cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muscarinic receptors: evidence for a nonuniform distribution in tracheal smooth muscle and exocrine glands

Muscarinic receptor distribution in smooth muscle, exocrine glands, and epithelium of the ferret trachea was determined using [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard ([3H]PrBCM) binding and autoradiography. Specific, atropine-sensitive [3H]PrBCM binding was quantified autoradiographically in the trachealis muscle (approximately 21 binding sites/microns2), surface epithelium (approximately 6 binding sites/microns2), and submucosal glands (approximately 5 binding sites/microns2). Serous and mucous cells in the glands did not differ in receptor density. Binding sites on gland and epithelial cells were associated with basolateral membranes. In the trachealis muscle, a gradient in receptor density was observed, with outer layers of muscle containing 3 to 10 times more receptors per unit area than inner layers. Receptor distribution in both glands and muscle paralleled the distribution of cholinergic axons. However, at the light microscope level, there was no evidence for the presence of receptor “hot spots” related to the position of individual axons. The parallelism in the distribution of axons and receptors suggests the possibility of neural control of the genesis and/or maintenance of receptor distribution in these tissues.
Pu(V) as the stable form of oxidized plutonium in natural waters

Abstract This work presents analytical evidence supporting the proposition that Pu(V) is the sole or predominant form of oxidized plutonium in natural waters. Two independent methods, the selective adsorption of Pu(VI) by silica gel, and the somewhat less selective coprecipitation of Pu(V) with calcium carbonate, were developed to separate Pu(V) from Pu(VI). Measurements of ambient plutonium in several natural waters by these methods found only Pu(V). In laboratory tracer studies, Pu(VI) was shown to be highly unstable in dilute bicarbonate solution and in Lake Michigan water, reducing in first-order fashion to Pu(V).
Synthesis and Evaluation of Technetium-99m- and Rhenium-Labeled Inhibitors of the Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)

The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is increasingly recognized as a viable target for imaging and therapy of cancer. We prepared seven 99mTc/Re-labeled compounds by attaching known Tc/Re chelating agents to an amino-functionalized PSMA inhibitor (lys-NHCONH-glu) with or without a variable length linker moiety. Ki values ranged from 0.17 to 199 nM. Ex vivo biodistribution and in vivo imaging demonstrated the degree of specific binding to engineered PSMA+ PC3 PIP tumors. PC3-PIP cells are derived from PC3 that have been transduced with the gene for PSMA. Despite demonstrating nearly the lowest PSMA inhibitory potency of this series, [99mTc(CO)3(L1)]+ (L1 = (2-pyridylmethyl)2N(CH2)4CH(CO2H)NHCO-(CH2)6CO-NH-lys-NHCONH-glu) showed the highest, most selective PIP tumor uptake, at 7.9 ± 4.0% injected dose per gram of tissue at 30 min postinjection. Radioactivity cleared from nontarget tissues to produce a PIP to flu (PSMA-PC3) ratio of 44:1 at 120 min postinjection. PSMA can accommodate the steric requ...
Retroviral Inclusions in the Enteric Smooth Muscle of a Tumor-Bearing Young Chicken

A 15-cm segment of small intestine from a 7-wk-old broiler chicken presented for slaughter was encased by a firm, white mass. Other tissues were grossly unremarkable. Microscopically, the enteric serosa and peripheral muscularis of this segment of small intestine were replaced by a fibrosarcoma. Numerous linear, intracytoplasmic, eosinophilic inclusion bodies were present in smooth muscle cells of the muscularis of the small intestine, and a few similar inclusions were present in the muscularis of the proventriculus. In the heart, there were rare intracytoplasmic inclusions typical of viral matrix inclusions. Ultrastructurally, inclusion bodies in enteric smooth muscle were viral matrix inclusions, and virions resembling avian retroviruses were present in adjacent intercellular spaces. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from tumor tissues indicated the presence of proviral DNA of subgroup J avian leukosis virus. This is the first description of the light microscopic appearance of these viral matrix inclusions in enteric smooth muscle.
Conformal Ultrasound Imaging System

A conformal ultrasound imaging system has been developed that may potentially provide improved acoustic signal acquisition by wrapping around objects with increased angular coverage. The system features a conformal ultrasound transducer array, with bulk ceramic PZT elements mounted on etched silicon islands connected by patterned flexible polyimide joints, customized portable transmit/receive electronics, and backward propagation based image reconstruction techniques. The system was used to image a cylindrical tissue phantom, demonstrating successful operation and the feasibility of the conformal ultrasound approach.
Integrated-optic ring resonators made by proton exchange in lithium niobate.

