cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental Programming: Prenatal Testosterone Excess and Insulin Signaling Disruptions in Female Sheep

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome often manifest insulin resistance. Using a sheep model of polycystic ovary syndrome-like phenotype, we explored the contribution of androgen and insulin in programming and maintaining disruptions in insulin signaling in metabolic tissues. Phosphorylation of AKT, ERK, GSK3beta, mTOR, and p70S6K was examined in the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue of control and prenatal testosterone (T)-, prenatal T plus androgen antagonist (flutamide)-, and prenatal T plus insulin sensitizer (rosiglitazone)-treated fetuses as well as 2-yr-old females. Insulin-stimulated phospho (p)-AKT was evaluated in control and prenatal T-, prenatal T plus postnatal flutamide-, and prenatal T plus postnatal rosiglitazone-treated females at 3 yr of age. GLUT4 expression was evaluated in the muscle at all time points. Prenatal T treatment increased mTOR, p-p70S6K, and p-GSK3beta levels in the fetal liver with both androgen antagonist and insulin sensitizer preventing the mTOR increase. Both interventions had partial effect in preventing the increase in p-GSK3beta. In the fetal muscle, prenatal T excess decreased p-GSK3beta and GLUT4. The decrease in muscle p-GSK3beta was partially prevented by insulin sensitizer cotreatment. Both interventions partially prevented the decrease in GLUT4. Prenatal T treatment had no effect on basal expression of any of the markers in 2-yr-old females. At 3 yr of age, prenatal T treatment prevented the insulin-stimulated increase in p-AKT in liver and muscle, but not in adipose tissue, and neither postnatal intervention restored p-AKT response to insulin stimulation. Our findings provide evidence that prenatal T excess changes insulin sensitivity in a tissue- and development-specific manner and that both androgens and insulin may be involved in the programming of these metabolic disruptions.
Effects of methanol vapors on testosterone production and testis morphology in rats.

Potential toxic effects of methanol vapors on testicular produc tion of testosterone and the morphology of testes were investi gated using normal or methanol-sensitive folate-reduced rats. Methanol inhalation at the level of the current permissible expo sure limit, 200 ppm, for up to six weeks (8 hours/day, 5 days/ week), did not reduce serum testosterone levels in normal rats. Testes isolated from methanol-exposed (200 ppm) rats had the same capability as those from air-exposed rats in synthesizing testosterone whether testes were incubated in the absence or pres ence of hCG. The testes-to-body weight ratio of rats exposed up to 800 ppm methanol for up to 13 weeks (20 hours/day, 7 days/ week) were not different from those of the air-exposed rats. Fur thermore, methanol had no adverse effect on testicular morphol ogy at the end of the 13 week exposure period at 800 ppm in either normal rats or folate-reduced methanol-sensitive rats when they were 10 months old at the time of examination. Thus, these data ...
From Bench to Bedside: Understanding the Science behind the Pharmacologic Management of MDMA- and other Sympathomimetic-Mediated Hyperthermia:

Objective:To evaluate the scientific rationale and efficacy of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for sympathomimetic-induced hyperthermia and related sequelae.Data Sources:Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1940-September 2010) using the terms MDMA [3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine], methamphetamine, toxicity, and hyperthermia. In addition, reference citations from identified publications were reviewed.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All articles written in English identified from data sources were evaluated.Data Synthesis:The treatment of sympathomimetic-induced hyperthermia is a challenging problem for health-care professionals. The lack of clinical trials further complicates the development of evidence-based treatment algorithms. Preclinical studies have mostly been with the sympathomimetic MDMA and have demonstrated a reversal of MDMA-induced hyperthermia with a mixed serotonin 5-HT1A agonist/5-HT2A antagonist or mixed α1- and β1,2,3-adrenergic receptor antagonists.Conclusions:B...
Synthesis, Shape Control, and Methanol Electro-oxidation Properties of Pt–Zn Alloy and Pt3Zn Intermetallic Nanocrystals

We report the first synthesis of highly monodisperse Pt(3)Zn nanocrystals (NCs). Shape-controlled synthesis generates cubic and spherical Pt-Zn NCs. Reaction temperature is the key to incorporate Zn into Pt, even in the absence of a strong reducing agent. The Pt-Zn NCs are active toward methanol oxidation, with the spherical NCs exhibiting higher activity than the cubic NCs. The Pt-Zn alloy phase can be transformed into the Pt(3)Zn intermetallic phase, upon annealing. The intermetallic Pt(3)Zn shows better performance than the alloy phase Pt-Zn. Besides the activity toward methanol oxidation, Pt-Zn NCs show excellent poisoning tolerance. With activities comparable to the commercial Pt catalyst, enhanced poisoning tolerance and lower cost, Pt-Zn and Pt(3)Zn NCs are a promising new family of catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells.
Using the Simpsons to Improve Economic Instruction through Policy Analysis

