cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applying superresolution localization‐based microscopy to neurons

Proper brain function requires the precise localization of proteins and signaling molecules on a nanometer scale. The examination of molecular organization at this scale has been difficult in part because it is beyond the reach of conventional, diffraction-limited light microscopy. The recently developed method of superresolution, localization-based fluorescent microscopy (LBM), such as photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), has demonstrated a resolving power at a 10 nm scale and is poised to become a vital tool in modern neuroscience research. Indeed, LBM has revealed previously unknown cellular architectures and organizational principles in neurons. Here, we discuss the principles of LBM, its current applications in neuroscience, and the challenges that must be met before its full potential is achieved. We also present the unpublished results of our own experiments to establish a sample preparation procedure for applying LBM to study brain tissue.
Dose effects of modified alternate-day fasting regimens on in vivo cell proliferation and plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 in mice

Reduced cell proliferation is associated with lower cancer risk. Alternate-day fasting (ADF), defined as alternating 24-h periods of ad libitum feeding and fasting, decreases cell proliferation. The effect of modified regimens of ADF on cell proliferation, however, has not been examined. This study measured the effects of modified ADF regimens on prostate and splenic T-cell proliferation and circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in mice. In a 4-wk study, 24 male C57BL/6J mice were randomized to one of four interventions: 1) ADF-25% [25% calorie restriction (CR) on fast day], 2) ADF-50% (50% CR on fast day), 3) ADF-100% (100% CR on fast day), and 4) control. Body weight of the ADF-100% group was less (P < 0.005) than that of the ADF-25% and ADF-50% groups posttreatment. On the feast day, the ADF-100% and ADF-50% groups ate 85% and 45% more food, respectively, than controls, indicating a hyperphagic response to fasting. Proliferation rates of T-cells were 6% and 30% lower (P < 0.05) in the ADF-50% and ADF-100% groups, respectively, relative to controls. Prostate cell proliferation was reduced (P < 0.05) by 49% in the ADF-100% group, relative to controls, but did not change in the other groups. IGF-1 levels were reduced (P < 0.05) by 40%, relative to controls, in the ADF-100% group. These findings confirm the beneficial effects of ADF-100% on cancer risk by decreasing cell proliferation and IGF-1 levels and suggest that modified ADF regimens comprising 25-50% CR on the fast day do not replicate these effects.
Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Multispecies Plant-Animal Interactions

▪ Abstract Ecologists and evolutionary biologists are broadly interested in how the interactions among organisms influence their abundance, distribution, phenotypes, and genotypic composition. Recently, we have seen a growing appreciation of how multispecies interactions can act synergistically or antagonistically to alter the ecological and evolutionary outcomes of interactions in ways that differ fundamentally from outcomes predicted by pairwise interactions. Here, we review the evidence for criteria identified to detect community-based, diffuse coevolution. These criteria include (a) the presence of genetic correlations between traits involved in multiple interactions, (b) interactions with one species that alter the likelihood or intensity of interactions with other species, and (c) nonadditive combined effects of multiple interactors. In addition, we review the evidence that multispecies interactions have demographic consequences for populations, as well as evolutionary consequences. Finally, we expl...
Rigidity Sensing at the Leading Edge through αvβ3 Integrins and RPTPα

Cells require optimal substrate stiffness for normal function and differentiation. The mechanisms for sensing matrix rigidity and durotaxis, however, are not clear. Here we showed that control, Shp2-/-, integrin beta1-/-, and talin1-/- cell lines all spread to a threefold greater area on fibronectin (FN)-coated rigid polyacrylamide surfaces than soft. In contrast, RPTPalpha-/- cells spread to the same area irrespective of rigidity on FN surfaces but spread 3x greater on rigid collagen IV-coated surfaces than soft. RPTPalpha and alphavbeta3 integrins were shown previously to be colocalized at leading edges and antibodies to alphavbeta3 blocked FN rigidity sensing. When FN beads were held with a rigid laser trap at the leading edge, stronger bonds to the cytoskeleton formed than when held with a soft trap; whereas back from the leading edge and in RPTPalpha-/- cells, weaker bonds were formed with both rigid and soft laser traps. From the rigidity of the trap, we calculate that a force of 10 pN generated in 1 s is sufficient to activate the rigidity response. We suggest that RPTPalpha and alphavbeta3 at the leading edge are critical elements for sensing FN matrix rigidity possibly through SFK activation at the edge and downstream signaling.
Gli3-mediated repression of Hedgehog targets is required for normal mammary development

