cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A complete backbone assignment of the apolipoprotein E LDL receptor binding domain.

Human apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a 299-residue exchangeable apolipoprotein that was initially recognized as a major determinant in lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence has indicated that apoE also plays critical roles in several other important biological processes not directly related to its lipid transport function, including Alzheimer's disease, cognitive function, immunoregulation, cell signaling, and possibly even infectious diseases. ApoE contains two structural/functional domains: A N-terminal domain spanning residues 1-191 that is responsible for apoE's LDL receptor binding activity and a C-terminal domain (residues 216-199) that is responsible for lipoprotein-binding (1). The x-ray crystal structure of the lipid-free apoE N-terminal domain was solved by Wilson et al in 1991 which represented the only high-resolution structure of this protein. This structure showed an unusually elongated four-helix bundle (2) that was organized in such 2 a way that its hydrophobic faces were directed towards the protein interior, whereas the hydrophilic faces were oriented towards the solvent. The major receptor-binding region, residues 130-150, was located on the fourth helix. The amphipathic a-helices were connected by short loops, giving rise to a compact, globular structure. However, this structure only contained residues 23-165. Recent studies have shown that residues beyond residues 23-165 are alsomore » very important to the apoE LDL receptor binding activity. For example, a mutation at position R172 reduces the receptor binding activity of apoE to only {approx}2% (3). In addition, an E3K mutant significantly increased the apoE receptor binding activity as well (4). While the x-ray crystal structure of the apoE N-terminal domain provided detailed structural information for most region of this domain, this structure does not provide an explanation of the above experimental results regarding the structural contribution to apoE's LDL receptor binding activity by these residues that are located in the region which is not seen in the x-ray crystal structure.« less
A MODEL OF FIRE SELECTION FOR SEROTINY IN LODGEPOLE PINE.

The role of environmental heterogeneity in the maintenance of genetic polymorphism is a subject of much research and debate. Although a great deal of circumstantial evidence links polymorphism to spatial environmental variability, the importance of temporal variability is less well established, at least partly because of a lack of studies associating genetic diversity to temporal environmental changes (see the review by Hedrick et al., 1976). Herein we argue that a polymorphism in cone type of Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) is maintained by temporal variation in the fitness of each type. Except for a few isolated cases in which it apparently forms climax stands, lodgepole pine in the Rocky Mountains is a seral species maintained by fire. In most areas, this fire adaptation is mediated by the serotinous cone, which is opened only by heat generally exceeding 45 C (Crossley, 1956; Lotan, 1970). Many years' seed production-millions of seeds per hamay be stored in serotinous cones that remain on trees. Fire triggers release of these seeds and rapid recolonization of burned sites. The importance of this mechanism in the northern Rockies is attested to by the expansive areas of dense, even-aged lodgepole pine forests. Serotiny in pines probably is genetically controlled (Crossley, 1956; Critchfield, 1957; Rudolph et al., 1959; Lotan, 1967), but the exact nature of this control is dif-
Use of Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) in the Treatment of Congenital Scoliosis Without Fused Ribs.

BACKGROUND Although the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) has been shown to be useful in treating congenital scoliosis (CS) with fused ribs, no studies to date have specifically evaluated the efficacy of VEPTR in the treatment of CS without fused ribs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of VEPTR in sagittal/coronal curve correction and spine growth and compare its complication rate to the use of VEPTR in other conditions and to other treatment methods used for CS. METHODS A multicenter database was queried for patients with CS without fused ribs treated with VEPTR. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs were used to measure parameters at 3 timepoints (preoperative, immediate postoperative, and latest follow-up): coronal Cobb angle, sagittal kyphosis, and thoracic and lumbar spine heights. Clinical data included age, time to follow-up, and complications. RESULTS Twenty-five patients (13 females, 12 males) were identified. The average age at implantation was 5.7 years, with an average follow-up of 50 months. Several parameters improved from preoperative to latest follow-up: coronal Cobb angle (69 to 54 degrees, P<0.0001), thoracic spine height (T1-T12) in the AP (13.3 to 15.9 cm, P<0.0001) and lateral (14.8 to 17.4 cm, P=0.0024) planes, and lumbar spine height (L1-S1) in the AP (8.8 to 11.4 cm, P<0.0001) and lateral (9.9 to 11.9 cm, P=0.0002) planes. Kyphosis increased over the study period (36 to 41 degrees, P=0.6). Fifteen patients (60%) had 41 complications (average 2.75; range, 1 to 12). Twenty-eight complications (68%) were device-related, and 13 (32%) were disease-related. The most common complications were infection, wound dehiscence, and device migration. Six complications (15%) altered the course of treatment. Thoracic spine height increased 79% of expected growth. CONCLUSION VEPTR is an effective treatment for patients with CS without fused ribs, as evidenced by improved radiographic parameters and increased spinal height, with a complication rate which is high but similar to other methods of treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV-case series.
Thyroid and vitamin B12 interactions in the mouse.

