such as normal, sub- and super-synchronous modes. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical faults were considered to further evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. Simulation results proved the ability of the proposed FRTC scheme in effectively controlling DFIG-based wind turbines under various operating conditions. Despite subjecting the DFIG to various modes of operations and extreme faulty conditions, the over currents of the rotor and stator did not exceed 10%, which is a very good performance compared to existing approaches. The proposed approach was able to maintain the DFIG’s currents and voltages within acceptable ranges, hence preventing damages to the converters during various faulty conditions. Endowing the DFIG with superior ride through capabilities and ensuring its continuous connectivity to the grid even under non-ideal grid voltage conditions are among the positive features of the proposed approach.
Human RELA haploinsufficiency results in autosomal-dominant chronic mucocutaneous ulceration.

The treatment of chronic mucocutaneous ulceration is challenging, and only some patients respond selectively to inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF). TNF activates opposing pathways leading to caspase-8-mediated apoptosis as well as nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-dependent cell survival. We investigated the etiology of autosomal-dominant, mucocutaneous ulceration in a family whose proband was dependent on anti-TNF therapy for sustained remission. A heterozygous mutation in RELA, encoding the NF-κB subunit RelA, segregated with the disease phenotype and resulted in RelA haploinsufficiency. The patients' fibroblasts exhibited increased apoptosis in response to TNF, impaired NF-κB activation, and defective expression of NF-κB-dependent antiapoptotic genes. Rela+/- mice have similarly impaired NF-κB activation, develop cutaneous ulceration from TNF exposure, and exhibit severe dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis, ameliorated by TNF inhibition. These findings demonstrate an essential contribution of biallelic RELA expression in protecting stromal cells from TNF-mediated cell death, thus delineating the mechanisms driving the effectiveness of TNF inhibition in this disease.
Experimental Determination of Photofission Neutron Multiplicities for Eight Isotopes in the Mass Range 232 ≤ A ≤ 239

The prompt- and delayed-neutron multiplicities for photofission of the eight isotopes, 232Th, 233U, 234U, 235U, 236U, 238U, 237Np, and 239Pu, have been measured using bremsstrahlung with end-point ...
Molecular Vibration Induced Plasmon Decay

Noble metal nanoparticles, when interacting with an external electric field, give rise to a phenomenon called surface plasmon resonance characterized by collective valence electron oscillations, and because of this unique feature, these systems are employed for a large and heterogeneous number of applications. To improve their performance, it is necessary to develop a deep knowledge of the main factors affecting the plasmon lifetime. In order to answer this question, in this work a linear silver chain is investigated as a simplified model for silver nanorods. Through a nonadiabatic molecular dynamics approach the role of nuclear dynamics on transverse plasmon lifetime is investigated. A strong dependence of plasmon dynamics on the specific nature of nuclear motions is found: nuclear motions along the chain do not affect the transverse plasmon lifetime while motions causing a deviation from linearity of the wire have an important impact on the plasmon dynamics causing its decay. As the vibrational energy i...
Abstract 4466: The key role of Abi1 loss in dysregulating cell-cell adhesion during prostate cancer tumorigenesis

Prostate cancer accounts for 20-25% of cancer cases every year and is predicted at over 180,000 new cases in 2016. However, the mechanisms of prostate cancer initiation and castration resistance still remains poorly understood. Our previous research shows mutations and deletions in Abelson interactor 1 (Abi1), an integral part of WAVE complex, in prostate tumor samples. Moreover, WAVE complex levels are inversely correlated to prostate cancer recurrence and castration resistance, outlining their clinical significance. A common phenomenon found early on in most cancers, including prostate cancer, is dysregulated cell-cell adhesion. This points towards a possible tumor suppressor mechanism, since Abi1 and the WAVE complex are in fact the primary regulators of branched actin polymerization via the Arp2/3 complex, and are critical for the formation and maintenance of cell-cell adhesion complexes. Hence, to study Abi1 in prostate cancer, we generated a prostate-specific conditional Abi1 knock-out (KO) mouse. In these mice, we observed evidence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), a precursor of invasive carcinoma, with changes in proliferation and cell-cell adhesion markers. The goal of this study is to elucidate the mechanism by which the loss of Abi1 leads to the development of PIN in these mice. We are leading this analysis by primary 3D cultures with cells from our Abi1 KO prostates, and 2D cultures with mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Loss of Abi1 leads to increase in size of the cultured spheroids, which indicates increased proliferation and dysregulated cell-cell adhesion. Also, adherens junction (AJ) markers E-cadherin and β-catenin levels are lower in western blots and immunostaining, suggesting defects in cell-cell adhesion. In MEFs, we observe loss of membrane localization of AJ proteins in Abi1 KO cells. Loss of Abi1 is often associated with upregulation of Abi2, which may be a contributing factor to the phenotype. To validate our findings in a human system, we have recently developed a CRISPR-mediated KO of Abi1 in the RWPE-1 non-tumor prostate cell line. We will use this KO cell line to determine cell-cell adhesion formation and maintenance in 2D and 3D cultures. In conclusion, loss of Abi1 leads to dysregulation of cell-cell adhesion in prostate epithelial cells, which may be a key mechanism for tumor development and progression in prostate cancer. Supported by NCI R01 CA161018 (LK). Citation Format: Disharee Das, Anita Hryniewicz-Jankowska, Heidi Hehnly, Dawn Post, Gennady Bratslavsky, Leszek Kotula. The key role of Abi1 loss in dysregulating cell-cell adhesion during prostate cancer tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4466. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4466
The Deaf Community and Sexuality Education

