cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are Free Fatty Acids Effective Taste Stimuli in Humans? : Presented at the Symposium “The Taste for Fat: New Discoveries on the Role of Fat in Sensory Perception, Metabolism, Sensory Pleasure and Beyond” Held at the Institute of Food Technologists 2011 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La., June 12, 2011

Abstract: The popularity of low- and reduced-fat foods has increased as consumers seek to decrease their energy consumption. Fat replacers may be used in fat-reduced products to maintain their sensory properties. However, these ingredients have been largely formulated to replicate nongustatory properties of fats to foods and have only achieved moderate success. There is increasing evidence that fats also activate the taste system and uniquely evoke responses that may influence product acceptance. Work supporting a taste component of fat has prompted questions about whether fat constitutes an additional “primary” or “basic” taste quality. This review briefly summarizes this evidence, focusing on human studies, when possible. Effective stimuli, possible receptors, and physiological changes due to oral fat exposure are discussed. Some studies suggest that there are fatty acid tasters and nontasters and if verified could have implications for targeted product development.
Self-inhibition as a facet of sensory physiology clarifying a critical point in an emerging general theory of the electrical activity of cells

Abstract An early disparity between what it was hoped would be a general theory of electrically active cells and an observation of a nearly linear relation on the number of impulses evoked by an ionic membrane current stimulus in a stretch receptor of a frog is resolved on the basis of simple assumptions about self-inhibition that seem to be justified by what is now thought to be the microstructure and function of known self-inhibiting neural structures.
Function and Regulation of glnA in the Methanogenic Archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis

The glnA gene in the domains Bacteria and Archaea encodes glutamine synthetase, a universally distributed enzyme that functions in ammonia assimilation and glutamine synthesis. We investigated the regulation and function of glnA in the methanogenic archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene demonstrated its membership in class GSI-alpha of glutamine synthetases. The gene appeared to be expressed as a monocistronic operon. glnA mRNA levels and specific activities of glutamine synthetase were regulated similarly by nitrogen. Three transcription start sites were identified, corresponding to two overlapping nitrogen-regulated promoters and one weaker constitutive promoter. An inverted repeat immediately upstream of the regulated transcription start sites mediated repression under noninducing conditions. Thus, mutations that altered the sequence of the inverted repeat resulted in derepression. The inverted repeat had sequence similarity with a repeat that we previously identified as the nif operator of M. maripaludis, suggesting a common mechanism of nitrogen regulation. Efforts to produce a glnA null mutant failed, suggesting that glnA is an essential gene in M. maripaludis.
Delta-sigma buck converter — A design exploration for GSM Wireless systems

Global Systems for Mobile communications (GSM) traditionally use linear drop out regulators (LDO) to power the different components of the system. LDOs have excellent noise performance and low power efficiency while switching regulators offer higher efficiency but have large spurs occurring at integer multiples of the clock frequency. In this work, a switching regulator that has a delta sigma (ΔΣ) controller is considered as an alternative to provide both power efficiency and better spurious performance. Tradeoffs in selecting the ΔΣ order and over sampling ratio (OSR) for different input voltage (V in ) range are investigated for GSM wireless application. While a large OSR can reduce the magnitude of the spurs and push them out to a higher frequency, the power efficiency of the system is compromised. Using a higher order gives better spurious performance, allowing the designer to select a lower OSR at the expense of increased complexity. This paper aids designers in investigating the design space for the optimal ΔΣ parameters given efficiency and spurious performance specifications. It is shown that a 3rd order ΔΣ controller with OSR of 32 can meet the spectral requirements for a GSM system by a 16dB margin.
Process Parameter Studies of Molecular Dynamics Models to Control Substrate Wettability

Nanotechnology is being used to solve many engineering problems in the fields of electronics, medicine and energy. However, nanomanufacturing and nano-characterization of materials usually require time, specialized machinery and laboratory facilities that are unavailable or expensive to operate. The use of classical computer simulation of materials, such as finite element analysis has limited representation at the nanoscale, because they fail to consider the atomic configurations and forces. This research presents the use of Molecular Dynamics modeling to characterize materials at the nanoscale. Atomistic models of Gold and SiO2 were simulated to predict their wettability with nano droplets of water. Results are presented on how the simulation environment influences representation accuracy of the models. Analysis tools, such as geometry measurements and average atomic position variability are used to infer about the wettability of these materials with different surface pattern topologies. The tools, analysis and results presented can be extended to investigate other engineering problems that may have solutions at the nanoscale.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF SOME FLORIDA SPODOSOLS