Summary1. The effects of a mild degree of induced-hyperthyroidism or vit. B12 or both on growth rate were determined in 81 immature male mice fed a vit. B12-deficient ration, in two experimental trials of 26 or 30 days duration. 2. Feeding .025% Protamone (iodinated casein) or 100 μg of vit. B12/kilo of ration each increased the growth rate of the mice, and Protamone was more effective than vit. B12 in this respect. Each substance increased food intake and enhanced the efficiency of converting food into body weight gains. When Protamone and vit. B12 were fed together however, the favorable effects of either on growth were largely eliminated and efficiency of food utilization was reduced. No satisfactory explanation can be offered for this phenomenon at this time.
Publication of National Audit Results: A Natural Choice

It takes years that the system of publication of national audit results has been established with relative laws and regulations. It is a natural choice to put the system into effect in theory and practice. It still remains some problems and further improvements are needed.
Laser-Induced Fluorescence

This chapter discusses the theory and practical application of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). Fluorescence, generally, is just another name for spontaneous emission. LIF is a two-step process: (1) absorption of the laser photon, followed by (2) emission.
Pediatric inguinal and scrotal surgery — Practice patterns in U.S. academic centers

Abstract Purpose Both pediatric urologists and pediatric surgeons perform hernia repairs, hydrocelectomies and orchiopexies. We hypothesized that surgeons perform more incarcerated and female hernia repairs while urologists perform more orchiopexies and hydrocelectomies. Methods The Vizient-AAMC Faculty Practice Solutions Center® database was queried from January 2009 to December 2014 to identify patients 10years or younger who underwent the above procedures performed by pediatric specialists. Age, gender, race, insurance, geographic region and surgeon volume were examined. Results In the study 55,893 surgeries were identified: 26,073 primary hernia repairs, 462 recurrent hernia repairs, 3399 laparoscopic hernia repairs, 9414 hydrocele repairs and 16,545 orchiopexies. Pediatric surgeons performed 89% of primary hernia repairs with an annual median surgeon volume of 4 cases/year. Pediatric urologists performed 62% of hydrocelectomies and 83% of orchiopexies with annual median surgeon volumes of 6 and 24, respectively. Pediatric surgeons performed all procedures in younger patients and performed more female and incarcerated hernia repairs. Conclusions Pediatric surgeons operate on younger patients and treat more patients with inguinal hernias while pediatric urologists care for more boys with undescended testes and hydroceles. This knowledge of referral patterns and care between specialties with overlapping expertise will allow improvements in training and access. Levels of evidence Cost Effectiveness Study, Level of Evidence III.
Fluctuation characteristics of grain output in He'nan based on EMD model

Aimed to provide basis for continuous and steady growth in grain output of He'nan, the empirical mode decomposition method and variance decomposition method are comprehensively applied in the paper, and the fluctuation characteristics of grain output in He'nan from 1985 to 2013 are systematically analyzed at different scales. It is indicated from results that: ①at the provincial scale, change in grain output in He'nan is mainly based on trend growth, and there is the quasi-periodic fluctuation of about 4 years. ②In the second-level area of the farming system, change in grain output in Huanghuai plain terrain, Hebei-Shangdong-He'nan low-lying plain region and Yanshan-Taihang mountains piedmont plain is mainly based on trend growth, and fluctuation of grain output in hilly area at western He'nan is relatively intense. The influence of grain output in Huang-Huai-Hai plain terrain and Hubei-Henan-Anhui hilly and mountainous region is remarkable on fluctuation in grain output in He'nan. ③At the county-level scale, the county-level grain output is mainly contained 2 or 3 fluctuation components. The change in county-level grain output is mainly based on variation tendency, and the counties that with the variance contribution rate of grain trend over 85%, the northern part of Yanshan-Taihang mountains piedmont plain and the northern part of Huang-Huai plain terrain. Fluctuation in grain output has the distribution pattern of “high in the southeast and low in the northwest”.
Dynamic nanomechanical analysis of the vocal fold structure in excised larynges.

Objectives/Hypothesis Quantification of clinical outcomes after vocal fold (VF) interventions is challenging with current technology. High-speed digital imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of excised larynges assess intact laryngeal function, but do not provide critical biomechanical information. We developed a protocol to quantify tissue properties in intact, excised VFs using dynamic nanomechanical analysis (nano-DMA) to obtain precise biomechanical properties in the micrometer scale. Study Design Experimental animal study. Methods Three pig larynges were bisected in the sagittal plane, maintaining an intact anterior commissure, and subjected to nano-DMA at nine locations with a 250-μm flat-tip punch and frequency sweep load profile (10–105 Hz, 1,000 μN peak force) across the free edge of the VF and inferiorly along the conus elasticus. Results Storage, loss, and complex moduli increased inferiorly from the free edge. Storage moduli increased from a mean of 32.3 kPa (range, 6.5–55.38 kPa) at the free edge to 46.3kPa (range, 7.4–71.6) 5 mm below the free edge, and 71.4 kPa (range, 33.7–112 kPa) 1 cm below the free edge. Comparable values were 11.6 kPa (range, 5.0–20.0 kPa), 16.7 kPa (range, 5.7–26.8 kPa), and 22.6 kPa (range, 9.7–38.0 kPa) for loss modulus, and 35.7 kPa (range, 14.4–56.4 kPa), 50.1 kPa (range, 18.7–72.8 kPa), and 75.4 kPa (range, 42.0–116.0 kPa) for complex modulus. Another larynx repeatedly frozen and thawed during technique development had similarly increased storage, loss, and complex modulus trends across locations. Conclusions Nano-DMA of the intact hemilarynx provides a platform for quantification of biomechanical responses to a myriad of therapeutic interventions to complement data from high-speed imaging and OCT. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2016
Advanced autonomy architecture for maritime applications AVA

