cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unusual mitochondrial DNA polymorphism in two local populations of blue tit Parus caeruleus

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 25 blue tits Parus caeruleus sampled from two populations of the Grenoble region (France) was assayed for polymorphism with 17 restriction endonucleases. Nine genotypes were found. Several mtDNA genotypes were also analysed by amplification via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing of 903 bp of the cytochrome b gene. The mtDNA polymorphism is greater in P. caeruleus than in other comparable bird species and results from the presence of two clearly differentiated mitochondrial lineages. Using the data of restriction polymorphism, the mean sequence divergence between individuals of the two lineages is 1.23%. Therefore, P. caeruleus should fall into the category II of phylogeographic pattern sensu Avise et al. (1987): discontinuous mtDNA genotypes which co–occur in the same region. P. caeruleus, like humans and other mobile species with high gene flow, seems to have lost its geographic structure in terms of mtDNA phylogeny. This unusual mitochondrial polymorphism can be explained by the recent admixture of two long–term isolated populations. This could be accounted for by two different scenarios. One assumes a simultaneous post–glacial colonization of the Grenoble region by two isolated European populations of P. caeruleus. Alternatively, hybridization between P. caeruleus and P. cyanus could have caused the observed pattern of mtDNA variation.
Pharmacokinetics of Cyclophosphamide after Oral and Intravenous Administration to Dogs with Lymphoma

Background: Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating chemotherapeutic drug administered IV or PO. It is currently assumed that exposure to the active metabolite, 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4-OHCP), is the same with either route of administration. Objectives: To characterize the pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide and 4-OHCP in dogs with lymphoma when administered PO or IV. Animals: Sixteen client-owned dogs with substage A lymphoma were enrolled in the study. Eight dogs received cyclophosphamide IV and 8 received it PO. Methods: Prospective randomized clinical trial was performed. Blood was collected from each dog at specific time points after administration of cyclophosphamide. The serum was evaluated for the concentration of cyclophosphamide and 4-OHCP with mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. Results: Drug exposure to cyclophosphamide measured by area under the curve (AUC)0–inf is significantly higher after intravenous administration (7.14 ± 3.77 μg/h/mL) compared with exposure after oral administration (P-value < .05). No difference in drug exposure to 4-OHCP was detected after IV (1.66 ± 0.36 μg/h/mL) or PO (1.42 ± 0.64 μg/h/mL) administered cyclophosphamide. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Drug exposure to the active metabolite 4-OHCP is equivalent after administration of cyclophosphamide either PO or IV.
Timing between streak cameras with a precision of 10 ps

The laser beams irradiating a target at the Nova laser facility comprise a set of ten simultaneous events. Two streak cameras whose resolutions are 40 ps record the power history for each beam five beams to a camera their time bases are cross-timed with a fiducial pulse. Analysis of data recorded for target experiments conducted over a six month period show the precision for cross-timing signals between two streak cameras to be ps and for characterizing a single temporal feature of a pulse to be ps. Beam synchronization at the end of six months was within 20 ps of the synchronization at the beginning of the experiments. A beam timing shift greater than 25 ps can be detected on a single laser shot shifts of 10 to 20 ps require several shots to detect. 1 .
Clinical and pathologic characteristics of intranasal abuse of combined opioid‐acetaminophen medications

Background The nonmedical abuse of prescription opioids via intranasal administration is a growing problem. The objective of this study is to investigate of the typical presentation of intranasal opioid-acetaminophen abuse and outline optimal therapy. Methods This study was a retrospective chart review. Patients with intranasal pathology from inhalation of combined opioid-acetaminophen medications (COAMs) from 3 academic otolaryngology practices in western Pennsylvania from January 2012 to October 2012 were included in the review. Results Seven adults ranging in age from 23 to 46 years were identified with nasal complaints from the intranasal inhalation of COAMs. All patients presented with nasal pain and were found to have fibrinous necrotic nasal mucosa involving the posterior nasal cavity and nasopharynx. Of the 7 patients, 6 (85.7%) presented with a septal perforation. Pathology and culture revealed fungus in 85.7% of the patients; however, no invasive fungal disease was noted in any of the specimens. Patients did not improve with either systemic or topical antifungal therapy. Polarizable material characteristic of talc used as a tablet binder was present in the histopathology of 4 of 7 (57.1%) patients. Patients who abstained from intranasal drug use along with serial debridement demonstrated the greatest improvement. Conclusion Intranasal COAM abuse causes nasal pain, tissue necrosis with potential septal and palatal perforation, and noninvasive fungal colonization. Antifungal therapy was of no benefit in the current series of patients. Current therapy should focus on recognition of the etiology of patients’ pathology and encourage abstinence from intranasal use of these drugs along with serial debridements.
Upper-limb kinematics of the presumed-to-be-unaffected side after brain injury