The analysis of public policy issues in the classroom can be a powerful tool to help students learn because it encourages students to actively apply classroom material. The television show The Simpsons provides several episodes that revolve around policy issues amenable to examination. Using The Simpsons to provide students with material for analysis has two advantages over traditional sources such as newspapers or magazines. First, a long-running and popular television show effectively engages students in a way traditional sources cannot. Second, the context of an animated television show can help students separate positive economic analysis from normative economic analysis.
Structure Determination of the Si(111)-CaF2 Interface

The structure of the Si(111)-CaF2 interface has been determined with Medium Energy Ion Scattering and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy. Methods to determine this interface structure with HRTEM are discussed.
Evidence for an Arrestant Causing Aggregation in the Garden Symphylan

In the laboratory, adults and immature stages of the garden symphylan, Scutigerella immaculata (Newport), produced a water soluble substance, which upon contact, reduced the rate of locomotion resulting in a significant increase in aggregation. The substance, which arrested locomotion, was perceived by receptors located on the antennae, and remained active for 7 days if maintained in closed containers, but lost activity after 16 h if allowed to dry. The origin and chemical nature of the substance has not been identified.
Dilemmas on Promoting the Rule of Law

Related to the previous chapter’s analysis of human rights is the effort to build the rule of law, the nonviolent system upon which human rights are protected. NGO activities to promote the rule of law vary not only as to jurisdiction, but also substance, from promoting human rights, domestic crime, judicial reform, and international trafficking, to administrative law and parliamentary reform. The rule of law is required for democracy in definitional terms, though empirically, all functioning, as well as aspiring, democracies have significant rule-of-law challenges. When adequately functional and legitimate, the rule of law promotes peace by channeling nonviolent, legal-process alternatives to violent conflicts. Like democracy, appeals to the rule of law can generate legitimacy, even for authoritarian regimes, which do not follow the rule of law in their constitutions. Regimes that have not followed the rule of law for decades may still pretend to follow it, as well as hold elections with universal suffrage.1 The danger of illiberal democracy, where the state and non-state actors use arbitrary and unlawful violence while holding elections of varying credibility can follow from democratic regime changes established partly because of mandated peacebuilding.2 Moreover, NGO pressure for legal accountability can convince lawbreaking regimes either not to hand over power or to rig elections in favor of those who would not prosecute them.
Effect of pre- and post-marination aging on meat quality attributes of early deboned (2 h postmortem) broiler breast fillets

Marination is an effective method that can be used to improve the tenderness of early deboned breast fillets. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of pre- and post-marination aging of 2 h postmortem (PM) deboned chicken fillets to get optimum meat quality. In this study, a total of 300 broilers (43 to 46 d of age) were processed using an in-line system and deboned at 2 h PM. Fillets were marinated, at either 2.5, 4, 6, 8 or 24 h PM, using vacuum tumbling (20 min) with a 15% marinade (final concentration of 0.5% salt and 0.45% phosphate). A non-marinated control (CON) was included. The left (HOLD) fillets were aged (held at 4°C for 24 h) prior to freezing post-marination while the right (NO HOLD) fillets were frozen immediately after marination to simulate various commercial practices. Marination pickup (MPU), total marinade retained after thawing (TMR), total purge loss after thawing (TPL), cook loss (CL), and Meullenet-Owens Razor Shear energy (MORSE) values were measured. Both in HOLD and NO HOLD fillets, there was an increase (P < 0.05) in MPU and TMR as the time of marination increased from 2.5 to 24 h PM. Furthermore, the HOLD fillets had a higher (P < 0.05) TPL when compared to the NO HOLD group. There was a higher (P < 0.05) CL for the CON fillets when compared to all marinated fillets suggesting that marination resulted in better water holding capacity. However, both in HOLD and NO HOLD groups, the MORSE values for the marinated fillets decreased (P < 0.05) from 4 h PM onwards, with 8 and 24 h PM having lower (P < 0.05) values than all other treatments. The results of this study suggest that pre-marination aging (aging after deboning prior to marination) of early (2 h PM) deboned fillets to 8 h PM can provide better tumble marination pickup and retention as well as tenderness (or lower shear values).
Paneth Cells in Colonic Adenomas: Association with Higher Adenoma Burden

