cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spherical-Radial Integration Rules for Bayesian Computation

Abstract The common numerical problem in Bayesian analysis is the numerical integration of the posterior. In high dimensions, this problem becomes too formidable for fixed quadrature methods, and Monte Carlo integration is the usual approach. Through the use of modal standardization and a spherical-radial transformation, we reparameterize in terms of a radius r and point z on the surface of the sphere in d dimensions. We propose two types of methods for spherical-radial integration. A completely randomized method uses randomly placed abscissas for the radial integration and for the sphere surface. A mixed method uses fixed quadrature (i.e., Simpson's rule) on the radius and randomized spherical integration. The mixed methods show superior accuracy in comparisons, require little or no assumptions, and provide diagnostics to detect difficult problems. Moreover, if the posterior is close to the multivariate normal, then the mixed methods can give remarkable accuracy.
Infection Control — A Problem for Patient Safety

Nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections (more appropriately called health care–associated infections) are today by far the most common complications affecting hospitalized patients. Indeed, the Harvard Medical Practice Study II found that a single type of nosocomial infection — surgical-wound infection — constituted the second-largest category of adverse events.1 Long considered the greatest risk that the hospital environment poses to patients,2 nosocomial infections abruptly became the province of public health officers at the time of a nationwide epidemic of hospital-based staphylococcal infections, in 1957 and 1958.3 Since then, the study and control of nosocomial infections have been profoundly shaped by the discipline . . .
Movement and Habitat Use of Stocked Juvenile Paddlefish in the Ohio River System, Pennsylvania

Abstract In 2002 and 2003 we released a total of 66 hatchery-reared, juvenile paddlefish Polyodon spathula (249–318 mm eye-to-fork length) in Pennsylvania's upper Ohio River system and tracked them with radiotelemetry in two different pools of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers to determine (1) poststocking survival, (2) whether release site influences survival, (3) dispersal distance and direction of movement, and (4) habitat selection. Survival was fair (mean = 78% in 2002 and 67% in 2003) for 0.23–0.43-kg paddlefish after 9 weeks. In 2003, fish stocked in the upstream half of the pool had a greater survival (100%) after 63 d than those stocked in the downstream half (44%). Within 4 d of stocking, 77% of juvenile paddlefish were located in tailwaters, and fish found these habitats regardless of stocking location. Habitat measurements at all postdispersal locations had median depths of 5.2 and 6.1 m in 2002 and 2003, respectively, and median near-surface velocities of 0.17 and 0.12 m/s. Fish selected tailwate...
A THEORY OF MACROMOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ORIGINS.

Life origin theories emphasizing amino acids common to protein and modulation of protein into primitive cells
An association study of DRD5 with smoking initiation and progression to nicotine dependence.

A large body of genetic epidemiological data strongly implicate genetic factors in the etiology of smoking behavior. Polymorphisms of genes in the dopaminergic system are plausible functional candidate genes and a linkage and an association study suggested that the type 5 dopamine receptor gene (DRD5) may be etiologically involved. We investigated the association of four DRD5 polymorphisms with smoking initiation and progression to nicotine dependence in a population-based sample of over 900 subjects. For smoking initiation, there was no significant association with the four DRD5 markers we studied; however, maximum likelihood analyses suggested the presence of a haplotype protective against smoking initiation. For progression to nicotine dependence, there were no strongly significant associations with the four DRD5 markers or for the estimated haplotypes. These data are not consistent with a strong etiological role for DRD5 in the etiology of these complex smoking behaviors.
A computer aided design system for three-dimensional compression mold heating

Compression mold processing of composites involves taking the charge through a material dependent temperature and pressure path, inducing thermochemical reactions to cure the charge. Specific unifirm temperatures are required for a time, and spatial variation of the cavity surface temperature can lengthen time needed to cure and also cause voids and residual stresses, reducing the quality of the finished part. An interactive CAD system for compression mold heating design has been developed. The system accepts a previously defined three dimensional, discretized geometry and uses a Boundary Element Method (BEM) analysis. The approach used is unique and is the first application of this type of optimization to three dimensional mold heating design
A compact dual band circularly polarized antenna design for Mars rover mission

Microstrip antennas are widely used in wireless communications due to their advantages of low profile, light weight, low production cost, and conformability with RF circuitry. Recently, a novel reconfigurable microstrip antenna design, patch antenna with switchable slots (PASS), has been proposed to realize various functionalities such as dual frequency operation, dual band CP performance, and polarization diversity with only one patch and a single feed. In this paper, the PASS concept is used to design a compact dual band circularly polarized antenna at the UHF band for a future Mars rover mission.
The refining scheduling problem with crane non-collision constraint in steelmaking process