Creating autonomy for maritime vehicles that allows multiple developers and users to quickly integrate and develop capabilities is a difficult process. Multiple examples of autonomy exist; however, creating an environment that is modular and expandable is not often a goal of many autonomous systems. This work presents an advanced Autonomous Vehicle Architecture (AVA) for maritime systems that was created to meet the Navy's standards of a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) system. AVA sets out to allow fast integration into a vehicle framework while also allowing developers to quickly create missions, high-level tasks, and low-level behaviors for a mission. This paper also provides details on an in-water demonstration of AVA used for a search-classify-map mission.
A Survey of Best Practices and Key Learning Objectives for Successful Secondary School STEM Academy Settings.

Specialized secondary schools in the United States focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are becoming commonplace in the United States. Such schools are generally referred to by U.S. teachers as Academies. In a purposeful effort to provide a resource to educators building new STEM Academies, this study provides both a review of scholarly literature and the interview results from five successful STEM Academy educators from across the United States. This research addresses two overarching questions, a) what are the best practices of STEM Academies, and b) what are the key learning objectives of STEM Academies? Subject integration, in-house engineering curriculum design, student cohorts, community involvement, and internships were all revealed as being consistently reflective of best practices used in successful STEM Academies. Key learning objectives consistent across the literature and in interview results were: problem solving/the engineering design process and soft skills, such as student collaboration, communication, presentation skills and time management.
A novel role for primary cilia in airway remodeling

Primary cilia (PC) are solitary cellular organelles that play critical roles in development, homeostasis, and disease pathogenesis by modulating key signaling pathways such as Sonic Hedgehog and calcium flux. The antenna-like shape of PC enables them also to facilitate sensing of extracellular and mechanical stimuli into the cell, and a critical role for PC has been described for mesenchymal cells such as chondrocytes. However, nothing is known about the role of PC in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in the context of airway remodeling. We hypothesized that PC on ASMCs mediate cell contraction and are thus integral in the remodeling process. We found that PC are expressed on ASMCs in asthmatic lungs. Using pharmacological and genetic methods, we demonstrated that PC are necessary for ASMC contraction in a collagen gel three-dimensional model both in the absence of external stimulus and in response to the extracellular component hyaluronan. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the effect of PC on ASMC contraction is, to a small extent, due to their effect on Sonic Hedgehog signaling and, to a larger extent, due to their effect on calcium influx and membrane depolarization. In conclusion, PC are necessary for the development of airway remodeling by mediating calcium flux and Sonic Hedgehog signaling.
The Politics of Refuge: Sanctuary Cities, Crime, and Undocumented Immigration:

This article assesses the claim that sanctuary cities—defined as cities that expressly forbid city officials or police departments from inquiring into an individual’s immigration status—are associa...
Volatile Metabolites Emission by In Vivo Microalgae—An Overlooked Opportunity?

Fragrances and malodors are ubiquitous in the environment, arising from natural and artificial processes, by the generation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although VOCs constitute only a fraction of the metabolites produced by an organism, the detection of VOCs has a broad range of civilian, industrial, military, medical, and national security applications. The VOC metabolic profile of an organism has been referred to as its ‘volatilome’ (or ‘volatome’) and the study of volatilome/volatome is characterized as ‘volatilomics’, a relatively new category in the ‘omics’ arena. There is considerable literature on VOCs extracted destructively from microalgae for applications such as food, natural products chemistry, and biofuels. VOC emissions from living (in vivo) microalgae too are being increasingly appreciated as potential real-time indicators of the organism’s state of health (SoH) along with their contributions to the environment and ecology. This review summarizes VOC emissions from in vivo microalgae; tools and techniques for the collection, storage, transport, detection, and pattern analysis of VOC emissions; linking certain VOCs to biosynthetic/metabolic pathways; and the role of VOCs in microalgae growth, infochemical activities, predator-prey interactions, and general SoH.
SUBSTITUTION, CONTEXT, AND ASSOCIATION