The Hedgehog pathway is vital for the development of many epidermal appendages, but its role in mammary development has been unclear. Here, we show that although Gli2 and Gli3 are expressed during embryonic mammary development, transcriptional reporters of positive Hedgehog signaling are absent. Nevertheless, Gli3(xt/xt) embryos show aberrant early mammary marker expression and lack two pairs of mammary buds, demonstrating that Gli3 is essential for mammary bud formation and preceding patterning events. Misactivation of the Hedgehog pathway by targeted expression of the constitutive activator Gli1, from the Gli2 promoter in Gli3(xt/+) mice, also induces mammary bud loss. Moreover, loss of Gli3 expression induces Gli1 misexpression in mammary mesenchyme. These results establish that the essential function of Gli3 during embryonic mammary development is to repress Hedgehog/Gli1-inducible targets. During postnatal mammary development, Gli2 and Gli3 are expressed in stromal and myoepithelial cells, and Gli3 is also found within the lumenal epithelium. Again, transcriptional reporters of positive Hedgehog signaling are absent from these cell types, yet are expressed robustly within mammary lymphatics. Thus, positive Hedgehog signaling is absent throughout mammary development, distinguishing the mammary gland from other epidermal appendages, such as hair follicles, which require Hedgehog pathway activity.
Specific Challenges During Neuroradiological Interventions in Pediatric Patients

Interventional radiology procedures performed on the brain and spinal cord of ­children may be diagnostic, therapeutic, or palliative, and may be performed on either a “stand alone” basis or combined with an open surgical procedure. Most procedures are performed with high speed fluoroscopy and digital subtraction angiography for imaging, and the use of microcatheters that permit superselective catheterization of blood vessels.
Language, Thought, and Communication

In a well-known, nearly infamous, passage in the Discourse on Method (1637), Descartes issues this argument: ... if there were machines which bore a resemblance to our body and imitated our actions as far as it was morally possible to do so, we should always have two very certain tests by which to recognise that, for all that, they were not real men. The first is, that they could never use speech or other signs as we do when placing our thoughts on record for the benefit of others. For we can easily understand a machine’s being constituted so that it can utter words... for instance, if it is touched in a particular part it may ask what we wish to say to it; if in another part it may exclaim that it is being hurt, and so on. But it never happens that it arranges its speech in various ways, in order to reply appropriately to everything that may be said in its presence, as even the lowest type of man can do. And the second difference is, that although machines can perform certain things as well as or perhaps better than any of us can do, they infallibly fall short in others, by the which means we may discover that they did not act from knowledge, but only from the disposition of their organs. For while reason is a universal instrument which can serve for all contingencies, these organs have need of some special adaptation for every particular action (Haldane and Ross 1973, p. 116).
Northern and southern blotting and the polymerase chain reaction to detect gene expression.

For cancer cells to form a metastasis, cells from the primary tumor must overcome the local adhesive forces, migrate and invade the microcirculation, arrest at a secondary site, and then finally proliferate (1). As implied by its mult]step nature, cancer metastasis is a complex and dynamic process that is likely to be regulated by a series of genes at each step (2). A variety of approaches have been used to discern the molecular events that regulate this process. It is likely that the ability of a cancer cell to form clinically detectable metastases is influenced by a variety of factors, including alt]rations in the pattern of gene expression within the cancer cell. Such changes could be the result]of genetic or epigenetic modifications (3). Alt]ough there has been a growing emphasis on array-based techniques for high-throughput screening of gene expression patterns, there are several well established protocols that can be used to identify such molecular changes. This chapter describes two of these techniques: Northern and Southern blotting.E. M. Southern first described a method for immobilizing size-fractionated DNA fragments on a nitrocellulose membrane in 1975. Since then, a number of different variations of this blotting method have been developed, as well as a variety of ways by which scientists can generate and hybridize probes to detect specifically the sequences thus immobilized. Southern blotting is now a general term for a number of different methods by which DNA is transferred from a gel to a membrane, and because nitrocellulose is relatively fragile, improved membranes have been developed that are more durable and that have been optimized for allowing binding of nucleic acids.
Mode and tempo of sequence and floral evolution within the Anserineae

The Chenopodiaceae Tribe Anserineae Dumort was proposed to include the genus Spinacia and the genus Blitum. In addition to the recent domestication of Spinacia, the tribe demonstrates extensive evolution within its floral development. We test whether the development of dioecy, monoecy, and protogyny is reflected differentially among floral developmental versus non-floral developmental genes, and whether recent domestication leaves traces in the phylogenetic relationship within the genus Spinacia. The phylogenetic predictions consistently support the sister relationship of Spinacia sp. to a Blitum clade consisting of Blitum bonus-henricus, Blitum virgatum, and Blitum nuttallianum. Relative rates tests indicate a generally faster rate of nucleotide substitutions within Spinacia. Tests of selection indicate that there is generally purifying selection acting on the sequences. In addition, insertion/deletion (indel) events occur more prominently within the Spinacia clade and occur in both coding and intron regions. The phylogenetic relationships within this tribe calls into question the hypothesis that dioecy in Spinacia evolved from a monoecious grade. The evidence for purifying selection in Spinacia suggests that the increased nucleotide substitution rates are not driving protein evolution, in contrast to evidence of protein sequence and structure evolution driven by indels. There is no footprint of domestication on sequence evolution, and we cannot detect phylogenetic signals that would support separation of the Spinacia accessions into three distinct taxa.
Designing cost-effective coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture

Application-specific optimization of embedded systems becomes inevitable to satisfy the market demand for designers to meet tighter constraints on cost, performance and power. On the other hand, the flexibility of a system is also important to accommodate the short time-to-market requirements for embedded systems. To compromise these incompatible demands, coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture (CGRA) has emerged as a suitable solution. A typical CGRA requires many processing elements (PEs) and a configuration cache for reconfiguration of its PE array. However, such a structure consumes significant area and power. Therefore, designing cost-effective CGRA has been a serious concern for reliability of CGRA-based embedded systems. As an effort to provide such cost-effective design, the first half of this work focuses on reducing power in the configuration cache. For power saving in the configuration cache, a low power reconfiguration technique is presented based on reusable context pipelining achieved by merging the concept of context reuse into context pipelining. In addition, we propose dynamic context compression capable of supporting only required bits of the context words set to enable and the redundant bits set to disable. Finally, we provide dynamic context management capable of reducing reduce power consumption in configuration cache by controlling a read/write operation of the redundant context words. In the second part of this dissertation, we focus on designing a cost-effective PE array to reduce area and power. For area and power saving in a PE array, we devise a cost-effective array fabric addresses novel rearrangement of processing elements and their interconnection designs to reduce area and power consumption. In addition, hierarchical reconfigurable computing arrays are proposed consisting of two reconfigurable computing blocks with two types of communication structure together. The two computing blocks have shared critical resources and such a sharing structure provides efficient communication interface between them with reducing overall area. Based on the proposed design approaches, a CGRA combining the multiple design schemes is shown to verify the synergy effect of the integrated approach. Experimental results show that the integrated approach reduces area by 23.07% and power by up to 72% when compared with the conventional CGRA.
Identifying The Value Premium: A Test of Mutual Fund Performance Measures

This paper extends recent discussion on the effectiveness of mutual fund performance measures. We utilize the well-known value premium to examine the ability of mutual fund performance measures to distinguish between the results of value funds and growth funds. Specifically, we examine the effectiveness of mutual fund performance measures over a sample period where value outperforms growth without question, where such measures ought to identify the superior performance of value funds. We find that the Capital Asset Pricing Model successfully identifies superior performance of value funds. The Fama-French three-factor model, on the other hand, provides an inaccurate comparison. We conclude that measurement using the Fama-French three-factor model is biased against value funds and should not be used to judge the performance of value funds, or in general, funds containing a significant proportion of value securities. We suggest that a similar bias would exist for mutual funds holding small-firm securities.
Microprogrammed Arrays

The logical organization of a programmable cellular array is presented and discussed. This array is a two-dimensional array of identical cells, each of which can be programmed to one of 12 functional states. It is shown that by appropriate selection of the cell states, a useful class of microprograms can be realized with the array. The realization of a microprogram consists of two steps. First, each of the microinstructions of the program are implemented in a row of the array. Second, the control structure of the microprogram is realized by using some of the cells at the left end of each row to generate the control signals for the row.
Abstract 427: Targeted inhibition of the mTOR complex components, RAPTOR and RICTOR, attenuates progression of colorectal cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) acts downstream of PI3K to regulate cell growth, proliferation and survival. The mTOR kinase nucleates two distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. The mTOR-RAPTOR complex (mTORC1) regulates translation initiation through the effectors S6K and 4E-BP1, while the mTOR-RICTOR complex (mTORC2) regulates the actin cytoskeleton and activates Akt, a key regulator of cell survival. Rapamycin inhibits the kinase activity of mTORC1; prolonged rapamycin treatment also inhibits mTORC2 assembly and Akt activation in certain cells. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of targeting mTORC1 and mTORC2 upon progression of CRCs. METHODS. HCT116 and SW480 human colon cancer cells were treated with rapamycin. Cells were also transfected with shRNA directed against RAPTOR or RICTOR. Effects on migration (measured by wound healing assay) and invasion (measured by transwell matrigel assay) were analyzed. Changes in actin cytoskeleton and cell-cell contacts were determined by immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS. (i) Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the mTORC1 and mTORC2 components, mTOR, RAPTOR and RICTOR, are overexpressed in primary CRCs and matched liver metastases compared to normal colonic tissue. (ii) Treatment with rapamycin significantly decreased the migration and invasion of HCT116 and SW480 cells. (iii) Stable shRNA-mediated knockdown of RAPTOR and RICTOR significantly decreased the migration and invasion of HCT116 and SW480 cells. (iv) Stable shRNA-mediated knockdown of RAPTOR and RICTOR leads to mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, as evidenced by increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin levels. (v) Stable shRNA-mediated knockdown of RAPTOR and RICTOR leads to characteristic rearrangements in actin cytoskeleton as well as increased cell-cell contact. CONCLUSIONS. The mTORC1 and mTORC2 components, mTOR, RAPTOR and RICTOR, are overexpressed in both primary CRCs as well as matched liver metastases. Although the mTOR signaling axis is primarily associated with growth of normal and cancer cells, we demonstrate that stable inhibition of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 decreases migration and invasion capabilities of CRC cells as well as causing a mesenchymal-to-epithelial change in phenotype. The mechanism for this decrease in migration and invasion may be via modulation of actin cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell-cell contact. Thus, targeted inhibition of mTOR signaling represents a novel therapeutic strategy to attenuate the progression and metastasis of CRCs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 427.
"Being conditioned, yet becoming strong": Asian American women in menopausal transition.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the menopausal symptom experiences of Asian American midlife women within the contexts of their daily lives using a feminist approach. Design: This was a qualitative online forum study among 13 Asian American women recruited through the Internet. Seven discussion topics related to the menopausal symptom experience were used, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Five themes emerged: (a) “being conditioned,” (b) “becoming strong,” (c) “appreciating,” (d) “without making a fuss,” and (e) “quiet support.” Discussion, Conclusion, and Implications for Practice: These themes represent the women’s marginalized but empowered experience during menopausal transition.
Time Zones, Game Start Times, and Team Performance Evidence From the NBA