This paper studies the refining scheduling problem in which there are two or more overhead traveling cranes with non-collision constraint for handling material in the steel plant. This scheduling problem is formulated as a mixed integer programming model. We show that the scheduling problem is strongly NP-hard and present some properties of the optimal solution. We develop the heuristic algorithms to find the near-optimal solutions. We derive two lower bounds and analyze the worst case performance of the heuristic algorithms. Computational experiments are carried out to evaluate the performance of the heuristic algorithms. The numerical results show that some of the heuristic algorithms can find effective solutions for most problems of realistic sizes.
The effect of a prior quadriceps contraction on knee flexor torque in normal subjects and multiple sclerosis patients with spastic paraparesis

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of a prior quadriceps contraction on knee flexor torque in normal subjects and multiple sclerosis patients. Twelve subjects (10 females, two males, mean age 34.8 years) with spastic paraparesis secondary to multiple sclerosis and 12 healthy adults, matched by age and sex, with no history of knee pathology participated in this study. A Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer and chart recorder were used to measure the torque and angle of peak torque produced during knee flexion at 30, 90 and 180°/s. The subjects performed two tests of knee flexion. In test one, the subjects maximally flexed their knee three times from a passively extended position. During the second test, the subjects maximally extended and then flexed their knee three times. The tests were randomly ordered and both lower extremities were tested. The subject's limbs were also passively dropped from an extended position at three preselected velocities (30, 90, 180°/s). The Cybex goniograms which w...
On the mathematics of fluidization Part 2. Steady motion of fully developed bubbles

The momentum and mass conservation equations derived in part 1 are used in the limiting case of large solids-to-fluid density ratio. Bubbles generally appear in such fluidized beds and solutions are obtained which describe the motion of the particulate and fluid phases in the presence of a fully developed bubble. The analytical solutions are shown to be in fair agreement with experiment.
Effects of preanesthetic administration of morphine on gastroesophageal reflux and regurgitation during anesthesia in dogs.

Objective—To determine the effect of morphine administered prior to anesthesia on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in dogs during the subsequent anesthetic episode. Animals—90 dogs (30 dogs/group). Procedure—The randomized prospective clinical study included healthy dogs with no history of vomiting. Dogs were scheduled to undergo elective orthopedic surgery. Food was withheld for (mean ± SD) 17.8 ± 4.1 hours prior to induction of anesthesia. The anesthetic protocol included acepromazine maleate, thiopental, and isoflurane. Dogs were randomly selected to receive morphine at various dosages (0, 0.22, or 1.10 mg/kg, IM) concurrent with acepromazine administration prior to induction of anesthesia. A sensor-tipped catheter was used to measure esophageal pH, and GER was defined as a decrease in pH to 7.5. Results—40 dogs had acidic reflux, and 1 had biliary reflux. Proportions of dogs with GER were 8 of 30 (27%), 15 of 30 (50%), and 18 of 30 (60%) for morphine dosages of 0,...
Structural analysis of α-satellite DNA and centromere proteins using extended chromatin and chromosomes

Human centromeres are characterized by distinct subsets of alpha-satellite DNA and by a number of centromeric proteins (CENPs) at least one of which, CENP-B, binds specifically to alpha-satellite DNA sequences. When the centromeres of metaphase chromosomes are mechanically stretched to five to 20 times their normal length, CENPs specifically recognized by CREST autoantibodies extend over the entire length of the linear alpha-satellite array. For higher resolution analysis we spread interphase chromatin across a slide resulting in highly extended chromatin fibers. By fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with human alpha-satellite DNA and an oligomer specific for the CENP-B box sequence, the regular spacing of CENP-B binding motifs within arrays of alpha-satellite DNA was visualized directly. FISH with elongated chromatin structures released from interphase nuclei with the drug N-[4-(9-acridinylamino)-3-methoxyphenyl]methanesulfonamide shows that D7Z1 and D7Z2, two distinct alpha-satellite arrays on chromosome 7, are not interspersed with each other but are separated by as little as several hundred kilobases, consistent with previous long-range mapping data. The D7Z2 array, which does not bind detectable amounts of CENPs, can be assigned to the short arm side of the D7Z1 array using artificially stretched chromosomes. In interphase nuclei unreplicated segments give a singlet hybridization signal, whereas fully replicated loci appear as doublets. Although D7Z1 is replicated prior to D7Z2 in the majority of cells, the replication timing of one array relative to the other is variable. The replication of alpha-satellite arrays on homologous chromosomes is highly asynchronous. The newly replicated alpha-satellite lacks the CENP component.
Visibility of Shafarevich–Tate Groups of Abelian Varieties

Abstract We investigate Mazur's notion of visibility of elements of Shafarevich–Tate groups of abelian varieties. We give a proof that every cohomology class is visible in a suitable abelian variety, discuss the visibility dimension, and describe a construction of visible elements of certain Shafarevich–Tate groups. This construction can be used to give some of the first evidence for the Birch and Swinnerton–Dyer conjecture for abelian varieties of large dimension. We then give examples of visible and invisible Shafarevich–Tate groups.
A novel noncanonical signaling pathway for the μ-opioid receptor.