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the concepts of substitution, context, and association. The elicited sentences cannot give a particularly biased estimate of word contexts for the stimulus words; however, the substitution task elicits far more antonyms than can be expected on the basis of actual contextual similarities of antonyms. The collocational study involves no editing and gives statistics on text frequencies regardless of the grammatical class of the forms. In connected discourse, nouns, verbs, indefinite pronouns, determiners, prepositions, auxiliaries, nominative pronouns, and copulas are most frequent, with adjectives and adverbs relatively infrequent. For all stimulus words, except verbs and gerunds, there is a significant positive relation between association and substitution, that is, the use of semantically and grammatically paradigmatic words as associates. Where there is high commonality in substitutions, responses tend to be paradigmatic. Where there is a high primary in the precontext or high commonality in the five most common postcontexts, the responses tend to be syntagmatic.
One summer to change: Fat temporality and coming of age in I Used to Be Fat and Huge

ABSTRACTIn popular culture, fatness is often presented as a barrier to achieving life milestones, particularly independent adulthood. The author draws on theories of fat temporality to explore coming of age in two television series, I Used to Be Fat and Huge, which portray fat teenagers in summer weight loss settings. I Used to Be Fat utilizes the before/after temporality of the makeover to present weight loss as a necessary rite of passage for its protagonists. Huge, on the other hand, disrupts makeover temporality, allowing characters to develop an embodied present and to imagine alternative trajectories beyond weight loss.
It's time to consider pharmacotherapy for obesity.

Consider using chronic weight-loss medications as adjunctive therapy if lifestyle and behavioral strategies are ineffective.
Raster sampling of soil profiles

Abstract Three soil profiles in Wisconsin, USA, were sampled using a 10 × 10 cm raster: a Mollisol (1 × 1 m), Alfisol (1 × 1 m), and Entisol (1 × 0.5 m). The soils were described in the field, and samples were taken from the center of each cell. Soil organic carbon concentration, texture, and color were measured and used to revise field-delineated horizons and their boundaries. Using soil texture, an Eb horizon was identified on the raster maps in the upper part of the field-delineated Btb horizon of the Mollisol. Soil color, soil texture, and Ti showed little lateral variation. The pH tended to vary the most laterally. The raster method characterizes soil profiles in two dimensions and can be used to quantify lateral variation and improve field delineation of soil horizons.
Draw & Dance: Voice-controlled AR Assistant

We introduce an Augmented Reality (AR) assistant that reacts to your voice, music and sound. The user can draw and place stick figures in the environment that will dance to the music and respond to specific commands. The stick figure characters can also augment a Google Home by taking its place on top of the speaker and moving in response to the rhythm of the music. They will also change their accessories and clothing depending on the genre of the music, play instruments or change their dancing style. We explore how voice UI may benefit from a visual component that re-enforces a mental model for otherwise structureless interactions. The lack of a visual representation of voice assistants can make the adoption and learning curve slower. Our system can help to discover capabilities of a physical tethered device that otherwise would be imperceptible. We present the first system that embodies a voice-controlled speaker using an AR smart avatar.
A Framework for Quality K-12 Engineering Education: Research and Development

AbstractRecent U.S. national documents have laid the foundation for highlighting the connection between science, technology, engineering andmathematics at the K-12 level. However, there is not a clear definition or a well-established tradition of what constitutes a qualityengineering education at the K-12 level. The purpose of the current work has been the development of a framework for describing whatconstitutes a quality K-12 engineering education. The framework presented in this paper is the result of a research project focused onunderstanding and identifying the ways in which teachers and schools implement engineering and engineering design in their classrooms.The development of the key indicators that are included in the framework were determined based on an extensive review of the literature,established criteria for undergraduate and professional organizations, document content analysis of state academic content standards inscience, mathematics, and technology, and in consultation with experts in the fields of engineering and engineering education. Theframework is designed to be used as a tool for evaluating the degree to which academic standards, curricula, and teaching practicesaddress the important components of a quality K-12 engineering education. Additionally, this framework can be used to inform thedevelopment and structure of future K-12 engineering and STEM education standards and initiatives.
Safe and Effective Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth Factor (VEGF)-based Therapeutic Angiogenesis for Ischemic Stroke: Insights from Preclinical Trials