Introduction . The association of Paneth cells with colorectal neoplasms has been demonstrated in several studies and case reports. T he frequency of Paneth cell-containing adenomas ranges from 0.2 to 39% in the various published studies. Although adenomas with Paneth cells have already been recognized before, there are no studies in the Philippines, that have been done to evaluate their clinicopathologic features. This study was performed to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of Paneth cell-containing adenomas and their association with adenoma burden. Methodology . A total of 326 colorectal adenomas from 133 patients diagnosed consecutively from April 2013 to June 2013 at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines, were reviewed. These were checked for the presence of Paneth cells within the adenomatous crypts. The differences in gender and location were analyzed using one tail z-test, while the association of Paneth-cell containing adenomas with adenoma burden was analyzed using univariate odds ratio at 95% confidence interval. Results. The frequency of Paneth cell-containing adenomas in this study of 326 adenomas is 15% (50 of 326 adenomas). There was no statistical significance in the occurrence of the lesion between male and female patients (32% vs. 15%; p =0.2041). There was also no statistical difference in their occurrence in the proximal and distal colon (18% vs. 14%; p =0.1723). The odds of having multiple adenomas for patients with Paneth cell-containing adenomas are 3.16 times higher than those patients without Paneth cell-containing adenomas (15 patients with one adenoma, 23 patients with more than one adenoma; p=0.0037). Conclusion . This study has demonstrated the increased odds of harboring multiple adenomas in patients with Paneth-cell containing adenomas. This may be attributed in part to the fact that there have been recent studies revolving around Paneth cells that have shown that an established pathway of colorectal tumorigenesis, the APC/Wnt/ β - catenin pathway, regulates differentiation towards this cell lineage.
Chip Rework on Ceramic and Organic Modules

This paper reviews the development of chip rework processes at IBM, from leaded bumps on ceramics to lead-free on organic carriers, with emphasis on the latter. Traditionally, when fabricating high performance multichip ceramic modules, the ability to remove one or several chips after testing the fully populated module becomes important in ensuring that it has a full complement of functioning chips. Such a rework procedure has been developed and practiced for years on dies with leaded C4s (Controlled Collapse Chip Connection). It involves removing a die by reflow, before underfilling, and dressing the site using a porous copper block, first soldered and then sheared at room temperature. Later, in an effort to qualify the transition to lead-free solder bumps on ceramic carriers, it became clear that the rework process needed an important modification of the dressing step. Because of the higher stiffness of the Pb-free solder, the usual room temperature shearing of the copper block induced damage to the bonding pads and vias. This led to the development of a hot copper block process that solved this problem, although lead-free did not get qualified on ceramics for other reasons. This improved process was later investigated for reworking bad dies on organic carriers. However, the good performance of the dressing process at removing residual solder was such that on many pads, the solder surface ended below the level of the solder mask thus giving rise to many open connections when joining a new device. This motivated the search for a process that would leave solder residues, after the bad die removal, that would not only be above the solder mask, but also sufficiently uniform to join a new die successfully. Such a modified bare die removal process was developed, without any site dressing being required. Dies 8.5 X 8.5 mm were successfully replaced on a 4-up 55 mm TV carrier, one or two at a time, with passenger dies being underfilled or not before rework. Reliability stressing, DTC 1000 cycles and HTS 1000 h, completed without degradation. Reworking larger dies (17.7 X 17.7 mm) was also demonstrated, with the process being extended to even larger form factor above 20 mm.
Is targeted therapy possible for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is a major global health problem with an estimated 951,600 new cases and 723,100 deaths in 2012 [1]. Treatment of GAC depends on the stage at diagnosis. At early stage ...
Two Noble Kinsmen: Libraries and Museums

In his Gesta Grayorum (1594), the young polymath Francis Bacon summarized the surroundings appropriate to the life of a learned gentleman. He stipulated four different environments, and gave pride of place to a library, like the bookish sort of man he was. His gentleman should collect “a most perfect and general library, wherein whosoever the wit of man hath heretofore committed to books of worth ... may be contributory to your wisdom.” He then recommended a splendid garden, filled with an immense variety of botanical and zoological specimens. Next, he called for “a goodly, huge cabinet, wherein whatsoever the hand . . .
Exposure of the Amino Terminus of Tau Is a Pathological Event in Multiple Tauopathies

Pathological changes to the tau protein, including conformational changes and aggregation, are major hallmarks of a group of neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies. Among the conformational changes are alterations involving the extreme amino terminus of the protein, known as the phosphatase-activating domain (PAD). Aberrant PAD exposure induces a signaling cascade that leads to disruption of axonal transport, a critical function for neuronal survival. Conformational display of PAD is an early marker of pathological tau in Alzheimer disease (AD), but its role in other tauopathies has yet to be firmly established. We used a relatively novel N-terminal, conformation-sensitive antibody, TNT2, to determine whether misfolding in the amino terminus (ie, PAD exposure) occurs in non-AD tauopathies. We found that TNT2 specifically labeled pathological tau in post-mortem human brain tissue from Pick disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, but did not label nonpathological, parenchymal tau. Tau13, another N-terminal antibody, was not sensitive to pathological N-terminal conformations. Tau13 did not readily distinguish between normal (ie, parenchymal tau) and pathological tau species and showed a range of effectiveness at identifying tau pathologies in the non-AD tauopathies. These findings demonstrate that the conformational display of the PAD in tau represents a common pathological event in many tauopathies.
Inferring imagined speech using EEG signals: a new approach using Riemannian manifold features.