The POD Index, a numerical index of soil classification developed by Schaetzl and Mokma (1988) in the mesic to cryic temperature regimes of northern North America, was applied to 425 pedons in Florida to test its utility for soils in thermic and hyperthermic temperature regimes. One purpose of the POD Index is to permit approximate classification of Spodosols and similar soils in the field using soil color and morphology (horizonation) alone, without resorting to chemical analysis. In this study, a POD Index threshold value of 7 separated Florida Spodosols from non-Spodosols about 88% of the time. This study, therefore, extends the utility of the POD Index for differentiating Spodosols from non-Spodosols into the hyperthermic temperature regimes. [Key words: soils, spodic horizon, color, hyperthermic temperature regime, thermic temperature regime, POD Index.]
Friendly Fire: Biological Functions and Consequences of Chromosomal Targeting by CRISPR-Cas Systems

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) systems in bacteria and archaea target foreign elements, such as bacteriophages and conjugative plasmids, through the incorporation of short sequences (termed spacers) from the foreign element into the CRISPR array, thereby allowing sequence-specific targeting of the invader. Thus, CRISPR-Cas systems are typically considered a microbial adaptive immune system. While many of these incorporated spacers match targets on bacteriophages and plasmids, a noticeable number are derived from chromosomal DNA. While usually lethal to the self-targeting bacteria, in certain circumstances, these self-targeting spacers can have profound effects in regard to microbial biology, including functions beyond adaptive immunity. In this minireview, we discuss recent studies that focus on the functions and consequences of CRISPR-Cas self-targeting, including reshaping of the host population, group behavior modification, and the potential applications of CRISPR-Cas self-targeting as a tool in microbial biotechnology. Understanding the effects of CRISPR-Cas self-targeting is vital to fully understanding the spectrum of function of these systems.
Excitation Design for Damage Detection Using Iterative Adjoint-Based Optimization

This paper presents a method for designing excitations for the purpose of enhancing the detectability of damage. The field of structural health monitoring (SHM) seeks to assess the integrity of structures for the primary purpose of moving from time-based maintenance to a more cost effective condition-based maintenance strategy. Consequently, most approaches to SHM are nondestructive in nature. One common nondestructive approach is known as vibration-based SHM. In this approach, a structure is instrumented with an array of sensors at various locations. The structure is then excited and its dynamic response recorded. This response is then interrogated to extract features that are correlated with damage. A survey of the SHM literature [1], [2], reveals that a great deal of attention has been paid to the data interrogation portion of the SHM process, with almost no attention paid to the excitation design. This focus is quite understandable in many applications where only ambient excitation is available, such as most civil engineering applications. However there are many applications where the excitation is selectable (e.g., most wave propogation approaches to SHM), and, indeed, where proper excitation selection is essential. As a simple example, consider a beam or column with a crack that is nominally closed due to a preload. If the provided excitation is not sufficient to open and close the crack, the detectability of the crack in the measured output will be severely limited.© 2008 ASME
The toxicity of copper to the adult and early life stages of the freshwater clam, Corbicula manilensis

The copper sensitivity of adult and larval stages of the freshwater clamCorbicula manilensis was evaluated. In addition, copper concentrations were determined in adult clams exposed for 4 to 10 weeks to copper in a high-volume, flow-through bioassay. All bioassay systems utilized water that was low in total hardness and alkalinity. The response of the clams to copper depended on life stage. Copper sensitivity of larvae decreased markedly in successive developmental stages. LC5024's of veliger and juvenile larvae were 28 and 600 μg Cu/L, respectively. The mortality of trochophore larvae exposed to 10 μg Cu/L for one hr was 91.5%. The sensitivity to copper decreased with increased amounts of larval shell deposition. Adult clams were resistant to copper; the LC5096 was greater than 2,600 μg Cu/L. By comparison, the incipient lethal concentration (ILC, was lowless than 10 μg Cu/L. Adult clams accumulated more copper as concentrations in the water increased. Evidence was obtained for copper loss near or at death. Labile and total copper, as well as the coppercomplexing capacity, in the bioassay water were determined; the majority of copper was present as labile species. Toxicity was related to the quantities of labile copper in the water.
Electrical Properties of Ti 2 O 3 Single Crystals

Crystals of ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ of relatively high purity or doped with various impurities have been grown by the Czochralski method. The semiconductor-metal transition commenced at 435\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with a change of resistivity from 9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ to 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ \ensuremath{\Omega} cm. The resistivity at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K varies between 0.02 and 6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ \ensuremath{\Omega} cm, depending on purity and stoichiometry. At 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and 273\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, the Hall coefficients are positive, small, and independent of magnetic field. At 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, reliable values could not be obtained. Magnetoresistance was measured in fields up to 220 kG. At 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and above, $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\rho}}{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{0}}$ never exceeds ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. At 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\rho}}{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{0}}$ for the purest sample rises quadratically with applied magnetic field, reaching a value of about 4 at 220 kG. This result cannot be interpreted in terms of a one-band model. A method has been developed for determining carrier mobilities from magnetoresistance data for an intrinsic semiconductor with mirror-image bands. Application of this method to the data for the purest samples yields carrier mobilities of 500-1000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/V sec at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The various results have been interpreted in terms of an elementary band-structure model which does not invoke antiferromagnetic ordering effects to explain the semiconductor-semimetal transition observed in ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$.
A Time-Varying True Individual Effects Model with Endogenous Regressors

