cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catecholamine, Serotonin and Tetrahydrobiopterin Levels in Brain Regions of Male, C57B1/6J Mice Treated with MPTP (1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine)

The neurotoxin MPTP produces secondary Parkinson’s disease (PD) in humans (1), a syndrome resembling parkinsonism in monkeys (2), and striatal dopamine (DA) depletions in mice (3) and dogs (4). In contrast, MPTP has little effect on DA levels in rats (5) or in guinea pigs (6). While there is biochemical, behavorial and histological evidence for loss of dopaminergic cells in the monkey (2), the corresponding effects of MPTP in mice are controversial (3,7,8). Thus, the validity of the MPTP-treated mouse as a small animal model of PD is uncertain. As part of a research program on the role of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), the cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase, in the regulation of dopamine synthesis, we have examined the levels of catechols, indoles and BH4 in different brain regions of mice treated with MPTP, and find marked decreases in striatal DA and BH4 with partial recovery, as contrasted to other brain regions where little or no effect was observed.
Asthma Action Plan Receipt among Children with Asthma 2-17 Years of Age, United States, 2002-2013

Objective To examine national trends in the receipt of asthma action plans, an intervention recommended by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines. Study design We used data from the sample child component of the National Health Interview Survey from 2002, 2003, 2008, and 2013 to examine the percentage of children 2-17 years of age with asthma (n = 3714) that have ever received an asthma action plan. Bivariate and multivariate (with adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and asthma outcomes consistent with greater disease severity) logistic regressions were conducted to examine trends from 2002 to 2013 and to examine, with 2013 data only, the relationship between having received an asthma action plan and both sociodemographic characteristics and indicators of asthma severity. Results The percentage of children with asthma that had ever received an asthma action plan increased from 41.7% in 2002 to 50.7% in 2013 ( P P = .028), privately insured (56.2%) vs those with public insurance only (46.3%) ( P = .016), and users of inhaled preventive asthma medication vs those that did not ( P Conclusion The percentage of US children with asthma that had ever received an asthma action plan increased between 2002 and 2013, although one-half had never received an asthma action plan in 2013. Some sociodemographic and asthma severity measures are related to receipt of an asthma action plan.
Trace Element Analyses by EMP: Pb-in-Monazite and New Multipoint Background Method

University of Oregon, CAMCOR, Eugene (OR), USA Precision in electron microprobe analysis is primarily a matter of counting statistics, and involves voltage, beam current, counting time, and geometric efficiency. Besides potential issues with dead-time correction and beam damage, counting statistics do not significantly affect the accuracy of major and minor element analyses. Accuracy chiefly depends on standards and matrix correction. Additional challenges with both accuracy and high precision appear when measuring trace elements [1]: 1) Analytical precision requires the use of high intensity monochromators, optimized PHA settings, high beam current, higher voltage, and/or lengthy count time. These latter requirements can lead to beam damage, surface contamination, and internal charge effects. 2) Characterization and measurement of the background become crucial for accurate results when the peak-to-background ratio approaches 1. 3) Accurate results require correction or avoidance of peak and background interferences, even for some 2
Future Directions in Promoting Psychological Well-Being Globally

In this chapter, we consider the findings of Promoting Psychological Well-Being Globally (PPWBG) project in the context of the conceptual foundations described in Chap. 1: ecological systems theory, conceptual model of psychological well-being, child rights, and the participatory culture-specific intervention model (PCSIM). The findings are discussed in terms of the children’s representation of individual and cultural factors that define well-being as well as the role of significant others as potential sources of stress and support. We discuss how the methodology, qualitative ethnographic focus group interviews, contributed to both the promotion of child participation and the generation of culturally relevant descriptions of psychological well-being constructs. An example of the extension of the PSCIM from research to intervention development and evaluation is provided, drawing on work conducted in the New Orleans site. The chapter concludes with discussion of future directions for research.
Adolescents’ preferences regarding disclosure of incidental findings in genomic sequencing that are not medically actionable in childhood

Next-generation sequencing has challenged the consensus that predictive testing should not be performed on asymptomatic minors for conditions that are not medically actionable in childhood. While the available literature suggests that most parents want access to incidental findings discovered in genomic sequencing, there is little information regarding adolescents' views. This study's goal is to determine adolescent views regarding the disclosure of incidental findings for adult onset conditions that are not medically actionable in childhood. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of students enrolled in 7-12th grade science classes in three Cincinnati public schools. Most (235 of 282, 83%) students wanted access to non-actionable incidental findings. These participants most frequently (38%) endorsed future planning as the reason for disclosure. Seventy-two percent of students believed they should participate in the decision making process. Seventy-three percent of students believed that parents of children less than 12 years old should have access to this information. Adolescents want to have access to and participate in decisions about incidental findings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A device for predicting pressure differential sticking trend