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the kinematics of the presumed-to-beunaffected upper limbs of people with brain injury (BI) compared with people without brain injury (WBI) during reaching. METHOD. Seventeen people with BI with no apparent motor deficit and 17 people WBI were measured and compared. A six-camera motion analysis system was used to determine movement duration, average speed, and smoothness during reaching. RESULTS. The group of people with BI was found to be significantly longer in movement duration ( p < .0001), were slower in average speed (p < .0001), and had decreased smoothness (p < .0001) during reaching than the group of people WBI. CONCLUSION. The results suggest that people with BI may have undetected motor deficit in their presumed-to-be-unaffected upper extremities. Further research is needed to explore the upper-limb motor performance and the impact on function and safety.
Crystal structures of open and closed forms of binary and ternary complexes of the large fragment of Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I: structural basis for nucleotide incorporation

The crystal structures of two ternary complexes of the large fragment of Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I (Klentaq1) with a primer/template DNA and dideoxycytidine triphosphate, and that of a binary complex of the same enzyme with a primer/template DNA, were determined to a resolution of 2.3, 2.3 and 2.5 A, respectively. One ternary complex structure differs markedly from the two other structures by a large reorientation of the tip of the fingers domain. This structure, designated ‘closed’, represents the ternary polymerase complex caught in the act of incorporating a nucleotide. In the two other structures, the tip of the fingers domain is rotated outward by 46° (‘open’) in an orientation similar to that of the apo form of Klentaq1. These structures provide the first direct evidence in DNA polymerase I enzymes of a large conformational change responsible for assembling an active ternary complex.
Genome-wide analysis of light sensing in Prochlorococcus

Prochlorococcus MED4 has, with a total of only 1,716 annotated protein-coding genes, the most compact genome of a free-living photoautotroph. Although light quality and quantity play an important role in regulating the growth rate of this organism in its natural habitat, the majority of known light-sensing proteins are absent from its genome. To explore the potential for light sensing in this phototroph, we measured its global gene expression pattern in response to different light qualities and quantities by using high-density Affymetrix microarrays. Though seven different conditions were tested, only blue light elicited a strong response. In addition, hierarchical clustering revealed that the responses to high white light and blue light were very similar and different from that of the lower-intensity white light, suggesting that the actual sensing of high light is mediated via a blue-light receptor. Bacterial cryptochromes seem to be good candidates for the blue-light sensors. The existence of a signaling pathway for the redox state of the photosynthetic electron transport chain was suggested by the presence of genes that responded similarly to red and blue light as well as genes that responded to the addition of DCMU [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-N-N'-dimethylurea], a specific inhibitor of photosystem II-mediated electron transport.
Tachykinins potentiate N-methyl-D-aspartate responses in acutely isolated neurons from the dorsal horn.

Abstract: Substance P and neurokinin A both potentiated N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced currents recorded in acutely isolated neurons from the dorsal horn of the rat. To elucidate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we measured the effects of tachykinins and glutamate receptor agonists on [Ca2+]i in these cells. Substance P, but not neurokinin A, increased [Ca2+]i in a subpopulation of neurons. The increase in [Ca2+]i was found to be due to Ca2+ influx through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. Substance P and neurokinin A also potentiated the increase in [Ca2+]i produced by NMDA, but not by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, kainate, or 50 mM K+. Phorbol esters enhanced the effects of NMDA and staurosporine inhibited the potentiation of NMDA effects by tachykinins. It is concluded that activation of protein kinase C may mediate the enhancement of NMDA effects by tachykinins in these cells. However, the effects of tachykinins on [Ca2+]i can be dissociated from their effects on NMDA receptors.
Structure of the Carotenoid Neoxanthin

SUMMARY The products formed on reaction of neoxanthin with hydrochloric acid in methanol and in acetone indicate that neoxanthin is 3,3′,5′-trihydroxy-5′6′-dihydro-5,6-epoxy-beta-carotene. The tertiary 5′-hydroxyl group reacts in a similar manner to the allylic 3′-hydroxyl group in lutein.
New Type of Superlattice: An Epitaxial Semiconductor-Atomic Superlattice, SAS

Conventional superlattices are formed with repeating a basic period consisting of a heterojunction between two materials. A new type of superlattice are formed by replacing the heterojunction between adjacent semiconductors with semiconductor layers separated by adsorbed species such as oxygen atoms; and CO, molecules, etc. This new type of superlattice, SAS, semiconductor-atomic-superlattice, fabricated epitaxially, enriches the present class of heterojunction superlattices and quantum wells for quantum devices. The Si growth beyond the adsorbed monolayer of oxygen is epitaxial with fairly low defect density. At present, such a structure shows stable electroluminescence and insulating behavior, useful for optoelectronic and SOI (silicon-on-insulator) applications. SAS may form the basis of future all silicon ‘superchip’ with both electrons and photons.
Determination of age of nestling Prothonotary Warblers

