cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Boxer's fracture: An indicator of intentional and recurrent injury

The objective was to describe the population of patients presenting with a boxer's fracture (BF), to determine how often BF is an intentional injury, to determine if it is a predictor of recurrent injury, and to compare the rates of intentional injury and injury recidivism between patients with BF and those with other injuries. An emergency department (ED)-based injury surveillance system (EDBISS) in a university-affiliated ED (census of 35,000) provided data on injured patients presenting between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1996. Chart review was performed. Descriptive analyses were performed. The results showed 22,728 of 69,438 (33%) ED visits during a 2-year period were attributable to injuries. Sixty-two patients presented with BF. Mean age of BF patients was 22.1 versus 28.6 for all injured (P < .005). Ninety-two percent (57/62) of BF patients were men compared with 58% of all injured (P < .0001). Thirty-eight of 62 (61%) BF injuries were sustained after intentional punches of an object/person. Seventeen of 62 (27%) BF patients were injury recidivists. Previous studies in this same ED population showed that 6% had intentional injuries and 12% were injury recidivists. BF is usually an intentional injury and these patients are at increased risk for recurrent injury. Clinicians should focus prevention efforts on this high-risk population.
Thermal Analysis for Resistance Welding of Large-Scale Thermoplastic Composite Joints:

The need for effective and reliable joining methods continues to grow as the use of thermoplastic composites becomes widespread. It is now possible to join large-scale components with the development of an automated sequential resistance welding process. The thermal history generated by the heating element placed at the interface between adherends determines the quality and performance of the welded joint. This article presents a thermal analysis for the resistance welding of large-scale components that overcomes the limitations of previous models. To simulate welding of the interface, a heat generation term was incorporated that accounts for the Joule heating of graphite fibers in the heating element. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of welding parameters and assess the uniformity of interface temperatures. Components were joined by the resistance welding process to obtain experimental verification. Regions of localized overheating where potential current leakage may occur were identified as a function of process parameters. Insights on promoting more uniform heating for the resistance welding process are discussed. 11 refs.
Effects of exposure regimen on changes in sensitivity to the effects of cocaine on schedule-controlled behavior in rhesus monkeys

It has been reported that conditions of drug exposure can influence changes in sensitivity to cocaine upon repeated administration. In the present experiment, the behavioral effects of prolonged exposure to continuous or intermittent infusion of cocaine were compared in rhesus monkeys responding under a multiple component fixed-ratio (FR) schedule of food presentation. In order to quantify changes in sensitivity to cocaine, cumulative dose-response functions for acute cocaine were determined using a multiple schedule comprised of six 10-minute components separated by time-out periods of 3 minutes. Initially, cocaine decreased responding in a dose-related manner. Continuous infusion of cocaine (4 mg/kg per day) for a period of 4 weeks resulted in a 2- to 4-fold shift to the right in the cocaine dose-response function, i.e., tolerance developed. In contrast, when the same daily dose of cocaine was injected intermittently (1.0 mg/kg per injection) four times/day to different monkeys, there was no change in the effects of cocaine on responding. The present results support the notion that the dosing regimen is an important determinant of changes in sensitivity to the behavioral effects of cocaine. Additionally, since sensitization failed to develop upon intermittent administration of cocaine, behavioral baseline may play a role in changes in sensitivity to cocaine.
Health Services Research Among Crack-Cocaine Users A Case Study From the Midwest

Research focusing on active users of crack cocaine and how they interact with the health care system—drug abuse treatment in particular—is a new area of inquiry. Much of what is known about the problems associated with the use of crack comes from short-term studies. This article describes implementation and methodological issues related to conducting health services research with a natural history orientation among a population of active crack cocaine users (n = 444) in Dayton and Montgomery counties in Ohio. Data from this study can help define what addiction to crack really means as well as ways to prevent and treat it.
An energy relaxation tolerant approach to quantum entanglement, information transfer, and gates with superconducting-quantum-interference-device qubits in cavity QED

A scheme is proposed for realizing quantum entanglement, information transfer, CNOT gates, and SWAP gates with superconducting-quantum-interference-device (SQUID) qubits in cavity QED. In the scheme, the two logical states of a qubit are the two lowest levels of the SQUID. An intermediate level of the SQUID is utilized to facilitate coherent control and manipulation of quantum states of the qubits. The method presented here does not involve a real excitation of the intermediate levels during the operations. Thus, decoherence due to energy relaxation of intermediate levels is minimized. In addition, the present method does not require the adjustment of the SQUID level spacings, which simplifies the operation significantly.
Information theory and the neuropeptidergic regulation of seasonal reproduction in mammals and birds