This paper addresses specific attributes of the Deaf community that make cultural specificity in sexuality education necessary for classrooms containing students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The attributes recognized are: an identification of stereotypes, a lack of accessibility, English as a second language, a list of Deaf Friendly resources, sign language usage, multiculturalism and diversity, family of origin versus family of choice, and role modeling. A strong case is made for why these factors can influence information needed in sexuality education.
Using spatial games to model and simulate tomato spotted wilt virus-western flowers thrip dynamic system

Modeling a complex chain-effect of biological agents is of great interest to researchers and practitioners. The paper presents such a chain consisting of the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) which ...
Fitness Measures Among Boy Scouts Completing the Personal Fitness Merit Badge.

Introduction A formative framework for positive lifestyle and health behaviors is established during adolescence. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one organization that promotes healthy lifestyles among adolescent males and includes earning the Personal Fitness Merit Badge (PFMB). Despite the BSA Oath "to keep myself physically strong", there is a paucity of evidence describing fitness test (FT) outcomes or correlations between FT and variables including age or body mass index (BMI) among Boy Scouts. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe and correlate FT to age and BMI among adolescent Boy Scouts. Methods A prospective study design recruited Boy Scouts aged 11-17 years from Southeast Michigan using a sample of convenience. After securing physician clearance to participate, FT measures were performed utilizing previously established methodology. Third year doctor of physical therapy students trained in the measurement protocol performed the FT measures. Measures encompassed those required for the PFMB: BMI, pull-ups, push-ups, sit and reach flexibility test (SRF), sit-ups, and the one mile run (1MR). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, a Kruskal-Wallis test examined relationships between BMI and FT, and a nonparametric Spearman correlation examined correlations between FT performance and both age and BMI with statistical significance set at less than 0.05. Results Ninety-nine Boy Scouts, whose mean age was 12.6 years (SD 1.4), met the inclusion criteria. The mean BMI was 21.5 (kg/height (cm)) 2 (SD 5.4) with eight scouts meeting criteria of underweight, 56 normal weight, 14 overweight, and 21 obese. Fitness test results were as follows: pull-ups 1.75 (SD 2.7), push-ups 18.0 (SD 10.6), SRF 21.2 cm (SD 10.5), sit-ups 28.9 (SD 8.7), and the 1MR run 616.5 seconds (SD 156.8). When comparing normal weight scouts to overweight and obese scouts, a significantly higher frequency of pull-ups (p=0.002, p=.001), push-ups (p=0.02, p=0.03), sit-ups (p=0.01, p=0.003,), and decreased time for completion on the 1MR (p=0.001, p=0.001) was identified, respectively. Furthermore, while no correlations were identified by age, a negative correlation was identified between increased sit-up frequency (r=-0.36, p=0.001) and decreased 1MR time performance (r=0.39, p=0.001) and a higher BMI. Discussion While prior evidence suggests improved FT scores in adolescent males with advancing age, this was not observed. Less favorable PFMB required FT performance with an increased BMI among Boy Scouts is in congruence with prior reports for adolescent males. Conclusion Variations in FT performance levels were observed among Boy Scouts completing the initial FT requirements of the PFMB. However, correlations between higher BMI and less favorable FT performance were detected.
Ultralight cellular composite materials with architected geometrical structure

Abstract A novel computational approach is presented to predict the overall hyperelastic properties of ultralight cuboct cellular lattices made of brittle carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites, such as the ones recently fabricated at the MIT Media Lab-Center for Bits and Atoms. The repetitive unit cell (RUC) approach is employed to model the fabricated cellular micro-lattices. Each member of the cellular structure is modeled using only one finite beam element with 12 degrees of freedom, and the nonlinear coupling of axial, bidirectional-bending, and torsional deformations is studied for each 3D spatial beam element. Since the cellular composite material is fabricated via the assemblage of building blocks by mechanical interlocking connections, we utilize the standardized Ramberg-Osgood function for the moment-rotation relation at the ends of adjacent members to enable tuning the appropriate flexibility for connections between two extreme limits of pin-jointed or rigid-jointed connections. The mixed variational functional in the updated Lagrangian co-rotational reference frame is obtained to derive explicitly the stiffness matrix. Then, we use newly proposed homotopy methods to solve the algebraic equations.
5.10 Interactions of Antimicrobial Peptides with Lipid Bilayers