Research has found that, controlling for team quality, National Basketball Association visiting teams win more often when playing to the east of their home time zones and less often when playing to the west. We reaffirm this finding for 1991-2002. We find that only these seasons’ day games, and not their far more frequent night games, featured a significant relationship between time zone and visiting team win probability. We hypothesize that some of these day-game effects were biological in origin. The 2002-2013 seasons featured no significant relationship between time zones and visiting team win probability for either day or night games.
The study of synthetic utilization of grape

To introduce nutritation and health function of grape, we discussed the developing and processing of grapes and proposed the countermeasures of processing grape and cevelopingfunctional ingradients of grape.
Effects of recombinant human hematopoietic growth factors on leukemic blasts from children with acute myeloblastic or lymphoblastic leukemia.

The responses of blast cells from 52 cases of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 81 cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) to 11 hematopoietic growth factors were determined using a 3 H-thymidine assay. There was considerable variation in the ability of growth factors to stimulate thymidine incorporation among individual cases of AML. Blasts from almost one half of the patients (25 out of 52) with AML were responsive to growth factors such as IL-3, G-CSF, or GM-CSF
The Magnetically Driven Direct Drive Approach to Ignition: Responses to Questions by Panel 1 of the FY15 ICF Program Review.

The long-term goal of the pulsed-­power based, magnetically driven target approach is to achieve high single­shot yields (0.5-­1 GJ per shot). This goal may take decades to achieve, but if successful we believe it would be a key capability for the Stockpile Stewardship program, as noted as far back as 1988 in the Laboratory Microfusion Capability Phase 1 (U) study. If this approach is successful, it may be possible to achieve these yields from targets absorbing up to 10 MJ in a laboratory pulsed power facility with a stored energy of roughly 130 MJ. Such a facility would be substantially cheaper, and not as complex, than the corresponding pulsed power facility required for producing comparable yields from x-ray driven capsule targets.
Unveiling Mesopore Evolution in Carbonized Wood: Interfacial Separation, Migration, and Degradation of Lignin Phase

Carbon porous structure can be generated by an activation process, either chemically or physically. However, it remains a challenge to understand the pore structure evolution especially in a physically thermal oxidation process. In this work, mesopore evolution is revealed in association with three distinct stages: phase separation, migration, and thermal degradation. Oxidation temperature (270–370 °C) and time (1–7 h) are employed to study the microstructure evolution in oxidative environment. Various characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been used to investigate the structural and compositional change during thermal oxidation. High surface area mesoporous carbon is successfully manufactured from natural wood via this green technique, which could be applied to synthesize other highly porous carbon materials from similar biomass resources.
Effects of international trafficking in arms regulations changes

Considering the impact of recent ITAR changes to the U.S. software industry and software education.
Expanding the Canon of Scottish Philosophy: The Case for Adding Lady Mary Shepherd

Lady Mary Shepherd (1777–1847) argued for distinctive accounts of causation, perception, and knowledge of an external world and God. However, her work, engaging with Berkeley and Hume but written after Kant, does not fit the standard periodisation of early modern philosophy presupposed by many philosophy courses, textbooks, and conferences. This paper argues that Shepherd should be added to the canon as a Scottish philosopher. The practical reason for doing so is that it would give Shepherd a disciplinary home, opening up additional possibilities for research and teaching. The philosophical reason is that her views share certain features characteristic of canonical Scottish philosophers.
The potential for host switching via ecological fitting in the emerald ash borer-host plant system