Objective. In this paper, we investigate the suitability of imagined speech for brain–computer interface (BCI) applications. Approach. A novel method based on covariance matrix descriptors, which lie in Riemannian manifold, and the relevance vector machines classifier is proposed. The method is applied on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals and tested in multiple subjects. Main results. The method is shown to outperform other approaches in the field with respect to accuracy and robustness. The algorithm is validated on various categories of speech, such as imagined pronunciation of vowels, short words and long words. The classification accuracy of our methodology is in all cases significantly above chance level, reaching a maximum of 70% for cases where we classify three words and 95% for cases of two words. Significance. The results reveal certain aspects that may affect the success of speech imagery classification from EEG signals, such as sound, meaning and word complexity. This can potentially extend the capability of utilizing speech imagery in future BCI applications. The dataset of speech imagery collected from total 15 subjects is also published.
The effects of third party certification on voluntary self-regulation of accidents in the U.S. chemical industry

We explore whether the introduction of mandatory third party certification in 2005 under the Responsible Care program has reduced the probability and severity of accidents in participating facilities in the U.S. chemical industry. Using a sample of 10,315 observations from 1136 facilities owned by 566 RC and non-RC firms between 1996 and 2010, we estimate the average treatment effect of third party certification. We find that the difference-in-difference estimate of the average treatment effect is statistically insignificant. This result is robust to various model specifications including the potential endogeniety of third party certification due to a firm’s self-selection into RC.
The BAX PCR Assay for Screening Listeria monocytogenes targets a partial putative gene lmo2234

The BAX PCR for screening Listeria monocytogenes is a commercial PCR assay for specifically targeting L. monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen that can contaminate a variety of foods and cause a potentially fatal disease, listeriosis, among high-risk populations. The high specificity (> 98%) of this PCR assay is achieved by targeting a species-specific genomic region (approximately 400 bp) presumably found only in L. monocytogenes. In this study, the identity of the BAX PCR-targeted genomic region was determined by using PCR cloning, DNA sequencing, and basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) analysis of the amplicon sequences of an L. monocytogenes serotype 1/2a strain. BLAST analysis identified the BAX PCR amplicon (GenBank accession no. AY364605) as a 423-bp genomic region between nucleotides 224,409 and 224,831 in the genome of L. monocytogenes (serotype 1/2a strain EGD-e), including a 145-bp noncoding region and a 278-bp partial coding sequence of a putative gene, lmo2234. The translated amino acid sequence (92 amino acids) of this partial coding region is highly conserved between L. monocytogenes and Listeria innocua (93% homology). Reverse-position-specific BLAST analysis identified a conserved domain in Lmo2234 that was similar (95.3% aligned, E value = 9E-18) to the consensus amino acid sequence of sugar phosphate isomerases/epimerases (National Center for Biotechnology Information conserved domain database accession no. COG 1082.1, IolE), indicating that Lmo2234 might be involved in bacterial carbohydrate transport and metabolism.
Protein structure and expression among arenaviruses.

The proteins of arenaviruses were first studies by SMADEL and his colleagues (1939, 1940, 1942), with reference to their antigenicity. These workers described the presence of a virus-specific soluble (S) antigen detectable by complement fixation (CF) in homogenates of spleen and lung from LCMV-infected guinea pigs. Soluble antigen could be separated from infectious virus by ultracentrifugation. Repeatedly washed virions reacted poorly in CF tests while the S antigen lost none of its immunoreactivity after ultracentrifugation. These studies were not extended until nearly 3 decades later when Brown and Kirk (1969), Chastel (1970), Simon (1970), and Bro-Jorgensen (1971) described antigens detectable by C F and immunodiffusion in tissues or cell cultures infected with L C M V. Bro-Jorgensen (1971) found two antigenic species by immunodiffusion using infected BHK-21 cells as the antigen source. One antigen was heat stable and resistant to proteolysis, while the second was degraded by both heating and pronase digestion. Both antigens sedimented at a rate of 3.5 S in rate zonal sucrose gradient centrifugation, and based on this S value the molecular weight of the thermolabile S antigen was estimated to be 48 000.
Bioreactors for plant cell culture

The premise of this article is that the rational design of a bioreactor can be used to direct plant cell culture towards desired physiological states and toward differentiation and organization. Bioreactors can be used as tools to probe stimulus-response in plant cultures and at the commercial level as devices to increase the productivity of a culture for secondary metabolite formation or production of organized tissues. However, before these aspects of bioreactor design can be discussed the reader must understand the essential principles of bioreactor design.
On the Conditional Mutual Information in the Gaussian–Markov Structured Grids