We propose a fairly general individual effects stochastic frontier model which allows both heterogeneity and inefficiency to change over time. Moreover, our model handles the endogeneity problems if either at least one of the regressors or one-sided error term is correlated with the two-sided error term. Our Monte Carlo experiments show that our estimator performs good. We employ our methodology to the US banking data, which supports our findings from the Monte Carlo experiments.
Segmental resection in the management of bladder carcinoma.

Abstract Segmental resection for bladder carcinoma was performed on 144 patients at our medical center between 1945 and 1971. Of these 144 cases 101 had sufficient documentation to provide meaningful data for a retrospective study. The 5-year survival rates for patients with invasive bladder carcinoma, expressed as a function of the stage of disease, were stage A — 79 per cent, stage Bl — 80 per cent, stage B2 — 45 per cent and stage C — 6 per cent. The combined survival rates for patients with stages O, A and Bl tumors and for those with B2 and C disease were 83 and 27 per cent, respectively. A significant observation was that of the patients with stages O, A and Bl disease only 7 per cent had a history of antecedent tumor. In contrast, 59 per cent of the patients with stage B2 and C disease had antecedent tumor.
The Impact of Ostomy on Quality of Life and Functional Status of Crohn's Disease Patients.

Background The potential need for an ostomy is a main concern for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We performed this study to evaluate the impact of a long-term ostomy (≥6 mo duration) on the functional status and specific patient-reported outcomes in a population of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis within the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America Partners cohort. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were used to investigate associations between ostomy and various demographic, disease factors, and patient-reported outcomes for health-related quality of life. Results A total of 402 CD patients with ostomy for a minimum duration of 6 months were compared with 4331 CD patients with no ostomy. Patients with ostomy were more likely to be in clinical remission compared with those without ostomy, 48.5% versus 31.3%, respectively. Having an ostomy did not impact the overall health-related quality of life and was not associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or reduced sexual interest and satisfaction. However, the presence of ostomy was associated with reduced social role satisfaction in both patients with controlled and active disease. Additionally, in the subset of patients who did not achieve clinical remission, those with ostomy experienced greater pain interference (odds ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.35) and fatigue (odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.39). Conclusions Ostomy is well tolerated in CD patients, particularly when clinical remission is achieved.
Electric Field Distribution in strained p-i-n GaN/InGaN multiple quantum well structures

The presence of piezoelectric fields within p-i-n GaN/InGaN multiple quantum well structures is discussed. Time integrated and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements and theoretical calculations of the effect of these fields is presented. Furthermore, a description of how these fields influence the carrier dynamics and a discussion of how the piezoelectric field effects the design of GaN/InGaN devices is presented.
Social Justice Youth Work: Actualizing Youth Rights

This article explores models of prevention/intervention and positive youth development within the context of social justice. Both of these models seek to support young people, but they have vastly different methods and goals. The author argues that these models fall short of effectively supporting youth because they neglect to interrogate how power, privilege and oppressive forces shape a young person's identity and how that young person engages with society. Therefore, a new approach to working with youth is needed: a social justice youth work model. The author proposes this model as a means for youth and adults to work together to achieve a high quality of life in an equitable world. The paper outlines three steps to enact this approach with young people: 1. develop self-awareness within youth and adults; 2. build solidarity across differences; and 3. take action towards dismantling unjust systems. In order to do this work successfully, adults must first interrogate their own motivations for engaging in social justice work with youth.
The work of mapping and the mapping of work: prosumer roles in crowdsourced maps

ABSTRACTThis paper presents an analysis of crowdsourcing work with a particular focus on exploring what forces and characteristics of the collaboration practices and technologies encourage and discourage prosumer work behaviours. Data were gathered through depth interviews with prosumers of a crowdsourced digital nautical map, observational netnographic research of prosumers on angling forums, and interviews and meetings with the map providers. Incorporating research on consumer work and prosumption, three distinct prosumer roles are identified based on how angling prosumers differentially produce and consume the crowdsourced maps. These roles show multiple behaviours along the prosumption continuum, and in so doing extend the continuum by introducing a second dimension – work as private versus public prosumer activity. It concludes by offering suggestions for marketers to engage with prosumers in crowdsourcing contexts.
Donor SIRP-α polymorphisms: widening the innate-to-adaptive continuum in allograft rejection