A major problem facing ischemic stroke therapy is the lack of treatments that directly restore the anatomy and physiology of the injured neurovascular unit. Therapeutic angiogenesis emerged as a potential treatment for ischemic stroke after preclinical studies demonstrated that neovascularization induced by angiogenic pharmacological agents is associated with neuroprotection. This chapter discusses the: (1) epidemiology of ischemic stroke and the limitations of current treatments, (2) neuroprotection and therapeutic angiogenesis as new treatments for ischemic stroke, (3) biology of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and how VEGF has become a prime candidate for therapeutic angiogenesis, (4) potential clinical benefits and adverse effects of VEGF-based therapeutic angiogenesis for ischemic stroke, and (5) gaps in knowledge requiring further preclinical investigations before VEGF-based therapeutic angiogenesis can be considered safe and effective to begin clinical trials for ischemic stroke patients. The unresolved issues in the preclinical trials are whether: (A) VEGF-based therapeutic angiogenesis promotes or hinders neuroprotection, (B) doses of VEGF not demonstrating adverse effects at the light microscopy level associated with clinically-significant ultrastructural alterations of the neurovascular unit, (C) VEGF combination therapy provide greater neuroprotection over VEGF monotherapy without additional adverse effects, (D) different isoforms of VEGF produce different therapeutic outcomes, and how the most beneficial isoform affects the anatomy and physiology of other organs, (E) VEGF-based therapeutic angiogenesis affects systemic hemodynamics, (F) different animal models of ischemic stroke produce similar favorable or adverse outcomes, including the influences of age, gender and coexisting chronic diseases, (G) gene therapy and stem cells are beneficial for VEGF-based therapeutic angiogenesis for stroke.
A Political Ontological Approach to Decolonization of Ethnographic Research in Education

This chapter addresses the relationship between modernity and the coloniality of being and knowing, and argues for a political ontological ethnographic approach to conceptualize “culture” as politically dynamic. This ethnographic approach to the production of knowledge in educational contexts seeks to disrupt cultural depictions of inferiority, demythify modernity’s dominant narrative, discourses, and practices by engaging in a sociology of absence and emergence. A political ontological ethnographic approach carries many implications for education research that informs knowledge valued in K-12 contexts in that it underscores the ways in which “other” stories and enactments enter conflicting relationships in the politically charged institutional spaces of schools.
HTML5 Jumpstart

HTML5, the first new version of the standard since 1999, is expected to become a W3C Recommendation in 2014. Although still a work in progress, HTML5 is already enjoying widespread adoption.
β-cyclocitral is a natural root growth regulator

Abstract Natural compounds capable of increasing root depth and branching are desirable tools for enhancing stress tolerance in crops. We devised a sensitized screen to identify natural metabolites capable of regulating root traits in Arabidopsis. Application of nanomolar concentrations of β-cyclocitral were found to promote cell divisions in root meristems, stimulating branching and growth. β-cyclocitral had a conserved effect on root growth in tomato and rice. β-cyclocitral fundamentally altered root system architecture in rice, generating deeper and more compact root systems without affecting shoot growth. Importantly, β-cyclocitral treatment enhanced root growth under abiotic stress conditions in rice. These results indicate that β-cyclocitral is a conserved regulator of root growth across monocots and dicots and could be a valuable tool to shield crops from environmental stress. One Sentence Summary β-cyclocitral, a metabolite of β-carotene, was identified as a conserved enhancer of root growth and branching using a sensitized chemical screen.
Techno-economic modeling and optimization of catalytic reactive distillation for the esterification reactions in bio-oil upgradation

Abstract Equilibrium reactive distillation (RD) process simulation and economic evaluation were carried out for the esterification of complex mixtures of several fatty acids and water (representative of crude bio-oils) with n-butanol using Aspen PLUS process simulator and economic analyzer. Complete design and optimization were carried out using evolutionary techniques from simplest system to the most rigorous one with introduction of intermittent progressive complexity. Prior to distillation design, esterification reaction kinetics and binary/ternary interactions were analyzed using Aspen RGibbs reactor module and Property PLUS, respectively. Simple distillation column was designed and optimized to obtain the initial trial parameters to be used in RD simulation. UNIQUAC is used as base property method and reaction equilibria estimated by minimization of Gibbs free energy. Near atmospheric column pressure, reflux ratio of 0.95, distillate to feed ratio of 0.505 and total 18 stages were found to be optimum based on attainable reaction conversion, ester separation, heat duties, and capital and operating costs. The effects of n-butanol:acid feeding ratio and water percent in bio-oil and their relationship were also analyzed to predict n-butanol requirement. The results of this study, including the optimized parameters, could serve as design platforms for pyrolysis bio-oil upgradation to transportation fuels.
Using R and Bioconductor in Clinical Genomics and Transcriptomics

Bioinformatics pipelines are essential in the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data generated by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Recent guidelines emphasize the need for rigorous validation and assessment of robustness, reproducibility, and quality of NGS analytic pipelines intended for clinical use. Software tools written in the R statistical language and, in particular, the set of tools available in the Bioconductor repository are widely used in research bioinformatics; and these frameworks offer several advantages for use in clinical bioinformatics, including the breath of available tools, modular nature of software packages, ease of installation, enforcement of interoperability, version control, and short learning curve. This review provides an introduction to R and Bioconductor software, its advantages and limitations for clinical bioinformatics, and illustrative examples of tools that can be used in various steps of NGS analysis.
Localized singlets and ferromagnetic fluctuations in the dilute magnetic topological insulator Sn 0.95 Mn 0.05 Te

