cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multidrug-resistant bacteria: overcoming antibiotic permeability barriers of gram-negative bacteria.

Because of the permeability barrier provided by the outer membrane (OM), Gram-negative bacteria are inherently resistant to many hydrophobic antibiotics. This resistance limits the arsenal of antibiotics that are effective in treating Gram-negative bacterial infections. Compounding this problem, strains of Gram-negative bacteria have emerged that display specific resistance mechanisms for effective antibiotics. As a means of expanding the arsenal of effective antibiotics for Gram-negative bacteria, compounds that permeabilize the OM to hydrophobic substances have been developed. These compounds are typically cationic, amphiphilic molecules that can be prepared from peptides or steroids. Effective OM permeabilizers sensitize Gram-negative bacteria to hydrophobic antibiotics, including erythromycin, fusidic acid, novobiocin and rifampin. These antibiotics are generally not useful in treating Gram-negative bacterial infections because they traverse the OM ineffectively. The use of OM permeabilizers, in combi...
MAXIMUM AREA INDEPENDENT SETS IN DISK INTERSECTION GRAPHS

Maximum Independent Set (MIS) and its relative Maximum Weight Independent Set (MWIS) are well-known problems in combinatorial optimization; they are NP-hard even in the geometric setting of unit disk graphs. In this paper, we study the Maximum Area Independent Set (MAIS) problem, a natural restricted version of MWIS in disk intersection graphs where the weight equals the disk area. We obtain: (i) Quantitative bounds on the maximum total area of an independent set relative to the union area; (ii) Practical constant-ratio approximation algorithms for finding an independent set with a large total area relative to the union area.
‘Political Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice’, by Nussbaum, Martha C.

Patriotism makes me uncomfortable.Like many Americans after Vietnam, I associate it with cynical (or ridiculous) attempts to ensure that people fall in line with whatever demands the state makes, i...
The Candida Genome Database (CGD), a community resource for Candida albicans gene and protein information

The Candida Genome Database (CGD) is a new database that contains genomic information about the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. CGD is a public resource for the research community that is interested in the molecular biology of this fungus. CGD curators are in the process of combing the scientific literature to collect all C.albicans gene names and aliases; to assign gene ontology terms that describe the molecular function, biological process, and subcellular localization of each gene product; to annotate mutant phenotypes; and to summarize the function and biological context of each gene product in free-text description lines. CGD also provides community resources, including a reservation system for gene names and a colleague registry through which Candida researchers can share contact information and research interests. CGD is publicly funded (by NIH grant R01 DE15873-01 from the NIDCR) and is freely available at http://www.candidagenome.org/.
The fine structure of human epithelial mast cells in periodontal disease

Ultrastructural study of the lining of the pathologic pockets of patients with chronic periodontal disease revealed the presence of mast cells within the epithelial layer. These intraepithelial mast cells had a variety of unusual shapes, and frequently appeared dendritic. These cells also had cytologic features which suggested that they were actively synthesizing mast cell granules and releasing them into the extracellular space. The findings indicate that intraepithelial mast cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of the sulcular epithelial changes which are seen in human periodontal disease.
Density Dependent Dynamics in the Population of Transgender Interest Groups in the United States, 1964–2005

Objective. This article seeks to determine the value of density dependence theory in helping us understand the process of interest group mobilization. The general theory of density dependence has been tested against manifold organizational populations. It has not, however, been tested extensively against data on populations of overtly political organizations. Methods. I test the theory of density dependence against original data on the foundings of nationally active transgender interest groups in the United States for the period 1964–2005. I estimate several simple Poisson regression count models. Results. The results provide strong support for the theory of density dependence. Specifically, in the population of U.S. transgender interest groups, the data imply an inverted-U relationship between density and the founding rate. Conclusions. My findings suggest the following: (1) theories of group mobilization that do not take contextual variables into account are likely to be incomplete; and (2) interest group populations most likely have stable carrying capacities. In all, the results provide yet more support for the general organizational ecology paradigm.
Estimating the Effect of Influenza Vaccination on Nursing Home Residents’ Morbidity and Mortality

