cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amplification of an alternate transporter gene suppresses the avirulent phenotype of glucose transporter null mutants in Leishmania mexicana

A glucose transporter null mutant of the parasitic protozoan Leishmania mexicana, in which three linked glucose transporter genes have been deleted by targeted gene replacement, is unable to replicate as amastigote forms within phagolysomes of mammalian host macrophages and is avirulent. Spontaneous suppressors of the null mutant have been isolated that partially restore replication of parasites within macrophages. These suppressor mutants have amplified the gene for an alternative hexose transporter, the LmGT4 permease (previously called the D2 permease), on a circular extrachromosomal element, and they overexpress LmGT4 mRNA and protein. The suppressors have also regained the ability to transport hexoses, and they have reverted other phenotypes of the null mutant exhibiting enhanced resistance to oxidative killing, heat shock and starvation for nutrients, as well as augmented levels of the storage carbohydrate beta-mannan, increased cell size and increased growth as insect stage promastigotes compared with the unsuppressed mutant. Complementation of the null mutant with the LmGT4 gene on a multicopy episomal expression vector also reverted these phenotypes, confirming that suppression results from amplification of the LmGT4 gene. These results underscore the importance of hexose transporters for the infectious stage of the parasite life cycle.
Methodology for Electromigration Signoff in the Presence of Adaptive Voltage Scaling

Electromigration (EM) is a growing reliability concern in sub-22nm technology. Design teams must apply guardbands to meet EM lifetime requirements, at the cost of performance and power. However, EM lifetime analysis cannot ignore front-end reliability mechanisms such as bias temperature instability (BTI). Although the gate delay degradation due to BTI can be compensated by adaptive voltage scaling (AVS), any elevated supply voltage will accelerate EM degradation and reduce lifetime. Since the degradation of BTI is front-loaded, AVS can increase electrical stress on metal wires relatively early during IC lifetime, which can significantly decrease electromigration reliability. In this paper, we study the "chicken-egg" interlock among BTI, AVS and EM and quantify timing and power costs of meeting EM lifetime requirements with full consideration of BTI and AVS mechanisms. By applying existing statistical and physical EM models, we demonstrate that without such considerations, the inaccuracy (reduction) of EM lifetime due to improper guardband against BTI at signoff can be as high as 30% in a 28nm FDSOI foundry technology. Furthermore, we provide signoff guidelines which suggest that the lifetime penalty can be compensated by paying a penalty of up to 1.6% in area and 6% in power. We also demonstrate that suboptimal choice of voltage step size and scheduling strategy can result in up to 1.5 years of decreased EM lifetime.
Evaluation of wet and dry digestion methods for boron determination in plant samples by icp‐aes

Abstract Boron contamination from pyrex digestion tubes was shown to be highly variable depending on the digestion acid used and the number of digestions. Nitric acid removed more boron from the pyrex glass than nitric‐perchloric acid and both acids removed more boron from new digestion tubes than from older tubes. A nitric acid digestion method for plant tissue analysis was evaluated for boron determination using nalgene bottles instead of pyrex digestion tubes. Analysis of National Bureau of Standards plant materials‐orchard, spinach, and tomato leaves‐digested with nitric acid in nalgene bottles and dry‐ashed compared well with the NBS values. Digestion time for boron determination using this method was shown to be short (1–4 hours).
A C-band high-dynamic range GaN HEMT low-noise amplifier

A C-band low-noise amplifier (LNA) is designed and fabricated using GAN HEMT power devices. The one-stage amplifier has a measured noise figure of 1.6 dB at 6 GHz, with an associated gain of 10.9 dB and IIP3 of 13 dBm. it also exhibits broadband operation from 4-8 GHz with noise figure less than 1.9 dB. The circuit can endure up to 31 dBm power from the input port. Compared to circuits based on other material and technology, the circuit shows comparable noise figure with improved dynamic range and survivability.
Comment on a unified theory of weak and strong gravity

In a recent paper CHELA-FLORES (1) considered the unification of the concepts of strong and weak gravity through the use of two scalar fields interacting with the usual 9. tensor gravity. The interaction term in the action is of the form (r + ~ ) R , where ~8 and ~w are the strongand weak-gravity scalars respectively. A correspondence principle was discussed where in the l imit that nuclear forces are negligible (beyond a few femtometers) % << ~w, while in the l imit of strong-gravity dominance ~% << ~08. By gauging the fields as in a theory by FREUND (2), it was shown that the effect of spontaneously broken discrete symmetries C and CP of the gauge field will be of the correct order of magnitude for the reaction Kz-+ 27: in the l imit of strong gravity. This is in opposition to the phenomenological replacement of weak gravity by strong gravity as was done in ref. (2). However there are some problems with the Chela-Flores theory in connection with strong gravity. The scalar field in this limit is supposed to exhibit the Yukawa behavior of the nuclear force. This implies that the field representing strong gravity must be a massive field. On the other hand, the presence of a massive field would spoil the scale invariance of the theory. In this note we would like to show how these remarks can be reconciled by the use of spontaneously broken scale symmetry (a). Due to the presence of a dilaton field (which we identify with the long-range weak-gravity scalar) the masses of particles are spontaneously generated while the overall action remains scale invariant . To demonstrate how this mechanism works we start with the following action in which scale symmetry is explicity broken:
Sum capacity of CDMA systems with multiple transmit antennas