The traits used by phytophagous insects to find and utilize their ancestral hosts can lead to host range expansions, generally to closely related hosts that share visual and chemical features with ancestral hosts. Host range expansions often result from ecological fitting, which is the process whereby organisms colonize and persist in novel environments, use novel resources, or form novel associations with other species because of the suites of traits that they carry at the time they encounter the novel environment. Our objective in this review is to discuss the potential and constraints on host switching via ecological fitting in emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, an ecologically and economically important invasive wood boring beetle. Once thought of as an ash (Fraxinus spp.) tree specialist, recent studies have revealed a broader potential host range than was expected for this insect. We discuss the demonstrated host-use capabilities of this beetle, as well as the potential for and barriers to the adoption of additional hosts by this beetle. We place our observations in the context of biochemical mechanisms that mediate the interaction of these beetles with their host plants and discuss whether evolutionary host shifts are a possible outcome of the interaction of this insect with novel hosts.
Advances in Information Retrieval: Where Is That /#*&@¢ Record?

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses information retrieval system. Much effort goes into determining where to store information and how to retrieve it efficiently and effectively. The information retrieval system is a special class of information systems along with database management and question-answering systems. The key element that distinguishes information retrieval systems is the concept that the relevance of any given record to any specific query cannot be determined exactly. In recent years, many commercialized systems and theoretical approaches have emerged. Nevertheless, information retrieval is an interesting and challenging area of study and application, and it is an area currently in great flux. The chapter begins with discussion of various types of information systems that relate to information retrieval. This will be followed by a general discussion of some systems currently available in the marketplace. Then, the work being done in the areas of content analysis, including natural language applications, query processing, and systems evaluation, will be presented. Finally, current research efforts in related areas, such as artificial intelligence, and fuzzy subset theory, will be presented.
Perinatal Practices: A Biosocial Perspective

The perinatal practices of the Efe (Pygmies) of Northeastern Zaire are described and considered in terms of their relationship to models of human behavior. Efe practices are more consistent with the view that development occurs through the mutual regulation of behavioral strategies by parent and child than with a species prototypical bonding model. Some of the demands of the bonding model (i.e., continuous care, constant contact, frequent nursing) are satisfied by the Efe in ways not specified by it. Efe engage in a system of multiple caregiving and nursing beginning at birth and continuing through the first 6 months of the infant's life. These practices are shaped by many factors including socio-ecological constraints and the culture's valuation of sharing, co-operating and loyalty. Because perinatal as well as other child-care strategies are influenced by the range of environmental and biological constraints acting on individuals' we believe that categorical models of the genetic basis of these practices are at best incomplete and at worst misleading, and that a more flexible, strategic, regulatory model is needed.
Assessment of Anxiety with Asians

The Asian population is a considerably increasing minority group in the USA. Awareness of cross-cultural variations in mental health issues is critical because there is a considerable cross-cultural difference in the manifestation of symptoms. Recent studies reported that there is a substantial need for mental health care within the Asian population, because shame and stigma regarding psychological problems discourage them from reporting these problems and using mental health care. Among mental health problems, the Asian population has various types of anxiety disorders and culture-specific anxiety symptoms depending on their heritage and culture. It is important for effective treatment planning to assess anxiety disorders accurately with valid assessment tools. The psychometric properties of both English and other Asian language measures that have been standardized for an Asian population are discussed.
Depression in coronary heart disease. What is the appropriate diagnostic threshold

The purpose of this study was to determine the threshold at which depression becomes important for the daily functioning of patients with heart disease. Data from a 1-year prospective cohort study of health maintenance organization patients undergoing coronary angiography for coronary heart disease were analyzed for differences in a standardized composite measure of functioning. Patients with major depression (N=19) and patients with minor depression (N=28) were significantly more functionally impaired at baseline and at 1-year follow-up than those with no depression (N=110). The major and minor depression groups did not differ significantly. The significance of the depression group differences was reduced, but not eliminated, when controlling for differences in reported heart symptoms.
Entanglement of formation and concurrence

Entanglement of formation is one of three widely studied measures of entanglement of a general bipartite system. This paper reviews our current understanding of entanglement of formation and the related concept of concurrence, including discussions of additivity, the problem of finding explicit formulas, and connections between concurrence and other properties of bipartite states.
The introduced terrestrial slugs Ambigolimax nyctelius (Bourguignat, 1861) and Ambigolimax valentianus (Férussac, 1821) (Gastropoda: Limacidae) in California, with a discussion of taxonomy, systematics, and discovery by citizen science