An integrated-optic ring resonator is fabricated in lithium niobate, and its tuning properties are determined.
Unique Roles of p160 Coactivators for Regulation of Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Estrogen Receptor-α Transcriptional Activity

Each of the three members of the p160 steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) family of coactivators (SRC-1, SRC-2 and SRC-3) stimulates estrogen receptor (ER)-α function in trans-activation assays. Consequently, we sought to elucidate their contributions to the ER-regulated processes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the expression of ERα target genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The small interfering RNA depletion of SRC-2 or SRC-3 but not SRC-1 inhibited growth of MCF-7 cells, and this was reflected in decreased cell cycle progression and increased apoptosis in SRC-2- or SRC-3-depleted cells as well as a reduction in ERα transcriptional activity measured on a synthetic reporter gene. However, only SRC-3 depletion blocked estradiol stimulated cell proliferation. Depletion of SRC-1 did not affect these events, and together this reveals functional differences between each of the three SRC family coactivators. Regulation of the endogenous ERα target gene, c-myc was not affected by depletion of any of the p...
THE FLUORIDATION CONTROVERSY: AN ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATION

Fluoridation, the addition of fluoride compounds to the public water supply in order to reduce tooth decay, is a health innovation that appears to have considerable benefits and only modest costs. It is also, however, an innovation that has produced a protracted public controversy which has not been fully understood. Here, Sapolsky examines proposed explanations of the controversy and offers an alternative more nearly compatible with the evidence available. The author is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital combination pharmaceuticals analysis I: High‐performance liquid chromatographic determinations of hyoscyamine‐atropine and scopolamine

High-performance liquid chromatographic separations are described for the analysis of hyoscyamine-atropine and scopolamine in combination pharmaceutical dosage forms containing phenobarbital. A mobile phase containing 0.034 M tetramethylammonium phosphate in water-methanol (21:10, pH 2.0) separated hyoscyamine or atropine from scopolamine on an octadecylsilane column in less than 9 min. Monitoring of the column effluent at 220 nm gave a detection limit of 0.02 microgram for each alkaloid. Hyoscyamine sulfate and/or atropine sulfate were determined as total equivalent hyoscyamine sulfate, and scopolamine hydrobromide was determined as a separate entity. Data from the application of the method to commercial pharmaceutical products are also presented.
An Exploratory Study on Knowledge Sharing in Information Retrieval

Different types of knowledge have been found important for a successful search. We designed a user interface: CIRR tool (Collaborative Information Retrieval Research) that supports sharing of search results as well as search queries (knowledge of finding the relevant items). We conducted a pilot study to explore what factors would affect the use of these knowledge sharing features. The results demonstrate that knowledge sharing in general is preferred by only some subjects for some tasks. For those who preferred sharing they share search queries, domain knowledge, and search results, rather than the usefulness judgment. The findings also show that knowledge sharing does not seem to have effects on search performance. However, it is significantly associated with the perceived task difficulty. The possible reasons leading to these results are analyzed. Limitations of this study are pointed out and the future studies are discussed.
Oral colonization and cariogenicity of Streptococcus gordonii in specific pathogen-free TAN:SPFOM(OM)BR rats consuming starch or sucrose diets.

Abstract The significance of Streptococcus gordonii in dental caries is undefined, as is that of other α-amylase-binding bacteria (ABB) commonly found in the mouth. To clarify the ecological and cariological roles of S. gordonii our specific pathogen-free Osborne–Mendel rats, TAN:SPFOM(OM)BR, were fed either diet 2000 (containing 56% confectioner's sugar, most of which is sucrose) or diet 2000CS (containing 56% cornstarch, in lieu of confectioner's sugar) and inoculated with S. gordonii strains. Uninoculated rats were free of both indigenous mutans streptococci (MS) and ABB, including S. gordonii, as shown by culture on mitis salivarius and blood agars of swabs and sonicates of dentitions after weanlings had consumed these diets for 26 days. ABB were detected by radiochemical assay using [125I]-amylase reactive to α-amylase-binding protein characteristic of the surface of S. gordonii and other ABB. No ABB were detected (detection limit
On the Existence of WKB-Type Asymptotics for the Generalized Eigenvectors of Discrete String Operators

Let $J$ be a Jacobi real symmetric matrix on $l_{2}$ with zero diagonal and non-diagonal entries of the form $\{1+p_{n}\}$ . If $p_{n-1}\pm p_{n}=O(n^{-\alpha})$ with some $\alpha>2/3$ , then the existence of bounded solutions of $Ju=\lambda u$ is proved for almost every $\lambda\in(-2,2)$ with the WKB-type asymptotic behavior.
Human vs. robotic tactile sensing: Detecting lumps in soft tissue

Humans can localize lumps in soft tissue using the distributed tactile feedback and processing afforded by the fingers and brain. This task becomes extremely difficult when the fingers are not in direct contact with the tissue, such as in laparoscopic or robot-assisted procedures. Tactile sensors have been proposed to characterize and detect lumps in robot-assisted palpation. In this work, we compare the performance of a capacitive tactile sensor with that of the human finger. We evaluate the response of the sensor as it pertains to robot-assisted palpation and compare the sensor performance to that of human subjects performing an equivalent task on the same set of artificial tissue models. Furthermore, we investigate the effects of various tissue parameters (lump size, lump depth, and surrounding tissue stiffness) on the performance of both the human finger and the tactile sensor. Using signal detection theory for determining tactile sensor lump detection thresholds, the tactile sensor outperforms the human finger in a palpation task.
Projections of the inferior colliculus in cat