The µ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) signals as a classic G protein–coupled receptor by activating heterotrimeric Gi/Go proteins resulting in adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibition. Such AC inhibition is desensitized after prolonged agonist treatment. However, after receptor desensitization, the intracellular cAMP level remains regulated by OPRM1, as demonstrated by the intracellular cAMP level increase or AC superactivation upon removal of an agonist or addition of an antagonist. We now demonstrate that such intracellular cAMP regulation is mediated by a novel noncanonical signaling pathway resulting from OPRM1 being converted to a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-like entity. This noncanonical OPRM1 signaling is initiated by the receptor recruiting and activating Src kinase within the receptor complex, leading to phosphorylation of the OPRM1 Tyr336 residue. Phospho-Tyr336 serves as the docking site for growth factor receptor-bound protein/son of sevenless, leading to the recruitment and activation of the Ras/Raf-1 and subsequent phosphorylation and activation of AC5/6 by Raf-1. Such sequence of events was established by the absence of Ras/Raf1 recruitment and activation by the OPRM1-Y336F mutant, by the presence of Src kinase inhibitor 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2) or the absence of Src activity, by the presence of specific Raf-1 inhibitor GW5074 (5-iodo-3-[(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl) methylene]-2-indolinone) or the absence of Raf-1, or by the dominant negative RasN17 mutant. Src together with Ras activates Raf1 which was established by the inability of the Raf1-Tyr340/341 mutant to activate AC. Hence, the phosphorylation of OPRM1 at Tyr336 by Src serves as the trigger for the conversion of a classic Gi/Go-coupled receptor into an RTK-like entity, resulting in a noncanonical pathway even after the original Gi/Go signals are blunted.
Conserved CDR3 Regions in T-Cell Receptor (TCR) CD8+T Cells That Recognize the Tax11-19/HLA-A*0201 Complex in a Subject Infected with Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1: Relationship of T-Cell Fine Specificity and Major Histocompatibility Complex/Peptide/TCR Crystal Structure

We investigated the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of CD8+ T cells that recognize the Tax11-19 immunodominant epitope of Tax protein expressed by human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1) that is implicated in the disease HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP). A panel of Tax11-19-reactive CD8+ T-cell clones was generated by single-cell cloning of Tax11-19/HLA-A*0201 tetramer-positive peripheral blood lymphocytes from an HTLV-1-infected individual. The analyses of TCR usage revealed that the combination of diverse TCR alpha and beta chains could be used for the recognition of Tax11-19 but the major population of T-cell clones (15 of 24 clones) expressed the TCR V beta 13S1 and V alpha 17 chain. We found striking similarities in CDR3 regions of TCR alpha and beta chains between our major group of CD8+ T-cell clones and those originating from different subjects as previously reported, including TCRs with resolved crystal structures. A 3-amino-acid sequence (PG-G) in the CDR3 region of the V beta chain was conserved among all the Tax11-19-reactive T-cell clones expressing V beta 13S1 and V alpha 17 chains. Conserved amino acids in the CDR3 region do not directly contact the Tax11-19 peptide, as corroborated by the crystal structure of B7-TCR, a TCR that is almost identical to VB13S1 clones isolated in this study. Analysis of fine peptide specificity using altered peptide ligands (APL) of Tax11-19 revealed a similar recognition pattern among this panel of T-cell clones. These data suggest that the PG-G amino acids in the CDR3 beta loop provide a structural framework necessary for the maintenance of the tertiary TCR structure.
Insertionally inactivated and inducible recA alleles for use in Neisseria

Two classes of recA mutations have been constructed for use in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: three insertionally inactivated ('knockout') mutations and three LacI-regulatable constructs that can be shifted between Rec- and Rec+ by the removal or addition of IPTG. The effects of regulating recA expression on the processes of DNA transformation, DNA repair and pilin-phase variation are described. These regulatable cassettes can also be used to control the expression of any chromosomal gene.
Assaf Moghadam (Ed.). Militancy and Political Violence in Shiism: Trends and Patterns

Since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, a plethora of works on sectarianism in the Middle East have appeared. Assaf Moghadam's edited volume, Militancy and Political Violence in Shiism, adds t...
Illicit Sexual Behavior: A Test of Self-Control Theory

Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) contend that all deviance is subsumed under self-control theory and that individuals who commit any one deviant act will tend to commit other deviant acts as well. This research tests the correlation of illicit sexual behaviors with crime as they relate to measures of self-control. Secondly, this research examines the Gottfredson and Hirschi argument that their theory is a “general theory” and predicts all forms of deviance whereby low self-control is a predictor of both sexual deviance and crime. These analyses report illicit sexual behaviors are positively correlated with criminal behaviors providing support for Self-Control Theory. Furthermore, the analyses of this data support that low self-control is a predictor of illicit sexual behaviors and crime.
Oncolytic measles virus strains as novel anticancer agents