The use of multiple antennas at the transmitter (and receiver) is considered for a synchronous CDMA system. The spreading sequences are assumed to be random and independent across users, but could be dependent across the transmit antennas of each user. The effect of various system parameters, especially sequence correlation across transmit antennas, on the spectral efficiency of the optimum receiver is studied.
MRedTool - a MATLAB toolbox for model reduction of multi-dimensional systems

This paper describes a model reduction toolbox implemented in MATLAB for multidimensional systems. It is based on set of computationally tractable algorithms for systems represented by linear fractional transformations (LFTs) on structured operator sets.
On the Reemergence of North Atlantic SST Anomalies

Abstract The reemergence mechanism, whereby temperature anomalies extending over the deep winter mixed layer are stored beneath the surface in summer and are reentrained into the mixed layer when it deepens again in the following autumn and winter, is studied in the North Atlantic using approximately 40 years of surface and subsurface data. Reemergence is found to be robust in the Sargasso Sea and the northeast Atlantic, regions where (i) the mixed layer is much deeper in winter than in summer, (ii) currents are relatively weak, and (iii) temperature anomalies are coherent over broad areas. The two leading empirical orthogonal functions of North Atlantic SST anomalies also exhibit strong reemergence signatures. A novel application of empirical orthogonal function analysis to temperature anomalies in the time–depth plane, which also incorporates information from all grid points, is shown to be an efficient and useful approach for detecting reemergence without dependence on specific spatial patterns or prio...
"Pseudo-Abnormal" Hemoglobins

Three examples of artefactual "pseudo-abnormal" hemoglobins were observed in the course of starch block electrophoresis analysis of over 400 specimens. In fresh samples from the same patients, these components were no longer demonstrable. It is suggested that repeated examination with different blood specimens should be done before an unusual component is accepted as a true hemoglobin variant.
Endoscopy assisted transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma. Technical note

Inspired by an experience with endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery, an endoscope was applied in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. This endoscopic transsphenoidal technique has been used in 45 cases of pituitary adenomas. Using a 4 mm rigid endoscope, the pituitary adenoma is removed through a nostril. A zero-degree endoscope is used for micro-adenomas. A combination of a 0-degree endoscope and a 30-degree endoscope is used for macro-adenomas that have extended to the suprasellar region. Although it is early in our experience with a small number of patients, the short-term surgical results have been encouraging with patients' short hospital stay and minimum morbidity. The endoscopic technique that has evolved with our experience is described with two cases of pituitary adenomas.
The Permissive Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Uroguanylin and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Upregulation in Rat Intestine Induced by Interleukin 1α Is Rapidly Reversed by Zinc Repletion

Deficient intake of zinc from the diet upregulates both uroguanylin (UG) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in rats. Because these changes influence intestinal fluid secretion and intestinal cell pathophysiology, they relate to the incidence of diarrheal disease and its reversal by zinc as well as intestinal inflammation in general. A model of moderate zinc deficiency in rats, which changes molecular indices of zinc deficiency, was used to further explore the effects of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1alpha and zinc repletion on these changes. IL-1alpha has been shown to have a role in the intestinal inflammation that occurs with bacterial infection. Our results showed a permissive effect of zinc deficiency on both UG and iNOS expression. Specifically, UG expression was responsive to zinc deficiency and IL-1alpha challenge, which were additive when combined, whereas iNOS expression was upregulated by IL-1alpha only during the deficiency. Immunohistochemistry showed that the increase in UG was limited to enterocytes of the upper villus but, in contrast, the increase in iNOS was principally in cells of the lamina propria of IL-1alpha-treated rats. Cells exhibiting UG upregulation did not co-express serotonin. Repletion with zinc reversed upregulation of the iNOS gene within 1 d, whereas UG upregulation required 3-4 d to return to normal. This differential response to repletion suggests that mechanisms of UG and iNOS dysregulation are different. Dysregulation of both genes may contribute to the severity of zinc-responsive diarrheal disease and intestinal inflammatory disease.
Intraocular lens power adjustment after myopic excimer laser surgery: validation studies for Geggel ratio and consensus group.