The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) State Estimator (SE) and the Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) network constitute the communication infrastructures meant to provide the “smart grid” dispatcher with wide-area bus phase angles and other data from which the operational status of the grid can be assessed—if the measurements are not compromised somewhere along their way to the SCADA dispatch and/or the PMU concentrator. Unfortunately, this is precisely what happens under the so-called “false data injection.” In this chapter, we develop a fast test for measurement data integrity, based on the Gaussian Markov Random Field (GMRF) assumption on the PMU data. This assumption, fundamental to this chapter, is supported by (i) the many fluctuating generations and variable loads justifying the Gaussian distribution assumption and, as more specifically addressed in this chapter, (ii) the DC power flow equations from which an approximate 1-neighbor property of the bus phase angles is derived. The latter topological property refers to the conditional mutual information between two random variables being non-vanishing if and only if the nodes at which they are observed are linked in the edge set of the corresponding graph. Under the Gaussian distribution assumption, the conditional mutual information is easily computable from the conditional covariance. Then it is shown that Conditional Covariance Test (CCT) together with the walk-summability and the local separation property of grid graph allows the reconstruction of the grid graph from uncompromised measurement data. On the other hand, with corrupted data, CCT reconstructs only a proper subset of the edge set of the grid graph, hence triggering the alarm.
Screening and follow-up for depression among Arab Americans

Background The authors compared proportions and associations of depression screening, major depression, and follow-up care of Arab Americans compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, Asians, and Hispanics. Methods Administrative data was electronically abstracted from a large health system in metropolitan Detroit among 97,918 adult patients in 2014 and 2015. A valid and reliable surname list was used to identify Arab Americans. Using chi-squares, we examined the relationship between race/ethnicity and depression screening, major depression, and follow-up care. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to examine the relationship between the main independent variable of race/ethnicity and the dependent variables of depression screening and major depression while controlling for confounders. Results Arab American women were 23% less likely to be screened for depression compared to non-Hispanic white women (OR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.70, 0.86). The age- and sex-adjusted proportions of major depression were 5.5% for Arab Americans compared to 7.0% for Hispanics, 6.0% for non-Hispanic blacks, 5.9% for non-Hispanic whites, and 1.5% for Asians. Arab Americans with major depression were less likely to follow up with a behavioral specialist and more likely to follow up with a primary care physician compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Conclusions Our study adds to the discourse on depression care among Arab Americans by highlighting the existing disparities related to adequate screening and appropriate management of depression. Future studies should include information about the influences of acculturation, culture, stigma, family, and religion on depression care.
Evidence for spatial vision in Chiton tuberculatus, a chiton with eyespots.

To better understand relationships between the structures and functions of the distributed visual systems of chitons, we are comparing how morphological differences between the light-sensing structures of these animals relate to their visually-guided behaviors. All chitons have sensory organs – termed aesthetes – embedded within their protective shell plates. In some species, the aesthetes are interspersed with small, image-forming eyes. In other species, the aesthetes are paired with pigmented eyespots. Previously, we compared the visually-influenced behaviors of chitons with aesthetes to those of chitons with both aesthetes and eyes. Here, we characterize the visually-influenced behaviors of chitons with aesthetes and eyespots. We find that chitons with eyespots engage in behaviors consistent with spatial vision, but appear to use spatial vision for different tasks than chitons with eyes. Unlike chitons with eyes, Chiton tuberculatus and C. marmoratus fail to distinguish between sudden appearances of overhead objects and equivalent, uniform changes in light levels. We also find that C. tuberculatus orients to static objects with angular sizes as small as 10°. Thus, C. tuberculatus demonstrates spatial resolution that is at least as fine as that demonstrated by chitons with eyes. The eyespots of Chiton are smaller and more numerous than the eyes found in other chitons and they are separated by angles of Chiton may be more accurately predicted by the network properties of their distributed visual system than by the structural properties of their individual light-detecting organs.
Promoting General Aviation Transportation in Community Economic Development Through General Aviation Public Airport Managers and State Department of Aeronautics Officials

It is very difficult to pinpoint the specific Wtransportation development needs of general aviation airports and their surrounding communities. Often, insufficient management expertise at individual airports, coupled with the state's occasional unfamiliarity with specific community problems, hinders the state's effective administration of airport assistance programs. Therefore, state officials would benefit from the airport administrators' opinions concerning how state programs might be modified to best meet individual airport needs. This paper describes a study which reveals wdifferences in perceptions· between the Alabama Department of Aeronautics (DOA) and individual general aviation public airport managers. This study examines qualitative perceptions of 15 airport factors, such as paved runway length, adequate taxiways, approach aids, hangar/tie-down space, and strong airport management, plus community support areas, such as nearby hotel/motel, industrial park, and ground transportation. Airport managers judged these factors at their own airports, ideal airport, and at several chosen as a control mechanism. Airport managers were also asked to reveal sources and amounts of funding received for capital projects and operational needs. When compared with funding data from official sources, significant discrepancies were observed. Data were obtained through a mail survey. Of the 79 strictly general aviation public airports surveyed, 54 responses were returned (68% response rate). Analysis revealed many significant differences in perception factor scores. Not only were there differences in perceptions between airport managers and DOA officials, but also between the managers' perceptions of their own airports versus the widea1 airportW revealing 10 areas where improvements are recommended (including the perception factor of strong airport management).
Regional Differences in Mitochondrial Capacity in the Finger Flexors of Piano Players