Introduction: Replication-competent oncolytic measles virus (MV) strains preferentially infect and destroy a wide variety of cancer tissues. Clinical translation of engineered attenuated MV vaccine derivatives is demonstrating the therapeutic potential and negligible pathogenicity of these strains in humans. Areas covered: The present review summarizes the mechanisms of MV tumor selectivity and cytopathic activity as well as the current data on the oncolytic efficacy and preclinical testing of MV strains. Investigational strategies to reprogram MV selectivity, escape antiviral immunity and modulate the immune system to enhance viral delivery and tumor oncolysis are also discussed. Expert opinion: Clinical viral kinetic data derived from noninvasive monitoring of reporter transgene expression will guide future protocols to enhance oncolytic MV efficacy. Anti-measles immunity is a major challenge of measles-based therapeutics and various strategies are being investigated to modulate immunity. These include ...
Chemosensory reception, behavioral expression, and ecological interactions at multiple trophic levels

Chemoreception may function throughout an entire animal lifetime, with independent, stage-specific selection pressures leading to changes in physiological properties, behavioral expression, and hence, trophic interactions. When the California newt (Taricha torosa) metamorphoses from an entirely aquatic larva to a semi-terrestrial juvenile/adult form, its chemosensory organs undergo dramatic reorganization. The relationship between newt life-history stage and chemosensory-mediated behavior was established by comparing responses of adults (as determined here) to those of conspecific larvae (as studied previously). Bioassays were performed in mountain streams, testing responses of free-ranging adults to 13 individual l-amino acids. Relative to stream water (controls), adults turned immediately upcurrent and moved to the source of arginine, glycine or alanine release. These responses were indicative of predatory search. Arginine was the strongest attractant tested, with a response threshold (median effective dose) of 8.3x10(-7) mol l(-1) (uncorrected for dilution associated with chemical release and delivery). In contrast to adult behavior, arginine suppressed cannibal-avoidance and failed to evoke search reactions in larvae. For a common set of arginine analogs, the magnitudes of adult attraction and larval suppression were not positively correlated. Suppression of cannibal-avoidance behavior in larvae was unaffected by most structural modifications of the arginine molecule. Adult behavior, on the other hand, was strongly influenced by even subtle alterations in the parent compound. Reactions to arginine in both adults and larvae were eliminated by blocking the external openings of the nasal cavity. Stimulating adult predatory search in one case and inhibiting larval cannibal avoidance in the other, arginine is a chemical signal with opposing behavioral effects and varying ecological consequences. Significant differences between responses of adults and larvae to changes in arginine structure suggest alternative, chemosensory receptor targets. Although arginine reception functions throughout an entire newt lifetime, an ontogenetic shift in larval and adult chemoreceptive ability changes behavioral expression, and thus, reflects the unique selection pressures that act at each life-history stage.
Teacher Preparation Trends: Using YouTube to assess and supplement online learning

Online learning can no longer be considered a "fad" that may quickly pass. Instead, teachers and teacher educators alike must prepare themselves for the increasingly technological learning of the 21st century. This article focuses specifically on the benefits of YouTube as a means of reflection, modeling, and assessment for online education courses.
On TCP throughput and window size in a multihop wireless network testbed

Although it is well-known that TCP throughput is suboptimal in multihop wireless networks, little performance data is available for TCP in realistic wireless environments. In this paper, we present the results of an extensive experimental study of TCP performance on a 32-node wireless mesh network testbed deployed on the Purdue University campus. Contrary to prior work which considered a single topology with equal-length links and only 1-hop neighbors within transmission range of each other, our study considers more realistic heterogeneous topologies. We vary the maximum TCP window size, in correlation with two important MAC layer parameters: the use of RTS/CTS and the MAC data rate. Based on our TCP throughput results, wegive recommendations on configuring TCP and MAC parameters, which in many cases contradict previous proposals (which had themselves contradicted each other).
Prestimulus cortical activity is correlated with speed of visuomotor processing

Response time (RT) is an important behavioral measure of the overall efficacy of sensorimotor processing and is known to vary significantly from trial to trial. Past work on how stimulus evoked cortical responses contribute to RT variability has helped delineate the stages of neuronal information processing. Much less is known about how the state of the brain immediately preceding the stimulus onset (prestimulus) affects RT. We addressed this problem by analyzing data from three macaque monkeys trained to perform a visuomotor pattern discrimination task. Local field potentials were recorded from up to 16 bipolar surface-to-depth electrodes widely distributed over one cerebral hemisphere in each monkey. The degree of linear correlation between RT and prestimulus spectral power was determined over a wide range of frequencies. In the prefrontal cortex, prestimulus power in the beta range (14--30 Hz) was negatively correlated with RT in two monkeys, suggesting a possible role of activity in this frequency range in the mediation of top-down control of visuomotor processing. In the sensorimotor cortex, prestimulus power in the beta range was positively correlated with RT in two monkeys, consistent with the hypothesis that oscillations in this range support the maintenance of steady-state motor output. In visual occipital and temporal lobe areas, prestimulus power in the alpha/low beta range (8--20 Hz) showed positive correlations with RT in three monkeys, possibly reflecting a spatially specific disengagement of visual anticipatory attention. Through measurement of prestimulus spectral coherence, it was further determined that sites showing similar patterns of correlation between spectral power and RT were also linked together in synchronized networks.
Placing the “Analyst” in Discourse Analysis: Iteration, Emergence and Dialogicality as Situated Process