The development of long-range ferromagnetic (FM) order in dilute magnetic topological insulators can induce dissipationless electronic surface transport via the quantum anomalous Hall effect. We measure the magnetic excitations in a prototypical magnetic topological crystalline insulator, ${\mathrm{Sn}}_{0.95}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.05}\mathrm{Te}$, using inelastic neutron scattering. Neutron diffraction and magnetization data indicate that our ${\mathrm{Sn}}_{0.95}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.05}\mathrm{Te}$ sample has no FM long-range order above a temperature of 2 K. However, we observe slow, collective FM fluctuations $(l70\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{eV})$, indicating proximity to FM order. We also find a series of sharp peaks originating from local excitations of antiferromagnetically (AF) coupled and isolated Mn-Mn dimers with ${J}_{\mathrm{AF}}=460\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{eV}$. The simultaneous presence of collective and localized components in the magnetic spectra highlight different roles for substituted Mn ions, with competition between FM order and the formation of AF-coupled Mn-Mn dimers.
Intracranial high-resolution vessel wall imaging in CADASIL.

A 64-year-old man with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) (heterozygous, c.544C>T; p.Arg182Cys) underwent an intracranial high-resolution black-blood protocoled vessel wall MRI (vwMRI). Intramural patchy gadolinium enhancement in the subcortical and leptomeningeal arteries and veins was noted, consistent with the histopathologic findings of CADASIL (figures 1 and 2).1,2 We hypothesize that vwMRI allowed for an in vivo view of the vasculopathy intrinsic to CADASIL. Pending investigation of larger cohorts, this imaging technique may provide a novel mechanism for understanding CADASIL progression and pathogenesis, as well as potentially serving as a biomarker in future disease modification trials and aiding in the differential diagnosis for interpreting clinicians.
Exposure to Type-I Collagen Induces Maturation of Mouse Liver Dendritic Cell Progenitors

Liver interstitial dendritic cells (DC), are localized in the connective tissue comprising the portal triads, and have been characterized by immunohistochemical studies both in rodents (1,2) and humans (3). There are however, few published data on the in vitro properties of liver-derived DC (4) and no reports of attempts to propagate DC lineage cells from normal liver.
Plant Root Systems Preserved in the Permian Cedar Mesa Sandstone at Moki Dugway, Southeastern Utah

Rooted green plants represent the base of the food chain for most terrestrial ecosystems, but, compared to animal burrows, root systems are relatively rarely recognized in ancient sedimentary rocks. Plant roots that penetrate unconsolidated sand dunes, especially those containing not only quartz grains, but also abundant grains of calcite (CaCO) are commonly replaced by fine crystals of calcite (Klappa, 1980). These structures (known by geologists as rhizoliths from the Greek for “root rock”) are one form of calcite cemented soil and sediment called caliche. Caliche crystallizes well above the water table and its calcite crystals are tiny because of rapid evaporation of soil water. One source of the calcium (Ca) and carbonate (CO) ions necessary for making the calcite of caliche is falling dust, and another source is the dissolution of calcite grains already in the soil.
Conditions of radical care: a response to Asha Bhandary’s Freedom to Care

This article claims that Asha Bhandary’s theory of justice in Freedom to Care: Liberalism, Dependency Care, and Culture is right to stress the interdependency of justice and care in addressing stru...
Reproductive Aging Among Sexual Minority Women

The purpose of this review is to provide readers with an overview of research on reproductive aging among sexual minority women (SMW; women who do not identify as exclusively heterosexual, and report same-sex sexual behaviors or same-sex attraction). SMW report health behaviors and risk profiles suggesting they may experience earlier onset of menopause and more severe menopause-related symptoms than heterosexual women. SMW may also have unique forms of resilience related to their sexual orientation that buffer the social-psychological stressors associated with menopause. No systematic studies of sexual orientation–related disparities in menopause or its associated symptoms exist. More research is needed to understand the SMW’s unique forms of stress and coping mechanisms related to menopause.
Vitamin D as a Potential Preventive Agent For Young Women's Breast Cancer.

Clinical studies backed by research in animal models suggest that vitamin D may protect against the development of breast cancer, implicating vitamin D as a promising candidate for breast cancer prevention. However, despite clear pre-clinical evidence showing protective roles for vitamin D, broadly targeted clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation have yielded conflicting findings, highlighting the complexity of translating pre-clinical data to efficacy in humans. While vitamin D supplementation targeted to high-risk populations is a strategy anticipated to increase prevention efficacy, a complimentary approach is to target transient, developmental windows of elevated breast cancer risk. Postpartum mammary gland involution represents a developmental window of increased breast cancer promotion that may be poised for vitamin D supplementation. Targeting the window of involution with short-term vitamin D intervention may offer a simple, cost-effective approach for the prevention of breast cancers that develop postpartum. In this review, we highlight epidemiologic and preclinical studies linking vitamin D deficiency with breast cancer development. We discuss the underlying mechanisms through which vitamin D deficiency contributes to cancer development, with an emphasis on the anti-inflammatory activity of vitamin D. We also discuss current evidence for vitamin D as an immunotherapeutic agent and the potential for vitamin D as a preventative strategy for young woman's breast cancer.
Sequential deep learning from NTSB reports for aviation safety prognosis