Abstract The ability to accurately determine age of nestlings is useful in studies of reproductive performance of small birds. Because of a resurgence of interest in nest-box studies of reproductive performance of Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea), we closely monitored the growth and development of 766 nestlings from 190 nests over the 1999 and 2000 breeding seasons. Distinguishing characteristics of known-age warbler nestlings are provided, including mass measurements, aspects of plumage development, and behavioral notes in sufficient detail that investigators can determine the age of young Prothonotary Warblers with only one or two visits to a given nest.
Pattern Formation of the Causative Agent of Pierce's Disease within Microfluidic Chambers

We develop and analyze a model of the dynamics of an important bacterial pathogen, \emph{Xylella fastidiosa} within artificial plant xylem. The bacterium is the causative agent of a variety of diseases that strike fruit bearing plants including Pierce's disease of grapevine. Biofilm colonization within microfluidic chambers was visualized in a laboratory setting, showing robust, regular spatial patterning. The model is based on a multiphase approach that is able to capture the spacing of the pattern and points to the role of the exopolymeric substance as the main source of control of the pattern dynamics. We concentrate on estimating the attachment/detachment processes within the chamber since these are two mechanisms that have the potential to be engineered by applying various chemicals to prevent or treat the disease. The spread of similar patterns are also investigated using marginal stability.
Sending the Message to Students that Revising Means Seeing their Work through New Eyes

This article discusses the importance of showing students that revision is an integral part of the writing process. Most law students equate revision with polishing, and thus usually make only superficial changes to their drafts when asked to revise. This article proposes that legal writing professors can help their students see that revision presents an opportunity to substantially improve their writing by commenting on their drafts in the way a legal reader would. This should help law students see the reader's perspective and, in turn, make more substantive changes when they revise.
Effect of Season of the Year, Sex, and Dietary Fats on Broiler Performance, Abdominal Fat, and Preen Gland Secretion

Abstract Broiler chicks were used in two experiments conducted during summer and winter months to study the effect of various dietary fats on broiler performance, fatty acid composition of abdominal fat, and preen gland secretion. Commercial blended fats, soy bean oil, palm oil, coconut oil, tallow, and yellow grease (50% pork and 50% beef fat) were added at dietary levels of 7.72% (0 to 4 wk) and 7.85% (4 to 8 wk). Growth rate was significantly increased using either soy bean oil plus palm oil or palm oil alone as compared to results obtained with a blended fat. Feed efficiency was significantly increased by feeding coconut oil. Male chick growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly increased using soy bean oil alone. Differences in the feed utilization produced by different fats were associated with the linoleic acid content of the fats in most instances. The percentage of abdominal fat was greater for females than for males. Abdominal fat in female birds fed diets containing tallow or blended fats was significantly greater than that for females fed soy bean oil. Fatty acid analysis of abdominal fat from both experiments indicated a significant influence of dietary fats on abdominal fat composition. Significant differences due to the sex of birds existed for some fatty acids. When abdominal fat composition of birds fed with soy bean oil during the summer was compared to that of birds fed with soy bean oil during the winter, significant difference existed in oleic acid content. Fatty acid analysis of preen gland secretions indicated that there were no influences of dietary fats and sex of birds on the fatty acid composition of preen gland secretion. Significant differences that existed in the fatty acids of the preen gland secretion were due to season of the year.
All-optical and electro-optical control of light on a silicon chip (Abstract only)

We demonstrate strong light confining micron-size structures including cavities with Veff on the order of 10-2 (λ/2n)-3. The strong confinement structures enables active devices on silicon such as low power modulators and bistable switches. (1 page)
Abstract 750: Negative regulation ofbcl-2transcription by DNA damage-binding protein complex in human ovarian cancer cells.