Based on the principle of differential sticking, a device, XN-1 for predicting pressure differential sticking trend was developed. Directly measuring torque data of mud samples from different interval, device XN-1 evaluates potential differential sticking trend of the drilling fluid by changes of mud cake friction factors. It can simulate influences of temperature and pressure difference on mud cake formation, and it possesses advantages such as high accuracy, high sensitivity, small volume and easy using onsite. Using dada from this device, characteristic curves of torque-time, sticking trend-factor and friction factor-depth are obtained. Comparing to the conventional device for measuring friction factor, lab evaluation effect by device XN-1 on lubrication of high-density saltwater drilling fluid is introduced.
Desmopressin Control of Surgical Hemorrhage Secondary to Prolonged Bleeding Time

AbstractDesmopressin has been used as a hemostatic agent in numerous hematological and nonhematological diseases. We report a case of surgical hemorrhage secondary to prolonged bleeding time of unexplained origin controlled with desmopressin.
Classroom encounters with Caribbean Creole English: Language, identities, pedagogy

This chapter examines the language, identities, attitudes, and pedagogical implications that arise from the presence of a rapidly increasing number of Caribbean Creole English (CCE) speakers in North American schools and colleges. CCE speakers publicly self-identify as native speakers of English only. Yet, many teachers’ encounters with the spoken and/or written language of CCE speakers lead them to question their students’ nativeness as speakers of English, and the very notion of what counts as English. On the other hand, non-Caribbean students’ responses to encounters with CCE speakers range from questioning their English, to accepting it, to selectively “borrowing” from it for identity affiliation (Rampton 1990). Using data from CCE speakers in one New York City public school as a case study, the author explores teachers’ and students’ varied linguistic responses to CCE speakers. Taking a plurilingual stance, she argues that the contact between CCE and other varieties of English is already changing classroom English; calls for a re-examination of the assumptions and goals of school-based language practices, and for utilizing CCE as a point of departure for pedagogy, literacy development, and raising language diversity awareness. Recommendations for teacher training and classroom instruction are also offered.
The Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Procalcitonin for Bacteremia in Critically Ill Children

Background Bacterial sepsis is frequently encountered in children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and requires early recognition and treatment. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a serum biomarker with a high sensitivity to predict bacteremia in critically-ill adults. This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of PCT for bacteremia in febrile children in the PICU. Methods This retrospective observational study used data from children admitted to the PICU from October 2010 to October 2012. Patients up to 21 years of age were included if they had an abnormal temperature, serum PCT and blood culture assayed, and were not receiving empiric antibiotics at the time. Results There were 202 PCT values that met inclusion criteria. The prevalence of positive blood cultures was 13.2% (27 total positive blood cultures). The area under the curve (AUC) for PCT was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.70-0.89), the AUC for lactate was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.65-0.87), and the AUC for C-reactive protein was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.57-0.80). The optimal threshold of PCT for accuracy was determined to be 2 ng/mL (sensitivity = 69.2%, specificity = 74.4%, positive predictive value = 28.6%, negative predictive value = 94.2%). The combination of an abnormal lactate (> 2.0mmol/L) increased the specificity of PCT for diagnosing bacteremia. Conclusions PCT has a good diagnostic accuracy to rule-out bacteremia in critically-ill, febrile children. The combination of PCT and an abnormal lactate value increases the specificity and may improve the ability to diagnose bacteremia.
Molecular Determinants of Tubulin's C-Terminal Tail Conformational Ensemble.

Tubulin is important for a wide variety of cellular processes including cell division, ciliogenesis, and intracellular trafficking. To perform these diverse functions, tubulin is regulated by post-translational modifications (PTM), primarily at the C-terminal tails of both the α- and β-tubulin heterodimer subunits. The tubulin C-terminal tails are disordered segments that are predicted to extend from the ordered tubulin body and may regulate both intrinsic properties of microtubules and the binding of microtubule associated proteins (MAP). It is not understood how either interactions with the ordered tubulin body or PTM affect tubulin’s C-terminal tails. To probe these questions, we developed a method to isotopically label tubulin for C-terminal tail structural studies by NMR. The conformational changes of the tubulin tails as a result of both proximity to the ordered tubulin body and modification by mono- and polyglycine PTM were determined. The C-terminal tails of the tubulin dimer are fully disordered ...
Patterns of Educational Reform and Policy Borrowing