Purpose:To validate the Geggel ratio (GR) and consensus group in myopic excimer laser patients undergoing cataract surgery.Methods:Two separate consecutively collected case series (group 1, 32 eyes; group 2, 34 eyes) were retrospectively analyzed. Data from group 1 was used to generate a new linear
Advanced age decreases local calcium signaling in endothelium of mouse mesenteric arteries in vivo.

In endothelial cells of mesenteric arteries controlling splanchnic blood flow in anesthetized mice, spontaneous Ca2+ signals occur far less frequently with advanced age. The internal elastic lamina...
In vivo lipopolysaccharide pretreatment inhibits cGMP release from the isolated-perfused rat lung.

Administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to rats stimulates synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), a free radical molecule that activates soluble guanylate cyclase, thereby increasing intracel...
Quantitative assessment of neutrophil phagocytosis using flow cytometry

Neutrophils have an incredible ability to find and eradicate intruders such as bacteria and fungi. They do this largely through the process of phagocytosis, where the target is internalized into a phagosome, and eventually destroyed by the hostile phagosomal environment. It is important to study phagocytosis in order to understand how neutrophils interact with various pathogens and how they respond to different stimuli. Here, I describe a method to study neutrophil phagocytosis of bacteria using flow cytometry. The bacteria are fluorescently labeled before being introduced to neutrophils. After phagocytosis, both any remaining extracellular bacteria and neutrophils are labeled using one-step staining before three-color analysis. To assess phagocytosis, first the average time it takes for the neutrophils to internalize all bound bacteria is determined. Experiments are then performed using that time point while varying the bacteria-to-neutrophil ratio for full control of the analysis. Due to the ease with which multiple samples can be analyzed, and the quantitative nature of flow cytometry, this approach is both reproducible and sensitive.
Processes for Consistent Implementation of Packages

Constructing the hidden part of a package is a prime example of what is popularly called a development process. It is often a complex process involving many separate steps. Typically, the first step is the choice of data structures. This is followed by construction of subprograms that access global data comprising the package state.
Bankruptcy reform and congressional action: The role of organized interests in shaping policy

This paper tests the degree to which PAC contributions can influence voting outcomes on legislation that disproportionately influences the poor. Using passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 in the House of Representatives, the results show an association between PAC campaign contributions from the financial industry and support for final passage of bankruptcy reform. The findings suggest that one source of underrepresentation of the poor may be donations made by interest groups during campaigns.
Mechanical stretch triggers rapid epithelial cell division through Piezo1

Despite acting as a barrier for the organs they encase, epithelial cells turn over at some of the fastest rates in the body. However, epithelial cell division must be tightly linked to cell death to preserve barrier function and prevent tumour formation. How does the number of dying cells match those dividing to maintain constant numbers? When epithelial cells become too crowded, they activate the stretch-activated channel Piezo1 to trigger extrusion of cells that later die. However, it is unclear how epithelial cell division is controlled to balance cell death at the steady state. Here we show that mammalian epithelial cell division occurs in regions of low cell density where cells are stretched. By experimentally stretching epithelia, we find that mechanical stretch itself rapidly stimulates cell division through activation of the Piezo1 channel. To stimulate cell division, stretch triggers cells that are paused in early G2 phase to activate calcium-dependent phosphorylation of ERK1/2, thereby activating the cyclin B transcription that is necessary to drive cells into mitosis. Although both epithelial cell division and cell extrusion require Piezo1 at the steady state, the type of mechanical force controls the outcome: stretch induces cell division, whereas crowding induces extrusion. How Piezo1-dependent calcium transients activate two opposing processes may depend on where and how Piezo1 is activated, as it accumulates in different subcellular sites with increasing cell density. In sparse epithelial regions in which cells divide, Piezo1 localizes to the plasma membrane and cytoplasm, whereas in dense regions in which cells extrude, it forms large cytoplasmic aggregates. Because Piezo1 senses both mechanical crowding and stretch, it may act as a homeostatic sensor to control epithelial cell numbers, triggering extrusion and apoptosis in crowded regions and cell division in sparse regions.
Decision making framework for optimal SHM planning of ship structures considering availability and utility