Seasonal breeding in the temperate zone is a dramatic example of a naturally occurring change in physiology and behaviour. Cues that predict periods of environmental amelioration favourable for breeding must be processed by the brain so that the appropriate responses in reproductive physiology can be implemented. The neural integration of several environmental cues converges on discrete hypothalamic neurons in order to regulate reproductive physiology. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH1) and Kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons in avian and mammalian species, respectively, show marked variation in expression that is positively associated with breeding state. We applied the constancy/contingency model of predictability to investigate how GnRH1 and Kiss1 integrate different environmental cues to regulate reproduction. We show that variation in GnRH1 from a highly seasonal avian species exhibits a predictive change that is primarily based on contingency information. Opportunistic species have low measures of predictability and exhibit a greater contribution of constancy information that is sex-dependent. In hamsters, Kiss1 exhibited a predictive change in expression that was predominantly contingency information and is anatomically localized. The model applied here provides a framework for studies geared towards determining the impact of variation in climate patterns to reproductive success in vertebrate species.
The N-Terminal Domain of Enterococcal Surface Protein, Esp, Is Sufficient for Esp-Mediated Biofilm Enhancement in Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococci have emerged as one of the leading causes of nosocomial bloodstream, surgical site, and urinary tract infections. More recently, enterococci have been associated with biofilms, which are bacterial communities attached to a surface and encased in an extracellular polymeric matrix. The enterococcal cell surface-associated protein, Esp, enhances biofilm formation by Enterococcus faecalis in a glucose-dependent manner. Mature Esp consists of a nonrepeat N-terminal domain and a central region made up of two types of tandem repeats followed by a C-terminal membrane-spanning and anchor domain. This study was undertaken to localize the specific domain(s) of Esp that plays a role in Esp-mediated biofilm enhancement. To achieve this objective, we constructed in-frame deletion mutants expressing truncated forms of Esp in an isogenic background. By comparing strains expressing the mutant forms of Esp to those expressing wild-type Esp, we found that the strain expressing Esp lacking the N-terminal domain formed biofilms that were quantitatively less in biovolume than the strain expressing wild-type Esp. Furthermore, an E. faecalis strain expressing only the N-terminal domain of Esp fused to a heterologous protein anchor formed biofilms that were quantitatively similar to those formed by a strain expressing full-length Esp. This suggested that the minimal region contributing to Esp-mediated biofilm enhancement in E. faecalis was confined to the nonrepeat N-terminal domain. Expression of full-length E. faecalis Esp in heterologous host systems of esp-deficient Lactococcus lactis and Enterococcus faecium did not enhance biofilm formation as was observed for E. faecalis. These results suggest that Esp may require interaction with an additional E. faecalis-specific factor(s) to result in biofilm enhancement.
Matrix Metalloproteinases in Critical Limb Ischemia

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is most commonly the result of arterial occlusive disease, specifically atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture within the infrainguinal arteries. The physiological response to CLI is partial limb reperfusion via the distinct processes of angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular matrix-remodeling enzymes that play an important role in both the occlusion and reperfusion processes associated with CLI. This article provides a review of the recent literature, summarizing the current understanding of the role of MMPs in both the arterial occlusion and limb reperfusion associated with CLI. Specifically, the functions of MMPs in atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, and arteriogenesis are discussed.
Magnetic behavior of mechanically Milled FeNi-CoO nanocomposites

The effects of crystallite size and ball-mill-induced defects on the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic (FM) FeNi-antiferromagnetic (AFM) CoO (Neel Temperature=290 K) nanocomposites are assessed by magnetic measurements. Asymmetric zero-field-cooled (ZFC) hysteresis loops were observed for samples milled for 30h and longer. The field-cooled (FC) hysteresis loops were asymmetric and shifted in the direction opposite to the cooling field. The enhancement of coercivity and squareness ratio (M/sub R//M/sub S/), along with a presence of a loop shift after field cooling indicates the presence of an exchange bias effect between the FM and AFM phases of the composite. The exchange bias field extracted from the 5 K FC measurement shows continuous enhancement with milling times up to 30 hours and a reduction upon prolonged milling. The temperature dependent exchange bias field measurement shows that the exchange bias field reduces to zero at temperature T<200 K<T/sub N/ (290 K) of CoO. Thus, in agreement with thin film systems, exchange bias properties can be obtained in FM-AFM fine powder nanocomposites upon mechanical milling. Further, the present study has the potential implication of improving magnetic properties of hard magnetic materials upon milling with antiferromagnetic materials.
Effects of surface temperature and clouds on the CO2 forcing