Portnoi synthesizes research on educational reform and policy borrowing across various international contexts. Rather than focusing on specific educational issues, she emphasizes an understanding of the patterns of educational reform in a globalized world: First, a neoliberal, market orientation is evident throughout the literature on educational reforms worldwide. Second, most reforms originate from external sources, and a great deal of these reforms stem from ‘best practices’ lending by global governance organizations. Third, policymakers and governments typically overlook the importance of the broad context of the receiving country, the country’s culture of schooling, and the country’s educational infrastructure. Third, many reforms are top-down and fail to take into account the needs and experiences of the street-level bureaucrats who will implement them. Finally, global reforms are adapted into the local context through vernacular globalization.
Circadian Rhythms and Sleep in Drosophila melanogaster

The advantages of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, including low genetic redundancy, functional simplicity, and the ability to conduct large-scale genetic screens, have been essential for understanding the molecular nature of circadian (∼24 hr) rhythms, and continue to be valuable in discovering novel regulators of circadian rhythms and sleep. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of these interrelated biological processes in Drosophila and the wider implications of this research. Clock genes period and timeless were first discovered in large-scale Drosophila genetic screens developed in the 1970s. Feedback of period and timeless on their own transcription forms the core of the molecular clock, and accurately timed expression, localization, post-transcriptional modification, and function of these genes is thought to be critical for maintaining the circadian cycle. Regulators, including several phosphatases and kinases, act on different steps of this feedback loop to ensure strong and accurately timed rhythms. Approximately 150 neurons in the fly brain that contain the core components of the molecular clock act together to translate this intracellular cycling into rhythmic behavior. We discuss how different groups of clock neurons serve different functions in allowing clocks to entrain to environmental cues, driving behavioral outputs at different times of day, and allowing flexible behavioral responses in different environmental conditions. The neuropeptide PDF provides an important signal thought to synchronize clock neurons, although the details of how PDF accomplishes this function are still being explored. Secreted signals from clock neurons also influence rhythms in other tissues. SLEEP is, in part, regulated by the circadian clock, which ensures appropriate timing of sleep, but the amount and quality of sleep are also determined by other mechanisms that ensure a homeostatic balance between sleep and wake. Flies have been useful for identifying a large set of genes, molecules, and neuroanatomic loci important for regulating sleep amount. Conserved aspects of sleep regulation in flies and mammals include wake-promoting roles for catecholamine neurotransmitters and involvement of hypothalamus-like regions, although other neuroanatomic regions implicated in sleep in flies have less clear parallels. Sleep is also subject to regulation by factors such as food availability, stress, and social environment. We are beginning to understand how the identified molecules and neurons interact with each other, and with the environment, to regulate sleep. Drosophila researchers can also take advantage of increasing mechanistic understanding of other behaviors, such as learning and memory, courtship, and aggression, to understand how sleep loss impacts these behaviors. Flies thus remain a valuable tool for both discovery of novel molecules and deep mechanistic understanding of sleep and circadian rhythms.
Acute high-caffeine exposure increases autophagic flux and reduces protein synthesis in C2C12 skeletal myotubes

Caffeine is a highly catabolic dietary stimulant. High caffeine concentrations (1–10 mM) have previously been shown to inhibit protein synthesis and increase protein degradation in various mammalian cell lines. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of short-term caffeine exposure on cell signaling pathways that regulate protein metabolism in mammalian skeletal muscle cells. Fully differentiated C2C12 skeletal myotubes either received vehicle (DMSO) or 5 mM caffeine for 6 h. Our analysis revealed that caffeine promoted a 40% increase in autolysosome formation and a 25% increase in autophagic flux. In contrast, caffeine treatment did not significantly increase the expression of the skeletal muscle specific ubiquitin ligases MAFbx and MuRF1 or 20S proteasome activity. Caffeine treatment significantly reduced mTORC1 signaling, total protein synthesis and myotube diameter in a CaMKKβ/AMPK-dependent manner. Further, caffeine promoted a CaMKII-dependent increase in myostatin mRNA expression that did not significantly contribute to the caffeine-dependent reduction in protein synthesis. Our results indicate that short-term caffeine exposure significantly reduced skeletal myotube diameter by increasing autophagic flux and promoting a CaMKKβ/AMPK-dependent reduction in protein synthesis.
Changes in North Carolina's Marine Fish Faunas: Good or Bad?

Abstract Populations of 86 Atlantic Ocean marine fishes have changed during the last 45 years off North Carolina. Examination of the ocean conditions and its fish faunal interrelationships explain ...
Cerebral Damage Associated With Alcoholism: A Reexamination

