cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory signaling blocks activating receptor clustering and induces cytoskeletal retraction in natural killer cells

Natural killer (NK) lymphocytes use a variety of activating receptors to recognize and kill infected or tumorigenic cells during an innate immune response. To prevent targeting healthy tissue, NK cells also express numerous inhibitory receptors that signal through immunotyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs). Precisely how signals from competing activating and inhibitory receptors are integrated and resolved is not understood. To investigate how ITIM receptor signaling impinges on activating pathways, we developed a photochemical approach for stimulating the inhibitory receptor KIR2DL2 during ongoing NK cell–activating responses in high-resolution imaging experiments. Photostimulation of KIR2DL2 induces the rapid formation of inhibitory receptor microclusters in the plasma membrane and the simultaneous suppression of microclusters containing activating receptors. This is followed by the collapse of the peripheral actin cytoskeleton and retraction of the NK cell from the source of inhibitory stimulation. These results suggest a cell biological basis for ITIM receptor signaling and establish an experimental framework for analyzing it.
Some Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Distended Carbons

An experimental study to define the dynamic response of seven distended carbon materials to shock loading is described and the results are presented. The study included measurement of equation of state parameters to 235 kilobars, unloading behavior, and spallation strengths. In the low-stress (partially compacted) region, the response to shock loading was found to be dependent on the initial structure of the material, i.e., form of carbon and initial density, while in the high-stress region the response was primarily affected by the initial density. The results of the unloading wave experiments, attenuation data, and higher pressure free surface velocity measurements indicated that the unloading behavior of these materials was a function of the applied pressure in the partially compacted region. Accordingly, the Hugoniot data were closely represented by a previously proposed empirical model which describes the response of partially compacted porous materials. The spallation results show differences in the dynamic tensile strengths varying from 0.4-1.0 kilobar, depending on the material.
Systematics and Evolution of Heteroptera: 25 Years of Progress

Heteroptera, or true bugs, are part of the most successful radiation of nonholometabolous insects. Twenty-five years after the first review on the influence of cladistics on systematic research in Heteroptera, we summarize progress, problems, and future directions in the field. The few hypotheses on infraordinal relationships conflict on crucial points. Understanding relationships within Gerromorpha, Nepomorpha, Leptopodomorpha, Cimicomorpha, and Pentatomomorpha is improving, but progress within Enicocephalomorpha and Dipsocoromorpha is lagging behind. Nonetheless, the classifications of several superfamily-level taxa within the Pentatomomorpha, such as Aradoidea, Coreoidea, and Pyrrhocoroidea, are still unaffected by cladistic studies. Progress in comparative morphology is slow and drastically impedes our understanding of the evolution of major clades. Molecular systematics has dramatically contributed to accelerating the generation and testing of hypotheses. Given the fascinating natural history of true bugs and their status as model organisms for evolutionary studies, integration of cladistic analyses in a broader biogeographic and evolutionary context deserves increased attention.
A Sodium-Containing Quasicrystal: Using Gold To Enhance Sodium’s Covalency in Intermetallic Compounds†

Gold macht stabil: Na13Au12Ga15, ein natriumhaltiges thermodynamisch stabiles quasikristallines Material, wurde bei einer systematischen Studie des polaren Na-Au-Ga-Intermetallsystems entdeckt. Sein Elektron/Atom-Verhaltnis von 1.75 ist fur Bergman-Ikosaederphasen extrem klein, doch der substanzielle Au-Anteil sorgt fur eine Hume-Rothery-Stabilisierung und neuartige polar-kovalente Na-Au-Wechselwirkungen.
Simulated impacts of artificial groundwater recharge and discharge on the source area and source volume of an Atlantic Coastal Plain stream, Delaware, USA

A numerical groundwater-flow model was used to characterize the source area and volume of Phillips Branch, a baseflow-dominated stream incising a highly permeable unconfined aquifer on the low relief Delmarva Peninsula, USA. Particle-tracking analyses indicate that the source area (5.51 km2) is ∼20% smaller than the topographically defined watershed (6.85 km2), and recharge entering ∼37% of the surface watershed does not discharge to Phillips Branch. Groundwater residence time within the source volume ranges from a few days to almost 100 years, with 95% of the volume “flushing” within 50 years. Artificial discharge from groundwater pumping alters the shape of the source area and reduces baseflow due to the interception of stream flow paths, but has limited impacts on the residence time of groundwater discharged as baseflow. In contrast, artificial recharge from land-based wastewater disposal substantially reduces the source area, lowers the range in residence time due to the elimination of older flow paths to the stream, and leads to increased discharge to adjacent surface-water bodies. This research suggests that, in this and similar hydrogeologic settings, the “watershed” approach to water-resource management may be limited, particularly where anthropogenic stresses alter the transport of soluble contaminants through highly permeable unconfined aquifers.
Endothelial cell modulation of smooth muscle cell morphology and organizational growth pattern