ABSTRACTAmbigolimax valentianus and Ambigolimax nyctelius are synanthropic terrestrial slugs that have been dispersed widely by human activity. Herein, these species are reported from Los Angeles C...
Antiviral effects of blueberry proanthocyanidins against Aichi virus

Blueberry polyphenols are known for their high antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Aichi virus (AiV) is an emerging human enteric virus that causes gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. This study aimed to (1) determine the time- and dose-dependent effects of blueberry proanthocyanidins (B-PAC) against AiV over 24 h at 37 °C; (2) gain insights on their mode of action using pre- and post-treatment of host cells and Transmission Electron Microscopy; and (3) determine their anti-AiV effects in model foods and under simulated gastric conditions. AiV at ∼5 log PFU/ml was incubated with equal volumes of commercial blueberry juice (BJ, pH 2.8), neutralized BJ (pH 7.0), B-PAC (2, 4, and 10 mg/ml) prepared either in 10% ethanol, apple juice (AJ), 2% milk, simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.5) or simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.5), and controls (malic acid (pH 3.0), phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.2), apple juice (pH 3.6) and 2% milk) over 24 h at 37 °C, followed by standard plaque assays. Each experiment was replicated thrice and data were statistically analyzed. Differences in AiV titers with 1 mg/ml B-PAC were 2.13 ± 0.06 log PFU/ml lower after 24 h and ≥3 log PFU/ml (undetectable levels) lower with 2 and 5 mg/ml B-PAC compared to AiV titers in PBS after 24 h and 3 h, respectively. BJ at 37 °C resulted in titer differences (lower titers compared to PBS) of 0.17 ± 0.06, 1.27 ± 0.01, and 1.73 ± 0.23 log PFU/ml after 1, 3, and 6 h and ≥3 log PFU/ml after 24 h. Pre- and post-treatment of host cells with 0.5 mg/ml B-PAC caused titer decreases of 0.62 ± 0.33 and 0.30 ± 0.06 log PFU/ml, respectively suggesting a moderate effect on viral-host cell binding. B-PAC at 2 mg/ml in AJ caused titer differences of ≥3 log PFU/ml after 0.5 h, while differences of 0.84 ± 0.03 log PFU/ml with 5 mg/ml B-PAC in milk, and ≥3 log PFU/ml with B-PAC at 5 mg/ml in SIF after 30 min were obtained. This study shows the ability of BJ and B-PAC to decrease AiV titers to potentially prevent AiV-related illness and outbreaks.
Time Delay Estimation Via Wasserstein Distance Minimization

Time delay estimation between signals propagating through nonlinear media is an important problem with application to radar, underwater acoustics, damage detection, and communications (to name a few). Here, we describe a simple approach for determining the time delay between two such signals via minimization of the one-dimensional Wasserstein distance. The solution can be computed efficiently digitally in $O(N)$ , or in linear time in circuitry. We demonstrate the approach in the estimation of time delay between acoustic (Lamb) waves generated in an aluminum plate, and compare to alternative approaches.
Playing Chess with HIV

HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) exhibits extreme antigenic variation that can be countered by an amazing class of immunoglobulins known as broadly neutralizing antibodies. Dingens et al. (2019) use saturating mutagenesis of Env to play out all of the potential bnAb escape strategies and in doing so define the functional epitopes of these important vaccine and immunotherapeutic targets.
Successful management of persistent tachycardia using esmolol in 2 dogs with septic shock

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful management of 2 dogs with septic shock and persistent tachycardia using norepinephrine and esmolol, a short‐acting beta receptor antagonist. SERIES SUMMARY: Two cases are reviewed. In the first case, septic shock with ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed in a 4‐year‐old neutered female Great Dane that underwent jejunoileal resection and anastomosis for a partial mesenteric torsion. The patient's tachyarrhythmias failed to respond to lidocaine, and an esmolol infusion was used for heart rate control. The condition of the dog improved and she was discharged after 4 days of hospitalization. The second case was a 7‐year‐old neutered female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with septic peritonitis. Following surgery for intestinal resection and anastomosis, supraventricular tachycardia developed that was not responsive to volume resuscitation and was treated with an esmolol infusion. The condition of the dog improved and she was discharged after 6 days of hospitalization. Both patients were doing well at the time of long‐term follow‐up. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case series highlights a novel method of managing dogs in septic shock with persistent tachycardia based on recently published data in the human literature. The use of esmolol may be considered in certain veterinary patients with septic shock to improve persistent tachycardia not related to hypovolemia.
Land use optimization for nutrient reduction under stochastic precipitation rates