The literature on neurophysical and neuropsychological studies of brain functioning in alcoholics is integrated and critically reviewed and analyzed with respect to three hypotheses of brain damage in alcoholics: (a) diffuse or generalized brain damage, (b) damage that is lateralized to the right hemisphere, and (c) damage to the frontal-limbic-diencephalic system. The authors conclude that while currently available evidence clearly demonstrates brain damage in alcoholics, it is not adequate unequivocally to support or refute any specific hypothesis of brain damage due to alcoholism. They emphasize the need for further research for both theoretical and practical purposes.
Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is a general term that includes all the obstructive lesions affecting the left ventricle and the aortic arch. Subaortic stenosis can be caused by fibrous rings, hypertrophied muscle, or abnormal mitral valve attachments. Aortic valve lesions can be caused by a small aortic annulus or fused leaflets. Supravalvar aortic stenosis can be caused by a fibrous ring surrounding the commissural attachments of the aortic valve. The aortic arch can be malformed by a small ascending or transverse arch, coarctation of the aorta, or interruption of the aortic arch. In addition to LVOT obstruction, aortic regurgitation can occur in association with stenosis or in isolation without obstruction. These problems tend to be lifelong problems that often require multiple operations, anticoagulation, and decongestive therapy. Each disease entity has associated reparative operations.
A Gut Feeling About Developmental Programming Mechanisms: Trimethylamine-N-Oxide May Enhance Atherosclerosis in Offspring of Hypercholesterolemic Mice

It is now widely recognized that perinatal exposure to maternal dysmetabolic conditions may influence cardiovascular diseases in offspring.1 Maternal hypercholesterolemia, in particular, increases the susceptibility to atherosclerosis in humans and experimental models. The translational relevance of developmental programming is obvious. If safe interventions in hypercholesterolemic mothers before or during pregnancy can attenuate pathogenic programming, atherogenesis may be reduced throughout adult life.1 Although the consequences of maternal hypercholesterolemia in humans are increasingly evident,2 the mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. See accompanying article on page 2053 In this edition of the journal, Trenteseaux et al3 identify a novel mechanism that may promote atherosclerosis in apoE−/− mice. In their study, homozygous female offspring of hypercholesterolemic (apoE−/−) mothers developed greater lesions in the aortic root than offspring of normocholesterolemic (apoE+/−) mothers, consistent with increased aortic atherosclerosis observed in LDL−/− mice or rabbits. Remarkably, maternal hypercholesterolemia was associated with higher plasma levels of trimethylamine-N-oxide …
Development of a Library of Adult Computational Phantoms Based on Anthropometric Indexes

Computational phantom libraries have been developed over the years to enhance the accuracy of Monte Carlo-based radiation dose calculations from radiological procedures. In this paper, we report on the development of an adult computational anthropomorphic phantom library covering different body morphometries among the 20–80 years old population. The anatomical diversities of different populations are modeled based on anthropometric parameters extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, including standing height, total weight, and body mass index. Organ masses were modified to match the corresponding data. The ICRP reference male and female models were selected as anchor phantoms. A computer code was developed for adjusting standing height and percentage of fat free mass of anchor phantoms by 3-D scaling. The waist circumference and total body mass were further adjusted. The diversity of organ masses due to anthropometric differences deviates from the mean values by about 3%–21%, while this deviation exceeds 50% for genital organs. Thereafter, organ-level absorbed doses from both internal and external radiation exposure conditions were estimated. A total of 479 phantoms corresponding to seven age groups were constructed for both genders, thus fulfilling the criteria for representing a diverse adult population with different anthropomorphic and anatomical characteristics.
Towards Intent-Aware Contextual Music Recommendation: Initial Experiments

While activity-aware music recommendation has been shown to improve the listener experience, we posit that modeling the \em listening intent can further improve recommendation quality. In this paper, we perform initial exploration of the dominant music listening intents associated with common activities, using music retrieved from popular online music services. We show that these intents can be approximated through audio features of the music itself, and potentially improve recommendation quality. Our initial results, based on 10 common activities and 5 popular listening intents associated with these activities, support our hypothesis, and open a promising direction towards intent-aware contextual music recommendation.
Selective Lead Compounds against Kinetoplastid Tubulin

Kinetoplastid parasites are responsible for the potentially fatal diseases leishmaniasis, African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. The current treatments for these diseases are far from ideal and new compounds are needed as antiparasitic drug candidates. Tubulin is the accepted target for treatments against cancer and helminths, suggesting that kinetoplastid tubulin is also a suitable target for antiprotozoal compounds. Selective lead compounds against kinetoplastid tubulin have been identified that could represent a starting point for the development of new drug candidates against these parasites.
Breast and cervical cancer screening in an inner-city medical walk-in clinic: taking advantage of an often missed opportunity.