In the usual paradigm, self:nonself recognition is attributed to calls of the adaptive immune system, owing to variations in specialized genes encoded within the major histocompatibility complex loci. However, an increasing body of data has shown that cells of the innate immune system also have self:nonself recognition functions relevant to organ transplantation, and this trait may derive from genes located outside the major histocompatibility complex loci. A recent publication identifies the donor SIRP-α gene as a non–major histocompatibility complex locus responsible for nonself recognition by monocytes, with variability resulting in changes in the surface interaction of SIRP-α with its ligand CD47.
Tamil Women of the Diaspora: Indentured to Independence

Tamil women went through the process of migration through three waves. Initially, after the abolition of slavery they were taken to the sugar colonies. They were taken to all the continents through the indentured labour system. In the second wave, they were divided between the host and the home country when India was undergoing the liberation movement from the coloniser. In South Africa, Malaya and Burma, the Tamils and particularly, the Tamil women participated supporting the Indian independence. They were part of the INA of Subhash Chandra Bose. The Tamil diaspora consciousness was achieved in the Straits Settlement. When India obtained independence in 1947, there was no clear policy on the Tamils in Sri Lanka, Malaya, Singapore, Burma and in other colonies where they settled. Many of them could not come back to India and their loyalty was towards the host country. Some countries made them citizens and some returned through agreements made with New Delhi. The later part of the twentieth century Tamil women through education were taking up leadership position in the host countries. One outstanding person is Ms. Navaneetham Pillai, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. Many Tamil women were able to successfully negotiate with the transnational space and achieving success. The transmigrant women negotiate many critical matters associated with the continuation of family relations which they shape, maintain and reshape through social networks. The Tamil women of the diaspora play the role of being an ‘aesthetic and moral’ community in the destination countries.
The role of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in regulating glucocorticoid action

The activity of hydrocortisone, the major endogenous glucocorticoid in humans, is determined at multiple levels along a complex metabolic pathway that begins with the release of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) at the hypothalamus and ends in the nucleus of target cells where the activated glucocorticoid receptor regulates cellular functions. Modulation of glucocorticoid synthesis by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is described in detail in the chapter by Cowell and Buckingham. This chapter will examine how the activity of hydrocortisone may be controlled locally in various target tissues by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD).
Enterotoxin A of Clostridium difficile and alpha-Gal epitopes.

Clostridium difficile, a noninvasive Gram positive toxigenic bacterium, is the principal agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis, one of the most important complications of antibiotic therapy (Kelly et al., 1994). C. difficile diarrhea and colitis affects millions of patients in hospitals and nursing homes around the world and represents the most frequent form of infectious colitis in hospitalized patients. Thus, up to a quarter of hospitalized patients can be infected with this anaerobic pathogen and many nosocomial outbreaks of C. difficile infection have been described (McFarland et al., 1989). One of the characteristic features of C. difficile colitis is the acute inflammatory infiltrate in the colonic mucosa which is associated with severe destruction of colonic epithelial cells (Kelly et al., 1994). C. difficile infection is a toxin-mediated disease. Studies in animal models coupled with receptor binding experiments documented that C. difficile-toxin A induced diarrhea and intestinal inflammation is mediated by binding of C. difficile toxin A to a carbohydrate receptor containing α-gal epitopes.
Symbrachydactyly (Atypical Cleft Hand)

Symbrachydactyly (Greek: syn: together, brachy: short, dactyl: digit) literally means a hand with short webbed fingers. The severity of symbrachydactyly varies from mild with hands that typically have triphalangeal digits with most of the pathology seen in the middle phalanx to severe with absence of all digits. The cause of this anomaly is unknown but because the condition is very often unilateral it is doubtful that there is a genetic predisposition. Family history of symbrachydactyly is usually absent. One study showed that giving 5-fluorouracil early in pregnancy produced symbrachydactyly in rats. [1] Another study showed that injection of busulfan produced rats with central clefts, osseous syndactyly, and symbrachydactyly. [2,3] In all types of symbrachydactyly the hand is hypoplastic. The condition is unilateral although bilateral deformities have been rarely described. [8]
The Adventures of ScriptKitty: Teaching Middle School Students Cyber Awareness with Comics on the Raspberry Pi

Cyber security and on-line safety practices are not commonly taught in schools. However, there is an increasing need for education in these topics as children are joining the Internet community at a much earlier age than previous generations. It is crucial that young people understand the risks they may face on-line and how to mitigate them, ideally as soon as they begin using the Internet unsupervised. The Adventures of ScriptKitty (AOSK) introduces students to basic cyber security concepts using the Raspberry Pi, a single board computer that retails for $35.00. We created AOSK to help facilitate a culture of good cyber security practices and raise interest in STEM. The material is presented in the form of comics paired with instructional sections, including sections of more detailed technical information for readers who wish to learn more about key concepts. We piloted a portion of AOSK to a group of local middle school students. Our time with the students was limited, so we administered a short quiz, then discussed the Raspberry Pi. Next, students completed the packet sniffing exercise from Chapter 2, with the authors available to answer questions and help troubleshoot. Students were asked to re-take the quiz afterward. Our preliminary results show that students achieved a greater understanding of the material, with improved scores of 14%. A custom Pi image preloaded with Kali Linux and all needed software is included with the material. All the materials are published and available for free through GitBook at: https://suzannejmatthews.gitbooks.io/aosk/content
Melting Transitions of the Organic Subphase in Layered Two-Dimensional Halide Perovskites.