Abstract Uncertainties associated with modeling and performance prediction of structures may be addressed and subsequently reduced by including, within the performance assessment, information collected from inspections and structural health monitoring (SHM). Under ideal conditions, continuous monitoring is required to accurately assess and predict the performance of deteriorating systems; however, in general, this is neither practical nor financially efficient. Presented herein is an approach that determines cost-effective SHM plans that consider the probability that the performance prediction model based on monitoring data is suitable throughout the life-cycle of ship structures. This probability is used to compute the expected average availability of monitoring data for prediction during the life-cycle of a system. Utility theory is employed to incorporate the influence of the decision maker's risk attitude on the relative desirability of SHM plans. Optimization techniques are utilized to simultaneously maximize the utilities associated with monitoring cost and expected average availability in order to determine optimal monitoring strategies under uncertainty. The effects of the formulation of the utility function, risk attitude of the decision maker, and number of uniform and non-uniform time monitoring intervals on optimal SHM plans are investigated. The capabilities of the proposed decision support framework are illustrated on a naval ship.
A viscous-flow approach to the computation of propeller-hull interaction

A technique for calculating propeller-hull interaction is described. It uses a numerical method for calculating the viscous flow over the stern and in the wake of a ship, coupling it with a propeller- performance program in an interactive and iterative manner to predict the combined flow field. Some sample results are provided for an axisymmetric and a three-dimensional body to demonstrate the overall procedures, including the nature of an interactive solution, and to highlight the essential features of the solutions. The results are in close agreement with the available experimental data and show that the procedures can accurately simulate many details of the flow field.
Investigation of Deaths Temporally Associated with Law Enforcement Apprehension

The investigation of a death that occurs in custody requires a careful and methodical approach since concerns of police or institutional misconduct may be raised. The medicolegal official charged w...
Caregiver Criticism, Help-giving and the Burden of Schizophrenia Among Mexican American Families

Objectives This study tested an attribution model of help-giving in family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia as it relates to caregivers’ reported burden. We hypothesized (a) that caregivers’ attributions of their ill relatives’ responsibility for their symptoms would be associated with more negative and less positive affective reactions, (b) that affective reactions would be related to perceptions of administered support, and (c) that support would in turn predict greater burden. Methods We examined 60 family caregivers of Mexican origin living in Southern California. Mexican Americans were chosen because of their high degree of contact with their ill relative, thereby facilitating the examination of help-giving and burden. Contrary to past studies, caregivers’ attributions and affective stance were assessed independently, the former based on self-report and the latter based on codes drawn from the Camberwell Family Interview. Caregiver burden was assessed at baseline and one year later. Results Path analyses showed partial support for the attribution model of help-giving. Specifically, attributions of responsibility negatively predicted caregiver's warmth, which in turn predicted more administered support. Contrary to hypotheses, attributions were not associated with caregiver criticism, and criticism was positively related to administered support. In addition, caregiver support was not related to burden at either baseline or a year later. Criticism was a significant predictor of burden at follow-up through burden at baseline. Conclusion The emotional stance of caregivers predicts burden independent of the help they provide. Caregiver criticism not only predicts negative patient outcomes but can predict negative caregiver outcomes as well. Practitioner points Positive clinical implications In family treatment, it is important to address caregiver criticism not only because of its relationship to poor clinical outcomes of ill relatives but also because of its relationship to greater caregiver burden. Integrating a balanced rationale for family interventions – to improve ill relatives’ and caregivers’ outcomes – may promote further engagement of both parties as some caregivers may be additionally motivated to improve their own well-being, and some ill relatives may appreciate more equitably distributing the treatment focus. Limitations The caregiver sample was in general low in criticism; therefore, the findings may not be generalizable to families with a higher degree of criticism. There was a 35% sample attrition at the one-year follow-up.
Cyclic Obfuscation for Creating SAT-Unresolvable Circuits

Logic locking and IC camouflaging are proactive circuit obfuscation methods that if proven secure can thwart hardware attacks such as reverse engineering and IP theft. However, the security of both these schemes is called into question by recent SAT based attacks. While a number of methods have been proposed in literature that exponentially increase the running time of such attacks, they are vulnerable to "findand-remove" attacks, and only slightly hide the circuit functionality. In this paper, we present a novel approach towards creating SAT attack resiliency based on creating densely cyclic obfuscated circuit topologies by adding dummy paths to the circuit. Our methodology is applicable to both IC camouflaging and logic locking. We demonstrate that cyclic logic locking creates SAT resilient circuits with 40% less area and 20% less delay compared to an insecure XOR/XNOR-obfuscation with the same key length. Furthermore, we show that cyclic IC camouflaging can be implemented at the layout level with no substrate area overhead and little delay and power overhead with respect to the original circuit.
Predictive energy management for MVDC all-electric ships