Background Despite established evidence that screening for breast and cervical cancer reduces mortality in women, screening is underutilized, especially in poor, minority women. We hypothesized that a high percentage of women presenting for care to an inner-city medical walk-in clinic would report inadequate screening for breast and cervical cancer by current standards, accept same-day screening, and comply with recommended follow-up. Methods: To determine how many women presenting to our medical Walk-In Clinic were inadequately screened for breast and cervical cancer and how many were willing to undergo same-day screening, we surveyed all women at this site over a three month period. We then implemented a one-year, same-day screening program and contacted patients with abnormal screening results by letter or phone to encourage follow up. We tracked patients to assess compliance with follow-up. Results Of the 2,363 women in the initial survey, 1,230 (52%) reported inadequate screening, of whom 55% reported interest in same-day screening. Over the one year screening period, we screened 403 women for breast and/or cervical cancer. Of the 48 women with abnormal Pap tests, compliance with initial Gynecology Clinic follow-up was 56%. Compliance was 49% with mammography appointments, and 77% for follow-up to Breast Clinic for clinical and/or mammographic abnormalities. These compliance rates compare favorably to those for screening performed in more traditional settings. Conclusion Our results support the establishment of cancer screening programs in nontraditional settings such as walk-in clinics and emergency departments to target patients who are at high risk for remaining unscreened.
Samuel Beckett, repetition and modern music

Examining Beckett’s relationship to music, and the impact it had upon his aesthetics, is a growing area of interest. John McGrath’s Samuel Beckett, Repetition and Modern Music is the newest scholar...
SaRa: A Stochastic Model to Estimate Reliability of Edge Resources in Volunteer Cloud

With the increasing popularity and the need for low-cost green computing systems, new paradigms and models such as fog, edge, and volunteer cloud computing (e.g. cuCloud) have recently emerged. cuCloud, one of the appealing volunteer cloud computing system, share the same philosophy as desktop grid, which runs on underutilized and or spare resources of personal computers (i.e. volunteer hosts) owned by individuals and organizations. On one side of the spectrum, underlying cuCloud infrastructure comprises varying levels of availability, volatility, and trust, allowing volunteers to randomly join and leave the model, which makes the resource management and scheduling of tasks a challenging process. On the other side, it is even more challenging and critical to guarantee the Quality of Service (QoS) for applications deployed in the cuCloud model, which requires the tracking and monitoring the reliability and trust of highly distributed volunteer resources. The majority of the available reputation models consider only the ratio of successfully completed tasks to total tasks requested in the determination of reliability decisions of the volunteer nodes, which, in turn, make the reliability model coarse-grained. These models lack of fine-grained parameters such as task-level behaviors (e.g. success or fail) and task characteristics (e.g. priority of a task). To address these challenges, we propose SaRa, a probabilistic system to estimate the reliability of untrusted edge resources in volunteer cloud. Our validation results showed that SaRa's reputation model obtained better reliability estimation than existing methods.
Childhood adversity impact on gut microbiota and inflammatory response to stress during pregnancy

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse or chronic stress, program an exaggerated adult inflammatory response to stress. Emerging rodent research suggests that the gut microbiome may be a key mediator in the association between early life stress and dysregulated glucocorticoid-immune response. However, ACE impact on inflammatory response to stress, or on the gut microbiome, have not been studied in human pregnancy, when inflammation increases risk of poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships among ACE, the gut microbiome, and cytokine response to stress in pregnant women. Methods Physically and psychiatrically healthy adult pregnant women completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) and gave a single stool sample between 20 and 26 weeks gestation. Stool DNA was isolated and 16S sequencing was performed. Three 24-hour food recalls were administered to assess dietary nutrient intake. A subset of women completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) at 22–34 weeks gestation; plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and cortisol were measured at four timepoints pre and post stressor, and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Results Forty-eight women completed the ACE-Q and provided stool; 19 women completed the TSST. Women reporting 2 or more ACEs (high ACE) had greater differential abundance of gut Prevotella than low ACE participants (q = 5.7 × 10^−13). Abundance of several gut taxa were significantly associated with cortisol, IL-6, TNF-α and CRP AUCs regardless of ACE status. IL-6 response to stress was buffered among high ACE women with high intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p = 0.03) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (p = 0.05). Discussion Our findings suggest that multiple childhood adversities are associated with changes in gut microbiota composition during pregnancy, and such changes may contribute to altered inflammatory and glucocorticoid response to stress. While preliminary, this is the first study to demonstrate an association between gut microbiota and acute glucocorticoid-immune response to stress in a clinical sample. Finally, exploratory analyses suggested that high ACE women with high dietary intake of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) had a dampened inflammatory response to acute stress, suggesting potentially protective effects of ω-3s in this high-risk population. Given the adverse effects of inflammation on pregnancy and the developing fetus, mechanisms by which childhood adversity influence the gut-brain axis and potential protective factors such as diet should be further explored.
Social competence intervention program : A pilot program for the development of social competence

The social competence intervention program (SCIP) is a multi-sensory intervention that includes a metacognitive component. The underlying assumption of the intervention is that some children suffer from perceptual and interpretive deficits as well as poor social skills. In this pilot program, we adapted exercises used in theatre classes to remediate these underlying deficits in children with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. Anecdotal evidence from the pilot study suggests that participating children began to develop some self-awareness of their feelings and behaviors and the subsequent impact on social interaction. Future refinements based on the results of this pilot are discussed.
A brain natriuretic peptide-based prediction model for atrial fibrillation after thoracic surgery: Development and internal validation.