We investigate the phase behavior of two-dimensional (CxH2x+1NH3)2[(MA,FA)PbI3]n−1PbI4 layered perovskites near room temperature (−20 °C to +100 °C) as a function of the octahedral layer thickness (n = 1, 2, 3, 4), alkylammonium chain length (butyl, pentyl, and hexyl), and identity of the small organic cation (methylammonium and formamidinium). Using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction, we observe a reversible first-order phase transition corresponding to a partial melting transition of the alkylammonium chains separating the perovskite layers. The melting temperature, Tm, increases from 10 to 77.9 to 95.9 °C as the carbon chain length increases from C4 to C5 to C6, but it is insensitive to octahedral layer thickness, n. The latent heat of melting, ΔHm, was in the range of 3–5 kJ/mol-spacer, indicating only partial disordering of the carbon chain. We discuss these findings and their implications in the context of melting in other two-dimensional molecular systems.
Association among plasma 1,25(OH) 2 D, ratio of 1,25(OH) 2 D to 25(OH)D, and prostate cancer aggressiveness

Background African-American (AA) men tend to present with more aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score >7) than European-American (EA) men. Vitamin D and its metabolites are implicated in prostate cancer biology with vitamin D deficiency, indicated by its metabolite levels in serum or plasma, usually observed in AA men. Objective To determine if 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2 D] plasma levels in AA and EA prostate cancer patients alter the risk of having aggressive prostate cancer. Design Research subjects from the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (AA n = 435 and EA n = 532) were included. Plasma metabolites 1,25(OH)2 D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D] were measured using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrophotometry. Research subjects were classified into low (Gleason sum 8 or Gleason sum = 7 with 4 + 3, or PSA > 20 ng/mL, or Gleason sum = 7 and stage T3-T4) aggressive disease. Results Research subjects in the second and third tertiles of plasma levels of 1, 25(OH)2 D had lower odds of high aggressive prostate cancer (AA [ORT2vsT1 : 0.66, 95%CI: 0.39-1.12; ORT3vsT1 : 0.83, 95%CI: 0.49-1.41] and EA [ORT2vsT1 : 0.68, 95%CI: 0.41-1.11; ORT3vsT1 : 0.67, 95%CI: 0.40-1.11]) compared with the first tertile, though confidence intervals included the null. Greater 1,25(OH)2 D/25(OH)D molar ratios were associated with lower odds of high aggressive prostate cancer more evidently in AA (ORQ4vsQ1 : 0.45, CI: 0.24-0.82) than in EA (ORQ4vsQ1 : 0.64, CI: 0.35-1.17) research subjects. Conclusions The 1,25(OH)2 D/25(OH)D molar ratio was associated with decreased risk of high aggressive prostate cancer in AA men, and possibly in EA men. Further studies analyzing vitamin D polymorphisms, vitamin D binding protein levels, and prostatic levels of these metabolites may be useful. These studies may provide a better understanding of the vitamin D pathway and its biological role underlying health disparities in prostate cancer.
Fibrillin-1 in the Vasculature: In Vivo Accumulation of eGFP-Tagged Fibrillin-1 in a Knockin Mouse Model

Immunolocalization studies have shown that fibrillin-1 is distributed ubiquitously in the connective tissue space from early embryonic times through old age. When mutated, the gene for fibrillin-1 (FBN1) causes the Marfan syndrome, a common inherited disorder of connective tissue. The multiple manifestations of the Marfan syndrome reflect the known distribution of fibrillin-1 in cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, ocular, and dermal tissues. In this study, a mouse model of Marfan syndrome in which fibrillin-1 is truncated and tagged with green fluorescence was used to estimate the relative abundance of fibrillin-1 in developing tissues. In embryonic tissues, the aorta was the only tissue in which fibrillin-1 green fluorescence was detectable. Other arteries gained detectable fibrillin-1 green fluorescence just after birth. Fibrillin-1 fluorescence was observed at later postnatal times in the lung, skin, perichondrium, tendon, and ocular tissues, while other tissues remained negative. These results indicated that tissues most affected in the Marfan syndrome are the tissues in which fibrillin-1 is most abundant. Focus was placed on the aorta, since aortic disease is life threatening in the Marfan syndrome and fibrillin-1 green fluorescence was most abundant in this tissue. Fibrillin-1 green fluorescence and immunostaining showed that fibrillin-1 is within aortic medial elastic lamellae. Endothelial-specific compared to smooth muscle-specific fibrillin-1 green fluorescence, together with light microscopic analyses of fragmentation of aortic elastic lamellae, demonstrated that smooth muscle cell mutated fibrillin-1 contributed most to progressive aortic fragmentation. However, these studies also indicated that other cells, possibly endothelial cells, also contribute to this aortic pathology. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perceived burdensomeness, bullying, and suicidal ideation in suicidal military personnel.