The interactions of antimicrobial peptides with model lipid bilayer membranes are discussed. The topics covered include the structures of the peptides, which are usually amphipathic; the thermodynamics of binding to the membrane surface, which include contributions from the hydrophobic effect, secondary structure formation, and electrostatic interactions; the kinetics of peptide binding and induced leakage from lipid vesicles; the molecular models proposed to describe membrane perturbation or pore formation; the nature of the pores, which may be transient and disordered; and the role of lipids in pore formation, as described by molecular dynamics and membrane elastic properties.
Intradomain Interactions in an NMDA Receptor Fragment Mediate N-Glycan Processing and Conformational Sampling

Summary The structural and functional roles of highly conserved asparagine-linked (N)-glycans on the extracellular ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors are poorly understood. We applied solution- and computation-based methods that identified N-glycan-mediated intradomain and interglycan interactions. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the GluN1 LBD showed clear signals corresponding to each of the three N-glycans and indicated the reducing end of glycans at N440 and N771 potentially contacted nearby amino acids. Molecular dynamics simulations identified contacts between nearby amino acids and the N440- and N771-glycans that were consistent with the NMR spectra. The distal portions of the N771-glycan also contacted the core residues of the nearby N471-glycan. This result was consistent with mass spectrometry data indicating the limited N471-glycan core fucosylation and reduced branch processing of the N771-glycan could be explained by interglycan contacts. We discuss a potential role for the GluN1 LBD N-glycans in interdomain contacts formed in NMDA receptors.
326 FLUORIDE KNOWLEDGE AND USE AMONG WASHINGTON FAMILY PHYSICIANS.

Rural and low-income pediatric populations have limited access to dental care. Caries screening and prevention can be easily performed by pediatricians and family physicians when dental services are not available due to location or funding constraints. Oral health education is not adequately covered in medical school and may not be addressed in family medicine residency programs. The purpose of this study is to determine what dental services Washington family physicians are currently providing, what they believe their role is in providing dental services, and what knowledge gaps exist in their provision of caries screening and prevention services. We hypothesize that physicians who currently work in rural or with uninsured or underinsured children will be more likely to provide these services and will be more knowledgeable about these services. Trends of surveys are indicating that both rural and younger physicians are more apt to provide oral screening in their physical examinations. Similar trends are seen among physicians with largely Medicare/Medicaid insured patient populations. Although these trends are promising, there is still an apparent insufficiency of oral health screening and education, indicating a need for further awareness and education efforts among Washington family physicians.
"What did it say?": Mobile phone translation app as participant and object in family discourse

Abstract This study examines video recordings of one multilingual family whose members interact using a voice translation application that runs on a mobile phone. Its purpose is to explore the ways in which the app does or does not function as a participant. Taking the perspective that participation is negotiated and displayed collaboratively and is only achieved if people orient to each other as participants, I demonstrate how the app is constituted as a participant in the interaction to the extent that it fulfills the animator and principal roles that make up the production format (Goffman 1981), and as an object to the extent that it aids the human participants to fulfill those roles themselves. People display their orientation to the app as a participant through gaze and laughter directed at the mobile phone. They orient to the mobile phone (henceforth, “the app”) as an object when they use it to fulfill the animator role themselves or display responsibility for the original message by gazing at the other participants and by asking for validations of the app's translations. The study contributes to our understanding of technologically mediated interaction by demonstrating how participation roles are distributed between human and non-human entities.
The Relationships Among Interval Identification, Pitch Error Detection, and Stimulus Timbre by Preservice Teachers:

We examined the relationship between interval identification skill and error detection skill in preservice teachers, accounting for timbral differences by including piano and vocal stimuli. The int...
Fusion of Drosophila oocytes with specified germline sister cells

In many animals, oocytes develop together with sister germline cells that pass products to the developing oocyte. In Drosophila, fifteen sister germline (nurse) cells in each egg chamber are known to apoptose by stage 12-13, but we discovered that two specific nurse cells that are juxtaposed to the oocyte are eliminated precociously at stage 10B. These nurse cells fuse with the oocyte and their nuclei extrude through an opening that forms in the oocyte. These nuclei extinguish in the ooplasm, and at stage 11, egg chambers have thirteen nucleated nurse cells and the plasma membrane of the oocyte is mostly restored. In infrequent egg chambers in which nurse cells are not eliminated, oocytes do not develop normally and are not fertilized. Precocious elimination is common to other Drosophila species. We conclude that nurse cells are distinguished by position and identity, and that nurse cell dissolution proceeds in two stages.
Eph/ephrin family proteins and therapeutic resistance