Abstract A nutrient reduction strategy for Iowa identifies land use and conservation alternatives to reduce nutrient loss from agriculture and the resulting Gulf of Mexico hypoxia. From the viewpoint of a policy maker concerned with regional costs and benefits, we develop a land use optimization model to maximize profit while satisfying nutrient reduction constraints. Because uncertain precipitation levels affect both yields and nutrient loss, we formulate two variants of a multistage stochastic mixed-integer program with probabilistic scenarios for annual precipitation generated from a Markov chain model. Numerical sensitivity analyses on the recourse variant reveal complicated interactions among the nutrient reduction and labor availability constraints as well as crop prices. The chance-constrained variant provides needed flexibility in meeting nutrient reduction goals by neglecting low-probability precipitation outcomes. Case study results indicate that, although significant financial incentives might be required for landowners to implement optimal strategies, substantial reductions in nutrient loss can be achieved.
The cinematic pedagogies of underprepared teachers

Abstract Based on ‘netnographic’ discourse analysis of 14 blogs penned by unlicensed American volunteer teachers in Namibia, this paper compares the narratives of Western underprepared teachers to the maverick teacher archetype in popular Hollywood (white savior) teacher films. The volunteers’ narrations of their classroom activities and positionality within schools map onto the attributes of maverick teachers. I introduce the term cinematic pedagogies to conceptualize the dramatic but unresearched features of underprepared teachers’ classroom practices and their self-identity as narrated along familiar cinematic story arcs. This research contributes to emerging scholarship on underprepared teachers as educational actors worthy of analysis.
Prognostic Algorithm for Degradation Prediction of Aerial Bundled Cables in Coastal Areas

Cables are the crucial component in the electrical distribution system. Aerial Bundled Cables (ABCs) is a combination of insulated phase conductors bundled tightly together. They have replaced conventional cables due to simplicity in installation and being less prone to pilferage. However insulation degradation is a very common problem with ABCs especially when subjected to coastal environments. Due to bundled structure, the moisture penetrates within the cables. During electrical loading of the cable, this moisture starts deteriorating the cable insulation which eventually results in the cable failure. Actual Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) data from the installed in-service cable is acquired at different time instants to study the phenomena of insulation degradation w.r.t. time. A Particle Filter (PF) based prognostic approach is proposed in this paper to predict the insulation degradation for future time instants so that the cable can be replaced before the failure occurs. The proposed method will help the electrical maintenance managers to plan the replacement activity well in time to ensure uninterruptible/smooth electrical supply.
Responses to perceived terrorism risk by self-identified survivalists: An exploratory study

Survivalists are individuals who stockpile resources to prepare for a wide-scale disaster or societal collapse, generally at a degree well beyond that of the average person. To date, an in-depth un...
Abrasion Resistance of Concrete Exposed to Organic Acids

AbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate how exposure of concrete to organic acids affects its resistance to mechanical abrasion and to identify the most important factors contributing...
Translations from the Vietnamese: 'The Blood Lily' by Vuong Tam

Vuong Tam was born in 1946, in Hanoi. He graduated from Hanoi University of Polytechnic and started to write fiction as a child. He is a member of the Vietnam Writers’ Association and currently is a news reporter for the New Hanoi. He is a prolific writer and has published both poetry and fiction for which he has won several awards. This short story is anthologized in Chien tranh cung mang khuon mat dan ba (Women’s Faces in War), published by Literature Press, Hanoi, in 2014. “The Blood Lily” is both romantic and traumatic: the female protagonist romanticizes her memories of the Vietnam War, although it causes her traumatic scars. The flowers she plants represent her bitter-sweet memories of the past.
Measuring and Resolving LGBTQ Disparities in STEM

LGBTQ people have pioneered major scientific advances, but they face challenges in STEM that ultimately waste human talent and hinder scientific progress. Growing evidence suggests that LGBTQ peopl...
A Critical Role for Na+/H+ Exchanger Regulatory Factor 1 in Modulating FcεRI-Mediated Mast Cell Activation.

Mast cells are tissue-resident immune cells that play pivotal roles in initiating and amplifying allergic/anaphylactic reactions in humans. Their activation occurs via multiple mechanisms, which include cross-linking of the IgE-bound, high-affinity IgE receptors (FceRI) by allergens or Ags and the binding of anaphylatoxins such as C3a to its receptor, C3aR. We have previously demonstrated that the Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) promotes C3aR functions in human mast cells. In the current study, we show that NHERF1 regulates mast cell response following FceRI stimulation. Specifically, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, activation of the MAPKs (ERK1/2 and P38), and production of cytokines (IL-13 and IL-6) following exposure to IgE/Ag were significantly reduced in mast cells from NHERF1+/‒ mice. In agreement with our in vitro data, mast cell-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and passive systemic anaphylaxis were reduced in NHERF1+/‒ mice and mast cell-deficient KitW-sh/W-sh mice engrafted with NHERF1+/‒ mast cells. Mechanistically, the levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate mast cell responses, miRNA 155-3p and miRNA 155-5p, were altered in mast cells from NHERF1+/‒ mice. Moreover, NHERF1 rapidly localized to the nucleus of mast cells following FceRI stimulation. In summary, our results suggest that the NHERF1 acts as an adapter molecule and promotes IgE/Ag-induced mast cell activation. Further elucidating the mechanisms through which NHERF1 modulates mast cell responses will lend insights into the development of new therapeutic strategies to target mast cells during anaphylaxis or other allergic diseases.
How the gut and liver hibernate.