Objective Suicide is a major public health concern among military servicemembers and previous research has demonstrated an association between bullying and suicide. This study evaluated the association between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation via perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness which were hypothesized to mediate this association. Method Four hundred and seventy-one suicidal Army Soldiers and U.S. Marines completed self-report measures of suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and bullying. A series of regressions were used to test the hypothesized mediation model using the baseline data from a larger clinical trial. Results Perceived burdensomeness was a significant mediator of the association between bullying and the level of suicidal ideation, but thwarted belongingness was not a significant mediator. Conclusions Perceived burdensomeness may represent a malleable target for intervention to prevent suicide among military service members, and should be evaluated further as an intervening variable with regard to suicidality in the setting of bullying victimization.
FGF-23 and Cardio-Renal Interactions in Heart Failure

Background Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a phosphaturic hormone with a primary role in the regulation of phosphate homeostasis. Recently, FGF-23 was shown to be a strong predictor of cardiovascular outcomes, and animal models have reported multiple non-phosphaturic, or off-target, effects of FGF-23. Some of the negative cardio-renal actions reported in the literature are adverse left ventricular remodeling, induction of inflammation, renal/cardiac fibrosis, and direct effects on renal sodium retention. The aim of this current investigation was to further explore the association between FGF-23 with various parameters of cardio-renal dysfunction. Hypothesis FGF-23 will be associated with cardio-renal parameters such as inflammation, neurohormonal activation, diuretic responsiveness, and survival. Methods We analyzed plasma FGF-23 levels in 199 outpatient heart failure (HF) patients who underwent diuretic administration followed by timed urine collections. Diuretic response was defined as the sodium output per doubling of the diuretic dose. Results Higher levels of FGF-23 tended to correlate with serum phosphate (r=0.21, p=0.09) but were not correlated with serum calcium (p=0.37). There were stronger correlations between FGF-23 and several parameters of cardio-renal dysfunction including lower eGFR (r=-0.42, p 0.3 for both). Higher levels of FGF-23 predicted worse diuretic responsiveness (r=-0.47, p Conclusion In patients with HF, plasma levels of FGF-23 were associated with multiple metrics of cardio-renal dysfunction, including a strong independent association with diuretic responsiveness and mortality. Additional research is warranted to understand if FGF-23 is a marker or mediator of cardio-renal dysfunction and if interventions to lower FGF-23 levels can improve outcomes.
Risk Factors for Drinking Over a Woman's Life Span

Because many elements of a woman's life, such as her upbringing or career, occur at different points in her life, some may be risk factors for developing problem drinking only at certain periods during the life cycle. Few long-term studies have focused on risk factors throughout the life span, leaving scientists to glean what factors they can from studies of specific age groups of women.
Food insecurity is associated with increased weight loss attempts in children and adolescents.

Household food insecurity (HFI) has been associated with adverse childhood outcomes and shares many common risk factors with obesity. Half of adolescents with overweight or obesity are actively attempting to lose weight. We aim to evaluate whether HFI is associated with weight loss attempts and unhealthy weight loss control practices in children. We examined cross-sectional data of children ages 8 to 15 years old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Attempted weight loss was more common among children with very low food security (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.09, 2.07). Children with a healthy weight with very low food security had increased odds of attempting weight loss (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.00, 2.26) but there was no association in children with overweight or obesity. Very low food security was also associated with unhealthy weight control practices (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.93). Physicians should counsel all children and adolescents on healthy and unhealthy weight loss behaviours, regardless of weight or food security status.
The alteration of the gut microbiome by immunosuppressive agents used in solid organ transplantation