Discourse analysis is a powerful and versatile methodological tool, informing a diverse body of critical geographic scholarship. Too often, however, discourse analysis remains unexplored, operating as a “black box,” underelaborated and hence undertheorized as to just what it offers. In this article, we articulate discourse analysis as inherently processual, by which we mean both that it should be understood as a process and that it can play an integral role throughout the research process. This article is derived from a meta-analysis of an exercise that invited early-career geographers to conduct discourse analysis on commentary centered on the 2013 U.S. federal government shutdown. The reflexive research process highlights the iterative, emergent, and dialogic properties of a processual engagement with a text. We suggest that recognizing these qualities enriches the role of both the analysis and the analyst(s) and expands the valence of discourse analysis as a productive and versatile component of critic...
Facility for the Year-Round Study of Bees

There is a great renewal of interest in keeping bees in shelters or other structures designed to provide some measure of controlled environment, whether this is for the benefit of the bees or for the convenience of the beekeeper or scientist. The “facility” described here is of the latter type, and may well be useful elsewhere than in the Arizona desert, for instance where bees are especially aggressive, or the climate uncertain.
An Evolutionary Strategy for Resilient Cyber Defense

Many cyber attacks can be attributed to poorly configured software, where administrators are often unaware of insecure settings due to the configuration complexity or the novelty of an attack. A resilient configuration management approach would address this problem by updating configuration settings based on current threats while continuing to render useful services. This responsive and adaptive behavior can be obtained using an evolutionary algorithm, where security measures of current configurations are employed to evolve new configurations. Periodically, these configurations are applied across a collection of computers, changing the systems' attack surfaces and reducing their exposure to vulnerabilities. The effectiveness of this evolutionary strategy for defending RedHat Linux Apache web-servers is analyzed experimentally through a study of configuration fitness, population diversity, and resiliency observations. Configuration fitness reflects the level of system confidentiality, integrity and availability; whereas, population diversity gauges the heterogeneous nature of the configuration sets. The computers' security depends upon the discovery of a diverse set of highly fit parameter configurations. Resilience reflects the evolutionary algorithm's adaptability to new security threats. Experimental results indicate the approach is able to determine and maintain secure parameter settings when confronted with a variety of simulated attacks over time.
Nicarbazin induced hypercholesterolemia in the hen.

SummaryThe equimolecular complex of 4,4'dinitrocarbanilide and 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (Nicarbazin, Merck), when fed at 0.04% of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet to 6-8 month-old laying hens, doubled plasma cholesterol within 2 weeks and tripled it within 4 weeks. Thereafter the hypercholesterolemia was maintained at levels between 600 and 900 mg % for as long as 32 weeks. The hypercholesterolemia appears to be induced and sustained by continuous resorption of yolk from partially developed ova, while yolk material continues to be deposited in other ova just beginning the growth cycle.Technical assistance of Kurt Textor and Eugene Borbely is gratefully acknowledged. Nicarbazin was supplied as 25% premix through courtesy of Dr. A. Zeissig, Merck Sharp & Dohme.
Influence of corticosteroids on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in vitro : Reduction of lysosomal enzyme release and superoxide production.

In an experimental system in which phagocytosis or adherence of cells to surfaces were excluded as variables, we have investigated the possibility that corticosteroids may inhibit release of lysosomal constituents from viable human polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the extracellular environment. Release ofΒ-glucuronidase and lysozyme from cytochalasin B-treated cells exposed to serum-treated zymosan, heat-aggregated human IgG, and the complement component C5a was significantly reduced by pretreatment with hydrocortisone sodium succinate and methylprednisolone sodium succinate (5×10(-4) M). Both steroids also reduced superoxide production by these cells. These in vitro studies provide evidence that corticosteroids influence membrane-dependent responses of intact, viable polymorphonuclear leukocytes to immune reactants. Inhibition of these responses (lysosomal enzyme release, superoxide production) may explain, in part, both the antiinflammatory actions of steroids and their deleterious effects on host defenses.
Effects of Interferon-Tau and Steroids on Cytochrome P450 Activity in Bovine Endometrial Epithelial Cells.