Projections of the feline inferior colliculus were studied using the Nauta-Laidlaw method to demonstrate degenerating axons. A subtentorial stereotaxic approach was used to avoid corticofugal degeneration. Direct connections from the inferior colliculus to the anterior midline cerebellar cortex were observed. There is a topographical relationship of fibers of the brachium of the inferior colliculus and parabrachial region to the superior colliculus. A definite projection to the superior colliculi including a pathway through its commissure was found from the parabrachial region. A projection exists from the inferior colliculus to the dorsolateral portion of the central gray as far as the pretectum. There is a projection along the medial portion of the superior colliculus to the pretectum. Projections to the midbrain reticular formation, central gray and superior colliculi were substantial. Thalamic projections include a distribution of fibers to the magnocellular and rostral portion of the principal divisions of the medial geniculate body and to the lateral posterior thalamic nucleus. The rostral connections of the inferior colliculus with areas other than the medial geniculate body indicate that it may function in roles in addition to that of a mass somatomotor reflex center. Possible roles of the inferior colliculus in attention, habituation, and integration of corticovisual and auditory impulses are suggested.
Rapid Exchange Between Free and Bound States in RNA-Dendrimer Polyplexes: Implications on the Mechanism of Delivery and Release.

A combination of solution NMR, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and fluorescence quenching assays were employed to obtain insights into the dynamics and structural features of a polyplex system consisting of HIV-1 transactivation response element (TAR) and PEGylated generation 5 poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (G5-PEG). NMR chemical shift mapping and 13C spin relaxation based dynamics measurements depict the polyplex system as a highly dynamic assembly where the RNA, with its local structure and dynamics preserved, rapidly exchanges (<ms) between free and polyplex-bound forms, at least for the probed N/P ratios. Recovery of quenched fluorescence shows that RNA in the polyplex can be competitively exchanged over a wide range of amine to phosphate (N/P) charge ratios. The rapid exchange between free and bound forms may contribute to the mechanism by which RNA is released into the cell upon delivery while being protected by the polyplex environment from immediate degradation by nucleases.
Learning to represent, representing to learn

Abstract This study explores how students learn to create, discuss, and reason with representations to solve problems. A summer school algebra class for seventh and eighth graders provided opportunities for students to create and use representations as problem-solving tools. This case study follows the learning trajectories of three boys. Two of the three boys had been low-achievers in their previous math classes, and one was a high achiever. Analysis of all three boys’ written work reveals how their representations became more sophisticated over time. Their small group interactions while problem-solving also show changes in how they communicated and reasoned with representations. For these boys, representation functioned as a learning practice. Through constructing and reasoning with representations, the boys were able to engage in generalizing and justifying claims, discuss quadratic growth, and collaborate and persist in problem-solving. Negotiating different student-constructed representations of a problem also gave them opportunities to act with agency, as they made choices and judgments about the validity of the different perspectives. These findings have implications for the importance of giving all students access to mathematics through representations, with representational thinking serving as a central disciplinary practice and as a learning practice that supports further mathematics learning.
Detection of Antibody to Cytomegalovirus A Comparison of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Anticomplement Immunofluorescence

Within the past few years, many commercial kits have become available for the determination of antibody to cytomegalovirus. Cytomegalovirus serology was performed on 300 sera from adults and newborns to compare a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit during routine use with the anticomplement immunofluorescence method. Antibody determinations by the former method were performed as a routine diagnostic service at the Texas Children's Hospital. The two methods displayed a 96% concordance. In all instances of discrepancy, the ELISA method failed to detect antibody to CMV despite a titer of 1:8 or 1:16 by the anticomplement immunofluorescence method. Although there was a tendency for sera with higher titers by one method to have a higher titer by the other method, this was extremely variable. This commercial ELISA kit is reliable and acceptable for routine diagnostic use.
Effect of Antituberculosis Therapy on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Levels in Tuberculosis Patients

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels are known to be elevated in several granulomatous lung diseases. We prospectively studied 21 patients with smear- or culture-proved diagnosis of tuberculosis by measuring their ACE levels. ACE microvial(Ventrex, Ventrex Laboratories Inc, Portland, Me) radioassay system was used. The mean ACE value of our 21 patients (14 males, 7 females; mean age, 56 years) was 5.69 U, which was higher than the control group of healthy volunteers (n = 5, mean value, 4.14 U). We found that 4 (19%) of the 21 samples had ACE values higher than the expected range (P<.05), 3 of 5 patients had a decline in ACE levels, while receiving antituberculosis therapy. We conclude that tuberculosis patients may have high ACE levels, making this test less specific for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Sequential decline may indicate that the disease process may be contributing to this increase in ACE activity. A large prospective clinical trial is required to increase our understanding of ACE activity in granulomatous pulmonary diseases.
Dynamics of ignition of stoichiometric hydrogen-air mixtures by moving heated particles