Objectives To estimate the effect of influenza vaccination on hospitalization and mortality in nursing home (NH) residents. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Medicare claims data linked to NH Minimum Data Set assessments and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance data from 122 U.S. cities. Participants More than 1 million Medicare fee-for-service, long-stay NH residents between 2000 and 2009. Measurements Weekly facility outcome aggregates of NH resident pneumonia and influenza (P&I) hospitalizations and all-cause mortality and city-level P&I mortality as reported by the CDC were created. The seasonal vaccine match rate for influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B strains was calculated, and each outcome was compared in seasons of high and low match rates using facility fixed-effects regression models separately for full-year and nonsummer months. Results Average weekly all-cause mortality varied across seasons from 3.74 to 4.13 per 1,000 NH residents per week, and hospitalization for P&I varied from 2.05 to 2.43. Vaccine match rates were invariably high for H1N1 but variable across seasons for the other two types. The association between vaccine match and reduction in overall mortality and P&I hospitalizations was strongest for A/H3N2, the influenza strain typically responsible for the most-severe influenza cases. Given the approximately 130,000 deaths and 77,000 P&I hospitalizations of long-stay NH residents during the 32 nonsummer weeks, the model estimated that a 50-percentage-point increase in the A/H3N2 match rate (from 75%) reduced long-stay NH resident deaths by 2.0% and P&I hospitalizations by 4.2%. Conclusion Well-matched influenza vaccine prevents P&I hospitalizations and mortality in NH residents.
New lattice-nucleus coupling mechanisms and possible energy production

Two new basic physical mechanisms involving lattice-nuclear coupling have been recently proposed: (1) neutron hopping in crystals (in analogy with electron hopping); and (2) anomalous energy exchange by frequency shifting of highly excited phonon modes (/spl Delta/E=N/sub ph//spl planck//spl delta//spl omega/). Elastic neutron hopping has been predicted to occur in crystals containing nuclei /sup A+1/Z with an outer s-shell valence neutron and parent nuclei /sup A/Z, under conditions where the RMS vibrational motion of these nuclei greatly exceeds the Lindemann rule for melting. Hydrogen and deuterium nuclei in metal hydrides can satisfy this criterion. We propose that neutron hopping to other nuclei can occur under, conditions that the lattice dissipates the energy excess via the anomalous energy transfer mechanism. These effects are of interest for their possible application to the problem of nuclear energy generation.
Factors affecting the signal quality in optical data transmission and estimation method for BER and SNR

Optical communication in fiber and photonic devices is subject to power loss and signal distortion due to linear and nonlinear phenomena. We provide an analysis of factors that affect the signal quality and we describe a method to estimate the signal bit error rate based on eye diagram sampling and statistical estimates.
SEED SIZE, NITROGEN SUPPLY, AND GROWTH RATE AFFECT TREE SEEDLING SURVIVAL IN DEEP SHADE

Species differences in seedling survival in deeply shaded understories (i.e., shade tolerance) may depend on both seed size and growth rates, but their relative contributions to survival and how they change with time and with variation in light and belowground resource availability is unknown. With a greenhouse experiment we investigated these relationships by examining responses of growth, growth-related morphology, survival, and their interrelationships to a range of nitrogen (3.4 × 10−9–3.4 × 10−3 mol/L N fertilizer solutions) and low light (0.6–7.3% of open sky) availabilities for young seedlings of 10 North American tree species that vary in observational shade tolerance rankings and seed size (Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, Betula alleghaniensis, Acer saccharum, Larix laricina, Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa, Pinus strobus, Picea mariana, and Abies balsamea). Within all species, relative growth rate (RGR) and survival increased with light. RGR and survival also increased with N supply but only at the two highest light levels, and then only for the shade-intolerant, broad-leaved Populus and Betula spp.. In every species, survival was positively related to RGR. Moreover, each species differed in the relationship of survival to RGR, and these differences were related to seed mass: at any given RGR, large-seeded, shade-tolerant species had higher survival than smaller-seeded, intolerant ones. Across species, in most light and N treatments, seed mass was positively related to young seedling survival, but RGR was not. In very low light the relative benefits of greater seed mass to survival were temporary. As seedlings aged, interspecific mortality rates became more dependent on observational shade tolerance rankings than on seed size, but mortality was still unrelated to RGR. Our results indicate potentially important interactions among light, N, and species that could influence regeneration dynamics. For young seedlings in deeply shaded microsites, N supply does not matter, and only shade-tolerant species survive due, in part, to large seeds and physiological traits other than RGR. In moderate shade, RGR is greater, and survival is high for all species, except that small-seeded, broad-leaved, intolerant species have low survival and RGR at low N supply. This suggests that broad-leaved shade-intolerant species compete more effectively in moderate shade on richer soils than on poorer soils. Although we found that both seed mass and vegetative physiology influenced survival in shade, they did not covary tightly, suggesting that they are under somewhat separate selection pressures.
Secure communications in ad hoc networks

Ad hoc networks are collections of mobile nodes with links that are made or broken in an arbitrary way. They have no fixed infrastructure and may have constrained resources. The next generation of IT applications is expected to rely heavily on such networks. However, before they can be successfully deployed several major security threats must be addressed. These threats are due mainly to the ad hoc nature of these networks. Consequently it may be much harder (or even impossible) to establish a secure communication channel that can tolerate malicious faults. In this paper we first propose a general model for ad hoc networks based on Bayesian inferences that satisfies the basic mobility requirements of such networks and formally define our requirements for secure communication. We then propose a secure communication protocol that trace malicious faults.
Comparison of MesoHABSIM with two microhabitat models (PHABSIM and HARPHA)