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to measure oxidative capacity, but regional differences have not been identified. Piano players are also a novel group of subjects for this lab. Methods: Controls (n = 13) and piano players (n = 8) were tested in a seated position on the right forearm. A fatigue test was performed for three minutes at 2, 4 and 6 Hz using electrical stimulation, which created an endurance index (EI) as the forearm fatigued. A six-cuff oxidative capacity test was performed using manual exercise to activate the muscle and allow for regional specificity. A rate constant (Rc) was generated from the mitochondrial capacity data. Results: Overall, piano players (Rc = 1.76 ± 0.6) and controls (Rc = 1.17 ± 0.3) have significant differences for the last two fingers (p = 0.01). While controls have significant differences between the index (Rc = 1.86 ± 0.5) and last two fingers (Rc = 1.17 ± 0.3) (p = 0.001), this difference was not observed in piano players. Overall, piano players (EI = 75.7 ± 12.3) and controls (EI = 73.0 ± 17.3) had no differences in endurance index values (p = 0.71). Conclusions: Piano players have significant differences in the mitochondrial capacity of the finger flexors that control the last two fingers compared to controls. The lack of difference between groups in the index fingers and overall endurance test suggests playing the piano produces training adaptations to the finger flexor muscles of the last two digits, which are rarely used by control subjects.
Characterising spatial dependence on epidemic thresholds in networks

Epidemic processes are an important security research topic for both the internet and social networks. The epidemic threshold is a fundamental metric used to evaluate epidemic spread in networks. Previous work has shown that the epidemic threshold of a network is 1/λmax(A), i.e., the inverse of the largest eigenvalue of its adjacency matrix. In this work, however, we indicate that such a theoretical threshold ignores spatial dependence among nodes and hence underestimates the actual epidemic threshold. Moreover, inspired by the Markov random field, we analytically derive a more accurate epidemic threshold based on a spatial Markov dependence assumption. Our model shows that the epidemic threshold is indeed 1/λmax(A)(1 − ρ), where ρ is the average spatial correlation coefficient between neighbouring nodes. We then apply simulations to compare the performance of these two theoretical epidemic thresholds in different networks, including regular graphs, synthesised irregular graphs, and a real topology. We find that our proposed epidemic threshold incorporates a certain spatial dependence and thus achieves greater accuracy in characterising the actual epidemic threshold in networks.
Neurological adverse effects due to programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors

PD-1 Immunotherapy is integral in treating multiple cancers, but has been associated with neurological adverse events (nAEs). Our study was aimed at identifying the clinical spectrum of nAEs associated with pembrolizumab and nivolumab. We performed an IRB approved single-center retrospective cohort study on patients receiving either pembrolizumab or nivolumab. Patients that developed nAEs within 12 months of treatment were identified. Descriptive statistics were conducted, and differences between groups were analyzed by the Chi-square or t test method. In total, 649 patients were identified. Seventeen patients (2.6%) developed nAEs. Eight of those were on pembrolizumab and nine were on nivolumab. Average age was 62.1 years. Ten were males and 7 were females. Most patients had melanoma (6, 35.3%). Patients who developed nAEs more frequently had intracranial lesions at initiation of anti PD-1 therapy compared to those who did not develop nAEs (76.5% vs 27.8%; p-value < 0.001). Fifteen patients (88.2%) permanently stopped PD-1 therapy. In 8 patients, treatment termination resolved symptoms attributed to immune checkpoint blockade. The majority of patients developed grade 3 or 4 nAEs (10 patients, 58.8%), and required hospitalization (11 patients, 64.7%). Eight patients died for nAEs referable causes. Pembrolizumab and nivolumab are associated with the development of nAEs associated with increased risk of permanent discontinuation of treatment, hospitalization, and death. Melanoma patients might be at a particularly high risk of such side effects. Future studies are still required to better assess which patients benefit most from such therapies, while minimizing the risk of complications.
Letermovir and its role in the prevention of cytomegalovirus infection in seropositive patients receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation is one of the most common infections affecting allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Although available anti-CMV therapies have been evaluated for the prevention of CMV reactivation, their toxicity profile makes them unfavorable for use as primary prophylaxis; thus, they are routinely reserved for the treatment of CMV viremia or CMV end-organ disease. Pre-emptive CMV monitoring strategies have been widely accepted, and although they have been helpful in early detection, they have not affected the overall morbidity and mortality associated with CMV. Letermovir is a novel agent that was approved for primary prophylaxis in CMV-seropositive adult allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. This review focuses on letermovir's novel mechanism; clinical trials supporting its United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and subsequent follow-up analyses; clinical considerations, with an emphasis on pharmacology; and lessons learned from solid organ transplant recipients, as well as potential future directions.
Characterization of Microsatellite Loci for the Razorback Musk Turtle ( Sternotherus carinatus ) and Their Cross-Amplification in Five Other Species in the Family Kinosternidae