Elevated expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 is believed to be one of the contributing factors to an increased relapse rate associated with multiple cisplatin-resistant cancers. DNA damage-binding protein 2 (DDB2) has recently been revealed to play an important role in sensitizing human ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis through the down-regulation of Bcl-2, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly defined. Here, we report that DDB2 functions as a transcriptional repressor for Bcl-2. DDB2 binds to a specific response element at the 5’-end of bcl-2 P1 promoter, concomitant with marked losses of histone H3 acetylation along the bcl-2 promoter and enhancer regions. Quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that HDAC1 was locally enriched in the bcl-2 P1 core promoter following DDB2 over-expression. Lysine 244 in DDB2 is essential for the transcriptional regulation of bcl-2, evidenced by the fact that the K244E mutant failed to inhibit bcl-2 promoter activity. Interestingly, the simultaneous DDB1 knock-down and DDB2 over-expression are required to potentiate bcl-2 promoter activity in the human ovarian cancer cell line CP70, while the knockdown of DDB1 alone failed to produce any significant effect. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of DDB2 and Bcl-2 expression in ovarian cancers provides clinical evidence that DDB2 and Bcl-2 are inversely correlated. Collectively, our data supports a model in which DDB2 and DDB1 function cooperatively in repressing bcl-2 transcription by recruiting HDAC1 to deacetylate histone H3 across bcl-2 regulatory regions, with DDB2 being responsible for binding to a specific cis-acting element in the bcl-2 P1 promoter. These findings have immediate implications for clinical trial designs of DDB2-based therapies for diverse cisplatin-resistant malignancies.(Supported by NIH grant CA151248 to QEW, and CA93413 to AAW) Citation Format: Ran Zhao, Chunhua Han, Eric Eisenhauer, John Kroger, Li Gong, Qianzheng Zhu, Weiqiang Zhao, Jianhua Yu, Selvendiran Karuppaiyah, Xingluo Liu, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Qi-En Wang. Negative regulation of bcl-2 transcription by DNA damage-binding protein complex in human ovarian cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 750. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-750
Failure of naloxone to modify the depth of hypnotic trance

Naloxone (10 mg/70kg, i.v.) was used in normal volunteers to study a possible relationship between endorphins and the depth of hypnotic trance. No effect was found. The drug also failed to modify the subjects' level of alertness.
Developing a Predictive Form of MOSCED for Nonelectrolyte Solids Using Molecular Simulation: Application to Acetanilide, Acetaminophen, and Phenacetin

The Modified Separation of Cohesive Energy Density Model (MOSCED) is an efficient, analytic method to predict infinite dilution activity coefficients over a range of temperatures. Its predictability makes MOSCED an attractive engineering design tool. However, its use is limited. When trying to model a novel compound, reference data must first be available to regress the necessary MOSCED parameters. Here, we propose the use of molecular simulation to generate the reference dataset. In this fashion, MOSCED can be made a truly predictive engineering design tool. This combines the predictive strength of molecular simulation with the efficiency of MOSCED to create a powerful new tool. Here, we use molecular simulation to generate MOSCED parameters for the nonelectrolyte solid solutes acetanilide, acetaminophen, and phenacetin. Adopting the melting point temperature and enthalpy of fusion of these compounds from available experimental data, we are able to predict equilibrium solubilities. Predictions using the ...
The measurement of success in weight reduction: An analysis of methods and a new index

The inadequacies of existing methods for expressing the results of weight reduction programs have been discussed and a new reduction index has been derived. The index requires that a target weight be established for each patient at the beginning of every dietary regimen. The target weight may be chosen from standard tables, from “ideal weight” tables, or arbitrarily on the basis of the physician's judgment. The new index is obtained by multiplying the per cent of excess weight loss by the relative initial obesity. Its component terms are a product of two factors: (1) a reduction coefficient, which can be computed at the beginning of the dieting, and (2) the amount of weight lost during the active dieting. The value of the reduction coefficient will characterize the patient's initial obese status. The reduction index will characterize the accomplishment in weight reduction. Individual “success” is considered to have been achieved by patients who obtain a reduction index of 60 or higher. The total results of a dietary regimen may then be expressed by stating the percentage of the patients who obtained reduction indices of 60 or higher. The data obtained in a group of 106 dieting patients have been expressed in terms of existing methods of documenting weight loss, and the use of the new reduction index in this group has been demonstrated. The results of a series of different dietary programs have been compared using the reduction index and other parameters of measurement. It is suggested that the reduction index be adopted as a standard for expressing the data of weight reduction regimens in order that valid comparison can be given to the results of different dietary programs.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist attenuates ILC2-dependent airway hyperreactivity

Allergic asthma is a complex and chronic inflammatory disorder that is associated with airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and driven by Th2 cytokine secretion. Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) produce large amounts of Th2 cytokines and contribute to the development of AHR. Here, we show that ILC2s express the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), which is thought to have an anti-inflammatory role in several inflammatory diseases. We show that engagement of a specific agonist with α7nAChR on ILC2s reduces ILC2 effector function and represses ILC2-dependent AHR, while decreasing expression of ILC2 key transcription factor GATA-3 and critical inflammatory modulator NF-κB, and reducing phosphorylation of upstream kinase IKKα/β. Additionally, the specific α7nAChR agonist reduces cytokine production and AHR in a humanized ILC2 mouse model. Collectively, our data suggest that α7nAChR expressed by ILC2s is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ILC2-mediated asthma.
An analytical model for flat-ski friction in steady horizontal gliding

This paper addresses sliding friction of a ski during steady horizontal gliding on snow. A simple mathematical theory accounting for both dry and wet friction is developed. The water film evolution along a ski is calculated with a lumped-element thermal model. An analytical solution is obtained for the ski friction force. Representative calculation results are demonstrated for a range of ski velocity, contact surface area fraction, snow temperature, and ski aspect ratio.
What Came First—the Virus or the Egg?