This study demonstrates how using different habitat models can influence the results of instream habitat assessment and conclusions for river management. We used three models for a portion of the Quinebaug River (Connecticut and Massachusetts, USA): a simplistic microhabitat model with univariate habitat-use criteria and substrate-based channel index (the Physical Habitat Simulation Model (PHABSIM)); a microhabitat model using multivariate criteria including a wide range of cover attributes (HARPHA); and a mesohabitat model with multivariate habitat-suitability criteria (MesoHABSIM). The flow-habitat rating curves produced by each model were compared at two scales: site and study segment. To investigate the impact of model choice on answering questions such as which location or flow provides more habitat, we applied Spearman's correlation of ranks. The relationship between habitat-suitability predictions and fish presence at the same location was investigated with dedicated fish observations. The study showed that: (1) of the tested models, only MesoHABSIM predictions correlated with fish observations; (2) the variation within microscale models (PHABSIM and HARPHA) was greater than between micro-and mesoscale models (HARPHA and MesoHABSIM); and (3) simple univariate habitat-use criteria provided the largest source of discrepancies among the models. We suggest that these differences may lead to erroneous conclusions, especially if flow-habitat rating curve analysis is considered an endpoint of instream flow study. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trajectories of Preparation for Future Care Among First-Degree Relatives of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients: An Ancillary Study of ADAPT

Purpose: This study examines the longitudinal patterns of Preparation for Future Care (PFC), defined as Awareness, Avoidance, Gathering Information, Decision Making, and Concrete Plans, in firstdegree relatives of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Design and Methods: Eight time points across 6.5 years from a subsample of adults aged 70 years and older who were participating in the Alzheimer’s Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT) were analyzed using latent growth modeling. Baseline attitudes toward planning for future care and demographic variables functioned as predictors in the conditional analyses. Results: Awareness, Gathering Information, Decision Making, and Concrete Planning increased across time, but Avoidance did not. Covariates were more often associated with the initial levels of planning behavior than with change across time. Women engaged in more initial Decision Making than men. Education was associated with more initial Gathering Information, Decision Making, and less Avoidance. Favorable attitudes toward planning were more predictive of baseline Awareness, Gathering Information, Avoidance, and less so for Decision Making or Concrete Planning. Implications: Older adults with an elevated risk for AD increase in positive PFC behaviors gradually across time. Demographic characteristics and attitudes predict initial levels of planning, making it possible to identify individuals who might need help progressing to more advanced levels of planning. Future studies are needed to understand rates of change in planning behaviors.
Factors Affecting School Quality in Florida.

This paper examines the factors that are theorized to be determinants of school quality in the 67 counties of Florida from 2000 to 2011. The model constructed for this purpose is comprised of a mix of independent variables that include county educational attainment (number of high school graduates and State University System enrollees) and economic factors (median household income, unemployment rate, number of housing starts, and property tax revenue per student). Furthermore, the model also considers 4 demographic/social variables (percent of population from 5 to 17 years old, percent white, percent female, and crime rate), as well as a variable for trend. The trend variable allows inferences to be made about the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. It is hypothesized that these 11 variables will explain the variation in school quality by county over the observed time period.
EEG Source Imaging Enhances the Decoding of Complex Right-Hand Motor Imagery Tasks

Goal: Sensorimotor-based brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) have achieved successful control of real and virtual devices in up to three dimensions; however, the traditional sensor-based paradigm limits the intuitive use of these systems. Many control signals for state-of-the-art BCIs involve imagining the movement of body parts that have little to do with the output command, revealing a cognitive disconnection between the user's intent and the action of the end effector. Therefore, there is a need to develop techniques that can identify with high spatial resolution the self-modulated neural activity reflective of the actions of a helpful output device. Methods: We extend previous EEG source imaging (ESI) work to decoding natural hand/wrist manipulations by applying a novel technique to classifying four complex motor imaginations of the right hand: flexion, extension, supination, and pronation. Results: We report an increase of up to 18.6% for individual task classification and 12.7% for overall classification using the proposed ESI approach over the traditional sensor-based method. Conclusion: ESI is able to enhance BCI performance of decoding complex right-hand motor imagery tasks. Significance: This study may lead to the development of BCI systems with naturalistic and intuitive motor imaginations, thus facilitating broad use of noninvasive BCIs.
Open Source as a viable technical resource for Nigeria's developing health system