Abstract In this paper, we apply a set of data-mining and sequential deep learning techniques to accident investigation reports published by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in support of the prognosis of adverse events. Our focus is on learning with text data that describes the sequences of events. NTSB creates post hoc investigation reports which contain raw text narratives of their investigation and their corresponding concise event sequences. Classification models are developed for passenger air carriers, that take either an observed sequence of events or the corresponding raw text narrative as input and make predictions regarding whether an accident or an incident is the likely outcome, whether the aircraft would be damaged or not and whether any fatalities are likely or not. The classification models are developed using Word Embedding and the Long Short-term Memory (LSTM) neural network. The proposed methodology is implemented in two steps: (i) transform the NTSB data extracts into labeled dataset for building supervised machine learning models; and (ii) develop deep learning (DL) models for performing prognosis of adverse events like accidents, aircraft damage or fatalities. We also develop a prototype for an interactive query interface for end-users to test various scenarios including complete or partial event sequences or narratives and get predictions regarding the adverse events. The development of sequential deep learning models facilitates safety professionals in auditing, reviewing, and analyzing accident investigation reports, performing what-if scenario analyses to quantify the contributions of various hazardous events to the occurrence of aviation accidents/incidents.
Does Nubility Indicate More Than High Reproductive Value? Nubile Primiparas’ Pregnancy Outcomes in Evolutionary Perspective:

The idea that human males are most strongly attracted to traits that peak in women in the nubile age group raises the question of how well women in that age group contend with the potential hazards of a first pregnancy. Using data for 1.7 million first births from 1990 U.S. natality and mortality records, we compared outcomes for women with first births (primiparas) aged 16-20 years (when first births typically occur in forager and subsistence groups) with those aged 21-25 years. The younger primiparas had a much lower risk of potentially life-threatening complications of labor and delivery and, when evolutionarily novel risk factors were controlled, fetuses which were significantly more likely to survive despite lower birth weights. Thus, nubile primiparas were more likely to have a successful reproductive outcome defined in an evolutionarily relevant way (an infant of normal birth weight and gestation, surviving to one year, and delivered without a medically necessary cesarean delivery). This suggests that prior to the widespread availability of surgical deliveries, men who mated with women in the nubile age group would have reaped the benefit of having a reproductive partner more likely to have a successful first pregnancy.
MO‐AB‐BRA‐07: Prompt Gamma‐Ray Spectroscopy for Range Verification of Clinical Proton Beams

Purpose: We developed a pre-clinical prototype system for range verification of proton pencil-beam scanning fields. The system was evaluated using phantom treatment plans delivered with a clinical dose rate. Methods: The absolute range of proton pencil-beams was verified through an optimization procedure, which matches energy- and time-resolved prompt gamma-ray measurements with models, based on cross sections for discrete prompt gamma-ray line excitations. Phantom experiments were performed with a pre-clinical prototype detector, using treatment plans delivered with a clinical pencil-beam scanning system. The detector consisted of an actively shielded lanthanum(III) bromide scintillator. Tungsten was used to collimate the gamma-rays. To support high event rates, the detector readout featured custom amplifiers and an active voltage divider for the photomultiplier. The detector signals were acquired by fast analog-to-digital converters and processed using digital algorithms. The data acquisition was also synchronized with the pencil-beam scanning and dosimetry systems. Results: We successfully acquired prompt gamma-ray spectra during the delivery of proton pencil-beams with a clinical beam current of 2 nA at the exit of the treatment head. The number of events in the primary detector ranged from 1 x 10⁶ to 2 x 10⁶ per second. In phantom experiments, non-uniform range errors were introduced by placing strips of plastic in the beam path. The magnitudes and positions of these range errors were correctly detected in two-dimensional range maps that were generated from the measurements. With our small scale prototype, a 1.0 mm standard deviation on the absolute range required about 5 x 10⁸ protons per delivered pencil-beam. Conclusions: Prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy to verify the absolute range of proton beams was demonstrated under clinical pencil-beam delivery conditions. A 1 mm to 2 mm range verification accuracy for a field delivering 1 Gy, appears feasible with a full scale system. This work was supported by the Federal Share of program income earned on C06-CA059267, Proton Therapy Research and Treatment Center.
Under the Influence: from the Provirus Hypothesis to Multistep Carcinogenesis