The effects of surface temperature and clouds on the CO2 forcing are studied, based on use of the Colorado State University GCM. Results are reported from a pair of perpetual July simulations in which the sea surface temperatures differ by 4 K. The precipitable water is about 1.5 times larger in the warm run. The increased water vapor concentration amplifies the radiative effects of CO2, leading to greater CO2 forcing in the warm run. In the colder run the globally averaged reduction in upward longwave radiation due to a doubling of CO2 is 4.3 W/sq m at the level of maximum forcing, or the 'CO2 tropopause'. Above and below this level the CO2 forcing decreases, resulting in a net tropospheric warming of 0.033 K/day and a net stratospheric cooling. In the warm run the CO2 forcing at the CO2 tropopause is 4.6 W/sq m, and is associated with a tropospheric warming of 0.04 K/day. The clear-sky CO2 forcing at the CO2 tropopause is 5.0 W/sq m in the cold run, and 5.2 W/sq m in the warm run. By blocking infrared radiation that would otherwise be blocked by CO2, the clouds reduce the CO2 forcing of the surface-troposphere system by 0.66 W/sq m in the cold run, and by 0.59 W/sq m in the warm run.
Effects of dietary energy repletion and IGF-1 infusion on the inhibition of mammary carcinogenesis by dietary energy restriction

Dietary energy restriction (DER) is a potent inhibitor of mammary carcinogenesis, but the responsible mechanisms are not fully understood. In a number of model systems, DER is associated with a decrease in circulating levels of IGF-1. Moreover, we have recently reported that protection against cancer is lost, and plasma IGF-1 levels are restored to control values when animals are re-fed, i.e., energy repleted (DER-REP). Accordingly, an experiment was designed to determine if infusion of IGF-1 could mimic the effect of DER-REP on the carcinogenic response in animals that were DER. Following 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea injection (50 mg/kg), rats were fed either ad libitum (AL) or 40% DER. After 6 wk, the DER group was divided into three groups: (1) continued DER, (2) DER-REP, or (3) continued DER and infused with 120 μg rh-IGF-1/d (INF) for a duration of 8 d. DER reduced mammary cancer incidence and multiplicity (P < 0.01) versus AL rats. In rats that were DER-REP, cancer incidence increased 1.4-fold and multiplicity increased by 3.6-fold versus DER rats. Plasma IGF-1 were reduced by DER (P < 0.01), an effect that was reversed by DER-REP (P < 0.05). INF increased plasma IGF-1 versus DER rats (P < 0.01) but did not reverse the carcinogenic response. Plasma IGFBP-3 levels were reduced by DER (P < 0.01), but elevated by either REP or INF. Thus, an 8-d period of refeeding following chronic DER (DER-REP) reversed the anticancer effects of DER, and 8 d of IGF-1 infusion without refeeding (INF) did not mimic the effects of the DER-REP on the carcinogenic response. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Antigens Varying in Affinity for the B Cell Receptor Induce Differential B Lymphocyte Responses

The B cell receptor (BCR) triggers a variety of biological responses that differ depending upon the properties of the antigen. A panel of M13 phage-displayed peptide ligands with varying affinity for the 3-83 antibody was generated to explore the role of antigen-BCR affinity in cell activation studies using primary 3-83 transgenic mouse B cells. Multiple parameters of activation were measured. T cell–independent B cell proliferation, antibody secretion, induction of germline immunoglobulin γ1 transcripts, and B cell production of interleukin (IL) 2 and interferon γ responses were better correlated with antigen-BCR affinity than with receptor occupancy. In contrast, other responses, such as upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class II and B7.2 (CD86), secretion of IL-6, and B cell proliferation in the context of CD40 signaling were only weakly dependent on antigen affinity. Biochemical analysis revealed that at saturating ligand concentrations the ability of phage to stimulate some early signaling responses, such as Ca++ mobilization and tyrosine phosphorylation of syk or Igα, was highly affinity dependent, whereas the ability to stimulate Lyn phosphorylation was less so. These data suggest that the BCR is capable of differential signaling. The possibility that differential BCR signaling by antigen determines whether an antibody response will be T independent or dependent is discussed.
Improved driver responses at intersections with red signal countdown timers

Abstract Traffic Signal Countdown Timers (TSCTs) are innovative, practical and cost effective technologies with the potential to improve efficiency at signalized intersections. The purpose of these devices is to assist motorists in decision-making at signalized intersections with real-time signal duration information. This study focused specifically on driver responses in the presence of a Red Signal Countdown Timer (RSCT). A Linear Mixed Effect (LME) model was developed to predict the effect of RSCT on the headway of the first vehicle waiting on a red signal. The model predicted 0.72 s reduction in the headway of the first queued vehicle resulting from the presence of RSCT, while the observed difference in mean headway was 0.82 s. This result is suggestive of a reduction in start-up lost time at signalized intersections, i.e., an improvement in signalized intersection efficiency when an RSCT is present.
Scleral fibroblast response to experimental glaucoma in mice.