Three recent studies find that the single-pass transmembrane protein HAP2 mediates gamete fusion and is remarkably similar to class II fusion proteins found in viruses such as dengue and Zika.
Effect of water temperature on the hydrolysis of two absorbable sutures used in fish surgery

Persistence of absorbable sutures in fishes in waters below 10 °C affects surgical decisions including approach, closure strategy, and suture selection. We hypothesized that the rate of suture hydr...
An intravascular bioartificial pancreas device (iBAP) with silicon nanopore membranes (SNM) for islet encapsulation under convective mass transport

Diffusion-based bioartificial pancreas (BAP) devices are limited by poor islet viability and functionality due to inadequate mass transfer resulting in islet hypoxia and delayed glucose-insulin kinetics. While intravascular ultrafiltration-based BAP devices possess enhanced glucose-insulin kinetics, the polymer membranes used in these devices provide inadequate ultrafiltrate flow rates and result in excessive thrombosis. Here, we report the silicon nanopore membrane (SNM), which exhibits a greater hydraulic permeability and a superior pore size selectivity compared to polymer membranes for use in BAP applications. Specifically, we demonstrate that the SNM-based intravascular BAP with ∼10 and ∼40 nm pore sized membranes support high islet viability (>60%) and functionality ( 85%) at clinically relevant islet density (5700 IE per cm2), c-peptide concentration of 144 pM in the outflow ultrafiltrate, and hemocompatibility under convection. These promising findings offer insights on the development of next generation of full-scale intravascular devices to treat T1D patients in the future.
Acute gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment enhances extinction memory in male rats

Abstract Leuprolide acetate (LEU), also known as Lupron, is commonly used to treat prostate cancer in men. As a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor agonist, it initially stimulates the release of gonadal hormones, testosterone (T) and estradiol. This surge eventually suppresses these hormones, preventing the further growth and spread of cancer cells. Individuals receiving this treatment often report anxiety and cognitive changes, but LEU’s effects on the neural mechanisms that are involved in anxiety during the trajectory of treatment are not well known. In this study, we examined the acute effects of LEU on fear extinction, hypothesizing that increased T levels following a single administration of LEU will facilitate extinction recall by altering neuronal activity within the fear extinction circuitry. Two groups of naive adult male rats underwent a 3-day fear conditioning, extinction, and recall experiment. The delayed group (n = 15) received a single injection of vehicle or LEU (1.2 mg/kg) 3 weeks before behavioral testing. The acute group (n = 25) received an injection one day after fear conditioning, 30 min prior to extinction training. Following recall, the brains for all animals were collected for c-fos immunohistochemistry. Blood samples were also collected and assayed for T levels. Acute administration of LEU increased serum T levels during extinction training and enhanced extinction recall 24 h later. This enhanced extinction memory was correlated with increased c-fos activity within the infralimbic cortex and amygdala, which was not observed in the delayed group. These results suggest that the elevation in T induced by acute administration of LEU can influence extinction memory consolidation, perhaps through modification of neuronal activity within the infralimbic cortex and amygdala. This may be an important consideration in clinical applications of LEU and its effects on anxiety and cognition.
Integrating clients’ religion/spirituality in clinical practice: A comparison among social workers, psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and nurses

Objective This study was designed to describe and compare five helping professions’ views and behaviors regarding the integration of clients’ religion/spirituality (RS) in clinical practice. Method A cross-sectional design was used to survey 3,500 licensed clinical psychologists, nurses, marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), clinical social workers, and professional counselors across Texas. A total of 550 responded to this online survey, which included the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale and background questions. Results Attitudes concerning the integration of clients’ RS did not differ by profession and were fairly positive. However, differences emerged regarding self-efficacy, perceived feasibility, and behaviors, with LMFTs reporting the highest scores for these subscales. Conclusion This is the first comparison of these five professions’ attitudes, behaviors, perceived feasibility, and self-efficacy regarding integrating clients’ RS. These encouraging results not only indicate helping professionals’ openness to integrating clients’ RS, but also highlight key differences in training, self-efficacy, views of feasibility, and implementation.
MEDICAL APPLICATIONS AND USES OF CAROTENOIDS

In spite of the availability of synthetic vitamin A, the principal medical use of carotenoid pigments remains as a dietary source of vitamin A. In addition, colored carotenoids, because of their photoprotective function in green plants and photosynthetic bacteria, are administered to patients with certain dermatologic diseases, to alleviate the photosensitivity associated with these conditions. Recently, vitamin A and its derivatives have been shown to have anti-tumor activity. In addition, animal experiments suggest that carotenoid pigments, irrespective of their vitamin A activity, may have anti-tumor activity for light-induced (UV-B) tumors of the skin. All these various aspects of carotenoid use are discussed.
Educational and practice gaps in the management of volar melanocytic lesions.