Intimal hyperplasia is characterized by smooth muscle cell (SMC) dedifferentiation from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype prior to migration and proliferation. Regulatory mechanisms controlling SMC phenotype are not well known. This study examined the effect of endothelial cells (ECs) on SMC morphology in coculture. Subcultured bovine ECs and SMCs were plated on opposite sides of a 13 µm thick, semipermeable membrane (0.45 µm pores, Cyclopore) to allow potential humoral and cellular cross-membrane communication. SMCs were studied (5 wells/group) in coculture opposite confluent ECs (EC/SMC) and alone (SMC controls). After 4 days of culture in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium/2.5% calf serum, SMCs were harvested. The ratio of protein/DNA was measured as an index of SMC hypertrophy (synthetic SMC phenotype). SMCs were examined with light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate cell surface area, cellular morphology, and macroscopic growth characteristics. Flow cytometry was used to determine the cellular RNA/DNA ratio. SMC control cultures had a significantly greater protein-to-DNA content than SMCs cocultured with ECs (175±9 vs. 115±7 µg protein/µg DNA;p<0.001). SMC control cultures also had 6.5 times greater cell surface area (5.8±0.3 × 103 µm2) than cocultured SMCs (0.9±0.1;p<0.001). In SMC control cultures, SMC hypertrophy and rapid “hill and valley” formation were observed. In contrast, SMCs from the EC/SMC group exhibited a more spindle-shaped, contractile-appearing phenotype with more uniform, evenly distributed cells and no hill and valley formation. SMC control cultures also had a higher RNA/DNA ratio. Thus the presence of confluent ECs substantially altered the morphology and growth characteristics normally observed for SMCs in vitro. This coculture system provides a model to further study EC-SMC interaction, which could have important in vivo consequences.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network Causality Assessment: Criteria and Experience in the United States

Hepatotoxicity due to drugs, herbal or dietary supplements remains largely a clinical diagnosis based on meticulous history taking and exclusion of other causes of liver injury. In 2004, the U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) was created under the auspices of the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases with the aims of establishing a large registry of cases for clinical, epidemiological and mechanistic study. From inception, the DILIN has used an expert opinion process that incorporates consensus amongst three different DILIN hepatologists assigned to each case. It is the most well-established, well-described and vigorous expert opinion process for DILI to date, and yet it is an imperfect standard. This review will discuss the DILIN expert opinion process, its strengths and weaknesses, psychometric performance and future.
Price Intervention by Exporting Countries and the Effects on Price Instability

The analysis examines the effects of alternative price interventions by exporters on the mean level of prices and price instability. While several different price policies can be used by an exporter to protect producers of a commodity, each policy has unique effects on mean prices and variability. Using free trade as a point of comparison, five policy options, ranging from fixed prices in the exporter to export subsidies, are compared. These comparisons should be useful as multilateral trade negotiations proceed.
Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty in Determination of Sulfate in Drinking Water by the Barium Sulfate Turbidimetric Method

Objective Analysis and evaluation of measurement uncertainty in determination of sulfate in drinking water by barium sulfate turbidity. Methods Based on the evaluation of measurement uncertainty and expresses (JJF1059-1999),establishes the mathematical model,obtains the determination sulfate the synthesis uncertainty and the expansion uncertainty. Results In the water the sulfate synthesis uncertainty is: 0.33 mg/L,the expansion uncertainty is: 0.7 mg/L. Conclusion Through to the barium sulfate turbidimetric method determination water sample in the sulfuric acid salt content uncertainty source analysis,discovers the influence measurement result each kind of factor,the computation uncertainty component and the synthesis uncertainty,has effectively grasped the measurement result credible degree and the accuracy,guaranteed the quality of the surveillance and the result.
Impacts of Urban Forms on Travel Behavior:Case Studies in Shanghai

To understand relations between travel behavior and urban form is a prerequisite to guide a green transportation development.Based on data obtained from 4 neighborhoods in Shanghai,including residents' travel behaviors,social and economic characteristics,and urban form characteristics,this paper,using multi-linear regression theory and logistic model,discusses the relations between neighborhoods design characteristics and travel.Finally,the authors point out that existing development pattern on large neighborhood seems not to fit in with green transportation de-velopment,and that planning professionals should pay more attention on traditional neighborhoods pattern design which is favorable to biking and walking.
Organizations and Creativity: Trends in Research, Status of Education and Practice, Agenda for the Future

Publisher Summary The science of organizational creativity is growing such that the knowledge of it is increasing significantly. There are still specific areas were the science of organizational creativity is lagging, however, and organizational scholars should attempt to address those gaps. The US and European scholars seem to be emphasizing somewhat different conceptual and methodological approaches to the study of organizational creativity. Greater dialogue between those two categories of organizational creativity scholars and greater integration of their approaches seems called for. The gulf between the science and the practice of creativity and innovation seems to have closed in some important ways, but continue in others. Surprisingly, (to the current authors, at least) practitioners' approaches to organizational creativity (or, at least, practitioners' descriptions of their approaches) appear to better reflect the scientific literature than the scientific literature reflects applied interests and applications. Moreover, the practice of organizational creativity (at least, in consulting) may also be somewhat more multi-level than is the organizational science of creativity. The manifestly increasing attention being paid to creativity by organizational scientists indicates, though, that practical interest in work creativity is influencing science.
Genetic Ancestry using Mitochondrial DNA in patients with Triple‐negative breast cancer (GAMiT study)

BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu receptors, and is aggressive and therapeutically challenging. Genetic ancestry testing is an emerging medical field. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is distinct from nuclear DNA, is maternally inherited and allows for origin determination. Patients with TNBC tend to be younger and are more likely to be African American, making this an ideal disease for mtDNA exploration. To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first to perform mtDNA for self-described African American, White, and Hispanic patients with TNBC to identify mtDNA patterns. METHODS Patients with TNBC who were at any stage of therapy/survivorship were included. Self-reported ethnicity was confirmed at the time of the prospective buccal swab. Haplogroup prediction was performed on sequencing of hypervariable region 1. Using sequence similarity scores and lineage databases, sequence patterns were determined. Data regarding presentation and treatment, tumor features, and outcomes was collected. RESULTS A total of 92 patients were included: 31 self-described African American, 31 White, and 30 Hispanic individuals. Hispanic patients were found to have the largest tumor size (4.5 cm; P = .01) and youngest age (41 years; P<.0001). Eight patients were BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. There were no differences noted among groups with regard to surgery, lymph node metastases, or survival. Analysis revealed Nigerian, Cameroon, or Sierra Leone ancestry and haplogroups A, U, H, or B to be the most common mtDNA patterns. Twelve discordances (13%) between mtDNA analysis and self-described ethnicity were identified among the 92 patients. The highest discordance (26%; 8 patients) was noted in self-described Hispanic patients: 3 had Nigerian ancestry, and 1 individual demonstrated haplogroup K mtDNA (Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry). CONCLUSIONS Discordance between self-reported ethnicity and mtDNA analysis was identified in 13% of patients with TNBC. The identification of mtDNA patterns with a predisposition toward TNBC may allow for risk stratification. Cancer 2017;107–113. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Measured performance of filtration and ventilation systems for fine and ultrafine particles and ozone in an unoccupied modern California house.

This study evaluated nine ventilation and filtration systems in an unoccupied 2006 house located 250 m downwind of the I-80 freeway in Sacramento, California. Systems were evaluated for reducing indoor concentrations of outdoor particles in summer and fall/winter, ozone in summer, and particles from stir-fry cooking. Air exchange rate was measured continuously. Energy use was estimated for year-round operation in California. Exhaust ventilation without enhanced filtration provided indoor PM2.5 that was 70% lower than outdoors. Supply ventilation with MERV13 filtration provided slightly less protection, whereas supply MERV16 filtration reduced PM2.5 by 97-98% relative to outdoors. Supply filtration systems used little energy but provided no benefits for indoor-generated particles. Systems with MERV13-16 filter in the recirculating heating and cooling unit (FAU) operating continuously or 20 min/h reduced PM2.5 by 93-98%. Across all systems, removal percentages were higher for ultrafine particles and lower for black carbon, relative to PM2.5 . Indoor ozone was 3-4% of outdoors for all systems except an electronic air cleaner that produced ozone. Filtration via the FAU or portable filtration units lowered PM2.5 by 25-75% when operated over the hour following cooking. The energy for year-round operation of FAU filtration with an efficient blower motor was estimated at 600 kWh/year.
Role of CFTR mutation analysis in the diagnostic algorithm for cystic fibrosis

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation identification is being used with increased frequency to aid in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) in those suspected with CF. Aim of this study was to identify diagnostic outcomes when CFTR mutational analysis was used in CF diagnosis. CFTR mutational analysis results were also compared with sweat chloride results. This study was done on all patients at our institution who had CFTR mutation analysis over a sevenyear period since August 2006. A total of 315 patients underwent CFTR mutational analysis. Fifty-one (16.2%) patients had two mutations identified. Among them 32 had positive sweat chloride levels (≥60 mmol/L), while seven had borderline sweat chloride levels (40-59 mmol/L). An additional 70 patients (22.3%) had only one mutation identified. Among them eight had positive sweat chloride levels, and 17 had borderline sweat chloride levels. Fifty-five patients (17.5%) without CFTR mutations had either borderline (n=45) or positive (n=10) sweat chloride results. Three patients with a CF phenotype had negative CFTR analysis but elevated sweat chloride levels. In eighty-three patients (26.4%) CFTR mutational analysis was done without corresponding sweat chloride testing. Although CFTR mutation analysis has improved the diagnostic capability for CF, its use either as the first step or the only test to diagnose CFTR dysfunction should be discouraged and CF diagnostic guidelines need to be followed.
Properties of the high-spin heme of MauG are altered by binding of preMADH at the protein surface 40 Å away.