Abstract Objective Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is common after anatomic thoracic surgery. Elevated preoperative brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is strongly associated with risk of POAF. We describe the development and internal validation of a clinical prediction model for POAF that includes BNP and other clinical factors. Methods Clinical and preoperative BNP data were collected for 635 patients in sinus rhythm before anatomic lung (n = 540) or esophageal (n = 95) resection. The primary outcome was new onset of POAF (>5 minutes) during hospitalization. A prediction model was developed using multivariable logistic regression analysis and internally validated using a bootstrap-resampling approach. Results POAF occurred in 20% of patients (124 out of 635). BNP level was higher among patients with than without POAF (median, 45 vs 23 pg/mL; P Conclusions Our novel prediction model-based interactive calculator can be used to identify patients at high risk of POAF and could be incorporated into practice prevention guidelines.
Establishing physical activity in breast cancer: self-report versus activity tracker.

Establishing accurate estimates of physical activity at baseline is essential for interventions assessing the potential benefits of exercise in adults with cancer. This study compares self-reported physical activity with independent data from activity trackers in women with early breast cancer (BC) recruited into a “walking” intervention during chemotherapy. Baseline (pre-intervention) questions inquired about self-reported physical activity—number of walking days/week and minutes/day—in women who were initiating chemotherapy for Stage I–III BC. Activity trackers measured steps per day during the first full week of chemotherapy. Weighted Kappa statistic and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to evaluate agreement and association between self-reported and objectively tracked physical activity levels, respectively. Univariate analyses were conducted to identify variables that may influence congruence between the two measures. In a sample of 161 women, 77% were white, with mean age 56 years. Agreement between self-reported and objectively tracked physical activity was “fair” (kappa coefficient = 0.31), with most patients (59%) over-reporting their physical activity levels. There was weak correlation between the two measures (r = 0.24); however, correlation was strong in participants who were not married (r = 0.53) and/or living alone (r = 0.69). Objective methods for assessing physical activity (activity trackers, accelerometers) should be used as a complement to self-reported measures to establish credible activity levels for intervention studies seeking to increase physical activity and/or measure the impact of increased physical activity in women with breast cancer.
A new method for quantifying cation exchange capacity: Method verification and application to organic-rich Mudrock formations

Abstract In this paper, a new method is proposed to quantify cation exchange capacity (CEC) in organic-rich mudrocks with complex mineralogy and in the presence of multiple types of clay minerals by integrating nitrogen adsorption-desorption, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), pyrolysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements (including quantitative XRD). The CEC estimates from the new method were compared against CEC estimates from the wet chemistry method in powdered organic-rich mudrock samples and the membrane potential method in intact mudrock samples. The estimated CEC from the new method agreed with those obtained from the membrane potential method, with average relative error of less than 10%. The CEC estimates from these two methods fell within the upper and lower bounds of CEC estimates, calculated based on the reported data for pure clay minerals, but the results the wet chemistry method showed significant overestimates of the CEC evaluation. Sensitivity analysis was also carried out to evaluate the influence of CEC estimates from different methods on assessment of water saturation and demonstrated the importance of CEC evaluation and the impact of the new method on enhanced formation evaluation.
Multi-institutional analysis of outcomes in patients with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (DDCS).

11028Background: DDCS is a rare bone tumor with a poor prognosis. While no standard therapy exists, NCCN guidelines recommend osteosarcoma regimens (ORs). Methods: We performed a retrospective revi...
Surgical Fixation Using Screw-Rod Construct Instrumentation for Upper Cervical Instability in Pediatric Down Syndrome Patients.