Purpose To study the detailed cellular and molecular changes in the mouse sclera subjected to experimental glaucoma.
Fatty acid transport proteins: targeting FATP2 as a gatekeeper involved in the transport of exogenous fatty acids

The fatty acid transport proteins (FATP) are classified as members of the Solute Carrier 27 (Slc27) family of proteins based on their ability to function in the transport of exogenous fatty acids. These proteins, when localized to the plasma membrane or at intracellular membrane junctions with the endoplasmic reticulum, function as a gate in the regulated transport of fatty acids and thus represent a therapeutic target to delimit the acquisition of fatty acids that contribute to disease as in the case of fatty acid overload. To date, FATP1, FATP2, and FATP4 have been used as targets in the selection of small molecule inhibitors with the goal of treating insulin resistance and attenuating dietary absorption of fatty acids. Several studies targeting FATP1 and FATP4 were based on the intrinsic acyl CoA synthetase activity of these proteins and not on transport directly. While several classes of compounds were identified as potential inhibitors of fatty acid transport, in vivo studies using a mouse model failed to provide evidence these compounds were effective in blocking or attenuating fatty acid transport. Studies targeting FATP2 employed a naturally occurring splice variant, FATP2b, which lacks intrinsic acyl CoA synthetase due to the deletion of exon 3, yet is fully functional in fatty acid transport. These studies identified two compounds, 5'-bromo-5-phenyl-spiro[3H-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,3'-indoline]-2'-one), now referred to as Lipofermata, and 2-benzyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(4H)-one, now called Grassofermata, that are effective fatty acid transport inhibitors both in vitro using a series of model cell lines and in vivo using a mouse model.
Overestimating the Risk of Intravenous Contrast Medium-Induced Nephropathy: A Pitfall in Imaging the Genitourinary System.

History Iodinated contrast media (CM) were first discovered and used in diagnostic radiology nearly a century ago, leading to the first clinical pyelogramperformed byOsborne et al, and the first femoral arteriogram by Berberich andHirsch in 1924. Not long after,Wallingford, a chemist, created the first iodinecontaining benzoic acid ring. The contributions of Wallingford, Swick, andHoppe et al in the 1950s led tomarkedly improved contrast opacification as well as patient tolerance. By the 1970s, annual consumption of CM surpassed 2000 metric tons, fueled by the discovery of computer tomography (CT). At first, there was little thought given to the idea that iodinated CM were potentially nephrotoxic. Multiple publications documenting this phenomenon were published starting in the 1960s; Manitz and Matthes, and Ansell documented transient anuria in patients with renal failure after intravenous (IV) pyelography. The concept of acute renal dysfunction caused by IV CM has become fundamental and axiomatic in both practice and literature ofmodernmedicine,with articles numbering in the thousands.
Anterior cingulum white matter is altered in tobacco smokers

Background and Objectives The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is hypothesized to be involved in decision making and emotion regulation. Previous observations of drug dependent individuals indicate that substance dependence may be associated with cingulum white matter abnormalities. The present study evaluated cingulum white matter in cigarette smokers. Methods Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in adult tobacco smokers and healthy non-smoker controls (total N = 70) was performed in a 3T Siemens Trio MRI scanner. Results Analyses of DTI tractography of the cingulum in tobacco-smoking individuals and controls indicated that tobacco abusers have significantly reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in the right cingulum. In addition, FA in the left cingulum white matter was negatively associated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence, a self-report measure of tobacco dependence severity. Conclusions The white matter of the cingulum is altered in a non-symmetrical way in tobacco smokers. An inverse relationship between FA and reported number of cigarettes per day was observed. Previous studies have also noted altered neural connectivity in cigarette smokers using similar methods. Similar white matter differences in the cingulum have been observed in methamphetamine dependent individuals and patients with dementia, which suggests that the cingulum may be altered by mechanisms not specific to tobacco exposure. Scientific Significance By better understanding the effects of tobacco abuse on the brain, we hope to gain insight into how drug dependence influences the neurological foundations of behavior. (Am J Addict 2016;XX:1–5)
Commentary: Open Access Publishing in Healthcare

We at Innovations in Global Health Professions Education decided that our periodical would be ‘platinum’ open access (OA)—free to access and free to publish. Does this mean we are just jumping on the bandwagon in “the unstoppable rise of open access” ?
Connective tissue. VII. Factors inhibiting the dermal chemical response to cortisol.

Summary and ConclusionsA single injection of a physiologic dose of cortisol (3 mg/ kg) into young, normal rats resulted in a marked decrease in dermal concentrations of 0.15 m saline soluble hexosamine and nitrogen and neutral soluble and insoluble collagens. Associated with these changes was a profound increase in dermal concentration of acid soluble collagen. These changes in dermal chemistry produced by one dose of cortisol were maintained for at least one week after steroid administration. This dermal chemical response to administration of one dose of cortisol was not found in rachitic, aged or Dilantin treated rats. These results suggest that with the chronic stress resulting from the starvation imposed by a rachitogenic diet, or with advanced age rats become refractory to cortisol. As little as one dose of Dilantin was sufficient apparently to inhibit or antagonize the usual dermal chemical response to cortisol.
Reproductive Biology and Population Characteristics of Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in Arkansas