Background The benign and malignant patterns of acral melanocytic naevi (AMN) and acral melanomas (AM) have been defined in a series of retrospective studies. A three-step algorithm was developed to determine when to biopsy acral melanocytic lesions. This algorithm has only been applied to a Japanese population. Objectives Our study aimed to review the current management strategy of acral melanocytic lesions and to investigate the utility of the three-step algorithm in a predominately Caucasian cohort. Methods A retrospective search of the pathology and image databases at Mayo Clinic was performed between the years 2006 and 2016. Only cases located on a volar surface with dermoscopic images were included. Two dermatologists reviewed all dermoscopic images and assigned a global dermoscopic pattern. Clinical and follow-up data were gathered by chart review. All lesions with known diameter and pathological diagnosis were used for the three-step algorithm. Results Regular fibrillar and ridge patterns were more likely to be biopsied (P = 0.01). The majority of AMN (58.1%) and AM (60%) biopsied were due to physician-deemed concerning dermoscopic patterns. 39.2% of these cases were parallel furrow, lattice-like or regular fibrillar. When patients were asked to follow-up within a 3- to 6-month period, only 16.7% of the patients returned within that interval. The three-step algorithm would have correctly identified four of five AM for biopsy, missing a 6 mm, multicomponent, invasive melanoma. Conclusion We found one major educational gap in the recognition of low-risk lesions with high rates of biopsy of the fibrillary pattern. Recognizing low-risk dermoscopic patterns could reduce the rate of biopsy of AMN by 23.3%. We identified two major practice gaps, poor patient compliance with follow-up and the potential insensitivity of the three-step algorithm to small multicomponent acral melanocytic lesions.
Concurrent Validity and Reliability for the Communication Complexity Scale

Purpose The Communication Complexity Scale (CCS; Brady et al., 2012) was created to fill a void in measures of expressive communication skills in individuals who communicate primarily with presymbo...
Nutrients in Urban Stormwater Runoff: Current State of the Science and Potential Mitigation Options

Stormwater runoff of nutrients from developed landscapes is recognized as a major threat to water quality degradation through cultural eutrophication, which can lead to ecosystem imbalances and harmful algal growth. This review summarizes the current state-of-knowledge on the occurrence, sources, and transport processes of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in urban stormwater runoff and describes strategies for nutrient management of urban stormwater runoff. Future research needs identified from this review are provided as well. Stormwater runoff of nutrients from urban environments to fresh water is controlled by multiple factors, including type of inputs, land use, development patterns, and management strategies. Recent research on stormwater management strategies has focused on internal nutrient cycling processes, such as microbial transformations of N in conventional wet ponds or bioretention cells, leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms that control the efficacy of stormwater management practices. Mitigating nutrient exports from urban environments will require controlling both quantities and sources of nutrient inputs into water systems, as well as new mechanistic understanding of the biogeochemical processes controlling nutrient treatment in stormwater ponds and low impact design (LID) structures. We need more research on source tracking of P from stormwater runoff as information is still relatively scarce. There is also a need to obtain better understanding of the dynamic interactions among multiple factors (e.g., sources, land use, characteristic of catchment and climate, management strategies) that control fate and transport of nutrients in urban stormwater runoff.
Cashable Value: Social Capital and Practical Habits in the Analysis of Collaborative Cross-Border Economic Development

Today’s climate of heightened border security has intensified a key challenge found on border regions: coordination across institutional regimes. For 30 years or more a popular concept for explaining groups’ abilities to handle such challenges has been social capital and its variants, such as collective efficacy. While in many respects useful, these concepts are hindered in their explanatory power due to the lack of precision in their definition and a misplaced analogy of group capacities to capital stocks. This paper therefore takes a dissenting view from the special issue’s premise that questions of cross-border collaboration are fully amenable to a social capital-based framework. Rather, it aims to contribute to the borderlands studies research community’s tools for moving beyond some widely-acknowledged limitations to social capital frameworks by introducing complementary concepts and methods that emerge from an historical ethnography of two US-Mexico border city pairs whose economic fortunes ...
Nitric Oxide Signaling in the Striatum

Striatal medium-sized spiny neurons contain high levels of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), 3′-5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase and other components of the cGMP signaling system. Striatal sGC-cGMP signaling is activated by the gaseous neuromodulator nitric oxide (NO). A growing body of literature indicates that under physiological conditions, NO-producing interneurons are potently activated by glutamate and dopamine (DA). The complex nature of the modulatory effects of NO on striatal neurons likely depends on the effector pathways recruited during NO signaling and the relative activity and subtype of neurons under study. Indeed, a review of electrophysiological studies indicates that NO exerts a variety of effects on local circuit neurons and projection neurons involved in regulating basal ganglia output and motor behavior. In addition to summarizing these influences, this chapter discusses the impact of striatal DA depletion on NO signaling and examines the relevance of nitrergic dysregulation for the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease.
Avoiding and Managing Complications Associated with Arthroscopic Knee Surgery: Miscellaneous Knee Conditions