Abstract Study Design Retrospective case series. Objectives To describe the indications and outcomes of cervical fixation using modern instrumentation in a case series of pediatric Down syndrome (DS) patients. Summary of Background Data Cervical instability is the major cervical spine concern in children with DS. Although fixation techniques have advanced over the past quarter-century, the outcome of fixation with modern instrumentation for upper cervical instability in DS patients has not been thoroughly investigated. Methods We searched the orthopedic database at our institution for patients with a diagnosis of DS who had undergone a cervical spine fusion between 2006 and 2017. Patient demographics, diagnoses, surgical indications, surgical details, and complications were recorded. Preoperative imaging was reviewed to determine atlanto-dens intervals and spinal cord signal changes. Postoperative radiographs or CT scans were reviewed to determine union. Results Twelve DS patients met our inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery was 9.3 years (range 3.8–18.8 years). Patients with secondary causes of instability included 7 patients with os odontoideum and 1 patient with a pars fracture. Three patients (25%) were identified on asymptomatic screening, with none of these having cord signal changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Modern implants (screws, plates, cages) were used in every patient in our series. The mean number of levels fused was 1.9 (range 1–5). The overall complication rate was 41.7% (5/12). Four patients required repeat surgery for nonunion. All patients with adequate radiographic follow-up demonstrated union (11/11, 100%). One patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusions Fixation for cervical instability is a critical component of the management of DS. A minority of patients receiving surgery were identified through asymptomatic screening. There was a high complication risk associated with surgery in our study; however, the addition of rigid fixation has lessened the complication rate compared with previous studies. Level of Evidence Level IV.
Sphingosine kinase‐2 is overexpressed in large granular lymphocyte leukaemia and promotes survival through Mcl‐1

Sphingolipid metabolism is increasingly recognised as a therapeutic target in cancer due to its regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The sphingolipid rheostat is proposed to control cell fate through maintaining balance between pro-apoptotic and pro-survival sphingolipids. This balance is regulated by metabolising enzymes involved in sphingolipid production. One such enzyme, sphingosine kinase-2 (SPHK2), produces pro-survival sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) by phosphorylation of pro-apoptotic sphingosine. Elevated SPHK2 has been found in multiple cancer types and contributes to cell survival, chemotherapeutic resistance and apoptosis resistance. We have previously shown elevation of S1P in large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukaemia serum and cells isolated from patients. Here, we examined SPHK2 expression in LGL leukaemia and found SPHK2 mRNA and protein upregulation in a majority of LGL leukaemia patient samples. Knockdown of SPHK2 with siRNA in LGL leukaemia cell lines decreased proliferation. Additionally, the use of ABC294640 or K145, both SPHK2-specific inhibitors, decreased viability of LGL leukaemia cell lines. ABC294640 selectively induced apoptosis in LGL cell lines and freshly isolated LGL leukaemia patient cells compared to normal controls. Mechanistically, SPHK2 inhibition downregulated pro-survival myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (Mcl-1) protein through proteasomal degradation. Targeting of SPHK2 therefore provides a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of LGL leukaemia.
CPAP protects against hyperoxia-induced increase in airway reactivity in neonatal mice.

Background Oxygen and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are primary modes of respiratory support for preterm infants. Animal models, however, have demonstrated adverse unintended effects of hyperoxia and CPAP on lung development. We investigate the effects of combined neonatal hyperoxia and CPAP exposure on airway function and morphology in mice. Methods Newborn mice were exposed to hyperoxia (40% O2) 24 h/day for 7 consecutive days with or without daily (3 h/day) concomitant CPAP. Two weeks after CPAP and/or hyperoxia treatment ended, lungs were assessed for airway (AW) hyperreactivity and morphology. Results CPAP and hyperoxia exposure alone increased airway reactivity compared to untreated control mice. CPAP-induced airway hyperreactivity was associated with epithelial and smooth muscle proliferation. In contrast, combined CPAP and hyperoxia treatment no longer resulted in increased airway reactivity, which was associated with normalization of smooth muscle and epithelial proliferation to values similar to untreated mice. Conclusions Our data suggest that the combination of CPAP and hyperoxia decreases the adverse consequences on airway remodeling of either intervention alone. The complex interaction between mechanical stretch (via CPAP) and hyperoxia exposure on development of immature airways has implications for the pathophysiology of airway disease in former preterm infants receiving non-invasive respiratory support. Impact CPAP and mild hyperoxia exposure alone increase airway reactivity in the neonatal mouse model. In contrast, combined CPAP and hyperoxia no longer induce airway hyperreactivity. Combined CPAP and hyperoxia normalize smooth muscle and epithelial proliferation to control values. Interaction between CPAP-induced stretch and mild hyperoxia exposure on immature airways has important implications for airway pathophysiology in former preterm infants.
Measuring attack on self: The need for field-friendly methods development and research on autoimmunity in human biology.

BACKGROUND Autoimmune and inflammatory disorder (AIID) prevalence appears to be increasing in all but the world's poorest regions and countries. Autoimmune diseases occur when there is a breakdown in processes that regulate inflammation and self-recognition by immune cells. Very few field-based studies have been conducted among Indigenous populations and underserved communities with limited access to medical care. This is due, in part, to the fact that autoimmune diseases are difficult to diagnose, even in clinical settings. In remote field settings these difficulties are compounded by the absence of infrastructure necessary for sample storage and analysis, and the lack of hospital/clinic access for more invasive diagnostic procedures. Because of these limitations, little is known about the prevalence of autoimmunity outside wealthy regions and clinical settings. AIMS The present paper discusses why AIID are of critical importance in human biology research and why more work needs to be devoted to validating, testing, and utilizing methods for detecting autoantibodies and other biomarkers related to autoimmunity in field-friendly, minimally invasively-collected samples. This paper reviews some of the methods used to diagnose AIIDs in clinical settings, and highlights methods that have been used in studies within human biology and related fields, emphasizing the invasiveness of specific methods and their feasibility in remote field settings. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Risk for AIID is affected by several reproductive, dietary, environmental, and genetic factors. Human biologists have unique perspectives that they can bring to autoimmunity research, and more population-based studies on autoimmunity are needed within these and related fields.
Discovery of oscillations in rotational speed of body-tethered Caulobacter crescentus