The integration of energy storage devices is essential to handle the high-power ramp-rate loads in all-electric ships. This paper presents a novel predictive control method to manage the energy flow among distributed resources including generators and a bulk energy storage. The system objective, which guarantees the high-power ramp-rate operation of pulsed power load, will be formulated based on the state of charge of the energy storage. The solution of the formulated objective provides the optimal charging and discharging profile for the energy storage to handle high ramp-rate demands. Simulation results in a 12 kV–100 MW MVDC ship power system validate the proposed control algorithm.
The integration of chloroplast protein targeting with plant developmental and stress responses

The plastids, including chloroplasts, are a group of interrelated organelles that confer photoautotrophic growth and the unique metabolic capabilities that are characteristic of plant systems. Plastid biogenesis relies on the expression, import, and assembly of thousands of nuclear encoded preproteins. Plastid proteomes undergo rapid remodeling in response to developmental and environmental signals to generate functionally distinct plastid types in specific cells and tissues. In this review, we will highlight the central role of the plastid protein import system in regulating and coordinating the import of functionally related sets of preproteins that are required for plastid-type transitions and maintenance.
Does Endothelium Play an Active Role on the Mechanism of Cardiovascular Calcification

The title of the present contribution is actually a continuation of questions raised at the last ASI Vascular Endothelium Conference, 1990. The question: “What diseases are primarily diseases of endothelium?” remains as one not completely answered (Brigham, 1991). The endothelium is an important source of many biogenic factors such as cytokines that appear to be mediators of complex interactions (Mantovani and Dejana, 1989); some of these mediators may be natural promoters or inhibitors of a series of pathological processes. Another crucial function of endothelial cells is purine regulation (Gordon, 1991), which through ATP and ADP represent the main pool of phosphate. The mass transport through functional endothelium is a very important but not yet fully documented factor, particularly for inorganic species. Hammerson and Hammerson (1984) discussed the endothelium reaction pathways indicating that endothelium in its complexity controls reactions at membrane interface and mass transfer. The fact that lesion of cardiovascular tissues coincides with injuries of the endothelium raises an interesting possibility that the phenomenon of dystrophic calcification is directly or indirectly related to an end of function of endothelium. Hardening of arteries is commonly understood as deposition of cholesterol. An additional complication is pathologic calcification, and this phenomenon is often overlooked even though it takes place in many segments of cardiovascular system, including tissue-derived bioprostheses (Schoen, 1989). Pathologic calcification is a very complex process, which is certainly orchestrated by many biochemical factors including proteins, proteolipids, phospholipids and cholesterol.
Community-Acquired Meningitis in HIV-Infected Patients in the United States

Abstract We conducted a retrospective study of 549 adults admitted with community-acquired meningitis (CAM) to several hospitals in New Orleans, LA and Houston, TX between 1999 and 2014 to characterize the current epidemiology, clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics, and outcomes of CAM between HIV-infected and uninfected patients and to identify risk factors for adverse outcomes in CAM. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to identify prognostic factors. A total of 1022 patients with CAM were screened. Only 549 (53.7%) subjects had an HIV test and were included in the study. Of those, 138 (25%) had HIV infection. HIV-infected patients presented with less meningeal symptoms (headache, neck stiffness, and Kernig sign), but with higher rates of hypoglycorrhachia, elevated CSF protein, and an abnormal cranial imaging (p < 0.05). More than 50% of all the patients had an unknown etiology. Cryptococcal meningitis was the most common identified etiology of CAM...
Endoplasmic Reticulum–Mitochondrial Contactology: Structure and Signaling Functions

Interorganellar contacts are increasingly recognized as central to the control of cellular behavior. These contacts, which typically involve a small fraction of the endomembrane surface, are local communication hubs that resemble synapses. We propose the term contactology to denote the analysis of interorganellar contacts. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contacts with mitochondria were recognized several decades ago; major roles in ion and lipid transfer, signaling, and membrane dynamics have been established, while others continue to emerge. The functional diversity of ER–mitochondrial (ER-mito) contacts is mirrored in their structural heterogeneity, with subspecialization likely supported by multiple, different linker-forming protein structures. The nanoscale size of the contacts has made studying their structure, function, and dynamics difficult. This review focuses on the structure of the ER–mito contacts, methods for studying them, and the roles of contacts in Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling.
Religion as a defense against the awareness of death: comment on Jong and Halberstadt (2016)

Many people turn to religion as a source of meaning and value. This is supported by research demonstrating that more than 8 out of 10 individuals (84%) identify with some type of faith (Pew Researc...
Understanding Hawk-Latin: Animal Language and Universal Rhetoric