Studies of mud and musk turtles (family Kinosternidae) are underrepresented in the primary turtle literature, particularly with regard to their population genetics. We have isolated microsatellite loci for Sternotherus carinatus, a first for any species in the family, and tested their ability to cross-amplify in 5 other kinosternids. These loci should provide a useful set of tools for future population genetic studies of kinosternid species.
Advances in optical gastrointestinal endoscopy: a technical review

Optical endoscopy is the primary diagnostic and therapeutic tool for management of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Most GI neoplasms arise from precancerous lesions; thus, technical innovations to improve detection and diagnosis of precancerous lesions and early cancers play a pivotal role in improving outcomes. Over the last few decades, the field of GI endoscopy has witnessed enormous and focused efforts to develop and translate accurate, user-friendly, and minimally invasive optical imaging modalities. From a technical point of view, a wide range of novel optical techniques is now available to probe different aspects of light-tissue interaction at macroscopic and microscopic scales, complementing white light endoscopy. Most of these new modalities have been successfully validated and translated to routine clinical practice. Herein, we provide a technical review of the current status of existing and promising new optical endoscopic imaging technologies for GI cancer screening and surveillance. We summarize the underlying principles of light-tissue interaction, the imaging performance at different scales, and highlight what is known about clinical applicability and effectiveness. Furthermore, we discuss recent discovery and translation of novel molecular probes that have shown promise to augment endoscopists' ability to diagnose GI lesions with high specificity. We also review and discuss the role and potential clinical integration of artificial intelligence-based algorithms to provide decision support in real time. Finally, we provide perspectives on future technology development and its potential to transform endoscopic GI cancer detection and diagnosis.
UV Exposure and the Risk of Cutaneous Melanoma in Skin of Color: A Systematic Review.

Importance While current evidence supports UV exposure as an important risk factor for cutaneous melanoma in fair-skinned populations, the evidence for this association in skin of color is less certain. Objective To critically assess and synthesize the published data regarding the association between UV exposure and the risk of cutaneous melanoma in skin of color. Evidence Review A search was conducted including PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases from database origin to June 3, 2020. Only peer-reviewed original studies were screened in full text. Eligible studies analyzed UV exposure as a risk factor for cutaneous melanoma in people with skin of color, which was defined broadly as any race/ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White, Fitzpatrick skin types IV through VI, or tanning ability of rarely or never burns. Measures of UV exposure included UV index, irradiance, latitude, history of phototherapy, and history of sunburn. Evidence quality was assessed using criteria from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Findings After duplicate removal, 11 059 database records were screened, 548 full-text articles were assessed, and 13 met inclusion criteria. Study types included 7 ecological studies, 5 cohort studies, and 1 case-control study. All studies used race and/or ethnicity to categorize the participants, and more than 7700 melanomas in skin of color were included. Of the 13 studies that met inclusion criteria, 11 found no association between UV exposure and melanoma in skin of color, 1 study showed a small positive relationship in Black males, and 1 showed a weak association in Hispanic males. All studies were of moderate to low quality (Oxford Centre ratings 2b to 4). Conclusions and Relevance In this systematic review, the evidence suggests that UV exposure may not be an important risk factor for melanoma development in people with skin of color. Current recommendations promoting UV protection for melanoma prevention in skin of color are not supported by most current studies. However, evidence is of moderate to low quality, and further research is required to fully elucidate this association.
Family Medicine, Community, and Race: A Minneapolis Practice Reflects

The uprisings for racial justice that followed the brutal murder of George Floyd on May 28, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota damaged the physical building where a family medicine residency is situated. We discuss the emotions that follow that event and reflect on ways that family medicine should address racism and discrimination. We also call on those in family medicine to work more in the communities that we serve, and to make advocacy a core part of the identity of family medicine.
Effect of 6-month high-impact step aerobics and resistance training on BMD and tibial bending strength in sedentary premenopausal women.

The rationale of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 6-month high-impact step aerobics (SA) or moderate-intensity resistance training exercise (RT) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone bending strength in sedentary women. Results show that SA enhanced BMD in the heel, lower leg, and lumbar spine 2. To determine the effectiveness of 6 months of high-impact step aerobics (SA) or moderate-intensity resistance training (RT) on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and tibial bending strength in sedentary premenopausal women. Sixty-nine women (20–35 years old) who were randomly assigned to RT (n = 22), SA (n = 26), or non-treatment control (CON, n = 21) groups completed the study. SA had a minimum of 50 high-impact landings each training session. RT had a periodized lower body resistance training program incorporating eight exercises (65–85% of 1 repetition maximum: 1-RM). Both RT and SA met 3 times weekly. aBMD was assessed using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Tibial bending strength was assessed using mechanical response tissue analysis (MRTA). Measurements at 6 months were compared to baseline using ANCOVA, adjusted for baseline measures and covariates with α = 0.05. Calcaneus aBMD (0.0176 vs -0.0019 or -0.0009 g/cm2 relative to RT, p < 0.004, and CON, p < 0.006, respectively), lower leg aBMD (0.0105 vs -0.0036 g/cm2, relative to RT, p = 0.02), and lumbar spine 2 (L2) aBMD (0.0082 vs -0.0157 g/cm2 relative to CON, p < 0.02) were significantly greater in the SA group after 6 months. Tibial bending strength and bone resorption biomarkers were unchanged in all three groups after 6 months. Sedentary premenopausal women engaging in 6 months of high-impact aerobic exercise improved aBMD in the calcaneus, lower leg, and L2.
NichePy: modular tools for estimating the similarity of ecological niche and species distribution models