Swarmer cells of Caulobacter crescentus have been found to tether to glass at a point on the cell body. The rolling of the freely rotating flagellum near the glass surface causes the cell body to rotate. We describe the discovery of damped oscillations in the rotational speed of these cell bodies. We show that the damped oscillations are robust over multiple cells and that they depend more on the cell's accumulated rotation angle than on time. We also find that their phase is determined by the moment the flagellar motor changes the direction of its rotation. The oscillations occur only for one direction of cell rotation, when the flagellum is in pulling mode. We discuss possible explanations for these oscillations, including fluctuations in flagellar motor torque and periodic changes in flagellar orientation, and illustrate both of these cases using simplified computer models. Finally, we present the hypothesis that the oscillations are the result of fluctuations in the proton motive force, initiated by a sudden change in proton current that occurs when the motor switches rotation direction.
Transgenerational effects of polychlorinated biphenyls: 2. Hypothalamic gene expression in rats†.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with well-established effects on reproduction and behavior in developmentally-exposed (F1) individuals. Because of evidence for transgenerational effects of EDCs on the neuroendocrine control of reproductive physiology, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal PCB exposure leads to unique hypothalamic gene-expression profiles in three generations. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were treated on gestational days 16 and 18 with the PCB mixture Aroclor 1221 (A1221), vehicle (3% DMSO in sesame oil), or estradiol benzoate (EB, 50 µg/kg), the latter a positive control for estrogenic effects of A1221. Maternal- and paternal-lineage F2 and F3 generations were bred using untreated partners. The anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and arcuate nucleus (ARC), involved in the hypothalamic control of reproduction, were dissected from F1 to F3 females and males, RNA extracted, and gene expression measured in a qPCR array. We detected unique gene-expression profiles in each generation, which were sex- and lineage-specific. In the AVPV, treatment significantly changed 10, 25, and 11 transcripts in F1, F2, and F3 generations, whereas 10, 1, and 12 transcripts were changed in these generations in the ARC. In the F1 AVPV and ARC, most affected transcripts were decreased by A1221. In the F2 AVPV, most effects of A1221 were observed in females of the maternal lineage, whereas only Pomc expression changed in the F2 ARC (by EB). The F3 AVPV and ARC were mainly affected by EB. It is notable that results in one generation do not predict results in another, and that lineage was a major determinant in results. Thus, transient prenatal exposure of F1 rats to A1221 or EB can alter hypothalamic gene expression across three generations in a sex- and lineage-dependent manner, leading to the conclusion that the legacy of PCBs continues for generations. Summary sentence Prenatal exposure of rats to PCBs or estradiol alters hypothalamic gene expression across three generations in a sex- and lineage-dependent manner. Graphical Abstract
Behavior skills training for teaching and generalizing self-instruction skills for students with intellectual disability:

Research demonstrates that combining video modeling and visual activity schedules into video activity schedules has been effective in increasing independence for students with disabilities. However...
“Something happened:” on the real, the actual, and the virtual in elementary particle physics

Throughout the history of quantum theory, “an elementary particle” has been a problem to which only fragments of a possible solution could be offered. At a certain point of this history, “a virtual particle” has become part of this problem. While still considering this problem as a problem, this article, in contrast to most approaches to it, which are realist in nature, offers a nonrealist one. This approach is grounded in the concept of reality without realism, RWR, introduced by this author previously, and an interpretation of high-energy quantum phenomena and quantum field theory (QFT), grounded in this concept, which allows for a range of (RWR-type) interpretations. The status of real and virtual particles is different in the present interpretation. While, in this interpretation, both concepts are idealizations, that of real particles is required by it. By contrast, the concept of virtual particles is not required, although, because of certain observable effects in high-energy quantum regimes, this interpretation assumes that there exists something in nature, especially manifested in high-energy quantum regimes, that may be handled by means of the concept of virtual particles. RWR-type interpretations do, however, permit an idealization defined by this concept and may adopt it, because of its practical effectiveness. This article will do so, while still maintaining the essential difference in the nature of the idealizations defined by the concepts of real and virtual particles.