Studying thermal ignition mechanisms is a key step for evaluating many ignition hazards. In the present work, two-dimensional simulations with detailed chemistry are used to study the reaction pathways of the transient flow and ignition of a stoichiometric hydrogen/air mixture by moving hot spheres. For temperatures above the ignition threshold, ignition takes place after a short time between the front stagnation point and separation location depending upon the sphere's surface temperature. Closer to the threshold, the volume of gas adjacent to the separation region ignites homogeneously after a longer time. These results demonstrate the importance of boundary layer development and flow separation in the ignition process.
Prebiotics, Calcium Absorption, and Bone Health

The gut microbiome is emerging as a regulator of bone health through a gut-bone axis. This chapter reviews the associations between changes in gut microbiota and calcium utilization observed with feeding prebiotic fibers that are fermented in the lower gut in animal models and humans. Fermentation by-products are short chain fatty acids, but whether these compounds are directly responsible for improved calcium utilization or are simply concordant events is unclear. Here we describe an in vivo direct-to-cecum rat model developed to address this question.
Sustainable Economic Development Model for Small Island States

Existing economic growth models by Harrod-Domar, Solow–Swan, Lucas, and Romer, have no capacity to explain the evolution or the collapse of economic growth of small islands that are inheritably featured by the remoteness, smallness and also their vulnerability to natural disasters in the islands economic systems. The resilience and vulnerability of Small Island states were studied by Briguglio (2004); socio-economic views, Galea, Cordina (2004); the vulnerability of natural disasters in small islands, Bernard (2007); and Boise and Morriss (2007) discussed the vulnerability of external regulatory changes with the case of the Netherlands Antilles. This study pursues a theoretical approach to an economic growth model that should reflect the limits and the traits of small island states. A dynamic model in discrete steps is presented using the optimal control theory for a longer-term sustainable economic growth for small islands. An analytical framework is formed for a sustainable economic growth with the small islands’ industry such as tourism and the offshore financial intermediation services that have been introduced into small island-tax-havens over the past two decades. The results from numerical simulations indicate that policies such as sector diversification, sound environmental management and proactive policy implementation over the external changes are vital for resilience and welfare for the future of small island economies.
A Usability Study on the Privacy Policy Visualization Model

Privacy policies are known to be one of the least favorite pieces of any website, software installation or any other agreement between a service provider and data provider. Due to the extreme importance of privacy policies, there have been attempts to make privacy policies more readable to the users. The Privacy Policy Visualization Model (PPVM) is considered to be the first model that simplifies the policies by visualizing them to the users. Although it is an important attempt towards privacy awareness, it is important to examine the usability of this privacy enhancing technology. This paper studies the usability of such model at the user level. We evaluate the PPVM based on STARP heuristic evaluation framework to inspect privacy usability vulnerabilities and suggest some solutions to overcome some usability problems encountered during evaluation.
A mineralogical view of apatitic biomaterials

Biomaterials are synthetic compounds and composites that replace or assist missing or damaged tissue or organs. This review paper addresses Ca phosphate biomaterials that are used as aids to or substitutes for bones and teeth. The viewpoint taken is that of mineralogists and geochemists interested in (carbonated) hydroxylapatite, its range of compositions, the conditions under which it can be synthesized, and how it is used as a biomaterial either alone or in a composite. Somewhat counter-intuitively, the goal of most medical or materials science researchers in this field is to emulate the properties of bone and tooth, rather than the hierarchically complex materials themselves. The absence of a directive to mimic biological reality has permitted the development of a remarkable range of approaches to apatite synthesis and post-synthesis processing. Multiple means of synthesis are described from low-temperature aqueous precipitation, sol-gel processes, and mechanosynthesis to high-temperature solid-state reactions and sintering up to 1000 °C. The application of multiple analytical techniques to characterize these apatitic, frequently nanocrystalline materials is discussed. An online supplement 1 details the specific physical and chemical forms in which synthetic apatite and related Ca phosphate phases are used in biomaterials. The implications from this overview are the enhanced recognition of the structurally and chemically accommodating nature of the apatite phase, insight into the effects of synthesis techniques on the specific properties of minerals (specifically apatite), and the importance of surface chemistry of apatite nanocrystals. The wide range of synthesis techniques, types of analytical characterization, and applications to human health associated with apatite are a non-geological demonstration of the power of mineralogy.
Searching for the GRAIL