Reproductive tracts were examined from 74 male and 64 female bobcats ( Lynx rufus ) collected in Arkansas between June 1970 and April 1972. Ages of 174 specimens were established using dental criteria. Males were sexually mature by their second winter and appeared to remain fertile the year around; females reproduced first at 1 or 2 years of age. The main reproductive period began in December and continued at least through April. A high percentage of females were not fertilized during their first estrus of the season. Average litter size was 2.5. Sex ratio among 180 adult and immature specimens was 1.7 males per female. Age structure of the sample suggested a low adult mortality rate.
Abstract 930: Reprogramming the transcriptional response to hormone through functionally-distinct classes of gene enhancers in prostate cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Mammalian genomes are populated with thousands of transcriptional enhancers that orchestrate cell type-specific gene expression programs; however, the potential that there are pre-established enhancers that permit alternative signal-dependent transcriptional responses has remained unexplored. Here we present evidence that cell lineage-specific factors, such as FoxA1, which contribute to the activation of cell-type specific enhancers by selectively favoring the recruitment of key regulated transcription factors such as the androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer cells, can simultaneously restrict these same factors from activating additional (alternative) pre-established but yet inactive enhancers, thus licensing specific signal-activated responses and restricting others. Importantly, these alternative hormonal responses are linked to distinct structural and functional classes of enhancers. Consequently, FoxA1 down-regulation, an unfavorable prognostic sign in some sets of advanced prostate tumors, causes a massive switch in AR binding from one functional enhancer class to another, which massively reprograms the hormonal response. The molecular basis for this switch lies in the release of FoxA1-mediated “restriction” of AR binding to the new enhancer class that requires no apparent nucleosome remodeling for their activation. Multiple global analyses of enhancer formation, structure, looping, and activation were combined to support these conclusions, including: H3K4me1/me3, H3K27ac, and H4K4ac mapping (ChIP-seq); nucleosomal H3K4me2 mapping (nucleosomal ChIP-seq); FoxA1, AR, p300, and MED12 mapping (ChIP-seq), also supported by the 3C assay; enhancer ncRNA or eRNAs generation analysis (GRO-seq); and gene expression analysis (microarray and GRO-seq). Together, these findings reveal a large repository of pre-determined enhancers in the human genome that can be dynamically tuned to induce alternative gene expression programs, which -we speculate- may underlie many sequential gene expression events in development or during cancer progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 930. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-930
Changes in Erythrocytes of Hamsters Following Castration, Splenectomy, and Subsequent Liver, Iron, and Testosterone Injections

SummaryCastration of hamsters caused a decrease in the number (25-30%) and in the size of erythrocytes. In animals castrated when young enough to have fewer cells than the number typical for castrates the count increased up to the castrate level. Splenectomy had the same effects as castration upon the number and size of red blood cells and no additional change occurred when castrated animals were splenectomized. Liver extract or iron citrate injected daily for three days restored a normal count and normal average corpuscular volume in all operated animals, castrates, splenectomized, and splenectomized castrates. Testosterone injected for a similar length of time was effective in castrates only and was ineffective in all splenectomized animals.
Vehicle detection in wide-angle SAR

This study investigates vehicle detection performance for an airborne video SAR over increasingly wide collection angles. Using a parameterized video SAR generation, it is possible to see the effects of detection on various frame generation methods and apertures. A cell-averaging CFAR detection algorithm is applied to each frame, searching for vehicles. Results show that increasing the azimuth extent of the video SAR improves detection performance. With some imaging methods, a larger azimuth extent helps to suppress background speckle. Also, a larger azimuth extent improves the chances of imaging a vehicle from a more informative cardinal angle.
42-3: Invited Paper: Requirements for Next Generation Wearable Display and Battery Technologies

The value of low power display impacting the system level enhancement is discussed on smartwatch platform with different use cases. It is shown that both low power display and high energy density battery technology are critical for the longevity of the wearable device. A case is presented on doubling battery savings upon lowering the display power (by approximately 5x) and high energy battery density.
Renal Perfusion/Reperfusion Injuries

Apres un rappel sur la physiologie renale de la perturbation de la perfusion, on etudie la biologie cellulaire de la lesion renale ischemique, les perturbations hormonales au cours de l'ischemie renale, la prevention et le traitement de l'insuffisance renale aigue ischemique
Osteology and phylogenetic affinities of the middle Eocene North American Bathornis grallator—one of the best represented, albeit least known Paleogene cariamiform birds (seriemas and allies)