Contents The objective of the current study was to examine cyclooxygenase (COX), cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) and 2C (CYP2C) activity in bovine endometrial cell cultures following exposure to oxytocin (OT), interferon-τ (IFN), estradiol (E2) and/or progesterone (P4). Bovine endometrial epithelial cells were treated with OT, IFN, a combination of OT+IFN or control (CON) media for 24 h. For the second experiment, cells were treated with E2, P4, a combination of E2 + P4 or CON media for 24 h. Treatments were performed in triplicate, and the experiment was repeated four times (n = 12 per treatment). Treatment with OT alone increased (p < 0.01) activity of COX compared with CON; however, OT alone did not alter activity of CYP1A (p = 0.55) or CYP2C (p = 0.46) compared with CON. Activity of CYP1A and CYP2C was decreased in cells exposed to IFN (p < 0.01) or OT+IFN (p < 0.01) compared with CON. Treatment with E2 alone did not alter activity of CYP1A (p = 0.64) or CYP2C (p = 0.06) compared with CON. Activity of CYP1A and CYP2C was decreased (p < 0.01) in P4 vs CON. In summary, IFN exposure, irrespective of OT treatment, decreased the activity of CYP1A and CYP2C. Activity of CYP1A was decreased following P4 treatment alone, while that of CYP2C was decreased following both P4 and E2 + P4 treatment. The mixed function monooxygenase enzymes, CYP1A and CYP2C, have been implicated in synthesizing embryotoxic compounds; therefore, downregulation in the endometrium may be necessary during maternal recognition of pregnancy.
Comprehensive alpha, beta and delta cell transcriptomes reveal that ghrelin selectively activates delta cells and promotes somatostatin release from pancreatic islets

Abstract Objective Complex local crosstalk amongst endocrine cells within the islet ensures tight coordination of their endocrine output. This is illustrated by the recent demonstration that the negative feedback control by delta cells within pancreatic islets determines the homeostatic set-point for plasma glucose during mouse postnatal development. However, the close association of islet endocrine cells that facilitates paracrine crosstalk also complicates the distinction between effects mediated directly on beta cells from indirect effects mediated via local intermediates, such as somatostatin from delta cells. Methods To resolve this problem, we generated reporter mice that allow collection of pure pancreatic delta cells along with alpha and beta cells from the same islets and generated comprehensive transcriptomes for each islet endocrine cell type. These transcriptomes afford an unparalleled view of the receptors expressed by delta, alpha and beta cells, and allow the prediction of which signal targets which endocrine cell type with great accuracy. Results From these transcriptomes, we discovered that the ghrelin receptor is expressed exclusively by delta cells within the islet, which was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization and qPCR. Indeed, ghrelin increases intracellular calcium in delta cells in intact mouse islets, measured by GCaMP6 and robustly potentiates glucose-stimulated somatostatin secretion on mouse and human islets in both static and perfusion assays. In contrast, des-acyl-ghrelin at the same dose had no effect on somatostatin secretion and did not block the actions of ghrelin. Conclusions These results offer a straightforward explanation for the well-known insulinostatic actions of ghrelin. Rather than engaging beta cells directly, ghrelin engages delta cells to promote local inhibitory feedback that attenuates insulin release. These findings illustrate the power of our approach to resolve some of the long-standing conundrums with regard to the rich feedback that occurs within the islet that is integral to islet physiology and therefore highly relevant to diabetes.
Survey on Knowledge,Attitude of HIV/AIDS,and Sexual Behaviors Among the Adolescents,Anyang City

Objective To understand the current status of knowledge,attitude of HIV/AIDS,and sexual behaviors among the adolescents in Anyang city,so as to provide the basis for prevention and intervention. Methods A total of 2 142 students among 10 schools in Anyang city were selected by multistage stratified cluster sampling method for a questionnaire survey.SPSS 17.0software package were used for statistical analysis. Results Among the adolescents,9.20% of them had ever read pornographic books or pornographic audio-video products,which increased by different learning stages.27.80% of junior high school students and 48.29% of senior high school students had correct attitude towards HIVinfectors and which were proportional to the degree of mother's education level.51.48% of senior high school students had ever received education about AIDS in school,26.59% of them had ever dated the opposite sex friends,3.58% of them had sexual behavior.The incidence of sexual behavior in male students was higher than that in female students(P 0.01),that of the vocational high school students was the highest,that of thecommon high school students was higher than that of the key high school students(P 0.01).Theincidence of sexual behaviors declined with the mother's education level. Conclusion The rate of AIDS knowledge education and the rate of correct attitude towards HIV-infectors are low.The condition of sexual risk behavior among the adolescents is not optimistic.
Differences in somatic mutation landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma in Asian American and European American populations

// Song Yao 1, * , Christopher Johnson 2, * , Qiang Hu 2 , Li Yan 2 , Biao Liu 2 , Christine B. Ambrosone 1 , Jianmin Wang 2 , Song Liu 2 1 Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA 2 Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Song Yao, email: song.yao@roswellpark.org Jianmin Wang, email: jianmin.wang@roswellpark.org Song Liu, email: song.liu@roswellpark.org Keywords: somatic mutation, hepatocellular carcinoma, disparity, TCGA, ancestry Received: March 05, 2016 Accepted: May 09, 2016 Published: May 26, 2016 ABSTRACT The incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is higher in populations of Asian ancestry than European ancestry (EA). We sought to investigate HCC mutational differences between the two populations, which may reflect differences in the prevalence of etiological factors. We compared HCC somatic mutations in patients of self-reported Asian American and EA from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and assessed associations of tumor mutations with established HCC risk factors. Although the average mutation burden was similar, TP53 and RB1 were mutated at a much higher frequency in Asian Americans than in EAs ( TP53 : 43% vs. 21%; RB1 : 19% vs. 2%). Three putative oncogenic genes, including TRPM3 , SAGE1 , and ADAMTS7 , were mutated exclusively in Asians. In addition, VEGF binding pathway, a druggable target by tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib, was mutated at a higher frequency among Asians (13% vs. 2%); while the negative regulation of IL17 production, involved in inflammation and autoimmunity, was mutated only in EAs (12% vs. 0). Accounting for HCC risk factors had little impact on any of the mutational differences. In conclusion, we demonstrated here mutational differences in important cancer genes and pathways between Asian and European ancestries. These differences may have implications for the prevention and treatment of HCC.
A Place for School-Based Health Centers within the New Era of Alternative Payment Models in Medicaid