This article describes a quest for the GRAIL (Giant Radial Array for Immersive Listening), a large-scale loudspeaker system with related hardware and software control equipment. The GRAIL was developed at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) at Stanford University, evolving from the need for optimal sound quality in our multichannel concerts. It is also used for teaching and research. The current GRAIL is one step in an ongoing evolutionary process, characterized by the use of off-the-shelf hardware components and custom software–based on free software languages and libraries. While developing our software, we have, as much as possible, aimed to take advantage of existing programs and utilities.
Atypicality for the class of exponential family

Atypicality is a new concept that uses a codelength-based deviation from the norm to find the interesting rare events. In a previous paper we have developed an information theoretic approach for discrete data. Then in the two other papers, we came up with an extension to the real-valued models for Gaussian and vector Gaussian cases. In the current paper we generalize our real-valued model to the class of exponential family. We include a comprehensive table that summarize the approximated atypicality criterion and bounds for common distributions in the exponential family model.
Pharmacology and Structure-Activity Relationship of Natural Products With Psychoactive Effects From Salvia divinorum, Mitragyna speciosa, and Ayahuasca

Abstract A rising awareness of natural products with hallucinogenic properties and their potential for abuse in recent years has led to the wider introduction of traditionally used medicines to the Western world. Among them are three plant extracts that present various medicinal properties. Extracts from Salvia divinorum (Diviner's sage), Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom), and Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis (Ayahuasca) have gained interest both among public health and legal officials due to increased reports of their use for recreational purposes. There are confirmed active ingredients in each of these extracts that have been investigated further in vitro and in vivo as well as in human trials for both their potential medicinal benefits and their abuse potential. Salvinorin A from S. divinorum presents as a nonnitrogenous kappa opioid receptor agonist with potential applications for inflammation, pain, and depressive disorders. Mitragynine from M. speciosa has shown both opioid receptor and sympathomimetic activities and may provide applications in the treatment of pain and a variety of CNS disorders. N , N -Dimethyltryptamine from P. viridis , in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors from B. caapi , has long been useful in treating substance use disorders as well as depressive and anxiety afflictions. This chapter provides an overview of the mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationship, and current knowledge of the potential clinical applications of each extract and their respective active constituents and derivatives.
Resolution of Submillisecond Kinetics of Multiple Reaction Pathways for Lactate Dehydrogenase.

Enzymes are known to exhibit conformational flexibility. An important consequence of this flexibility is that the same enzyme reaction can occur via multiple reaction pathways on a reaction landscape. A model enzyme for the study of reaction landscapes is lactate dehydrogenase. We have previously used temperature-jump (T-jump) methods to demonstrate that the reaction landscape of lactate dehydrogenase branches at multiple points creating pathways with varied reactivity. A limitation of this previous work is that the T-jump method makes only small perturbations to equilibrium and may not report conclusively on all steps in a reaction. Therefore, interpreting T-jump results of lactate dehydrogenase kinetics has required extensive computational modeling work. Rapid mixing methods offer a complementary approach that can access large perturbations from equilibrium; however, traditional enzyme mixing methods like stopped-flow do not allow for the observation of fast protein dynamics. In this report, we apply a microfluidic rapid mixing device with a mixing time of <100 μs that allows us to study these fast dynamics and the catalytic redox step of the enzyme reaction. Additionally, we report UV absorbance and emission T-jump results with improved signal-to-noise ratio at fast times. The combination of mixing and T-jump results yields an unprecedented view of lactate dehydrogenase enzymology, confirming the timescale of substrate-induced conformational change and presence of multiple reaction pathways.
Trends of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Epidemic and Maternal Risk Factors in Florida.

Objective This study aimed to examine secular trends of (i) maternal prescription opioid use in late pregnancy, (ii) neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) stratified by late maternal prescription opioid use, and (iii) maternal risk factors among NAS deliveries. Methods Women with a live birth who were enrolled 90 days before and 30 days after delivery in Florida Medicaid Analytic Extract billing records linked to birth certificates from 2000 to 2010 were identified for the study. Changes in the annual prevalence of prescription opioid use during pregnancy were tested with the Cochran–Armitage trend test. Temporal trends of NAS deliveries were estimated with Poisson regression and stratified by prescription opioids exposure in the last 90 days of pregnancy in the study period. To identify contributors to the increase in NAS cases, variation in prevalence of opioid dispensing, tobacco use, antidepressant use, and substance use disorder among NAS and non-NAS deliveries were examined. Results There were 41,968 (9.4%) deliveries exposed to at least one opioid prescription in late pregnancy, which remained stable from 2000 to 2010. Among prescription opioid-exposed deliveries, frequency of NAS increased from 1.6 to 25.2 per 1000 live-births during the study period (P<0.05). Although the prevalence of maternal use of prescription opioid, tobacco, and antidepressant remained stable among NAS deliveries from 2000 to 2010, the prevalence of substance use disorder diagnoses increased substantially from 38.9% in 2000 to 67.9% in 2006 (P<0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of neonatal abstinence syndrome increased dramatically whereas the prevalence of major risk factors, including maternal prescription opioid use, remained stable in Florida between 2000 to 2010. The increase in substance use disorder may be responsible for the sharp increase in NAS deliveries. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
On the alleged intrinsic immorality of mixed martial arts

In two recent articles, Nicholas Dixon has argued that the intent to hurt and injure opponents which is essential to mixed martial arts (MMA) makes the sport intrinsically immoral. Although bondage...
Responses of Purkinje cells in the oculomotor vermis of monkeys during smooth pursuit eye movements and saccades: comparison with floccular complex.