Introduction Studies have suggested that in addition to antimicrobials, some non-antibiotics may alter the gut microbiome. This systematic review sought to determine if there is an association between immunosuppressive agents used in recipients of solid organ transplants (SOT) and alterations in the gut microbiome. Methods English language PubMed and Scopus searches were conducted to identify relevant articles. Inclusion criteria were defined as pertaining to solid organ transplantation, immunosuppression, and the gut microbiome. Articles were excluded if they contained only genetic microbiota descriptions, narrative reviews of bacteria, or described bacteria as a pathogen for infections. PRISMA reporting was used to guide this literature review. Results A preliminary search identified 665 articles, of which 75 articles met the inclusion criteria, and 10 articles remained after application of exclusion criteria. Seventy-one percent of articles discussed calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus, 38% included mycophenolate mofetil, and 52% included steroids, such as prednisone. Some studies utilized a combination of immunosuppressants or had multiple study arms. Seventy percent of the articles indicated changes in quantities of anaerobic bacteria including Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Clostridiales. Combinations of immunosuppressant agents were associated with an increase in colonization of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp. Conclusion Some immunosuppressants are associated with changes in gut flora, but the impact on clinical outcomes is unknown. Robust clinical trials delineating the direct effect of immunosuppressants on the gut microbiome as well as the impact on clinical outcomes are warranted.
Advocating for LGBTQ+ Students with Disabilities

Much of education research in recent years has focused on how the bullying and victimization of LGBTQ+ students and youth with disabilities (YWD) can lead to increased challenges and limited opportunities later in life. However, few studies have focused on how bullying and victimization affects students who both have disabilities and identify as LGBTQ+ or on how specific practices could improve both their experiences in school and their success later in life. YWD face the same challenges when it comes to puberty, social identity, and planning for adult roles as their non-disabled peers, but they are more likely to struggle with developing their identity and thinking about their future, particularly if they identify as LGBTQ+, which is why educators and parents must work together to advocate for changes that promote an inclusive, safe, and just environment for all students. In this article, we offer guidance using evidence-based promising practices (EBPPs) to improve educational settings for LGBTQ+ YWD that is informed by our work at the state, local, and classroom levels. Gran parte de las investigaciones en educacion en los ultimos anos se han enfocado en como el acoso y la victimizacion de los estudiantes LGBTQ+ y estudiantes con discapacidades pueden llevarlos a un aumento de desafios y menos oportunidades mas tarde en sus vidas. Sin embargo, pocas investigaciones se han enfocado en como el acoso y la victimizacion afecta a los estudiantes con discapacidades o identificados como LGBTQ+ o en como practicas especificas pueden mejorar sus experiencias escolares y a la vez su exito en el futuro. Los estudiantes con discapacidades enfrentan los mismo retos que sus companeros sin discapacidades cuando se trata de la pubertad, identidad social, y en planear para su rol como adultos, pero tienen mas dificultad en luchar con el desarrollo de su identidad y en pensar en su futuro, especialmente si se identifican como LGBTQ+, por lo tanto es importante que los docentes y padres de familia trabajen juntos para abogar para cambios que promuevan un ambiente inclusivo, seguro, y justo para todos los estudiantes. En este articulo, ofrecemos consejos utilizando practicas prometedoras basadas en evidencias para mejorar el ambiente educativo para estudiantes LGBTQ+ con discapacidades que estan informadas en nuestro trabajo al nivel estatal, local y de aula.
Religious-service attendance and subsequent health and well-being throughout adulthood: evidence from three prospective cohorts.

Background Religious-service attendance has been linked with a lower risk of all-cause mortality, suicide and depression. Yet, its associations with other health and well-being outcomes remain less clear. Methods Using longitudinal data from three large prospective cohorts in the USA, this study examined the association between religious-service attendance and a wide range of subsequent physical health, health-behaviour, psychological distress and psychological well-being outcomes in separate cohorts of young, middle-aged and older adults. All analyses adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics, prior health status and prior values of the outcome variables whenever data were available. Bonferroni correction was used to correct for multiple testing. Results Estimates combining data across cohorts suggest that, compared with those who never attended religious services, individuals who attended services at least once per week had a lower risk of all-cause mortality by 26% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65 to 0.84], heavy drinking by 34% (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.73) and current smoking by 29% (95% CI: 0.63 to 0.80). Service attendance was also inversely associated with a number of psychological-distress outcomes (i.e. depression, anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness) and was positively associated with psychosocial well-being outcomes (i.e. positive affect, life satisfaction, social integration, purpose in life), but was generally not associated with subsequent disease, such as hypertension, stroke, and heart disease. Conclusions Decisions on religious participation are generally not shaped principally by health. Nevertheless, for individuals who already hold religious beliefs, religious-service attendance may be a meaningful form of social integration that potentially relates to greater longevity, healthier behaviours, better mental health and greater psychosocial well-being.
The Last State of Artificial Intelligence in Project Management.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to advance different fields, such as education, healthcare, and finance. However, the application of AI in the field of project management (PM) has not progressed equally. This paper reports on a systematic review of the published studies used to investigate the application of AI in PM. This systematic review identified relevant papers using Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. Of the 652 articles found, 58 met the predefined criteria and were included in the review. Included papers were classified per the following dimensions: PM knowledge areas, PM processes, and AI techniques. The results indicated that the application of AI in PM was in its early stages and AI models have not applied for multiple PM processes especially in processes groups of project stakeholder management, project procurements management, and project communication management. However, the most popular PM processes among included papers were project effort prediction and cost estimation, and the most popular AI techniques were support vector machines, neural networks, and genetic algorithms.
Prolonged, low-grade inflammation in the first week of lactation: Associations with mineral, protein, and energy balance markers, and milk yield, in a clinically healthy Jersey cow cohort