The diheme enzyme MauG catalyzes oxidative posttranslational modifications of a protein substrate, preMADH, that binds to the surface of MauG. The high-spin heme iron of MauG is located 40 A from preMADH. The ferric heme is an equilibrium of five- and six-coordinate states. PreMADH binding increases the proportion of five-coordinate heme three-fold. On reaction of MauG with H2O2 both hemes become FeIV. In the absence of preMADH the hemes autoreduce to ferric in a multistep process involving multiple electron and proton transfers. Binding of preMADH in the absence of catalysis alters the mechanism of autoreduction of the ferryl heme. Thus, substrate binding alters the environment in the distal heme pocket of the high-spin heme over very long distance. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Are Peer Support Arrangements an Evidence-Based Practice? A Systematic Review:

Peer support arrangements involve peers without disabilities providing academic and social support to students with severe disabilities (i.e., students eligible for their state’s alternate assessme...
Cost Effectiveness of Lenvatinib, Sorafenib and Placebo in Treatment of Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Lenvatinib (Lenvima®) and sorafenib (Nexavar®) are the two most recently Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs for treating radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). Both demonstrated superior progression-free survival over placebo in their respective Phase III clinical trials. This study compared the cost-effectiveness of the two treatments with placebo from a limited societal perspective. Methods: A Markov model was developed to estimate the costs and health benefits for treatment of RR-DTC. The probabilities and survival rates were obtained from two Phase III trials: the SELECT trial comparing lenvatinib to placebo, and the DECISION trial comparing sorafenib to placebo. A bimonthly cycle length and half-cycle correction were used for a lifetime time horizon. Medical costs and utility data were obtained from RedBook, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, and the published literature. All costs were adjusted to US$2015, discounted at 3% annually. Then second-orde...
Starch-Entrapped Microsphere Fibers Improve Bowel Habit but Do Not Exhibit Prebiotic Capacity in Those with Unsatisfactory Bowel Habits: A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Human Trial

Approximately one-third of individuals in the United States experience unsatisfactory bowel habits, and dietary intake, especially one low in fiber, could be partly responsible. We hypothesized that intake of a fermentable fiber (starch-entrapped microspheres, SM) that has a delayed, slow fermentation profile in vitro would improve bowel habit while exhibiting prebiotic capacity in those with self-described unsatisfactory bowel habits, all with minimal adverse effects. A total of 43 healthy volunteers completed a 3-month, double-blind, parallel-arm randomized clinical trial to assess the ability of a daily dose (9 or 12 g) of SM vs psyllium (12 g) to improve bowel habit, including stool consistency and frequency, and modify gut milieu through changes in stool microbiota and short-chain fatty acids while remaining tolerable through minimal gastrointestinal symptoms. All outcomes were compared before and after fiber treatment. Stool frequency significantly improved (P=.0003) in all groups after 3 months, but stool consistency improved only in both SM groups compared with psyllium. In addition, all groups self-reported a similar improvement in overall bowel habit with fiber intake. Both SM and psyllium resulted in minimal changes in microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid concentrations. The present study suggests that supplementation with a delayed and slow-fermenting fiber in vitro may improve bowel habit in those with constipation, but further investigation is warranted to determine capacity to alter microbiota and fermentation profiles in humans. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT01210625.
Terabyte Sort on FPGA-Accelerated Flash Storage

Sorting is one of the most fundamental and usefulapplications in computer science, and continues to be animportant tool in analyzing large datasets. An important andchallenging subclass of sorting problems involves sorting terabytescale datasets with hundreds of billions of records. Theconventional method of sorting such large amounts of datais to distribute the data and computation over a cluster ofmachines. Such solutions can be fast but are often expensiveand power-hungry. In this paper, we propose a solution basedon flash storage connected to a collection of FPGA-based sortingaccelerators that perform large-scale merge-sort in storage. Theaccelerators include highly efficient sorting networks and mergetrees that use bitonic sorting to emit multiple sorted valuesevery cycle. We show that by appropriate use of acceleratorswe can remove all the computation bottlenecks so that the endto-endsorting performance is limited only by the flash storagebandwidth. We demonstrate that our flash-based system matchesthe performance of existing distributed-cluster solutions of muchlarger scale. More importantly, our prototype is able to showalmost twice the power efficiency compared to the existingJoulesort record holder. An optimized system with less wastefulcomponents is projected to be four times more efficient comparedto the current record holder, sorting over 200,000 records perjoule of energy.
Heterogeneity in the Strength of the Relation Between Social Support and Post-Trauma Psychopathology

Potentially traumatic events (PTEs) increase risk for psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Social support (SS) is associated with reduced symptoms for each disorder. Each disorder, however, is highly heterogeneous such that they are comprised of clusters of different symptoms. It is unclear if SS is associated with all clusters equally. The current study examined the relation between SS and the symptom clusters of each disorder. Participants completed a battery of self-report assessments for PTSD, MDD, GAD, and SS. All participants experienced a Criterion A traumatic event. Although SS was significantly associated with all symptom clusters, the strength of relations varied. The relation between SS and MDD-affective was significantly stronger than its association with all other factors. The relations between SS and GAD, MDD-somatic, PTSD-AAR, and PTSD-NACM did not significantly differ. These relations were stronger than the relations between SS and the remaining PTSD factors. There was no significant difference in the relations between SS and PTSD-intrusions or PTSD-avoidance. These results suggest that SS is more closely aligned to specific aspects of post-trauma psychopathology.
Andrea Baer. Information Literacy and Writing Studies in Conversation: Reenvisioning Library-Writing Program Connections. Sacramento, Calif.: Library Juice Press, 2016. 202p. Paper, $28.00 (ISBN 978-1-63400-021-5). LC 2016031944.