Abstract The clinical success of conventional and targeted therapies is compromised by the low response rates and development of therapeutic resistance. Dysregulated Eph-ephrin signaling has emerged as a critical factor in mediating resistance to therapeutics and radiation in human malignancies. Eph receptors belong to superfamily of receptor protein tyrosine kinases that interact with their membrane-anchored ligands, ephrins, to regulate a variety of processes under physiological and pathological conditions including cancer. This book chapter sheds light on the functional role of Eph-ephrins in tumor development, and progression and how their aberrant expression contributes toward therapeutic and radiation resistance. The potential of targeting this gene family to combat tumor resistance and enhance therapeutic sensitivity with an overview of the available agents currently in preclinical or clinical phase is also discussed.
Left-sided infective endocarditis in persons who inject drugs

The purpose of this study was to describe left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) in persons who inject drugs (PWID) and compare that group to PWID with non-LSIE and to non-PWID with LSIE. Retrospective single-center study of adult IE patients from 2011 to 2018. Of the 333 patients in our cohort, 54 were PWID with LSIE, 75 were PWID with non-LSIE, and 204 were non-PWID with LSIE. When comparing LSIE vs non-LSIE in PWID, the LSIE group was older (median age 35 vs 28.5, p < 0.01), had fewer S. aureus infections (59% vs 92%, p < 0.01), was more likely to have cardiac surgery (31% vs 13%, p < 0.01), and had a higher 10-week mortality (22% vs 5%, p < 0.01). When comparing PWID with LSIE to non-PWID with LSIE, the PWID group were younger (median age 35 vs 46, p < 0.01); had more frequent multi-valve involvement (33% vs 19%, p = 0.04), Staphylococcus aureus infections (54% vs 27%, p < 0.01), and previous IE (24% vs 8%, p < 0.01); and experienced more strokes (54% vs 31%, p < 0.01). Ten-week mortality was similar for LSIE in both PWID and non-PWID (24% vs 20%, p = 0.47). LSIE in PWID is not uncommon. Compared to non-LSIE in PWID, valve surgery is more common and mortality is higher. For reasons that are unclear, stroke is more frequent in LSIE in PWID than in non-PWID with LSIE but mortality is no different.
The natural history of type 2 Gaucher disease in the 21st century: A retrospective study.

Objective To gather natural history data to better understand the changing course of type 2 Gaucher disease (GD2) in order to guide future interventional protocols. Methods A structured interview was conducted with parents of living or deceased patients with GD2. Retrospective information obtained included disease presentation, progression, medical and surgical history, medications, family history, management, complications, and cause of death, as well as the impact of disease on families. Results Data from 23 patients were analyzed (20 deceased and 3 living), showing a mean age at death of 19.2 months, ranging from 3 to 55 months. Fourteen patients were treated with enzyme replacement therapy, 2 were treated with substrate reduction therapy, and 3 underwent bone marrow transplantation. Five patients received ambroxol and one was on N-acetylcysteine, both considered experimental treatments. Fifteen patients had gastrostomy tubes placed; 10 underwent tracheostomies. Neurologic disease manifestations included choking episodes, myoclonic jerks, autonomic dysfunction, apnea, seizures, and diminished blinking, all of which worsened as disease progressed. Conclusions Current available therapies appear to prolong life but do not alter neurologic manifestations. Despite aggressive therapeutic interventions, GD2 remains a progressive disorder with a devastating prognosis that may benefit from new treatment approaches.
Ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy of neutral FenOm clusters (n, m < 16).

Neutral iron oxide clusters (FenOm, n, m ≤ 16) are produced in a laser vaporization source using O2 gas seeded in He. The neutral clusters are ionized with a sequence of femtosecond laser pulses and detected using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Small clusters are confirmed to be most prominent in the stoichiometric (n = m) distribution, with m = n + 1 clusters observed above n = 4. Pump-probe spectroscopy is employed to study the dynamics of an electron transfer from an oxygen orbital to an iron nonbonding orbital of iron oxide clusters that is driven by absorption of a 400 nm photon. A bifurcation of the initial wavepacket occurs, where a femtosecond component is attributed to electron relaxation assisted through internuclear vibrational relaxation and high density of states, and a slow relaxation shows the formation of a bound excited state. The lifetime and relative ratio of the two pathways depend on both the cluster size and iron oxidation state. The femtosecond lifetime decreases with increased cluster size until a saturation timescale is achieved at n > 5. The relative population of the long-lived excited state decreases with cluster size and suggests that the excited electron remains on the Fe atom for >20 ps.