Summary 1. Ecological niche and species distribution models (ENMs and SDMs) are widely used in macroecological studies to investigate the potential geographic distributions of invasive species, the effects of climate change on past, present and future species distributions as well as the evolution of ecological niches. For many of these studies, estimating the similarity of different ENMs and SDMs is critical to evaluate the robustness of models. 2. We implement previously described randomization tests for evaluating the similarity of ENMs and SDMs in a package of three programs/scripts using the Python Programming Language. Our implementation is modular and flexible. It can be used with a variety of existing ENM and SDM algorithms and can be integrated into high-throughput analyses using a command-line shell (e.g. the Bash shell that is found on many Unix-like operating systems). 3. We demonstrate the application of NichePy using distributional data of two Anolis species from Hispaniola. An analysis integrating NichePy and openModeller, including a simple and straight-forward approach to ensemble modelling, is outlined.
Invariance theory, the heat equation, and the Atiyah-Singer index theorem

Pseudo-Differential Operators Introduction Fourier Transform and Sobolev Spaces Pseudo-Differential Operators on Rm Pseudo-Differential Operators on Manifolds Index of Fredholm Operators Elliptic Complexes Spectral Theory The Heat Equation Local Index Formula Variational Formulas Lefschetz Fixed Point Theorems The Zeta Function The Eta Function Characteristic Classes Introduction Characteristic Classes of Complex Bundles Characteristic Classes of Real Bundles Complex Projective Space Invariance Theory The Gauss-Bonnet Theorem Invariance Theory and Pontrjagin Classes Gauss-Bonnet for Manifolds with Boundary Boundary Characteristic Classes Singer's Question The Index Theorem Introduction Clifford Modules Hirzebruch Signature Formula Spinors The Spin Complex The Riemann-Roch Theorem K-Theory The Atiyah-Singer Index Theorem The Regularity at s = 0 of the Eta Function Lefschetz Fixed Point Formulas Index Theorem for Manifolds with Boundary The Eta Invariant of Locally Flat Bundles Spectral Geometry Introduction Operators of Laplace Type Isospectral Manifolds Non-Minimal Operators Operators of Dirac Type Manifolds with Boundary Other Asymptotic Formulas The Eta Invariant of Spherical Space Forms A Guide to the Literature Acknowledgment Introduction Bibliography Notation
Minimizing Negotiation Process Losses With Computerized Negotiation Support Systems

The growing frequency of negotiation situations as well as an increasing complexity of the issues that need to be resolved in a negotiation have generated interest in computer support for negotiation. Negotiation Support Systems (NSS) show potential for alleviating or overcoming major process losses which hinder the effectiveness of negotiations, including the negative effects of cognitive limitations, cognitive biases and dysfunctional socio-emotional aspects of negotiator behavior. This paper gives a brief overview of existing NSS and presents a framework for research in the NSS area, which highlights empirical research, which has already been conducted in this area. Also included is a discussion of future research directions, which are needed in the area of NSS.
The Role of Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS) Models in the Design and Evaluation of Self-Healing Systems

In an idealized scenario, self-healing systems predict, prevent or diagnose problems and take the appropriate actions to mitigate their impact with minimal human intervention. To determine how close we are to reaching this goal we require analytical techniques and practical approaches that allow us to quantify the effectiveness of a system’s remediation mechanisms. In this paper we apply analytical techniques based on Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS) models to evaluate individual remediation mechanisms of select system components and their combined effects on the system. We demonstrate the applicability of RAS-models to the evaluation of self-healing systems by using them to analyze various styles of remediations (reactive, preventative etc.), quantify the impact of imperfect remediations, identify suboptimal (less effective) remediations and quantify the combined effects of all the activated remediations on the system as a whole.
Understanding Incentives in Health Care - Executive Summary

First I empirically show how market structure influences the split of producer surplus innovators receive for successful innovation in the biotechnology pharmaceutical industry. After identifying the drivers of firms' values for adding a new drug to their product portfolio, I show that when the distribution of marketing rights for products in a physician specialty are concentrated in a single firm, the bargaining position of the innovator is weakened and this effect becomes more severe as the size of the physician specialty increases. Next, I examine the effect of state legislation restricting physician investment in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities on the usage and availability of MRI technology. I find this legislation decreases the number of MRI machines available by 12% and shifts where procedures are performed from hospital to non-hospital based facilities.