Bathornis (“Neocathartes”) grallator (Wetmore, 1944) from the middle Eocene of Wyoming is based on a partial skeleton, which is the most substantial record of the North American Bathornithidae and one of the most complete fossils of a Paleogene stem group representative of the Cariamiformes. So far, however, an assessment of the evolutionary significance of this important fossil has been hampered by the limited published osteological data. Moreover, cariamiform affinities of B. grallator and its true “genus”-level identity were recognized after the last comprehensive revision of the Bathornithidae, and some of its features were incorrectly portrayed in the original description. Here, the B. grallator holotype is restudied and the taxonomic composition and phylogenetic affinities of bathornithids are revised. It is suggested to restrict Bathornithidae to the taxon Bathornis, from which the putative bathornithid Paracrax differs in numerous features, with even cariamiform affinities of this latter taxon not having been established beyond doubt. B. grallator was a flightless bird and has recently been hypothesized to be the sister taxon of the likewise flightless South American Phorusrhacidae. The present analysis, however, supports a position outside a clade including Phorusrhacidae and Cariamidae (the cariamiform crown clade). Owing to their terrestrial way of living, Cariamiformes appear to have been prone to a loss of flight capabilities. B. grallator shows close similarities to a flightless cariamiform bird from the Paleogene of Europe, but the phylogenetic significance of this resemblance is difficult to assess owing to the limited material known of the latter species.
Human serum megakaryocyte colony-stimulating activity appears to be distinct from interleukin-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and lymphocyte-conditioned medium

Sera from patients with bone marrow megakaryocyte aplasia are a rich source of megakaryocyte colony-stimulating activity (Meg-CSA). Other biologic materials exhibiting Meg-CSA include phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocyte-conditioned medium (PHA-LCM), recombinant interleukin-3 (IL-3), and recombinant granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Neutralizing antisera to both recombinant IL-3 and GM-CSF were used to evaluate the relationship among these sources of Meg-CSA. Varying dilutions of IL-3 and GM-CSF antisera were tested in plasma clot cultures of normal human peripheral blood megakaryocyte progenitors optimally stimulated by either IL-3 (1 U/mL), GM-CSF (1 U/mL), PHA-LCM (2.5% to 5% vol/vol), or aplastic human serum (10% vol/vol). IL-3 antiserum at dilutions up to 1/2,000 totally abrogated megakaryocyte colony growth stimulated by IL-3. A 1/500 dilution of GM-CSF antiserum completely eliminated GM-CSF-induced megakaryocyte colony development. A combination of anti-IL-3 and anti-GM-CSF, each at a 1/500 dilution, inhibited all megakaryocyte colony growth stimulated by optimal concentrations of IL-3 and GM-CSF together. There was no neutralizing crossreactivity between the IL-3 and GM-CSF antisera. At maximally neutralizing concentrations, IL-3 antiserum inhibited 66% of the megakaryocyte colony growth stimulated by PHA-LCM. Residual megakaryocyte colony growth was eliminated by the addition of a 1/500 dilution of anti-GM-CSF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Case study of DPI robustness of a MOS-SCR structure for automotive applications

This paper presents a case study to demonstrate that transient-triggered ESD protection circuits may fail the DPI automotive requirement. A novel scheme is devised to improve the DPI performance of a MOSSCR protection device while maintaining the system-level ESD performance.
A novel online tool for documenting physicians' activity allocation

AbstractIn the current healthcare environment, pressure on physician time is greater than ever. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations require that hospitals that receive physician remuneration costs complete time study analyses to support the allocation of physician time for cost reporting purposes. Physicians' administrative, research, and teaching activities are typically recorded 1 week per month or 2 weeks per quarter using paper booklets. This paper describes the creation of a novel online application (accessible via desktop PC, and Apple iPad®, and iPhone®) and our early experience with its use. A survey of our physicians (n = 1440) showed a high level of satisfaction with the physician time study (PTS) application. One-fifth of the physicians responded to the survey, and, of those, 83% indicated that the application is easy to use, and 76% indicated an overall preference over the paper booklet. We estimate $24 000 savings in printing and booklet distribution costs and another...
Fabrication of an Economical Arduino-Based Uniaxial Tensile Tester

The mechanical properties of soft materials are critically important for a wide range of applications ranging from packaging to biomedical purposes. We have constructed a simple mechanical testing apparatus using off-the-shelf materials and open-source software for a total cost of less than $100. The device consists of a wooden frame supporting a central loading apparatus attached via drawer slides. To perform a mechanical test, a sample is secured within two custom-made 3D-printed clamps affixed to brackets on the base of the frame and the load cell. The extension force is applied by the user pulling on a rope, moving the central loading apparatus up (thereby stretching the sample) while recording the force (measured by a load cell) and the displacement (measured by an ultrasonic sensor). The load cell and ultrasonic sensor are linked to an Arduino microcontroller connected to a laptop through a USB port for data acquisition and analysis. This instrument was easy to assemble and enabled students to bette...
ENT and Anterior Neck Surgery

This chapter describes the types of monitoring modalities that may be used for ear, nose and throat (ENT) and anterior neck surgery, the structures at risk and the methods to monitor these structures to prevent iatrogenic damage and injury caused by surgical trauma. The different monitors that may be used for these particular procedures are suggested, but not absolutely recommended, as the type of monitoring used depends on the particular approach or procedure.
Give Peace A Chance: A Mantra for Business Strategy