Information literacy and composition are two areas of intensifying instructional focus in higher education today, especially since the adoption of the Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing by the Council of Writing Program Administrators (WPA) in 2011 and the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education by the ACRL in 2015. Information Literacy and Writing Studies in Conversation presents a thoughtful and concise discussion of the history and institutional structures that have shaped how both composition and information literacy are taught at the university level with particular focus on the opportunities for collaboration presented by the similarly theorized frameworks. Currently Instructional Services Librarian at the University of West Georgia, Andrea Baer’s perspective on these two disciplines is also informed by her doctoral studies in comparative literature and her experience teaching English and composition. Baer’s numerous publications and presentations on the pedagogy of information literacy, the intersection of composition and information literacy, and the instructional implications of the ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education make her voice an important one in the growing body of work on the potential for partnerships between librarians and writing program faculty. With its succinct analysis of both opportunities and obstacles to collaboration, and its plentiful references suggesting areas for further exploration, the book is particularly useful for instruction librarians and writing program faculty currently looking for ways to enrich current instructional offerings and expand beyond traditional one-shot library sessions.
Mannose Receptor 1 Restricts HIV Particle Release from Infected Macrophages

Human mannose receptor 1 (hMRC1) is expressed on the surface of most tissue macrophages, dendritic cells, and select lymphatic or liver endothelial cells. HMRC1 contributes to the binding of HIV-1 to monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and is involved in the endocytic uptake of HIV-1 into these cells. Here, we identify hMRC1 as an antiviral factor that inhibits virus release through a bone marrow stromal antigen 2 (BST-2)-like mechanism. Virions produced in the presence of hMRC1 accumulated in clusters at the cell surface but were fully infectious. HIV-1 counteracted the effect by transcriptional silencing of hMRC1. The effect of hMRC1 was not virus isolate specific. Surprisingly, deletion of the Env protein, which is known to interact with hMRC1, did not relieve the hMRC1 antiviral activity, suggesting the involvement of additional cellular factor(s) in the process. Our data reveal an antiviral mechanism that is active in primary human macrophages and is counteracted by HIV-1 through downregulation of hMRC1.
Save Mary Jane Veloso: Solidarity and Global Migrant Activism in the Filipino Labor Diaspora

On April 29, 2015, Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina migrant worker who was sentenced to death in Indonesia for trafficking heroin into the country, was granted a stay of execution by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. In this article, I argue that transnational networks activated by this case exemplify the power of systematic migrant worker organizing both in Filipino diasporic sites where Filipinos migrant use ongoing local campaign work against precarity to create migrant class consciousness in critique of neoliberalism and the Philippine state.
Predicting Diaphyseal Cortical Bone Status Using Measures of Muscle Force Capacity.

PURPOSE Muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) is often used as a surrogate for the forces applied to bones during physical activity. Although MCSA is a strong predictor of cortical bone status, its use makes assumptions about the relationship between muscle size and force that are inaccurate. Furthermore, to measure MCSA and other muscle force surrogates typically requires expensive and/or radiative laboratory equipment. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether clinical laboratory- and field-based methodologies for measuring muscular force capacity accounted for similar variance in diaphyseal cortical bone status as a commonly used muscular force surrogate, MCSA, at the midtibia in young men and women. METHODS Healthy young adults (n = 142, 19.7 ± 0.7 yr old, 52.8% female) were assessed via peripheral quantitative computed tomography at the midtibia for cortical bone status and MCSA. Muscle force capacity was measured via Biodex dynamometer, Nottingham leg extensor power rig, and Vertec vertical jump. Regression analysis compared the independent variance predicted by each muscle force measure with that of MCSA, accounting for relevant confounders. RESULTS MCSA, knee extension peak torque, and peak anaerobic power from vertical jump were independent predictors of select cortical structural outcomes (cortical thickness and area, periosteal and endosteal circumference, and estimated strength) accounting for up to 78.4% of the variance explained (all P < 0.05). However, cortical volumetric bone mineral density was unrelated to any measure or surrogate of muscle force capacity. CONCLUSIONS MCSA is a strong independent predictor of cortical bone structure; however, both laboratory- and field-based measures of peak torque and/or peak anaerobic power are promising alternatives, explaining similar and sometimes greater variance than MCSA.
Bottom-Down Urbanism

In many instances of bottom-up urbanism, architects and planners tend to conclude that squatters and slum dwellers are not competent to use the resources and materials at their disposal. These experts see their expertise as helping the urban poor by providing architectural or design solutions. By calling into question the promise of urban informality, this chapter proposes to revisit the directionality of up and down in thinking about housing and poverty, through the language of what we term ‘bottom-down’ urbanism.
Organizational Privacy Responses in Healthcare: A Conceptual Framework