Van Dyke argues that the attribution of human speech to animals and birds—what one Chaucerian narrator calls “haukes ledene”—should not be read as merely conventional. Instead, human and nonhuman self-expressions overlap in varying and unstable configurations, many of which “reinscribe” language (to paraphrase Jacques Derrida) “in a network of possibilities” that “are themselves not merely human.” Van Dyke discusses three particularly successful ways in which medieval writers represent nonhuman language: existential (creatures’ assertions of their material presence and actions, as in Anglo-Saxon riddles), onomatopoeic (phonological imitations of nonhuman vocalizations), and catachrestic (implausibly anthropomorphic speech). She argues that in texts by Geoffrey Chaucer, John Lydgate, and Robert Henryson, instances of the third method constitute apt neologisms—powerful metaphoric formulations with no nonmetaphoric alternatives.
Bond Performance of Steel-Reinforced Polymer (SRP) Subjected to Environmental Conditioning and Sustained Stress

Concrete beams reinforced with a steel-reinforced polymer (SRP) strengthening system were subjected to environmental conditioning with and without stress. They were subjected to environmental cycling in an environmental chamber that simulated the exterior weather of the Midwest United States. Two types of steel fibers (galvanized and brass-coated steel fibers) were investigated in this study. These SRP specimens experienced a series of freeze-thaw, varying temperature, and humidity cycles to experimentally investigate the influence of the accelerated aging environmental conditioning on bond performance between SRP strengthening system and concrete substrate. Flexural bending tests and direct pull-off bond tests were performed to evaluate the long-term bond performance of SRP-to-concrete interfaces. The flexural bending test results illustrated that the bond behavior between SRP and concrete was affected by the environmental cycling. The results of pull-off tests were scattered. This high variability was related to several issues including the nonhomogeneous characteristic of the concrete, applied load rate using a hand applied loading method, and the variable test method. The direct pull-off test was deemed to be a less reliable methodology to capture bond degradation than the flexural bending test.
Editorial Commentary: Smarter Than a Sixth Grader? Hip Arthroscopists, Check Your Training at the Door

Abstract Literacy is one of the best predictors of an individual's health, and providing effective, patient-centered communication to our less literate patients has become a challenge for the entire medical community. The internet has become patients' first-line source of medical information, and as caretakers of musculoskeletal medicine, it is orthopaedists' responsibility to provide high-quality, patient-centric resources that are simple and clear. When creating our own practice or institution's websites, we must check our training and technicality at the door to create resources that are easily readable and digestible.
Carotenoids in Photosynthesis: An Historical Perspective

This chapter presents a personal historical perspective of the role of carotenoids in photosynthesis. It leads the reader into the early literature on the carotenoids and photosynthesis that are related to the discoveries on the excitation energy transfer and, to a lesser extent, on photoprotection. Excitation energy transfer from the carotenoid fucoxanthin to chlorophyll (Chl) a was shown first in the diatoms by H. Dutton, W. M. Manning and B. M. Duggar, in 1943, at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. After the extensive researches of E. C. Wassink (in the Netherlands) on this topic, the classical doctoral thesis of L. N. M. Duysens became available in 1952, at the State University in Utrecht. This thesis dealt with the evidence of excitation energy transfer in many photosynthetic systems, including anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. The experiments of R. Emerson and C. M. Lewis, done at the Carnegie Institute of Washington, Stanford, California, in the 1940s, dealt with the quantum yield action spectra of photosynthesis. In these experiments, the famous red drop phenomenon was discovered; further, the authors showed here the low efficiency of carotenoids in the photosynthesis of both green algae and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). In 1956, R. Stanier and his coworkers discovered, at the University of California at Berkeley, a special role of carotenoids in protection against death in phototrophic bacteria. Finally, in 1962, H. Yamamoto (of Hawaii) pioneered the role of xanthophyll cycle pignents in photoprotection. This was followed by key experiments and concepts from B. Demmig-Adams (1987, now in Colorado), and O. Bjokman (at California), among others mentioned in the text. In 1954, a 515 nm absorbance change was discovered by Duysens (1954) and has now become a quantitative measure of the membrane potential changes in photosynthesis. Historial aspects of some of the basic principles of light absorption and excitation energy transfer, and references to selected current literature are also included in this chapter to allow the reader to link the past with the present.
Exploring the Self-Reported Long-Distance Travel Frequency of Millennials and Generation X in California:

Long-distance travel research is limited because of the lack of robust data and the complexity of defining a long-distance trip. The patterns of infrequent long-distance trips are poorly understood...
Cain, Abel, and the Politics of God: An Agambenian reading of Genesis 4:1-16