The journalistic device of applying military imagery to describe business strategies is appropriate insofar as businesses implicitly base their strategies on a military model whose origins lie in Social Darwinism. What this involves is an unexamined understanding that any means may be adopted to achieve corporate objectives. Recent workforce reductions are manifestations of this understanding; but so are practices associated with mergers and acquisitions and with government-effectuated takings. Regulation, rather than being overbroad, cannot contain these corporate excesses; and social pressure is an underdeveloped counterforce. Business ethics will remain futile, unfortunately, so long as its practitioners assume a peacetime state of affairs and businesses assume a state of war.
Adult Neurogenesis and Central Nervous System Cell Cycle Analysis

Once thought to be restricted to development and the early postnatal period, neurogenesis is now known to be an ongoing event in the brain of adult mammals. One brain region that is a site for adult neurogenesis, the hippocampus, is implicated in a variety of psychiatric disorders: depression, addiction, and schizophrenia. The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of recent evidence suggesting that altered hippocampal neurogenesis is evident in psychiatric disorders. Given the global topic of this volume, additional emphasis is placed on the use of and potential for cell cycle protein analysis to reveal additional information about the links between adult hippocampal neurogenesis and psychiatric disorders. In this way, it is hoped that this chapter will encourage cell cycle researchers to turn their attention, and hopefully efforts, to exploring these links, as well as encourage researchers of adult neurogenesis to employ cell cycle analysis in their efforts to explore stem and progenitor cell biology in the adult mammalian brain.
A balance of deubiquitinating enzymes controls cell cycle entry

Protein degradation during the cell cycle is controlled by the opposing activities of ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Although the functions of ubiquitin ligases in the cell cycle have been studied extensively, the roles of DUBs in this process are less well understood. Here, we used an overexpression screen to examine the specificities of each of the 21 DUBs in budding yeast for 37 cell cycle-regulated proteins. We find that DUBs up-regulate specific subsets of proteins, with five DUBs regulating the greatest number of targets. Overexpression of Ubp10 had the largest effect, stabilizing 15 targets and delaying cells in mitosis. Importantly, UBP10 deletion decreased the stability of the cell cycle regulator Dbf4, delayed the G1/S transition, and slowed proliferation. Remarkably, deletion of UBP10 together with deletion of four additional DUBs restored proliferation to near-wild-type levels. Among this group, deletion of the proteasome-associated DUB Ubp6 alone reversed the G1/S delay and restored the stability of Ubp10 targets in ubp10Δ cells. Similarly, deletion of UBP14, another DUB that promotes proteasomal activity, rescued the proliferation defect in ubp10Δ cells. Our results suggest that DUBs function through a complex genetic network in which their activities are coordinated to facilitate accurate cell cycle progression.
Two-Level Clustering-Based Target Detection Through Sensor Deployment and Data Fusion

Target detection is one fundamental problem in many sensor network-based applications, and is typically tackled in two separate stages for sensor deployment and data fusion. We propose an integrated solution, referred to as SSEM, which combines 2-level clustering-based sensor deployment and Source Strength Estimate Map-based data fusion for the detection of a single static or moving target. SSEM conducts the first level of clustering to determine a sensor deployment scheme and the second level of clustering to divide the deployed sensors into multiple subsets. For each sensor, the source strength is estimated at each grid point of the entire region based on a signal attenuation model, and for each subset of sensors, the target location is estimated using a strength distribution map-based statistical analysis method. A final detection decision is made by thresholding the clustering degree of the target location estimates computed by all subsets of sensors. Compared with traditional grid-based target detection methods, SSEM significantly reduces the computation complexity and improves the detection performance through an integrated optimization strategy. Extensive simulation results show the performance superiority of the proposed solution over several well-known methods for target detection.
Parenting, deviant peer affiliation, and externalizing behavior during adolescence: processes conditional on sympathetic nervous system reactivity

Background This study examined associations between permissive parenting, deviant peer affiliations, and externalizing behavior across mid to late adolescence in a plausible indirect effects model of change over time with deviant peer affiliation serving as the mediator. We also evaluated potential conditional indirect effects wherein these relationships may be moderated by sex and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, indexed by skin conductance level (SCL) reactivity. Method Participants included 242 community-sampled adolescents (M = 15.79 years; 48% boys; 66% European American, 34% African American) with two additional longitudinal assessments lagged by 1 year. Permissive parenting, SCL reactivity, and sex were considered as time invariant predictors of repeated measures of deviant peer affiliation and externalizing behavior in latent growth models that tested whether any of the direct or indirect associations were conditional on sex or SCL reactivity. Results Evidence was found for indirect effects of permissive parenting on externalizing behavior via deviant peer affiliation, but only for males with lower SCL reactivity to stress. Additionally, these effects were found on latent intercepts, but not slopes indexing change over time, perhaps reflecting established individual differences in relationships among these variables. Conclusions Findings are discussed in the context of biosocial models of adolescent development and risk factors that may inform interventions for vulnerable youth.
Alcoholics Fanonymous: The relationships between reasons for drinking, aggression, and team identification in sports fans

Prior research has illustrated that sport spectators, particularly those with higher team identification, display a willingness to engage in both hostile and instrumental aggressive acts towards op...
The dual contingencies of ethnoraciality: Status-context disparities in health information sources among sexual minorities.