With rising unpredictability and continued changes in the healthcare environment, organizational responses to information privacy threats are unclear, needing better classification and precision. This paper presents an innovative approach by combining the pressures of the healthcare environment and its internal context by extending two organizational typologies: Oliver’s (1991) strategic responses to institutional processes, a motivational framework for examining privacy responses in light of institutional pressures, and Miles’ and Snow's (1978) organization strategy, structure, and process framework providing a perspective on proactiveness. The findings based on in-depth interview data of executive-level healthcare information privacy decision makers highlight both the dimensions of resistance (resistance to institutional pressures) and proactiveness (the degree to which the strategy is proactive in protecting PHI (Protected Health Information). The resulting framework generates theoretically different but sound explanations for differences in information privacy strategic behaviors. The authors offer suggestions, implications and recommendations to researchers and practitioners.
Recent Developments in the Treatment of Bladder Cancer

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) is a significant cause of suffering and death. It is estimated that 53,200 persons will be diagnosed with TCC and 12,200 will die of this disease in the United States in 2000.13 Though the majority of people diagnosed with TCC have superficial disease, most who die of bladder cancer present with invasive disease.19 Although patients with superficial TCC experience recurrence rates as high as 82%, the rate of progression to muscle-invasive disease or metastasis is only 10 to 15%.18
Look back in anger : what clinical studies tell us about preclinical work

Misled by animal studies and basic research? Whenever we take a closer look at the outcome of clinical trials in a field such as, most recently, stroke or septic shock, we see how limited the value of our preclinical models was. For all indications, 95% of drugs that enter clinical trials do not make it to the market, despite all promise of the (animal) models used to develop them. Drug development has started already to decrease its reliance on animal models: In Europe, for example, despite increasing R&D expenditure, animal use by pharmaceutical companies dropped by more than 25% from 2005 to 2008. In vitro studies are likewise limited: questionable cell authenticity, over-passaging, mycoplasma infections, and lack of differentiation as well as non-homeostatic and non-physiologic culture conditions endanger the relevance of these models. The standards of statistics and reporting often are poor, further impairing reliability. Alarming studies from industry show miserable reproducibility of landmark studies. This paper discusses factors contributing to the lack of reproducibility and relevance of pre-clinical research. The conclusion: Publish less but of better quality and do not rely on the face value of animal studies.
Reconstruction for Occlusive Lesions of Aortic Arch Branches

Symptomatic arterial occlusive disease of the supra-aortic trunk vessels, namely, the brachiocephalic artery (BCA), proximal left common carotid artery (LCCA), and proximal left subclavian artery (LSCA), may manifest as neurologic events such as stroke, transient ischemic attack, or vertebrobasilar insufficiency when the cerebral hemispheres are involved or tissue loss or effort fatigue when affecting the upper extremities. While infrequently encountered in the routine practice of most vascular surgeons, a knowledge of the treatment options available including both extra and transthoracic open arterial reconstructions and endoluminal arterial reconstructions is necessary in order to provide the optimal care for patients presenting with this disease process. The location and extent of the disease as well as patient’s overall physical condition are factors in the choice of repair.
Generation MFA: Neoliberalism and the shifting cultural capital of US Latinx writers

This essay describes the emergence of an MFA generation of Latinx writers as a neoliberal phenomenon that offers critics another lens by which to understand the production and critical reception of US Latinx literature. I argue that, with academic institutions training and credentialing authors through creative writing programs, the market and culture of an MFA education informs generational shifts within the US Latinx canon. The disciplinary training of writers such as Ernesto Quinonez, Rich Villar, Dagoberto Gilb, Julia Alvarez, Junot Diaz, and Sandra Cisneros provides a glimpse into the limited agency of these authors within racist and neoliberal institutions, particularly how they understand their positioning within the academy as writers of color. Looking at the variable and fluid status of authors within the US Latinx canon helps us think through the strengths and weaknesses of critical practices within US Latinx literary studies, as well as open up the possibility of alternative historiographies for contemporary US Latinx literature.
The role of skeletal muscle Akt in the regulation of muscle mass and glucose homeostasis.

Abstract Objective Skeletal muscle insulin signaling is a major determinant of muscle growth and glucose homeostasis. Protein kinase B/Akt plays a prominent role in mediating many of the metabolic effects of insulin. Mice and humans harboring systemic loss-of-function mutations in Akt2, the most abundant Akt isoform in metabolic tissues, are glucose intolerant and insulin resistant. Since the skeletal muscle accounts for a significant amount of postprandial glucose disposal, a popular hypothesis in the diabetes field suggests that a reduction in Akt, specifically in skeletal muscle, leads to systemic glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Despite this common belief, the specific role of skeletal muscle Akt in muscle growth and insulin sensitivity remains undefined. Methods We generated multiple mouse models of skeletal muscle Akt deficiency to evaluate the role of muscle Akt signaling in vivo. The effects of these genetic perturbations on muscle mass, glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity were assessed using both in vivo and ex vivo assays. Results Surprisingly, mice lacking Akt2 alone in skeletal muscle displayed normal skeletal muscle insulin signaling, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity despite a dramatic reduction in phosphorylated Akt. In contrast, deletion of both Akt isoforms (M-AktDKO) prevented downstream signaling and resulted in muscle atrophy. Despite the absence of Akt signaling, in vivo and ex vivo insulin-stimulated glucose uptake were normal in M-AktDKO mice. Similar effects on insulin sensitivity were observed in mice with prolonged deletion (4 weeks) of both skeletal muscle Akt isoforms selectively in adulthood. Conversely, short term deletion (2 weeks) of skeletal muscle specific Akt in adult muscles impaired insulin tolerance paralleling the effect observed by acute pharmacological inhibition of Akt in vitro. Mechanistically, chronic ablation of Akt induced mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of AMPK, which was required for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the absence of Akt. Conclusions Together, these data indicate that chronic reduction in Akt activity alone in skeletal muscle is not sufficient to induce insulin resistance or prevent glucose uptake in all conditions. Therefore, since insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in skeletal muscle is markedly impaired in insulin-resistant states, we hypothesize that alterations in signaling molecules in addition to skeletal muscle Akt are necessary to perturb glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in vivo.
The Impact of Media Use, Identity, and Pro-Environmental Orientations on Racial/Ethnic Groups’ Attitudes Toward Ecobranding