The Genesis story of Cain’s murder of Abel is often told as a simplistic contrast between the innocence of Abel and the evil of Cain. This book subverts that reading of the Biblical text by utilising Giorgio Agamben’s concepts of homo sacer, the state of exception and the idea of sovereignty to re-examine this well-known tale of fratricide and bring to the fore its political implications. Drawing from political theory, philosophy, and psychoanalysis, this book creates a theoretical framework from which to do two things: firstly, to describe and analyse the history of interpretation of Genesis 4:1-16, and secondly to propose an alternative reading of the Biblical text that incorporates other texts inside and outside of the Biblical canon. This intertextual analysis will highlight the motives of violence, law, divine rule, and the rejected as they emerge in different contexts and will evaluate them in an Agambenian framework. The unique approach of this book makes it vital reading for any academic with interests in Biblical Studies and Theology and their interactions with politics and ethics.
First-line Treatment of Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Background: The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to compare the survival, toxicity, and quality of life of patients treated with necitumumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin. These agents were investigated in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the first-line setting. Methods: The systematic review was executed on January 27, 2015, and updated on August 21, 2016, using a pre-specified search strategy. Searches were conducted using PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE, with supplemental searches using the Evidence Based Medicine Reviews and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify RCTs published in English from 1995–2016 and reporting at least one of the primary outcomes [overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), toxicity, or quality of life] in patients who received first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and Cochrane risk of bias tool, respectively. A Baysian network meta-analysis was performed on the primary outcomes. Hazard ratios (HRs) were evaluated for the primary analysis; secondary analyses were conducted using median OS data. Planned sensitivity analyses were conducted including reanalysis using a Frequentist approach and limiting analyses to subsets based on clinical and demographic covariates. Results: The systematic literature review resulted in identification of 4,016 unique publications; 40 publications (35 unique trials) were eligible for inclusion. Eight studies connected to a common network for the OS analysis using HR data. The majority of studies were not limited to squamous NSCLC, thus analyzable data were limited to a subset of data within the published trials. Carboplatin + S-1 and necitumumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin were associated with lower HRs for OS versus all other comparators. Nine studies connected to the network for the PFS analysis in which necitumumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin was associated with the lowest HR. Data were not available to analyze toxicity or quality of life. Conclusions: Although the results suggest that carboplatin + S-1 and necitumumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin may have value in terms of OS versus other comparators, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of studies (with few focused exclusively on squamous NSCLC) and wide credible intervals.
Mechanisms of Dance/Movement Therapy for Building Resilience in People Experiencing Chronic Pain

Growing evidence suggests that dance/movement therapy is a promising approach for the management of complex medical conditions such as chronic pain. However, there is a lack of understanding about the specific factors and pathways through which dance/movement therapy exerts its therapeutic effects on chronic pain outcomes. In this paper, we present the key mechanisms of dance/movement therapy for chronic pain management that were derived from a mixed methods grounded theory study. We discuss each mechanism in relation to both the existing relevant literature and supporting quotes from the research participants. We conclude by discussing implications for the design and implementation of clinical interventions with this population and offer suggestions for future research.
Absolute quantitative MR perfusion and comparison against stable‐isotope microspheres

Purpose This work sought to compare a quantitative T1 bookend dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI based perfusion protocol for absolute cerebral blood flow (qCBF) against CBF measured by the stable-isotope neutron capture microsphere method, a recognized reference standard for measuring tissue blood flow, at normocapnia, hypercapnia, and in acute stroke. Methods CBF was measured in anesthetized female canines by MRI and microspheres over 2 consecutive days for each case. On day 1, 5 canines were measured before and during a physiological challenge induced by carbogen inhalation; on day 2, 4 canines were measured following permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. CBF and cerebrovascular reactivity measured by MRI and microsphere deposition were compared. Results MRI correlated strongly with microspheres at the hemispheric level for CBF during normo- and hypercapnic states (r2 = 0.96), for individual cerebrovascular reactivity (r2 = 0.84), and for postocclusion CBF (r2 = 0.82). Correction for the delay and dispersion of the contrast bolus resulted in a significant improvement in the correlation between MRI and microsphere deposition in the ischemic state (r2 = 0.96). In all comparisons, moderate correlations were found at the regional level. Conclusion In an experimental canine model with and without permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, MRI-based qCBF yielded moderate to strong correlations for absolute quantitative CBF and cerebrovascular reactivity measurements during normocapnia and hypercapnia. Correction for delay and dispersion greatly improved the quantitation during occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, underscoring the importance for this correction under focal ischemic condition.
Mindfulness training reduces loneliness and increases social contact in a randomized controlled trial