This article provides an in-depth analysis into the usefulness of Open Source Electronic Health Recording Systems for Nigeria's struggling health care system. It critiques the present quality of care received by patients, while advocating a revised education and management infrastructure. Open Source Software (OSS) Practice Fusion is analysed to determine how it can lead to improved efficiency, as well as the contingent factors that may hinder efficiency, in order prove its viability as a technical resource and to determine the key areas of the software necessary for successful implementation and adoption. The results of this study lead to the framework of analysis that it will be tested against once the system is implemented.
Convective Adjustment and Thermohaline Excitability

Abstract Welander's flip–flop model exhibits oscillations when forced by stochastic white noise (with zero mean) even in the region of parameters where the deterministic system has a globally stable fixed point. Perturbations away from the attracting solutions decay exponentially in time, without any oscillation. Thus, the oscillation that appears when the system is stochastically forced is not related to an eigenfrequency of the linearized system. The characteristics of this noise-induced oscillation are contrasted with those obtained when the damped harmonic oscillator is forced stochastically. In the case of a stochastically forced damped harmonic oscillator the spectral peak coincides with the frequency of the oscillator, and the amplitude of the oscillations is proportional to the strength of the noise. In the stochastically forced flip-flop model the amplitude of the oscillations is independent of the strength of the noise and the spectral peak moves to lower frequencies as the amplitude of the nois...
Palexorista laxa: Development, Longevity, and Production of Progeny on Heliothis spp.

The effect of several constant temperatures on the ability of the Heliothis parasite, Palexorista laxa (Curran), to increase in numbers was studied in the laboratory. Successful development from egg to adult occurred within a temperature range of 15–35°C, but only ca. 10% survived at the 2 extremes. The time required for development was indirectly related to temperature within a range of 15–32.2°C. Males developed slightly faster than females at all temperatures tested. Longevity of both sexes decreased with increasing temperatures, but females outlived males at lower temperatures and males showed greater tolerance for the higher temperatures. Production of puparia by individual females was highly variable. Maximum progeny production, an avg. 72.2/♀, occurred at 25°C. However, the greatest production per female per day occurred at 32.2°C. Males were capable of multiple mating, and effectively fertilized as many as 4 ♀.
Pyrolysis of Wastewater Biosolids Significantly Reduces Estrogenicity

Most wastewater treatment processes are not specifically designed to remove micropollutants. Many micropollutants are hydrophobic so they remain in the biosolids and are discharged to the environment through land-application of biosolids. Micropollutants encompass a broad range of organic chemicals, including estrogenic compounds (natural and synthetic) that reside in the environment, a.k.a. environmental estrogens. Public concern over land application of biosolids stemming from the occurrence of micropollutants hampers the value of biosolids which are important to wastewater treatment plants as a valuable by-product. This research evaluated pyrolysis, the partial decomposition of organic material in an oxygen-deprived system under high temperatures, as a biosolids treatment process that could remove estrogenic compounds from solids while producing a less hormonally active biochar for soil amendment. The estrogenicity, measured in estradiol equivalents (EEQ) by the yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay, of pyrolyzed biosolids was compared to primary and anaerobically digested biosolids. The estrogenic responses from primary solids and anaerobically digested solids were not statistically significantly different, but pyrolysis of anaerobically digested solids resulted in a significant reduction in EEQ; increasing pyrolysis temperature from 100°C to 500°C increased the removal of EEQ with greater than 95% removal occurring at or above 400°C. This research demonstrates that biosolids treatment with pyrolysis would substantially decrease (removal>95%) the estrogens associated with this biosolids product. Thus, pyrolysis of biosolids can be used to produce a valuable soil amendment product, biochar, that minimizes discharge of estrogens to the environment.
Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) display reduced pollen foraging behavior when marked with bee tags vs. paint

Numbered bee tags, developed for marking honey bees ( Apis mellifera Linnaeus), are glued to the mesosoma of many bees to uniquely identify them. We recorded whether or not bees sonicated to collect pollen after being marked, and we compared the sonication frequency, sonication length, and wing beat frequency of Bombus ( Pyrobombus ) impatiens Cresson that were tagged with bee tags vs. marked with paint. We found that bees with tags glued to their mesosoma had no significant change in wing beat frequency, sonication frequency, or sonication length, relative to bees that were marked with paint; however, we found that the probability of collecting pollen via sonication after being marked was much lower for bees marked with bee tags vs. paint.
Brain Na,K-ATPase: Regulation by Norepinephrine and an Endogenous Inhibitor