The midline oculomotor cerebellum plays a different role in smooth pursuit eye movements compared with the lateral, floccular complex and appears to be much less involved in direction learning in p...
Home Range and Habitat Affinity of the Singing Vole on the North Slope of Alaska

ABSTRACT A species' use of space provides insight into fundamental resource requirements and population dynamics. Here we investigate how microhabitat features and intraspecific interaction contribute to space use by the singing vole (Microtus miurus) on arctic tundra. We used mark-recapture of singing voles to estimate home range using a kernel density estimator. To assess intraspecific interactions, regions within home ranges were classified as “exclusive” or “shared” based on overlap among individuals. The spatial distribution of singing vole encounters was analyzed in conjunction with multivariate hierarchical cluster analysis of vegetation cover to assess microhabitat affinity. “Shared” regions within home ranges were used more than expected based on proportional availability. We observed significant affinities for microhabitats at both the scale of individual home ranges and of the singing vole population. Our results suggest that heterogeneity in microhabitat features and social interactions are im...
Computed tomography in ventral hernia diagnosis: have we improved? A quality improvement initiative

Abstract Background Previous studies suggest that agreement between readers of computed tomography (CT) scans for the diagnosis of a ventral hernia (VH) is poor (32% agreement, κ = 0.21). Recommendations were developed by surgeons and radiologists after determining common reasons for disagreement among CT reviewers; however, the long-term effect of adoption of these recommendations has not been assessed. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) project was to determine whether the incorporation of recommendations developed by surgeons and radiologists improves agreement among reviewers of CT scans in diagnosing a VH. Methods A prospective cohort of patients, with a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis in the past 1 y, attending a surgery clinic at a single institution was enrolled. Enrolled subjects underwent a standardized physical examination by a trained hernia surgeon to determine the likelihood of a clinical VH (no, indeterminate, or yes). The QI intervention was the distribution and implementation of previously described recommendations. After a year of intervention, independent radiologists assessed patients' CT scans for the presence or absence of a VH. Percent agreement and kappa were calculated to determine interobserver reliability. In-person discussion on scans with disagreement was held, and the results were used as a “gold standard” to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values for CT scan diagnosis of a VH. Results A total of 79 patients were included in the study. After QI intervention, seven radiologists agreed on 43% of the scans, and κ was 0.50 (P Conclusions After the implementation of recommendations, there is improved agreement among radiologists reading CT scans for the diagnosis of a VH. However, there is substantial room for improvement, and CT scans for the diagnosis of VH is not ready for widespread use.
Elbow Osteoarthritis and Soft Tissue Injuries

This chapter discusses various common inflammatory, traumatic, and arthritic conditions of the elbow region of the upper extremity. In each case, we have tried to address common presentation, diagnosis, options for management, and outcomes.
An improved adaptive perturb & observe maximum power point tracking technique

To increase the energy harvest of photovoltaic (PV) module, a converter/inverter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is needed as the interface between the PV array and the load. The purpose is to adjust the effective load resistance presented to the PV modules so that the system operates at the maximum power point (MPP). As such, two requirements must be met by an effective MPPT controller: first, converge to the MPP quickly especially during dynamic weather conditions; second, exhibit small oscillation around the MPP under steady state. Knowing that oscillation will adversely affect the system stability and continuous power generation, many MPPT propose to adaptive change the variation step according to the power variation. For example, a second PI controller is implemented before the MPPT controller to minimize the perturbation size. These methods still do not suppress the steady sate oscillations around MPP effectively. As such, this paper proposed an improved adaptive MPPT technique by adding a steady state MPP determination algorithm after the adaptive perturb & observe method, which helps harness more renewable energy with reliable and high-efficiency tracking capability. The method is also independent with the environmental conditions and has smaller oscillation around the MPP compared to other adaptive P&O methods proposed. The proposed method is verified by both simulations and experiments under different irradiance levels and dynamic weather conditions.
Comparing residence time and natural enemies between low- and high- density invasions