Abstract For hibernating mammals, the transition from summer active to winter hibernation seasons come with significant remodeling at cellular, organ and whole organism levels. This review summarizes and synthesizes what is known about hibernation-related remodeling in the gastrointestinal tract of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, including intestinal and hepatic physiology and the gut microbiota. Hibernation alters intestinal epithelial, immune and cell survival pathways in ways that point to a protective phenotype in the face of prolonged fasting and major fluctuations in nutrient and oxygen delivery during torpor-arousal cycles. The prolonged fasting associated with hibernation alters lipid metabolism and systemic cholesterol dynamics, with both the gut and liver participating in these changes. Fasting also affects the gut microbiota, altering the abundance, composition and diversity of gut microbes and impacting the metabolites they produce in ways that may influence hibernation-related traits in the host. Finally, interventional studies have demonstrated that the hibernation phenotype confers resistance to experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury in both gut and liver, suggesting potential therapeutic roadmaps. We propose that the plasticity inherent to hibernation biology may contribute to this stress tolerance, and in the spirit of August Krogh, makes hibernators particularly valuable for study to identify solutions to certain problems.
Lifetime neuropsychiatric symptoms in Huntington's disease: Implications for psychiatric nursing.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of Huntington's disease (HD) can present years before motor symptoms. Nurses with specialized training provide superior care for HD patients, but HD exposure in nursing education is limited. Here we aimed to describe the historical neuropsychiatric burden in 50 HD patients and discuss implications for psychiatric nurses. Fifty patients with HD were assessed by a board-certified psychiatrist and completed surveys about symptoms, social history, medication use, and quality of life outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics, and correlation analyses assessed the relationships between neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life outcomes. Most patients (72%) reported a history of neuropsychiatric symptoms prior to their HD diagnosis. Prodromal anger/irritability was most common (52%), though few patients received treatment for this. Anxiety was the most common current symptom (78%), yet 40% of patients had never been prescribed an SSRI. Anxiety was associated with poorer patient-reported quality of life outcomes (p < .01). HD patients in this sample experienced frequent, early-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms. In coming years, psychiatric nurses in community settings will be more likely to encounter gene-positive HD patients before they develop motor symptoms. Psychiatric nurses can address identified gaps through enhanced screening and encouraging early intervention in those at risk.
Die Theorie der kosmischen Inflation

Das Horizont- und das Flachheitsproblem waren seit den 1960er Jahren bekannt, kam aber nur selten zur Sprache – einfach, weil niemand wusste, was man dagegen tun sollte.
State and stimulus dependence reconcile motion computation and the Drosophila connectome

Abstract Sensory systems dynamically optimize their processing properties in order to process a wide range of environmental and behavioral conditions. However, attempts to infer the function of these systems via modeling often treat system components as having static processing properties. This is particularly evident in the Drosophila motion detection circuit, where the core algorithm for motion detection is still debated, and where inputs to motion detecting neurons remain underdescribed. Using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, we measured the state- and stimulus-dependent filtering properties of inputs to the OFF motion-detecting T5 cell in Drosophila. Simply summing these inputs within the framework of a connectomic-constrained model of the circuit demonstrates that changes in the shape of input temporal filters are sufficient to explain conflicting theories of T5 function. Therefore, with our measurements and our model, we reconcile motion computation with the anatomy of the circuit.
Midbrain Ischemic Strokes Presenting as Isolated Internuclear Opthalmoplegia.

Stroke can present with unique neurologic symptoms, which can be used to help determine the location of the stroke. Internuclear ophthalmoparesis (INO), also known as internuclearophthalmoplegia, is a distinct gaze abnormality with impaired horizontal eye movements with compromised adduction of the affected eye, and abduction nystagmus of the contralateral eye. Infarcts involving the medial longitudinal fasciculus in either the pons or midbrain can result in INO. We present two cases of midbrain ischemic stroke, which presented as isolated INO. The midbrain has a unique and intricate vascular supply including branches from the basilar, superior cerebellar, posterior cerebral, posterior communicating, anterior choroidal, and posterior choroidal arteries, which is reviewed. Infarcts involving the paramedian midbrain, which is supplied by short circumferential arteries and penetrating branches arising from the posterior cerebral artery and superior cerebellar artery, can result in INO.