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the regulation of brain Na, K-ATPase by Norepinephrine and an endogenous inhibitor. One important question about Na, K-ATPase is whether there are specific mechanisms whereby populations of enzyme molecules having specialized physiologic functions are regulated. The possible presence of two enzyme forms raises the question of whether they are differentially regulated by physiologic enzyme effectors. A compound in brain extracts and plasma that reduces cardiac glycoside binding, cation transport, and enzyme activity is one candidate for such an effector, especially because the endogenous inhibitor appears to interact with the cardiac glycoside binding site and affinity for cardiac glycosides may distinguish the two enzyme forms. The experiments reported in the chapter examine: (1) the interactions of endogenous inhibitor and norepinephrine with high-affinity ouabain binding, (2) interactions between norepinephrine and endogenous inhibitor in vitro , and (3) the effects of persistent changes in exposure to norepinephrine in vivo on high-affinity ouabain binding. The material in brain extract reduced stimulation of enzyme activity by norepinephrine, decreasing maximal stimulation 3-fold and apparent affinity 10-fold.
Experiences of Mandarin-speaking and English-speaking women of undergoing non-invasive prenatal genetic screening

Summary Introduction Cell-free DNA testing for fetal aneuploidies has been broadly commercialized internationally, especially in the United States and China. It is a relatively new technology, and allows for the non-invasive screening of common aneuploidies more accurately than traditional serum screening. However, the implementation of cfDNA differs according to the healthcare context in which it takes place. Methods Using content analysis of online pregnancy forums in China and the US, we compared the views of Mandarin-speaking and English-speaking participants on cfDNA testing with a focus on cfDNA within the broader prenatal testing landscape. Results We found factually incorrect beliefs regarding cfDNA expressed in both the Mandarin-speaking and English-speaking groups. Though some English-speaking women knew cfDNA was for screening purposes, many nevertheless discussed the test and its results as diagnostic. Many Mandarin-speaking women expressed the belief that cfDNA was completely accurate, and none mentioned the possibility of a false positive. Although English-speaking women discussed speaking with a genetic counseling about their results, there was almost no mention of genetic counseling in the Mandarin-speaking group; some Mandarin-speaking women mentioned receiving their cfDNA results via text message. Discussion These findings raise concerns about the informed consent that women are giving to undergo cfDNA screening. The price and availability of cfDNA also appeared to pose a significant barrier to many women considering cfDNA. Both Mandarin and English speakers viewed cfDNA as a very expensive test, and English-speaking women frequently discussed difficulty in getting insurance to cover it. Women in both groups also discussed the lack of convenient access to cfDNA in their area, an issue that was particularly prevalent in the Mandarin-speaking group, many of whom mentioned that cfDNA was only available in large cities or certain hospitals. These concerns introduce the possibility of inequities in access to certain prenatal screening technologies. Conclusion Overall, our findings illustrate that while some of the barriers cfDNA testing is facing in China and US are dependent on cultural and structural context, many of the central issues of informed consent, affordability and access are consistent cross-culturally.
Hormone replacement therapy and beyond: The clinical challenge of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors

Early diagnosis and refinements in anti-cancer regimens have significantly reduced the mortality rate from breast cancer. In fact, breast cancer survivors represent the largest group of cancer survivors In the United States. Most breast cancer cases are diagnosed after menopause and those women diagnosed before menopause become menopausal as a result of chemotherapy. Thus a significant number of breast cancer survivors must also contend with symptoms and consequences of menopause, particularly hot flashes, night sweats, mood disorders, and bone loss. The available data suggest a possible role for hormone therapy (estrogen alone, or, combination estrogen/progestin) in the management of menopausal symptoms in select breast cancer survivors. Well-designed controlled trials are needed in this population. In the meantime, some nonhormone therapies may be options for management of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and osteoporosis.
Applications of Flow Cytometry to the Study of Immunology and Immune Diseases

ABSTRACT Flow cytometry can be a powerful tool in biomedical research and clinical medicine. It is possible to analyze the surface determinants of individual cells, to determine cytoplasmic materials, and to quantitate nuclear DNA content. Cells with the desired characteristics can be separated from other cells and studied or treated independently. Use of this technique is rapidly increasing our fund of knowledge and promises to improve the quality of medical care.
21-Gene recurrence score and locoregional recurrence in lymph node-negative, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay evaluates the likelihood of distant recurrence and benefit of chemotherapy in lymph node-negative, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patients. The RS categories are associated with the risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR) in some, but not all studies. We reviewed the institutional database to identify consecutive female patients with node-negative, ER+/HER2− breast carcinoma tested for the 21-gene RS assay and treated at our center from 2008 to 2013. We collected data on clinicopathologic features, treatment, and outcome. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.4 or R version 3.3.2. Of 2326 patients, 60% (1394) were in the low RS group, 33.4% (777) in the intermediate RS group, and 6.6% (155) in the high RS group. Median follow-up was 53 months. A total of 44 LRRs were observed, with a cumulative incidence of 0.17% at 12 months and 1.6% at 48 months. The cumulative incidence of LRR at 48 months was 0.84%, 2.72% and 2.80% for low, intermediate, and high RS groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Univariate analysis showed that the risk of LRR was associated with the RS categories (p < 0.01), T stage (p < 0.01) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (p = 0.009). There was no difference in LRR rates by initial local treatment (total mastectomy vs. breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy). The RS remained significantly associated with LRR after adjusting for LVI and T stage. Compared to patients with low RS, the risk of LRR was increased more than 4-fold (hazard ratio: 4.61, 95% CI 1.90–11.19, p < 0.01), and 3-fold (hazard ratio: 2.81, 95% CI 1.41–5.56, p < 0.01) for high and intermediate risk categories, respectively. Our study confirms that RS is significantly associated with the risk of LRR in node-negative, ER+/HER2− breast cancer patients. Our findings suggest that in addition to its value for prognostic stage grouping and decision-making regarding adjuvant systemic therapy, the role of the RS in identifying patients not requiring radiotherapy should be studied.
The eutheria-specific miR-290 cluster modulates placental growth and maternal-fetal transport