A part of a first group at University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) worked on the early events in retrovirus replication that result in the establishment of a provirus. Another part worked on aspects of proviral gene expression, especially mechanisms, such as ribosomal frameshifting, that permit synthesis of the viral enzymes required for forming a provirus. Yet another portion of the group studied the oncogenic consequences of proviral integration, including insertional activation and the capture of host proto-oncogenes. All of these components, arrayed around a schematic drawing of a provirus, revealed the depth of commitment to Teminism. The idea that insertional activation of proto-oncogenes might constitute the first step in a cancerous process initiated by retroviruses lacking viral oncogenes took flight with the demonstration that avian leukosis viruses augment expression of the c-myc proto-oncogene by nearby integration of its provirus. These findings stimulated similar work with the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), resulting in the discovery of the Wnt-1 gene, the first cloned member of a large gene family known to govern early developmental events in diverse organisms. In the studies the first group has moved beyond the study of MMTV proviruses as insertional mutagens to consider more broadly the multistep nature of mammary carcinogenesis in hopes of understanding the genetic and physiological events that produce premalignant lesions, primary cancers, and metastases in human beings as well as mice.
Calculation of time of concentration for hydrologic design and analysis using geographic information system vector objects

Synthetic unit hydrographs are commonly used to estimate runoff from rainfall events in a hydrologic analysis. A key parameter required as part of any hydrologic analysis using a synthetic unit hydrograph is time of concentration or lag time. Generally, equations used to compute time of concentration or lag time are empirically derived from basin parameters such as area, slope, and a specific flow path length. A more realistic method for determination of flow path travel time is to divide the flow path according to different hydraulic conditions such as sheet flow, shallow concentrated flow and open channel flow as specified in the NRCS method using TR55. Such equations are all based on flow length and the slope of the flow path, two parameters that are easily calculated from GIS vector objects. A method is presented that uses GIS vector objects with equations assigned for the calculation of time of concentration or lag time for use in hydrologic analysis and design.
Uso da Região Ventroglútea como Alternativa para Administração de Imunobiológicos: Uma Revisão Bibliográfica

A administracao de imunobiologicos e uma atividade que deve ser desempenhada por profissionais com dominio de habilidades e conhecimento. Para escolha do local de aplicacao das mais diversas vacinas, criterios como menor reatogenicidade e melhor imunogenicidade devem ser considerados. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar as evidencias disponiveis na literatura sobre a administracao de imunobiologicos na regiao ventroglutea, ressaltando as vantagens e desvantagens desta via. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa descritiva de natureza bibliografica realizada por meio das bases de dados. Foram pesquisados artigos que estudaram a utilizacao da regiao ventroglutea como area de escolha para administracao de injetaveis. O estudo demonstrou apesar de ser uma regiao segura para administracao de vacinas, ainda nao e bem aceita pelos profissionais de saude.Palavras-chaves: vacina, ventrogluetaABSTRACTThe administration of immunobiological is an activity that should beperformed by professionals with domain knowledge and skills. To choose thesite of application of various vaccines, criteria such as low reactogenicity andimmunogenicity best should be considered. This study aimed to investigate theevidence available in the literature on the management of the immunobiologicalventrogluteal site, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of this route.This was a descriptive nature of bibliographic through databases. We searchedarticles that studied the use of ventrogluteal site as an area of choice forintravenous administration. The study demonstrated despite being a safe regionfor vaccine administration, yet not well accepted by health professionals.KEYWORDS: vaccine, ventrogluteal
Estradiol protects against ATP depletion, mitochondrial membrane potential decline and the generation of reactive oxygen species induced by 3-nitroproprionic acid in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells

Mitochondria are recognized as modulators of neuronal viability during ischemia, hypoxia and toxic chemical exposure, wherein mitochondria dysfunction leading to ATP depletion may be a common pathway of cell death. Estrogens have been reported to be neuroprotective and proposed to play a role in the modulation of cerebral energy/glucose metabolism. To address the involvement of 17β-estradiol preservation of mitochondrial function, we examined various markers of mitochondrial activity in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells exposed to 3-nitroproprionic acid (3-NPA), a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor which uncouples oxidative phosphorylation. 3-NPA (10 mm) significantly increased ATP levels at 2 h then caused a 40% and a 50% decrease in ATP levels from baseline when treated for 12 h and 24 h, respectively. 3-NPA also induced significant increases in levels of cellular hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite at 2 h and a 60% decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) at 12 h exposure. 17β-Estradiol (17β-E2) pretreatment restored the ATP level back to 80% at 12 h of that in control cells treated with 3-NPA but without E2, blunted the effect of 3-NPA on MMP and reactive oxygen species levels. The present study indicates that 17β-E2 can preserve mitochondrial function in the face of inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation.
Studies in acute iron poisoning. II. Further observations on desferrioxamine in the treatment of acute experimental iron poisoning.

Up to 50% of acutely iron-poisoned dogs survived when treated with various dosages of intravenous and intestinal desferrioxamine and supportive therapy. These results support the current optimism relative to the value of this drug in the treatment of acute iron poisoning in children. The results of the use of adjuvants with intestinal and intravenous desferrioxamine were not encouraging. Corticosteroids and hemodialysis did not improve the survival rate and levarterenol worsened it. It was confirmed that the iron desferrioxamine complex is absorbed and that both desferrioxamine and ferrioxamine can exhibit toxicity.