Abstract Researchers often explore health (care) beliefs as a function of individual characteristics; yet, few consider the role of context in shaping both beliefs and the behaviors that are informed by them. As a sociopolitical construct, ethnoraciality provides a concerning source of bias in studies of health (care) beliefs because it inhabits both individual and contextual forms. This study examines whether the ethnoracial context of the residential area where sexual minorities live is associated with a particular health (care) belief – sources of trustworthy health information – and considers how ethnoracial group membership status differentiates these ecological associations drawing on mediation and moderation models. Using data from the 2010 Social Justice Sexuality Project, our analysis shows that sexual minorities who live with high concentrations of Latinos and Whites are less likely to rely exclusively on medical professionals for trustworthy health information than those who live with high concentrations of Blacks. Moreover, exclusive reliance on medical professionals for health information among Black and Latino sexual minorities is stronger in co-ethnic communities (predominately Black and Latino areas, respectively). The analysis also documents status and contextual differentials and status-context contingencies of reliance on the Internet, social networks, and multiple agents (“triangulation”) as sources of health information. Findings suggest that place-based co-ethnic networks may facilitate disease prevention among Black and Latino sexual minorities by improving the quality of their relationships with sick role gatekeepers and breaking down the silos of the medical complex. The study concludes by considering the value of a place-based approach to alleviating health disparities among sexual minorities vis-a-vis the health care system.
Comment on: “Comparison of Female Athlete Triad Coalition and RED-S risk assessment tools”

Recently, Koltun et al. (2019) published a comparison of the risk assessment tools and return to play (RTP) guidelines developed by the Female Athlete Triad Coalition (Triad CRA; De Souza, Nattiv, ...
Sexual Assault Prevalence and Community College Students: Challenges and Promising Practices.

Recently, much research has been dedicated to understanding how to prevent and address the aftermath of sexual assault (SA) on traditional 4-year college and university campuses in the United State...
Elevated plasma cortisol associated with larger ventricles and smaller hippocampal volumes, a study in 2 independent elderly cohorts

Cortisol is considered the most fundamental stress hormone and is elevated in stress and multiple neuropsychiatric conditions. Prior studies have shown associations of plasma cortisol levels with total cerebral and hippocampal volumes and less consistently with the amygdala. Here, we extend our hypothesis to test associations of plasma cortisol with 1) ventricular 2) hippocampal and 3) amygdalar volumes, in two independent elderly cohorts across a broad cognitive spectrum ranging from normal cognition to Alzheimers disease. We demonstrate elevated cortisol to be associated with larger lateral ventricular volumes and smaller hippocampal volumes, predominantly in the right cerebral hemisphere, regardless of age, sex or cognitive status. We noted a non-significant trend of smaller amygdalar volumes with elevated cortisol. Our findings support smaller brain parenchyma volumes seen with elevated cortisol and may encourage effective strategies reducing cortisol and stress. They may also serve as imaging biomarkers for assessing therapeutic benefits of stress and cortisol lowering interventions aiming to halt or reverse the brain volume alterations and theoretically improve cognition and quality of life.
Life cycle energy and greenhouse gas emissions implications of using carbon fiber reinforced polymers in automotive components: Front subframe case study

Abstract Vehicle lightweighting benefits consumers through fuel savings, manufacturers through a more fuel-efficient vehicle portfolio, and the environment through reduced fossil fuel use and lower emissions. Vehicle components can be lightweighted by replacing conventional materials with alternatives such as aluminum or composites. However, lightweight materials come with their own set of environmental and economic challenges. Often, manufacturing of lightweight materials requires more energy than for conventional materials such as steel. Understanding the net energy and environmental benefits of lightweighting requires life cycle assessment with a large enough system boundary to prevent shifting of impacts and to ensure a fair comparison between different material options. Life cycle assessments of carbon fiber composite parts are hampered by substantial uncertainties in the energy needed for their production and recycling and the vehicle fuel consumption benefits. The present study addresses these deficiencies using a detailed vehicle fuel consumption model and industrially relevant carbon fiber production data and component design. The front subframe case study considered illustrates the challenges associated with achieving life cycle energy and greenhouse gas savings using carbon fiber. The base case with no powertrain resizing, secondary weight savings, or recycled carbon fiber and with 160,000 miles vehicle lifetime has no energy or emission benefits. When powertrain resizing, secondary weight savings, carbon fiber recycling, and increased vehicle lifetime travel were considered, energy and greenhouse gas benefits were found.