AbstractSurvey data is used to explore the comparative pro-environmental orientations of Latino, African American, White, and Asian American consumers (N = 1,216) and their attitudes toward Ecobran...
Comparison of outcomes of arthrodesis and reconstruction (advancement), posterior tibial tendon with excision of accessory tarsal navicular bone (Kidner procedure) in type 2 accessory navicula.

Abstract Background The therapeutic outcome of the local arthrodesis surgery for type 2 accessory navicula (AN) is rarely reported. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between Kidner and arthrodesis procedures for type 2 AN. Methods Sixteen patients (20 feet) with symptomatic type 2 AN receiving surgical treatment in our hospital between November 2013 and December 2015 were retrospectively included. Ten patients (13 feet) underwent the Kidner surgery (Kidner group) and 6 patients received local arthrodesis procedure (arthrodesis group). Radiographic indices before/after surgery were compared between the two groups. Patient’s satisfaction with surgery outcome was evaluated by patient self-assessment questionnaire. Results The calcaneal pitch angle was significantly increased after surgery in both groups (bothp Conclusion Our results suggested that both the Kidner surgery and arthrodesis surgery were an effective treatment for symptomatic type 2 AN.
RESERPINE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH REFRACTORY HYPERTENSION, A PHENOTYPE OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT FAILURE

Refractory hypertension (RfHTN), a phenotype of antihypertensive treatment failure, is defined as uncontrolled automated office BP [AOBP] ≥ 130/80 mmHg & 24-hr ambulatory BP [ABP] ≥ 125/75 mmHg on ≥5 antihypertensive medications, including chlorthalidone & a mineralocorticoid receptor
Prevalence of Pre-Existing Hearing Loss Among Patients With Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa.

Purpose Hearing loss, resulting from aminoglycoside ototoxicity, is common among patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). Those with pre-existing hearing loss are at particular risk of cl...
Role of Soil Fauna in Biological Control of Rhizoctonia

Living biotic components most dramatically involved in rhizosphere phenomena that affect plant growth, health and productivity are found among the many species of microflora, microfauna and mesofauna. Successful biological control of root pathogens such as Rizoctonia solani will require a complete understanding of the interactive functions of microflora and fauna at the root surface. One of the criteria for effective biological control is the reduction of inoculum density. Micro- and mesoscopic species of soil fauna depend to a large extent on microflora food sources in the rhizosphere and during organic matter decomposition, thus creating the opportunity for the consumption of pathogen propagules and hyphae and reduction of inoculum potential as defined by Garrett (1970).
MAKING KIN FROM GOLD: Dowry, Gender, and Indian Labor Migration to the Gulf