School-based health centers are a key part of the health care delivery system in many states, particularly in addressing the needs of low income and underserved communities. As the momentum for adopting alternative payment models (APM) develops and influences the reimbursement of Medicaid services, school-based health centers (SBHC) should be included in APM models. SBHCs serve as vital primary care sites for youth living in low income communities. Delivery systems undergoing alternative payment model reform will do well to leverage school-based health centers as a means to address health disparities experienced by low income, underserved youth. There are a handful of states that have begun to strategically embed school-based health centers into alternative payment models. New York State recently announced it will be moving SBHCs into the state’s Medicaid Managed Care program in July 2016, and transitioning reimbursement away from fee-for-service. Per member per month (PMPM) payments linked to school enrollment data can offer better budget predictability for the provider groups that serve as operating sponsors of SBHCs. In some cases, upfront, capitated payments can serve as the initial investment capital needed to build and operate new SBHC sites in order to capture the financial savings generated when managing patients in this lower cost setting. Through Medicaid 1115 waivers, states are innovating and transforming the way care is delivered and paid for within their state. Statewide lessons should be studied and shared nationally in hopes of creating policies that shape a comprehensive and standardized reimbursement environment which supports and expands the financial sustainability of school-based health centers.
Muscle insulin resistance in uremic humans: glucose transport, glucose transporters, and insulin receptors.

To determine the cellular basis for insulin resistance observed in patients with uremia, we investigated insulin action in vivo and in vitro using skeletal muscle obtained from patients with chronic renal failure. Uremic subjects had significantly reduced rates of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, as determined by a 3-h intravenous glucose tolerance test and using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique. Hepatic glucose production was similar before (control, 76.2 +/- 6.3 vs. uremic, 74.2 +/- 6.9 mg.kg-1.min-1) and during insulin infusion at 40 mU.m-2.min-1 (control, -60.9 +/- 6.6 vs. uremic, -53.9 +/- 6.3 mg.kg-1.min-1). In incubated human skeletal muscle fiber strips, basal 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport was unchanged in uremic subjects compared with controls. However, the increase in insulin-stimulated glucose transport was significantly reduced by 50% in muscles from uremic patients (P = 0.012). In partially purified insulin receptors prepared from skeletal muscle, 125I-labeled insulin binding, beta-subunit receptor autophosphorylation, and tyrosine kinase activity were all unchanged in uremic subjects. The abundance of insulin-sensitive (muscle/fat, GLUT-4) glucose transporter protein measured by Western blot using Mab 1F8 or polyclonal antisera was similar in muscles of control and uremic patients. These findings suggest that the insulin resistance observed in skeletal muscle of uremic patients cannot be attributed to defects in insulin receptor function or depletion of the GLUT-4 glucose transporter protein. An alternative step in insulin-dependent activation of the glucose transport process may be involved.
Complete genome sequence of a new bipartite begomovirus infecting fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) plants in Cameroon

The complete genome sequence was determined and characterized for a previously unreported bipartite begomovirus from fluted pumpkin (Telfairiaoccidentalis, family Cucurbitaceae) plants displaying mosaic symptoms in Cameroon. The DNA-A and DNA-B components were ~2.7 kb and ~2.6 kb in size, and the arrangement of viral coding regions on the genomic components was like those characteristic of other known bipartite begomoviruses originating in the Old World. While the DNA-A component was more closely related to that of chayote yellow mosaic virus (ChaYMV), at 78 %, the DNA-B component was more closely related to that of soybean chlorotic blotch virus (SbCBV), at 64 %. This newly discovered bipartite Old World virus is herein named telfairia mosaic virus (TelMV).
What do the professions ‘profess’? Comparing architecture and planning codes of ethics

ABSTRACTUsing concepts from the sociology of professions and institutional theory, we explore the ethical dispositions of the planning and architecture professions over time. We use the relevant codes from their major professional organizations (American Institute of Architects (AIA)) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)) to track what the professions have ‘professed’ from the 1940s to today. They converge in the 1970s over women’s rights, racial inequalities, the environmental movement, and historic preservation. They diverge as planning becomes process-oriented, concentrating on democratic values, long-range thinking, and citizen engagement, while architecture continues its focus on specific projects and the physical environment. There was a time of brief overlap in the professions when AIA codes started mentioning planning and policy matters in its remit, but those themes did not last. The professions could be headed for a clash or a collaboration as the current AICP code now mentions de...
Child Abuse Assessment