The vertebrate-specific ESCC microRNA family arises from two genetic loci in mammals: miR-290/miR-371 and miR-302. The miR-302 locus is found broadly among vertebrates, whereas the miR-290/miR-371 locus is unique to eutheria, suggesting a role in placental development. Here, we evaluate that role. A knock-in reporter for the mouse miR-290 cluster is expressed throughout the embryo until gastrulation, when it becomes specifically expressed in extraembryonic tissues and the germline. In the placenta, expression is limited to the trophoblast lineage, where it remains highly expressed until birth. Deletion of the miR-290 cluster gene (Mirc5) results in reduced trophoblast progenitor cell proliferation and a reduced DNA content in endoreduplicating trophoblast giant cells. The resulting placenta is reduced in size. In addition, the vascular labyrinth is disorganized, with thickening of the maternal-fetal blood barrier and an associated reduction in diffusion. Multiple mRNA targets of the miR-290 cluster microRNAs are upregulated. These data uncover a crucial function for the miR-290 cluster in the regulation of a network of genes required for placental development, suggesting a central role for these microRNAs in the evolution of placental mammals.
Motor axons are guided to exit points in the spinal cord by Slit and Netrin signals

In the spinal cord, motor axons project out the neural tube at specific exit points, then bundle together to project toward target muscles. The molecular signals that guide motor axons to and out of their exit points remain undefined. Since motor axons and their exit points are located near the floor plate, guidance signals produced by the floor plate and adjacent ventral tissues could influence motor axons as they project toward and out of exit points. The secreted Slit proteins are major floor plate repellents, and motor neurons express two Slit receptors, Robo1 and Robo2. Using mutant mouse embryos at early stages of motor axon exit, we found that motor exit points shifted ventrally in Robo1/2 or Slit1/2 double mutants. Along with the ventral shift, mutant axons had abnormal trajectories both within the neural tube toward the exit point, and after exit into the periphery. In contrast, the absence of the major ventral attractant, Netrin-1, or its receptor, DCC caused motor exit points to shift dorsally. Netrin-1 attraction on spinal motor axons was demonstrated by in vitro explant assays, showing that Netrin-1 increased outgrowth and attracted cultured spinal motor axons. The opposing effects of Slit/Robo and Netrin-1/DCC signals were tested genetically by combining Netrin-1 and Robo1/2 mutations. The location of exit points in the combined mutants was significantly recovered to their normal position compared to Netrin-1 or Robo1/2 mutants. Together, these results suggest that the proper position of motor exit points is determined by a "push-pull" mechanism, pulled ventrally by Netrin-1/DCC attraction and pushed dorsally by Slit/Robo repulsion.
FDG Avid Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PET/MR imaging shows higher sensitivity for diagnosing HCC with PET playing an important adjunct in patients with focal hepatic lesions. Hypermetabolism on PET/MRI, as quantified by the SUV, is directly proportional to the biologic aggressiveness of the tumor.
The Tintometer, Anthropology and the Science of Color

In 1898, physician and marine biologist A.C. Haddon set off with a group of scientists from Cambridge, England. They aimed to study the residents of what they considered the antipode — the opposite...
Macrophages Promote Circulating Tumor Cell-Mediated Local Recurrence following Radiotherapy in Immunosuppressed Patients.