Ecological and historical factors influence the probability that a known invader will experience success in new locations. Using field and laboratory studies, we investigated how residence time and natural enemies (co-evolved castrating parasite, and native crabs) differ between two introduced populations of the intertidal snail, Batillaria attramentaria. The populations have substantially different invasion histories (~ 10 vs. > 80 years) and exhibit markedly different densities and tidal distributions. The less-dense, vertically-restricted population was recently introduced, and thus has potentially had less opportunity to fill the fundamental niche at that site. However, no increase in density or intertidal range occurred in this population over 10 years, suggesting that it had reached its realized niche. The newer population experienced much greater effects of native cancrid crabs than the older, high-density population, particularly below the minimum tidal elevation of observed snail distribution, where crabs were found in the greatest densities. Prevalence of parasite infection did not differ between populations. This is the first study documenting effects of predators on this invasive snail, which is widespread along coastlines of the northeast Pacific, whereas previous studies have suggested that the primary restriction on population growth rate was likely to be parasitic castration. Further, this study supports the general understanding that, while novel predators can reduce the impacts or population growth rates of invasive species, such top-down effects are not likely to preclude persistence at a given site.
In Search of the White Idyll: Slave Revolution and the Demise of Manumission in Virginia

The Haitian Revolutionary Era prompted Virginian elites to reconsider their revolutionary commitment to manumission. In 1782 Virginia became the first and only North American plantation society to liberalize manumission, but rescinded the bill in 1806, and forbid permanent residence to newly freed ex-slaves. As a result, white Virginians turned to colonization as the solution to the problem of liberalism in a slavery society. In rejecting the possibility of a free and multiracial society, Virginia elites resurrected social colonialism, and relegated slavery to the new national body politic.
Arthroscopic surgery for knee osteoarthritis? Just say no

For most patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, arthroscopic surgery offers little benefit.
Heterogeneity of Cell Lineages in L3 Leukemias

Five cases of adult leukemia with L3 morphology in bone marrow were studied for the presence of immunologic, metabolic, and enzymatic markers. Among the five patients, there were four males and female. Median age was 66 with a range of 16-80 yr. Median survival was only 5 mo. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, 3H-thymidine labeling indices, and DNA/RNA content of the L3 lymphoblasts were markedly elevated. B-cell markers were found in three cases, two exhibiting surface membrane IgM-lambda, and one IgG-K. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) enzymatic activity was consistently low in this group. In one case, the L3 lymphoblasts displayed only surface Fc receptors demonstrated by the binding of aggregated IgG. TdT activity was found to be significantly increased. In another instance, the lymphoblasts formed spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes and exhibited paranuclear staining with acid phosphatase. TdT activity was found to be low. Although most of the L3 leukemias are neoplasias of B lymphocytes, other lineages may also express this morphology.
Ritual and Rightness in the Analects

Li (禮) and yi (義) are two central moral concepts in the Analects. Li has a broad semantic range, referring to formal ceremonial rituals on the one hand, and basic rules of personal decorum on the other. What is similar across the range of referents is that the li comprise strictures of correct behavior. The li are a distinguishing characteristic of Confucian approaches to ethics and socio-political thought, a set of rules and protocols that were thought to constitute the wise practices of ancient moral exemplars filtered down through dynasties of the past. However, even while the li were extensive and meant to be followed diligently, they were also understood as incapable of exhausting the whole range of activity that constitutes human life. There were bound to be situations in life where there would be no obvious recourse to the li for guidance. As part of their reflections on the good life, the Confucians maintained another moral concept that seemed to cover morally upright exemplary behavior in these types of situations. This concept is that of yi or rightness. In this chapter, I begin with a brief historical sketch to provide some context, and will then turn to li and yi in turn. In the end, I will suggest how li and yi were both meant to facilitate the supreme value of social harmony that pervades much of the Analects and serves as its ultimate orientation.
Predicting success: A comparative analysis of student performance on the surgical clerkship and the NBME surgery subject exam

Background The National Board of Medical Examiners surgery shelf is a well-established terminal measure of student medical knowledge. No study has explored the correlation between intraclerkship quizzes and shelf exam performance. Methods Weekly quiz and National Board of Medical Examiners scores were collected from 156 third-year students who participated in a 12-week surgical clerkship from 2015 to 2017. Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon rank sum, and linear regression analysis was completed. Results Trauma/Burns, Esophagus/Anorectal, and Wound/Intensive Care Unit quiz content corresponded with increased National Board of Medical Examiners performance with β-coefficients of 1.57 (P < .001), 1.42 (P < .001), 1.38 (P < .001), respectively. Wound/Intensive Care Unit and Cardio/Vascular content corresponded with decreased likelihood of scoring < 70 points on the National Board of Medical Examiners (OR: 0.75 (P = .03), and 0.68 (P = .02)). Aggregate quiz scores stratified by academic block were 67 (IQR 64-69.5), 77 (IQR 74.5-80), 76.5 (IQR of 67-89.5), 83 (IQR of 76-85) corresponding to academic blocks 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (P < .001). Conclusion Modeling National Board of Medical Examiners outcomes as a function of weekly quizzes taken during a 12-week surgery clerkship is a viable concept.
Kirigami Skin Improves Soft Earthworm Robot Anchoring and Locomotion Under Cohesive Soil