Drawing on ethnographic research in the United Arab Emirates and India, this article explores relationships among Indian kinship, gender, and transnational migration through a focus on gold that migrant men buy for their sisters’ or daughters’ weddings. Gold, used as a key component of dowry, is often considered “traditional” in an Indian setting, but is actually shaped by liberalization, contemporary statecraft, and transnational migration. As migrants purchase gold for their sisters and daughters with money they earn in the Gulf, they express adult masculinity by being dutiful brothers and sons. This examination of Indian labor migration reveals how workers and their families understand migration as a way to build and maintain kinship ties, and how gold bought in the Gulf becomes a kinship substance that informs understandings of gender and family. शोध-सार सयकत अरब अमीरात और भारत म किय हए मानव-जाति सबधी शोध क बिना पर यह शोध-पतर भारतीय रिशतदारी, लिग, और अतरराषटरीय परवास क सबध का अधययन करता ह, जिसका कदर वह सोना ह जो परवासी परष अपनी बहन-बटियो क विवाह क लिए खरीदत ह। सोना, जो कि दहज का महतवपरण अग ह, अकसर भारतीय समाज म एक “परथा” की तरह समझा जाता ह। मगर इसका मतलब वासतव म उदारीकरण, समकालीन शासनकाल, और अतरराषटरीय परवास स परभावित ह। परवासी अपनी बहन-बटियो क लिए खाडी दशो स कमाए पसो स जब सोना खरीदत ह तो व करतवय पालन करक अपना परषतव दिखात ह। भारतीय परवासी शरमिको का यह अधययन इस बात को दरशाता ह कि कामगार और उनक परिवारवाल इस रिशतदारी बनान और निभान का एक तरीका समझत ह, और इस तरह खाडी का सोना एक रिशतदारी की वसत बन जाता ह जो लिग और परिवार क मतलब पर रोशनी डालता ह। خلاصہ متحدہ عرب امارات اور ہندوستان کی انسیانیاتی تحقیق پر مبنی یہ تحقیقی مقالہ رشتہ داری ، جنس، اور بین الاقوامی نقل مکانی کے تعلق کا مطالعہ کرتا ہے جس کا مرکز وہ سونا ہے جو مہاجر مرد اپنی بہن بیٹیوں کی شادی کے لئے خریدتے ہیں۔ سونا جو کہ جہیز کا اہم حصہ ہے، ا کثر ہندوستانی سماج میں ایک "رسم" کی طرح سمجھا جاتا ہے، لیکن اس کو در اصل لبرلائیز یشن ، ہم عصر دور حکومت، اور بین الاقوامی نقل مکانی کے ذریعہ شکل ملی ہے۔ مہاجر اپنی بہن بیٹیوں کے لئے خلیجی ممالک میں کمائے پیسوں سے جب سونا خریدتے ہیں تو وہ فرض ادا کر کے اپنی مردانگی دکھاتے ہیں۔ ہندوستانی مہاجر محنت کشوں پر یہ مطالعہ اس بات کو دکھاتا ہے کہ یہ مزدور اور ان کے خاندان اسے ایک طرح سے رشتہ داری بنانے ، اسے قائم رکھنے کا ایک طریقہ سمجھتے ہیں، اور اس طرح کا سونا رشتہ داری کا ایک سامان بن جاتا ہے، جو جنس اور خاندان کے مطلب پر روشنی ڈالتا ہے۔
A comprehensive secondary market model for virtualized wireless connectivity

Abstract Secondary markets are essential if we are to re-assign valuable resources such as radio spectrum to users and services who value them most. Despite the potential that markets have to perform this task, it is still difficult to find real-world examples of successful secondary markets for spectrum. In this work, we explore a broader context where markets would be deployed to shed light on the different components that may affect their viability. Transactions that involve electromagnetic spectrum are generally extremely difficult to achieve due to the complexity of spectrum when treated as a tradeable commodity. To ease these difficulties, we start with the proposition the that many applications require wireless connectivity rather than simply spectrum. We proceed to consider a system where transactions for wireless connectivity are handled by a specialized intermediary that we refer to as Virtual Network Builder (VNB). The model we present accounts for technical definitions of spectrum as a commodity as an effort to bring diversity, and hence thickness, to the market. At the same time, we consider a more nuanced definition of market participants (Resource Providers (RPs) and Service Providers (SPs)), which allows us to examine their incentives to transact in the market and the consequences of their strategies. As a result, we are able to evaluate the performance of a market for wireless connectivity from multiple angles including the efficiency in resource assignment, profitability for market participants and overall conditions to market viability.
Cell-autonomous role of Presenilin in age-dependent survival of cortical interneurons

Mutations in the PSEN1 and PSEN2 genes are the major cause of familial Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies demonstrated that Presenilin (PS), the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, is required for survival of excitatory neurons in the cerebral cortex during aging. However, the role of PS in inhibitory interneurons had not been explored. To determine PS function in GABAergic neurons, we generated inhibitory neuron-specific PS conditional double knockout (IN-PS cDKO) mice, in which PS is selectively inactivated by Cre recombinase expressed under the control of the endogenous GAD2 promoter. We then performed behavioral, biochemical, and histological analyses to evaluate the consequences of selective PS inactivation in inhibitory neurons. IN-PS cDKO mice exhibit earlier mortality and lower body weight despite normal food intake and basal activity. Western analysis of protein lysates from various brain sub-regions of IN-PS cDKO mice showed significant reduction of PS1 levels and dramatic accumulation of γ-secretase substrates. Interestingly, IN-PS cDKO mice develop age-dependent loss of GABAergic neurons, as shown by normal number of GAD67-immunoreactive interneurons in the cerebral cortex at 2–3 months of age but reduced number of cortical interneurons at 9 months. Moreover, age-dependent reduction of Parvalbumin- and Somatostatin-immunoreactive interneurons is more pronounced in the neocortex and hippocampus of IN-PS cDKO mice. Consistent with these findings, the number of apoptotic cells is elevated in the cerebral cortex of IN-PS cDKO mice, and the enhanced apoptosis is due to dramatic increases of apoptotic interneurons, whereas the number of apoptotic excitatory neurons is unaffected. Furthermore, progressive loss of interneurons in the cerebral cortex of IN-PS cDKO mice is accompanied with astrogliosis and microgliosis. Our results together support a cell-autonomous role of PS in the survival of cortical interneurons during aging. Together with earlier studies, these findings demonstrate a universal, essential requirement of PS in the survival of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons during aging.