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the arena of child abuse assessment. Assessment of child abuse is undertaken either to evaluate allegations of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, so as to contribute to legal decision making, or to determine psychological adjustment following abuse experiences. Given these potentially divergent purposes, it is essential to clarify the purpose of each child abuse assessment and the consequent role of the evaluator at the outset of the evaluation process. Goals of forensic evaluations of child abuse include offering an opinion as to whether or not abuse has occurred, determining a child's competency to stand trial, and addressing a child's credibility related to testifying. On the other hand, goals of therapeutic evaluations include evaluating a child's level of psychological adjustment, informing treatment planning, and determining the effectiveness of treatments. Due to the potential ethical conflicts that are inherent in dual forensic and therapeutic roles, these roles should be kept separate. Regardless of whether a child abuse assessment is for forensic, research, or treatment planning purposes, the overarching goal of every child abuse assessment should be to promote the health and welfare of the child. Consistent with this goal, an ongoing focus on risk and protective factors should inform every child abuse assessment. Comprehensive information on relevant risk and protective factors is most likely gleaned through gathering information on multiple domains of functioning and using multiple informants and assessment measures.
Some Attitude Theories of Morality

1.1 I think that it is obvious that there is no set of moral facts, in virtue of which moral judgements are true or false, which exist wholly independently of the favour or disfavour, being for or against, approval or disapproval of persons. I shall follow the custom of calling moral theories which accept that thesis ‘attitude theories’, and I shall examine the most prominent of these in this chapter. David Hume, a classical attitude theorist, and contemporary emotivists have given rise to a widespread belief that in fact all attitude theories must be sceptical. It is my intention to show that this is not the case.
Zn Deficiency in the Rat: Relationship between Growth and Metal Content and Distribution

Zinc deficiency causes many physiological changes in mammalian organisms1. The inhibition of growth is both a rapid and conspicuous effect. However, the underlying relationships between site of metal loss and its biological effects are not well understood. It is appreciated that cells and tissues need not lose large amounts of Zn to display signs of Zn deficiency. The present study was undertaken to examine carefully the distribution of Zn and Cu in the rat after it is placed on a Zn-deficient diet.
Zika virus productively infects primary human placenta-specific macrophages

The strong association of Zika virus infection with congenital defects has led to questions of how a flavivirus is capable of crossing the placental barrier to reach the fetal brain. Here, we demonstrate permissive Zika virus infection of primary human placental macrophages, commonly referred to as Hofbauer cells, and placental villous fibroblasts. We also demonstrate Zika virus infection of Hofbauer cells within the context of the tissue ex vivo using term placental villous explants. In addition to amplifying infectious virus within a usually inaccessible area, the putative migratory activities of Hofbauer cells may aid in dissemination of Zika virus to the fetal brain. Understanding the susceptibility of placenta-specific cell types will aid future work around and understanding of Zika virus-associated pregnancy complications.
Examining the relationship between social communication on the ADOS and real-world reciprocal social communication in children with ASD.

Background While many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) communicate better with adults than peers, diagnostic measures are given by adult examiners. These measures may not accurately capture the deficits that children with ASD have in communicating with their peers.
Systematic Errors and Intrinsic Scatter

Certain types of uncertainty are difficult to estimate and may not be accounted in the initial error budget. This sometimes leads to a poor goodness-of-fit statistic and the rejection of the model used to fit the data. These missing sources of uncertainty may either be associated with the data themselves or with the model used to describe the data. In both cases, we describe methods to account for these errors and ensure that hypothesis testing is not biased by them.
Bone graft alternatives in the treatment of benign bone tumors.

Abstract Most bone grafting procedures are done during spinal fusion and to treat patients with skeletal trauma. Very few studies have addressed the bone grafting of skeletal defects after benign bone tumor excision. Contained defects have been treated with autogenous bone grafts, fresh-frozen allografts, freeze-dried allografts, demineralized bone matrix, and ceramic materials. Additionally, bone morphogenetic proteins may provide a future treatment option for bone tumor reconstruction.
Beyond Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being: Inspiration and the Self-Transcendence Tradition

In this chapter, we examine the role of inspiration in the promotion of well-being. We begin by reviewing conceptualizations of inspiration and theory concerning the two most prominent well-being traditions: hedonic well-being and eudaimonic well-being. We then present theoretical arguments for a role of inspiration in promoting hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, and we present empirical evidence in support of such effects. In the final section, we argue that inspiration may be regarded as an indicator of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in its own right. However, the two-tradition hedonic-eudaimonic perspective fails to provide an adequate historical-intellectual foundation for the type of well-being that inspiration represents. We conclude that inspiration is a paradigmatic exemplar of a third type of well-being—self-transcendent well-being—that has deep historical roots but that has been neglected by psychologists to date.