Although radiation therapy (RT) decreases the incidence of locoregional recurrence in breast cancer, patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have increased risk of local recurrence following breast-conserving therapy (BCT). The relationship between RT and local recurrence is unknown. Here we tested the hypothesis that recurrence in some instances is due to the attraction of circulating tumor cells to irradiated tissues. To evaluate the effect of absolute lymphocyte count on local recurrence after RT in TNBC patients, we analyzed radiation effects on tumor and immune cell recruitment to tissues in an orthotopic breast cancer model. Recurrent patients exhibited a prolonged low absolute lymphocyte count when compared to non-recurrent patients following RT. Recruitment of tumor cells to irradiated normal tissues was enhanced in the absence of CD8+ T cells. Macrophages (CD11b+F480+) preceded tumor cell infiltration and were recruited to tissues following RT. Tumor cell recruitment was mitigated by inhibiting macrophage infiltration using maraviroc, an FDA-approved CCR5 receptor antagonist. Our work poses the intriguing possibility that excessive macrophage infiltration in the absence of lymphocytes promotes local recurrence after RT. This combination thus defines a high-risk group of TNBC patients.
Assessment of intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathway in excitotoxic retinal ganglion cell death.

Excitotoxicity leads to the activation of a cytotoxic cascade that causes neuronal death. In the retina, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) die after an excitotoxic insult. Multiple pathways have been proposed to contribute to RGC death after an excitotoxic insult, including TNF signaling, JNK activation, and ER stress. To test the importance of these pathways in RGC death after excitotoxic injury, the excitotoxin N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was intravitreally injected into mice deficient in components of these pathways. Absence of Tnf or its canonical downstream mediator, Bid, did not confer short- or long-term protection to RGCs. Despite known activation in RGCs and a prominent role in mediating RGC death after other insults, attenuating JNK signaling did not prevent RGC death after excitotoxic insult. Additionally, deficiency of the ER stress protein DDIT3 (CHOP), which has been shown to be involved in RGC death, did not lessen NMDA induced RGC death. Furthermore, absence of both Jun (JNK’s canonical target) and Ddit3, which together provide robust, long-term protection to RGC somas after axonal insult, did not lessen RGC death. Collectively, these results indicate that the drivers of excitotoxic injury remain to be identified and/or multiple cell death pathways are activated in response to injury.
Natural History and Collection

This chapter is intended to deal with the lives of squids in their natural setting — the oceans of the world. Many entertaining stories about squid are given by Lane (1960). Squid have been popularized also by Voss and Sisson (1967) and Cousteau and Diole (1973). There are difficulties in approaching this subject owing to the vast extent of the world’s ocean, the numbers of species, their different life stages and the physical limitations on direct observations. Squids are poorly adapted to the laboratory setting because of their size, fragility and general activity (Hanlon, 1987) and there is no simple way to study their organismic biology. At present, their natural history results from an assembly of fragmentary sources including chance observations in the field and laboratory determinations at the physiological or cellular level (Boyle, 1987; Clarke and Trueman, 1988). In a few fortunate cases, long term maintenance and cultivation has allowed laboratory study, especially for cuttlefish and the smaller squids with large eggs. Direct underwater observations have so far been of limited value.
Stage-specific expression of c-kit protein by murine hematopoietic progenitors

We have analyzed c-kit expression by hematopoietic progenitors from normal and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated mice by staining with monoclonal anti-c-kit antibody ACK-4. Marrow cells that were enriched for progenitors by a combination of metrizamide density separation and negative immunomagnetic selection with lineage-specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were separated into three populations based on the level of c-kit expression, c-kit(high), c-kit(low), and c-kit-. The majority of colony-forming cells from normal mice were in c-kit(high) population, whereas most of the progenitors from 5-FU-treated mice were in the c-kit(low) population. Optimal colony formation from c-kit(low) cells from 5-FU-treated mice required the interactions of at least two factors among interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-11 and steel factor (SF) whereas colony formation from c-kit(high) cells of normal mice was supported well by IL-3 alone. Blast cells that were derived from 5-day culture of c-kit(low) post 5-FU cells were c-kit(high). These observations suggest that the primitive hematopoietic progenitors in cell cycle dormancy are c-kit(low) whereas actively cell cycling maturer progenitors are c- kit(high). Mature cells, with the exception of mast cells, derived from secondary culture of the c-kit(high) blast cells expressed little, if any, c-kit. These results are consistent with a model in which c-kit expression progresses from low levels on primitive, dormant multipotent progenitors to high levels on later, actively cycling progenitors, and finally, decreases to very low or undetectable levels on most mature blood cells, with the exception of mast cells.
Rethinking Learning in the Rapid Developments of Neuroscience, Learning Technologies, and Learning Sciences

In this chapter, we discuss the purpose of this book and provide an overview of evolving discussions on the definitions of human learning, the processes of learning, and the methods to assess learning based on new advances and discoveries in learning sciences, learning technologies, and neurosciences.
Wave-based non-line-of-sight imaging using fast f-k migration