Secondary to improvements in instrumentation, operative techniques and surgeon experience, knee arthroscopy has gained significant popularity amongst orthopedists for the management of a variety of pathologic conditions affecting the knee. In the United States, knee arthroscopy is the most commonly performed operative orthopedic procedure, with more than 2 million cases occurring annually.1–5 As the indications for operative knee arthroscopy have increased, so have complications associated with the surgery. Although the vast majority of knee arthroscopic procedures occur without incident, recent reports have cited complication rates ranging from <1% to 8% of cases.1,4,6–9
Measuring Mental Abilities in Infancy

The development of mental abilities during infancy is impressive and measurable. The pediatrician measures growth in head size, which reflects the growth of the brain. The neuropathologist measures cerebral DNA to estimate cell number and possible damage from malnutrition or other causes (Winick, 1970). The psychologist measures behavioral change by means of careful observations of responses to specific tasks. In this chapter we shall review critically infant tests and their contribution to the understanding of mental growth in the first months of life.
Alcohol and the Neuroimmune Response: Current Status and Future Directions

The recent progress in the understanding of the immune response within the CNS and the novel findings that neuroimmune factors such as the cytokines have a role beyond immune response including developmental changes and modulation of behavior add new perspective to interpreting brain function. These advances also invite reexamination of mechanisms involved in brain dysfunction and diseases. This book attempts to bring forth the most recent advances in the neuroimmune field and to summarize the recent findings implicating neuroimmune factors in the response to alcohol and in the modulation of drinking behaviors. This chapter tries to integrate these recent observations linking neuroimmune response and neuroimmune modulators to the mechanisms producing alcoholism and the neuroadaptations responsible for alcohol dependence. Since this area of alcohol research is at its beginning, opportunities for advances are highly likely. The recent findings in neuroimmune research may identify new processes through which alcohol impacts health. Several of the novel neuroimmune findings with potential relevance for future alcohol research are noted here.
Geographically Resolved Rhythms in Twitter Use Reveal Social Pressures on Daily Activity Patterns.

Summary Daily rhythms in human physiology and behavior are driven by the interplay of circadian rhythms, environmental cycles, and social schedules. Much research has focused on the mechanism and function of circadian rhythms in constant conditions or in idealized light-dark environments. There have been comparatively few studies into how social pressures, such as work and school schedules, affect human activity rhythms day to day and season to season. To address this issue, we analyzed activity on Twitter in >1,500 US counties throughout the 2012–2013 calendar years in 15-min intervals using geographically tagged tweets representing ≈0.1% of the total population each day. We find that sustained periods of low Twitter activity are correlated with sufficient sleep as measured by conventional surveys. We show that this nighttime lull in Twitter activity is shifted to later times on weekends relative to weekdays, a phenomenon we term “Twitter social jet lag.” The magnitude of this social jet lag varies seasonally and geographically—with the West Coast experiencing less Twitter social jet lag compared to the Central and Eastern US—and is correlated with average commuting schedules and disease risk factors such as obesity. Most counties experience the largest amount of Twitter social jet lag in February and the lowest in June or July. We present evidence that these shifts in weekday activity coincide with relaxed social pressures due to local K-12 school holidays and that the direct seasonal effect of altered day length is comparatively weaker.
Coilgun Acceleration Model Containing Multiple Interacting Coils

A coilgun operates by pulsing current through an axially-arranged series of independently-controlled coils inductively interacting with a small, electrically-conductive, azimuthally-symmetric projectile to accelerate it to high velocities. The electrical circuits are programmed to pulse current through the coils in such a way so as to impart further electromagnetic acceleration in each stage. A method is developed to calculate the mutual inductance between the coils and between each coil and the projectile. These terms are used to write a system of first-order ordinary differential equations governing the projectile velocity and the current flow in each coil. While the inclusion of the electromagnetic interactions between coils significantly complicates the equation set as more coil sets are included in the problem, casting the problem symbolically in mass matrix form permits solution using standard numerical Runge-Kutta techniques. Comparing a projectile with a single-turn to that comprised of nine-turns, the inductance of the former is much smaller, but this leads to a greater induced projectile current. The lower inductance and greater current appear to offset each other with little difference in the acceleration profile for the two cases. For the limited cases studied, coils with a discharge half-cycle equal to the time for a projectile to transit from one coil to the next yield increased efficiency.
Exploring Strategies to Enhance Scholarly Writing for RN-BSN Students Using an Online Tutorial