Loneliness and social isolation are a growing public health concern, yet there are few evidence-based interventions for mitigating these social risk factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that mindfulness interventions can improve social-relationship processes. However, the active ingredients of mindfulness training underlying these improvements are unclear. Developing mindfulness-specific skills-namely, (i) monitoring present-moment experiences with (ii) an orientation of acceptance-may change the way people perceive and relate toward others. We predicted that developing openness and acceptance toward present experiences is critical for reducing loneliness and increasing social contact and that removing acceptance-skills training from a mindfulness intervention would eliminate these benefits. In this dismantling trial, 153 community adults were randomly assigned to a 14-lesson smartphone-based intervention: (i) training in both monitoring and acceptance (Monitor+Accept), (ii) training in monitoring only (Monitor Only), or (iii) active control training. For 3 d before and after the intervention, ambulatory assessments were used to measure loneliness and social contact in daily life. Consistent with predictions, Monitor+Accept training reduced daily-life loneliness by 22% (d = 0.44, P = 0.0001) and increased social contact by two more interactions each day (d = 0.47, P = 0.001) and one more person each day (d = 0.39, P = 0.004), compared with both Monitor Only and control trainings. These findings describe a behavioral therapeutic target for improving social-relationship functioning; by fostering equanimity with feelings of loneliness and social disconnect, acceptance-skills training may allow loneliness to dissipate and encourage greater engagement with others in daily life.
The Role of FGF9 in the Production of Neural Retina and RPE in a Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Early Human Retinal Development.

Purpose To investigate the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in the production of neural retina (NR) and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) in a human pluripotent stem cell model of early retinal development. Methods Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines from an individual with microphthalmia caused by a functional null mutation (R200Q) in v isual s ystem homeobo x 2 (VSX2), a transcription factor involved in early NR progenitor cell (NRPC) production, and a normal sibling were differentiated along the retinal and forebrain lineages using an established protocol. Quantitative and global gene expression analyses (microarray and RNAseq) were used to investigate endogenous FGF expression profiles in these cultures over time. Based on these results, mutant and control hiPSC cultures were treated exogenously with selected FGFs and subjected to gene and protein expression analyses to determine their effects on RPE and NR production. Results We found that FGF9 and FGF19 were selectively increased in early hiPSC-derived optic vesicles (OVs) when compared to isogenic cultures of hiPSC-derived forebrain neurospheres. Furthermore, these same FGFs were downregulated over time in (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OVs relative to sibling control hiPSC-OVs. Interestingly, long-term supplementation with FGF9, but not FGF19, partially rescued the mutant retinal phenotype of the (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OV model. However, antagonizing FGF9 in wild-type control hiPSCs did not alter OV development. Conclusions Our results show that FGF9 acts in concert with VSX2 to promote NR differentiation in hiPSC-OVs and has potential to be used to manipulate early retinogenesis and mitigate ocular defects caused by functional loss of VSX2 activity. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.
A pilot presurgical study evaluating anti-PD-L1 durvalumab (durva) plus anti-CTLA-4 tremelimumab (treme) in patients (pts) with high-risk muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (MIBC) who are ineligible for cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

4551Background: In MIBC pts, especially in those with high risk features including lymphovascular invasion, hydronephrosis, T3b disease, or variant histology, cisplatin-based NAC followed by cystec...
A different type of record system for the rancher and veterinarian.

Historically, agriculture has assembled financial/accounting information for taxes, credit and management (profitability). The need for tax based information has always been the driver, and management information is quite often missing altogether. This can lead to poor decisions by management. Managerial accounting gives management the tools needed to manage a business in today's complex world. It allows management to manage cost where and when it occurs, and to manage the segments of the business that are manageable. The Balanced Score Card is a set of measures that provides a fast, comprehensive picture of how an organization is creating and sustaining value--in the eyes of its customers, stakeholders and employees.
The Efficacy of Religious Outdoor Advertising in the Southern United States

This study examines the efficacy of outdoor religious messages. In other words, does exposure to roadside advertisements displaying religious messages, particular church services or prayer, increase one‘s intent to attend church services or to engage in active prayer? Three hundred thirty-five undergraduate and graduate students from a medium-sized southern university (in the United States) took part in the study‘s experiment (Seventeen students did not complete the experiment so their responses were eliminated). One hundred sixty-five students were placed in a control group. The remaining 153 students were placed in a treatment group. All participants answered the same pretest and posttest questionnaires on a computer screen. In addition, they observed a variety of outdoor advertisements (on the computer screen) after the pretest questionnaire and before the posttest questionnaire. The control group was exposed to 14 non-religious messages while the treatment group was exposed to 14 religious and non-religious messages. The results showed a ceiling effect on its participants. Essentially, most were religious to begin with which left little room for them to increase their religious habits. As the study showed, most participants did not change their responses from pretest to posttest after exposure to the outdoor ads.