Imaging objects outside a camera's direct line of sight has important applications in robotic vision, remote sensing, and many other domains. Time-of-flight-based non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging systems have recently demonstrated impressive results, but several challenges remain. Image formation and inversion models have been slow or limited by the types of hidden surfaces that can be imaged. Moreover, non-planar sampling surfaces and non-confocal scanning methods have not been supported by efficient NLOS algorithms. With this work, we introduce a wave-based image formation model for the problem of NLOS imaging. Inspired by inverse methods used in seismology, we adapt a frequency-domain method, f-k migration, for solving the inverse NLOS problem. Unlike existing NLOS algorithms, f-k migration is both fast and memory efficient, it is robust to specular and other complex reflectance properties, and we show how it can be used with non-confocally scanned measurements as well as for non-planar sampling surfaces. f-k migration is more robust to measurement noise than alternative methods, generally produces better quality reconstructions, and is easy to implement. We experimentally validate our algorithms with a new NLOS imaging system that records room-sized scenes outdoors under indirect sunlight, and scans persons wearing retroreflective clothing at interactive rates.
On defining coarticulation

Abstract: A scientific explanation consists of the identification of basic entities and the mechanism whereby these entities are interrelated to generate a given phenomenon. Though we are at this time not able to explain coarticulation, we are attempting to clarify the basic assumptions that underlie this notion in the belief that a clear definition constitutes the major part of explanation. The notion of coarticulation presupposes the existence of segments, i.e. canonical targets of articulation. Coarticulation results from the interaction of these canonical segments by means of a mechanism of which we are woefully ignorant, but which might involve “feature spreading”, i.e. the spreading of a feature inherent to one canonical segment to another segment to which the feature is not inherent. The result of this process is a “smoothing out” of the transitions between the segments and thus turns a sequence of entities into a continuum.
Multiple Facets of Value-Based Decision Making in Major Depressive Disorder

Depression is clinically characterized by obvious changes in decision making that cause distress and impairment. Though several studies suggest impairments in depressed individuals in single tasks, there has been no systematic investigation of decision making in depression across tasks. We compare participants diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (n = 64) to healthy controls (n = 64) using a comprehensive battery of nine value-based decision-making tasks which yield ten distinct measures. MDD participants performed worse on punishment (d = −0.54) and reward learning tasks (d = 0.38), expressed more pessimistic predictions regarding winning money in the study (d = −0.47) and were less willing to wait in a persistence task (d = −0.39). Performance on learning, expectation, and persistence tasks each loaded on unique dimensions in a factor analysis and punishment learning and future expectations each accounted for unique variance in predicting depressed status. Decision-making performance alone could predict depressed status out-of-sample with 72% accuracy. The findings are limited to MDD patients ranging between moderate to severe depression and the effects of medication could not be accounted for due to the cross sectional nature of the study design. These results confirm hints from single task studies that depression has the strongest effects on reinforcement learning and expectations about the future. Our results highlight the decision processes that are impacted in major depression, and whose further study could lead to a more detailed computational understanding of distinct facets of this heterogeneous disorder.
A Systematic Review of Basic Science and Animal Studies on the Use of Doxycycline to Reduce the Risk of Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture/Transection.

Background:Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) after injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is common.Purpose:To perform a systematic review of basic science and animal studies to determine...
Heat transfer in turbulent flow with radiation for small optical depths

A study of the effects of radiation on the heat transfer in fully developed turbulent flow in a channel is carried out. The analysis is valid for both small optical depths and for the optically thin limit. Nongrey effects are included through use of the total band absorptance.
Exclusionary discipline practices in early childhood settings: A survey of child care directors

Abstract The current study examined the use of suspensions and expulsions in child care settings in Pennsylvania. Among 345 center directors, 82.9% of directors reported at least one suspension request, and 64.0% reported at least one expulsion request in response to challenging behavior in the previous 12 months. Across all directors, a total of 6,884 suspensions and expulsions were reported. Negative binomial regressions were conducted to examine predictors of director-reported exclusionary discipline. Directors who were more satisfied in their current job reported fewer expulsions. Expulsions were also reported less frequently at centers that reported using the Pyramid Model for Promoting Young Children's Social Emotional Competence. Interestingly, higher center-wide use of other types of supports for children with challenging behavior, including using additional staff members, was associated with more expulsions, suggesting that these supports may be used as a tool during the process of expelling a child. These findings have implications for policy and prevention efforts, including the potential value in attending to director well-being and encouraging the use of Pyramid Model strategies in efforts to prevent suspensions and expulsions. Future research is still needed to better understand relations between center-, director-, and teacher-level factors and the use of exclusionary discipline practices.
Development of Multimodal Machine Learning Potentials: Toward a Physics-Aware Artificial Intelligence.

ConspectusMachine learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) are widely used for describing molecular energy and continue bridging the speed and accuracy gap between quantum mechanical (QM) and classi...