Abstract Scholarly writing has been documented in the rearch as crucial to nursing education and professional development. However, there remains a lack of clarity on the best standardized guidelines regarding tutorials and resources in nursing education. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental study was to further explore the impact of a scholarly writing tutorial on writing assignment rubric scores in an online, RN-BSN completion program. Statistical significance was found between a pre and post-intervention group when comparing the difference in median rubric scores of RN-BSN nursing students which supports the use of an interactive, online scholarly writing tutorial.
Bud development and dormancy in slash and loblolly pine. I. Speed of budbreak and second year height as related to lifting date

Slash and loblolly pine 1-0 seedlings were lifted from the nurserybed in late November, mid-December, late December, and mid-February. The buds of the seedlings were classified as set or growing two weeks prior to lifting and were re-examined upon lifting. For both species, buds that had set remained set whereas those that were classified as growing showed an decreasing trend of setting from November through December. A subset of seedlings was potted and maintained in a greenhouse to determine rate of budbreak; the remainder were field planted. In the greenhouse, loblolly pine broke bud fastest and slowest when lifted in mid-February and mid-December, respectively. The rate of slash pine budbreak increased over successive lifting dates. In the field, loblolly pine lifted in mid-December exhibited the highest percentage of growing seedlings; these seedlings were also tallest after one year in the field. Field-planted slash pine had the highest percentage of growing seedlings when lifted in late November. However, seedlings lifted in mid-December were tallest after one year.
System Demonstration of Nanosecond Wavelength Switching with Burst-mode PAM4 Transceiver

We demonstrate a wavelength switching PIC whose switching time (0.912 ns) is independent of the tuning range, and an optical switching system (50Gbps PAM4) using the PIC and fast burst-mode channel equalization, achieving 3.84 ns switching latency.
Utilization of a Co-enrolled Course Structure for Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training in the Undergraduate Medical Education Setting

With continuing advancements in software, electronics, and miniaturization, ultrasound (US) is quickly becoming an everyday tool of numerous medical specialties. With the advent of new handheld and other small-scale units, physicians have a tool to obtain on demand imaging without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation in the pocket of their white coat. As such, the need for competency in US is increasing. Currently, US training primarily occurs in residency, with only a handful of institutions incorporating US into the undergraduate medical education (UME) curriculum. To date, no ideal method has been presented (Amini et al., Intern Emerg Med. 10(5):613-8, 2015; Wilson et al., J Ultrasound Med. 36(2):321-5, 2017). Presented herein is a method for the addition of US training into the undergraduate medical curriculum. Utilizing a co-enrolled course format, 6 medical students were given basic training in the history and physics of US, echocardiography (ECHO), right upper quadrant (RUQ) ultrasound, focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST), and extended (eFAST) exams, vascular access techniques, and MSK ultrasound over 17 sessions. Students theoretical knowledge was assessed during team-based learning (TBL) sessions in an individual and group readiness assurance test (IRAT/GRAT) format. Students’ practical skill was assessed in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) format. Students demonstrated notable proficiency with the US unit and were able to conduct both US-guided peripheral and central vascular access techniques. Furthermore, students were able to identify 80% or more of the required structures for the RUQ, ECHO, and eFAST US exams.
Cushing's syndrome.

The clinical characteristics and current concepts of pathophysiology of Cushing's syndrome have been reviewed. The specific type of pituitary or ectopic ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome and the underlying pathology can be determined biochemically and with the aid of anatomic localization procedures. Several approaches are available for treating pituitary ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome, but transsphenoidal pituitary microsurgery is the ideal type, with remission of the disease being observed in 80 to 90% of cases. When successful, pituitary microsurgery is followed by preservation of normal pituitary function and restoration of normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function within 6 to 12 months postoperatively. Medical therapy of Cushing's disease includes drugs that inhibit CRH-ACTH secretion, such as cyproheptadine and bromocriptine, and agents that inhibit cortisol synthesis, such as aminoglutethimide, metyrapone, ketoconazole, and mitotane, or that block the action of cortisol at the glucocorticoid receptor level, such as RU-485. With the exception of mitotane, which has adrenalytic effects, the action of the other pharmacologic agents is promptly reversed when treatment is discontinued. Thus, drug therapy is effective only as temporary treatment for Cushing's syndrome when surgical approaches are contraindicated or when attempts are made to improve the patient's clinical and metabolic status in preparation for surgery. Mitotane is effective in extending survival of patients with adrenal carcinoma, particularly when it is administered early as adjuvant therapy or when it is combined with repeated debulking resection of recurrent tumor. The toxicity associated with mitotane administration limits the use of larger and probably more effective doses in these patients. The synthesis of more specific cytochrome P-450 enzyme inhibitors and of mitotane analogues with more limited toxicity may ultimately provide more effective tools in the pharmacologic management of Cushing's syndrome.