Our objectives were to perform a proof-of-concept study to assess the association of a prolonged inflammatory state (based on a continually elevated haptoglobin concentration at the end of the first week after parturition) with mineral, protein, and energy balance markers in the first 2 wk after parturition, and milk production in the first 60 d of lactation in clinically healthy cows. We conducted a cohort study in 1 herd in west Texas that was milking Jersey and Jersey-Holstein crosses. Only multiparous Jersey cows were eligible for enrollment. Cows were classified as having or not having elevated haptoglobin concentrations based on plasma concentrations evaluated on d 4 and 7 postpartum. We used median concentrations of haptoglobin in the reference population (i.e., before the exclusion of cows diagnosed with clinical diseases) as the limits for categorizing cows into 2 groups: cows with plasma haptoglobin concentrations greater than the median values on both d 4 (0.49 g/L) and 7 (0.35 g/L) had continually elevated haptoglobin (with eHp); and cows with plasma haptoglobin concentrations lower than or equal to the median values of the reference population on d 4 or 7 did not have continually elevated haptoglobin (without eHp). Next, cows with clinical diseases in the first 2 wk of the postpartum period were excluded, so that 233 cows remained for the final analyses. Evaluated outcomes were average daily milk production across the first 60 d of lactation, plasma Ca, Mg, and glucose concentrations on d 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 14 postpartum, and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), fructosamine, albumin, urea, and creatinine concentrations on d 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 postpartum. Rectal temperatures measured on d 4, 7, and 10 postpartum were also analyzed. We performed statistical analyses using linear mixed models while accounting for the repeated effect of sampling time (plasma analytes and rectal temperature models) and weekly milk test (milk production model). Cows with eHp had lower plasma Ca concentrations in the first 2 wk after calving, but no differences in Mg, BHB, NEFA, glucose, or rectal temperatures compared to cows without eHp. Cows with eHp had lower plasma fructosamine, albumin, and urea concentrations in a time-dependent manner. They also had lower milk production (2.3 kg/d less than cows without eHp in the first 60 DIM). Our study demonstrated that 25% of cows without clinical disorders in the first 2 wk after parturition had continually elevated haptoglobin concentrations at d 7 after parturition relative to d 4, suggestive of a prolonged, low-grade systemic inflammatory state. More observational studies are needed to more fully characterize the duration of prolonged postpartum subclinical inflammation in cows without clinical diseases, as well as its long-term effects, and to evaluate the use of other potential markers of systemic inflammation to describe this disorder.
A Combination Sulfuryl Fluoride and Propylene Oxide Treatment for Trogoderma granarium (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium, is an important quarantine pest of stored-products. While it is not established in the North America, frequent interceptions highlight the need for treatments to eradicate isolated populations if they occur. Methyl bromide has long been the standard fumigant used for this purpose; however, increasing restrictions on its use necessitate the development of new treatment options. Here we evaluate a treatment for khapra beetle using a combination of sulfuryl fluoride (SF) and propylene oxide (PPO). Experiments were conducted to determine the most tolerant stages and the effective rates for each compound. Combination treatments using both products were then evaluated at several temperatures to determine effective doses for quarantine level control. The egg stage was by far the most tolerant to SF, requiring concentration × time (CT) products roughly 10-fold greater than the next most tolerant stage, diapausing larvae. Diapausing larvae were significantly more tolerant to SF than non-diapausing larvae in a recently collected 'field' strain, but not in a more than 30-yr-old 'laboratory' culture. PPO treatments were shown to completely control the egg stage at CTs greater than 155 hr-mgL-1 at both 10 and 20°C. Resulting combination treatments with initial dose rates of 96 and 40 mgL-1 at 10°C and 80 and 40 mgL-1 at 20°C are proposed for SF and PPO, respectively. These combination treatments utilize SF's efficacy against the larval stage along with PPO's superior ovicidal properties to provide enhanced treatment efficacy over each product alone against all life stages of khapra beetle.
Another Useful Film Clip: Scientific Methodology of the Frankenstein Monster

A 2 min film clip from the classic movie “Son of Frankenstein” is a surprisingly good illustration of, and introduction to, the scientific method as traditionally formulated. It may be useful in in...