Earthworms can move beneath soil by expanding parts of their bodies radially; bristles called setae work as anchors during surface locomotion but their efficacy during subsurface movement is unknown. We designed a soft, wormlike robot which models the putative earthworm anchoring mechanisms by combining Kirigami skin with radially-expanding pneumatic actuators. The robot consists of three pneumatic actuator segments: head and tail segments that expand radially as anchors, and a middle segment that elongates the body. The Kirigami structure pops up when an actuator is radially expanded, forming bristle-like spikes which are perpendicular to surface, and folds back down when deflated, forming a smoother skin structure. The robustness of Kirigami skin is improved by introducing a novel silicone-plastic layer fabrication method. The pop-up features penetrate the soil without significantly deforming the soil surface, improving the anchoring ability of the segment. Improvements in anchoring are studied systematically by measuring the differences in segment drag forces beneath soil. The performance of robot locomotion in soil terrain with or without Kirigami skin was measured in several terrain conditions (within a cohesive garden soil channel, buried in cohesive soil) as the robot dragged payloads behind it. The Kirigami skin-covered robot exhibits a greater maximum drag force (improved from $\mathbf{2.1\pm 0.3\ {N}}$ to $\mathbf{5.5\pm 0.5\ {N}}$ in 25mm hole diameter condition), greater forward displacement, and higher traction (e.g., with an 40g payload, the $\mathbf{3.7\pm 2.8\ {cm}}$ improved to a $\mathbf{12.5\pm 0}$ . 1cm in 6 gait cycles).
Resection of Cystic Adenomyosis

Video Objective To describe a case of cystic adenomyosis and demonstrate the resection of adenomyotic cysts. Setting A 21 year-old nulligravid patient presents for worsening chronic pelvic pain for 3-4 years which is only partially responsive to oral contraceptives. Interventions Ultrasound and MRI images confirmed the diagnosis of cystic adenomyosis, and the patient underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic resection and removal of cystic adenomyosis. Conclusion Cystic adenomyosis is a rare disorder that requires excision for complete resolution of symptoms. It is necessary to have a high index of suspicion in young patients with dysmenorrhea that does not resolve with hormonal therapy. It is also important for gynecologists to review ultrasound and MRI images themselves and in conjunction with radiologists experienced in pelvic imaging to reduce misdiagnosis.
Prenatal nicotine sex-dependently alters adolescent dopamine system development.

Despite persistent public health initiatives, many women continue to smoke during pregnancy. Since maternal smoking has been linked to persisting sex-dependent neurobehavioral deficits in offspring, some consider nicotine to be a safer alternative to tobacco during pregnancy, and the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems is on the rise. We presently show, however, that sustained exposure to low doses of nicotine during fetal development, approximating plasma levels seen clinically with the nicotine patch, produces substantial changes in developing corticostriatal dopamine systems in adolescence. Briefly, pregnant dams were implanted on gestational day 4 with an osmotic minipump that delivered either saline (GS) or nicotine (3 mg/kg/day) (GN) for two weeks. At birth, pups were cross-fostered with treatment naive dams and were handled daily. Biochemical analyses, signaling assays, and behavioral responses to cocaine were assessed on postnatal day 32, representative of adolescence in the rodent. GN treatment had both sex-dependent and sex-independent effects on prefrontal dopamine systems, altering Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)-dependent dopamine turnover in males and norepinephrine transporter (NET) binding expression in both sexes. GN enhanced cocaine-induced locomotor activity in females, concomitant with GN-induced reductions in striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) binding. GN enhanced ventral striatal D2-like receptor expression and G-protein coupling, while altering the roles of D2 and D3 receptors in cocaine-induced behaviors. These data show that low-dose prenatal nicotine treatment sex-dependently alters corticostriatal dopamine system development, which may underlie clinical deficits seen in adolescents exposed to tobacco or nicotine in utero.
G-protein signaling is required for increasing germline stem cell division frequency in response to mating in Drosophila males

Adult stem cells divide to renew the stem cell pool and replenish specialized cells that are lost due to death or usage. However, little is known about the mechanisms regulating how stem cells adjust to a demand for specialized cells. A failure of the stem cells to respond to this demand can have serious consequences, such as tissue loss, or prolonged recovery post injury. Here, we challenge the male germline stem cells (GSCs) of Drosophila melanogaster for the production of specialized cells, sperm cells, using mating experiments. We show that repeated mating reduced the sperm pool and increased the percentage of GSCs in M- and S-phase of the cell cycle. The increase in dividing GSCs depended on the activity of the highly conserved G-proteins. Germline expression of RNA-Interference (RNA-i) constructs against G-proteins, or a dominant negative G-protein eliminated the increase in GSC division frequency in mated males. Consistent with a role for the G-proteins in regulating GSC division frequency, RNA-i against seven out of 35 G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) within the germline cells also eliminated the capability of males to increase the numbers of dividing GSCs in response to mating.